Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed sworn in as PM for second term

Leaders, including those from the UAE, congratulate Abiy on winning new five-year term

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed faces major challenges as the war in the Tigray region spreads into other parts of the country. AP Photo

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was sworn in for a second five-year term yesterday to lead a country beset by war.

Mr Abiy’s Prosperity Party was declared the winner of June’s parliamentary elections, which were criticised by opposition parties but described by external observers as improved from past elections.

Amhara militia fighters gather in the village of Adi Arkay, 180 kilometres north-east of the city of Gondar, in Amhara region, northern Ethiopia in July, 2021. All photos: AFP

Amhara militia on patrol. The Amhara government announced that local forces would go on the offensive against rebels from northern neighbour Tigray.

Fighters from the Amhara militia rest take a break. The Amhara government said its forces would go into 'attack mode' in an effort to reverse Tigrayan gains. AFP

Fenta Tereffe, spokesman for North Gondar zone Amhara forces, in the city of Debark, 75 kilometres north-east of Gondar. Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has vowed to 'repel' attacks by Ethiopia’s enemies.

A boy shivers in the rain as drought-hit people carry sacks of maize received from an aid agency in southern Ethiopia.

Mr Abiy won the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for restoring ties with neighbouring Eritrea and for pursuing sweeping political reforms. He is dealing with a war that is spreading from the Tigray region and ethnic violence.

The 11-month war is weakening Ethiopia’s economy and posing great challenges to Mr Abiy.

After his swearing-in, leaders from the UAE, Kenya and Djibouti sent congratulations.

President Sheikh Khalifa wished Mr Abiy success in his second term.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, also sent his congratulations, as did Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Three African heads of state – from Nigeria, Senegal and Somalia – attended yesterday’s ceremony in Addis Ababa.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta reminded Mr Abiy of Ethiopia's leading role in maintaining peace and harmony in Africa.

“Ethiopia is our mother. If our mother is not at peace, neither can the family be at peace," he said.