The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia condemns in the strongest possible terms the escalation and provocative behavior of the Government of the Sudan regarding the boundary issue between Ethiopia and the Sudan. Ethiopia believes that any conflict between our two countries would only result in a colossal collateral damage and jeopardizes the well-being of the two nations. Therefore, the Ethiopian government strongly believes that the conflict being trumpeted by the Sudanese government’s military wing could only serve the interests of a third party at the expense of the Sudanese people.

It is to be noted that the two governments have sufficient mechanisms to deal with any claims and counterclaims of the border or any territorial claims. However, the Sudanese National Army violated the basic principles of international law and peaceful settlements of disputes by unceremoniously invading Ethiopia in early November 2020. In doing so, Sudan has violated the bilateral boundary agreements, which stipulate non-displacement of nationals of either nation from their farms jointly registered by the two Governments, the status quo of which shall be maintained until the disposition of the case by an agreement.

The Sudanese side has also overturned and undermined the efforts of the joint boundary committees that have been making tireless efforts to finalize the re-demarcation process of the common boundary. Contrary to the spirit of friendship and cooperation existing between our two brotherly countries, the Sudanese Army looted properties, burned camps, attacked and displaced thousands of Ethiopians and controlled vacated Ethiopian Military Camps.

What is more deplorable is, in an apparent misrepresentation of the facts on the ground, Sudan is deliberately engaged in misinformation campaigns against Ethiopia by accusing the victim as an aggressor, evading accountability by shifting blame and camouflaging its belligerence and continue its provocation in an attempt to control more lands.

Amidst of all these escalatory and provocative behaviour of the Sudan, Ethiopia has shown a great deal of patience, remained restrained from exercising its legitimate right of self-defence and time and again expressed its commitment to a peaceful settlement of differences regarding the boundary through existing bilateral agreements and joint border mechanisms. What is needed is a political will of the two governments, which would enable them reach at an amicable solution.

Ethiopia firmly believes in the long standing fraternal relations between the people of Ethiopia and Sudan regardless of the nature of their respective governments. The attempt being made by the Sudanese Army to push the friendly peoples of Ethiopia and Sudan to unwarranted war is a serious blunder that will undermine their peace, stability and development of the two nations in particular and the region in general.

Ethiopia while reiterating its commitment for a peaceful settlement of the boundary issue, once again calls upon the Government of the Sudan to reverse the aggression, desist from provocation and resort to a peaceful settlement of the boundary issue.

Therefore, the Ethiopian government would like to call upon the people of the Sudan to check on its government from serving a third party interest which only would result in the determent of the two nations. Furthermore, Ethiopia calls upon brotherly African countries to advice the Sudanese government to finalize the border issues through available mechanisms in peaceful manner.

The government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia also thanks the people of Ethiopia for showing maximum patience and profound understanding.

18 February 2021
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia
Addis Ababa

H.E. Ambassador Hirut Zemene together with representatives of the diplomatic staff of the Embassy visited the Ethiopian Airlines cargo centre at Liege airport, located about 95 km for Brussels on February 16, 2021.

During the visit, the Ambassador held in depth discussion with Mr. Haileye Ayele, the manager of Liege Cargo Hub of Ethiopian Airlines on how to strengthen joint promotion of Ethiopian export items to Belgium.

Mr Haileye has explained the importance of EAL Liege Cargo centre as it is the second largest cargo hub, for Ethiopian Airlines, next to Addis Ababa. The Airlines has on average more than 40 cargo flights per week to Liege airport.

Among the most important export items that the inbound cargo flights from Addis Ababa carries, flowers and perishables.

Ambassador Hirut appreciated the role of the Ethiopian Airlines in promoting Ethiopia’s foreign trade especially at the heights of the COVID pandemic.

The two sides exchanged views on how to boost market opportunities for Ethiopian flower and perishables in the Belgian market as almost all of Ethiopian flowers that arrive in Brussels are destined to the Netherlands.

On February 15, 2021, Ambassador Hirut Zemene, held a virtual discussion with Mrs Lise Betjes, Area Manager of Africa at the Flanders Investment and Trade Agency on strategic investment opportunities in Ethiopia and mutual cooperation. During the discussion, the Ambassador explained the untapped investment resources that exist for foreign investors in Ethiopia and the market access such as AGOA and EBA. She also noted the launching of the AfCFTA will provide another wide market opportunity to do business with Ethiopia and Africa. The availability of trainable and affordable labour force and a huge local market with more than 110 million population also makes Ethiopia more attractive to investors, she said.

