PM Abiy Appoints Three New Ministers without Parliamentary Approval
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD.) appointed three new ministers for trade & industry, education and innovation.
Abraham Belay (PhD), who was the Chief of Ethiopian Electric Power for almost the past two years, is appointed as a Minister of Innovation and Technology. He has replaced Getahun Mekuria (PhD), who is now appointed as a Minister of Education in place of Tilaye Gete, who resigned a month ago because of personal reasons.
Melaku Alebel, currently serving as a Vice President of State of Amhara, is assigned as a Minister of Trade and Industry.
Melaku, high-level member of Amhara’s Prosperity Party, replaced Fetlework Gebregziabher, Central Committee Member of TPLF. Fetlework was among 10 women ministers who were a member of the council of ministers.
The new ministers are appointed without the approval of the parliament, although such practices are not new to the country.
Article 74(2) of Ethiopia’s constitution reads: “the prime minister shall submit for approval to the House of Peoples Representatives nominees for ministerial posts from among members of the two Houses or from among persons who are not members of either House and possess the required qualifications.”