Ethiopia’s 6th National Elections are scheduled to take place in the month of June 2021— a mere few weeks away. The highly anticipated elections will arguably be the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia’s first free and fair elections. Since 2018, the current administration has embarked on a path of democratization with a commitment to widening the political space and enabling a conducive environment for a democratic and informed discourse. Realization of this commitment is not without any difficulties. Nevertheless, the Federal government’s will to persevere along the intended path of democratization remains uncompromised.

Following the failure of the previous regime to build a democratic culture, Ethiopia is now confronted with the twin challenges of building the necessary institutions and mindsets to enable a robust democratic culture and practice. Ethiopians are also presented with an opportunity to transition the country into a new era of governance and prosperity befitting its long history and aspirations of its proud people and the ample growth potential our country possesses. To this end, the Federal government’s commitment to hold the first free, fair and peaceful elections has been founded on ongoing preparations to meet this goal.

A National Election Security Committee comprising members of the Federal Police, the Attorney General, the National Intelligence and Security Service, and the Ministry of Defence and regional representatives has been established by the government to ensure a peaceful and legitimate election. Discussions have been underway on the role the government must play in ensuring citizens exercise their Constitutional rights to vote freely. Special measures are being taken by the committee to identify areas where there is a risk of conflict. To deal with any election related grievances, the Federal Supreme Court the Supreme Court has set up dedicated electoral dispute adjudication benches. Political parties are aggressively campaigning across the country. To help voters make informed choices, election debates among contesting parties have begun with active participation of independent media and civil society on topics of national importance.

With a vested interest and commitment to democratization, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed continues to convene Regional Presidents and the Head of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia with the objective of identifying and resolving bottlenecks or challenges in the pre-election phase. Resultantly, on February 2S, 2021 and April 17, 2021, the Prime Minister held virtual meetings to follow up on security arrangements and set up of polling stations in each region.

With a few weeks remaining, citizens are encouraged to timely register to vote in exercising their democratic rights and engage constructively throughout the electoral process to collectively ensure free and fair elections.

 

The spokesperson of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, H.E. Ambassador Dina Mufti, gave the Ministry’s biweekly press briefing on 15 April 2021, to the media. In his presentation, the Ambassador focused on political diplomacy (with a focus on situations regarding humanitarian support and alleged atrocities on rights violations in Tigray and the GERD negotiations), the Ethiopia-Sudan border dispute, economic diplomacy, capacity building and citizen-centered diplomatic activities. Below is Summary of the Press Briefing

I. #PoliticalDiplomacy

H.E. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Demeke Mekonnen and H.E. Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy, Dr. Seleshi Bekele briefed African Ambassadors in Addis Ababa on the #GERD talks in Kinshasa and the Ethiopia Sudan border Issue. The Ministers:

• Highlighted issues at the Kinshasa meeting and Ethiopia`s perspectives on the matter.
• Said the AU led trilateral negotiation is the only viable way to reach a win-win outcome.
• Cooperation and the spirit of African brotherhood are the best option for the management and utilization of the waters of the Nile.
• said attempts of Egypt and the Sudan who claim the GERD as a threat to Arab water security (despite being in Africa like every other riparian country and unnecessarily politicizing the matter) is disappointing
• Said In line with the Communiqué issued at the conclusion of the meeting of the African Union Bureau of the Assembly in July 2020, the most practical and workable way for a successful negotiation is first to agree on the first filling and related operations and then to proceed to a comprehensive agreement on the utilization of the waters of the Nile.
• underlined that Ethiopia, in good faith has invited Sudan and Egypt to assign operators for data exchange

• Regarding the border dispute, they said Ethiopia is committed to resolve the matter through a peaceful means based on the bilateral agreements and existing boundary mechanisms.

• The Ambassadors on their part expressed their profound thanks for the briefing and emphasized the importance of reaching a win-win outcome on the GERD through the AU led negotiation based on the principle of “African solutions to Africa`s problems.” They further appreciated Ethiopia`s determination to resolve the Ethiopia-Sudan boundary issue peacefully.

