IGAD Countries’ Ambassadors Group Forum relaunched in Brussels

IGAD Countries Ambassadors Group Forum relaunched in Brussels

Brussels February 12, 2014,Heads of Missions of the IGAD member states in Brussels have re-launched a joint IGAD forum at a meeting held today, February 12, 2014.

The Ambassadors of Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Uganda and the chargé d’affaires of Djibouti met and discussed the urgency and necessity of forming the IGAD Ambassadors Group in Brussels. The proposal was put forward by Ambassador Teshome Toga of Ethiopia, in his capacity as the current chair of IGAD.

In its deliberation the group agreed to have a regular meeting and that Ethiopia as chair and Kenya as the rapporteur will be office bearers of the group.

The Ambassadors’ Group dealt at length on the need to co-ordinate their efforts in line with the priorities and decisions of the IGAD heads of state and government, and also declared to jointly promote the stand taken by the IGAD secretariat at various fora.

Regarding the frequency and venue of future meetings, the Ambassadors forum determined that regular meetings be held every month on rotation basis at a designated venue.

The initial meeting was concluded after a thorough discussion and identification of topics and venue for the next meeting. The group has decided to have the next meeting at the Embassy of Uganda on March 10, 2014.

Ambassador Teshome Toga presents credentials to European Commission President Mr Barroso

Brussels, 11th February, 2014– His Excellency Ato Teshome Toga, Ethiopia’s Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to The European Union presented his letters of credence to Mr Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission On the 10th of February 2014.

Ambassador Teshome highlighted Ethiopia’s sustainable economic growth and briefed the President on the current situation in region. He assured president Barroso of Ethiopia’s readiness to strengthen relations with the Commission.

President Barroso in his turn expressed happiness at Ethiopia’s continued economic growth and the stable political situation in the country and appreciated the role it is playing to bring peace in the region. The President also commended Ethiopia’s contribution as the chair of the African Union and on the different global forums such as G-8 and G-20 and promised to continue working together on African issues.

President Barroso and Ambassador Teshome also discussed on a number of bilateral and regional issues.

The Belgo-Ethiopian Association held its 19th Cultural Festival in Brussels

                    

February 1, 2014- The 19th Belgo- Ethiopian Association festival was held on February 1, 2014, at the Espace Senghor Center in Brussels Belgium, where more than three hundred members of the Ethiopian Diaspora, invited Belgian guests and the Embassy staff were present.

The event started at 5:00pm with the photo exhibition and a film “Land Scapes of Ethiopia” by Mr.Francoise Pastor showing the rich and diverse historical, cultural and geographical landscape of the country to be followed by Sosena Solomon’s documentary “Merkato”, showing Addis Ababa’s largest open market place in Africa.

Ethiopian food was served and traditional coffee ceremony complemented the social and cultural event and created an enjoyable atmosphere.

The young Pianist Samuel Yirga, who signed with real world records, took to the stage to perform his latest album GUZO (which means journey in Amharic). His music brings together classic jazz, contemporary, traditional Ethiopian rhythms and deeply felt classical piano undertones. Samuel’s musical performance has attracted and charmed the audience.

On the occasion, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the EU Institutions and the Benelux countries, H.E. Teshome Toga, expressed his deep appreciation and thanks to the organizers of the festivals and called on the association to closely work with the Embassy to further strengthen the cultural and people to people relations between the two countries.

In his remark, Ambassador Teshome briefed the audience about the mosaic nature of the cultures, languages and historical heritage of the people, and the nine UNESCO registered natural and cultural sites. He further emphasised the successive economic growth registered in the last decade and called upon the Belgian friends to encourage investors and business people to start focusing on Ethiopia.  He concluded his statement by inviting Belgians to visit Ethiopia as the land of natural and historical as well as cultural tourist attractions.

The 19th Belgo- Ethiopian Association festival was successfully completed and the association promised to celebrate its 20th anniversary next year in collaboration with the Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels.

The Belgo-Ethiopian Association in its objective to strengthen people to people relations between the two countries has carried out various activities in providing school materials to elementary schools, supporting libraries and promoting the diverse  and historical image of Ethiopia in Belgium in the past twenty years.

