News in Brief

The 77th General Assembly of the UN opens in NYC

President Sahel-Work Zewde addresses the UN Education Transformation Summit

Green Legacy Initiative has potential to be a pan-African experience

ICHREE should not get term extension at all

Africa and the African Union

The African Union Chairperson, Mussa Faki Mahamat, joined United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Deputy Secretary General Amina J. Mohammed and other leaders on Sunday (September 18) at the inaugural Global Africa Business Initiative, mentioned it as an exciting new forum that aims to accelerate economic transformation in Africa through inclusive collaboration between all stakeholders.

Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal and current Chairman of the African Union, addresses the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday (September 20). Among other things, he said that the theme of this session reflects the urgent need to act together to ease tensions, heal our planet, reduce persistent North-South inequalities, and reinstate the importance of multilateralism. The Security Council is called upon to address all threats to international peace and security, including those in Africa, in the same way.

The African Union Commission (AUC) deployed on Thursday (September 22) an Electoral Assistance Mission ahead of the General Elections in the Kingdom of Lesotho. The Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) of the AUC has deployed an Electoral Assistance Mission to support the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) ahead of the 7 October 2022 General Elections in the Kingdom of Lesotho. The electoral support is in response to the request by the IEC for technical and financial assistance in order to strengthen the Election Management Body’s capacity to organize peaceful, democratic and credible elections.

Ethiopia

The high-level week of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA77) was opened over the week with the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, along with other world leaders. The annual gathering is being held in person for the first time in three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, heralding that the world is on the path of returning to normal life. (See article)

The ‘Transforming Education Summit’ took place during the 77th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on June 16–19, 2022. The summit aimed to mobilize political ambition, action, solidarity, and solutions to transform education between now and 2030. Sahle-Work Zewde, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, also Chair of the UNESCO International Commission on the Futures of Education, addresses the Transforming Education Summit. (See article)

A high-level UNGA77 side event was held on Friday (September 22) in New York to discuss Ethiopia’s Green Legacy initiative and its role in battling climate change and easing the socio-economic crisis in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen. The high-level side event was organized by the Government of Ethiopia in partnership with UNDP and the African Union Mission to the UN. (See article)

Ambassador Zenebe Kebede, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia at the UN in Geneva delivered his remark on Thursday (September 22) at the UN Human Right Council Geneva, 18th Meeting, 51st Regular Session. He said, “The Commission [ICHREE] has submitted a report of substandard quality. Its allegations are unsubstantiated. It has not met the standard of proof for such investigations. It has fallen prey to those well-accustomed to deceiving bodies of this nature. The Report fails to meet a modicum of objectivity, professionalism, and impartiality. It makes grave accusations against the Government and its armed forces without adducing proof, just based on telephone conversations and web-based submissions.  This is irresponsible. “

The International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE) presented its report at the 51st United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in which it requested an extension of its term for an additional one year. The Commission doesn’t deserve an extension as it was provided with adequate time to bring forward factual and legal findings. Instead, the commission wasted its time on issues beyond its mandate and produced an incomplete, incoherent, and unsubstantiated report. (See article)

On Monday (September 19), Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, met with China’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Wang Yi, in New York on the sidelines of the 77th UN General Assembly. The two sides agreed to cooperate in the economic sphere as they discussed bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest. Demeke praised China’s contribution to the two countries’ development cooperation.

Demeke Mekonen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, met on Tuesday (September 20) with Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Program, in New York to discuss Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative and the advancement of renewable energy in the country.  Demeke mentioned during the conversation that Ethiopia is making efforts to mitigate climate change and gives building a green economy special attention. In this regard, Demeke emphasized the advantages of the Green Legacy Initiative for both Ethiopia and its neighbors. The efforts being made to ensure Ethiopia’s economic and social development through the development of its potential renewable energy resources were brought up during the discussion.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen said China’s Global Development Initiative is critical to implementing global development goals. He said cooperation and partnerships are vital for the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. He made the remarks on Tuesday (September 20) at the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) on the sidelines of the ongoing UN General Assembly in New York.

