H.E. Hirut Zemene, Ambassador of Ethiopia to the Kingdom of Belgium, Luxembourg and EU institutions, met and discussed with H.E. Franz Fayot, Minister of Development Cooperation and Economy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Mr. Tom Reisen, Head of the sub-Saharan Division and Deputy Director of Political Affairs of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg, Ms. Cindy Thereba, Director of International Affairs of Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Diederick Zambon, Head of Division for Africa in European Investment Bank (EIB) in Luxembourg.

H.E. Ambassador Hirut has a fruitful exchange with H.E. Franz Fayot, Minister of Development Cooperation and Economy, on various issues, including the existing bilateral economic ties and ways to improve it further, as well as the current situation in Ethiopia and the upcoming elections. The two sides agreed to look into cooperation in the ICT and finance sector capacity building.

Meeting with Mr. Tom Reisen, Head of the sub-Saharan Division and Deputy Director of Political Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ambassador Hirut briefed him about the current situation in Ethiopia and the ongoing negotiation on GERD. Mr Reisen has expressed his country closely follows up the current situation through the EU framework and noted the briefing has given him a chance to see Ethiopia’s points of view. They also agreed to further deepen the relations and strengthen the cooperation between the two sides.

During her discussion with Ms. Cindy Thereba, Director of International Affairs of Chamber of Commerce of Luxembourg, the Ambassador appreciated the made so far, including the Luxembourg business delegation that went to Ethiopia in 2016 and further noted the possibilities to create more links between the two chambers. Madam Thereba expressed hope more trade delegation exchange could happen once the COCID situation subsides.

Her Excellency Ambassador Hirut also exchanged views with Mr. Diederick Zambon, Head of Division for Africa in European Investment Bank (EIB) and his team and appreciated the Bank’s operational focus on the private sector, microfinance and women entrepreneurship and encouraged it to increase its activities and presence in more fields whilst speeding up its disbursements for the ongoing projects in Ethiopia. Mr Zambon, on his part, noted about more prospects to expand cooperation in the post cotonu framework.

Ambassador Hirut has concluded her mission to Luxembourg with the a fresh look on various areas of cooperation that could be promoted for mutual benefits.

On April 21, 2021, H.E. Hirut Zemene, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Belgium, Luxembourg and EU Institutions, presented her letter of credence to the Grand Duke of Luxembourg His Royal Highness Henri, in a ceremony organized at the Grand Ducal Palace, Luxembourg.

On the occasion, H.E. Ambassador Hirut and His Royal Highness exchanged views regarding the longstanding relations that the two countries have been enjoying for close to a century.

His Royal Highness has expressed wishes Ethiopia well succeed in its reforms and overcome its internal challenges.

Ambassador Hirut took the occasion to brief His Royal Highness about the upcoming election, the efforts to maintain peace and security and address humanitarian challenges in the country.

His Royal Highness also mentioned the importance of strengthening economic ties between the two countries.

Ambassador Hirut expressed to His Royal Highness her readiness to work in further deepening the relations between the two countries.

H.E. Ambassador Hirut Zemene held a virtual discussion with a team led by Mr. Patrick Jean Gilabert, Head of UNIDO Office in Brussels, Representative to the European Union, and OACPS, about how to collaborate to increase the efficiency of promotion activities for the country’s diverse range of investment opportunities.

H.E. Ambassador Hirut stated that UNIDO has been involved in various industrial capacity development projects in the country for many years. The most recent example of UNIDO’s involvement in the country’s evelopment projects are the technical assistance project for upgrading the Ethiopian leather and leather products industry, as well as its support in the development of the Integrated Agro Industry Parks (IAIPs), she added.

Mr. Gilbert, on his part, noted that Ethiopia is one of the eight ACP countries selected for the UNIDO program called “Business Friendly and Inclusive National and Regional Policies to Strengthen Productive Capacity and Value Chains.” He also underscored his office is ready to collaborate with the embassy on investment promotion capacity building program to improve the promotional activities.

During the discussion, Mrs. Aurelia Patrizia CALABRO, UNIDO’s Country Representative and Regional Director, explained that UNIDO is currently working in Ethiopia on three major investment projects: agro-industry, leather and leather product industry, and textile industry.

Both parties agreed to collaborate closely to explore how Ethiopia can benefit from UNIDO’s national and regional business promotion capacity building programs.

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