News in Brief
The AU Assembly Resolution on the Impact of Sanctions and Unilateral Coercive Measures
The 35th ordinary Session of the AU Assembly on Peace and security
A Healthy continent in the making: Africa CDC granted far more authority
Prime Minister Abyi Ahmed presents implementation reports on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP)
Opening Remarks of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the 35th Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government of the AU Assembly
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen confers with EU Special Representative for HoA , Annette Weber
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen meets UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed
Ethiopia, Kenya agree to further expedite Power Purchase Agreements
Ethiopia’s Ambassador in India calls on investors in the tourism sector to grab attractive opportunities in Ethiopia
Africa and the African Union
The Assembly of African Union Heads of State and Government on Saturday (February 05) commenced its 35th Ordinary session and the first to be held in person following a hiatus in 2021 wherein the Assembly was held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The opening session was marked with calls for continued African solidarity in addressing the impact of covid-19 on the continent and the urgent need to address the emerging scourge of coup d’états and the threat of terrorism. The Chairperson of the Commission, UN Secretary General and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, among others have presented opening remarks.
The Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) have elected Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, as the new Chairperson of the African Union for the year 2022. The event took place on Saturday (February 05) during the ongoing Thirty-Fifth (35th) Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union, holding physically at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa. President Macky Sall is taking over the baton of command from Felix- Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), who has concluded his term as the Chairperson of the African Union for the year 2021.
In related news, the Assembly has endorsed and launched its 2022 bureau drawn from five regions, one from each region, through regional consultations. Accordingly, Senegal as Chairperson from Western Region, Libya as second Vice Chair from Northern Region, Angola as 3rd Vice Chair from Southern region and DRC as Rapporteur from Central Region. However, the eastern region, which is expected to be elected as First vice Chair and prospective Chair of the Union for 2023, is deferred for further consultation.
The 35th African Union (AU) Ordinary summit was concluded on Sunday (February 06/2022) with renewed commitment to respond to the pressing challenges facing Africa and ensure the aspired development needs of the continent. During the concluding event, AU Chairperson, Macky Sall said he will work in team spirit, giving priority to resolving the urgent challenges, ensuring peace, security, and stability, as well as fighting against terrorism and attempts of unconstitutional change of governments. The chairperson stressed the need to build and accelerate integration among African countries—a major stride in the long journey, towards meeting the needs and objectives of the continent.
Heads of States and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC) on AUDA-NEPAD overwhelmingly supported the recommendation to forward the highest ranked candidate from Ethiopia (East Africa), Nardos Bekele Thomas, to the AU Assembly for endorsement from the four top candidates of Kenya, Chad and Mauritius. Finally, the Assembly has endorsed and appointed the Candidate of Ethiopia, Nardos Bekele Thomas, as the next CEO of AUDA-NEPAD.
Recognizing the importance of promoting African languages, the 35th ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government of the African Union Assembly endorsed the introduction of Kiswahili, which is one of the languages of wider communication in Africa, as a working language of the Union.
The African Union Assembly at the end of its 35th Ordinary Session has adopted resolutions concerning the Impact of Sanctions and Unilateral Coercive Measures imposed on African Countries. (See article)
The report on the State of Peace and Security in Africa as well as the implementation of the AU Master Roadmap on silencing the guns by 2030 was presented to the Assembly during the 35th ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa from 5-6 February 2022. (See article)
In view of elevating the fight against the growing threats caused by pandemics in the continent, the the 35th ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government of the African Union Assembly decided to upgrade the current AU COVID-19 Response Fund in to the Africa Epidemics Fund to mobilize resources for preparedness and response to disease threats on the continent. The Assembly also endorsed a proposal to make Africa Center for Disease Control (Africa CDC) which is charged with the responsibility of prevention and Control of Diseases in Africa to be an autonomous body of the Union having a new governance structure with strategic leadership and ownership by Member States at the highest level of Heads of State and Government. (See article)
The Champion on Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), Prime Minister Abyi Ahmed has presented his biennial report to the 35th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly, on 6 February 2022. (See article)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday (February 10) announced funding for investment in Africa worth over €150 billion ($170 billion). Von der Leyen is on a two-country Africa trip to promote Europe’s Global Gateway investment scheme. The Commission chief made the announcement in a joint press conference with Senegal President Macky Sall, who has just taken the reins of the African Union. “Today, I’m happy to announce over €150 billion for the Africa-Europe program. It is the first regional plan under Global Gateway two months after the launch of the strategy,” von der Leyen said.
