News in Brief
Joint Press Communiqué of the meeting between Ethiopia, Sudan Prime Ministers
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed meets with Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in Khartoum, Sudan
Annual Meeting of Ambassadors and Mission Leaders Underway
Abay River: a Kaleidoscope of Literature, History, Law, Political-Economy and Philosophy
Africa and the African Union
The World Food Programme (WFP) on Wednesday (August 26) warned that millions of refugees across Eastern Africa, who rely on the agency to survive, will face serious hunger and malnutrition. This is due to vital donor funding being reduced due to the socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. WFP has already been forced to reduce food or cash transfers between 10 to 30 per cent for more than 2.7 million refugees in Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan, and Djibouti.
The Au held on Wednesday (August 26) the fourth (4th) High Level Tax Policy Dialogue, on the theme, Taxing Rights for Africa in The New World & Effects of COVID-19: The Role of Tax Policymakers and Tax Administrators. The Dialogue was co-organized by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), with the support of the African Development Bank and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, AfricaCDC has urged the continent to avoid coronavirus “prevention fatigue”. At a media conference on Thursday (August 20), Director of the AfricaCDC, Dr John Nkengasong noted “a slight decrease” in infection rates on the continent, and said this “gives some signs of hope that we are beginning to bend the curve slowly”. He however cautioned the continent to maintain and increase the use of masks, social distancing, and to ramp up testing, even as countries begin to ease lockdown measures. “We do not want the population to show prevention fatigue”, he said, adding that “We are dealing with a delicate virus” that can easily flare up again very quickly, as has been witnessed in other parts of the world.
Amira Elfadil Mohammed, Commissioner for Social Affairs, African Union Commission; Dr Amani Abou-Zeid, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy; and Dr John Nkengasong, Director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Friday (August 21) launched the “Africa Against COVID-19: Saving Lives, Economies and Livelihoods” campaign during the Africa CDC weekly press briefing on COVID-19 on Thursday (August 20). The Saving Lives, Economies and Livelihoods campaign will facilitate the development of a harmonized strategy to protect borders, travellers, economies, livelihoods, and schools in Africa from the risk of increased COVID-19 transmission as countries begin to re-open their borders.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia reported a record 1,186 additional cases and 20 deaths from coronavirus on Thursday (August 27). Ministry of Health conducted 18,060 laboratory tests in twenty four hours of which 1,186 diagnoses positive. The new 20 deaths also took the number of fatalities from the virus to 745. According to the Ministry of Health, 16,829 people have so far recovered from the virus including 518 in the last twenty four hours. So far, 831,470 laboratory tests have been conducted of which 46,407 diagnosed with the virus.
The Ministry of Transport on Thursday (August 27) said it will launch a public traffic awareness campaign next Ethiopian new year which starts after two weeks. Minister of Transport, Dagmawit Moges, told journalists that the campaign will begin from September 6 and continues throughout the year with various programs. Civic Society Organizations (CSOs), media and different sections of the society will participate in the campaign, she said. The Ministry also conducted a similar campaign in the concluded Ethiopian fiscal year, which ended July 7.
Ethiopian Airlines aircraft maintenance technicians have successfully completed winglet modifications on Ethiopian B767 aircraft, the Ethiopian Airline announced on Wednesday (August 27). The revision done on the winglet has been considered as the first of its kind in Africa’s aviation history. The modification improves the fuel efficiency of the airplanes, each saving up to 500,000 gallons of fuel per year. It also reduces up to 277,000 metric tons of carbon emission annually per aircraft. 69 aircraft maintenance team members participated in this major project.
Ethiopia’s new Ambassador to Egypt, Dr. Markos Tekle on Thursday presented his copy of credentials to the country’s Assistant Foreign Minister for African Affairs, Ambassador Abu Bakr Hefny. Ambassador Dr. Markos pledged that his stay in Egypt would be marked by stronger bilateral ties between the two countries, particularly in business and people-to-people relations. He noted the encouraging progress of the ongoing negotiations between Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt on the GERD and reiterated that he would do his level best for the success of the negotiations. Ambassador Abu Bakr Hefny said Egypt attaches great importance to its relations with Ethiopia as the two countries are inter-related by history and the Nile River. He said the Egyptian government believes that Ethiopia’s development is a development for all, adding that his country is interested in enhancing multi-sectoral relations with Ethiopia.Residing in Egypt, the seasoned diplomat, Ambassador Markos will also serve as Ethiopia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Libya.
Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew said Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has succeeded in diplomatic undertaking during his official visit to Sudan. Prime Minister Abiy has returned home after completing his single day official visit to Sudan. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedu Andargachew remarked on Wednesday (August 26) that what they have been experiencing in common in their current transitional period has brought Ethiopia and Sudan into solidarity. The relations between Ethiopia and Sudan have public ground beyond relations among their governments, the foreign minister said.
Dr.Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic of Ethiopia paid an official visit to the Republic of Sudan on Tuesday (August 25) leading a high ranking delegation comprising their excellencies, Ministers of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Water, Irrigation and Energy in addition to a number of senior officials. Upon their arrival at Khartoum International Airport, Dr.Abiy Ahmed and the accompanying delegation was warmly welcomed by Dr. Abdulla Hamdock, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Sudan and the Sudanese counterpart ministers. The Prime Minister Office of Ethiopia issued a statement following the visit. (See article)
Ambassador Redwan Hussien on Tuesday (August 25) held a discussion with Mr. Alex Cameron, charge d’affaires of the embassy of Great Britain and the United Kingdom to Ethiopia about the recent incident on the embassy of Ethiopia in London. On the occasion, Ambassador Redwan officially registered the compliant and disappointment of the Government of Ethiopia over the recent developments surrounding the safety and security of the Ethiopian embassy in London. Ambassador Redwan reminded the Charge d’Affairs that the host country, the United Kingdom, has an obligation to take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of the mission against any intrusion or damage and to ensure the safety, security, and inviolability of the diplomatic staff in London as well as to prevent any disturbances of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity as per the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The Charge d’Affair apologized for the incident and assured the State Minister that measures will be taken to ensure the safety and security of the embassy under UK’s obligations as per the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Redwan Hussein on Tuesday (August 25) briefed African Ambassadors resident in Addis Ababa on current affairs. The briefing mainly focused on events surrounding the recent disturbances in Oromia regional state and measures taken by the government to restore law and order. He also gave explanation on the status of the on-going negotiations between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam GERD.
The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) on Tuesday (August 25) said Ethiopia has become the second largest flower exporter in Africa. The nation had done well in exporting cut flowers during the 2019-20 fiscal year, next to neighbouring Kenya, MoA’s Horticulture State Minister Wondale Habtamu told EPA. Ethiopia is also ranked as the 5th largest non-EU cut flower exporter to the Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Norway, Sweden, UK, the Middle East and other EU countries, he added. In a related development, the Ministry of Trade and Industry said the Netherlands is the top destination for Ethiopia exports, followed by the US, Somalia, Saudi Arabia and Germany. The country exported more than $320,162 worth products in the concluded fiscal year, which ended July 7.
The annual meeting of senior officials, ambassadors and Consul Generals of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia kicked off on Monday (August 24) under the theme: “Diplomatic Mission to National Prosperity,” in Bishoftu town. (See article)
Industrial Parks that are currently under construction across the nation will go fully operational in the coming Ethiopian New Year, said the Industrial Parks Development Corporation. Head of Marketing and Communication at the Corporation, Deribe Debele told ENA on Sunday (August 23) that the government is building industrial parks in different parts of the country to boost the country’s economy. Currently, there are 12 industrial parks in the country out of which seven are operational, he said, adding the remaining parks will become functional in the coming Ethiopian New Year.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia facilitated a webinar meeting that was held on Sunday (August 23) under the theme: “Abay River: a source of life and pride to Ethiopia.”The meeting called on setting the right narrative over the Abay River that takes the huge economic, social and geopolitical importance of the river for Ethiopians into account. On the occasion, five experts representing various fields of studies presented research papers that focus on showing the Abay River from different perspectives. (See article)
Eritrea
Two patients have been diagnosed positive for COVID-19 in tests carried out today at Adibara Quarantine Centers in Gash Barka Region. The patients are nationals who returned from Sudan recently. On the other hand, eight patients who were receiving medical treatment in hospitals in Gash Barka Region have recovered fully and were released from these facilities today. The total number of recovered patients to-date stands at 284. The total number of confirmed cases in the country to-date is 317.
