Addis Ababa, March 27, 2018 (SSNA) – The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) party has selected a new chairman, local media reported.
The EPRDF’s executive committee picked Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali as its new leader, replacing outgoing Prime Minister and Chairman Hailemariam Desalegn.
The EPRDF is a ruling coalition of four major ethnic-based political parties. The Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM), the Southern Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement (SEPDM), the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), and the Oromo Peoples’ Democratic Organization (OPDO) make up the EPRDF.
Dr. Abiy was recently elected as the chairman of the OPDO. Local reports said Abiy served in Ethiopian national defense with a rank of Lieutenant colonel and was a minister of Ethiopia’s Science and Technology. The EPRDF is widely expected to take over from Desalegn as Ethiopia Prime Minister.
Desalegn abruptly resigned last month, saying his decision to step aside is necessary for democratic changes in the country.