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Parliament expected to appoint new Supreme Court president
Tegene Getaneh

Parliament expected to appoint new Supreme Court president

The Houses of Peoples' Representatives (HPR) is expected to elect a new Supreme Court president to replace the outgoing Tegene Getaneh, who resigned from his post citing health problems that render him unable to carry out his duties.

Two weeks ago, House Speaker, Abadulla Gemeda told Members of Parliament that his office has received a letter from the Office of the Prime Minister stating that the Prime Minister Hailemariam has accepted Tegene’s letter of resignation.

However, reports have also claimed that his resignation is associated with other factors, including lack of commitment in addressing good governance issues.

Tegene was appointed by the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in 2009 replacing former president, Kemal Bedri. Before he became president of the Federal Supreme Court, he had served as a judge both in the High Court and Supreme Court. His term in the highest post lasted for 7 years.

Tegene, who was a few months away from his retirement age, was born in Illubabor Zone, Mettu, Oromia Regional State in 1961.

He graduated with an LLM degree in international human rights law from the University of Essex (UK) in 2002. He has worked as a legal expert and judge since graduation.

Supreme Federal judicial authority is vested in the Federal Supreme Court. According to the FDRE Constitution, the president and vice-president of the Federal Supreme Court shall, upon recommendation by the Prime Minister, be appointed by the House of People’s Representatives.