News in Brief
Addis Ababa hosts the first Pan-Africon AI 2022 Conference
On President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s two-day visit to Ethiopia
Africa and the African Union
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Thursday (October 06) welcomes the avowed commitment of the two parties in the Ethiopian conflict, [the government of Ethiopia and the Rebel group in the Tigray region] to the restoration of peace and stability in Ethiopia, following the invitation to the AU-led peace talks due to start soon in South Africa. The Chairperson wishes to inform that the peace talks will be conducted through a high level panel of eminent Africans, established purposefully for the Ethiopian peace process, the statement adds. According to the statement, the panel is led by Olusegun Obasanjo, AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa and former President of Nigeria, along with Uhuru Kenyatta, former President of Kenya, and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Deputy President of South Africa and Member of the AU Panel of the Wise.
In his remarks on the 30th of September 2022, Spokesperson of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Nuur Mohamud Sheekh stated that IGAD has welcomed the agreement reached by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, hailing it as a very important commitment by the leaders of Ethiopia and Somalia to strengthen regional cooperation.
Ethiopia
President Sahle Work Zewde inaugurated the Ethiopian Historical Archeology Permanent Exhibition organized by the Ethiopian Heritage Authority in collaboration with the French Embassy in Ethiopia. The exhibition was opened on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and France.
President William Ruto, the newly elected president of Kenya, landed in Addis Ababa on Thursday (October 06) for his first official visit. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and other senior government officials warmly received the Kenyan President at Bole International Airport. The Kenyan President has visited the newly built Science Museum and participated in the inaugural ceremony of Safaricom Telecommunications in Ethiopia. Following his one-day official visit to Ethiopia, President William Ruto returned home. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed saw off the President at Bole International Airport.
The Science Museum hosts the first annual PanAfricon Artificial Intelligence conference on Tuesday (October 04). During the opening, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in Ethiopia‘s digital transformation agenda, anchored by Digital Ethiopia 2025. The day also marked the official inauguration of the newly built Science Museum located in the heart of Addis Ababa. The PM also launched a technology startups and public/private institutions exhibition on display for the next several weeks. (See article)
Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, met with H.E. . Seth Berkley, CEO of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, to discuss the partnership between Ethiopia and GAVI. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister reiterated Ethiopia’s unwavering commitments and its efforts for the realization of the strategic plan (2021-2025), which aims for a “Zero Dose” immunization program to bring benefit to every child. The “Zero Dose” Chilen Immunization Program will help to ensure a healthy and decent life for chilen and protect people’s health by increasing equitable and sustainable use of vaccines. . Seth Berkley appreciated the more than 20 years of relationships between GAVI and Ethiopia, further expressing his hope that the agenda of the two sides would stay a constant priority for the government.
Ethiopia’s government on Wednesday (October 05) said it has accepted an invitation from the African Union to take part in peace talks aimed at ending a nearly two-year-long war in the northern part of the country. “The African Union has sent an invitation for peace talks. The government of Ethiopia has accepted this invitation,” Redwan Hussein, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s National Security Advisor, said in a tweet Wednesday morning. “The African Union invitation is consistent with the Ethiopian Government’s prior positions,” Government Communication Services announced in a statement issued on Wednesday (October 05). In a letter sent to the rebels in the Tigray region and the Ethiopian federal government, African Union chief Moussa Faki Mahamat extended the invitation to the peace talks.
The president of the Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, visited Ethiopia on September 28th and 29th, 2022 at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The president was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Abshir Omar Jama; and State Minister of Presidency, Abshir Mohamed Ahmed; Ambassador Mohamed Ali; and advisers, diplomats, and other high-ranking government officials.
A thematic meeting that focuses on adessing strategies for human mobility in the context of climate change kicked off in Addis Ababa on Wednesday (October 05). In his opening remarks, Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma, State Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, regarded climate change as a threat multiplier, mentioning its continued role as the main iver of migration. (See article)
Ethiopia has agreed to establish strategic partnerships in the aviation sector with Russia, China, India, Italy, Singapore, Cameroon, and Somalia, confirmed the Ministry of Transport and Logistics of Ethiopia. The Minister of Transport and Logistics, Dagmawit Mogos, held multiple discussions with delegations from different countries on the sidelines of the 41st International Civil Aviation Organization (IACO) conference, which was held in Montreal, Canada.
