Ethiopia’s Former Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy Dr, Sileshi Bekele has been appointed as Chief Negotiator on the Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD) talks with the rank of Minister.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Thursday also Bekele his as his chief Advisor on Trans-boundary Rivers.
“I believe my contributions have helped my country to held her head high during testing time,” said Dr. Seleshi said adding that he would continue to serve his country in any position that needs his expertise.
PM Abiy Habtamu Itafa replaced Dr. Seleshi as Ethiopia’s Minister of Water and Energy when he announced his cabinet on Tuesday.
Apart from Dr. Seleshi, the Prime Minister has also announced the appointment of other senior government officials.
In a surprise move last Tuesday Prime Minister appointed Abrham Belay as Minister of Defense. Significant numbers of Ethiopians particularly that of ethnic Amhara complained over the appointment of the defense minister who is Tigrayan national, suspecting, he might who work in the favor of the Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF).
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also nominated incumbent Ahmed Shide to return as finance minister, signaling a determination to stay with a course of reforms that includes privatizing creaking state enterprises.
MG/abj/APA