Ethiopia to cut number of embassies by half – prime minister

ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia plans to cut the number of embassies it has in foreign countries by around half, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Monday.

In a briefing to Ethiopian lawmakers, Ahmed said the number of embassies and consulates in foreign countries will be reduced from around 60 or so currently to around 30 embassies.

“The Ethiopia Ministry of Foreign Affairs needs to be reformed. Ethiopia shouldn’t have 60 or so embassies and consulates presently,” he said.

“Instead of spending U.S. dollars all over the place, in the next sixth months to one year period, at least 30 embassies should be closed and the ambassadors instead should be here,” Ahmed said.

The government is recruiting a large pool of young prospective diplomats as well as tapping into the overseas Ethiopian community to boost Ethiopia’s profile and international standing, the prime minister said.