News in Brief

China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang’s successful stay in Ethiopia

Germany, France Foreign Ministers pay a Joint Visit to Ethiopia

Africa and the African Union

The Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahmat inaugurated the Africa Center for Disease Control (CDC) Headquarters in Addis Ababa on Thursday (January 12). The first phase of the CDC Headquarters has been completed, and the remaining work will be finalized soon. The state-of-the-art CDC building is said to be crucial to enhancing the disease control and prevention activities in Africa, as stated at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China, Qin Gang, and Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, held bilateral talks on mutual issues of cooperation. The discussion was held in the presence of senior officials from the AU Commission as well as officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. The discussion explored ways to enhance the multifaceted cooperation between Africa and China.

ATMIS (African Union Transition Mission in Somalia) troops were on the receiving end of praise for a job well done, particularly in and around Kismayo, from the AU chair’s special representative. Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef, commended ATMIS troops and affirmed the mission’s commitment to a safe and stable Somalia during a two-day working visit to the port city of Kismayo. The visit, according to ATMIS, was to assess mission performance and evaluate the welfare of peacekeeping troops. The port city is part of ATMIS Sector 6 area of responsibility and is manned by troops from the Ethiopian and Kenyan national defense forces.

Ethiopia

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met on Tuesday (January 10) with the recently appointed Chinese Foreign Minister, Qin Gang.  Qin Gang arrived in Addis Ababa on Tuesday for his overseas official working visit. During his visit to Ethiopia, the Chinese FM met with senior Ethiopian government officials, as well as the AU Commission chief and officials, to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation and bilateral ties. Following the discussion with Qin Gang, Prime Minister Abiy stated that the relationship between Ethiopia and China remains steadfast. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, expressed his delight and gratitude to the Chinese new Foreign Minister, Qin Gang who has made Ethiopia his first African destination since taking office. In a meeting held at the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Office, the two sides signed Memorandum of Understanding to further enhance their cooperation on political and economic issues. Demeke praised China’s consistent and principled stance in global fora in favor of Ethiopia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Foreign Minister Qin Gang, for his part, reaffirmed the Chinese government’s commitment to strengthening and maintaining its all-weather friendship with Ethiopia in the face of changing international circumstances. (See article)

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received at the Office of the Prime Minister on Thursday, (January 12) Ms. Catherine Collonna, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, and Ms. Annalena Baerbock, Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany. According to the Office of the Prime Minister, Prime Minister Abiy shared the progress of wide-ranging reforms that Ethiopia has been undertaking over the past four years, as well as the key outcomes and related challenges.

Germany’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Annalena Baerbock, and France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Catherine Collonna, commended the implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement. In a joint press briefing they gave to local and foreign correspondents on Thursday (January 12), along with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonen, the foreign ministers applauded the implementation of the peace process and pledged to strengthen support for the efforts of the government, ENA reported. Demeke, for his part, reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to fully implementing the agreement. Earlier on Thursday, the foreign ministers conferred with President Sahle-Work Zewde and held in-depth and fruitful discussions with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. (See article)

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appointed Ambassador Mesganu Arga as State Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia. Ambassador Mesganu’s appointment is effective January 10, 2023. Ambassador Mesganu Arega has been serving as Chief Executive Officer of Ethio-Engineering Group since December 2021. He was also Ethiopia’s ambassador to the State of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from 2013–17.

The TPLF has started handing over heavy weapons to the Ethiopian National Defense Forces as per the Pretoria and Nairobi agreements. Following the peace agreement signed between the federal government and TPLF in South Africa and Kenya, the first handing over of heavy weapons took place on Tuesday (January 10), according to Ethiopian Defense Force. Military observers from different countries attended the handover that took place in Agula, 36 kilometers from the regional capital, Mekelle. Lieutenant Colonel Aleme Tadele, the military personnel assigned to the area, expressed a desire to receive various heavy weapons in accordance with the agreement signed between the federal government and the TPLF.

