Ethio-Djibouti Relation
The two countries
have strong historical ties sharing a common culture, social values, and
languages. Ethiopia has been using the ports of Djibouti for its imports and
exports. Currently, about 95% of Ethiopia’s imports and exports are through
Djibouti. Besides port usage, transport, telecommunications, trade and
investment, security issues, electric power, and potable water are the various
areas the two countries have developed strong ties.
The two sisterly countries have longstanding
diplomatic, political, economic, social and cultural relations. The two
countries have maintained strong cooperation in different areas based on mutual
benefit, trust, and respect.
The Ethio-Djibouti strategic partnership is
further coordinated by the Joint High-Level Commission which was established in
2009. So far 2 High-level Joint Commission, 15 Joint Ministerial Commission and 25 Joint
Border Administrators’ Meetings have taken place.
Thus, the Ethio-Djibouti Economic Integration is
unique that could be a model to the countries of the Horn Region; and indeed,
the rest of Africa.
Nowadays, the two sisterly countries are
committed to realizing Economic Integration through ever-growing infrastructure
development projects; such as railway, road, water pipeline, telecom networks
and power interconnectivity. The recent inauguration of the Ethio-Djibouti
Railway Line, which connects Addis Ababa with the Port of Djibouti stands as a
remarkable testimony of the thriving bilateral relations.
The recently
inaugurated Tadjourah-Balhoroad which connects the Port of Tadjourah to the
northeastern regions of Ethiopia will speed up the processing of potash and
other commodities through the Port of Tadjourah. The port is the closest outlet
for Afar and Tigrai regions of Ethiopia where there is a number of companies
developing potash mines. The Tadjourah - Balho road will have a significant
impact on the socio-economic life of the local people of the two
countries.
Recent Visits and Consultations between the
Two Countries
The first official
visit of Ethiopian Prime Minister H.E. Abiy Ahmed after being sworn on April 2,
2018, was to the Republic of Djibouti. The visit aimed at further promoting the
long-standing bilateral relations between the two countries. During his visit,
the prime minister conferred with the president of the Republic of Djibouti,
H.E Ismael Omar Guelleh on bilateral and regional issues.
PM Abiy Ahmed held
a discussion with Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf in June 2019. During the minister’s visit to
Ethiopia, he had discussed with the PM Abiy Ahmed on bilateral issues including
accelerating economic relations,
Another high official visit between the two countries
was Ethiopian Foreign Minister, H.E Gedu Andargachew’s official working visit
to Djibouti in May 2019. During the visit, the Foreign Minister met with the
President of Djibouti Republic H.E Ismael Omar Guelleh and discussed socio-
economic, political and bilateral issues.
Djibouti is one of Ethiopia’s
significant trading partners. As of 2017, the trade volume between the two
countries reached 299.8 million USD and Ethiopia had a positive trade balance of
299.05 million in net Exports to Djibouti. Djibouti is the third-largest destination of
Ethiopian exports in Africa next to Somalia and Sudan.