Girma re-elected as Ethiopian president for six-year mandate
By Tesfa-alem Tekle
October 9, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — The two chambers of the Ethiopian parliament — House of Peoples’ Representatives and the House of Federation– during their second day joint session on Tuesday, elected Girma Woldegiorgis as President of Ethiopia, for his new six-year second term in office.
“Girma Woldegiorgis is elected as president of the federal democratic republic of Ethiopia to run the country for the next six years with 430 supporting votes, 88 objections and 11 abstentions,” house Speaker Ambassador Teshome Toga declare in the joint session which was aired Live to Ethiopian people.
The swearing in was held in the lower house of parliament in the presence of all members of prime Minster Meles’s cabinet.
During the first regular meeting of the third year term of the house, government whip with the rank of Minister at the House of Representatives, Shiferaw Jarso said “President Girma has efficiently carried out his responsibilities during his first 6-year stay in office.”
“President Girma has contributed a lot in facilitating ways through which Ethiopia could create better relation with the out side world and within the country by creating good communication.” he added
The remark was echoed by house speaker Teshome Toga as saying, President Girma has efficiently undertook his duties and responsibilities through creating smooth relation with the public and with foreign nations.
After the swearing in, the re-elected President Girma pledged to efficiently discharge the responsibility given by the Ethiopia people and government since the country is at the turning point of renewal, transformation and democratic development.
Girma said “I will further serve my country harder to strengthen ties between government and people”
Opposition groups presidential nominee professor Beyene petros received 109voteswhich is under the required vote needed to win
Many politicians agree that, the recent historic pardon grant, Girma, signed to opposition leaders is a historic move he took to bring national reconciliation and political tolerance among rival parties in the nation.
SIGNAL TO ERITREA
During the opening joint session on Monday the president has called on Eritrea to come to the negotiation table.
“Our government is persistently keen to engage it self in restoring relation ship with Eritrea in non interference and peace principles”
But he said “Ethiopia will not tolerate any further Eritrean aggression and we will be forced to take military action otherwise to defend our selves”
Ethio – Eritrea border conflict which broke out in 1998 has killed over 60,000 people
(ST)