Ethiopia
President Sahle-Work Zewde, on Wednesday (February 09) accompanied by United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, visited war victims in the Afar region at Dubti Hospital. She held talks with regional President Awel Araba and cabinet members, as well as tribal and religious leaders. President Sahle-Work also visited the United Nations Food Program (WFP) warehouse. She thanked the people of Afar for the sacrifices they paid to save Ethiopia and also emphasized the importance to see in person the actual condition of the region.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held talks on Saturday (February 05) with leaders of African countries and the UN Deputy Secretary-General on issues of mutual concern. The premier conferred with presidents of Djibouti, Zambia, and Somalia on the margins of the ongoing African Union Summit.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Saturday (February 05) that the implementation of Agenda 2063 and its flagship projects will require Africa to make extraordinary collective efforts. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 35th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU), he said the African Union is committed to undertake ambitious plans designed to transform the continent. (See Statement)
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Sunday (February 06) has held talks with Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta and Senegalese President Macky Sall on the margins of the ongoing 35th African Union (AU) summit. The prime minster twitted that he had a fruitful discussion on areas of mutual interest with the two leaders.“ We affirmed our commitment to strengthen collaborations on areas of mutual interest remains steadfast,” Abiy said.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Sunday (February 06) praised all the stakeholders who contributed to the peaceful and successful conclusion of the 35th Ordinary Session of the African Union Heads of State and Government. In a message, the prime minister said that this year’s summit was fruitful, with decisions that benefited “our continent, and, above all, strengthening the brotherly partnership.” According to him, many have strived to make the conference successful, including the security forces who have done their part to ensure that guests stay safe at their second home in Addis Ababa.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Sunday (February 06) praised all the stakeholders who contributed to the peaceful and successful conclusion of the 35th Ordinary Session of the African Union Heads of State and Government. In a message, the prime minister said that this year’s summit was fruitful, with decisions that benefited “our continent, and, above all, strengthening brotherly partnership.” According to him, many have strived for the successful conference, including the security forces who have done their part to ensure that guests stay safe at their second home in Addis Ababa.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Monday (February 07) had held a phone conversation with his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Støre on various issues, including the deep ties between the two countries. Premier Abiy said on his Twitter that the conversation he held with his Norwegian counterpart was effective and productive. “I held a productive phone call with Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on a number of issues including deepening ties between our two countries. Ethiopia values its long-term partnership with Norway,” Abiy said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, on Tuesday (February 08) received in his office the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed, and discussed current situations in the country. The Deputy Secretary-General said her recent visits to the Amhara and Tigray regions helped her see the cost of the conflict on human lives and property. She said her visit to the Somali region also opened her eyes to the severity of the drought, which needs all-rounded support.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Demeke Mekonnen, had a meeting on Wednesday (February 09) with Dr. Annette Weber, European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa. The Deputy Prime Minister briefed the envoy about the positive steps that the Ethiopian government has taken so far to achieve lasting peace in the country, which needs proper recognition from the EU.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen called on Ethiopians in the Diaspora to support peace and development efforts besides resisting undue external pressures. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister made the call during his meeting with members of the U.S based ‘Peace and Unity Taskforce’ on Friday (February 11) in his office. Peace and Unity Taskforce is a group that contributed a lot to coordinating and leading the #NoMore movement across North America.
The Spokesperson of the Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Ambassador Dina Mufti, has a briefing for the media on Sunday (February 06) on the dominant agenda items of the 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. According to the Ambassador, the Assembly discussed the economic impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic and recovery strategies, including plans to increase vaccine production and the vaccination rate in the continent. The Assembly also deliberated issues that threatened the peace and stability of the continent, he said. The Assembly, in particular, rejected the unconstitutional change of governments through Coup’de tat, he added. Discussing Socio-Economic development issues of the continent, the Assembly underscored the need to support the African Development Bank and accelerate inter-Africa trade in line with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA).
