Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Demeke Mekonnen Hassen has submitted his resignation, citing pressure from within his party’s Central Committee, the Prosperity Party. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed led a farewell ceremony to honor the departing minister, highlighting the importance of his contributions to the government and the nation.
Mekonnen, who holds the position of third vice president of the Prosperity Party, represents the Amhara wing of the ruling party. The central committee of the party voted to reshuffle the party’s leadership. The Prosperity Party voted to swap Demeke Mekonnen for Temesgen Tiruneh, Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS).
Deputy Prime Minister Mekonnen, a seasoned politician who held key roles in the Ethiopian government, decided to step down following increasing pressure from the central committee of the Prosperity Party, expressing concerns about the direction of the party’s domestic policy and governance. The party’s internal deliberations on the matter have not been made public, but sources indicate that there were differences of opinion on critical issues.
In a poignant farewell ceremony held at the Prime Minister’s residence, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed commended Minister Mekonnen’s dedication and service to Ethiopia. The ceremony was attended by government officials, party members, and diplomatic representatives.
During the ceremony, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said, “Demeke Mekonnen has been an integral part of our government and has served the Ethiopian people with utmost dedication. His contributions to foreign affairs and governance have been significant. We respect his decision to resign, and we honor him for his years of service.”
Minister Mekonnen, in his farewell address, expressed gratitude for the opportunities to serve the nation. “I am thankful for the trust placed in me during my time as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. It has been an honor to contribute to Ethiopia’s development and represent our nation on the international stage,” he said.
The resignation and subsequent farewell ceremony have sparked discussions within Ethiopian political circles, with speculation about the internal dynamics of the Prosperity Party. As the nation processes these developments, attention now turns to the selection of a new Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The Ethiopian government has not provided detailed information regarding the specific concerns that led to the resigned Minister Mekonnen taking such a decision, but observers suggest that this move may be part of broader efforts to address governance challenges and shape the party’s trajectory.
Ethiopia joined the BRICS block during his tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia and within the ruling Prosperity Party, raising questions about the future direction of the government’s foreign policy.
