The meeting reviewed the practicalities to carry out humanitarian activities in the northern part of Ethiopia in accordance with the mutually agreed-upon sets of procedures stipulated in the bilateral agreement entered between the Ethiopian government and the UN for coordination of humanitarian activities on 29 November 2020.

The meeting, chaired by the Minister of Peace, Mufrihat Kamil, was attended by the UN Resident Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator, Dr. Catherine Sozi, and other senior Ethiopian Government and UN officials.

Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed and President Uhuru Kenyatta inaugurated the one stop border post in #Moyale on December 9, 2020. The inauguration of the border post is expected to facilitate trade between the two countries by cutting down inefficiencies at the Moyale border.

The two leaders also inaugurated the #Hawassa – #Moyale 500km asphalt road, which is the Ethiopia component of the Cape to Cairo Trans – Africa highway. Together with the one stop border post infrastructural investment, both aim to boost #Ethiopia-#Kenya trade ties.

#PMOEthiopia

 

Ambassador Redwan Hussien and Commissioner Mitiku Kasa give briefings on current situations in Tigra
State of Emergency Spokesperson, H.E. Ambassador Redwan Hussien, and Disaster Risk Management Commissioner H.E. Mitiku Kasa gave a briefing today (December 08) to the media about the current situation in Tigray, particularly on the humanitarian assistance activities in the region.

Ambassador Redwan reiterated that the government is in the latest phase of its law enforcement operation that gives priority to restoring infrastructure and rehabilitation of the affected people.

The hideouts of the TPLF criminals have already been identified and apprehending them would be materialized soon, the ambassador added.

He also talked about complaints of some aid agencies and the media for not getting easy access to the region and the presence of some bottlenecks in related issues.

Ambassador Redwan said all people, including humanitarian agencies need to align their operations with the directions given by the federal government about operation rules in the region, not only out of respect to the sovereignty of the country but for their own safety too.

Mr. Mitiku Kasa, on his part, talked about the ongoing humanitarian assistance in the region with a particular emphasis on coordination mechanisms between government organizations and non-governmental aid agencies.

He said the government is running the humanitarian assistance project through forming about 10 cluster arrangements that coordinate government agencies and the non-government ones based on the type of assistance that the people in Tigray need.

According to Mr. Mitiku, the arrangements include, among others, clusters on agriculture and livestock, water and sanitation, health, nutrition, food and non-food items, logistics, women and children.

The humanitarian assistance begins with the already vulnerable people who were aid recipients even before the commencement of the law enforcement operation in Tigray, he said.

However, he said, people who need humanitarian support and other locations in Tigray would further be identified with the cooperation of the interim government in Tigray.

He finally underscored that Aid agencies should cooperate with the government-led humanitarian support program for scores of reasons, including the rich experience of the country in handling such issues during drought, conflict, flood, and other disasters.

#MoFA

As ‘Arise News’ Reports today Ethiopian Airlines is ready to fly COVID19 vaccines to Africa.

Ethiopian Airlines has announced the launch of a cold chain air freight to transport temperature-sensitive medicines, including a potential Covid-19 vaccine and comes amidst concerns of who will handle the logistical nightmare that is transportation and distribution of the vaccines – when they become available – in Africa.

“Ethiopian Airlines will repeat its remarkable and globally recognized success in leading the fast delivery of PPEs few months ago with similar delivery speed, professional handling, and maintaining the cold chain during the forthcoming global distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine. In anticipation of the Covid-19 vaccine release, we will be at the forefront to further discharge our responsibility in the distribution of the vaccine across the globe,” said Ethiopian Group CEO Tewolde GebreMariam.

In preparing for the task ahead, the airline has signed a partnership agreement with Cainiao Smart Logistics Network, the logistics arm of China’s Alibaba Group, to launch a cold chain air freight for transporting temperature-controlled medicines.

Freighters carrying medicines will depart Shenzhen, southern China twice a week to Africa, and to the rest of the world via Dubai and Addis Ababa, according to a press release.

The airline noted that the entire cold chain cabin will be equipped with a temperature control system that monitors the cabin’s temperature in real-time.

