News in Brief

AU Summit on Industrialization and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) convenes in Niamey, Niger

Progress on the implementation of the peace agreement and CoHA

Ethiopia participates in the Canada Council for Public-Private Partnerships

Africa and the African Union

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, welcomed on Monday (November 25) the commemoration of the Second Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) Awareness Week this month of November 2022. Since the adoption of the AU PCRD Policy in 2006, significant achievements, both normative and operational, have been registered. The Commission continues to support the institutional capacities of Member States to consolidate peace and prevent the relapse into conflict through inclusive and nationally owned processes.

The 17th Extraordinary Summit of the African Union on Industrialization and Economic Diversification convened in Niamey on November 25, 2022. The Executive Council of the African Union met on November 23, 2022, in a preparatory session and discussed several important matters pertinent to the Summit. (See Article)

Ethiopia

Ethiopian Airlines is preparing to resume regular flights to the Tigray region that have been suspended due to the conflict, the airline’s CEO confirmed on Wednesday (November 23). Mesfine Tasewu, CEO, stated that preparations are underway to resume regular flights to the Tigray region following the agreement between the Government of Ethiopia and the TPLF.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has given training on Wednesday (November 23) to young and senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the leadership of the Ministry. The training offered by the Premier at the African Leadership Excellence Academy in Sululta town was focused on new trajectories in Ethiopia’s foreign relations policy.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen, said AU member states should redouble their efforts to industrialize and boost intra-African trade. Speaking at the Executive Council of the Extra-Ordinary Summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification held in Niamey, Niger, on Wednesday (November 23), Demeke said industrialization determines whether Africa can transform its natural endowments into tradeable products or depend on imported products from outside.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Demeke Mekonnen, met with Acting Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Antonio Pedro, on Thursday (November 24) on the margins of the AU Extra-Ordinary Summit in Niamey, Niger. During the discussion, Mr. Antonio said UNECA and the Ministry of Innovation of Ethiopia will host the Global Internet Governance Forum from November 28–December 2, 2022, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen, conferred on Thursday (November 24) with AU Commission Chairman, Moussa Faki Mahamt, in Niger’s capital, Naimey. The high-level delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, is attending the Africa Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Chief Executive Secretary of AUDA-NEPAD, Nardos Bekele Thomas, met with Demeke Mekonnen on the margins of the 17th AU Extraordinary Summit taking place in Naimey, Niger. During the discussion, Nardos said the continental organization supports youth employment and innovation in Ethiopia. AUDA-NEPAD continues to work with the Government of Ethiopia to galvanize and solicit assistance for its development endeavors.

Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, Gebremeskel Chala, held a discussion on Thursday (November 24) with the South Korean Ambassador to Ethiopia, Kang Seokhee. Both sides agreed to strengthen the trade ties between the two countries and to engage in investment in the future.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Demeke Mekonnen, met with the Chief Executive Secretary of AUDA-NEPAD, Nardos Bekele Thomas, on Thursday (November 24), on the margins of the 17th AU extraordinary summit taking place in Naimey, Niger. During the discussion, Nardos said the continental organization supports youth employment and innovation in Ethiopia.

A regional training workshop on improving IGAD member states’ labor migration governance and protection of migrant workers in the Middle East started on Monday (November 21) in Addis Ababa. Opening the workshop, Ambassador Birtukan Ayano, State Minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, remarked on the need for a robust, comprehensive, and coordinated effort to tackle challenges related to migration in the IGAD sub-region.

DPM and FM Demeke Mekonnen held a discussion with the European Union’s Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Annette Weber, on Thursday (November 17) at his office and discussed the progress of the peace agreement between the Government of Ethiopia and the TPLF. (See Article)

The State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Birtukan Ayano, said the government should further expedite the repatriation of citizens who are stranded in Saudi Arabia. Ambassador Birtuka said this while receiving 1,170 citizens repatriated on Monday (November 21) as part of the second round of repatriation.

Ethiopia participated in an international infrastructure investment summit–a Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships, P3-2022- was held in Toronto, Canada. The participants are drawn from Canadian companies that have invested in joint development in the public and private sectors and representatives from the host countries’ public and private sectors on Wednesday (November 23). (See Article)

The Ethiopian Ambassador to Cuba, Dr. Genet Teshome, met with Mr. Orlando Diaz Rodriguez, Director for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Agriculture of Cuba, and exchanged views on ways of enhancing bilateral cooperation in the agriculture sector. During the meeting, Ambassador Genet pointed out potential areas for mutually beneficial cooperation in the sector. He further briefed the Director about his government’s 10 year development plan in agriculture, efforts to attain a high level of productivity in wheat production, and ensuring food self-sufficiency.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen, discussed this on Tuesday (November 22) with his Algerian counterpart, Ramtane Lamamra, in Naimey, Niger.