Kenya
President Uhuru Kenyatta has reiterated his stance that time has come to amend the 2010 Constitution, warning against attempts to succumb to the paralysis of rigidity. The President said the crafters of the document fashioned it as work in progress. He added that the Constitution was adopted on August 27, 2010 with the promise that it would be improved in the future. “Ten years later, the moment to improve on it is now,” President Kenyatta said in an address to the nation on Wednesday (August 26) afternoon. “We must treat a constitution as a living document that must constantly adjust to emerging realities.”
Somalia
Turkey on Thursday donated 12 new armored personnel carriers to the Somali military to support its fight against the al-Qaida affiliated terrorist group al-Shabab. Somali Defense Minister Hassan Ali Mohamed and Somali Armed Forces commander Gen. Odawa Yusuf Rageh received the donation at a ceremony held in the capital Mogadishu on Thursday (August 27). Turkish Ambassador to Somalia Mehmet Yılmaz and other Somali government officials also attended the ceremony.
There are now 3,275 cases of the coronavirus in Somalia according to health ministry’s tally with a total of 95 deaths. On Wednesday (August 26) the health minister, Fowzia Abikar Nur reported 12 new cases in the past 24 hours. The total includes cases from 3 regions with Mogadishu having the highest being 6 cases. Jubbaland and Puntland had 2 and 4 cases respectively while the Benadir region recorded 6 cases. According to the ministry of health of the new cases, five are male and one is female and 38 more patients have recovered from the virus bringing the number of recoveries to 2,481 two people succumbed to the virus raising the total number of fatalities to 95.
The United States says it killed six al-shabaab terrorists and wounded three others in an airstrike earlier this week in the vicinity of Dar as Salam, Somalia. The U.S. Africom in a statement on Wednesday (August 26) that the airstrike was conducted with advice from U.S. forces on the ground. “Al-Shabaab is a dangerous enemy,” said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Bradford Gering, deputy director for operations, U.S. Africom. “It is a danger to Africa and the United States. “We will continue to place pressure on the network and impact their ability to plan and execute these acts.”
A senior al-Shabaab commander was killed in a joint operation by the AFRICOM and Somali military conducted in the vicinity of Saakow southern Somalia on Tuesday (August 25). According to the state media, SONNA the senior commander killed was Abdikadir Osman Yarrow famously known as (Abdikadir Commando). “Working with our Somali partners, we continue to weaken and degrade the al-Shabaab network,” said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Bradford Gering, deputy director for operations, U.S. Africa Command. “Our efforts are increasing security and helping to disrupt al-Shabaab’s future plans and ambitions.”
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has awarded service medals to 42 senior military staff officers serving within the AMISOM Force Headquarters in Mogadishu from 10 African countries in recognition of their contribution towards peace and stability in Somalia. The recognized officers hail from Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Egypt, Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Ghana, Eswatini, Ethiopia and Zambia. AMISOM Force Commander (FC), Lieutenant General (Lt. Gen.) TigabuYilma, on Tuesday (August 25) decorated the officers with African Union medals of service during a parade held in their honour.
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), in collaboration with the Southwest State Ministry of Women, Human Rights and Development, last week on Thursday (August 20) organized an online training for Somali women leaders to enhance their participation in the political and decision-making process of their country. The seminar titled Ensuring Women Political Representation in the COVID-19 Context, organised by the Protection, Human Rights and Gender (PHRG) Unit of AMISOM at the request of the South West State of Somalia, was attended by 25 women, and 10 men in different support capacities.
Sudan
The South Sudanese presidential aide and chief mediator on Thursday (August 28) announced that the initial signing of the peace agreement between the Sudanese government and the armed movements has been postponed to Monday 31 August. In remarks to the media in Juba, Tut Gatluak said that the government delegation headed by the deputy chairman of the Transitional Sovereign Council, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, and the delegations of the armed movements will sign next Monday in the Freedom Hall in Juba at 11.00 am a comprehensive peace agreement in the whole Sudan except for the areas controlled by the SPLM-N led by Abdel-Aziz al-Hilu.
South Sudanese and Sudanese officials on Thursday (August 27) vowed to settle the issue of the disputed border area of Abyei after the end of the Juba process for peace in Sudan. Abyei businessmen organized a lunch for the chairman of the Sudanese government negotiating team Mohamed Hamdan Daglo aka Hemetti who is also the deputy head of the Sovereign Council. The lunch was also attended by the South Sudanese Vice-President Hussein Abdelbagi and the mediation team particularly Tut Gatluak and Dhieu Matouk.
