10 of the Most Important People in Ethiopian Politics in 2023

10 Leaders Who Will Shape Ethiopian Politics in 2023

With a population of more than 100 million, Ethiopia is the second-most populated nation in Africa. The nation has a lengthy and intricate history as well as a wide variety of ethnic and cultural groupings. This variety has influenced Ethiopian politics, with many political groups and people competing for control and influence. We shall examine ten of the most significant figures in Ethiopian politics in 2023 in this post.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed

Since taking office in 2018, Abiy Ahmed has served as Ethiopia's prime minister. He was elected in the middle of a protracted period of instability and demonstrations and made improvements to the political and economic systems his priority.

He has made a number of audacious decisions while in government, including freeing political prisoners, lifting a state of emergency, and establishing diplomatic relations with Eritrea, a neighbor.

But scandal has dogged Abiy's administration as well. He has come under fire for how he has handled the ethnic conflicts that have erupted in several regions of the nation. In addition, he has been under fire for alleged authoritarianism from opposition leaders who claim he is silencing criticism with the help of the government.

Demeke Mekonnen, deputy premier

Ethiopia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister is Demeke Mekonnen. He has been Abiy Ahmed's close friend and a key player in the movement for reform in the nation. Mekonnen has furthermore been crucial to Ethiopia's ties with its bordering nations, including as Sudan and South Sudan.

Mekonnen has drawn criticism for how he has handled the crisis in Tigray, where government soldiers are alleged to have killed people in crimes. His closeness to Abiy has also been criticized, and some opposition members claim he has the independence necessary to press for substantive reform.

Lemma Megersa

Lemma Megersa is the former President of the Oromia Regional State, one of Ethiopia's largest and most populous regions. He played a key role in the protests that led to Abiy Ahmed's ascension to power, and was widely seen as a reformist figure.

Megersa has also been a vocal advocate for the rights of the Oromo people, one of Ethiopia's largest ethnic groups. However, Megersa has recently fallen out of favor with Abiy Ahmed, and has been removed from his position as President of the Oromia Regional State.

Gedu Andargachew

Gedu Andargachew is the former President of the Amhara Regional State, one of Ethiopia's largest regions. He played a key role in the protests that led to Abiy Ahmed's ascension to power, and was seen as a reformist figure. Andargachew has also been a vocal advocate for the rights of the Amhara people, one of Ethiopia's largest ethnic groups.

However, Andargachew was recently removed from his position as President of the Amhara Regional State, sparking concerns about political instability in the region. He has also faced criticism for his handling of the conflict in Tigray, with some accusing him of not doing enough to address the humanitarian crisis.

Debretsion Gebremichael

Debretsion Gebremichael is the former President of the Tigray Regional State, one of Ethiopia's northernmost regions. He played a key role in the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), the coalition that ruled Ethiopia for nearly three decades. Gebremichael has been a vocal advocate for the rights of the Tigray people, one of Ethiopia's largest ethnic groups.

However, Gebremichael has recently been removed from his position as President of the Tigray Regional State, following the outbreak of conflict in the region. He has been accused of leading a rebellion against the federal government, and has been targeted by government forces.

Jawar Mohammed 

Jawar Mohammed is the creator of the Oromo Media Network and a well-known opposition leader in Ethiopia. He was an important participant in the demonstrations that helped Abiy Ahmed win the presidency and has been a strong supporter of the Oromo people's rights. Mohammed has also been a vocal opponent of Abiy's administration, charging it of being overly dictatorial.

Mohammed, however, has come under fire for his participation in the 2019 Ethiopian demonstrations that broke out. He was temporarily jailed by the authorities after being charged with inciting violence. Concerns concerning Mohammed's safety have been raised due to pro-government organisations' targeting of him.

