Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu,  recently appointed Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, held a reception for the members of the Diplomatic Corps and all foreign diplomats accredited to Ethiopia on Monday, (December 5).

He took the opportunity to share his thoughts on strengthening Ethiopia’s partnerships with their countries and organizations.

He quoted Prime Minister Hailemariam on the major priorities in the reform agenda: inclusive and equitable economic growth; dialogue; and structural transformation of the economy. These, Dr. Workneh underlined, together with Ethiopia’s emphasis on regional peace, security and integration and the deepening of democracy were the foundation of Ethiopia’s diplomatic efforts. Ethiopia’s diplomacy would continue to focus on enhancing the bilateral and multilateral partnerships vital for inclusive development, institution building and good governance.

He noted that the recent challenges had highlighted the vital importance of peace and the need for sustaining an inclusive and rapid economic development. Further, a significant number of people, particularly youth, had not sufficiently benefitted development, so the future focus would be on inclusivity.

Another key priority would be trade and investment and he requested the assistance of those present to encourage their nationals to continue investing in Ethiopia, to encourage the flow of FDI and the creation of jobs. He stressed the government’s conviction that sustainable economic growth needed peace, good governance and strong democratic institutions.

It therefore planned to carry out the necessary reforms to strengthen such institutions as the Election Board, the Human Rights Commission, the Ombudsman and the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and others bodies. The government would also continue to build partnerships at all levels to achieve peace, development and democratization, through creation of a national consensus around poverty reduction through fast growth and development, as well as democratic institution building and good governance.

We believe that this is critical for the achievement of sustainable peace, and transformation in Ethiopia and in the region and in Africa. Dr. Workneh underlined Ethiopia’s commitment to IGAD and the Regional Economic Communities as the building blocks for continental integration. It would continue to do its utmost create enabling conditions for the AU, UNECA and the RECs to work effectively.

He also noted that partnerships with bilateral and multilateral development partners were equally important. These had allowed Ethiopia to achieve most of the MDGs; it hoped to do the same with the Sustainable Development Goals. Dr. Workneh took the opportunity to thanks all those who had supported Ethiopia’s election to the UN Security Council, Noting that it currently contributed the largest number of peace-keepers to UN and AU peace keeping operations, he said Ethiopia would work closely with all Council members to help address peace and security concerns in Africa and elsewhere.

In conclusion, he promised he was ready to work closely with all the members of the Diplomatic Corps; equally he counted on their valuable support and cooperation in the successful discharge of his “heavy responsibilities”.

On 2nd of December 2016, Euractiv published an article with the title «Commission to Ethiopia: ‘Start addressing legitimate grievances of your people’». The article was written after the arrest in Ethiopia of Dr Merera Gudina under the current state of emergency.

Dr Merera Gudina was arrested for violating the state of emergency directive stated under article 2, stipulating among others it is prohibited to communicate with organizations proscribed as terrorist.

Euractiv’s piece may give a wrong impression to the reader about the reasons underlying the arrest of Dr Merera Gudina and the nature of the state of emergency which was declared in Ethiopia last October.

In fact, the article is misleading when it says Dr Merera Gudina “addressed the European Parliament in Brussels”. To be more precise, Dr Merera Gudina took part in a hearing in the premises of the European Parliament but no MEPs were present except its organizer Mrs Ana Gomes, who also invited Dr Berhanu Nega.

Though Euractiv’s article rightly states Dr Berhanu Nega is the leader of a banned group, it fails to state precisely  that this group, called Ginbot 7, is openly calling and carrying out an armed struggle in Ethiopia with the goal of overthrowing the legitimate government by unconstitutional means.

In a press release published on 1st December 2015, the EU delegation in Addis Ababa had also clearly distanced itself of the movement of Dr Berhanu Nega and reminded that “The EU rejects as a principle any violent means for political purposes”.

The article moreover fails to mention that the provisions implemented through the state of emergency have restored peace and security in the country. Some restrictions have already been lifted, and Belgium, Germany and the UK have eased their travel advices to Ethiopia after taking note of these progresses.

It should also be underlined that during a discussion with members of the Ethiopian opposition political parties on 1 December 2016, the Secretariat of the Command Post and Minister of Defense Siraj Fegessa reassured the state of emergency is not up for threatening opposition party members. Instead, the state of emergency was established to ensure that stability and calm are restored in the country.

Ethiopia’s Almaz Ayana has been named the female World Athletes of the Year at the IAAF Athletics Awards 2016, held at Sporting Monte Carlo on 2 December 2016.

Almaz had a record-breaking year. After recording the fastest 10,000m debut in history in June, the Ethiopian went on to win the Olympic title at the distance in a world record of 29:17.45.

She added to her Olympic medal haul in Rio by taking bronze in the 5000m, her only loss of the year.

Having recorded three of the eight fastest times at 5000m, she ended the year as the Diamond Race winner for that discipline.

She becomes the third Ethiopian woman to win this award, following Genzebe Dibaba in 2015 and Meseret Defar in 2007.

“I don’t have words to explain my feelings right now, I’m so excited,” said Almaz whose award was presented by International Athletics Foundation (IAF) Honorary President HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco. “Really, I’m so pleased.”

Similarly Jamaica’s Usain Bolt has been named the male World Athletes of the Year.

Bolt, who won the award five times between 2008 and 2013, added to his legacy by earning the trophy for a record sixth occasion.

The sprinting superstar this year successfully defended his Olympic titles in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m, bringing his lifetime tally of Olympic gold medals to nine.

He clocked season’s bests of 9.81 and 19.78 to win the 100m and 200m in Rio and then anchored the Jamaican team to a world-leading 37.27 when winning the 4x100m.

He also went undefeated throughout the whole season at all distances, including heats.