On the margins of the 77th UN General Assembly, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, met with Jaishankar, India’s Minister of External Affairs, in New York. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister called on Indian investors to take advantage of Ethiopia’s economic opportunities and financial sector reforms. Along with discussing the current round of attacks launched by the terrorist TPLF, Demeke addressed his Indian counterpart on the steps the government has taken to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis in the north.

The East and Horn of Africa Regional Ministerial Forum on Migration is currently taking place in Addis Ababa (starting September 19) with the attendance of representatives from countries in the region. The meeting is mainly aimed at establishing a regional technical committee on “Skills and Youth Employment. Ethiopia has taken over chairmanship of the East and Horn of Africa’s Regional Ministerial Forum on Harmonizing Labor Migration in the Region in March 2022.

The Israeli Parliament’s Deputy Speaker, Zvi Hauser, and the Ethiopian Ambassador to Israel, Reta Alemu, met on Monday (September 19) to talk about the current state of affairs in Ethiopia. During the discussion, Ambassador Reta recalled the steps taken by the Ethiopian government to bring about long-lasting peace on a national level and the TPLF’s rejection of those steps by launching a third round of unjustified attacks against the Ethiopian government.

The Ethiopian Ambassador to Egypt, Hassen Ibrahim, presented on Monday (September 19) his letter of credentials to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi welcomed the new ambassador and wished him the best in his future endeavors. The President said Egypt is committed to bolstering its bilateral relationship with the countries represented by the new ambassadors.

Djibouti

The Ethiopian Ambassador to Djibouti welcomed and praised Djiboutian environmental activist Fihima Mohammed for her unwavering commitment to promoting a green economy and the Green Legacy initiative spearheaded by Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed. Fihima has been instrumental in facilitating the planting of thousands of seedlings the Ethiopian government offered to Djibouti in two rounds over the past two years.

The Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs of India, Shri V. Muraleedharan, paid an official visit to the Republic of Djibouti on September 21 and 22, 2022. This is his first visit to the country.  During the visit, MoS called on the Prime Minister of Djibouti, Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, and held talks with Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and other dignitaries on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest. He will also interact with the Indian community in Djibouti. During the visit, an Agreement on exemption from visa requirement for holders of Diplomatic & Official/Service Passports and MoU between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) and the Institute of Diplomatic Studies (IDS) of Djibouti will also be signed.

Kenya

President William Ruto made his inaugural address at the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States, on Wednesday (September 21). He urged the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to extend debt relief to countries worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and indicated that nations also affected by conflict and climate change should be considered.

The President of Kenya, William Ruto, held talks on Wednesday (September 21) with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York, USA. Among the issues discussed were regional cooperation, security in the Horn of Africa, Kenya’s membership in the United Nations Security Council, climate change, and the humanitarian crisis in the region.

President William Ruto has called on Wednesday (September 21) for global efforts to enhance information communication and technology (ICT) in developing countries. While speaking during his inaugural address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the head of state pointed out that this is critical to bridging the digital divide. He said that we are encouraged to note that education, health, agriculture, and numerous other public services have become increasingly reliant on digital access.

Somalia

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told on Wednesday (September 21) United Nations General Assembly that Somalia is Committed to Tackling the Twin Threats of Looming Famine and Terrorism. He said that Somalia is working tirelessly to transition from over two decades of devastating conflict, drought, famine, and developmental stagnation to a new age of stability, progress, and prosperity. However, despite our continuing efforts, Somalia and its resilient people are facing some of the most complex and interconnected crises in the world.

Somalia’s national army said on Tuesday (September 20) it recaptured the small but strategic town of Booco in the country’s central Hiran region from al-Shabab militants. The military said local militia backed them up in this latest offensive against the Islamist militants, who state TV said have controlled the town for 13 years.

South Sudan

A high-level South Sudanese government delegation led by Vice President of South Sudan Taban Geng Gai arrives in Addis Ababa on Wednesday (September 21) for an official working visit. The delegation was received by Defense Minister, Dr. Abraham Belay, and Director General of African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Fisseha Shawul, among other government officials.

Ambassador Nebil Mahdi, Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Ethiopia to South Sudan, conferred with Albino Bol, Minister of Youth and Sports of South Sudan. The two sides talked about how the African fraternity program would run and how tree seedlings would be planted in Juba at the end of September 2022 with the involvement of Ethiopian and South Sudanese youth representatives.

