Ethiopian president: Ireland has led the way on equality
AFRICA’S only female head of state has praised Ireland for leading the way on women presidents. Sahle-Work Zewde, Ethiopia’s first female president, said after meeting Leo Varadkar: ‘It would be a pleasure to visit Ireland... and congratulations for having shown the way in having women presidents. I am humbled with the opportunity that I have here, and we hope it will encourage other countries to follow.’
Earlier the Taoiseach arrived at the Ethiopian government headquarters for a meeting with the prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, dubbed the ‘African Macron’ for his progressive policies, including a 50:50 gender split at cabinet.
The Taoiseach was presented with a bouquet by 11-year-old Mahilite Bertukan on emerging from his limousine at the red carpet, shaking hands thereafter with his opposite number. Soon a red-tunic army band was striking up a slow version of Amhrán Na bhFiann, the Taoiseach standing to attention with his right hand over his heart. Next came the Ethiopian national anthem, which was at least twice as long.
Abiy and Mr Varadkar made small talk and posed for obligatory handshake photographs. Leo said he had travelled by Ethiopian Airways from Bamako, Mali, pronouncing it a very good service. His counterpart said he was glad to hear it and that it was a pleasure to meet. The two men then departed into the headquarters for talks, followed by what was called a coffee ceremony. Ethiopian produces some of the best beans and roasts in the world, although it still lags in the export stakes. The Taoiseach and prime minister took three cups of coffee, punctuated by popcorn, all amid the aroma of burning incense. Ethiopia has a state minister for Europe, Dr Markos Terkel, who admits himself that he owes his high office to Ireland. ‘I am the personal impact of the Irish Aid programme,’ he declared, since he received his early education from the first school opened in his village in 1995, paid for by Irish outreach. The 38-year-old also hopes to visit Ireland one day, preferably soon. Later, the Taoiseach departed in convoy for the Presidential Palace in the capital Addis Ababa, former home of Emperor Haile Selassie. Here he had meeting with grey-haired President Sahle-Work, a former career diplomat, who was resplendent in a gold lame jacket and dark skirt. Speaking afterwards, President SahleWork declared: ‘Our assessment of the relationship between Ethiopia and Ireland is good. We have had a long-lasting relationship that has been working well, and we hope that Ireland will also continue supporting the all-round transformation this country is going through.’ The Taoiseach’s day also included a round-table discussion with Irish NGOs working in Ethiopia, including Concern, Trócaire and Goal. There was also a meeting at the offices of the African Union Commission, followed by an Irish community reception and launch of the Ethiopian-Irish Alumni Network at the Irish Embassy.