News in Brief

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addresses the House of Peoples Representatives, 14 June 2022

Ethiopia addresses the concerns of Political and Security Committee of the European Union

DPM and FM Demeke Mekonnen applauds WFP and Sweden for demonstrated humanitarian support to drought and conflict-affected people

Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti confident to cement ties with Somalia with new President in office 

Africa and the African Union

AU Commission Chairperson on Thursday (June 16) welcomes Key Confidence-Building Measures towards the Peaceful Resolution of The Conflict in Ethiopia. A statement was released following Moussa Faki Mahamat’s discussion on Thursday with the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who briefed him on his ongoing engagements relating to the execution of his mandate in the Horn of Africa.

African Union Commission Chairperson on Thursday (June 16) congratulates Somalia’s new Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre. The Chairperson reaffirms the AU’s firm support to the new Prime Minister under the Government led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in fulfilling the pressing needs of Somalia and its people for peace, stability and development.

The East Africa Art and Culture Festival kicks off in Addis Ababa on Tuesday (June 14) in the presence of representatives from East Africa and high-level Ethiopian government officials. The festival will be held for six consecutive days exhibiting indigenous manufacturing products, traditional cuisines and medicines, artistic pictures and sculptures, including languages and cultural symposiums and book fairs. It is to be recalled that Ethiopia has proposed for the East African Cultural and Art Festival to be hosted in rotation among countries in the sub-regions annually.

Ethiopia

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday (June 14) addressed the Ethiopian Parliament speaking about the fruits of the Reform Process under his administration that include, among others, constructed roads, increased sugar production, and steps taken to reduce the inflation rate in Ethiopia, which is mainly caused by “the devaluation of Ethiopian Birr against the US Dollar.” He also spoke in length about his Government’s plan to fight corruption, mainly in the law enforcement institutions. The Premier’s briefing on the Conflict and the Peace Process with the TPLF, the Inclusive National Dialogue, and Security Operations (Mainly in the Amhara region), among others, helped to clear confusion in the public driven by rumours circulated on Social Media platforms. (See article)

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met on Monday (June 13) with Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio to discuss national and regional issues of mutual interest. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen had also a meeting at his office on the same day with the Italian Foreign Minister discussing a wide range of issues, including regional and bilateral matters of common concern, further pledging to cement the already strong ties between the two countries.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Demeke Mekonnen, accompanied by the Minister of Justice, Dr. Gideon Timotiwos last week briefed the EU’s Political and Security Committee (PSC), about current situations in Ethiopia, particularly, humanitarian issues, the government’s peacebuilding efforts to end the conflict in the north of the country, and steps made to ensure accountability for abuses in the conflict. The EU delegation was led by the Ambassador of the European Union to Ethiopia, Roland Kobia. The EU’s Political and Security Committee (PSC), which is composed of member states’ ambassadors based in Brussels, was in Addis Ababa last week. (See article)

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, held talks on Wednesday (June 15) with David Beasley, Executive Director of the World Food Program (WFP) and Matilda Ernkrans, Minister of International Cooperation of Sweden. Humanitarian supply to conflict and drought-affected people, accountability issues in the conflict in the northern part of the country and trust-building steps taken by the Government of Ethiopia were the subjects of their discussion. (See article)

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonen had a phone conversation on Thursday (June 16) with the Foreign Minister of Germany, Annalena Baerbock. He said the Ethiopian government has traveled the extra mile to end the conflict with the TPLF peacefully, mentioning the release of political prisoners from detention, the establishment of the National Dialogue Commission, and support given to the peace initiatives of the AU headed by Olusegun Obasanjo. The German Foreign Minister, on her part, appreciated the steps taken by the Ethiopian government to scale up access to humanitarian supply, ensure accountability for abuses during the conflict and hold an all-inclusive dialogue to address critical questions in the country. Annalena Baerbock pledged that the government of Germany would strengthen its development partnership with Ethiopia and support peace-building, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts of the Ethiopian Government.

State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma received at his office on Thursday (June 16), a delegation led by Dr. Alexander Alvin, owner and President of the American Satellite Company ORION. The discussion between the two sides focused on utilizing satellite data and space technology in light of cooperation between the Ethiopian Government and Orion.

State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma had a meeting on Thursday (June 16) with the Ambassador of China in Ethiopia, Ambassador: Zhao Zhiyuan. The Chinese Ambassadors conveyed President Xi Jinping’s message to Ambassador Tesfaye, which invites Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to participate in the BRICS meeting China will host at the end of June 2022.

