News in Brief

Eid-to-Eid Homecoming: Remembering Ethiopia’s unique position in Islam

TPLF’s unending excuses compromising the Humanitarian Truce

The US will not win hearts and minds of Ethiopians or secure its interests in the region with HR6600

Africa and the African Union

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat welcomes the decision of East African leaders to deploy regional force to restore stability in DRC (April 25, 2022). The chairperson welcomes the outcome of the Second Heads of State Conclave on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), held on 21 April 2022, in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly the decision to immediately deploy a regional force to restore peace and stability in the DRC.

The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union Moussa Faki Mahamat welcomes on Thursday (April 28) the successful elections of the Speakers and Deputy Speakers of the Somali Senate and House of the People, conducted from 26 to 28 April 2022. The Chairperson extends warm congratulations to Hon Abdi Hashi Abdullahi, newly elected Speaker of the Upper House, and Hon. Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur “Madobe”, Speaker of the House of the People. The Chairperson calls for a peaceful, timely and credible conclusion of the Presidential elections in line with the 17 September 2020 and 27 May 2021 agreements.

Ethiopia signed the treaty of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) at the Head Quarters of the African Union on Wednesday (April 27), making the country the 29th African Union member state to sign the treaty. Dr. Lia Tadesse, Ethiopia’s Health Minister inked the treaty. The Minister said the AMA would complement national and regional efforts in developing a robust, predictable, and efficient regulatory system for medical products that have a continental public health benefit. Present at the signing ceremony, Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union, congratulated Ethiopia.

African Union remembers the 1994 genocide in Rwanda with the 28th Commemoration under the theme ‘Remember, unite, renew’ (April 28).

A pre-Tana Forum multi-stakeholders dialogue with the theme “The Impact of Peace and Security on Culture and Heritage Protection in Africa” was held on Thursday (April 28). The dialogue unpacked the concept and nature of peace and security’s contribution to culture, heritage, and heritage protection. The Forum assessed current situations & regional responses to the damages done to world heritage sites due to armed conflicts. It identified challenges faced and ongoing initiatives put in place to protect the world heritage sites during armed conflicts. AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye delivered a keynote speech during the forum.

Ethiopia

President Sahle-Work Zewde and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia expressed condolences over the passing away of former Kenyan president, Mwai Kibaki. President Sahle arrived in Nairobi on Thursday (April 28) to attend his funeral. Ethiopia remembers Mr. Kibaki for his outstanding public service that brought Ethiopia and Kenya much closer. His visionary leadership paved the way to creating economic integration, expanding cooperation on mutual issues, and inspiring vibrant relationships between the people of the two countries.

Prime Minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed congratulated on Monday (April 25) the President of France, Emmanuel Macron upon his re-election to serve his country for the second term. Prime Minister Abiy said on his Twitter page that he looks forward to the continued strengthened relations between the two countries.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen on Thursday (April 28) held talks with Catherine M. Russell, UNICEF’s Executive Director about ways to scale up development projects, and humanitarian activities the UNICEF has been undertaking in Ethiopia. Appreciating the organization‘s development activities in Ethiopia, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister briefed Ms. Russell about the steps taken by the Ethiopian government to mitigate the negative impacts of the conflict in the northern part of the country and the severe drought in some parts of Ethiopia. The rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts of the government need extensive support from aid agencies, including UNICEF, he said. The Executive Director said she has paid a visit to East Africa to draw the attention of the international community and donors to drought-affected areas and secure expedited donations for emergency relief support.

After a four-day visit to Ethiopia, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell called for a rapid scale-up of support to prevent a humanitarian disaster due to the drought in Ethiopia and the region. The director stressed that the effect of the drought in Ethiopia is devastating, and said, “In the Somali region, one of the worst-hit drought areas in the country, I met children and families who have literally lost everything. Their livestock have died and as a result, they have no source of income. They cannot feed their children and are on the move in search of food and water. We need to reach these families now before it is too late.” The UNICEF press release on the executive director’s visit to the Somali region on Thursday (April 28) noted that four countries across the Horn of Africa; Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia are experiencing one of the worst droughts in decades leaving 10 million children in need of urgent life-saving support.

