Don’t miss our interview with Marjolein Penning, who founded Eshi Eco Travel to provide tourists with more original tours in Ethiopia, beyond the ones usually offered.
In the video, she discusses her long experience working and travelling in Ethiopia, including during the state of emergency.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Addis Ababa on 8 March for an official visit,
During his meeting with Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Mr Lavrov said that the reform of the UNSC should include Africa, adding Russia backs Africa’s move to get a permanent seat at the Council. Russia will provide support for African countries, especially in the areas of education and training, as well as their efforts to find African solutions for African problems.
The longstanding relations between Africa and Russia should be elevated, said Moussa Faki Mahamat Chairperson of the African Union Commission. The two also discussed the upcoming Africa-Russia business conference.
Ethiopia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, met with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov the following day.
In a joint press conference issued after the meeting, Dr Workneh said the relation of the two countries, which dates back 120 years, is getting stronger.
“We agreed to strengthen economic, trade and investment relations between the two countries,” he said. “We have also discussed on ways to cooperate in various sectors, including in setting up nuclear technology centre, education, science, and technology”.
The nuclear development program will be launched right after an agreement between the two countries is concluded. The nuclear development program will be used for a peaceful purpose.
The two Foreign Ministers also discussed on how to jointly combat terrorism and extremism in the Horn of Africa and Sahel region.
Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, said his visit aimed at boosting trade and investment ties between the two countries. Russia wants to work together with Ethiopia in nuclear technology and power generation.
Russia will provide support for Ethiopia in various sector, including skill and technical support for its military, he said, adding works will be carried out to strengthen institutions-to-institutions ties between the two countries.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrived in Addis Ababa on 7 March afternoon.
During his stay in Ethiopia, the Secretary of State met with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Workneh Gebeyehu on 8 March.
During their meeting, the Premier and Tillerson discussed bilateral and regional issues, as well as agreed to strengthen their cooperation in development, security, peace and counter-terrorism.
As a result of the economic growth registered during the past 15 successive years, Ethiopia has managed to reduce extreme poverty by more than half and achieved most of the MDG goals ahead of schedule, PM Hailemariam said. The temporary security problem implemented in some parts of the country result from increased demands by the society due to the economic growth, he said, adding the solution for the problem is the ongoing comprehensive reform.
The release of prisoners is part of the reform, PM Hailermariam said, urging the United States to support the reform program.
Stating his reasons for tendering resignation, the Premier said he decided to resign as Prime Minister and Chairman of EPRDF to add momentum to the ongoing reform and to be part of a solution. The Premier also briefed Rex Tillerson on the recently declared State of Emergency. The emergency rule aims at restoring peace and security in the country. It will be implemented with great caution, and a team has been set up to follow up its implementation.
Tillerson said PM Hailemariam’s decision to resign as Prime Minister and Chairman of EPRDF could be a model for leaders of other countries.
The same day, Ethiopia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Workneh Gebeyehu met with the U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
In a joint press conference issued after the meeting, Rex Tillerson noted that the United States is a long-time friend and partner of Ethiopia. “Ethiopia and the United States have more than 100 years of diplomatic relations. It has been enduring relationships. We remain friends, and we always work together through challenges,” he said.
As far as the recent incidents in Ethiopia are concerned, Rex Tillerson said “we recognise the transition that is underway in Ethiopia, the first ever voluntary transfer of power. This is a very positive symbol of strengthening of this very young democracy in Ethiopia.”
Regarding the nationwide State of Emergency declared recently, he said, the U.S. government believes that the decree will be short and implemented while respecting human rights.
“We appreciate the government’s responsibility to maintain control and not allow violence to break out and harm innocent people,” Tillerson said.
He further said, “we encourage the Ethiopian people as well to maintain patience, to maintain support for your government to these changes and transition.” “Democracy is not easy. It takes a lot of work. Violence is simply never a solution”.
Tillerson further said the United States wants Ethiopia to succeed because it is crucial for not only the neighbouring countries but also for the US. He also welcomed the release of thousands of prisoners. Tillerson also commended Ethiopia’s generosity in hosting a million of refugees.
Ethiopia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, for his part, said that Ethiopia is happy for having more than a century old unwavering partnership with the United States. He thanked the U.S. government for the support it has provided so far for Ethiopia in the areas of democracy and socio-economic development sectors.
The strong cooperation the two countries had in political and security issues should be repeated in trade and economic sectors, he said, further inviting the U.S. investors to invest in Ethiopia and pledging to give the necessary support for them.
The two countries also vowed to strengthen their cooperation until durable peace and security prevail in the region in general, and in South Sudan and Somalia in particular.
Rex Tillerson left Ethiopia on 9 March morning to continue his trip to Chad, Djibouti, Kenya and Nigeria.
Executive Committee of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) will hold its meeting as of March 11, 2018.
Shiferaw Shigute, head of EPRDF office, told journalists on 9 March that the Committee will deliberate on the outcomes of the evaluation the four member parties of EPRDF had conducted regarding their Organization.
It will also evaluate the six-month performance of the EPRDF and put forward directions after reviewing current situations in the country and progress of the ongoing deep renewal program.
The Executive Committee will also hold discussions to decide whether to extend or not the EPRDF congress, which was extended due to security and current situations, he said.
EPRDF usually holds its congress every two years or every two and a half years.
