Ethiopia’s Abiy Taps Opposition, Retains Finance Head in Cabinet

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Oct. 4. Photographer: Jemal Countess/Getty Images

ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed named an opposition leader to join his new 22-member cabinet and nominated his deputy, Demeke Mekonnen, and finance chief, Ahmed Shide, to retain their roles.

Abiy proposed three opposition politicians, including Berhanu Nega as education minister, in a speech to lawmakers on Wednesday. He also nominated Abraham Belay to head the defense ministry. Abraham led the interim government in the Tigray before the rebels regained control of the region in June.

Dagmawit Moges was nominated to remain as transport chief, while Habtamu Iteffa was proposed as the new head of the water and energy ministry. Deputy Prime Minister Demeke was also proposed to continue as the nation’s foreign minister.

The new parliament reappointed Abiy as prime minister on Oct. 4 following his party’s landslide election win. He now has a five-year mandate to lead Ethiopia in the face of a civil war that triggered an economic and humanitarian crisis.

Lawmakers have overwhelmingly approved Abiy’s nomination today, giving Abiy a greenlight to lead the country for the next five years.