(Reuters) – Ethiopia’s new premier Abiy Ahmed named a new defense minister on Thursday as part of a reshuffle to help implement reforms demanded by the public during unrest in which hundreds were killed by security forces.
Abiy named 10 new ministers but retained the finance and foreign ministers from the cabinet of his predecessor Hailemariam Desalegn, who resigned in February to pave the way for the reforms.
“To respond to public demand a cabinet reshuffle is essential. This follows the change of leadership that was enacted in an attempt to change the existing situation in the country,” Abiy told the parliament.
He told the new ministers to tackle graft and streamline bureaucracy.
“This is a red line that has to be enforced,” said Abiy, 42, who was sworn in on April 2. “What the public is fed up of is graft and maladministration. This will not be tolerated.”
Parliament swore in some 10 new ministers on Thursday and six others were moved to head other ministries. Motuma Mekassa, a former minister of mines, petroleum and natural gas, was named defence minister.
Abiy also named new industry, energy, trade, mining, health, and revenue ministers, as well as an attorney general.
Those he retained included Finance Minister Abraham Tekeste and Foreign Minister Workneh Gebeyehu, both of whom Hailemariam appointed in late 2016. Every lawmaker in the 547-seat parliament is from the ruling EPRDF coalition.
Abiy appointed former parliament speaker Abadula Gemeda as the national security advisor.
He also named a new federal police commissioner, a new director general of the Information Network Security Agency, which oversees cybersecurity, and a new director general of METEC, a military-industrial conglomerate.
All four are civilians, a change from previous governments in which such posts have been held by men from the security branches.
On visits to different parts of the country, Abiy has stressed unity among the many ethnic groups and has promised to expand political and civil rights over time.
The government appears to have recently ended a months-long shutdown of internet outside the capital but a state of emergency introduced the day after Hailemariam’s resignation remains in place.
The new members of Council of Ministers
- Sheferaw Shegute Wolasa, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources. Born in Haroressa of Arsi Zone. Education: BA in accounting, MA in Organizational Leadership.
- Siraj Fagessa Sherefa, Minister of Transport. Born in Silte Zone. Education: BSc in forestry, MA in Organizational Management and Security Affairs.
- Dr. Hirut Woldemariam, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs. Born in Gojjam. Education: BA, MA and PhD in Linguistics.
- Ambassador Teshome Toga, Minister of Government Development Enterprises. Born in Wolayita Sodo. Education: BS in Statistics, MA in International Governance and Development Policy.
- Omer Hussien Ouba, Customs and Revenue Authority Director-General with rank of Minister. Born in Arsi. Education: BA in Economics, MA in Business Administration.
- Ouba Mohammed Hussien, Minister of Communications and Information Technology. Born in Addis Ababa. Education: LLB, MA in Public Administration.
- Ambachew Mekonnen, Minister of Industry. Born in South Gondar. Education. Education: BA in Economics, MA in Public Policy, Economics, and International Finance and Economic Development, and PhD in Economics.
- Motuma Mekassa, Minister of Defense. Born in Gendeberet. Education: BSc and MSc in Statistics.
- Fozia Amin Aliye, Minister of Culture and Tourisim. Born in West Harerge. Education: LLB, MA in Organizational Leadership.
- Ahmed Shede, Government Communications Affairs Office Head with the rank of Minister. Born in Negelle Borena. Education: BA in Economics, MA in Business Administration and International Business.
- Jantirar Yigzaw Abay, Minister of Urban Development and Housing. Born in Wollo. Education: BS in Urban Planning, MS in Architecture and Urban Designing and Development.
- Melese Alemu Erboro, Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Natural Gas. Born in Hadiya. Education: LLB in Law, MA in Development and Good Governance.
- Brehanu Tsegay Abera, Attorney General. Born in Becho. Education: LLB, MA in Change Management Administration and PhD in Law.
- Yalem Tsegay Asfaw, Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs. Born in Dogea Tembien Agere Selam. Education: BS in Public Health.
- Melaku Alebel Addis, Minister of Trade. Born in Gondar. Education: BS in Plant Science, MA in Business Administration.
- Amir Aman, Minister of Health. Born in Bahir Dar. Education: first degree in Health Science, MS in Public Health Care.
