News in Brief

GERD: Triumphs, major challenges, and prospects

The Green Legacy Initiative: A Step towards Regional Integration

Repatriating Ethiopians in dire situation: Challenges and Prospects

Press Statement on the renewed TPLF attack against Ethiopian Government Forces

Africa and the African Union

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat said he is following with deep concern the reports of renewed military confrontation in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. In a statement issued on Wednesday (August 24), the Chairperson strongly called for the immediate cessation of hostilities and urges the parties to resume talks to seek a peaceful solution The Chairperson reiterates the African Union’s continued commitment to work with the parties in support of a consensual political process in the interest of the country and called on the parties to engage with the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, former Nigerian President H.E Olusegun Obasanjo.

Ethiopia

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia issued a statement on Thursday (August 25) reiterating the commitments of the Government of Ethiopia to resolving peacefully the conflict in the Tigray region and condemning the TPLF for violating the humanitarian truce and launching a new round of attacks against the federal government troops. The statement said the TPLF must bear full responsibility for this blatant action and its consequences. “The international community must unequivocally condemn the TPLF’s belligerent actions, its refusal to end the conflict through peaceful means, and hold it responsible for the suffering it is causing to the people in the region.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen met over the week with the diplomatic community based in Addis-Ababa to brief them on the state of current affairs in Ethiopia. According to Demeke, the Federal Government has been implementing encouraging peace-building steps to bring about sustainable peace, ending the war in the country’s north. Unfortunately, he said the TPLF continued to militarize humanitarian supplies that were intended to support civilians, while failing to recognize the government’s peace measures. He urged the international community to promote the AU-led unconditional peace talks and denounce the TPLF’s destructive behavior.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia issued a statement on Thursday (August 25) condemning the TPLF for launching renewed attacks on Ethiopian Government forces and urging the international community to put pressure on the TPLF to refrain from its destructive actions and sit for unconditional peace talks with the Governmnet (See Statement).

Looking back at the passing Ethiopian Year, which will end on September 10, 2022, what were the challenges and prospects in carrying out the major diplomatic activities over the year? Three of the articles in today’s publication will cover issues related to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the Green Legacy Initiative, and the repatriation of Ethiopian citizens from the Middle East and other countries. (See articles)

The United Nations reported that on Wednesday (August 24), a World Food Programme warehouse in Mekelle, Ethiopia was forcibly entered by Tigrayan forces who took 12 fuel tankers with 570,000 liters of fuel. The team on the ground unsuccessfully tried to prevent this looting, Spokesperson of the Secretary General Stephane Dujarric said. “These fuel stocks were to be used solely for humanitarian purposes, for the distribution of food, fertilizer, and other emergency relief items. This loss of fuel will impact humanitarian operations supporting communities in Northern Ethiopia.””We condemn any looting or confiscation of any humanitarian goods,”he added.

The Government of Ethiopia has urged the international community to pressure the TPLF to choose the path of peace. In a statement issued today (August 26), the Government Communication Service said that the TPLF is blocking all ways leading to peace because the group is not capable of surviving without war. Ignoring all of the peace alternatives presented by the government, the terrorist group TPLF armed group continued its recent attacks on the areas that are under the control of the National Defense Forces, the statement says.

In a statement issued today (August 26), the Government of Ethiopia said: “Although the Government has kept the door open for peace until now, the TPLF clique have continued their attacks.” “Therefore, while the readiness of the Federal Government to talk unconditionally is preserved, it will take action targeting the military forces that are the source of the anti-peace sentiment of the TPLF.”

The National Defense Force disclosed on Wednesday (August 24) that a plane transporting weapons to the terrorist group TPLF and believed to be the property of Ethiopia’s historical enemies was shot down by the Ethiopian Air Force for violating the country’s air space.

A Ugandan delegation, which includes Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Henry Okello Oryem, and the Commander-in-Chief of the country’s Ground Forces and President Yoweri Museveni’s Senior Advisor on Special Operations, Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kianerugaba, as well as other senior security and military leaders, arrived in Addis Ababa on Sunday (August 28) for an official visit. During its stay in Addis Ababa, the delegation held discussions with its Ethiopian counterpart that will help strengthen the cooperation between Ethiopia and Uganda to ensure peace and security in East Africa and to prevent terrorism.