The two-day Ethiopia-Nigeria joint Ministerial Commission meeting has come to an end Tuesday (June 14) inking various Memoranda of Understanding. Director General of African Bilateral Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, Humer Zenaba and Ambassador Fissaha Shawel, Directorate General for African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia inked the agreements. Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Victor Adeleke said the agreements would scale up relations in health, tourism, science and technology, Media Management, Communication and information exchange sectors, including strengthening pan-African values and relations between Ethiopian and Nigerian Airlines.

The First Belt and Road Coffee Culture Festival was held in Beijing from June 10 -11, 2022, where the Beijing International Coffee Trade Center launching ceremony also took place. In his opening remark, Ethiopian Ambassador in China, Teshome Toga noted that as the Chinese coffee market and consumption grow fast, the embassy will continue working closely with the Beijing International Coffee Trade Center to promote and facilitate the supply of Ethiopian coffee to the larger Chinese coffee market.

Minister of Mines of Ethiopia, Takele Uma and Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons of Equatorial Guinea, GABRIEL MBAGA OBIANG LIMA signed on Monday (June 13) MoU to collaborate on the mining and petroleum sector. The agreement includes exchanges of information in the mining, natural gas and petroleum sector. Expected Services by Ethiopian Airlines to various companies in the Equatorial Guinea are also included in the agreement.

According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) latest world investment report released on Thursday (June 9), Ethiopia ranks among the top 5 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) destinations in Africa in 2021 with USD 4.3 billion. This represents a 79% increase from 2020 and corresponds to almost half of all FDIs to East Africa.

Gedion Timetheos (PhD), Minister of Justice of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia held talks with Janez Lenarcic, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, on Wednesday (June 15) in Brussels. Commissioner Lenarcic welcomed Gedion at his office and exchanged views on a range of issues associated with the current situation in Ethiopia, particularly with regard to humanitarian access, efforts being made to bring perpetrators of human rights violations to justice as well as Ethiopian government’s peace initiatives to bring an end to the conflict. The Commissioner appreciated the progress being made in improving the situation in Northern Ethiopia and stressed the need to build upon the existing momentum and work towards achieving sustained peace in Ethiopia.

The Health Minister Dr. Lia Tadesse stated on Wednesday (June 15) that the nation has administered 13.3 million doses of COVID 19 vaccine in in the last six days. Ethiopia has launched the third round COVID 19 vaccination as a part of the efforts to curtail the spread of the pandemic. Dr. Lia added that 1.6 Ethiopians have also received booster doses in line with the campaign underway throughout the country.

Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the United States, Seleshi Bekele (Dr.) held a constructive discussion with the  Congressman John Garamendi on Thursday (June 16). Ambassador Seleshi briefed Congressman Garamendi on current developments in Ethiopia and the progress made regarding the conflict in the northern part of the country. He also expressed the Ethiopian Government’s position about the punitive draft Bills introduced in the U.S. Congress (HR6600 and Senate S3199) as well as the undue suspension of Ethiopia from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) program. The congressman pledged to maintain his strong support for Ethiopian causes in Congress.

Eritrea

At The 50th Human Rights Council session, Eritrea states, “The Report lacks objectivity and is compounded by failures that violate the Code of Conduct of the Special Procedures. [It is] Irresponsible for the SR to come up with unsubstantiated info from selected, anonymous and dubious sources”.

Isa Ahmed Isa, Eritrean Ambassador to Sudan on Thursday (June 16) met and held talks with Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Chairman of the Sovereign Council of Sudan focusing on strengthening bilateral relations. At the meeting, the two sides discussed the role of Eritrea in the peace process in Sudan as well as on regional issues of interest to the two countries. Delivering the good wish of President Isaias Afwerki to Gen. Burhan, Ambassador Isa Ahmed reaffirmed Eritrea’s strong stance and support for the peace effort of Sudan. Gen. Abdel Fattah Al Burhan on his part commending the growing strategic relations between Eritrea and Sudan expressed the readiness and willingness of his country to develop the relationship to a higher level.

Djibouti

The Ethiopian Embassy in Djibouti organized a two-day briefing and B2B Sessions over the week on livestock, meat processing, agriculture, agro-processing, logistics, mining and manufacturing sectors as Djibouti-based foreign companies delve for joint venture and investment opportunities in Ethiopia. During the sessions, Ethiopian Ambassador to Djibouti, Berhanu Tsegaye, noted that as part of the Home-Grown Economic Model, his government has worked closely with international stakeholders to modernize and streamline its investment regulations, which opens the door for sectors that were previously reserved only for the government under the previous investment regime.

