ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) on Thursday hailed the incoming of Sahle-Work Zewde as new president of the East African country.
Zewde, the first female president in modern history of Ethiopia, was on Thursday sworn in before members of the two houses, the House of People's Representatives (HoPR) and the Ethiopian House of Federation (HoF).
In his statement, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, welcomed the incoming of Zewde as the new president, noting that it is a landmark in many respects.
Previously, Zewde served as Ethiopia's permanent envoy to the African Union (AU) and also top posts of the United Nations (UN).
Ethiopia has recently formed a new cabinet, whereby females make up 50 percent of the cabinet members.
"It is the first time in Ethiopia's long and proud history that a woman is assuming this elected high office. Coming after the formation of gender parity Cabinet, it marks a new milestone in Ethiopia's trajectory towards women's empowerment and effective participation in political decision-making," the Chairperson of the AU Commission said.
"The confidence bestowed upon Madam Zewde is a source of pride not only for Ethiopia, but also for the continent as a whole," he added.
Congratulating the new president, he wished her every success in her tenure, which coincides with a momentous transformation in Ethiopia towards strengthening the country's unity, deepening democracy, and sustaining development.
Mahamat also commended the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Ethiopia's Parliament.
Reiterating Zewde's distinguished diplomatic services both in the Ethiopian Government and at the UN, which she discharged with utmost competence and professionalism, as well as her in-depth knowledge of AU, the Chairperson has noted that in her new responsibilities, she would spare no efforts in pushing forward the achievement of the continent's aspirations as encapsulated in Agenda 2063.
