Can Ethiopia's new leader bridge ethnic divides?

Friday March 30, 2018

Abiy Ahmed from Ethiopia's largest ethnic group – the Oromo – will be Africa's youngest leader at 42.

Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed

A young reformer or an entrenched military man? Ethiopia's prime minister-elect is the first from the Oromo ethnic group that's been at the forefront of anti-government protests.

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Community activists say the group has been marginalised and excluded from political and economic power.

Ahmed has a doctorate in peace and security, as well as long-standing military and intelligence ties.

Many hope his rise is an opportunity to turn the page on a difficult chapter in Ethiopian history.

Can he unite a country riven by ethnic tensions?

Presenter: Elizabeth Puranam

Guests:

Negeri Lencho - Ethiopia's communications minister

Tsedale Lemma - editor in chief of the Addis Standard

Mohammed Ademo - an Ethiopian journalist and founder of OPride.com, an independent news website about the Oromo and Ethiopia

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