Ethiopia: China invites Ethiopian Prime Minister to BRICS summit

Ethiopia: China today officially invited Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmad to participate in the upcoming BRICS summit. The summit is expected to be held on June 24.

Chinese ambassador to Ethiopia today met with Ethiopian foreign ministry officials. The ambassador delivered special message from Chinese President for Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmad. The special message is an invitation to take part in the upcoming BRICS summit.

BRIC was formed in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India and China. In 2010, South Africa joined the block and BRIC became BRICS. Several countries including Pakistan, Iran, Sudan, Nigeria have shown interest in becoming members of the organization.

The 14th summit later this month is expected to focus on Russia-Ukraine conflict which has sent global shockwaves.

Growing Chinese investments in Ethiopia and the invitation by China about BRICS summit are indications of strengthening China-Ethiopia relations. Since the start of Tigray conflict in Ethiopia in November 2020, Ethiopian relations with US and West have remained largely frosty. Ethiopian government has been accusing US and western countries of backing and resuscitating Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Read more..

But after the retreat of Tigray forces from the neighboring Amhara and Afar regions in December last year, Ethiopia has been trying to mend its fractured ties with USA and western countries.

Ethiopian economy, in shambles, is in immediate need of grants and loans. Western International monetary institutions and foreign countries have been linking resumption of financial assistance to Ethiopia to peaceful solution to Tigray conflict.

China and Russia, throughout Tigray conflict, did not take sides. In fact the the two countries backed Prime Minister Abiy Ahmad’s government.

On the other hand, Unlike US and West, Ethiopia did not condemn Russian attack on Ukraine. At UN General Assembly and UN Human Rights Council sessions, Ethiopia voted not even once against Russia.

It seems very likely that the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmad will attend BRICS summit.