15.03.2024
Addis Hosts First Ethio-Malta Investment and Trade Promotion Forum
Danish Foreign Minister Visits Ethiopia
Ethiopian Embassy in Algeria Promotes Investment Opportunities at Oran Invest Expo
NEWS IN BRIEF
Africa and the African Union
The Twenty-Second Extraordinary Session of Executive Council of the African Union was held on Friday (March 15) at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa in the presence of the leadership and officials of the AU Commission, Ministers from the 55 AU Member States, officials of AU organs and offices and partners.
The First Strategic Reflection on the Implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF) was conducted on Monday (March 11) at the AU Headquarters. The gathering was attended by Former Nigerian President, AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, and member of the AU Panel of the Ethiopia Peace Process Olusegun Obasanjo; Former President of Kenya and member of the AU Panel Uhuru Kenyatta; Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Service and Head of the Delegation of the Government of Ethiopia Ambassador Redwan Hussein; President of the Interim Regional Administration of Tigray Getachew Reda; Chairman of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) Dr. Debretsion Gebremichael and; Ambassadors and Representatives of the United States, the EU and other Partners.
The senior leadership of the African Union, during the 22nd Extraordinary Session of the AU Executive Council meeting on Friday (March 15), was elected to serve for a term of four years, with the option for re-election for another four-year term to the key posts including the position of the African Union Commission Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson, and the six Commissioners.
The AU, on Tuesday (March 12), held an investiture ceremony for the AU Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mission (MVCM) members sourced from Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, who have been stationed in Tigray region since December 2022 to monitor, verify and ensure compliance with implementing the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA).
The Information and Communication Directorate of the AU through a Press Release on Monday (March 11) disclosed that the continental body through the Office of the Legal Counsel (OLC) accomplished a significant milestone in the global fight against climate change by completing an instrumental capacity-building write-shop for AU Member States, focused on the advisory proceedings of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding States’ obligations concerning climate change. The move is expected “to address, strategize, and illuminate the essential issues at the intersection of climate change and international law” while stressing “importance of a coordinated response from African Member States” among other things.
The AU Commission on Wednesday (March 13) announced that as per the mandates extended to it by the Peace and Security Council (PSC), in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Government of Ghana will hold the Second AU Reflection Forum on Unconstitutional Changes of Government (UCGs) (also known as the Accra II process on UCGs), from 18 to 19 March 2024, in Accra, Ghana under the theme “Robust Response, Deepening Democracy, Sustainable Security.”
The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef on Wednesday (March 13) disclosed that the African Union Transition Mission to Somalia (ATMIS) “is fully committed to the transition process which will culminate in the transfer of security responsibilities to Somali Security Forces (SSF) by end of December 2024.”
Ethiopia
President Sahle-Work Zewde on Thursday (March 14) received the Letters of Credence of 17 newly appointed envoys to Ethiopia from various states including Equatorial Guinea, Qatar, Japan, Azerbaijan, Spain, South Korea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Armenia and Kenya. During the elaborate hand-over the ceremony at the National Palace, the President reaffirmed Ethiopia’s support to the ambassadors throughout their tour of duty in Ethiopia.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Friday (March 15) held discussions with community representatives from Tigray who traveled from the region to the capital to address important issues and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to the stability and development of the Tigray region.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and First Lady Zinash Tayachew on Thursday (March 14) presided over the inauguration of ‘Lenegewa’, a groundbreaking center in Addis Ababa designed to uplift women facing social and economic difficulties by offering a range of services from psychological support and medical care to professional training. The state-of-the-art facility is set to create new employment pathways and foster empowerment for women in the community, the Office of the Prime Minister revealed.
On Wednesday (March 13), Premiere Abiy had audience with members of the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church from different regions of the country and heeded a range of topics, including peace and security, the developmental needs of communities, challenges within the church’s administration, and how the clergy can contribute to lasting peace within the country, brought forth by the participants.
The Prime Minister on Tuesday (March 12) presided over an award ceremony held at the Adwa Victory Memorial and honoured five institutions/projects with the Ethiopian Institutional Success Award, celebrating their significant achievements and global impact including, the Ministry of Agriculture’s wheat program, Ethiopian Airlines, Ethio Post, Ethio Telecom, and the GERD Project, each a testament to Ethiopia’s growth and innovation.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Taye Atske-Selassie on Thursday (March 14) received at his office and held discussions with the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya Musalia Mudavadi, on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues of shared interest.
