Newly Elected President Called for Lasting Peace in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa October 25/2018 The newly elected President Sahlework Zewde has called Ethiopians to promote lasting peace across the country. Speaking on her inaugural ceremony of her appointment as the first female president of the country, Sahelework expressed her gratitude to members of the House of Peoples’ Representatives (HPR) for her appointment as the president of the country. “I am delighted to express my heartfelt gratitude for the HPR for appointing me with honor to become the president of this nation so that I can serve my country and its peoples,” she said. Sahelework also thanked the outgoing President Mulatu Teshome who resigned from his position for his unreserved and tireless service to the country during his term in office. She said “the leadership reform should also extend to the regions and at all levels of government structure in a profound manner to give chance and hope for the coming generations.” Speaking on the expediency of the uninterrupted continuity of the current reforms in the country, President Sahelework said “if the reform program that is currently in progress is equally promoted by participation and benefit for women and men, our country could certainly pull out from poverty.” Stressing on the need for unity among all sectors of the society for the peaceful development of the country she noted that “at this period of time in which the country is facing a number of challenges, we should not get into a situation where some are advocating for peace while others are engaged in saber rattling.” She said that the government, opposition parties and all concerned should work for peace, love and unity and contribute to the development of the country by focusing not on difference but on cardinal national issues. The president also called for further promotion of gender parity in the development of the country and expounded on the comprehensive role of women in the country. She underscored on the importance of women as the source of family while the family is the cornerstone for nationhood. She further stressed on the need for peace and tranquility in the country and called upon all women in the country to strive towards better education and professionalism. Sahelework also thanked Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for spearheading the reform program in the country and vowed to unreservedly contribute to the promotion of the reform program in the country.