2023-05-04 23:35:58
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz landed in Ethiopia this Thursday at the start of his three-day trip to East Africa, which will also include a visit to neighboring Kenya.
The visit comes at a time when violence has rocked Sudan and just six months after Ethiopia – the African country with the second largest population after Nigeria – saw the end of the two-year civil war in the Tigray region. , in the north of the country.
It is the second time that Scholz travels to Africa since he took over as chancellor. Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, is also the seat of the African Union (AU), with 55 members.
In Kenya on Friday, discussions will focus on green energy as well as the fallout from Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Support for the African Union
Scholz praised the “intense” discussions on promoting “peace and stability” on the continent and talks with AU President Moussa Faki Mahamat focused on conflicts in Africa, especially the issue of peacekeeping in Sudan. The chancellor pledged Germany’s help in finding a peaceful solution.
The head of the German Government also told AU officials that they have their full support to obtain a seat in the G20. “Respect for the continent, its many countries and its growing population” demands that they have a voice, he said.
Accompanied by representatives of German companies, Scholz will also seek to reinforce Germany’s role as a reliable partner in countering growing Chinese influence in the region.
Scholz stated that food security is a fundamental issue and guaranteed that Germany will support all measures to end Africa’s dependence on fertilizer imports.
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