A Week in the Horn 3.5.2019
News in Brief
Ethiopia and Prime Minister Abiy at the second Belt and Road Initiative Forum
The AU Peace and Security Council gives Sudan’s military 60 more days
South Sudanese parties meet to review the progress of the revitalized peace process
Celebration of World Press Freedom Day in Addis Ababa
Ethiopia and the Netherlands hold political consultations
Kenya and Ethiopia are strategic partners, not competitors
News in Brief
Africa and the African Union
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, and African Union Commissioner for Trade and Industry, Albert Muchang, received two deposits of instruments of ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement on Monday (April 29). They were from Sierra Leone and the Saharawi Republic. This brought the number of ratifications to 22 and will allow the AfCFTA Agreement to enter into force on May 30. Ministers of Trade will meet in Kampala at the beginning of June to finalize supporting instruments for the AfCFTA Agreement including rules of origin; schedules of tariff concessions on trade in goods; online non-tariff barriers monitoring and elimination mechanism; digital payments and settlement platform; and the African Trade Observatory Portal. The launch of the operational phase of the AfCFTA will take place at an Extra-Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government Summit on July 7.
World Press Freedom Day is celebrated around the world on May 3, and this year the main celebration has been taking place in Addis Ababa, over three days, May 1-3. The theme for 2019 is “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation” and the event has provided a platform for officials, representatives of civil society, media organizations, professional associations, academia and the judiciary to discuss current issues, threats and achievements, on the freedom of the press. (See article)
The 8thTana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa will be held this weekend (May 4-5) in Bahir Dar, the capital of the Amhara Regional State. The theme for this year’s Forum is “Political Dynamics in the Horn of Africa: Nurturing the Emerging Peace Trends,” and will discuss ways to support the political dynamics and geopolitical developments expanding in the region.The Forum, an annual meeting bringing African leaders and stakeholders to engage and explore security solutions, provides an informal collaborative environment to promote African-led solutions, with panel discussions and bilateral talks on the strategic and pro-active management of African peace and security issues.
The Secretariat of the African Union Commission on Human and People’s Rights has given Ethiopia an award for hosting the largest number of refugees in Africa. The award was presented at the 64th ordinary session of the Commission held at Sharma El Sheikh in Egypt on Saturday (April 27)
Ethiopia
Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed led the Ethiopian delegation to the second Belt and Road Initiative Forum being held in Beijing April 26-27 where he addressed the High-level Meeting and participated in the Leader’s Roundtable. He also visited Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province in East China. (See article)
Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed met the President of the World Bank Group, Mr. David Malpass and his delegation on Wednesday (May 1). Mr. Malpass, on a three-country visit to Africa, noted that Ethiopia was building a solid foundation with its current economic reforms and reaffirmed the World Bank’s continued partnership.
Prime Minister Dr. Abiy has been awarded the 2019 UNESCO Félix Houphouët-Boigny Prize. The announcement was made by the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, in Addis Ababa for World Press Freedom Day (May 3). The Prize honors individuals or organizations that have contributed in a significant way to the promotion, search and safeguard of peace. It recognizes Dr. Abiy’s actions in the region and, in particular, for having been the instigator of a peace agreement between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Eritrea, his commitment to the promotion of a culture of peace in the region and across the African continent and for the reforms undertaken to consolidate democracy and social cohesion in Ethiopia. Past recipients include Nelson Mandela and, Shimon Peres and Yasser Arafat, and Jimmy Carter.
Former President Negasso Gidada, who died on Saturday (April 27) while receiving medical reatment in Germany, will be honoured with a state funeral. Prime Minister Dr. Abiy, in his message of condolence expressing his “deep regrets” on the death of the former President, said a national committee had been set up to organize the funeral proceedings. A veteran politician, Dr. Negasso, President from 1995 to 2001 died at the age of 76. He had earlier served as Minister of Information and chaired the Constitutional Assembly which adopted the current Ethiopian constitution in 1995. The state funeral will held on Sunday (May 5).
