Ethiopian Prime Minister drives Buhari in Addis Ababa

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, on Sunday, drove President Muhammadu Buhari to dinner as he arrived in Addis Ababa, the country’s capital.

The President’s aircraft, Nigerian Air Force 001, touched down at the newly built VIP Terminal of Bole International Airport at 5:06p.m (Nigerian time).

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He was accorded a full guard of honour by the Ethiopian National Defense Force.

The prime minister gestured to Buhari to join him in a waiting SUV, while the Ethiopian leader took control of the steering wheel himself after the airport ceremony.

They arrived at the newly built Friendship Park for a private dinner also attended by the President of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde, and the President of Senegal, Macky Sall.

The President, who is in Addis Ababa to attend the inauguration of the Ethiopian Prime Minister Ahmed for a second five-year term in office on Monday, is expected to deliver a goodwill message at the event scheduled to hold at the historic Meskel Square.

He will also attend a State Dinner at the National Defence Headquarters, Addis Ababa.

Speaking on the significance of Buhari’s visit to the country, the Ambassador of Nigeria to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Victor Adeleke, praised the cordial relations between Nigeria and Ethiopia.

He told reporters that ‘‘Nigeria and Ethiopia enjoy warm cordial relations, they are equally the two largest democracies in Africa, in this wise, the attendance of President Buhari at the inauguration ceremony of Prime Minister Ahmed is an indication of the President’s commitment to strengthening democracy in Africa.’’

The Ambassador, who holds concurrent accreditation to Djibouti and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), said the visit would also afford Buhari the opportunity to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Ethiopia.