08.12.2023
The Joint Committee on Ethiopian Peace Process Convenes its 3rd Meeting
Ethiopia at the COP 28: Green Legacy and Beyond
The BRICS Sherpa Meeting in Durban: Ethiopia’s Participation
Ethiopia Participates at the Biennial UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting
Joint Statement by the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the European Union
News in Brief
Africa and the African Union
The African Union (AU) on Friday (December 01) convened the 3rd Joint Committee Meeting of the Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mechanism (MVCM) of the Ethiopian peace process to reflect on progress, challenges, and opportunities in the implementation of the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA), signed in November 2022.
The Fourth Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA) Partnership Platform Meeting (PPM) – 4th PACA-PPM was conducted on Wednesday (December 06) in Nairobi, Kenya under the theme “A Decade of Partnership for Aflatoxin Control – Looking back to define the future of aflatoxin control in Africa”. Regional Economic Communities, officials of member state government ministries from agriculture, trade and health, farmers’ organisations, the private sector, civil society, development partners, and the African Union institutions, among others, took part in the meeting.
On Tuesday (December 05), the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa hosted the 2023 Conference of Land Policy made resounding call to action for inclusive and sustainable Land governance to boost Intra-Africa Trade. The meeting reaffirmed that inclusive land governance is critical to achieving the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063.
The African Governance Platform was held from 01 to 02 December 2023 in the Rwandan Capital, Kigali. The forum focused on the harmonization of State Reporting Mechanisms on Instruments Focusing on Human Rights, Democracy, and Governance.
The 6th Congress of African Economists opened in Lusaka, Zambia on Wednesday (December 06) under the theme “Financing Africa’s Development Beyond Crisis”. The Congress of African Economists of the AUC is a statutory economic discussion platform entrusted with the mandate of gathering African economists to share research analysis on topics pertinent to continental economic transformation.
Ethiopia
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen on Thursday (07 December) conferred with the Ambassadors of European Union member states and reaffirmed Ethiopia’s continued commitment to further deepening its relations with the EU and member states (See Article).
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen on Tuesday (05 December) received at his office a team from Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) and discussed ways of further deepening cooperation between the varsities of Addis Ababa and BFS. The varsities have recently inked an agreement to renew Amharic language program at first degree level that commenced in 2020.
The Chief of Ethiopian National Defense Forces, Field Marshal Berhanu Jula on Tuesday (05 December) paid a working visit to Tanzania. In his meeting with Tanzanian Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshall Jula discussed potential areas of cooperation in the defense sector.
The African Union (AU) on Saturday (02 December) convened the 3rd Joint Committee Meeting of the Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mechanism (MVCM) of the Ethiopian peace process to reflect on progress, challenges, and opportunities in the implementation of the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) (See Article).
Minister of Planning and Development, Fitsum Assefa and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Inger Andersen on Thursday (07 December) discussed areas of further collaboration on the margins of COP28 in Dubai.
Mamo Mihretu, Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia and Ethiopia’s BRICS Sherpa on Tuesday (02 December) addressed the Extended BRICS Sherpa/Sous Sherpa meeting stressing that Ethiopia’s decision to be a member is consistent with its rich and long history of diplomacy, including as a member of the League of Nations and a founding member the UN and the OAU.
On Wednesday (06 December), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced the inscription the Harari people’s Shuwalid Festival as an intangible World cultural heritage.
Djibouti
Environment and Sustainable Development Minister Mohamed A. Musa during the Green Legacy exhibition at the Expo Dubai 2023 on the margins of COP 28 on Sunday (December 03) noted Green Legacy is a best example to Africa and Djibouti is benefiting from the initiative.
Over the week, Djibouti has been hosting the 3rd International Trade Fair. The Ethiopian Embassy in the Horn of African country showcased a taste of Ethiopian coffee at the fair. The Fair will culminate on 10 December 2023.
Somalia
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Friday (December 01) announced the complete lifting of the longstanding arms embargo on the country by the United Nations Security Council. A press statement with regards to the matter stated, the decision marks a pivotal moment in Somalia’s journey towards enhanced national security and stability.
The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the United Nations Joint Working Group (JWG) on Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP) on Saturday (December 02) , convened to discuss critical areas for the implementation of the United Nations HRDDP in ATMIS. The meeting particularly focused on the protection of civilians for the Phase 2 of ATMIS drawdown.
South Sudan
On Thursday (07 December), a United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)-led workshop in Bor, South Sudan expressed its intention to reconcile feuding communities from Jonglei and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.
