The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, and the Head of the European Delegation to Djibouti, Ambassador Aidan O’Hara, on Monday (January 24) signed a 4.4 Million Euros Grant Agreement to support IGAD for a Trans-boundary #SouthSudan-#Ethiopia conservation project of biodiversity in the Boma-Gambella landscape.

The Political and Public Diplomacy Plenipotentiary Minister, Ato Melaku Bedada speaking for the Ambassador of Ethiopia to Djibouti, commended the IGAD-EU for materializing the grant agreement.

He reiterated Ethiopia’s unrelenting commitment to further enhancing the collaborative conservation of biodiversity, landscape, and greenery.

Ato Melaku noted this project will engender a remarkable impact on the biodiversity management and livelihoods of communities residing in Boma-Gambella areas and expressed the government’s readiness and full support for its implementation.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Workneh praised the long-standing friendship between IGAD and the European Union that had ‘grown from strength to strength’.

This project is the latest in a long line of partnerships and shared initiatives between IGAD and the EU to preserve all that is good in our region and also address the challenges that we face, Dr. Workneh said.

Ambassador O’Hara commended IGAD Secretariat for the cross-border approach it is taking to tackling regional challenges.

He also emphasized how important it is to involve local communities in the implementation of the program and wished the implementing partner, The Wildlife Conservation Society, a success.

IGAD will be in charge of the global coordination of this transboundary project while the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) will be the implementing partner.

MoFA

STATE OF EMERGENCY FACT Sheet
23 January 2021
Letter to the Economist Newspaper

Misrepresentation of the Government of Ethiopia

On the 21st of January 2021, H.E. Ambassador Hirut Zemene discussed about the Private Equity sector investment opportunities in Ethiopia with Mrs. Laetitia Counye, Manager of Private Equity at Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries (BIO).

During the discussion, the Ambassador explained the wide opportunities that exist for private equity investment in Ethiopia, the incentive packages available, as well as market access to EBA, AGOA, AFCFTA and the quota-free accesses to China and India markets. The availability of affordable semi-trained labour force and a huge local market with more than 110 million consumers also make Ethiopia more attractive to investment, she said.

H.E. Ambassador Hirut also underscored the importance of BIO’s interest in Small and Micro-Enterprises (SMEs), which would be key to mutually beneficial cooperation. Its engagement with local SME would help to transfer technology and employment, in addition to the capital flow. Her Excellency further stated that the Government of Ethiopia is encouraging private equity investors to come and combine their capital with the potential of local companies. She also pointed out that private equity investment in Small and Medium-sized enterprises in Ethiopia is now very timely.

Mrs Laetitia Counye, on her part, said that Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries (BIO) is interested in investing in private equity investment in Ethiopia and wants to engage with local partners, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. She also mentioned that BIO has worked in Ethiopia through a fund manage known as Zoscales, on five investments in the country.

Mrs. Laetitia Counye also stated that efforts to privatize, liberalize the economy and train and educate the workforce are promising. The sense of entrepreneurship in Ethiopia is also very interesting, she said.

“Since employment is a major issue in Ethiopia and SMEs are very large employers, we can help in this regard,” She further noted. She has also expressed further interest to venture on a second phase investment in Ethiopia.

The Belgian Investment Company for Developing countries (BIO) supports the expansion strong private sector in developing and emerging countries, to enable them meet Sustainable Development Goals. It invests directly and indirectly in SMEs in developing countries and makes a practical contribution to the socio-economic growth of those host countries.

The spokesperson of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, H.E. Ambassador Dina Mufti, gave the Ministry’s biweekly press briefing today (January 20) to the media. In his presentation, the Ambassador focused on the diplomatic activities of H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, current developments on the #Ethiopia-#Sudan border issue, the #GERD negotiation and the recent irregularities on Sudan’s stance, the claims of some reports on the involvement of third parties (#Eritrea) in the law enforcement operation in Tigray, economic and citizen-centered diplomatic activities within the past two weeks. Please find here the summary of the briefing.

