President Higgins due to meet Ethiopian Prime Minister

President Michael D. Higgins has begun his three week visit to Africa, where he is due to visit Ethiopia, Malawi and South Africa.

The president arrived in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa yesterday, where he vsited the country's National Museum.

President Higgins is attending a bi-lateral meeting with Ethiopian prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn this morning, before visiting a women empowerment programme run by Trocaire.

Later on he will be received by President Mulatu Tushome, ahead of one of his keynote speeches at the UN where he will address issues specific to Africa such as climate change, food security and civil rights.

He will also discuss the importance of Africa to Irish foreign policy and the similarities drawn by colonial experiences.