It is a great honour for me to be present here on this auspicious occasion at your University to receive an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Letters. I should like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to the Senate and University Council for this recognition and for the decision to confer on me this honour.
I consider this a singular honour not only to me, but even more, to my country, which has given me the honour and privilege to be in its service at this high level of responsibility. I view this initiative by the Great Lakes University of Kisumu, as a source of encouragement for the IGAD region and a recognition of the effort we have been making together for peace and stability in our sub-region.

Statement By H.E Ato Seyoum Mesfin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, On the Occasion of his being awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Letters by the Great Lakes University of Kisumu