Abiy Ahmed named leader of Ethiopia's ruling coalition, set to be named prime minister
Ethiopia's ruling coalition has elected a new leader after days of intense debate and negotiations. According to a state-affiliated media, Abiy Ahmed was elected with more than 60% of the vote.
He defeated six other candidates contending for the position and is now set to take over as Ethiopia's prime minister following the resignation of Hailemariam Desalegn, last month.
Abiy Ahmed is from the country's Oromo ethnic group, which has been at the centre of anti-government protests since 2015, citing political, economical and cultural marginalisation despite being the largest group in the country.
Mr. Abiy has been hailed as an astute politician and boasts of an impressive academic and military credentials. Academically, he has Masters degrees from the US and UK and also holds a doctorate from Addis Ababa University.
His service in the military saw him rise to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He participated in the UN peacekeeping mission to Rwanda.
He orchestrated the establishment of the country's Internet Security Agency during his tenure as a cabinet minister and served as director of the agency between 2009 and 2012 after which he became the minister for science and technology.
The 42-year-old's emergence has brought renewed hope that the leadership change may help tackle some of the issues on ground but critics doubts he will have the needed space, freewill and power required to effect the kind of changes demonstrators seek.
He defeated six other candidates contending for the position and is now set to take over as Ethiopia's prime minister following the resignation of Hailemariam Desalegn, last month.
Abiy Ahmed is from the country's Oromo ethnic group, which has been at the centre of anti-government protests since 2015, citing political, economical and cultural marginalisation despite being the largest group in the country.
Mr. Abiy has been hailed as an astute politician and boasts of an impressive academic and military credentials. Academically, he has Masters degrees from the US and UK and also holds a doctorate from Addis Ababa University.
His service in the military saw him rise to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He participated in the UN peacekeeping mission to Rwanda.
He orchestrated the establishment of the country's Internet Security Agency during his tenure as a cabinet minister and served as director of the agency between 2009 and 2012 after which he became the minister for science and technology.
The 42-year-old's emergence has brought renewed hope that the leadership change may help tackle some of the issues on ground but critics doubts he will have the needed space, freewill and power required to effect the kind of changes demonstrators seek.
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