October 05, (THEWILL) – Citizens celebrated as Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was sworn in for a new five-year term at Meskel square, with “peace” being a keyword from African presidents speaking at the inauguration celebration.
While congratulating Mr. Abiy following his election victory, they also spoke about bringing the nation together at the public ceremony in the capital, Addis Ababa.
The Civil War in the north of the country, now entering its 12th month, has killed thousands and led to a humanitarian crisis.
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari said he was “aware of the many challenges facing” Ethiopia and encouraged “all parties to come together in the interest of the unity, progress, and wellbeing of Ethiopia.”
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said that the Prime Minister had been given a “mandate to bring peace, a mandate to build stability, a mandate to bring all the people of Ethiopia together.
“So for all of us on the continent Ethiopia is our mother. And as we all know if the mother is not at peace, neither can the family be at peace.”
Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh told the crowds in the city’s main square that he hoped “to see Ethiopia [at] peace with itself.”
Delivering his address, Mr. Abiy, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, said his administration would work towards an “inclusive and participatory” political landscape.
