The House of People’s Representatives (HPR) today approved the nominations Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed put forward for three ministerial posts.

The House approved the appointment of Gedu Andargachew as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lemma Megresa as Minister of Defense and Engineer Aisha Mohammed as Minister of Urban Development and Construction.

Former president of the Amhara regional state, Gedu Andargachew, is the new Foreign Affairs Minister. He replaces Workneh Gebeyehu who was last month named new head of the United Nations Africa office in Nairobi.

Lemma Megresa, the new Minister of Defense, has previously served as Oromia Police Commission Commissioner and Oromia Trade Bureau as well as Speaker of the Oromia Parliament, among others.

Aisha Mohammed, Ethiopia’s first female holder of the defense portfolio, has been appointed minister of Urban Development and Construction, a position she once held. She worked as Minister of Tourism and Culture before taking the historic Defense post in 2018.

Born in Afar Region of Ethiopia, Aisha Mohammed Mussa has a degree in Civil Engineering and Master Degree in Transformational Leadership and Change. She was in charge of in Afar Region as head of disaster prevention and food security.

All three appointees have since been sworn into office by Chief Justice Meaza Ashenafi in the House of Peoples Representatives.

The current development means Abiy’s gender-par cabinet that won him praise remains balanced with ten men and ten women.

The House approved the appointments with a majority vote, one against and five abstentions.

Some 699 lower echelons in various parts of the country have been freed from harmful traditional practices within a year, the Ministry of Women, Children and Youth said.

In a press briefing she gave on April 13, the Minister Yalem Tsegay said the achievement is the result of vigorous activities that aimed to end harmful traditional practices, which undermine the rights and wellbeing of women and girls.

She said that the integrated work conducted in collaboration with stakeholders on the 699 kebeles, where female genital mutilation and early marriage were prone, helped to free the areas from these practices.

Afar, Amhara and Somali regional states are home to most of the 699 kebeles that are freed from harmful traditional practices.

Community elders, religious leaders, representatives of local administrations and civil society organizations have actively taken part in the efforts aimed to end the practices by improving the public’s awareness on the negative impact of such practices, she added.

Learning from the best experience that the Ministry got from the achievement in these kebeles, Yalem said activities to end harmful traditional practices in other areas will continue in an integrated way.

The Ethiopian government has reacted to political developments in Sudan in a statement issued by the office of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on April 15.

The statement comes almost a week after long-serving Omar al-Bashir was forced out of power by the military. He had been under months of pressure by anti-government protests.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has extended his admiration to the peoples of Sudan for their resilience in conducting a peaceful change in their country.

In a message he sent to the peoples of Sudan, the premier said: “your efforts to voice your demands in a responsible manner is a reflection of your aspirations for reconstructing a strengthened and democratic Sudan.”

According to the statement of the Office of the Prime Minister, Abiy also appreciated the military council for overseeing the transition and its efforts in heeding to the call of the Sudanese people.

The initiative to hold discussions with competing political parties in the country is commendable, he said, adding that “extending the practice of inclusive dialogue with all other stakeholders will facilitate the path to a strengthened, united and democratic Sudan.”

He stressed on the need for peaceful discussion to hammer out differences to promote mutual understanding and alignment.

“It is important to also ensure that any differences in ideas that arise are dealt with peacefully and patiently to come towards mutual understanding and alignment. Your neighbor Ethiopia will always be with you,” it concluded.

Ethiopia’s Travel & Tourism economy grew by 48.6% in 2018, the largest of any country in the world, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) annual review of the economic impact and social importance of the sector released in March.

Ethiopia experienced the highest tourism growth in the world, surpassing the global average growth rate of 3.9% and the African average of 5.6%. The Council stated that during the period, the sector supported 2.2 million jobs and contributed $7.4 billion to Ethiopia’s economy, an increase of $2.2 billion in 2017.

This was driven mainly by international visitor spending, to the country’s improved connectivity as a regional transport hub and to recent visa relaxation policies. The sector now represents 9.4% of Ethiopia’s total economy.

“Ethiopia’s Travel & Tourism boom was one of the great success stories of 2018. It has exceeded our sector’s global and regional comparisons to record the highest level of growth of any country in 2018”, Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council, said in a press statement shared to the media by Ethiopian Airlines.

“This has been driven by the solid performance of aviation in the country and the development of Addis Ababa as a dynamic and growing regional hub,” Gloria Guevara said. The press statement indicated that the timeless charm of Ethiopia’s natural, cultural and historical tourist attractions have been driving an influx of tourists from far and wide. As the land where mankind, coffee, and the Blue Nile trace their roots, Ethiopia has always been a fascinating destination for holidaymakers.

“The country’s UNESCO-registered heritages including the majestic obelisks of Axum, the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and the historic fortified town of Harar, among others, have always remained tourist magnets, drawing visitors in droves,” said Ethiopian Airlines indicating that the connectivity options it offers to travelers has made Ethiopia ever more accessible to the whole world, and has facilitated the influx of tourists.

Read more at: https://www.wttc.org/about/media-centre/press-releases/press-releases/2019/ethiopia-records-biggest-growth-in-world-travel-tourism/

President Donald Trump’s daughter and senior adviser, Ivanka Trump arrived in Ethiopia on Sunday as part of her four-day tour to Africa on behalf of a White House global economic project intended to boost 50 million women in developing countries by 2025.

After her arrival, she discussed with Ethiopian women entrepreneurs engaged in coffee business and wavers in the capital Addis Ababa.
She also visited a textile and handicrafts company and the Ethiopian Women’s Coffee Association, where she met with Sara Abera, the owner of Muya Ethiopia, a leading textile and handicrafts company.

The company got its start through the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The delegation toured the Muya Ethiopia production facility, met with employees, learned more about Sara Abera’s experiences as a woman entrepreneur in Ethiopia, and heard about the impact of businesses like hers in creating local employment and economic opportunities.

Pillar two of the new Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative (WGDP) aims to empower women as entrepreneurs by increasing their access to financing, market opportunities, mentorship, and training to establish and grow their businesses.

In that spirit, Ms. Trump announced a new W-GDP award to expand the Muya business with the signing of a letter of interest for financing between Muya and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).

During her stay in Addis Ababa, Ivanka met senior Ethiopian government officials including President Sahilework Zewude and the African Union, women leaders with the business community and civil society.

The U.S. Embassy indicated, “the United States remain a committed partner to Ethiopia as it embarks on significant democratic and economic reforms.” “The U.S. looks forward to discussing ways we can help advance the African Union’s vision as articulated by Agenda 2063.”

A group of ten firefighters and an expert from the Home Front Command arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Sunday to help with the wildfires that have been burning for two weeks in the Simien Mountains in the north of the country. The current fire has proved difficult to extinguish because of the rugged terrain. One member of the group is an expert in aerial firefighting techniques.

Israeli firefighters are the latest addition to a growing list of experts in Ethiopia to help authorities deal with the forest fire that has hit the Semien National Park in the northern Amhara region. Experts from South Africa, Kenya and France were among the first to offer their assistance as of last week.

In an exclusive interview with FBC, Deputy Ambassador of Israel to Ethiopia, Mr. Or Daniely said his country sent the ten-member team based on the request of the Government of Ethiopia.

The experts were drawn from the Israeli fire brigade and have high-level knowledge and skills in fighting wildfires, he said. Members of the team have traveled to Debark, and they will provide assistance to Ethiopians who were battling the fire, he stated.

The group is being led by Zion Shenkar, who was born in Ethiopia and was the Israel Defense Force’s first-ever battalion commander from the Ethiopian community.

The mountains are a World Heritage Site and one of the country’s main tourist attractions. The national park is home to several rare animal species including the Waliya ibex and Gelada baboon.

The United States announced today the launch of its new two-year, $4 million Feteh project to support the strengthening of the independent rule of law institutions in Ethiopia.

Feteh, meaning “justice” in Amharic, is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), according to a press release the US Embassy sent to FBC today.

The project will provide technical support to the Attorney General’s Office and the Supreme Court’s efforts to expand their independent decision-making and oversight capacity.

USAID’s Feteh project will strengthen the overall capacity of the Attorney General Office directorates and agencies, and provide technical support to the AGO advisory council and secretariat for their ongoing legislative initiatives.

