News in Brief

DPM & FM Demeke Mekonnen: HR6600, S3199 undermine Ethiopia’s sovereignty

Declaration of a Humanitarian Truce by the Government of Ethiopia

Ethiopia downplays accusations of soldiers over the death of 3 MSF staff in Tigray

Africa and the African Union

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat welcomes today (March 25) the Declaration of an indefinite Humanitarian Truce by the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in an effort to expedite the provision of much needed humanitarian aid to people in need in the Tigray region. The Chairperson further welcomes the announcement by the Regional Government of Tigray committing to observe the said humanitarian truce, and also welcomes its declaration of an immediate cessation of hostilities.

The African Union Commission and the European Commission co-hosted on Friday (March 18), the Africa-Europe Digital for Development (D4D) Hub Multi-Stakeholder Forum, under the theme: “Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development in Africa”. The forum aimed at promoting exchanges and collaboration with the private sector, enterprises, civil society organizations, and experts in the digital field from both continents.

Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the African Union Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma on Tuesday (March 22) said Modern international law enshrines the sovereign equality of all states as its rules are and should always be built on the basis of a broader consensus.  He made the remarks while addressing the Twentieth Ordinary Session of the African Union Commission on International Law (AUCIL) which was held from 21 March 2022 – 01 April 2022.

Ethiopia

The government of Ethiopia, through Government Communication Service, issued a statement on Thursday (March 25), declaring “an indefinite humanitarian truce effective immediately”, to help hasten delivery of emergency aid into the Tigray region. “To optimise the success of the humanitarian truce, the government calls upon the insurgents in Tigray to desist from all acts of further aggression and withdraw from areas they have occupied in neighbouring regions,” the statement said. (See Statement)

President Sahle-Work on Wednesday (March 23) called for genuine cooperation among riparian states of transboundary watercourse. Addressing the High-Level segment at 9th Word Water Forum in Dakar, President Sahle-Work Zewde highlighted the process of GERD and the Green Legacy Initiative that Ethiopia has been implementing since 2019. The president also called for political commitment, avoidance of politicization of water issue which she described as a technical matter and genuine cooperation among riparian states in order to address comment challenges. Genuine cooperation is not an option but rather a necessity for riparian states of trans-boundary watercourse, the President underlined.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Saturday (March 19) appreciated health workers for their unparalleled service during the Operation for National Unity in Diversity. In his official Facebook page, he wrote, “Great appreciation to the health workers that provided their unparalleled service during Operation for National Unity in Diversity.”

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Sunday (March 20) visited summer wheat farming activities being undertaken in West Dembia Woreda of Central Gondar Zone in the Amhara regional state of Ethiopia. Regional Presidents of Oromia, Amhara, Southern Nations and Nationalities as well as ministers and senior government officials have accompanied the premier. 

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Monday (March 21) has congratulated Ethiopians for the astonishing results registered by the Ethiopian athletes in the 18th World Athletics Indoor Championships held in Belgrade, Serbia. “I express my delight that Ethiopia finished first in the 18th World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday (March 22) accompanied by Mr. Taufila Nyamadzab, World Bank Executive Director for Africa Group 1 and Ousmane Dione, World Bank Country Director for Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan and Eritrea visited cluster wheat productivity in East Shewa Zone, Adama Woreda of the Oromia Region. Cluster farming is hoped to support Ethiopia’s aspirations to replace wheat imports through enhanced local production.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Wednesday (March 23) has sent a message to President Xi Jinping of China expressing heartfelt condolences on the fatal crash of China Eastern Airlines flight MU5735. It is to be recalled that the China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737 crashed on Monday afternoon in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, received at his office on Friday (March 18) a delegation led by Gabriela Bucher, Executive Director of Oxfam International. The two sides noted that drought; COVID-19, conflict, and displacement put the lives of millions of people in Ethiopia in danger, necessitating multifaceted support from Oxfam and other humanitarian partners. The Deputy Prime Minister said that the Ethiopian government has tried to support drought-affected people in some parts of Ethiopia, who need immediate support from Humanitarians, including Oxfam.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen on Tuesday (March 22) called on Ethiopians in the Diaspora to protest HR6600 and S3199. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister made the call during his virtual discussion with the Ethiopian Diaspora Community leaders and representatives based in the U.S.  He said HR6600 and S3199 are drafted to nullify the struggles and to regress achievements of Ethiopians all over the world in protecting the sovereignty of their country. (See article)

