Parliament approved the appointment of new foreign affairs, defense and construction ministers. It was the third cabinet reshuffle since the Prime Minister came to power a year ago.
Through last Thursday’s appointments, PM Abiy Ahmed has placed close allies in key positions. They are former administrators of Oromia and Amhara regional states.
President of Oromia Regional State, Lemma Megersa, is the new minister of defense. He replaces Ayisha Mohammed, who had the job for six months. She was the first women to hold the position. Gedu Andargachew, the former President of Amhara Region has become the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, filling the vacant position after Workeneh Gebeyehu left to work with the United Nations office in Nairobi.
Similarly, Ayisha Mohammed who became the first female Defense Minister in October 2018, has moved to Urban Development and Construction Ministry, a position she once held before becoming the Minister of Tourism and Culture.
Kassa Gugsa, a lawmaker from the Tigrian People Liberation Front (TPLF) raised his concern about the frequent change of ministers with no or little clarification by the parliament. His concern was echoed by another lawmaker saying that ministers should at least stay for a year. While Lemma and Ayisha have appeared to the Parliament to be sworn in, Gedu Andargachew has not shows up for an undisclosed reason. Both Lemma and Gedu often nicknamed, team Lemma, reportedly played a critical role in the reform that ended the 27 years plus domination of the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) within the ruling coalition the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). The parliament has approved the appointment of the ministers with the majority voting in support of the reshuffle. There was one no vote and five abstentions.