The new prime minister of Ethiopia Dr. Abiye Ahmed has assumed office after he was official sworn in by the parliament.
Giving his acceptance speech at the parliament, the prime minister has pledged his readiness to resolve disputes between Ethiopia and its neighbouring Eritrea.
Speaking during a televised swearing-in ceremony, Mr Ahmed said he is committed to end the years of the misunderstandings with Eritreans whom he said they share interests and blood.
“I call on the Eritrean government to take the same stand, We will stand by our African brothers in general and our neighbours in particular, during good and bad at times,” said the young outspoken Prime Minister.
Ahmed’s call is expected to reduce the animosity between the two countries which fought a bloody two-year struggle between 1998 and 2000.
Quelling the widespread protests
Ahmed who is the first Oromo politician to become Ethiopia’s prime minister has extended apology to thousands victims affected by the state crackdown.
“I apologize thousands of civilian victims of state crackdown as well as the members of the security forces who have been killed during the recent crisis that gripped the nation,” said the new Prime Minister.
He pledged that his government would bring to an end the protests in a peaceful manner.
“Today is a historic day. We bear witness to a peaceful transfer of power. Today our situation presents us with opportunities and threats. Today we are in the midst of uncertain times, therefore I want to promise that nobody will suffer in the hands of the government, we will negotiate with everybody to bring to an end the protests and dissatisfactions” Ahmed said in a speech to the Parliament.
Dr. Ahmed said the government would be respecting the rule of law.
“My government will be the first to abide by the law of the land and same way I called upon every Ethiopian to follow suit. We should be role model,” he pledged.
In 2015, Oromo which is among the largest ethnic groups protested and called the government to eliminate political and economic marginalization.
During that period Ethiopian government’s crackdown on the demonstrators led the death of thousands of Oromo as thousands others went on exile.
Calls for Ethiopians on Exile
Unknown numbers of Ethiopians have fled the country since the government has introduced the harsh crackdown on its opponents.
Among the people who end up in exile is an Olympic Silver medalist, Feyisa Lilesa after making a gesture of protest during Rio De Janerio.
To appease those citizens, Dr. Abiye Ahmed called on exiled Ethiopians to return home.
“We will welcome you home” he said, the coming season in Ethiopia is a season of peace and reconciliation.”
But prominent opposition leader Merara Gudina who spoke to AP expressed cautious optimism over Abiye’s election, saying the future of Ethiopia’s peace and stability depends on the policies of the incoming leader and his party.
“What he aims to achieve depends on what his party allows him to do,” Merara said, adding that Abiye was elected by Ethiopia’s ruling party and not directly by the population through a general election.
“But still it goes without saying that a change in personalities within the leadership may bring changes in terms of bringing better ideas that may ultimately lead to national reconciliation.”
Discussion about this post