Abiy Ahmed Sworn In for Second Term as Ethiopia's Prime Minister

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has been sworn in for a second term after being named Prime Minister of Ethiopia.

Abiy took the oath of office on Monday, October 5, during the 1st regular inaugural session of the 7th House of Peoples' Representatives' 1st year of tenure.

The re-election has drawn congratulations from leaders in Ethiopia and across Africa, with Somali Regional State President Mustafe Omar praising Abiy's record and describing the changes implemented during his first term.

"I congratulate Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed on his re-election. During his time in office, the Prime Minister has set the country on an irreversible course of change - the most notable being steps towards genuine federalism, religious freedom, and economic transformation," he wrote.

Mustafe said Abiy had also overseen several major national programmes that he said would benefit Ethiopians both in the present and in the future.

"The Prime Minister has also been the architect of major national initiatives that will benefit both current and future generations, including Green Legacy, urban redevelopment & renewal, security sector reform, and national programs on agriculture sector transformation, food security and self-reliance, as well as industrial capacity development," he added.

The Somali Regional State president also highlighted what he described as significant changes in the region during Abiy's tenure, particularly in relation to peace and freedom.

"The people of Somali Regional State, in particular, have a unique appreciation for and admiration of Dr. Abiy Ahmed and his tenure, a time when the region transitioned from being a human-abattoir to a region where its people live in peace and freedom," he further said.

On his part, former Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye congratulated Abiy, extending his message on behalf of Burundi and in his capacity as Chair of the African Union.

"On behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Burundi and in my capacity as the Chair of the African Union, I extend my warm congratulations to His Excellency Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali upon his re-election as Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia," he said.

Ndayishimiye wished Abiy success as he begins his renewed mandate and expressed hope that Ethiopia would continue making progress during the next five years.

"I wish Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed every success during his renewed mandate. It is my sincere hope that the people of Ethiopia will experience continued progress, unity, and prosperity as the nation works toward achieving its strategic national priorities," he added.

Meanwhile, the African Union Commission also welcomed Abiy's re-election, with AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf extending congratulations to the Ethiopian leader.

"The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, warmly congratulates H.E. Abiy Ahmed Ali on his re-election as Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia for another five-year term," the AU said in a statement.

The AU highlighted Ethiopia's continental significance, particularly because the country hosts the organisation's headquarters and serves as a major diplomatic centre.

"As host of the AU Headquarters and the diplomatic capital of Africa, Ethiopia holds a special place in the continental family, said the Chairperson," the statement added.

Abiy has had a political career that moved from the military and intelligence services into Ethiopia’s ruling political establishment and eventually the premiership.

He joined the Ethiopian armed struggle against the Derg regime in the early 1990s. 

After the regime fell, he served in the Ethiopian National Defense Force and eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. 

Abiy later worked in intelligence and helped establish Ethiopia’s Information Network Security Agency (INSA), where he served in a senior leadership role.

He entered formal politics through the Oromo People's Democratic Organization (OPDO), one of the constituent parties of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), the coalition that governed Ethiopia. 

Abiy was elected to the House of Peoples' Representatives in the 2010 national election, representing the OPDO.

In 2015, he became Ethiopia's Minister of Science and Technology, serving under Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. 

Abiy subsequently returned to Oromia, where he became involved in the leadership of the OPDO and the Oromia regional government.

Between 2016 and 2017, he rose rapidly within the Oromo political establishment and served as Deputy President of the Oromia regional government and later became head of the OPDO Secretariat. 

In February 2018, he was chosen to lead the OPDO.

In March 2018, Abiy became chairman of the EPRDF. 

Following the resignation of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, the EPRDF nominated Abiy to become prime minister. 

Ethiopia's parliament approved him, and he was sworn in on April 2, 2018, making him the first Oromo to serve as Ethiopia's prime minister.

Abiy's Prosperity Party won a large parliamentary majority in the 2021 general election, allowing him to continue as prime minister.

In the 2026 parliamentary election, Abiy's Prosperity Party secured 438 of the announced seats, reinforcing the party's parliamentary dominance.

Abiy was subsequently sworn in for a second term as Ethiopia's Prime Minister.