The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum received the first gas reserves certificate as a study to verify the extent of oil and natural gas reserves in Ethiopia was completed. Takele Uma received the certificate from the American company, Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. (NSAI), a petroleum property analysis and consulting firm based in the United States that conducted the study. Speaking at the handover ceremony today (August 26), Takele said efforts are underway to translate the study into practice. The certificate is an assurance of the availability and commerciality of natural gas and crude oil in Ethiopia, the minister said.

Ethiopia participated in the first World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference held in the northern coastal city of Tianjin from August 18–20, 2022, with the theme of “Vocational and Technical Education Development in the Post Pandemic Era-New Changes, New Ways and New Skills.” The launching of the International Vocational Education Award, the establishment of the World Technical and Vocational Education Training League, and the launching of the Tianjin Initiative proposals were announced during the conference, where 700 government and non-governmental participants attended the event both offline and online.

Somalia

Somali authorities on Saturday (August 21) ended an attack by Al-Shabab that left 21 people dead and over 110 wounded when gunmen stormed a hotel in the capital, Mogadishu. It took Somali forces more than 30 hours to contain the fighters who had stormed the Hayat Hotel on Friday evening in an assault that started with loud explosions. The attack is the first major terror attack in Mogadishu since Somalia’s new leader, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, took over in May. The siege ended around midnight, police commissioner Abdi Hassan Hijar told reporters.

Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Tuesday announced a “decisive war” against Al-Shabaab after a deadly attack on the Hayat hotel in Mogadishu. In his speech to the nation, Mohamud said the government will win the upper hand in the battle against Al-Shabaab and regain control of the whole country. The president has urged the public to unite and work with the government to achieve a peaceful and prosperous Somalia, which he said requires commitment and courage. The newly elected leader made the remarks after meeting with the national security committee at his office on Tuesday (August 23) to discuss the war on Al-Shabaab.

Somalia’s prime minister is promising accountability after the latest al-Shabab attack, on a popular Mogadishu hotel, killed 21 people and injured 117 others. Hamza Abdi Barre said the government takes responsibility for what happened in Friday’s attack on the Hayat Hotel. After visiting hospitals treating the injured victims, Barre said those who failed to “perform their duties, anyone who fell short, and anyone who infringed will be held accountable.” He added, “A repeat of what has happened is not acceptable.” The comments aired late Sunday (August 21) on state television.

South Sudan

The Ethiopian ambassador to the Republic of South Sudan, Ambassador Nebil Mahdi, held a discussion with Mahmoud Solomon, the Interior Minister of the Republic of South Sudan, on Thursday (August 25). The two have exchanged views on ways of reinforcing cooperation on joint security concerns as well as averting any possible threats to the peace and stability of both countries. They have also discussed with regard to establishing border areas of shared facilitations towards the freedom of movement for the people of both countries by avoiding illegal engagements.

Speaking to the media on Thursday (August 25), South Sudan’s presidential advisor on security, Tut Gatluak Manime, said the Joint Political Security Mechanism (JPSC) of South Sudan and Sudan will convene in Juba to discuss a joint strategy in the coming days. The leaders of the security organs of the two countries will meet to discuss a joint strategy to deal with cross-border matters, which will be at the level of the Joint Political Security Mechanism, he said.

Sudan

Ali Sadiq, acting foreign minister, welcomed the arrival of the U.S. ambassador on Thursday (August 25), saying he was happy with the upgrade of U.S. diplomatic representation in Sudan. Ambassador John Godfrey arrived in Khartoum on Wednesday (August 24). He is the first ambassador to Sudan after over 25 years of tumultuous relations due to the support of the former Sudanese regime for terrorism, war crimes, and human rights violations.

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GERD: Triumphs, major challenges, and prospects

On August 11, 2022, Ethiopia commissioned power generation from Unit 9 of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in a ceremony held at the dam site in the presence of President Sahlework Zewde, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD), Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonen and other dignitaries. Unit 9 is the second turbine to kickstart electricity generation after Unit 10, which was commissioned in February 2022. On August 12, 2022, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) announced the completion of the third filling of the GERD from Guba in front of the dam with a waterfall overtopping the low block and a waterjet from the two bottom-outlets. This is a milestone and indeed a triumphant achievement for multiple reasons.

The GERD is a technically awe-inspiring project. It is true that the management of the project had faced challenges before the advent of the new political administration in Ethiopia. Fixing those challenges and making sure that the project meets the necessary standards, mainly by changing the electromechanical and hydromechanical contractor, which at that time was the state-owned Metals and Engineering Corporation (METEC), was necessary. This year, the left and right banks of the dam have reached 611 meters above sea level, up from 585 meters last year, and the low block has been raised by 25 meters, reaching 600 meters above sea level. Hence, the GERD now has a total of 22 billion cubic meters of water behind its reservoir. We have achieved this milestone because the project has been given a priority, against all odds and challenges, both foreign and domestic.

