Ethiopia‘s Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said on Thursday that he had submitted his resignation as both premier and the chairperson of the ruling coalition, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPDRF).
Desalegn said he would stay in office as Prime Minister on a caretaker basis until his party and Parliament accepts his resignation and names a new premier.
The resignation follows a political crisis and weeks of unrest in the country, especially in the Oromia regions.
Early in January, the PM announced the release of political prisoners to ease tensions.
The resignation is aimed at facilitating reforms following the unrest.
Hundreds of people have died in the violence, which began in 2015 following protests against political restrictions and human rights abuses.
Desalegn succeeded Meles Zenawi who died in 2012.
EPDRF has ruled Ethiopia since 1991.