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen on Wednesday (March 23) congratulated all Ethiopians, Ethiopian athletes and the athletics community for the stunning results achieved in the 18th World Athletics Indoor Championships held in Belgrade, Serbia. “We are proud of our athletes and their spectacular success that boosts our image globally,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, bade farewell on Friday (March 18) to the departing Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Ethiopia, Sami Jamil Abdullah. On this occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister appreciated the departing Ambassador for cementing relations between the two countries during his stay in Ethiopia.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen received at his office on Tuesday (March 22) U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa David Satterfield to discuss bilateral issues of mutual concern. Speaking on the humanitarian support to the Tigray region, the Deputy Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to allow unimpeded access to humanitarian operators. (See article)

State Minister Ambassador Redwan Hussein had a meeting on Friday (March 18) with Indian investors in Ethiopia and members of India’s Investment Forum to address observed investment challenges in Ethiopia. The discussion between the Ambassador and the investors ranges from issues related to the availability of foreign currency to security and taxation, among others.

Last Week on Thursday (March 17), the New York Times has published under the title, “‘Finish Them Off’: Aid Workers, Found on Battlefield, Executed by Soldiers” (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/17/world/africa/ethiopia-tigray-aid-workers-killed.html) accusing Ethiopian government soldiers of murdering the three MSF (Doctors without Borders), a Spaniard and Ethiopians, whose tragic killings was announced last year on June 25, 2021. Ambassador Dina Mufti, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the Paper’s claim as baseless. (See article)

The committee established to facilitate the #GreatEthiopianHomeComing under the banner: “Eid al-Fitr-to -Eid al-Adha” has convened on Monday (March 21) to deliberate preliminary plans to host the program.  It is to be recalled that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, addressing the Parliament in February 2022, had called upon the Muslim diaspora to return home for Ramadan to repeat the success of the #GreatEthiopianHomeComing that yielded encouraging outcomes as a result of the contribution by the diaspora.

The newly appointed ambassadors have tabled their 100-day plan on Saturday (March 19) charting out their goals and strategies for implementation as of their first day of duty as mission leaders. Discussions followed the presentations, whereby the proposed documents secured approvals with additional inputs for incorporation in light of the geopolitical interests of the countries that the ambassadors are assigned. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, and Ambassador Redwan Hussein, State Minister of the Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, presided over the discussion.

Ethiopians working for the African Union have raised more than 725,000 Ethiopian Birr to support efforts of the government to rebuild destroyed educational institutions in the Amhara and Afar regions. They handed over the money to State Minister Ambassador Birtukan Ayano, and Garoma Daba, a representative from the Ministry of Education.

Ethiopian Ministry of Mines on Tuesday (March 22) signed with Netherland, Swell & Associates, Inc (NSAI) for the consultancy and assessment of the oil and gas reserve in the Ogaden basin of Somali region. Minister of Mines, Takele Umma and NSAI Vice President, Joseph M. Wolfe signed the agreement. NSAI is an American-based internationally known independent reserve consultant popular in the oil and gas sector, especially on petroleum property analysis for industry and financial organizations and government agencies.

The Ethiopian Embassy in India held a trade, tourism and investment forum in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu State, in collaboration with Indian Economic Trade Organization (IETO), India Africa Trade Council (IATC) and COMESA office of IATC in Chennai on Saturday (March 22).  Ambassador Tizita Mulugeta, in her speech, addressed Indian investors to explore the vast opportunities in Ethiopia mentioning the presence of more than 600 Indian investors in Ethiopia who engage in different sectors creating job opportunities for thousands of youths in the country.