The GERD is a “Yes, we can do it” insignia for all Ethiopians. Because of the waters of the Nile, Ethiopia has faced multiple challenges. Our foreign detractors, as well as their domestic proxies and Trojan horses, have tried to derail the project. They have thrown all the spears and shot all the slings in their hands. Yet, Ethiopia has remained indomitable. The inauguration of the second turbine and the completion of the third filling are such testimonies and show how Ethiopia is resilient.

Ethiopia recognizes Abbay/the Nile as a transboundary watercourse. Its plea for cooperation is mainly a result of its commitment and firm stance that shared watercourses should be utilized in an equitable and reasonable manner. That is why, from the outset, it invited the two downstream countries for consultation to maximize benefits and avoid unforeseen impacts. Ethiopia has shared more than 150 design and study documents. It has earnestly engaged them in all the consultation and negotiation platforms from the time Ethiopia initiated the establishment of the International Panel of Experts (IPoE) in 2012 through negotiating and signing the Declaration of Principles (DoP) in March 2015 to the African Union (AU) facilitated trilateral negotiations. Despite unfounded accusations and sometimes ill-intentioned approaches by downstream states, Ethiopia did so to inspire them to further cooperation by building confidence and enhancing trust.

Besides, the GERD was filled this year, like the earlier two filling seasons, without causing significant harm to downstream countries. Enough water was released from the dam through its gigantic bottom-outlets with the capacity to discharge the average annual waterflow of the Blue Nile. Natural to its generosity and commitment to good neighborliness in the spirit of African brotherhood, Ethiopia has been sharing data and information on an annual basis since the first impoundment of the reservoir three years ago. This year also, before the completion of the third filling, Ethiopia did the same. Sudan has responded positively and gratefully, appreciating Ethiopia’s cooperative efforts and attesting that Ethiopia’s actions were beneficial.

Challenges and Prospects

Lack of political will and commitment for the AU facilitated tripartite negotiations by downstream countries, smearing media campaigns against Ethiopia and the GERD, as well as anti-Ethiopian rhetoric, has been the challenge. There was also undue pressure against Ethiopia from different directions. This was mainly a result of geopolitical miscalculations and unwarranted fears of impact. However, Ethiopia has demonstrated its resolve for a just cause.

The GERD is one project for Ethiopia. As Prime Minister Abiy noted in his remarks on August 12, ‘Abbay/the Blue Nile is Ethiopia’s gift and it is Ethiopia’s responsibility to use it. If Ethiopia is to regret indeed, it is for its inability to use this natural gift for thousands of years. ” Ethiopia will continue the utilization of the waters of the Nile for both consumptive and non-consumptive uses to meet the needs of the present and future generations. It will do so based on the cardinal principles of international law, namely: equitable and reasonable utilization and the obligation to prevent significant harm.

Regarding differences on the first filling and annual operation of the dam with downstream countries, the only solution is cooperation and resolving differences peacefully through the AU facilitated tripartite negotiations. Any attempt at internationalizing the matter and writing about the technical issue of a single hydropower dam to the United States Security Council is simply a futile exercise. Downstream states are expected to play a constructive role in upholding “African solutions to Africa’s problems.”

The long-term and sustainable management and utilization of the waters of the Nile based on equitable and reasonable utilization is in the best interest of all riparian states. Its contribution in the battle against climate change makes the GERD an asset for the basin, Africa and the world at large. Supporting Ethiopia’s hydropower initiatives, including the GERD, will benefit humanity by reducing poverty through the provision of clean and affordable energy. It will further enhance energy-led integration in the north-eastern part of Africa. This is the reason that the GERD is being regarded as the symbol of cooperation.

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The Green Legacy Initiative: A Step towards Regional Integration

On August 14, 2022, Ethiopia marked the successful completion of a four-year target of planting 20 billion seedlings that was initiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2019. According to the Prime Minister’s statement, the initiative’s successful implementation has created 767 thousand job opportunities, significantly increased public awareness of climate change, and cultivated a nation-wide green culture, among others. Furthermore, the initiative has already reduced the rates of deforestation and has contributed to increased forest coverage in Ethiopia, which was only four percent before the initiative. Recognizing the importance of addressing climate change through a concerted effort, Ethiopia has extended an invitation to the neighboring countries to join it in adopting this initiative. This stems from the belief that unless the region’s countries back the initiative, the modest environmental and economic benefits that Ethiopia has already reaped will have little impact on addressing the overall challenges of climate change. If taken up as a joint project, this initiative will not only play a role in addressing the root causes of the environmental crisis in the Horn of Africa sub-region, but it will also create a conducive environment for a more integrated region.