Djibouti

Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre met with Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh in the presidential palace as he ended a 3-day visit to the neighboring country. The two leaders discussed ways to boost the ties between Somalia and Djibouti, which share a historic, brotherly, and neighborhood bond.

Kenya

South Korea has agreed to support Kenya’s development programs by committing Sh120 billion (US $1 billion) to various projects on Wednesday (November 23). President Williams Ruto and his South Korean counterpart, Yoon Suk Yeol, witnessed the signing of the agreement at the Yongsan Presidential Office, Seoul, South Korea.

Somalia

The President of Somalia, Hassan S. Mohamud, received Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, at the State House on Tuesday (November 22). The president commended Minister Bensaid for his visit and for conveying an official message from King Muhammad VI.

South Sudan

President of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit on Friday (November 18) received and held a meeting with the Sudanese delegation headed by Mr. Bahri Muhandis Ibrahim, a leading member of the Sudan Sovereign Council. Speaking to the press after the meeting, Sudanese Ambassador to South Sudan, Gamal Adelmageed Gassimel, said the meeting discussed the progress of the political process in Sudan, in which political leaders are building consensus leading to the conduct of democratic elections after the end of the transitional period.

Ambassador Nebil Mahdi held a discussion on Friday (November 25) with Tut Gatluak, Security Affairs Advisor to Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan. The Ambassador has updated him on the subject of the “Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities between the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the TPLF” and the related progress.

Sudan

Sudanese and Ethiopian intelligence agencies on Sunday (November 20) signed a memorandum of understanding to increase cooperation on counter-terrorism and crime between the two countries. Director of the National Intelligence and Security Services of Ethiopia (NISS), Temesgen Tiruneh Dinku, concluded a two-day visit to Khartoum on Sunday, where he held talks with his Sudanese counterpart, Ahmed Ibrahim Mufadal, Director of General Intelligence Service (GIS).

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AU Summit on Industrialization and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) convenes in Niamey, Niger

The 17th Extraordinary Summit of the African Union on Industrialization and Economic Diversification convened in Niamey on November 25, 2022. The Executive Council of the African Union met on November 23, 2022, in a preparatory session and discussed several important matters pertinent to the Summit. The Council reviewed the reports of the joint meeting of the Ministers of Industry and Economy, the report of the Ministers of Trade, draft declarations, decisions, and other important instruments before finally recommending them to the Assembly of Heads of States and Government.

A high-level Ethiopian delegation led by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen, attended the Executive Council Sessions on Industrialization and the AfCFTA. Demeke spoke at the summit about the need to develop and implement proper industrial policies in order to kickstart Africa’s industrialization and catch up with the rest of the world.The Deputy Prime Minister underscored that Africa should not be the supplier of raw materials and the destination of external industrial products. He stressed that strengthening the AfCFTA is key to boosting intra-African trade and realizing Africa’s self-reliance. Demeke further noted that Ethiopia is committed to the implementation of the AfCFTA agreement and has put in place the necessary legal and institutional frameworks. The Summit convened under the theme “Industrializing Africa: Renewed commitment towards an inclusive and sustainable industrialization and economic diversification” on Friday (November 25) in Niamey, back to back with a session on the African Continental Free Trade Area. The Summit came at the conclusion of Africa’s Industrialization week, 20-25, 2022, an annual commemorative event dedicated to Africa’s Industrialization.

The Extraordinary Summit, which convened on Friday (November 25), is expected to adopt declarations and decisions on industrialization and the AfCFTA. On the AfCFTA, three additional protocols on investment, Intellectual Property Rights and Competition Policy as well as other important tools facilitating the implementation of the AfCFTA will be tabled for consideration and possible adoption by the Heads of States.

On the margins of the 17th Extraordinary Summit of the African Union on Industrialization and Economic Diversification, the Deputy Prime Minister held discussions with his Algerian and Nigerian counterparts and briefed them about the current developments in the country, with a particular focus on the recently signed agreements between the Government of Ethiopia and the TPLF. He also held discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia. During the discussions, Demeke told the ministers of the unwavering commitment of the Government of Ethiopia to the full implementation of the accord. His counterparts, for their part, expressed their satisfaction with the inking of the peace deal and their desire to support its implementation. Algeria and Nigeria also expressed their commitment to taking their relations with Ethiopia to the next level, both at the bilateral and multilateral levels.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnem also held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Mousa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission. During the discussion, Demeke thanked and praised the African Union for the successful facilitation of the peace talks between the Ethiopian Government and the TPLF. In addition, Demeke Mekonnen held a meeting with the Chief Executive Secretary of AUDA-NEPAD, Nardos Bekele Thomas, on the margins of the 17th AU Extraordinary Summit taking place in Naimey, Niger. During the discussion, Nardos said the continental organization supports youth employment and innovation in Ethiopia. She also stated that AUDA-NEPAD will continue to collaborate with the Ethiopian government to mobilize and solicit assistance to finance development efforts.The Deputy Prime Minister briefed Nardos on the major success stories of Ethiopia in developing science and technology and reducing the major challenges of unemployment in Ethiopia. The two sides also agreed to organize major achievements of Ethiopia in agriculture and technology, such as wheat production and a science museum, at the upcoming AU summit.

