Today’s guest is Olivia Leslie, the Ambassador of Ireland to Ethiopia and the Permanent Representative to the African Union. She is a married woman and a mother of two, residing in Addis Ababa with her husband and children. She considers this an incredible opportunity for her family to explore the country and the region.
Before her current role, she was the Regional Director for Asia at Ireland headquarters, meaning she did not directly work on Africa or Ethiopia. Prior to that, she had the privilege of serving as Ireland’s Ambassador to Indonesia and ASEAN.
Ambassador Leslie has also had postings in Brussels and Egypt, which she thoroughly enjoyed. “Working abroad and collaborating with diverse individuals to address common challenges has been a rewarding experience throughout my career. I am excited about the remaining time I have here and look forward to exploring more of the country.”
She considers herself fortunate to have traveled to various parts of Ethiopia, from Jijiga to Asosa, and from the north to the south, including Arba Minch.
In an interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Ambassador Olivia Leslie touched on a range of bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues that tie Ethiopia and Ireland together for the common good. Have a nice read!
Could you please tell us about the areas of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the two countries? As a member of the EU, how will your country, Ireland, strengthen relations with Ethiopia within the EU bloc?
I arrived here last August, and that year we were s celebrating 30 years of the embassy’s presence here. I believe that in those 30 years, our relationship has deepened and become more multifaceted. It’s not just about our development program, as you mentioned, but also about deepening economic ties and people-to-people relationships. While the embassy only opened 30 years ago, the relationship goes back much further than that.
I was thrilled to discover a mural in Holy Trinity Cathedral depicting the 1936 meeting at the League of Nations. Eamon de Valera, Ireland’s leader at the time and our former president is featured in the mural because he spoke in support of Ethiopia at that meeting.
This demonstrates the longstanding ties between our countries. Ireland places great importance on our relationship with Ethiopia, as evidenced by the numerous political-level visits in the last 18 months, including a recent visit by our Deputy Prime Minister, who is now our Prime Minister. He was here last July, underscoring the significance of our relationship with Ethiopia. Our embassy here is the largest on the continent of Africa, and Addis Ababa’s status as the headquarters of the African Union makes it a crucial African capital.
Being here allows us to engage in indispensable continental issues like economic integration and security. It’s a pivotal location for us. In the context of the EU, the presence of numerous European embassies in Ethiopia, including 22 out of 27, highlights the country’s importance as a bilateral partner for the EU. As EU ambassadors, part of our role is to strengthen the relationship and support investment, development and peace initiatives in Ethiopia.
The EU has been at the forefront of these efforts, and it’s crucial to continue working together to protect the multilateral order.
How do you assess the progress of bilateral relations, particularly in the realm of development cooperation through Irish aid, with a key focus on areas such as gender equality, governance, food security, social protection, and humanitarian action?
We have a strong bilateral relationship and are committed to enhancing it. Our development partnership has been vital over the years and has been central to our involvement here. This is based on Ireland’s comprehensive international development policy, known as A Better World, which prioritizes reaching the most marginalized populations first, shaping our engagement here.
We work in five-year programs, approaching the end of our current one. During this time, we have focused on issues such as humanitarian action and social protection. For example, we have been key supporters of the PSNP since its inception and have worked closely with the government and the World Bank, making significant investments in the program over the past five years.
In addition, we provide assistance to refugee and IDP communities, as Ethiopia hosts a large number of refugees due to regional instability. Governance is another key focus area, aligning with national-led processes like the national dialogue and transitional justice. We also help strengthen the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and civil society to enhance their ability to engage effectively.
Gender equality is a top priority for Ireland, and we are honored to collaborate with the Ethiopian government on this issue, including with the Minister of Women and Social Affairs and other government entities. Ethiopia is a leader in gender equality on the continent, making our partnership even more valuable.
In terms of food security, we recently announced a global contribution of €250 million per year for nutrition linked to food security at the Nutrition for Growth conference in Paris. This funding will support programs in regions like the Mandera Triangle and Tigray, focusing on child wasting and sustainable agriculture and livelihoods, respectively.
