News in Brief

International organs continue commending Ethiopia’s efforts toward peaceful resolution of conflict with Tplf and facilitation of Humanitarian support provisions

Key takeaways from the first China-Horn of Africa Peace Conference

Ethiopian delegation visit to Brussels under Justice Minister Gedion Timotheos timely and successful

Africa and the African Union

AU Commission Chairperson Welcomes on Saturday (June 18) Key Confidence-Building Measures Towards the Peaceful Resolution of The Conflict in Ethiopia. The Chairperson specifically acknowledges the commitment of the parties involved in the Ethiopian conflict, to a peaceful resolution of the conflict through significant confidence-building measures undertaken including the lifting of the national state of emergency, release of detainees and prisoners of war, setup of the National Dialogue Commission, humanitarian truce and declaration of ceasefire, and the withdrawal of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) from the Afar region.

Ukrainian president Zelensky addressed the African Union Assembly on Wednesday (June 22). The African Union reiterated the AU position of the urgent need for dialogue to end the conflict to allow peace to return to the Region and to restore global stability, it is reported.

Ethiopia

The Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaishankara Subrahmanyam paid a courtesy call to President Sahle-Work Zewde on Thursday (June 23). During the discussion, both sides expressed their satisfaction for the excellent relations and affirmed their readiness to further strengthen the deep rooted ties between the two countries. The President commended India for its principled and constructive position at the UN Security Council particularly on issues related to Ethiopia. India is a member of the council until the end of 2022.

The Ethiopian Air Force graduated junior and senior military pilots on Friday (June 24) in Bishoftu in attendance of President Sahle-Work Zewde, senior military officers and other high level government officials. Members of the diplomatic community particularly military attachés of various countries based in Addis Ababa have also attended the graduation ceremony held with a slogan ‘Tigers 2022’. The graduates have been trained in training airplane, transport helicopter and airplane, fighter aircraft, and VIP helicopter.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed attended the BRICS- Plus High-Level Dialogue on Global Development, hosted by President Xi Jinping of China on 23-24 June 2022. “Such platforms followed by collective actions contribute greatly to addressing the multifaceted challenges we are faced with as a global community,” Prime Minister Abiy noted. President Xi Jinping of China said BRICS countries have embraced the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, while enhancing solidarity and coordination to jointly tackle the challenges.

The fourth round Green Legacy Initiative of Ethiopia kicked off on Tuesday (June 21) at Gulele Botanic Garden in Addis Ababa. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Demeke Mekonnen and Agriculture Minister Oumer Hussien attended the launching of the tree planting. Ethiopia has finalized preparations to plant 6 billion trees in this rainy season. In a recent statement, Prime Minister Abiy said Ethiopia will accomplish its four year plan set to 20 billion trees till 2022. The Prime Minister said last week at a parliament that Ethiopia has already planted 18 billion trees with participation of 20 million citizens during the last three years.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen had a meeting on Monday (June 20) with Janez Lenarčič, European Union Commissioner for Crisis Management, who is in Ethiopia for a two-day visit to assess the humanitarian situation and latest developments.

Over the previous weeks, international organs including the African Union, European Union, the U.S officials, and high-level delegations that paid a visit to Ethiopia commended Ethiopia’s key confidence-building measures to resolve conflicts with the Tplf peacefully and accelerated humanitarian supply provision cooperation. (See article)

The First China-Horn of Africa Peace, Good Governance and Development Conference winded up on Tuesday (June 21) in Addis Ababa. The conference discussed regional peace, development, and governance in an atmosphere of unity, candor, pragmatism, and mutual respect, a joint statement issued by the parties indicated. (See article)

A high level delegation led by Gedion Timotheos visited Brussels from June 15-19 to hold discussions on the current situation in Ethiopia with various officials of the European Union. During their stay in Brussels, the delegation met and held talks with various officials of the European Commission and the European Parliament. The delegation among others, met with Janez Lenarcic, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Eamon Gilmore, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Annette Weber, European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Myriam Ferran, Deputy Director General for International Partnership of the European Commission. (See Article)

