Back to Your Origin Summer Fest Welcomes Homecoming of Second-Generation Ethiopians
Ethiopia Commemorates 75th Year of the Geneva Conventions
Ethio-Djibouti Railway S.C. Launches First Bulk Cargo Containerization Service
Ethiopia Celebrates National Sovereignty Day
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ethiopia
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was selected on Thursday (September 19) as the new IGAD Tourism Champion for a three-year term. The regional organization highlighted that his visionary leadership will be instrumental in promoting sustainable tourism across the region, fostering economic growth, preserving cultural heritage, and advancing environmental stewardship for the benefit of all IGAD Member States.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on Thursday (September 19) that this year’s rice production in Ethiopia has significantly surpassed last year’s output. This follows the Ethiopian government’s intensified efforts to develop the agricultural sector over the past few years as part of broader economic initiatives aimed at ensuring food security, promoting import substitution, and boosting export trade.
As part of the third phase of the Second-Generation Homecoming, the Ethiopian Diaspora Service (EDS) in collaboration with Ethio Ballers Game Centre hosted a three-day (September 8–10) summer camp program entitled “Back to Origins: Your Summer Fest” at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa. (See Article)
On Tuesday (September 17), Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Taye Atske-Selassie, welcomed a high-level delegation led by Senator Hugues Saury, President of the Horn of Africa Friendship Group, in the French Parliament. The two sides discussed areas of mutual interest, including development cooperation, trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Taye Atske-Selassie, met with Ambassador Mike Hammer, the U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, on Saturday (September 14). Their discussions focused on peace and security issues in the Horn of Africa.
Ambassador Taye Atske-Selassie also conferred with Hanna Tetteh, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa, on Friday (September 13). The two sides discussed issues of common interest regarding regional peace and security.
The newly appointed Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Nebiat Getachew, gave his biweekly press briefing to local and international correspondents on Thursday (September 19), addressing current affairs as well as regional and global issues of interest to Ethiopia.
Speaking about the upcoming 79th United Nations General Assembly at the UN Headquarters in New York, the Spokesperson stated that the Ethiopian delegation had completed its preparations to actively participate in the deliberations in a way that reflects and promotes Ethiopia’s national interests.
Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended an event in Addis Ababa on Monday (September 16) commemorating the 75th anniversary of the four Geneva Conventions. The event also marked the launch of the International Humanitarian Law Caucus, organized by the Government of Switzerland and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). (See Article)
Ethiopia on Sunday (September 8) celebrated National Sovereignty Day, a key observance during the transitional month of Pagume, also the 13th month of Ethiopia, which precedes the Ethiopian New Year, Enkutatash. Each of the five days of Pagume is dedicated to themes that reflect the country’s social, economic, and political progress; this year’s third day of Puagme dedicated to Sovereignty Day pays tribute to Ethiopia’s long-standing independence and rich heritage. (See Article)
Ambassador Tsegab Kebebew chaired the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Support Group meeting on Monday (September 16) in Geneva, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced global disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies. The meeting brought together UNDRR officials and member states to discuss critical initiatives aimed at strengthening disaster resilience.
The Ethiopia Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), a global measurement tool designed to facilitate data-driven tourism development, was launched on Tuesday (September 17). TSA is a standard statistical framework for measuring tourism’s economic impact.
Ethiopia’s high-level military delegation, led by the Chief of General Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, participated in the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum on Sunday (September 15). On the sidelines of the forum, Field Marshal Birhanu held discussions with General Liu Zhenli, a member of China’s Central Military Commission (CMC) and Chief of Staff of the CMC Joint Staff Department.
A three-day validation workshop of the African Development Bank (AfDB)-funded project on Regional Harmonization of Regulatory Frameworks and Tools for Improved Electricity Regulation in COMESA commenced in Addis Ababa on Wednesday (September 18). The workshop focused on regional energy infrastructure development to ensure reliable and affordable energy access.
Eritrea
In a ceremony held at the Permanent Mission of Eritrea to the United Nations, Eritrea and St. Lucia established diplomatic relations on Tuesday (September 17), signifying a mutual commitment to fostering closer ties.
Djibouti
Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed of Djibouti met with his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, during his working visit to Doha. The two leaders discussed enhancing exchanges between the two brotherly and friendly countries.
On Monday (September 9), Ethio-Djibouti Railway S.C. officially launched its first bulk cargo containerization service. The event was attended by Takele Uma, the newly appointed CEO of the railway company, alongside Gouled Ahmed Youssouf, Director General of Customs and Indirect Duties of Djibouti. (See Article)
Somalia
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud received IGAD Executive Director Workneh Gebeyehu at the Villa Somalia Presidential Palace on Monday (September 16). They discussed strengthening the Somalia-IGAD partnership to advance regional peace and security while addressing challenges such as climate resilience, food security, and economic development.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Fiqi met with the UK’s new Special Envoy for the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa, Alison Blackburn, accompanied by UK Ambassador to Somalia, Mike Nithavrianakis, at his office on Wednesday (September 18). They discussed strengthening the Somalia-UK partnership on various fronts.
South Sudan
Sudan and South Sudan unveiled a joint security plan on Saturday aimed at ensuring the uninterrupted flow of oil to international markets. The decision was reached during a meeting between South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and Sudan’s ruling Sovereign Council leader, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, on Monday (September 16) in Juba.
President Salva Kiir received Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf on Thursday (September 19), during which the minister delivered a written message from President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti.
Sudan
Sudan’s Minister of Minerals, Mohamed Bashir Abunommo, discussed enhancing economic cooperation in the mining sector with a Russian delegation led by Viktor Chimodanov, Chairman of the Russian-Sudanese Business Council, and Andrey Chernovol, the Russian Ambassador to Sudan, on Tuesday (September 17).
Africa and the African Union
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) launched its ten-year sustainable tourism master plan on Thursday (September 19), aimed at unifying the fragmented tourism development efforts of individual member countries. The Master Plan was officially launched in Addis Ababa at a forum organized by Ethiopia’s Tourism Ministry in collaboration with partners as part of the World Tourism Day commemoration.
The Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Monday (September 16) that the upcoming CAF General Assembly will be held in Addis Ababa in October.
Back to Your Origin Summer Fest Welcomes Homecoming of Second-Generation Ethiopians
As part of the third phase of the Second-Generation Homecoming, the Ethiopian Diaspora Service (EDS) in collaboration with Ethio Ballers Game Centre hosted a three-day (September 8-10) summer camp program entitled “Back to Origins: Your Summer Fest” at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa.
The three-day festival served as a vibrant platform for showcasing Ethiopian art, sports, and culinary traditions while fostering traditions within the Ethiopian diaspora, among other things.
Speaking to the press, the Deputy Director General of the EDS, Belayneh Aknaw, said the festival potentially facilitates ways to encourage the diaspora to engage in the transfer of knowledge, skills, and technology, as well as to enable them to actively participate in tourism, trade, and investment sectors in Ethiopia. The historic event has also provided ample opportunity for the participants to strengthen their bond with their country of origin better, Belayneh added.
Echoing the Deputy Director General, the Manager of Ethio Ballers Game Centre Manager, Coach Carlos Thornton stated that the festival served as a dynamic platform to showcase Ethiopian art, fashion, sports, and culinary traditions while strengthening bonds within the Ethiopian Diaspora.
The event also featured various expos on real estate, photography, food, and motor cars, highlighting the nation’s latest innovations and cultural offerings. The festival also hosted a “Dream Team” basketball game featuring Diaspora youth to promote unity and excellence in sports. A mix of cultural performances and modern entertainment, including music and dance, provided celebrators with a complete cultural immersion experience.
EDS’s Diaspora Community Development Director, Nebiyu Solomon, also highlighted that the Great Homecoming I initiatives have significantly benefited the nation in various ways. He noted that over 100,000 members of the Diaspora community participated in the initial Great Homecoming and Eid-to-Eid initiatives, contributing around 21.2 billion Birr to the economy in 2022 and 2023.
