News in Brief
Africa and the African Union
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) discussed about violent extremism in Africa on Tuesday (March 28) in tandem with the African Union and other regional organizations which are directly responsible for the security situation within the continent especially in countries like Somalia.
A recent United Nations report highlighted increased incidences of terrorism in Africa, raising concerns among stakeholders. The meeting was conducted by Mozambique’s President, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, who discussed the present situation on the continent, which necessitated a high-level conference.
The focus of the Security Council meeting was on supporting successful practices, enhancing international collaboration, stimulating development projects, and customizing the global counter-terrorism strategy to Africa’s special requirements.
Ethiopia
IMF spokesman Mr. Gerry Rice said on Monday (March 27), that IMF staff are in Ethiopia this week completing technical work in preparation for a prospective IMF-supported program for the Horn of African country. The IMF praised Ethiopia’s significant progress in restoring long-term peace and stability through the cessation of hostilities agreement noting that implementation had gone well, including through restoration of humanitarian assistance and basic services in Tigray.
Ethiopia and the Netherlands endorsed the launching of a ground-breaking Private Sector Water Management Initiative by Nedamco Africa to Improve Water Needs for Over 10 million People at the UN23 Water Conference held in New York (March 22 – 24). Dr. Engineer Habtamu Itefa, the Minister of Water and Energy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and Kitty van der Heijden, Director-General International Cooperation at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, endorsed the launch of the Ethiopian SDG6 Water Management initiative. The initiative will be based on digitally verifiable outcomes focused on the reduction of non-revenue water, increase of water quality, increased access to water, and higher availability of water.
Ethiopia participated in a two-day “High-Level Dialogue on Nutrition Financing” in Maseru, Lesotho hosted by His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho. Mrs. Nardos Ayalew, Representative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, noted that food security and nutrition are key agenda for countries like Ethiopia with a population of over 120 million and certain areas experiencing recurrent drought. She added, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed actively champions the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Programme (#CAADP) and the Ethiopian Government is working closely with the African Union and other partners and key stakeholders to realize continental objectives on agricultural development and food security. The Representative highlighted the “Yelemat Tirufat” (Bounty of the Basket) development campaign championed by the Premiere to achieve nutritional opulence while increasing export earnings, ensuring food and nutrition security, and substituting imported products. She also reaffirmed the commitment of Ethiopia to end stunting among children under below the age of two by 2030 under the rubric of The Seqota Declaration.
The World Bank Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, Victoria Kwakwa, conducted a two-day official visit to Ethiopia (March 23). During her stay she paid a courtesy call to Finance Minister, Ahmed Shide. The two officials discussed issues of mutual interest, including development priorities and how to strengthen the Bank’s partnership with Ethiopia.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali (PhD) has appointed the spokesperson of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), Getachew Reda, as head of an interim administration in the Tigray region (March 23). The appointment is the latest sign of progress in the peace deal that ended the two-year war between the government and the TPLF last November. The interim regional administration will be in place until elections are held for the region.
Djibouti
Ethiopia and Djibouti inked an agreement (March 23) on the completion of a 35-kilometre road between Galamo and Moloud. The agreement was penned during the visit of Alemu Simie, Minister of Transport and Logistics, who met with Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh and President of Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority Aboubaker Omar Hadi to speed up the completion of the project.
Kenya
Led by the leader of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition, Mr. Raila Odinga, supporters have been demonstrating in Nairobi, Kisumu and some parts of Western Kenya accusing the Government of of failing to address the rising cost of living. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed deep concern at violence following public protests in the country, which has resulted in the loss of life, damage to property and the interruption of certain economic activities in the capital, Nairobi since 21 March 2023, in a statement dated 27 March 2023. In the statement the Chairperson urged all stakeholders to exercise calm and engage in dialogue to address any differences that may exist in the supreme interest of national unity and reconciliation. In the same token, Western diplomatic missions in Nairobi also called for an immediate solution to avert further damages from protests called by opposition groups. Among others American Embassy, Australia, Canada, the British High Commission and a number of European Union member states asked political leaders to seek a “swift solution for the common good of Kenya”.
Western diplomatic missions in Nairobi are calling for an urgent solution to avert further damages from protests by opposition groups, even though they suggest, subtly, that the electoral outcomes currently in dispute in Kenya have already been addressed legally.
US Senator Chris Coons arrived in Nairobi on Wednesday (March 29) for discussions with Kenyan politicians, his second visit to the nation in less than a year. The senator is likely to address issues related to trade, security, and democracy, among other crucial areas of mutual interest.
President William Ruto and Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations on Wednesday (March 29). They agreed to support Kenya’s food security agenda, work with Belgian biotechnology companies to establish insulin, vaccine and cancer drug manufacturing companies in the country, maintain peace and stability, advance the growth of the renewable energy sector, promote carbon credit management, port management and digital economy.
President William Ruto paid a two-day official visit to Germany before proceeding to Belgium the seat of the European Union. On Monday (March 27) the President held talks with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin. He later met Chancellor Olaf Scholz to discuss strengthening social and economic ties between the two nations.
In response to rising demand, Air France has expanded nonstop flights between Nairobi and Paris (March 24). From June 15, 2023, the airline will fly to Nairobi seven times per week. The route expansion is intended to assist French and Kenyan firms, particularly those in horticulture, pharmaceuticals, and other industries that rely on air transport.
Somalia
Fighting broke out early Wednesday morning (March 29) in the Hiran region’s Bardhere district between local forces backed by the Somali National Army (SNA) and the terrorist group Al-Shabaab. Al-Shabaab lost dozens of villages to Mawisley and Somali government forces in the Hiran region’s eastern sections, where the militant group has been operating for almost a decade.
US ambassador to Somalia Larry André stated on Tuesday (March 28) that the Somali government’s military efforts against Al-Shabab had cost the extremists one-third of their territory. “Somali-led offensives have restored Somalia’s sovereignty to a third of the region formerly misruled by al-Shabaab,” Larry André remarked. “Ending Al-Shabab’s oppression is one step further toward Somalia’s full revival.”
South Sudan
President Salva Kiir addressed the opening session of the country’s parliament on Monday (March 27) and said there is no room for fresh negotiations or demand. He also added that although the government and holdout group failed to reach an agreement during the last talks, his administration will remain committed to ensuring that the Rome Peace Talks yield fruit. The government will not engage in another round of fresh talks with non-signatories to the peace agreement, President Kiir declared.
Sudan
The Armed Forces released a press circular on Thursday (March 30) in which it reaffirmed its allegiance to the country’s current democratic process. According to the news circular, the Armed Forces reiterate their entire support to the continuing political process while also thanking all participants in the Security and Military Reform Workshop.
Sudan’s President of the Transitional Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan called on troops on Sunday (March 26) to “end” support for authoritarian leaders as talks begin on military reforms, part of a prolonged transition to civilian rule. “During our history, the armed forces have supported dictatorial governments, and we want to put an end to that.
Sudanese parties complete drafting final political agreement. The signatories to the framework agreement in Sudan completed the drafting of the final political agreement, ahead of its adoption on the first of April, announced the spokesman for the political process on Saturday (March 25).
Premiere Abiy Addresses Parliamentarians
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali (PhD) addressed the 11th Regular Session of the House of Peoples’ Representatives on 28 March 2023. In the televised address, the Prime Minister also responded to questions raised by the parliamentarians.
Among others, he put forth the firm position of the Government of Ethiopia on matters pertaining to peace, democracy, economy and other various undertakings.
Speaking of peace, the Premier noted, peace entails everyone standing at the forefront in pursuing it. He added, while peace is relative, there are many initiatives that are in progress to bring about durable peace.
The commitment of his government to bring a peaceful resolution to the Oromo Liberation Army Shene issue while ensuring that no further bloodshed occurs in tandem with pursuing dialogue is a case in point, the Prime Minister told the MPs.
Alluding to the collective efforts to build a vibrant democracy, PM Abiy said, we as a nation need to ponder sustaining these efforts even in the face of challenges. He reiterated the fact that a path contrary to this one is detrimental to fellow Ethiopians.