I. Diplomatic activities by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen
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• H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia met on Thursday met with the #Austrian Foreign Minister, H.E. Alexander Schallenberg, and exchanged views on a wide range of issues including the current situation in Tigray and developments in the Sub-region.

• H.E. Demeke Mekonnnen, Deputy prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia welcomed last week on Thursday, the People’s Republic of China’s ambassador to Ethiopia, H.E. Zhao Zhiyuan. The two have held a fruitful discussion on some principal issues, notably on the COVID19 pandemic, the GERD, and the latest developments in Tigray.

II.#Ethiopia-#Sudan border issue

• Media are reporting that some Sudanese military officials are claiming to have got consent from the Ethiopian side to let the Sudanese army occupy the Ethiopian border areas as part of the scheme to support the law enforcement operation in Tigray. Ethiopia appreciates the Sudanese government for its cooperation with the government of Ethiopia during the former’s efforts in enforcing law and order in the country. However, it was surprising to see the Sudanese military misconstruing the friendly talks for cooperation along the borderlines of Ethiopia as a green light to encroach into Ethiopian lands. It should be clear that our government is responsible and sensitive to the sovereignty of the country and could not agree, by any means, to let a third party occupy Ethiopian lands.

• We have heard that some countries have expressed readiness to mediate between Sudan and Ethiopia on the border issues. Ethiopia appreciates such initiatives but it has never closed the opportunity to resolve the matter through a bilateral dialogue with Sudan. We have never had refused to talk to Sudan and solve the issue in a civilized manner. In this regard, as we have repeatedly said, had it not been for our firm stand to carryout negotiations with Sudan on the border issues, it would have been relevant to invite third parties to mediate the two countries.

• Ethiopia still believes that there is no need for the flaring up of boundary issues with Sudan since the issue can get a peaceful resolution through dialogue. However, it is undeniable that we felt betrayed and back stabbed by the army of a friendly country.

• The Sudanese Army took advantage of the internal situation in Ethiopia to enter inside Ethiopian territory and loot property, burn civilian camps, kill, attack and displace Ethiopians. This does not commensurate with the longstanding fraternal relationship that the two countries have.

• Ethiopia strongly believes that the recent action of Sudan’s military will not serve the interest of the Sudanese people but the interests of third parties that calculated to profit out of the mutual destabilization of the two countries.

• We insist that the Sudanese army should go back to where it was before the invasion of our lands (i.e., November 06) as per the 1972 Exchange of Notes between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries that inked the agreement to keep the status quo in the area.

III. The #GERD negotiation and irregularities of Sudan’s stances

1. Almost all of the major issues that concern Sudan regarding the dam have been addressed by Ethiopia. For instance,

• Ethiopia has initiated and cooperated with Sudan and Egypt to establish the International panel of experts that can present findings that are reliable, unbiased and scientific regarding the effects of the construction of the dam
• The dam has been proved to lessen the effects of the recurring flooding in Sudan
• The dam will also provide cheap and environmentally friendly source of energy
• Due to regulated water flows, Sudan is expected to expand its agriculture
• The dam will reduce sedimentation in Sudanese farmlands
• Upon the request of the Sudanese regarding the dam’s safety, Ethiopia has exchanged data with Sudan

2. Thus, Ethiopia believes that some irregularities in the recent Sudanese actions on the GERD negotiations do not emanate from the inherent needs of the people of Sudan

3. As to Ethiopia, we are committed to continue the building of the dam and the negotiation too

IIII. Claims on the involvement of #Eritrean Soldiers in the military operation

• We have seen reports about Eritrean troops that have crossed into Ethiopia to help the government of Ethiopia during its law enforcement operation in Tigray and the measures taken against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). We are also witnessing similar reports about Somalian soldiers participating in the same campaign. Both of these claims are false and unfounded. The ENDF has a track record of supporting the peacekeeping and peace building efforts of the UN, let alone carrying out law enforcement operations domestically. Thus, there has never been a need from the Ethiopian side to request a third party involvement in the matter. The issue has been entertained by some circles that wanted to portray the operation as a regional-level conflict.

