Ethiopia and Qatar restore diplomatic ties

October 23, 2012 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopia and Qatar have agreed to open diplomatic relations after both been at odds for more than four years, according to Ethiopian press.

Ethiopia cut diplomatic ties with Qatar in 2008, accusing the Gulf Arab state of playing a destructive role in Ethiopia and in other parts of the East African region.
 
Addis Ababa particularly accused Doha of supporting terrorism and extremism in Somalia, where Ethiopian troops were battling Al-Qaida linked Islamic radical groups.
 
Qatar’s continued support to Eritrea, with which Ethiopia fought over disputed boundary in 1998-2000, was also another factor that led to severed ties.
 
Ambassador Dina Mufti, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, said the agreement to renew the long broken diplomatic relation between the countries was reached after long process of dialogue.
 
“We expect Qatar to send their new Ambassador to Addis Ababa this month” he said.
 
He added that currently preparations are underway to reopen the Ethiopian Embassy in Doha and the Qatari Embassy in Addis Ababa.
 
The full restorations of diplomatic ties will allow the two countries to resume economic, trade and business ties. It will also ease visa processing for applicants in both countries who want to travel or work in the respective nations. 
 
(ST)