Ethiopia Kicks Off Regional Diplomacy Training for Young East African Diplomats

Addis Ababa, July 14, 2025 (ENA)— Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched a regional training program for young diplomats from six East African countries, a move designed to strengthen regional cooperation and further the Pan-African vision of unity and shared prosperity.

Organized by Ethiopia’s Institute of Foreign Affairs, the program gathers emerging diplomats from Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.

 The training aims to foster mutual understanding, enhance diplomatic skills, and equip participants to jointly address pressing regional challenges such as terrorism, forced migration, civil unrest, and illicit arms trafficking.

 In his opening remarks, Adam Tesfaye, Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the need for collective action to address complex, transboundary issues.

 "Our region faces multifaceted challenges that no single country can tackle alone," he stated. "This program represents a vital step toward harnessing our collective wisdom and shared commitment to achieve our common goals."

 Adam also reaffirmed Ethiopia’s historic role in promoting regional dialogue and peace, underscoring that the country’s national development is deeply tied to the region's stability and prosperity.

He underscored that Ethiopia’s ambition to become a model of prosperity by 2030 hinges on enhanced regional integration and cooperation.

 The training initiative itself aims to deepen ties among East African nations, create platforms for collaborative action, foster constructive engagement within the Horn of Africa, and support diplomats in advancing common regional interests globally.

 Describing Addis Ababa as the "diplomatic capital of Africa," Adam expressed confidence that the relationships and knowledge gained during the training will significantly contribute to long-term regional peace and development.

Providing historical context, Professor Brook Hailu of Addis Ababa University delivered a keynote on the evolution of Pan-Africanism.

 He traced the movement from its early diasporic roots to the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in Addis Ababa in 1963 and its successor, the African Union (AU), in 2002.

 Professor Brook characterized Pan-Africanism as a continuing struggle for the continent’s unity, sovereignty, and development.

 Drawing from his diplomatic experience, including his tenure as Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations, he urged participants to see themselves as bridge-builders, facilitating dialogue, promoting collaboration, and driving forward Africa’s shared vision of peace, prosperity, and global relevance.

 The training program was then officially declared open, marking a significant milestone in fostering regional diplomatic engagement and cooperation in East Africa.