In 1991, 34-year-old Teshome returned to Ethiopia and started his political career as a counselor in the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the mid-1990s, he served as deputy minister of Economic Development and Cooperation. In 2001, he was appointed minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. He was a speaker of the House of Federation from 2002 to 2005, and also served as Ethiopia's ambassador to several countries, including Australia, Japan and China.

Teshome was the Ethiopian ambassador to Turkey until his election as his homeland's new president for a six-year term.

The man, dubbed "China's old friend," made great contributions to strengthening the relationship between Ethiopia and China.

When BLCU celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2012, Teshome conveyed his congratulations to his alma mater in a letter. He wrote how he loved China, his second home. He would pay more visits to China in the future in order to deepen the friendship between both countries.

"I have a wish and that is that I can send my son to study at BLCU, my alma mater, in the near future, to further consolidate and strengthen the ties of friendship between us," Teshome said.

His son once told him, "I will go and study in China when I grow up and pursue my doctor's degree at Peking University just like you did."

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)