The Sudanese transitional government and Darfur armed groups reached an agreement on the integration of the former combatants into the Sudanese army and the formation of a joint force to protect civilians. This agreement on the last sticky point in the negotiations between the government and the armed groups paves the ways for initialling a comprehensive peace agreement on Friday 28 August. “The negotiators for peace in Darfur have reached an agreement on the integration of forces within the framework of the ongoing negotiations on security arrangements,” said Dhieu Matouk, the rapporteur of the mediation team on Wednesday (August 26).
Ethiopian Prime Minister and his Sudanese counterpart agreed that the mega-dam on the Blue Nile should be an instrument for regional integration between the riparian countries. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed together with his defence, foreign and water ministers were in Khartoum on Tuesday (August 25) for talks on bilateral relations and the mega-dam on the Blue Nile near the Sudanese border. In a joint statement released after the end of talks between Ahmed and Hamdok, the two sides agreed that regional integration is the way forward to fulfill their peoples’ aspirations in peace, development and pan -Africans unity. Therefore “the two sides agreed to reactivate all existing bilateral mechanisms, designed to further the cooperation in different areas,” reads the statement. (See article)
Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok called on the visiting U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo to delink Sudan removal from the terror list. Pompeo was in Khartoum on Tuesday (August 25) for talks with Hamdok and the head of the Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on bilateral relations and particularly Sudan removal from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism. “Regarding the U.S. request to normalize relations with Israel, the Prime Minister explained to the Secretary of State that the transitional period in Sudan is led by a broad coalition with a specific agenda to complete the transition process, achieve peace and stability in the country before to hold free elections,” Spokesperson Faisal Mohamed Saleh said.The transitional government does not have a mandate beyond these tasks to decide on normalization with Israel, he further said adding that a decision would be made on this matter after the completion of the institution of the transitional authority.
Sudan’s Defence Minister renewed his country’s readiness to contribute to the training of the unified South Sudanese army. Yassen Ibrahim met on Monday (August 24) with the South Sudanese Defence Minister Angelina Teny to discuss security issues between the two countries. In statements after the meeting, Teny said they discussed security issues in the two countries.
UNAMID’s Gender Advisory Team in the UN State Liaison Functions (SLFs) and UN Women, in partnership with North Darfur Ministry of Health and Social Development, on Monday (August 24) began a three-day workshop on gender related topics for 60 participants from the Ajaweed Council and Native Administration. The Workshop, currently underway in El Fasher, will focus on gender perspectives in the informal justice mechanism meant to enhance the participation of women and men in the peace and reconciliation process.
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok and visiting Qatari diplomat Mutlaq Al Qahtani discussed the Juba process for peace in Sudan on Sunday. According to the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA), the meeting was attended by the Sudanese Foreign Minister Omer Gamar Eldin and the Cabinet Minister Omer Monis. “The Qatari envoy conveyed to the Prime Minister the greetings of the Qatari leadership” and discussed with him the progress of the talks hosted by South Sudan government, said SUNA. For its part, the Qatari News Agency (QNA) said the meeting discussed bilateral cooperation and Qatar support to the peace process in Sudan.
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Joint Press Communiqué of the meeting between Ethiopia, Sudan Prime Ministers
Within the framework of the continuous consultation between the leadership of the Republic of Sudan and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia underpinned by the age-old relationship between the two sisterly countries, H.E Dr.Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic of Ethiopia paid an official visit to the Republic of Sudan on Tuesday 25, August 2020 leading a high ranking delegation comprising their excellencies, Ministers of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Water, Irrigation and Energy in addition to a number of senior officials.
Upon their arrival at Khartoum International Airport, H.E. Dr.Abiy Ahmed and the accompanying delegation was warmly welcomed by H.E. Dr. Abdalla Hamdok , the Prime Minister of the Republic of Sudan and the Sudanese counterpart ministers.
During the visit, the two sides held a session of official talks headed by the two prime ministers and attended by ministers from both countries.
In these talks ways of strengthening, expanding and deepening bilateral cooperation in all fields were thoroughly discussed. Both governments reiterated mutual support for each other in their endeavours to attain and consolidate peace, stability, democracy and development in their respective countries. They expressed shared conviction that given the historical, cultural, social and economic ties between the two brotherly peoples, embarking on regional integration is the way forward to fulfill their people’s aspirations in this development and pan Africans unity.
