AMN PLUS-July 17,2026
Mayor of Addis Ababa Adanech Abiebie, in a message shared on her official social media platforms this evening, announced that Kernudo Ujulu, a delegate from Ethiopia’s Gambella Region who traveled to Addis Ababa to participate in the National Dialogue Conference despite being close to her due date, has safely given birth to a baby boy at Zewditu Memorial Hospital.
According to the mayor, Kernudo chose to attend the conference because she believed she could not ignore her country’s call, even as her expected delivery date approached.
Adanech said she, together with Gambella Regional State President Alemitu Umod, visited the mother at the hospital to congratulate her on the safe delivery.
In a symbolic gesture, the mother of a new born departed from the customary practice of choosing her child’s name herself. Instead, she requested that the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission name the newborn. The baby was subsequently given the name “Mekikir,” the Amharic word for “Dialogue.”
According to Adanech, Kernudo said she plans to return to the National Dialogue Conference after a few days of recovery to continue participating in its proceedings.
The mayor added that the necessary support would be provided to both the mother and her newborn until she completes her participation in the conference and returns home.
In her message, Adanech expressed hope that, just as the mother safely welcomed her child, Ethiopia would overcome its challenges through dialogue and consultation, ushering in a peaceful and significant new chapter.
She also wished baby Mekikir and all Ethiopian children a future in a peaceful, united, and prosperous Ethiopia.
By Leta Teresa
