ADDIS ABABA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia's ruling Prosperity Party (PP) has elected Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as its president in its first congress that addressed the country's mounting socio-economic and political uncertainties.
The party, which held its first congress meeting from March 11 to 13, said it has reached consensus on various issues concerning the East African country's current situation and future direction.
The congress also elected the country's deputy PM Demeke Mekonnen and Adem Farah, head of the office of PP, as vice presidents of the party.
The congress came as Ethiopia, Africa's second populous nation with an estimated over 110 million population, faces a year-long conflict in the north as well as droughts in the southeastern parts of the country, and the eventual economic uncertainties and growing ethnic extremism.
Ahmed, addressing the much-awaited meeting, stressed that the party's first congress would overcome challenges that obstruct the country's journey to prosperity.
Some 1,600 members of the party took part in the three-day first congress, which was held under the theme "From Challenge to Elevation."
Bikila Hurissa, Public and International Relations Head of PP, told journalists late Wednesday that the congress was successfully concluded by passing decisions that can ensure Ethiopia's lasting peace and prosperity.
He said consensus has been reached to address security problems in various areas by filling leadership gaps and fighting extremism. He further stressed that inflation and drought related issues were also discussed in parallel.
Hurissa indicated that the congress acknowledged the party's achievements over the years as "encouraging," while an agreement has been reached to strengthen the party so as to effectively solve Ethiopia's current socio-economic, security and related perils.
The congress has also elected 225 members of the central committee and 45 executive committee members.
The much-anticipated congress concluded with a six-point resolution outlining the party's future direction, which includes consolidating national transformation; strong commitment to bring about inclusive national security; strengthening democratic institutions; economic recovery; protecting national sovereignty; and realizing national unity.
The Prosperity Party was formed and formally recognized by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) in December 2019 through the merging of three members of Ethiopia's former ruling party, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). The three former EPRDF members joined other regional parties in establishing the PP.
In June last year, the party participated in the twice delayed sixth general elections for the first time in its current stature. It scored a landslide victory dominating the majority seat at the Ethiopian House of People's Representatives, the lower house of the Ethiopian parliament.
Following its victory, the party nominated its president Ahmed for the country's Prime Minister position to the parliament.
Under Ethiopia's parliamentary government system, the prime minister who is the highest authority of the land is selected from the party that wins the most seats at federal parliament level and sworn in after parliamentary vote. ■
