Breaking: Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Steps Down

AlMohagig – Abudigana Altahir

Demeke Mekonnen, Ethiopia’s long-serving Deputy Prime Minister, who also doubled as Minister of Foreign Affairs since November 2020, is departing from both positions as early as today, Addis Standard has confirmed from a credible source close to the matter.

Demeke, who is the third vice president of the ruling Prosperity Party representing the Amhara wing of the party has also been relieved of his position as of today. He is replaced by Temesgen Tiruneh, Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS).

This was announced at the ongoing meeting of the PP Central Committee members.

Although Demeke has served as deputy prime minister since 2012, his elevation as the Minister of Foreign Affairs came during an unprecedented reshuffle by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in the wake of the war in the Tigray region in November 2020.

Demeke replaced the then Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew while maintaining his position as the Deputy Prime Minister.

The expert on Ethiopian affairs, Mohamed Hamid Juma said, “Currently, Ethiopia is building a party for a war situation, and Damaki is the last Amhara element from the Meles Zenawi era and Tiruneh is his replacement from Abiy Ahmed’s generation.”