Microsoft is offering voluntary retirement to thousands of employees.

https://youtu.be/pYtMzecXKsY?si=b-NZ7utSos2LnX4j

18:00 – The Sunset Debrief

I would close my laptop, lock the heavy oak door of the Chancellery, and step out into the cool evening air, the scent of roasting coffee beans and eucalyptus smoke signaling the end of a day spent weaving the fabric of international relations.

18:00 – The Sunset Debrief

Before leaving, I’d take a moment to look out toward the city. Addis in 2007 was growing—construction cranes dotted the skyline, and the city felt like a place where history was being written in real-time. My work as an attaché wasn't just about outputting press releases; it was about ensuring that the French voice in this ancient, evolving empire was one of clarity, respect, and enduring cooperation.

18:00 – The Sunset Debrief

18:00 – The Sunset Debrief

As the sun began to dip behind the peaks, painting the sky in that unique, bruised Ethiopian purple, the pace slowed. I would check the evening cycle of news to see how our morning messaging had landed. If the headline was balanced, it was a success.

15:00 – Crisis Communications and High-Stakes Logistics

I remember one specific Tuesday: a high-level French official was arriving, and the local press was skeptical about the intent of the visit. I spent the entire afternoon drafting press releases in French and coordinating with the local news bureaus to ensure the phrasing was both accurate and diplomatic. One wrong adjective could overshadow a million dollars in infrastructure investment.

15:00 – Crisis Communications and High-Stakes Logistics

15:00 – Crisis Communications and High-Stakes Logistics

The afternoon was reserved for the unpredictable. 2007 was a year of diplomatic sensitivity. Whether it was coordinating a press conference for the Ambassador regarding humanitarian aid in the Ogaden region or managing a sudden influx of requests for interviews from Paris-based journalists descending on the capital, I was the gatekeeper.

13:00 – The Liaison

13:00 – The Liaison

Lunch was rarely a private affair. It was usually a working lunch at a hotel like the Hilton, where the diplomatic corps collided with the local intelligentsia. My role here was to be the "hidden ear." I sat with editors-in-chief, testing the temperature of the room. If a controversial visa policy was about to hit the front pages, I needed to know why, and I needed to be ready with a fact sheet by 2:00 PM.

10:00 – Managing the "Third Space"

In 2007, France was heavily involved in cultural diplomacy. I coordinated press junkets for the Alliance Ethio-Française. I recall the delicate work of managing the media presence for a visiting French delegation. I had to ensure that the journalists—who were often wary of Western narratives—felt respected, not lectured at. I learned that in Addis, a cup of coffee wasn't just a break; it was the mechanism of diplomacy. I spent hours in local cafés, listening more than speaking, ensuring the Embassy’s image remained one of partnership rather than paternalism.

10:00 – Managing the "Third Space"

10:00 – Managing the "Third Space"

By mid-morning, I transitioned from observer to bridge-builder. My office was the primary point of contact for Ethiopian journalists. I spent hours translating the complex nuances of French foreign policy into digestible, culturally resonant narratives.

07:30 – The Morning Briefing

I was looking for the signal in the noise: Did the latest editorial mention the French development aid for the Addis Ababa University library project? Was there friction regarding regional security? I synthesized these into a concise memo for the Ambassador, a document that would define his talking points for the day.