Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn Resigns

Ethiopia’s prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn has resigned.

Desalegn submitted his resignation on Thursday as Prime Minister and Chairman of Ethiopia’s ruling coalition.

He said that he hopes his resignation will be accepted by the executive of the party.

According to the state Ethio­pian News Agency, Desalegn resigned both as prime minister and chair of the ruling party “to be part of the efforts to provide a lasting solution to the current situation.”

Hailemariam Desalegn’s announcement comes amid a political crisis and lingering unrest in Ethiopia, which has been releasing thousands of prisoners to ease tensions.

Desalegn became prime minister in 2012, succeeding Meles Zenawi, the architect of Ethiopia’s recent economic boom.

The country saw a decade of double-digit growth, based largely on state investment in infrastructure.

Growth has slowed in recent years under pressure from severe droughts and social unrest.