News in Brief

A statement made by PM Abiy Ahmed at a joint press conference with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen meets U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman

Ethiopia, Djibouti ties show upward trajectory the past fiscal year

Statement regarding the latest ‘report by Amnesty International on the alleged rape and other sexual violence in the Tigray Regional State of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Africa and the African Union

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called on Africans to stand by Ethiopia in its difficult times in a message on his Twitter page. The message reads, “For all African brothers and sisters, leaders, academics who are supporting Ethiopia in its time of need, we salute you! As Ethiopia stood beside others in various historical struggles, your solidarity in our utmost time of need is noteworthy. #Africa will prevail in unity!”

A five-day election security training has been concluded in Jowhar, HirShabelle State, with renewed calls for the police to be fully trained and equipped in order to ably manage the country’s elections security. The training was organized by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). “This is a very important training which has come at the right time” said the AMISOM Police Coordinating Officer in HirShabelle State, Mutama Eliud. “The knowledge acquired will be critical in the execution of police duties as the country goes for elections.”

IGAD, UNMISS, RJMEC and CTSAMVM welcome and commend the 10th August 2021 resolution of the Presidency of the Republic of South Sudan reiterating its commitment to the implementation of the R-ARCSS and calling for inter alia;, the immediate cessation of hostilities within the SPLM/A-IO as well as the amicable resolution of the existing dispute. This proactive step is yet another manifestation of the capability of the leadership of the Republic of South Sudan to tackle the challenges and issues afflicting the country and of their resolve not to relapse to conflict, reads a statement released last week on Friday.

Ethiopia

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has returned home on Wednesday (August 18) concluding his working visit to Turkey. The premier said that he has spent fruitful time with the Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdogan. “Ethiopia will never forget the critical time cooperation the people and government of Turkey extended to us” the Prime Minister said.

In related news, Ethiopia and Turkey have signed water and military financial cooperation in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday (August 18). Foreign Affairs State Minister, Ambassador Redwan Hussein and the Defense Minister Dr. Kenea Yadeta signed the agreement representing Ethiopia. “The agreements we have signed are vital in strengthening relationships between Ethiopia and Turkey. I appreciate Turkey’s support in Ethiopia’s continued development and stability” Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on the occasion. The Turkish President, Recep Tayyib Erdogan commended the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries reaffirming commitment to transform the ties to a higher level in several areas of cooperation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen, held talks on Tuesday (August 17) with U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Jeffrey Feltman. During their discussion, the Deputy Prime Minister said the relationship between the two countries is historic, longstanding, and founded on shared interests and vision. The Deputy Prime Minister spoke in detail about the genesis of the TPLF attack on the Northern Command of the ENDF, including all the destructive acts of the group leading to the present day. (See article)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia has issued a statement over the week regarding the report released by Amnesty International accusing Ethiopia and Eritrea over allegedly committed crimes in Tigray. The Government response said, “Amnesty’s report is based on a flawed methodology and relies heavily on interviews conducted in refugee camps in the Sudan and remote interviews facilitated by ‘community workers.’ For everyone familiar with the modus operandi of the terrorist TPLF, the identity of these ‘community workers’ is no great mystery. Furthermore, after interviewing 63 individuals, Amnesty reaches sweeping and far-reaching conclusions that could hardly be supported by the limited and remote ‘investigation’ it claims to have conducted. Amnesty’s investigation when considering the seriousness of the conclusions of the report, including allegations that the highest level of Government has ‘tolerated’ sexual violence, seems scanty and decidedly lacking in rigor. (See full statement)

The National Disaster Risk Management Commission stated on Thursday (August 19) that it has been delivering food and non-food aid to more than 376,000 people displaced due to TPLF terror attacks against civilians in northern parts of the country. Commissioner Mitiku Kassa exclusively told FBC that the number of people who are in need of humanitarian support is alarmingly increasing in Amhara and Afar Regional states as the criminal TPLF continued attacking innocent people.

The Russian Federation called on the international community and regional organizations to support the steps taken by the Ethiopian Government to normalize the situation in Tigray in order to return the region to peace and restore normal life. In a recent press briefing, Spokesperson of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that her country believes that Ethiopians themselves must play a decisive role in settling the intra-Ethiopian conflict, primarily with the assistance of the African community.