Ambassador of Ethiopia in India, Ambassador Tizita Mulugeta, urged investors in the global tourism sector to grab and capitalize on attractive opportunities in Ethiopia. She said this while addressing investors gathered virtually at the ICCI (Inventivepreneur Chamber of Commerce and Industries) Annual Global Tourism Summit held on Sunday (February 06). (See article)
Eritrea
President Isaias Afwerki met and held talks in Massawa on Monday (February 07) with Bogdanov, Special Representative of President Vladimir Putin for the Middle East and Africa. Bogdanov delivered the message of President Putin to President Isaias and stated that the visit underscores the readiness of the Russian Federation for all-rounded cooperation with Eritrea. In the meeting, President Isaias Afwerki underlined the vital contribution that the Russian Federation can make, as an important partner, to the progress of the African peoples. The talks demonstrated a common stance both countries harbor on the bases of international law and against external interference and illegitimate sanctions.
Djibouti
Egypt’s president on Monday (February 07) hosted his Djiboutian counterpart for talks on improving ties and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh landed in the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Sunday. He was received at the airport by President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.
Kenya
Ethiopia and Kenya agreed to further expedite Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to realize the aspirations of their respective people for regional economic integration and sustainable development. A delegation led by Dr. Eyob Tekalign, State Minister of Finance of Ethiopia, that was in Nairobi on a working visit from 02-04 February 2022, among others, deliberated on previously signed Power Trade Agreements, finalization and operationalization guidelines and procedures, wheeling as well as interconnection agreements in light of progress made on each side so far. (See article)
Somalia
President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo held bilateral discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed on the sidelines of the 35th Ordinary Session of the African Union, SONNA reported on Sunday (February 06).The leaders discussed how to further strengthen the political, security and economic relations between the two states.
Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Mohamed Hussein Roble on Wednesday (February 09) met Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Somalia, Mohamed Salih Almuwalad and discussed on strengthening ties between the two brotherly nations, SONNA reported. The Prime Minister and the Ambassador focused on their discussion about the drought situation in the country and how Saudi Arabia could take part in extending humanitarian assistance to the drought affected people in Somalia.
At least six people were killed in the Somali capital on Thursday (February 10) in a suicide bombing claimed by jihadists at a restaurant near a security checkpoint leading to the presidential palace, a security official Abdullahi Muktar said. He said six people died and 12 were injured. The Al-Shabaab militant group claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing, saying it was aimed at a bus transporting election delegates which was passing through the area when the attack occurred.
Sudan
Leaders of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) member states on Sunday (February 06) held a consultation in Addis Ababa on the margins of the 35th African Union Summit and agreed to convene a meeting to discuss the situation in Sudan. The Executive Secretary of IGAD, Dr Workneh Gebeyehu said he briefed the leaders about IGAD’s ongoing efforts to settle the existing political crisis in Sudan. Workneh told the media that IGAD has been trying to address the political problems in Sudan noting the recent consultation held with the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni in Kampala.
Ethiopian Ambassador in Sudan, Yibeltal Aemero on Thursday (February 10) discussed with acting Foreign Affairs Minister of Sudan, Ali Al-saddiq ways to bolster the longstanding bilateral ties between the two countries. During the occasion, Ambassador Yibeltal stressed the need for the two countries to closely work to address the differences being observed on issues of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and common borders with a view to enhancing the long standing bilateral relations. Ambassador Yibeltal also requested the reopening of Metema-Galabat border for the movement of citizens, lifting of immigration fees recently announced by Immigration officials of Sudan on Ethiopians seeking to return home.
South Sudan
Ethiopian Ambassador in South Sudan, Ambassador Nebil Mahdi, met on Thursday (February 10) with Tut Gatluak, Presidential Advisor for Security Affairs, and exchanged views of common interest. During the meeting, Ambassador Nebil briefed the advisor about recent developments in Ethiopia. He mentioned that the government took initiatives to conduct an all-inclusive National Dialogue to create a national consensus. Despite the government’s efforts for lasting peace, the Ambassador revealed, the TPLF continued wreaking havoc in neighboring regions. Recalling the recent visit of Ethiopian House Speaker Tagesse Chafo, the Ambassador requested Tut to work on the already existing joint border security mechanism. Tut Gatluak, on his part, highlighted South Sudan’s commitment to the historical relations between the two sisterly countries. He also praised Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s wise leadership in bringing tranquillity back to Ethiopia.
*******************
The AU Assembly Resolution on the Impact of Sanctions and Unilateral Coercive Measures
The African Union Assembly at the end of its 35th Ordinary Session has adopted resolutions concerning the Impact of Sanctions and Unilateral Coercive Measures imposed on African Countries. The Assembly has recalled the purposes and principles of the Constitutive Act, inter alia, affirming the sovereignty, Territorial integrity and independence of the African Union member states, as well as the commitment to promote Sustainable development at the Economic, social and cultural levels, for an integrated and prosperous continent.
