Ethiopia will hold its first population census in more than a decade. PM Abiy, meeting Tuesday with the leaders of about 80 political parties, said the government is working on amending the election law before the 2020 vote. He also appointed new officials, including two national security advisers.
The census’ advisory council will have 20 members, including nine ministers and officials from all nine of Ethiopia regional states. Ethiopia, Africa’s second-most populous nation, was reconfigured a quarter century ago as a federation to give autonomy to its more than 80 ethnic groups.
Ethiopia’s last census was in 2007, and the constitution requires one every ten years.
The House of People’s Representatives (HPR) approved unanimously the draft bill prepared to assign members of the Population and Housing Census Commission yesterday.
Here is the list of new members of the Commission:
1. Muferiat Kamil- Minister of Peace
2. Ahmed Shide – Minister of Finance
3. Umer Hassen – Minister of Agriculture
4. Mrs. Dagmawit Mogess- Minister of Transport
5. Dr. Amir Aman –Minister of Health
6. Dr. Fitsum Assefa – Minister of Planning and Development Commission
7. Shimeles Abdisa – Chief of Staff at the Prime Minister’s Office with the rank of Minister
8. Jantirar Abay- Minister of Urban Development and Construction
9. Mrs. Yalem Tsegay – Minister of Women, Youth and Children Affairs
10. Temesgen Burka –Democratic System Building Coordination Center at the Prime Minister’s Office with the rank of Minister.
11. Mrs. Keria Ibrahim- Speaker of the House of Federation (HoF)
12. Dr. Abrham Tekeste- Deputy Chief Administrator of Tigray Regional State
13. Lakew Ayalew – Deputy Chief Administrator of Amhara Regional State
14. Mrs. Teyba Hussien – Deputy Chief Administrator of Oromia Regional State
15. Adem Farah – Deputy Chief Administrator of Somali Regional State
16. Ordin Bedri- Chief Administrator of Harari Regional State
17. Elias Shikur – Deputy Chief Administrator of SNNP Regional State
18. Abdela Mohammed Muhammed- Deputy Mayor of Dire Dawa city administration
19. Abera Bayeta- Deputy Chief Administrator of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State
20. Tankuay Jocken- Deputy Chief Administrator of Gambella Regional State.
In a related development, the House referred to the relevant standing committee the draft bill prepared to reform the Defense Force after making amendments on more than 28 articles.
