Ethiopian legislators elect first female president of the country

Ethiopian legislators unanimously elected the country's first female president on Thursday, a few days after approval of one of the world's few "globally balanced" cabinets as the nation's dramatic reforms continue.

While the veteran diplomat Sahle-Work Zewde was in an essentially ceremonial role, many celebrated the only woman at the head of Africa. Africa's first female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, of Liberia, has stepped down this year.

"Congratulations Madam President! Women make the difference. We are proud of you! ", Said the woman president of the UN General Assembly, Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, on Twitter.

"In a patriarchal society such as ours, the appointment of a woman at the head of the state is not only the norm for the future, but it also normalizes women as decision-makers of the state. public life, "Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's chief of staff said on Twitter. .

The country of East Africa has long shown some of the lowest indicators of gender equality in sub-Saharan Africa, said UN Women. "In Ethiopia, women and girls are at a significant disadvantage to boys and men in many areas, including literacy, health, livelihoods and human rights.

But the new prime minister has clearly decided to include women's leadership in the radical political and economic reforms he announced in the second-most populous country in Africa since taking office in April.

Ethiopian legislators approved last week the creation of a women's government, a record 50 percent of ministers, including the country's first female defense minister. A woman also heads the new Ministry of Peace and oversees the powerful National Intelligence and Security Service and the Federal Police Commission.

According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union and UN Women, the Horn of Africa's power has joined a handful of mostly European countries, where women hold at least 50% of ministerial positions.

Probably inspired, Rwanda announced two days later its own cabinet composed of 50% women. The country has received international recognition for women's representation in government.

"The African continent is leading the way in showing that women's commitment and leadership are essential to lasting peace," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Twitter.

Sahle-Work described as "exemplary" the recent transfer of power from Ethiopia to Abiy after months of anti-government demonstrations demanding wider freedoms. The ruling coalition that has ruled the country since 1991 and holds the seats of allied parties in parliament decided this month to have Abiy head the party until his next congress, a vote of confidence in the reforms. .

The new president said she would use to bring all parties together to achieve peace in a country where multiple ethnic conflicts have prevailed in recent months, while political dialogue is taking place. opens.

Sahle-Work has worked in various United Nations bodies and was the first Director General of the United Nations Office in Nairobi. Until recently, she was the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to the African Union.