Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde resigned from office on Monday following a speculated disagreement with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Sahle-Work, the first woman to hold the ceremonial role in Ethiopia, has been head of state since 2018, representing a significant milestone for gender equality in the country’s politics.
Her resignation is seen as a reflection of the deepening internal tensions within the government, particularly with Abiy Ahmed.
Though the president’s office holds limited power in Ethiopia’s political system, Sahle-Work’s departure raises questions about the state of diplomacy and leadership in the country.
Sahle-Work, a former United Nations official with a career in international diplomacy, handed over power to her successor, Taye Atske Selassie, in a brief ceremony held in Addis Ababa.
Taye, who has served as Ethiopia’s foreign minister since February and was the country’s representative to the United Nations, was approved by the Federal House of People’s Representatives to take on the role of president.
The resignation comes after a cryptic message posted by Sahle-Work on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, suggesting dissatisfaction with her recent silence.
She had previously faced criticism for not speaking out more strongly on issues like gender-based violence during the civil war in Tigray. However, she consistently called for peace across the country.
It is believed she had growing concerns about ongoing conflicts in the Oromia and Amhara regions.
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Ahmed, who initially backed Sahle-Work’s appointment in 2018, hailed it as a breakthrough for women’s representation in Ethiopian politics. However, the reported falling out between the two highlights growing internal divisions.
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