FM Ambassador Taye met on Thursday (March 14) with US Special Envoy to Sudan (SES) Tom Perriello, at his office and discussed current situation in the Sudan and other issues of mutual concern. Both parties agreed to continue working together in bringing a lasting peace in the Sudan.
On Thursday, the Foreign Minister also conferred with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada on bilateral, regional, continental and international issues of mutual importance.
During an induction session for the leadership and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and affiliated parastatals on Tuesday (March 12), Foreign Minister Ambassador Taye urged fellow foreign service personnel to expeditiously strive towards protecting Ethiopia’s national interests while remaining seized of the constantly shifting geopolitics of the globe.
The 2024 High Level Development Forum meeting took place in Addis Ababa on Thursday (March 14) co-hosted by the Government of Ethiopia and the Development Partners Group (DPG) – currently co-chaired by the United Kingdom and the United Nations – with the participation of officials from federal ministries and agencies, Ethiopian Regional States, Ambassadors, Heads of Development Cooperation Agencies, as well as representatives from international organizations, the Private Sector and civil society organizations. Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide and DPG Co—Chairs Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov and Paul Walters later released a joint communique that highlighted the high-level presentations on three key thematic areas, namely Ethiopia’s macroeconomic reform agenda as outlined in the Homegrown Economic Reform (HGER) 2.0, peace building and consolidation efforts, and resilience building and commended the Government of Ethiopia for working with other stakeholders in implementing the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) as well as enabling further progress towards an inclusive National Dialogue for a lasting peace.
The First Ethiopia-Malta Business Forum was held on Tuesday (March 12) in Addis Ababa in the presence of State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mesganu Arga and Ethiopian Investment Commission Commissioner Hana Arayaselassie. Ambassador Mesganu and Hana called on Maltese businesses and companies to investment in Ethiopia in various earmarked fields including agriculture, manufacturing, mining, tourism and ICT (See Article).
State Minister for Transport and Logistics Bareo Hassen together with the Director of the Office of Economic Growth and Resilience at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) country office commissioned an integrated fleet management system (iFMS) that was developed with a cost of 550,000 US Dollars, to boost Ethiopia-Djibouti trade.
Djibouti
On Sunday (March 10), Djibouti became the 157th country to ratify The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty poised to gradually reduce the consumption and production of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) around the world.
The U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on Monday (March 11) announced Brig. Gen. Brian T. Cashman as the next commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM)’s Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa at Camp Lemonnier Djibouti, replacing General, Brig. Gen. Daniel L. Cederman, who was appointed as the new SETAF-AF Deputy Commanding General.
Kenya
President William Samoei Ruto on Saturday (March 9) sworn-in at the State House Nairobi Lieutenant-General Charles Muriu Kahariri, Lieutenant-General David Kimaiyo Tarus and Major-General Thomas Njoroge Ng’ang’a, as the Vice Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, Commander of the Kenya Army and Commander of the Kenya Navy, respectively.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi met on Monday (March 11) with Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredriksen and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen as well as on Tuesday (March 12) Minister of Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy Dan Jannik Jørgensen during his visit in the Nordic country on issues of common interest including trade and investment, climate action, peace, and security.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Kenyan President William Ruto on Saturday (March 9) to discuss the ongoing political and security crisis in Haiti. And the potential deployment of a Multinational Security Support mission to support the Haitian National Police restore calm in the Caribbean country. Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei, on Tuesday (March 12) announced a delay in Kenya’s plan to deploy a 1,000-strong police force to Haiti in the wake of the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
Over the course of the week, Data Protection Commissioner Immaculate Kassait announced that the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner is probing over 1,000 entities including digital lenders, hospitals, telecoms companies, and educational institutions, for alleged violations of privacy laws the country as stipulated in the 2019 Data Protection Act.
Somalia
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud on Friday (March 15) convened a meeting on the security situation in the country, the miscellaneous fight against the onslaught of Al Shabaab terror group and the security of the Capital Mogadishu and its surrounding areas.
