Muferihat Kamil Elected Speaker of the House of Federation

Muferihat Kamil has been elected as the Speaker of the House of Federation for a five-year term, taking over the position from Agegnehu Teshager, who had led the upper parliamentary chamber since 2021. The election took place during the joint session of the House of Peoples' Representatives and the House of Federation, which opened today following the formation of a new government by the ruling Prosperity Party (PP). Alongside Muferihat, Desta Ledamo was elected as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Federation, succeeding Zahara Umud. Desta Ledamo was recently replaced as the president of the Sidama Regional State last week. Muferihat brings extensive government experience to the role, having previously served as the Minister of Women's Affairs, Minister of Peace, and Minister of Labour & Skills. Notably, in 2018, she made history by becoming the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives.