NEWS IN A Week in the Horn 31.10.2025
Ethiopia
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed responded to questions and provided detailed explanations during the 6th round, 5th year, 2nd regular session of the House of People’s Representatives held on Tuesday (October 28). His address covered a wide range of national issues, including foreign policy, economic development, institutional transformation, and democratic governance. (See article)
Prime Minister Abiy visited Misrak Shewa Zone on Wednesday (October 29) to review the rainy season wheat harvest and launch the summer wheat production activities.
The 11th Tana High-Level Forum on the Security of Africa was held in Bahir Dar and Addis Ababa from October 24–26 under the theme “Africa in an Evolving Global Order.” The forum brought together high-level participants, including ministers, former leaders, special envoys to the Horn of Africa, and civil society representatives. (See article)
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia Gedion paid an official visit to the Russian Federation from October 20 to 21 to strengthen the bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the two countries. (See article)
Foreign Minister Gedion received a high-level South Sudanese delegation from the Abyei Committee, led by Minister of East African Affairs Pieng Deng Kuol, on Wednesday (October 29). The delegation, which included Deputy Foreign Minister Akuei Bona Malual, briefed Minister Gedion on the situation in South Sudan, particularly in the Abyei region. Minister Gedion emphasized the importance of strengthening infrastructural connectivity to advance regional economic integration.
The Ethiopia-China (Shaanxi) Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference was held on Tuesday (October 21) in Addis Ababa. The event brought together Ethiopian government representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration, the Ministry of Water and Energy, and the Ethiopian Investment Commission, along with leaders from the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations and officials from China’s Shaanxi Province. (See article)
A high-level delegation from the city of Le Bugue, France, led by Mayor Léonidas Serge, conducted a working visit to Ethiopia beginning on Tuesday (October 14) at the invitation of the Dire Dawa City Administration. (See article)
Ethiopia and the European Union signed a 90 million euro financing agreement for the Annual Action Plan (AAP) 2025 and launched a Public-Private Dialogue on Tuesday (October 28) in Addis Ababa. The agreement, signed by State Minister of Finance Semereta Sewasew and EU Ambassador Sofie From-Emmesberger, supports Ethiopia’s economic reforms, post-conflict recovery, and reconstruction efforts.
Addis Ababa signed the Joint Statement of the BRICS Capitals Parliamentary Movement on Monday (October 27) during a ceremony held at the Moscow Parliamentary Centre. Addis Ababa City Council Speaker Buzena Alkedir signed on behalf of the city, alongside representatives from Minsk, Brasilia, Havana, Tehran, Tshwane, Kampala, and Moscow.
Somalia
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud paid a working visit to Djibouti, where he participated along with President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh on Thursday (October 30) in the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Arta Peace Conference.
Africa and the African Union
The Third Financing Summit for Africa’s Infrastructure Development took place from October 28 to 31 in Luanda under the theme “Capital, Corridors, Trade: Investing in Infrastructure for the AfCFTA and Shared Prosperity.” Co-hosted by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the Summit brought together continental leaders who emphasized the need to bridge Africa’s vast infrastructure financing gap to unlock its full growth potential.