ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian House of Peoples' Representatives (HoPR) formally established the country's new federal government on Monday, as the ruling Prosperity Party (PP) appointed incumbent Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for another term in office.

RULING PP FORMS NEW GOV'T

The formation of the new government and the appointment of Abiy occurred during the inaugural session of the seventh HoPR tenure, completing the constitutional process that followed the general elections held on June 1.

During the election, the PP won a landslide victory by garnering 438 of the 486 contested seats in the HoPR, securing the parliamentary majority required to form the federal executive branch for a second term.

In line with Ethiopia's parliamentary political system, Abiy and the newly elected members of the HoPR, the lower chamber of parliament, took their oaths of office in the session.

Ethiopia's constitution places the HoPR at the center of federal legislative authority. It stipulates that the political party or coalition holding a majority of seats in the HoPR forms and leads the federal executive, with election results establishing the parliamentary basis for the formation of a new government.

The federal government's post-election transition follows regional council formations across the East African country, as regional states recently constituted their respective governments and elected their chief administrators.

OUTLINING STRATEGIC GOALS

During his acceptance speech at the inaugural session, Abiy presented key social, economic, and political directions his administration will pursue over the next five years for his government -- dubbed the "Medemer Government," an Amharic word for "coming together" or "synergy."

Abiy highlighted sustaining the country's socioeconomic development, ensuring national security and stability, as well as fostering national reconciliation and understanding as his government's major targets.

He stressed that the government will implement various initiatives to further strengthen the ongoing comprehensive national reforms, while also improving the effectiveness of public institutions.

Abiy further outlined ensuring macroeconomic stability, promoting green development, fostering digital transformation, and integrated urban development efforts as some of Ethiopia's primary socioeconomic development targets for the coming five years.

Highlighting past and existing regional and geo-political realities, he underscored that in an era of fast and unpredictable global shifts, "choosing and pursuing what is best for the nation remains the solemn duty of this generation."

Meanwhile, the prime minister called on citizens to join hands to help realize the East African country's aspiration for "national rejuvenation."

DOMESTIC, REGIONAL UNCERTAINTIES

Ethiopia's post-election transition is unfolding amid mounting uncertainties, as the East African country grapples with active conflicts, primarily in its northern region.

Upon formally forming its second federal government, the ruling party's new government has inherited pressing peace and security challenges as well as regional diplomatic tensions.

The formation of the new government came as military confrontations have escalated in recent weeks in the country's northernmost Tigray region, pitting the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and its allied forces against troops loyal to the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and its allied armed groups.

The Ethiopian army and its allies are currently expanding territorial control across the conflict-hit Tigray region. Local residents who spoke to Xinhua on Sunday confirmed that the Ethiopian army and its allied forces, mainly the Tigray Peace Force, took control of the regional capital, Mekelle, late Saturday afternoon.

Experts and political analysts noted that the ENDF's control of Mekelle marks a new phase in the ongoing military escalation in northern Ethiopia, following the Sept. 20 announcement of a new alliance formed by seven Ethiopian opposition and armed groups.

These recent security tensions are set against the backdrop of the devastating two-year war between federal forces and TPLF-loyal troops from November 2020 to November 2022. The war left millions in urgent need of humanitarian assistance before the two parties signed the landmark Pretoria peace accord in South Africa to end hostilities.

As military tensions continue in northern Ethiopia, the situation has also raised concerns over the conflict's potential regional spillover. Recent developments have also ignited heightened diplomatic tensions, primarily among Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Egypt. ■

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