Ethiopia Parliament Approves Abiy Ahmed’s New Cabinet
GOOBJOOG NEWS | ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia’s parliament has approved Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s new cabinet, formally setting up his government for a new five-year term with a leadership team that includes a new foreign minister, defence minister, finance chief and ministers overseeing agriculture, water, infrastructure and other key sectors.
The House of Peoples’ Representatives endorsed the appointments on Thursday, October 8, approving 22 federal ministers presented by Abiy, in addition to Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh. The government said the selection process considered candidates’ education, professional experience and ability to deliver, while also taking into account ethnic, gender and religious diversity.
Among the most prominent appointments is Gideon Timothewos, who becomes foreign minister, while Mohammed Idris takes over the defence portfolio. Fitsum Assefa was appointed finance minister, Addisu Arega agriculture minister and Berhanu Nega education minister.
Other key appointments include Habtamu Itefa as minister of Water and Energy, Mekdes Daba as health minister, Yasmin Wohabrebbi as minister of Trade and Regional Integration, Fisseha Yitagesu as industry minister and Mohammed Abdurahman as minister of Urban and Infrastructure Development.
Sultan Woli (PhD) has been appointed minister of Irrigation and Lowland Development, moving into a full ministerial position after serving as a state minister in the water sector. Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water and Energy lists him as having served as a state minister from October 4, 2026.
His new portfolio carries particular importance for Ethiopia, where agriculture remains heavily dependent on rainfall and the government is seeking to expand irrigation, improve agricultural productivity and develop lowland areas. The appointment therefore places Sultan Woli at the centre of one of the government’s major development priorities.
The new cabinet also includes Musa Adem as minister of Peace, Selamawit Kassa as minister of Culture and Tourism, Alemtsahay Paulos as minister of Mining, Sadat Nesha as minister of Logistics, Shewit Shanka as minister of Women and Social Affairs, Frehiywot Tamiru as minister of Innovation and Technology, and Aklilu Tadesse as minister of Youth and Sports.
The appointments come as Ethiopia begins a new five-year political and institutional cycle following the June 1 general election. Parliament reappointed Abiy as prime minister earlier this week, while the new administration has presented its governing philosophy around Medemer, which the prime minister describes as an approach based on combining national resources, institutions and capabilities to drive development.
The cabinet is taking office at a particularly sensitive time for Ethiopia. The country is facing renewed fighting in the Tigray region, while tensions with Eritrea have intensified and Addis Ababa continues to press for negotiated access to the Red Sea. Reuters has reported renewed clashes between federal forces and Tigrayan fighters, while Ethiopia’s demand for sea access has also raised concerns among neighbouring countries.
Beyond the cabinet, Abiy also announced additional senior appointments on Thursday, including Adem Farah as coordinator for democratic system building with the rank of deputy prime minister, Ambassador Betre Mengistu as chief of staff of the Prime Minister’s Office and minister of Cabinet Affairs, and Enat Alem Meles as minister of Government Communication Services.
The appointments complete the initial formation of Abiy’s new administration and place a new team in charge of Ethiopia’s foreign relations, security, economy and development priorities as the government begins its next five-year term.