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Progress on the implementation of the peace agreement and CoHA

Diplomatic engagements

The international community continued to applaud the peace agreement signed between the Ethiopian Federal Government and the Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF). In the past week, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Demeke Mekonnen, met with various government representatives.

He held a discussion with the European Union’s Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Annette Weber (November 17), at his office. The Envoy pointed out that the agreement reached is historic and opens a new chapter. She reiterated that the European Union will play its part in the implementation of the peace agreement and the post-conflict peacebuilding process.

Demeke also met with his Nigerian counterpart, Jeoffrey Jideofor Onyeama, on Wednesday (November 23) on the margins of the AU Extraordinary Summit being held in Niamey, Niger. The Nigerian Foreign Minister expressed his satisfaction with the signing of the agreement and said Africa can solve its own problems with its own initiatives.

Demeke also conferred with his Algerian Foreign Minister, Ramtane Lamamra, in Niger’s capital, Naimey (November 22). The Algerian FM said the agreement is monumental and his country supports its implementation.

He also reiterated that the peace deal shows that Africa can provide solutions to its problems. The minister praised Ethiopian leaders for their commitment to peace and stability in Ethiopia and beyond. In all the discussions, Demeke reaffirmed the commitment of the Ethiopian government to the implementation of the agreement.

Humanitarian efforts

There have been substantial improvements in the humanitarian situation in Tigray state since the historic Pretoria peace agreement between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. The Federal Government has been keeping its promise by permitting the unrestricted movement of aid by land and air and accelerating the repair of damaged social infrastructures, such as power and telecom services. To provide the desperately needed services, experts have been sent out and are currently working around the clock.

In accordance with the terms of the agreement, the government is moving quickly to rewire communities for electricity and to restore conflict-ridden regions. So far, trucks carrying essential aid have been driving to Tigray. The various institutions in charge of the restoration efforts are working nonstop to resume services. As of late, Humera, Welkait, and Shiraro’s power lines are being restored, according to Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP).

Overall, things are improving, giving affected communities in the regional states of Tigray, Amhara, and Afar a glimmer of hope. President Obasanjo lashes out pessimists on the peace agreement 

In an opinion piece published in a new American publication known as SEMAFOR, Obasanjo detailed his role as a peacemaker and the difficulties he overcame to reach the November 2 peace agreement in South Africa and the Nairobi declaration in Kenya.

Criticizing peace spoilers, he said, “Any pessimist can dig holes in the agreement, undermine it, and try to prevent it from being implemented. But no agreement between two parties for peace will ever be regarded as perfect by all because it must, necessarily, be based on compromise.”

He, however, called on all to strive for perfection in the implementation of the agreement in order to achieve the objectives of peace, security, constitutionality, stability, welfare, well-being, development, and progress of all concerned, especially the ordinary people of Ethiopia no matter where they live.

He also stressed that the peace agreement and its implementation must be owned by the leaders and people of Ethiopia. The panel and the observers are merely facilitators and are there to provide a guiding hand if needed.

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Ethiopia participates in the Canada Council for Public-Private Partnerships

An international infrastructure investment summit, organized by the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships, P3-2022- was held in Toronto, Canada, with participants drawn from Canadian companies that have invested in joint development in the public and private sectors and representatives from the host countries’ public and private sectors on Wednesday (November 23).

The summit addressed Canada’s 30-year PPP expertise, the sector’s nearly trillion-dollar investments in roads, railways, power generation, drinking water supply, education, and health, as well as its economic direct and indirect contribution.

Attending the summit, the Ambassador of Ethiopia to Canada, Fitsum Arega, stated that there is a desire to expand public-private partnership (PPP) in Ethiopia, that a PPP law has been passed, a working unit has been established under the Ministry of Finance, and that local and international companies have been invited to take part.

The Ambassador also asserted that even countries that comparably have no government budget deficits, such as Canada, are continually working with the private sector to develop a high level of infrastructure in order to expand their economies. On the other hand, countries such as Ethiopia, which expects rapid growth in cities and industries, recognize that domestic taxes and foreign loans cannot ensure rapid growth, and they recognize that they must strengthen public-private partnerships (PPP) more than developed countries such as Canada, the Ambassador added.

Ambassador Fitsum further noted that in order to achieve the anticipated direct and indirect economic perks, it is essential to boost the supply of bank loans and establish a modern, transparent system in order to enhance the private sector by fighting corruption.

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