On Wednesday, the formal opening ceremony of the Eid-to-Eid Great Ethiopian Homecoming took place in Addis Ababa. The opening ceremony was held at Friendship Park in the presence of government and religious authorities, including Grand Mufti Haji Omar Idris, President of the Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, and Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abebe and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen. The Eid-to-Eid Expo, which features Ethiopian-made products, was also officially opened to the public earlier that day at the Exhibition Center. The Eid homecoming call is a great opportunity to show Ethiopia’s unique position in Islam. (See article)

An implementing agreement with the grant amounting to 1.5 million euros was signed on Wednesday (April 27) between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Italian Republic at a ceremony held at the Embassy of Italy in Addis Ababa, for the implementation of “Food Safety Project”. The project is aimed to improve the food safety status in Ethiopia by providing technical support in managing the food safety risks, which are arising from food adulteration and poor food hygienic practices in major agro-food processors, food marketers, and catering services.

In declaring the Humanitarian Truce on March 24, 2022, the Government of Ethiopia said the decision would save lives and reduce human suffering in the Tigray region. The insurgents in Tigray were also required to desist from all acts of aggression and withdraw from areas they occupied in Amhara and Afar. The Government of Ethiopia and the international community expressed hope that the truce would substantially improve the humanitarian situation and pave the way for resolving the conflict in northern Ethiopia without further bloodshed. (See article)

Close to 60 Chinese and Ethiopian import and export companies including trade associations participated in an event held virtually on Tuesday (April 26) to promote Ethiopian Sesame products. On the occasion, Ambassador Teshome Toga stated that being an active player in FOCAC and BRI, Ethiopia has proved itself as a most reliable partner of China. Rong Weidong, Vice President of China Chamber of Import and Export of Food Staffs, Natural Produce and Animal Bi-Products (CFNA), said China is the biggest sesame importer in the world and imports the import of sesame from Africa accounts for about 90pct of the total import.  

Ethiopia Stabilization, Peace, and Democracy Act (H.R. 6600 bill) threatens to undermine the Ethiopian government’s current peace efforts and harm Ethiopia’s rising economy more than the conflict does. If passed, the bill poses threats to the security of the region. Ethiopians consider the bill as a tool to deny an independent state’s right to self-defense by restricting its financial and military capability. (See article)

Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Service of Ethiopian Airlines celebrated a milestone on B 767 passenger to cargo conversion on Thursday (April 28) as the first conversion site in Africa, in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Ambassador of Israel to Ethiopia Aleligne Admasu and Ethiopian Group CEO Mesfin Tasew and guests attended the celebration.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia issued a statement over the week expressing its profound sadness on the passing away of the Ambassador of the Republic of Malawi to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, H.E. Charles Peter Msosa. Ambassador Charles Peter Msosa had been receiving medical treatment in Addis Ababa before he was pronounced dead on Monday, April 25, 2022 around 9:00 PM. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia expresses its deepest sympathy to the Government and people of Malawi on their loss and wishes for consolation to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased.

Donors pledged 1.39 billion Dollars for humanitarian and development response to mitigate the drought in the Horn of Africa, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Wednesday (April 27). The drought in the region has left more than 15 million people severely food insecure across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. The pledges were made at a high-level round table in Geneva, co-hosted by the OCHA and the EU’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), and with the participation of senior representatives from the Governments of Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia.

A press statement issued by the United States announced that the US has allocated more than $200 million in assistance to respond to humanitarian needs in the Horn of Africa. The statement issued in Geneva (April 26) stated the assistance will “help save lives in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, where more than 20 million people are projected to need emergency food assistance this year.”

Eritrea

Kenya is mediating Congo peace talks, but no sign of breakthroughs reported. Congolese armed groups in peace talks in Kenya asked for more time before laying down their weapons, Kenyan authorities said Thursday, signaling the talks had not yet made a breakthrough. a statement from Kenya’s presidency said “A few” of more than 30 armed groups with representatives at the talks “requested to be given more time to appraise themselves with the set conditions but expressed willingness to join hands in building their country.”

