Ethiopia gets new president amid row with Somalia

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia appointed a new president on Monday following the completion of the tenure of President Sahle-Work Zewde, marking the beginning of a new chapter amid a frosty relationship with neighbouring Somalia.

Ambassador Taye Atske Selassie, who has been serving as the minister for Foreign Affairs, takes over the duties of the president. He was elected during the joint session of the People's Representatives and the House of Federation for a four-year term.

He was also sworn in as the new president of the country and received the country’s constitution from his predecessor Sahle-Work Zewde. In Ethiopia, the president is a ceremonial head of state with the Prime Minister being in charge of government..

The joint opening session of the two houses for the current fiscal year is being held in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the outgoing president Sahle-Work Zewde, speakers of the two houses, parliamentarians, and guests, Addis Standard reports.

President Taye presented the federal government’s annual plan for the current fiscal year, followed by further deliberations among MPs. It is known that Ambassador Taye is currently serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia.

Taye Atske took over at the time Ethiopia was accused of infringement of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity after signing a clandestine Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland, which would see it getting 20 kilometers of access to the Red Sea.

In return, Ethiopia has vowed to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state, a move which has angered Somalia. Mediation talks between the two countries are yet to materialize after Somalia insisted that the MoU be withdrawn.

The government of Somalia has also ruled out the participation of Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) which replaces the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) beginning in January 2025.

GAROWE ONLINE