Somalia

In a spectacular ceremony attended by hundreds of people, including the leaders of Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was sworn in as Somalia’s 10th president last week on Thursday. In his inaugural speech, Mohamud emphasized that, in addition to the threat posed by al-Shabab, the country is facing a terrible drought. Heads of State of Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti also expressed their expectations from the new president besides wishing him success in office. (See article)

South Sudan

South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mayiik Ayii Deng, on Friday signed, on behalf of the government of South Sudan, the IGAD Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and Transhumance.  The IGAD protocol, adopted on 24 June 2021, aims to promote the free movement of persons and improve regular labor migration and mobility in the IGAD region in order to enhance regional economic integration, stability, and development, it is reported.  The Foreign Minister Mr. Deng said “The free movement of persons and livestock will help our economy and will help our country to grow like you see the persons are seasonal, so they are not coming to stay forever”.

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Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addresses the House of Peoples Representatives 14 June 2022

“Understanding Human-made and Natural challenges that we have faced for the last four years would set the context for my responses,” the Prime Minister said before he began to respond to questions forwarded by the House of Peoples Representatives on Tuesday (June 14, 2022). Locust infestations, flooding, drought, and Covid-19, the conflict in the northern part of the country that destroyed life and property, the Russia-Ukraine issue, and external pressures have posed challenges to us, he said, adding that how his administration accomplished its goals should be measured in light of these perspectives. “As a new administration, we were not well equipped to meet the challenges. Despite that, we were able to register spectacular results. The challenges also brought us opportunities to get ourselves stronger and be resilient to shocks.” He said the economic triumphs of South Korea, Germany, and Japan after WWII could provide valuable lessons to Ethiopia in this regard.

In light of the above-stated context, the Prime Minister spoke about the fruits of the Reform Process under his administration, among others, constructed roads, increased sugar production, and steps taken to reduce the inflation rate in Ethiopia, which is mainly caused by “the devaluation of Ethiopian Birr against the US Dollar.” He also spoke in length about his Government’s plan to fight corruption, mainly in the law enforcement institutions. The Premier’s briefing on the Conflict and the Peace Process with the TPLF, the Inclusive National Dialogue, and Security Operations (Mainly in the Amhara region), among others, helped to clear confusion in the public driven by rumors circulated on Social Media platforms.

The Conflict and the Peace Process with the TPLF

We do not want war, not only in Ethiopia but anywhere else, he said. “What we want now is to repeat our triumph on the battlefronts in the development arena too,” he added, referring to the results of the battles last December that pushed the TPLF out of the territories that it had occupied in the Afar and Amhara regions. The problem we are facing now is extremism and hatred, he said, indicating the need to focus on the major ills of the country. “The TPLF’s dominance in the Tigray region for the last 30-to-40 years, including its 27 years of leadership in Ethiopia, did not free the Tigray region from hatred, war, and dependency. We do not need to pass hatred to the next generation. We know that we profit only out of peace. The loss of lives, particularly the youth, and the high cost of war are not profitable to our country.”

The rumors about the meeting of the Government and the TPLF side for negotiation in various countries are false, he said. However, “the Ethiopian Government has established a committee to oversee the negotiation process under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen.” They are assigned to come up with key areas for negotiation, representing the Ethiopian Government, he said, “although they did not submit a report to the cabinet of the Government of Ethiopia thus far”. “We are not hiding anything from the public or the Parliament. Peace is not something that we need to hide. Only those who have not seen the brunt of war take it lightly. We will announce everything at the right time and when the negotiation process commences.” According to the Prime Minister, the negotiation, however, as some corners suggest, is not only about the interests of the Amhara and Tigray Ethnic groups. “Since all of us share the challenges posed by the TPLF together,” he said, “we need to come up with the solution together”. In the line with this logic, Ethiopians from various Ethnic groups are included in the negotiation committee representing the Federal Government.

If we are successful in making peace with the TPLF, the people of Tigray will be the primary beneficiaries, the Prime Minister said, further explaining how the people in Tigray are facing hunger and displacement through their treatment in the hands of the TPLF leaders as expendables. He urged the Parliament and all of the people of Ethiopia to know that as long as the TPLF leaders get access to clean water and electricity, the challenge that ordinary people in Tigray are facing is not their concern. “Many are profiting out of the conflict, but if we conclude it peacefully all of the people of Ethiopia will benefit from it,” he said explaining that the fruits of peace benefit both sides.