Kenya

Kenya is mediating Congo peace talks, but no sign of breakthroughs, reported. Congolese armed groups in peace talks in Kenya asked for more time before laying down their weapons, Kenyan authorities said Thursday, signalling the talks had not yet made a breakthrough. a statement from Kenya’s presidency said “A few” of more than 30 armed groups with representatives at the talks “requested to be given more time to appraise themselves with the set conditions but expressed willingness to join hands in building their country.”

Somalia

Somalia’s lawmakers elected Sheike Adam Mohamed Nur as a new Speaker (April 28, 2022). The election of speakers in the Parliament and Senate (Abdi Haha Abdullahi) a day earlier in the country varies to the beginning of its general election to elect the president of the country which is scheduled to take place on May 17.

UK Minister for Africa Vicky Ford has announced (April 26) a new £ 25 Million aid package to provide vital services to almost a million people in Somalia. The Minister also announced a partnership with Qatar which will see the Qatari government invest 1.5 million with the UK towards the emergency response and resilience building in Somalia.

Kenya has appointed a new Ambassador to neighbouring Somalia last week on Friday (April 22). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kenya announced May Gn (Rtd) Thomas Chepkuto will serve as Head of Mission in Mogadishu.

South Sudan

SPLM/A-IO representatives to the ceasefire Transitional Security Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) have participated fully in the Technical Committee meeting on Monday (April 25, 2022) in Juba about a month after they suspended the participation in the meeting.

Sudan

European Union and Troika countries diplomats called to expedite talks to restore a civilian-led transition in Sudan and expressed their support for the dialogue process facilitated by the tripartite mechanism. Envoys from France, Germany, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the European Union on Thursday (April 27) held joint meetings with the Sudanese stakeholders including the military-led Sovereign Council, the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF), the National Consensus groups and the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC).

At least 168 people killed in violence in Darfur region. Adam Regal, Spokesperson for the General coordination for Refugees and Displaced in Darfur stated on Sunday (April 24), “At least 168 people were killed and 98 winded in a fighting in West Darfur. The UN and EU condemn atrocities of the tribal conflict. The EU statement read the Juba peace agreement be respected by all its dignitaries.

AU’s Special Envoy to Sudan Mohamed El Hacen Ould Lebatt announced on Sunday (April 27, 2022) that a comprehensive political dialogue among the Sudanese political forces brokered by a tripartite mechanism of the United Nations, AU and IGAD is scheduled to be held from Mid-May.

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Eid-to-Eid Homecoming: Remembering Ethiopia’s unique position in Islam

On Wednesday, the formal opening ceremony of the Eid-to-Eid Great Ethiopian Homecoming took place in Addis Ababa. The opening ceremony was held at Friendship Park in the presence of government and religious authorities, including Grand Mufti Haji Omar Idris, President of the Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, and Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abebe.

Also present at the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen commended the Ethiopian Diaspora for responding favorably to the national call in his opening remarks. He emphasized the diaspora’s importance in, among other things, reactivating the economy, promoting the national image, and opposing and denouncing unfair external pressures.

The Eid-to-Eid Expo, which features Ethiopian-made products, was officially opened to the public earlier that day at the Exhibition Center. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Birtukan Ayano urged Ethiopians living abroad to buy Ethiopian products, support local producers, and promote the country. According to the Eid to Eid Initiative National Committee, more programs will be organized from eid al fitr to eid al adha as part of the Great Ethiopian Homecoming.

Eid to Eid Great Ethiopian Homecoming is the second part of the initiative forwarded by Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed calling one million Ethiopians, Ethiopian origins and friends of Ethiopia to come to Ethiopia following the Gregorian New Year. Eid to Eid Great Ethiopian Homecoming was made public during Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s address to the parliament calling for ‘The Great Eid Prayer in Ethiopia’.

Ethiopians, Ethiopian friends, Ethiopian neighbors, and nationals of Middle Eastern nations have been invited to celebrate Eid in Ethiopia. Because ‘Eid Al Fitr’ and ‘Eid Al Adha’ are included in the call, a national committee with six subcommittees has been constituted to coordinate the two big festivities. The first phase will run from April 11 to May 11, 2022, and the second phase will run from July 1 to August 10, 2022.

