News in Brief

A delegation led by the Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy of Ethiopia pays a visit to South Sudan, Rwanda, and Kenya

Ethiopia turns a New Page in Digital Transformation

Ethiopia and the European Union conduct annual political consultation

Africa and the African Union

The African Union Commission (AUC) announced on Saturday (June 05) that it has approved the government of Ethiopia’s invitation to deploy election observers for the general elections in the country. AUC Chairperson Moussa F. Mahamat approved the deployment of both long- and short-term African Union observers to the general elections in Ethiopia scheduled for 21 June 2021.

The African Union officially launched the African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), the world’s largest continent-wide energy trading program meant to interconnect all 55 African Union Member States through an efficient, affordable, and sustainable electricity market. The event took place on Thursday (June 03). Before heralding the official launch of the AfSEM on behalf of Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AUC, Deputy Chairperson,   Monique Nsanzabaganwa said the event marks an important milestone reached after a long, challenging, and crucial journey that started in 2015.

Ethiopia

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has inaugurated the 231 million USD worth Beles Sugar Factory on Sunday (June 06). In his inaugural speech, Premier Abiy noted that the sugar factory’s inauguration was not an easy one as it has encountered various challenges since its inception 60 years ago. Construction of the sugar factory commenced in 2011 and after the extended delay, it was given to a Chines company in 2018 which has successfully completed in a short period of time. Officials from the federal and regional attended the inauguration ceremony.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has inaugurated the 5.2-billion-birr worth Private Edible Oil factory on Monday (June 07). In his inaugural speech Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said, strengthening our unity and ensuring prosperity would be beneficial as it is impossible to disintegrate Ethiopia.  Forces that try to disintegrate Ethiopia should realize that they cannot accomplish their goal and return to unity, he added. “It is possible to attain prosperity by supporting business persons, marching hand-in-hand and utilizing resources,” Abiy stated. 

Prime Minister   Abiy Ahmed and high-level Ethiopian government officials have warmly received Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya upon his arrival at Bole International Airport on Tuesday (June 08). The President has been accompanied by investors and high-level Kenyan politicians. Both of the leaders participated later in a tree planting ceremony as part of the Green legacy Initiative launched by Prime Minister Abiy three years ago. They have also participated in the signing in ceremony of the Telecom operating License between Ethio Telecom and the Global Consortium for Ethiopia.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Says Opening of Telecom Sector in Ethiopia Positively Impacts All Sectors of Economy. The introduction of competition as a result of the opening up of the telecom sector is expected to positively impact every sector of the economy, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Wednesday (June 09). The premier made the remark on the license agreement signing ceremony between Ethiopia and the Global Partnership for Ethiopia in the presence of President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya.

An International consortium led by Kenyan technology giant Safaricom received the telecom operations license on June 8, 2021, in Addis Ababa. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and President of the Republic of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta witnessed the colorful Ceremony. The event is the third major game-changer development project after the operationalization of the Lamu berth and the commissioning Moyale One-Stop- Border-Post last week. (See article)

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed attended a ceremony held on Tuesday (June 08) to launch the book Ashara, a collection of speeches made by the PM to the House of People’s Representatives. At the book launching ceremony, Abiy recalled that the government has been facing many challenges over the years. However, successful development activities have been carried out during the past three years despite the many challenges faced in Ethiopia, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia,  Demeke Mekonnen had a phone call on Thursday (June 10) with Wang Yi, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. During their conversation,  Demeke applauded the long-standing relationship that Ethiopia and China continued to enjoy with a deep sense of equality, respect, trust, and mutual interest. Despite all the commendable efforts of the government of Ethiopia in addressing the concerns of the international community, such as supporting independent investigations over allegedly committed atrocities, bringing perpetrators of various crimes into justice, and expanding access to humanitarians to the region, the misinformation campaign against the government is not abated yet, he said. Following Demeke’s briefing over the Tigray issue,  Wang Yi appreciated the efforts of the Ethiopian government to rebuild the region and rebuked attempts to meddle in the internal affairs of the country using human rights issues as a pretext. In this regard, he said China will continue to stand firm on its principle of non-interference in the domestic affairs of countries through its deep respect for their sovereign right to handle their internal affairs.

Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia has held a virtual discussion on Thursday (June 10) with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Estonia,  Ms. Eva-Maria Liimets on ways to advance bilateral ties and cooperate on international forums. At the onset, Ms. Eva-Maria Liimets said Ethiopia is an important partner of Estonia, and her country wants to further strengthen its comprehensive relations with Ethiopia, particularly in building a digital economy. Taking into account that Estonia is going to take over the Presidency of the Security Council for the month of June, Deputy Prime Minister Demeke said Ethiopia expects Estonia to play a constructive role on issues related to Ethiopia’s national interest. In this regard, he briefed the Estonian foreign Minister on major issues related to the situation in Tigray, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, and the Ethiopia-Sudan border dispute, and the upcoming general elections in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia and the European Union have conducted on Thursday (June 10) a dialogue as per Article 8 of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement signed between the European Union and the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States (“ACP countries”). Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia,  Demeke Mekonnen, and EU Ambassador to Ethiopia  Johan Borgstam led the discussion which covered economic and political issues of common concern. (See article)

Last week, an Ethiopian delegation led by Seleshi Bekele, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy has paid a visit to the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Rwanda, and the Republic of Uganda where he had held discussions with the Presidents of the respective Republics. (See article)

The speaker of the FDRE House of Federation,  Adem Farah, has delivered the message of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to the President of the European Council Charles Michel and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday (June 10). PM Abiy’s message to President Von Der Leyen was handed over to EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic, while the message to President Michel was handed over to  Simon Mordue, his Chief Foreign Policy Advisor.

State Minister Ambassador Redwan Hussien on Monday (June 07) warmly welcomed to his office, Ambassador Raychelle Omamo, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya to discuss bilateral relations and issues of common concern between the two countries. At the onset, Ambassador Redwan lauded the long-standing fraternal relationship between the two countries and stressed the need to deepen ties with expanded engagements.

In a biweekly press briefing on Thursday (June 10), Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dina Mufti said that some factories in Tigray, including textile and cement factories have already started operation and exporting products. The military, the federal and regional justice systems are working in concert, where 60 suspected soldiers were brought to justice, of whom some are convicted and sentenced subsequently, Ambassador Dina said.

In the Press Briefing session organized by the Office of Prime Minister on Wednesday (June 09), Commissioner of National Disaster Risk Management Commission, Mitiku Kassa said food and non-food items have been delivered for 4.5 million beneficiaries in the first round and have been delivered for 5.2 million beneficiaries in the second and third round. It continues to address more people. The Commissioner said that 170,798 Metric tons of food which costs 5.4 billion birr or 135 million USD distributed so far to the region.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ambassador Melaku Legesse presented on Friday (June 04) his credentials to the President of the Republic of Senegal, Macky Sall. Following the ceremony of presentation of credentials, the Ambassador updated the President on current issues in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, the Ethiopia-Sudan border issue, the upcoming national election, and the Ethiopian government’s perspectives on regional issues including the negotiations on the GERD.

Ambassador Kassa Teklebirhan met with TOSHIKAZU “KAZ” NAMBU, Executive Vice President of Sumitomo Corporation on Tuesday (June 08).  The Vice President expressed his happiness that Sumitomo Corporation won the award of a Full-Service Telecommunications License in Ethiopia along with its international partners.  He also thanked the Government of Ethiopia for transparently handling the bidding process.

Ethiopian Embassy in Canada in collaboration with Alliance for GERD in Canada, Alberta chapter raised more than 140,000 Canadian dollars in a fundraising event that was held on Saturday (June 05). Ethiopians and people of Ethiopian descent in Alberta have donated 25,000 Canadian dollars previously. Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Canada,  Nassise Chali appreciated the ongoing fundraising campaign for the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam which raised $ 300,000 so far. Ambassador Nassise further stressed the need to stand together to fend off pressures that compromise the sovereignty of Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian Embassy in London, UK has issued a statement on Sunday (June 06) concerning Allegations of the Use of “Starvation as a Weapon of War” in Tigray. It says, “With the Government’s continued provision of food assistance to the Region, allegations of starvation being used as a weapon of war are unfounded and politically motivated. The concoction of figures and stories to push a particular global narrative does not serve the people of Tigray in whose name the fabrications are spun for fundraising, relevance, and other interests.” Please click here to read the whole statement:  https://www.ethioembassy.org.uk/statement-on-allegations…/

Ambassador Million Samuel met and held discussions with several Estonian officials during his stay in Tallinn, Estonia for the presentation of his credentials accrediting him as Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the Republic of Estonia on Saturday (June 05). In this connection, Ambassador Million met with Marko Mikhelson, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Estonian parliament,  Lembit Uibo, Political Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Mrs. lngrid Amer, Director of Middle East, Africa and Latin America in MFA, and Ms. Nele Leosk, Ambassador-at-large for Digital Affairs in MFA.

