News in Brief

President Sahle-work refutes claims on ‘The Africa Report’ as an attempt to contrive differences between the Ethiopian leadership

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen meets with DRC counterpart, Christophe Lutundula

Ethiopians across the world participate in the Global #NoMore rally

Ethiopia welcomes the power-sharing agreement in Sudan (Press Statement)

Africa and the African Union

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), on the 15th of November 2021, elected its new Bureau Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson to lead and co-ordinate the activities of members of the Commission. Commissioner Rémy Ngoy Lumbu (Central Region) is the newly elected Chairperson while Commissioner Maya Sahli Fadel (Northern Region) assumes the post of the Vice-Chairperson. The two will serve for a period of two (2) years. The new Chairperson takes over from the immediate former Chairperson, Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso.  

Ethiopia

President Sahle-Work Zewde delivered an opening remark on Thursday (November 25) at a High-Level Policy Dialogue on Gender-Based violence in Ethiopia that involved the participation of women leaders and representatives of various international organizations. Addressing the High-Level Dialogue held in line with International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the President called on concerted participatory actions to ensure the rights of women.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on Monday (November 22) that he would join the front as of Tuesday (November 23). In a social media post shared on Monday Abiy said, “It’s time to lead the country through sacrifice. I will join the front to lead the defense forces tomorrow.” Calling on Ethiopians the PM said, “Those of you who aspire to be remembered in history, rise up for your country. Meet me at the front.” Abiy assured that the administrative vacuum will be filled by federal and regional officials who will work harder than ever to their fullest capacity to carry out administrative and development activities.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen, had received on Friday (November 19) and spoke with his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Christophe Lutundula. During their discussion, the two sides covered a range of issues regarding the conflict in North Ethiopia and the role that the DRC and the African Union can play as parts of the solution. (See article)

Government Communication Service Minister Dr. Legesse Tulu said in the office’s daily briefing to state media on Wednesday (November 24) that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was providing leadership to the armed forces from the front-line as of Tuesday (November 23). Minister Legesse also said Demeke Mekonnen, who is the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, is discharging the day-to-day routine activities of government leadership responsibilities.

The annual meeting of Ethiopian ambassadors and mission leaders has kicked off on Thursday (November 25). State Minister  Ambassador Redwan Hussein delivered opening remarks detailing steps taken in identifying gaps and plans to transform the institution. The State Minister said that the institutional reform was not an abrupt decision but a conscious choice made as part of the multifaceted reform process in the country. He also explained various factors that the ongoing institutional reform process has considered, including technological changes and shifts in geostrategic interests. During their three-day meeting, the ambassadors will review, among others, the performance of the 2020 fiscal year, deliberate on the ongoing institutional reform, and discuss the 2021 fiscal year plan.

The Addis Abeba city administration on Tuesday (November 23) briefed Ambassadors of African, Asian and Pacific countries based in the city and members of the diplomatic community on the current national state of affairs. The head of Addis Abeba peace and security bureau Kenea Yadeta (PhD) said, “Addis Abeba and its environs are in a state of reliable peace,” and assured the diplomatic community of the stability of the capital by saying, “The propaganda circulating in western media is in complete contradiction with the situation on the ground.”

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Wednesday (November 24) announced that almost 40 trucks with humanitarian supplies, including food, departed Semera for Tigray. Similarly, the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) announced that flights to Mekelle resumed on Wednesday (November 24). “As a result, UN and humanitarian partners were able to rotate staff in and out of Tigray and transfer a limited amount of operational cash,” the UN said.

South West Ethiopia Peoples State officially was formed on Tuesday (November 23) in the presence of senior federal and state government officials. The official inauguration ceremony of State formation was held in Bonga town. During the occasion, the regional council unanimously approved the draft constitution of the state. The council elected Negash Wagesho as the chief administrator for the newly established state.

The newly appointed Ambassadors of the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan, the Republic of Seychelles, the State of Palestine, Guinea-Bissau and Burkina Faso to Ethiopia presented copies of their letters of credentials to the Deputy Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Alemayehu Sewagegen on Wednesday (November 24) and Thursday (November 25). Ambassador Alemayehu assured the newly appointed ambassadors that the Ministry would offer all the necessary assistance so that they could properly carry out their responsibilities in Ethiopia.

