Ethiopia Appoints Africa's First Woman President

Ethiopia, for the first time, appointed a woman to the ceremonial position of the President of the country, thereby increasing female representation in the government of Africa’s second most populous nation. 68-year-old Sahle Work Zewde not only has become the first woman President of Ethiopia but also the first woman to reach the position in entire Africa.

In a unanimous vote on Thursday, Ethiopian lawmakers appointed diplomat Sahle Work Zewde, to replace Mulatu Teshome as President. Mulatu Teshome resigned as the President, a few days back.

The present Prime Minister of Ethiopia, reformist Abiy Ahmed appointed a 20-person cabinet last week in which women hold half of the positions. They also include defense minister Aisha Mohammed and Muferiat Kamil who will lead the newly created cabinet Ministry of Peace, responsible for police and domestic intelligence agencies.

After her appointment, Sahle Work Said, “If the current change in Ethiopia is headed equally by both men and women, it can sustain its momentum and realise a prosperous Ethiopia free of religious, ethnic and gender discrimination”.

Sahle Work Zewde was born in the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. After her formal education in Addis Ababa, she attended university in France. She has been the ambassador of Ethiopia to France, Djibouti, Senegal and the regional bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.

She was the UN's top official at the African Union before being appointed as the President of the country. She is well read and is fluent in English and French as well as Amharic, which is Ethiopia’s main language. As the president, she is expected to serve two six-year terms.

Sahle Work, in her maiden speech to the Parliament, said, “Mulatu has shown us the way for change and hope, he has shown life continues before and after leaving power. I call on others to heed his example and be ready for change”.

Though the Political power in Ethiopia is in the hand of the Prime Minister, with President having a ceremonious role, which includes attending ceremonies and functions. But Sahle Work’s appointment as the President of the country has its symbolic and social importance.

With her appointment, Sahle Work Zewde also become Africa’s first serving female head of the state. In the recent past, female presidents with executive powers, including Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Liberia and Joyce Banda in Malawi, have led a handful of African countries.