Ethiopia Elects New President as Taye Atske Selassie Replaces Sahle Work Zewde
In a significant political shift, Taye Atske Selassie was today elected by Ethiopia’s Parliament to serve as the country’s new President, marking the end of Sahle Work Zewde’s six-year term, which was set to expire this month.
Sahle Work Zewde, Ethiopia’s first female President, assumed the role on October 25, 2018. Her presidency, which was largely ceremonial, saw her navigate a complex political landscape. In a recent tweet, she hinted at growing frustration with the constraints of her position, revealing that she had felt compelled to remain silent over the past year. This message fueled speculation that she was either uninterested in pursuing another term or faced obstacles in seeking re-election.
The process of electing a new President in Ethiopia requires a candidate to secure a two-thirds majority in a joint session of both Houses of Parliament – the House of People’s Representatives (HoPR) and the House of Federation (HoF). Today, members of both Houses voted in favor of Taye Atske Selassie, positioning him as Ethiopia’s next head of state.
Before assuming this new role, Taye had been serving as Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister since February 2024, following his predecessor Demeke Mekonnen. Prior to that, Taye Atske Selassie represented Ethiopia at the United Nations during the two-year conflict in the country’s northern region. He is regarded as a seasoned diplomat and a prominent figure in Ethiopian politics.
Despite the President’s position being largely ceremonial, with executive power resting in the hands of the Prime Minister, Taye Atske Selassie’s extensive diplomatic experience is expected to lend considerable prestige to his new office.