Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed defended his new cabinet, citing rigorous surveillance and performance benchmarks during parliamentary confirmation
By Staff Writer
NAIROBI, Kenya — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed defended his newly presented federal cabinet before the House of Peoples’ Representatives, which unanimously endorsed the 23-member executive lineup during its first regular session.
The approved cabinet retains nine ministers in their former portfolios, transfers two ministers to new institutional roles, and introduces 12 new members. Among the notable changes, former Ethio Telecom CEO Frehiwot Tamru assumes leadership of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, while Musa Adam, former Speaker of the Joint Council of Political Parties, takes over as Minister of Peace.
Addressing parliamentary questions regarding the selection process, Abiy stated that appointees underwent exhaustive background evaluations, including comprehensive intelligence and security surveillance over a one-year period to verify integrity, financial propriety, and freedom from corruption.
Responding to feedback regarding gender representation—with nine women appointed to the 23-member cabinet—Abiy clarified that executive appointments are performance-driven rather than dictated by fixed demographic quotas. Reflecting on earlier administrative terms, he noted that selecting cabinet members solely to meet gender parity targets proved less effective than prioritizing operational performance and administrative capacity.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the cabinet reflects national demographic diversity, noting adjustments to regional quota allocations to ensure institutional balance. He further warned newly confirmed ministers that appointments carry strict accountability measures and that underperforming members will face immediate removal and replacement.
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