By Mark Anderson and Tom Gardner in Addis Ababa

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has submitted his letter of resignation as the country's ruling coalition tries to make reforms in a bid to end years of anti-government protests.

“Unrest and a political crisis have led to the loss of lives and displacement of many,” Hailemariam said in a televised address. “I see my resignation as vital in the bid to carry out reforms that would lead to sustainable peace and democracy,” he said.

Hailemariam said he would stay on as premier until the ruling coalition found a replacement.

Hailemariam's resignation comes as the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) is under unprecedented pressure to end years of anti-government protests by making democratic reforms, releasing political prisoners and allowing freedom of expression.

The recent release of several high-profile political prisoners, including opposition leader Bekele Gerba and detained journalist Eskinder Nega, had buoyed hopes that real change was coming.

But years of anti-government protests in the Oromia and Amhara regions will be hard to pacify.

After demonstrations began in 2014, a nine-month state of emergency was imposed in late 2016 after hundreds of protesters were killed by security forces and thousands more were arrested.

Last year, demonstrations resumed in towns across Oromia, home to the country’s largest ethnic group, the Oromo, who have long seen themselves as marginalised by the central government.

At the same time, ethnic violence – especially between Oromos and Ethiopian Somalis – has escalated sharply.

The military killed at least 16 Oromo people during anti-government protests on 14 December. In the days that followed, interethnic clashes broke out between Oromos and Somalis, killing at least 61 people.

The EPRDF, which is made up of four parties, has long been dominated by the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which was founded by former Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

Relations between the TPLF and its sister parties – the Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM), the Oromo People’s Democratic Organisation (OPDO) and Southern Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement – have never been more fractious.

Over the next few months, all four members of the coalition will hold conferences in their respective regional capitals before meeting in Mekelle for a coalition-wide congress later in the year.</s>Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Hailemariam Desalegn had been Ethiopia's prime minister since 2012

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has resigned unexpectedly, saying he hoped to end years of unrest and political upheaval.

In a televised address, he said his resignation was "vital in the bid to carry out reforms that would lead to sustainable peace and democracy".

Mr Hailemariam, who has led the country since 2012, also stepped down as chairman of the ruling coalition.

Hundreds of people have died in three years of anti-government protests.

Demonstrations first spread across the country in 2015 amid calls for political and economic reform and an end to state corruption.

Most of the unrest has centred on Ethiopia's two largest regions, Oromia and Amhara.

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..

"Unrest and a political crisis have led to the loss of lives and displacement of many," Mr Hailemariam said.

"I see my resignation as vital in the bid to carry out reforms that would lead to sustainable peace and democracy."

Leaders of the governing coalition - the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) - held an emergency meeting following the announcement, the Addis Standard website reported.

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Protesters are calling for reforms and an end to government corruption

BBC Africa Correspondent Alastair Leithead says Ethiopia's economic growth has been impressive but its steamroller approach to development has sparked years of regional, ethnic-based protest.

The old guard that runs Ethiopia is now afraid its federal, Soviet-style system could collapse, he adds, leaving two possible solutions - to crack down harder on dissent or to try political reform.

Mr Hailemariam said he will stay on as a caretaker prime minister until parliament and the EPRDF accept his resignation and choose a replacement.

Why did Hailemariam resign?

Analysis by Kalkidan Yibeltal, BBC Amharic Service, Addis Ababa

Since coming to power, Mr Hailemariam has been seen by the political elite as weak and lacking in leadership.

His resignation could be a move by the coalition to find a stronger leader, or it could signal divisions among the constituent parties along ethnic lines.

Particularly visible is the tension between the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front, which has seen its dominance and influence wane, and the Oromo People's Democratic Organisation, which is becoming increasingly more assertive.

Replacing Mr Hailemariam might also be one way to meet the demands of Oromo protesters who have accused the authorities of marginalisation.

Getaneh Balcha, of the opposition Blue Party, said Mr Hailemariam's resignation was "great news for Ethiopians".

"This is the beginning. Other officials also need to follow this and transfer the power to the public," he said.

Mr Hailemariam, a trained engineer, took office following the death of Meles Zenawi who had ruled since 1991.

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.

You can now get the latest BBC news in Afaan Oromo, Amharic and Tigrinya.</s>By Mark Anderson and Tom Gardner in Addis Ababa

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has submitted his letter of resignation as the country's ruling coalition tries to make reforms in a bid to end years of anti-government protests.

“Unrest and a political crisis have led to the loss of lives and displacement of many,” Hailemariam said in a televised address. “I see my resignation as vital in the bid to carry out reforms that would lead to sustainable peace and democracy,” he said.

Hailemariam said he would stay on as premier until the ruling coalition found a replacement.

Hailemariam's resignation comes as the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) is under unprecedented pressure to end years of anti-government protests by making democratic reforms, releasing political prisoners and allowing freedom of expression.

The recent release of several high-profile political prisoners, including opposition leader Bekele Gerba and detained journalist Eskinder Nega, had buoyed hopes that real change was coming.

But years of anti-government protests in the Oromia and Amhara regions will be hard to pacify.

