News in Brief

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visits Algeria

High-Level Regional Conference on Equitable and Reasonable Utilization of the Nile takes place in Addis Ababa

The fifth joint political consultation between Ethiopia and Switzerland takes place in Addis

Press Statement on the statement of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia

Africa and the African Union

Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanges messages of congratulations with African Union leaders on the 20th Anniversary of the Founding of the African Union and the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and the African Union. On Friday (September 9), President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with the rotating Chairperson of the African Union (AU) and President of Senegal, Macky Sall, on the 20th anniversary of the founding of the African Union and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the African Union.

Ethiopia

Abiy Ahmed (PhD), Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and First Lady Zinash Tayachew paid a working visit to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria on August 28-29, 2022. The Prime Minister’s delegation was composed of Muferiat Kamil, Minister of Labor and Skills, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Belete Molla (PhD), Minister of Innovation and Technology; and Mohammedrafie Abaraya, State Minister and Foreign Affairs adviser at the Office of the Prime Minister. (See article)

Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, called on all the Nile Basin riparian states to “expedite the coming into force of” the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA). The CFA “outlines principles, rights, and obligations for cooperative management and development of the Nile Basin’s water resources.” Demeke made the remark at a three-day first regional high-level conference of the Nile Upper Riparian Countries cooperation conference, which kicked off in Addis Ababa on Monday (September 05). (See article)

Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, met with Siri Walt, Deputy State Secretary of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday (September 06). The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister congratulated the Deputy State Secretary on her country’s election to the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member for 2023/24, expressing hope that the country would, as always, take a balanced and reasonable position on global agenda items. Speaking about the situation in the north, Demeke stated that the government will always be committed to resuming the AU-led peace talks while continuing to defend the country’s sovereignty and protect the people from the TPLF’s aggression. The two sides agreed that now is the time to strengthen their long-standing historical relationship through trade and tourism.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday (September09) said it was “dismayed by the statement of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia” and rejected it as “ultra vires and a blatant call for action against Ethiopia by the Security Council.” Ethiopia also accused the Commission of having “weaponized human rights for political pressure” and said its latest statement “exposed its true intentions, foreclosing all doors of cooperation with the Government.” The Ministry’s statement was in response to the members of the U.N. appointed International Commission of Human Rights Experts calling for the UN Security Council to keep Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa situation on its agenda “given the gravity of the situation.” (See Statement)

The fifth joint political consultation between Ethiopia and Switzerland took place on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at the Hilton Hotel in Addis Ababa. The discussion was co-chaired by Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Siri Walt, the Deputy State Secretary of the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two nations’ historical relationships and anticipated actions that would deepen the ties were discussed at length during the joint political consultation. (See article)

Billene Seyoum, Press Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister, said in a tweet on Thursday (September 08) that Ethiopia is going to host the first Pan-African Artificial Intelligence (AI) Conference in October 2022. Billene indicated that the AI Conference will take place at the new Museum of Art and Science in Addis Ababa. Heads of states, ministers, and computer scientists from various countries in Africa and the world at large are expected to converge on Addis Ababa in October for the first major continental AI conference.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia rejected a report by ETV on Wednesday (September 07) that touches on the historic relationship with Somalia. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has taken note of the inaccurate reporting in the “Etv WORLD” program about the Federal Republic of Somalia that was aired on Tuesday, September 6, 2022. “The program’s content does not represent the policy of the Ethiopian government and is inconsistent with the relations between the two nations,” the statement reads.

Kenya

On Monday (September 05), Kenya’s Supreme Court upheld Vice President William Ruto as the presidential election winner. Ruto won with 50.49% of the vote, narrowly defeating his rival Raila Odinga, who has unsuccessfully stood for election as president of Kenya five times. Kenya’s President-elect, William Ruto, has announced plans to scale up his country’s involvement in regional peace initiatives, including in Somalia, which has been in a state of civil war for decades.

Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) Moussa Faki congratulated on Tuesday (September 06) William Ruto as President-elect of the Republic of Kenya.

Somalia

The AU Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki, appointed on Sunday (September 04) Mohammed El-Amine Souef as the new Special Representative to Somalia and Head of the AU Transition Mission.

