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The prime minister of Ethiopia received a warm welcome when he visited Minneapolis Monday. Thousands of supporters and overjoyed members of Minnesota's large Ethiopian community celebrated the visit.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was scheduled to appear at Target Center at 2:30 p.m. but did not appear until nearly 5 p.m.

That didn't diminish the crowd's enthusiasm, though. As the prime minister spoke supporters applauded and cheered. There were groups that also danced and carried large Ethiopian and U.S. flags.

On his U.S. trip, Abiy is inviting Ethiopians who fled the country due to decades of political violence and turmoil to get involved again with the country's development. One of his 

 is to bring democracy to Ethiopia by opening up the country's political landscape, liberalizing its economy and reviewing ethnic federalism — the country's way of dividing districts and towns into zones under the control of particular ethnic groups.

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Evan Frost

Thousands of supporters and overjoyed members of Minnesota's large Ethiopian community welcomed the new prime minister Abiy Ahmed to Minneapolis Monday.

Supporters of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed cheer. 

Evan Frost | MPR News

Yusuf Ahmed lowers his glasses to peer at the stage.

Supporters of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed wave flags.

The floor of Target Center in Minneapolis is filled.

Two attendees dance with the flag of the Oromo people.

People carry giant Ethiopian and Oromo flags around. 

Rado Ali cheers for the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Attendees wave flags before Abiy Ahmed's speech. 

Dancers perform on stage for Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. 

Photos: Thousands welcome Ethiopian prime minister to Minneapolis

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