The 54,000sqm cargo terminal in Ethiopia has also been outfitted with compartmentalized cold storage facilities with a temperature between – 23°C to 25.

So far, almost all vaccine candidates available need ultra-cold temperatures to transport or store.

The airline was key in helping to move tons of medical supplies meant for coronavirus response in Africa.

On top of its 12 dedicated cargo aircraft, Ethiopian reconfigured 25 passenger planes to turn them into freighters to respond to increased cargo demand.

China has about five coronavirus vaccine candidates at different human trial stages. President Xi Jinping has said that once approved, the vaccines will be made a global public good.

In Nairobi, Kenya Airways (KQ) unveiled its ultra-modern pharma facility at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

KQ Cargo Director Dick Murianki said the facility’s immediate focus will be improving logistics in distributing a potential COVID-19 vaccine in Africa.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is one of the most important logistics hubs in Africa.

Since March, the national carrier has transported vital goods and medical supplies, about 6,000 tonnes of much-needed medical equipment to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: Arise News

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen briefs Horn of Africa, East Africa, and South African Ambassadors on current situations in Ethiopi
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen briefed today (December 07) the ambassadors of #Djibouti, #Eritrea, #Kenya, #Sudan, #SouthSudan, #Burundi, #Rwanda, #Uganda, and #SouthAfrica on the current situation in the Tigray region.

He appreciated the ambassadors and leaders of the countries that they represent for fully supporting the law enforcement operation in Tigray following the sudden attack of the TPLF clique on the Northern command of the Ethiopian Defence Forces.

The efforts of South Africa, in its capacity as the Chair of the African Union for 2020, to bring peace in the region are commendable, he said.

Mr. Demeke said the operation is swiftly completed with minimum civilian causalities that enabled the federal government to carry out its plans to restore law and order in the region.

Now the government is engaged with rebuilding infrastructure and telecommunication services, ensuring access to humanitarian assistance to the affected people, returning displaced people to their homes while apprehending the fugitives, he said.

He said the federal government is working closely with the interim government of the Tigray region that has already started establishing the bureaucratic structure in the region, citing Shire as an example.

The ambassadors appreciated the federal government for rapidly concluding the law enforcement mission without compromising the lives of civilians.

They also affirmed that they are willing to support the federal government of Ethiopia in its efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the affected people.

They have reiterated that the leaders of their respective countries’ are committed to stand by Ethiopia noting that Ethiopia is an anchor of peace in the region.

Current Phase of Rule of Law Operations in Tigray Region

#EthiopiaPrevails
#PMOEthiopia

Ethiopia reaffirmed commitment to the global response to the #COVID19 pandemic.

The United Nations General Assembly has held a two-day Special Virtual Session (3-4 December 2020) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The session was convened upon the request of Azerbaijan on behalf of members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in recognition of the need for a global response to the pandemic.

Representing Ethiopia at the Session, H.E. Mr. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs has delivered his remarks via a pre-recorded video message.

He underscored the need for global solidarity to effectively respond to the unprecedented crisis and reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment in this regard.

He further noted the encouraging progress in the development of the COVID vaccine and expressed Ethiopia’s full support for the COVAX initiative.

Mr. Demeke also indicated that Ethiopia subscribes to the growing international consensus that the vaccine should be indeed a global public good — accessible and affordable to everyone, everywhere.

He recalled that Africa has been urging G20 countries to provide an effective economic stimulus package that includes relief and deferred payments underlining the pandemic’s detrimental economic effects.

Finally, he said he is optimistic that the outcome of the session will catalyze and coordinate a unified global response and pave the way for an inclusive, sustainable, green, and resilient recovery.

Many world leaders, United Nations principals, and other relevant stakeholders have participated in the session.

The #spokesperson of Foreign Affairs of #Ethiopia, H.E. Ambassador Dina Mufti, gave the Ministry’s biweekly press briefing on December 20, 2020 to the media. In his presentation, the Ambassador focused on the diplomatic activities related to the law enforcement operation in #Tigray, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (#GERD), #capacity building to the Ministry’s staff and #economic and citizen-centered diplomatic activities within the past two weeks. Please, find here summary of the briefing.