The National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister, Ambassador Redwan Hussein, held a fruitful discussion on Thursday (June 23) with David Beasley, Executive Director of the WFP in Rome, Italy. In their discussion, Ambassador Redwan briefed the Executive Director about the current developments in Ethiopia, including the Humanitarian situation. Concerning the claims of the Tplf on fuel shortages, Ambassador Redwan said just last week 3 fuel tankers, carrying 137, 913 liters, arrived in the Tigray region, which is enough for the humanitarian supply operation. It is agreed that the amount of fuel supply to the Tigray region is subject to the amount of food and non-food supplies to be distributed in the region, he said. Accordingly, Ambassador Redwan said, the WFP submitted a proposal to bring 2 million liters of fuel into the region monthly, and the government allowed USAID to import 2 million liters of fuel, which is 100% utilized for secondary transport in the Tigray region.

“The European Union should reconsider its biased stance on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam,” Ambassador Dina Mufti, the spokesperson of the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), said on Thursday (June 23) at the Ministry’s biweekly presser to local media. Recalling the recent joint statement between Egypt and the European Union regarding GERD, the spokesperson stated that EU’s stance about “Egypt’s water security” is not acceptable. The Ambassador assured that Ethiopia doesn’t have any plan to harm any of the Nile downstream riparian countries and has been strictly governed by the Tripartite Agreement. “For a country that shows a genuine stance on the dam, such a partisan statement is unacceptable,” the spokesperson said

The National Risk and Disaster Management Commission disclosed that it has delivered humanitarian assistance to more than 24 million people in the Tigray, Oromia, Amhara, Afar, Somali, and SNNP regions during the past year. Briefing the media on Friday (June 24), National Risk and Disaster Management Commissioner Mitiku Kassa said the government and partners have been delivering huge humanitarian assistance for people affected by conflict and drought in six regions. The humanitarian assistance to Tigray region is especially improving since April and will be maintained, he said. “Especially since April 1, 2022, many vehicles have made their way to Mekele, Tigray, through Afar; and partners and donors have commended it. Many partners often advise the need to transport 100 trucks per day and 500 per week. We have (however) exceeded this. Now 308 trucks in a day and over 500 trucks a week are entering Mekele. We believe this success has to be strengthened to reach the 5.2 million people.”

The Ministry of Finance on Friday (June 24) announced that a Financing Agreement amounting to 600 million USD (200 million USD in the form of grant and 400 million USD in the form of credit) have been signed between Ethiopia and World Bank for the implementation of the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP). Additional 115 Million USD agreement has been also signed in the form of Grant for the implementation of De-risking, Inclusion and Value Enhancement of Pastoral Economies in the Horn of Africa Project (DRIVE) respectively increasing the amount to 715 Million USD.

The national committee composed of 16 government offices and partner institutions to repatriate Ethiopian citizens discussed the progress achieved thus far on Thursday (June 23). Chaired by Ambassador Siraj Rashid, the meeting discussed, among other issues, the tasks accomplished and the challenges encountered. The meeting noted that up to June 22, 40% of the plan of repatriating 102,000 citizens from Saudi Arabia was achieved. Accordingly, in 111 flights from March 30-June 22, more than 40,794 citizens were repatriated to their home country.

The Minister of Mines and Petroleum Ministry of Ethiopia, Takele Uma, in a press briefing on Wednesday (June 22), noted that the institution is working to ensure that the mining and trading of minerals comply with the interest of the nation and the people as well. “We will not allow our natural resources to be wasted in the name of investment,” Takele underscored. The Ministry has revoked the licenses of 972 miners who did not comply with the terms of their exploration and production licenses and who engaged in illegal trading, he said.

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) announced on Thursday (June 23) it has increased the price of gold buying rate from artisan suppliers to 35 percent over the global gold price with a view to boosting foreign currency earnings. NBE Currency Management Director, Abebe Senbete told ENA that the measure is taken to attain the desired foreign currency from gold through incentivizing the artisan suppliers. Previously NBE had set 10, 25, and 27 percent incentives compared to global price rate for artisan gold suppliers up to 150gram, 1kg, and 5kg respectively and 29% above 5kg.

