Ethiopia names 1st female deputy PM

Ethiopia names 1st female deputy PM Source: Reporter Aster Mamo, executive committee member of the Oromo People's Democratic Organization (OPDO), one of the four member parties of the ruling party Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), has been appointed by Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn to be the next Civil Service Minister and Good Governance and Reform Cluster Coordinator with the rank of Deputy Prime Minister. While presenting her before parliament, Hailemariam said, "It gives me great pleasure to nominate the first woman for the position of deputy PM." Aster was appointed on Tuesday and was sworn in before the House of Peoples' Representatives. This makes her the first woman to be appointed to serve with the rank of deputy PM. Prior to her appointment she was serving as advisor to the PM and Chief Government Whip. Apart from her latest appointment, Aster was recently elected to be the deputy chairwoman of OPDO. Astet replaces Muktar Kedir, who was recently elected to be the chairman of OPDO and president of Oromia Refional State after the passing of Alemayehu Atomsa.