News in Brief

Ethiopia calls on members of the UN Security Council to reject Tunisia’s biased resolution on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

State Minister Ambassador Redwan Hussein confers with Ambassadors of Upstream Riparian States of Nile Basin

Office of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia Press Briefing August 26, 2021 (Transcript)

Remarks of H.E. Ambassador Taye Atske Selassie, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the UN at the Security Council meeting on Ethiopia

Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Peace present briefings on current situations in Ethiopia for humanitarian operators

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen converse over the phone with State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi

Africa and the African Union

The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, Moussa Faki Mahamat has announced on Thursday (August 26) the appointment of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo as his High Representative for the Horn of Africa region. This decision is part of the African Union’s drive to promote peace, security, stability and political dialogue all over the Horn of Africa region, it is indicated. Specifically, the High Representative will intensify engagements with all relevant political actors and stakeholders in the region towards entrenching durable peace and stability within the Horn of Africa.

The African Union and the government of Somalia on August 19, 2021, signed a deal on the proposed mandate of the AU’s support for Somalia beyond December 2021. Through a statement on Wednesday (August 25), Amisom said the decision was arrived at after two days of closed-door meetings in Mogadishu.

Ethiopia

South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit arrived on Wednesday (August 26) in Addis Ababa, for a one-day working visit to Ethiopia. Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, he was received by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and other Ethiopian officials. President Kiir later on discussed with PM Abiy on issues that will strengthen and deepen the bilateral relations between the two countries. Kiir was accompanied by the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Beatrice Khamisa Wani, Minister of Cabinet Affairs Martin Elia Lomoro and the Governor of Jonglei State, Denay Jock Chagor. (See PM office briefings attached in this publication for details of the discussion between the two leaders)

Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia met on Wednesday (August 26) with Ambassadors of the member states of the United Nations Security Council.  Demeke called on the ambassadors to reject the draft resolution submitted by Tunisia on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. (See article)

Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, and Muferiat Kamil, the Minister of Peace, had a meeting on Wednesday (August 25) with diplomats of donor countries and leaders of humanitarian agencies as well as stakeholders operating in Ethiopia. (See article)

Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia discussed over the phone with the Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi the current situation in the Tigray region, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, and cooperation on economic engagements. (See article)

In a biweekly press briefing, the Press Secretariat of the Office of the Prime Minister, Billene Seyoum said on Thursday (August 26) that 457 trucks loaded with humanitarian assistance have been deployed to Tigray region with 380 trucks that have already arrived in the region. Due to TPLF’s incursion to the Amhara and the Afar Regional States, the number of people displaced surpassed 500,000 thousand, she said. She called for urgent humanitarian assistance to displaced people in the two regions. Based on concerns raised by international relief organizations, she said, the government has decided to reduce the number of checkpoints from 7 to 3 to enable efficient transit of humanitarian assistance to the Tigray region. (See Transcript of the briefing)

Ethiopia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Taye Atskesellassie, addressing the UN Security Council meeting on Thursday (August 26) on the situation in Tigray, underlined that any undue foreign interference in a nation’s internal affairs isn’t appreciated by a soul in the country. He said that the terrorist TPLF has continued atrocious crimes against civilians in Amhara and Afar Regional states. The terrorist group rejected the humanitarian ceasefire declared by the Ethiopian government to enable peaceful farming conditions and safe humanitarian operation and has continued atrocities to the wider communities in the two regions. “TPLF is not a victim. Rather it is the culprit,” Ambassador Taye said. (See full speech)

Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN, Anna Evstigneeva said on Thursday (August 26), during the UN Security Council meeting on Ethiopia, her country is closely following military and political developments in the region.  Russia regrets the failure of the initiative to establish a unilateral humanitarian ceasefire that Addis Ababa announced at the end of June, she underlined.  “Units from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front proceed with hostilities, having established control over a number of areas not only in Tigray but also in the neighboring Afar and Amhara that have not been previously touched by conflict,” The Permanent Representative said. We are particularly concerned by the attempts of Tigray forces to curb humanitarian delivery routes, in particular, to impose control over the strategic route linking Ethiopia and Djibouti, which threatens to further exacerbate the already complex humanitarian situation and boost the flow of refugees and IDPs.

