Ethiopia is navigating a notable political transition with the recent appointment of Taye Atske Selassie as the new president, following his role as foreign minister since February. This move comes after parliament’s decision to replace Sahle-Work Zewde, the country’s first female head of state.
Can you shed some light on how this transition unfolded and its significance for Ethiopia as it moves forward?
Taye’s new position is largely ceremonial, as the primary political power rests with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who retains that crucial role. There were reports of friction between Sahle-Work and Abiy in recent years. Her appointment in 2018 was hailed as a major step for gender equality in Ethiopian politics, bolstered by the prime minister’s support at the time.
On Saturday, Sahle-Work expressed her discontent in a brief and somewhat cryptic social media post, her first statement in over a year. Sources close to her revealed to BBC Amharic that she had been feeling dissatisfied for some time and was eager to conclude her term later this month.
During her presidency, Sahle-Work consistently called for peace across the nation but faced backlash for her handling of gender-based violence amid the two-year civil conflict in Tigray. Speculation surrounds her hesitation to engage more proactively, particularly given the ongoing violence in the Oromia and Amhara regions, where federal forces are clashing with local militias, resulting in significant casualties and extraordinary allegations against security forces.
Taye, who is 68 years old, brings extensive diplomatic experience, having served both at the United Nations and in Egypt. He is known to have a close relationship with Prime Minister Abiy and was officially sworn in during a parliamentary session on Monday.
Following Sahle-Work’s exit, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan remains the only female head of state in Africa.
What do you think this political shift means for Ethiopia’s future, particularly in terms of gender representation in leadership roles?
