Abiy Ahmed: How soldierly grit, timely moves and sharp tongue have saved Ethiopia’s PM

The diplomat: Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta. [File, Standard]

NAIROBI – In 2018, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, confessed to an American journalist: His mother had told him, while only seven years old, that he was a “unique” son and he would one day “end up in the palace.”

The prophecy, reported by the New York Times, came true. Abiy was sworn in for a five-year term on October 4 after leading his country for an officially uncounted period of three years following the resignation of his predecessor.