H.E. Demeke Mekonnen Hassen

H.E. Demeke Mekonnen Hassen

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

H.E. Demeke Mekonnen Hassen was born in Gojam Province Mota District on September 27, 1963 and grew up around Metekel-Mentawuha. He attended Mota primary school and completed his high school studies in Chagni, Gojam.

H.E. Demeke Mekonnen assumed various leadership positions from a young age and climbed up the ladder of political leadership from a high-school teacher to the second highest executive position of the country, Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia.

H.E. Demeke’s political journey started in mid 1990s as he joined the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). Under the previous executive arrangement, he served as the member of the Amhara Regional Council and General Secretary until 1995. He has served the Amhara Regional State holding various positions, including Deputy President of the Amhara Regional State from 2005-2009. In 2010, he was elected to chair the Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM), a member of the EPRDF coalition, and in 2010 became the first non-combatant chairman of the ANDM, assuming Deputy Chairpersonship of EPRDF in 2013.

His federal engagement began with his role as the Minister of Education in 2010 where he served for 4 years. Following a reshuffling, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen was elevated to the level of Deputy Prime Minister, in addition to his Minister of Education portfolio in 2013.

His vast array of educational, training, community and civic work experiences have helped shape the leader he is today; committed, responsible and responsive to the needs and demands of his people.

Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen received his first Degree in Biology from Addis Ababa University and earned his MA in Political Science from Bradford University, England.

He is married to Alemitu Kassaye and the couple have two daughters and two sons.

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