Ethiopian parliament appoints Dr Mulatu Teshome Wirtu as President of Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s parliament today selected Dr Mulatu Teshome Wirtu, Ethiopia’s ambassador to Turkey, as the country’s new president.

Dr Wirtu took the oath of office at a televised ceremony on Monday morning. He replaces Girma Woldegiorgis, who has served two 6-year terms.

The new president is an executive committee member of the Oromo People’s Democratic Organization (OPDO), one of the five parties that make up the ruling coalition, Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

Ethiopia’s presidency has only ceremonial role. Executive power rests with the prime minister.