Ethiopia awards highest state honor to former PM, First Lady

ADDIS ABABA- The government of Ethiopia awarded Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia Hailemariam Desalegn and First Lady Roman Tesfaye the highest state honor.

During an official welfare ceremony at the National Palace on Tuesday night, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed bestowed on Hailemariam the country’s highest state honor - diploma and honorary gold medal. Hailemarim’s wife, Roman Tesfaye was also decorated with a medal and a national diploma in recognition of her social engagements during her tenure as First Lady. Speaking of the former Premier who resigned back in February stating that it was “vital in the bid to carry out reforms that would lead to sustainable peace and democracy,” Dr. Abiy Ahmed said that though he had been tested by several hardships throughout his leadership after taking office following the sudden death of the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Hailemariam managed to sustain the country’s fast economic growth and diplomatic successes. Read more...