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The Green Legacy Initiative: a panacea to the crisis in the Horn

There are compelling factors for states in the Horn to adopt the green legacy initiative. For states in the Horn of Africa sub-region that bear the brunt of climate change, adopting initiatives such as the green legacy is imperative. Climate change is not an abstract concept in this part of the world; rather, it is a lived reality that is causing incalculable consequences. Only a couple of years back, millions of citizens were in need of humanitarian assistance due to the El-Nino induced drought. Currently, the region is reported to be experiencing one of the worst droughts in 40 years. Food insecurity is looming, and close to 40 million people in the region are reported to be in dire need of food. These projections alone necessitate countries in the region to boost their drought resilience through an easy to implement and multipurpose programs such as the green legacy initiative. 

Moreover, climate change, as elsewhere, is a major threat multiplier in the sub-region, especially considering that the sub-region depends on sectors that are climate change sensitive. For instance, the unusually warm temperatures the sub-region is experiencing desiccate soil and reduce water supplies, further decreasing the agricultural production that the majority of the people in the region rely on. Reduced agricultural production will result in food insecurity, increase migration and intensify resource competition. Moreover, it will increase unemployment in a region that is already challenged by huge unemployment rates, which is already the main factor that feeds crime and significantly contributes to political instability and state fractures. As Ethiopia’s experience indicates, the Green Legacy Initiative is instrumental in not only addressing the environmental crisis but also creating jobs and ensuring food security. Therefore, considering the instrumental role this initiative could play in addressing such societal ills and in helping solve most of the challenges the states in the region continue to suffer from, it is only necessary for the states in the sub-region to join hands in implementing it.

The Green Legacy Initiative’s Role in Regional Integration

Climate change poses a common threat that needs a common solution. This was not lost on the states of the Horn as, in the past, environmental crisis necessitated the countries to come together and form the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD) with the aim of” coordinating the efforts of member states to combat drought and desertification”. It was, in fact, with this conviction in a concerted effort to counter the effects of environmental risk that Ethiopia extended an invitation to other states to join in pursuing the green legacy initiative. Adopting this initiative will undoubtedly help in fighting the consequences of climate change and significantly reduce the vulnerabilities of the states. It enhances interdependence as the actions of one state will have consequences for the other. When, for instance, Ethiopia successfully implements the green legacy initiative, it contributes to preserving and conserving shared water resources that other states in the region benefit from. Equally, it will also help address the root causes of conflict in the sub-region by creating a conducive environment to focus on ensuring economic integration. When states in the sub-region rally behind such a homegrown initiative and play their part in addressing the consequences of climate change, it will be easier to urge others to provide the necessary support for the sub-region to fight a global challenge that is far from being the making of this specific sub-region.

In conclusion, Ethiopia’s experience offers key lessons that will help in addressing challenges that result from climate change. Most, if not all, of the crisis in the HoA sub-region are linked to environmental crisis. Adopting the initiative at the regional level can help ensure a more integrated region capable of dealing with the devastating effects of climate change.For such initiatives to bear fruit, a concerted and all-inclusive effort is vital.

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Repatriating Ethiopians in dire situation: Challenges and Prospects

A key component of Ethiopia’s new foreign policy is citizen-centric diplomacy, which is focused on defending the rights of Ethiopians living abroad, among other things. In line with this policy, it has facilitated the repatriation of Ethiopians who were struggling to survive in regions like the Middle East and Africa.

As a result, on March 30, 2022, the government and its partners began the process of repatriating around 102,000 (one hundred twenty thousand) residents who are suffering in Saudi Arabia. A committee made up of 16 federal entities was created to oversee the repatriation and rehabilitation of mostly Saudi Arabian individuals in order to facilitate the process.

In order to receive thousands of returnees from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, African nations, and other Middle Eastern countries, the government of Ethiopia continues to work closely with several international organizations, particularly with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Additionally, it coordinated various Ethiopian sectors to guarantee that returning citizens receive basic services like medical attention, food, shelter, and psychosocial support as well as specialized protection services to address their immediate needs, risks, and vulnerabilities and allow them to return home in safety and with honor.

