Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) deserves plaudits for the manner in which he has reshaped the body politic, a top United States diplomat has stated.
According to Tibor Nagy, an Assistant Secretary for the Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, the 42-year-old has achieved a lot since taking office in April 2018.
Nagy said in a series of tweets that for the groundbreaking reforms Abiy had and continues to champion: “He deserves tremendous credit for his boldness in tackling issues that previous governments have not addressed.
“Abiy has also taken dramatic steps to end the former government’s repression of civil liberties, inviting a diversity of voices – including many who were previously criminalized – to participate in Ethiopia’s future,” he added.
He also hailed the efforts of Abiy and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki in making peace after decades of hostilities between the two nations.
He stressed that Eritrea was finally in a position to take its rightful place in regional and global politics following the peace deal.
“We enthusiastically welcomed Abiy and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki working together to end 20 years of conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea… We support both sides as they explore possibilities for peace & continue to encourage and support their long-term success
“With Eritrea’s re-emergence onto the regional & global stage, we see strong potential for its contributions to improving regional security. Eritrea can also contribute to regional peace & stability, as evidenced by its role brokering agreements among Ethiopian opposition groups,” he concluded.
PM Abiy’s boldness is reshaping Ethiopia holistically – top US diplomat
Premier deplores attempt to incite violence under guise of flag
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed deplored an attempt being made to incite violence in Addis Ababa under the guise of a flag.
The right of freedom of expression includes a flag as well, the Premier said, adding “we should not marginalize political parties coming from abroad.”
“As there will be no a single winner, we should cooperate with each other by resolving our differences through dialogue,” the Premier added.
Prime Minister Abiy urged competing political parties to focus on achieving win-win ends and resolving problems of the Ethiopian people.
The attempt being made to incite violence under the guise of a flag is unacceptable, he said, and urged those who are trying to incite violence to refrain from pushing the people into conflict.
Commissioner of Ethiopian Investment Commission resigns
Commissioner of Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), Belachew Mekuria (PhD) has resigned.
Mekonnen Hailu, EIC Public Relations Director, confirmed his resignation.
According to Mekonnen, the Commissioner resigned for family reason.
Belachew served as Commissioner for four and half months, replacing Fitsum Arega, current chief of staff at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Ethiopian, Eritrean troops begin withdrawing from border areas
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Ethiopian and Eritrean troops will begin to withdraw from border areas.
Prime Minister Abiy and President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea today officially opened the Debay Sima-Burre and Serha-Zalambesa border points between the two countries for road transport connectivity.
The two leaders, Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers, as well as other senior government officials from both counties, also celebrated the Ethiopian New Year together at the border.
Speaking to journalists at Bole Airport, the Premier said “we had a good New Year celebration at the border.”
“To ease the tense atmosphere that existed in border areas, Ethiopian defense forces will return to camps to recover and obtain additional training beginning from today. The same will be done on the Eritrean side,” he added.
The troops from both countries suffered a lot for the past years, the Premier indicated.
Ethiopia and Eritrea signed a peace deal last July, ending one of Africa’s longest wars.
The agreement comes after 18 years of “no peace, no war” that followed two years of intense border fighting between 1998 and 2000.
Following the peace deal, the two countries agreed to regularize their ties with the opening of embassies, free travel of people, airline links, direct international telephone connection, and use of ports.
