Intensive atmosphere in Addis Ababa attracts Jens Odlander
The Government has today appointed Jens Odlander as new Ambassador in Ethiopia. "This is something that all diplomats dream of - working in Addis", he writes about his assignment.
"I feel strongly motivated and this spirit is also found at the embassy in Addis." Photo: Private
You have been appointed today as Ambassador in Addis Abeba. How does it feel?
Well, of course, it feels very good. I realise the extent of the task and the faith entrusted in me. Addis is sometimes called 'the capital city of Africa'. Ethiopia is a key actor in Africa. I will also be Sweden's representative to the African Union (AU). There are several regional organisations in Addis, and a hundred or more embassies, UN bodies and development assistance organisations, so it is a really intensive environment and somewhat of a dream job for a diplomat to have.
What makes it especially challenging is that the embassy plays so many roles, with both bilateral and multilateral political work, and bilateral and regional development cooperation. The embassy also deals with many, complicated migration cases.
Tell us a little about your background. What previous experience do you think will be useful in the new job?
I have fresh experience in getting our diplomatic presence in Sudan off the ground and after that as envoy to the Somali peace process. I have also done 'field service' for the EU on the West Bank and Gaza and have learned from working under Mats Bergquist in Tel Aviv and London. But I have mainly been working on an entirely different track, with EU issues, actually ever since the EEA negotiations, on the membership referendum, the euro issue and two intergovernmental conferences.
The focus of the AU and EU peace efforts is the management of a number of African conflicts where much blood has been spilled. As the envoy to Sudan and Somalia, I saw the devastation first hand - what war and conflict mean to ordinary people. There is a humanitarian imperative. A functioning peace process, based on trust between the parties, can do more good than tons of emergency relief and hundreds of aid workers. I feel strongly motivated and this spirit is also found at the embassy in Addis.
What will be your most important task as Sweden's Ambassador in Addis?
I am looking forward to taking up my position and planning the work during the Swedish Presidency of the EU, moving into the troika and building up a network. This is because much of the cooperation between the EU and Africa will converge at the embassy in Addis during our six months of Presidency.
This is why the extrovert aspect of the role as Ambassador - representing Sweden - will dominate this year because of the Presidency. But it is also important to bring out the best in one's colleagues, to lead a team and get everything to work together. And I have understood this much, that the team at the embassy is a strong one.
