DOHA: Ethiopian Prime Minister and Chairman of the African Union Hailemariam Desalegn has lauded the Qatari diplomacy saying Qatar has played a strategic role in promoting political stability in the Horn of Africa.
In an interview with Al Sharq, Desalegn expressed his appreciation for the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani for consolidating relations between Qatar and Ethiopia.
He also invited the Emir to visit Ethiopia. “We welcome the Emir as the guest of all Africa. We are looking forward to his visit with high appreciation because Qatar is playing a very important role regionally and internationally, taking the side of the people and their rights,” said Desalegn.
Desalegn also spoke about efforts being made by his country to resolving the dispute between the two Sudans and defended the African peace keeping force in Somalia saying there is no alternative.
“We should depend on ourselves in solving our problems,” he said.
He said Ethiopia was trying to address the difficulties in its relations with Eritrea which he said has chosen the “language of guns”
Relations between his country and Egypt have witnessed a positive development after Hosni Mubarak and misunderstandings on the issue of Nile water have narrowed, he added.
After the death of former Ethiopian prime minister Meles Zenawi many people were expecting the country to face unrest but it remains stable and united, said Desalegn.
The Peninsula