• However, regarding the involvement of Eritrean soldiers, in particular, it is expected (and should not be surprising) to see the deployment of Eritrean soldiers by the Eritrean government around its border areas with Ethiopia, given the belligerent attitude of the TPLF clique that had posed an imminent danger to the sovereignty of Eritrea by launching missiles to civilian sites in Asmara.

V. #Economic and #citizencentered diplomatic activities

• Ethiopian Embassy in #Algiers in collaboration with key stakeholders hosted a Webinar Trade Promotion event on January 18, 2021. About 62 participants drawn from the business communities of both countries and officials took part in the event where H.E. Tsion Teklu, State Minister for Economic Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs explained to the Algerian business community the benefits of investing in Ethiopia.

• Ambassador of Ethiopia to the Kingdom of #Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU institutions, H.E. Hirut Zemene, held a discussion on Monday (January 11) with Mr. DELATTERE Dominique, Head of Africa and the Middle East at #Wallonia Import -Export Agency (AWEX), about business opportunities in Ethiopia. The two sides agreed to explore areas of cooperation in joint promotion events as well as helping Wallonian companies to get pertinent information about opportunities for investment in Ethiopia.

• The FDRE Embassy in #Djibouti, in collaboration with the relevant government bodies, mainly the FDRE Ministry of Transport, the Attorney General and the Federal Police, has facilitated the repatriation of 179 trucks of Trans Ethiopia that were parked illegally in Djibouti. It is recalled that the Federal High Court of Ethiopia has ordered the repatriation of the trucks in Djibouti on suspicion of Trans Ethiopia of financing terrorism, money laundering, treason, and armed robbery.

• Three hundred thirty-six (336) Ethiopian citizens have been repatriated on Monday (January 18) from Saudi Arabia.

 

የአውሮፓ ህብረት የውጭ ግንኙነት ኃላፊ የሆኑት Mr. Josep Borrell እ.ኤ.አ. በጃንዋሪ 15 ቀን 2021 ኢትዮጵያን አስመልክቶ በግላቸው Blog ባወጡት ጽሁፍ በትግራይ ክልል ገደብ የማይደረግበት የሰብዓዊ ዕርዳታ አቅርቦት ከሌለ ህብረቱ ለአገራችን የሚያደርገውን የበጀት ድጋፍ ‘Suspend’ እንደሚያደርግ መግለጻቸው ይታወሳል፡፡

ይህንኑ ተከትሎ በብራሰልስ የኢትዮጵያ ሚስዮን መሪ ክብርት አምበሳደር ሂሩት ዘመነ በአውሮፓ ኮሚሽኑ ጉዳዩ ከሚመለከታቸው የስራ ኃላፊዎች ጋር በተከታታይ በመገናኘት ማብራርያ የጠየቁ ሲሆን፤ በMr. Borrell ጽሁፍ ላይ የበጀት ድጋፍ ‘Suspend’ ይደረጋል ተብሎ የወጣው ጽሁፉ ላይ ማስተካከያ ያደረገ መሆኑንና የቀጥተኛ በጀት ድጋፉን ከማዘግየት (postpone ከማድረግ) ባለፈ የአውሮፓ ህብረት የወሰደው ተጨማሪ እርምጃ እንደሌለ ለመረዳት ችለናል፡፡