Addressing the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Tigray on Thursday (August 27), China rejected any external attempt to undermine the sovereignty of Ethiopia in the guise of humanitarian support. China believes that all parties could resolve the situation through political dialogue, the Chinese representative underlined. China welcomes recent efforts of the government of Ethiopia to alleviate the situation in Tigray and neighboring and areas to address the humanitarian situation in the Northern parts of the country. Humanitarian need in Afar and Amhara regions is growing, he said, calling the international community to step up humanitarian assistance.

Indian Permanent Representative to the UN, T. S. Tirumurti said on Thursday (August 26), during the UN Security Council meeting on Ethiopia, TPLF is spreading the conflict to neighboring regions of the Amhara and Afra regional states putting civilians at stake. The conflict is posing a severe impact on the civilian population particularly women, children and the elderly, and resulted in the killings of innocent people. The permanent representative said the TPLF terrorist group is committing humanitarian violations and use of child soldiers. The belligerence from TPLF is worsening the humanitarian situation in northern Ethiopia, he said. “We take note of the efforts of the Ethiopian government to address the humanitarian situation and alleviate the suffering of the people,” he underlined. He appreciated joint investigations by OCHA and Ethiopian Human Rights Commission in alleged humanitarian abuses in northern Ethiopia. The establishment of emergency coordinating centers in several northern parts of Ethiopia by the government is commendable, he added. The international community should come together to enhance humanitarian assistance in Ethiopia, the Indian permanent representative said.

State Minister Ambassador Redwan Hussein had a conversation on Tuesday (August 24) with Ambassadors of the Upstream Riparian States of the Nile Basin in Ethiopia. On the occasion, the State Minister reiterated Ethiopia’s longstanding and unwavering commitment to having a fair and equitable utilization of the waters of the Nile River with close consultations with riparian countries. Ambassador Redwan recalled Tunisia’s proposal which was submitted to the Security Council in June 2021 in support of Egypt which was rightly rejected by the Council. In this regard, the meeting noted that Tunisia’s ongoing preparation to submit its inappropriate request again to the Security Council would put all riparian countries in a difficult position that necessitates cooperation to reverse it. (See article)

Ethiopian Electric Power said on Friday (August 27) Ethiopia plans to build 71 power projects over the next ten years, at a cost of over 40 billion US dollars. Out of the 71 projects, 16 are hydropower, 24 wind, 17 steam, and 14 solars. CEO of Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP), Andualem Siae said the projected cost is expected to be covered by EEP, the Ethiopian government, private and public partnerships, the African Development Bank, the World Bank, and other development partners and financiers. The power projects, the CEO pointed, are part of EEP’s 10-year plan. Saudi Arabia’s Aqua Power Company will build two of the 14 solar projects, Andualem noted, preparations for which are being made.

The Israeli state-run company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) last week said in a statement that it will establish a Boeing passenger-to-cargo conversion facility in Ethiopia. IAI has signed an agreement with Ethiopia’s national flag carrier Ethiopian Airlines to establish the conversion site for Boeing 767-300 passenger aircraft. The new passenger-to-freighter conversion center will operate from the airline’s maintenance center in Addis Ababa Airport, the largest airport in Ethiopia.

The terrorist TPLF Group has vandalized the USAID Branch Office in Nifas Mewcha town of Lay Gaynt Woreda of Amhara Regional State. The criminal enterprise has looted properties and destroyed equipment and documents in the office, Branch Office Head said on Friday (August 27). Branch Office Head, Anteneh Adamu also said residential homes of workers of the Branch Office, warehouses, garages and office equipment have been fully destroyed by forces of the terrorist element.

