Desalagne Chanie

Dessalegn Chanie (Amharic: ደሳለኝ ጫኔ, born 1981) is an Ethiopian politician who is currently MP in the House of Peoples' Representatives (HoPR) since 2021. He was the founder of the Amhara nationalist party, the National Movement of Amhara (NaMA) in 2018 along with Christian Tadele and Belete Molla. He has served as a chairman until 2020. Known for his political argument and asking direct question without fear.

Early life and education Dessalegn was born on February 11, 1983, in Merawi, near Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. He completed his elementary and high school education in Merawi before pursuing higher education at Bahir Dar University. He holds a PhD in integrated water resource management from the Bahir Dar Institute of Technology and a joint master's degree in watershed management from Cornell University and Bahir Dar University. Dessalegn is currently an associate professor of hydrology and water management at the Institute of Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Studies at Bahir Dar University. In addition, he holds undergraduate degrees in economics and history/geography.

Political career

In June 2018, Dessalegn co-founded National Movement of Amhara (NaMA), an Amhara nationalist political party along with Christian Tadele, Belete Molla, and many others. He has been served as the chairman of the party until succeeded with Molla in February 2020. The 1st General Congress of Central Committee of NaMA took place from 22–23 February while the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has been observer. On 31 January 2024, he was arrested by government's security force in Addis Ababa with no valid reason. He is an outspoken critic of Abiy Ahmed and known for delivering outright speech directed toward Abiy at meetings of the People’s Representatives Council.