ኤምባሲያችን ከኮሚሽኑ የስራ ኃላፊዎች ጋር በየጊዜው በመገናኘት የአውሮፓ ህብረት የበጀት ድጋፍ ለመልቀቅ ቅድመ-ሁኔታዎችን ባስቀመጠው መሰረት በተለይ በትግራይ ክልል እየተደረገ ያለውን የሰብዓዊ ዕርዳታ አቅርቦቱን ለማሻሻል በመንግስት በኩል እየተደረገ ያለውን ጥረት በተከታታይ በማስረዳት ላይ ይገኛል፡፡

H.E. Ambassador Hirut Zemene, Ambassador of Ethiopia to Belgium, Luxembourg, and EU institutions, discussed the pharmaceutical sector investment opportunities in Ethiopia with a group led by Mr. Mohsen Ramez, Managing Director of Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

During the discussion, Ambassador Hirut and the Embassy’s economic diplomacy section gave a detailed presentation to the company on the wide-ranging opportunities that exist in the pharmaceutical sector in the country.

The embassy also briefed policy-level, infrastructural, and market incentives, inviting Janssen to explore the market in Ethiopia.

Mr. Ramez said that he understands the potential market of Ethiopia and Janssen pharmaceutical is already in the process of entering the Ethiopian market and has begun the process of registering four of their medicines.

The group that discussed with Ambassador Hirut included the son of the founder and former president of the Company, Mr. Herwig Janssen.

As Mr. Herwig Janssen said, they want to partner with local pharmaceutical companies to transfer their knowledge on advanced technology in the sector.

Both sides agreed to exchange information and work together to further explore the business opportunities of the sub-sector in Ethiopia.

Janssen pharmaceutical, the parent company of Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceuticals, is one of the most innovative and inspiring pharmaceutical researchers of the 21st century.

In the early morning hours of November 4th 2020, I woke up to messages that the Northern Command of the Ethiopian National Defense Force had been attacked by militia loyal to and organized by the TPLF clique. My heart sank with realization that after twenty-eight years of oppression yet impunity, two and half years of provocation, and months of belligerence drumming up the war narrative, TPLF had openly demonstrated they were against the stability of the Ethiopian state and welfare of the Ethiopian people. After all, no patriot with love for country, would treasonously attack the guardians of its own national sovereignty – the Ethiopian National Defense Forces.

In the initial days following the Prime Minister’s announcement of rule of law operations commencing in the Tigray region, a flurry of international media headlines and stories startled me. In what seemed like an orchestrated narrative, reporters, news anchors, broadcasters, self-declared “political analysts” the world over began to emblazon their news headlines and content with ‘Nobel Winner.’ Beyond an effort to inform readers and listeners on who the protagonist to the current issue in Ethiopia was, the diligence with which the reference to the Prime Minister’s 2019 Nobel Prize was being used was sinister to say the least.

In what I believe to be a common trend of western media coverage of African countries, essentializing and condensing complex issues and historical context into a single narrative became immediately apparent of coverage on Ethiopia. It is not so much the heavy-handed attempts to tarnish the reputation of the Prime Minister that was concerning. Rather the disregard for context and background in coverage of what transpired on November 4th 2020 was worrying.

By disregarding and glossing over the genesis of TPLF’s transgressions that left the Federal Government with no other option except to respond, in my opinion, some western media became culpable in legitimizing the crimes and gross human rights violations of a renegade clique. It is no surprise that sensationalism sells stories more than hard facts do. Yet whitewashing almost three decades of corruption, deep networks of criminality stretching beyond national borders, overt and covert schemes to destabilize Ethiopia and the Horn region over the past two and half years by the architects of ethnic strife, is a betrayal to millions of Ethiopians that have been freed from the shackles of TPLF’s destructive hegemony.

The dual ‘victim/hero’ narrative concocted by the TPLF clique and perpetuated by their global proxies unwittingly or otherwise, for example, overshadowed mass atrocities committed in Mai Kadra by youth affiliated with TPLF. While both Amnesty International and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission cited in their reports that crimes against humanity were committed against more than 1000 innocent civilians hacked to death in one night by TPLF’s ‘Samri’ youth vigilante, many international media and pundits buried their heads in the sand. As the ‘Nobel Winner’ touting continued by international media and so- called “analysts,”even international human rights organizations in their unrestrained rush for breaking news became a source of disinformation online, misrepresenting Mai Kadra reports through their official account, only to delete and apologize hours after their disinformation had spread.

