ADDIS ABABA (SD) – French President Emmanuel Macron visited Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this afternoon.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed welcomed him at Addis Ababa’s airport, and both sides are set to hold discussions on cooperation and issues concerning the Horn of Africa.

Macron visited Ethiopia to fulfill a previous promise to help build a navy for the landlocked country. Prior to Addis Ababa, President Macron visited Djibouti’s capital, where he met with President Ismail Omar Guelleh.

Macron and his delegation discussed ways to strengthen the relationship between the two countries and their peoples, as noted on President Guelleh’s Facebook page.

France is seeking support from Horn of Africa countries after its relations with its former colonies in West Africa deteriorated.