Ethiopian Envoys Praised for Preserving National Interests

ADDIS ABABA – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has convened Ethiopian ambassadors and diplomats in Sululta town to evaluate their annual performance.

The two-week evaluation and planning retreat of MoFA’s senior diplomats begins at African Leadership Excellence Academy on Monday.

The evaluation comes amid relative calm in some of the major challenges that tested Ethiopian diplomatic resolve recently, as per MoFA.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen has highlighted some of the internal and external challenges in his opening remarks.

These include the conflict in northern Ethiopia, negotiations on the construction and filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), and Ethiopia-Sudan border conflicts.

“Deserves Praise”

The Foreign says Ethiopian diplomats have been able to rise up to the challenges.

“Our ambassadors and diplomats deserve praise,” said Demeke, adding that they were “effective in preserving Ethiopia’s interests, living up to Ethiopians’ aspirations and the country’s rich heritage.”

The minister, however, says there are many issues yet to receive definitive resolutions in the diplomatic arena amid the unpredictable nature of global geopolitics.

Ethiopian diplomats should operate proactively and in accordance with the Ministry’s reengagement strategy objectives, the FM underscores.

The diplomats kick off the retreat today after concluding week-long visits to various public and government institutions in Addis Ababa and Bishoftu. The visits, officials said, were designed “to show the fruits of the reform process.”

In Sululta, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Birtukan Ayano said the ambassadors will reflect on the challenges of 2022 and the solutions given to them. They are also expected to lay out the core issues of engagement for 2023.

Featured Image: Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen (R) attended the opening program of the retreat along with State Ministers of Foreign Affairs Birtukan Ayano (L) and Tesfaye Yilma © on Monday, December 26, 2022. [Photo MoFA]