Ethiopian government signs deal with the European Union

Addis Ababa Feb. 07, 2014,An agreement has been signed between the Ethiopian Government and the European Union for a loan of 26.9 million euro for the financing of four projects. The agreement was signed between Finance and Economic Development State Minister Ahmed Shide and Director for East and Southern Africa and African Caribbean and Pacific Coordination (ACP), Ms Francesca Mosca. The funds will be used to support gender equality and women empowerment, trade enhancement and facilitation activities, civil society organizations and technical support. Ms Mosca said the agreement was intended provide a boost to Ethiopia’s initiatives for economic growth and poverty reduction; and she noted that the cooperation between the EU and Ethiopia had generated good results in the past. State Minister Ahmed said the support of the EU was crucial in augmenting Ethiopia’s efforts in eradicating poverty and ensuring fast and sustainable development. He added that the Ethiopian Government appreciated the EU for its increasing support for Ethiopia’s growth and transformation as expressed not only by the allocation of substantial development assistance but also in close day-to-day cooperation. These funds are provided under the 10th European Development Fund and when fully operational the projects are expected to support the integration of Ethiopia into the world economy and enhance the contribution of trade to the country’s growth and transformation.

Source:http://www.mfa.gov.et/news/more.php?newsid=3000

Ethiopia tops Rough Guides’ list of top countries to visit in 2014

Ethiopia has been named as the top country to visit in 2014 by U.K. based travel guide publisher, Rough Guides. The publication cited Ethiopia’s rich cultural attractions and its UNESCO World heritage sites as reason to make Ethiopia a top destination for 2014. Other countries in the list include Madagascar, Brazil and Rwanda.

Rough Guides’ top 10 countries to visit in 2014 are:

1. Ethiopia 2. Madagaskar 3. Brazil 4. Turkey 5. Georgia 6. Rwanda 7. Japan 8. Bulgaria 9. Macedonia 10. The Philippines

This culturally rich East African nation has always been an enticing destination, and though it remains poor, independent travel around the country is becoming easier thanks to a boom in small hotels and restaurants. Take your pick of spell-binding attractions: untouched national parks, the ancient cities of Axum, Harar and Lalibela, the world’s first coffee plantations, the largest cave in Africa at Sof Omar and the continent’s largest concentration of UNESCO sites.

Source:http://www.roughguides.com/best-places/2014/top-10-countries/

Addis Ababa Listed On the New York Times ’52 Places to Go in 2014′

22 January 2014,The New York Times has listed Addis Ababa as one of the 52 places that should be visited in 2014.The travel section of one of the biggest daily newspapers in the US labelled Addis Ababa as an ambitious art scene that is heading toward the international stage.

“Building on a strong historical legacy (Addis boasts one of East Africa’s oldest art schools) are a host of events scheduled for 2014: a photography festival, two film festivals and a jazz and world music festival. Thanks to the city’s diverse art institutions and galleries, including the artist-in-residence village Zoma Contemporary Art Center and the Asni Gallery (really more an art collective than a gallery), there is an art opening at least once a week. Even the local Sheraton puts on “Art of Ethiopia,” an annual show of new talent. But it’s the National Museum that, in May and June, will host this year’s blockbuster exhibit, “Ras Tafari: The Majesty and the Movement,” devoted to Emperor Haile-Selassie I and Rastafarianism,” The New York Times stated.

Apart from Addis, other African countries and specific cities and locations like Cape Town, South Africa, Laikipia Plateau, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania are also picked by the newspaper.

Source:http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/01/10/travel/2014-places-to-go.html

 

Ethiopia prepares 50,000 hct of land for horticulture development

 January 20th, 2014,Ethiopia has readied 50,000 hectares of land to be leased for horticulture development, according to the Ethiopian Horticulture Producers Exporters Association (EHPEA).

Despite its huge potential for the development of horticulture, the size of land developed with flower, vegetables, and fruit until 2011/2012 is 12,552 hectares.