Armed forces of the Terrorist TPLF Group executed bank robbery after they had killed watchmen in Nifas Mewcha town, South Gondar Zone of Amhara Region. Gebriye Branch Manager of Commercial Bank Ethiopia (CBE), Alemnew Seyoum said on Wednesday (August 25) the terrorist have robbed all the money and vandalized entire properties in the premises of the bank. The terrorist group has destroyed ATM machines, furniture, and invaluable documents in the bank premises, he said, adding that the damage inflicted by the invaders is estimated to be more than 1.8 Million Birr.

Eritrea

The Ethiopian and Eritrean communities in Paris organized a rally in support of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) over the week. They also condemned the actions of the TPLF, which is instigating mass killings of civilians, displacement of populations, and gross violations of human rights in Ethiopia, in the Afar, Amhara, and Benshangul regions. They called on the international community to condemn the TPLF for rejecting the unilateral ceasefire of the Ethiopian Government and called on western countries to refrain from putting unnecessary pressures on Ethiopia.

Djibouti

Health Minister Hala Zayed said on Sunday last week that a layout of a specialized Egyptian hospital that will be built in Djibouti was completed. A specialized obstetrics and gynecology hospital will be built in the African country following directives by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Zayed said in press statements. A nursing school and ambulance unit are planned to be established as an annex to the hospital, Zayed told reporters.

Somalia

Somalia’s armed forces chief of staff met with his Ethiopian counterpart Monday (August 23) to discuss security cooperation between the two East African neighbors. “Somali National Army Chief General Odawa Yusuf Rageh and Ethiopian National Defense Forces Chief General Berhanu Jula held a meeting in Addis Ababa. The two commanders discussed ways to strengthen the security cooperation between the two countries,” the Somali military said in a statement issued after the meeting.

At least 90 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed in an airstrike in Somalia’s central province of Mudug, the country’s army said on Tuesday (August 24). “Today al-Shabaab militants attempted to attack Amara village and suffered huge losses. This afternoon an airstrike has been carried out against al-Shabaab that killed at least 90 terrorists,” it said on Twitter. The military alongside Galmudug regional forces liberated the village from the terror group last month.

South Sudan

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has appreciated the Ethiopian government’s efforts in ensuring peace and stability prevails in the world’s youngest nation. Kiir made the remarks after his delegation concluded a one-day official visit to Ethiopia on Thursday (August 26). The Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the South Sudanese leader mainly discussed ways of strengthening bilateral ties and regional issues of mutual concern. The two leaders also discussed ways of boosting economic ties and joint infrastructure development to further facilitate economic ties. The Ethiopian Prime Minister briefed the South Sudanese delegation on the current issues in the country, including the positive economic performance of key sectors despite the many challenges that Ethiopia has been facing such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, President Kiir and his visiting delegation congratulated the Ethiopian Prime Minister and his government upon the recently concluded general elections. He also commended the successful second filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and affirmed that South Sudan continues to attach great importance to relations with Ethiopia. The South Sudanese leader further appreciated Abiy’s government efforts to safeguard the constitutional order in Ethiopia, highlighting the importance of non-interference by external parties in Ethiopia’s current domestic challenges.

Sudan

The visiting Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok and First Deputy Riek Machar discussed for the second time last week on Friday the stalled implementation of the revitalized peace agreement. Hamdok who is also the IGAD Chair is on a three-day visit to Juba to discuss the peace implementation process in South Sudan, relations between the two Sudans and regional issues. Accompanied by his Political Adviser Yasir Arman and Special Envoy to South Sudan Jamal Malik, he discussed with Machar security arrangements particularly the share of signatory groups in the united national army.

Sudan’s army Chief of Staff and the head of Saudi military intelligence discussed cooperation between the two armies. In a statement released on Thursday (August 27), the Sudanese Military Media said that Lt Gen Mohamed Osman al-Hussein received Maj Gen Hussam Abdullah Al-Damer on Thursday. “The meeting discussed ways to enhance and develop cooperation for the sake of security and stability of the two countries and their armies,” reads the statement. The Military Media said the meeting was attended by the head of the Sudanese military intelligence but did not develop on its outcome. The two armies held ground, air and naval drills in past years but this is the first time they discuss joint military intelligence cooperation. In recent years, Saudi officials expressed interest to develop bilateral military cooperation with the Red Sea countries and set up a regional body to fight piracy and ensure maritime security.

