Ethiopia Builds Prolific Ground for Democratization, Strengthen Cooperation with Countries: President

Addis Ababa October  08//2018 Ethiopia has been creating better foundation for democratization and strengthening its relations with various countries, President Mulatu Teshome said. Addressing direction of the government for the joint session of the two Houses, President Mulatu Teshome said Ethiopia has played a great role in bringing sustainable peace and stability in the region. He noted that the rapprochement reached between Ethiopia and Eretria is one of the big achievements made in the Horn of Africa after two decades of stalemates. This would indicate the exemplary role taken by two sides, which he said is giving hopes for the region to realize the motto of ‘solving African problems by Africans’. He further noted that under the umbrella of IGAD, Ethiopia has facilitated improved conditions for peaceful negotiations among the rival parties in South Sudan. President Mulatu stated that Ethiopia takes the lion’s share in the efforts to bring peace between Djibouti and Eretria. Appreciating Prime Minister Abiy and President Isaias Aferworki for the role they played in solving the border standoff without any involvement of the third party, the president said “Ethiopia will continue to exert efforts to contribute its share to a sustainable peace and development in the region.” He added that Ethiopia is also strengthening its relations with neighboring countries and United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia which would help to attract additional investment opportunities for the country.   Regarding the reforms underway in the country, he said that the spirit of unity, reconciliation and harmony has rescued the country from multiple threats and provided a glimmer of hope for the people of Ethiopia. He mentioned that the bold move and measures taken so far in releasing thousand of prisoners from jails through auspicious pardon and amnesty has helped to ensure inclusive democratization process as part of the reform. In his view, the reunification of the two synods of Ethiopian Orthodox Church and return of different opposition political parties to their homeland for peaceful struggle in the country is also another progress. According to the president, favorable conditions have also been created for journalists, bloggers and writers in the country as bulwark for freedom of speech. On the other hand, the call and the visit paid by Premier Abiy to Ethiopian Diaspora community have brought remarkable results to enable the Diaspora to contribute their share to the development of their home land. President Mulatu briefs the Houses of Federation and Peoples’ Representatives’ on September, which the first month in Ethiopian calendar.