Friday 26th October, 2018
Kenyatta said the election of Zewde, who was
Director-General of the UN Office at Nairobi (UNON), is a resounding
demonstration of the changing fortunes for the indefatigable and distinguished
women of Africa.
“I am elated for Hon.
NAIROBI, Oct. 26 (Xinhua/GNA) — Kenyan
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday congratulated Sahle-Work Zewde on her
election as the first female president of Ethiopia.
Kenyatta said the election of Zewde, who was
Director-General of the UN Office at Nairobi (UNON), is a resounding
demonstration of the changing fortunes for the indefatigable and distinguished
women of Africa.
“I am elated for Hon. Sahle-Work Zewde on
her election earlier today to the position of President of the Federal Republic
of Ethiopia. It is a historic moment for the people of Ethiopia, Africa and
indeed the whole world,” he said in a statement issued in Nairobi.
Under Ethiopia’s constitution, the president
is the head of state, but the office’s powers are ceremonial and include
opening Parliament, appointing ambassadors following the Prime Minister’s
recommendation and receiving the credentials of foreign envoys.
Sahle-Work, a career diplomat and
international civil servant, joins the expanding league of distinguished African
women to occupy the apex office on the continent with former presidents Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and Joyce Banda of Malawi.
The 68-year-old Zewde has promised to work
hard to make gender equality a reality in the East Africa nation, calling on
citizens to maintain peace.
Kenyatta recalled that when the Ethiopian
diplomat served in Nairobi as the director general of UNON, they held several
fruitful consultative meetings and developed a great working relationship.
“It is this relationship that I look
forward to strengthening as we work together for the mutual benefit of our two
countries.” said Kenyatta.
GNA