World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who has been in open conflict with the Ethiopian government, is set to arrive in Addis Ababa for the African Union Heads of State Summit on February 18-19. During his visit, he is expected to meet with African leaders to discuss key health challenges, including malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV, according to Meseret Media.

Tedros was elected as the WHO’s first African director-general in May 2017, with strong backing from Ethiopia. However, when the Tigray war erupted in November 2020, he clashed with the federal government, which accused him of supporting rebel groups. Ethiopian authorities alleged that he attempted to secure arms and diplomatic backing for the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), claims he has strongly denied.

Despite Ethiopia withholding its support, Tedros ran unopposed for a second term in October 2022 and was reappointed for another five-year term with the backing of 28 countries.

The implementation of the Pretoria Agreement, signed in November 2022 between Ethiopia’s federal government and the TPLF, brought an end to the devastating two-year war. Since then, the government has been more discreet in its criticism of the WHO chief.

This marks Tedros’ first visit to Ethiopia in five years.