Ethiopia's Foreign Minister, Ambassador Taye Atske Selassie, has called for unity and peaceful resolution of conflicts in the Horn of Africa, emphasizing that the region's people, who share deep-rooted friendships and community ties, must move beyond past hostilities, state media outlet ENA reported on Friday.
He stressed the importance of resolving differences peacefully to unlock opportunities for shared growth and warned against attempts to create divisions between communities across borders.
The minister also addressed Ethiopia's concerns about the ongoing situation in Somalia, where Ethiopian troops have played a significant role in stabilizing the country since 2005. He paid tribute to the sacrifices made by Ethiopian soldiers in the fight against terrorism, particularly against the al-Shabaab* militant group, and underscored the need for continued collaboration between Ethiopia and Somalia.
"It is inappropriate to undermine the sacrifices made by our troops," Ambassador Taye stated, urging for strengthened joint efforts between Ethiopia and Somalia to combat terrorism.
He also supported Somalia's right to establish diplomatic relations with other countries, as long as these do not pose a threat to neighboring nations.
Regarding the recent talks between Ethiopia and Somalia in Ankara, the Ambassador acknowledged the progress made but cautioned against allowing provocative actions or statements from hostile entities to derail these efforts.
Ambassador Taye also reiterated Ethiopia's support for the people of Sudan in their pursuit of peace, commending those working towards restoring stability. He emphasized that lasting peace in Sudan must be driven by the Sudanese themselves, while also affirming Ethiopia's commitment to supporting the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement in South Sudan.
Aside from that, on Friday, the minister received the Wamkele Mene, the Secretary General of African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA). During the meeting, Taye confirmed Ethiopia's "strong" political dedication to enacting the AfCFTA. The secretary general praised the recent economic reforms undertaken by Ethiopia, stating that these changes will boost investment and trade while positioning Ethiopia to benefit from the AfCFTA network.
*Terrorist organization banned in Russia and other countries