However, during the past five or six years, the industry has been growing significantly. Currently, over 120 companies are engaged in the cultivation of horticulture products.

Due to the prevailing investment environment, attractive incentive, by the government and cheap labor, Ethiopia has now become a center of attraction for foreign direct investment (FDI) in horticulture development.

“In order to meet the increasing flow of investment in the horticulture sector, the government has identified five corridors consisting of 50,000 hectares of land,” Tewodros Zewdie, Executive Director of EHPEA told WIC.

According to him, these corridors are found in Oromia, Amhara, Tigray, SNNP and Eastern region where there is huge potential of land, labor and infrastructures. Though horticulture development in Ethiopia started a decade ago, the industry has been playing a key role towards generating foreign exchange and creating labor.

The sector has generated some 265 million US dollars in 2011/12 and created million of jobs, Tewodros said. According to him, the revenue is expected to increase in the just conclude fiscal year. Flowers made up the biggest share in export value, according to the executive director. Ethiopia is the second largest supplier and exporter of flowers in Africa.

Europe is the major market destination of Ethiopia’s horticultural produces, especially flower. But activities are underway to search other market destinations.

“Efforts are being made to export Ethiopia’s horticulture products to North America, Japanese and African countries’ markets,” Tewodros pointed out.

Source:http://ethiopianflowerexport.com/ethiopia-prepares-50000-hct-of-land-for-horticulture-devt/

Ethiopia to sell 100MW to Yemen, efforts underway to attain GTP in energy

Ethiopia and Yemen will soon sign an agreement for the purchase of electric power, making Yemen

the fourth country to buy electricity from Ethiopia. 100MW will be sold to Yemen for one year through

a power cable to be laid on the Red Sea floor.

So far, Ethiopia has signed an agreement with Sudan to sell 200MW of electric power, of which 100MW is already underway. Kenya and Djibouti are also receiving 100MW and 50MW respectively.

The Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy will exert maximum efforts to achieve the energy target

set in the Growth and Transformation Plan, in which electricity generation will increase to 10,000MW (currently 2,268MW) and its coverage to 75% (from 54%) by the end of 2015.

Water, Irrigation and Energy Minister, Alemayehu Tegenu, said power projects with more than 8,500MW capacity are being implemented around the country: 8,123MW from water, 153MW from wind, 300MW from solar and 50MW from garbage.

The ministry has also launched a solar project, which will be used to power up to 25,000 homes in rural areas. Since the launch, 23,000 solar systems have been installed. Ethiopia also plans to build 14,000 bio-gas technology plants within the GTP period – 3,500 bio-gas plants are being built every year. Ethiopia is saving 100MW daily through distributing power-saving bulbs to households, the Minister said.

Ethiopia has an exploitable power potential of 45,000MW from water, 1.3 million MW from wind and over 7,000MW from geothermal energy.

Ethiopia participates in the Education World Forum

An Ethiopian delegation led by Minister of Education, Shiferaw Shigutie, attended “The Education World Forum: Global Summit for Education Ministers” held in London (January 20-22). The theme of the event was “Planning for 2014: Policy-making catalyst for a decade ahead”. 

The plenary sessions, whose speakers provided overviews of their country’s educational goals and achievements, covered issues ranging from reach and measurement to driving improvements in education and learning as well as the potential impact and reach of education. They stressed the need to improve learning and their belief that the use of technology would help in this. There was focus on the need to  increase access to education for girls and young women who so often did not yet have the ability to go to school. The ministerial discussions raised a number of high-level issues including projects which examined the policies and actions that have worked well in different contexts and approaches that have been less successful. They reflected on issues associated with reading, writing and literacy, and the steps that education systems need to take to tackle the causes and effects of illiteracy. They focused on steps being taken to improve the accuracy and efficacy of skills and knowledge assessment with the overall purpose of supporting learning and determining progress. A panel looked at technology and innovation developments and the extent to which these could be applied in new subject areas, and at the need to stimulate real innovation.