Challenges and prospects

Despite a number of obstacles, the Ethiopian government and a partner are committed to returning thousands of civilians from Africa and the Middle East as part of this mission. The health of the citizens who are being returned is the first challenge. Health test samples that were taken at the airport show that some returnees have the COVID-19 viral infection and that some returning citizens also have tuberculosis. The ability of the returnees to quickly reintegrate into the socioeconomic and political life of the community is severely hampered by their health. The operation’s repatriation is further hampered by some overlap and occasionally disrupted airline schedules.

The return of citizens, particularly those from Saudi Arabia, has a number of opportunities. The program provided an opportunity for the government and its partners to better understand the requirements of the returning citizens. The government, for example, would be able to better cater its services to the needs of the returnees for sustained integration in the future when citizens are repatriated. The difficulties and issues faced by returnees were also noticed during the operation. These problems could be mentioned in recommendations for measures to prevent illegal immigration from having a negative impact. Additionally, the committee already in place to oversee the repatriation and rehabilitation of Saudi Arabian nationals might continue to oversee the repatriation of nationals from other Middle Eastern nations as well.

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Press Statement on the renewed TPLF attack against Ethiopian Government Forces

The TPLF launched an offensive on the morning of August 24, 2022, reigniting the conflict and flagrantly violating the humanitarian truce.

The TPLF falsely alleged that the Government of Ethiopia had commenced another “full-fledged war”. TPLF’s propaganda machinery is at the same time spreading this falsehood, betraying a well-orchestrated effort.

The TPLF forcefully conscripted and trained youth from the region, mobilized the population through coercion and propaganda, and launched the offensive as expected.

The Government of Ethiopia has demonstrated its commitment to resolving the conflict in Tigray through peaceful means over the past several months. The Government has taken a number of confidence-building measures to resolve the conflict in the Tigray region, including declaring a unilateral indefinite humanitarian truce on March 24, 2022. It has been expediting unfettered humanitarian access to the Tigray region. The Government has also been increasing transportation and distribution of fuel and cash.

In addition to facilitating the smooth delivery of humanitarian assistance to our people in need in the region, the Government of Ethiopia signed a Third-Party Implementation Agreement with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to implement the World Bank-financed Recovery Project in the Tigray region on July 11, 2022. These are well-known facts.

Furthermore, on July 12, 2022, the Government appointed a High-level Peace Committee to lead peace negotiations with the TPLF. This appointment of a Peace Committee shows the Government’s commitment and good faith to pursue constructive engagement and approaches to the peace talks.

The TPLF, however, true to its character, repeatedly downplayed the peace efforts and, in fact, failed to reciprocate the confidence-building measures taken by the Federal Government of Ethiopia. The TPLF’s belligerent rhetoric has recently been intensified after the Peace Committee’s announcement, on August 17, 2022, of additional steps towards peace, including the readiness to sign a permanent ceasefire and agree on arrangements for the restoration of services that would have paved the way for the commencement of political settlement.

However, on the very same day of the announcement of these additional steps in the peace plan by the High-Level Peace Committee, the TPLF falsely alleged that it had been attacked and that the unilateral humanitarian truce could be considered non-existent. Its propaganda machine has also been intensively engaged in undermining the peace efforts as well as denigrating and attacking the African Union.

This pattern of negative campaigning shows clearly the TPLF’s longstanding tactics of victimhood and attempts to shift blame. The TPLF’s entrenched violent nature and its recent behavior explain why it would not be ready for peace. The TPLF’s broad daylight theft of fuel destined for humanitarian aid shows its complete disregard for the welfare of people in the region and humanitarian principles. The Government of Ethiopia will continue working with humanitarian actors to reduce the unnecessary suffering that is being caused by the TPLF’s callous behavior.

The Government of Ethiopia reiterates its commitment to resolving peacefully the conflict in the Tigray region. The TPLF violated the humanitarian truce and launched the offensive. It must bear full responsibility for this blatant action and its consequences. The International Community must unequivocally condemn the TPLF’s belligerent actions, its refusal to end the conflict through peaceful means, and hold it responsible for the suffering it is causing to the people in the region. Calling on both sides to end the conflict denies the reality and will further embolden the TPLF.

The Government will continue with its efforts to find a lasting solution to the various social and political challenges facing the country through the inclusive National Dialogue.