Through the 3rd flagship “Dine for Generations” initiative, he cited, tourist destinations will be properly developed in locales such as Gheralta, Hayk, Jimma, Afar, Arba Minch and Somali region while developments in Benishangul Gumuz and South West regions will be overseen be private investments to expand the tourism sector.
Speaking of the economy in light of the global economy, the Prime Minister noted, despite the challenges Ethiopia’s economy is constantly growing. He said, as our ties with the international community flourish miscellaneous disruptions tend to affect us and that we need to address four major priorities in this regard: Debt accumulation, rising cost of living, infrastructural gaps and imbalances in demand and supply.
Disarming, Demobilizing and Reintegrating former TPLF Combatants Key to Sustaining Peace
With the signing of Agreement for Lasting Peace Through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities between the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in Pretoria, South Africa on 2nd of November 2022 and the commencement of public consultation on Disarmament, Demobilization and Integration (DDR) on 11 March 2023 in Mekele, Tigray peace has finally prevailed in the Northern part of Ethiopia. With relentless work by the Government of Ethiopia in cooperation with regional and continental partners, Ethiopia has proven that African Problems can indeed have African Solutions. The establishment of an interim administration in Tigray and the appointment of Getachew Reda as president of the interim administration is a step further in the direction of perpetual peace.
The next step towards sustainable peace would the prodigious implementation of the DDR under the auspices of the National Rehabilitation Commission (NRC). Demobilizing, disarming and rehabilitating former TPLF combatants to enable to lead normal civilian lives is another milestone the ongoing peace process in Ethiopia has to undertake in down to earth manner. As the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs at the United Nations, Izumi Nakamitsu, succinctly put it “Over the past three decades, DDR has become an integral part of peace operations across the globe. DDR has played a key role in violence prevention, stabilization and support to political processes.”
With the support of the African Union and other partners, it is of utmost importance to the future of the nation that the Government once again commit to advancing peace and building confidence among the international community by meticulously follow and assist the implementation of the DDR. During a meeting with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahat on 29 March 2023 the Chairperson of the NRC, Ambassador Teshome Toga reiterated the continued commitment of the Government on the full implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, the DDR in particular.
On the other hand, concerted diplomatic and media campaign is important to create awareness among members of the international community near and far as to the undertakings of the Government not only to silence the guns but also sustain the peace gain at an exorbitant price. The AUC Chairperson also commended the move and assured Ambassador Teshome of AU’s continued support to the endeavour. The support of the international community in this regard should not be taken for granted, as it has always been the firm position of the Government, and should continuously be leveraged in a manner that it ensures not only peace and stability but also development and prosperity in Ethiopia and the region. Tasking the African Union Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mechanism (MVCM) is testimony to Africa’s capability to solve its problems with its own capacity, especially when it comes to a hard-earned peace such as this one.
Towards Water Action Agenda: UN Conference on Water to Accelerate SDG6
Recognizing the importance of reviewing the progress made in the UN Water Action Decade 2018-2028, encouraging Member States, stakeholders and the private sector to commit actions to address global water challenges in a holistic manner, and seeking solutions that ensure all people and everywhere have clean and safe water supplies, the pioneering global water conference titled the Midterm Comprehensive Review of Implementation of the International Water Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028” was held at the UN headquarters in New York from 22 to 24 March 2023.
The Water Conference was the first UN water conference in a generation, co-hosted by the Governments of Tajikistan and the Netherlands, sets out a series of action-oriented game changing commitments, from making smarter food choices to re-evaluating water as a powerful economic driver, from capacity-building to data and monitoring systems, to improving the resilience of infrastructure.
This conference brought together key stakeholders from government representatives, scientists, academics, civil society groups, indigenous peoples, private sector and youth to accelerate or catalyse actions towards water and sanitation for all. It also brought together project owners, developers, partners (Members States, UNECA, AUC, IUCN and others) and the financiers (banks, WB, DFIs, philanthropic organisations) to bridge the investment and development deficit in the water sector.
