The ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) coalition on Tuesday voted in the 42-year-old, a retired lieutenant general of Oromo descent to take over the government.

Ethiopia is Africa’s second-most populous country and has had the fastest-growing economy in the continent for the past decade, but protests that began in 2015 have caused the most notable threat to the EPRDF since it took power in 1991.

“The House of People’s Representatives will hold an extraordinary session on April 2 to swear in Dr Abiye Ahmed,” the body said in a statement.

His predecessor Hailemariam, who is of Welayta descent, resigned last month after sustained protests in the regions of Oromia and Amhara, where people say they are politically and economically marginalised.

Abiye will now face pressure to appeal to legions of disaffected youth and to push through promised reforms.

The event was initially scheduled for Saturday. The statement did not give a reason for the postponement.