The cabinet was formed on 11 October 2005 with the aim of tackling government weakness and to end poverty in Ethiopia.

Critics stated that the new cabinet cannot afford accountability to the parliament because of not reflecting ethnic diversity Meles' supporters.

Some leading political figures that supported Meles lost their jobs with 11 ministers were replaced as the incumbent reshuffled the post.

[1] The House of Peoples' Representatives (HPR) approved 347 votes, 66 objections and four abstentions during the first regular parliament session in that day.

[2] This list reflects recent cabinet members of Meles Zenawi as of 5 October 2010.