The uniqueness of the conference lies in demonstrating water as humanity’s most precious global common good, putting water at the centre of global political agenda, flowing across global challenges, from protecting the spread of disease to fighting poverty. Moreover, it was unique in looking actions as developing new alternative food systems to reduce the unsustainable use of water in agriculture, launching a new global water information system to guide plans and priorities to realize the SDG6, and new considerations including appointing a Special Envoy for water. It also unique in creating a space to showcase both the success stories of Member States, stakeholders and the private sector in water sector, creating an enabling environment including financial instruments ($300 billion in pledges) needed most to maintain the transformative Water Action Agenda, which has also a potential of unlocking at least $1 trillion of socioeconomic and eco-system gains.
One of the main outcomes of the Conference was the Water Action Agenda that captured all water-related voluntary commitments and follow on their progress. The Water Action Decade among others calls for 1. Integrated water and climate policy at national and global levels by 2030. 2. The Global Water Information System to support water, climate and land management for socioeconomic resilience, ecological sustainability and social inclusion. 3. Early Warnings for All to help people safeguard their lives and property. 4. Overcoming the deadly dependence on ever rising water consumption for providing nutrition and power. 5. Re-defined financial principles to make our economies water, climate, land, ecosystem smart and people centric. 6. The Global Water Education Network to build capacity of institutions and people, especially to support developing countries. 7. Inclusive, comprehensive transboundary agreements on the basis of the UNECE Water Convention to support countries of all continents. 8. Secretary-General to create the institutional architecture for the support of transformation – a board of UN agencies and member states, under his leadership, managed by a UN envoy for water, supported by the reformed UN Water and an independent scientific and practice panel. 9. indicated the necessity for an intergovernmental meeting in 2025 to evaluate the implementation of the above undertakings and the national and stakeholders’ commitment.
In his closing remarks, the General Assembly President Csaba Korosi said that the outcome of this conference is not a legally binding document, but it still turns the page of history and member states and stakeholders have reconfirmed the promise to implement the human right to water and sanitation for all.
The interactive dialogue discussion brought about more than 2000 participants to strengthen and accelerate action on key water areas. In this regard, the five “interactive dialogues” also supported the five principles of the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework, an initiative to deliver fast results towards ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030. The interactive dialogue includes Water for Health: Access to safe drinking water, hygiene, and sanitation; Water for Sustainable Development: Valuing Water, Water-Energy-Food Nexus and Sustainable Economic and Urban Development; Water for Climate, Resilience and Environment: Source to Sea, Biodiversity, Climate, Resilience and Disaster Risk Reduction; Water for Cooperation: Transboundary and International Water Cooperation, Cross Sectoral Cooperation and Water Across the 2030 Agenda; and Water Action Decade: Accelerating the implementation of the objectives of the Decade, including through the UN Secretary-General’s Action Plan.
The plenary discussions brought together over thousands of participants in person and online. Dr. Habtamu Itefa, Minister of Water and Energy and head of the Ethiopian delegation, also presented a national statement.
The Minister highlighted that development gains and progress made on SDG6 affected by COVID19, increasing floods, unpredictable rain fall, and droughts. The impacts of climate change on water that can be seen and felt at an accelerating rate. However, He stressed Ethiopia’s hard working to remain resilient. In addressing water and climate crisis, he attaches high importance to the implementation of One WASH National Flagship Programme. He added that in the last three years 4.8 million of citizens have accessed to safe drinking water. He mentioned progress made to improve water and sanitation is encouraging.
Referring to flagship program of Green Legacy Initiative, he indicated that Ethiopia planted more than 25 billion seedlings within the last three years to protect environment, support water restoration, reduce vulnerability, enhance water supply.
Reaffirming the importance of seeing transboundary water resource management at the technical matter in the prism of integrated water resource management, he urged the conference to help align Ethiopia with fundamental principles of ensuring equitable and reasonable share of water for all, addressing development needs via investment for both upstream and downstream, in the Nile Basin, conclude the signing and ratification of CFA and advance to establish the much-delayed Nile Basin Commission.
Underlining the importance of GERD, being financed by every citizens for fulfilling water and electricity access of 65 million people and spur economic growth, he also underscored the projects non consumptive use of water, benefit to improve water management during flood and dry season, Ethiopia’s readiness to addressing concern, negotiate in good faith for equitable and reasonable utilisation, called for riparian countries for advancing ratification of CFA by all basin nations, reiterate equal rights of citizens to utilise their water resources in their sovereign states, reiterates commitment for cooperative agreement.