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedu Andargachew, on Thursday (May 02) received Mr. Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom, in which both sides pledged to deepen ties based on a long tradition of cooperation. Minister Gedu Andargachew appreciated the growing excellent ties and historical relations between the UK and Ethiopia, thanking UK government’s commitment to support Ethiopia during a time of transformational process in the political and economic frontiers. “Ethiopia is undertaking significant reforms in areas of democratization, institutional capacity building, rule law and media freedom,” he added. In connection, Foreign Minister Gedu thanked the UK for the support extended to Ethiopia in areas of institutional capacity building. In this regard the Minister particularly noted UK’s support to the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Hirut Zemene addressed the meeting of parties to South Sudan’s Revitalized Peace Agreement which convened in Addis Ababa on Thursday (May 2). The State Minister, who spoke on behalf of the Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers, Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew, said the meeting would offer opportunities for parties to take stock of the progress made, challenges encountered as well as identify steps that need to be taken over the coming period. Mrs. Hirut called on the parties to deliberate on a spirit of compromise and consensus, on a common course of action to resolve pending issues and implement key tasks in a defined timeframe with a view to move the peace process forward.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Markos Tekle received copies of credentials of newly appointed Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Ethiopia, Ambassador Evgeniy E. Terekhin on Friday (May 3). Ambassador Evgeniy E. Terekhin, who is fluent in Amharic language, pledged to work for the strengthening of relations between Ethiopia and the Russian Federation during his tenure in Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia and the Netherlands held a 3rd round of political consultation in Addis Ababa on Tuesday this week (April 30), offering opportunities to further strengthen cooperation on both bilateral and regional issues as well as explore potential areas of partnership. (See article)
Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Kenya, Ambassador Meles Alem, has underlined that Ethiopia and Kenya are strategic partners, not competitors and have witnessed a re-awakening of bilateral relations over the last year, revitalizing and re-energizing a new development chapter for both countries. (See article)
An Ethio-Sudan Business Forum opened in Addis Ababa, on Monday (April 29). Co-organized by the Ethiopian embassy in Khartoum and the Sudan embassy in Addis Ababa it brought together over 110 company and business representatives from both countries. Permanent Secretary for Economic Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dewano Kedir emphasized the Forum would be instrumental in further strengthening the bilateral trade and investment ties. Participants heard a series of presentations and participated in business-to-business sessions and networking.
The Ethiopia Embassy in Algeria and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Dahra Mostaganem, Algiers, collaborated on an Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Forum in Mostaganem, this week. Attended by representatives from over 40 Algerian companies and businesses and more than 30 tourist operators, it offered a platform to promote Ethiopia’s tourism potential, allowing Algerian investors and businessmen to explore investment and trade opportunities and areas for business cooperation available in Ethiopia. Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Algeria, Ambassador Amin Abdulkadir also visited a number of companies including Agro Mosta, EURL MLK, Adwan Chemicals and electric cable manufacturer La Cablerie Algerienne.
Air Cargo News has awarded Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services its “Cargo Airline of the Year” award. Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde Gebremariam, said the airline was “truly honoured to have received this prestigious award” which endorsed the investment in expanding its cargo services globally. It currently delivers cargo services across 44 international destinations across the world with dedicated freight aircraft.
Ethiopia has signed a deal with the China Communication Construction Company (CCCC) to design and build a new bridge over the Abay, Blue Nile River. The project, replacing the existing 60-year-old bridge, will take 3 years and cost US49 million.
Ambassador Fitsum Arega, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the US held discussions last Friday (April 25) with Scott Eisner, President of the U.S.-Africa Business Center and Senior Vice President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business organization representing more than 3 million businesses. Their talks focused on ways for the Embassy and the U.S. Chamber could collaborate to foster business and investment relations between Ethiopia and the United States.
Djibouti
President Ismail Omar Guelleh who attended last week’s 2nd Belt and Road Initiative Summit, held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Forum. During their discussions on bilateral relations, President Jinping called for progress on the China-Djibouti strategic partnership.
Eritrea
Minister of Foreign Affairs Osman Saleh will visit China from May 5 to 10 at the invitation of China’s State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Kenya
President Kenyatta attended the Belt and Road Initiative Forum in Beijing last week and secured funding of $666 million in low interest loans and private partnerships to build a data center in a tech city currently under construction in Konza outside Nairobi, and a highway in Nairobi. The Chinese telecom firm Huawei will develop the Konza project and China Road and Bridge Corporation will construct a road linking Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with Nairobi’s suburbs. President Kenyatta also witnessed the signing of an operation and maintenance service agreement for the Nairobi to Naivasha segment of the Standard Gauge Railway.
President Kenyatta also held talks with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Ms. Christine Lagarde, while in Beijing. She said later they had discussed “Kenya’s economic priorities and how the Fund can support them.”
