News in Brief
Ethiopia finalizes preparation for the #GreatHomeComing Challenge
Prime Minister Office briefing on National Dialogue (Excerpts)
State Minister Redwan Hussein briefs ambassadors in Ethiopia on current situations
Ethiopia protests decision of UN Human Rights Council’s special session on Ethiopia (Press Release)
Africa and the African Union
The third Africa-Türkiye Partnership Summit under the theme “Strengthening the Partnership for Common Prosperity and Development” was held in Istanbul on 18 December 2021, with the participation of Heads of State and Government from 16 African countries, along with more than 102 ministers and representatives of the African Union. The summit in Istanbul adopted the Africa-Türkiye Joint Action Plan 2022-2026 and ensured the inclusion of the African Union’s Strategic Vision, Aspirations and Priority Areas as enshrined in Agenda 2063 and its First Ten Years Implementation Plan.
Ethiopia
President Sahle-Work Zewde on Friday (December 17) has traveled to Angola after concluding her official visit to Côte d’Ivoire. President Sahle-Work discussed with President of Angola João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço on bilateral issues of mutual concern and current affairs in Ethiopia. Ethiopia and Angola have been enjoying a close bilateral relationship since the 1970s.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Friday (December 17) conferred with Turkish President Recept Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the 3rd Türkiye-Africa Partnership Summit in Istanbul. Later, on Saturday (December 18) Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed tweeted: “I commend President Erdogan for sustaining a platform that continues to advance and promote mutually beneficial cooperation between Turkey and African countries”.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Demeke Mekonnen on Monday (December 20) visited liberated areas from Gashena to Woldiya in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. During his visit, he witnessed the damage caused by the terrorist TPLF group and discussed with various sections of the community, including Archbishop Abune Ermias of the North Wollo Diocese.
The committee that was established to facilitate the Great Ethiopian Homecoming Challenge has announced that it has finalized preparations to welcome the massive influx of Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia who are expected to take on the Great Homecoming Challenge. In a meeting held on Wednesday (December 22), Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, and Chair of the Committee, noted the encouraging response by people to accept the challenge. (See article)
State Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Redwan Hussein on Tuesday (December 21) briefed ambassadors stationed in Addis Ababa about the current situation in Ethiopia. His briefing covered the recent UNHRC special session on Ethiopia, the conflict in the northern part of the country, what is next after freeing occupied areas and the proposed all-inclusive dialogue between political elites and the public. (See article)
State Minister Ambassador Redwan Hussein met Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Ambassador Sadat Onat, and discussed bilateral and regional issues of common concern. State Minister Redwan briefed the Turkish side on the current situation in the Northern part of Ethiopia, the efforts made by the Ethiopian government to avoid the conflict and ensure unfettered access to humanitarian assistance. Ambassador Sadat, on his part, asked the Ethiopian side to consider cessation of hostilities and ceasefire. He said Turkey would support the AU-led peace effort and the role of AU’s High Representative for the Horn of Africa, Olusegun Obasanjo. Both sides also discussed cooperation on foreign direct investment and capacity building.
The Ethiopian government said it will not acknowledge the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR) resolution for the establishment of an independent investigation team for the alleged human rights violation in the northern conflict. In her press briefing on Saturday (December 18), the Government Communication Service State Minister Selamawit Kassa stated that the resolution which was illegally adopted before the session will be of no effect. The government strongly believes that all countries adopting the ill-conceived resolution are craving for Ethiopia’s destabilization. “Turing a blind eye and a deaf ear for TPLF’s belligerence in expanding the conflict to Amhara and Afar states and its crimes against humanity, those countries falsely accused the people and government of Ethiopia for human rights violation.”
Press Secretariat of the Office of the Prime Minister, Billene Seyoum, in a press briefing on Tuesday (December 21), said the proposed formation of the National Dialogue Commission is envisaged to be an independent democratic institution with reporting lines to the House of People’s Representatives and acting with an independent mandate to bridge differences and chart an inclusive way forward for national understanding and alignment. (See excerpts)
Ethiopian Defense Minister Abraham Belay (Ph.D.) on Sunday (December 19) held talks with Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar on the sidelines of the 3rd Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit.
During the 33rd special session of the UN Human Rights Council SS33 on Ethiopia, a representative of the Russian Federation reaffirmed the commitment of Russia to the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Ethiopia. Russia consistently opposes the politicization of the situation in Ethiopia at the HRC. Further promotion of this topic in the HRC is counterproductive and does not contribute to the settlement of the military and political crisis in the country.
The government of Germany on Saturday (December 18) has announced a grant of 80.6 million euros to Ethiopia for the execution of food security and other development programs, the Ministry of Finance said. Minister of Finance, Ahmed Shide conferred with the Ambassador of Germany to Ethiopia, Stephan Auera on Friday on the existing bilateral economic development cooperation between the two countries.
