Iran eyes growing ties with Ethiopia

The Iranian president on Friday sent a message for his Ethiopian counterpart Sahle-Work Zewde, congratulating the African leader and people on Ethiopia's National Day, known as Derg Downfall Day.

In this message, President Hassan Rouhani expressed hope for the promotion of ties between Iran and Ethiopia on the 50th anniversary of the Amity Treaty between the two states coming into force, Tasnim News Agency reported.

He also hoped that Tehran and Addis Ababa would employ their great potential for the expansion of bilateral relations.

Rouhani finally wished the Ethiopian president and people health, success and prosperity.

Known as Derg Downfall Day, Ethiopia's National Day is celebrated on May 28 and marks the end of the Derg regime in 1991.

The Derg regime was marked by the Ethiopian Civil War that resulting in at least 1.4 million deaths. The regime was also in control in the mid-1980s when a catastrophic famine ravaged the country and brought it to global notice.

MG