President William Ruto and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy AhmedPresident William Ruto has congratulated Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on his re-election for a second five-year term, describing the new mandate as a vote of confidence in his leadership and vision.
In a message shared on Tuesday, Ruto said Kenya looked forward to working closely with Abiy as Ethiopia pursued its transformation agenda.
“Congratulations, my brother, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, on your re-election to lead Ethiopia for a second term,” Ruto said.
He said Abiy’s new mandate from the House of People’s Representatives reflected confidence in his leadership and vision for Ethiopia.
“Your new mandate from the House of People's Representatives is a vote of confidence in your leadership and vision you have for your country,” Ruto said.
The President wished Abiy continued success as he leads Ethiopia through its transformation agenda.
Ruto also said Kenya would continue working with Ethiopia to advance shared interests.
“Kenya looks forward to continuing working closely with you to advance our shared interests for the mutual benefit of our peoples, our region and the wider global community,” he said.
The congratulatory message comes as Abiy begins his second five-year term after being sworn in on Monday.
The Ethiopian Prime Minister took the oath during the first regular inaugural session of the seventh House of Peoples’ Representatives, marking the start of the first year of the new parliamentary term.
The Office of the Prime Minister said Abiy “took the oath of office after being named as the Prime Minister of Ethiopia for a second term”.
The development comes amid renewed fighting in Tigray and a diplomatic rupture between Ethiopia and neighbouring Eritrea.
The African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf also congratulated Abiy on his re-election.
Youssouf said Ethiopia holds a special place in the African Union as the host of its headquarters and the diplomatic capital of Africa.
He said he looked forward to continued close cooperation with Abiy and his government in advancing Africa’s integration, peace, security and development agenda.
Abiy’s second term comes as Ethiopia continues to pursue its broader transformation agenda, with Kenya signalling its intention to maintain close cooperation with the country.
