Ethiopia hosts British foreign secretary amid increased diplomatic activity

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos on Sunday, the latest in a series of visits by senior foreign officials to Ethiopia in recent weeks.

Cooper’s visit comes during a period of heightened diplomatic engagement in Addis Ababa, which has recently hosted the foreign ministers of China, Germany, and Japan, as well as the US deputy secretary of state.

Abiy said in a statement that his discussions with Cooper focused on bilateral and regional issues, including cooperation between the two countries.

In a separate meeting, Cooper met with Foreign Minister Gedion to discuss bilateral relations and regional development.

“During the meeting, the two ministers discussed the strong and longstanding bilateral relations between Ethiopia and the United Kingdom, underscoring the importance of further elevating these ties to a new high. They also exchanged views on regional peace and security issues of mutual interest,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Officials also signed several cooperation frameworks, including memoranda of understanding on technical cooperation in public investment and asset management under the Ethiopia Investment Advisory Facility, according to a post by Premier Abiy through US social media company X.

The visit is among Cooper’s first official trips to East Africa since her appointment as foreign secretary in late 2025.

Ethiopia, Africa’s second-most populous country, continues to engage with international partners amid regional political and security developments.