Relationship dossier
Ethiopia
Qatar
Relationship assessment
Bilateral cooperation has developed alongside a history of diplomatic strain.
Ethiopia toward Qatar
+25The Ethiopian government has participated in bilateral agreements with Qatar, including arrangements concerning labor and air transport. Ethiopia also severed diplomatic ties with Qatar in 2008 amid disagreements involving Qatar’s relationship with Eritrea; relations were restored in 2012.
Qatar toward Ethiopia
+25The Qatari government has entered bilateral cooperation agreements with Ethiopia, including arrangements concerning labor and air transport. Qatar restored diplomatic relations with Ethiopia after the 2008 rupture, with ties re-established in 2012.
Overall relationship
+20The relationship combines practical bilateral cooperation with a significant episode of diplomatic estrangement. Government agreements have provided a framework for collaboration, while the 2008 break in relations and their restoration in 2012 demonstrate that ties have not been free of political friction.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Ethiopia and Qatar have pursued bilateral cooperation through government agreements covering areas including labor and air transport. Their relationship has also experienced diplomatic strain: Ethiopia severed ties with Qatar in 2008 amid allegations concerning Qatar’s relationship with Eritrea, and relations were restored in 2012. The scope and implementation of later cooperation are not fully clear.
Areas of tension
- Ethiopia’s 2008 diplomatic rupture with Qatar amid allegations involving Qatar’s relationship with Eritrea.
Key developments
Ethiopia severed diplomatic relations with Qatar amid allegations involving Qatar’s relationship with Eritrea.
Ethiopia and Qatar restored diplomatic relations.
The two governments entered agreements covering areas including labor and air transport.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of bilateral cooperation agreements are unclear.
- The extent of current economic and diplomatic cooperation is uncertain.