The Innovation and Technology Minister, Abrham Belay (PhD) announced that Ethiopia’s e-commerce size has reached over 300 Billion Birr during the concluded fiscal year. He stated that Ethiopia has put in place enabling mechanisms that helped to speed up its path to the digital economy.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced on Thursday (August 19) online services to quests for diplomatic privileges, immunity service, VIP Saloon and visa applications. The online service is a joint venture of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Innovation and Technology. According to Faisal Alie, Director General of Protocol Affairs at the Ministry, the applications give service to quests for diplomatic privileges, immunity service, VIP saloon, and visa service. The online service can be accessed via WWW.eservices.gov.et.

Ministry of Health has signed a trilateral agreement on Friday (August 20) with the International mic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the China mic Energy Authority (CAEA). The Health Minister, Dr. Lia Tadesse said the Ministry looks forward to enhance its collaboration and partnership with CAEA and IAEA as per the efforts to build resilient health system in the country. The agreement is to jointly implement an Extra-budgetary In-Kind Contribution for a Project titled “Strengthening Capabilities of Member States in Building, Strengthening and Restoring Capacities and Services in Case of Outbreaks, Emergencies and Disasters”, She said.

Science and Higher Education Ministry of Ethiopia and the United Nations Education Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have signed an agreement on Wednesday (August 18) to facilitate peace education in universities. It is stated on the occasion that the agreement is mainly focused at fostering conflict resolution mechanisms, preventing conflicts and enhancing quality of education in higher education institutions.

Ethiopian Investment Commissioner, Lelise Neme on Thursday (August 12) met with ambassadors of Greece and Morocco to Ethiopia, Anna Farrou and Nezha Alaoui M’hammdi, respectively. The Commissioner briefed them the investment opportunities available in Ethiopia. They also discussed ways to increase investment flow from the two countries, according to the Ethiopian Investment Commission.

The National Defense Ministry of China has donated 200,000 doses of Sinovac COVID 19 Vaccine on Thursday (August 19) to its Ethiopian Counterpart. During the handover ceremony, Defense Health Development and Disease Prevention Division Head at the Ethiopian Defense Force, Colonel Dr. Alemu Tike said the vaccines have a capacity of immunizing more than 150,000 troops against Coronavirus. Preparations are underway to transport the vaccine to troops of the national army stationed at various fronts in the country.

Tourism Ethiopia on Sunday (August 19) said that it has prepared an outline entitled: “National Tourism Investment Profile” and identified 50 prospective investment sites to help Ethiopia reap tourism sector potential for the next 10 years. Tourism Ethiopia Director, Sileshi Girma told The Ethiopian Herald that they have identified 50 potential sites for investment in the coming 10 years in the tourism industry. “We need to make about 30 investment alternatives in 50 places for the domestic and foreign investors. We have started working together with various private institutions serving as intermediary to attract foreign investors,” he said.

The Ethiopian Diaspora Associations Consortium has called on the diaspora to stand united and use the right channels to support Ethiopia. Briefing the media on the current situation of the country last week, Ethiopian Diaspora Associations Consortium Chairperson Sosina Wogayehu said the diaspora communities are responding enthusiastically to the National Call made to fight the terrorist group TPLF. Although many are extending support individually and as groups to the call, however, the support should be organized and made through the right channels, she added. According to her, a number of Ethiopians in the diaspora are being cheated by some rogues manipulating the patriotism of Ethiopians as the diaspora are not well organized and integrated.

Djibouti

Public, Business & Economy Diplomacy Councillor, at the Ethiopian Embassy in Djibouti, Beneyam Ephrem Betrework has given a briefing to the Djiboutian Government and Private media outlets regarding notable achievements on strategic, port, business & economy as well as people to people relations between Ethiopia & Djibouti during this Ethiopian fiscal year. He noted that the Ethiopia-Djibouti relationships showed an upward trajectory in all dimensions. He also expressed the Embassy’s heartfelt gratitude for all the government and private institutes that made this possible. The outstanding achievements are testimonies that the ties between the two countries would see a massive improvement in the years to come, he added. (See article)

Somalia

The 10 years of friendly and brotherly relations between Turkey and Somalia have helped achieve tangible progress in several fields in Mogadishu, Somali Deputy Prime Minister Khadar Guiled said Thursday (August 12). Guiled, senior government officials and Turkish Ambassador to Somalia Mehmet Yilmaz attended the ceremony to celebrate the 10-year anniversary in the capital Mogadishu.