Toward this end, the two sides agreed to reactivate all existing bilateral mechanisms designed to share the cooperation in different areas. The Ethiopian delegation was briefed about the ongoing peace agreement in Juba and about the imminent peace agreement between the transitional government of Sudan and the armed struggle forces. The efforts of the transitional government to overcome the economic difficulties inherited from the ousted regime and to address challenges of socioeconomic development and strengthening democracy were also highlighted.
On their part, the Ethiopian delegation shared with their host the endeavours by the Ethiopian government to uplift the living standard of its people and to enhance democracy and good governance in the country. The Ethiopian delegation reaffirmed their support to the Sudan’s legitimate demands in removing its names from the US list of states supporting terrorism and getting debt relief. A host of international and regional issues of mutual interest were also discussed.
Cognizant of their role, as major pillars of stability in the Horn of Africa, both sides noted with great satisfaction, the positive, peaceful and more harmonious atmosphere which is currently prevailing in the Horn and pledged to redouble their efforts to nurture these ends.
On the question of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam,(GERD) both sides emphasized the imperative of exerting every possible effort to attain a successful conclusion of the ongoing trilateral negotiation under the auspices of the AU leading to a win-win formula that would make the GERD, a vehicle to regional integration between the riparian countries. In this regard, both sides expressed their support and commitment to the AU led mediation in the GERD negotiation. They view the AU initiative as a manifestation of African solutions to African problems. The two sides acknowledged the good progress achieved in resolving the outstanding issues on their common boundary and border. They instructed the joint instrument on the question to continue their work in the same spirit of cooperation, fairness and open-mindedness to conclude a mutually acceptable settlement to these issues.
The visit program was concluded by a meeting between H.E. Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burhan, head of the Transitional Sovereign Council and H.E. Dr.Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
At the end of the visit, H. E. Dr, Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and his delegation expressed their gratitude for the warm welcome and generous hospitality they have been accorded during their stay in Sudan.
Khartoum, 25 August 2020
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Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed meets with Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in Khartoum, Sudan
A Statement from the Office of the Prime Minister Office of Ethiopia
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The Ethiopian delegation’s visit to Sudan today comes at the heels of the one-year anniversary of the signing of the Constitutional Declaration facilitated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed which enabled the formation of Sudan’s transitional government.
During bilateral discussions, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed congratulated the Sudanese government for the milestones achieved since then and for the current ongoing political discussions.
On Ethiopia-Sudan relations, he highlighted that the fate of both countries is intertwined and rooted in longstanding historic and strategic relations. He reiterated, “we are one people, one family,” highlighting that any issues, including in relation to the GERD and borders, can be addressed amicably through continued and sustained good faith discussions.
Prime Minister Abdela Hamdok on his part, emphasized the complementary nature of both countries which compels them to work together for mutual benefits. With strengthened collaborations on the economic front, Ethiopia and Sudan’s economies can be a catalyst for progress in the Horn Region and Africa, he shared.
Both parties affirmed solidarity for each other’s endeavors and agreed to settle any issues through continued dialogue and negotiations.
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Annual Meeting of Ambassadors and Mission Leaders Underway
The annual meeting of senior officials, ambassadors and Consul Generals of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia kicked off on Monday (August 24) under the theme: “Diplomatic Mission to National Prosperity,” in Bishoftu town.
In delivering an opening speech, Gedu Andargachew, minister of the Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia noted the Ministry’s commitment to engage in activities that helped forge durable peace in the Horn of Africa and establish strong economic ties with countries in the region. In stating some of the diplomatic achievements, Gedu cited the peace agreement in South Sudan among various factions, the political arrangement in Sudan following the revolution that put an end to the long reign of the ousted president, the Ethio-Eritrea peace deal that effectively ended the deadlock between the two countries and the ongoing efforts being undertaken by the Ethiopian side to the triumph of peace and stability in Somalia.
According to Gedu, the Ministry has also been successful in creating new strategic partnerships that help the country get support to its ongoing economic and political reform as per the country’s national interests.
