Aman Andom
Served: 1974 (acting)
Lieutenant general chosen as the Derg's first chairman and acting head of state in September 1974; he resigned in November 1974 and was killed in a shootout days later.
List of Presidents of Ethiopia: Past and Present
Last updated
This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Ethiopia from 1974 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Ethiopia, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.
Current president of Ethiopia: Taye Atske Selassie (in office since 2024).
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Presidents of Ethiopia in order, with years in office
Tafari Benti
Served: 1974–1977
Brigadier general who chaired the Derg from November 1974; the monarchy was abolished in March 1975 during his rule, and he was killed in a purge in February 1977.
Mengistu Haile Mariam
Served: 1974 (acting), 1977–1991
Led the Derg from 1977, became the first president of the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in 1987, and resigned on 21 May 1991.
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Tesfaye Gebre Kidan
Served: 1991 (acting)
Served as acting president for six days in May 1991 before the government fell.
Meles Zenawi
Served: 1991–1995
Interim president of the Transitional Government; later served as prime minister until his death in 2012.
Negasso Gidada
Served: 1995–2001
First president of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; his term ended after he was expelled from the ruling party in 2001.
Girma Wolde-Giorgis
Served: 2001–2013
Served two terms, a little under 12 years in total.
Mulatu Teshome
Served: 2013–2018
Succeeded Girma Wolde-Giorgis in October 2013.
Sahle-Work Zewde
Served: 2018–2024
First woman to serve as president of Ethiopia.
Taye Atske Selassie
Served: 2024–present
Elected by the Federal Parliamentary Assembly on 7 October 2024.
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Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Ethiopia
Who is the current president of Ethiopia?
The current president of Ethiopia is Taye Atske Selassie, in office since 2024.
Who were the previous presidents of Ethiopia?
The presidents and heads of state of Ethiopia listed on this page, in order, are: Aman Andom, Tafari Benti, Mengistu Haile Mariam, Tesfaye Gebre Kidan, Meles Zenawi, Negasso Gidada, Girma Wolde-Giorgis, Mulatu Teshome, Sahle-Work Zewde, Taye Atske Selassie.
Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Ethiopia; Wikipedia biographies of Aman Andom, Tafari Benti and Mengistu Haile Mariam (checked Nov 2026). Lists Derg chairmen (heads of state, though not presidents) from 1974; the emperors before 1974 are not listed.. Last reviewed November 2026.
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