NEWS IN A Week in the Horn 27.03.2026
Ethiopia
President Taye Atske-Selassie arrived in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on Thursday (March 26) to participate in the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Summit. Upon his arrival at Malabo International Airport, he was warmly received by Prime Minister Manuel Osa Nsue Nsua, along with other senior government officials.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated Niin Lee Palm Lodge on Sunday (March 22), in the Afar Regional State as part of the government’s “Dine for Generations” initiative, which marks a milestone in Ethiopia’s efforts to expand tourism infrastructure and regional development. (See article)
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday (March 24) outlined Ethiopia’s evolving urban development strategy, emphasizing the far-reaching economic and social benefits of ongoing corridor development initiatives. In an interview with Kana TV, the Prime Minister presented a holistic perspective on how these projects are reshaping cities and contributing to the country’s broader development trajectory. (See article)
Minister Gedion Timothewos, presented the six-month performance report of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and its affiliated institutions for the 2018 Ethiopian Fiscal Year to the Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs Standing Committee of the House of People’s Representatives (HPR) on Wednesday (March 25). (See article)
Gedion received Maria Tripodi, Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy on Thursday (March 26). Minister Gedion noted the strong and longstanding bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Italy, highlighting business and investment as key areas for further partnership. He also expressed Ethiopia’s interest in leveraging Italy’s entrepreneurial strength to advance mutual economic interests.
The Ethiopian delegation, led by Minister of Trade and Regional Integration Kassahun Gofe along with State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hadera Abera, is participating in the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from 26–29 March 2026. On the occasion, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala commended Ethiopia’s accession progress, noting that gains over the past year exceed those of the previous two decades combined.
At the LDC Group Ministerial Meeting in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the Ethiopian negotiating team called for concrete outcomes to support least developed countries, including strengthened Special and Differential Treatment, solutions to graduation challenges, and restoration of a fully functional dispute settlement system. The delegation also highlighted the need for enhanced support in capacity-building, technology transfer, and climate resilience.
Similarly, addressing the High-Level Africa-China Ministerial Meeting, State Minister Ambassador Hadera emphasized that industrialization is central to Africa’s productivity agenda and critical for job creation, resilience, and self-reliance. He called for scaling up industrial transformation, boosting value-added exports, supporting continental energy initiatives, and advancing sustainable financing, including debt restructuring, cancellation, and debt-for-development swaps.
On the sidelines, the Ethiopian negotiating team held productive discussions with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. In addition, the team held constructive talks with Farid Al-Asaly, Deputy Governor for International Agreements and Organizations and head of the Saudi Arabian negotiation team, on Ethiopia’s WTO accession process, with both sides agreeing to expedite the technical discussions aimed at concluding the bilateral market access agreement.
The Fourth Invest in Ethiopia: High-Level Business Forum 2026 opened on Thursday (March 26) in Addis Ababa, marking the latest edition of a flagship platform aimed at advancing the country’s investment agenda and strengthening engagement with global partners. Speaking at the forum, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye affirmed the Government’s continued commitment to facilitating and supporting investment. He underscored that Ethiopia is increasingly positioning itself as a preferred destination, supported by policy reforms and expanding opportunities across key sectors. (See article)
State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye, held preliminary discussions with a delegation led by Jean Kaseya of Africa CDC on preparations for the 5th International Public Health Conference in Africa, to be hosted in Addis Ababa. Selected in recognition of Ethiopia’s strong hosting capacity, the conference is expected to attract over 30,000 participants. Ambassador Berhanu thanked Africa CDC for selecting Addis Ababa as the host city and reaffirmed the Government’s full commitment to ensuring its success.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye received the newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Ethiopia, Abdullah Hassan A. Alzahrani on Wednesday (March 25). The two sides discussed priority areas and ways to strengthen the longstanding bilateral ties between the countries.
State Minister Ambassador Berhanu on Thursday (March 26) received the Ambassador of the Gabonese Republic to Ethiopia, Lilly Stella Nguema Ndong, for talks on strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation.
Under the stewardship of India, BRICS engagements have continued since 1 January 2026, with around 250 meetings planned. India’s chairship focuses on resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability. Drawing on its experience, Ethiopia has maintained active participation, with its ministerial coordination committee adopting this year’s outlook based on past experiences and its BRICS Engagement strategy. (See article)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia held discussions with India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the implementing company, RailTel on the launch of its modern Data Center project. The initiative aims to strengthen the strategic cooperation between the two countries, and enhance the ministry’s technological and digital capacities, and leverage India’s expertise in the sector. Senior officials from both governments, as well as representatives from Ethio Telecom and the Ethiopian Electric Utility, participated in the talks.
The 10th International Hortiflora Expo opened in Addis Ababa on Tuesday (March 24), featuring over 150 organizations from 50 countries. The event brought together producers, exporters, seed suppliers, global buyers, technology providers, financial institutions, and researchers, highlighting Ethiopia’s rising status as a global horticulture hub.
Kenya
President Daniel Francisco Chapo of Mozambique arrived in Nairobi on Tuesday (March 24) for an official visit and was welcomed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister, Musalia W. Mudavadi.
President William Ruto held talks with the Vice-President of the People’s Republic of China, Han Zheng, on Tuesday (March 24) on ways of further strengthening trade and economic ties between the two countries.
South Sudan
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Monday Semaya K. Kumba, held a phone call with UAE Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan on Tuesday (March 24), discussing bilateral ties and regional developments.
On Monday (March 23), Minister Monday Semaya Kumba received Norway’s Minister of International Development, Åsmund Aukrust, with both sides emphasizing continued dialogue to strengthen historic bilateral relations.
Africa and the African union
As Member States commemorated the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade on Wednesday (March 25), the United Nations adopted, with overwhelming support, a resolution recognizing the transatlantic slave trade as “the gravest crime against humanity.” The resolution, proposed by Ghana on behalf of the African States, was adopted with 123 votes in favor and 3 against—the United States, Israel, and Argentina, while 52 Member States, mainly from Europe, abstained. (See article)
The African Union Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has appointed Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, former President of Tanzania, as High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. Kikwete will support AU efforts to promote peace, inclusive dialogue, and regional cooperation in the region.
On Wednesday (March 25), AUC Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf joined the international community in observing the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, paying tribute to the millions of Africans who endured forced displacement, suffering, and loss of fundamental rights.