Kenya
President William Ruto paid a two-day (04-05 December) state visit to India. During the visit, he conferred bilaterally with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, India and agreed to facilitate skills and technology transfer, in line with Kenya’s particular needs, in sectors such as health, education, ICT and digital governance.
On 06 December, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua presided over the opening of The 2023 Consumers International Global Congress in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital aimed at promoting consumer rights across the world. The three-day conference was being held under the theme “Building a Resilient Future for Consumers” brought together delegates from over 100 countries composed of senior government officials, international organizations officials, consumer rights advocates and scholars to review the status of consumer protection across the world.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi spoke at the Chatham House in London on Kenya’s foreign policy imperatives on Thursday (December 07). He said, his country is committed to forging robust partnerships and collaborations with like-minded allies to positively impact the lives of millions of Kenyans.
Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on 06 December met with US Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield and discussed scaling up cooperation in UN peacekeeping and promoting security in Africa and around the world.
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The Joint Committee on Ethiopian Peace Process Convenes its 3rd Meeting
The 3rd Joint Committee Meeting of the Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mechanism (MVCM) of the Ethiopian Peace Process was convened by the African Union on 02 December 2023. The meeting’s major objective was to reflect on progress, challenges, and opportunities in the implementation of the Agreement for Lasting Peace in Ethiopia through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities signed in Pretoria signed on 2 November 2022, in Pretoria, South Africa, between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
The Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mission was initially launched in December 2022 under the auspices of the African Union in line with Article 11 of the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, wherein the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) concurred to establish the mechanism thereby forming a Joint Committee composed of representatives from both Parties, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and chaired by the African Union through the High-Level Panel.
Following its establishment, the Joint Committee successfully assessed the various practical measures undertaken to fully implement the Agreement for Lasting Peace in Ethiopia through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities during its inaugural as well as second meetings which were consecutively held on 10 February and 24 May, 2023.
As a continuation of its previous two meetings, the 3rd Joint Committee Meeting was held virtually and both the Federal Government and the TPLF were active participants. In addition, the three members of AU High-Level Panel namely Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of of Nigeria and AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa and former President of Kenya, , H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, former Deputy President of South Africa, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, and, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, were also present at the meeting.
During the 3rd committee meeting, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to the full implementation of the Agreement, the need to expedite the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) and the resettlement of internally displaced peoples (IDPs). Furthermore, a joint request was made to the AU for the extension of the mandate of the mechanism from 1 January to 31 December 2024. Accordingly, up on considering the proposal, the African Union announced on 4 December 2023 the extension of the mandate of the mechanism from 1 January to 31 December 2024 providing the Committee additional time frame to work on ways to ensure the full implementation of the activities envisaged within the Agreement.
The Joint Committee also welcomed the approval by Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, of the sum of one million US Dollars from the Crisis Reserve Facility of the AU Peace Fund as a direct contribution towards the implementation of the DDR program which is being undertaken in line with the peace accord.
The successful conduct of the three consecutive meetings of the committee showcased the genuine commitment of the Government of Ethiopia towards the expeditious implementation of the activities enshrined under the Peace Agreement through the established mechanism. In recognition of such determination, the AU Commission reiterated, at the 3rd Joint Meeting, its appreciation and continued commitment to support the People and Government of Ethiopia in their quest for lasting peace. It also appreciated the bilateral and multilateral partners for their continued support.
Ethiopia at the COP 28: Green Legacy and Beyond
The 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) commenced on November 30, 2023, and will run until 12 December 2023, at the Dubai Expo City in the United Arab Emirates. The conference is being held under the theme “Unite, Act and Deliver” at the highest level. COP 28 is the main event within the annual series of meetings held under the UNFCCC.
The UN Climate Change Conferences (COPs) has played a pivotal role as crucial global forums dedicated to addressing the urgent issue of climate change. These conferences aimed at identifying effective solutions that can help limit global temperature well below 1.5 degrees Celsius; expedite the green transition as outlined in the Paris Agreement; provide support to vulnerable communities in adapting to the impacts of climate change, and ultimately achieve the ambitious goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. At COP 28, more than 140 heads of state and governments, heads of various intergovernmental organizations as well as delegates composed of researchers, climate change activists, youth representatives, media corps and prominent business owners and leaders have participated. Accordingly, a high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed participated in the historic meeting.
In his address to the Summit, Prime Minister Abiy, stressed the need to act based on the common outcomes and commitments made since the inception of COP negotiations 30 years ago. He particularly underscored the critical link between climate change and debt. He called upon the G20 countries to take a decisive action in reducing the debt burden faced by climate change vulnerable countries including Ethiopia.