Thousands of residents of Addis Ababa and other parts of the country have protested against foreign meddling in Ethiopia’s internal affairs. Demonstrators on Thursday (November 25) have taken to the streets of the capital saying slogans that denounced the intervention of western powers in the internal matter of Ethiopia. Protesters observed a huge procession towards the Embassies of the U.S. and the U.K where they called on all the western powers to stop meddling interfering in Ethiopia’s domestic affairs. They further called on the western media to stop orchestrating disinformation and fabricating fake news against Ethiopia. The demonstrators also gathered outside the Embassy of Russia and extended gratitude to the Russian government for standing with Ethiopia in times of need.

The Russian Embassy in Ethiopia said the situation in Addis Ababa remains calm. In a message on the Social media pages of the embassy, Russia says: “The introduction of the State of Emergency has not brought any noticeable changes to the daily rhythm of life in the Ethiopian capital. The only exceptions may be increased security at important sites (government buildings, airport, etc.) and patrolling of city streets. However, we still recommend Russian citizens to refrain from visiting the country without an urgent need. The Embassy continues to work as usual and there are no plans to evacuate staff or their families. Bole International Airport continues to operate normally. As the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority recently announced, flights over the country’s territory are safe.”

Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel, Ambassador Reta Alemu, Ethiopia’s ambassador in Israel discussed over the week the situation in Ethiopia. The President expressed the message of Solidarity to the government of Ethiopia and said that “Israel, as a friendly nation will continue its support for peace and prosperity in Ethiopia.”

Ethiopians in over 32 cities in the world have been busy over the week rallying under the #Nomore movement. Peaceful demonstrations in major cities, including Washington D.C., London, Toronto, and Cape town expressed their disappointment with misrepresentations of Ethiopian affairs by the mainstream media in the West and unnecessary attempts to meddle in the internal affairs of the country. The rallies drew Ethiopians, Eritreans, Somalis, and people who trace their origins from the Horn of Africa region. (See article)

Billene Seyoum, Press Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, during her interview with ‘Newzroom Afrika’ called on all Africans to watch the narrative about the conflict in Ethiopia closely and help take back the narrative because it is an African issue and the stability and territorial integrity of Ethiopia is key for all African nations. She said, “Standing with Ethiopia today is standing for the future of Africa.” Click here for more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv8u7-KTr6c

“There is no doubt that Ethiopia will settle its current internal security challenges…and only a democratic path could bring the country back on course of peace and security, which will happen when the voice of the Ethiopian people expressed through the ballot is respected,” writes Ambassador Hirut Zemene, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Belgium, Luxembourg and E.U. institutions on The Brussels Times. Click here for more: https://www.brusselstimes.com/…/new-government-in…/

Eritrea

Ambassador of the Peoples Republic of China, Ambassador Cai Ge and Foreign Minister of the State of Eritrea, Osman Saleh, on behalf of their respective governments, signed MOU of the Belt and Road Initiative. The Chinese Embassy in Eritrea writes on its Twitter page that the agreement will benefit the peoples of the two nations and promotes the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future.

Djibouti

Ethiopians living in Djibouti have participated in the 14th edition of the African Peace Walk held in Arta, Djibouti, today (November 26, 2021). During the 10kms peace walk, Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia have voiced the now popular movement dubbed “No More” that called for an end to mainstream media misrepresentations of the situation in Ethiopia and meddling in the country’s internal affairs. High-level government officials, Heads of Missions and diplomats as well as nationalities from different countries took part in the African Peace Walk.

Somalia

Somalia’s national election implementation committee said it will “diligently look at the controversy” regarding ongoing parliamentary efforts. “In line with our commitment to hold transparent, free and fair elections, we reaffirm to all political stakeholders and the Somali citizenry that the commission will diligently look at all grievances and concerns arising from the elected seats so far,” the federal election implementation team said in a statement. The election commission said polls are going smoothly and more than 11MPs have been elected, including Acting National Intelligence and Security Agency chief Yasin Farey in an election Thursday in Dhusamareb.

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) strongly condemns the cowardly attack on Thursday morning in Mogadishu that killed and injured members of the public, including schoolchildren. At about 7:30 am, a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) exploded in Hodan District near a school, killing and maiming students, other innocent civilians and destroying property. There was no AMISOM convoy at the scene of the attack or its environs at the moment of the explosion, and no AMISOM assets or personnel were impacted by the blast as Al- Shabaab falsely claimed. Initial reports indicate that the explosion targeted a private security company.

Somalia’s prime minister declared a state of emergency on Tuesday (November 23) over the deadly drought in the Horn of Africa nation. Mohamed Hussein Roble made the declaration following an extraordinary Cabinet meeting in the capital Mogadishu on the situation said a statement issued by Roble’s office. A short video released by the premier said that the country faces a difficult position and called on the public, religious scholars, businesspeople, and the international community to unite and help people in need. Severe drought is gripping most of Somalia as seasonal rains failed for the third time since late 2020, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). Some 3.5 million Somalis already face acute food insecurity and without urgent and scaled-up support, the situation will likely deteriorate further, according to the UN.