South Sudan has acquired three acres of land at the port of Djibouti for the construction of a facility to handle the import and export of goods initially channeled through Mombasa port in Kenya. The Vice President and Chairperson for Infrastructure Development Cluster, Taban Deng Gai, said on Tuesday (September 20) he was directed to travel with officials from relevant ministries and departments for talks with authorities in Ethiopia and Djibouti.

The government of South Sudan has urged the United Nations to recognize the outcomes of a referendum held in the contested oil-producing region in October 2013. During a meeting with UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, on Tuesday (September 20), South Sudan’s Vice President, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, described the situation in Abyei as “dire”, warranting the attention and support of the UN and the international community.

Sudan

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chairman of the military-led Transitional Sovereign Council, departed Khartoum on Wednesday (September 21), heading to New York to participate in the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly. He is participating in the high-level meetings to discuss strengthening multilateral cooperation on various international and regional issues.

The head of the military-led ruling Sovereign Council called on Thursday (September 22) for the international community to resume the foreign debt relief process and reiterated his pledge to not participate in the transitional government. He said we appeal to the international community and friendly countries to fulfill their commitments made at the Paris 2020 and Berlin 2021 meetings, noting that Sudan has completed all the legislation required to benefit from debt forgiveness.

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The 77th General Assembly of the UN opens in NYC

The high-level week of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA77) was opened over the week with the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, along with other world leaders. The annual gathering is being held in person for the first time in three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, heralding that the world is on the path of returning to normal life. However, the meeting is expected to primarily deal with the continued effects of the pandemic, particularly on developing countries; the war in Ukraine; and the triple crises of food, fuel, and finance.

Furthermore, poverty and climate change continue to be the existential threats to humanity. The implementation of the SDGs, the global framework to eradicate poverty and achieve inclusive and sustainable development and prosperity for all, is off track. Conflicts, terrorism, and a possible global recession are threatening the fragile global recovery. A humanitarian crisis, including in the Horn of Africa, is threatening the very existence of millions. More worrisome is the heightened global tensions and rivalry between the major powers, which, according to the UN SG, is leading to what he called ” the group of nothing.” Due to the crisis of multilateralism, the search for common solutions to common problems remains highly ineffective and insufficient. That is why the theme of the Assembly underlines the importance of finding sustainable and transformative solutions to deal with the watershed moment.

Speaking at the GA’s opening session, the UNSG warned that “our world is in big trouble.” He stressed the importance of action across the board. ” After listing out the common challenges the world faces—a rising cost of living, growing inequality, a burning planet, and suffering the most vulnerable—and the jeopardy of the principles and ideals of the UN Charter—the SG reminded member states to discharge their duties as ” these crises threaten the very future of humanity and the fate of our planet.” The SG said that “progress on all these issues is being held hostage by geopolitical tensions,” undermining all forms of international cooperation and partnership.

Calling for hope and more action, the SG warned, “We can’t continue like this.” He proposed the formation of “a coalition of the world”, as there is no single country or group capable of addressing alone the threats humanity faces at this juncture. He outlined solutions, starting with tackling climate change as the primary concern of all governments. He stressed the importance of implementing the sustainable development goals to realize a world without poverty. He underscored the imperative of taking concerted global action to support developing countries that are getting hit from all sides. In this regard, he advocated for increased concessional funding, debt relief and the expansion of liquidity by expanding a new allocation of Special Drawing Rights to benefit those who need it most.

The newly elected President of the 77th General Assembly called for practical solutions “because we have drafted many treaties, set excellent goals, yet have taken too little action.” He underlined the need for the full and timely implementation of the 2030 sustainable development agenda, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the Paris Climate Agreement to eradicate poverty, mobilize sufficient financial resources and address the devastating impacts of climate change.

In emphasizing the revitalization of both the United Nations and the General Assembly, the PGA stressed that “our ability to competently improve our organization will determine its relevance in the eyes of people around the world.”

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President Sahel-Work Zewde addresses the UN Education Transformation Summit

The ‘Transforming Education Summit’ took place during the 77th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on June 16–19, 2022. The summit aimed to mobilize political ambition, action, solidarity, and solutions to transform education between now and 2030.

