The attacks at the weekend show the ongoing challenges Ethiopia faces and how important it is that the international community supports Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on his reform path. We condemn the cowardly and senseless violence.

The reform process in Ethiopia is impressive. Political prisoners have been released, opposition politicians have returned from exile, and the laws curtailing civil society are being revised. In signing a peace agreement with Eritrea, Ethiopia made a courageous contribution to peaceful development at the Horn of Africa. As the founding nation and seat of the African Union, and chair of the regional organisation, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Ethiopia plays an important role in African unity and in strengthening Africa’s voice in the world.

Germany supports Ethiopia on its reform path. The establishment of the German-Ethiopian Binational Commission is intended to help foster this course. Representatives of both countries signed a declaration on this in the Federal Foreign Office today. We want to intensify our political exchange and to discuss and further develop our relations. The focus will be on foreign and security policy, economic cooperation and development, social issues and migration.