H.E Ambassador Hirut Zemene also noted that there are some prominent companies from the Flanders region that have invested in Ethiopia which could encourage more companies from the region and Belgium at large to follow suit. She also said that more companies would be welcome to invest in the country. She further stated the importance of holding a business promotion event in cooperation with FIT to increase awareness of the investment opportunities in Ethiopia for mutual benefits.

Mrs Lise Betjes, on her part, thanked the Embassy for the briefing and said that the Flanders Investment and Trade Agency would work with the other regional investment and trade agencies to organize a business delegation to visit Ethiopia when the COVID-19 situation allows. She also expressed further interest in working with the embassy on sector-specific promotional activities.

The two sides agreed to explore areas of collaboration to promote Ethiopia in the Flanders region.
Flanders Investment and Trade Agency (FIT) is one of the three regional bodies promoting foreign trade and investment in Flanders region and abroad.

H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia and H.E. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Turkey had a discussion today (February 15) in Ankara on ways to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

On the occasion, Mr. Demeke appreciated the all-weather friendship of Turkey and Ethiopia and called on to expedite the growth momentum of the Ethio-Turkish cooperation and strategic partnership.

Recalling the already strong ties, in investment, education, and cultural exchanges between Ethiopia and Turkey, the two Foreign Ministers underlined the need to further expand engagements in other sectors too.

The discussion between the two sides also covered the current situation between the Ethiopia-#Sudan border dispute and other regional issues of mutual concern.

During the discussion, Mr. Demeke reiterated Ethiopia’s unwavering stance to solve the Ethiopia-Sudan border dispute amicably.

Mr. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, on his part, recalled that Ethiopia is one of the investment destinations for Turkish investors in Africa, where his country’s investment stands the second largest in Ethiopia.

The Turkish foreign minister concluded his remarks reiterating his countries keen interest to further cement relationships with Ethiopia.

At the time that the two countries are commemorating the 125th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Ethiopia and Turkey, the two Ministers have attended a photo exhibition and jointly inaugurated the newly constructed building of the residence of the Ethiopian ambassador in Ankara and the chancery as well.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Demeke appreciated H.E. Dr. Mulatu Teshome, former President and Ambassador of Ethiopia to Turkey, and H.E. Ambassador Ayalew Gobeze , former Ambassador of Ethiopia to Turkey for exerting efforts to the construction of the building.

State Minister, H.E. Ambassador Birtukan Ayano also delivered a speech thanking the government and people of Turkey, including all responsible bodies that contributed to the successful completion of the building.

H.E. Ambassador Dina Mufti, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, and H.E. Ambassador Girma Temesgen, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Turkey, and other dignitaries from both sides have attended the ceremony.

MoFA

Following the law enforcement process in the Tigray Regional State, the Ministry of Peace has been coordinating extensive humanitarian and rehabilitation activities over the past three months in collaboration with more than 26 international organizations, including United Nations agencies.

Over the past three months, 75 members of international organizations who have applied for access to the Tigray Regional State have been granted access to support the humanitarian and rehabilitation process.

In its capacity as a co-chair of the Emergency Coordination Center (ECC), the United Nations Office of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) is coordinating the emergency humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation process in collaboration with the Ethiopian Government.

In collaboration with governmental and non-governmental partners, the Ministry of Health and the temporary regional health bureau administration have continued providing the necessary support for emergency response and restoration of health services in different parts of Tigray.

Together with estimated 71 million birr worth of medications and medical supplies that was sent to the region few weeks ago, the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Agency Hubs of Mekelle and Shire have more than 500 million birr worth of medicine and supplies in storage and are being distributed to hospitals and health centers. So far, distribution has been done to more than 70 health facilities in various woredas of Tigray. An estimated 1.5 million worth of vaccines have also been distributed.

The Ministry of health has sent 12 ambulances, 11 pickup trucks, one refrigerated vehicle, and 100 computers to the region. 37 million birr has been transferred to the regional health bureau so far for rehabilitation and strengthening of health services, and additional budget will be transferred this week. A multidisciplinary team from Ministry of Health, EPHI and agencies has been sent to the region and working with the regional health bureau team and Mekelle ECC.
To reinitiate COVID-19 testing, care and treatment, a team sent from the National EOC did an assessment and is doing the necessary preparations with the regional team to reinitiate the service in the coming few days.

