Addis Ababa (AFP)

The former palace of the emperors of Ethiopia, which also served as a place of torture under the communist regime of Haile Mariam Mengistu (1974-1991) has been renovated and will now be open to the public, a project under a policy of promotion of tourism.

Renamed "Park of Unity" and renovated thanks to a $ 160 million (€ 145 million) grant from the United Arab Emirates, the palace built in the late 19th century was officially inaugurated on Thursday before opening its doors to the public Friday.

The cabinet of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who wanted this renovation since his accession to power in April 2018 and who has closely monitored the renovation work, said in a tweet, that the realization of this project "symbolizes" the " ability (of Ethiopians) to come together ".

This palace was built by Emperor Menelik II, founder of the capital Addis Ababa (New Flower in Amharic). The emperors of Ethiopia lived there for more than a century.

The visitor can see a sword that belonged to Menelik II or a life-size statue of the Emperor Haile Selassie, who first lived there and was detained there after being overthrown by the communist regime of the Derg led by Mengistu in 1974.

Statues paying tribute to the different regions of Ethiopia are also installed in the gardens, while a zoo should open there by the end of the year.

An economic reform agenda released in September by the government identifies tourism as a pillar of job creation in Ethiopia.

On Thursday, senior government officials and the diplomatic corps visited the renovated palace, and were to participate in the evening at a banquet attended by five heads of state from the region.

Aklilu Fikresilassie, an Ethiopian employed by the United Nations and present at the inauguration ceremony said he was "really fascinated" to have been able to enter a building that had always been closed to the public: "when you enter the palace, we feel that we are in a certain way closer to our leaders ".

But not everyone is enthusiastic.

In a politico-ethnic context tense, some believe that the opening of the palace could irritate the Oromo, the largest ethnic group in the country, which Mr. Abiy is born, who believe that their ancestors were driven from the territory where Addis Ababa was built.

The journalist and former political prisoner Eskinder Nega regrets that the renovations took place "without public consultation".

"It's a question of heritage, about preserving heritage, and people should have a say," he said. "As for everything, this decision was taken at the top and implemented only because the Prime Minister decided it."

© 2019 AFP