The 4th Round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOCs) between India and Ethiopia was held in Addis Ababa on Monday (03 October) and co-chaired by Shri Puneet R Kundal, Joint Secretary (East and Southern Africa), Ministry of External Affairs, India and Ambassador Gebeyehu Ganga (), Director General for Middle East, Asia and Pacific Countries Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ethiopia.
Kenya
Former Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, flies to South Africa in his new role as Peace Envoy on Thursday (October 06). President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to begin his role as Northern Africa and Great Lakes peace envoy just days after President William Ruto assigned him to the missions.
Somalia
Reports state Somalia’s government must focus on strengthening its security system to defeat the terrorist group al-Shabab. The latest intensified military offensive against Islamist militants sparked counterattacks in the south and central regions of the country. On Monday (October 03), al-Shabab used at least two trucks and a small vehicle with three suicide bombers to target people in the central Somali city of Beledwayne, in Hiran province.
The United States Ambassador to Somalia, Larry Ané, joined Minister of Internal Security Mohamed Ahmed Sheikh Ali and Somali Police Commissioner Major General Abdi Hassan Mohamed Hijaar on Wednesday (October 05) to open the newly constructed Maritime Training Center in Mogadishu with the support of the United States.
Djibouti
The Ambassador of Ethiopia to the Republic of Djibouti, Berhanu Tsegaye, adessed the issue of pressing regional matters at the 40th IGAD Committee of Ambassadors Meeting on Monday (October 03) in the Republic of Djibouti. The committee meeting was attended by the IGAD Executive Secretary, Workneh Gebeyehu, the Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Djibouti, Mohamed Ali Hassan, and the Ambassadors of IGAD member states.
South Sudan
Force Commander of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, Lt. Gen. Mohan Subramanian, cherished the Ethiopian peacekeeping troops’ endurance and determination in achieving their mission in a very challenging condition. The Force Commander mentioned this during the prestigious UN medal award ceremony of the Ethiopian Battalion 3 peacekeeping troops in Yambio, Western Equatoria State. It is one of the three Ethiopian peacekeeping battalions deployed in South Sudan.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and the head of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council, Gen Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, on Wednesday (October 05) discussed security and bilateral relations between the two countries. South Sudan’s presidential advisor, Tut Gatluak Manime, said the two leaders also explored ways of strengthening peace, security and economic cooperation.
The leaders of Sudan and South Sudan have agreed to form a team to negotiate the final status of Abyei, raising hopes that such a move will defuse tensions and assuage the natives’ frustrations. The committee is expected to carry out consultations and handle the negotiations. South Sudan’s presidential adviser on national security affairs told the media on Thursday (October 06) that the head of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council, Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, has agreed to bilateral discussions over the status of the disputed region.
The South Sudan cabinet has approved an additional $30 million to establish mechanisms needed to prevent the spread of Ebola from neighboring Uganda. South Sudan’s information minister, Michael Makuei, said cabinet approved the $30m in addition to the $500,000, which the country’s Council of Ministers approved last week.
Sudan
The US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Molly Phee, has called on Sudan to expedite the formation of a civilian-led government in order to fully activate the Juba Peace Agreement, two years after it was signed. In a statement issued via social media to mark the second anniversary of the signing of the Juba Peace Agreement on Monday (October 3), Assistant Secretary Phee says: “Two years ago, the signing of the Juba Peace Agreement gave hope for peace in all of Sudan. We call again for the prompt formation of a civilian-led transitional government that can fully enact this historic agreement, especially its security arrangements. “
In a press release on Friday (October 07), Volker Perthes, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Sudan and head of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), emphasised his ambitions for Sudan in a press release on Friday, stating that the youth of Sudan deserve to “translate their hopes and aspirations for freedom, peace, and justice for their future into reality”. The special representative’s impassioned press statement highlighted the effort made on the part of Sudan’s youth since the October 25, 2021 military coup, as well as their commitment being an inspiration during his recent UN Security Council adess in New York.
The Chairman of the Sovereignty Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), Abdelfattah El Burhan, called on the international community and Britain to urge the various political groups and parties in the country to achieve a political settlement and cooperate with all parties alike. During his meeting with the British Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan, Robert Fairweather, in the presence of the British Ambassador to Sudan, Giles Lever, El Burhan stressed the need to achieve national consensus, expand the base of political participation, and return to the transitional path in light of the declared position of the military component to withaw from the political process.
