A Week in the Horn 25.04.2025
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ethiopia
President Taye Aske Selassie and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed offered their condolences on Monday (April 21) following the passing of Pope Francis in the Vatican. Both leaders acknowledged Pope Francis’s significant legacy of service to faith, humanity, and global peace, expressing sorrow at his passing and honoring his enduring impact.
Ethiopia’s high-level delegation, led by Prime Minister Abiy, participated in the 4th Partnering for Green Growth and Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit, held in Hanoi, Vietnam, from April 16–17. (See article)
On Thursday (April 24), an Ethiopian delegation led by Defense Minister Aisha Mohammed participated in a meeting of defense ministers of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) in Kampala, Uganda.
The first Ethiopian Aviation Forum is being held in Addis Ababa this week, from April 24 to 25. During the opening ceremony on Thursday (April 24), Minister of Transport Alemu Sime and Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa delivered remarks. It was stated during the ceremony that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will only thrive if supported by robust air connectivity. Minister Alemu emphasized this point, adding that Ethiopian Airlines’ expansion into various hubs exemplifies the country’s Pan-African commitment.
Boeing Company inaugurated its new African office in Addis Ababa on Wednesday (April 23). Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Minister of Transport and Logistics, Alemu Sime, emphasized that this move represents a significant milestone in the company’s global expansion strategy.
The Ethio-India Business Expo 2025, held from April 15 to 17 at the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) in New Delhi, concluded successfully last week, marking another step forward in economic collaboration between Ethiopia and India. The event was jointly organized by PHDCCI and Ethiopia’s Enterprises Development, with 20 Ethiopian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) participating. (See article)
A high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Finance Minister Ahmed Shide attended the 2025 International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB) Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday (April 21). The delegation held discussions with the IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and other high-level officials to exchange views on ongoing macroeconomic reforms and areas for further support and collaboration.
The Ethio-Saudi Arabia Trade and Investment Forum was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday (April 22). High-ranking government officials and members of the business community of the two countries took part in the forum.
An Ethiopian delegation led by Ambassador Menelik Alemu, Special Policy Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of Ethiopia’s National BRICS Senior Officials Technical Committee, participated in the second BRICS Sherpas/Sous Sherpas meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Thursday (April 24).
The International Forum of Africa–Russia Journalists was held in Addis Ababa on Tuesday (April 22), under the theme “The Way of Friendship and Cooperation.” Journalists from several African countries, including Ethiopia, participated alongside Russian delegates to explore the evolving media landscape and discuss future collaboration between the two regions.
Djibouti
President Ismail Omar Guelleh received his Egyptian counterpart, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, on Wednesday (April 23), where the two leaders held discussions on bilateral and regional matters of mutual interest.
President Guelleh received Tuesday (April 22) the Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Mene, who was in Djibouti to attend the High-Level Conference on the Opportunities of the AfCFTA through Special Economic Zones.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs and former Ethiopian Ambassador to Djibouti, Berhanu Tsegaye, received the Officer’s Medal in the National Order of June 27, presented by Djibouti’s Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed last week (April 17) . The Officer’s Medal in the National Order of June 27 is one of the highest civilian honors awarded by the Republic of Djibouti.
Kenya
President William Ruto arrived in Beijing, China, on Tuesday (April 22) for a four-day state visit. The president stated that the visit is expected to deepen and broaden the historical, economic and cultural ties that have defined the cordial relations between Kenya and China over the years.
Somalia
President Hassen Sheikh Mohamud on Wednesday (April 23) presided over the Somalia–EU Partnership Meeting in Mogadishu, the third round since the launch of the Joint Operational Roadmap in May 2023.
President Mohamud arrived in Kampala on Thursday (April 24) to take part in the Extraordinary Summit of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), taking place from April 24–25.
Sudan
A high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Ambassador Redwan Hussien, Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Service, and including State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hadera Abera and other senior officials, participated in the London Sudan Conference held on Tuesday (April 15). (See article)
United Nations envoy Ramtane Lamamra met Sudan’s military leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Port Sudan on Wednesday (April 23) as part of UN’s intensified efforts to de-escalate conflict and push for dialogue.
Africa and the African Union
The 24th Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union was held at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa on Tuesday (April 15). The session was chaired by Téte António, Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Angola and the Chairperson of the Executive Council. Representing Foreign Minister Gedion Tomothewos, the Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the AU and UNECA, Ambassador Hirut Zemene, addressed the high-level continental gathering of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of AU Member States. (See article)
At the Extraordinary Summit of Troop-Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), being held on April 24–25 in Uganda, African Union Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf emphasized the critical importance of a successful transition from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to AUSSOM.
AUC chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, in a statement released on Monday (April 21), expressed profound sorrow and deep sadness on the passing of Pope Francis, a towering moral voice of our time and a steadfast advocate for peace, justice, compassion, and human dignity.
The African Space Agency (AfSA) inaugurated its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday (April 23). A key deliverable of Agenda 2063’s, Outer Space Strategy underscores the continent’s unified commitment to leveraging space technologies for socio-economic growth, scientific innovation, and enhanced international collaboration.