A Week in the Horn 21.03.2025 NEWS IN BRIEF
(This week’s detailed news are published below in the next several posts.)
Ethiopia
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addressed the parliament on Thursday (March 20) on key national matters, including economic progress, political developments, peace, security, and access to the sea, among other issues. Members of Parliament raised inquiries regarding governance, development, and regional cooperation.
The premier held an iftar dinner on Sunday (March 16) at the National Palace, hosting refugees from various countries. The group also had the opportunity to tour the newly restored National Palace.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla undertook a three-day official visit to Ethiopia from March 12 to 14, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timothewos, received Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Waleed Abdulkarim El Khereiji, on Wednesday (March 19) to discuss shared bilateral and regional issues. On the occasion, both sides capitalized on ways of further strengthening the economic relations between the two countries.
FM Gedion received the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) and former Algerian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Selma Malika Haddadi and held discussions Tuesday (March 18). The minister wished her a successful tenure in her new role as the Deputy Chairperson of the AUC and assured her of Ethiopia’s continued support.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a recognition dinner for all key stakeholders that helped in the successful completion of the Ordinary Sessions of the 38th Assembly of the Heads of State and Government and the 46th Executive Council of the African Union on Friday (March 14).
The Minister of Finance of Ethiopia, Ahmed Shide, held a high-level meeting with the Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion of Zimbabwe, Mthuli Ncube, to explore areas of mutual interest and collaboration on Wednesday (March 19).
Ethiopia took part in the first BRICS Agricultural Working Group technical meeting held in Brasilia from March 12 to 14. The meeting saw substantive deliberations on agriculture and food security policies and programs in BRICS countries. An Ethiopian delegation, led by Ambassador Leulseged Tadese, has also attended the BRICS Senior Energy Officials meeting in Brazil on Thursday (March 20). He emphasized the significance of enhancing cooperation within the BRICS platform to improve energy security and efficiency, aiming for a sustainable and prosperous future.
The Lomé Convention of 1975 is marked as an important milestone for the beginning of an official bilateral partnership between Ethiopia and the European Union. Though some EU Member States already built relations that go back more than half a millennium, the Lomé Convention created a framework for dynamic and enduring relationships, including for development aid, trade cooperation, and technical assistance.
Ethiopian Airlines Group signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the African Development Bank (AfDB), establishing a partnership on the new Bishoftu International Airport Development Project in Ethiopia on Saturday (March 15). The signing occurred in the presence of Akinwumi Adesina, the President of AfDB, and Finance Minister Ahmed Shide.
A delegation led by Minister of Trade and Regional Integration Kasshun Gofe participated in the 5th World Trade Organization (WTO) working group meeting in Geneva, focusing on market access opportunities tied to the organization.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mesganu Arga, met with the Senior Vice President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Ando Naoki, at his office on Wednesday (March 19). The two sides agreed to continue working closely in multifold sectors.
Ethiopia and China celebrated the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic relations with a celebration under the theme “55 Years: A Legacy of Strong Partnership for Shared Prosperity” at an event held at the Ethiopian Embassy in Beijing, China.
Ethiopia has commenced its four-year term as a member of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), a subsidiary body of ECOSOC. As one of the 45 members, Ethiopia is participating in the sixty-ninth session of the CSW, which started this month on Thursday (March 6).
The 2nd edition of the East Africa Art and Culture Festival is being held in Addis Ababa this week from March 20-23, where high-level delegations from various East African countries have arrived in Addis Ababa to attend the festival.
A 10-million-euro landmark project, which supports the Ethiopian coffee value chain by promoting innovative and impact-driven investments, was launched on Tuesday (March 18). The credit line facility is a concessional loan financed by the Italian government.
Djibouti
Djibouti’s Minister of Youth and Culture, Hibo Moumin Assoweh, arrived in Addis Ababa on Wednesday (March 19) for the 2nd East African Arts and Culture Festival hosted by Ethiopia. She was warmly welcomed at Bole International Airport by Minister of Culture and Sports, Shewit Shanka.
Kenya
Climate change experts convened in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Wednesday (March 19) to discuss ways to bridge the climate finance gap in Africa. The second Climate Change Global Business Summit on Africa was attended by officials from African governments, the United Nations, multilateral financial institutions, and the private sector.
Sudan
The IGAD Forum of Special Envoys on Harmonizing Mediation Efforts for the Sudan Peace Process was held this week in Addis Ababa. The Executive Secretary, Workneh Gebeyehu, during the forum on Tuesday (March 18), said a Sudanese people-led and unified mediation effort offers the best path to a negotiated resolution.
Africa and the African Union
The fifty-seventh session of the Economic Commission for Africa’s Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development was held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa from March 12 to 18. The ministerial segment, which took place on Monday (March 17), was preceded by a preparatory meeting—the forty-third meeting of the Committee of Experts of the Conference of Ministers.
Note: For detailed reports, please check out the rest of this week’s news published in separate posts.