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Ethiopia calls on members of the UN Security Council to reject Tunisia’s biased resolution on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia met on Wednesday (August 26) with Ambassadors of the member states of the United Nations Security Council.  Demeke called on the ambassadors to reject the draft resolution submitted by Tunisia on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

Present at the meeting, Dr. Sileshi Bekele, Minister of Water, Irrigation, and Energy of Ethiopia, briefed the ambassadors on the status of the construction of the Renaissance Dam and the content of the draft resolution submitted to the Security Council by Tunisia.

He said the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is a development project and should not be considered by the Security Council.

Recalling that the case was referred to the Security Council in July 2021, he said a direction was set for the three countries to continue the tripartite talks held by the African Union and reach a solution.

He said that it is inappropriate for Tunisia to refer back the resolution to the Council since it violates Ethiopia’s right to use its natural resources and maliciously tries to advance the unjust interests of the downstream countries.

He called on Sudan and Egypt to abandon the status quo and the so-called “historical right” over the Nile River basin and refrain from unnecessarily politicizing and internationalizing the matter.

The Minister urged the international community to influence the downstream states to continue participating in the AU-led negotiation and sign and ratify the Comprehensive Framework Agreement.

He added that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is preparing to incorporate the ideas of the three countries and reach an agreement that will benefit all parties.

Finally, Demeke said Ethiopia is committed to reaching an agreement in the trilateral talks to be held under the auspices of the African Union and called on the member states to reject the draft resolution submitted to the Council by Tunisia.

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State Minister Ambassador Redwan Hussein confers with Ambassadors of Upstream Riparian States of Nile Basin

State Minister Ambassador Redwan Hussein had a conversation on Tuesday (August 24) with Ambassadors of the Upstream Riparian States of the Nile Basin in Ethiopia.

On the occasion, the State Minister reiterated Ethiopia’s longstanding and unwavering commitment to having a fair and equitable utilization of the waters of the Nile River with close consultations with riparian countries.

In this regard, he appreciated the riparian countries that have signed and ratified the Comprehensive Framework Agreement (CFA) and called on others to follow suit.

The ambassadors, on their part, said that cooperation is needed to jointly invest in cross-border resources and solve African problems through African initiatives.

Ambassador Redwan also recalled Tunisia’s proposal which was submitted to the Security Council in support of Egypt and that was rightly rejected by the Council.

In this regard, the meeting noted that Tunisia’s ongoing preparation to submit its inappropriate request again to the Security Council would put all riparian countries in a difficult position that necessitates cooperation to reverse it.

Such an unhelpful move by an African state would only undermine the tripartite negotiation over the GERD and the upper riparian states should never accept it, the Ambassador concluded.

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Office of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia Press Briefing August 26, 2021 (Transcript)

Please click here to get the video link of the press briefing: https://t.co/dF0BwGT3pI

Key Highlights of the week include:

1. Official State Visit by President Salva Kiir of South Sudan 

– Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met with President Salva Kiir and his delegation who just concluded an official visit to Ethiopia this afternoon. 

– The focus of the visit was to discuss key bilateral and regional issues of mutual concern

– Of particular interest is a focus on strengthening economic ties and join infrastructure development to facilities these ties

– Prime Minister Abiy briefed President Salva Kiir and the delegation on current issues in  the country; including the positive economic performance of key sectors  despite the many  challenges  including  COVID19;  he  also  shared  examples  of  the  enhanced democratic practices being experienced in the country for the first time and affirmed his government’s priority to domestic and regional peace as a first priority. 

– President Salva Kiir on his part, congratulated the Prime Minister and the Government for  the  peaceful  conclusion  of  the  6th  National  Election;  he  also  commended  the successful second filling of the GERD and reaffirmed that South Sudan’s continues to attach great importance to the relations with Ethiopia. He condemned the attack of the Northern  Command  by  TPLF  which  initiated  an  armed  conflict  and  appreciated  the Government’s  effort  to  safeguard  the  Constitutional  order,  highlighting  non-interference by external parties in Ethiopia’s current domestic challenge.  

