Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Celebrates Irreecha Festival with a Call for National Unity

Addis Ababa:Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed extended his warm congratulations to the Oromo people and all Ethiopians on the occasion of the Irreecha thanksgiving festival, wishing them a peaceful and prosperous celebration as the country transitions from the rainy season into the bright spring.According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Prime Minister described Irreecha as an emblem of Ethiopia's dawn of civilization and national renewal. He urged all Ethiopians to embrace the core values of Irreecha, including peace, reconciliation, forgiveness, and brotherhood, to strengthen national unity and advance the nation's journey toward lasting prosperity.Prime Minister Abiy noted the parallel between the traditional Oromo thanksgiving festival of Irreecha and Ethiopia's socio-economic transformation. He emphasized that just as Irreecha marks the end of the dark winter season and welcomes the bright spring, Ethiopia is overcoming political and economic hurdles to enter a period of prosperity and strong national unity.R eflecting on Ethiopia's history, the Prime Minister acknowledged the country's vast natural and human potential, which had been hindered by governance challenges and a lack of systematic resource management. However, he asserted that strategic reforms are now turning these historical challenges into major opportunities.Highlighting national achievements, Prime Minister Abiy pointed to the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and major economic projects as concrete proof of the country's progress. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to peace and national consensus, urging armed groups to turn toward peace.Concluding his message, Prime Minister Abiy called on the Oromo people and all Ethiopian nations, nationalities, and peoples to join hands in unity, forgiveness, and brotherhood to safeguard the nation's sovereignty and realize a prosperous Ethiopian civilization.