APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) The long-serving Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen resigned on Friday as deputy president of the country’s ruling Prosperity Party.
Mekonnen, who is also the foreign affairs minister, was replaced by Temesgen Tiruneh, director general of the National Intelligence and Security Service of Ethiopia.
Tiruneh is a member of the party’s executive committee, the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporation disclosed on Friday.
The decision, which was announced as the Central Committee of the Prosperity Party wrapped up its latest session on Friday, is said to be in line with the party’s “leadership succession principle and working system.”
The party elected Tiruneh unanimously to replace Mekonnen.
Experts reportedly said the latest change, associated with Mekonnen’s resignation from the leadership of the party, is an indication that he may leave the positions of deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister in the near future.
Mekonnen has served in this capacity under three Ethiopian prime ministers for more than 20 years.
MG/as/APA