Ethiopia's president resigns: State media

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Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome submitted a resignation letter to the country's parliament on Wednesday, state media reported.

Both houses of the country's parliament are expected to hear and formally accept the resignation of current president on Thursday. They will also appoint a new president, according to Fana Broadcasting Corporate.

Teshome, 63, is the third president since the country's new constitution in 1995. He took office in 2013 with an administration often spoken as a more democratic and inclusive one. Before appointed as president, he was Ethiopia's ambassador to Turkey.

According to the Ethiopian constitution, one could hold the presidency for the maximum two terms with six years each. Teshome resigned a year before his first term ends.

Teshome belongs to the Oromo People's Democratic Organization, one of the four parties of the ruling coalition Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

No reason has been provided for his expected resignation, but observers speculate it was the result of on-going negotiations between the EPRDF.

Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed speaks during a press conference at his office in Addis Ababa, August 25, 2018. /VCG Photo

The resignation follows a political cabinet reshuffle by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed that started last week.

Abiy, 41, recently appointed a new cabinet, with half of all seats going to women.

The young leader has taken a series of reforms since he took office in April, most recently the appointment of the nation's first female defense minister.

His reforms include releasing jailed journalists, welcoming formerly banned groups back to the country, along with honoring an agreement that ended a 20-year border war with neighboring Eritrea.

(With inputs from agencies)

(Cover: Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome holds a press conference at the National Palace in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, October 15, 2018. /VCG Photo)