Ethiopia, World Bank Sign 250 Mln USD Financing Agreement on Friday (June 04) to Bolster Basic Social Services. The Government of Ethiopia and World Bank inked the 250 million USD financing agreement in the form of a loan to bolster basic social services. The objective of the Enhancing Shared Prosperity through Equitable Services Program (ESPES) aims to improve equitable access to essential services for the whole population of Ethiopia by improving results in health, education, and agriculture services.

Ethiopian and Russian agreed to enhance cooperation in the field of intelligence and security as well as other multifaceted areas. This was disclosed during the meeting held on Wednesday (June 09) between the Director of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) of Ethiopia, Temesgen Tiruneh and Russian Ambassador to Ethiopia Yevgeny Terekhin. The two officials have exchanged views on various bilateral issues.

Eritrea

Eritrean nationals in Sweden known as “Eri-Childhood” contributed 100 wheelchairs to disabled nationals on Monday (June 07). According to Gebrehiwet Tekle, head of Physiotherapy Center at the Orotta Referral Hospital, wheelchairs will have a significant contribution in alleviating the problem of the disabled citizens and their caretakers and expressed appreciation for the initiative the members of the “Eri-Childhood” took.

Djibouti

Foreign Minister Mahamoud says Djibouti attaches high importance to its relations with Ethiopia. In a discussion held on Thursday (June 03) between Djiboutian Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and Ethiopian Ambassador to Djibouti, Berhanu Tsegaye, the Minister reiterated that his government attaches higher importance to its ties with Ethiopia.  Foreign Minister Mahamoud added, Ethiopia and Djibouti have a strong relationship that set an example for other neighboring countries. Minister Mahmoud affirmed his government’s readiness to upscale the ties to high gear in multifaceted arrays.

A delegation of senior officials led by Ethiopia’s Finance Minister Ahmed Shide comprising Army Chief of Staff General Berhanu Jula and Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Service, Temesgen Tiruneh, met and held talks with President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti on current regional and bilateral relations.  During the meeting, it was noted that the strategic relationship between the two countries is historical, robust, and unstirred by any foreign influence. It is also stated that these strategic ties are further cemented by the symbolic people-to-people relationships. The delegation briefed the President on the current situation in Ethiopia and underscored that the government has continued its commitments to ensure peace and tranquillity in the country by overcoming both internal and external pressures. President Ismail Omar Guelleh on his part noted that the relationship between Ethiopia and Djibouti is stronger than ever and commended the Ethiopian government’s efforts to resolve its internal problems.

Chief of Staff of the National Defense Force of Ethiopia General Berhanu Jula met on Thursday (June 09) with his Djiboutian counterpart General Zekaria to discuss ways to further strengthen cooperation between the defense forces of the two countries. During the meeting, the two sides reiterated their government’s interest to replicate success stories of people-to-people engagements and exemplary economic ties between the two countries in the defense areas as well. The two sides have called for creating more favorable platforms and mechanisms to share information and expertise as well as pursue joint training. The two counterparts have deliberated ways to scale up collaborations to make the Ethio-Djibouti corridor a peaceful zone and agreed to continue holding joint defense meetings annually.

Kenya

President Kenyatta said the Telecom license award marks a historic moment in Kenya-Ethiopia’s mutual prosperity drive.  Addressing the unveiling of the license to the Global Partnership for Ethiopia Consortium, Kenyan on Wednesday (June 09) President Uhuru Kenyata said the decision made by the Ethiopian government to grant an operating license to the Global Partnership for Ethiopia, a consortium with a majority share shareholding of Kenya Safaricom is a historic moment in the two countries’ cherished journey for mutual prosperity.

Sudan

Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok calls on the international community to address issues of refugees and the displaced.  Abdalla Hamdok who met, Tuesday (June 08), at his office, the Special Envoy of the High Commissioner for Refugees for the Horn of Africa, Ambassador Mohammed Idi Afi called on the international community to give priority to addressing the issues of the refugees and the displaced and the host communities in the two countries.

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A delegation led by the Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy of Ethiopia pays a visit to South Sudan, Rwanda, and Kenya

Last week, an Ethiopian delegation led by Seleshi Bekele, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy has paid a visit to the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Rwanda, and the Republic of Uganda where he had held discussions with the Presidents of the respective Republics.