Shiferaw said that “It is my belief that the Congress could be extended until August as central committee of the four member parties of EPRDF had previously decided the Congress to be extended by six months.”
Regarding the State of Emergency, he said it was imposed as security problems were observed first in eastern parts of Amhara regional state and then in some parts of Oromia regional state.
After the end of the Executive Committee’s meeting, the Council of EPRDF will convene to elect the chairman of the Organization, he stated.
The Council is also expected to pass decisions after deliberating on Organizational activities, challenges and solutions, he said.
The World Bank has sanctioned a $375 million International Development Association credit to support Ethiopia’s goal of achieving universal electricity access by 2025.
In November 2017, Ethiopia, with support from the World Bank, launched its National Electrification Programme (NEP) to strategically shift from infrastructure development to the delivery of adequate, reliable and affordable electricity services.
The NEP is a sustainable, transparent, and locally grounded electrification roadmap – driven by a customer-centric approach. The programme has the potential to leverage additional multi-donor financing and involvement in the sector.
The Ethiopia Electrification Programme approved last week will directly support the NEP, which requires an estimated investment of $1.5 billion over the first five years, and will provide one million last-mile household connections.
“Through this programme, we hope to facilitate the provision of electricity services to all Ethiopians nationwide by 2025. This means that children will be able to study at night, health facilities will be able to provide life-saving services and businesses will be able to operate optimally,” said Carolyn Turk, World Bank country director for Ethiopia.
Specifically, the programme supports the three pillars of the NEP: grid electrification, off-grid services, and sector capacity and institutional reform. This holistic approach is intended to optimise electrification efforts to maximise the development impact of electricity services, irrespective of where someone happens to live.
“While the immediate focus will be on financing new connections, the programme will also help Ethiopia strengthen its energy institutions and the overall sector so that the benefits of expanded electricity services can continue for years to come,” said Riccardo Puliti, senior director for energy and extractives at the World Bank.
The programme will be implemented by the Ministry of Water, Irrigation, and Electricity as well as the Ethiopia Electric Utility and disbursement of funds are linked to the achievement of tangible and specific results.
On 2 March, the House of People’s Representatives approved the State of Emergency declared by the Council of Ministers on February 16, 2018.
The House approved the decree by a vote of 395 in favour to 88 against, with 7 abstentions.
The emergency rule was declared to protect the constitution and the constitutional order, ensure freedom of movement and rights of people to generate wealth by maintaining their unity and equality.
Incidents in violation of the constitution and the constitutional order or that could pose a threat to the country have been expanding in some parts of the country since recently.
People living in various parts asked the government to give them the necessary protection as a result of this violence and conflicts.
The emergency rule was declared as the threat posed to the country has reached the level where it could not be prevented and controlled by the regular law enforcement, according to the government.
The House also approved members of a State of Emergency Inquiry Board, chosen and assigned by the House from among its members and from legal experts.
The State of Emergency Inquiry Board shall have the following powers and responsibilities:
› to make public within one month the names of all individuals arrested on account of the state of emergency together with the reasons for their arrest.
› to inspect and follow up that no measure taken during the state of emergency is inhumane.
› to recommend to the Prime Minister or the Council of Minister’s corrective measures if it finds cases of inhumane treatment.
› to ensure the prosecution of perpetrators of inhumane acts.
› to submit its views to the House of Peoples’ Representatives on a request to extend the duration of the state of emergency.
Waste management – the collection, management and disposal of solid waste – is one of the biggest challenges facing many African countries.
For the last fifty years, the Koshe dump site has been the only landfill in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
In 2017, a landslide on the dump site killed more than a hundred people, prompting the government to take action. Now Koshe is being turned into a waste-to-energy plant transforming the site and revolutionising the city’s approach to waste management. The plant will incinerate 1 400 tons of waste per day – about 80 percent of the city’s rubbish. The electricity that is generated will supply Addis Ababa with 30 percent of its household electricity needs while meeting European standards on air emissions.
The facility, which is the result of a partnership between the Government of Ethiopia and a consortium of international companies, is the first of its kind in Africa. Zerubabel Getachew, Ethiopia’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said the Reppie Waste-to-Energy project is just one component of Ethiopia’s broader strategy to address pollution and embrace renewable energy across all sectors of the economy.
“We hope that Reppie will serve as a model for other countries in the region, and around the world.”
In waste-to-energy incineration plants, rubbish is burned in a combustion chamber. The resulting heat is used to boil water until it turns to steam, which drives a turbine generator that produces electricity.
In cities where land is in short supply, “waste-to-energy” incineration saves precious space, generates electricity, prevents the release of toxic chemicals into groundwater, and reduces the release of methane – a potent greenhouse gas generated in landfills – into the atmosphere.
Waste incineration is popular in Europe, where nearly one-quarter of all municipal solid waste is incinerated. France has 126 waste-to-energy plants, while Germany has 121 and Italy 40.
The project is the result of a partnership between the Government of Ethiopia and a consortium of international companies: Cambridge Industries Limited (Singapore), China National Electric Engineering and Ramboll, a Danish engineering firm. The consortium was established to design, construct and in some cases own waste-to-energy facilities customised for Sub-Saharan Africa. Reppie is the first of what the consortium hopes will be a series of such facilities in major cities across the region.
https://risingsunchatsworth.co.za/108256/enviro-monday-ethiopia-leads-africas-first-waste-energy-plant/