The Government and people of Israel on Monday (December 20) have donated 14 tons of relief supplies to people who have been displaced due to the aggression of the terrorist TPLF. The supplies donated by Israel to IDPs include, among others, canes, wheelchairs, cloths, and medical and sanitation supplies.
Eritrea
Irrigation farming project worth about 14 million Nakfa has been inaugurated in Himbirti, Gala Nefhi subzone in the presence of Arefaine Berhe, Minister of Agriculture, and the Governor of the Central region Fessehaye Haile. Speaking at the event held on Tuesday (December 21), Asrat Haile, representative of the Department of Agriculture and Land in the Central Region, indicated that the irrigation project that is established below the dams of Mai-Nefhi and Sheka will have a significant contribution to the development of irrigation farming and called on farmers to judicially use it for a better outcome.
Somalia
President of Somalia H.E Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo on Thursday (December 23) called out all parties involved in the ongoing conflict to put an end to the standoffs without any conditions and support the efforts for a ceasefire. The President is deeply saddened by the conflict in Bosaso that claimed the lives of innocent civilians & caused the displacement of many Bosaso residents.
Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia Mohamed Hussein Roble on Thursday (December 23) met with the IGAD delegation led by IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu at his office. Prime Minister Roble and the IGAD delegation discussed the strengthening of cooperation and relations between IGAD and the Federal Government of Somalia, in the fields of Politics, Economic development, and Security.
Somalia’s international partners welcome plans to hold an in-person National Consultative Council meeting focused on improving and expediting the electoral process. We reiterate our call for full transparency in all related processes. They said that they remained fully supportive of any process that is based on and respects the 17 September 2020 and 27 May 2021 agreements. “We urge Somalia’s leaders to conclude the electoral process as soon as possible and urge the implementation of necessary enhancements to correct observed shortcomings in order to ensure the outcome will obtain the support and confidence of the Somali people.”
The UN Security Council on Tuesday (December 21) voted to extend the mandate of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) by three months, providing the needed time for Mogadishu to negotiate an agreeable future of the continental force. The decision reached under Resolution 2614/2021 was adopted on Tuesday night to grant the Mission the needed certainty as Somalia and the African Union haggled on whether to exit totally or rebrand the Mission to an AU-UN hybrid mission.
Sudan
The President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council and General Commander of the Armed Forces, Gen. Abdul-Fattah Al-Burhan, on Monday (December 20) pointed out that the procedures and appointments that took place after November 21, 2021 were made in coordination between him and the Prime Minister, affirming his full support for Abdalla Hamdok to play his role. He affirmed the commitment that the transitional government will be a non-partisan government of competencies, wishing mercy for the martyrs of the Armed forces, and saluted the soldiers stationed in all parts of Sudan.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) arrived on Thursday (December 23) to the Red Sea State to back up the joint forces, to realize peace and security and to impose the rule of law in the context of the security plan in the Red Sea in accordance with the directives of the Joint Chives of Staff of the Armed Forces. The RSF, led by Colonel- Musa Abouda, were received by the Security Committee.
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Ethiopia finalizes preparation to host the #GreatHomeComing
The committee that was established to facilitate the Great Ethiopian Homecoming Challenge has announced that it has finalized preparations to welcome the massive influx of Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia who are expected to take on the Great Homecoming Challenge.
In a meeting held today (December 22), Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, and Chair of the Committee, noted the encouraging response by people to accept the challenge.
The committee deliberated on measures taken to ease up the visa process, facilitate transportation and other relevant services and accommodations to make the event restful for the home comers.
The committee called upon Ethiopians in the Diaspora, people from Africa and the Caribbean region, including friends of Ethiopia from all over the world, to take on the challenge and show solidarity with the people of Ethiopia.
The committee has also revealed that Ethiopia will host various events to engage the Home Comers in the reconstruction process and peaceful protests against unnecessary external pressures on the country.
The Ethiopian Airlines, Ethio-telecom , private and government-owned hotels and other service giving institutions have already announced discounts on their services to make the challenge attractive to all.
The Great Ethiopian Homecoming Challenge aims to draw one Million people home ahead of the upcoming Christmas holiday.
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Prime Minister Office briefing on National Dialogue (Excerpts)
– It is to be recalled that on December 10th 2021, the Council of Ministers endorsed a draft proclamation for the formation of a National Dialogue commission
– Following the outcomes of the 6th national elections and the formation of a new government, one of the commitments made has been to create a homegrown inclusive space to address various contestations.
– Resultantly, the Council of Ministers’ decision to form a National Dialogue Commission is testament to this commitment made.
– This National Dialogue Commission is envisaged to be an independent democratic institution with reporting lines to the House of People’s Representatives and acting with an independent mandate to bridge differences and chart an inclusive way forward for national understanding and alignment.
– Yesterday, the legal, justice and democracy affairs standing committee of the House of People’s Representatives undertook a consultation with various stakeholders to garner inputs to the draft proclamation.
