Ethiopia is considering the introduction of a two-term limit for its Prime Minister as the country seeks to realize reforms under the new leadership, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said.
The ruling EPRDF coalition picked Abiy in March to replace Hailemariam Desalegn, who resigned to clear the way for reforms in the East African nation.
Ethiopia has for two years been dogged by protests which often turned chaotic leading to loss of lives.
In his inaugural speech, PM Abiy said his reign would ensure democracy and justice for all, as well as freedom of expression.
“Democracy is unthinkable without freedom. Freedom is not a gift doled out to people by a government. Rather a gift of nature to everyone that emanates from our human dignity. We need to respect all human and democratic rights, especially to free expression, assembly and organization, by upholding the constitution that emerged from this understanding of freedom,” he said then.
In his latest remarks, the Prime Minister said the two-term limits will ensure no leader rules for a lifetime.
“Any leader of the country will not serve in office beyond two terms following the amendment to the constitution. Seizing power for a lifetime has come to a dead end in Ethiopia,” state-run Ethiopian News Agency quoted him.
The agency quoted Abiy as saying the constitution would be amended soon but gave no further details on the time-frame for the change.
The country’s next general election is due in 2020.
