Ethiopia’s PM responds to the BRICS membership

According to Abiy Ahmed, Addis Abeba is prepared to contribute to a just and prosperous international system.

According to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Thursday, the approval of Ethiopia’s bid to join the BRICS group of global economies represents a huge victory for the East African nation.

At the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, leaders of the five-nation bloc earlier on Thursday authorised the accession of six countries, including Ethiopia.

In response to Addis Ababa’s entrance, Abiy Ahmed declared in a statement published on X (formerly Twitter) that it was “a great moment for Ethiopia as the BRICS leaders endorse our entry into this group today.”

Ethiopia is prepared to work with everyone to create a successful, inclusive global order, he wrote.

According to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have also joined the group. He also stated that a consensus “on the guiding principles” of the BRICS expansion process has been established.

BRICS growth was given priority during this week’s conference in Johannesburg, with the leader of South Africa adamant that the organization’s “value extends beyond the interests of its current members.”

According to Ramaphosa, who spoke before the summit, which started on Tuesday and is due to end on Thursday, more than 20 nations have officially requested membership in the club, and a number of others have showed interest.

The abbreviation BRICS was created when the organisation, which was originally made up of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, was last enlarged to include South Africa in 2010.

With the incorporation of the nations, the bloc, according to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, will account for 46% of the world’s population and an even greater portion of its economic production.

“The relevance of the BRICS is confirmed by the growing interest shown by other countries in joining the group,” Lula wrote on X while greeting the newest members.

The extension, according to Chinese President Xi Jinping, is “historic and marks a new starting point for cooperation.”

The six entrants will join the group as full members in January 2024. According to the group’s present leaders, the organisation is neither anti-Western nor in opposition to any other alliance.