“Since the advent of our new administration, our priority has been to avoid conflict or shorten its duration if it occurs,” Abiy said, but, “the main cause of the conflict with the TPLF was that it could not accept the fact that it had lost political power.” The group insisted to return to power at any cost, therefore, the conflict was not of our choice. “We were pulled into it.” “We had to set our soldiers who were taken hostage by the TPLF free, including military equipment. After we left the Tigray region, the TPLF escalated the war into the neighboring regions. We pushed them back but we have never ceased sending them our peace overtures.”

“Our efforts to make peace may not necessarily bear fruits. But we should always be at the forefront to embrace peace. However, if anyone poses danger to the sovereignty of our country, we will not hesitate to fight.”

The Inclusive National Dialogue

The National Dialogue commission was established with privileges provided by the Government, the Prime Minister said, mentioning measurements that his government took traveling the extra mile in the establishment of the Commission. According to him, the Executive Organ of the Government, although it was constitutionally mandated to establish a commission, left the authority to the Parliament to set up the National Dialogue Commission so that the Commission will be an independent body. “The Government has also refrained from setting the agenda for dialogue, giving full authority to the Commission to select and decide on the agenda items.” The Ethiopian Government has also decided not to interfere in the process of selecting parties to the dialogue, he said, “The Commission has got full authority to select entities for the dialogue.” 

Accordingly, the National Dialogue Commission was established by the House of Peoples Representatives and qualified people are selected to facilitate it. The Commissioners do not have prior experience in facilitating such dialogues since there was none before in the country, he said. “The Commissioners will not succeed if we belittle their budding efforts and inundate them with discouragement.”

Some people doubt the Commission’s inclusivity. Some say some groups will not take part in it. In addressing these concerns, the Premier said, “Those who refuse to participate in the dialogue, just like those who refuse to take part in [democratic] elections, refuse to believe that power emanates from the ballot box. The problem is that politicians [in Ethiopia] tend to believe that the country belongs only to them and that they have the right to decide on the fate of the country sidestepping the rights of ordinary people.”

“The Commissioners are selected to facilitate dialogue, not debate. Based on the results of the dialogue, they will signpost the best path we need to walk in. I believe the Inclusive dialogue will benefit the country if the Parliament, the Government, and competing parties come together in support of it.”

Security Operation in the Amhara Region

Following the report of the members of Parliament about their meetings with their constituencies, the Government had identified major concerns of the people in different parts of the country that need to be addressed by the Government. One of the regions was the Amhara region, where there were a large number of individuals, who “defected from Government forces,” continuing to abuse the public. Besides, looting, taking children as hostages, and forcing people to unlawful taxation, these armed persons have put daily life in the region under strain, he said. According to the Prime Minister, these people, who use “Fano Amhara forces” as a smokescreen, were also found in possession of narcotics, illegally acquired foreign currency, fake currency, bombs, and other illegal weaponry. “These people need to be apprehended,” he said. “The Government has brought around 3500 of these people under control thus far. People in the region have reported getting relief from stress. The security operation will continue.” 

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Ethiopia addresses the concerns of Political and Security Committee of the European Union

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Demeke Mekonnen, accompanied by the Minister of Justice, Dr. Gideon Timotiwos briefed the EU’s Political and Security Committee (PSC), about current situations in Ethiopia, particularly, humanitarian issues, the government’s peacebuilding efforts to end the conflict in the north of the country, and steps made to ensure accountability for abuses in the conflict. The EU delegation was led by the Ambassador of the European Union to Ethiopia, Roland Kobia. The EU’s Political and Security Committee (PSC), which is composed of member states’ ambassadors based in Brussels, was in Addis Ababa last week.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister began his address by underlining that Ethiopia attaches great value to its partnership with Europe. “We are working towards constructive re-engagement with the Union and its member states,” said the Deputy Prime Minister, recalling his government’s strategy to reengage and revitalize development cooperation with the EU and members as demonstrated in the recently held Article 8 Dialogue in Addis Ababa.

Regarding humanitarian issues, Demeke said the government’s priority is to provide continuous humanitarian assistance to people in need in the Tigray, Amhara, Afar, and other regions. He mentioned the declaration of the Humanitarian Truce that guaranteed the smooth flow of humanitarian aid to those in need. He said, “through the concerted efforts of the Government and the International partners, humanitarian access to the Tigray region has reached a milestone.” In this regard, he mentioned the 1100 humanitarian trucks that reached Tigray in just a week in June excelling the UN’s stated goal of 500 trucks per week. Expedited clearance procedures have also enabled the region to get access to frequent flights loaded with food and non-food items, he said.