During his visit, Minister Shiferaw held talks with Lynne Featherstone, DFID’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State. Their discussions focused on strengthening the relationship between the two governments in the field of education with emphasis on education for girls, women and disabled persons. Minister Shiferaw affirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to delivering results in this area. The Minister and his delegation also visited the British Council and were briefed by senior officials on the work of the Council. Talks covered child protection in schools, improving relationship in schools and community responsibilities, the provision of effective education, education reform and measuring standards, training programs for teachers and head teachers, and for researchers as well as research in science and technology, enhancing TVET, English language improvement and digital self-access teaching and learning.

The delegation also visited the School of Oriental and African Studies and met the Director,  Professor Paul Webley, to discuss building collaboration in research and training in PhD and Masters Program between Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education and SOAS. Ethiopia is interested to collaborate with SOAS in the provision of tailor-made programs for senior government officials and civil servants. They exchanged ideas on distance education and e-learning. An agreement was reached to send a group of experts from SOAS to Addis Ababa to pursue these areas of cooperation further.

The Ethiopian delegation, accompanied by Ambassador Berhanu Kebede, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the U.K., also visited Nottingham University where they held talks with Professor David Greenway, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University, and Professor Martyn Poliakoff, Research Professor in Chemistry at the University and Foreign Secretary and Vice President of the Royal Society of Science. Discussions focused on enhancing and strengthening the existing cooperation between the Ministry of Education and Nottingham University. They agreed to revise the existing Memorandum of Understanding with special emphasis on PhD programs. Minister Shiferaw also held discussions with Ethiopian students at Nottingham University.

Source:http://www.mfa.gov.et/weekHornAfrica/morewha.php?wi=1310#1313

The IGAD Extraordinary Summit on South Sudan

The IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government held its 24th Extraordinary Summit to discuss the situation in South Sudan on the sidelines of the AU Assembly on January 31 under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Hailemariam of Ethiopia, current IGAD chair. The meeting was preceded by an IGAD Ministerial Conference the previous day.

The Assembly was attended by President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir of the Sudan, President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Vice President James Wani Igga of South Sudan and Sam Kutesa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Uganda. Also present were Ambassador Ismail Chergui, Commissioner of Peace and Security of the African Union Commission; Ambassador Mahboub Maalim, Executive Secretary of IGAD; and representatives of the People’s Republic of China, the European Union, of the IGAD Partners Forum (IPF) and the Troika of the Governments of Norway, the UK and the US.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, current rapporteur of IGAD, presented a report on the situation in South Sudan. Congratulating South Sudan on the signing of the Agreements on Cessation of Hostilities and the Question of Detainees, he told the Assembly that seven of the detainees had arrived in Nairobi. He noted that there were accusations by both sides over observance of the ceasefire agreement. Stressing the importance of abiding by the agreements, he appealed to both sides to observe the letter and spirit of the agreement.

Ambassador Donald Booth, US Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, spoke on behalf of the US government and the Troika, assuring the Assembly that the US Government and the Troika would support the operationalization of the Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MVM) both technically and financially. He noted the MVM would report to the Special Envoys on the observance of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and that it would coordinate its activities with the mandate of UNMISS.  He welcomed the release of the seven detainees and stressed that IGAD and its partners should work for truly inclusive dialogue, adding that “the rest of the detainees should be released through expedited process.” Ambassador Booth underlined that South Sudan should be encouraged to embark on establishing a framework and workable modalities that would enable it transition to a stable democratic state.

The Ambassador of Italy to Ethiopia, Renzo Rosso, speaking on behalf of the IGAD Partners Forum, said that although there was progress in the negotiations, peace remained fragile. He cautioned that if left unattended prolonged conflict might invite other spoilers at the risk of affecting the neutral mediating role of IGAD. He reaffirmed the IPF’s continued support to IGAD’s mediation efforts..

Speaking on behalf of Ambassador Jan Eliasson, the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, UN Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, Haile Menkorios stressed the importance of bringing to justice those who had committed crimes of extrajudicial killing, rape or illegal detention after an enquiry process as recommended by the African Union. He noted that more than 80,000 people had taken refuge in UN premises. He said that it was fitting that IGAD had taken measures to stop the conflict situation given its admirable record in peace and security matters in the sub- region as shown by the successful signing of the CPA. He thanked the relentless efforts of the Special Envoys, Ambassador Seyoum, General Lazaro Sumbeiywo of Kenya and General Mohamed Ahmed Mustefa Eldabi of Sudan.