Source: MFA Ethiopia

The Secretariat of the Command Post and Minister of Defense Siraj Fegessa during a discussion forum with members of the Ethiopian opposition political parties on Thursday (Dec. 01, 2016) reassured the gathering that the state of emergency is not up for threatening opposition party members.

The Secretariat of the Command Post further said the state of emergency was established to ensure that stability and calm is restored in the country.

It is to be recalled that Chairman of the Oromo Federalist Party, Dr Merera Gudina has been detained for violating the directive issued for the implementation of the state of emergency.

According to a statement issued earlier on Thursday (Dec 01, 2016) by the Secretariat of the Command Post, Merera was arrested for violating the directive stated under article 2.

As stipulated under Article 2 of the directive for the implementation of the state of emergency, it is prohibited to communicate with organizations proscribed as terrorist, anti-peace groups; to bear and disseminate writings of terrorist organizations, to bear or promote their logos, to watch and listen to television and radio broadcastings, to broadcast, watch, and report ESAT, OMN and other media outlets used by organizations proscribed as terrorist.

The statement by the Secretariat of the Command Post further said, “Merera is under investigation for violating this article.” Dr Merera met and held discussion with Berhanu Nega, leader of the outlawed Ginbot 7, in Brussels, Belgium recently,” the statement added.

Members of Ethiopian Diaspora from all over Europe staged a demonstration on 28 November 2016 in front of the seat of European Union in Brussels, Belgium.

The demonstrators denounced terrorist organizations which threaten the unity and existence of Ethiopia.

Condemning the terroristic activities of the so-called Oromo Liberation Front, Ogaden National Liberation Front, and Ginbot 7 which are agents of the Eritrean Government, they demanded that EU take the necessary measure.

They specifically asked EU to stop Mrs. Anna Gomes from inviting the leaders of Ginbot 7 to the European Parliament.

The demonstrators expressed their support for the Ethiopian government in its endeavor to extract the country from poverty and build peace, infrastructure and a democratic system.

The over 350 demonstrators stated that the terrorist groups  pause threat to the existence of the country.

Ethiopia’s Ambassador to EU Teshome Toga held discussion with the representatives of the diaspora.

During the discussion the ambassador said the world is witnessing efforts by the government to uplift the country from backwardness and poverty.

He added that the government is also trying to solve the problems that arose in the process of transformation by applying deep reform and expanding the political space for opposition parties.

Ambassador Teshome Toga stressed that the government is determined to strengthen civic organizations and to improve the electoral law and respond to issues of good governance, unemployment among the youth, and other development concerns voiced by the public.

According to him, some extremist members of the diaspora in Europe are working day and night to disrupt the peace in Ethiopia by exploiting grievances of the public to disintegrate the country.

These forces have been smearing the image of the country by disseminating false information and organizing recurrent demonstrations in front of the European parliament, he added.

He thanked the demonstrators for exposing the extremists by holding demonstrations and asked them to intensify the cooperation based on principle with their sincere fellow citizens.

United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has inscribed Gada System as Intangible World Heritage in its 11th intangible world heritage meeting being held in Addis Ababa.

Inscribing Gada system will provide opportunity to share the best experience of the ancient democratic socio-political system, Chairperson of the 11th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage Yonas Desta had told the media on Monday.

“The Gada system, I think, is a great nomination really”, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture Francesco Bandarin said.

The Gada System has five parties, and each party can lead only for eight years duration. The five parties lead in their order for eight years each, and it is not allowed for given party to lead for over eight years.

A given party can lead again only after 40 years.

The Gada System is and indigenous, democratic system with which the Oromo People have been governing themselves in a democratic way before centuries.

Source: EBC

Ethiopia celebrates the 11th Nations, Nationalities and Peoples day this year in the State of Harrari next week on Thursday, December 8.

Based on the proclamation at the very beginning of the current democratic and federal constitution of Ethiopia, which in 1995 assured the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia of their diversity, their unity and their ownership to the constitution itself, the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia will be celebrating the day nationwide next week.

This celebration is a commemoration of the testimony of the people of Ethiopia’s ultimate triumph against the repressive and oppressive regime that had deprived them of their rights in their own nation.

The day on which those rights and equality of the Ethiopian Nations, Nationalities and Peoples were fully restored and guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE), was December 8, 1995.

The people of Ethiopia will celebrate this 11th Ethiopian Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Day with their usual great enthusiasm and verve across the nation.

With the Constitution ensuring human and democratic rights, the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia entered into a new world of equality and mutual cooperation to safeguard and ensure their common interests in 1995.

They will enthusiastically commemorate this year’s Nations, Nationalities and Peoples day, devoted as it is to all Ethiopians, both in Ethiopia and across the world.

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have inked an agreement that outlines key areas of collaboration in child protection, education, health and nutrition, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

According to a statement from UNHCR, Ethiopia at present hosts 783,340 refugees, 58.3 percent of whom are children under 18, including 38,502 unaccompanied children. Currently, Ethiopia has also witnessed a new influx of South Sudanese refugees fleeing renewed violence and food shortage. Of the 39,000 new arrivals 64 percent of them are children, said the statement.

Upon signing the agreement Clementine Nkweta-Salami and Gillian Mellsop, representatives of UNHCR and UNICEF respectively, said “UNICEF and UNHCR have a long history of effective and demonstrated collaboration in humanitarian action which has greatly improved the lives of refugees over the years,” adding that “this agreement will further cement our partnership and help us to advance our respective mandates in Ethiopia.”

The agreement is expected to expire on August 2020 and is assumed to enable both parties to collaborate together in picking up the pace of their joint refugee response in terms of technical assistance, visibility, advocacy resource mobilization and supply management.  The agreement is also deemed to have a strong focus on identifying risks and thereby ensuring contingency planning and preparedness measures.