With respect to peaceful settlement of the conflict, the Government has taken various confidence-building measures, he said, mentioning the lifting of the State of Emergency, and the release of high-profile TPLF leaders from Prison. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister also underscored Ethiopia’s commitment to achieving peace in the country by working closely with the AUC Chairperson High Representative of the Horn of Africa, Olusegun Obasanjo. “We are engaged with him and we have a reason to be optimistic about the progress that he is making.” He also thanked the European Union’s Horn of Africa Representative Annett Weber for her support of the ongoing peace process. 

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister assured the ambassadors that the Ethiopian government has no interest in escalating the conflict and engaging in another round of war with the TPLF. “We are denying the TPLF any excuse to restart the conflict,” Demeke said further mentioning his government’s observation of the group’s renewed propaganda for another round of conflict. “They are recruiting new fighters and mobilizing the population for another round of war, he said,” urging the EU and the international partners to send a clear message to the group to renounce their tendency to solve political disputes through violence. 

Addressing the EU Ambassadors on accountability, he said the government was taking concrete steps to hold those responsible for human rights abuses. He mentioned the Ethiopian Government’s decision to implement the recommendations of the joint OHCHR-EHRC joint investigation report on human rights abuses committed in the Tigray region. He further described the activities of the Iter-Ministerial Taskforce that was established by the Ethiopian Government to oversee the implementation of the report of the joint OHCHR-EHRC investigation. The Ethiopian government, despite serious reservations regarding the establishment and operationalization of the International Commission on Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia, has opted to explore the possibilities of cooperation with the Commission, he said. “The Ministry of Justice and his delegation met in Geneva and held an initial discussion with members of the commission on possible modalities for cooperation. We are encouraged that mutually acceptable arrangements might be possible.”

Commenting on the human rights violations committed in the Tigray region, the Minister of Justice, Dr. Gideon Timothy, said investigations have been carried out into the crimes committed in the region and the perpetrators are being held accountable. Apart from the Tigray region, an investigation is underway into the crimes committed in Amhara and Afar states, he said. He called on the European Union (EU) to provide capacity-building training and other support to investigators. 

The concerns of the ambassadors of the EU Political and Security Committee were addressed by Demeke Mekonnen and Dr. Gideon Timotios. The ambassadors’ delegation includes more than 40 members, including, Delphine Pronk, Chair of the Political and Security Committee of the European Union.

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DPM and FM Demeke Mekonnen applauds WFP and Sweden for demonstrated humanitarian support to drought and conflict-affected people

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, held talks on Wednesday (June 15) with David Beasley, Executive Director of the World Food Program (WFP) and Matilda Ernkrans, Minister of International Cooperation of Sweden. Humanitarian supply to conflict and drought-affected people, accountability issues in the conflict in the northern part of the country and trust-building steps taken by the Government of Ethiopia were the subjects of their discussion.

During their meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister appreciated the WFP and the Government of Sweden for their relentless efforts to ensure the supply of humanitarian aid to those in need in Ethiopia. “Your visit, at this time when the humanitarian needs of the country is at critical point, needs to be commended,” he said. Recalling David Beasley’s frequent visits to Ethiopia and his meetings with high-level officials, the Deputy Prime Minister said Ethiopia appreciates the Executive Director’s leadership and efforts to mobilize additional resources for the humanitarian causes of the region besides Ethiopia.

Recalling his recent visit to the Semera and Serdo checkpoints in Afar, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to facilitate unfettered access to the operation of humanitarian partners. Regarding the fuel and fertilizers supply to the Tigray region, the two sides noted that Humanitarian partners should work closely in consultation with relevant government institutions in charge of these matters.

The WFP Executive Director and the Minister of International Cooperation of Sweden applauded the demonstrated commitments of the Ethiopian Government in doing its level best to ensure unfettered flow of humanitarian supply to the Tigray region. They have also pledged to support conflict affected people in the Amhara and Afar regions and the more than 20 million people who need humanitarian support due to drought in other parts of the country. They have discussed the encouraging wheat cluster farming and urban farming initiatives of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, which calls for support from partners.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister also presented a briefing on accountability measures to alleged human rights abuses during the conflict, mentioning the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial committee that aimed to address such concerns. Some are brought to justice accordingly, he said further calling on the support of the international community in providing training to members of the inter-Ministerial taskforce assigned from law enforcement agencies

In their discussion about efforts for enduring peace in Ethiopia, Demeke mentioned the all-inclusive National Dialogue and the AUC Chairperson High Representative for the Horn of Africa, Olusegun Obasanjo’s peace initiatives to be wholeheartedly supported by the International community.

