Seen here second from left, Hailemariam Desalegn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs assured the gathering by pledging the government will be back to business “as of tomorrow.” “I would reassure you that the [ruling] EPRDF and our developmental and democratic state will immediately act to implement all the policies and strategies, including those of the Growth and Transformation Plan,” he said.

Invited guests, cabinet ministers, Ethiopian Ambassadors and prominent business people, artists and private individuals were all draped in black, Ethiopia’s traditional mourning attire. Most were openly sobbing throughout the procession.