Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is set to kick off the second day of his official visit to Ethiopia with a guided tour of the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum, a landmark commemorating Ethiopia’s historic victory against colonial forces at the Battle of Adwa in 1896.
The museum, symbolic of African freedom and black empowerment, is renowned for celebrating not just military triumph, but also diplomacy, unity, courage and national pride. It has grown into a prominent cultural destination and hosts significant national events.
Following the museum visit, Anwar will pay a courtesy call on Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie at the Addis International Convention Centre. The Prime Minister, who also serves as Finance Minister, is expected to participate in the Malaysia-Ethiopia High Level Business Forum thereafter.
Later in the evening, an official welcoming ceremony will take place at the National Palace. Anwar will inspect a guard-of-honour and take part in the symbolic “Tree of Friendship” planting ceremony.
He will also tour the National Palace, which showcases Ethiopian history and culture, before a four-eye meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali.
During the session, Anwar and Abiy Ahmed are scheduled to witness the exchange of several memoranda of understanding (MoUs), covering health cooperation, air services agreement, tourism collaboration, and strategic cooperation between Kuala Lumpur City Council and Addis Ababa City Administration to promote long-term urban development engagement
Both leaders will also hold a joint press conference.
The day will conclude with an official dinner hosted by Abiy Ahmed.
This is Anwar’s maiden visit to Ethiopia and signifies Malaysia’s commitment to enhancing engagement with the African continent through the African Union (AU) headquarters, located in Addis Ababa. Established in 2002, the 55-member AU represents Africa internationally and works to foster international cooperation.
Anwar’s three-day visit, which began on Nov 18, coincides with the 60th anniversary of Malaysia–Ethiopia diplomatic relations, established in January 1965. It also reciprocates Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Malaysia in October last year.
He is accompanied by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Zaliha Mustafa, senior government officials and a business delegation.
Ethiopia, the world’s most populous landlocked nation, ranked as Malaysia’s 26th largest trading partner in Africa in 2023. It is the first stop of Anwar’s African visit.
Following his engagements in Ethiopia, Anwar will proceed to Johannesburg, South Africa, from Nov 20 to 23 for the G20 Leaders’ Summit, before continuing to Nairobi, Kenya, from Nov 23 to 24.
Malaysia is five hours ahead of Ethiopia.
