Ethiopia Ethiopian prime minister resigns after mass protests Hailemariam Desalegn steps down in surprise move intended to end years of unrest Hailemariam Desalegn: ‘I see my resignation as vital in the bid to carry out reforms.’ Photograph: Dai Kurokawa/EPAEthiopia’s prime minister has submitted a letter of resignation in a surprise move that comes amid protracted anti-government protests. The resignation of Hailemariam Desalegn, who has been in power since 2012, was first reported by the state-affiliated broadcaster Fana on Thursday and follows a nationwide state of emergency last year. “My decision is to be part of the ongoing reform programmes,” he said, according to Fana, which added: “The prime minister said he tried his utmost effort to solve the crisis in his country and he is resigning now to be part of a solution to it.”Hailemariam, previously a low-profile politician and technocrat, succeeded the former Marxist rebel Meles Zenawi, under whom he had served as deputy prime minister and foreign minister. Mass protests force Ethiopia to free opposition leader Read moreThis week, disenchanted young men blocked roads and businesses stayed closed in and around Addis Ababa. Hailemariam said he would stay on as prime minister in a caretaker capacity until the EPRDF and the country’s parliament accepted his resignation and named a new premier.

Source: The Guardian February 15, 2018 14:05 UTC