Prime Minister Of Ethiopia

The Prime Minister of Ethiopia is the head of government and Chief Executive of Ethiopia. Ethiopia is a parliamentary republic with a Prime Minister as head of the government and the Commander-in-Chief of the Ethiopian Armed Forces. The Prime Minister is the most powerful political figure in Ethiopian politics. The official residence of the prime minister is the Menelik Palace in Addis Ababa. The Prime Minister is elected from the members of the House of Peoples' Representatives and presents a government platform. The Prime Minister must receive a vote of confidence in the House of Peoples' Representatives to exercise executive power as Chief Executive. Abiy Ahmed is the third Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia serving since April 2018.

Origins and History

The office of Prime Minister has been consistently used in modern Ethiopian history. Prior to the establishment of modern government institutions, Ethiopia was under an absolute monarchy system with the King of Kings presiding as the absolute ruler of Ethiopia. The role of head of government emerged as a cabinet position in the late 18th and early 19th century following the introduction of modern government by Emperor Menelik II. The heads of government of Ethiopia have been Chief Minister (1909–1943), and then Prime Minister (1943–present). The 1995 Constitution transform Ethiopia to a parliamentary republic and made the Prime minister as the Chief Executive of Ethiopia.

Absolute Monarchy Era (1270–1974)

The Chief Minister of Ethiopia

The first head of government at the cabinet level was Habte Giyorgis Dinagde as the Emperor's loyal Chief Minister under Emperor Menelik II. The Chief Minister is the chair of the cabinet and the Ministry of Defense who serve at the pleasure of the King of Kings who is the absolute ruler. In modern Ethiopian history there were there Chief Ministers including Tafari Makonnen under Empress Zewditu and Betwoded Wolde Tzaddick under Emperor Haile Selassie.

The 1931 Constitution of Ethiopia

The office of the Prime minister was officially established following the 1931 Constitution of Ethiopia. The 1931 constitution was the first modern time constitution that attempted to create modern system of government in Ethiopia. The 1931 Constitution of Ethiopia name Emperor of Ethiopia as the absolute ruler of Ethiopia and the Prime Minister as the leader of the council of ministers that coordinates a day to day government activities with the consent of the Emperor of Ethiopia. Until the 1955 revised Constitution of Ethiopia there was three Prime ministers including the first Prime Minister Makonnen Endelkachew and the last Prime Minister Abebe Aregai who was assassinate during the failed 1960 Ethiopian coup d'état attempt. Following the assassination of Prime Minister Abebe Aregai, Imru Haile Selassie served as Acting Prime Minister for only three days.

The 1955 Constitution of Ethiopia

The revised 1955 constitution of Ethiopia put in effect in 1961 following the failed 1960 Ethiopian coup d'état attempt.The 1955 revised Constitution of Ethiopia attempted to take Ethiopia towards a Constitutional Monarchy system. Under the 1955 constitution the office of the Prime Minister and Chamber of Deputies was given autonomy and power. Although the Prime Minister and parliament's power was stronger on paper, in practice the Emperor of Ethiopia control a significant power and rule the country as de jure absolute ruler. The first prime minister under the 1955 Constitution of Ethiopia was Prime Minister Aklilu Habte-Wold and the last Prime Minister was Mikael Imru who was dismissed following the 1974 revolution which established Provisional Military Government (PMG).

The Provisional Military Government (PMG) (1974–1987)

In September 1974 the last emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie was overthrow by a military coup. The Military Administration abolished the Monarchies of Ethiopia and established Provisional Military Government of Socialist Ethiopia. Chairman of the Provisional Military Government of Socialist Ethiopia was head of the government. From 1974 until 1987 the office of the Prime Minister was not in use until the declaration of 1987 Constitution of Ethiopia which created People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

The People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (PDRE) (1987–1991)

The Prime Minister office become in effect following the declaration of People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The 1987 Constitution of Ethiopia name the Prime Minister as the head of government and the principal advisor to the President of the People's Republic. The Prime Minister also holds the highest rank in the civil service of the central government. The Prime Minister is formally approved by the National Shengo upon the nomination of the President. In practice, the Prime Minister is chosen within the Workers' Party of Ethiopia (WPE) through deliberations by incumbent WEP Politburo members and retired WEP Politburo Standing Committee members. The first Prime Minister of the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was Prime Minister Fikre Selassie Wogderess who served from 1987 to 1989. The last Prime Minister was Tesfaye Dinka who flee to the United States in exile following the dissolution of the London peace conference which end the PDRE and established the Transitional Government of Ethiopia (TGE).