The Assembly has also stressed that Unilateral Coercive Measures and Legislation are contrary to international law, international humanitarian law, the United Nations Charter and the norms and principles governing peaceful relations among states. It has also expressed its grave concern at the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the right to development, international relations, trade, investment, cooperation, and peace and stability.
The Assembly has strongly condemned the Continued Unilateral Applications and enforcement by certain countries of such measures as tools of pressure, including political and economic pressure, against any country, particularly against African Union member states, with a view of preventing these countries from exercising their sovereign rights on internal matters.
Assembly has mandated the panel of the wise, once again, to lobby the capital of those countries that have imposed illegal economic sanctions against African Union Member States, for their immediate and unconditional removal.
*******************
The 35th ordinary Session of the AU Assembly on Peace and security
The report on the State of Peace and Security in Africa as well as the implementation of the AU Master Roadmap on silencing the guns by 2030 was presented to the Assembly during the 35th ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa from 5-6 February 2022.
It was explained that despite some progress made by Africa to consolidate peace and security on the Continent, old and emerging challenges continue to threaten its stability. Some of the major threats identified in the report include the unprecedented incidents of unconstitutional changes of government in particular in West Africa, the scourge of Terrorism and violent extremism mainly in the Sahel expanding rapidly to other parts of Africa, other complex political challenges as well as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Commission called for concerted leadership action to rid the continent of those threats.
Member states have stressed the need to fast track the implementation of the various AU decisions and other relevant instruments pertaining to peace and security on the continent, to avail necessary support to the Peace Fund and strengthen peace enforcement missions, among others.
*******************
A Healthy continent in the making: Africa CDC granted far more authority
Last week, African heads of state backed an ambitious set of initiatives to enhance and extend the continent’s health-care infrastructure. This involves granting the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention additional power and autonomy, as well as establishing a pandemic preparedness and response authority, an epidemic fund, and a health workforce task force. This would turn what is today a specialist technical organization into a public health agency with far greater authority.
The African Union is also looking into ways to enhance reporting mechanisms so that the Africa CDC can send pandemic information directly to heads of state, giving them full, timely access to everything that happens within the continent so that they can provide policy guidance.
“There will undoubtedly be another epidemic,” warned Dr. John Nkengasong, director of the Africa CDC, at a news conference during the African Union’s annual summit of heads of state on Sunday. “We’d best get ourselves organized so we’re not caught off guard.”
New Pandemic Authority, Epidemic Fund, and Worker Task Force
On Saturday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is the African Union’s champion for the COVID-19 pandemic response, submitted a report to heads of state on the condition of the continent’s COVID-19 response, which was supported by the heads of state. The formation of an AU Pandemic Preparedness and Response Authority was recommended by Ramaphosa and the AU COVID-19 Commission. With this, the AU Commission and Africa CDC would be able to effectively coordinate, cooperate, and collaborate on activities throughout the continent with an authority that is backed by a treaty.
While the continent’s response was characterized by high levels of coordination — such as the establishment of the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team, the African Medicines Supply Platform, and the COVID-19 Respond Fund — these efforts were fueled by “country goodwill,” rather than by the strength of an authority.
A pandemic preparedness document would be binding to guarantee the participation of member nations upon the declaration of a public health emergency of regional importance, regardless of the leadership or politics at the moment. It will provide a very predictable and organized system to stop and deploy medical countermeasures, financial resources, the manpower required, and planned tasks in the case of a health emergency of regional importance. The concept has been supported, but it now has to be put into a treaty, with more specifics worked out.
Heads of state also backed the creation of an epidemic fund for Africa, which would be an improvement to the present COVID-19 Response Fund, which had generated roughly $200 million to assist member governments in responding to the pandemic. While the existing fund is limited to the COVID-19 response, the new fund will be expanded to assist with future epidemic responses. This fund will use lessons acquired from the epidemic to obtain medical supplies through pooled procurement.
The heads of state also backed the creation of an African Union health workforce task group, which would assess the continent’s health personnel requirements and set goals for how to fill them. It will fill the gap between 6,000 epidemiologists that are required throughout the continent, and the 1,900 currently available.
The African Medicines Agency, which aims to harmonize the regulation and standardization of medicines, health goods, and technology across Africa, had its treaty signed last year, but it still has to be operationalized. Ramaphosa demanded that it be put into action as soon as possible.