H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia held talks on Friday (April 09) with Mr. Pekka Haavisto, Special Envoy of the European Union and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland. Their meeting had covered the situation in Tigray, GERD, and Ethiopia-Sudan border dispute. Regarding the situation in Tigray the following points were raised:

• the government is committed to bring perpetrators to justice based on the findings of the joint investigation of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the UN
• the international community should support the government that still is covering 70 percent of the delivery reaching 4.5 million people so far.
• a roadmap has been charted out by the government to resettle internally displaced people before the upcoming rainy season.
• Life in the region has returned to normalcy and the government is initiating plans to have a wide-range consultation with the community to make the peace process sustainable while outlaws would have no option but to face justice.
• Mr. Haavisto said during his visit to the region the humanitarian agencies and the media operating there have told him that access to the region has been very much improved.
Regrading the Grand Renaissance Dam:
• Mr. Demeke reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to the AU-led process and appreciation to the new Chairperson’s initiatives.
• The special envoy expressed his view that expediting information and data exchange before the commencement of the filling of the dam would be advisable.

Speaking about the Ethiopia-Sudan border conflict Mr. Demeke said it is regrettable that the international community did not openly criticize Sudan for occupying Ethiopia’s territories through the use of force.

H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia received at his office on Friday (April 9) the newly elected Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa. They discussed current situations in Tigray, Ethiopia’s commitment to the AU-led process over the GERD negotiations and the need to cooperate over COVID 19 vaccination issues.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H.E. Demeke Mekonnen had received yesterday WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr. Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti. Mr. Demeke said Ethiopia is keen to work with WHO to add up on the achievements registered in expanding Primary Health Care in the previous decades and cooperate on initiatives supporting affordable vaccine to COVID-19.

H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia has held a phone conversation on Thursday (April 08) with Denmark’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Jeppe Kofod. They talked about GERD, Ethiopia’s commitment in bringing alleged human rights violation in Tigray based on the results of the joint Ethiopia-UN investigation, the Ethiopia-Sudan border issue and the upcoming election. On the election, Mr. Demeke said preparations are well underway to make it fair and free augmented by the efforts of the newly restructured and independent institution- the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia- (NEBE).

H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia had a telephone conversation with National Security Advisor to President Biden, Jake Sullivan. Mr. Demeke said the situation in Tigray is improving, though demanding serious intervention and discussed issues over the #GERD where he underlined that the AU-Led negotiation is instrumental to solve outstanding issues. Mr. Demeke also talked about the border issue with Sudan and said it would be solved peacefully.”

State Minister H.E. Ambassador Birtukan Ayano had attended the 27th anniversary commemoration of the Rwandan genocide against the Tutsis. She said the genocide in Rwanda was the result of divisive policies and hate speech and recalled that Ethiopia has played a leading role in sending peacekeepers, protecting the vulnerable and rehabilitating the country.

New ambassadors of Ethiopia who were appointed to Italy and Saudi Arabia have submitted their copies of credentials to officials of the stated countries, while Ethiopia has received copies of the credentials of new ambassadors of Israel, Bangladesh and Canada to Ethiopia.

II. #Ethiopia-#Sudan Border Dispute

Although Sudan is the current Chair of IGAD, it is regrettable to see it as the main actor in jeopardizing the peace & security of the Horn of Africa by invading Ethiopian territories, plundering and displacing civilians and beating war drums to occupy even more lands.

Ethiopia urges the international community to put pressure on Sudan to come to its senses and evacuate its troops from Ethiopian territories that it has forcefully occupied since 6 Nov. 2020 while the Ethiopian army was preoccupied with the law & order operation in Tigray.

Ethiopia is ready to solve its border dispute with Sudan using existing conflict resolution mechanisms once the status quo is maintained as per the 1972 Exchange of Notes b/n the two that prohibits displacement & force to solve border issues till amicable solution is found.

III. #EconomicDiplomacy

State Minister H.E. Tsion Teklu, has received a delegation of Romanian investors led by the Honorary Consul of Ethiopia in Romania. The State Minister highlighted investment opportunities and called on them to invest, especially in the agricultural sector.

Ethiopian Consulate General in Chongqing, China took part in the Chongqing Urban Tourism Festival and Intercity Tourism Trade Fair. Ethiopia’s coffee accompanied with the special ceremony was on display. Unique tourist destinations of Ethiopia were promoted during the ceremony as well.

The Consulate General Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Los Angeles in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and other stakeholders hosted a virtual Trade and Tourism Promotion Forum on Thursday to strengthen tourism and business ties between Ethiopia and the United States of America. This virtual promotion made a successful deliberation on Trade and Tourism opportunities available in Ethiopia.
In the virtual promotion forum, more than 102 Trade & Tourism representatives, representatives of various chambers of commerce and government representatives and different organizations are represented and attended both from Ethiopia and the United States of America.

The Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Abu Dhabi in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry had held a virtual business forum on March 31, 2021, under the theme; “Introducing the Investment Opportunities and Trade Potentials of Ethiopia” in Abu Dhabi. The main objective of the event was to introduce the immense investment opportunities in Ethiopia and the vast trade potential that Ethiopia has to offer to the Abu Dhabi business community. More than 100 private companies of Abu Dhabi and higher government officials from Ethiopia took part in the event.

IIII. #Citizencentred Diplomacy

We have repatriated 2344 Ethiopians from Saudi Arabia (904 from Jeddah, 1348 from Riyadh) and 92 from Yemen.

Ethiopians and people of Ethiopian descent in Europe, the Americas and the Middle East have continued to support the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

V. #Capacitybuilding

UAE’s “Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy” in collaboration with the Ethiopian Foreign Service Training Institute and Ethiopia’s embassy in UAE/ Abhu dabi has given a three day training for Director Generals at the headquarter via zoom on various topics, such as Combating violence and extremism, intercultural awareness, international cooperation, cultural diplomacy, and youth empowerment. The training has ended on 15 April 2021.

 

H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia held talks today (April 09) with Mr. Pekka Haavisto, Special Envoy of the European Union and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland.

Discussing the current situation in Tigray, the special envoy appreciated the recently announced agreement between the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the UN to jointly Investigate alleged human rights violations in the region.

In this regard, Mr. Demeke said the government is committed to bring perpetrators to justice based on the findings of the joint investigation between the two institutions.

On the humanitarian aid efforts in the region, the Deputy Prime Minister said the international community should support the government that still is covering 70 percent of the delivery reaching 4.5 million people so far.

The second round comprehensive assessment in identifying people who need humanitarian assistance in the region is concluded and is already under implementation, he said.

In some pocket areas where security problems exist the government provides humanitarian assistance in cooperation with the Ethiopian Defence Force, he added.

Mr. Haavisto, on his part, said during his visit to the region the humanitarian agencies operating there have told him that access to the region has been very much improved.

Speaking on the internally displaced people in the region a roadmap has been charted out by the government to be implemented to resettle people before the upcoming rainy season.

Life in the region has returned to normalcy, said the Deputy Prime Minister adding that the government is initiating plans to have a wide-range consultation with elders, the youth and the community in the region to make the peace process sustainable.

In this regard, following the end of the ultimatum issued by the government recently, outlaws would have no option but to face justice.

Their discussion also covered the GERD negotiations where Mr. Demeke reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to the AU-led process and appreciation to the new Chairperson’s initiatives.

The special envoy expressed his view that expediting information and data exchange before the commencement of the filling of the dam would be advisable.

Speaking about the Ethiopia-Sudan border conflict Mr. Demek said it is regrettable that the international community did not openly criticize Sudan for occupying Ethiopia’s territories through the use of force.

The special envoy had paid a visit to Ethiopia a couple of months back and is expected to present his findings in his latest visit to the council of Ministers at the end of this month.

H.E. Ambassador Hirut Zemene held a discussion with the Vice-Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) of the European Parliament, Honourable Witold Jan Waszczykowski today on the 7th of April 2021.

The discussions mainly focused on the current situation in the #Tigray Regional State, the upcoming National Elections in #Ethiopia, and latest developments on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (#GERD)negotiations, among others. The two sides further agreed to keep on exchanging views on national and regional matters.

06 APRIL 2021
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
===
The Foreign and Water Affairs Ministers of Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan had a meeting in Kinshasa to resume the trilateral negotiation on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) under the auspices of the African Union (AU). President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the current chairperson of the AU, H.E. Felix Tshisekedi opened the meeting. The Minister of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the chairperson of the Executive Council of the AU, chaired the Ministerial meeting that was held on 04-05 April 2021. The Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security of the AUC attended the Ministerial meeting.
The meeting convened to review the progress of the negotiation and to chart the way forward. H.E Demeke Mekonnen in his opening remarks reassured Ethiopia’s commitment towards the successful completion of the negotiation under the AU framework. He also underlined the rights of all the riparian countries to use the Nile River and the need for cooperation. He further stressed the importance of reversing the monopoly of the use of the waters of the Nile by the downstream countries. The Deputy Prime Minister also recalled the opportunity for cooperation created by the GERD and underscored the need to take the progress of the negotiation to their conclusion.
Agreeing on the continuation of the three observers in the process (the Republic of South Africa, the United States of America, and the European Union), discussions were held on the proposed enhancement of the role of observers. Accordingly, Ethiopia with its resolve to maintain the full ownership of the process by the three countries and the integrity of the AU-led process, agreed to accept the role of observers to share information and proposal when jointly requested by the Countries. On the other hand, Egypt’s and Sudan’s position of granting the observers the same role as the AU is not accepted.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Ethiopia supported the draft communiqué submitted by the Chairperson of the AU with minor adjustments. However, Egypt and Sudan rejected the draft demanding the role of observers to replace that of the three countries and the AU. The two countries followed an approach that seeks to undermine the AU-led process and to take the matter out of the African platform. They also stalled the resumption of the negotiation by rejecting a draft communiqué that contained the deliberations during the two days meeting. Rather both countries attempted to obstruct the process.
Ethiopia`s resolve to reach a settlement on the first filling and related operation of the dam failed to bear result due to Egypt’s and Sudan’s rigid stance to make the negotiation and the outcome a tool to affirm their self-claimed water share and foreclose Ethiopia’s share. Ethiopia cannot enter into an agreement that would foreclose its current and future legitimate rights over the utilization of the Nile.
The second-year filling of the GERD will be carried out as scheduled pursuant to the Declaration of Principles (DoP). In this context, Ethiopia expressed its readiness to facilitate data and information exchange on the filling of the dam. The positions contesting the filling of the dam ahead of the conclusion of an agreement has no basis in law and contravenes Ethiopia`s inherent right to utilize its natural resource is unacceptable.
Ethiopia has enormous respect for the role played by the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, H.E Félix Tshisekedi, the Chairperson of the AU for hosting the meeting to resume the trilateral negotiation. Ethiopia reiterates its position in support of a trilateral process that will maintain the ownership of the countries and integrity of the AU-led process and commits to working towards the conclusion of the trilateral process. Ethiopia expects the meeting will be resumed around the third week of April 2021. Ethiopia expects the reconvening of the meeting upon the call of the current chair of the African Union.

