ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) — Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Wednesday urged Ethiopians from all walks of lives to maintain the long-standing peace and togetherness. The premier made the call as part of his message on the celebrations of Meskel festival – a religious festival celebrated on Sept. 26 and 27 among Orthodox Christians to mark the finding of the True Cross. Ethiopian Christians late on Wednesday commenced celebrating the two-day Meskel festival with public bonfires and religious processions across the east African country. The city of Addis Ababa has been the center of Meskel celebrations since it was first founded more than 100 years ago. The conflict early last week also drove more than 15,000 people to flee and seek refuge in schools and other public facilities across Addis Ababa.

Source: Ethiopian News September 26, 2018 19:30 UTC