At least two people were killed and five wounded Thursday after a suicide bomber detonated a device inside a cafe in the Somali capital Mogadishu, police and witnesses said. The suicide bomber targeted a tea shop near a crowded junction in northern Mogadishu which was reportedly frequented by members of the Somali security forces as well as civilians. The Al-Qaeda-linked group Al-Shabaab claimed the attack through their Shahada News Agency, according to the US monitoring group SITE.

The Somali government says a joint operation by army and local forces in the central regions have killed 25 Al-Shabaab fighters. According to a statement from the Ministry of Information, this came after fighting on Tuesday and Wednesday, which also saw the demise of five Galmudug State combatants allied to the federal government.

South Sudan

Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok met in Juba on Thursday (August 19) with South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his first deputy Riek Machar to discuss the stalled implementation of the security arrangements. In a statement released in Khartoum, the official Sudan News Agency said that Hamdok who is also the IGAD Chair held a closed-door meeting with President Kiir to discuss the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement before another meeting with his accompanying delegation on bilateral ties.

The Chief of Defense Forces in South Sudan on Thursday (August 19) has called for unity in command, saying it was time to unite and coordinate efforts to restore the country’s security. General Santino Deng Wol, who was speaking to troops on Tuesday in Juba directed military officers to see themselves as colleagues with primary objectives to protect lives and properties of the people while defending the territorial integrity of the nation.

Sudan

Sudan wants to get advanced military technology from Turkey said Abdel Fattah al-Burhan Head of the Transitional Sovereign Council on Friday. Al-Burhan made his statement during a visit to the Presidency of Defence Industries in Ankara before his return to Khartoum at the end of a two-day working visit. On Thursday (August 19), al-Burhan met with President Recep Erdogan and issued a joint statement with him about the need to develop bilateral relations.

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A statement made by PM Abiy Ahmed at a joint press conference with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Your Excellency president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan,

Excellences,

Ladies and gentlemen,

A heartfelt gratitude to president Erdoğan and his administration as well as to the people of Turkey for the warm welcome accorded to me and my delegation.

Ethiopia and Turkey are both ancient civilizations with a rich culture and past. Our two countries have enjoyed a long-standing and historical relationship dating back to the 16th century. Our historical and cultural bonds have stood the test of time. This has provided a firm foundation for our relations, which continue to be based on mutual respect and trust as well as cooperation for joint development. Ethiopia values its friendship and partnership with Turkey and highly appreciates the establishment of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency office in Addis Ababa, the opening of which was the first in Africa.

Your Excellency,

Turkey with its strategic location at the bridge between Europe and Asia has been shaped by international influences as much as it has shaped global affairs throughout its history. Today modern-day Turkey stands as a model for pursuing an independent national course of development defined by the interest of their own people. That’s why it has been successful in building a dynamic and robust economy. I am pleased to note that from the great reformist and charismatic leader Mustafa Kamal Ataturk to the current transformational leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey has gone through exemplary nation building and growth in all aspects. Since the reform process began in Ethiopia in April 2018, our two governments have been working together to expand and strengthen the bilateral relations. Ethiopia is determined to strengthen the existing trade and investment relations between our two countries and we will continue to avail conducive investment condition for Turkish investors

Today we have signed additional important agreements in other sectors to complement our long-standing relations. This sign political diplomatic economic and social cooperation agreements need to be strengthened sustained and made actionable.  Besides these agreements our people-to-people ties are also strengthening from time to time daily direct flight between Addis Ababa and Istanbul by our respective national carriers have augmented this. Moreover the tremendous impact of the Turkish film industry in improving these existing ties between our two people is increasingly becoming visible. As you have eloquently stated in your own words during your official visit in 2015, Ethiopia has always been the land of tolerance and respect for differences this summarized the essence of Ethiopia’s domestic as well as foreign policy Ethiopia is a country of more than 80 languages and ethnicities it is also a country of different religions with a population of more than 100 million Ethiopians understand from their own experience the value of living together in harmony and the benefits of pursuing the path of prosperity we appreciate Turkey showing genuine friendship to Ethiopia in its time of need

Your excellency,

Let me close by reiterating your description of Ethiopia is a reliable and trustworthy country i wish to assure you that this will continue to be the defining characteristics of Ethiopia’s policy. Once again let me express my deep appreciation to you and through you to the people of the people and government of the republic of Turkey for the consistent support and friendship

I thank you

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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen meets U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen, held talks on Tuesday (August 17) with U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Jeffrey Feltman.

During their discussion, the Deputy Prime Minister said the relationship between the two countries is historic, longstanding, and founded on shared interests and vision.

