Ethiopia: Outgoing President Calls for Unity On Basic National Interests 

The outgoing President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Girma Woldegiorgis called on Ethiopian politicians to stand in unity on basic issues of national interest. He also thanked Ethiopians for their role in nation building over the last period.
The outgoing President made the remark in his final speech as a President of the nation on Monday before handing his presidency to the new President. Calling up on all politicians, the outgoing President said standing in unity concerning basic national interests of the nation is not a sign of defeat or weariness rather of maturity and wisdom.
The diversity with which the nation is endowed is not a curse but a potential for development and the nation's renaissance, he said. The outgoing President also stressed the need to fight tendency of extremism which he said would erode tolerance and co-existence.
He thanked all sections of the society for the efforts they exerted and the share they contributed in the ongoing development process of the nation which resulted in double digit economic growth over the last decade. He said he was proud to be directly part of the ongoing changes in Ethiopia. Girma also urged the public to fight corruption and malpractice.
The outgoing President who served for two terms (12 years) finally wished the new President Dr. Mulatu Teshome a good success.