Ethiopia mulls merging prime minister and president roles amid constitutional talks

Following extensive consultations, Ethiopia’s political elite are weighing a constitutional overhaul that would merge the largely ceremonial presidency with the prime minister’s office, effectively concentrating power. The recommendation emerged from a national dialogue in Addis Ababa attended by roughly 4,000 delegates, though key opposition parties and armed factions boycotted the event. Abiy Ahmed, who has not taken part in the discussions, could benefit from the change, especially after his party secured a sweeping win in June’s parliamentary elections.

Proponents claim a stronger, directly elected president could foster a national identity across Ethiopia’s diverse ethnic landscape, while civil-rights activists caution that such a system may drift toward dictatorship. Analysts note that Abiy already controls the military and security services, so the reform may simply formalize existing power structures rather than create new authority. Ongoing conflicts in Oromia, Amhara and the aftermath of the Tigray war remain unresolved, suggesting that a shift in governmental form alone may not address the country’s deeper challenges.