President of Ethiopia Facts for Kids

The President of Ethiopia is the country's head of state. This means they are the official representative of Ethiopia. However, their role is mostly ceremonial. The real executive power, which means the power to make and carry out decisions, belongs to the Council of Ministers, led by the Prime Minister.

The current President is Taye Atske Selassie, who started his term on October 7, 2024. Presidents are chosen by the Federal Parliamentary Assembly and serve for six years.

Quick facts for kids President of Ethiopia
Flag of Ethiopia
Emblem
Incumbent Taye Atske Selassie since 7 October 2024
Style	Honourable President (Within Ethiopia) Mr. President (Informal) His Excellency (Diplomatic)
Residence	National Palace, Addis Ababa
Appointer	Federal Parliamentary Assembly
Term length	Six years
Precursor	The Emperor of Ethiopia
Formation	10 September 1987 (De jure) 15 September 1974 (De facto)
First holder	Negasso Gidada (FDRE) Mengistu Haile Mariam (PDRE)<kbr />Aman Andom (PMGSE)
Deputy	Abolished, Vice President of Ethiopia
Salary	45,270 USD annually

A Look Back: The President's History
How a President is Chosen
What the President Does
What Happens if a President Can't Serve?
Protecting the President
Recent Election
See also

A Look Back: The President's History

The role of Ethiopia's head of state has changed a lot over time. Before 1974, the emperor of Ethiopia was the head of the country.

Early Days: Military Rule (1974-1987)

After a military takeover in 1974, the emperor's rule ended. A group called the Derg took control. The chairman of this group became the de facto (meaning "in practice") president of Ethiopia. The first chairman was Aman Andom.

The First Official President (1987-1991)

The role of president was officially created in 1987. This happened with a new constitution that formed the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The president was elected for a five-year term. They were the chief executive, meaning they had a lot of power. They also led the military. Mengistu Haile-Mariam was the only president during this time.

A Time of Change (1991-1995)

The Ethiopian Civil War ended in 1991. A new temporary government was formed, called the Transitional Government of Ethiopia. During this period, the president still had significant executive powers. They could appoint or remove the prime minister and the head of the armed forces. Meles Zenawi served as president during this transitional period.

Today's President (1995-Present)

In 1995, a new constitution was put in place. This constitution changed Ethiopia into a parliamentary republic. This means the president's role became mostly ceremonial. The prime minister now holds most of the executive power.

The prime minister is the chief executive and commander-in-chief of the military. However, the president still acts as a ceremonial commander-in-chief. Negasso Gidada was the first president under this new constitution. Sahle-Work Zewde was the first female president, serving from 2018 to 2024. The current president is Taye Atske Selassie.

How a President is Chosen

The Federal Parliamentary Assembly chooses the person who will be president. The president's term is six years. There is no limit to how many terms a president can serve.

Before starting their job, the president makes a promise. They promise to be loyal to the Constitution and the people of Ethiopia.

What the President Does

The 1995 Ethiopian Constitution lists the president's main duties and powers:

The president opens the yearly meetings of the Federal Parliamentary Assembly.
They officially announce new laws and international agreements.
The president appoints ambassadors to represent Ethiopia in other countries. This is done based on the prime minister's suggestion.
They welcome ambassadors and special envoys from other countries.
The president gives out medals, awards, and gifts.
They grant high military titles and awards, also suggested by the prime minister.
The president can grant pardons, which means forgiving someone for a crime.

These actions are the president's own powers. They do not need the prime minister's approval to be valid. The president also represents Ethiopia at various international meetings.

What Happens if a President Can't Serve?

If a president cannot do their job because of illness, death, or other reasons, an acting president is chosen quickly. The Federal Parliamentary Assembly then meets within a week. They will elect a new president to take over.

Protecting the President

The president of Ethiopia is protected by the Republican Guard. This is a special military unit. A part of the Republican Guard protects the presidential palace, also known as Jubilee Palace. They use advanced weapons, helicopters, and armored vehicles to ensure the president's safety.

President of Ethiopia facts for kids

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