Ethiopian PM reshuffles cabinet
Explaining the reshuffle, Meles said
some ministers were unable to register
the good result the government needed
30 October, 2008
APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) Ethiopian Premier Meles Zenawi on Thursday reshuffled 9 of the 15 ministries in his government, including the key ministries of defense and information.
Ethiopian PM Meles Zenawi, who returned on Wednesday evening from Kenya after attending the IGAD summit on Somalia, announced the cabinet reshuffle to the House of people representatives in Addis.
Accordingly, the Ethiopian Information Minister Berhan Hailu is appointed as Justice Minister.
The Public Organization Advisor to the Prime Minister Haile-Maraim Desalegn is the new Government Whip.
Ethiopian Federal Affairs Minister Siraj Fergesa is the new Defense Minister, replacing the Kuma Demeksa who was earlier appointed mayor of Addis Ababa city administration.
The Deputy Chief of the Amhara State Administration, Demeke Mekonnen, is the new Education Minister, replacing Sintayehu Woldemickael.
The Transport and Communication Minister Junedin Sado is moved to the Science and Technology Ministry.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Shiferaw Tekle-Mariam, is appointed Federal Affairs Minister.
The reshuffle also includes appointing a new minister for the Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD) department, which was earlier lead by Ethiopia’s deputy PM Addisu Legesse.
Also, Diriba Kuma is the new Transport and Communication Minister and Muferiat Kamil is the Women Affairs Minister.
No appointment was made for the Ministry of Information.
However, there is a rumour that the government will suspend this ministry which will be established as a bureau, commission or department.
All the appointed officials have already been sworn-in.
Explaining the reshuffle, Meles said some ministers were unable to register the good result the government needed and could not discharge their responsibilities due to workload.
He expressed hope that the appointees would manage to register a good result by discharging the responsibilities entrusted to them.