NEWS IN A Week in the Horn 13.06.2025
Ethiopia
President Taye Atske Selassie held talks with Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan on Tuesday (June 10) in Addis Ababa, reaffirming Ethiopia’s interest in strengthening ties with Armenia. President Taye encouraged Armenian investment in Ethiopia, while Deputy Minister Kostanyan conveyed a message from Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan and expressed Armenia’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed conducted a comprehensive four-part televised interview, offering a detailed reflection on Ethiopia’s development path over the past six years. The series addressed the country’s economic trajectory, governance reforms, diplomatic engagements, national priorities, and the government’s approach to current challenges. (See article)
On Saturday (June 7), Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed welcomed Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of Dangote Group, for in-depth talks on strategic investments targeting Ethiopia’s key development priorities. The Prime Minister expressed optimism about continued and strengthened cooperation.
Ethiopia launched the Diplomatic Guide for the Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda on Monday (June 9) to strengthen economic diplomacy. Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos and Finance Minister Ahmed Shide said the guide will help diplomats promote investment, trade, and international partnerships to support Ethiopia’s development goals.
Foreign Minister Gedion held discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday (June 11) on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the FOCAC Follow-up Actions. They discussed progress in Ethiopia-China ties and agreed to expedite cooperation and strengthen coordination in multilateral platforms.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hadera Abera recieved Swedish Ambassador to Ethiopia, Hans Henric Lundquist, on Thursday (June 12) at his office. Both sides recognized the longstanding Ethiopia-Sweden ties and emphasized enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation, especially in economic relations.
Later that day, Ambassador Hadera Abera met with Dammu Ravi, Secretary for Economic Relations of India’s Ministry of External Affairs. Ambassador Hadera expressed Ethiopia’s interest in expanding ties with India, particularly in trade, investment, ICT, education, and capacity building. Secretary Dammu Ravi commended Ethiopia’s economic progress and emphasized the need to encourage more Indian investment in the country.
On Wednesday (June 11), Ambassador Hadera met with Jung Kang, South Korea’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, to discuss the enduring ties between the two countries. They emphasized the need to strengthen development cooperation and boost investment in agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, mining, and tourism.
Ambassador Hadera also met with South African Ambassador to Ethiopia, Nonceba Losi, on Wednesday (June 11) in Addis Ababa. They discussed strengthening Ethiopia-South Africa relations through bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation, with a focus on trade, investment, tourism, and peace and security.
Ambassador Hadera met with US Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ervin Massinga, on Tuesday (June 10) at his office. They discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations, focusing on economic cooperation as well as regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.
On Monday (June 9), Ambassador Hadera and his Armenian counterpart Vahan Kostanyan held the first Ethiopia-Armenia Joint Political Consultations. They discussed historic relations, reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral ties, and explored opportunities for economic collaboration.
Ambassador Hadera emphasized the need to elevate Ethiopia’s economic diplomacy to support the Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda at a high-level conference held on Tuesday (June 10) in Addis Ababa. The conference, organized by the Institute of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focused on strengthening links between diplomacy and the economy.
A photographic exhibition titled “Ethiopia Through the Eyes of Diplomats” opened Thursday (June 12) at the Hyatt Regency in Addis Ababa. State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye said the exhibition is a tribute to Ethiopia from diplomats and a symbol of friendship and mutual respect. The exhibition will remain open from June 13 to 25.
Ethiopia participated for the first time in the 2nd Ordinary Session of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) Conference of States Parties on Thursday (June 6) in Kigali, Rwanda. Ethiopia was elected as a bureau member representing Eastern Africa.
Kenya
Ethiopia and Kenya reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic integration during high-level bilateral engagements convened under the auspices of IGAD on the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP) on Thursday (June 5). The initiative is expected to contribute to improving the livelihoods of communities along their common border. (See article)
Somalia
On Wednesday (June 11), Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Omer Dhaaye and his delegation participated in the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
Africa and the African Union
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission , Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, received the Executive Secretary of IGAD, Workneh Gebyehu, on Wednesday (June 11) for strategic consultations aimed at deepening AU–IGAD collaboration and enhancing institutional coordination with Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
Foreign Minister Gedion held talks with AUC Chairperson Youssouf on Monday (June 9), discussing preparations for the upcoming Africa Climate Summit and the Africa-CARICOM Summit, which Ethiopia will co-host with the AU Commission.
The African Union called for faster progress on the AfCFTA, industrialization, and innovation-led growth during the 50th session of the Permanent Representatives Committee on Sunday (June 8) in Addis Ababa. AU Deputy Chairperson Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi said the Commission is working to address key concerns of member states.
Note: For detailed reports, please check out the rest of this week’s news published in separate posts