Somalia
Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre moved Mohamed Abdi Hayir from Commerce and Industry to be Minister of Information on Wednesday (May 1), following the resignation of Dahir Mohamud Guelleh. Mr. Abdullahi Ali Hassan was appointed as the new Minister for Commerce and Industry
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Isse Awad, held talks with Qatar Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Than, in Doha on Sunday (April 28). They discussed development projects and relations between the two countries.
A two-day conference on Counter-Extremism, attended by officials, diplomats and security experts from 57 countries and organized by the Federal government and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, opened in Mogadishu on Monday (April 29). State Minister for Religious Affairs, Abdihakim Hassan called on participants to focus on means of uniting members of the Muslim community.
Senior AMISOM officials and civil society representatives met in Mogadishu on Tuesday (April 30) and agreed to come up with programs to empower citizens. The AU Commission’s Special Representative, Ambassador Madeira said the success of the country depended upon the positive efforts made by citizens. AMISOM, through its civilian component, was promoting inclusive politics; human rights; protection of vulnerable groups; and countering violent extremism. AMISOM was also working to create an environment for the people of Somalia and the government to ensure the population participates in consolidating stability and in the country’s governance.
South Sudan
A meeting of the parties to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in The Republic of South Sudan was held on Thursday and Friday this week (May2-3) in Addis Ababa. It is considering the progress of the agreement and the actions needed to expedite the full implementation of the Peace Agreement before the end of the pre-Transitional period on May 12. (See article)
Sudan
A meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council on Tuesday, (April 30), has given the Transitional Military Council in Khartoum two months, 60 days, to hand over power to a civilian-led transition team. (See article)
*****************
Ethiopia and Prime Minister Abiy at the second Belt and Road Initiative Forum
A high-level delegation led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took part in the second Belt and Road Forum for international cooperation that was held from April 26-27 in Beijing, China. The Belt and Road forum was attended by 37 world leaders, five from Africa. In his keynote speech at the opening of the Forum, President Xi Jinping of China highlighted building infrastructure of high quality, sustainability, risk resilience, reasonable pricing, inclusiveness and accessibility as key elements of the Belt and Road Initiative. He stressed the purpose of building the Belt and Road Initiative was to achieve win-win cooperation and common development. And in this context, he called on countries to uphold multilateralism, promote green development and fight corruption with zero tolerance in the process of building the Belt and Road Initiative.
In his address to the High-Level Meeting of the Forum, Prime Minister Abiy noted that the Belt and Road Initiative was a grand global initiative and China’s answer to the challenges of growing inequality of development in the world. He noted that with its investment in physical and digital interconnectivity, from roads and bridges to ports, reliable power and fibre optic networks, the Belt and Road Initiative had targeted and addressed constraints to development while also respecting legal framework in participating countries. He said: “in today’s world, we constantly see a trend of rising protectionism and unilateralism. Yet, China’s effort through the Belt and Road Initiative symbolizes a wise and forward leaning effort to build a more fair and equitable international order.”
Speaking of the relations between Ethiopia and China, the Prime Minister emphasized that the two countries had enjoyed strong bilateral relations rooted in progress for the last 50 years. He noted the role of Chinese investments in Ethiopia’s infrastructure development and expressed his gratitude to China for its partnership and for standing at Ethiopia’s side at all times. He told Forum participants that Ethiopia was inspired by China’s leadership and its Belt and Road Initiative. He said: “We believe China has set a successful model in which sustained investment in infrastructure and manufacturing, coupled with focused and competent leadership have played a transformational role. These are also Ethiopia’s priorities today.” He stressed that projects such as the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, part of the Belt and Road Initiative, were essential for the economic progress and prosperity of both countries. For Ethiopia, he said, they were investments in closer relations between neighbors; they are investments in peace. He emphasized that by allowing countries to expand trade together, such projects make each a stakeholder in the peace and prosperity of the other.
The Prime Minister said the success of Ethiopia’s economic transformation projects demanded that its politics must be fixed, adding: “In efforts to shape a comprehensive political and economic reform program which we launched in April 2018, we introduced our philosophy of medemer– an Amharic word for ‘synergy’. This home-grown philosophy challenges all of us to complement each other and to build on our individual and collective strengths.” He highlighted Ethiopia’s efforts in working towards ensuring peace and security in the Horn and similarly pioneering sub-regional integration and its determination and commitment to peace, a commitment which enabled the end of hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Prime Minister Abiy also participated in the Leaders Roundtable held in the scenic Yanqi Lake on Saturday (April 27). Speaking at the session on “Boosting Connectivity to Explore New Sources of Growth”, he noted the global community over the last few years had become ever more interconnected and interdependent; and the role that technology played in closing the gaps was quite evident. The Belt and Road Forum would therefore help provide the opportunity to fortify the means and processes through which policy, infrastructure, trade, financing and people-to-people connectivity could be enhanced between countries.