The Deputy Prime Minister spoke in detail about the genesis of the TPLF attack on the Northern Command of the ENDF, including all the destructive acts of the group leading to the present day.

The invading force is currently carrying out open invasions, looting and killings in the Afar and Amhara regions, said Demeke highlighting the overwhelming humanitarian, economic, and social crimes the group has been committing in the stated regions.

While committing all these crimes and treason, the Deputy Prime Minister said, the U.S. Government chose silence which was uncharacteristic of the fraternal relationship between the two nations.

Demeke expressed Ethiopia’s standing expectations that the U.S. would properly condemn the destructive acts of the invading forces in a way that fits the relationship between the two countries.

The international community should underline that the group has been disturbing the region since its inception, the Deputy Prime Minister further added.

The special envoy, on his part, said the U.S. Government perfectly understands the views of the people of Ethiopia on the TPLF.

He said maintaining, affirming, and sustaining Ethiopia’s sovereignty, peace and unity are the fundamentals of U.S. Policy on Ethiopia.

Feltman underscored that the relationship between the two countries has regional significance and will continue to be based on these same anchors.

Feltman is expected to hold talks with various government officials during his stay in Ethiopia.

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Ethiopia, Djibouti ties show upward trajectory the past fiscal year

Public diplomat at the Ethiopian Embassy in Djibouti, Benyam Ephrem, during a press briefings to government and private media outlets based in Djibouti, said that this Ethiopian fiscal year (from July 2020-June 2021), the two strategic neighboring countries have raised the bar to a higher level in arrays such as strategic bilateral engagements, port and corridor, business & economy, diaspora and consular services as well as tourism & people to people relations.

During the briefing, it was noted that the 3 State and Official visits at the level of Heads of State and Government and the exchange of 14 ministerial level visits have engendered the suitable momentum for the strengthening of the relationships between the two countries. Moreover, Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s attendance & speech at the 38th Extraordinary Summit of IGAD shade light on few of the misunderstandings regarding the government’s law enforcement activities in Tigray Region. It was during this Summit that Chairperson of the African Union, Moussa Faki Mahmat noted– that Ethiopia took “legitimate” action in its Tigray Region to preserve the country’s unity and stability.  Benyam noted, “It was in this light that the government of Djibouti demonstrated its unflinching support for Ethiopia’s people and government and stood on a firm ground on the principles of peace, stability and prosperity of the two brotherly countries in particular and the region in general. “

Benyam has also mentioned among the two important agreements signed between the duo; the renovatation of the Daguru-Dikhil road where 20 Km Galafi-Daguru road constructions has been completed carries much weight in terms of not only enhancing smooth and efficient flow of import/export goods and commodities but also further honing the two countries’ capacities in further expanding infrastructure projects that are key for economic integration. This year has seen a more efficient and reliable transportations of strategic goods and commoditis such as fertilizers, fuel, wheat, steel, sugar, etc, according to Benyam.

He also noted that the official inauguration of the port of Tadjoura created a new capacity for handling of additional import while also reducing congestion at the Dorale Multipurpose Port by serving as a viable option. The arrival of 200 train station wagons has also bolstered the activities of the train-cargo between the two countries.

Benyam added, the exchange of visits between the Ethiopian Federal Police and National Police of Djibouti helps the Embassy’s efforts to swiftly respond to the rights & interests of hundreds of citizens and provide legal protection and other essential services. Effective collaborations were also made with the relevant Djibouti authorities and the IOM and the community at large in terms of facilitating a safe return repatriation of 787 migrants.

The Ethiopian community in Djibouti has showcased its profound commitment in supporting the ENDF morally, materially and financially where more than 6 million DJF and also more than 70, 000 USD was collected for construction of the GERD, it was learned. 

Benyam said, against the backdrop of the Covid Pandemic, the two countries were able to organize the Ethio-Djibouti Tourism forum in Addis Ababa, Taste of Ethiopia in Djibouti and the first Etho-Djibouti Livestock Promotion Forum where more than 5 agreements on special tourism package were signed, joint mechanisms to improve the conventional and costly ways of doing the livestock export business were created & people to people ties were further strengthened.

Ethiopian Airlines and Djibouti Port & FreeZone have also agreed a Sea-Air Cargo operation to double Ethiopian Airlines’ cargo operations and make Djibouti a hub for air – and – sea logistics. The Embassy has also facilitated the release of the long stalled freighter permit for ET & help the Djiboutian Aviation secure its AOC for commercial flights.

