NEWS IN A Week in the Horn 23.01.2026
Ethiopia
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed welcomed at his office Johann Wadephul, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, on Thursday (January 22) for meaningful discussions on further strengthening the partnership between Ethiopia and Germany.
Prime Minister Abiy on Saturday (January 17) inaugurated the first site under the Dine for Generations Initiative, Denbi Eco Lodge, covering 36.7 hectares of pristine forest. The site symbolizes Ethiopia’s tourism shift, uniting sustainability, heritage, and world-class experiences nationwide.
The Finance Forward Ethiopia Conference opened in Addis Ababa on Thursday (January 15) in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy, bringing together key institutions shaping the country’s financial and revenue systems. (See article)
Foreign Minister Gedion met on Thursday (January 22) with Johann Wadephul, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, at his office. The two ministers discussed ways to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation on matters of mutual interest.
The Fourth Ethiopia–Israel Joint Political Consultation was held on Tuesday (January 13) in Jerusalem, reaffirming the deep-rooted and forward-looking partnership between the two countries. The Ethiopian delegation was led by Ambassador Hadera Abera, State Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the delegation of the State of Israel was headed by Eden Bar-Tal, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel. (See article)
Ambassador Hadera met on Thursday (January 22) with Yann Elbaz, Chief Commercial Officer of Kuwait Petroleum Company Trading (KPCT), to further explore ways to strengthen the petroleum supply chain from Kuwait to Ethiopia, including fuel terminals, storage facilities, docking and berthing capacity, and transportation, responding to the growing demand generated by Ethiopia’s rapid economic growth.
Ambassador Hadera held talks with Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Kravik at his office on Wednesday (January 21) to explore ways of further strengthening bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Norway. Both sides also exchanged views on regional peace and security and agreed to work closely in bilateral and multilateral forums on areas of shared interest.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye, along with key stakeholders, on Thursday (January 22) reviewed a briefing on the security and intelligence plan to successfully host the 39th AU Summit and the Italy–Africa Meeting.
Ethiopia participated in the World of Coffee Dubai 2026 Exhibition, which opened on Sunday (January 18) at the Dubai World Trade Center, with 24 leading Ethiopian coffee exporters actively engaging buyers, roasters, and investors to promote premium Ethiopian coffee and strengthen trade relations.
A panel discussion dubbed “Invest in Ethiopia: Opportunities for the Diaspora” was held at the Addis House of Culture at the National Palace on Saturday (January 17), bringing together Ethiopian diaspora members from around the world who returned to Addis Ababa for the holiday season.
Kenya
President William Ruto met on Wednesday (January 21) with German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul at State House, Nairobi. The two sides held discussions on matters of common interest.
Somalia
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held a telephone conversation on Wednesday (January 21) with President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa. They discussed further strengthening Somalia–South Africa relations and expanding cooperation on peace and security, trade and investment, and regional peace and security.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) welcomed the ratification of the new IGAD Treaty by the House of the People of the Federal Parliament of the Federal Republic of Somalia on Wednesday (January 21), joining fellow member states Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Kenya in ratifying the new IGAD Treaty.
Africa and the African Union
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, on Thursday (January 22) received Johann Wadephul, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening AU–Germany cooperation in support of Africa’s peace, stability, and continental integration agenda.
On the same day, the Chairperson also received Morissanda Kouyaté, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Guinea, where they held discussions on matters of mutual interest.
Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the AUC, received Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Norway, on Wednesday (January 21). The two sides exchanged views on multilateralism, peace and security, development, and international law.