PM Abiy also highlighted Ethiopia’s unwavering commitment to the Paris Agreement, outlining concrete measures being implemented to transform global climate change decisions into tangible actions. Notably, he showcased Ethiopia’s exemplary Green Legacy Initiative, which has successfully planted an impressive 32 billion seedlings over the past four years through voluntary community mobilization schemes. The initiative aims to further increase this number to 50 billion by 2026, creating employment opportunities and fostering the growth of the tourism industry of the country, he stated.
Upon completion, the PM noted, this ground-breaking project will become the world’s largest forest development project in the world, and will also benefit neighbouring countries in enhancing their climate change adaptation and resilience capabilities. It was also stated that the forest coverage of Ethiopia has soared from below 10% few years ago to current state of 27% as a result of massif afforestation program of the country.
Last but not least, the Prime Minister also underscored Ethiopia’s policy measures, including the transition to a green economy, sustainable wheat production, the shift from non-renewable to renewable energy sources, and the preservation of indigenous practices. Through these efforts, he conveyed Ethiopia’s unwavering commitment to a sustainable future, demonstrating resilience in the face of climate change challenges.
On the sidelines of the Summit, Premier Abiy together with his host UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, officially opened the Ethiopian Green Legacy Pavilion. The pavilion has attracted a large number of visitors including leaders of various countries and has served as the place where Ethiopia’s climate smart developments has showcased. The Pavilion also served as the venue for side Events and high-level bilateral meetings. The Ethiopian Green Legacy Pavilion at COP28 has demonstrated the Country’s Green Legacy Initiative’s progress and ambitions, Ethiopia’s Green development strategies, sustainable agriculture and the Lemat Tirufat Campaign, the transition to sustainable and clean transport, Ethiopia’s efforts in developing renewable energy sources and many more. This momentous occasion has garnered significant attention from international media outlets, effectively showcases our nation’s commendable efforts in Climate resilient green economic development. Furthermore, it provided clear insights on the efforts undertaken in addressing climate change.
During this COP28, Ethiopia has held several high-level bilateral meetings with different leaders especially Cuban President, PM of Belgium, Tony Blaire and with a number of Ministers and heads of international organizations participating in the conference. Similarly, Ethiopia has hosted various side events in Ethiopian pavilion on a number of topics that focuses on various policy measures.
The BRICS Sherpa Meeting in Durban: Ethiopia’s Participation
The Extended BRICS Sherpa and Sous-Sherpa meeting was held in Durban, South Africa, from 02 to 03 December 2023. This meeting under the chairmanship of South Africa brought together all of the existing and invited BRICS members including Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian delegation led by Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia, Mamo Esmelealem, participated in the meeting. In his address, the Governor expressed Ethiopia’s delight to be among the members of the growing BRICS family adding that Ethiopia’s membership to BRICS family is “consistent with its rich and longstanding diplomacy as the member of League of Nations and founding member of the UN and AU”. He elucidated that Ethiopia “is here to enhance our collective voice presentation in the global political economic and financial architecture and he emphasized the fact that the current global institutional structures require reform to adapt to the changing international situation and the need for a fairer more predictable and inclusive multilateral order that leaves no one behind”.
Stressing BRICS as a valuable platform, he explained that “it offers a unique opportunity not just to develop more effective bilateral relations, but also to forge a strategic relationship based on the principle of sovereignty, equality as well as in strategic diversification of trade, in finance and in investment opportunities and shared development.
In the same token, Mamo called for the global policy-making bodies to transform the scale and nature of finance to address the growth and development challenges countries such as Ethiopia are facing today.
He also briefed the BRICS Sherpa meeting on the ongoing national processes aimed at facilitating Ethiopia’s membership to the BRICS since his appointment as Ethiopia’s BRICS Sherpa with the establishment of the national ministerial steering committee. He also echoed Ethiopia’s commitment to multilateralism, collective and shared prosperity, and assured the participants that Ethiopia’s membership in the BRICS family will provide a constructive contribution to the changing world landscape.
As the third largest diplomatic hub in the world, Ethiopia has a long and proven track record of promoting principled and credible positions that could make a significant contribution to the further promotion of the collective interest of the BRICS. Furthermore, Ethiopia’s shared historical, political, economic, and people-to-people ties with each member of the BRICS, will give the country a unique position to elevate existing partnerships to pursue common development paths based on solidarity, friendship, and mutual respect.
The delegation also held bilateral consultations with the delegations from Russia, China, India, Brazil, and South Africa on the margins of the meeting to further enhance the working relations to promote Ethiopia’s interest in the BRICS fora.
