28 May 2024
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Ethiopian Ambassador to the United States Seleshi Bekele has resigned from his post and all government positions.
The Reporter, an Ethiopian news outlet, reported that Bekele’s resignation has been accepted, though details on the timing of his submission remain unclear.
Bekele’s departure comes after a two-year stint as ambassador.
Previously, he served as Ethiopia’s Minister for Irrigation and Water Resources, a position from which he was removed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2022 under undisclosed circumstances.
While reasons for Bekele’s resignation are unknown, speculation abounds. Traditionally, Ethiopian ambassadorships are seen as a way to sideline politicians deemed problematic within the ruling party. Some believe Bekele’s popularity threatened Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, leading to his removal as Minister. Conversely, government supporters claim Bekele’s performance as Water Minister was lacking.
The Reporter suggests Bekele plans to return to his engineering profession outside of government. He previously worked for the United Nations before joining the government under Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalgne, where he played a key role in Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) negotiations.
Bekele’s replacement is rumored to be Lencho Bati, a politician with strong ties to the Oromo nationalist movement. Bati currently serves as Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
