ADDIS ABABA – President Sahle-Work Zewdie, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and other senior government officials remained yesterday busy having talks with leaders and delegations.
President Sahle-Work Zewde met with Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, President of the United Nations General Assembly. According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Bande affirmed his commitment to increase African participation in the UN and discussed ways of increasing Africa’s involvement as it represents a quarter of the member states. President Sahle-Work on her part commended the internal reforms that the UN was undergoing.
Before leaving for Nairobi yesterday to attend the state funeral service for former President of Kenya Daniel arap Moi, she also met President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana and laid the cornerstone for building the compound of its Embassy in Addis Ababa.
During her remarks, the president said that the new initiative would bring Ethio-Ghanaian relations to a new height politically, economically and socially, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In another development, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had continued meeting with several African leaders.
Yesterday, he received President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria at his office and held talks on various bilateral issues. On the occasion, President Buhari noted the progress Ethiopia has been marking over the past two years and commended Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for the energy and speed of the reforms he embarked on.
The Prime Minister Office disclosed that the two leaders have agreed to share lessons on common issues, including ethnic and religious diversity, federalism and the youth that can be harnessed for development.
The office further disclosed that they also agreed to cooperate closely on trade and investment, tourism, energy and agriculture development as well as experience sharing on the return of stolen assets, which Nigeria has recently marked key milestones on.
Later on Prime Minister Abiy met with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and discussed on how to strengthen East African and Sahel region ties. The two sides acknowledged synergies between Ethiopia and Algeria that can be tapped for mutual cooperation.
Similarly, Abiy met with President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti yesterday. According to his office, the two leaders explored the status of joint logistics and infrastructure projects and agreed to strengthen cooperation on ensuring regional peace and security.
In a similar development, Abiy held discussions with South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit on progress regarding formation of a unity government. Abiy said that the impact of peace in South Sudan for Ethiopia and the region is key, considering the number of displaced from South Sudan. He added that both agreed to work together towards expediting formation of South Sudan’s government.
The Ethiopian Herald February 12/2020
BY STAFF REPORTER
