Ethiopian PM announces new cabinet

By Addis Getachew and Seleshi Tessema

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on Tuesday announced a cabinet reshuffle weeks into a state of emergency that followed waves of civil unrest in parts of Oromia and Amhara.

Swathes of Ethiopia’s Oromia region had seen violent demonstrations following the killing of 56 people in a stampede on Oct. 2 that was triggered when police fired bullets and tear gas to disperse crowds at a Irreecha celebration in the south-central town of Bishoftu.

The government declared a state of emergency on Oct. 9, promising to take “deep reform measures”.

The government repeatedly admitted that protests were in part its own failures “to address popular grievances timely adequately.”

Announcing the appointees, the prime minister told parliament that the reshuffle was made in line with government promises for such measures as electoral reform and good governance.

Of the 30 ministerial positions, nine remained unchanged while 21 positions were reshuffled.

Reshuffle

The post of foreign minister -- which was held for the past 25 years by members of the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (the leading party in the coalition of four parties that constitute the ruling EPRDF) - was taken away from Tedros Adhanom and given to an Oromo, Transport Minister Workneh Gebeyehu.

Another casualty of the reshuffle was Communication Affairs Minister (spokesman) Getachew Reda.

Opposition leader Tigistu Awelu (Andinet/Unity Party president) told Anadolu Agency: “It is good they brought new faces with academic background. That is a break with the tradition of the ruling EPRDF which values political loyalty and affiliation over skill and knowledge.”

“However, the new ministers no matter their profiles cannot be successful unless there is a dynamic structural change in government workings,” he said.

“Government should begin promised electoral reform which may end a one-party domination we have seen since the fall of the previous Marxist regime 25 years ago,” he added.

“We are cautiously optimistic about the whole reform project,” he said.