Young Ethiopian Diplomats urged to Promote Pan-African Values
ADDIS ABABA – Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen has advised young Ethiopian diplomats urged to promote pan-African values as they concluded their three-week long training on Sunday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) offered intensive training “on the dimensions of new Ethiopian diplomacy” to a new set of young diplomats in partnership with the African Leadership Excellence Academy.
The first round of training in the 2022/23 fiscal year was aimed to define the directions, dimensions, and domains of Ethiopian diplomacy, the Ministry says.
On the final day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen explained Ethiopia’s new diplomatic trajectory and what is expected of the trainees.
Meritocracy and professionalism will be the ministry’s defining characteristics, Demeke said, adding that pragmatic ways will define Ethiopia’s diplomacy in line with the objectives of the ongoing reform process.
Ethiopia, said Demeke, needs to reorganize its diplomacy, focusing on deepening existing ties, forging new partnerships, widening its sphere of influence, and safeguarding national interests.
The Minister urged ambassadors to promote pan-African principles and Africa’s ability to solve its problems through its own initiatives, citing the successful African Union-led negotiations over the GERD and the Pretoria Peace Deal.
During the 21-training session, several former and current senior government officials including President Sahle-work Zewde and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed shared their experience and knowledge with the diplomats.
Deputy Foreign Minister Birtukan Ayano expressed her hope that the trainees will put the significant input from the sessions into practice.
The trainees will now visit some tourist attractions in their country as well as institutions and industrial sites to better grasp the transformative potential of the country’s reform process, according to MoFA.