Gedu’s speech also covered the Ministry’s and the Government of Ethiopia’s spectacular success over issues related to the GERD in all of the stages of the construction and filling of the dam. Gedu further elaborated on the Ministry’s crucial role in mobilizing diplomatic support and creating public awareness regarding the ongoing negotiations over the dam. The Ministry has also been active in drawing the attention and financial support of the Ethiopian Diaspora to the GERD’s cause.
He finally expressed his hope that the deliberations of the meeting will help the Ministry to further strengthen the spectacular results registered in the current fiscal year in economic diplomacy and peacebuilding activities.
The first three days of the meeting have been marked by a detailed analysis of the concept of “medemer” and its applications from different angles. On the first day of the meeting a paper under the theme: “Reform and the Fundamentals of Medemer” was presented by Fisaha Yitagesu. The presentation thoroughly covered the opportunities and challenges of the ongoing comprehensive reform in Ethiopia. Experiences from various historical accounts and happenings were drawn to further explain matters related to reforms that are similar to the one Ethiopia has been undertaking for the last two years. The discussion underscored that the concepts underpinned by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s in his book “medemer” can led a hand to better cope up with some of the challenges of applying measures in a reform, like the one that is taking place in Ethiopia. The Ambassadors and Heads of Missions have spent the second day of the meeting discussing the concept of “medemer” and its role in reorienting the Foreign Policy of the country. In both of the sessions, Minister of Peace, Muferihat Kamil chaired the meeting.
On the 3rd day of the meeting, discussions were made focusing upon the nexus between politics, prosperity and the concept of “medemer” following a paper tabled by Dr. Gedion Timothewos, Attorney General of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Dr. Gedion’s paper showed the opportunities and challenges of building a democratic system. Fekadu Tesema, a member of the Prosperity Party’s Executive Committee and Head of the Party’s Oromia Office, chaired the meeting.
In addition to evaluating the Ministry’s performance in the current fiscal year, participants are expected to thoroughly discuss the application of the “medemer” philosophy in light of the Foreign Policy of the country. They will also take part in training sessions on Strategic Leadership and Balanced Score Card.
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Abay River: a Kaleidoscope of Literature, History, Law, Political Economy and Philosophy
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia facilitated a webinar meeting that was held on Sunday (August 23) under the theme: “Abay River: a source of life and pride to Ethiopia.” The meeting called on setting the right narrative over the Abay River that takes the huge economic, social and geopolitical importance of the river for Ethiopians into account. On the occasion, five experts representing various fields of studies presented research papers that focus on showing the Abay River from different perspectives.
In delivering an opening remark to the meeting, Gedu Andargachew, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, highlighted how the Abay River (the river that our neighbors call the Nile) has a special place in the hearts of Ethiopians as it is reflected through the works of a number of poets, musicians, researchers and academicians. According to Gedu, all of the artistic products and academic outputs before the GERD project was officially launched reflected that Ethiopians were hugely unsatisfied for they were not able to utilize the untapped resources of the river. He said, now is a different time because “with the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, we made the issue of utilizing the river as our symbol of sovereignty and a flagship project that stands as a testament to our capacity to transform dreams into reality.” Abay is a river that connects many regions in Ethiopia and it has got geopolitical importance to us in addition to its cultural and economic impact on our country, Gedu said.
Taking all the emotional attachment that Ethiopians have developed with the river and its geopolitical and economic impact on the lives of many people in the country, the Minister said, Ethiopians need to set the right narrative and their own discourse over Abay River. The minister urged people to understand that utilizing the Abay River is a matter of sustaining life and asserting existence for Ethiopians. Mr.Gedu said all people in the world should be made be aware that the very name of the Abay River, which means, major, vital, considerable, paramount in Amharic, goes hand in hand with the river’s huge imprint on the economic, cultural, historical and geopolitical relations of people in Ethiopia and across the region.