He further called on the international community to scale up support for Water Action Decade and address gaps on finance, technology and capacity building.
In addition to plenary discussion, he also underlined the importance of accelerating private sector on water investment and management in the conference side event organised by Ethiopia in collaboration with UNICEF, UNDP and WB under team “Climate Resilient Groundwater as Catalyst for Sustainable Development in Africa’s Borderlands – A Shared SDG Agenda`. The side event focused on the Ethiopian, Kenyan ad Somalian Borderland Groundwater initiative which aims to explore opportunities to address the water challenges of the pastoralist community. This initiative with no doubt plays a critical role in the regional integration. During this event, the WB has pledged 385 million US dollar that benefit 3.3 million people living in of the area.
Besides side events, Ethiopia also held high level bilateral discussions with Türkiye, Cuba, USA, South Sudan, the Netherlands, USAID, UNICEF, World Bank and UNDP, aiming at demonstrating Ethiopia’s national progress and strengthening partnerships to address challenges in water sector.
Finally, Ethiopia and the Netherlands endorsed the launch of a “Ground-breaking Private Sector Management Initiative” by Nedamco Africa’s which commits to improve water needs for over 10 million people in Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia Repatriates 125, 000 Nationals from Saudi Arabia
One of the responsibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to protect the rights and interests of citizens living abroad. Numerous initiatives have so far been undertaken in the last year to safeguard the rights and interests of compatriots living in other countries, particularly those in the Middle East.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia spent last year focusing on repatriating citizens who were in difficult situations in various parts of the world, particularly Saudi Arabia.
It was possible to protect citizens’ rights by providing legal support and monitoring to the courts, answering court questions, providing legal advice to citizens, monitoring citizens’ cases in prisons, mediating when there is a dispute with their employers abroad or changing the prison for the citizens, and providing shelter and support. However, many countries fail to protect the human rights of foreign citizens who have entered their country, resulting in an increase in rights violations against migrants. As a result, increased measures to preserve people’ rights are anticipated to continue.
Human traffickers have duped citizens into selling their property, borrowing money, and risking their lives to travel to Yemen, Zambia, Djibouti, Malawi, Tanzania, Somalia, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf countries in a variety of ways, including religious travel (Hajj, and Umrah), Visit visa, employment contract, as well as crossing the border illegally to enter these countries in search of a better life and work. A considerable number of citizens are subjected to torture, abuse, labour exploitation, sexual assault, imprisonment, being recruited by terrorist and armed groups, theft of various organs, permanent injuries, and death while traveling illegally in pursuit of a better life. Women and children under the age of 18 are migrating in large numbers, and they are the first-row victims of this calamity.
The Government of Ethiopia has developed a legal system to prevent human trafficking and illegal border crossing, as well as to protect the rights of citizens who are victims of this crime and to educate victims, but it has not achieved the desired results. Because the illegal act is spreading and worsening over time by changing its form, it is causing serious human rights violations and abuse to citizens, so efforts should be made to solve the problem in a long-term manner. As a result, from 30 March 2022 – 31 March 2023, it is planned to return one hundred two thousand (102,000) citizens from Saudi Arabia to their country.
A National Committee comprised of 16 Federal stakeholders and regional governments was formed, and the work of repatriating one hundred twenty-five thousand (125,000) citizens from Saudi Arabia was completed. Furthermore, 8,193 citizens who were in difficult situations in countries other than Saudi Arabia were brought home by properly identifying their citizenship and preparing necessary travel documents, speaking with relevant international institutions, and ensuring that their return expenses were covered. In the last year, a total numb of 133,193 citizens returned to their home country.
The work of repatriating citizens continues, but the long-term solution is to educate and control illegal migration. When citizens want to travel abroad, it is critical to emphasize that they should only travel to countries with which they have a work agreement that they should bring the necessary skills with them before they travel, and it is also necessary to strengthen the work of ensuring that their rights are protected in the countries to which they travel.
Even after they return, regional governments are expected to reintegrate them into the community and ensure that they benefit from the creation of job opportunities.