Political commitments around vaccination
During the meeting, the leaders of states and governments also agreed to enhance their support for scaling up COVID-19 vaccination efforts this year, according to Nkengasong. Only 11% of the continent’s population is completely vaccinated, despite the fact that the worldwide target is for all nations to vaccinate around 70% of their populations this year.
While the heads of state have agreed to this commitment, the nations will seek direction from the Africa CDC on how to carry it out. Africa CDC will urge for more youth involvement in promoting COVID-19 vaccines, as well as the involvement of community leaders such as religious leaders in asking countries to enhance domestic expenditure to combat COVID-19 and the promotion of self-testing.
Established in January 2016 by the 26th Ordinary Assembly of Heads of State and Government and officially launched in January 2017, Africa CDC supports African Union Member States in providing coordinated and integrated solutions to the inadequacies in their public health infrastructure, human resource capacity, disease surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, and preparedness and response to health emergencies and disasters. The first phase construction of its headquarter at Addis Ababa was completed last November.
*******************
Prime Minister Abyi Ahmed presents implementation reports on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP)
The Champion on Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), Prime Minister Abyi Ahmed has presented his biennial report to the 35th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly, on 6 February 2022.
The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) is Africa’s policy framework for agricultural transformation, wealth creation, food security and nutrition, economic growth and prosperity for all. In Maputo, Mozambique in 2003, the African Union (AU) Summit made the first declaration on CAADP as an integral part of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
At the African Union Summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea in June 2014, Heads of State and Government adopted a remarkable set of concrete agriculture goals to be attained by 2025. The Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods is a set of new goals showing a more targeted approach to achieve the agricultural vision for the continent which is shared prosperity and improved livelihoods. The Malabo Summit reconfirmed that agriculture should remain high on the development agenda of the continent, and is a critical policy initiative for African economic growth and poverty reduction. The Malabo Declaration has seven (7) Commitments. Recommitment to the Principles and Values of the CAADP Process; Commitment to Enhancing Investment Finance in Agriculture; Commitment to Ending Hunger in Africa by 2025; Commitment to Halving Poverty by the year 2025, through Inclusive Agricultural Growth and Transformation; Commitment to Boosting Intra-African Trade in Agricultural commodities and services; Commitment to Enhancing Resilience of Livelihoods and Production Systems to Climate Variability and other related risks; and Commitment to Mutual Accountability to Actions and Results.
The Malabo declaration is set to be implemented under CAADP the implementation report is tabled to the Assembly every two years by the champion Leader, Currently Prime Minister Abyi Ahmed. Previously the report of CAADP was presented to the Assembly twice in 2018 and 2020 respectively. This year it was the third biennial report which is reported to the 35th ordinary session of the Assembly of the African Union. While Rwanda is the only country on-track to meet the goals and targets of Malabo by 2025, nineteen (19) countries are classified as progressive. With an overall score of 4.32 out of 10, the continent as a whole is not on track to meeting the Malabo goals and targets by 2025. Regarding financing, the report shows that only four (4) countries invested at least 10% of their national expenditure in agriculture. Only one country is on track to meeting the goal of ending hunger goal by 2025. Both empirical observations and research findings presented in this report show that the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on agriculture and food security on the continent could partly explain this decreased performance of the continent during this review cycle.
The report calls on African leaders to take greater responsibility to demonstrate increased ownership and collective leadership to achieve the goals enshrined in the Malabo Declaration, by designing and driving bold continental action programmes that will create large scale shifts in agriculture transformation in Africa. These programmes should be informed by the Malabo commitments and goals, the findings and recommendations of the three biennial review reports and the African Common Position to the UNFSS. From the experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic, Member States should establish stronger emergency response plans and commit to building more resilient food systems to respond better to future shocks.
*******************
Opening Remarks of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the 35th Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government of the AU Assembly
Your Excellency Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo and outgoing Chairperson of the African Union,
Your Excellency Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal and incoming Chairperson of the African Union,
Your Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat,
Chairperson of the African Union Commission,
Excellencies Heads of State and Government,
Distinguished Ministers,
Commissioners,
Excellencies Ambassadors,
Invited Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the outset, let me welcome you all to the Land of Origins on behalf of the people and government of Ethiopia.
Let me also take this opportunity to celebrate our reunion in Addis Ababa after a two-year disruption caused by the COVID19 pandemic. In this regard, I wish to express my appreciation to the entire leadership of our Union, and particularly to His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa, for providing exemplary leadership in our collective response to the challenges of the pandemic.
