12 Facts About Demeke Mekonnen

Demeke Mekonnen Hassen is an Ethiopian politician who was Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia from 2012 to 2024, Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2020 to 2024 and former vice-president of the Prosperity Party.

Demeke Mekonnen previously served as chairman of the Amhara Democratic Party and deputy chair of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front until the dissolution of the two in December 2019.

Demeke Mekonnen was sent to a high school in Feres Bet, a town located in the present day Dega Damot woreda in Mirab Gojjam Zone.

Demeke Mekonnen earned his MA in Political Science from Bradford University.

Demeke Mekonnen taught biology in Feres Bet High School, for two years, before he was transferred to Bure in the same province.

Demeke Mekonnen first took part in the national election held in 1995, and won a seat in the Amhara Regional Council, where he was appointed general secretary.

Demeke Mekonnen was then moved to head the administrative and security affairs bureau of the region, where he had served up until 2005.

Demeke Mekonnen was then promoted to the vice presidency of the regional state following the highly contested election in 2005, under the presidency of Ayalew Gobeze.

Demeke Mekonnen continued to serve as minister until July 2013, when he resigned due to his heavy workload as deputy prime minister.

Demeke Mekonnen had assumed the role in September 2012 under Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.

Demeke Mekonnen was assigned to the task to organize the government response and to organize the food aid provided by international organizations.

Demeke Mekonnen was kept as deputy prime minister under the new government.