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has announced that beginning May 16th, 2023; it will operate a four-times-week Addis Ababa-Atlanta flight using 315-seat Boeing 787-9s. This will be the sixth destination in the US and Canada served on a passenger basis by Africa’s largest carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, and the fourth destination in Africa for Atlanta, the world’s busiest airport.

Ethiopian Airlines will next month lift capacity on its China flights and restore frequencies to pre-pandemic levels from the start of March, following the recent easing of COVID travel restrictions in the Asian country. This will mark a return to the pre-COVID-19 levels on March 1, 2023, following the lifting of restrictions by the Chinese Government. Ethiopian Airlines will begin daily flights to Guangzhou on February 6, 2023, while increasing weekly flights to Beijing and Shanghai to four each and maintaining three weekly flights to Chengdu. Starting from March 1, 2023, the flights will surge back to the pre-COVID-19 levels, with daily flights to Beijing and Shanghai, as well as ten and four weekly flights to Guangzhou and Chengdu, respectively.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Mines announced that the government is holding consultations with petroleum production companies from Russia, China, and the United Arab Emirates over potential partnerships in extracting the country’s gas resources. During a briefing to government media on the ministry’s six-month performance report, Takele Uma, Minister of Mines & Petroleum, said on Thursday (January 12) that the Ethiopian Government has been consulting with renowned petroleum companies ever since Ethiopia received the first gas reserves certificate stating the presence of seven trillion cubic feet (TCF) in the Ogaden Basin, located in Somali regional state. The American company Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc (NSAI), a petroleum property analysis and consulting firm with offices in Dallas and Houston, Texas, conducted the study and provided the gas reserves certificate. Details on who the companies are and how far the talks have progressed haven’t been provided.

The Ethiopian Industrial Parks Development Corporation (IPDC) announced that Hawassa Industrial Park has generated 32 million USD in the last three months. IPDC’s Head of Marketing and Communication Department, Zemen Junedi, told the media that, after the Pretoria peace agreement, industrial parks returned with encouraging activities to revive the sector. The demand to invest in industrial parks increased following the Peace Agreement, he said.

Ethio-Dijbouti Standard Gauge Railway S.C. (EDR) disclosed that it has earned 2.5 billion Birr over the past five months of Ethiopia’s fiscal year. CEO of Ethio-Dijbouti Standard Gauge Railways S.C. Abdi Zenebe told the media on Monday (January 9) that the services being rendered by the company have been expanding. He stated that it has earned 2.5 billion birr in the last five months alone by transporting more than 500,000 tons of cargo. He elaborated that, compared to the same period last year, the stated revenue shows an increase of 600 million Birr. He added that the company’s contribution to the overall import and export trade of the country in terms of cargo transportation service has reached 15 percent over the past five months of the current Ethiopian fiscal year, which exceeded 11.2 percent compared to the same period last year.

The effort being made by the government of Ethiopia to achieve higher production by producing crops in multiple seasons is remarkable, a senior researcher at the Ethiopian Economics Association, Arega Shumatie, said. In an interview with the media on Wednesday (January 11), Arega Shumatie said agriculture is the mainstay of the overall economy. Over the past few years, agricultural production has shown growth, even in desert areas, due to the application of technologies such as irrigation, the researcher said. The government’s efforts to use technologies and mechanization should be stepped up, he said, adding that the government should also identify the types of crops grown.

National Geographic UK recommended northern Ethiopia’s desolate Danakil Depression for tourists in the Travel and Adventure category of its New Year publication. Ethiopia’s desolate Danakil Depression, according to National Geography UK, is one of the driest, hottest, and lowest places on the planet, made up of salt lakes, neon-yellow acidic springs, lava lakes, and an outsize proportion of Africa’s active volcanoes. In its selection for the month, National Geography UK recommends Ethiopia’s unique landscapes; previously mud-caked roads south to the remote Omo Valley to visit vast wetlands, home to many ethnic tribes. The online platform reminds tourists that two of Ethiopia’s most important religious festivals are on this month’s calendar: Ethiopian Christmas and Timket, an Orthodox Christian celebration that takes place from January 19–20 each year.

Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance, Ahmed Shide said the role of mission leaders is critical in ensuring that the country’s homegrown economic reform policy achieves its objectives. The Minister addressed the leaders of Ethiopian missions and affiliated institutions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia on economic diplomacy and homegrown economic reform policy at the African Leadership Academy in Sululta on Tuesday (January 10). He said, despite its resilience, several challenges at national and international levels have put Ethiopia’s economy to the test. According to the minister, the Government’s resolve to end the conflict in the country’s north peacefully will furnish opportunities to boost the country’s economy. According to the minister, mission leaders should do more to attract investment, enhance development and economic cooperation, and gather economic resources.

Kenya

The Ethiopian Embassy in Kenya announced on Thursday (January 12) that it had facilitated the repatriation of 200 Ethiopians. The Embassy stated that the returnees are Ethiopians who attempted to cross the Kenyan border to travel to South Africa through illegal traffickers. The Ethiopians are said to have been incarcerated in Langata, Industrial, Makongi, Kasarani, and Kayule prisons for two to six months. With cooperation from Kenyan authorities, their charges were dropped, and they were released from prison and allowed to return to their country on amnesty.

Kenya has increased security agents along the porous Somalia border in anticipation of the arrival of fleeing al Shabaab returnees.This follows an ongoing crackdown against terrorists in parts of Somalia. Officials said more others are on the run, adding that the deployment of more personnel is aimed at stopping “bad elements” from getting into Kenya.

Four workers from Kenya’s highways agency were killed in an ambush by suspected militants on Wednesday (January 11) near the country’s eastern border with Somalia, police said. The workers were leading a three-car convoy from the town of Garissa to Bura when they hit an explosive device planted in the road by suspected members of the Somali insurgent group al Shabaab, according to a police report. “A vehicle with four employees of the Kenya National Highway Authority was attacked with an IED, all the four died on the spot,” says John Otieno, a local government administrator.

Somalia

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called on Thursday (January 12) on ordinary people to help flush out members of the Al-Shabaab jihadist group he described as “bedbugs”. Mohamud was addressing large crowds at a government-organized rally against the Al-Qaeda-linked militants held at a stadium in the capital, Mogadishu. “I’m calling to you, the people of Mogadishu, the kharijites (renegades) are amongst you… so flush them out. They are in your houses, they are your neighbours, in cars that pass you by,” he said.

Just a few days after placing a similar bounty on Maalim Ayman, the head of Shabaab’s Kenyan military wing, the U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice Program is now also offering $10 million for information leading to the arrest of Mohamoud Abdi Aden. The U.S. State Department now offers a $10 million bounty on five Shabaab leaders, far more than any other Sunni terrorist group. Aden is a Kenyan-Somali commander of the al-Qaeda branch and one of the leaders responsible for the 2019 Dusit D2 attack in Nairobi, Kenya.

The United States government presented the Somali National Army with a $9 million donation of military equipment at a ceremony on Sunday, as the country’s military continues to fight against al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda linked group. The donation included weapons, vehicles, medical supplies and other equipment for Somalia’s armed forces. The ceremony was attended by Somalia’s Minister of Defense and Chief of Defense Forces Forces Brig. Gen. Odowaa Yusuf Rageh, according to a U.S. Embassy in Somalia statement.

US air strikes in Somalia increased 30 percent in 2022, as the Biden administration increased US involvement in the Horn of Africa country that is experiencing a fresh wave of fighting between the government and al-Shabaab militants. The Pentagon conducted 15 air strikes in 2022 on the al-Qaeda-linked group, according to the Long War Journal tracker. Africom said the strikes killed at least 107 al-Shabaab fighters. The US has conducted military operations against al-Shabaab in Somalia since 2007. Last year, US President Joe Biden reversed a move by the Trump administration to withdraw US troops from the country.