The initiative boosted the economy through spending on plane tickets, visas, hotels, reservations, and investments, including transportation services. Beyond economic contributions, the Diaspora played a critical role in countering diplomatic pressures with campaigns like ‘No More!‘ and ‘It’s My Dam.‘ Their influence on the tourism sector was also noteworthy, as they actively engaged in promoting Ethiopia’s cultural and historical sites, he noted.
Wondwossen Girma, the Director of Communications at the EDS, on his part said the Diaspora’s involvement in environmental initiatives, voluntary services, and visiting tourist attractions allowed them to better understand their homeland.
The Director told the media, “Ethiopia has been diligently working on Diaspora engagement for the past two decades” and underscored the government’s commitment to leveraging the diaspora for national development. The Diaspora’s contributions in knowledge and technology transfer, capacity building, investment, and resource mobilization have been immense, enhancing Ethiopia’s image globally, he added.
The Ethiopian Diaspora Service is a government agency established through Council of Ministers Regulation No. 432/2018 in October 2018 and accountable to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the noble mission of synergetically streamlining and leveraging the diaspora’s immense role by creating a community that is the nation’s pride and partner in development.
Ethiopia Commemorates 75th Year of the Geneva Conventions
The 75th anniversary of the four Geneva Conventions, organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Embassy of Switzerland in Ethiopia, took place on Monday (September 16) at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa. The event also marked the launch of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Caucus.
Bruce Mokaya Orina, Head of the ICRC Delegation to the African Union, and Pietro Mona, Ambassador of Switzerland to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU, IGAD, and UNECA. The event was further graced by representatives from AU member states, the African Union Commission, Ethiopian ministerial offices, regional economic communities, diplomatic corps, and humanitarian organizations such as the UN and IFRC.
This year not only commemorates the 75th anniversary of the 1949 Geneva Conventions but also marks the 160th anniversary of the first Geneva Convention of 1864. The commemoration aimed to raise awareness of the importance of IHL in contemporary conflicts, its ongoing relevance, and the need for improved implementation and compliance. It also provided an opportunity to assess the commitment of states and the international community to uphold IHL.
On behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Ambassador Taye Atske-Selassie, Semunegus Hailegiorgis, Director General of International Organization Affairs at the Ministry, delivered the keynote address, alongside other notable dignitaries from the AU and member states.
In his keynote address, Semunegus Hailegiorgis highlighted the significance of the 75th anniversary, calling it a historic milestone that reflects the lasting legacy of humanitarian principles. He emphasized that the core values of the Geneva Conventions remain vital in upholding human dignity, even as the nature of armed conflict evolves. He urged continued commitment to these principles, which stand as vanguards of humanity.
He further noted that Ethiopia was an early signatory to the Geneva Conventions, having signed the first convention in 1949. He explained that Ethiopia has incorporated the conventions into its Constitution and Criminal Law and has made deliberate efforts to raise awareness and understanding among its security forces.
During his speech, he also addressed the current global security challenges, citing the increasing involvement of non-state actors, including terrorist groups, as well as the rise of autonomous weapons and digital technologies in warfare. He called for a reassessment of the Geneva Conventions’ relevance to these emerging threats.
The event sought to commemorate and raise awareness of the Geneva Conventions within the African context, take stock of achievements and challenges, and collectively reaffirm the relevance of IHL while renewing the commitment of the AU and Member States for better compliance.
Additionally, it aimed to mobilize African states to champion enhanced compliance with IHL through a select group of diplomatic representatives of AU Member States at the official launch of the Ambassadors IHL Caucus, intended to create an informal platform for discussing IHL and humanitarian issues.
The Geneva Conventions and its Additional Protocols, celebrated for the pivotal role in humanitarian law, turned 75 on August 12, 2024. This milestone underscores its impact in protecting people during conflict and highlights the continued need for global commitment to humanitarian principles.
It is to be recalled that the conventions are ratified by all UN member states and widely incorporated into regional and national laws. In Africa, relevant instruments such as the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the Kampala Convention on IDPs, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child support these humanitarian principles.
