Obama Speaks to Acting Ethioipa PM

Posted August 24th, 2012 at 3:25 pm (UTC-5)
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U.S. President Barack Obama has urged Ethiopia's acting prime minister to promote “development, democracy, human rights, and regional security.”

Mr. Obama spoke by phone late Thursday with Hailemariam Desalegn, who was named acting prime minister this week after longtime leader Meles Zenawi died at the age of 57.

The White House says Mr. Obama pledged continued U.S. “partnership” with Ethiopia, which under Mr. Meles has been a strong U.S. ally in the war against radical groups such as Somalia's al-Shabab.

Ethiopians are still awaiting word on when Mr. Hailemariam will be formally sworn in. Parliament was set to install him on Thursday but the session was canceled.

A government spokesman said Ethiopians wanted more time to mourn Meles, who led Ethiopia for 21 years. The late prime minister's funeral is scheduled for September 2.

On Tuesday, Communications Minister Bereket Simon rejected concerns about a power vacuum resulting from Mr. Meles' death. He told VOA the country's leadership is united and the government is as “strong as ever.”

Mr. Hailemariam had served as Meles' deputy since 2010.