Somali security forces backed by international partners killed 61 al-Shabab fighters in an overnight joint operation carried out in the Hawadle area in central Somalia Sunday night (January 8), a government official confirmed Monday. Deputy Information Minister Abdirahman Yusuf Al-adala said the allied forces conducted a special operation targeting 150 al-Shabab militants who were intending to attack Somali National Army (SNA) forces and local forces in the area. Forces of the National Intelligence Security Agency with the support of international partners also wounded several militants after conducting a special operation against them at the Hawadle area in the Middle Shabelle region overnight.

A team of detectives from the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) of the Somali Police Force have completed a three-day intensive training on crime-related evidence gathering. Organized by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), the 11 detectives who contribute to gathering and analyzing physical evidence critical in identifying and arresting criminal suspects were taken through forensic fingerprint evidence as part of gathering evidence and identifying suspects. ATMIS Police Logistics Advisor and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Timothy Kashinakazhi, said at the closing ceremony on Tuesday (January 10), that the training was designed to improve officers’ capacity in dealing with complex criminal cases that require the use of modern scientific methods to unravel.

South Sudan

Sudan and South Sudan on Thursday (January 12) discussed ways of stabilizing economic and security cooperation between the two countries.  This came during a meeting between South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his Sudan counterpart, Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, in the South Sudanese capital, Juba. The two leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining stability and security along the common borders to promote peace and prosperity for the two countries. Besides preventing the entry of illegal weapons, the joint security force will combat “negative forces and activities” along the border corridors, according to a communiqué issued by the foreign affairs ministries of the two countries following the meeting. The communiqué said the security of South Sudan and Sudan is their top priority, and as the two countries are closely intertwined, instability or insecurity within one country can spill across the borders.

The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) said it has dislodged the White Army militia in Upper Nile State and Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA). SSPDF spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang told journalists in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, that calm has since returned to Upper Nile and GPAA after they pushed out the White Army, predominantly made up of Lou-Nuer fighters from Jonglei State. “Regarding Upper Nile in Chollo Kingdom, we were able to deploy the regular unit from SSPDF and it successfully confronted the White Army that crossed from Jonglei to Chollo Kingdom,” Koang said Tuesday evening (January 9).

Sudan

Sudanese political parties began talks on Monday (January 9) to try to reach a final deal to form a civilian government and resolve other outstanding issues more than a year after a military coup. Last month, the parties signed an outline deal with the military to launch a new political transition towards elections, but protesters criticized the agreement as unrepresentative, and it left contentious points for further talks.

The Arab Parliament welcomed on Tuesday (January 10) the launch of the final round of the Sudanese political process. Underscoring the importance of such a step towards achieving a full agreement between Sudanese parties, the Parliament, in a statement, hoped for a final agreement that would attain the aspirations of the Sudanese people for prosperous living and political security and stability. The statement also stated unequivocal support for constructive efforts to guide Sudan through this transitional period. The launch declaration was made last Thursday by the Trilateral Mechanism, comprising the UN, African Union, and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

Head of the UN mission in Sudan, Volker Peretz, said, Monday (January 9) the Arab country needs to reach a final political agreement “as soon as possible.” “Time is important. We must accelerate the process to reach a final political solution as soon as possible,” Peretz told the media. The final stage of Sudan’s political process kicked off Sunday in the capital, Khartoum, in the hope of reaching an agreement on political transition in the country.

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China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang’s successful stay in Ethiopia

The Chinese new Foreign Minister Qin Gang is paying a visit to Ethiopia, Gabon, Angola, Benin, Egypt, the African Union Headquarters, and the League of Arab States Headquarters from January 9 to 16, 2023. Qin Gang’s visit to Africa maintained the Chinese foreign ministers’ tradition of visiting selected African countries on an annual basis. This is the 33rd year in a row that a visit has been made to Africa by Chinese foreign ministers. According to China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin, the visit aimed “to deepen the China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership and boost friendly cooperation between China and Africa.”