2. Humanitarian Response Update in the Northern Part of the Country 

– This update includes humanitarian assistance provision to the Amhara and Afar regions in addition to the usual update for Tigray.

Amhara and Afar

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– Due  to  the  terrorist  group  TPLF’s  incursions  into  two  other  regions,  the  number  of

displaced  in  the  Amhara  and  Afar  regions  have  surpassed  500,000  requiring  urgent humanitarian assistance to these communities

– It  is  estimated  that  4.5million  people  have  also  been  affected  as  a  result  of  these incursions and related destruction 

– Resultantly,  in  addition  to  the  activation  of  the  National  Emergency  Coordination Centre, Regional ECCs have been activated in Afar & Amhara regions and Emergency Incident Posts installed 

– The Fed Government is closely working with Afar leadership, elders and the community at large to facilitate smooth humanitarian access

– Government has thus far distributed 4,820 quintal food for IDPs in Afar

– WFP allocated three rounds of food distribution to IDPs in Afar and the First round is underway.

– 4,621 qtl of food distributed to 30,939 beneficiaries in the Amhara region

– 2,800 qtl moving to Waghemra zone of Amhara

– 2,000 qtl food delivered to IDPs in Debark

– Partners have also mobilized resources to 60,000 IDPs in Desse.  5,080 qtl distributed to

30 thousand beneficiaries

– However,  the  support  for  the  Amhara  and  Afar  regions  is  still  sparse  and  requires partners to scale up assistance as many lives are equally impacted 

– Assessment of damages due to the aggression by TPLF is being conducted in Afar and Amhara regions

Tigray

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– On assistance to the Tigray region, as of yesterday August 25, 2021, 457 trucks have been deployed to the Tigray Region with 318 trucks that have already arrived

– Check  points  have  been  reduced  from  seven  to  three  to  enable  efficient  transit  of humanitarian assistance 

– Initially the government arranged four inlets to Tigray to facilitate humanitarian access.

Now  three  are  inaccessible  due  to  attacks  by  TPLF  forces.  A corridor, still with intermittent access due to attacks, is open through Afar.

– Food and non-food items plus agricultural inputs and fuel include aid deployment items by around 20 partners providing humanitarian assistance to the Tigray region.

– More than 59million birr (more than 1million USD) has been transferred by partners between July 14 to August 14 to the region 

– Provision  of  agricultural  supplies  (seeds  and  fertilizer)  has  continued  after  the humanitarian ceasefire through partners

– Unfortunately, service to Eritrean refugees in Tigray region disrupted putting the lives of tens of thousands at stake

– Orchestrated and heinous attacks on Eritrean refugees in Tigray by TPLF forces; TPLF targeted Shimelba, Hitsats, Mai-aini and Adi-harush camps.  Looted, many abducted and killed

– To address these challenges, 91 hectares of land have been provided by the Amhara Region for setting up a safe haven for refugees and select partners have agreed to work on food distribution, construct of shelters; the site planning is currently underway. 

– The challenge however, remains that there is hindrance of safe passage by TPLF to refugees to move out of the conflict zone

3. Challenges faced by the Government in facilitating humanitarian assistance  

– Access blockage by TPLF’s continued attacks at humanitarian aid access corridors

– Food aid and medicines diversion by terrorist TPLF groups intended for civilians – we have seen images that have surfaced showing international humanitarian aid agency food  items  in  the  hands  of  terrorists  which  indicates  that  humanitarian  assistance  is clearly being siphoned away from civilians that need it by TPLF

– The  agreed  upon  timeframe  for  loaded  trucks  to  unload  and  return  is  3-5  days.  But reports indicate that 72 vehicles haven’t returned since 21 July. There needs to be an accountability for this… 

– Some other challenges:

o Failure to follow the already in place communication guideline.

o Travelling with unlicensed communication equipment

o Failure to carry communication licenses

o Failure to submit timely humanitarian activities reports.

o Record  keeping  and  reporting  system  for  utilized  food  and  non-food  items  in place.  No report received in the past three months from partners

– Nevertheless, this will be addressed through continued discussion with partners to better coordinate humanitarian aid acquisition and distribution.

