Girma Wake, board chairman of Ethiopian Airlines, has resigned from his position.
According to The Reporter, Ethiopia’s federal authorities are yet to disclose the reason for his resignation.
Wake confirmed that he was no longer serving in the role, but refused to elaborate on the circumstances surrounding his exit from the company, the Reporter said.
Yilma Merdasa, commander of the Ethiopian air force, was appointed to replace him as the board chairman of the company.
“Ethiopian Airlines Group welcomes Lieutenant General Yilma Merdassa and wishes him success in his new role,” the carrier announced on Monday.
Speaking about Wake, the airline said he “provided effective guidance to the group, sharing his wealth of experience in the aviation field” during his tenure as management board chairman.
Wake joined the Ethiopian Airlines board in 2018, having served as the airline’s chief executive officer (CEO) from 2004 to 2011.
He became board chairman of the airline in April 2022.
In total, he has served the airline for more than 30 years.
Wake also served as the board chairman of Rwanda Air and adviser to the minister of transport in Rwanda.
His resignation comes at a time when the unveiling of Nigeria Air, about three days before the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, has sparked outrage.
Ethiopian Airlines owns a 49 percent equity stake in Nigeria Air.