Taye Atske-Selassie was elected president of Ethiopia for a six-year term by lawmakers during a joint session of the two houses of Parliament on October 7, 2024. His appointment comes following the end of the mandate of Sahle-Work Zewde, head of the State since 2018. Taye Atske-Selassie was Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia from February 2024 until his appointment. In his inaugural address, he notably highlighted the government’s openness to peaceful dialogue and his commitment to ensuring the safety and security of citizens.
Taye Atske-Selassie is the new president of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. He was elected by lawmakers during a joint session of the House of People’s Representatives (HoPR) and the House of Federation (HoF) on October 7, 2024, in Addis Ababa. The appointment of Taye Atske-Selassie comes following the end of the mandate of Sahle-Work Zewde, Ethiopian head of state since 2018. In his inaugural address to Parliament, President Taye Atske-Selassie notably highlighted the government’s openness to peaceful dialogue and his commitment to ensuring the safety and security of citizens.
“I reiterate the government’s commitment to maintaining constitutional order. It is everyone’s responsibility to contribute to building peace in Ethiopia. The government is open to peaceful dialogue whether with individuals or groups. Any attempt to achieve political objectives by force would not be tolerated.”
Taye Atske-Selassie, President of the Republic – Ethiopia
Taye Atske-Selassie was Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia from February 2024 until his appointment. With a diplomatic career spanning over 30 years, Taye Atske-Selassie, 68, was Ethiopia’s permanent representative to the United Nations. He also served as foreign policy advisor to the Prime Minister in 2023 and ambassador to Egypt. Taye Atske-Selassie becomes the sixth president of Ethiopia for a six-year term.
“On behalf of the Government of Ethiopia, I would like to express my gratitude to Her Excellency Sahle-Work Zewde who served Ethiopia as President for the past six years. On the other hand, I wish Honorable Taye Atske-Selassie, who was appointed President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, a good tenure during which he will better serve the country and the people.”
Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister – Ethiopia
During the swearing-in ceremony on October 7, 2024, Sahle-Work Zewde, outgoing president and the country’s first female head of state, handed over the Constitution to the new head of state. President Taye Atske-Selassie placed emphasis on promoting unity and solidarity in order to address socio-economic and governance challenges and end ongoing ethnic conflicts in the country. It should be noted that Ethiopia, which operates under a parliamentary political system, grants its president essentially honorary powers.
