Ethiopia’s Parliament Appoints Taye Atske Selassie as New President in Surprise Move

In a surprise move, Ethiopia’s parliament voted on Monday to appoint Taye Atske Selassie as the country’s new president, a largely ceremonial position previously held by Sahle-Work Zewde, Bloomberg reports.

The appointment came just days after Sahle-Work, the first female president of Ethiopia, expressed her dissatisfaction in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. While her post did not explicitly state the reasons for her discontent, it fueled speculation about her resignation.

Lawmakers approved Taye Atske Selassie’s appointment in a swift vote, prompting Sahle-Work to immediately hand over the country’s constitution to her successor and leave parliament buildings without addressing the lawmakers.

The former president’s abrupt departure has left many questioning the circumstances surrounding her resignation and the speed with which Taye Atske Selassie was chosen.

The new president’s role is largely symbolic, with the Prime Minister holding the majority of executive power. However, the appointment comes at a time of significant political and social upheaval in Ethiopia.