Over the past two years, we have struggled not only against the human cost of the pandemic but also an inequitable system of vaccine distribution, arbitrary travel bans, border closures, lockdowns and misinformation about the value of vaccines.
Most importantly, as Africans, we have also learnt that cooperation and collaboration is vital not only for our health but also for our collective survival.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our Union has committed to undertake ambitious plans designed to transform our continent and create the Africa We Want.
We want a prosperous Africa based on sustainable and equitable development.
We want a politically united continent that aspires to fulfill the ideals of Pan Africanism and the vision of an African Renaissance.
Fulfilling our aim of birthing the Africa We Want through robust implementation of Agenda 2063 and its flagship projects will require us to make extraordinary efforts collectively.
Our theme for 2022 is nutrition and food security.
Over the past year, acute food insecurity in Africa has increased by over 60 percent as the effects of COVID19 continue to aggravate our fragile economies.
Floods, droughts, desert locust and other climate-related natural disasters have increased food insecurity for millions of our citizens.
With 60% of the world’s arable land in Africa, it is of utmost importance that we need to use our natural assets to maximize agricultural output and feed our people without reliance on external assistance.
In the past two years, Ethiopia has made substantial investments in intensifying summer wheat production through irrigation. Our farmers have been able to control and manage production factors to maximize yields using irrigation. Nationally, we have attained production of 20 million quintals of irrigated wheat farmed on over 500,000 hectares. This has generated nearly 60billion birr in income to our farmers.
These efforts are generating great results and will, in the imaginable future, begin to contribute to our food security and self-sufficiency, despite the climate variability our region is confronted with.
One of the toughest challenges we face in Ethiopia is dealing with the effects of deforestation. While a century ago, Ethiopia’s forest coverage was 35 percent, over the past two decades, our forest coverage stands at just 4 per cent.
We believe afforestation is one of the most effective ways of climate change mitigation.Beginning in 2019, we launched a major reforestation initiative under the slogan “Green Legacy”.
Our aim was to plant 20 billion trees across the country over the course of a four-year period. In a mere three years, we managed to plant 18billion seedlings. And this year, with the Green Legacy initiative in its final year, we will not only meet our national target, but plan to surpass the target by reaching 25 billion.
Additionally, through this initiative, we have sent seedlings to neighboring countries to inspire regional efforts.
If we can collaborate to spread the message of “Green Legacy” in the continent and implement measures that maximize our food security and self-sufficiency, we will be able to guarantee our citizens the basic necessities of life without reliance on charity.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Africa’s voice on the world stage needs to be heard loud and clear.
Africa must also be represented on important international bodies.
Today, more than seven decades after the creation of the United nations, Africa remains a junior partner without meaningful input or role in the system of international governance. This is particularly true of the United Nations where Africa lacks representation on the Security Council and is underrepresented in a variety of ways.
It is the right time to reform and revitalize the United Nations system to reflect current global realities and ensure that it is a more representative and equitable body. Only fair representation and transparency in those institutions can usher in a just era in multilateralism.
Consistent with our Ezulwini Consensus of 2005, we should collectively insist that Africa’s reasonable request for no less than two permanent seats and five non-permanent seats in the UN Security Council be adopted.
Equally important is Africa’s media representation on the international stage.
Africa is often portrayed in the international media negatively. The endless representation as a continent troubled by civil wars, hunger, corruption, greed, disease and poverty is demeaning and dehumanizing and likely driven by a calculated strategy and agenda.
The stereotypical and negative media representations of Africa not only disinforms the rest of the world about our continent, but it also shapes the way we see ourselves as Africans.
Telling our own stories and shaping our own narratives must be our top priority.
In this regard, I would like to propose to this august body the establishment of an African Union Continental Media House.
This media house could be organized to provide authoritative news and information on our continent, fight disinformation, promote our collective agenda and offer opportunities for Pan African voices to be heard.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Peace and security are critical issues affecting our continent.
Despite the African Union’s intensive engagement in addressing peace and security challenges of the continent, guided by the maxim “African Solutions to African Problems”, new and complex problems that undermine our unity and sovereignty continue to emerge.
In this respect, the past year was particularly challenging to our continent in general, and my own country Ethiopia in particular.
Ethiopia’s challenge was internal in nature and a matter of maintaining law and order.
