Ethiopia’s parliament has on Thursday elected Sahle Zewde as president following the resignation of Mulatu Teshome.

Sahle Zewde, a former UN diplomat,  becomes the first female president of Ethiopia and fourth president since the country officially adopted multiparty politics and a new constitution in 1995.

She has previously served as UN special representative to the AU (2018) – DG of UN office in Nairobi (2011-June 2018) -Ethiopian ambassador to France (2002-06), Djibouti (1993-2002) and Senegal.

Ethiopia President Mulatu Teshome, who took office in 2013, submitted a letter of resignation on Wednesday to the country’s parliament, according to state media reports.

Teshome’s resignation comes after a political Cabinet reshuffle by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed that began last week and has seen half of the country’s ministerial seats occupied by women.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also recently appointed the first female defense minister the country.

Abiy Ahmed who came to power in April 2018 following three years of protest in the country has been carrying out a myriad of radical changes in Ethiopia.

The office of the Prime Minister leads Ethiopia’s government and policy.