The Federal Government of Somalia and aid agencies launched the 2019 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) on Monday this week (January 21), calling on donors to provide sufficient and early funding to sustain aid operations in Somalia in 2019. The response plan seeks $1.08 billion to support to 3.4 million Somalis affected by conflict, climatic shocks, and displacement. It noted that improvements in the food security situation due to good 2018 Gu rain, a sustained humanitarian response throughout 2018 and a more focused definition of needs have resulted in a 32% decline in the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance, from…
-
-
Terrorists stormed a bank within a hotel complex in Nairobi before a suicide bomber detonated himself in the foyer of one of the buildings of the Dusit D2 Hotel complex on Tuesday afternoon this week (January 15). Several vehicles exploded in the hotel car park as they then attacked the hotel, shooting indiscriminately. Kenyan specialist security forces almost immediately launched an operation to flush out the terrorists. Hundreds of people had been trapped inside and President Kenyatta said a total of 700 civilians had been rescued by security forces when the operation came to an end. The attack left 21…
-
The 37th Ordinary Session of Permanent Representatives’ Committee of the African Union was held in Addis Ababa at the headquarters of the African Union this week (January 17-18). The meeting prepared the agenda of the 32nd AU Summit with appropriate recommendations for consideration by the AU’s Executive Council. The theme of the 32nd Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union is “Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa.” The Permanent Representatives’ Committee Meeting is the first of the three statutory meetings held under the framework of the 32nd Summit…
-
Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen led a delegation to Freetown for a working visit to the Republic of Sierra Leone at the end of last week (January 11-13). The delegation, which included Ministers as well as senior government officials, was warmly welcomed in Freetown by Vice-President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh. The visit aimed to boost bilateral and diplomatic ties between the two countries, and Deputy Prime Minister Demeke held fruitful discussions with the President of Sierra Leone, Julis Maada Bio on ways to consolidate the relationship in all areas of cooperation in a spirit of mutual benefit. Their talks covered…
-
During the week, the conference sessions, and discussions led by the State Ministers, Mrs. Hirut Zemene, Dr. Markos Tekle, Dr. Aklilu Hailemichael and Ambassador Birtukan Ayano, shed light on different aspects of the progress, problems and challenges of the diplomatic missions and the Ministry. The discussions considered regional, global, and geopolitical trends affecting Ethiopia and its neighbors, reviewed the efforts of economic diplomacy and Diaspora engagement in country development. State Minister Dr. Markos chaired a panel on trends influencing Ethiopia’s diplomatic stance in a highly interconnected, interdependent globalized world. The discussion considered the implementation of institutional reform, building a refurbished…
-
Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed opened the week-long annual Ambassadors meeting held with the leadership of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director Generals, Ambassadors and diplomats. The discussions cover the country’s ongoing reform, the impact on foreign policy, the progress and challenges in responding to contemporary global issues of national interest, enhancement of economic diplomacy, Diaspora engagement, the reforms within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and considerations of lessons learned in the last year. The Prime Minister emphasized that Diplomacy was one pillar of economic development; it was the vital bedrock for socio-economic progress. He said: “Our Ambassadors and diplomats are…
-
Our Biweekly Business Bulletin bus diplo update 4th edition-1
-
Enjoy the Bi-weekly Business Magazine Bulletin bus diplo update 4th edition-1
-
Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with President Ismail Omar Guelleh to mark the 40th anniversary of China/Djibouti bilateral relations on Tuesday (January 8). In a message, President Xi Jinping recalled President Guelleh’s state visit to China in November 2017 when the two presidents announced the establishment of a bilateral strategic partnership; and President Guelleh’s participation in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit when they reached a new consensus on further ties and signed a Memorandum of Understanding on pushing forward Belt and Road construction. President Xi Jinping said that in the past 40 years, China and Djibouti…
-
Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, arrived in the town of Tessenai, in Western Eritrea, on Monday (January 7) where he was welcomed by Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, before the two leaders cut the ribbon to officially open the Om Hager-Humera cross-border road, closed for more than two decades. They were accompanied by senior officials of both countries including the presidents of Ethiopia’s Tigray and Amhara Regional States. Eritrea’s Minister of Information Yemane Gebremeskel, said the reopening of the road was in line with article 3 of the Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship that the two countries signed on July…