To strengthen blood and blood product services, 952 units of blood were distributed to different locations from the regional blood banks, and 2,803 units of blood were collected from voluntary blood donors in Mekele. Numerous supplemental foods and female sanitary products were collected and distributed from partner organizations.

Currently, the Health facilities in Tigray region are partially functional with 46 percent of the hospitals giving service. The Ministry of Health is working in close collaboration with the RHB and other stakeholders for the full functionality of all the health facilities.

Together with the food aid provided by the National Disaster and Risk Commission, mobile medical teams are also screening and giving medical and nutritional support to internally displaced people in the region especially to vulnerable women and children.

In addition to the two rounds of visits by the Ministerial National Emergency Coordinating Committee to Mekele, a delegation from the Ministry of Health’s Emergency and Recovery task force led by State Minister W/ro Alemtsehay Paulos visited the recovery efforts in different facilities in Mekele and held a fruitful discussion with responsible officials.

MoH

H.E Ambassador Hirut Zemene presented her letter of credence that accredited her to the EU and its institutions to His Excellency Mr. Charles Michel, President of the European Council today, February 11, 2021.

On the occasion, Ambassador Hirut Zemene had an opportunity to exchange views with President Michel on EU-Ethiopia’s relation including the current situation in Ethiopia.

President Michel has expressed the EU’s support to the ongoing reform in Ethiopia and his wish to see the resolution of the existing humanitarian and related issues in Ethiopia.

Ambassador Hirut has had a chance to brief President Michael about the ongoing humanitarian efforts to address the needy population and undertakings in the reform in Ethiopia including about the upcoming election.

1. 

 

The government of #Ethiopia has reached more than two Million people in Tigray with emergency food distribution and this number is expected to reach 2.5 million at the end of this week. Damaged infrastructures by the TPLF forces are being repaired, and services are restored in most parts of the region.

#Telephone, #electricity, and #bankingServices are already restored in most parts of the region. For example, 363 mobile sites which include mobile voices and fixed services have been resumed in many parts of the region– Mekelle, Wikro, Humera, Sekota,Adwa,Edaga Hamus,Mytsebri,Hewanie, Axum,Adishehu,Maykadra, Firewoyne, Adigrat, Adi Gudom, Korem, Seleklaka, Shire Endesellase, Agula, Alemata, Betmera , Negash, Wukro Maria, Michew, Dansha, Turkan and Samre.

 

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H.E. Demeke Mekonnen received at his office today (February 10) the EU Envoy and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, H.E. Pekka Haavisto.

At the meeting, Mr. Demeke briefed the Envoy on the ongoing rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in the Tigray region.

The Government in collaboration with the interim administration in the region and international organizations is working tirelessly to provide the necessary humanitarian assistance while putting back various infrastructure destroyed by the TPLF back to service, said the Minister.

Mr. Demeke also pointed out that access to humanitarian actors who desire to provide services to the needy has already been granted and 26 humanitarian agencies are now on the ground working with local authorities to reach out to the beneficiaries.

Stressing the need to further strengthen the close partnership with the EU, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed the concerns of the Ethiopian Government regarding the statements by the EU’s Commission, particularly the decision to postpone the budget sector support and indicated that the action is counterproductive to the collective efforts underway to timely and effectively address the humanitarian situation and sustain the development gains achieved since the reform has begun.

He also called on the EU to understand the situation, and as a strategic partner, to continue to play a constructive role to help Ethiopia overcome its challenges.

On the border situation with Sudan, Mr. Demeke recounted the events that took place since 06 November 2020 and explained to the Envoy of Ethiopia’s position regarding the matter, particularly the unflinching stance of respecting the pre-November 06 status quo and allowing the established mechanisms to continue to discharge their duties.

He also reiterated the commitment of the Ethiopian Government to resolve the matter amicably and peacefully.

Attending the meeting was also Dr. SeleshiBekele, Minister of Water, Irrigation, and Energy who briefed Mr. Haavsito regarding the negotiations of the GERD.

Mr. Seleshi expressed the readiness of Ethiopia to finalize the negotiations and stressed the need to urge the other parties to do the same within the framework of the African Union through the spirit of providing African solutions to African problems.

Mr. Haavisto, on his part, said that the European Union understands the measures that the Ethiopian Government is taking to address the humanitarian situation and emphasized the need to scale up access and provisions of humanitarian assistance to the region.

He also pointed out for Ethiopian Human Rights Commission to step up its efforts in investigating human rights cases and expressed the importance of maintaining the strategic partnership between Ethiopia and the EU on various fields of cooperation.

MoFA