PM Abiy Ahmed Calls for Unity and Reconciliation This Timket

Addis Ababa, January 18, 2026 (ENA)—Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has called on Ethiopians to use the Timket (Ethiopian Epiphany) celebration as a moment for forgiveness, healing and national renewal, describing the current period as a defining chapter in the country’s history. In his Timket message, the Prime Minister said the feast, which commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan, carries deep spiritual and social significance for Ethiopia. He emphasized that Timket’s core message of revelation and reconciliation offers guidance for addressing both personal and national divisions. PM Abiy urged citizens to embrace the occasion as a time for forgiveness and healing, describing the present period as a “moment of national revelation” for the country. The Premier noted that baptism represents “one revelation, two reconciliations, and rebirth,” explaining that Christ’s baptism symbolized reconciliation between God and humanity. The premier said the same spirit should guide Ethiopians in resolving divisions within society and among nations. “Christ came to the Jordan not because he himself had sinned, but to provide a means of reconciliation for mankind,” PM Abiy stated, stressing that such values are essential for healing broken relationships across Ethiopia. Linking the religious meaning of Timket with the country’s political journey, Abiy said lasting national reconciliation requires patience, dialogue and mutual understanding. He pointed to the National Dialogue Commission as a vital platform for addressing deep rooted challenges through discussion rather than confrontation. “Just as the barrier between God and humanity was bridged through Christ, we must resolve our centuries old conflicts around a table,” he said. Reflecting on Timket as a feast of revelation, marking the moment Christ’s mission became public, the Prime Minister said Ethiopia is experiencing its own time of revelation. The nation’s long hidden potential is now emerging, citing progress in agriculture, mining, tourism, technology, diplomacy and manufacturing, he noted. According to the premier, recent years were devoted to laying foundations, removing old obstacles and preparing the ground for renewal. “That era has now passed; the era of Ethiopia’s revelation has arrived,” he declared, adding that the country is moving forward with a firm resolve never to return to past divisions. Concluding his message, the Prime Minister congratulated all Ethiopians on the feast of Timket, describing it as a celebration of faith, tradition and the country’s rich cultural diversity.