Ethiopia has appointed Teshome Shunde as the new ambassador to its consulate in Somaliland, a region it considers an autonomous territory. The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced this decision, confirming that Ambassador Shunde will be stationed at the consulate office in Hargeisa, Somaliland.
In a statement to the press, Ambassador Taye Atske Selassie, Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, acknowledged the appointment. Although the minister did not provide specific details, other officials from the ministry confirmed that Teshome Shunde, who previously served in Kenya, has been appointed to lead the Ethiopian consulate in Somaliland.
Reports from Somaliland indicate that Ambassador Teshome Shunde has already presented his credentials to President Muse Bihi of Somaliland, marking the official start of his diplomatic mission.
Ambassador Teshome Shunde’s appointment follows a tradition of Ethiopia maintaining a consulate in Somaliland, where diplomatic representatives have held the position of full ambassador. This appointment also reflects Ethiopia’s ongoing diplomatic engagement with Somaliland, a region that has been self-governing for several years but has not been internationally recognized as an independent state.
Ethiopia’s consulate in Somaliland has historically been led by special envoys, and until recently, this position was held by Ambassador Dalil Kedr. His appointment as a full ambassador was confirmed by President Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia last June during a broader reshuffle of diplomatic posts within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
