Ethiopia: How Abiy wins powerful friends around the world but struggles with neighbours

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has become adept at making friends who do not necessarily like one another. He can court Beijing while rebuilding ties with Europe, embrace Abu Dhabi while staying close to Ankara. Abiy says he is a close ally of Kenya’s William Ruto, calls him a “partner, friend, and brother” — although Nairobi is strengthening relations with Egypt, now one of Addis Ababa’s mortal enemies.

    Neighbourhood Watch
                

    # Ethiopia’s diplomatic paradox: embrace by China and the UAE, hostility from Cairo and Asmara

    From a bromance with Kenya’s William Ruto to a personal rapport with Macron, strategic ties with the Emiratis, and renewed ties with Europe, China and Türkiye, Abiy Ahmed has built an enviable network of partners. But as tensions deepen with Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt, can he replicate that success closer to home?