Radio & Television of Djibouti, the daily French Newspaper La Nation, the daily Arabic Newspaper Al Qarn, ADI and private media outlets like Djib-Press have extensively covered the briefing.

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Statement regarding the latest ‘report by Amnesty International on the alleged rape and other sexual violence in the Tigray Regional State of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

The Government of Ethiopia condemns sexual violence in all circumstances and including in situations of conflict and has a zero-tolerance policy. The Government of Ethiopia has previously issued statements acknowledging that there have been some instances in which during the course of the conflict in the Tigray Regional State, some members of the armed forces have engaged in conduct that is contrary to the clear rules of engagement and direction they have been given. Such illegal conduct included instances of sexual violence and taking this into account the Government had taken steps to ensure accountability and will continue with these measures with a view to bringing to justice the perpetrators of sexual violence. The Government of Ethiopia is fully cognizant of the physical, social, and psychological impact of sexual violence and had been in collaboration with the Interim Administration of the Tigray Regional State trying to provide psychosocial services to alleviate the trauma caused by such regrettable incidents in conflict situations. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has noted the latest ‘report’ by Amnesty International alleging serious violations of international humanitarian law, including rape and other sexual violence. The report concluded that “…overwhelming evidence it has collected showing that Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers and members of allied militia are responsible for a pattern of rape and other forms of sexual violence”. It also refers to ‘…1,288 cases of sexual violence from February to April 2021…’ and ‘…376 cases of rape committed from the beginning of the conflict to 9 June 2021’ as well as ‘…sexual slavery in Tigray Regional State of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia’. This is primarily based on information that is said to be gathered between March and June 2021 by interviewing 63 women and girl survivors and from information said to be gathered from health facilities which are also alleged to be destroyed in the ‘report’. The ‘report’ also refers to alleged ‘rape of several women while trying to cross the border to the Sudan and sexual slavery’ on accounts of 3 individuals (women) and information from 12 individuals, respectively.

Amnesty’s report is based on a flawed methodology and relies heavily on interviews conducted in refugee camps in the Sudan and remote interviews facilitated by ‘community workers.’ For everyone familiar with the modus operandi of the terrorist TPLF, the identity of these ‘community workers’ is no great mystery. Furthermore, after interviewing 63 individuals, Amnesty reaches sweeping and far-reaching conclusions that could hardly be supported by the limited and remote ‘investigation’ it claims to have conducted. Amnesty’s investigation when considering the seriousness of the conclusions of the report, including allegations that the highest level of Government has ‘tolerated’ sexual violence, seems scanty and decidedly lacking in rigor.

As has been the case, in some of its previous reports, Amnesty International seems bent on engaging in sensationalized attacks and smear campaigns against the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The Government of Ethiopia had already expressed its concerns about the impartiality and professionalism of some of the personnel within the Amnesty East African Office. The current report reinforces those apprehensions. We also find it curious that the Amnesty report fails to recognize the joint investigation being conducted by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. Instead, the Amnesty report in its recommendation recommends that organs of the UN including the Security Council and the UN Human Rights Council give a platform for the so-called Commission of Inquiry that is being conducted remotely and interviews at ‘refugee camps’ in Sudan where the perpetrators of the Maikadra massacre and a large contingent of the TPLF militia are stationed. These recommendations contradict the political motivations and biases that inform such reports that try to weaponize human rights as a means to meddle in countries that refuse to be dictated by various interests.

The continued attacks and confrontation by the remnants of the terrorist TPLF group in the Tigray Regional State and neighboring Regional States (Amhara Regional State and Afar Regional State) has created serious difficulty in apprehending the criminals and bringing them to justice. It has also made the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and restoration of basic services; and delivery of humanitarian assistance to people of concern in the Tigray Regional State of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia a much difficult task.

The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia remains firmly committed to ensure accountability to the alleged serious humanitarian and human rights violations. The current joint investigation by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission is expected to contribute to this endeavor by the Government, particularly in bringing perpetrators accountable.

Ensuring the protection and security of our nationals remains of utmost importance to the Government of Ethiopia. Going forward, the Government will further strengthen its efforts to comprehensively respond to the humanitarian situation with the same rigor of ensuring the protection and security of its nationals. In collaboration with relevant actors, it will redouble its efforts to provide the necessary life-saving humanitarian assistance. It will also take concrete measures to ensure the sustainable repatriation and reintegration of the displaced.

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