Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed is set to visit Welkite city, the capital of Gurage zone, for the second time within a year. The Wolkite city communication office announced his upcoming visit on their Facebook page, adding to the anticipation surrounding this significant event. With this being his second visit within a year, expectations are high, especially with the participation of numerous federal ministers and regional leaders scheduled for Saturday’s meeting.

Over the past several years, the Gurage people have persistently advocated for their constitutional right to establish their own regional state. Despite their peaceful efforts, the Federal Government of Ethiopia has unlawfully rejected their request, incorporating the Gurage zone into the Central Ethiopian Region. During his previous visit to Wolkite, the Prime Minister addressed this issue, suggesting that if the developmental and self-administration needs of the Gurage people are not met within the new central regional state, they have the right to raise the Gurage Regional question to the federal government again.