When it came to the Horn of Africa, the Prime Minister affirmed that regional cooperation championed through the Belt and Road Initiative provided the impetus for Horn region integration efforts. He said that boosting the political successes being made in the region required further strengthening of infrastructure connectivity. He also stressed that to sustain the Belt and Road Initiative, it must be anchored where it matters most, in maximizing people-to-people connections and cultural exchanges. He said: “It is ultimately our understanding and acceptance of each other that will sustain our cooperation.”
On the side-lines of the Forum, the Prime Minister also visited Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province in East China. During his visit, Dr. Abiy and his delegation met with Che Jun, Communist Party Secretary of Zhèjiāng province. Zhèjiāng province has been honored by the UN for the clean- up of its river and streams and its revival program is seen as a model for the ‘Beautifying Sheger’ river cleaning project in Addis Ababa. A number of private enterprises from the province are currently operating in Ethiopia, and the Prime Minister called for more investment in other sectors. The Prime Minister also visited the headquarters of the e-commerce company, Alibaba Group and met Alibaba Group Chairman Jack Ma. Mr. Ma, who also held talks with the Prime Minister in Davos earlier this year, expressed his support for Ethiopia’s development, describing Ethiopia as a key strategic partner which he hoped to visit this year.
During the Forum, the Ethiopian Investment Commission signed four Memoranda of Understanding with Chinese companies that have decided to invest in Ethiopia. These were the Taison Group and Green Diamond which will establish a large-scale bamboo pulp-paper manufacturing in Assosa, Benshangul-Gumuz Regional State with the capacity to manufacture 1 million tons pulp paper per annum; Amity Printing to set up a printing factory; the CGCOC Group which has agreed to construct a fully integrated livestock and meat processing plant with an annual slaughtering capacity of 300,000 cattle and 3 million sheep in Awash, Fantale; and Zhende Medical Products Manufacturing which will invest in a pharmaceutical plant in Kilinto Industrial Park to manufacture wound care, surgical sensory, pressure therapy and fixed products.
Meanwhile, Ethiopian Airlines told the Chinese news agency Xinhua that it plans to add three more Chinese destinations, Chongqing, Shenzhen and Zhengzhou, to its flights as well as increase flights to Guangzhou and Shanghai. It currently has daily passenger flights from Addis Ababa to Guangzhou and Beijing, and three-times-a-week passenger flights to Chengdu, as well as daily passenger and cargo flights to Hong Kong and Shanghai. Ethiopian has also set up a visa hub service for Chinese travellers to 35 other African countries.
***************
The AU Peace and Security Council gives Sudan’s military another 60 days
Ethiopia and the region have been following the developments in the Sudan closely since the removal of President Omar al-Bashir and the military takeover in Khartoum on April 11; and regional activities in the last two weeks have underlined concern over the events in Khartoum. IGAD quickly issued a statement urging all Sudanese political stakeholders to ensure a peaceful transition and expressing its readiness to provide the necessary support for this process. The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), after having considered the situation in the Sudan at its 840th meeting on April 15, reaffirmed the imperative of a civilian-led and consensual transition in Sudan and demanded that the Sudanese military step aside and hand over power to a transitional civilian-led political authority, in accordance with the will of the people and constitutional order, within a maximum period of fifteen days. Failing this, the Council would automatically apply Article 7(g) of its Protocol.
Following this decision by the AUPSC, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, paid a working visit to Khartoum and held extensive consultations with the Transitional Military Council, political parties and personalities, and civil society organizations, as well with members of the international community. The Chairperson took the opportunity to urge all concerned stakeholders to agree on a civilian-led and consensual transition that would pave the way for the holding of free, fair and transparent elections. The Chairperson appointed Ambassador Mohamed Belaich, as the AU Special Representative in The Sudan to support the ongoing efforts towards putting in place arrangements for the transition.
