Ethiopia - South Africa
Ethiopia and South
Africa has a longstanding relation. Ethiopia has supported South African’s
struggle against the Apartheid system. Ethiopia opened its Embassy in Pretoria
in 1996, whereas, South Africa opened its Embassy in Addis Ababa in 1997. Since then, both
countries have been enjoying cordial bilateral relations in political, economic, and cultural fields. The unwavering commitment to the principles of
Pan-Africanism and understanding of each other’s ambitions in the Continent have
been the firm foundation for the two countries' bilateral cooperation.
Several official
visits at a high level have exchanged between the two countries; during the
transitional period the delegation led by President Meles Zenawi participated in the inaugural ceremony of the establishment of the democratic state of the Republic
of South Africa in 1994. The foreign Affairs ministers of both countries
exchanged visits in several times.
In addition to
that, the former President Dr. Negasso Gidada visited South Africa to witness
the national election of the Republic of South Africa which was held in 1999. H.E.
Sahle-Work Zewude, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia participated
on the inaugural ceremony of President Cyril Ramaphosa on 25th May 2019.
Recently, H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic
Republic of Ethiopia paid an official visit
to Ethiopia from 11-12 January 2020.
During
the higher official visits a number of bilateral dialogue mechanisms and agreements were
put in place to foster cooperation in political, economic, scientific, and
technical fields by
which both sides expressed their willingness to expand the relations to a new
height on the basis of equality and mutual benefits. The two countries have
also established a Joint Ministerial Commission to follow up on the practical
implementation of the cooperation agreements.
The joint
ministerial commission was established between the two states in 2004. So far,
three meetings at ministerial level and five meetings at senior officials’
level have been held. The 4th joint ministerial commission meeting
will be held soon.
More than sixteen agreements have signed between
the two countries including the Agreement for the Promotion and Reciprocal
Protection of Investments, in the Field of Arts and Culture and MOU on Industrial
and Technical Cooperation.
The two countries collaborate on a number
of issues of common concern, forming a sound basis for their relations at the
bilateral, regional and global levels. Both countries aspire to see a stable
and secure environment in their respective regions. They are keenly aware of
the importance of working together to ensure peace and stability in the
continent in general. At the global level, both countries have collaborated
closely on issues ranging from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the
Campaign against Climate Change and the common fight against terrorism. Both
countries have common stand on the importance of economic integration of Africa
and are fully committed for the realization of Pan-African Vision. Combating
the negative impact of climate change, human trafficking, terrorism and
religious fundamentalism are areas in which the two countries shall cooperate
to advance the interest of Africa at the global stage.
