Ethiopian parliament approves appointments of three ministers, lifts immunity of MP

Addis Ababa, August 4, 2017 (FBC) – The House of Peoples’ Representatives (HPR) of Ethiopia today approved the appointments of three ministers as per the nomination of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.

Accordingly, it endorsed the appointments of Dr Tilaye Gete as Minister of Education, Kebede Chane as Minister of Federal and Pastoralist Development Affairs, and Moges Balcha as Director General of Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority with the rank of Minister.

Dr Tilaye obtained his Bachelor Degree in Pedagogical Science from Bahir Dar University, Masters Degree in Comparative and International Education from University of Oslo, Norway, and PhD in Education from an Indian University.

Kebede Chane acquired his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree from the Ethiopian Civil Service University and Masters Degree in Peace and Security from Addis Ababa University (AAU).

Moges Balcha earned his Bachelor Degree in Accounting from the Ethiopian Civil Service University and Masters Degree in Developmental Administration from Hawassa University.

The House also voted to lift the immunity of Alemeyehu Gujo, who was a member of the House and State Minister of Finance and Economic Cooperation. Later he was arrested by police.

Long-serving former Director General of Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA), Zaid Woldegebriel was also detained on suspicion of corruption.

The number of government officials, businesspersons and brokers arrested so far on suspicion of corruption has reached 50.