These are some of the key areas of our development program, which are closely connected to our other bilateral efforts, such as economic engagement. These aspects complement each other and are essential for our overall partnership.
As you are aware, humanitarian funding is decreasing daily, while the crisis that exposes people to impoverishment is becoming increasingly alarming. How can this challenge be effectively addressed?
I believe we are currently facing a period of great uncertainty in international development, aid, and humanitarian efforts. Funding is not only decreasing in real terms, but it is also falling short in meeting the growing needs. A prime example of this is the significant crisis in Sudan, which is impacting the entire region, including Ethiopia due to the influx of refugees and its effects on stability. These various shocks, including conflict and climate-related issues, are hindering long-term efforts to promote sustainable growth and resilience in societies.
In light of this deepening uncertainty, Ireland has reaffirmed its commitment to international development priorities. We emphasize the importance of supporting long-term solutions, resilience-building, and collaborating with the EU, the UN, and other partners to uphold this crucial work. Significant progress has been made in strengthening resilience and empowering locally-led adaptation efforts.
It is essential to recognize that these efforts are interconnected with fostering economic growth and assisting countries in developing their own resilience. As you are aware, Ireland is one of the European countries that support Ethiopia.
After providing aid to Ethiopia through international organizations, what strategies does your government follow to monitor the funders to ensure that they are actually resolving the problems of the people in need?
Thank you for your question. We pay close attention to where we invest and engage, with robust procedures in place for assessment before any action is taken. As we develop a new five-year plan, we are focusing on where we can be most effective.
We work diligently to assess our effectiveness and collaborate with the government to understand their perspectives on the most effective interventions. Working closely with our partners is crucial in ensuring they have the appropriate structures in place for managing and disbursing funds. Our program team conducts field visits to ensure the successful implementation of our initiatives.
We engage in partnerships, donor architecture and cluster systems with international organizations, the UN, and the government. However, we also support the localization agenda, believing that local communities and authorities are best suited to deliver sustainable growth and resilience. We will continue to support them while ensuring we support the right organizations and make the right decisions.
Since the beginning of your ambassadorship in Ethiopia, what new initiatives have been implemented to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries?
Since I arrived here, one of the main focuses has been planning for the next 30 years. We have been reflecting on our 30-year history and program here, so I have been heavily involved in planning for the future. Some of the areas where I have collaborated with colleagues and hope to see development are centered on people-to-people connections.
We have been increasing cultural engagement, aiming to introduce more Irish culture in Ethiopia around St. Patrick’s Day, and recently on Bloomsday, a day celebrating Irish writer James Joyce. I visited the Aberehot Library to donate Irish literature and discuss ways to strengthen cultural ties. Additionally, we have been working on enhancing healthcare links.
Creating opportunities for mutual learning between the Ethiopian Health Service and the Irish Health Service is a priority to exchange knowledge and expertise. This area holds great potential for development.
There are stories that highlight a bond between the Irish public and Ethiopians through figures like Dervla and Bob. Could you share your thoughts on this?
Certainly, Dervla Murphy’s book “In Ethiopia with a Mule” has inspired many to visit Ethiopia. She is Ireland’s renowned travel writer, known for her adventures in India and Ethiopia. Her works, along with the efforts of Bob Geldof and Irish NGOs like Goal, Concern, and Trócaire, have strengthened the ties between our countries.
Ethiopia holds a special place in the hearts of many in Ireland due to its beauty, uniqueness, and fascinating culture. It has been a pleasure for me to meet Irish individuals who visit regularly. Events like the Great Ethiopian Run attract many Irish participants each year, fostering connections between our nations.
There is a group of volunteers from rural Ireland who visit annually to renovate a school for the blind, showcasing the deep connections between our countries. Each year, we send Ethiopian students on scholarships to pursue Master’s degrees in Ireland. These students, specializing in areas like climate security and economic development, serve as future ambassadors for Ethiopia. Similarly, Irish individuals who love Ethiopia become strong advocates for the country back in Ireland.
