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German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas would have had the opportunity to meet Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during his visit to the Horn of Africa country in May 1965 [19659002]. show support for the new hopeful of the country. However, no meetings took place because Abiy was traveling abroad himself.
The Ethiopian leader, in office for only a month, had already announced a loosening of relations with neighboring Eritrea. The action soon followed his words – at a rate that surprised even the experts.
The state of emergency was lifted, the political prisoners released and a peace agreement sealed with the sworn enemy Eritrea
"The new prime minister in Addis Ababa" We are pleased that things are changing for the better in Ethiopia, "Günter Nooke, commissioner for Africa of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, told DW Günter Nooke,
Read more: Ethiopia: Who is the new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali?
But the German Federal Government refrains from making public statements about it.A few days ago, the Federal Foreign Office declared that the peace treaty between Ethiopia and Eritrea were hoping that a conflict that "would have left tens of thousands dead and force hundreds of thousands of people to flee could be permanently solved."
"The process is certainly the welcome, but we are still waiting, "says Annette Weber, expert in Ethiopia at the German Institute for International Affairs and Security.
In the first month after taking office Abiy, it was unclear whether he would succeed within the government. He has many powerful opponents, even within the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF)
. This was particularly evident at the end of June when two people were killed during a grenade attack on the reformist prime minister.
Abiy still has many problems that Abiy still has to tackle. For example, the ethnic conflict in the south of the country, where the UN figures show that in June only 800,000 people were forced to flee.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (left) met with Ethiopian Deputy Foreign Minister Hirut Zemene (right) during a visit to the country's Horn of India. Africa in May
But the restraint of the German government should not be interpreted as a disinterest. The Horn of Africa is one of the most important geopolitical regions in Africa, says Nooke. Ethiopia is a key country for the German Development Cooperation Agency, GIZ, and is home to one of its largest offices in the world.
In the region hit by the crisis, Ethiopia is a stable power bordering South Sudan and Somalia, which have been caught in civil wars. But growing protests against the dictatorship of the EPRDF make it increasingly difficult for Ethiopia to badume this role.
"It is hoped that the country will stabilize once the political situation and the human rights record improve, as it has done in the past, but by playing a role in the region, "said Weber to DW
Refugees in Perspective
Ethiopia, like neighboring Eritrea, is very important to migration policy. Ethiopia is a transit country for African refugees bound for Europe. Last year, Eritrea followed only Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan as the first country of origin of asylum seekers in Germany .
In addition to poverty and lack of opportunity, many Eritreans also cite the policy of indefinite military service.
"This national service is justified by the fact that [Eritrea] is in a state of war with Ethiopia: if it is abolished, that the conflict no longer exists and that it is n & # 39; There is more reason to appeal, it will have a huge impact, "Nooke said," maybe people could go back to Eritrea, "he added.
The German government is already working on plans to expand its cooperation With Ethiopia, because of the authoritarian government and its poor human rights record, the discussions on cooperation have been controversial, but with Abiy in power, this ethical dilemma is not the only one. In fact, the German government wants to encourage the new Prime Minister.Egypt is already part of the German initiative "Compact with Africa" of the G20.The objective is to attract more private investment in some African countries Reform partners e would benefit from additional German development aid. In exchange, these countries would be obliged to defend democratic values, respect human rights and fight against corruption.
Ethiopia and Eritrea have resumed relations 20 years after the beginning of their border war
Is Ethiopia a reform partner?
"In the context of the countries" One can certainly imagine more, "says Nook
A new opportunity is emerging at the end of October: Chancellor Merkel has invited Heads of state and government, Covenant government for talks in Berlin, according to its commissioner for Africa
German companies are also watching new developments in Ethiopia with interest. Huge industrial parks and the road network should also be expanded.Peace with Eritrea means that Ethiopia can again use the port of Assab, which is part of the country. An important trade route between Europe and Asia, as a result, exports could become much cheaper.
"I think German companies could also consider strengthening their production capacity in Ethiopia. Only once the political reform, framed by the reform of economic policy, will have gained stability, "said Christof Kannengiesser, director of the German-African Association. 19659002] Interested entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to have a look at it in November, when a delegation from the badociation is planning to visit Ethiopia.
Gwendolin Hilse contributed to this report.
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