UAE, Ethiopia call for Sudan ceasefire

Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates have reaffirmed their strategic partnership following high-level bilateral talks held in Addis Ababa, during a working visit by UAE Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan.

According to a statement issued by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussions focused on strengthening long-standing ties between the two countries while reviewing key peace and security developments in the Horn of Africa and beyond.

“The two sides reaffirmed their longstanding strategic partnership,” the communiqué said, adding that talks also addressed regional stability, political cooperation, and shared security concerns.

A significant portion of the discussions centered on the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Ethiopia and the UAE “recalled the upcoming High-Level Humanitarian Conference for the People of Sudan, which will be co-hosted by the UAE, Ethiopia, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the African Union.” The conference is scheduled to take place on the margins of the African Union Summit in February 2025.

In the statement, both countries condemned what they described as attacks by “warring parties” against civilians in Sudan. They noted the urgent need to protect civilians and humanitarian personnel and stressed that responsibility for ending the conflict lies squarely with the fighting parties.

Relations between Ethiopia and the UAE have expanded significantly since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018, with cooperation deepening across economic, security, and diplomatic sectors.

The UAE has emerged as one of Ethiopia’s key economic partners, with Emirati investments increasing notably in agriculture, energy, and infrastructure. UAE companies have been involved in the development of industrial parks, logistics hubs, and renewable energy projects across Ethiopia.

Ethiopia has also benefited from financial support and loans from the UAE, particularly during periods of foreign currency shortages, helping stabilize its economy. Trade between the two countries has grown steadily, with Ethiopia exporting coffee, livestock, and other agricultural products, while importing fuel, machinery, and consumer goods from the UAE.

Security cooperation has also expanded in recent years. The UAE has provided military equipment and training to Ethiopia, including drone technology that played a role during Ethiopia’s internal conflicts. The partnership has extended to counterterrorism efforts and maritime security, with both countries working to secure strategic shipping routes in the Red Sea and the wider Horn of Africa region. At the diplomatic level, ties have been reinforced through frequent high-level exchanges between Ethiopian and Emirati leadership.

However, Ethiopia’s deepening alignment with the United Arab Emirates has occasionally created friction with other regional actors. Despite these complexities, the latest talks highlight a sustained effort by both Addis Ababa and Abu Dhabi to reinforce their partnership. This comes at a time of intensifying competition in the Horn of Africa, as Gulf petro-states, Turkey, and Israel expand their influence, alongside traditional powers such as the United States and China.

Source; Newswire @ UAE, Ethiopia call for Sudan ceasefire | Geeska