Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed welcomed Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir and Djibouti President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh in Jimma, Ethiopia. The two presidents are expected to attend the inaugural ceremony of Jimma Industrial Park and Jimma University Medical Facility constructed at a cost of 1.2 Billion Birr. The medical facility has 800 beds and is expected to serve 20 million people.
The arrival of the two presidents will be the first official state visit following PM Abiy Ahmed appointment. Contrary to that PM Abiy first official visit outside Ethiopia were Djibouti and Sudan.
In the past few months, several articles were written focusing on fast-moving geopolitical lineup among countries. According to Forbes the two power block that is forming in the horn is mainly due to the influence of UAE and Qatar. Two rival countries that are testing their influence in a new battleground. For instance, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia have lined up with Saudi Arabia and UAE while Sudan and Djibouti are forming a strong bond with Qatar,Iran and Turkey.
Despite Djibouti and Sudan alliance with Qatar block, the leaders will be inaugurating an industrial park financed by UAE.
