The European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, will visit Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Sudan from Sunday 24 to Wednesday 27 October to express the EU’s strong commitment to peace in the Horn of Africa and to prepare for the EU-AU Summit in February 2022.
“I look forward to engaging in an open dialogue with different African stakeholders on the renewed Africa-EU partnership and to addressing the complex situation in the Horn of Africa”, the Commissioner commented on Friday.
On Monday 25 October, Ms Urpilainen will be in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Annette Weber, to deliver a clear message on behalf of the EU on the need to implement a ceasefire, ensure full humanitarian access to Tigray, and launch an inclusive national dialogue (see EUROPE 12814/23, 12813/9).
She will meet the Ethiopian President, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Finance Minister Ahmed Shide.
On Tuesday 26 October, in Kigali, Rwanda, the Commissioner will participate in the 2nd African Union-European Union Foreign Affairs Ministerial Meeting, which will be co-chaired by EU diplomatic chief Josep Borrell (see EUROPE 12815/13). She will also meet with key partners in the development of local vaccine manufacturing and representatives of youth and women’s organisations.
On Wednesday, in Khartoum, Sudan, Ms Urpilainen will meet the transition leaders and launch the EU-Sudan political dialogue. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)