Lemma Megersa (, ; born 26 July 1970) is an Ethiopian politician who served as the Minister of Defense from 2019 to 2020. He was also the president of the

Oromia Region Oromia (, ) is a Regions of Ethiopia, regional state in Ethiopia and the homeland of the Oromo people. Under Article 49 of 1995 Constitution of Ethiopia, Ethiopian Constitution, the capital of Oromia is Addis Ababa, also called Finfinne. The ...

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. 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 Oromia (, ) is a Regions of Ethiopia, regional state in Ethiopia and the homeland of the Oromo people. Under Article 49 of 1995 Constitution of Ethiopia, Ethiopian Constitution, the capital of Oromia is Addis Ababa, also called Finfinne. The ...

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 Illegal mining is mining activity that is undertaken without state permission. Illegal mining is the extraction of precious metals/rocks without following the proper procedures to participate in legal mining activity. These procedures include pe ...

companies were shut down. His efforts to introduce reform and to unite the country led to ''

The Economist ''The Economist'' is a British newspaper published weekly in printed magazine format and daily on Electronic publishing, digital platforms. It publishes stories on topics that include economics, business, geopolitics, technology and culture. M ...

'' describing him as "the country’s most popular politician". 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. As of December 6, 2020, Lemma has been placed under house arrest.

Personal life

Lemma is a board member of the

Assemblies of God The World Assemblies of God Fellowship (WAGF), commonly known as the Assemblies of God (AG), is a global cooperative body or communion of over 170 Pentecostal denominations that was established on August 15, 1989. The WAGF was created to provi ...

in Ethiopia.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lemma Megersa 1970 births Living people Defence ministers of Ethiopia Presidents of Oromia People from Oromia Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front politicians Oromo Democratic Party politicians Addis Ababa University alumni Ethiopian Pentecostals Assemblies of God people 21st-century Ethiopian politicians