There have been events ranging from a Grand Open Space Iftar to a Grand Eid Prayer, symposiums and conferences, exhibitions and bazaars, visits to IDPs, historic Islamic sites, and development projects.

The most important of all the festivities will be a Grand Ethiopian Street Iftar on Friday. The organizers are planning a world-record-breaking outdoor Iftar event. “Numerous Iftar programs have already been held in many towns and cities, the Grand Iftar will excel them all” stated Ustaz Abubeker, Co-Chair of the Eid-to-Eid National Committee.

Ethiopia has a long tradition of tolerating individuals of other faiths, as seen by the reception of Prophet Muhammad’s Companions in the first Hijra. Ethiopia’s unique position in Islam, on the other hand, has not been adequately explained and documented, preventing it from gaining a suitable place in the Muslim world. As a result, the return of Diaspora Ethiopians to their homeland will provide an opportunity for Muslims all over the world to learn about Ethiopia’s valuable contribution to free religious teaching. 

Because millions of Ethiopian Muslims live outside of the country, primarily in the Gulf region, this special event aids the Muslim world in understanding Ethiopia’s unique position in Islam and its deeply loved culture of religious equality.

Besides, Ethiopia aims to revive its tourism sector and make its heritage known to the international community. The event will have Islamic and non-religious heritages on display for tourists, hoping to bring an impact on diplomacy and boost Ethiopia’s relations with Middle Eastern countries. In addition, the event serves the diaspora to show its solidarity to the people of Ethiopia in countering the negative image generally drawn by Western media outlets

Ethiopian Airlines has offered a 20% discount to commemorate the occasion. The discount is valid for both economy and business class visitors visiting Ethiopia in celebration of Eid-al-Fitr.

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TPLF’s unending excuses compromising the Humanitarian Truce

In declaring the Humanitarian Truce on March 24, 2022, the Government of Ethiopia said the decision would save lives and reduce human suffering in the Tigray region. The insurgents in Tigray were also required to desist from all acts of aggression and withdraw from areas they occupied in Amhara and Afar. The Government of Ethiopia and the international community expressed hope that the truce would substantially improve the humanitarian situation and pave the way for resolving the conflict in northern Ethiopia without further bloodshed. 

Unfortunately, the TPLF was not impressed by the declaration of the humanitarian truce and even went on equating the encouragement of the decision by the international community with supporting government propaganda. The TPLF was quick to accuse the federal government of blocking the supply of humanitarian aid within a couple of days following the declaration of the humanitarian truce, regardless of all possible logistical reasons from the humanitarian operators’ side. 

After the humanitarian operators managed to deliver aid to the region by road and frequent flights, the TPLF changed its tune. Although deceptive as usual, the group declared the withdrawal of its forces from the Afar region. It also issued a statement and wrote an open letter on April 21, 2022, to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres putting conditions on the humanitarian truce, threatening to launch fresh attacks if its demands are not met. It has mobilized a massive number of fighters to the areas adjacent to the Amhara and Afar regions. The irony is that the TPLF trumpets humanitarian aid should not be conditional, while trying to justify its invasion of adjacent regions and depriving people of their livelihoods in a bid to ensure uninterrupted aid to Tigray.

Facts on the ground 

In addition to the daily humanitarian flights, 154 trucks carrying food and fuel (with nine tankers) were able to enter Tigray since the declaration of the humanitarian truce. This demonstrates the government’s commitment to work closely with humanitarian operators and keep the promises it made under the humanitarian truce. 

The TPLF has announced the withdrawal of its forces from the Amhara and Afar regions, and the international media echoed these claims without cross-checking facts. The truth is that the TPLF forces have only withdrawn from a few areas of Eribti, Berehale, and Abala town. The surrounding areas of Abaala- the aid corridor-are still under the control of the TPLF. The group still maintains its grip in some parts of the Amhara region.

Contrary to the allegations of the TPLF and its sympathizers, the provision of aid depends on the capacity of humanitarian operators to provide the required amount of resources and secure safe passage. The Government of Ethiopia has never put restrictions on the amount of aid supply to the Tigray region, while the TPLF is denying compromising the security of humanitarian corridors.