But resolution of our internal matters was made exceedingly difficult by the role played by external actors.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support, solidarity and understanding as we underwent these trying times.
As you are aware, despite the intransigence of the other side in this conflict, my Government has taken a variety of measures to minimize the loss of life and destruction of property.
We have implemented unilateral withdrawal from conflict areas and used force that is necessary to ensure law and order.
As a gesture of good will, we have released high profile suspects with a view to creating a conducive environment for peace.
We shall leave no stone unturned in our search for peace in our country.
Consistent with our commitment to peaceful resolution of conflict, we have recently launched an inclusive national dialogue platform with formal legislation.
Our commitment to pursuing a lasting and durable peace in our country shall remain steadfast.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The greatest lesson that Ethiopia has learned over the past year is that without the solidarity of our African brothers and sisters, our existence as a nation would have been at great risk.
This affirms the wisdom of our forefathers and foremothers in their dream of Pan Africanism.
The old saying is true. United we stand, divided we fall. Today, we stand proud and tall as Africans in the shadow of those who struggled to liberate and unite Africa. Our steadfast unity is the anchor and foundation of our Agenda 2063.
A continent of 1.3 billion people, a substantial percentage of them young and dynamic, will drive Africa’s prosperity and pull it out of poverty as we set forth in our Agenda 2063.
Also, our continental free trade agreement holds the greatest promise for effectively realizing continental integration and development. The potential for increased intra-Africa trade, free movement of people and investments and self-reliance is a beacon for Africa’s renaissance.
Instead of depending solely on trade out of Africa, our collective effort to boost intra-Africa trade will protect us from the fluctuations of global economic and political changes.
Similarly, the potential for continent wide tourism remains untapped. It is part of Aspiration 5 of Agenda 2063 which seeks to create an Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics. The more we know each other, the more we are able to cooperate and resist the forces that seek to divide and undermine us.
You may recall a mere two months ago efforts were underway by some in the international community to create an atmosphere of fear to drive expatriates out of Ethiopia and discourage travel to Ethiopia.Those efforts were not successful. And will not be successful!
Indeed, many fellow Africans joined the Great Ethiopian Diaspora Homecoming challenge and proved to the world Ethiopia is a safe and culturally rich tourist destination.
As a key pillar of our national reform agenda, tourism potential within Ethiopia has been augmented greatly in the past two years with many natural endowments developed to complement the historical and cultural heritage that already exists. Ethiopia remains open and welcomes all of our fellow African brothers and sisters!
Finally, let me once again convey the warm welcome of the Ethiopian people, and reiterate Ethiopia’s commitment to do everything in our power to continue to create an enabling environment for the African Union in our collective efforts to deliver the Africa We Want through robust implementation of Agenda 2063.
God Bless Ethiopia
God Bless Africa
I Thank You!
*******************
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen confers with EU Special Representative for HoA , Annette Weber
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Demeke Mekonnen, had a meeting on Wednesday (February 09) with Dr. Annette Weber, European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa. The Deputy Prime Minister briefed the envoy about the positive steps that the Ethiopian government has taken so far to achieve lasting peace in the country, which needs proper recognition from the EU.
Rather than reciprocating the government’s peace efforts, he said the TPLF chose to attack the Afar region afresh, killing and displacing many people and destroying infrastructure. He said the European Union and the International Community should hold the TPLF accountable for its wrongs in Afar that further hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Tigray region.
Speaking on the severe drought in some parts of the country, including the Somali region and Southern Oromia, he called on humanitarian agencies and development partners to accelerate support to affected people.
The Special envoy, on her part, expressed appreciation for the positive measures the government has taken to give peace a chance.
The discussion between the two sides included the peace efforts of Hon. Olusegun Obasanjo, High Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for the Horn of Africa, and the tripartite talks on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. In this regard, they noted that the peace efforts of former Nigerian President Obasanjo and the trilateral negotiation over the dam under the auspices of the African Union need support for successful outcomes.
*******************
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen meets UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, received in his office on Tuesday (February 08) the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed, and discussed current situations in the country.
The Deputy Secretary-General said her recent visits to the Amhara and Tigray regions helped her see the cost of the conflict on human lives and property.
She said her visit to the Somali region also opened her eyes to the severity of the drought, which needs all-rounded support.
Amina further appreciated the ongoing peace initiatives in the country, underlining the need to give proper attention to rehabilitation efforts in areas affected by the conflict.
