Addis Ababa, which means “New Flower”, is the largest city of Ethiopia with a population of over 3 million people. Emperor Menelik II founded the capital in 1886. The city lies at an altitude of 2,300 meters at the foot of Mount Entoto in the center of the country.

I visited several museums in Addis Ababa and some common public places. I walked around the National Museum with the most famous skeleton called “Lucy” – the remains of an early hominid, estimated to be 3.2 million years old. I also visited the Ethnological Museum to see Haile Selassie’s former palace among the beautiful gardens of Addis Ababa’s University. They also show artifacts and handcrafted material from different regions and give a great insight into Ethiopia’s many rich cultures. There are also a few other museums in the city like the Natural History Museum or the Addis Ababa Museum.

It is easy to get around Addis Ababa by minibus, the most common public transportation in the city. Boys called “Weyala” hang out the bus windows and scream the destination out loud so the bus fills up quickly at each stop. From Piazza I walked up the street to see St. George Cathedral, which was commissioned by Emperor Menelik. After that I went shopping at the Merkato. They say Merkato is the largest market in Africa and it is truly huge with its many stalls and tin shacks. You can find nearly anything for sale here, animals, clothes, construction parts and much more.

Everywhere in the city you can find fruit and juice stands, where you can enjoy fresh juices like Avocado, Mango, Banana and Papaya. With a slice of local bread it makes a great morning or afternoon snack. You can also get fresh salads there, which are served by young women or men quickly with a big smile. I should not forget to mention that Ethiopia is the birthplace of the coffee bean and an Ethiopian coffee ceremony should not be missed. It shows Ethiopian hospitality at its best and to receive an invitation marks friendship and respect.

You can find restaurants with national Ethiopian dishes all over the city, but it is easy to find everywhere Italian or western food. Many restaurants offer Pasta or Pizza, which is a reminder of the Italian occupation in the 1930’s. In some areas you can also find restaurants with international flavors. Ethiopians love to drink beer or Tej, a local honey wine on special occasions or when surrounded by friends and family. Ethiopians tend to be very social and love to share what they have. Of course I enjoyed a great deal of nightlife in the capital as well. I checked out some bars and went dancing with friends around Piazza and Bole Road, which is a long Boulevard near the airport with many restaurants, shopping malls, cafés, bars and dance clubs.

You can find bars and clubs, which invite you into a traditional Ethiopian atmosphere or you can enjoy the modern nightlife just like in Europe or North America. My friend introduced me to an Ethiopian Reggae DJ, who showed us also the lively Reggae and Ethiopian Jazz scene in Addis Ababa.

Ethiopia’s capital has something for everyone to explore, from Ethiopian to Middle Eastern and western culture. And you can enjoy almost any social event in Ethiopia within great company, big smiles and lots of laughter.

© Jacoline Prinsloo/EPA

By Sabine Linn

The 18th African Union summit was held this past week, from January 23rd to 30th, 2012 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The city is the main executive and administrative capital of the African Union (AU), where the African Union Commission (AUC) is headquartered. The African Union is an alliance of 54 African member states and the Assembly is the highest organ of the African Union.

Addis Ababa was at high security alert during the summit. Vehicles are not allowed to drive on main roads upon arrival of the African leaders in their limousines; pedestrians cannot cross the streets. Most major roads are blocked off by armed soldiers, especially during the hours when delegations of African leaders drive through Addis Ababa. The black luxury automobiles drive majestically around town, where usually a humble crowd of people, livestock, cars and buses go about their business.

Once a year Africa’s powerful leaders come together for the AU summit. The AU leadership rotates annually among member states, and during this meeting Benin’s President Boni Yayi was elected as the new chairman of the Assembly. The new African Union Conference Center and Office Complex (AUCC) in Addis Ababa was a gift from the Chinese government, and was inaugurated at the beginning of the summit in January 2012. The modern complex has a large round plenary hall and a 20-story office tower, which is now the highest building in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Meles Zenawi says about the new complex, “This magnificent new headquarters of our continental organization, the AU, which has been at the center of the struggle for the African renaissance is a symbol of the rise of Africa.”

The main agenda of the 18th AU summit was “Boosting Intra-African Trade” by looking at ways to increase commerce among African countries. The famine in Somalia and other current issues were also discussed during the summit.

VISION OF THE AFRICAN UNION

“An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena.”

MISSION AND VALUES OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION

“An efficient and value-adding institution driving the African integration and development process in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens”.