The Egyptian presidency announced that President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi discussed on Thursday (September 08) in a phone call with his Somali counterpart, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the latest developments and steps taken to restore stability and security in Somalia, the Egyptian presidency announced.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somalia, Abshir Omar Huruuse, held a meeting on Thursday (September 08) with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, Tanja Fajon, in Cairo, the capital of Egypt. The two sides have discussed working together to strengthen multilateral cooperation based on strengthening the relationship between the two countries. “I had a fruitful meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, Tanja Fajon. We will work together to strengthen multilateral cooperation, whose principles are based on the strengthening of relations between the two countries.”

Following the end of the “contentious” electoral process in May, the political climate in Somalia is now more conducive to addressing key national priorities, UN Special Representative James Swan told the Security Council on Wednesday (September 07). “To capitalize on this opportunity, federal and state authorities must collaborate closely to achieve progress on the new government’s goals, including improving governance and justice, effectively countering Al-Shabaab, and responding urgently to the worsening humanitarian crisis,” he said.

The African Union (AU) Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) vowed on Saturday (September 04) to partner with local security forces to pursue peace despite increased attacks by al-Shabab in the country. ATMIS also condemned the brazen attack on a commercial convoy by the militant group on Friday night, which resulted in the death of 20 people and the destruction of seven trucks carrying urgently needed food and water supplies in the central Somali town of Hiran.

President Hassan S. Mohamud strongly condemns on Saturday (September 03) the despicable acts of murder against innocent civilians in Hirshabelle and Galmudug by the Al-Shabab terrorists. The president underscored that his government will leave no stone unturned in the fight against terrorism in Somalia and the region.

South Sudan

South Sudan on Wednesday (September 07) commended China for the deepening bilateral relations in multiple areas of cooperation between the two countries. The Vice President and Chairperson of the Services Cluster, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, said China plays a significant role in the delivery of services in the country. The Vice President made the remarks during a ceremony at which he awarded certificates of service to Chinese skilled workers and experts in various fields of service and areas.

South Sudan’s First Vice President, Riek Machar, has commended the chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, Gen Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, for breaking the deadlock on sharing the unified command structure. He was speaking at Tuesday’s graduation of 21,000 members of the necessary unified forces to form a unified national army, police, and other security forces.

Sudan

The South Sudan delegation, headed by the Deputy Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, Dr. Jacob Maiju Korok, participated on Saturday (September 03) in the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Forum organized by the World Bank in Addis Ababa.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Wednesday (September 07) disclosed that forced military recruitment was taking place at refugee camps in eastern Sudan where Ethiopian refugees are sheltered. The UN refugee agency told the BBC Amharic service that it had received “credible reports” months ago of efforts to recruit fighters among the Ethiopian refugees, sometimes by force.

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Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visits Algeria

Abiy Ahmed (PhD), Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and First Lady Zinash Tayachew paid a working visit to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria on August 28-29, 2022. The Prime Minister’s delegation was composed of Muferiat Kamil, Minister of Labor and Skills, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Belete Molla (PhD), Minister of Innovation and Technology; and Mohammedrafie Abaraya, State Minister and Foreign Affairs adviser at the Office of the Prime Minister.

Upon his arrival at Houari-Boumediene International Airport in Algiers, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was welcomed by Prime Minister Aymen Benabderrahmane, Lamtane Lamamra, Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, and other cabinet ministers of the government of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.

On August 28, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed laid a flower wreath at the Martyr’s Monument in Algiers and observed a minute of silence in tribute to the martyrs who gave their lives for the independence of Algeria. He and his delegation later visited the National Mujaheed Museum, where they received information on the different stages of Algerian history, especially the struggle for the recovery of national sovereignty.

Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of the Republic of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, gave an official welcome to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on August 29, 2022, at the Presidential Palace in Algiers. The two leaders held extensive discussions on Ethiopia-Algeria relations and other continental and global issues of common concern. They underscored the need to further enhance bilateral trade and investment between the two countries. They also noted the importance of operationalizing a direct air link between the capitals of the two countries to kick-start business activities. Cooperation in the fields of pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and education are among the sectors identified for further collaboration.

The discussions were attended by members of the Ethiopian delegation and, on the Algerian side, they were attended by Prime Minister Aymen Benabderrahmane, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, Ramtane Lamamra, the Chief of Staff of the presidency of the Republic, Abdelaziz Khellaf, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Abdelbaki Benziane, and the Minister of Labour, Employment, and Social Security, Youcef Chorfa.

During his two-day visit, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his delegation visited the production unit of Saidal Pharmaceuticals, a leading pharmaceutical company in Algeria. The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, Ramtane Lamamra, and the Minister of Pharmaceutical Industry, Abderrahmane Djamel Lotfi Benbahmed, during the visit to the pharmaceutical facility.