4. Crimes by TPLF in Afar and Amhara Regions 

– The  past  week  the  Terrorist  TPLF  has  continued  its  killing  of  civilians,  looting  and destruction of properties in the Afar and Amhara regions 

– In North and South Gondar zones of the Amhara region, TPLF looted medical equipment and destroyed medical facilities including the Nefas Mewucha City Hospital 

– In North Wollo, they left killing a number of livestock which is a critical foundation of livelihood for citizens there 

– In Afar, in Kilbet Rasu Zone, Berhale woreda, Aseda and Asgidu kebeles, they attacked schools, government district offices, health centres, water reservoirs and civilian homes.

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Remarks of Ambassador Taye Atske Selassie, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the UN at the Security Council meeting on Ethiopia

Please click here for the recorded speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pI2MX9bLII

Mr. President, thank you for allowing my country’s participation in this meeting.

I thank the Secretary General Antonio Gutierrez for his briefing and i acknowledge the presence of Undersecretary General Martin Griffiths.

Mr. President,

On the world humanitarian day last week, the Secretary General provided emphasis to the situation in my country. The government of Ethiopia appreciates the good faith engagement by the secretary general. We appreciate the Secretary General call for ending the suffering of the Ethiopian people. This same objective will continue to drive the efforts of the government of Ethiopia as was the case in the past nine months following the treasonous and unforgettable attack against the northern command of the Ethiopian National Defense Force by TPLF.

Excellencies,

In previous discussion on the situation of my country, i tried to give a broader perspective on the problem where we are facing. The current state of affairs in Ethiopia did not transpire overnight. They were in the making long before the TPLF unleashed attack on the northern command of the ENDF in the dark house of November 4. The genesis of the current conflict goes back at least three decades ago. Since 1991 TPLF maintained hegemonic control over the political security and economic life of the Ethiopian people. During this time the TPLF faced resistance at every turn in all corners of Ethiopia. We must recall that it was sustained popular protest that dislodged the TPLF from the political power in 2018 ushering and a promising period of transition. TPLF was dispelled not only from power but also from the hearts and minds of Ethiopian people due to the non-evolving and destructive ideology it seeks to preserve in the Ethiopian body politic. The people of Ethiopia out-progressed this political elitist that stands vanguard for division over unity, oligarchy over equal opportunity, favouritism over merit. When it lost power the TPLF retreated to Tigray taking our people in Tigray as hostage because as the saying goes, “for those accustomed to privilege equality feels like operation.” Still despite numerous provocations, the Ethiopian government exercised maximum restraint until the group attacked and looted military barracks. Over the last nine months the government sought to uphold the constitutional order the TPLF refused to disarm and surrender to law enforcement authorities doubling down on its destructive agenda.

Mr. President,

The unilateral humanitarian ceasefire declared in June and the subsequent withdrawal of the National Defense Force from the Tigray was supposed to bring calm to the region and its people and provide space for the TPLF leadership to reconsider its ruinous course. Our plan was to allow a peaceful farming season in Tigray. It was supposed to pave the way for the uninhibited flow of humanitarian assistance for the people in need. If it went according to our plan and vision the ceasefire would have allowed us to embark on rebuilding and reconstruction in the region and repair and reconnection of infrastructure and economic apparatus disrupted by the TPLF; also children in Tigray would have already begun preparation for the 2014 school year (it is 2014 in Ethiopia it is 2021 in the Gregorian calendar) that is set to begin next September. We had also wished for members of the TPLF that showed signals of willingness for peace to successfully advance their position and convince their peers to abide by the law and follow the path of peace. The government’s commitment for peace was given no regard by the TPLF if you called the ceasefire a joke and also by members of the international community that tolerated enabled and condemned the group to follow its destructive past. The repeated plea for ceasefire was ignored and we now have Ethiopian children in Tigray subjected to forced equipment to serve as cannon fodders. We also see aid distribution conditioned to parents giving away their children to war. Not only farmers in the Tigray region but also those in adjacent Afar and Amhara region are now unable to farm their land exposing them to the indignity of receiving aid to sustain their family. Hundreds of thousands in afar and Amhara region are displaced and have sustained irreparable damage for their well-being. In absolute disregard for the well-being of people and in greedy pursuits, whatever is there to be acquired by creating mayhem on the very people it purports to stand for, TPLF blocked humanitarian aid. The group also engaged in formalization of fronts between internal and external actors bent on destabilizing the great nation, that is; Ethiopia. In this regard we see a clear coordination between these international elements and external actors from near and afar that have opened multi-dimensional offensive to obstruct Ethiopia’s right to use its natural resources.