Ethiopia Participates at the Biennial UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting
A two-day (05-06 December 2023) United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting was held in Accra, Ghana. This seminal high-level event for UN peacekeeping is held biennially with the participation of foreign and defence ministers. This year, the peacekeeping ministerial meeting is held in Africa for the very first time. Almost all UN Member States represented in the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations have participated in the event. A series of preparatory meetings focusing on important components of peacekeeping operations were held in the lead up to the Ministerial meeting.
Deliberations at this year’s peacekeeping ministerial meeting focused on realizing concrete outcomes to improve peacekeeping operations, which complement the UN Secretary General’s Action for Peacekeeping and Action for Peacekeeping+ reform agenda. The ministerial meeting had the objective of strengthen UN peacekeeping through generation of high-performing and specialized capabilities, and extensive capacity building, and equipping partnerships.
Ghanaian Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, UN Under-Secretary Generals for Peace Operations and Operational Support, Jean- Pierre Lacroix and Atul Khare, respectively, took part in the meetings and delivered remarks, accordingly.
The Ethiopian delegation on its part was led by State Minister for Defence Marta Luigi. In her remarks, the SM Martha stressed Ethiopia’s call for strengthening and reforming of UN peacekeeping operations in line with the Secretary General’s Action for Peacekeeping and Action for Peacekeeping Plus reform agenda. The State Minister also highlighted Ethiopia’s substantial and longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping operations withing the ranks, of top troop contributing countries (TCCs) in its quest to see a more secure and safer world. In this regard, the State Minister pointed out that Ethiopia despite unjustified vetting mechanism imposed on it in 2021 has never backed down from its unconditional commitment to UN Peacekeeping efforts. She also underscored the fact that Ethiopia once again is ready to play a more robust peacekeeping role.
Speaking of the UN peacekeeping reform agenda, the State Minister emphasized that peacekeeping reform is not an isolated matter and as such is not something expected to happen in isolation. Thus, she underlined the reform has to be addressed within the wider framework of efforts to reform global security architecture, which for Ethiopia means ensuring the system that fully respects the sovereignty of Member States and is capable of preventing conflicts.
She also raised the importance of predictable, flexible, adequate and sustainable funding for peacekeeping operations. In this regard, the effort to enable AU mandated peace operations to access the UN assessed contribution should be encouraged and Ethiopia in line with this has recognized the efforts of the UN Secretary General and Ghana. In its statement at the ministerial meeting, Ethiopia has also expressed its strong support for protection of host community civilians and peacekeepers, the eventual contribution of peacekeeping to sustainable political solutions, and the importance of strong participation of women in peace and security.
The ministerial meeting in general has once again galvanized support for UN peacekeeping missions as a total of ninety-one member states and three organizations have underlined their collective commitment to UN Peacekeeping. Fifty-seven Member States have announced different types of pledges including preventing violence, protecting civilians, building peace, and personnel training. While thirty-three member states pledged a hundred ten new military and police units, forty-five of them have pledged specialized trainings in various areas. In its official pledge, Ethiopia on its part has announced to once again avail appropriately equipped six military and police units.
Generally, the ministerial meeting and the side events as well are believed to have significantly contributed to multiple efforts to improve peacekeeping operations and by extension to the Secretary General’s Action for peace and Action for Peace Plus Agenda. Germany will host the next UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting in 2025.
Joint Statement by the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the European Union
07 December 2023
The Government of Ethiopia, and the European Union and its Member States, undertook a full day Structured Dialogue. The Ethiopian side is led by H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and included Ministers and Heads of relevant Government institutions. The EU is led by the Head of the Delegation of the EU to Ethiopia, H.E. Ambassador Roland Kobia, and included Ambassadors / Heads of Mission of all twenty-one EU Member States with diplomatic representations in Addis Ababa.
The Structured Dialogue is taking place in the framework of the 2016 Joint Declaration towards an EU-Ethiopia Strategic Engagement, the EU Multi- Annual Indicative Programme launched on 3 October 2023, and the Samoa Agreement signed on 15 November 2023. The two sides have agreed to further enhance Ethiopia’s utilization of the Everything But Arms trade regime of the European Union.
Both parties exchanged views on domestic, regional, and international issues of mutual concern. They agreed to work together on issues of common interest. They have also agreed to work together to support national efforts to consolidate peace and accelerate economic reforms.
The representatives of the Government of Ethiopia and the EU and its Member States expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues in a frank and open manner. They agreed that these discussions are an important step in the continuing process of strengthening bilateral relations. They considered it important to arrange a structured dialogue, if possible, twice a year, to continue to address all issues of mutual interest.
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