Demeke Mekonnen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Demeke Mekonnen
|
|
|---|---|
|
ደመቀ መኮንን
|
|
.jpg)
Demeke in 2020
|
|
| Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia | |
| In office 21 September 2012 – 26 January 2024 |
|
| Prime Minister | Hailemariam Desalegn Abiy Ahmed |
| Preceded by | Hailemariam Desalegn |
| Succeeded by | Temesgen Tiruneh |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 4 November 2020 – 1 February 2024 |
|
| Prime Minister | Abiy Ahmed |
| Preceded by | Gedu Andargachew |
| Succeeded by | Taye Atskeselassie |
| In office 8 March 2019 – 18 April 2019 |
|
| Prime Minister | Abiy Ahmed |
| Preceded by | Workneh Gebeyehu |
| Succeeded by | Gedu Andargachew |
| Chairman of the Amhara Democratic Party |
|
| In office 8 September 2010 – 1 December 2019 |
|
| Deputy | Gedu Andargachew |
| Preceded by | Addisu Legesse |
| Succeeded by | post abolished |
| Minister of Education | |
| In office 30 October 2008 – 4 July 2013 |
|
| Prime Minister | Meles Zenawi Hailemariam Desalegn |
| Succeeded by | Shiferaw Shigute |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 September 1963 Gojjam, Ethiopian Empire |
| Political party | Prosperity Party |
| Other political affiliations |
Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front Amhara Democratic Party |
| Spouse | Alemitu Kassaye |
| Alma mater | Bradford University Addis Ababa University |
Demeke Mekonnen Hassen (Amharic: ደመቀ መኮንን ሐሰን) is an Ethiopian politician. He was born on September 27, 1963. Demeke served as the Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia from 2012 to 2024. He was also the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2020 to 2024. Before that, he was a leader in the Prosperity Party and the Amhara Democratic Party (ADP).
Contents
Early Life and Education
Demeke was born in the Gojjam Province of Ethiopia. His family later moved to the Chagni area. This happened during a government program that moved people to new places. Demeke is a Muslim and belongs to the Amhara ethnic group.
He went to high school in Feres Bet. This town is in the Dega Damot area today. Later, he studied Biology at Addis Ababa University. He earned his first degree in 1988. He also got a master's degree in Political Science from Bradford University in England.
After finishing his studies, Demeke became a teacher. He taught biology at Feres Bet High School for two years. Then, he moved to Bure, where he continued teaching. In Bure, he met Alemitu Kassaye, who later became his wife. They have three children together.
Political Journey
Demeke joined the Amhara's ruling party, the ADP, in the early 1990s. His first step into national politics was in the 1995 election. He won a seat in the Amhara Regional Council. There, he became the general secretary.
Later, he went to England for more studies in conflict management. When he returned in 2001, he helped set up a special group. This group worked to fight corruption in the region. After that, he led the region's administration and security office until 2005.
In 2005, he became the vice president of the regional state. A year later, he joined the main committee of the ANDM party. In 2010, he became the chairman of the ANDM. He was the first chairman who had not been a fighter in the past.
National Roles and Responsibilities
Demeke's work at the national level began in 2008. He became the Minister of Education. He served under Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. He continued in this role until July 2013. He then left the education ministry because he had a lot of work as Deputy Prime Minister. He had become Deputy Prime Minister in September 2012.
As Deputy Prime Minister, Demeke had a big job. He helped make sure that a plan called the Growth and Transformation Plan was put into action. This plan aimed to help Ethiopia's economy grow.
In 2016, Ethiopia faced a very bad drought. It was the worst drought in 30 years. Many people in eastern and southern Ethiopia needed help. Demeke was put in charge of organizing the government's response. He also helped manage the food aid that came from other countries.
In 2018, the Prime Minister at the time, Hailemariam Desalegn, resigned. Many people thought Demeke would become the next Prime Minister. However, Abiy Ahmed was chosen instead. Demeke continued to serve as Deputy Prime Minister under the new government.
On November 4, 2020, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed named Demeke as the Foreign Minister. He also became the vice president of the Prosperity Party. Demeke left both of these positions on January 26, 2024.
Founding the Yadam Foundation
After leaving politics, Demeke started a new organization. On December 16, 2024, he founded the Yadam Foundation. This group works to fight malnutrition in Africa. Malnutrition means not getting enough healthy food. Demeke said that good nutrition is very important. It helps people grow, helps the economy, and makes for a healthier future.
See also