– Some of the main duties of this body would include:
o Identifying agenda items that would contribute to national consensus
o Identifying stakeholders that will need to participate
o Convening dialogue platforms
o Crafting implementation processes for recommendations coming out of the national dialogue
o Follow-up on implementation plans
– The draft proclamation is expected to pass in the coming weeks which will open up another phase in Ethiopia’s democratization process anchored in inclusivity.
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State Minister Redwan Hussein briefs ambassadors in Ethiopia on current situations
State Minister Ambassador Redwan Hussien briefed today (December 21) ambassadors stationed in Addis Ababa about the current situation in Ethiopia.
His briefing covered the recent UNHRC special session on Ethiopia, the conflict in the northern part of the country, what is next after freeing occupied areas and the proposed all-inclusive dialogue between political elites and the public.
Regarding the convening of a Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council and the establishment of an international commission of experts on Ethiopia, Ambassador Redwan said it is unacceptable, and Ethiopia will not cooperate with the setup mechanism.
The decision undermines the principle of subsidiarity since Ethiopia is cooperating with relevant human rights mechanisms, besides having an effective human rights mechanism in the country, he said.
He said the decision unduly politicizes the Council; disregard Ethiopia’s commitment to take measures according to the recommendations put forward by the joint OHCHR-EHRC findings.
It would have been logical had the Council decided to launch a joint UN-EHRC investigation on human rights abuses perpetrated by the TPLF in the Amhara and Afar regions, he added.
Ambassador Redwan also spoke in detail about the humanitarian aid process in northern Ethiopia, including the Tigray region.
He said that the government did everything to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Tigray but the TPLF’s intransigence and the international community’s reluctance to condemn its destructive acts dragged the humanitarian aid supply process.
The State Minister highlighted how the TPLF’s failure to reciprocate the Government’s declaration of the Unilateral Humanitarian Ceasefire last June and the international community’s reluctance to appreciate it has exacerbated all the problems that ensued thereafter.
Such foot-dragging, he said, had emboldened the TPLF to invade adjacent regions, massacre many, destroy infrastructure, and desecrate religious institutions, and gang rape women instigating public anger to put a strain on the humanitarian supply routes to Tigray.
The continued silence of the international community over the more than 1010 hijacked aid trucks by the group should not be taken lightly since it has contributed a lot in limiting humanitarian aid reaches, he said.
Speaking on the latest battlefield gains, Ambassador Redwan said the TPLF is on the back foot following decisive blows to its soldiers, contrary to its misleading narrative of withdrawal of its troops from occupied areas out of its commitment to peace.
However, he said, the government does not have an intention to pursue an all-out military operation in Tigray in chasing the terrorist group in every village and town but it will make sure that the Tplf will not be able to wage an attack anymore.
The government of Ethiopia also maintains its rights to ensure the territorial integrity of the country and it will not foreclose its prerogative rights to station the federal groups in all parts of the country, including Tigray, he added.
On ensuring lasting peace in Ethiopia, he detailed the proposed plans to have an all-inclusive dialogue with political elites and the public.
He said almost all contentious matters would be on the table during the dialogue, including fundamental national issues and Constitutional amendments.
The ambassadors forwarded questions and comments, and the state minister has addressed them.
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Ethiopia protests decision of UN Human Rights Council’s special session on Ethiopia (Press Release)
Ethiopia is extremely disappointed to have witnessed once again the use of the Human Rights Council by some to advance their politically motivated agenda.
Regardless of repeated requests by the government of Ethiopia for the Council not to hold a special session but rather engage in a constructive manner and work in a collaborative spirit with the country concerned, some succeeded in achieving their objective through attaining majority votes in the Council.
This is also done against the recommendations by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission which were submitted to the President of the Human Rights Council on 14 December 2021 and to all members of the Council requesting it to unequivocally support the implementation of the Joint Investigation Team’s recommendations, the work of the Inter-Ministerial Task Force and for the OHCHR and the EHRC to continue with further joint investigations.
This action by some in the Council is an attempt to find an alternative way of meddling in the internal affairs of a sovereign state and serves no purpose except exacerbating the situation on the ground.
What is even more worrying is that this trend in the proliferation of establishing mechanisms through the Council in most cases have failed to attain their objectives and have become merely tools of imposition on countries who refuse interference in their internal affairs.
This is why Ethiopia has categorically rejected the special session and its politically motivated outcome which undermines trust in the work of the Council, and most importantly, the territorial integrity, national sovereignty and political independence of Ethiopia.
Ethiopia would like to reiterate that it will not cooperate with the established mechanism imposed upon it against its consent.
Ethiopia wishes to thank those who have expressed their support and solidarity and reiterates its commitment to continue its efforts to fulfill its obligations under international law to respect and protect human rights.
No More to double standards; No More to unilateral coercive measures; and No More to meddling in internal affairs under the pretext of human rights.
17 December 2021
MFAEthiopia Blog 