Ethiopia: PM Abiy Ahmed sworn in for second five-year term amid conflicts in Tigray

Following a landslide victory in Ethiopian Parliament's Lower House elections, incumbent Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was reinstated for a second five-year term amid conflicts in rrn Tigray region. His Prosperity Party was declared as winner of elections on Sunday amid a host of ongoing challenges, including months-long conflict in rrn Tigray region. Mr. Ahmed took his oath of office on Monday, in presence of Ethiopian Supreme Court Chief Justice Meaza Ashenafi.

"I,  Abiy Ahmed Ali, today in House of People's Representative, accept appointment as Prime Minister, as I pledge to undertake responsibly and with faith to constitution, responsibility placed upon me by people," Mr. Abiy said at oath-taking ceremony.

Speaker and Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives also took ir oaths at swearing-in ceremony held on Monday. According to National Electoral Board of Ethiopia, Ahmed's Prosperity Party made a landmark victory by winning 410 seats out of 436 contested in elections held in June.

'New Beginnings'

Ethiopia's new PM Ahmed was congratulated by several leaders from its neighbouring African countries. Senior diplomats from Somalia, Nigeria, Uganda, Senegal, South Sudan also attended his swearing-in ceremony, DW reported. Ethiopian Senior advisor to PM, Mamo Mihretu also took to Twitter to congratulate Abiy on his victory. "Today is a milestone get only a beginning of a new season of hope. road ahead might be daunting but we shall t be weary," Mihretu wrote. Streets in Addis Ababa on Monday were filled with Abiy's supporters bearing flags, flowers, and placards with phrases like "New Beginnings" written on m.

Oppositions boycotted 

voting across Ethiopia took place amid repeated violent ethnic conflicts with rrn Tigrayan Forces, which also led to delay of electoral process in certain regions. tably, elections were eliminated in embattled rrn Tigray owing to its control in hands of regional forces. elections faced a lot of criticism and were boycotted by opposition parties, accusing that Prosperity Party allegedly detained several of ir members. Meanwhile, electoral analysts remarked that votes were "better" than those observed previously. According to Al Jazeera, elections are seen as a bid to improve security situation in country. Ethiopians have vested ir faith in PM to resolve skirmishes that have w spread to Amhara and Afar regions.

Im: AP