Seleshi Bekele has extensively briefed the leaders on the geneses of the law enforcement measures in Tigray and the current state of affairs in the region. He elaborated that the removal of the TPLF clique from power was a result of its creation of a dictatorial regime, unequal representation of the diverse people of Ethiopia as well as bad practices of unfair and unbalanced access to the resources in the last three decades of its iron fist rule which led to a popular uprising for 3 years before its removal in 2018.

Prior to its heinous attacks in November 2020, the government of Ethiopia had tolerated the TPLF and had exerted relentless efforts to resolve the crises in a peaceful manner deploying local prominent personalities and religious leaders from all denominations.

The TPLF at last and in its true color of anti- Ethiopian nature moved against the peace and stability of Ethiopia and adding more salt to the injury, launched a massive offensive on 3 November 2020 in all army and police camps destroying every infrastructure in Tigray.

Minister Seleshi has underlined that the government of Ethiopia was therefore left with no options but to take a law enforcement measure to ensure constitutional rule was put back in place. Hence the military operation was over after three weeks in January 2021 and since then humanitarian efforts are being undertaken extensively.

The minister has explained activities that are underway ranging from health services to the supply of agricultural inputs as well as education, assistance to IDPs, peacebuilding, redeployment of the regional police, and how communication materials guidelines put forth to the donor community and journalists from the international media.

Seleshi Bekele has also briefed the Presidents of the three countries in detail about the upcoming elections of Ethiopia which is to take place on 21 June 2021. Preparations he said have so far been successful with more than 40 million citizens registered, with 50 thousand polling stations and 59 political parties competing for seats at the regional and national parliaments.

In a similar manner,    Seleshi Bekele has briefed the Presidents on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) negotiations under the auspices of the African Union (the AU) emphasizing Ethiopia’s unflinching position that an African problem must be resolved by African solutions. The Minister has criticized the unfair demands of Egypt and the Sudan for which Ethiopia kept on rejecting their attempt to stand in the way of Ethiopia’s future development endeavors without causing significant harm to them. 

Seleshi Bekele has finally expounded on the Ethio-Sudan boundary dispute underscoring Ethiopia’s position that the dispute has to be resolved in dialogue with long-existing bilateral mechanisms while rejecting Sudan’s transgression into areas that were under Ethiopia’s effective control for over a century. Seleshi emphatically informed the Presidents that the only way out for the Sudan and Ethiopia is to negotiate in good faith on the basis of the 1972 Exchange of Notes in which Sudan has agreed on the need to adjust the boundary line demarcated by Sudan’s colonial master, the UK, without the presence of uncolonized and independent Ethiopia.

The three Presidents after receiving a written message of H.E Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and listening to the explanations of Seleshi Bekele were emphatic on the need to keep the unity and territorial integrity of Ethiopia vis-a-vis the heinous acts of aggression by the TPLF on the national defense forces in particular and on the very survival of the Ethiopian state in general. They have all appreciated the humanitarian and reconstruction endeavors of the government of Ethiopia commenting on the unfair treatment of Ethiopia from the Western world.

The three presidents have all wished Ethiopia to conduct a peaceful, free and fair election in June 2021 appreciating the correct path Ethiopia is following after the system of divide and rule of the TPLF has been dismantled.

Furthermore, the leaders of South Sudan, Rwanda, and Uganda have insisted on the continuation of Ethiopia’s wise handling of the Ethio-Sudan border dispute which would have been an opportunity for Ethiopia’s detractors to maneuver it to their unfair advantage.

Rightly in relation to the Ethio-Sudan border dispute, the leaders have all cautioned the downstream governments that the dispute on the GERD must be resolved in a dialogue on the basis of an African solution to African problems under the leadership of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The three leaders, more importantly, underscored that the colonial-era treaties can no longer serve the interests of the riparian states and the concept of historical rights need to be replaced by the principle of just and equitable utilization of the Nile by all its riparian states.

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Ethiopia turns a New Page in Digital Transformation

An International consortium led by Kenyan technology giant Safaricom received the telecom operations license on June 8, 2021, in Addis Ababa. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and President of the Republic of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta witnessed the colorful Ceremony. The event is the third major game-changer development project after the operationalization of the Lamu berth and the commissioning Moyale One-Stop- Border-Post last week.

When Prime Minister Abiy assumed office in 2018 he announced his commitment to liberalize the telecommunication sector and open it up to both domestic and foreign investors. This latest development is therefore the realization of that vision. This decision was taken as a landmark signature turning a major policy shift in the recent history of Ethiopia. Many have doubted that commitment but with the signing of the historic agreement with Global Partnership for Ethiopia, we are in a position to catalyze inclusive prosperity which is a priority of the incumbent administration. 