Spokesperson Office of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ethiopia
06 April 2021

The international media have been busy reporting crimes of all sorts of nature in the Tigray region since the beginning of the law enforcement operation that followed the unwarranted and surprise attack by the TPLF clique on the members of the Northern Command of the Ethiopian Defense Force on 4 November 2020. The government of Ethiopia not only sympathizes with the affected people and appreciates the rightful attention given to the protection of the rights of civilians in the Tigray region, but also leaves no stone unturned until the truth is revealed and perpetrators are brought to justice. Be that as it may, the government of Ethiopia believes that it has to set the records straight on slanted reports that continued to portray the federal government as an instigator of all crimes, while the belligerent TPLF appears to be the underdog that happens to be at the receiving ends of the alleged atrocities and human rights violations in the region.

The government of Ethiopia urges the international community to not be easily swayed by the propaganda campaign of the TPLF clique and its sympathizers, including the international media that tend to whitewash the crimes of the clique that has a track record of committing ineffable atrocities on Ethiopians for more than three decades. It should not also be forgotten that the government of Ethiopia has been dealing with a criminal enterprise that had been armed to its teeth and it would be naive to rule out the possibilities of civilian causalities during the rule of law operations in the region. As we have repeatedly said undesirable things might occur when dealing with a group that does not hesitate to use civilians as human shields and their household as hideouts.

The government of Ethiopia, once again, is deeply dismayed by the deaths of civilians and the punfortunate circumstances that led them to endure unbearable situations. The government has a policy of zero tolerance for human rights violations and is committed to holding into account whosoever is involved in the alleged rights violations. The recent agreement between the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the UN to run a joint investigation on alleged human rights violations in the region is a manifestation of the Ethiopian federal government’s devotion to taking the matter seriously.

Unfortunately, the international community has continued to be bombarded by biased reports that do not corroborate with the facts on the ground. Selective perceptions of news reports and journalists who have continued to observe things through colored glasses taint news outputs that often tend to find the federal government of Ethiopia as the usual suspect for all the allegedly committed human rights violations in the Tigray region. All the rush to accuse the government even tends to overshadow the well-substantiated crime committed against humanity by the TPLF clique on the innocent civilians of the Maikadra town.

The problem with TPLF is not just in initiating the crime, but its resolve to twist the truth and concoct stories through doctored footage in a bid to continue misinforming the world. And the sad thing is that the international media has been readily picking such products of the clique without giving second thoughts while pretending to fail to notice the clique’s wrongs. To make matters worse, TPLF has staunch and bankrolled accomplices who are self-acclaimed gurus on matters of Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.

The international community will understand the matter at hand objectively by applying a rudimentary level of logical reasoning heeding to the fact that the concerted disinformation campaign by International media on Ethiopia cannot be a basis for the reality on the ground. This understanding entails that Investigations on the credibility and scope of allegations in the region should be substantiated by independent bodies and not by simply relying on the mere accusatory reports of news agencies.

Putting all the blame for alleged crimes on the Ethiopian government and turning a blind eye to the misdeeds of TPLF that continued to play the victim will not be a viable way to give justice to affected people. Acknowledging the initiatives to run independent investigations over the alleged human rights violations in the region could be the first step to take. Holding the irresponsible TPLF clique, that has continued to urge the people of Tigray to continue fighting for meaningless causes, accountable for the sufferings it has caused and the human rights violations it has continued to committing in the region is another step to take as a genuine concern to ease up the sufferings of civilians.