The Chairperson of the African Union, Egypt’s President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi, also convened a Consultative Summit in Cairo on April 23 to discuss developments in the Sudan. The Summit gathered regional partners, including IGAD member States. Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen led the high-level Ethiopian delegation to the Consultative Summit in Ethiopia’s capacity as Chair of IGAD. The Summit was briefed by Chairperson Moussa Faki on his visit to Khartoum and acknowledged the need to give additional time for the Sudanese authorities to ensure a peaceful, orderly and democratic transition. It recommended the AUPSC to extend the timeline given to the Sudanese authorities to three months.
Against this backdrop and, in line with its decision of April 15, the AUPSC met in Tunis early this week to consider the situation in South Sudan again. Ethiopia participated at this meeting in its capacity as Chair of IGAD. The AUPSC, after being briefed by AU Commission Chair, Moussa Faki, and taking note of the recommendations of the Cairo Summit, decided to extend the deadline for an additional period of up to sixty days for the military in the Sudan to hand over power to a civilian-led Transitional Authority.
The PSC communiqué emphasized that this “final extension is granted to enable the putting in place of a civilian-led Transitional Authority. It therefore demanded certain steps should be taken. Firstly, that “the Military and the Sudanese stakeholders should continue to work together towards urgently completing the negotiations and agreeing on the composition of a civilian-led Transitional Authority”; and secondly, “the Military and the Sudanese stakeholders should finalize all transitional arrangements, including modalities, duration and priorities of the transition, as well as legislative and judicial structures, that will lead to the restoration of constitutional order.”
The communiqué reiterated that African Union would not tolerate any unconstitutional change of government. A military-led transition in the Sudan was “totally unacceptable and contradictory to the will and legitimate aspirations, to democratic institutions and processes, and to the human rights and freedoms of the Sudanese people’’. The AUPSC recognized the role played by Sudanese parties and their demands to be included in the negotiations for an agreement on the modalities, structures and timelines of a Civilian-led Transitional Authority that would lead to the organization and holding of free, fair and transparent elections. It calls on Sudanese stakeholders to continue to pursue constructive discussions to ensure the establishment of the Civilian-led Transitional Authority without further delay and procrastination. It demanded that both the military and the Sudanese stakeholders continue to work in a spirit of togetherness towards urgently culminating the negotiations and agreeing on the composition of a Civilian-led Transitional Authority. They should finalize all transitional arrangements, including modalities, duration and priorities of the transition, as well as the legislative and judiciary structures that would guide the restoration of constitutional order.
The AUPSC called on the Chairperson of the AU Commission to continue to pursue and strengthen his engagement and interaction, to involve various Sudanese stakeholders with a view to reaching an agreement on an inclusive and consensual Civilian-led Authority. The PSC said the Commission should be responsible to report on implementation of the PSC’s demands and take action as necessary. It also reaffirmed its respect for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Sudan. It expressed its commitment to support a democratic transformation in the Sudan and underscored the need for external actors to refrain from any action or initiatives that might escalate the situation in the Sudan.
The hope and expectation of the region is that all Sudanese stakeholders will demonstrate the necessary political will and commitment to achieve compromise and pave the way for the realization of a peaceful transition in responding to the needs and aspirations of the Sudanese people.
****************
South Sudanese parties meet to review the progress of the revitalized peace process
A two-day meeting of parties to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) convened in Addis Ababa this week on Thursday (May 2). The purpose was to review the status of implementation of the Pre-Transitional tasks detailed in the Agreement. The Pre-transition period is due to expire on May 12th. IGAD Special Envoy, Ambassador Ismail Wais, the Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJEMEC), General Augostino Njoroge and the Chairperson of the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM), Major General Desta Abiche briefed the meeting on the implementation status of the Revitalized Agreement. The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), David Shearer, spoke on the way forward for implementation of the Revitalized Agreement.
In his report to the meeting, the Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJEMEC) General Augostino Njoroge highlighted the progress made so far in the implementation of the agreement and the key challenges encountered in the execution of key activities within the Pre-Transitional Period. He spoke of “moderate progress’ but added that “several challenges have continued to undermine the functionality of Agreement institutions and mechanisms.” These, he said, included the delayed establishment of some institutions and mechanisms, financial constraints, capacity gaps and a lack of coordination. He stressed that overall, despite some progress, the implementation of the Pre-transitional tasks had fallen short of expectations and critical tasks remained pending.
