NEWS IN A Week in the Horn 04.07.2025
Ethiopia
President Taye Atske Selassie bade farewell to the Ambassadors of Canada, Sweden, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, commending them for their contributions to strengthening relations between their respective countries and Ethiopia during their tenure.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addressed members of the House of People’s Representatives on Thursday (July 3), responding to questions raised from Members of Parliament regarding the government’s 2024/25 budget execution and the national development priorities for the next fiscal year. His remarks covered key economic sectors, major national initiatives, sectoral reforms, the broader political landscape and Ethiopia’s relations with neighboring countries. (See article)
Ethiopia launched the Green Legacy Initiative 2025 under the theme “Renewal Through Planting” in a ceremony held on Friday (June 27), at the Addis International Convention Center. The event marked the beginning of the seventh annual tree-planting season of the national campaign, which began in 2019, with the goal of planting 7.5 billion seedlings this rainy season to reach a cumulative total of 47.5 billion. (See article)
Prime Minister Abiy received the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, on Wednesday (June 30) at his office. Discussions focused on ongoing assistance and opportunities for future collaboration. The cooperation between Ethiopia and the IAEA covers a wide range of areas, including cancer care, veterinary health, tsetse eradication, nuclear engineering, and regulatory frameworks.
In his remarks at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development held in Sevilla, Spain, on Tuesday (July 1), Minister of Agriculture, Girma Amente, called on the international community to fulfill the commitments made under the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, adopted during the FfD3 conference. He welcomed the broad consensus reflected in the new Sevilla Commitment, describing it as a timely and necessary continuation of the Addis Agenda. (See article)
On Thursday (July 3), State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Hadera Abera held talks with the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Ethiopia, Ambassador Saad Bin Mubarak Al- naimi on ways of further solidifying bilateral relations between the two countries across economic, political and social sectors. The State Minister called on Qatari companies to take advantage of the favorable business and investment climate in Ethiopia brought forth by the ongoing economic reforms. The two sides also discussed regional peace and security issues of mutual interest.
On the same day, Ambassador Hadera conferred with the Ambassador of France to Ethiopia, Alexis Lamek. They discussed ways of further enhancing the longstanding and strategic cooperation between the two countries in bilateral, regional and multilateral platforms. The two sides particularly agreed to boost economic cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, tourism, and capital market.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye met with Chief of Mission at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Ethiopia, Abibatou Wane on Wednesday (July 2). The State Minister underlined that Ethiopia remains steadfast in its efforts to strengthen cooperation with international partners to combat illegal migration and human trafficking. Ambassador Berhanu highlighted the importance of deepening strategic collaboration. The discussions focused on enhancing joint efforts in the repatriation and resettlement of citizens, reaffirming the shared commitment of both sides to address migration issues.
The National Committee, composed of representatives from various federal, regional, and Addis Ababa city administration offices, on Tuesday (July 1) deliberated on the ongoing preparations for international events scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa in the coming months. During the discussions, State Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the National Committee, Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye, emphasized the need for concerted efforts among stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of the upcoming international conferences in the capital. He also underlined that leveraging these annual global events can play a key role in enhancing Ethiopia’s visibility and promoting the country through conference tourism.
Ethiopia’s Permanent Representative to the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Ambassador Hirut Zemene, paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Selma Malika Haddadi on Thursday (July 3). The two sides exchanged views on ways of enhancing cooperation between Ethiopia and the AUC in the areas of service and headquarter responsibility as a host country to the Commission. Ambassador Hirut assured the Deputy Chairperson of the full support of the Government of Ethiopia to the newly elected senior leadership of the Commission in the discharge of their mandate.
The Third Meeting of BRICS Sherpas and Sous Sherpas for 2025 commenced in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Tuesday (July 1). Head of the delegation and Special Policy Advisor to the Minister, Ambassador Menelik Alemu congratulated Brazil for successfully leading the activities of BRICS during the year of its chairmanship. Recognizing the year-long activities and achievements with regard to issues such as global governance, trade, investment and finance, climate change, artificial intelligence and global health, he expressed Ethiopia’s readiness to work towards consensus.
Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aziza Geleta, received copies of credentials from Air Vice Marshal Sitwat Nayeem, Ambassador-Designate of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to Ethiopia on Wednesday (July 2)
Ambassador Delil Kedir met with Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, Ronald Lamola on Sunday (June 27). Discussions covered ways of further strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries. Ambassador Delil also conveyed a message from Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timothewos to Minister Lamola.
The National Bank of Ethiopia released a new directive on Wednesday (June 25), marking the final step in opening the country’s financial sector to foreign investors. Directive No. SBB/94/2025, issued following broad consultations and the recent Banking Business Proclamation, allows foreign banks and strategic investors to enter the Ethiopian market via subsidiaries, branches, or representative offices. (See article)
The Slovak Republic is set to re-establish diplomatic mission in Addis Ababa. It is to be recalled that Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timothiwos, met with his counterpart from Slovakia, Juraj Blanár and discussed ways of strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interests on the margins of the 3rd AU-EU Ministerial Meeting in Brussels in May 2025.
Djibouti
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdulkader Houssein Omar, met with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Riyadh on Sunday (June 30) and discussed ways of further strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.
Kenya
President William Ruto met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom in London on Tuesday (July1). The two sides discussed ways of boosting bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.
Somalia
On Tuesday (July 1), President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud commemorated the 65th anniversary of Somalia’s Independence and Unification by laying a wreath at the Daljirka Dahsoon (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) Monument in Mogadishu. The President was joined by Major General Asad Osman Abdullahi, the Commissioner General of the Somali Police Force.
Africa and the African Union
Speaking at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, Spain on the theme “Leveraging Private Business and Finance,” Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf stressed the need for urgent reforms to the global financial system to help unlock Africa’s full potential. He highlighted that private sector involvement and financial flows are not just supportive, but essential drivers of inclusive economic growth, employment, and the shift toward a green economy. He pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a transformative initiative for the continent and called for increased backing for MSMEs, sustainable investment, and foreign direct capital. He said, “Africa is youthful, rich in resources, and prepared,” adding: “It’s time to align capital with Africa’s development goals and establish a fair, modern financial system that benefits everyone.”
Note: For detailed reports, please check out the rest of this week’s news published in separate posts