She finally appreciated the Ethiopian government‘s commitment to engage with the United Nations while passing through difficult times.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, on his part, said the successive UN meetings over Ethiopia put unnecessary pressure on the government that was fighting anti-peace elements at home.
He said, despite all the external and internal pressures, the Ethiopian government managed to control situations and relatively pacify the country, which even led to hosting the AU annual meetings in person in Addis Ababa.
The lifting of the State of Emergency, the proposed national dialogue, the restraints of the government from engaging in conflicts, and the unfettered access allowed to humanitarian aid in conflict-affected areas are testaments to the government’s commitment to lasting peace in the country, he said.
Despite all these efforts for peace, the TPLF has continued to provoke adjacent regions, further obstructing humanitarian support to the Tigray region.
Detailing the effects of the conflict and drought in some parts of the country, Demeke called on the international community to accelerate support for humanitarian aid and rehabilitation efforts.
He finally underlined Ethiopia’s commitment to engage with relevant international bodies to highlight the reality on the ground in Ethiopia.
*******************
Ethiopia, Kenya agree to further expedite Power Purchase Agreements
Ethiopia and Kenya agreed to further expedite Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to realize the aspirations of their respective people for regional economic integration and sustainable development.
A delegation led by Dr. Eyob Tekalign, State Minister of Finance of Ethiopia, that was in Nairobi on a working visit from 02-04 February 2022, among others, deliberated on previously signed Power Trade Agreements, finalization and operationalization guidelines and procedures, wheeling as well as interconnection agreements in light of progresses made on each side so far.
During a meeting with Ambassador Dr. Monica Juma, Cabinet Secretary Energy of the Republic of Kenya on 04 February 2022 in Nairobi, Dr. Eyob conveyed his appreciation to the delegation from Ethiopia and reiterated the close relationship between Kenya and Ethiopia as one intended to spur economic growth.
Indicating the fact that the parties are nearing conclusion of the interconnector, the state minister reiterated the need to review the status of the project. He said it was necessary to ensure that Ethiopia and Kenya do everything humanly possible to fulfil the dreams and aspirations of both countries: to see the entire region connected.
In her remarks during the meeting the Cabinet Secretary noted that Ethiopia is a country whose relationship with Kenya is historic and strategic. In our history, she added, we have always seen the world from the same side and remain stronger than just neighbours. Amb. Dr. Monica underscored the fact that this project is a top priority that we must all give traction, as the value of the interconnection of our power systems is key to powering our aspiration for fast growth. This aspiration is given new and urgent impetus by the need to ensure swift recovery from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic, she said.
During the deliberations, both State Minister and the Cabinet Secretary reiterated the fact that the interconnection project is a mega project whose benefits go beyond just Ethiopia and Kenya by creating a pathway and model for our sister nations across the continent. The meeting was concluded after both parties renew their steadfast commitment to the completion of the Project and the duty of the current crop of leadership in both countries to drive toward the realization of common development aspirations.
*******************
Ethiopia’s Ambassador in India calls on investors in the tourism sector to grab attractive opportunities in Ethiopia
Ambassador of Ethiopia in India, Ambassador Tizita Mulugeta, urged investors in the global tourism sector to grab and capitalize on attractive opportunities in Ethiopia.
She said this while addressing investors gathered virtually at the ICCI (Inventivepreneur Chamber of Commerce and Industries) Annual Global Tourism Summit held on Sunday (February 06).
The virtual summit aimed to discuss pertinent global tourism issues and drew high-level government officials, ambassadors, investors in the tourism and hospitality sector, including public and private businesses,
Ambassador Tiziata spoke on the global challenges that the tourism industry has faced following the unprecedented global social and health problems, including the measures countries are taking to tackle them.
Regarding the tourism industry in Ethiopia, the Ambassador explained its invaluable role in earning Foreign Exchange and creating employment opportunities for small and medium scale enterprises.
Concerning international tourist arrivals in Ethiopia, the Ambassador noted that the sector proved to be fast-growing, especially in the last two decades.
The Ambassador also talked about the multifaceted socio-economic and investment reforms that the government of Ethiopia has been undertaking to provide attractive opportunities and incentives to investors.
She also described the five-year zero-profit tax and custom duty exemptions on imported construction and capital goods for new investments in the hospitality sector as special investment incentive packages intended to attract investors.
She finally stressed the need to grab and capitalize on this opportunity inviting the investors to join the tourism sector in Ethiopia.
Leave Your Comments Here