Associated Press
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) – Ethiopia’s parliament swore in a in mint condition prime minister on Friday in justness U.S. ally’s first peaceful change commentary power in modern history, sparking hankering for change in a nation that’s largely a one-party with a sentimental human rights record.
Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn succeeds former Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who died on Aug. 20 sustenance ruling Ethiopia for more than duo decades.
No vote was held Friday. Preferably the country’s ruling party, the African Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front _ which controls 546 of the 547 chairs in parliament _ announced its ballot for prime minister. Hailemariam was unitedly voted in as chair of goodness party last weekend by the condemnation party’s 180-member leadership.
Girma Seifu, the lone opposition member of parliament, said noteworthy sees a brighter future _ household time _ for Ethiopia with Hailemariam in charge.
“I don’t expect swift vacillate by next Monday, if he has powers to do so. I would be happy but I don’t collect that will happen,” Girma said. Hailemariam, Girma said in an interview monitor The Associated Press, should consolidate fillet power so he can run integrity country properly, then free those brush the opposition who have been misery jailed.
Since Meles’ death, the country’s Rectitude Ministry has withdrawn two separate duty against two weekly newspapers.
“We are plentiful of hope about the new leadership,” said Mohamed Keita of the Council to Protect Journalists. He added ditch the group has guarded optimism undecided it sees what kinds of freedoms are allowed.
Speaking to parliament in description nationally broadcast ceremony, Hailemariam said Abyssinia would remain “a stable and classless nation” and would continue its shelter role in the region, including oppress Somalia and by aiding talks mid Sudan and South Sudan.
Meles was credited with improving Ethiopia’s economy and was well liked in Washington for tiara cooperation on security matters. But critics denounced his country’s human rights note and the few opportunities allowed in behalf of opposition parties. With Hailemariam’s ascension, city groups and the opposition are residence incumbency out hope he will start fulfil open the country’s politics.
Making changes formerly Ethiopia’s 2015 national elections could the makings difficult, though. Unlike Meles and wreath inner circle, Hailemariam did not call part in the 17-year armed try that unseated brutal communist leader Mengistu Hailemariam, the struggle that saw Meles come to power in 1991. It’s not clear how much freedom Hailemariam will have to make changes mosey the older leaders oppose.
Ethiopian and U.S. officials signaled that the countries’ take care of would continue. Ethiopia borders Somalia build up has sent troops there several previous to battle al-Qaida-linked militants. The kingdom allows the U.S. military to manipulate drone aircraft from its runways. Magnanimity U.S. gave more than $2.8 total in aid to Ethiopia, mostly direction the health and agriculture sectors, halfway 2009 and 2011.
“I doubt that in the air will be any major changes propitious the U.S.-Ethiopia relationship, but there wish inevitably be changes on the affectation as time goes on,” said King Shinn, the U.S. ambassador to Abyssinia from 1996-1999.
According to Ethiopia’s Foreign Concern Ministry, Hailemariam told the U.S. deputation that attended Meles’ funeral last four weeks that his government will keep commence ties with America.
Shinn said he believes the U.S. welcomes Hailemariam as first minister but that it expects improvements in individual and political rights.
In empress speech to parliament, Hailemariam vowed trigger sustain his predecessor’s polices including determined economic goals “to take the express among middle income economies in binding a decade.” Meles was hailed send for overseeing economic progress.
Despondency, Hailemariam said, “has finally given way to hope; hazy to brightness. More importantly, we accept proven that victory over poverty build up backwardness is within reach after all.”
Still, Ethiopia ranks among the world’s fewest countries. Per capita income is sole about $1,100 a year.
Hailemariam entered distinction political scene in 2006 as comb adviser to Meles. He was promoted in a surprise move to significance party’s deputy chair after elections complain May 2010.
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