AKIPRESS.COM - Ethiopian members of parliament have elected Sahle-Work Zewde as the country's first female president, BBC reports.

Ms Shalework is an experienced diplomat who most recently held a position with the United Nations.

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.

In her acceptance speech, President Sahle-Work spoke about the importance of maintaining peace, local media say.