The Summit, convened by the UN Secretary-General, also focuses on consolidating political will and efforts to recover pandemic-related learning losses; revisiting education policy and systems for the world of today and tomorrow; and refreshing national and global efforts to achieve SDG 4 (quality education) of the UN sustainable development goals.

It was stated that the main expected outcomes of the leaders’ round table summit include the ecretary General’s summary and call to action, which will capture the knowledge and commitments generated by the Summit and its preparatory process; national and international commitments to transform education; and greater public engagement around and support for transforming education.

Sahle-Work Zewde, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, also Chair of the UNESCO International Commission on the Futures of Education, addresses the Transforming Education Summit. The President thanked the Secretary-General for the opportunity given to chair the international future of education and recounted the challenges of global education she took note of during the three years of her UNESCO future of education chairmanship.

She said the current education systems and models are not fit for the education transformation we look forward to. However, she assured the assembly that educational models can still surely be changed in one generation. She stated that a new educational model is required for a sustainable future. And for that, the president said, there is a need for a new social responsibility. She remarked that the new transformation should be in a new way of thinking and acting in education. That can be achieved through three core mutual commitments. The president said that that will be achieved first by “thinking of education as a common good and a global responsibility.” The president also remarked, “We can only fight the pandemic of COVID if everyone is protected, and we can only fight the pandemic of inequality if everyone is educated.” She advised that we have a deep obligation to involve the whole society in the decision-making of the future. She added that it’s through education that we can reach across generations.

And second, President Sahle-Work Zewde underscored the need to “protect schools as unique and irreplaceable institutions.” And the president stated, “We must transform them and change their form.” And third, the President underlined, “We need to transform the decision-making in education.” “Nothing works by doing things only from top-to-bottom.” If these moves are put in place, the President said, a more sustainable future for education will flourish. The leaders’ day ‘Education Transformation Summit’ also includes other deliberations over the three days.

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ICHREE should not get term extension at all

The International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE) presented its report at the 51st United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in which it requested an extension of its term for an additional one year. The Commission doesn’t deserve an extension as it was provided with adequate time to bring forward factual and legal findings. Instead, the commission wasted its time on issues beyond its mandate and produced an incomplete, incoherent, and unsubstantiated report.

ICHREE was established on December 17th, 2021 by the Human Rights Council for a period of one year, renewable as necessary, and comprises three human rights experts, appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council, to complement the work undertaken by the joint investigative team. Ethiopia objected to the establishment of the commission at the initial stage, pointing out erroneous premises brought forward in the foundation. Despite these reservations, however, the Government engaged the Commission in a genuine effort to arrive at modalities so that the two could work together.

Afterwards, the commission, with adequate resources, time, and Ethiopia’s government’s commitment to human rights, could not undertake its declared mandate of conducting a thorough and impartial investigation that built upon the report of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. Rather, it rushed to prepare a hasty, substandard, and agenda-driven report while eyeing a term extension request.

The ICHREE alluded to several binding constraints regarding time, staffing, and lack of access to sites and documents which forced it to “select a specific and manageable preliminary group of incidents and themes reflecting some of the most significant violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.” Based on this, the ICHREE submitted that it requires additional time and resources for investigations and engagement with stakeholders. But when we compare the situation with the OCHA-EHRC joint investigation, we can only conclude the commission had more than ample time to pursue a meaningful discharge of its mandate.

The Joint Investigation Team of the EHRC-OHCHR, which investigated violations of human rights, held field investigations for 3.5 months in different locations in the Tigray region, Addis Ababa, Gondar, and Bahir Dar, and visited IDP camps in Gondar, Dabat, and Dansha under very difficult circumstances, conducted 269 confidential interviews with victims and witnesses of alleged violations, and held 64 meetings with various institutions, was able to wrap up a professional report just within one year. We should also consider that much of this investigation was done amid active fighting going on in those regions.