The project will also support the Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia in its efforts to strengthen commercial benches, revise various framework laws – including the Law on Judicial Administration and the Law on Federal Courts – and enhance its case flow management to improve efficiency.

President of the Supreme Court, Meaza Ashenafi joined USAID Deputy Administrator Bonnie Glick and Ambassador Michael Raynor to announce the new collaboration at a launch event in the capital city.

“Today, we are opening a new chapter in our partnership. The United States is committed to investing in the capacity of Ethiopian legal institutions to achieve their goals of ensuring free and fair elections, promoting human rights, citizen engagement, and greater representation,” said USAID Deputy Administrator Glick.

The United States has invested approximately $4 billion in development and humanitarian assistance in Ethiopia over the past five years to enable people across the country to lead healthier and more prosperous lives.

Ethiopia has banned all advertising of alcoholic drinks, as part of efforts to promote healthy living in the country.

“In addition to banning alcoholic drinks commercials, lottery prizes connected with alcoholic drinks and billboards promoting alcoholic drinks are prohibited under the new proclamation,” Health Minister Amir Aman told media outlets on Tuesday.

The ban comes after government forbade smoking near public institutions and introduced a car-free day in major Ethiopian cities one Sunday a month.

In February, the government banned smoking near government institutions, medical facilities, and entertainment spots, and prohibited the sale of alcohol to people under 21 years of age.

Aman advised advertisers of alcoholic drinks and broadcast media to prepare for the implementation of the new law and comply when it takes effect on May 29.

Under the new law, any advertisement of an alcoholic product shall contain a warning, as appropriate in writing or sound that it is illegal to sell it to a person under the age of 18.

The law also prohibits selling any alcoholic drink in health institutions, education facilities, universities and colleges, government institutions, places of worship, sporting places, and cinema houses.

• 

The Ministry of Peace (MoP) yesterday held a consultative meeting with international donors to discuss on the strategy for long-term solution of displaced community members in Ethiopia.

Representatives from UN agencies, development and humanitarian organizations as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations attended the meeting which focused on the reintegration of the displaced community.

Stating that 650-700 million US dollars is required to return, relocate, and reintegrate the displaced people, Zeynu Jemal, State Minister of Peace said the support from the international community is therefore crucial.

Works were underway with local investors to rehabilitate the displaced community, said Mitiku Kassa, Commissioner of the National Disaster Risk Management Commission, adding the government has put aside around 800 million birr for the reintegration process.

The reintegration will be conducted in three phases and 800,000 people will return to their villages in the first phase that will take one month.

The second and the third phases are expected to take six months and one year, respectively.

Source: FBC

• 

The National Security Council of Ethiopia said the federal and regional security institutions will take all the necessary, legal and proportionate measures to restore order.

The Council issued a statement today following the instability being observed in some parts of the country and around the Oromo administrative zone in the Amhara regional state as well as in north Shoa zone.
The lives lost and the damages caused to property in Kemissie, administrative center of the Oromo zone, and its environs is an unacceptably by any measurement, the Council said.

After offering its deepest condolences, the Council said ensuring rule of law and the wellbeing of citizens is the key responsibility of the government, it added.

Accordingly, the federal and regional security institutions were ordered to take the necessary, legal and proportionate measures to stabilize the areas and protect residents, the statement added.

According to the statement, a team composed of members drawn from the federal and regional institutions, has been dispatched to the areas in order to investigate the cause of the instability and bring instigators to justice.

The Council also called on mainstream and social media to refrain from disseminating erroneous information that instigates conflict.

Meanwhile, members of the National Defense Force were deployed in both the Oromo administrative and north Shoa zones in the Amhara regional state to restore order.

Colonel Tesfaye Ayalew, office head of the National Defense Force’s Vice Chief of Staff, told FBC today that the armies are currently taking peace stabilization operations.

Though urban areas are now returning to stability, there are also exchanges of gunfire in rural areas, he said.

Additional soldiers are heading to areas affected by the conflict, he noted.

Colonel Tesfaye finally said that those responsible for the conflict will face justice.

Source: FBC