In the assessment of the RJEMEC, he said, 59 key tasks had to be implemented prior to the commencement of the transitional period. To date, only 27 of these tasks had been completed, though 17 were ongoing. Fifteen remained pending, and General Njoroje described these as the most critical and consequential for the implementation of the agreement. Among the key activities, either ongoing or incomplete, were the determination of the number and boundaries of states and the composition and restructuring of the Council of States by the Independent Boundaries Commission; ratification of the Constitutional Amendment Bill (2019) by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and its promulgation as part of the country’s Transitional Constitution; the review and amendment of relevant security and governance related laws; and agreement by the Parties on the allocation of ministerial portfolios. Other tasks which have yet to be completed included: refraining from acts of sexual and gender-based violence by the Parties, the cantonment, disarmament, demobilization, selection, unification and training of forces, and the demilitarization of civilian centers. General Njoroje added that the mechanism for registration and documentation of refugees and IDPs was still in the process of development. He said his “greatest concern is the delayed operationalization of the cantonment sites, despite repeated appeal to the Parties to expedite this process. To my knowledge, as I speak, there is no a single cantonment site that is operational.”
Speaking on behalf of the Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers, Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew, State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Hirut Zemene, said the meeting would offer opportunities for parties to take stock of the progress made and the challenges encountered as well as identify steps that need to be taken. At this critical juncture, she said, the meeting was of enormous significance in determining the fate of the Revitalized Peace Agreement. Mrs. Hirut called on the parties to deliberate in a spirit of compromise and consensus, and find a common course of action to resolve pending issues and implement key tasks in a defined timeframe, to move the peace process forward. “I hope you will continue to demonstrate strong political will and commitment in overcoming current challenges”, she said, “and strive to make peace happen for the sake of South Sudanese people who have suffered for far too long.” She emphasized: “We in the region stand in solidarity with you and remain fully committed to support you in this important endeavor, which has enormous ramifications for peace and security, not only of South Sudan but for the wider Horn of Africa sub-region.”
The meeting then reviewed the status of the implementation of key Pre-Transitional tasks; it identified key challenges impeding effective implementation of the Revitalized Agreement; and deliberated on the implications of the key pending tasks and outstanding issues. The outcome of the meeting will now feed into the Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers scheduled to take place in Juba next week; and will help IGAD in charting the way forward in support of the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement in South Sudan.
***************
Celebration of World Press Freedom Day in Addis Ababa
World Press Freedom Day is celebrated around the world on May 3, and this year the main celebration has been taking place in Addis Ababa, over three days, May 1-3. The theme for 2019 is “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation” and the event has provided a platform for officials, representatives of civil society, media organizations, professional associations, academia and the judiciary to discuss current issues, threats and achievements, on the freedom of the press. The occasion saw the attendance of thousands of journalists from across the world, NGO representatives and officials from government and regional and international organizations. There’s been a wide range of plenary sessions, debates, talks and other opportunities to address different aspects of the theme as well as an academic conference on the safety of journalists and the dangers they face as well as a Youth Newsroom for young journalists and journalism students to cover the event and extend their reporting skills.
It’s entirely appropriate for Ethiopia to host the occasion this year as it has demonstrated the largest improvement in the treatment of journalists over the last year. Prime Minister Abiy laid out a new approach to the media in his acceptance speech a year ago: “we need to respect all human and democratic rights, especially of those of freedom of expression”, and followed this up in a spectacular manner to provide for freedom of the press, releasing a wide range of political prisoners, including both journalists and social media activists and bloggers. Within a couple of months, 264 websites had been unblocked and two externally based opposition TV stations set up inside Ethiopia. Working groups are revising the main laws covering media activity, and the changes have allowed a free press to flourish again in Ethiopia. Ms. Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, noting the changes, said she hoped Ethiopia would be ranked in the top 20 for press freedom next year; African Union Commission Deputy Chairperson Thomas Kwesi Quartey praised Ethiopia for notable achievements in reforming aspects of government functions, referring to a year “of remarkable reform.”
In his address at the official ceremony of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize dinner ceremony on Thursday (May 2), Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said, “We acknowledge with great honor Ethiopia’s selection to host the World Press Freedom Day,” adding that as Ethiopia strives to introduce comprehensive legal and institutional reforms, it was reassuring to note that “our measure so far to effectively realize the right to freedom of expression and the press, are duly recognized by the international community.” He added that the symbolism of such a grand gesture was even more significant, given that only a year ago, Ethiopia was labeled as Africa’s foremost jailer of journalists and one of the worst environments in the world for the functioning of independent media.
