Seychelles extends congratulations to newly elected Ethiopian President |09 October 2013

President James Michel has extended the congratulations of the people and government of Seychelles to Dr Mulatu Teshome Wirtu, the newly elected President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

Noting the excellent relationship that exists between the two countries, Mr Michel said he hopes this collaboration would attain even greater heights during Mr Wirtu’s tenure as President of Ethiopia.

“I thus look forward with high esteem, towards the strengthening of our ties of friendship and solidarity and hope that we can together address key challenges of common interest which we face as African States, for the betterment of our peoples and continent,” said Mr Michel.

The Ethiopian parliament elected Dr Mulatu Teshome Wirtu to serve as Ethiopia’s President for the next six years.

He replaces outgoing President Girma Wolde-Giorgis who has held the position for the past 12 years.

Mulatu, a 57-year-old economist, was Ethiopia’s top diplomat in Ankara, Turkey prior to his election as President on Monday October 7, 2013.
 
Mulatu has also served as Ethiopia’s ambassador to China and Japan, as well as several other government posts including as Ethiopia’s Minister of Agriculture.

He is the fourth President since the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) took power some 21 years ago. The ruling party controls 546 out of 547 seats in the Ethiopian parliament, and the lone opposition parliament member, Girma Seifu, represents the Unity for Democracy and Justice Party (UDJ).