Ethiopia's prime minister and chairman of the country's ruling coalition,Hailemariam Desalegn says he has resigned from both offices.
The announcement is coming amid a political crisis and lingering unrest in the country, which has been releasing thousands of political prisoners to ease tensions.
According to Hailemariam in a televised address, Thursday, "Unrest and a political crisis have led to the loss of lives and displacement of many. I see my resignation as vital in the bid to carry out reforms that would lead to sustainable peace and democracy."
He however said he will stay on as prime minister in a caretaker capacity, until the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and the country's parliament accept his resignation and name a new premier.
There are reports that parliament met yesterday, to choose Hailemariam's successor, with Ethiopian Foreign Minister, Workneh Gebeyehu considered to be a leading candidate for the position.
A wave of violence across Ethiopia, initially caused by an urban development plan in the capital, Addis Ababa, in 2015, had resulted in the death of hundreds of people.
It was said that the unrest spread as demonstrations against political restrictions and human rights abuses broke out.
Prisoners released
Demonstrations demanding greater freedoms began in late 2015 and engulfed much of the restive Oromia and Amhara regions, Ethiopia's most populous areas, before spreading to other parts of the country.
The unrest led to a months-long state of emergency that has since been lifted.
The government has long been accused of arresting critical journalists and opposition leaders.
Human rights organisations and opposition groups have called for their release, saying they were arrested on trumped-up charges and punished for their points of view.
In January, Hailemariam announced that his government would release detainees and so far 7,000 people either saw their charges dropped or were pardoned.
An academic-turned-politician, Hailemariam has led Ethiopia since 2012, after the death of former leader Meles Zenawi.
He served as deputy prime minister and foreign minister under Meles before assuming power, and he was also elected chairman of the African Union in 2013.
Comments
Post a Comment