Mr. Mahemud Eshetu, a Ph.D. candidate in Law, elaborated on how we should understand the 1902 agreement between Ethiopia and Egypt, the 1929 and 1959 colonial-era agreements over the Nile River and their possible effect on the ongoing GERD negotiations. According to Mahemud, the colonial era agreements defined the ‘rules of the game’ by favoring Egypt and preventing the upstream states from utilizing the waters of the Nile. He further said that the colonial-era agreements have effectively established the ‘historic’ rights of Egypt and institutionalized the status quo which was based on the myth that goes as “Egypt is the Gift of the Nile.” He described some of the fundamental attempts that challenged these irrelevant agreements. He cited the 1999 Nile Basin Initiative as the first successful attempt in refuting the Egyptian narrative and in articulating counter narratives that sanction a discourse of cooperation and prevent unilateral action on the Nile. His discussion also covers the impact of the 1995/1997 Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA), a basin wide legal and institutional framework which was signed by six and ratified by four upstream states. He said the CFA developed a benefit sharing counter-narrative which underscored that the utilization of Nile through this agreement is not a zero-sum game. According to Mahemud, the construction of the GERD is the beginning of a de-facto change in the status quo that turned a blind eye on the rights of Ethiopia over the river Nile. He said once Ethiopia started to build the dam, Sudan started to support the project and “eventually the GERD became a fait accompli.” Mahemud’s discussion also covered the Declaration of Principles (DoP) and many other factors that forced Egypt to reconsider its position.
Ms. Mekdelawit Messay, Water Science Researcher, said the Abay River basin covers 70 percent of the water resources and 2/3 of the irrigation and hydropower potential of the country. She said 50 million Ethiopians are directly dependent on the river for their livelihoods. According to Mekdelawit, once the GERD is completed and starts to generate electricity, that is 6000 MW, it has got the potential to either energize 25 industry Parks, or light up 71 million houses or if exported it could earn USD one billion annually. However, she said, the benefit of the GERD is insignificant compared to the potential of the Abay River basin in generating electricity which amounts to 30,000 MW. Mekdelawit underscored that taking all of these factors into consideration, “utilizing the river is a matter of existence rather than choice.”
A historian from Addis Ababa University, Mr. Abebaw Ayalew, presented a paper that showed the nexus between the Abay River, history, and religion in affecting the relationship of Ethiopia and Egypt. His discussion clearly showed that the relationship between Ethiopia and Egypt is an age-long one that has been marked by religious and economic ties that dated back to the era of the pharaohs. The two countries used to have relationships that were strongly affected, in particular, by the advent of Christianity and Islam in Africa, he said. Egypt used to send archbishops to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church up until the end of the first half of the 20th century, Abebaw added in tabling examples to the extent of the relationship between the two countries. The history of the two countries in modern times, according to Abebaw, continued to be affected by the major characteristics of the Colonial Era in Africa- i.e., the fight for controlling resources. Although the competition for the Abay River basin is not a new phenomena, he said, the fight to control the water resources of the Nile Basin came to the forefront and continued to greatly affect the relationship between the two countries in the modern history of the two nations.
In his presentation that examines the philosophical side of using the word, ‘pride’ among Ethiopians over utilizing the Abay River, Dr.Mohamud Girma said ‘pride’ in this discussion refers to a transition to Ethiopians from ‘conflict’ to ‘peace’. He said Ethiopians have had a love and hate relationship with the Abay River- they admire it for its beauty and be angry at it for stealing their resources while developing others. For Mohamud utilizing the Abay River creates balance in the minds of the public, i.e., a balance between beauty and utility. He said the success of the flagship project, the GERD, will make Ethiopians proud, give them a sense of accomplishment, help them correct their self-image and make peace with themselves- in short, it will make them whole and complete.
Deputy Director and Co-Founder of the East African Policy Research Institute (EAPRI), Dr. Birhanu M Lenjiso Ababu, in his presentation on “Abay and Nation Building in Ethiopia: Challenges and Opportunities” said the Abay River should not be taken as simply as a source of water to Ethiopians but as a link to the country’s history of nation-building. He said Ethiopia is one of the oldest states in Africa and one of the oldest in the World and it is known as the cradle of mankind and home of nations and nationalities. He said, all of these facts about Ethiopia can be analogized with some facts about the river, such as, “Abay is the longest river in the world and the father of rivers in Africa;” “the Nile basin is the stage of agricultural civilization and home to great tributary rivers.” For Birhanu, such similarities between the river and Ethiopia should not be limited to mere descriptions or be taken as trivial comparisons. He said, these similarities between the river basin and the history of Ethiopia should be taken as ingredients to suggest how the nation can use the river as an opportunity to advance its discourses of creating a stable ‘nation’ and ‘state’.
Over 180 people have participated in the meeting where several questions were forwarded by the participants and further elaborated by the minister and the presenters of research papers.
