Acting Prime Minister Hailemariam receives condolence message from South Sudan

(Aug 24, 2012)

Ato Hailemariam Desalegn, Acting Prime Minister of Ethiopia, yesterday received Mr. Nhial Deng Nhial, South Sudan’s Minster of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation who conveyed a message of condolence message from President Saliva Kiir to the government people of Ethiopia. The Foreign Minister expressed the deep sorrow of the Government and the people of South Sudan on the sudden and untimely death of Prime Minister Meles. South Sudan has officially declared three days of national mourning. Mr. Nhial said “the loss is greatly felt by the people and government of South Sudan “. Mr. Nhial recalled that Prime Minster Meles was at the forefront of the renaissance of the African continent and hoped the new leadership in Ethiopia along with other African leaders would continue this grand project. On the ongoing peace process between Sudan and South Sudan, Mr. Nhial said that the late Prime Minister Meles had played indispensable role in the process and he urged the new leadership to continue this. Acting Prime Minister Hailemariam thanked the government and people of South Sudan for their support in this difficult time. He said “Prime Minister Meles was a statesman and visionary leader and his untimely death is a great loss for Ethiopia and Africa. He assured the minister that Ethiopia would continue on the path set by the late Prime Minister Meles. Ethiopia, he said, is committed to continue implementing the policies and strategies set by the leadership of Prime Minister Meles. Ato Hailemariam assured the Foreign Minister that Ethiopia was committed to continue Prime Minister Meles’s role in support for the peace process between Sudan and South Sudan. He welcomed the Foreign Minister’s visit as a testimony to the solidarity of the relations between Ethiopia and South Sudan, and extended his thanks on behalf of the government and people of Ethiopia. He recalled that the two countries had been together in fighting for freedom and said Prime Minister Meles had been lucky enough to see the fruit of this struggle.