Berhanu Nega

Berhanu Nega is a former mayor of Addis Ababa, and a prominent opposition figure in Ethiopia. He played a key role in the protests that led to Abiy Ahmed's ascension to power, and has been a vocal advocate for democratic reforms. Nega has also been a critic of Abiy's government, accusing it of not doing enough to address the country's problems.

However, Nega has faced criticism for his political views, with some accusing him of being too radical. He has also been targeted by pro-government groups, sparking concerns about his safety.

Aster Mamo

Aster Mamo is the current Minister of Public Service and Human Resource Development in Ethiopia. She has been a key player in Abiy Ahmed's government, and has been instrumental in pushing for reforms in the country's civil service. Mamo has also been a vocal advocate for gender equality, and has taken steps to increase the number of women in leadership positions.

However, Mamo has faced criticism for her handling of the civil service reform process, with some accusing her of not doing enough to address corruption and inefficiency in the sector. She has also faced criticism for not doing enough to address gender-based violence in the country.

Birtukan Mideksa 

Mideksa returned to Ethiopia in 2018, and was appointed as the chairperson of the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE). She has been a key player in the country's electoral process, and has been working to ensure that the upcoming elections are free and fair.

However, Mideksa has faced criticism for her handling of the election process, with some accusing her of being biased towards the opposition. She has also faced challenges in organizing the elections, with some regions in the country experiencing violence and instability.

Lemma Megersa

Lemma Megersa is a former president of the Oromia Regional State, one of Ethiopia's largest regions. He played a key role in the protests that led to Abiy Ahmed's ascension to power, and was seen as a reformist figure. Megersa has also been a vocal advocate for the rights of the Oromo people.

However, Megersa was recently removed from his position as President of the Oromia Regional State, sparking concerns about political instability in the region. He has also faced criticism for his handling of the conflict in Oromia, with some accusing him of not doing enough to address the humanitarian crisis.

Demeke Mekonnen

Demeke Mekonnen is the current Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia, and a member of Abiy Ahmed's government. He has been a key player in the country's reform process, and has been working to address the country's political and economic challenges. Mekonnen has also been a vocal advocate for the rights of Ethiopia's diverse ethnic groups.

However, Mekonnen has faced criticism for his handling of the conflict in Tigray, with some accusing him of not doing enough to address the humanitarian crisis. He has also faced criticism for his role in the government's crackdown on opposition figures and journalists.

Abadula Gemeda

Abadula Gemeda served as speaker of the House of People's Representatives and as president of the Oromia Regional State. He was an important participant in the demonstrations that helped Abiy Ahmed win the presidency and has been a strong supporter of the Oromo people's rights.

Nevertheless, others have criticized Gemeda for holding too moderate of political views. Additionally, he has been under attack from pro-government organizations, raising worries for his safety.

Fetlework Gebregziabher

Fetlework Gebregziabher is the current Minister of Trade and Industry in Ethiopia. She has been a key player in Abiy Ahmed's government, and has been working to improve the country's economic situation. Gebregziabher has also been a vocal advocate for the rights of Ethiopia's diverse ethnic groups.

However, Gebregziabher has faced criticism for her handling of the country's economic challenges, with some accusing her of not doing enough to address the high unemployment rate and inflation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ethiopia's political landscape is complex and dynamic, with many important figures playing key roles in shaping the country's future. While some have been successful in pushing for reforms and advocating for the rights of marginalized groups, others have faced challenges and criticism for their handling of various issues.

As Ethiopia prepares for the upcoming elections, it is important for these figures to work together to ensure that the country remains stable and peaceful. With the right leadership and cooperation, Ethiopia can overcome its challenges and achieve a brighter future for all its citizens.

This variety has influenced Ethiopian politics, with many political groups and people competing for control and influence. We shall examine ten of the most significant figures in Ethiopian politics in 2023 in this post.

With a population of more than 100 million, Ethiopia is the second-most populated nation in Africa. The nation has a lengthy and intricate history as well as a wide variety of ethnic and cultural groupings.

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