#MFA

Dear Editor in chief,
De Morgen
First, we would like to express our appreciation for the interest a media outlet like De Morgen has taken in developments in our country, Ethiopia. However, we regret the inaccurate assertions made in the article “Dode tieners Kunnen geen wraak nemen (Dead teens cannot retaliate)” by Erik Raspoet mainly based on Professor Jan Nyssen’s report published on the 30th of March 2021. In the article, many malicious and sensational insights have been made not only about the current situation in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, but also about the region’s future. It is unfortunate that the professor has opted to put his favoritism over the board with serious national issue of this nature. According to the facts presented in the article, as an academic, Professor Nyssen has failed to research for the truth and put a nuanced view on his report. Therefore, the Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels expresses its serious concern about the De Morgen’s decision in entertaining such divisive views and would like to set the record straight to the valued readership.
Considering Professor Nyssen’s background, taking an interest on the current situation of the Tigray region in Ethiopia and expressing personal concern and opinion on the matter is understandable. However, it is most unfortunate that the professor used the opportunity to work in Ethiopia, through the Ethio-Belgium education cooperation, to build malicious stories that fuel inter communal feud, mistrust, and bias among the people of Ethiopia. The deeds of the professor and his assistants was simply abusive of acquaintances established over the years to taint Ethiopia and its Tigray region with reckless authority and to what end? Exploiting opportunities in such a manner is unacceptable by any standard. As an academic, he could have used his knowledge, to tell the truth about how Ethiopians are a multicultural society mingled through, among others, way of life, religion and intermarriages. One wonders why it would be lost on him that the Tigrian people are part and parcel of this deep-rooted Ethiopian culture. It was not sounding to authoritatively claim there is a hatred between ethnic groups. It doesn’t represent Ethiopia of all the places.
The Embassy of Ethiopia remains available for a candid discussion with any concerned party and accepts constructive and balanced criticisms in dealing with the law and order ascertaining operation that was concluded in three weeks in November 2020. This being the case, not only our Embassy has tried to invite Professor Nyssen for a candid discussion since he took part in the petition in November in misrepresenting the cause of the operation in Ethiopia, he had declined a meeting that he so agreed to join through the invitation of the respected VLIR- OUS at another time.
The Professor, in an unfounded manner, is war-drumming, calling a doomsday, by referring a ‘civil war is eminent’. He has even the audacity to call the law and order ascertaining operation an ‘invasion’. The world is familiar with the truth now; the cause for the Operation was the unwarranted attack of the Ethiopian National Defense Force by the TPLF clique.
What the professor claims to have collected evidence of casualties in Axum and other areas of Tigray, better be channelled to the ongoing independent investigation in country. One wonders why he fails to mention atrocities committed in Mai Kadra right at the beginning of the law and order ascertaining operation.
The statement made by Prof. Nyssen, “…. Food is being used as a weapon in this war” is a far-fetched allegation and doesn’t reflect the situation on the ground. The Government of Ethiopia has come a long way in granting full access to those partners that have expressed to lend a hand in the humanitarian work. It is to be recalled that the Government of Ethiopia continues to deliver 70% of the humanitarian aid demand in the Tigray region. Thus far about 4.2 million beneficiaries have been reached. Ever since the unfettered access, the arrivals of new assistance have not

been yet promising. Ethiopia and the Horn region have faced multiple challenges due to the locust infestation and floods compounded with the COVID 19 pandemic and even in Tigray alone there were 1.8 million people on safety-net support before the November operation. Hence, this is where international partners that called for unfettered access need to extend support.
The audacity of the professor to dictate the future of the Tigray region of Ethiopia is unacceptable by any standard. Although the article does not clearly mention from which Ambassadors and NGOs the report got complements, there is no doubt through his interest for praise he has gone out of his way to taint the image of Ethiopia. This is simply a huge indication of how he lacks the understanding of our people’s strong social fabric, which has overcome several challenges encountered over the centuries and remained united.
Regarding the effect of the conflict on innocent civilians and with particular reference to alleged human rights violations, we fully share such concerns. However, the piece misses the essential point in that the Government of Ethiopia has established a mechanism to take allegations of human rights violations seriously and its determination to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of human rights violations, including sexual violations. In this context, the Government has made it abundantly clear that it is ready to collaborate with the African Union and United Nations human rights bodies. Based on this the African Union has accepted the invitation on African Human and Peoples right Commission to jointly take part in the investigation with the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC). In the same manner the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights has also accepted to collaborate in the investigation with EHRC.
Besides, the Federal Attorney’s Office and the Federal Police Commission are investigating alleged human rights atrocities in the Tigray region, including an investigation into the massacre that took place at a place called Mai Kadra, sexual violation and alleged atrocities in the city of Axum. An investigation is underway to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

The Ethiopian government, with all the challenges ahead, is determined to continue steadfast with the deep-rooted reforms including making the upcoming national election in early June 2021 a fair and free contestation.
We still call on academics like Professor Jan Nyssen that it would not do any good to be preoccupied in such a divisive and unproductive engagements. It is rather incumbent on them to understand the constitutional mandate of the Federal Government of Ethiopia to maintain law and order and restore peace and stability in the country.

