The appointment of five ministers, approved today, has sparked complaints within the House of Peoples’ Representatives. Some council members have alleged that the appointees’ qualifications were considered in violation of the proper procedures and legal standards.

Dr. Desalegn Chane member of the National Movement of Amhara (NAMA) and a member of Parliament, has argued that Dr. Gideon Timotheos, the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, is unsuitable for the position. Dr. Desalegn has pointed out that Dr. Gideon’s tenure as Minister of Justice has raised concerns regarding his capacity to uphold institutional impartiality. Additionally, he has expressed reservations about the thoroughness of the evaluation process.

In response, Dr. Tesfaye Beljge, the government’s representative in the HPR, defended Dr. Gideon’s appointment. He stated that the allegations against Dr. Gideon were baseless and inappropriate.

During Dr. Gideon’s tenure as Minister of Justice, he played a pivotal role in the Ethiopian government’s implementation of an extensive siege on the Tigray region. This siege was involved drone strikes, widespread starvation, and severe shortages of medical supplies. Additionally, numerous Tigrayan residents living in other parts of the country have been detained in camps.

Dr. Gideon also known for using the restoration of essential services in Tigray as bargaining power for peace talks and for providing legal coverage for the government’s genocidal war in Tigray, as well as other significant crimes in Oromiya, Amhara, and other areas.