Ambassador Teshome Toga on Tuesday (March 22) held a virtual bilateral discussion with Mr. Yan Bingchen, Deputy Director General of the International Department of the Chinese Ministry of Education on ways of further strengthening Ethiopia–China cooperation in the Education sector under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Eritrea

Permanent Mission of the State of Eritrea to the United Nations, In explaining the rationale behind its position on the adoption of draft resolution A/ES-11/L2 (Humanitarian consequences of the aggression against Ukraine), said, among other things, “Eritrea rejects any politicization of humanitarian issue as it undermines actions geared towards addressing core humanitarian situation of affected peoples and countries.”

Eritrea’s national report on the implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC), covering the period 2014-2019, was presented to and discussed with the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), on 23rd of March 2022, at the 39th session of the Committee being held virtually. The report underscored that despite the challenges the country is facing, Eritrea continues to make significant progress in all areas that pertain to the rights and welfare of the Child, and consequently fulfilling its commitments under the ACRWC and UN Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC) and other relevant instruments.

The Eritrean Cycling National team that is taking part in the Africa Championship in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt recorded a shining victory. At the team time trial held on Wednesday (March 23), the Eritrean National Team won four Gold Medals in the elite categories in both genders. In the men elite category that witnessed heavy competitiveness, Eritrea won the Gold Medal through Henok Mulubrhan, Dawit Yemane, Michael Goitom and Aklilu Gebrehiwet.

Kenya

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Raychelle Awuor Omamo met on Monday (March 21) with Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Xue Bing, respectively. Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Zhou Pingjian was present. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on the “Initiative of Peaceful Development in the Horn of Africa” put forward by China, and reached consensus. President Kenyatta spoke highly of the achievements in the development of Kenya-China relations and thanked China for supporting Kenya’s economic development and improvement of people’s wellbeing over the years. He highly appreciated and supported the Initiative proposed by China, saying that Kenya will actively participate in the implementation of the Initiative, so as to contribute to prosperity, development and lasting peace and stability in the region.

After three years of successful operation in Kenya, Microsoft’s premier engineering hub, the African Development Centre (ADC), is relocating to its own offices in Nairobi, demonstrating the company’s commitment to the continent. The facility was officially launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta, who was accompanied by Joe Mucheru, the Cabinet Secretary for ICT, Innovation and Youth Affair among other key guests. Since its inception in Nairobi in 2019, the ADC has grown to over 450 full-time employees working in areas such as software engineering, machine learning, data science, market research, infrastructure, and much more.

Somalia

The death toll from twin attacks in central Somalia on Wednesday (March 23) night has climbed above 30, the police chief in Beledweyne district said on Thursday. “We are still trying to establish the overall number of casualties, but so far we have confirmed that more than 30 people were killed in the second blast alone, which was caused by a car bomb,” said Colonel Isak Ali Abdulle. “The terrorists carried out the first attack using a suicide bomber and readied a car loaded with explosives in front of a hospital to cause more casualties,” he said. “These were devastating simultaneous attacks which damaged property as well as causing mass civilian casualties.” The first attack in Beledweyne killed two local lawmakers, including Amina Mohamed Abdi and several of her guards as she campaigned for re-election. The second occurred minutes later outside the hospital and left cars in charred, twisted ruins. The attacks occurred the same day as three people were killed near Mogadishu’s airport in an attack claimed by the Islamist insurgent group Al-Shabaab.

The Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, Mohamed Hussein Roble on Saturday (March 19) met with the Chairman of the Federal Electoral Commission, Muse Gelle Yusuf, to discuss the implementation of the committee’s certification and swearing-in schedule and the completion of the remaining parliamentary elections.

The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Mohamed Hussein Roble on Monday (March 21) addressed the International Partners on long distance communication through Zoom. The focus of the discussions were the completion of the Parliamentary elections of the Jubaland and Hirshabelle regions, and the swearing in period of both Lower and Upper House of the Somali Parliament. The Prime Minister also discussed with representatives of the International Community on the situation of the severe drought in the country and how they can play their part in providing relief to the Somali people affected by the drought.

