Ethiopia: The Consummate Female Diplomat Who Became President

It has been an eventful year for Ethiopia since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power on April 2, 2018. Ever since, almost everything about the country’s internal politics and relations with all neighbours have changed literally within the twinkle of an eye. The latest of the historic changes was the election by Parliament on October 25, 2018 of Sahle-Work Zewde, 68, as President.

Zewde’s sudden rise to political prominence followed the unexpected resignation of President  Mulatu Teshome from the largely ceremonial position. With her promotion, Sahle-Work Zewde becomes Africa’s lone female Head of State.

The last woman to hold the position on the continent was the then President of Mauritius, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, who resigned last March over an expenses scandal. She denied any wrong doing. In a unanimous vote, Ethiopian lawmakers picked career diplomat Sahle-Work Zewde, to replace Mulatu Teshome who resigned in unclear circumstances.

She becomes the country’s first female Head of State in modern times. As President she is expected to serve two six-year terms. The last woman to hold a similar position was Empress Zewditu who reigned from 1916 to 1930. Ethiopia’s reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on October 16,...