President Taye Bids Farewell to Outgoing Zambian, Tunisian Ambassadors

Addis Ababa, July 24, 2025 (ENA)—President Taye Atske Selassie has bid farewell today to the outgoing Zambian and Tunisian Ambassadors, Rose Kashembe Sakala and Abdelhamid Gharbi respectively.

On the occasion, President Taye expressed his gratitude to the ambassadors for their commendable efforts in advancing and deepening bilateral relations with Ethiopia throughout their tenure.

For their part, the outgoing ambassadors told ENA that during their tenure, they witnessed Ethiopia's strides toward comprehensive development, reflecting its rightful place as the seat of the African Union, a continental organ.

Director General for African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Ambassador Zerihun Abebe, who attended President Taye's meeting with the ambassadors of Zambia and Tunisia, noted that Ethiopia's relations with both countries are multifaceted.

The ambassador noted that the President expressed appreciation to the ambassadors of the two countries for their valuable contributions to strengthening bilateral relations over the last years.

Highlighting Ethiopia’s relationship with Zambia in particular, Ambassador Zerihun stated that the President underscored its historic continuity, noting that the ties have never been interrupted and are rooted in the struggle for independence.

It was noted that outgoing Zambian Ambassador Sakala played a pivotal role in further enhancing the longstanding historical ties between the two countries during her tenure.

Similarly, Ambassador Zerihun described the outgoing Tunisian Ambassador as a dedicated diplomat who, over his five-year tenure in Ethiopia, worked diligently to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level.

He noted that significant efforts had been made to strengthen trade relations between Ethiopia and Tunisia, as well as to establish multilateral platforms for broader cooperation.

Speaking to ENA, the departing Zambian Ambassador to Ethiopia,  Rose Kashembe Sakala recalled a fruitful discussion with Ethiopia’s President Taye.

 “I must say that it was a privilege for me to be accorded an opportunity to meet the President, and his message echoes, and I think it will continue to echo as I leave Ethiopia.

It was a message of continued pan Africanism, continued collaboration, cooperation between Ethiopia and Zambia, whom you know, have been friends since 1964 even before 1964 we have had a very close relationship with Ethiopia and collaboration.”

 According to her, Cooperation has grown from strength to strength at various levels, starting at small scale, medium to the highest level adding that “we think Africa needs that kind of cooperation.”

On his part, the outgoing Tunisian Ambassador, Abdelhamid Gharbi described Ethiopia as the vibrant nation, inspiring all African Union member states.

“I had the opportunity to express to President {Taye) my admiration to the leaders of Ethiopia to specially to wisdom the wisdom of Prime Minister Abiy   Ahmed…… as an ambassador who served here, I have witnessed the big transformation in Ethiopia in one year through those magnificent projects.”

He particularly lauded the corridor development that Ethiopia is embarking on in the capital Addis Ababa and other parts of the country.