Transitional Government of Ethiopia (TEG) (1991–1995)

The end of the Ethiopian Civil War in May 1991 results the end to the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia constitution. A new provisional constitution and Transitional Government of Ethiopia was formed. The Transitional Government of Ethiopia, was de facto Semi-presidential system with the President as head of state and Prime Minister as head of the government. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, along with other ministers in the Cabinet. The Prime Minister coordinate and chair cabinet meetings with the consultation of the President of the Transitional Government of Ethiopia. The only Prime Minister who served during Transitional Government of Ethiopia was Prime Minister Tamrat Layne.

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) (1995–present)

A draft of a new constitution was declared in 1995 as the Constitution of The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The 1995 Constitution of Ethiopia transform Ethiopia to a parliamentary republic with the President of Ethiopia as head of state and the Prime Minister as head of government. The Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia explicitly vests executive power in the Council of Ministers chaired by the Prime Minister as Chief Executive and de jure Commander-in-Chief of the Ethiopian Armed Forces. The Prime Minister is nominated among members of the House of Peoples' Representatives and must be approved by two-third majority vote of confidence. In practice, the Prime Minister is the leader of the largest party with the highest number of sites in the House of Peoples' Representatives. The Prime Minister nominates the Member of Council of Ministers for approval by House of Peoples' Representatives by two-third majority. The first Prime Minister of FDRE was Prime Minister Meles Zenawi who served from 1995-2012. The current Prime Minister is Abiy Ahmed serving since April 2018.

Nominations and Appointment of the Prime Minister

After a General Election, National Election Board of Ethiopia will announce the official results. Based on the results the President of Ethiopia nominate the leader of the party with majority number of seats in the House of Peoples' Representatives as ''Prime Minister Designate of Ethiopia'' to form the Federal Government of Ethiopia.

The leader of the party must be a member of the House of Peoples' Representatives to be nominated as '' The Prime Minister Designate of Ethiopia''. If no party wins an over all majority the President of Ethiopia will invite leader of the relative majority (plurality) political party to form a coalition government with other parties.

The Prime Minister Designate must be approved by two thirds majority vote of confidence in the House of Peoples' Representatives to be appointed as Prime Minister of Ethiopia. After being appointed Prime Minister of Ethiopia, The Prime Minister shall present before the House of Peoples' Representatives and make a declaration of loyalty to the Constitution and the People of Ethiopia.

Security

The Prime Minister of Ethiopia is the most protected government official. The Prime minister's security detail is under the command of the Republican Guard which is a special armed unit of the Ethiopian National Defense Force. The Republican Guard's Counter Military Unit is responsible for protecting the prime minister's official residence Menelik Palace commonly known as 4 Killo National Palace. The Counter Military Unit is an élite paramilitary force armed with heavy assault rifles such as Israel-made Tavor-21 and American M-4's as well as having snipers, helicopters and armored vehicles.

Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia (DPME)

Article 76 of the constitution states that "The Council of Ministers comprises the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, Ministers and other members as may be determined by law. On Article 75 of the constitution states DPME is responsible to the Prime Minister. The Deputy Prime Minister Carry out responsibilities which shall be specifically entrusted by the Prime Minister. The DPME (Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia) also act on behalf of the Prime Minister in his absence."

See also

* List of heads of government of Ethiopia
* Council of Ministers (Ethiopia)
* Emperor of Ethiopia
** List of emperors of Ethiopia
* President of Ethiopia
** List of presidents of Ethiopia

References

External links

{{Heads of state and government of African states

*
Government of Ethiopia
1943 establishments in Ethiopia