Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sacks his deputy Demeke Mekonnen

In what appears to be a major shake-up in the Ethiopian government, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has chosen to immediately remove his long-time ally and deputy prime minister, Demeke Mekonnen, from all government and ruling Prosperity Party positions.

Official sources in Addis Ababa confirm that the decision was made on Friday during a meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling party.

Demeke held the dual roles of deputy prime minister and foreign minister and also served as the third vice president, representing the party's Amhara wing.

The ruling party said it honourably bid him farewell “in line with the principle of leadership succession” and that the decision was unanimous.

Demeke has served as deputy PM since 2012, under different prime ministers. He was PM Abiy's deputy from 2018 and foreign minister from 2020. The latter role came in the wake of the Tigray war that began on November 3, 2020, necessitating a reshuffle by Abiy. The war ended on November 3, 2022.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (C) leads a meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Prosperity Party on January 26, 2024. (Photo: X/Abiy Ahmed)

Demeke's multiple roles highlighted his prominence within the government. His political journey traces back to 2008, when he assumed the role of Minister of Education under the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

Over the years, he held various crucial positions at both federal and regional levels, eventually becoming deputy chairman of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and subsequently deputy prime minister during Hailemriam Desalegn's premiership.

Demeke's international prominence grew in 2015 as he spearheaded efforts to address the humanitarian crisis caused by failed rains and El Nino, which left millions in need of emergency food assistance. As deputy prime minister, he played a pivotal role in coordinating the response between the government and humanitarian partners, preventing the loss of lives and livelihoods.

Demeke Mekonnen is celebrated during a meeting of the Central Committee of Ethiopia's ruling Prosperity Party on January 26, 2024. (Photo: X)

Demeke, a former President of the Amhara State, will be replaced by Temesgen Tiruneh, the director-general of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS). Temesgen was elected the party’s vice president by a majority vote.  

This leadership change marks a strategic move within the Ethiopian government, with Temesgen now tasked with navigating the country's foreign relations and internal affairs.

Temesgen has in the past coordinated the government's response to the Amhara conflict. Amhara militias backed the government in the Tigray war, but a rift emerged when the government and Tigray's leaders reached a deal that ended the fighting. Abiy's administration then moved to fight the Amhara militias.

Temesgen was appointed in August 2023 to lead a command post overseeing a state of emergency in the Amhara region. He and his team reported directly to Abiy for the sake of a unified response to the crisis there.

His role in Amhara was a crucial one, with the command post given several powers, including re-establishing local administrative structures and making decisions on administrative and security issues. The concern was that the situation in Amhara was threatening public safety and national security.

Temesgen comes into office at a time when Etiopia is feuding with Somalia over a deal it signed on January 1, 2024, with Somaliland, granting it sea access in exchange for possible recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state and a stake in the national Ethiopian Airlines.