Abiy Ahmed vs Retno Marsudi

Abiy Ahmed was elected Prime Minister of Ethiopia by the ruling coalition, EPRDF. He succeeded Hailemariam Desalegn and immediately embarked on sweeping political reforms, including releasing political prisoners and opening up the political space.

Abiy signed a peace agreement with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, ending a 20-year border conflict. The deal led to the reopening of embassies, resumption of flights, and the awarding of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize to Abiy.

Abiy initiated economic liberalization, including partial privatization of state-owned enterprises like Ethio Telecom and Ethiopian Airlines. He also introduced a new investment law and sought to attract foreign capital, aiming to transform Ethiopia into a middle-income country.

Abiy ordered a military offensive against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) after a federal-state dispute. The Tigray War resulted in widespread atrocities, a humanitarian crisis, and the destabilization of northern Ethiopia, drawing international condemnation.

Facing military setbacks and international pressure, Abiy declared a unilateral ceasefire in Tigray. The ceasefire was initially rejected by the TPLF, but it eventually led to peace talks and the Pretoria Agreement in 2022, ending the two-year war.

Retno Marsudi was appointed as Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs under President Joko Widodo, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Her appointment marked a milestone for gender representation in Indonesian politics.

Retno Marsudi delivered a speech at the UN Security Council urging recognition of Palestinian statehood. She emphasized Indonesia's consistent support for a two-state solution and criticized Israeli settlements in occupied territories.

Retno Marsudi chaired the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting during Indonesia's ASEAN chairmanship. She focused on maintaining regional stability amid the Myanmar crisis and navigating great power competition between the US and China.

Retno Marsudi coordinated the evacuation of over 1,000 Indonesian citizens from Sudan during the 2023 conflict. The operation involved diplomatic negotiations and logistical coordination, successfully bringing citizens to safety.