I. Operation in #Tigray

The Ministry has been actively engaging in activities that aimed at making concerned bodies understand the ongoing government operation in Tigray through Diplomatic tours, Phone conversations, and various media engagements.

#Diplomatic tours
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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen, has been on a diplomatic tour in Europe to discuss the situation in Tigray and the government’s law enforcement operation in the region. Accordingly, he met the President and Minister for Foreign Affairs of France, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium Sophie Wilmès , U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominique Rabb , AU High Representative and Vice-President Joseph Borrell and Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič, Belgium’s Foreign Minister, Sophie Wilmes and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic, Luigi Di Mayo. Aside from delivering message of Prime Minister H.E. Abiy Ahmed to the heads of State and Government in these European countries, the Deputy Prime Minister made briefings on:

• The illegal moves of the TPLF Junta Contrary to the political, economic, military and diplomatic reforms of the last two and a half years and the extensive efforts by the federal government, elders, etc. to bring the group back to normalcy.

• The TPLF clique has been sponsoring violent activities in various areas of the country, regardless of the patience and peaceful treatment of the federal government.

• The group suddenly attacked the Northern Command of the National Defence Forces and looted military equipment necessitating the law enforcement operation in the region.

• The federal government was expediting its law enforcement operation with minimum causalities to civilians

The leaders in Europe have expressed their concern over the protection of civilians and interest to cooperate with the Ethiopian government on humanitarian issues.

#Phone Conversations
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• Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, H.E. Mr. Demeke Mekonnen has held phone conversations with the Foreign Ministers of the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Austria and Denmark.

• The federal government law enforcement operation in Tigray region is over with minimum causalities to civilians.

• The government is working with national and international agencies to provide humanitarian assistance to affected people.

• The government is working closely with the government of Sudan to get displaced people back to their homes.

• Rehabilitation and reconstruction works in Tigray region are underway.

• The manhunt is underway to bring the perpetrators to justice.

• Access to Telecommunication services in some parts of Tigray has been resumed, while Alamata gets full services.

#Media Engagements
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H.E. Ambassador Redwan Hussien gave interviews to Reuters and TRT World on current issues in Tigray.

Ethiopian ambassadors in various countries have appeared on various media outlets to explain current issues in Tigray.

II. #GERD

• The Ministry and Ethiopian missions all over the world have successfully completed the plan to run several (about 9) joint webinar discussions on various issues related to the GERD from November 12-November 30, 2020.

• Our Missions in Doha and Rwanda have raised more than 2 million birr in buying bonds and donations to the construction of the dam.

III. #Capacity Building
The ministry in collaboration with #UNITAR (the United Nations Institute for Training and Research) provided a 4-day e-workshop on Frontier Diplomacy that has been given to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia’s staff. The training was aimed at equipping diplomats with the latest skills and knowledge in cyber diplomacy, cybersecurity, and science diplomacy. State Minister, H.E. Ambassador Birtukan Ayano gave a closing speech highlighting the Ministry’s commitment to continue to equip its staff with the latest skills and knowledge that would help diplomats to make informed decisions.

Iv. #Economic and Citizen-centered Diplomacy

• In collaboration with the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), discussions were held with foreign investors and their representatives to address their concerns about their investment in the Tigray region. Subsequent discussions are scheduled to address protection of lives and investment interests of foreigners in the region.

• State Minister H.E. Tsion Teklu has participated in online business forums prepared by our missions in Brussels and Moscow. The Brussels webinar aimed at promoting Ethiopian coffee to Belgium and Luxembourg markets and raise awareness about Ethiopian coffee to coffee importers in the stated two countries. Belgium is the 5th destination for Ethiopian Coffee after Germany, Saudi Arabia, the USA and Japan. The Moscow business forum promoted tourism opportunities in Ethiopia to tour operators in Moscow.

• A tripartite memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and Tourism Ethiopia to collaborate on tourism activities.

• Ambassador Dewano Kedir participated and delivered an opening speech at an online forum organized to strengthen Ethiopia’s trade relations with Indonesia and highlighted the potential of our country’s foreign trade and investment.

• This week, 325 Ethiopians have returned from Saudi Arabia, 33 of them are children.

Elections 2021 discussions with Political Parties and Civil Society Organizations