Ruto Congratulates Abiy Ahmed as Ethiopian PM Begins Second Term
President William Ruto has congratulated Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed after Ethiopia’s House of Peoples’ Representatives appointed him to lead the federal government for a second term.
Ruto issued the message on October 6, a day after Abiy took the oath of office in Addis Ababa following his appointment during the opening of Ethiopia’s seventh parliamentary term.
Ruto pledges continued Kenya–Ethiopia cooperation
In his congratulatory message, the Kenyan President said the new mandate reflected confidence in Abiy’s leadership and expressed Kenya’s intention to continue working closely with Ethiopia.
Ruto said the two neighbouring countries would pursue shared interests for the benefit of their citizens, the wider region and the international community. He also wished Abiy success as Ethiopia pursues its national development agenda.
Abiy begins second term
The Ethiopian House of Peoples’ Representatives appointed Abiy Ahmed on October 5 during the first regular session of the first working year of the seventh parliamentary term. He subsequently took the oath of office, formally beginning his second term as prime minister.
Ethiopian government information says the appointment followed the country’s June 1 general election and the establishment of the new parliament. The Prosperity Party secured the parliamentary majority that gives it the constitutional mandate to form the federal government.
The new parliament also elected Ahmed Shide as Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives and Ayelech Eshete as Deputy Speaker. Ethiopia’s House of Federation separately elected Muferihat Kamil as Speaker and Desta Ledamo as Deputy Speaker.
Kenya and Ethiopia maintain close regional ties
Kenya and Ethiopia share a long land border and have extensive diplomatic, security and economic interests in the Horn of Africa. Cooperation between Nairobi and Addis Ababa affects cross-border trade, infrastructure, regional security and diplomacy within institutions including the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.
The two countries have also pursued transport and trade links through the Lamu Port–South Sudan–Ethiopia Transport corridor and the Moyale border route. Stability and cooperation between the two governments therefore have implications beyond their bilateral relationship.
Ethiopia opens a new five-year political chapter
Abiy’s second term begins as Ethiopia’s new government outlines priorities spanning the economy, security, social affairs, diplomacy and regional relations.
At the opening of a joint session of Ethiopia’s two federal houses on October 6, President Taye Atske-Selassie presented the government’s programme for the new parliamentary period. Ethiopian authorities have described the transition as the beginning of a new five-year political and institutional chapter.
Abiy has also said his administration will continue pursuing economic transformation, institutional reform and Ethiopia’s regional interests during the new term.
Attention turns to Abiy’s new government
With the new federal government taking shape, attention now turns to the programme Abiy’s administration will pursue over the next five years. Ruto’s message points to continuity in Nairobi’s engagement with Addis Ababa on trade, security and regional diplomacy.
Information on Abiy Ahmed’s parliamentary appointment and swearing-in is available from the Ethiopian News Agency. President Ruto announced his congratulations through his verified public account.
Featured image: President William Ruto with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during an official engagement. Photo: William Samoei Ruto/Facebook.