The Embassies of Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkiye, and Australia have jointly held a seminar on Tuesday (June 21) in Addis Ababa on International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2022, under the theme: “Women in Peacekeeping: A Key to Peace”. The seminar was held on the premises of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Addis Ababa in the presence of the Ambassadors of MIKTA countries, Ethiopian Ambassador to Indonesia, Professor Fekadu Beyene, diplomats, scholars, and high-level officials of the UN, AU, and ICRC. The Director-General of International Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Mr. Ayele Lire, delivered a keynote speech where he emphasized Ethiopia’s commitment to supporting the efforts toward increasing the participation of women in peacekeeping operations.

Eritrea

President Isaias Afwerki received at Denden Guest House in the morning hours of Thursday (June 23) credentials of 10 Resident and Non-Resident Ambassadors. The Resident Ambassadors that submitted their credentials are Mr. Igor Mozgo of Russian Federation, Mr. Ahmet Demirok of the Republic of Turkey, and Ms. Mary Babodo Frances of the Republic of South Sudan. The others are Non-Resident Ambassadors of Oman, Thailand, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of Philippines, the Republic of Namibia as well as Japan.

Djibouti

IOM Chief of Staff Mr. Ambrosi Eugenio paid an official visit to Djibouti on Monday (June 20), met with Foreign Affairs Minister, discussed IOM support to Djiboutian government on migration challenges, opportunities and diaspora engagement.

On related news, Ethiopian Ambassador to Djibouti, Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye, received Mr. Eugenio Ambrosi, Chief of Staff of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and Mrs. Stéphanie Daviot, Chief of Mission of IOM in Djibouti in his office on Tuesday (June 21), where they had fruitful discussions on ways to strengthen and enhance efforts to repatriate vulnerable Ethiopian migrants.

Kenya

President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived in Kigali, Rwanda on Thursday evening (June 23) to attend the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). This year’s CHOGM brings together delegates from the 54 Commonwealth member states to discuss and address global issues and Commonwealth priorities. The Summit, whose theme is ‘Delivering a common future: connecting, innovating, transforming’, has also attracted over 5,000 participants from government, business and civil society.

Media coverage of Kenya’s 2022 General Election campaign has improved compared to the coverage in the run up to the 2017 polls. This is according to a media monitoring report released over the week by the Media Council of Kenya that showed improved adherence to journalistic ethics by Kenyan media houses despite the interference of media ownership on framing and coverage of political stories. The report covering April to early June 2022 shows drastic decrease in breaches to the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya. On the flipside, however, the reporting by both the mainstream and community radio stations on both national and county and regional politics was skewed in favour of regional politics.

Somalia

The President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and a delegation led by him returned to the country on Friday (June 24) after a working visit to our brotherly country of the United Arab Emirates in recent days. During his stay in the UAE, the President met with his counterpart to discuss bilateral relations, visa facilitation, trade flows, infrastructure development, banking development, and investment in our country. Also, Mohamud, held a briefing with the Somali community and business community in the United Arab Emirates, listening to reports on their challenges and concerns, and told them that the government was working hard paying attention to their complaints.

The newly appointed Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has been endorsed on Friday (June 25) after winning the majority of the lawmakers’ vote. The 220 MPs who attended today’s session have supported the appointment of Barre as the nation’s new PM by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the president. He is expected to form a new cabinet that will await also the approval of the two houses of the Federal parliament in line with the constitution. Hamza was named this month after the completion of the election in Somalia in May 15.

The United Nations humanitarian agency said on Friday (June 24) it’s seeking 993.3 million U.S. dollars to provide life-saving and life-sustaining assistance to prevent famine and respond to the drought in Somalia by December. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the impact of the drought and increasing economic pressures are deepening the severity of needs and driving the country to the brink of famine.

The World Bank said on Thursday (June 23) it has approved 143 million U.S. dollars in International Development Assistance (IDA) financing to help vulnerable Somalis tackle severe drought and food insecurity conditions. World Bank Country Manager for Somalia Kristina Svensson said the funds will support the country’s drought response through cash transfers to 500,000 households.

South Sudan

South Sudan’s presidential advisor on security affairs, Tutkew Gatluak Manime said solutions to peace and stability in neighbourig Sudan cannot be imported, citing the need for dialogues. Speaking to the media on Thursday (June 24), Manime said President Salva Kiir has emphasized wider consultations and dialogue for peace to prevail in Sudan. “The vision of his excellency the president of the republic is for the peace in Sudan is clear and straightforward. It strengthens the efforts of the Sudanese leaders. It empowers them to own the initiatives and embrace dialogue because a lasting and sustainable peace will only come from within. It will not come from outside pressure”, he explained.