Prime Minister Abiy underlined that his government has no misconception that a free, independent and responsible media, augmented by the workings of citizen journalism, is an imperative prerequisite for building a viable democratic political order. However, the Prime Minister underscored, “It is also important to highlight that freedoms come with responsibilities. Media establishment and citizen journalists need to seize this current enabling environment and use their voice and pen with ethical considerations. We need to ensure that the opening up of the media space does not facilitate misinformation, the spread of hate speech and fake news.”
This year’s theme, “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation” also relates to the media’s potential in supporting peace and reconciliation processes, a subject of particular relevance to Ethiopia today, and for the elections due next year. To quote UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, “no democracy is complete without access to transparent and reliable information.” The theme is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. SDG 16, for example, concerns issues of peace and democracy as preconditions for equitable and sustainable development: “When freedom of expression and safety of journalists are protected, the media can play a vital role in preventing conflict and in supporting peaceful democratic processes.” It also urges states to “ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.”
This year’s UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize was awarded to jailed Myanmar Reuters journalists Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone by Ethiopian and African Union officials.
***************
Ethiopia and the Netherlands hold political consultations
Ethiopia and the Netherlands held a 3rd round of political consultation in Addis Ababa on Tuesday this week (April 30). The political consultation offered opportunities for the two countries to further strengthen cooperation on both bilateral and regional issues as well as explore potential areas of partnership.
The Permanent Secretary for Europe, the Americas, Asia and Multilateral Affairs, Ambassador Mahlet Hailu led the Ethiopian delegation; and Ms. Yoka Brandt, Secretary-General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, led the respective delegations.
Ambassador Mahlet underlined that Ethiopia attached greater importance to its relations with the Netherlands and thanked the Netherlands for the support it had extended to Ethiopia’s development agenda. She detailed the sweeping economic, social and political reforms initiated under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, emphasizing the historic rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea and the dividend this provided for regional peace and economic integration in the Horn of Africa.
Ms. Brandt underlined that the Netherlands attached significant importance to Ethiopia. She commended the ongoing reforms and the positive momentum of change in Ethiopia, and underlined her country’s continued commitment to support Ethiopia’s development efforts. Over a hundred Dutch companies are currently involved in different investment sectors in Ethiopia, particularly in agriculture and the horticulture industry. As part of the development cooperation between the two sides, the Netherlands is also supporting health and education projects in Ethiopia.
****************
Kenya and Ethiopia are strategic partners, not competitors
Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Kenya, Ambassador Meles Alem, has underlined that Ethiopia and Kenya have witnessed a re-awakening of bilateral relations over the last year, revitalizing and re-energising a new development chapter for both countries. He emphasized the clarion call by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for neighbouring countries in the region to integrate. Ethiopia and Kenya, he said, with an intertwined destiny, should pursue a collective and complimentary outcome for the betterment of their 150 million people.
“Ethiopia and Kenya were strategic partners not competitors,” said Ambassador Meles, pointing out that it was no coincidence that the “Big Four” agenda in Kenya coincided with the main strategic areas of Ethiopia’s development agenda. There are sectors in which Ethiopia was technically and resourcefully endowed and possessed a strong comparative advantage, which could benefit Kenya. The leather industry was a case in point. Equally, Kenya was the ‘Silicon Valley’ of Africa; Ethiopia could benefit from the ICT superiority of Kenya in many ways. Kenya’s entrepreneurial spirit and the vibrant role of its media in nation building were good examples for Ethiopia to learn from. Ambassador Meles said the government of Prime Minister Abiy has made great strides to actualising the concept of medemer, a call for unity, synergy and harmony. This was timely and applicable to Kenya as well as Ethiopia.
Summit meetings between the leaders of Ethiopia and Kenya in 2018 and 2019 had re-awakened the Special Status Agreement of 2012 between the two countries and underlined that infrastructure development was a common enabler of their respective economies. Both heads of state had made bold commitments. They had agreed logistics for the One Stop Border Post should be put in place by the end of the second quarter of 2019; they had agreed to jointly inspect and supervise the Lamu-Garissa-Moyale and Moyale-Hawassa-Addis Ababa road networks. Ambassador Meles noted the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET) and the Moyale Joint City and Economic Zone projects also demonstrated the power of bilateral relations.
Ambassador Meles emphasized again that successful development of the Ethio-Kenya relations would demonstrate that both countries were partners and not competitors, with the exception perhaps of marathon running!
