Stéphane Dion
ESAT News (November 14, 2016)
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, who visited Ethiopia over the weekend emphasized his concerns over the deaths and violence.
Stéphane Dion raised his concerns in relation to the recent unrest, particularly in the Oromia and Amhara regions.
He underscored his support for all Ethiopians to engage in a peaceful and inclusive dialogue.
According to a report by Global Affairs Canada, the Minister participated in an in-depth exchange with civil society representatives, highlighting the need for widening democratic space, pluralism and respect of fundamental freedoms for any political dialogue to be successful.
Minister Dion carried those messages into his meetings with senior government officials.
During his meetings, he stressed that more can be done to engage Ethiopians in the democratic process and to encourage the government to undertake real and constructive reforms.
Canada calls on the Ethiopian government to make genuine improvements for the benefit of all of its people.
In his last leg visit to Africa, the Minister had a meeting with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.
They discussed the current state of emergency and the critical importance of undertaking timely and meaningful reforms for the benefit of all Ethiopians—particularly the youth in support of the country’s growth and prosperity.