Indeed, against the background of widespread, systematic, and grave violations committed in various parts of the country and the pile of evidence available, the fact that the ICHREE was able to conclude its “compilation of media-reporting-like” report focusing on ‘three incidents’ and ‘two themes’ speaks of its capacity or effectiveness. The commission said that much of the investigation was done while the humanitarian truce initiated by the federal government was in place. In light of this, it could be held that the ICHREE’s failure demonstrates a lack of seriousness of purpose.

The commission’s ambition to exercise power beyond its mandate also contributed to its ineffectiveness. The Commission was adamant that its mandate was not confined to the conflict areas but the whole country. But it is not only geographical scope; the commission also wanted to go beyond the power or responsibilities stated in the resolution that established it. One good example of this is its statement issued on September 7, 2022.

In the statement, it welcomed “the decision of the UN Security Council to discuss the situation in Ethiopia as a matter of urgency and further called upon “the Council to take action under the Charter and “keep the situation in Ethiopia and the Horn high on its agenda”—clearly conceived as a political declaration. The call was issued in complete disregard of its mandates under the resolution and duty of neutrality. Nothing in the HRC resolution establishing the Commission and defining its mandate vests, even remotely, any such power or responsibility in the ICHREE. If anything, this ultra-vires act reveals the identity of the ICHREE as a highly orchestrated political agenda advocated by a few circles.

In conclusion, any anticipation by the ICHREE to seek renewal of its mandate under the guise of “thoroughly fulfilling its mandate” is meaningless and a waste of public resources. This is primarily because the commission has already demonstrated its ineffectiveness and disorganization. Additionally, since any of its work will not be predicated on genuine cooperation with the Government of Ethiopia, its findings, conclusions, and recommendations mandated under the resolution will have no partner country to work with, rendering it a futile exercise. ICHREE should strictly endeavor to conclude its mandate within the remaining period, expiring in December 2022.

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Green Legacy Initiative has potential to be a pan-African experience

A high-level UNGA77 side event was held on Friday (September 22) in New York to discuss Ethiopia’s Green Legacy initiative and its role in battling climate change and easing the socio-economic crisis in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen. The high-level side event was organized by the Government of Ethiopia in partnership with UNDP and the African Union Mission to the UN.

Delivering remarks at the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister underscored that the Green Legacy initiative in Ethiopia strengthens regional cooperation and will ultimately serve as a crucial platform to ensure peace and stability in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. Demeke said Ethiopia provided high-quality seedlings of preference to some of its neighbors last year and plans to do the same in the years to come in an effort to promote regional cooperation and combat the negative effects of climate change.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister praised the initiative, which is led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The Prime Minister launched the initiative, according to Demeke, “with the intention of positively impacting basin development, by increasing forest cover, expanding agroforestry, enabling eco-tourism, and enhancing urban greening while also conserving the biodiversity heritage of the country and the carbon-rich forest blocks. He added that it was under this initiative that Ethiopia pledged to restore 22 million hectares of degraded landscape. According to the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, besides restoring degraded landscapes, the Green Legacy Initiative also emphasizes on conserving the natural forests that make Ethiopia rank 5th in Africa and 25th in the world in terms of its biodiversity.

In recounting the process of public mobilization and impressive results that followed, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said, “Over 20 million Ethiopians are actively responding to the call to re-greening Ethiopia every year. In a period of four years, Ethiopia planted 25 billion seedlings of different tree species, surpassing its set target. “

 Demeke also thanked UNDP for its partnership with Ethiopia and called for support for the initiative from bilateral and multilateral development partners. According to Demeke, supporting the Green Legacy Initiative has an enormous advantage for national, regional, and international adaptation and mitigation of the harmful effects of climate change; biodiversity preservation; combating desertification; ensuring green development; ensuring food security; and achieving the SDGs.

Alhaji Fall, speaking on behalf of Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), described the Green Legacy initiative as a stepping stone to a better future for Ethiopia.

Announcing UNDP’s plan to share Ethiopia’s experiences with about 10 other countries and make the Green Legacy initiative pan-African, he praised Ethiopia for setting the pace in combating climate change and for fostering community resilience.

Dr. Adefres Worku, a technical committee coordinator for the Green Legacy initiative, made a presentation outlining the initiative’s three years of experience and potential benefits at the continental level. He said the initiative has the potential to grow into a pan-African movement.