Ethiopia PM reshuffles cabinet, annual budget approved
July 4, 2013 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopian prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn on Thursday reshuffled his cabinet, in a move aimed to improve the leadership in the federal government.
This is Desalegn’s second reshuffle since he assumed power in September 2012 following the death of his predecessor Meles Zenawi who died in August 2012, after ruling Ethiopia for over two decades.
In today’s session, the parliament approved the appointments of ten ministers nominated by Hailemariam.
Announcing the appointments, the Ethiopian premier who also is the chairman of the African Union told lawmakers that his deputy, Demeke Mekonnen, who also was education minister will drop his additional post due work loads and appointed the post to Shiferaw Shigute as the new minister for education. Shigutehad been serving as regional governor of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR).
Redwan Hussien, who was public mobilization and participation adviser to the prime minister and head of the ruling EPRDF party secretariat, has been moved to the minister of government communications affairs, replacing Bereket Simon.
Simon, and Addis Ababa City mayor Kuma Demeksa have both been shifted work as policy and research advisers to the cabinet and the prime minister.
The Commissioner General of the Federal Police, Workneh Gebeyehu, is the new minister of transport, replacing Diriba Kuma.
Minister of industry, Mekonnen Manyazewal, is replaced by Ahmed Abetew the deputy chief administrator of Amhara regional state and head of the region’s Trade and Industry Bureau. Manyazewal has been moved to the newly established National Planning Commission.
Roman Gebresilasie, a women MP and government whip, is appointed as chief government whip at the house of people’s representative, replacing Aster Mamo.
Getachew Ambaye, who had been serving as deputy and public relations advisor to the Addis Ababa has filled the position of justice minister, which had been vacant since Berhan Hailu was removed from office.
BUDGET
Meanwhile the house of people’s representatives on Thursday approved a 154.9 billion birr ($ 8.3 billion) budget for the 2013/14 fiscal year, as proposed by the Council of Ministers.
The country’s regular budget and capital budget saw an almost 6 billion and 10 billion birr increase to 32.53 billion and 64.3 billion birr respectively. (1 dollar is approximately 18.65 Birr)
Of the total budget 43 billion birr is allotted to subsidise regional states – an increase by almost 7 billion birr than previous year.
It was disclosed that 15 billion birr is allocated to support the country’s efforts in meeting the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.
(ST)