Ethio -Tanzania Friendship: From Pan-Africanism to Modern Strategic Alliances

Addis Ababa December 17/2024 (ENA)—The inaugural Ethio-Tanzania Joint Ministerial Commission Meeting is being held today in Addis Ababa. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo (MP), arrived in Addis Ababa yesterday to attend this significant gathering.

The Joint Ministerial Commission Meeting aims to solidify the longstanding bilateral relations and promote comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as stated by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The idea for convening the Commission was first proposed during bilateral discussion between the former Ethiopian Foreign Minister, Taye Atskeselassie, and Tanzania’s then-Foreign Minister, January Makamba.

 

The friendship between Ethiopia and Tanzania has deep historical roots. To fully appreciate the relationship, one must revisit the Pan-African Movement, which traces its origins to the African diaspora in the Americas during the 19th century. Ethiopia played a foundational role in this movement, standing as a symbol of African pride and resistance.

Tanzania, alongside Ethiopia, stood firm as a key partner during the Pan-African struggle for liberation. Both nations contributed meaningfully to the decolonization process in Africa. Among the notable leaders in this movement were Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia and Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s former president. Their visionary leadership significantly influenced the freedom of African nations and cemented the Ethiopia-Tanzania partnership.

Both countries were also founding members of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now known as the African Union (AU), established in 1963, in Addis Ababa. Over the years, they have reinforced their diplomatic ties through embassies in each other’s capitals.

Ethiopia and Tanzania are endowed with abundant natural resources, particularly in livestock wealth, positioning them as leading nations in Africa. Discussions during the Joint Ministerial Meeting are expected to focus on leveraging these resources to foster trade and economic cooperation.

Key sectors of cooperation include agriculture, textile industries, renewable energy, and aviation. Notably, the Ethiopian Aviation Academy has trained numerous Tanzanian pilots and engineers, further highlighting aviation as a pillar of collaboration between the two nations.

 

The bilateral relationship was further strengthened during Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s official visit to Tanzania last year. During the visit, the Ethiopian Prime Minister and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan held discussions on various bilateral and contemporary issues. The two nations signed agreements to collaborate on culture, agriculture, and electricity trade, marking a new chapter in their partnership.

The Ethio-Tanzania Joint Ministerial Commission Meeting is therefore expected to serve as a cornerstone for advancing cooperation, exploring mutual opportunities, and addressing shared challenges in pursuit of regional and continental prosperity.