Ethiopia-South Sudan Business Forum was held on Thursday (June 23) in Juba to encourage the Ethiopian Business Community in South Sudan to diversify their business engagements in the country and connect their business with their home country.

The Eritrean Ministry of Information on Saturday (June 18) said Yohannes Teklemicael, Eritrean Ambassador to South Sudan, met and held talks with various South Sudan officials focusing on strengthening bilateral ties as well as on regional issues of interest to the two countries. At the meeting he conducted on 15 June with Tabaan Deng Gai, Vice President of South Sudan, Mayiik Ayii Deng, Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as with Deputy Foreign Minister, Yohannes indicating the significance of regional integration in realizing peace, stability, development and prosperity of nations, expressed Eritrea’s readiness to play its modest part to that regard.

Sudan

The African Union representative in Sudan on Tuesday (June 21) suspended his participation in the tripartite mechanism to protest his exclusion from the direct meetings between the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) and the military component.

The purpose of the U.S. Saudi brokered discussions between Sudan’s key stakeholders is to ensure the participation of the pro-democracy forces in the tripartite facilitated process, said the Director of Sudan and South Sudan office at the US State Department on Friday (June 24). The supporters of the military coup said that Washington and Riyadh are working together to restore the partnership between civilians and military components. In statements to the media on Friday, Brian Hunt dismissed the claim saying the separate meetings between the main stakeholders aimed to create the appropriate conditions to ensure the participation of the pro-democracy forces in the tripartite facilitated mechanism.

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International organs continue commending Ethiopia’s efforts toward peaceful resolution of conflict with Tplf and facilitation of Humanitarian support provisions

Over the previous weeks, international organs including the African Union, European Union, the U.S officials, and high-level delegations that paid a visit to Ethiopia commended Ethiopia’s key confidence-building measures to resolve conflicts with the Tplf peacefully and accelerated humanitarian supply provision cooperation.

In a press release issued on June 16, 2022, after the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, discussed 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, the Chairperson commended commitments towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict. The press release stated that the Chairperson specifically acknowledges “the commitment of the parties involved in the Ethiopian conflict, to a peaceful resolution of the conflict through significant confidence-building measures undertaken including the lifting of the national state of emergency, release of detainees and prisoners of war, setup of the National Dialogue Commission, humanitarian truce and declaration of ceasefire, and the withdrawal of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) from the Afar region.”

Besides, the improvements in humanitarian access and support to the affected regions, following the humanitarian truce and ceasefire were also welcomed by the Chairperson. Stating the efforts put in place towards this progress, the Chairperson, noted “these measures resulted from intensive engagements, through shuttle diplomacy, by the AU High Representative, culminating in an overall lull in hostilities and reduction in violence, which should be consolidated”. H.E Mr Moussa Faki Mahamat further encouraged political dialogue to continue “in the spirit of the Communiqué of the 1045th meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council”. And the Chairperson “calls on the international community to continue supporting the people of Ethiopia and the ongoing AU-led peace process.” It is to be recalled that the 1045th meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council urged all the parties to engage constructively with the High Representative within his mandate, and reassure him of the unwavering support of the Council in discharging his mandate; while restating, the African character of his work in furtherance of African solution to African problems

In the same token, the European Union Commission commended Ethiopia’s efforts towards facilitating Humanitarian support and AU-led peace initiatives and expressed the Union’s support for the peace process. During his two-day visit to Ethiopia to assess the humanitarian situation and latest developments, Janez Lenarčič, European Union Commissioner for Crisis Management, met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister,  Demeke Mekonnen on Monday (June 20).

During the discussions, the EU Commissioner appreciated the government’s efforts in this regard further calling on measures to increase access to humanitarian partners for additional fuel, cash, and another route to deliver aid to the Tigray region. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke noted access to another route for humanitarian supply to the Tigray region would have never been an issue had the Tplf desisted from its provocative actions against the people bordering the Tigray region who need humanitarian support too.