After demonstrations began in 2014, a nine-month state of emergency was imposed in late 2016 after hundreds of protesters were killed by security forces and thousands more were arrested.

Last year, demonstrations resumed in towns across Oromia, home to the country’s largest ethnic group, the Oromo, who have long seen themselves as marginalised by the central government.

At the same time, ethnic violence – especially between Oromos and Ethiopian Somalis – has escalated sharply.

The military killed at least 16 Oromo people during anti-government protests on 14 December. In the days that followed, interethnic clashes broke out between Oromos and Somalis, killing at least 61 people.

The EPRDF, which is made up of four parties, has long been dominated by the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which was founded by former Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

Relations between the TPLF and its sister parties – the Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM), the Oromo People’s Democratic Organisation (OPDO) and Southern Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement – have never been more fractious.

Over the next few months, all four members of the coalition will hold conferences in their respective regional capitals before meeting in Mekelle for a coalition-wide congress later in the year.</s>By Mark Anderson and Tom Gardner in Addis Ababa

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has submitted his letter of resignation as the country's ruling coalition tries to make reforms in a bid to end years of anti-government protests.

“Unrest and a political crisis have led to the loss of lives and displacement of many,” Hailemariam said in a televised address. “I see my resignation as vital in the bid to carry out reforms that would lead to sustainable peace and democracy,” he said.

Hailemariam said he would stay on as premier until the ruling coalition found a replacement.

Hailemariam's resignation comes as the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) is under unprecedented pressure to end years of anti-government protests by making democratic reforms, releasing political prisoners and allowing freedom of expression.

The recent release of several high-profile political prisoners, including opposition leader Bekele Gerba and detained journalist Eskinder Nega, had buoyed hopes that real change was coming.

But years of anti-government protests in the Oromia and Amhara regions will be hard to pacify.

After demonstrations began in 2014, a nine-month state of emergency was imposed in late 2016 after hundreds of protesters were killed by security forces and thousands more were arrested.

Last year, demonstrations resumed in towns across Oromia, home to the country’s largest ethnic group, the Oromo, who have long seen themselves as marginalised by the central government.

At the same time, ethnic violence – especially between Oromos and Ethiopian Somalis – has escalated sharply.

The military killed at least 16 Oromo people during anti-government protests on 14 December. In the days that followed, interethnic clashes broke out between Oromos and Somalis, killing at least 61 people.

The EPRDF, which is made up of four parties, has long been dominated by the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which was founded by former Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

Relations between the TPLF and its sister parties – the Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM), the Oromo People’s Democratic Organisation (OPDO) and Southern Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement – have never been more fractious.

Over the next few months, all four members of the coalition will hold conferences in their respective regional capitals before meeting in Mekelle for a coalition-wide congress later in the year.</s>Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has resigned, according to the state media.

He had submitted his resignation as both premier and the chairman of the ruling coalition in an effort to facilitate reforms following a period of mass unrest, Reuters news agency reported.

“Unrest and a political crisis have led to the loss of lives and displacement of many,” Hailemariam said in a televised address to the nation.

“… I see my resignation as vital in the bid to carry out reforms that would lead to sustainable peace and democracy,” he said.

Hailemariam said he would stay on as prime minister in a caretaker capacity until the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and the country’s parliament accepted his resignation and named a new premier.

The resignation comes amid anti-government protests in the Oromia and Amhara regions.

Media houses have been shut down for the last three days together with social media platforms.</s>Bekele Gerba, a leading opposition figure in Ethiopia was released from detention on Tuesday after spending over two years behind bars.

His release was part of the federal government’s announced political reforms aimed at engendering national cohesion, PM Hailemariam Desalegn said in January.

Bekele was pardoned along with six others who were facing charges of terrorism later reduced to inciting violence. He was arrested in December 2015 after mass protests broke out in the Oromia region over accusations that farmers were being forced to sell land with scant compensation.

Their release led to widespread jubilation in the Oromia region where tens of thousands of people thronged the streets in celebration.

People celebrate the release of Bekele and others – Tuesday February 13, 2018

On February 14, people gathered in the town of Adama to meet the Secretary General of the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), the main opposition party in Oromia.

The youth shouted chants in honour of Bekele, he delivered a thank you message to the crowd as people from across the region – young and old, celebrated.</s>It was not yet clear who would replace Hailemariam, who has been in power since 2012. He also quit as chairman of the ruling coalition Ethiopian People Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

"Unrest and political crisis have led to the loss of lives and displacement of many," Hailemariam said in a short televised address. I see my resignation as vital in the bid to carry out reforms that would lead to sustainable peace and democracy."

Hundreds of people died during protests that centered in the country's Oromia and Amhara regions in 2015 and 2016. The demonstrations were sparked by a government-backed urban development plan for the capital Addis Ababa, which took over Oromo farmland. The Oromos, Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, have been marginalized for decades.

