A Week in the Horn 09.05.2025
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ethiopia
President Taye Atske Selassie visited Russia on Thursday (May 8) to attend the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, commemorating the end of World War II.
President Taye also visited the 3rd Made in Ethiopia Expo 2025 on Tuesday (May 6). The Expo was inaugurated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Saturday (May 3).
President Taye, joined by State Ministers Ambassador Hadera Abera and Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye, led members of the diplomatic corps and heads of international organizations based in Addis Ababa on a visit to the newly inaugurated Mesob One-Stop Service Center on Wednesday (April 30). (See article)
The President also attended the celebration of the 84th Patriots’ Victory Day in Addis Ababa on Monday (May 5). Speaking at a wreath-laying ceremony, he highlighted the patriots’ historic stand against fascism and called on the youth to contribute to national development.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, Gideon Sa’ar, concluded an official visit to Ethiopia from May 5 to 6. The visit focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in key sectors and reaffirming a shared interest in regional engagement through diplomatic, economic, and security dialogue (See article)
Prime Minister Abiy received Qatari Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi at his office on Wednesday (May 7), who delivered a message from His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar.
The Premiere on Tuesday (May 6) congratulated Friedrich Merz after Germany’s parliament elected him as the new chancellor in a second round of voting.
PM Abiy held talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Addis Ababa on Monday (May 5), highlighting the longstanding Ethio-Israeli ties and cooperation across economic, political, and social sectors.
Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos also met with FM Sa’ar on the same day, pledging to enhance cooperation in trade, security, and technology. The following day, on Tuesday (May 6), the Ethio-Israeli Business Forum was held.
FM Gedion also met with the Minister of International Development of the Kingdom of Norway, Asmund Grover Aukrust, on Tuesday (May 6). Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, exploring new avenues of cooperation, and addressing regional and global issues of mutual concern.
Minister Gedion held talks with Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Tuesday (May 6). The ministers expressed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries in various sectors.
Foreign Minister Gedion also received Armenian Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan at his office on Saturday (May 3) and discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, and culture.
The First Global Public Security Cooperation Forum was held in Addis Ababa on Monday (May 5), bringing together police officials from across Africa and international representatives.
Djibouti
President Ismail Omar Guelleh attended the inauguration ceremony of Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema in Libreville on Saturday (May 3).
Minister of Mines Habtamu Tegene visited Djibouti from May 5–6 on a working visit, where he met with various government bodies to discuss areas of cooperation in the development of the mining and energy sectors, as well as logistics facilitation for imported projects.
Somalia
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with UK FCDO Director General for Africa and the Americas, Harriet Mathews, on Thursday (May 8) for talks on Somalia–UK cooperation.
South Sudan
The African Union Commission and IGAD reaffirmed their joint support for South Sudan’s peace process, democratic governance, and development. In a joint communiqué following an official visit to Juba from May 5–6, the AUC Chairperson and IGAD officials held talks with President Salva Kiir and other stakeholders on sustaining the peace agreement and implementing the transitional roadmap. The two organizations emphasized the importance of inclusive governance, national unity, and regional cooperation.
Africa and the African Union
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, on Wednesday (May 7), where they discussed advancing peace, security, and stability.
The 6th COMESA Women Trade Fair and Business Conference opened in Addis Ababa on Wednesday (May 7), with over 200 women entrepreneurs from 21 member states aiming to boost gender-responsive regional integration and green investment.
As part of the visit, the Ethiopia-Israel Business Forum was held in Addis Ababa under the theme “Strengthening Bilateral Relations through Innovation” on Tuesday (May 6). The forum brought together representatives from public institutions, state-owned enterprises, and the private sector. It was co-organized by the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ethiopian Investment Holdings, the Ethiopian Investment Commission, the Industrial Parks Development Corporation, the Israel Export Institute, and the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce.
In his remarks, Foreign Minister Gedion emphasized that economic diplomacy is a central pillar of Ethiopia’s development strategy. He outlined investment opportunities in agri-tech, digital transformation, precision agriculture, pharmaceutical production, mineral development, and healthcare. He encouraged Israeli investors to explore the country’s emerging sectors and engage in mutually beneficial partnerships.
Minister Sa’ar welcomed the outlined opportunities and reaffirmed Israel’s interest in expanding economic collaboration with Ethiopia. He noted the alignment between the two economies and emphasized the importance of creating structured frameworks to support trade and investment.
The forum featured technical presentations from Ethiopian regulatory and investment institutions, including the National Bank of Ethiopia, Ethiopian Investment Holdings, and the Ethiopian Investment Commission. These sessions provided information on priority sectors, regulatory procedures, and ongoing efforts to ensure a transparent and investor-friendly business environment.
Minister Sa’ar’s visit reinforced the commitment of both governments to broadening bilateral relations through sustained political dialogue and concrete economic cooperation
Note: For detailed reports, please check out the rest of this week’s news published in separate posts.