Abiy Ahmed welcomes Macron's visit and affirms: Relations will grow stronger

Written by: Mohammed Omran

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (Dr.) expressed his welcome for the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron To Ethiopia, stressing his pride in being received in Addis Ababa during his official visit.

“I always feel proud and happy to welcome the President of the French Republic, my brother Emmanuel Macron, to Ethiopia,” Abiy Ahmed said in a message, noting that this is the French President’s third visit to the country, which, he said, reflects the strength of the friendship between France and Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister added that the visit comes within the framework of important and fruitful discussions between the two sides, stressing that relations between the two countries will witness more strength and sustainability during the coming period.

He said: ”I always feel proud and happy to welcome the President of the French Republic, my brother Emmanuel Macron, to Ethiopia. Your third official visit to Ethiopia is conclusive proof of the strength of the friendship between France and Ethiopia.”.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed added: ”At this time when we are focused on important and fruitful discussions, one thing is certain: the relationship between Ethiopia and France will become stronger and more sustainable.”.

In a separate context, footage circulating of Macron participating in planting a tree as an expression of support for environmental initiatives, in addition to his participation in a Kenyan heritage dance during a cultural event, attracted attention, in a scene that reflected a French attempt at cultural and popular rapprochement, not just official rapprochement, with Kenyan society.

Emmanuel Macron visited the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on an official visit with significant political and economic dimensions, as part of French efforts to reshape its relations with the African continent.

Emmanuel Macron’s visit came at a time of regional shifts in the balance of international influence within Africa, and Paris’s pursuit of building a different pattern of partnerships based on mutual interests rather than the traditional legacy of old relationships.

Macron held extensive talks with Kenyan President William Ruto, focusing on strengthening cooperation in the areas of energy, infrastructure, transport, and digital transformation.