Sudan’s Bashir to participate in Ethiopia’s national day celebration Wednesday

December 8, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese president Omer al-Bashir Wednesday will travel to Ethiopia to participate in the Ethiopian Nations, Nationalities and People’s Day celebration.

Media reports in Khartoum Tuesday have quoted Sudan’s ambassador to Addis Ababa Osman Nafie as saying that Bashir and the Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn would meet in Addis Ababa on Wednesday to discuss bilateral relations.

He added that Desalegn has invited Bashir to participate in the 10th Ethiopian Nations, Nationalities and People’s Day celebration which will take place in the Gambella region.

Nafie pointed that Bashir will address the celebration as a guest of honour, saying the occasion also marks the 21st anniversary of the ratification of the Ethiopian Constitution.

“This is a very big occasion and Ethiopia’s invitation for the president comes within the framework of the excellent relations between the two nations besides the keenness of the Ethiopians on the personal participation of the president,” he said.

“The two presidents will meet to discuss issues of common concern and Bashir might also meet with other guests. This is a good occasion to renew contacts between the leadership of the two countries at the highest levels,” he added.

Ethiopia is the second-most populous nation on the African continent after Nigeria with over 100 million inhabitants who are distributed among 83 nationalities.

It has decided to celebrate Nations, Nationalities and People’s Day on 9 December since 2005, to commemorate the day of the ratification of the nations’ constitution.

The day serves as an important forum for nations, nationalities and people’s to show their culture, know each other and show unity and strong solidarity for peace.

(ST)