Ethio-Djibouti Railway S.C. Launches First Bulk Cargo Containerization Service
On Monday (September 9), Ethio-Djibouti Railway S.C. officially launched its first bulk cargo containerization service. The event was attended by Takele Uma, the newly appointed CEO of the railway company, alongside Gouled Ahmed Youssouf, Director General of Customs and Indirect Duties of Djibouti.
In his remarks, Takele highlighted that the introduction of bulk cargo containerization is a major breakthrough in railway transport. This service involves the use of standardized containers to transport large quantities of goods over railway networks, a practice that promises to revolutionize the way goods are moved between Ethiopia and Djibouti.
Historically, Ethio-Djibouti Railway has transported bulk commodities, such as fertilizer, using traditional bulk rail transportation methods. This involved shipping goods directly in railway wagons. The new containerization service, however, introduces standardized containers—versatile, uniform building blocks of global trade. These containers can seamlessly transition between ships, trucks, and trains, significantly reducing time spent in ports.
Additionally, it will serve as a streamlined mechanism alongside truck transport for bulk cargo moving between Ethiopia and Djibouti. This improvement in efficiency is expected to enhance the supply chain, ensuring faster and smoother deliveries both regionally and globally.
The introduction of the bulk cargo containerization service is part of the railway company’s broader vision to transform itself into a thriving institution, further enhancing its operational capabilities and performance. Currently, the railway is operating at a capacity of 2.4 million tons per year, just 38% of its full potential of 6.3 million tons. However, the CEO expressed confidence that with effective operational strategies and strategic planning, the railway could achieve profitability within the expected timeframe.
During the launch, the CEO also reaffirmed the Ethiopian government’s commitment to completing the railway line connecting the Awash Fuel Depot to the Djibouti Horizon Terminal on schedule. This line is expected to play a critical role in facilitating Ethiopia’s economic and social activities by transporting oil supplies via train from the port of Djibouti. The new connection will link the Ethio-Djibouti Railway with the Awash-Kombolcha-Hara Gebeya line, which stretches into northern Ethiopia.
The Ethio-Djibouti railway corridor is a critical infrastructure in the Horn of Africa, with significant strategic importance. As Ethiopia and Djibouti continue to develop their logistics capacities, the enhanced efficiency brought by bulk cargo containerization could strengthen their positions as regional trading hubs.
Ethiopia Celebrates National Sovereignty Day
Ethiopia on Sunday (September 8) celebrated National Sovereignty Day, a key observance during the transitional month of Pagume, also the 13th month of Ethiopia, which precedes the Ethiopian New Year, Enkutatash. Each of the five days of Pagume is dedicated to themes that reflect the country’s social, economic, and political progress; this year’s third day of Puagme dedicated to Sovereignty Day pays tribute to Ethiopia’s long-standing independence and rich heritage.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized the importance of this day in his address, asserting that Ethiopia’s’ name is synonymous with freedom and dignity. He reaffirmed that the country has never initiated aggression against others throughout its history but has bravely defended its sovereignty against numerous threats.
The celebrations also served as a moment to honor the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), which has played a critical role in safeguarding the nation. The Prime Minister acknowledged the sacrifices made by the ENDF and its contributions to both national security and regional peacekeeping missions, highlighting their dual role in maintaining stability and fostering development.
The theme of the day, “National Harmony to Ensuring Sovereignty in All Spheres,” reflects a broader commitment to unity and peace. Prime Minister Abiy’s remarks included a call for all Ethiopians, regardless of profession, to contribute to the country’s prosperity, underscoring the collective responsibility for safeguarding the nation’s future.
The observance of Sovereignty Day serves not only as a reminder of Ethiopia’s hard-fought independence but also as an opportunity to reflect on the economic sovereignty essential for national security and development. The government has recognized the importance of addressing food security and fostering self-reliance as means to strengthen the nation’s foundation.
The commitment to building a strong, prosperous Ethiopia remains paramount, encouraging all citizens to participate actively in the ongoing journey toward national development and stability.
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