By Addis Getachew and Seleshi Tessema

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

Ethiopia selected a new prime minister on Tuesday as the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) named 42-year-old Abiy Ahmed as its chair, as reported by state-run Ethiopian TV.

Demeke Mekonen, the current deputy prime minister, was also elected the party’s deputy chair.

Under Ethiopian law, the chairman of the ruling party is the default leader of the country.

The incumbent Hailemariam Desalegn submitted his resignation from both the premiership and the party helm on Feb. 15 amid a lingering political crisis in the Horn of Africa country.

Prime Minister-designate Ahmed will be sworn in soon.