PM Abiy Inaugurates Entoto–Kebena River and Riverside Development Project in Addis Ababa
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ethiopia
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially inaugurated the Entoto–Kebena River and Riverside Development Project in Addis Ababa on Sunday (June 28). During the inauguration, he described the transformation as featuring flood protection, modern bridges, and expansive green spaces, making Addis Ababa a climate-resilient, world-class capital. (See article)
Prime Minister Abiy visited Southern Ethiopia on Thursday (July 2), where he inaugurated the modern Hamasa Model Village and also visited the Yo Holding charcoal factory in the Gamo Zone as well as a tour of the Arba Minch Corridor Development Project.
The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC) unveiled on Wednesday (June 24) eight principal national agendas that will guide Ethiopia’s upcoming National Dialogue Conference, scheduled to commence on July 15, 2026. The announcement comes amid Ethiopia’s ongoing efforts to foster lasting peace, build national consensus, and shape the country’s shared future. (See article)
Prime Minister Abiy held a televised interview with an Ethiopian Media outlet on Tuesday (June 30), where he highlighted tourism as a new driver of economic growth, emphasizing its role in preserving the country’s heritage and reshaping global perceptions of Ethiopia.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, organized a Green Legacy Initiative seedling planting ceremony on Tuesday (June 30) for members of the diplomatic community based in Addis Ababa at Entoto Park. Speaking at the event, State Minister Ambassador Hadera Abera said Ethiopia remains committed to green development and is implementing the initiative in a manner that serves as an example to the world.
State Minister Ambassador Hadera met on Thursday (July 2) at his office with the outgoing Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed Salem Ahmed Mused Alrashdi where the two sides discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Djibouti
President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh received President Sheikh Mohamud in Djibouti on Saturday (June 27), where the two leaders discussed further strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between Somalia and Djibouti.
Somalia
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held bilateral talks with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Monday (June 29) to discuss economic cooperation, security, and regional stability, reaffirming relations anchored in mutual trust and respect.
Africa and the African Union
An Ethiopian delegation led by Daniel Tenkir, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, participated in the third Joint Annual Consultative Meeting between the African Union Peace and Security Council and the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council in Abuja, Nigeria, from June 29–30. Held under the theme, “Deepening Regional Collaboration towards Attaining More Effective Financing for Peace Support Operations in Africa,” the meeting focused on strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable peace financing.
PM Abiy Inaugurates Entoto–Kebena River and Riverside Development Project in Addis Ababa
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially inaugurated the Entoto–Kebena River and Riverside Development Project in Addis Ababa on Sunday (June 28). During the inauguration, he described the transformation as featuring flood protection, modern bridges, and expansive green spaces, making Addis Ababa a climate-resilient, world-class capital.
PM Abiy said the project goes beyond a construction milestone and accelerates the country’s efforts to transform the capital into a globally competitive tourism and economic hub that remains highly livable for its residents. He added that the government remains committed to improving citizens’ quality of life and delivering transformative change while upholding the public trust with loyalty, resilience, diligence, and sincerity.
Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie announced the official opening of the Entoto–Kebena River and Riverside Development Project and the Kebena Dam Project, describing them as remarkable gifts to the residents of the capital. She noted that Addis Ababa continues to provide practical and sustainable solutions to the needs and basic demands of its residents through the implementation of major development initiatives that reflect the aspirations of its people and the stature of the nation’s capital.
According to the Mayor, the newly inaugurated projects have significantly enhanced the beauty, elegance, and attractiveness of Addis Ababa while creating valuable recreational, environmental, and public service spaces for residents and visitors alike.
The development spans 87.6 hectares along a 10.5-kilometer river corridor and includes extensive infrastructure and environmental components. Key works include one large dam, 16 small dams, three check dams, and 20.2 kilometers of river retaining walls.
Additional features comprise 33.2 kilometers of roads, 21 pedestrian bridges, seven parking facilities accommodating 695 vehicles, a 1.2-kilometer hiking trail, three artificial waterfalls, and a water spring. Environmental restoration efforts include 59.7 hectares of green development and the planting of 50,330 trees, supported by 36,928 square meters of Konso gabion and terracing works designed to enhance soil stability and ecological protection.
Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission Unveils Eight National Key Agenda Pillars Ahead of Historic National Consultation Forum
The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC) unveiled on Wednesday (June 24) eight principal national agendas that will guide Ethiopia’s upcoming National Dialogue Conference, scheduled to commence on July 15, 2026. The announcement comes amid Ethiopia’s ongoing efforts to foster lasting peace, build national consensus, and shape the country’s shared future.
On the occasion, Chief Commissioner Mesfin Araya noted that, over the past four years, the Commission had undertaken a comprehensive agenda identification process through a transparent and bottom-up approach. He explained that the Commission conducted extensive consultations across all regional states, as well as the Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa city administrations, engaging federal institutions, political parties, civil society organizations, and members of the Ethiopian diaspora. He added that the Commission also reviewed relevant academic and public policy studies to ensure that the process remained inclusive, credible, and evidence based.
Presenting the national agendas, the Chief Commissioner underscored that the identified themes were drawn directly from the aspirations, grievances, and hopes expressed by Ethiopians during the nationwide consultations. Calling upon all Ethiopians to engage constructively in the National Dialogue, he emphasized that broad participation would be essential to achieving a shared national consensus.
According to the Commission, the eight broad thematic agendas identified are:
1. Nation-Building, which focuses on strengthening shared national identity, managing diversity, and preserving Ethiopia’s cultural and historical heritage;
2. State Structure, Governance Form, Political System, Political Representation, and Electoral Systems, covering constitutional and governance issues, federal-regional relations, and electoral systems;
3. Federal Cities: Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa, addressing the governance, legal status, and administrative arrangements of the two federal cities;
4. Religious Affairs, Historical Grievances, and Reconciliation, aimed at promoting religious harmony, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence;
5. Institution Building, Rule of Law, and Human Rights, focusing on strengthening democratic institutions, accountability, judicial independence, and human rights protection;
6. Socio-Economic Issues and the Concerns of Farmers and Pastoralists, dealing with equitable development, land and natural resource management, employment, and the needs of farming and pastoral communities;
7. Good Governance and Anti-Corruption, which seeks to improve transparency, accountability, and public trust in governance institutions; and
8. Peacebuilding, which addresses conflict resolution mechanisms and sustainable peace.
Reaffirming that the success of the National Dialogue depends on the constructive participation of all stakeholders, Commissioner Mesfin urged international partners to respect Ethiopia’s ownership of the process while continuing to provide constructive support.
Established in 2021 under Proclamation No. 1265/2021, the ENDC is an independent institution mandated to facilitate an inclusive and nationally owned dialogue process by identifying the root causes of differences on fundamental national issues and determining the topics requiring nationwide deliberation.
The National Dialogue Conference, scheduled to begin on July 15, is expected to bring together delegates representing Ethiopia’s more than 130 million people to deliberate on the identified national agendas and work toward forging a broad national consensus for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Ethiopia.
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