Ireland’s primary engagement with Ethiopia is through significant development aid programs focused on addressing critical issues like poverty, health, and education, as you mentioned earlier. How effective are they?
That’s a very good question. I recently had the opportunity to reconnect with Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP), and I was fortunate to meet someone who was involved in designing PSNP 16, 17 years ago. It was a pleasure to meet them as we view it as an innovative program and an impressive piece of government architecture that can uplift people out of poverty and into sustainable livelihoods.
There is ample evidence to support this, which has greatly impressed me. Our recent work includes funding the rehabilitation of health centers, providing communities with a significant advantage. Access to quality healthcare for themselves, their children, maternal health, and vaccinations is a crucial step towards helping people to achieve their economic potential. We believe that our work, especially in collaboration with government programs and local organizations, is highly effective.
We are dedicated to continuing this work, listening and understanding what is most effective. However, as mentioned earlier, development is just one aspect of fostering sustainable growth. Economic investment and trade are equally important. Developing innovative agricultural sectors are complementary actions that we aim to prioritize. We strive for a comprehensive engagement that benefits both Ireland and Ethiopia.
Why does Irish Aid prioritize gender equality, good governance, food security, social protection, and humanitarian assistance within Ethiopian programs?
As mentioned earlier, the government’s overarching development policy, A Better World, was developed quite some time ago and has helped us understand what is important to us and the most effective routes for countries to achieve sustainable growth and development.
In our program, we do indeed focus on these areas. For example, there is a wealth of evidence to show that supporting women to realize their rights and engage in economic activity brings significant benefits for the countries.
We choose to work on addressing humanitarian needs because, in many ways, our own experience as a country that experienced a famine in the 19th century, we understand the importance of ensuring that those in need can access basic support as a stepping stone to more sustainable livelihoods. It is crucial to the Irish people that we engage in a way that looks out for those who are furthest behind. This is something that we are committed to doing alongside our other works.
What is your opinion on the Ethiopian Pretoria Peace Deal? And how is your government supporting the peace dialogue in Ethiopia?
. We strongly endorse the Pretoria agreement, as it has been instrumental in silencing the guns in the region. It is crucial for all of us, including the international community and partners in Ethiopia, to protect and support the signatories in implementing the agreement.
We have been offering assistance to the National Dialogue Commission, drawing from our experience of conflict in Ireland. We believe that open dialogue processes are essential, which is why we are dedicated to supporting the Commission. It has been gratifying to witness the progress made at each step.
As members of the EU, we are also involved in Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) efforts in Ethiopia. Transitional justice programs are vital for moving forward together. Our embassy has been actively involved in the Somali region, supporting civil society and actors in the reconciliation process. This has been particularly interesting for me, given my experience with reconciliation efforts in Ireland.
I am eager to see these processes evolve over the next few years and am hopeful for significant progress. During a recent visit to Oromia, I witnessed the impact of instability and insurgency on civilians, affecting their access to education and economic opportunities. It is essential for these processes to advance in order to help civilians move beyond the instability towards brighter futures.
We are committed to supporting these processes and collaborating closely with the government in the most effective way possible.
What is the policy of Ireland in terms of Africa, especially the East African region?
We actually have an African strategy, which is a whole-of-government approach that guides our engagement in the region. Within that strategy, we have distinct areas, similar to our relationships with other regions.
Our goal is to improve bilateral relationships and work together for the benefit of both Africans and the Irish people. An example of this is the upcoming Africa Ireland Trade Horizons Conference, where policymakers and individuals involved in trade and investment from both sides will come together to discuss ways to enhance trade and investment opportunities.
We also aim to collaborate with Africa on addressing future challenges, such as climate change, and tapping into the continent’s potential to provide solutions. It is crucial to work with African actors to support the multilateral system, as we believe Africa has a significant role to play in organizations like the UN. As the most youthful continent, we are keen to foster positive relationships with Africa and support the EU in developing forward-looking partnerships.
Thank you for for speaking with The Ethiopian Herald.
It is my pleasure
BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 21 JUNE 2025
