PM Abiy Congratulates People of Southwestern Ethiopia for Joining Federation

ADDIS ABABA – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has congratulated the People of South-western Ethiopia for joining the federation as the eleventh regional state of Ethiopia.

South West Ethiopia Peoples Regional State officially formed in the presence of higher federal and regional government officials on Tuesday.

“This is a testament to the journey of reform we have taken in the exercise of political rights. Diversity is one of the pillars of unity,” Abiy tweeted on Wednesday.

“A federal system is a system in which the people govern themselves & build their country,” he said. “We have demonstrated this in practice.”

During its first session, the council of the newly established region approved a draft constitution, and elected Negash Wagesho as leader of the region with a rank of vice president.

“Congratulations to the Southwest region for exercising constitutional rights in a peaceful, legal & democratic manner to establish the 11th region,” Abiy said.