Mr. President,

As to humanitarian assistance, the government of Ethiopia is fully cognizant of its obligation to its citizens. Sensationalization and pollicisation of our situation doesn’t inform our response. We will continue to deliver on our obligation using all means and allocating all available resource. In this regard, the government Ethiopia first is committed to hastening clearance of humanitarian convoys, in fact we are committed to reducing the number of checkpoints and to fast-track scanning process. We are working with partners to introduce modern scanning technology. Second, we’ll continue to consider requests for humanitarian flights. World Food Program and the National Disaster Risk Management Commission are administrating their humanitarian flight with no impediment. Third, we will continue to provide cash and manage it in a predictable and sustainable manner for all humanitarian agencies. Similarly, the resumption of public service requires peace and rule of law in Tigray. These essential services cannot be reconnected while the group that todate killed 33 infrastructure operators and Engineers; looted it diverted it and confiscated convoys continues to persist on its destructive path of war.

Mr. President,

Our goal is peace. Unfortunately the TPLF is standing between Ethiopia and peace. TPLF is not the victim. It is the culprit. The people of Ethiopia especially those in Afar, Amhara and Tigray region are living under undeserved and insufferable conditions. We are startled by everyone that appears to have been calling for peace and pressure the government for suspension of its law enforcement operation to latter on tolerate and ratify through their reticence, the expansion of violence and mayhem by the TPLF. Our plea to all with a sincere wish to help us realize peace is to put pressure on this lawless group to stop its criminal advance, to abandon preparation for combat and abide by the laws of the country. The group must also irritably de-link itself from internal and external sponsors and affiliates. As to the international community we ask you to remove the actual or perceived support emanating from your side that this group feeds off. It has to only comply with the requirements set by the government and free the people of Tigray from its egotistically grip. Absent compliance with the laws of the country, the government of Ethiopia will apply and any means necessary to ensure law and order. Regarding some of the unsubstantiated assertions we heard today we call upon members of the council to be cautious about facts and misinformation that has dominated the scene. There is no discrimination based on any ground including the tenacity religious or any other background. We are not people with less moral. We are people of values. We survived for centuries through social cohesion. We built unity while honouring differences. The Ethiopian reform is all about how to strengthen our unity and live in harmony. The reform is not to learn to die through ethnic divisions as has been professed, propagated and implemented by TPLF for over 30 years.

Mr. President,

I would like to use this opportunity to express our gratitude for all of you who stood with us in times of our need. At the same time, we respectfully assert our sovereign integrity and an ancient independent African country on a constant strive to overcome its challenge. In this regard, i would like to underscore the severe mentality that seeks to undermine the sovereign right and responsibility of states of their own security and well-being of their people has proven harmful in very many instances. We only hope the right lessons are learned. Evidently Ethiopia is not a country that allows delegating the shaping of its future. As the international community has witnessed undue foreign pressure and interference is not appreciated by a soul in my country. And after the fact, regret and admission of failure in foreign policy will not help. Hence, we call on everyone concerned to work with us we are ready to work with all well-intentioned partners

I thank you Mr. President

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Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Peace present briefings on current situations in Ethiopia for humanitarian operators

Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, and Muferiat Kamil, the Minister of Peace, had a meeting on Wednesday (August 25) with diplomats of donor countries and leaders of humanitarian agencies as well as stakeholders operating in Ethiopia.

