The newly-formed South Western regional council has elected Negash Wagesho (PhD) as deputy head of the country's newest regional state. Negash Wagesho has served as a state minister for Water‚ Irrigation & Energy. Recently, he was re-appointed as a state minister for Water & Energy by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD). The region's council held its first inaugural assembly last week and appointed a house speaker and deputy speaker. During the assembly, the 52 member council passed decisions pertaining to the structuring of the region. The South West Regional State came into being following a referendum held in September this year. About 98pc of the 1.3 million voters registered cast their ballots in favour of the region's formation. The referendum was held Bench Sheka, South Omo, Kafa, and Sheko zones as well as Dawro Special District in the Southern Regional State During its first extraordinary assembly held on October 30, 2021, the upper house of parliament approved the formation of the country's 11th regional state.