South Sudan

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has downplayed fears that the country’s next elections could be delayed due to failure to implement some key provisions stipulated in the 2018 peace agreement. Speaking to a group of Dinka elders in the capital, Juba on Tuesday (November 23), Kiir stressed the need to expedite the processes to unify the military command structures. “The people will decide, not politicians. For them, this is what is in the agreement; elections should be held at the end of the transitional period. This is why there are arrangements and the reason I keep asking others to start the screening process of their forces so that there is a unified command and forces to allow necessary arrangements as stipulated in the agreement to be met”, he explained.

The Ambassador of Ethiopia to South Sudan, Nebil Mahadi, conferred with the newly appointed interior minister of South Sudan, Mahmoud Solomon Agook over the week.

During their discussion, the ambassador had briefed the minister about the current situation in Ethiopia. Some international media outlets, running unconfirmed stories, have tried to discredit the government of Ethiopia, he said.  The news stories on the unlawful subjection of diplomats in Addis Ababa under the terms of the State of Emergency are blatant lies where the Vienna Convention in this regard is respected, he added. Minister Mahmoud Solomon Agook, on his part, recalled Ethiopia’s contribution to the independence of South Sudan and reiterated that efforts to destabilize Ethiopia would amount to attacking the continent.

As the seat of the African Union, he said, he does not want to see Ethiopia being troubled by the conflict.

Sudan

A compromise has been struck in Sudan to reinstate Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok after a nearly one-month political crisis. A group of Sudanese mediators announced in the early hour of Sunday (November 21) that Hamdok and the military component have agreed to restore him in his position and to release all the political detainees.

Sudan’s army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok inked a deal to overcome the one-month crisis in Sudan. “The two parties pledged to work together to complete the path of democratic correction for the best interest of Sudan,” says the political agreement signed in presence of the armed groups. The agreement was signed in the presence of members of the Sovereignty Council and heads of the former rebel groups that signed the Juba Peace Agreement. The agreement brokered by Sudanese mediators reaffirms that the constitutional declaration – amended after the Juba Peace Agreement remains – the main reference document for completing the transitional period.

The Ethiopian government welcomed the power-sharing agreement between the civilian and the military components of Sudan. A political agreement reached on November 21 saw Abdallah Hamdok reinstated as Prime Minister nearly a month after he was ousted in a military coup. The Ethiopian government, in a statement, said it hopes the new power-sharing agreement between the President and Prime Minister brings peace and stability. (See statement)

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President Sahle-work refutes claims on ‘The Africa Report’ as an attempt to contrive differences between the Ethiopian leadership

I have noticed an article in the French magazine Jeune Afrique with an English translation in ‘The Africa Report’ in which I am the subject. I have never met the author. I do not consider the appearance of the article at this point in time as a coincidence. I realize that there is an attempt to contrive differences between the Ethiopian leadership, and would like to state the following.

As someone who has endeavored to assist countries facing political difficulties and internal conflicts, I am acutely aware of the present-day situation in our country. Like many, I am heartbroken. Fighting a civil war is particularly tragic.

It should also be known that in seeking settlements, one size does not fit all. It is up to us as Ethiopians to find the way to resolve the conflict in our country.

Ethiopia needs the contribution of all her children to overcome the current crisis. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has issued directives as leader of the Government, and we are all engaged in putting our knowledge and skills to bear to follow the path that has been set.

Seeking a peaceful settlement is key to the resolution of conflicts. Conversely, the resort to military means, however undesirable, can also be imposed on us as has been the case.

Without going into detail, it should be recalled that the Government had set out the conditions before talks. This is in the context of the search for peace and is not new to us.

It has been said that I do not pronounce myself on the issues enough. I have, however, spoken out on a number of occasions. Let me recall that in opening the current session of both Houses of our legislature, I said ‘if our hands bleed from thorns, it means that the rose is near.’

We are bleeding now. Let us make sure the rose is indeed not far. We are making progress. Let us be firm and stand together.

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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen meets with DRC counterpart, Christophe Lutundula

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen, had received on Friday (November 19) and spoke with his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Christophe Lutundula. During their discussion, the two sides covered a range of issues regarding the conflict in North Ethiopia and the role that the DRC and the African Union can play as parts of the solution.

