Sahle-Work Zewde becomes Ethiopia's first female president e this with Whats Image copyright Image caption Sahle-Work Zewde promised to focus on gender equality and promoting peace Ethiopian members of parliament have elected Sahle-Work Zewde as the country's first female president. Ms Sahle-Work is an experienced diplomat who has now become Africa's only female head of state. Her election to the ceremonial position comes a week after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appointed a cabinet with half the posts taken up by women. After being sworn in, President Sahle-Work promised to work hard to make gender equality a reality in Ethiopia . add ressing parliament, she also pledged to promote peace: "I urge you all, to uphold our peace, in the name of a mother, who is the first to suffer from the absence of peace.'' The new president was keen to make a point about gender equality right from the start, telling MPs that if they thought she ...