The prime minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed has signaled his resolve to push through with political reforms in the East African country after holding talks with officials from opposition groups and civil society.
Local media reported that the talks were held amid protests with Ahmed calling “on political parties to prepare for peaceful dialogue and negotiations”.
Opposition leaders Merera Gudina and Bekele Gerba were among those who attended the meeting after they were released from prison this year.
Abiye Ahmed was sworn in this month amid ethnic tensions in his home region of Oromiya, a development that poses a major challenge for him to implement political reforms.
He took over weeks after Hailemariam Desalegn resigned in a surprising manner.
The country’s Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) decided to pick Abiye who would be leading the coalition as chairperson after winning over 60 percent of votes in the 180 member council.
Ethiopia has witnessed repeated violent demonstrations since 2015, with protesters calling for political and economic reform, and an end to state corruption.
Source: Africafeeds.com
