On January 28, 2015, Embassy Asmara showed President Obama’s State of the Union Address to Congress. Charge d’ Affairs Louis Mazel introduced the speech, explaining the constitutional requirement and the history of the event. The audience, which included several ambassadors and civil society representatives, were provided with a printed copy of the speech as well as the Republican reply. Afterwards the Chargé opened the floor for discussion and questions. For many of the 50 participants, this was the first time watching the State of the Union.