The recent propaganda of the TPLF clique on “the shortage of medicine” in the hospitals of the Tigray region is another deliberate spin designed to create the illusion of scarcity. The group is reported to divert the continuous supply of medicine, medical equipment, and nutritious minerals from donors to private businesses and pharmacies.

How shall the international community act this time?

The international community should understand that the claims of the TPLF not only are baseless but also will scale back the peacebuilding initiatives taken by the Ethiopian government so far. This includes the humanitarian truce that seemed to create an understanding between the Ethiopian government and the international community.

To let the Humanitarian Truce function properly, the international community should explicitly demand that the TPLF withdraw from all of the occupied Afar and Amhara regions. Since there is a shortage of resources compared to the number of people in need of assistance, the Government of Ethiopia encourages the international community to scale up humanitarian support.

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The US will not win hearts and minds of Ethiopians or secure its interests in the region with HR6600

Ethiopia Stabilization, Peace, and Democracy Act (H.R. 6600 bill) threatens to undermine the Ethiopian government’s current peace efforts and harm Ethiopia’s rising economy more than the conflict does. If passed, the bill poses threats to the security of the region. Ethiopians consider the bill as a tool to deny an independent state’s right to self-defense by restricting its financial and military capability.

HR6600 and the Economy

Some of the provisions of the bill call on the US government to severely punish any American or anyone with assets or corporate interests in the US who provides material or moral support (including advice) to fuel what they call “the civil war” in Ethiopia. Support can be construed in a variety of ways in this context. Financial aid to the Ethiopian National Defense Forces from Ethiopians in the Diaspora, for example, as well as restoration and reconstruction initiatives might not be allowed. Although not explicitly declared, remittances may not be permitted under the pretext of aiding the Ethiopian government’s military operations.

The United States may also slash all financial assistance to the government of Ethiopia, except for humanitarian purposes. These financial restrictions also include loans from international financial institutions and friendly countries of the US. Under these conditions, getting foreign currency is daunting, which will have a serious effect on the country’s economy. However, the bills do not oppose the export of Ethiopian manmade or natural products.

While economic diplomacy is the cornerstone of Ethiopian foreign policy, our missions and ambassadors will have a difficult time convincing business people to invest in Ethiopia with the unjustified bill flying in their faces. Since Investment decisions are inextricably tied to a country’s political environment, the passing of the bill indicates that things are not going well in Ethiopia, making the country a risky investment destination. Once passed, unless and until repealed fast (which is difficult because the laws will be enforced for several years, if not a decade), the country’s investment and diplomacy will suffer for a long time.

Essentially, contrary to achieving what it sets out to accomplish, the resolution will take peace and stability out of the lives of ordinary Ethiopians.  As we have observed in the banning of Ethiopia from the AGOA preferential agreement, it was women and other disadvantaged groups who suffered the most. Putting Ethiopia in a straightjacket will neither win the US the hearts and minds of ordinary Ethiopians nor strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.

HR6600 and Security

In terms of security, the bill suggests imposing restrictions on arms sales to Ethiopia (on people, governments, and financial organizations) and primarily accuses the Ethiopian government of practically all wrongdoing. The embargo also includes drones which many have argued provide the ENDF with a competitive advantage over its adversaries. The effect is clear- further weakening the country and increasing its vulnerabilities to both internal and external threats. Only the anti-peace elements would flourish in such an environment. What kind of peace can this bring to Ethiopia and the region as a whole?

Since the arms embargo includes Eritrea, the vulnerability in the region should not be seen lightly.  Apart from that, although the bills do not seem to state it explicitly, the measures may go to the extent of reducing Ethiopia’s influence in peacekeeping missions too. With all these severe measures taken against Ethiopia, how will the security and stability of the country and the region be guaranteed?  Would not that embolden extremists, notably Al-Shabab, the number one security threat to the US in the region?

The ultimate purpose of the United States is to promote peace in the Horn of Africa, but H.R. 6600 is not in the best interests of Ethiopians or the United States. The legislation fails to acknowledge the reality on the ground and fails to understand Ethiopia’s complicated problems. What it actually can achieve is weakening the democratically elected government, punishing innocent Ethiopians, ramping up existing problems, creating power vacuums, and driving the Ethiopian-American relationship on an undesirable path.

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