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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nEthiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has resigned unexpectedly, saying he hoped to end years of unrest and political upheaval.<\/p>\n
In a televised address, he said his resignation was \u201cvital in the bid to carry out reforms that would lead to sustainable peace and democracy\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr Hailemariam, who has led the country since 2012, also stepped down as chairman of the ruling coalition.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of people have died in three years of anti-government protests.<\/p>\n
Demonstrations first spread across the country in 2015 amid calls for political and economic reform and an end to state corruption.<\/p>\n
Most of the unrest has centred on Ethiopia\u2019s two largest regions, Oromia and Amhara.<\/p>\n
A 10-month national state of emergency that ended last year failed to stop the protests, as did the release of thousands of opposition supporters from jail last month..<\/p>\n
\u201cUnrest and a political crisis have led to the loss of lives and displacement of many,\u201d Mr Hailemariam said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see my resignation as vital in the bid to carry out reforms that would lead to sustainable peace and democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leaders of the governing coalition \u2013 the Ethiopian People\u2019s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) \u2013 held an emergency meeting following the announcement, the Addis Standard website reported.<\/p>\n
BBC Africa Correspondent Alastair Leithead says Ethiopia\u2019s economic growth has been impressive but its steamroller approach to development has sparked years of regional, ethnic-based protest.<\/p>\n
The old guard that runs Ethiopia is now afraid its federal, Soviet-style system could collapse, he adds, leaving two possible solutions \u2013 to crack down harder on dissent or to try political reform.<\/p>\n
Mr Hailemariam said he will stay on as a caretaker prime minister until parliament and the EPRDF accept his resignation and choose a replacement.<\/p>\n
Getaneh Balcha, of the opposition Blue Party, said Mr Hailemariam\u2019s resignation was \u201cgreat news for Ethiopians\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the beginning. Other officials also need to follow this and transfer the power to the public,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Hailemariam, a trained engineer, took office following the death of Meles Zenawi who had ruled since 1991.<\/p>\n
However, while the former deputy prime minister was a close ally of Mr Meles, he struggled to gain approval of the other EPRDF leaders in order to assume his role.<\/p>\n
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Source: BBC<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Homepage](\"https:\/\/ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Telesol-ad.jpg\")
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