PM Abiy: Ethiopia’s Foreign Policy Anchored in Self-Reliance, Sovereign Decision-Making

Addis Ababa, July 7, 2026 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has outlined Ethiopia’s foreign policy direction as one built on strategic self-reliance, institutional strength, and the protection of national decision-making sovereignty amid a rapidly changing global environment.

Addressing questions from members of the House of Peoples’ Representatives during its 30th regular sitting of the fifth year of its tenure, the Prime Minister said Ethiopia has developed the capacity to safeguard its national interests through an adaptive and action-oriented diplomatic approach.

He said the current global order is characterized by volatility, unpredictability, and complexity, requiring countries to continuously adjust their approaches and pursue policies centered on their own national interests.

Prime Minister Abiy identified three pillars guiding Ethiopia’s strategic self-reliance in diplomacy: resilience, leveraging opportunities, and shaping the country’s own path.

He explained that resilience means building strong institutions and national capabilities that enable Ethiopia to withstand external pressures. Leveraging opportunities, he said, involves transforming challenges into avenues for development, while shaping the country’s path allows Ethiopia to define its own agenda and engage confidently in global affairs.

The Prime Minister stressed that preserving Ethiopia’s decision-making sovereignty remains a fundamental principle of its foreign policy, saying no external actor will be allowed to determine the country’s national choices.

He further argued that some actors underestimate Ethiopia by relying on what he described as three miscalculations: denial of the country’s historical resilience and capabilities, forgetting its strategic depth and human resources, and pursuing ambitions based on outdated assessments.

Prime Minister Abiy said Ethiopia’s long history, national capacity, and institutional development demonstrate that the country cannot easily be weakened or pushed away from pursuing its interests.

He reaffirmed that Ethiopia will continue engaging with the international community while maintaining an independent foreign policy focused on national priorities and sovereignty.