Public Diplomacy Division
Embassy of Ethiopia
Brussels

The spokesperson of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, H.E. Ambassador Dina Mufti, has presented the Ministry’s biweekly press briefing today (29 March 2021). In his presentation, the Ambassador focused on political diplomacy, situations regarding humanitarian support and alleged atrocities on rights violations in Tigray, the Ethio-Sudan border dispute, economic diplomacy, capacity building and citizen-centered diplomatic activities.

I. Political Diplomacy

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen confers with US Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan Ambassador Donald Booth. The Deputy Prime Minister briefed the delegation on the tripartite negotiations of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam reiterating the issues below:

• Although Ethiopia contributes 86% of the water share of the Nile River, 60% of its citizens still live in darkness and Ethiopia aims to change this once the construction of the dam is concluded.
• Ethiopia has legal and sovereign right to use the Nile water for development fairly and equitably and that Ethiopia has no interest in harming the lower Nile Basin countries in doing so.
• Ethiopia has always been committed to resolving issues through negotiations, in a way that addresses the concerns of Sudan and Egypt.
• Ethiopia is keen to sustaining the African Union-led talks under the Chairmanship of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Talks to change the modalities of the negotiations should be treated according to the provisions of the DOP, which was signed by the tripartite in 2015.
• Sudan has been provided with information on the security of the dam and
• The filling of the dam is part of the overall construction project.

Ambassador Donald Booth, on his part, reiterated the longstanding relationship between Ethiopia and the U.S. and his country’s readiness to assist the tripartite whenever necessary.

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the United Nations, H.E. Taye Atske Selassie briefed the African Group of Ambassadors in New York on the situation in Tigray. He thanked the Group for their solidarity and support underscoring Ethiopia’s resolve to come out stronger. Members of the AG relayed that Ethiopia will prevail as it had in the past.

Ethiopian embassies in #Canada and the #US had a webinar meeting on the GERD and related issues on Saturday (March 27). The need to organise the Ethiopians and origin of Ethiopians abroad to increase funding to the GERD was underscored in the meetings.

The #Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research organized a Virtual workshop in collaboration with the Ethiopian Embassy on the Topic “From Ethiopia to Jerusalem”. The meeting discussed the historical and spiritual relationship between the two countries that enabled Ethiopia to maintain a significant place in Jerusalem.

II. #Ethiopia-#

Many countries, including the UAE are offering us to mediate the Ethio-Sudan border dispute that Ethiopia expressed its appreciation for the initiatives.

III. Situations in #Tigray

#Investigations on alleged atrocities- The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (#EHRC) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (#OHCHR) have agreed to conduct a joint investigation into the human rights violations and abuses allegedly committed by all parties in the context of the Tigray conflict, as part of the much-needed accountability process for the victims.

• The joint investigation scheme indicates the level of trust EHRC has developed among the international community and the Government of Ethiopia encourages all the necessary help to the organisation as a gesture of encouragement to build such an independent institution

• As Prime Minister Abiy said in his recent address to the parliament, regardless of the TPLF propaganda of exaggeration, any soldier responsible for raping our women & looting communities in the region will be held accountable as their mission is to protect.

#Secession of hostilities- For lasting peace in Tigray and to avoid the blood of citizens shedding in vain, treasonous TPLF top leaders are urged to respond to the Ethiopian government’s call for their peaceful surrender before all the necessary measures are taken to enforce the law. (N.B. the government’s one week ultimatum has ended yesterday)

#Eritrean forces- With the departure of Eritrean forces from the Ethiopian border (as stated in Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s statement following his visit in Asmara), the Ethiopian National Defense Force will immediately take over guarding the border areas that were exposed following TPLF’s heinous attack.

