A Week in the Horn 30.05.2025
Ethiopia
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed conducted a European tour for strategic talks with European leaders. On Sunday (May 26), he met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome to discuss economic partnerships and development cooperation. He also visited Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on the same day. Last week, on Monday (May 22), he held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on regional security and economic ties.
The 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of ID4Africa was held in Addis Ababa from May 20 to 23 , bringing together over 2000 participants from more than 100 countries, including delegates from over 50 African states. The event was formally opened by Prime Minister Abiy and marked the largest gathering in the movement’s history. (See article)
On Wednesday (May 28), Prime Minister Abiy visited the Ethiopian Space Science and Geospatial Institute to review Earth-to-space data research supporting national forecasting and planning.
Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh opened the 51st African Insurance Organization Conference in Addis Ababa on Monday (May 26), urging transformation of the insurance sector into a driver of economic growth.
The 3rd African Union (AU) and European Union (EU) Ministerial Meeting convened on Wednesday (May 21), in Brussels, Belgium. The meeting was attended by Foreign Ministers from the two regions, higher officials of the African Union and the European Union, senior officials and Civil Society Organizations. Ethiopia was represented by a delegation led by Foreign Minister, Gedion Timothewos, at Ministerial segment. (See article)
Minister of Agriculture, Girma Amente, met with Zhang Xingwang, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, on Tuesday (May 27) in Addis Ababa, for discussions focused on deepening bilateral cooperation in agricultural modernization and trade. (See article)
State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hadera Abera received Kuwaiti Ambassador Nayef Al-Otaibi on Wednesday (May 28) to discuss deepening economic ties, boosting investment, and expanding development cooperation.
On Tuesday (May 27), Ambassador Hadera also met EU Ambassador to Ethiopia, Sofie From-Emmesberger to reflect on over 50 years of Ethiopia-EU partnership and reaffirm mutual commitment to future cooperation.
On Saturday (May 24), Ambassador Hadera participated in the Africa Day 2025 celebration hosted by the African Union, delivering remarks under the theme “Revisiting Our History, Shaping Our Future.”
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ambassador Nebiat Getachew, during a press briefing on Thursday (May 30), briefed journalists on current national, regional and international issues, highlighting Addis Ababa’s recent role in hosting major summits. Ambassador Nebiat underscored that these events reaffirm the city’s status as a diplomatic hub and a preferred venue for international conferences.
Ethiopia and Brazil signed a Memorandum of Understanding on agricultural cooperation during the Brazil–Africa Dialogue held in Brasília from May 19–23.
Ethiopia took part in the 13th International Meeting of High-Level Security Representatives in Moscow on Wednesday (May 28), led by Ambassador Genet Teshome. The forum, attended by over 100 countries, opened with a keynote by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
As Chair of the Africa Group for May, Ethiopia participated in a flag-raising ceremony for Africa Day in New York City on Monday (May 26), attended by the Mayor of New York, UN Deputy Secretary-General, AU Permanent Observer, and other dignitaries.
A Coffee Trade Forum was held in Rabat on Wednesday (May 28), co-organized by the Ethiopian Embassy and the Casablanca Chamber of Commerce. Ambassador Nardos Ayalew highlighted Ethiopia’s coffee heritage and called for stronger exporter-importer ties.
Eritrea
Eritrea marked its 34th Independence Day on Saturday (May 24) under the theme “Our Cohesion – Our Armour,” with President Isaias Afwerki delivering a keynote address emphasizing national unity and resilience.
Djibouti
On Wednesday (May 28), Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed met with UN Special Envoy Jean Todt to enhance cooperation on road safety and oversee implementation of the Interministerial Committee for Road Safety.
Kenya
On Wednesday (May 28), President William Ruto met UN-Habitat Executive Director Ana Claudia Rosas in Nairobi to discuss matters of mutual interest and reaffirm Kenya’s partnership in sustainable urban development.
The same day, President Ruto held talks with a World Bank delegation led by Vice President Ndiamé Diop and Country Director Qimiao Fan to discuss shared development goals.
On Monday (May 26), President Ruto hosted former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and his delegation from the Tony Blair Institute at State House Nairobi to explore collaboration in agriculture and ICT aimed at enhancing food security and government efficiency.
Africa and the African Union
Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, was received on Thursday (May 30) in Riyadh by Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. Their discussion highlighted growing ties between the African Union and Saudi Arabia, with emphasis on development cooperation, investment financing, and strategic partnership.
AUC Chairperson Youssouf paid a courtesy call on Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie on Tuesday (May 27), praising the city’s transformation and reaffirming the AUC’s commitment to deeper cooperation.
IGAD and the European Union reaffirmed their commitment to peace and security during a partnership dialogue in Djibouti on Wednesday (May 28). IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu and EU Ambassador Denisa-Elena Ionete co-chaired the meeting, which addressed political, security, humanitarian, and climate challenges in the Horn of Africa.
The African Union commemorated Africa Day on Saturday (May 24) in Addis Ababa. AUC Chairperson Youssouf urged Africans to shape their own future, asserting that Africa must no longer be an afterthought in global geopolitics.
Note: For detailed reports, please check out the rest of this week’s news published in separate posts