Lemma Megersa Explained

Lemma Megersa
Native Name:Lammaa Magarsaa
Office:Minister of Defense
Term Start:18 April 2019
Term End:18 August 2020
Primeminister:Abiy Ahmed
Predecessor:Aisha Mohammed Mussa
Successor:Kenea Yadeta
Office1:President of Oromia Region
Term Start1:23 October 2016
Term End1:18 April 2019
Primeminister1:Hailemariam Desalegn
Abiy Ahmed
Successor1:Shimelis Abdisa
Office2:Deputy Chairman of Oromo Democratic Party
Term Start2:22 February 2018
Term End2:1 December 2019
Predecessor2:Abiy Ahmed
Successor2:post abolished
Birth Name:Lemma Megersa Wako
Birth Date:26 July 1970
Birth Place:Welega Province, Ethiopian Empire
Otherparty:Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front
Oromo Democratic Party
Party:Independent
Alma Mater:Addis Ababa University
Jimma University

Lemma Megersa (Oromo: Lammaa Magarsaa, Amharic: ለማ መገርሳ; born 26 July 1970) is an Ethiopian politician who served as the Minister of Defense 2019 to 2020. He was also the president of the Oromia Region and deputy chairman of the ruling party in the region, the Oromo Democratic Party. Since the formation of the Prosperity Party, Lemma has been independent.

Background

Lemma Megersa was born in the Welega Province. He completed his secondary education at General Tadesse Biru Secondary School. He received a bachelor's degree from Addis Ababa University in Political Science and International Relations, and later graduated with a master's degree in International Relations from the same university.[1]

Lemma served as speaker of Caffee, the Oromia regional parliament, before becoming regional president in October 2016..

Reforms

One of the first reforms Lemma tried to undertake was to prevent the interference of the federal police in the state affairs of Oromia region. He called for respect of the constitution and let the region exercise its constitutional power. In this regard, Lemma managed to limit and prevent the interference of the military in regional demonstrations, and regulating investments within Oromia Regional State.

Lemma also took measures on investment projects that were operating in violation of rules or not benefiting the region. The regional government terminated the operating license of such businesses. Besides, a number of illegal mining companies were shut down.[2]

His efforts to introduce reform and to unite the country led to The Economist describing him as "the country’s most popular politician".[3] [4]

His disagreements with the government made him not want to join in the formation of the Prosperity Party, led by the Prime Minister. In 2020, he was replaced from his post as defense minister after openly criticizing the government's political reforms.[5]

As of December 6, 2020 Lemma has been placed under house arrest.[6]

Personal life

Lemma is a board member of the Assemblies of God in Ethiopia.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lemma Megersa: OPride's Oromo Person of the Year 2017 Runner Up. 31 December 2017. Opride.com. 6 January 2018.
  2. News: 17 February 2018. Who will become Ethiopia's new prime minister and how?. 20 February 2018. The East African.
  3. Web site: Lammaa Magarsaa: A sweet-talking lackey or a genuine man of the people? . OPride.com . 9 February 2017 . 7 July 2017.
  4. News: Ethiopia's regime flirts with letting dissidents speak without locking them up. 28 January 2018. The Economist.
  5. News: Ethiopia DM replaced after criticising PM Abiy amid ethnic violence. Middle East Monitor. 19 August 2020. 15 November 2020.
  6. Web site: Defence Minister, Lemma Megersa, is under a house arrest as of this morning . Kichuu . 12 August 2020 . 6 December 2020 . en-US.
  7. News: God wants Ethiopians to prosper: The prime minister and many of his closest allies follow a fast-growing strain of Christianity (Pentecostalism in Ethiopia). 24 November 2018. 24 November 2018. The Economist.