The TPLF should be told to refrain from its provocative actions and be committed to the peace process with appropriate reciprocal actions, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister stressed. He said the increased militarization of the TPLF and its attempts to loot some areas adjacent to the Tigray region do not indicate the genuine commitment of the group to make peace in the country and end the conflict peacefully.

David Beasley and Matilda Ernkrans commended the peace initiatives of the Government of Ethiopia, underlying its importance to peace and stability of the region too.

WFP Country Director, Claude Gibdar attended the meeting, accompanying David Beasley who is visiting Ethiopia for two days to get first-hand information on the current humanitarian situation in the country. During his stay in Ethiopia, David Beasley visited Jigjiga and Gode in the Somali Regional State

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Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti confident to cement ties with Somalia with new President in office  

In a spectacular ceremony attended by hundreds of people, including the leaders of Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was sworn in as Somalia’s 10th president last week on Thursday. In his inaugural speech, Mohamud emphasized that, in addition to the threat posed by al-Shabab, the country is facing a terrible drought.

Hassan Shiek Mohamud’s Promise

The new president’s speech was greeted with cheers and applause as he pledged to combat corruption, poverty, insecurity, and the humanitarian disaster that has ravaged Somalia in recent months. He detailed his plans for the next four years, emphasizing that reconciliation and the restoration of institutions will be top priorities in order to give civilians hope. “To achieve true reconciliation, we are going to address whatever is being felt,” he stated.

Mohamud, who succeeded Mohamed Farmaajo, stated that his country will remain neutral in international affairs while forming friendships with countries that will respect its sovereignty and work to address common issues such as al-Shabaab and poverty. “Somalia will not get involved in international rivalries. We shall boost our amicability with our neighbors and Somalia’s partners across the world.”

The most pressing concern, according to the president, is the drought, which has hit Ethiopia and Kenya hard. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes in search of food and water, and humanitarian organizations have warned that a famine declaration could be imminent. According to Mohamud, Somalia is extremely vulnerable to drought, and fear is on the horizon that the drought may lead to starvation. Droughts are now happening practically every year, according to the President, and there are a variety of reasons for this, including climate change.

Optimism and Great Expectations

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed’s message reaffirms Ethiopia’s commitment to further strengthen its relations with Somalia.  PM Abiy attracted a standing ovation when he greeted the masses with a few remarks in the Somali language ‘Hambalyo, hambalyo Madaxweeyne, Waxaan kuu rajeeynaa in Ilaheey kugu asturo. Waxaan u rajeeynaa Shacabka Soomaaliya nabad waarto iyo barwaaqo.’ (Congratulations, congratulations Mr. President. I wish God will offer you blessings. I wish the Somali people a lasting peace and prosperity).

The PM said that the government of Ethiopia is committed to work together with Somalia in a more robust relationship to achieve a better future for the people and to determine mutual destiny together. “I stand here today to offer you Ethiopia’s support, and as you know, as you start your endeavour to rebuild Somalia, we will be with you, and I’m sure you will succeed!” the Premier affirmed.

Abiy’s visit was also unique since he was leading a big entourage that included Adem Farah, Vice Chairperson of the ruling Prosperity Party, Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance, Redwan Hussein, Security Advisor to Prime Minister, and Mustafa Omer Agjar, President of the Somali Region, among others. 

President Kenyatta, speaking during the inauguration ceremony held in Mogadishu, said Kenya’s desire is to consolidate and forge closer relations for the good neighbourliness, socio-economic cooperation and regional stability which is in the best interest of the people of the two countries. “Indeed, Kenya recognizes that our own stability and economic wellbeing are dependent on the stability and economic wellbeing of Somalia and the region.

“…A peaceful and prosperous Federal Republic of Somalia is the dream of every Kenyan. Your brothers and sisters in Kenya look forward to working with you so that we can all benefit economically and prosper together,” President Kenyatta said as he congratulated President Mohamud. He further welcomed the peaceful transition of power, affirming Kenya’s commitment to collaborating and supporting the newly inaugurated Somali President as he champions the development agenda of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

President Guelleh, on his part, promised Djibouti’s brotherly cooperation, especially in the sphere of experience sharing with the people and government of Somalia. 

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