Regional Leader Pledges Restoring Public Order Amid Security Challenges as New Executive Cabinet Formed
By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — The Amhara Regional Council has officially re-elected Arega Kebede as President of the Amhara Regional State during its inaugural executive council session on October 1, 2026.
The appointment comes as the regional government forms its new cabinet amid persistent military engagements between the Ethiopian National Defense Force and Fano armed groups across the Amhara Region.
During the council’s seventh round, first regular session, Head of the Amhara Region Prosperity Party Branch Office Yirga Sisay formally presented Arega Kebede as the sole gubernatorial candidate. Arega’s re-election secures his second term, making him the sixth chief administrator to lead the region since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed assumed office in 2018.
Accepting the nomination, Arega expressed gratitude to the council for their renewed confidence and pledged to prioritize regional stabilization. He affirmed that his administration will focus on strengthening law enforcement operations to restore public order and establish lasting peace across all zones in the region.
Arega originally assumed office in August 2023, succeeding Yilkal Kefale following widespread security disruptions sparked by the federal decision to integrate regional special forces into national security structures. Arega’s initial tenure was largely defined by overseeing regional administration under a federal state of emergency framework.
Since 2018, the Amhara Region has experienced frequent executive transitions. Following Gedu Andargachew, the post was held by Ambachew Mekonnen, who was assassinated in June 2019. Current Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh subsequently led the administration for two years, followed by Agegnehu Teshager, the current Speaker of the House of Federation, who governed during the height of the northern Ethiopia war. Yilkal Kefale took office following the 2021 government formation, eventually requesting federal security intervention in August 2023 before resigning.
In the newly constituted regional council, the ruling Prosperity Party holds 257 seats, while opposition parties occupy nine seats out of the 294 total council capacity, with 273 seats contested in the recent general election. Regional officials noted that representatives from the National Election Board of Ethiopia were unable to attend the founding session.
Addressing the assembly, Regional Council Speaker Fantu Tsefaye characterized the council’s performance over the past year as moderate. She noted that several public service institutions experienced operational delays and administrative limitations, emphasizing that the incoming cabinet must implement key structural reforms to improve service delivery and public accountability.
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