Ethiopia’s two houses of parliament elected Taye Atske Selassie as president on Monday, Oct. 7. He was sworn in the same day, receiving the Constitution from the outgoing president.
Taye succeeds Sahle-Work Zewde, who served as the country’s first female president for six years. The presidency is largely ceremonial, with executive power held by the prime minister.
The Chairperson of the African Union congratulated Taye on his election and reiterated the AU Commission’s support for Ethiopia’s efforts to enhance democracy and sustainable development.
A seasoned diplomat, Taye previously served as Ethiopia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.
Zewde, celebrated for her historic election in 2018, resigned as the UN Secretary-General’s special representative to the African Union to assume the presidency. Reports suggest there were tensions between her and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