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Addis Ababa hosts the first Pan-Africon AI 2022 Conference
The 1st and annual Pan-African Artificial Intelligence Conference (PanAfriCon AI 2022) took place on Tuesday (October 4-5, 2022) alongside the inaugural of the new Ethiopian ‘Museum of Arts and Science’, with the theme “Empowering Africa Through Al”. It included various high-level speakers on the field and deliberations over the two-day stay of the conference. The event brought together AI researchers, scholars, computational scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers from academia, industry, and government institutions. The conference discussed the most recent trends, opportunities, and challenges of applying AI in various sectors of the continent towards realizing sustainable development and growth.
The PanAfricon AI 2022 workshop and exhibition were launched in the presence of FE Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Demeke Mekonnen, and other distinguished guests.
In his keynote speech, H.E Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed welcomed the guests and remarked that science is the foundation of our everyday lives. The Primer highlighted the fact that the museum will play a vital role in enhancing the development and growth of the country. In light of upgrading the development of Ethiopia to a digital economy, Prime Minister Abiy stated, “Built in a short timeframe, the museum offers both the young and old a place to inquire, explore, innovate, and invent.” “Today we find ourselves in a space designed to unleash imagination.”
Underlining the catalyzing role AI and digital tech could play in realizing rapid economic transformation as manifested in various countries, Prime Minister Abiy said, “We believe digital transformation will be a catalyst to supercharge our ambitious economic growth and stay competitive in this globalized and digital era.” Sharing the added role of such technology conferences in the effort to transform Africa, Prime Minister Abiy said, “As we inaugurate Ethiopia’s Science Museum, launch a technology exhibition, and open the first PanAfrican Artificial Intelligence conference today, all are essential for networking, learning, and co-creating across the continent, as we all strive to empower Africa through digital transformation.”
Following the inaugural of the Museum of Arts and Science and the first annual PanAfrican Artificial Intelligence conference, the facility hosted a technology startup and public and private institution exhibition which has become open for viewing for several weeks to come.
The panel discussion, which included AI researchers, scholars, computational scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs, among others, discussed African policies and strategies as well as practices towards sustainable development through AI by exchanging current developments in the field, sharing cutting-edge knowledge and applications in several sectors such as agriculture, health care, finance, service industries, geographic information systems, cyber security, and manufacturing.
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On President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s two-day visit to Ethiopia
The president of the Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (HSM), visited Ethiopia on September 28th and 29th, 2022 at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The president was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Abshir Omar Jama; and State Minister of Presidency, Abshir Mohamed Ahmed; Ambassador Mohamed Ali; and advisers, diplomats, and other high-ranking government officials.
In the past three months, prior to his Addis visit, the President visited some of the countries in the Horn region and outside. He started his visit with the UAE, followed by Turkey and later Cairo, in the middle of visiting countries in the Horn region.
President Hassen arrived at Bole International Airport on September 28, 2022 with his delegation and was received by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
On the first day of the visit, the two leaders held bilateral discussions in two formats: a plenary session where the high-level officials from the two countries accompanied the leaders, followed by a one-on-one session. The discussion centered on issues of mutual and regional concerns ranging from political, security to the economy. The two leaders emphasized the need to work together closely to minimize the effects of undue external interference that could potentially undermine their joint effort to bolster peace and stability in the region, including the need to effectively combat terrorism.
Another point of common concern between the two leaders is Ethiopia’s continued role as a key troop contributing country under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), alongside Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, and Djibouti. On this, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud conveyed his appreciation to the gallant Ethiopian Defense Forces for the ultimate sacrifice they are making for the peace and stability of Somalia.
Equally, Prime Minister Abiy joined Somalia’s President to call upon the UNSC to lift the arms embargo imposed on Somalia for more than 30 years, to ensure that Somalia is sufficiently equipped to adess the security threat posed by Al-Shabab in the region.
As a follow-up, the two leaders also agreed to hold regular bilateral consultations and collaborate in the multilateral and regional forums so as to promote their common national interests. To ascertain this, there is a need to convene a joint ministerial commission so as to formalize the relationship.
The president also visited the headquarters of the Ethiopian defense force and air force, INSA, the Federal police, and other governmental organizations. During his visit, the President has shown an interest in replicating these reforms to his own institutions at home.
This was the first meeting on Ethiopian soil by the two leaders since President Mohamud was elected in May. The meeting helped to cleanse out the cloud of rumors that had swirled around the two countries’ relationship as a result of the delay.
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