France's Macron backs Ethiopia leader's sweeping reforms

French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed his support for Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's ambitious reforms and diplomatic peace efforts.

The young, reformist African leader was on a working visit on Monday to France in his first trip to Europe since taking office in April.

In a joint declaration, France welcomed "the rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea". Both countries pledged to "continue their efforts in order to promote peace and prosperity in the region".

Within a few months, Abiy has implemented sweeping economic and political reforms, among them making peace with longtime rival Eritrea, which has set off a series of diplomatic thaws in Africa's turbulent Horn of Africa region.

Macron and Abiy also pledged to increase cultural cooperation, especially on World Heritage sites such as the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.

* Sign up to News24's top Africa news in your inbox: SUBSCRIBE TO THE HELLO AFRICA NEWSLETTER

FOLLOW News24 Africa on Twitter and Facebook