Ambachew Mekonnen

Ambachew Mekonnen (Ge'ez: አምባቸው መኮንን; c. 1971 – 22 June 2019) was an Ethiopian politician who served as the president of the Amhara Region of Ethiopia from March to June 2019, when he was assassinated in a coup attempt.[1]

This article is about a person whose name includes a patronymic. The article properly refers to the person by his given name, Ambachew, and not as Mekonnen.
Ambachew Mekonnen
አምባቸው መኮንን
President of the Amhara Region
In office
8 March 2019 – 22 June 2019
Prime MinisterAbiy Ahmed
Preceded byGedu Andargachew
Succeeded byTemesgen Tiruneh
Minister of Industry
In office
19 April 2018 – 22 October 2018
Prime MinisterAbiy Ahmed
Preceded byGedu Andargachew
Succeeded byFetlework Gebregziabher
Minister of Housing and Urban Development
In office
1 November 2016 – 19 April 2018
Prime MinisterHailemariam Dessalegn
Abiy Ahmed
Preceded byMekuria Haile
Succeeded byJantirar Abay
Minister of Construction
In office
6 October 2015 – 1 November 2016
Prime MinisterHailemariam Dessalegn
Preceded byMekuria Haile
Personal details
Bornc. 1971
Gayint, Begemder Province, Ethiopian Empire (now Debub Gondar Zone, Ethiopia)
Died22 June 2019 (aged 47–48)
Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Cause of deathGunshot wounds (assassination)
Political partyAmhara Democratic Party
Other political
affiliations		Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front
Alma materEthiopian Civil Service University (BA)
Korea Development Institute (MPP)
University of Kent (MSc, PhD)

Early life and education

Ambachew Mekonnen was born in Gayint, South Gondar, to a family of farmers.[2] His secondary education was interrupted due to the Ethiopian Civil War, when his school was closed, and he joined the Ethiopian People's Democratic Movement (EPDM, later ANDM) as a guerrilla in 1990. He completed his secondary studies via distance education and was appointed as an administrator in Abichuna Gne'a and Sheno in North Shewa.

He went on to receive a BA in economics from the Ethiopian Civil Service University, an MPP from the Korea Development Institute, and an MSc and a PhD in international finance and economic development from the University of Kent, writing his dissertation on "Economic growth, trade and investment in sub-Saharan Africa: nexus and determinants”.[3]

Before his appointment as president of the Amhara Region, he served in various roles, including the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Ethiopia. He also served as an infrastructure adviser in the Prime Minister's office prior to his selection as regional President on 6 March 2019, replacing Gedu Andargachew.

Ambachew was killed on 22 June 2019 in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, by a supposed hit squad during a coup attempt in the Amhara region.[4] He was killed along with his adviser.[5]

References
  1. Reuters (23 June 2019). "Attempted Coup Leaves Ethiopia's Army Chief and 3 Senior Officials Dead". NYTimes.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  2. Capital Newspaper (6 December 2018). "Ethiopia: Capital Newspaper Interview With Dr Ambachew Mekonnen (PHD)". Zehabesha – Latest Ethiopian News Provider. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  3. "Gedu Andargachew Resigns; Ambachew Mekonnen Elected Chief Administrator of Amhara Region". Ezega. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  4. "Ethiopia's Amhara state chief killed amid regional coup attempt". aljazeera.com. Al Jazeera Media Network. 23 June 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  5. Endeshaw, Dawit; Houreld, Katharine (23 June 2019). Kasolowsky, Raissa (ed.). "Head of Ethiopia's Amhara regional state and advisor killed: state media". reuters.com. Retrieved 26 June 2019.


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