During his visit to Ethiopia, Qin Gang met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen Hassen. He also attended the 8th China-AU Strategic Dialogue with African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, as well as the inauguration ceremony of the first phase of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

China-Ethiopia: building all-weather friendship

“I welcome to Ethiopia, Mr. Qin Gang, and the Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China. The relations between the two countries remain steadfast,”, Prime Minister Abiy wrote on Twitter following his meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister. “Our discussion today highlighted our shared strategic development goals and commitment to continental and global cooperation,” he added. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Qin Gang said, “With President Xi Jinping at the helm, China will press ahead with its modernization with Chinese characteristics on all fronts, unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development, remain committed to the fundamental national policy of opening up to the outside world and a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up, adding certainty, stability, and positive energy to a world in the midst of changes and turbulence, and bringing new opportunities for the development of all countries.”

Following the meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen expressed his delight and gratitude to the Chinese new Foreign Minister, for making Ethiopia the first leg of his tour of the traditional Chinese Foreign Minister’s annual visits to Africa. According to Demeke, the meeting between the two sides noted that Ethiopia and China should expand their excellent and long-standing relations with further engagements. With that in mind, the two countries signed Memorandum of Understanding that aimed to scale up their political and economic ties. According to Demeke, the implementation of the MoUs will allow both sides to maintain the momentum of their relations while also advancing bilateral ties in various areas of cooperation.

The two sides discussed bilateral, regional, and international matters of mutual interest. In particular, Demeke said, “I briefed H.E. Mr. Gang on the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed on November 2, 2022 between the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the TPLF and the fact that the Ethiopian Government has a firm commitment to its implementation and is taking tangible measures to that effect.” In connection with that, Demke said, “The current peace situation in Ethiopia is another opportunity for the Chinese investors and business community to further continue doing their business in Ethiopia and has assured the Ethiopian Government’s candid support for them.”

Qin Gang, for his part, said, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries more than 50 years ago, no matter how the international landscape changes, the China-Ethiopia friendship has remained unbreakable and grown stronger over time. The two foreign ministers also discussed bilateral, regional, and international matters of mutual interest. In this regard, they discussed the implementation process of the Pretoria Peace Agreemnt between the Government of Ethiopia and the TPLF. Demeke praised China’s consistent and principled stance in global fora in favor of Ethiopia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The visit of Qin Gang was successful in demonstrating the all-weather historical relationship the two countries need to cultivate, even at a higher gear.

According to Qin Gang, the two countries should strengthen their ties in development cooperation, meet global challenges together, and jointly defend international justice. He stated that for the past 33 years, Chinese Foreign Ministers have visited Africa, reflecting China’s determination to strengthen ties with Africa.

China and Africa: Elevated Relations

During his stay in Addis Ababa, Foreign Minister Qin Gang held the 8th China-AU Strategic Dialogue with Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) Moussa Faki Mahamat at the headquarters of the African Union (AU). Faki appreciated China for standing with Africa in its struggle for national independence and liberation and for its efforts to accelerate development and revitalization and participate more in international affairs. He said, “Africa values China’s strong support for African integration, connectivity, and the development of a free trade area and looks forward to working with China to jointly advance the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.”

Qin Gang, for his part, said, “China has always prioritized Africa in its diplomacy, and inheriting and carrying forward the China-Africa friendship has become a glorious tradition and defining feature of China’s diplomacy.” According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Qin Gang said, “China has taken the lead in supporting the AU’s admission to the G20, and supporting African countries’ greater representation and voice at the UN Security Council and other international organizations to safeguard the common interests of developing countries.”

