African leaders speaking at the inauguration celebration for Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called for “peace” 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 about to enter its 12th month, has killed thousands and led to a humanitarian crisis. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said that the prime minister had been given a mandate to bring peace, a mandate to build stability and to bring all the people of the country together.
He said: "For all of us on the African continent, Ethiopia is our mother. As we all know, if the mother is not at peace, neither, too, can the family be at peace." Speaking to the crowds in the city's main square, the President of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, added that he hoped that he would see Ethiopia at peace with itself.
In his speech at the ceremony, Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari said that 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.
In his address, Mr Abiy, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, said: “My administration will work towards an inclusive and participatory political landscape”.
