The 177 voting members of the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front backed Abiy, during the party's long-delayed congress in the southern city of Hawassa, Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported. ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopia's ruling party on Friday re-elected Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as chairman in a near-unanimous vote that underscored official support for his reform agenda, state-affiliated media reported. The 177 voting members of the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) backed Abiy, along with his deputy Demeke Mekonnen, during the party's long-delayed congress in the southern city of Hawassa, Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported. "Abiy won 176 of the 177 votes, while Demeke received 149 votes," the broadcaster said. Since his inauguration, Abiy, an Oromo, has pursued an aggressive reform agenda that includes releasing jailed dissidents and journalists, making peace with arch-foe Eritrea and announcing the privatisation of key state-owned enterprises.

Source: Ethiopian News October 05, 2018 18:33 UTC