The “pre-emptive” attack, as declared boastfully and publicly by the TPLF, that prompted a government offensive against a belligerent group, is without a doubt a source of pain for all Ethiopians – citizens and government. Armed confrontations take a toll on people’s lives. On those directly affected and all others indirectly affected. The misery and pain of many innocent people caught in circumstances that are not of their choosing is unbearable. And this is a painful feeling that permeates those in government even more.

With the purposeful destruction of telecommunication and electric transmission infrastructure by TPLF, many families were disconnected until recently. Yet while negative and hollow stories of an ‘African nation yet again mired in conflict and despair’ spread with the speed of lightening, the international media also failed to address the cause of communication line disruptions and rather parroted the narrative of TPLF’s well financed and organized digital media trolls. It is no secret that during the TPLF’s reign and particularly in the past two and half years, they organized a network of youth twitter and Facebook “activists” that were paid to spew false narratives which have been not only the source of disinformation but also catalysts for communal violence along ethnic and religious lines.

Many other important issues also failed to make it on international media with the same zeal as the war narrative: the Prime Minister’s visit to Mekelle following the completion of the military operations; the successful formation of the Tigray Provisional Administration in many cities and towns across the region; the Federal Government’s successful provision of humanitarian assistance including medicine in its joint effort with international partners; the infrastructure repair works undertaken to restore electricity and telecommunications; the graduation of thousands of students from Mekelle University; resumption of flights to the Tigray region, and more recently, the apprehension and or demise of the clique’s key ring leaders.

Indeed, media must shed light on important issues and matters shaping the lives and suffering of citizens. Yet this must be done so in a manner that does not cast doubt on credibility of the media house and its allegiance. While African countries are put under the microscope of media, speech freedoms and democratic rights indexes designed and crafted by institutions that are neither African nor are inclusive of African voices, there is a necessity to ascertain that international media houses operating in loose yet close networks are not reflecting the political interests of the origin countries when producing stories on African countries. I should not be misconstrued here as expecting news reporting only to advance government positions. In fact, I believe an effective media that scrutinizes the work of any government is an essential component of a functioning democracy. Rather, I argue that news needs to be anchored in a nuanced and in-depth understanding of the context and people of a country, region, continent. Otherwise, it would fall flat as a colonial narrative!

In closing, I would like to address one crucial point. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s 2019 Nobel Prize was a deserved win that no amount of hatred or deliberate misrepresentation of character can take away. In 1998, when war broke out between Ethiopia and Eritrea, millions of lives were affected during a span of two decades which was shadowed by mutual suspicion and enmity among people within and outside of the country. Many lives have been torn apart as a result and many missed opportunities for shared prosperity of the two countries. To have managed to end such a status quo is something that no entity or individual can take away from the person that enabled this process – award or no award!

Indeed, the Nobel Peace Prize is a prestigious honour bestowed upon guardians of peace. However, to assume that this honour is a covenant for shaming and berating governing leaders with active national responsibilities into inaction, when faced with a grave threat of state disintegration and chaos, is simplistic at best!

In the end, whether the West champions the notion or not, Ethiopians will forever remember Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as the leader that remarkably ended TPLF’s three-decade hegemony, marked by state capture, high level corruption and embezzlement, treason, ethnic violence, grave crimes against humanity, institutional degeneration and moral decay. And for this, those that suffered these ills will award him for the accolade that matters most – keeping Ethiopia together!

Ed.’s Note: Billene Seyoum is Press Secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia. The views expressed in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of The Reporter.

By Billene Seyoum