By Seleshi Tessema and Addis Getachew

ADDIS ABABA

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on Thursday tendered his resignation amid anti-government demonstrations.

Speaking to local media on Thursday, Desalegn said he is also resigning as the chairman of the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic party.

In a televised speech, the prime minister called on people to be part of the solution to recent political crisis in the country.

“I look forward to see durable peace in the country” Desalegn, who is tipped to have been in loggerheads with top party officials, told the nation.

Since 2015, Ethiopia has been in a political turmoil as a large number of people have been protesting against the government and demanding political freedom and economic justice.

In January, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn announced that his government would release detainees and so far 7,000 people saw either their charges dropped or were pardoned.

They were detained on charges of attempting to dismantle constitutional order and terrorism.

The resignation of the premier came a day after many notable citizens were released from the federal prison house.

The prime minister called on the youth to exert efforts to maintain peace and stability in the country.

Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic party has been ruling the country for the last quarter of a century after the regime of Col. Mengistu Hailemariam, who is in exile in Zimbabwe.