Egyptian Embassy in Addis Ababa to Continue Its Work: Diplomatic Source

H-Tayea

On Sunday, an Egyptian diplomatic source confirmed that his country's embassy in Ethiopia will continue its work normally, noting that the Egyptian ambassador in Addis Ababa and its new delegate to the African Union, arrived in Ethiopia a few days ago and assumed his duties.

The source explained that the new Egyptian ambassador in Addis Ababa, Dr. Hamad Omar Gad, assumed his duties on September 22."

He added that "the Egyptian embassy in Ethiopia will continue its work."

This comes against the backdrop of the Ethiopian ambassador to Egypt, Marcos Tekele, statements today regarding his country’s intention to close its embassy in Cairo starting next October, for reasons related to the economic situation in his country.

In press statements, Takli said that it was decided to suspend the work of the embassy in Cairo for financial and economic reasons and to reduce the costs of managing the embassy, explaining that the period of closing the embassy will extend between 3 to 6 months.

Upon assuming his duties, Gad stressed the importance of establishing cooperation between the two countries in light of Ethiopia’s connection to the Nile River, Egypt’s lifeline.

The Egyptian ambassador, as quoted by the Ethiopian statement, appreciated the ongoing reform in Ethiopia and expressed his desire to cement the relationship between Cairo and Addis Ababa.

Gad was appointed as the new ambassador of Egypt to Addis Abba in June, replacing Osama Abdel-Khalek — who became Egypt’s permanent representative to the United Nations in New York - after spending 3 years at the post.

The diplomat received his new position at a time when Egypt and Ethiopia remain at odds over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

For a decade, Egypt and Sudan have been in talks with Ethiopia to convince Addis Ababa to sign a legally binding agreement over the filling and operation of the GERD.

Ethiopia, however, has repeatedly refused to sign any binding deal, preferring instead to establish non-binding guidelines that can be modified at any time at its own discretion.