Aside from the 8th China-AU Strategic Dialogue, the biggest news that accompanied Qin Gang’s visit was the first phase inauguration of the headquarters of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). It was inaugurated in the presence of the Chinese Foreign Minister, Qin Gang, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, and other African Union and Ethiopian Government officials. Upon completion, it will be the first pan-African Center for Disease Control and Prevention on the African continent fully equipped with modern administrative, experimental, and other supporting facilities. The multi-building facility is constructed by Chinese construction giant, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

The Africa CDC headquarters, a flagship project of China-Africa cooperation, was announced by President Xi Jinping at the FOCAC Beijing Summit in 2018. Delivering remarks, Qin Gang said, “With the joint efforts of our two sides, the Africa CDC will make a greater contribution to public health in Africa and the health and wellbeing of the African people. It will also write a new, splendid chapter in the history of China-Africa relations.” He mentioned landmark projects like the AU Conference Center, the Africa CDC headquarters, the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway, the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, and other joint projects for highways, electricity, communications, and ports that span across Africa. “Such cooperation has helped enhance Africa’s capacity for independent and sustainable development,” he said. Qin Gang emphasized the imperatives of upgrading and elevating China-Africa cooperation. Referring to the Africa-CDC Headquarters, Qin Gang, said, “It stands as irrefutable proof to the world that China always supports Africa with concrete actions and that the China-Africa relationship is bound to have a brighter future.”

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Germany, France Foreign Ministers pay a Joint Visit to Ethiopia

France’s and Germany’s foreign ministers paid a joint visit to Ethiopia this week (January 12–13). During their visit, the Foreign Ministers conducted discussions with President Sahle-Work Zewde, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD), Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, and various high-level Ethiopian Government and African Union officials. Following his discussion with the two foreign ministers, “Our in-depth and fruitful discussions are reflective of the strong relations Ethiopia holds with both France and Germany,” Prime Minister Abiy said on his social media page.

On Thursday, Germany’s Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbok, and her French counterpart, Catherine Colonna, met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen. After the meeting, a trilateral press conference between the three ministers was held.

In his remarks, Demeke Mekonnen welcomed and thanked the partners, saying that the visit demonstrates the countries’ friendship with Ethiopia. He said, “The visit will give us a chance to further enhance our strong friendship and discuss bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues.” “We have discussed and agreed to work together and enhance cooperation, including in the areas of development and humanitarian issues.”

According to Demeke, the meeting exchanged views on partnerships for the implementation of the “Agreement for the Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities” signed in Pretoria. He also underlined that Germany and France agreed to move forward in supporting Ethiopia’s plans for recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation.

According to Demeke, the meeting also emphasized trade and investment relations with the respective countries. He noted that “Ethiopia has strong relations with both countries” and that areas of cooperation needed to be scaled up. He said further partnership in poverty reduction, education, and development areas is crucial. Demeke also thanked the two countries for their support in the last two years during the conflict in northern Ethiopia. He said the discussion also noted the need for enhanced cooperation at the EU level.

Similarly, Annalena Baerbok, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, thanked Ethiopia for the warm welcome and wished a belated Ethiopian Christmas. She indicated that the visit is the first meeting for both Foreign Ministers, which shows the importance given to the partnership with Ethiopia. The Foreign Minister said, “Our countries have a wide range of cooperation,” and “Ethiopia is a key country” in this regard. She added that not only would Germany and France like to enhance cooperation between the two countries but also between Ethiopia and the EU. She praised the reforms Ethiopia has undergone in the past few years. Germany’s Foreign Minister further added that we will look forward to cooperation in the implementation of the peace agreement, as well as in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of conflict-affected areas.

The Foreign Minister reassured Ethiopia of the importance of redoubling humanitarian support. She added, “We want to encourage you for your effort and would like to support you in that regard.” Annalena further commended the broad-based national dialogue Ethiopia has embarked on. She also said women’s inclusion in the dialogues will result in durable results. She added that people-to-people ties should be at the center of Ethiopia-Germany-France diplomacy. “We shall upgrade trade and investment cooperation, including in the coffee industry,” she added.

The French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Catherine Collina, likewise, stated that the first of its type, the Franco-Germany visit, shows that the countries want to build strategic partnerships with Ethiopia. She said France and Germany would like to build on the Pretoria agreement and contribute to the establishment of long-term peace. Reconciliation is possible, she added. She underlined that France, Germany, and the EU are ready to support the peace process and reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts. The UN could play a complementary role in the implementation of the peace process, she said.

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