The two sides also discussed accountability measures taken by the government of Ethiopia in the human rights abuses in the conflict, the establishment of an inter-Ministerial committee to ensure that, and commitments to human rights as well as ongoing discussion about the UN Human Rights Experts Commission on Ethiopia. Mr. Janez Lenarčič acknowledged Ethiopia’s peace efforts, took note of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’s concerns over the dubious stance of the Tplf on the AU-led peace initiatives and expressed the Union’s support for the peace process.

Meeting Ambassador Redwan Hussein, the National Security Advisor to the Ethiopian Prime Minister in Rome over the week, Executive Director of the WFP, David Beasley mentioned the significant improvements in humanitarian supply to the Tigray Region with the support of the Regional and Federal governments by recalling his recent visit to Ethiopia. in their discussion about fuel supply to the Tigray region, Ambassador Redwan said the amount of fuel supply to the Tigray region is subject to the amount of food and non-food supplies to be distributed in the region. Accordingly, he said, the WFP submitted a proposal to bring 2 million liters of fuel into the region monthly, and the government allowed USAID to import 2 million liters of fuel, which is 100% utilized for secondary transport in the Tigray region. As long as all requirements are evidence-based, the federal government is ready to increase the amount of cash and fuel, Ambassador Redwan stressed. Ambassador Redwan highlighted the continued act of the TPLF in obstructing the humanitarian supply to the people of the Tigray Region, mentioning the denial of Humanitarian air cargo in Mekelle Airport since June 22, 2022.

Various high-level government officials and international organization representatives including U.S senators and congressmen also took note of Ethiopia’s efforts toward peaceful resolutions of the conflict and expressed support for it. On June 17, Mark Warner, U.S. Senator from Virginia, Chairman, Senate Intelligence Committee said: “The announcement of a new peace committee by Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed is encouraging. With the increasing pace of recent aid convoys, this is positive progress that could bring relief to many. We will be eyeing this continued progress and looking to support the Ethiopian people.”

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Key takeaways from the first China-Horn of Africa Peace Conference 

The first conference between China and the Horn of Africa on peace, good governance, and development came to an end on Tuesday in Ethiopia’s capital city of Addis Ababa with a call for the achievement of common regional aspirations.

In addition to Xue Bing, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Special Envoy for Horn of Africa Affairs, the high-level regional peace and development conference included ministers and senior government officials from the Horn of Africa (HOA) nations of Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Uganda, and Djibouti.

According to Xue, regional unrest and division are increasing, the Cold War mindset and power dynamics have re-emerged, and peace and development are encountering pushback. According to Xue, China’s outlook on peace and prosperity for the Horn of Africa is centered on the region’s reality and history, which intends to assist governments in the region to eradicate external meddling.

A joint statement with twelve points was released by participants at the conclusion of the two-day conference. The participants held in-depth discussions on regional peace, development, and governance in a setting of harmony, candor, pragmatism, and respect, according to the joint statement. They emphasized that the HOA serves as the shared home for residents of the region and that achieving regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity serves the fundamental interests of all nations and satisfies the aspirations of all peoples in the region.

Recognizing the difficulties in maintaining regional peace and security, the participants agreed to work together to create a HOA where guns are silenced for long-term peace, while upholding the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, according to a joint statement. 

“The parties are ready to step up high-level engagements and exchanges at all levels to enhance mutual political trust and keep improving relations among the countries in the region,” the joint statement reads.

In an effort to improve regional security, they also expressed a shared willingness to show political will, take confidence-boosting steps, manage differences and disputes between member states, and pursue peaceful resolution through negotiation and dialogue.

Because of gender disparities that prevent them from participating in decision-making processes and humanitarian aid, particpants emphasised that young people, women, and girls are bearing the brunt of the current crises in the region. They demanded that young people, women, and girls be included. They also agreed to promote democracy and inclusive political participation for all regional citizens, regardless of gender, tribe, or political affiliation.

The HOA countries reaffirmed their commitment to non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, respect for each country’s autonomy in choosing its own development path, and adherence to its own values and social systems. They also reaffirmed their respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The parties, who support multilateralism while opposing unilateral sanctions, “remain committed to the peaceful resolution of regional problems,” according to the joint statement.

They support a coordinated approach to traditional and non-traditional security, including cyber security, terrorism, illegal arms, and human trafficking, among others; they pledge to increase regional counterterrorism cooperation; they also concur to work together to address extreme weather and natural disasters like drought, flooding, and locust infestation; and they pledge to protect the food security of the region.

