Ethiopia-Zimbabwe Bilateral Relations
Ethiopia and Zimbabwe have longstanding diplomatic
relations. During Zimbabwe's struggle for liberation, Ethiopia hosted and
trained Zimbabwe’s freedom fighters including Robert Mugabe. Zimbabwe opened
its Embassy in Addis Ababa in 1980, while Ethiopia opened its Embassy in Harare
in 1985.
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 has been the firm foundation for the bilateral
cooperation.
The bilateral relations between the two countries have been
further enhanced through numerous high-level visit exchanges. H.E. Mr. Seyoum Mesfin, the former Foreign
Minister of Ethiopia paid an official visit to Zimbabwe. Likewise, the late Prime
Minister of Ethiopia, H.E. Mr. Meles Zenawi visited Zimbabwe in 1998 and 2002,
respectively. The President of Ethiopia,
H.E.Sahle-work Zewde also attended the state funeral ceremony of the late
President of Zimbabwe H.E. Robert Mugabe which was taken on 14th
September in 2019, in Harare.
During the higher official contacts, different agreements
were signed to foster cooperation in political, economic, scientific and
technical fields by which both sides expressed their willingness to expand
relations to a new high. The two countries have also established a Joint
Ministerial Commission to follow up the practical implementation of the
agreements.
Ethiopia and Zimbabwe signed nine cooperation agreements and
MOUs in the areas of agriculture, investment, and tourism. It is significant
potential for enhancing bilateral collaboration in key areas like aviation,
telecom, meat products, leather, coffee, education, capital market development
and financial services.
The two countries have been collaborating on a number of
issues of common concern like an aspire to see a stable and secure environment
in their respective regions, and aware of the importance of working together to
ensure peace and stability in the continent, and to advance the interest of
Africa at the global stage.
