Diplomatic reactions have trailed the death on Monday (June 17) of Ahmed Ali, father of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, who according to state-media died aged 105.
Ethiopia PM mourns dad: Afwerki, Kagame, Qatar, UAE etc. react
Reports said the late Ahmed Ali was buried today in accordance with Islamic norms. Abiy, a Christian, was born a Muslim and attended Islamic school as a young boy.
His mother, about whom he spoke fondly in his inaugural address in April 2018, was a Christian. The fourth wife of his father. Abiy was her last child.
The reactions from world leaders so far straddles the continent and beyond. Of the earliest persons to react were the African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat and Rwandan president Paul Kagame.
“I have heard the sad news… My family and I send our deepest condolences to my brother and friend Ethiopia Prime Minister Dr.Abiy Ahmed. May God give you the strength to take you through this difficult period of mourning!” Kagame’s tweet read.
Outside of Africa, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates sent his condolence in three languages – Arabic, English and Amharic. The Qatari Emir’s message was also posted by the country’s news agency.
Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki also conveyed his sadness at the news in a letter to Abiy, Eritrea’s information Minister Yemane Meskel disclosed on Twitter today.
The Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, Vera Songwe, the Director General of World Health Organization, Tedros Ghebreyesus and Abiy’s former chief of staff – and now Ethiopian ambassador to the United States, Fitsum Aregaa; have all reacted.
In response to the condolence messages, the Office of the PM wrote on Twitter late Tuesday: “Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed shares his heartfelt gratitude to the local and international community for the condolence messages and well wishes received as he mourns the loss of his father.”
On behalf of the entire _AfricanUnion family, I wish to offer our most heartfelt condolences to PMEthiopia Dr Abiy Ahmed and his family, on the death of his father, Ato Ahmed Ali. May his soul rest in perfect peace. The AU family stands with you during this difficult time.— Moussa Faki Mahamat (@AUC_MoussaFaki) June 17, 2019
I have heard the sad news… My family and I send our deepest condolences to my brother and friend PMEthiopia Dr.Abiy Ahmed. May God give you the strength to take you through this difficult period of mourning!— Paul Kagame (PaulKagame) June 17, 2019
HH the Amir sent a cable of condolences to Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on the death of his father #QNA pic.twitter.com/SjEiUz9AVN— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) June 17, 2019
Sending our sincere condolences to our dear friend Dr Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia and his family on the death of his father, Ato Ahmed Ali. We pray to Allah Almighty to have mercy on his soul and grant his family patience during this difficult time.PMEthiopia— محمد بن زايد (MohamedBinZayed) June 17, 2019
It is with great sadness that we learnt of the passing yesterday of PMEthiopia Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s father. UN and in UNEthiopia offer heartfelt condolences to the family and all loved ones. May his soul Rest In Peace. ECA_OFFICIAL— Dr. Vera Songwe (@SongweVera) June 18, 2019
My brother, PMEthiopia Abiy Ahmed, thinking of you in this difficult time after the passing of your father. May he rest in peace. My condolonces to you and your family.— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (DrTedros) June 18, 2019