Hailemariam declared the state of emergency -- the first since the ruling party came into power 25 years prior -- to quell the escalating violence. "We want to put an end to the damage that is being carried out against infrastructure projects, health centers, administration and justice buildings," Hailemariam said at the time, according to local media reports. But, more than a year on, there are still bouts of unrest in the country. Young men brandishing sticks and rocks blocked roads and businesses remained shut in Addis Ababa and Oromia earlier this week during a three day-strike, Agence-France Presse reported. Hailemariam, 52, said he would stay on in a caretaker capacity until the EPRDF and the Parliament named a new prime minister, according to Reuters</s>Africa’s second-most populous country and an important United States ally in the fight against terrorism, Ethiopia is a regional powerhouse with grand economic plans. But it has experienced violent clashes for more than two years, with protesters calling for economic and political reform. Implementation of the government’s agenda has been slow, and tensions have escalated as the public’s patience has waned.

In a move many believed was designed to release some of that tension, Mr. Hailemariam announced in January that the country would free some prisoners, including opposition politicians. Several hundred were freed, but the government continued to hold some of the most high-profile prisoners, including the journalists and Mr. Bekele.

Observers have said that the government’s reluctance to free prominent prisoners illustrated divisions within the ruling party over the release program specifically and of the march toward reform generally.

“There are elements within the ruling party who don’t want to do that, who want to resist it at every turn,” said Hassan Hussein, an Ethiopian analyst and professor at St. Mary’s University in Minneapolis.

He said the government and members of the opposition, especially the political party of the Oromia people, had disagreed about the conditions for releasing prisoners.

To accelerate the process, Oromia opposition members inside and outside Ethiopia called for a boycott on Monday. Shops and banks in the province of Oromia were closed, and those who did not join the street protests largely stayed home, residents said. Activists said as many as 20 people were killed.

The boycott was officially canceled after Mr. Bekele was released on Tuesday, but Mr. Hallelujah said the protests had continued in many places.

“It’s easy to call a protest, but it’s very difficult to call it off,” he said. “It takes its own life and its own course.”

That is precisely what appears to have spooked the most powerful member of the four-party coalition, which has been facing down more than two years of demonstrations in the country’s most sensitive regions. The government cracked down against the protesters, and at least 669 people have been killed, according to the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission.

The ruling coalition, which has run the country since 1991 and controls every seat in Parliament, is also fracturing from within. Two of its marginalized members, representing the regions where the protests began, joined forces to contest the power of the coalition’s dominant member — an unexpected alliance of former enemies that, observers say, appears to be succeeding in challenging power.

Mr. Hailemariam’s resignation appears to be the latest chapter in that political saga. “I think his resignation probably is because of those differences among the coalition groups,” said Girma Seifu, an opposition politician who was once the only lawmaker who was not a member of the ruling coalition.

Mr. Hailemariam came into office in 2012, after the death of Meles Zenawi, whom Mr. Hallelujah described as a “bigger than life figure.” Mr. Meles had ruled with a heavy hand — and, some say, a micromanager’s scrutiny — since 1995. But Mr. Hailemariam gave little indication that he had either the wide-angle vision or the close-up attention of his predecessor.

“Replacing him is difficult by itself,” Mr. Hallelujah said of Mr. Meles. “But for many people, Hailemariam didn’t have the charisma, the competence, the political capital or the political clout to be a consequential or a meaningfully effective prime minister.”

Mr. Seifu, the opposition politician, said the ongoing protests, and the government’s need to bow to some opposition demands in order to maintain its grip on power, were also signs of the prime minister’s weakness.

“You could say the government is not enjoying the protests,” he said.

“In his first three years, we can give him an excuse,” Mr. Seifu added, “but in the past two years, when he is expected by party to build new vision and give guidance and leadership to the country, he didn’t demonstrate this capacity.”</s>Ethiopia’s Oromia region has erupted with celebrations as tens of thousands flooded streets across the region.

The celebrations are related to the unconditional release of political prisonsers by the government on Tuesday.

Young people were also seen actively cleaning the streets which had been littered during the day two of a three-day strike called by youth in the region.

Today (February 14) was supposed to be the last day of the Oromia strikes but it was called off as the release of a top opposition leader, Bekele Gerba, was announced and undertaken on Tuesday.

Photos shared by activists showed thousands of people jubilating on the streets. The jubilation had gone deep into the night on Tuesday after Bekele and six others were released.

Meanwhile, the government has also released a top blogger Eskinder Nega who had spent seven years in jail over terrorism charges. He had been denied release last week after he refused to sign a confession statement.

“Many Oromo politicians remain unjustly incarcerated, such as Bekele,” said one protester in the town of Jimma, who gave his name only as Awol, speaking before news that Bekele had been freed. “All should be released. That is why we are striking.”

Sparked initially by an urban development plan for the capital, unrest spread in 2015 and 2016 with demonstrations against political restrictions and human rights abuses.

Rights groups say hundreds have died in the violence.

Ethiopia is often accused of using security concerns as an excuse to stifle dissent, as well as suppressing non-governmental organisations and the media, which the government denies.
Hailemariam Desalegn resigns as Prime Minister of Ethiopia after six years in office amid ongoing unrest in the Oromia and Amhara regions.