The parties emphasized the need to sustain regional integration by improving connectivity and bolstering cooperation in sectors like agriculture, trade, manufacturing, industry, and infrastructure in order to build industrial and economic belts, create more jobs, spur growth, and improve self-driven development capacities. They also noted that challenges related to security, development, and good governance require an all-encompassing approach.

In order to increase the synergy of the development policies of the countries in the region and to explore dispute resolution options in an effort to promote a development environment for solidarity, stability, and harmony, they also agreed to encourage exchanges and the sharing of good governance experience.

The countries of the region also applauded China for launching the Horn of Africa Peace, Good Governance, and Development Conference and pledge to actively take part in putting the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative into action. In the joint statement, the governments of the region thanked China for delivering COVID-19 vaccines, anti-COVID supplies, humanitarian aid, locust control products, and other support to the countries of the region. China underlined its willingness to coordinate the Belt and Road Initiative and the implementation of the decisions made at Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) meetings with the regional nations’ development strategies.

According to the joint statement, China reiterated its commitment to expanding cooperation in areas like health, illegal immigration, agricultural development for poverty reduction, trade, investment, infrastructure, green development, and support efforts for creating a development framework featuring “Two Axes plus Two Coasts,” such as the Addis Ababa-Djibouti and Mombasa-Nairobi development corridors and any other initiatives of a similar nature that enable regional integration.

The parties further urged the international community to strengthen its relationship with the HOA in order to work together to address the needs for development assistance identified by the region’s countries, to increase the accessibility and variety of development financing, and to contribute more to Africa’s independent and sustainable development. The parties also urged the international community to cooperate in bringing the Russia-Ukraine conflict to a peaceful conclusion.

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Ethiopian delegation visit to Brussels under Justice Minister Gedion Timotheos timely and successful

A high level delegation led by Gedion Timotheos visited Brussels from June 15-19 to hold discussions on the current situation in Ethiopia with various officials of the European Union. During their stay in Brussels, the delegation met and held talks with various officials of the European Commission and the European Parliament. The delegation among others, met with Janez Lenarcic, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Eamon Gilmore, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Annette Weber, European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Myriam Ferran, Deputy Director General for International Partnership of the European Commission.

On these occasions, Gedion Timetheos exchanged views on 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 on Ethiopian government’s peace initiatives to bring an end to the conflict.

The European Commission officials were appreciative of the progress being made in improving the situation in Northern Ethiopia particularly the improvement in the humanitarian supplies reaching Tigray, the work being done by the inter-ministerial task force established to implement the joint investigation report recommendations of the United Nations Office for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission as well as the political process that’s being outlined to end the conflict.

The European Union officials rendered their support for a peaceful political process and stressed the need to build upon the existing momentum and work towards achieving sustained peace in Ethiopia. They also expressed their desire to work closely to further bolster the progress that has been achieved on various facets.

The high-level delegation had also meetings with a number of European Parliament members including Carlos Zorrinho, Member of the European parliament and Co-president of the ACP-EU Parliamentary Assemby, Maria Arena, Chair of the Sub-Committee for Human rights, Urmas Paet, Vice-Chair for the Foreign Affairs Committee and Javier Nart, member of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee.

During the meetings, the Minister briefed the MPs about the current situation in Ethiopia, especially measures taken by the government to ascertain accountability on human rights violation committed during the conflict in the Northern part of Ethiopia. The MPs’ said that they have been closely following the situation in Ethiopia and were pleased to hear the progress.  Gedion requested their support for the resolution on the Horn of Africa that’s being discussed at the European parliament to reflect the facts on the ground.

The delegation visit was timely and successful as it created an opportunity to showcase to the European Union Officials the progress that has been registered in various facets. The relation between Ethiopia and the European Union goes back to 1975 when Ethiopia signed the Lomé convention. Since then, the two sides enjoyed an excellent relationship cooperating in various areas including development aids, trade as well as in regional and global affairs. Ethiopia and the European Union has also signed Agreement towards strategic engagement on 14 June 2016. This makes Ethiopia the fourth country, next to South Africa, Nigeria and Angola to have such agreement with EU. 

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