Smail Chergui, the AU Commissioner of Peace and Security also commended IGAD’s mediation efforts, and said that as a member of the MVM, the AU will do its best to make the truce hold.  He said the AU would also stand by IGAD in mobilizing resources from internal and external sources as it did earlier during the negotiations for the CPA.  He said the AU would continue to support IGAD.

Ambassador Seyoum, Chairperson of the Special Envoys of IGAD, presented the Special Envoys report: “Ending the Crisis in South Sudan through Mediation as chair of the Special Envoys of IGAD”. He said that through the process of mediation, the negotiating parties and the international community had come to realize that IGAD’S mediation effort was the best opportunity to resolve the crisis. The Parties had committed to cooperate fully with the international community to alleviate the suffering of the people of South Sudan through emergency assistance and the rehabilitation of IDPs. They had come, he said, to the understanding that peace was the only battle worth fighting. Welcoming the release of the seven detainees he said” the issue of the detainees still remained a challenge.” Ambassador Seyoum said there was still danger that cross-purposes among stakeholders might undermine and complicate the crisis.

The Special Envoys made a number of recommendations to the IGAD Summit. They  urged both parties to respect and expeditiously implement the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement as well as provide all necessary support  to ensure the implementation of the of the MVM as soon as possible. They called on the parties to urgently address the critical humanitarian crisis, provide protection and assistance and explore durable solutions for the predicament of the refugees and internally displaced persons in full collaboration and coordination with local and international humanitarian organizations. They commended the Government of South Sudan for deciding to release seven of the detainees on bail but called on it to expedite the legal process for those remaining in detention. They urged the parties, IGAD and the African Union to work together to ensure that alleged human rights violations, abuses and crimes are investigated and those found culpable are brought to justice.

The Special Envoys also suggested they should be mandated to establish an initial Monitoring and Verification Mechanism presence in South Sudan within 48 hours. They urged Parties to ensure the progressive withdrawal of armed groups and all allied forces invited by either side from the theatre of operations, and to maintain the momentum of the peace process, by launching the Second Phase of the negotiations on February 7 in Addis Ababa as agreed. They suggested the Special Envoys should be instructed to develop a framework for the next phase of negotiations including specific modalities on structure, representation, and a timeframe, so as to ensure dialogue is truly inclusive, and to ensure this is developed to involve a broad range of South Sudanese government, political, and civil society actors in a reinvigorated constitutional process.

The Special Envoys appreciated the 8-point roadmap outlined by President Salva Kiir on January 20 and the commitment of the SPLM in Opposition to wide consultations with all stakeholders and resolve the conflict in South Sudan in an all-inclusive manner. The Special Envoys therefore suggest the Summit might wish to instruct them to organize a series of public consultations to generate input for a framework of political dialogue and national reconciliation. These consultations might include political parties, traditional and religious leaders, and groups representing women, youth, intellectuals, refugees and IDPs, business communities and other stakeholders. They also suggest the IGAD Special Envoys should hold consultations with IGAD Member States and key partners to ensure a common approach to the next phase. The Special Envoys also suggest the Heads of State and Government of IGAD might wish to reaffirm their commitment to resolve the South Sudan crisis.

After deliberating on the report of the Special Envoys, the Summit welcomed the signing of Agreements on the Cessation of Hostilities and The Status of Detainees by the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and SPLM in Opposition on January 23, and noted this marked the first significant step in finding a lasting peaceful political solution to the crisis in South Sudan, and commended their commitment to the pursuit of a peaceful political solution to the crisis. The IGAD leaders also applauded the work of the IGAD Special Envoys for their tireless and sustained efforts to resolve the crisis.

The IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government then adopted the Recommendations of the Special Envoys by consensus.

Source:  http://www.mfa.gov.et/weekHornAfrica/morewha.php?wi=1310#1313