The Saidal Group presented its production and development plan, including its exports, led by the group’s CEO, Fatoum Akacem. An Algerian pharmaceutical delegation is expected to visit Ethiopia next March.

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High-Level Regional Conference on Equitable and Reasonable Utilization of the Nile takes place in Addis Ababa

A three-day first regional high-level conference of the Nile Upper Riparian Countries cooperation conference took place in Addis Ababa on September 05-07, 2022.  Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen; Minister of Water and Energy Habtamu Itefa; State Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Tesfaye and Ambassador Birtukan Ayano; Deputy Mayor of Addis Ababa City, Zantirar Abay, delegates from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and South Sudan; representatives from various water institutes; and high-level guests were in attendance.

In his opening remarks, Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, welcomed the guests and emphasized the importance of the river to the riparian states. As Demeke noted, the Nile River is confronted with both man-made and natural issues that affect sustainable use of the river, exacerbate water stress in the region, and cause tensions over the utilization of the available water.  Demeke explained the issues preventing the sustainable use of the Nile River, saying that it is “on the one hand, threatened by the ever-increasing water demand due to population growth, environmental degradation, and climate change, among other things.” The tendency to assert hegemony over the shared water resource, on the other hand, continues to be a barrier to the equitable and sensible utilization of the Nile waters, Demeke emphasized.

Demeke recalled the actions taken by the upper riparian nations on the Nile in the past years, saying that “riparian states have sought to address these challenges and have made modest strides to conserve the shared resource while trying to ensure fairness in its utilization.” These efforts have culminated in the launching of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) in 1999 and the opening for signature of the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) in 2010, following a decade-long negotiation process, he added.

Among other aspects,  Demeke also stated, “In addition to this collective effort that we are making to ensure fair and equitable use of our shared resource, the government of Ethiopia has, in the framework of the CFA, supported basin-wide development and restoration.”  Demeke also briefed about the development of the Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the Green Legacy Initiative launched by the Government of Ethiopia under the leadership of His Excellency Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. In this regard, I would like to seize this opportunity to call on riparian states to expedite the coming into force of the CFA, which would undoubtedly address problems in a lasting manner, he added. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen also wished for fruitful deliberations at the conclusion.

Various sessions were delivered the next day. At one of the sessions of the Nile basin countries’ cooperation conference, presentations of perspectives by representatives from Riparian countries reaffirmed cooperation between basin countries regarding equitable and reasonable use of Nile water resources today (September 06). In his elaborated presentation entitled, “Equitable and Reasonable Use of the Nile and GERD Negotiations for a Collective Gain,” Engineer Gedion Asfaw, Chair of the GERD Technical Negotiating Team and Advisor on Transboundary Waters, briefed the participants about stage-based filling of the GERD and cooperation during the filling, benefits of the GERD, and drivers of cooperation. Citing the key benefits of the GERD and the drivers of cooperation, Gedion listed four important points. He said the key benefits and drivers of cooperation between the basin countries include energy generation for the region; a regional power market; water storage and conservation; and national capacity. In his presentation, Mohamoud Zainelabdin, a participant from Sudan, among other things, stated the importance of having mutual understanding between basin countries and the expediting ratification of the CFA by all basin countries for the mutual benefit of the countries.

For his part, Osman Hamad Eltom, former Irrigation Minister of Sudan, presented a wide range of cooperation areas between and among regional basin countries. For example, he said, between Sudan and Ethiopia, there is a list of win-win cooperation areas including culture, border trade, on-going Ministerial Committee cooperation, and climate challenges that can be an area of mutual partnership. In a similar manner, the basin-wide countries have numerous areas of possible cooperation, including the equitable and reasonable utilization of the Nile water resources. Professor Yilma Sileshi, Addis Ababa University, in his presentation, among others, elucidated cooperation based on a comprehensive water treaty in the transboundary river basin.

The Nile Basin Upper Riparian Countries cooperation conference on Equitable and Reasonable Utilization of Nile Water Resources was concluded on Wednesday (September 7). State Minister, Ambassador Tesfaye, delivered remarks. In his concluding remarks, State Minister Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma expressed his heartfelt gratitude to delegates of the Nile river riparian countries for taking part in the maiden conference on the Equitable and Reasonable Utilization of the Nile, and his sincere gratitude also goes to all fellow compatriots who have attended and contributed to enriching the conference.