Demeke gave a briefing on how the government of Ethiopia has been seriously taking humanitarian support to the Tigray region and facilitating all the necessary support to humanitarian actors despite the unwarranted invasions of the Amhara and Afar regions by the TPLF.

Adding salt to the injury, said Demeke, the TPLF continued to be involved in mass killings and looting of government and private properties in the stated regions derailing all the government efforts to create peace through the unilateral humanitarian ceasefire.

The destructive actions of the irresponsible TPLF have affected the lives of 3.5 million people in the Afar and Amhara regions, displacing about 500,000 people, he added.

TPLF’s deliberate looting and killings of farming animals in the two regions have left many farmers vulnerable and made them dependent on Government’s humanitarian handouts, he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister further said the international community should take the newly affected people in the two regions into consideration for humanitarian support.

He said the international community should also break its silence and officially condemn the unhelpful and destructive acts of the invading force.

The Minister of Peace of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Muffriat Kamil, on her part, spoke on the current humanitarian situation in the country and the federal government’s support to further ease up the works of humanitarian operators, particularly in corridors heading to the Tigray region.

In this regard, Muffriat said that the government has set up a better system to provide the various licensing and similar services required by the aid agencies.

She said vehicle inspections are being carried out by reducing the number of checkpoints and providing efficient and technologically advanced services.

Regarding Eritrean refugees, she said the TPLF terrorist group attacked refugees that necessitated the relocation of refugees to the Amhara region.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Ambassador Redwan Hussein, on his part, said aid agencies should respect Ethiopia’s laws and regulations for humanitarian operations.

He also underscored that the TPLF has continued to impoverish farmers by killing farming animals in neighboring states.

He added that the TPLF terrorist group is the main obstacle to access electricity, telephone, banking, and other services to the community in Tigray State.

Ambassador Redwan also said humanitarian organizations have a responsibility to ensure that aid reaches only those in need.

The diplomatic community and representatives of aid agencies thanked the Government of Ethiopia for the briefing and affirmed their commitment to working with the government on humanitarian operations.

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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen converse over the phone with State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi

Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia discussed over the phone with the Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi the current situation in the Tigray region, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, and cooperation on economic engagements.

At the onset, the Deputy Prime Minister commended the fruitful Ethiopia-China strategic partnership that enhances cooperation in multidimensional ways.

In speaking about the situation in Tigray,  Demeke said the terrorist group is escalating the conflict by invading the neighboring Amhara and Afar regions.

The unwarranted invasion has left many civilians dead and displaced, as well as destroyed private and government-owned property, he said urging the Government of China to call on the international community to condemn the terrorist act.

In this regard, Wang Yi underscored that the TPLF should refrain from invading neighboring regions and abide by the humanitarian ceasefire that was declared by the Government of Ethiopia.

He said China believes that the Government of Ethiopia can handle its internal affairs adding that China rejects undue interference in the internal affairs of Ethiopia under the guise of humanitarian concern.

In their discussion about the GERD, the Deputy Prime Minister said Tunisia’s attempt to submit a bipartisan resolution to the Security Council is unacceptable and expressed his confidence that China would continue to support the AU-led process over the matter.

In this regard, Wang Yi reiterated his country’s unflinching commitment to supporting the African Union Framework to handle the GERD file.

The two sides also talked about Ethiopia’s homegrown economic reform, where Demeke called on China to support Ethiopia’s quest to be considered in the Debt Service Suspension Initiative under Common Framework for Debt Treatments of the G- 20 countries.

Wang Yi said China, as a member of the G-20, would continue its support in making Ethiopia one of the beneficiaries of the Common Framework for Debt Treatment.

The two sides also discussed the need for further cooperation in the fight against COVID-19 where Demeke commended the continued Chinese support in this regard.

They also underscored that COVID 19 origin tracing should not be politicized but the matter should be handled following scientific procedures.