Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has sacked Solomon Belay (PhD), the director-general of the Ethiopian Space Science & Technology Institute, effective September 29, 2020. Abdissa Yilma, who was his deputy, has replaced him.

Solomon, who holds first and second degrees in physics and astrophysics from Asmara and Addis Abeba universities, respectively, and a PhD from Gutenberg, Sweden, in collaboration with Addis Abeba University, has been serving the Institute since its formation in 2016. He was appointed by former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.

“The premier’s decision was unexpected,” Solomon told Fortune. "I'm non-partisan and a member of no political party, and I have a plan to request clarification on the reasons for my removal."

Abdissa, who was the founding deputy of the Institute, received the appointment letter on September 28, 2020, a day before Solomon was informed about his removal.

Abdissa earned his first degree in physics from Dilla University and a second degree in technology management from Seoul National University, where he is currently pursuing his PhD. Before joining the Institute, Abdissa served at the then Science & Technology Ministry as an advisor to the minister for five and a half years. Yeshurun Alemayehu (PhD) took over the deputy director-general position at the Institute, which has 140 employees.

"I'm among those who established the Institute," said Solomon, mentioning his achievements during his tenure. "I don't have any regrets."

At the end of last month, the Ministry of Finance wrote a letter to the Institute, mentioning an alleged impediment on the housing allowance granted to higher level officials. The Institute pays 18,000 Br as a monthly housing allowance for higher level officials who are not provided with houses.

"However, the Institute has been paying the allowance for the higher [level] officials who received houses from the Institute, paying 400 Br a month since 2018," reads the letter.