Addis Ababa, October 8, 2026 (FMC) — Women and political pluralism feature prominently in Ethiopia’s new Ministerial Cabinet, with nine women among the 22 ministers approved by the House of Peoples’ Representatives today as the new Medemer Government takes office.
The nine women — Fitsum Assefa, Hana Arayaselassie, Yasmin Wohabrebbi, Mekdes Daba, Aynalem Niguse, Selamawit Kassa, Alemtsahay Paulos, Shewit Shanka and Frehiwot Tamiru — have assumed federal portfolios spanning finance, justice, trade and regional integration, health, revenues, culture and tourism, mining, women and social affairs, and innovation and technology.
The Cabinet also brings into the federal executive figures with backgrounds in parties that competed in the 2026 general election, including Birhanu Nega, Minister of Education, and Musa Adem, Minister of Peace.
Together with Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh, the 22 ministers constitute the 23-member ministerial Cabinet of the new Medemer Government.
The Cabinet was approved during the first regular session of the 7th House of Peoples’ Representatives’ first year of tenure, after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed presented the ministerial nominees to Parliament. The newly appointed ministers subsequently took their constitutional oath of office before the House.
The Cabinet’s composition comes as Ethiopia begins a new five-year governmental chapter following the opening of the 7th parliamentary term on October 5 and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s re-election and swearing-in for another term.
With parliamentary approval and the constitutional oath completed, the new Cabinet has formally assumed its responsibilities as Ethiopia’s federal executive for the new governmental term.