Ethiopia’s new Prime Minister on Thursday presented part of his new ministerial cabinet during his first appearance in parliament since his swearing-in, Reuters news agency reports.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed named a new defence minister as part of a reshuffle to help implement reforms demanded by the public during the unrest in the country.
The 16-man cabinet included 10 new ministers. Six ministers from Abiy’s predecessor Hailemariam Desalegn, were re-assigned. Two ministers, finance and foreign retained their portfolios.
“To respond to public demand a cabinet reshuffle is essential. This follows the change of leadership that was enacted in an attempt to change the existing situation in the country,” Abiy, a former army officer, told lawmakers.
The new ministers were urged to tackle graft and streamline bureaucracy.
“This is a red line that has to be enforced,” said Abiy, 42, who was sworn in on April 2. “What the public is fed up of is graft and maladministration. This will not be tolerated.”
Some 10 new ministers were sworn in by the parliament on Thursday and six others were moved to head other ministries. The new defense minister Motuma Mekassa, was a former minister of mines, petroleum and natural gas.
Abiy also named new industry, energy, trade, mining, health, and revenue ministers, as well as an attorney general.
Abraham Tekeste and Workneh Gebeyehu, both of whom served in Hailemariam’s government, were retained as the Finance and Foreign Ministers respectively.
During Abiy’s presentation of his new cabinet, legislators raised concerns over the absence of women on the list. Mr. Abiy promised that more women will be named in a subsequent list.