State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi met with Somali Foreign Minister Abdisaid Muse Ali in Islamabad on the sidelines of the session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation upon invitation. Wang Yi said, Somalia is an important country in the Horn of Africa with a sound endowment for development. Abdisaid thanked China for various development supports and briefed Wang Yi about the current situation in the Horn of Africa and the African Union Mission in Somalia. He spoke highly of China’s efforts to promote unity and cooperation in the Horn of Africa and agreed to hold the Horn of Africa peace conference. Wang Yi said, China is willing to continue to contribute wisdom and strength to peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.

Sudan

The President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, General -Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, and the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on Monday (March 21)  held bilateral talks at the Palace of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in Riyadh. The talks covered the bilateral relations between Khartoum and Riyadh and means for promoting and developing them, further, economic development and investment fields to serve the interests of the peoples of the two countries. The TSC President commended the continued support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for maintaining peace and stability in Sudan, and its unshakeable support to the Sudan in regional and international forums.

President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council General, Abdel Al-Fattah Al-Burhan on Tuesday (March 22) commended the great efforts being exerted by China to support the transitional period and its keenness to strengthen and develop the bilateral relations between Sudan and China. Al-Burhan who received in the Republican Palace the Chinese Envoy on the Middle East, Zhai Jun has lauded deeply rooted relations linking the country, describing China as a strategic partner. The TSC President affirmed the importance of strengthening and developing the joint interest to realize the aspirations of the peoples of the two countries, lauding the role of the Chinese government in the provision of vaccines to combat the COVID-19 Pandemic.

South Sudan

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, on Friday (March 18) agreed to develop cooperation and to have joint deployment in the border areas, including the contested Abyei. Al-Burhan was on a two-day visit to Juba where he discussed with President Kiir and his first deputy Riek Machar ways to end the sticky issues in the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement. Before arriving in Juba he had a meeting in Uganda with President Museveni, the other guarantor of peace in South Sudan.

Ethiopia’s ambassador in South Sudan, Nabil Mahadi has held talks with South Sudanese Foreign Minister, Mayiik Ayii Deng. The ambassador has briefed the Foreign Minister on security and development issues related to the joint border areas between Ethiopia and South Sudan. In particular, he called for a lasting solution to the recurring cross-border attacks by Murle militants targeting innocent civilians. The Ambassador also emphasized the need to convene a joint cross-border commission meeting soon to discuss the issue.

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DPM & FM Demeke Mekonnen: HR6600, S3199 undermine Ethiopia’s sovereignty

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen called on Ethiopians in the Diaspora to protest HR6600, S3199. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister made the call during his virtual discussion with the Ethiopian Diaspora Community leaders and representatives based in the U.S.

He said HR6600 and S3199 are drafted to nullify the struggles and to regress achievements of Ethiopians all over the world in protecting the sovereignty of their country. The resolutions are designed to make the country dependent on the goodwill will of others to advance its political, economic and security interests, besides severing the relationships between the Ethiopian Diaspora with the homeland, he added.

The Deputy Prime Minister said HR6600 and S. 3199 could not be reflective of the longstanding and historical relations of Ethiopia and the United States. The draft bills put the lives of ordinary Ethiopians in danger rather than promoting peace and democracy in the country, he added. He said Ethiopia and the US should strive to further cement their historical and longstanding ties, but Ethiopia would not accept hand twisting attempts stressing that the protection of the country’s sovereignty is non-negotiable.

The Deputy Prime Minister appreciated the multifaceted support of Ethiopians in the Diaspora extended to Ethiopia during its fight against external intervention in its internal matters further calling the Diaspora to demonstrate the same kind of support in protesting against the proposed resolutions. He also explained the government’s measures taken to ensure lasting peace and stability in the country.

Ambassador Fitsum Arega, Ethiopia’s ambassador in the United States, on his part, said the draft resolutions, if passed, would be a huge blow to the Ethiopian economy which has already battered due to the pandemic and high cost of living. Rehabilitating conflicted affected people and rebuilding destroyed infrastructure would be daunting under the exercise of the draft bills, he added. The ambassador called on Ethiopians in the Diaspora to employ all forms of communication to contact senators and members of the congress to make them understand the dangers of the resolutions to the relationships between the two countries and the people of Ethiopia in general.