Conveying a verbal message from the President of the DRC, Felix Tshisekedi, Lutundula said, as the current chair of the African Union, the President has been closely following the situation in Ethiopia. He said President Tshisekedi sent high-level DRC officials to Ethiopia as part of the Congolese delegation to show solidarity, brotherhood, and commitment to peace in Ethiopia. The President of the DRC strongly condemns any attempts to hold power through the use of force in Ethiopia and compromise the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, he said. He finally underscored that the DRC believes that the destabilization of Ethiopia would undermine the African Union and the Continent.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke, on his part, appreciated the initiative of the President of the DRC to support and encourage peace efforts in Ethiopia. He also outlined important points that Ethiopia would like to see from both the DRC and African Union member states regarding issues in the conflict. He urged the DRC and other member states of the AU to note the Ethiopian Government’s declaration of a Unilateral Humanitarian Ceasefire as a peace offer that failed because the TPLF rejected it.

He said Ethiopia expects a clear message of solidarity from the DRC that unequivocally and boldly condemns the TPLF for expanding the conflict in neighboring regions and prolonging the misery of the Ethiopian people.  He finally appreciated the commitment of the AU to solve the conflict driven by the ideals of Pan Africanism and called on the DRC to support the initiative of former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo.

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Ethiopians across the world participate in the Global #NoMore rally

Ethiopians in over 32 cities in the world have been busy over the week rallying under the #Nomore movement. Peaceful demonstrators in major cities, including Washington D.C., London, Toronto, and Cape town expressed their disappointment on the misrepresentations of Ethiopian affairs by the mainstream media in the West and the unnecessary attempts to meddle in the internal affairs of the country. The rallies drew Ethiopians, Eritreans, Somalis, and people who trace their origins from the Horn of Africa region.

Since the eruption of the ongoing conflict in northern Ethiopia due to the unwarranted attack of the TPLF on the barracks of the Northern Command of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces stationed in Mekelle, the people and government of Ethiopia have been voicing their displeasure over the handling of the issue by the media in the west. The mainstream media often portrays the government of Ethiopia as the culprit while the TPLF is pictured as an underdog that fights the oppressive hands of the Ethiopian government. The demonstrators are unhappy over the tendency of the mainstream media in the west to whitewash all the atrocities of the TPLF committed against innocent civilians and irreparable destruction on properties.

It was only last week that the Ethiopian media authority had issued a warning letter to CNN, Reuters, BBC, and AP to refrain from disseminating information that threatens the wellbeing of the Ethiopian people and compromises the territorial integrity of the country and peaceful coexistence of the people in the country. One of the organizers of the #NoMore movement, Hermela Aregawi, an Ethiopian-born US journalist said on her Twitter page, “When “journalism” makes the killers the victims and the victims the killers. I really feel for all future victims of actual genocidal attacks, after the way pro-TPLF-ites abused the word for a year. These are mass killers of their own ethnicity and other Ethiopian ethnicities.”

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also appreciated the efforts of the Ethiopian diaspora in making the truth known to the world. He writes on his twitter page, “My fellow Ethiopians here and in the Diaspora, your role in telling the world the truth is commendable. In unity, we can overcome the existential threat this ancient nation is confronted with by forces far and near. As children of Adwa, we will carry Ethiopia resiliently onwards.”

The protestors have also voiced their concerns over the unwarranted sanctions on Ethiopia and Eritrea in matters related to the ongoing conflict. They have requested the U.S and other European countries to support the legitimately elected government of Ethiopia. Some placards displayed signs reading, “Hands off Ethiopia,” “USA, support Ethiopia against extremists,” “TPLF is a terrorist group,” “No More Sanctions”.

Although Ethiopians, people of Ethiopian origins, and friends of Ethiopia have made a number of rallies in supporting the Ethiopian government and denouncing the terrorist actions of the TPLF, the #NoMore rally is unique for it has been made in major cities in the west and some African countries almost at the same time to make the concerns of Ethiopians heard by the major political players and the media in the West. Although the movement was huge, the mainstream media outlets have failed to cover it.   

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Ethiopia welcomes the power-sharing agreement in Sudan (Press Statement)

The government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia welcomes the power-sharing agreement between the civilian and military components of Sudan. 

The reinstatement of Abdalla Hamdok as prime minister of Sudan and his empowerment to form his cabinet is commendable. The government of Ethiopia also appreciates the reinstatement of all institutions of the transitional period and the affirmation to make the constitutional declaration the legitimate governance document.

The government of Ethiopia hopes that the new power-sharing agreement between the President and Prime minister would bring peace and stability in Sudan in particular and to our sub-region in general.

23 November 2021