Militants belonging to the Al-Shabaab terrorist group on Thursday evening (March 14) claimed responsibility for a blatant attack on a hotel close to Villa Somalia, Syl Hotel, which is frequented by government officials of the Horn of African nation.
South Sudan
The United Nations Security Council on Thursday (March 14) passed Resolution 2726 (2024) thereby extending the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) until 30 April 2024. By doing so, the UNSC authorized the UNMISS to use all necessary means to carry out its tasks, determining that the situation in the country continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security.
Spokesperson of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) on Friday (March 15) announced the death of a senior SSPDF commander, Brigadier General Manywier Malual Turoal, inflicted by armed youth conducting a celebratory gunfire in Mayom County of Unity State.
Sudan
The High-Level Panel for Sudan (HLP-Sudan) chaired by AU High Representative for Silencing the Guns Mohamed Ibn Chambas on Monday (March 11) its first shuttle diplomacy mission. According to the African Union, on its first stop in Port Sudan, the HLP-Sudan engaged with senior officials of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, including General Abdul Fattah al-Burhan and also met with a wide range of Sudanese stakeholders, including representatives of the signatories of the Juba Peace Agreement, political parties, FFC-Democratic Bloc, women’s groups, the Humanitarian Commission, civil society, university vice-chancellors, the media, and others.
The Sudanese Armed Forces on Tuesday (March 12) announced that it has recaptured the headquarters of the state broadcaster based in Omdurman that was under the control of Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Addis Hosts First Ethio-Malta Investment and Trade Promotion Forum
The First Ethio-Malta Investment and Trade Promotion Forum was held on Tuesday, 12 March 2024 at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa. At the forum, 30 Maltese business representatives and 150 Ethiopian private sector firms participated.
State Minister for Political and Economic Diplomacy Affairs at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Ambassador Mesganu Arga, in his remarks at the Forum expressed that Ethiopia and Malta have longstanding diplomatic relations that date back to the 1970s. The diplomatic relationship gained momentum when the Government of Malta decided to open its Embassy in Addis Ababa in 2021, the state minister added.
The state minister noted that the visit of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Malta in February 2023, the first of its kind, created a solid foundation for our bilateral relationship. A subsequent visit of Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta Ian Borg to Ethiopia in May 2023 further cemented the relationship between the two countries.
The state minister expressed Ethiopia’s appreciation to the Government of Malta for its continuous training of Ethiopian maritime professionals. Some of these professionals now are leading the Ethiopian Maritime and Logistics Enterprise, which is playing a pivotal role in Ethiopia’s economy. He also acknowledges the continues training in Cyber Security and Cyber Diplomacy fields.
He stated that despite a very cordial and historical friendship that Ethiopia and the Republic of Malta have been enjoying, the economic cooperation particularly trade and investment relation did not develop to the expected level. It is high time to convert the vested interests shown from both sides into tangible and practical work to unlock massive opportunities and maximizing trade and investment cooperation. He also emphasizes the importance of signing a Joint Trade and Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement in the future.
During the forum, a comprehensive overview of investment prospect in Ethiopia was provided for Malta investors, complemented by insights from Ethiopian Investment Commission Commissioner, Hanna Araya Selassie, who explained the government’s reform initiatives and pledged steadfast support from the EIC for prospective investors, Commissioner Hanna highlighted the multifaceted opportunities Ethiopia offers to investors with its large and growing domestic market, fast growing economy and strategic location as gateway to Africa, the Middle East and Europe. She also reaffirmed the Government’s continued commitment through the EIC to provide end-to end service facilitation easing doing business in Ethiopia.
Maltese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ronald Micallef, on his part, acknowledged the Ethiopian Government for the warm welcome accorded to the Maltese business delegation. He also underlined the importance of Ethiopia as key partner in the Horn and throughout Africa, bridging the link between Europe and Africa. He also mentioned, agreements were reached to encourage Maltese investments in Ethiopia, especially in the logistics and tourism sectors, maritime, Diplomacy and air service. Strong interest was shown to work on better cooperation in the field of manufacturing, Construction, pharmaceutical, Consultancy, ICT as education.
Chief Executive Officer of Trade Malta, Anton Buttigieg also expressed that Ethiopia is an ideal investment destination in East Africa and called upon Maltese businesses explore opportunities.
