Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is scheduled to visit Tanzania this Friday, marking a significant diplomatic engagement.
His recent trip to Kenya for the United Nations Climate Conference was met with a warm reception by Kenyan President William Ruto, signifying the amicable relations between the two nations.
During his stay in Nairobi, the Prime Minister engaged in discussions on bilateral and environmental issues with President Ruto, and also visited various institutions, underscoring the depth of cooperation between Ethiopia and Kenya.
Notably, this visit marks Prime Minister Abiy’s first official trip to Kenya since President Ruto assumed office in September 2022.
The diplomatic ties between Ethiopia and Kenya have spanned over 70 years, with recent bilateral efforts including the Ethiopian-Kenya ministers’ conference held in Addis Ababa.
Notably, a significant milestone was reached with the signing of a bilateral agreement allowing Ethiopians and Kenyans to enter each other’s countries without visas, enhancing regional integration and facilitating movement between the two nations.
Meanwhile, Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s presence in Kenya for the United Nations Environment Conference is poised to foster dialogue with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
However, tensions have arisen between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu following Ethiopia’s agreement with the self-autonomous Somaliland, prompting Somalia to condition negotiations with Ethiopia on the cancellation of the Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland.
Simultaneously, Tanzanian media outlets report Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s forthcoming visit to Dar es Salaam following his engagements in Kenya.
Invited by President Samia Suhulu Hassan, Prime Minister Abiy’s two-day official visit to Tanzania is anticipated to yield bilateral agreements, particularly regarding the sale of electricity.
Ethiopia’s burgeoning electricity trade with neighboring countries, including Kenya, highlights the strategic importance of energy diplomacy in the region.
Ethiopia’s Federal Electric Power has disclosed earnings of $47 million from electricity sales to Kenya, Djibouti, and Sudan over the past six months.
However, challenges persist with Sudan’s outstanding debt of $70 million for electricity purchases from Ethiopia, underscoring the complexities of regional energy trade agreements.