#Access and #Humanitarian support- The government of Ethiopia has made leaps in creating unimpeded access for humanitarians in Tigray and in addressing the concerns of the international community. What remains now is to objectify this concern with a proper response to World Food Program (@WFP’s) call for US$170 million support to meet critical food and nutrition needs in the region. As stated in the prime Minister’s address to the parliament, 1.8mil people Tigray have been living on safety net for the last 20yrs while also under TPLFs leadership and COVID19, desert locust and other challenges plagued the region while TPLF drummed irresponsible war narratives. All these have exacerbated the problem in the region where the international community needs to scale up all the necessary support.

IIII. #EconomicDiplomacy

• The Ethiopian embassy in Doha, in collaboration with KON Group has organised the ‘Ethiopia Digital Workshop’ yesterday to attract Qatari foreign direct investments (FDIs) to Ethiopia’s manufacturing, agriculture, mining, commerce, and hospitality and tourism sectors.

• A Top-Level Investors team of South Africa led by H.E Shiferaw Teklemariam Ambassador of Ethiopia to South Africa met H.E Temesgen Tilahun, Deputy Commissioner of Ethiopian Investment Commission and EIC Advisors and held a very fruitful discussion regarding Investment opportunities, strengthening the relation of the two countries, and Knowledge and technology transfer.

• The Ethiopian Embassy in Algeria held a Business to Business virtual session for Ethiopian Coffee exporting companies and Algerian coffee importers. Ethiopian exporters were able to present such details as quality, shipment and payment modalities to their Algerian counterparts.

• The Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Doha, Qatar has participated in the 8th Qatar International Agriculture Exhibition (AgriteQ2021). Companies that engage in agriculture, the environment, food and animal production industries, and Embassies took part the exhibition. More than 200 companies from 42 countries have participated through their embassies and trade bureaus in Qatar.

V. #Capacitybuilding and #CitizenCentered Diplomacy

• Tourism Ethiopia in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave an online training to our mission leaders under the theme, “land of origins”

• We have repatriated 906 citizens from Saudi Arabia, Jeddah and Riyadh

#DiasporaParticipation

Ethiopian Americans and Eritrean Americans residing in the Washington and San Francisco have condemned the propaganda campaigns waged by remnants of the defunct TPLF clique and called upon their elected representatives to carefully analyze the situation in Ethiopia.

#MFA

On March 25, 2021, H.E. Ato Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance of the Federal Democratic Republic of #Ethiopia, met with H.E. Eamon Gilomor, #EuropeanUnion Special Representative for #HumanRights, and made a wide-ranging exchange of views on current developments in Ethiopia.

Minister Ahmed Shide briefed the Special Representative about the ongoing efforts to rehabilitate the #Tigray region and provide the necessary humanitarian support, which has so far covered 4.2 million beneficiaries. He also explained the ongoing investigation on alleged human rights violations as well as Ethiopia’s readiness to strengthen its capacity on the investigation process by working closely with the African Commission for Human and Peoples’ Rights (#ACHPR). In this regard, he further noted the understanding reached between the Ethiopia Human Rights Commission and the Office of the #UnitedNations High Commission for Human Rights to launch a joint investigation on alleged violations of Human Rights.

H.E. Ato Ahmed Shide further briefed him regarding the upcoming general elections scheduled to be held at the beginning of June 2021 and the strong focus given to build a resilient economy by the newly launched 10 years plan of action.

On his part, H.E. Gilmore appreciated improvements observed both in terms of access for humanitarian assistance as well as investigation of alleged human rights violations. He also enquired about the level of investigation and the speed at which the perpetrators could face justice. Furthermore, the Special Representative expressed the importance of having a proper mechanism to avoid further violations of Human Rights.