The event in the magnificent Sheger Park marks the beginning of further strong ties of our undented traditional relation that survived the test of time. This momentous occasion contributes to the advancement of digital technology in Ethiopia. Speaking during the awarding ceremony of the license to the Global partnership for Ethiopia, which was declared the winner on May 22, 2021, earning access to provide telecom service to Ethiopian, Uhuru 

Kenyatta said Kenya has seen the great gains by Safaricom across the entirety of Kenyan society and also wished Ethiopians enjoy that experience. 

As the Safaricom CEO, Peter Negwa said on the occasion, the award of the license opens an opportunity for Ethiopia to accelerate its digital agenda by increasing connectivity, creating digital business and employment opportunities. Ethiopian Embassy in Nairobi would like to congratulate Safaricom for kick-starting its journey in tandem with its partners to the people of Ethiopia.

In conclusion, the Embassy of Ethiopia in Kenya welcomes Safaricom for coming to the telecom landscape and Ethiopia, Land of Origins and invites more Kenyan businessmen to tap investment opportunities in Ethiopia. Let us prosper together.

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Ethiopia and the European Union conduct annual political consultation

Ethiopia and the European Union have conducted on Thursday (June 10) a dialogue as per Article 8 of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement signed between the European Union and the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States (“ACP countries”). Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia,  Demeke Mekonnen, and EU Ambassador to Ethiopia  Johan Borgstam led the discussion which covered economic and political issues of common concern.

At the onset,  Demeke appreciated the historic partnership between Ethiopia and the EU and noted that the political consultation was a fitting component of the strategic engagement between the two sides. He also appreciated the commitments of the Team Europe Initiative for support of Africa’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Union’s financial and in-kind support to developing countries, including Ethiopia to help them fight the pandemic.

Speaking about cooperation on the economic front, the Deputy Prime Minister pledged to give due attention to bottlenecks to foreign investment in the country. He also urged the EU’s support to the implementation of Ethiopia’s homegrown economic reform agenda which, according to him, needs serious commitment and participation of all stakeholders, including private businesses.

In their discussion about the overall situation in Tigray, the Deputy Prime Minister provided updates on the issue of Humanitarian access, withdrawal of Eritrean troops, and efforts to hold perpetrators of alleged Human Rights violations and atrocities accountable.

In this regard, he said an email notification is the only requirement to access the region and most parts of the region are now accessible where the government has created a conducive environment to speed up the delivery of food and non-food supplies to the needy people in the region. In the areas where the safe movement of humanitarian cargos is strained, military escort has been taken as the right measure and last resort to get access and reach people who need support, he added. Despite the improved access, the government is still the main player in addressing the needs of the majority of the people who need support, he said stressing the need to scale up support in this regard.

Regarding ongoing agricultural activities, he said the region cultivates up to 950,000 hectares apart from the mechanized farm, and approximately 70 percent of the land is cultivated with the government providing improved seeds and fertilizers so far. However, the Deputy Prime Minister said to meet the demand for seeds and fertilizers in the region, the government needs urgent support to transport such products from ports to intended destinations.

Noting the encouraging investigations carried out by domestic independent institutions and the joint Ethiopia-UN initiative to investigate alleged atrocities in the region,  Demeke informed the Ambassadors that more than 4,000 regional police officers participated in refresher training and are now on duty as part of an effort to return the region into normalcy. Adding on this, the Deputy Prime Minister mentioned that the military justice system has so far investigated and brought to military courts 60 soldiers who have been suspected of committing rape or killed civilians. In addition to the trials underway, he said three soldiers have already been convicted and sentenced for rape while one soldier has been convicted and sentenced for killing a civilian. The investigation for Maikadra has been completed and the judicial process has begun at Federal Courts in Maikadra and Axum, he said adding that Investigation regarding Axum is being finalized.

The Deputy Prime Minister also addressed the concerns of the European Union over the presence of Eritrean troops in the region mentioning that the process of evacuating the troops has already begun as per the agreement between the two countries to withdraw troops phase by phase from the Ethiopian Territory. It is reported last week that the Eritreans have already started to evacuate their troops from the region.

Finally, in their discussion on the upcoming general elections, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the Government is committed to making sure that the upcoming election is one of a kind in the country’s political history given the various measures that have been taken, including freedom of association, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and various legal and structural reforms on matters related to electoral activities.

Article 8 Dialogue is conducted every year between the EU as a group and ACP countries individually as provided for in Article 8 of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement.