A Week in the Horn 31.5.2019
News in Brief
Celebrating Africa Day with the African Union and Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry
The African Union Peace and Security Council deliberates on the Sudan
Foreign Minister Gedu makes a working visit to Djibouti
Djibouti’s President Guelleh on security, Sudan and Eritrea
President Isaias calls for patience, continued resilience at the beginning of a new era
IGAD Committee of Ambassadors endorses mediation protocol
World Bank support for Ethiopia’s pastoralists and the power sector
News in Brief
Africa and the African Union
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, on the occasion of the 56th anniversary of the birth of the Organization of African Unity, offered a renewed message of faith “In the realization of our common vision, namely “The Africa We Want”, as enshrined in Agenda 2063”. He said it was in Addis Ababa, “after centuries of domination, oppression, enslavement and slave exploitation, Africa woke up and became aware of its strength and the underlying force behind that strength: its dignity in unity.” (See article)
The African Union Peace and Security Council, meeting on Monday this week (May 27), discussed the current situation in the Sudan. The meeting received briefings from the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the Deputy Head of Sudan Embassy in Addis Ababa, and the representative of Ethiopia as Chair of IGAD. (See article)
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Committee of Ambassadors met on Thursday last week (May 24) in Nairobi, reviewed and endorsed the final provisions of the Protocol to the Agreement establishing IGAD on Preventive Diplomacy and Mediation. (See article)
The UN observed International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on Friday last week (May 24), under the theme “Protecting Civilians, Protecting Peace”. UN Secretary-General António Guterres laid a wreath to honour all UN peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948 and awarded medal posthumously to 119 military, police and civilian peacekeepers, who lost their lives in 2018 and early 2019, including seven fallen peacekeepers from Ethiopia.
A Belt and Road Dialogue for China-Africa Cooperation was held on Thursday this week (May 30) at the Ethiopia Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa. Co-sponsored by the Africa Union Commission and the Mission of China to the African Union, the dialogue attracted an audience of several hundred officials, scholars, academics, diplomats and other stakeholders.
The 52nd Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF52) opened in Addis Ababa on Monday (May 27). The two-day Forum, held under the theme, “Mitigation of Climate Risks for Resilience Building” brought together climate scientists, researchers, governmental institutions and non-governmental organizations development partners, decision makers and civil society stakeholders. The Forum included workshops on agriculture and food security, water resources, energy, health, livestock and disaster risk management. It was organized by the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), Ethiopia’s National Meteorological Agency and the World Meteorological Organization.
The AU and the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa (CoDA) launched a two-day policy dialogue on the way to implement the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) on Monday (May 27) in Addis Ababa. The policymakers, business leaders and representatives of Regional Economic Communities were meeting to draw up a roadmap for the trade agreement and set the pace for Africa’s aspirations outlined in Agenda 2063. ACFTA has now been ratified by more than the required 22 countries for implementation.
Ethiopia
President Sahle-Work attended the inauguration of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, held at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday (May 25). The theme of the ceremony, attended by more than 37,000 people, including 20 Heads of State and Government, was “Together Celebrating Democracy: Renewal and Growth for a Better South Africa”. Taking the oath of office, President Ramaphosa vowed to improve the livelihood of the people of South Africa and create a country that meets the demands of the citizens.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met with the Head of the Sudanese Transitional Military Council General Abdul Fattah Al-Burhan who arrived in Addis Ababa on Tuesday (May 28) for an official visit. General Al-Burhan, who briefed the Prime Minister on the latest political developments in Sudan recognized Ethiopia as a close ally of Sudan. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed assured General Al-Burhan of Ethiopia’s support through the provision of ideas with a commitment to non-interference. He also noted the importance of an inclusive transition process. Following their bilateral discussions, both parties planted seedlings in the compound of the Office of the Prime Minister.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedu Andargachew, made an official working visit to Djibouti this week, on Tuesday (May 28), where he met and held talks with President Ismail Omar Guelleh. (See article)
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedu Andargachew met the Vice President of Cuba, Salvador Valdes Mesa on Wednesday (May 29). The two sides dealt at length on ways and means of strengthening the longstanding bilateral ties between Ethiopia and Cuba.
The leadership and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia celebrated Africa Day on Monday (May 27). Foreign Minister Gedu underlined Ethiopia’s profound contributions in advancing the notion of Pan-Africanism from the foundation of the continental Organization. (See article)
Foreign Minister Gedu met with the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Kwesi Quartey, on Monday (May 27). He thanked Ambassador Quartey for his leadership role in the reform of the African Union. He noted Ethiopia would continue to demonstrate its commitment to the AU. The Deputy Chairperson, commended Ethiopia for its unwavering commitment to the ideals of pan-Africanism.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Hirut Zemene received copies of credentials of the newly appointed ambassador of the Republic of Zambia to Ethiopia, Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba on Wednesday (May 29).
State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Markos Tekle received copies of the credentials of the newly appointed ambassador of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to Ethiopia, Ambassador Myint Lwin on Wedbesday (May 29). Similarly, State Minister Dr. Markos received copies of the credentials of the newly appointed Croatian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ambassador Tomislav Bosnjak.
The 28th anniversary of Eritrean independence was celebrated colorfully at the Eritrean embassy in Addis Ababa on Friday (May 25) in the presence of members of the diplomatic corps. Ethiopia’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Birtukan Ayano underlined the continued commitment of the Government of Ethiopia to work to institutionalize relations between the two sides. Eritrean Ambassador Semere Russom, expressing his satisfaction over the first celebration of Eritrea’s Independence Day for twenty years, noted Eritrea’s commitment to work for the strengthening of relations with Ethiopia and the promotion of regional peace and stability.
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors last week approved a total of $550 million for Ethiopia to support its efforts to improve the livelihoods of pastoralists and ongoing power sector reforms. (See article)
Djibouti
In advance of Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the Gulf, Arab and Islamic summits on Thursday this week (May 30), President Ismail Omar Guelleh told the pan-Arab newspaper, Asharq Al-Awsat, that the summits would “bolster security and stability given the critical situation in the region.” He described the ties between Saudi Arabia and Djibouti as historic, based on “trust, understanding and high coordination on all levels.” He also mentioned Djibouti’s improved relations with Eritrea (See article)
Eritrea
Eritrea celebrated the 26th anniversary of its independence on May 24, with a major festival in the streets of Asmara. The theme of this year’s celebration was “Resilience for Higher Progress” and in his anniversary speech, President Isaias spoke of the current unfolding events and realities “as the beginnings of a new era”. (See article)
The Eritrean government has welcomed the removal of Eritrea from a US blacklist of nations that the US accuses of “not fully co-operating” with anti-terrorism efforts. Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel said the “categorization was erroneous” in the first place, and removal from the list was “better late than never”. He said “Eritrea’s track record on fighting terrorism has been impeccable throughout the past decades.”
Kenya
Kenya has announced plans to partner with Djibouti to construct Kenya’s fifth submarine cable at a cost of US $59m. The Director of Shared Services at the ICT Authority Robert Mugo said on Tuesday (May 27) that the Djibouti Africa Regional Express (DARE) project aimed to power an inclusive digital economy. He said: “We have become a regional hub; the submarine connections help to make sure that data moves in a more secure manner.”
Somalia
President Mohamed Abdullahi attended the inauguration of President Ramaphosa of South Africa on Saturday (May 25). Accompanied by Foreign Minister Ahmed Isse Awad, he also met members of the Somali Diaspora in Johannesburg. He called on Somalis to unite and avoid tribalism. Addressing hundreds of Somalis on Sunday (May 26), the President said: “We speak one language, have one religion (Islam) and have a similar facial look. But we are divided along tribes.” He urged them to follow other nations that were not homogeneous but had found reasons to unite and live peacefully. He also called on Somalis in the Diaspora to invest and rebuild their country.
President Mohamed Abdullahi has appointed a new Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Abdihakin Hassan Ashkir, who travelled with the President to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to attend the Organization of Islamic Corporation Summit in Mecca on Thursday (May 30). The emergency summit was called by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman for all leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League.
At the celebrations for Africa Day in Mogadishu, Federal Minister of Defence, Hassan Ali Mohamed, praised AMISOM for its role in securing Somalia and described it as an excellent example of the African Union’s contribution to continental peace, hailing its personnel for the sacrifices made to restore peace and stability in Somalia. Ambassador Madeira, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission for Somalia and head of AMISOM, in his remarks, emphasised the need for African unity and empowerment. The Head of AMISOM also welcomed the Troop and Police Contributing countries for embracing the spirit of pan-Africanism. He noted AMISOM supported the rebuilding of Somali State institutions, especially the security sector.
UN Secretary-General has appointed James Swan of the United States as his Special Representative for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). Mr. Swan was previously the US Special Representative for Somalia from 2011 to 2013, and US Ambassador to Djibouti from 2008 to 2011.
Jocelyn Mason, UNDP’s new resident representative for Somalia arrived in Mogadishu on Thursday last week (May 24). UNDP operates key development programs supporting the government and the Somali people, to meet national development priorities, and to respond to and build resilience to drought and climate crises.
South Sudan
President Salva Kiir called on opposition leaders to work for peace implementation saying they need to dedicate the country’s few resources to development. The President, speaking at the inauguration of South Sudanese Defense Ministry building in Juba said for five years “we have been wasting our resources, including human resource on fighting ourselves in a senseless war.” He added: “I appeal to all of us to implement the revitalized peace agreement so that the little resources we have could be used for development like the one we are inaugurating today.”
Sudan
General Abdul Fattah Al-Burhan, the Head of the Transitional Military Council, made an official visit to Addis Ababa on Tuesday (May 28). He held talks with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
The Deputy Head of Sudan’s Transitional Military Council Lt. General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday last week (May 24). The Saudi Press Agency said the meeting discussed bilateral cooperation between the two sisterly countries in addition to latest developments in the regional arena.
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Celebrating Africa Day with the African Union and Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, on the occasion of the 56th anniversary of the birth of the Organization of African Unity, offered a renewed message of faith “In the realization of our common vision, namely “The Africa We Want”, as enshrined in Agenda 2063”. It was in Addis Ababa, “after centuries of domination, oppression, enslavement and slave exploitation, Africa woke up and became aware of its strength and the underlying force behind that strength: its dignity in unity.”
The Chairperson spoke of the many hurdles still to be overcome before Africa’s independence and unity fully blossom. This, he said, would only come about when every African lived in peace, had free access to quality universal education, to full physical and mental health, to decent and remunerative jobs, to social and cultural development, to good democratic governance in strict respect of his fundamental rights.
Referring to the theme of this year’s Africa Day (“Year of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa”), he spoke of the need to work together to ensure to all African citizens the inalienable right to live free, dignified and be productive, and the primary duty of all African States to guarantee these fundamental and inalienable rights.
Chairperson Faki spoke of the shared vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa driven by its own citizens, an instrument to fast- track integration through an African space of freedom, opportunities, progress and development. He said it was intolerable that “young people, the engine of transformation and development, continued to embark on perilous journeys across oceans and deserts, for want of projects that instil hope and lead to a positive future.” He spoke of the hope that agricultural productivity, local processing of raw materials, product diversification, training, the sustainable enhancement of human resources, the extension of the industrial fabric, a vast network of infrastructure and the exploitation of the energy potential of the continent would provide job creation opportunities for young people, women and general social well-being.
He welcomed the development towards the Continental Free Trade Area, which will be officially launched at the Extraordinary Summit in Niamey, Niger on July 7, 2019, the states that have relaxed visas policies, urged all Member States to join the Agreement on the Single African Air Transport Market without delay, and the progress of the Institutional Reform. He concluded by emphasizing the role of African civil society organizations, the youth and women. They were, Chairperson Faki said, “doing a remarkable work of sensitization and mobilization among the various strata of the population, often under difficult conditions cementing and strengthening the resilience of African people and their hold on shaping their own destiny.”
The leadership and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia celebrated Africa Day on Monday (May 27). Foreign Minister Gedu underlined Ethiopia’s profound contributions in advancing the notion of Pan-Africanism from the foundation of the continental Organization. He noted the solemn understanding of Ethiopia and its devotion to carry out the responsibilities of hosting the headquarters of the OAU/AU for more than half a century. This was, he emphasized, a source of pride for the people and the government of Ethiopia. The Minister also pointed out that Ethiopia was one of the 22 African countries which had ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement (AfCFTA), and now offered Visa-on-Arrival services to Africans. This, the Minister said, was vital for an integrated and prosperous Africa.
The Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Ambassador Kwesi Quartey, who thanked Ethiopia for hosting the African Union for over half a century, spoke of the “unparalleled hospitality and the warmth of its people”. Ambassador Quartey said: “Ethiopia, an ancient and free state, stood for African freedom, African independence, African dignity and African self-respect.” He evoked the unparalleled contributions of the founding fathers, including Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia and Dr. Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, in advocating and laying foundations of the OAU.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mrs. Hirut Zemene led a panel discussion on ways and means of putting in place a legal framework for hoisting the flag of the African Union alongside Ethiopia’s national flag and singing the AU anthem along with the national anthem of Ethiopia, as well as making Africa Day, May 25, a national holiday and ways to sensitize university students to the values of Africa Day. Panelists were Ambassador Woinishet Tadesse, Permanent Secretary for Africa, AU and Middle East Affairs; Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the AU and UNECA; and Ms. Lemlem Fisseha, Director General for International Legal Affairs.
Concluding the discussions, Mrs. Hirut Zemene, emphasized the need for further encouragement of Pan-Africanism in schools to nurture younger generations with African solidarity and unity through practicing of the African Union anthem, and the singing it at all Ethiopia’s federal and regional institutions. At the 50th Anniversary of the foundation of OAU/AU, the AU Assembly of the Head of States and Governments, in May 2013, adopted a decision for member states to fly AU flag and sing its anthem along with their respective anthems.
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The African Union Peace and Security Council deliberates on the Sudan
The African Union Peace and Security Council, in its 852nd meeting on Monday this week (May 27), discussed the current situation in the Sudan. The meeting received briefings from the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Deputy Head of Sudan Embassy in Addis Ababa, Nadia Mohamed Kheir Osman, and from the representative of Ethiopia in its capacity as Chair of IGAD.
In his briefing to the Council, AU Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, noted the challenges facing restoration of civilian power in the Sudan, and expressed his hope for a democratic transition. He welcomed the support of the international community in moving the process forward. The Deputy Head of the Sudan Mission, outlined the achievements made by the Transitional Military Council so far, indicating the problems it faced, and the need for supporting the process.
The representative of the Chairperson of IGAD informed the meeting that IGAD was closely following current developments. He appreciated the commitment of all political stakeholders to negotiate in good faith and in a spirit of compromise to finalize their discussions on the remaining outstanding issues. They agreed to respond to the needs and aspirations of the Sudanese people towards democratic transition. The representative expressed IGAD’s confidence in the wisdom of the Sudanese people to successfully complete the complex transition process. He assured the Council of IGAD’s readiness to support the Sudanese people.
IGAD is fully committed to work closely with the African Union to find an African solution to the current situation in the Sudan, he said, adding that it would be helpful if the international community would fully support the Sudanese political process and further coordinate with the African Union and IGAD in their efforts in ensuring a smooth, peaceful and successful transition, thus meeting the needs and aspirations of the Sudanese people. IGAD, he said, reiterated the continued engagement of its Member States on the situation in the Sudan in a coordinated manner within the African Union framework.
The communiqué adopted by the Peace and Security Council recalled its earlier decisions, and reiterated the AU’s condemnation and total rejection, through its zero-tolerance policy, of all forms of unconstitutional change of government, in particular through military coup d’état. It underlined the urgent need for a rapid solution to the current crisis based on the respect of the will and aspirations of the people of Sudan for a democratic transformation, as well as for an inclusive consensus among all concerned Sudanese stakeholders, within the framework of the relevant AU instruments.
The Council acknowledged the progress made so far in the search for a solution to the constitutional crisis, in particular with regard to the agreement reached on duration of the transition, the transitional institutions and the priorities of the transition. It reaffirmed the ultimate objective of the process was to put in place a civilian-led inclusive transition, as demanded by the Council. In this connection, the Council called on all Sudanese stakeholders to hold the supreme interest of their country above all other consideration, further calling upon the military and the civilian stakeholders to continue working together towards a consensual solution. The Council emphasized that the solution to the challenges facing the Sudan should be forged within an African-led process, based on the decisions of the relevant AU policy organs, in collaboration with the region through IGAD. The Council reiterated its call for all partners to provide their support to Africa’s approach to the situation prevailing in the Sudan. It called on external actors to refrain from any interference that could further complicate the already challenging situation in the Sudan.
In conclusion, while commending the Chairperson of the Commission for his efforts to assist Sudanese stakeholders, the Council requested the Chairperson to continue updating the Council every three weeks on the efforts towards setting up an inclusive civilian-led transition in line with AU’s relevant instruments and the deadline set by the Council at its 846th meeting.
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Foreign Minister Gedu makes a working visit to Djibouti
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedu Andargachew, made an official working visit to Djibouti this week, on Tuesday (May 28), heading a delegation which included Minister for Transport, Dagmawit Moges. The visit was Minister Gedu’s first trip to Djibouti in his capacity as a Foreign Minister and he was welcomed at the airport by Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and other high-level government officials as well as the Ethiopian Ambassador to Djibouti, Ambassador Abdulaziz Mohammed.
Later in the day, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedu Andargachew met with President Ismael Omar Guelleh at the Presidency. The Minister told President Guelleh that the strategic partnership and symbolic ties between Ethiopia and Djibouti were of longstanding and were too well entrenched to falter in the face of challenges. He said the ties between the two countries would continue to be strengthened further. He stressed that mapping out new areas of cooperation would provide additional impetus to further strengthen relations between Ethiopia and Djibouti in a range of areas. President Guelleh, who congratulated Minister Gedu on his new appointment, reiterated his Government’s unwavering commitment towards ensuring that symbolic Ethio-Djibouti ties would make giant leaps forward in the years to come. Their discussion covered a range of bilateral socio-economic and political issues.
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Djibouti’s President Guelleh on security, Sudan and Eritrea
President Ismail Omar Guelleh welcomed Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the Gulf, Arab and Islamic summits on Thursday this week. He told the pan-Arab newspaper, Asharq Al-Awsat, that the summits would “bolster security and stability given the critical situation in the region.” He hoped they would yield decisions that would help resolve crises and maintain unity and solidarity between Islamic states. It was a time of instability in Yemen, Syria, Libya, Iraq, Algeria, Sudan and Somalia and of growing extremist and terrorist threats. Describing Saudi Arabia as the leader of the Arab world and Muslims, he said any assault against it targets the Arab and Muslim nations. He condemned attacks on Saudi Arabia and underlined Djibouti’s “absolute solidarity with Saudi Arabia’s government and people in confronting them.”
Commenting on the security threats in the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea and Ban al-Mandeb Strait, President Guelleh strongly condemned any threat to international marine navigation and international peace and security. He described the ties between Saudi Arabia and Djibouti as historic, based on “trust, understanding and high coordination on all levels,” and consequently covering “common ground on several regional and international issues.” He added Djibouti-Saudi Arabian relations witnessed a “qualitative leap” in wake of his latest visit to the Kingdom. He said: Saying: “Relations between us are growing stronger every day; I am in constant contact with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.”
President Guelleh also commented on developments in Sudan, noting that Djibouti had always expressed solidarity with Khartoum and would continue to do so, on the basis of the strength of the relations between the two countries. He highlighted Djibouti’s “honourable role” in sponsoring peace deals and reconciliation in the Horn of Africa, citing its efforts in bringing Sudanese rivals together in 1999. He said Djibouti was currently following the ongoing developments in Sudan closely, and was completely prepared to exert all possible efforts to ensure Sudan’s stability and interests. He also mentioned Djibouti’s improved relations with Eritrea.
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President Isaias calls for patience, continued resilience at the beginning of a new era
Eritrea celebrated the 26th anniversary of its independence on May 24, a celebration underlined this year by last July’s rapprochement with Ethiopia. As in previous years, the occasion was marked by a major festival in the streets of Asmara. This year, the festival featured models representing President Isaias Afwerki and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed who re-opened the border last year, for the first time in 20 years.
In his anniversary speech, President Isaias said the theme of this year’s celebration was “Resilience for Higher Progress”. For fifty years, he said, the people of Eritrea had to overcome political subterfuges aimed at creating divisions and cleavages; to challenge and triumph over annexation and occupation; to conduct a thirty-year long armed struggle with unparalleled heroism and sacrifice to achieve independence. They had confronted and vanquished the machinations of the enemies, securing independence and sovereignty by combating internal divisive and toxic political tendencies, and strengthening their political cohesion. Even after independence, they had faced relentless hostilities designed to subdue and weaken them while they embarked on reconstruction and rehabilitation. There were senseless border disputes; unwarranted sanctions; naked military attacks; economic subversion; human trafficking; psychological warfare and demonization aimed to isolate Eritrea. “Thwarting all these wrongs would have been unimaginable without the resilience of the Eritrean people”.
The President highlighted the values that had supported the people’s resilience: Not to yield to force and intimidation; not to surrender to machinations; not to compromise dignity and values for cheap inducements; not to be disheartened by overwhelming challenges; not to tire with hard work; not to spare toil and blood, including one’s life; not to relent until objectives were achieved. These were the defining characteristics of the heritage of the Eritrean people.
President Isaias referred to the current unfolding events and realities “as the beginnings of a new era” but warned this should not lead to any underestimate of the challenges of the new era. In this new era, the President said, “our cardinal objectives consist of creating and augmenting national wealth through hard work and efficient productivity, and, ensuring equitable distribution of resources and opportunities.”
He spoke of the need to rigorously review programs to create real economic growth through higher productivity and increased output. He mentioned water; roads, railways and oil pipelines; ports; power generation; transport, housing, health and education; and an investment road-map as well as the need for improved implementation and efficiency to strengthen “the relentless fight against corruption and speculation.” He also emphasized creating a conducive regional climate for mutual respect and genuine partnership to enhance domestic development.
President Isaias said implementing all this would “depend, as always, on the full participation of our people and their relentless toil and resilience.” This, he added, would not be difficult as the Eritrean people’s inherent values and traditions of resilience, encapsulated in the mantra of “Resilience through Resilience” were intact.
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IGAD Committee of Ambassadors endorses mediation protocol
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Committee of Ambassadors met on Thursday last week (May 24) in Nairobi, reviewed and endorsed the final provisions of the Protocol to the Agreement establishing IGAD on Preventive Diplomacy and Mediation. The Committee has now recommended it for consideration of the IGAD Council of Ministers. Present were Ambassadors or representatives of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.
The Protocol to the Agreement establishing IGAD on Preventive Diplomacy and Mediation will serve as a main guide for member states to effectively, efficiently and transparently design interventions, deploy envoys or mediators and engage in conflict prevention, management and resolution within the IGAD region.
The Protocol was developed through a consultancy intervention provided for under the consideration of legal experts from the Member States. A series of consultations with legal and technical experts from key institutions of Member States preceded the endorsement of the Protocol. A final review and discussion by the technical legal experts was held earlier in the week when extensive views, suggestions and recommendations were incorporated leading to the endorsement by the Committee. The consultations were used as a mechanism for interface between legal experts, foreign affairs representatives and finally the Committee of Ambassadors.
The Committee of Ambassadors also recommended the appointment of an IGAD Youth Special Envoy for empowerment of youth participation in peace processes. It encouraged the ongoing collaboration between the Mediation Support Unit (MSU) and the Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism (CEWARN) to benefit from relevant experiences and knowledge. It took note of the impediments to implement previous decisions in order to resolve these challenges. The Committee also acknowledged the recommendations of the bi-annual report of the Mediation Support Unit dates May 2019, on the development and progress of its mandate, and approved that the MSU should establish mechanisms to strengthen and enhance the mediation capacity of Member States. In conclusion, the Committee appreciated the valuable support of IGAD Partners in providing continued support towards promoting peace, security and stability in the IGAD Region.
On Tuesday this week (May 28), the Director of the Mediation Support Unit, Aleu Garang, urged IGAD Member States to enhance the role of women in conflict prevention, management and resolution endeavours. He stressed the need to increase women’s representation and participation on peace and security agenda linking to protection and participation concerns. He said creating a network of trained women in peace-building and mediation could reach other women at all levels strengthening the multiplier effect. He emphasized the “vital importance” of enhancing the existing low-level capacity and role of women in Conflict Prevention Management and Resolution. This could be implemented under the framework of UN Security Council’ Resolution 1325, adopted in October 2000 which underlined “the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction.”
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World Bank support for Ethiopia’s pastoralists and the power sector
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on Wednesday this week (May 29) approved a total of $550 million for Ethiopia, $350 million to improve the livelihoods of pastoralists and $200 million to support power sector reforms.
The $350 million, made up of a $70m grant and a $280m credit, was secured from the International Development Association to improve the livelihoods and resilience of 2.5 million pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in low land areas. The Lowlands Livelihood Resilience Project, approved by the bank, aims to help pastoral and agro-pastoral communities by addressing their binding constraints. The project will put communities in charge of their own development priorities, enabling them to identify, lead and manage local development initiatives, said Ms. Carolyn Turk, World Bank Country Director for Ethiopia, Sudan and South Sudan. She said the project would reduce long-term environmental degradation and people’s vulnerability to climate change related droughts. It would also facilitate access to crucial social services including access to water, upgrade veterinary facilities and help construct key infrastructure such as bridges roads, livestock markets, and small-scale irrigation schemes. It would support the introduction of technologies to improve animal productivity and improve market access and commercialization by facilitating the development of partnerships between private companies and groups of producers.
The $200 million Renewable Energy Guarantees Program (REGREP) provides support for the ongoing power sector reforms and will leverage private sector financing for renewable energy generation. REGREP will support the development of over 1,000MW of greenfield solar and wind energy Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects, including the World Bank Group Scaling Solar initiative. Rahul Kitchlu, senior energy specialist at the World Bank said REGREP signalled the government’s commitment to comprehensive power sector reforms and a private sector-led renewable energy development program that had the potential to be one of the largest in sub-Saharan Africa. Enabled by the 2018 Public-Private Partnership Proclamation, the program reflects a new way of doing business in the energy sector in Ethiopia, transitioning from continued public-financing towards private sector-led competitively tendered procurement of new renewable generation capacity.
The program is also fully aligned with the World Bank’s Country Partnership framework for 2018-2022. It will encourage structural transformation for growth by enhancing private sector financing of infrastructure projects; build resilience and inclusiveness by increasing supply of electricity sustainably and help to manage the impact of climate change through diversification of energy sources. Ms Turk said the program had the potential to leverage over $1.5 billion in private sector investment. Support for the IPP program in Ethiopia aims to provide financing and technical assistance for policy reforms that can then unlock significant opportunities for private sector participation. To maximize effectiveness and produce a conducive environment for private sector investment complementary instruments of the International Finance Corporation and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agen
cy will also be made available in addition to IDA guarantees.
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