Photos: Meet Ethiopia first female president, Sahle-Work Zewde
Ethiopian members of parliament have elected Sahle-Work Zewde as the country's first female president.
Ms Sahle-Work is an experienced diplomat who has now become Africa's only female head of state. Her election to the ceremonial position comes a week after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appointed a cabinet with half the posts taken up by women.
After being sworn in, President Sahle-Work promised to work hard to make gender equality a reality in Ethiopia. Ms Sahle-Work was voted in after the unexpected resignation of her predecessor, Mulatu Teshome.
President Sahle-Work has served as an ambassador for Ethiopia in Senegal and Djibouti. She has also held a number of UN positions, including head of peace-building in the Central African Republic (CAR).
Immediately before becoming president, Ms Sahle-Work was the UN representative at the African Union. In the Ethiopian constitution, the post of president is ceremonial with the prime minister holding the political power.
The last African female head of state was Mauritian President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, who resigned in March over an expenses scandal.
She denied any wrong doing.
After being sworn in, President Sahle-Work promised to work hard to make gender equality a reality in Ethiopia. Ms Sahle-Work was voted in after the unexpected resignation of her predecessor, Mulatu Teshome.
President Sahle-Work has served as an ambassador for Ethiopia in Senegal and Djibouti. She has also held a number of UN positions, including head of peace-building in the Central African Republic (CAR).
Immediately before becoming president, Ms Sahle-Work was the UN representative at the African Union. In the Ethiopian constitution, the post of president is ceremonial with the prime minister holding the political power.
The last African female head of state was Mauritian President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, who resigned in March over an expenses scandal.
She denied any wrong doing.
Post a Comment