State Minister Tesfaye also expressed that he is indeed excited to learn that you have had very productive deliberations over the past couple of days. Ambassador Tesfaye also reassured them that the deliberations would eventually provide valuable policy inputs that would help ensure equitable and reasonable use of the Nile. The State Minister praised the participants and all stakeholders, stating that the dedication shown by all participants throughout the event and the key outcomes just presented demonstrated that the conference has indeed achieved its expected objectives. Underlining that he is glad that the participants “unequivocally underscored that the Nile River should be used by all of us in a fair, reasonable, and equitable manner,” he said, “This attests to the very fact that the river is a shared water resource that ties us together.” Encouraging the Pan-African brotherhood demonstrated during the conference, he noted that it is only natural that all those residing in the basin use the resource in a fair, equitable, and reasonable manner based on the spirit of Pan-African brotherhood and mutual cooperation.

In the same token, Ambassador Tesfaye asserted, Ethiopia has exerted continuous efforts over the past decades in collaboration with other riparian countries to put in place a basin-wide water governance arrangement and seized the opportunity and urged the process of ratifying the CFA to be expedited by basin countries. The State Minister boldly underlined and re-emphasized overall that we remain committed to resolving differences on the Nile River utilization through seeking African solutions to African problems.

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The fifth joint political consultation between Ethiopia and Switzerland takes place in Addis

The fifth joint political consultation between Ethiopia and Switzerland took place on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at the Hilton Hotel in Addis Ababa. The discussion was co-chaired by Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Siri Walt, the Deputy State Secretary of the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two nations’ historical relationships and anticipated actions that would deepen the ties were discussed at length during the joint political consultation.

It was acknowledged that historical individuals like Alfred Ilg, who significantly influenced the relationship and contributed to the development of Ethiopia’s governmental institutions, had a positive bilateral relationship with Ethiopia that had existed since the 19th century. The two countries’ relationship has been gradually strengthening, and Ethiopia has expressed gratitude for Switzerland’s involvement in trade, international development, and humanitarian help. It was decided that the two countries’ relationship should grow, particularly in the fields of trade and investment.

The two sides also decided to continue working together to take part in certain new business ventures and investment sectors. The estimated value of the present trade and investment exchange is close to 300 million US dollars. Ethiopia decided to give Swiss firms extra attention and urge them to increase investments in sectors like agriculture, mining, tourism, and the digital economy while acknowledging their prior involvement in a few specific domains.

Ethiopian Airlines will shortly begin service to Zurich, which is seen as a major victory for bilateral relations. The two nations also decided to collaborate to further develop commercial ties in a similar manner.

High-level visits between the two nations should be organized, it was also decided after the consultation, and attention should be paid to putting previously negotiated accords into effect. The accord also addressed formalizing the sisterhood of cities, particularly between Addis Abeba and Geneva, and enhancing institutional collaboration.

The two sides reached an understanding during their discussion of the conflict in the northern region of Ethiopia that the TPLF should not be permitted to remain a constant fighting force, that Ethiopia should cooperate with the delivery of humanitarian aid, that the African Union’s peace process should be fully supported, and that those who want to launch rival peace processes should refrain from doing so and support the African Union’s efforts.

The Ethiopian side requested Switzerland to help develop a fair and balanced system in the Council and prevent undue influence on African nations because Switzerland would spend a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council beginning on January 1, 2023.

Additionally, Ethiopia has discussed with the Swiss delegation its experiences as a non-permanent member of the Security Council from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2018.

Finally, after extensive discussion, the two parties came to an agreement on how to combat terrorism, exploit transboundary resources fairly, and resolve regional and African peace challenges.

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Press Statement on the statement of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is dismayed by the statement of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia issued on 7 September 2022.

The Commission has no competence or proper appreciation of the conflict triggered by the TPLF in violation of the humanitarian truce. The Commission cannot arrogate to itself a mandate to pronounce on matters of threat to peace and security. The Commission’s ultra vires and blatant call for action against Ethiopia by the Security Council only show the reckless behaviour of the Commission and vindicates the Government’s assertion that the resolution establishing the Commission and the works of the Commission are politically motivated. The Commission has weaponized human rights for political pressure and exposed its true intentions, foreclosing all doors of cooperation with the Government.

While rejecting the statement made by the Commission, the Ministry would like to reiterate the commitment of the Government of Ethiopia to continue respecting and ensuring respect for Human Rights and bringing violators to justice.

September, 9, 2022