Attendees stressed that the resolutions targeted not a single political party or individuals but Ethiopia and Ethiopians as a whole further pledging to do their level best to protest the resolutions.

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Declaration of a Humanitarian Truce by the Government of Ethiopia

The Government of Ethiopia has been taking measures to expedite the provision of humanitarian aid to people in need in the Tigray region. To this end, it has increased the number of United Nations humanitarian flights and expedited through improved clearance procedures the delivery of fuel and cash for payments by aid organizations. Flights for ICRC, WHO and the European Union have been facilitated to deliver humanitarian aid. The Government has also been working to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance through the Abala-Mekelle route.

However, currently thousands from the Tigray region are trekking into neighboring regions in search of assistance. While it is heartening to see the fraternal bond and solidarity that is being demonstrated by communities that are receiving and helping those in need of assistance, the Government believes that the situation warrants urgent measures to ensure that those in need are able to receive aid in their localities. Alleviating the plight of those affected by the conflict is of the utmost priority and a responsibility that the Government takes seriously. The Government of Ethiopia is committed to exert maximum effort to facilitate the free flow of emergency humanitarian aid into the Tigray region.

Cognizant of the need to take extraordinary measures to save lives and reduce human suffering, the Government of Ethiopia hereby declares an indefinite humanitarian truce effective immediately. The Government calls upon the donor community to redouble their generous contributions to alleviate the situation and reiterates its commitment to work in collaboration with relevant organizations to expedite the provision of humanitarian assistance to those in need. The commitment being undertaken by the Government of Ethiopia could have the desired outcome of improving the humanitarian situation on the ground only to the extent that it is reciprocated by the other side.  This decision is taken to ensure the free flow of emergency humanitarian aid to all those in need of assistance. To optimize the success of the humanitarian truce, the Government calls upon the insurgents in Tigray to desist from all acts of further aggression and withdraw from areas they have occupied in neighboring regions.

The Government of Ethiopia hopes that this truce will substantially improve the humanitarian situation on the ground and pave the way for the resolution of the conflict in the northern Ethiopia without further bloodshed.

Government communication service

24, March 2022

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Ethiopia downplays accusations of soldiers over the death of 3 MSF staff in Tigray

Last Week on Thursday (March 17), the New York Times has published under the title, “‘Finish Them Off’: Aid Workers, Found on Battlefield, Executed by Soldiers” (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/17/world/africa/ethiopia-tigray-aid-workers-killed.html) accusing Ethiopian government soldiers of murdering the three MSF (Doctors without Borders), a Spaniard and Ethiopians, whose tragic killings was announced last year on June 25, 2021.

The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Ambassador Dina Mufti has addressed the issue yesterday during delivering the Ministry’s biweekly press briefing. Regrettably, he said, “other media outlets and social media trolls have echoed the story on the stated newspaper without showing the slightest intention to further investigate into the matter.”

To put the records straight here, the Ambassador recalled the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 25 last year expressing condolences on the death of the three MSF staff members underlining that the area was where TPLF actively operates. According to the Ambassador, the government of Ethiopia had also expressed its regret for the death of these MSF employees suggesting that the deceased should have asked for a military escort to avoid such tragic killings. In addition to that, Ambassador Dina said, the government of Ethiopia had formed a group consisting of members from the ENDF, the Federal Police, and the Ministry of Justice, to further probe into the matter, although circumstances did not allow doing that for the area was under the control of the TPLF.

The recent accusations of the Ethiopian government soldiers for killing MSF staff members, such as the one by the New York Times, are baseless, he said. The paper made its so-called investigation via sources furnished by sympathizers of the TPLF in Tigray who claimed to interview Ethiopian PoWs. He said no one in their right mind could take such allegations seriously and testimonies of soldiers who could be under every tactic of coercion and coaching by the TPLF. According to Ambassador Dina, no other professional method was employed to make such a conclusion than relying on the words of an unnamed reporter of The New York Times who was said to have contributed from Mekelle, Ethiopia.

The government of Ethiopia notes that the case needs a thorough investigation by relevant and competent bodies before reaching such an erroneous conclusion, Ambassador Dina said. The government, as always, is keen to work closely with MSF, he added.