President of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectorial Associations (ECCSA), Engineer Melaku Ezezew, on his part, expressed readiness of the the private sector in the country to work closely with Maltese companies.
Danish Foreign Minister Visits Ethiopia
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Lars Lokke Rasmussen paid a two-day working visit (March 7-8, 2024) to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. During his tour, his delegation met and exchanged views with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Taye Atske-Selassie.
Their discussions mainly focused on consolidating bilateral relations between the two countries and exploring new areas of cooperation.
Taye Atske-Selassie (Ambassador) briefed his Danish counterpart on the implementation of Pretoria Peace Agreement and ongoing efforts to ensure full implementation.
Ambassador Taye, urged Denmark to take fair stand in keeping a balanced position at the European Union and the UN Security Council on issues of mutual concern. Issues concerning the region (Horn of Africa) were also raised.
Ethiopia is a key partner of Denmark as it is a bridging nation to the Horn and throughout Africa. And Denmark’s development assistances to Ethiopia was much appreciated by Ambassador Taye.
Ethiopia and Denmark have a strong partnership throughout history; their foreign relation goes back to 1963. Denmark opened its Embassy in Addis Ababa in 2004, and while the Ethiopian Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden closely oversees relations with Denmark. Denmark and Ethiopia are also mutually committed to the global agenda on climate change and green growth and both are founders of the P4G initiative (Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030).
Denmark’s five-year (2018-2022) country strategy program allocated 1 billion DKK aid to help promote democracy, fight poverty and create sustainable growth in Ethiopia. The Country Program support is aligned with SDG 1 (No poverty), SDG5 (Gender equality & women’s empowerment), SDG8 (Decent work & economic growth), SDG 13 (Climate action) and SDG16 (Peace and justice, strong institutions).
Further Danish Foreign Minister’s visit to Ethiopia is a reaffirmation to elevate the cooperation. Denmark mainly supports modernization of the agricultural sector through commercialization of small holder’s farmers; promote food security and resilience including for displaced people and host communities; support climate resilient forest livelihoods and support governance and human rights including free media.
Finally, despite, the constantly shifting geopolitics Ethiopia as a regional power with large population, and growing economy strives to create reliable partnership with European countries.
Ethiopian Embassy in Algeria Promotes Investment Opportunities at Oran Invest Expo
The Ethiopian Embassy in the Algerian Capital Algiers took part in the Oran Invest Expo held in Oran, Algeria from 4 to 7 March 2024, where it showcased Ethiopian investment opportunities to Algerian investors.
Ethiopian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Maghreb country, Ambassador Nebiat Getachew, delivered a comprehensive presentation to over 20 companies, providing detailed insights into Ethiopia’s investment landscape and recent economic reforms.
During the presentation, attendees engaged in a lively debate, gaining valuable insights on investment opportunities, particularly in Ethiopia’s manufacturing sector.
The Ambassador also extended invitation to potential investors to attend the Invest Ethiopia 2024 conference scheduled for April 28-30, 2024 in Addis Ababa, organized by the Ethiopian Investment Commission.
Algerian Companies on a Visit to Addis
In another development, twelve Algerian pharmaceutical companies have participated in the 8th Edition of Ethio Health Exhibition and Congress held in Addis Ababa 7-9 March 2024. The Algerian SAFEX, an Algerian Ministry of Trade company of fairs and exhibitions, organized the participation of these companies in a bid to further boost the trade relations between Ethiopia and Algeria. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia facilitated meetings for the Algerian companies with different Ethiopian stakeholders for them to be able to tap into the various trade and investment opportunities that Ethiopia offers in the pharmaceutical sector.
Meanwhile, an Algerian pharmaceutical and medical equipment delegation organized by the BG-ICC in partnership with Pitch World Fast, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Embassy in Algeria, paid a three-day (24-28 February 2024) working visit to Ethiopia, where they met and discussed with Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Health as well as Ethiopian Investment Commission and Food and Drug Administration. Later on, the business delegation visited the Kilinto Pharmaceutical Industry Park (KPIP).
The participation of the Ethiopian Embassy in the Oran Invest Expo as well as the different Algerian trade and investment missions to Ethiopia signify concerted efforts to foster bilateral economic ties between Ethiopia and Algeria.
