Ethiopia’s long-serving Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen was dropped Friday as vice-president of the country’s ruling party, state media reported, raising doubts about his future role in the government.
State-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate said that Demeke, who is also foreign minister and hails from the Amhara ethnic group, was replaced in the Prosperity Party by Ethiopia’s intelligence chief.
The party had “unanimously elected” Temesgen Tiruneh, who heads the National Intelligence and Security Service, in a reshuffle that followed its “leadership succession principle and operating system”, Fana added.
The move was also reported by Ethiopia’s official press agency ENA.
Demeke’s replacement within the party “should mean his departure as deputy prime minister as well”, a source close to the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Reuters
Your Excellency Obbo Demeke Mekonen,
I personally thank you for your extended service to that gem of the colored called Ethiopia. When many of us by choice or unfortunate circumstances chose or ended up to leave our country of birth, you and many of your colleagues opted to stay and contribute the best you can possibly can for the good of the people. I commend you for that and May Allah continue to grace His Blessings upon you and your family. Insha’Allah!!!
I hear that he is going back to his teaching profession and if not I don’t think he will have any problem finding a much better paying jobs with overseas groups like think tanks of all sorts and he will be good at it.
I am sure there are several “think tanks” that are looking for a such lifeless padding for their seats as Demeke Mekonnen. A very loyal dog with no human empathy, Demeke would serve any master as long as his belly is filled up.
The accolades he would get for faithfully serving the genocidal Oromumma regime as the people he claims to represent are being destroyed systematically is only to be expected from Oromumma fans.