“Ethiopian Political Shake-up: Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen Steps Down, Replaced by Intelligence Chief in Surprise Reshuffle”
Addis Ababa – Demeke Mekonnen, Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs since November 2020, is stepping down from both roles today, as confirmed by a reliable source close to the matter, according to Addis Standard.
Demeke, who serves as the third vice president of the ruling Prosperity Party representing the Amhara wing, has also been relieved of his position, with Temesgen Tiruneh, the Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), named as his replacement. This announcement was made during the ongoing meeting of the Prosperity Party Central Committee members.
While Demeke has held the position of Deputy Prime Minister since 2012, his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs occurred during a significant reshuffle by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in the aftermath of the Tigray region conflict in November 2020. Demeke took over from the then Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew while retaining his role as Deputy Prime Minister.
Demeke’s federal-level career commenced in 2008 when he became the Minister of Education during the tenure of the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Commissioner of the Ethics & Anti-Corruption Commission in the Amhara Region and headed the region’s Administrative & Security Affairs Bureau. From 2005 to 2008, he held the positions of Vice President and Head of the Capacity Building Bureau of the Region.
His significant career advancement within the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) came when he was appointed as Deputy Chairman of the party and later as Deputy Prime Minister during the premiership of former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn after the passing of Meles Zenawi.
In 2015, Demeke gained international attention when failed rains and the onset of El Nino left 8.2 million Ethiopians in need of emergency food assistance. As Deputy Prime Minister, he played a crucial role in coordinating the humanitarian response between the government and aid organizations, receiving credit for effectively addressing the crisis before it led to widespread loss of lives and livelihoods.
