-Colombia to open Embassy in Addis
ADDIS ABABA- In its 68th extraordinary session held yesterday, IGAD Council of Ministers deliberated on the progress of South Sudan’s revitalization process.
Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister and Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers, Gedu Andargachew noted the importance of encouraging the Sudanese stakeholders to return to negotiation and finalize their discussion on the remaining outstanding issues with a view to ensuring a smooth and peaceful transition.
Recalling the efforts of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and noting that the Premier also deployed a Special Envoy to defuse the tension and assist the parties to reach a peaceful solution, Minister Gedu said today’s Session would offer an opportunity for IGAD to work to enhance this initiative.
On South Sudan, Foreign Minister Gedu emphasized the need to review the progress of the implementation of the revitalized peace process in accordance with the direction set at the 67th Extraordinary Session of the IGAd Council of Ministers, which recently convened in Juba. The Minister also called on Sudanese stakeholders to refrain from inflammatory statements and de-escalate tensions.
The meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers of Djibputi, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Uganda. Meanwhile, Colombia has made preparations to open its embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Ambassador Mahlet Hailu, Permanent Secretary to Europe, America, Asia and Multilateral Affairs met with Alfredo Ramos Gonzalez, Director for Asia, Africa and Oceania at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, yesterday and held discussions on bilateral issues as well as on the necessary preparations for the opening of a Colombian embassy in Addis Ababa.
The Ethiopian Herald, June 20/2019
BY MULATU BELACHEW
