VICTORIA, Seychelles, Etsegenet Bezabih Yimenu is the new Ethiopian ambassador to Seychelles. She presented her credentials to President Wavel Ramkalawan yesterday morning at State House. The presentation of credentials marks the formal start of her diplomatic mission in the country. Ambassador Yimenu is expected to be based in Kampala, Uganda, from where she will cover Seychelles and several other countries in the region.
Speaking to the local media following the ceremony, Ambassador Yimenu said during her discussions with the Head of State, they both acknowledged the strong relationship between the two nations. We have explored avenues to deepen our ties in trade, investment, and tourism. A significant part of our dialogue centred on exploiting business opportunities with our national carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, and tapping into unexplored sectors, the ambassador shared.
Giving her impressions of Seychelles, she remarked that she finds herself in an African paradise. The beauty of this country is amazing, and I aim to foster greater presence of my compatriots here. While exploring Victoria, I noticed the absence of an African restaurant. I intend to encourage Ethiopian investors to explore the potential of establishing a fine African restaurant with a taste from Addis. The ambassador’s light-hearted observation reflected her warm engagement with the host country.
Ms Yimenu assumes the ambassadorial role, succeeding Ambassador Meles Alem Tekea, who was accredited on August 20, 2019. With an extensive career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia since 1998, she has served in various capacities in Israel, India, Canada, Turkey, Uganda, before her appointment to Seychelles. The new ambassador holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Addis Ababa University, an advanced diploma in Commerce from Addis Ababa commercial college and certificate in high level training in The New Ethiopian Diplomacy series, from the African Leadership Excellence Academy.
Ethiopia and Seychelles established diplomatic relations on April 14, 1982. During her visit yesterday she also called on Vice-President Ahmed Afif and is expected to meet with several ministers and secretary general of the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI). Also present at the accreditation ceremony yesterday morning was the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde; principal secretary for foreign affairs, Ambassador Vivienne Fock-Tave; and director general bilateral affairs division within the department of foreign affairs, Lindy Ernesta. The head of political affairs from the Ethiopian embassy, Robel Admassu, also attended the meeting.
