News in Brief
The Trilateral Ministerial Technical Meeting on GERD Winds up without Agreement
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Visits Guinea and Equatorial Guinea
Troika Urges South Sudan Peace signatory Parties to finalize Sticky Issues
Al-Shabaab’s Camp Simba Attack
Africa and the African Union
A specialized training of 300 Somali police officers backed by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the EU and the UN kicked off on Tuesday (January 7). The trainees will form part of the Federal Darwish Police, a special tactics unit of the police tasked with securing the country.Augustine Magnus Kailie, AMISOM Police Commissioner, said such training was crucial in transforming the Somali Police Force (SPF) into a capable force that can protect the people of Somalia.Upon completion of the training, this police unit will be integrated into the Somali Police Force and deployed to all the Federal Member States of Somalia.
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on Saturday (January 4) handed over an assortment of office equipment to enhance the operational efficiency of the HirShabelle State Police Force.The furniture handed over in Jowhar, will be distributed to the various police stations in Hiraan and Middle Shabelle regions.
The United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) has handed over medical equipment to a health facility operated by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in Mogadishu.The health facility located within the AMISOM Halane Base provides medical services to African Union troops and Somali Security Forces involved in joint operations to fight terrorists, as well as to Somali civilians.The UNSOS Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Roberts Onebunne handed over laboratory and theatre equipment on Monday (January 6) to enable the medical facility delivers improved services.
Ethiopia
The 7th and final Trilateral Ministerial Technical meeting of the Ministers of Water Affairs of Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan on GERD is concluded on Thursday (January 9). Although the meeting was expected to be concluded by reaching an understanding on outstanding issues relating to filling and operation of the GERD, including on the volume of minimum release from GERD and cooperation during drought and prolonged drought, agreement is not reached on any of the issues. (See Article)
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday (January 7) headed to the Guinea Republic, in West Africa, for a one day official working visit. The Office of the Prime Minister announced on Wednesday that “The visit will contribute to strengthening relations between the two countries.” Upon arrival in the country, he was received by Guinea’s President Alpha Conde. The two sides signed an agreement “to activate the partnership in the areas of agriculture, tourism, mining, and energy.” President Alpha Conde made an official visit to Ethiopia in 2019. Dr.Abiy Ahmed also seized the opportunity of his visit to Guinea to meet with business people from Nigeria to discuss investment opportunities in Ethiopia.On Wednesday, Abiy wrapped up his visit to Guinea and headed to Equatorial Guinea where he was welcomed by the country’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Dr.Abiyheld a talk with the president regarding partnership agreements signed in Addis Ababa in 2019.
Ethiopia’s election board announced on Wednesday (January 8) that it will be meeting with stakeholders, including political parties, within the next two weeks to discuss the schedule about the next general election. The meeting is intended to get feedback to refine the schedule. The board has already a draft schedule and time frame of the election. When the board meets with stakeholders in the next two weeks, it will be presenting the draft for discussion. And it is after that the board will pass a decision on matters related to the scheduleaccording to the Board’s Communication Affairs adviser – Solyana Shimeles.
A financing agreement of US$305.7 million for the Rural Financial Intermediation Programme III (RUFIP III) was signed on Wednesday (January 8) by Gilbert F. Houngbo, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and Zenebu Tadesse Woldetsadik, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Agencies in Rome.RUFIP III will build on the lessons and experiences of the first two phases of the programme, and will scale up delivery of rural financial services tailored to the needs of the most vulnerable smallholder farmers, particularly women and young people.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has been in a State visit to Guinea, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa as of Wednesday (January 8). He has concluded visiting Guinea and Equatorial Guinea and held fruitful discussions with the Heads of States of the two countries which resulted in the signing of Memorandum of Understanding that help boost relations. Prime Minister Abiy’s last leg of tour will be in South Africa, where he is expected to hold bilateral talks with South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa on ways of cementing relations between the two countries. (See article)
Ethiopia forecasts economic growth will accelerate to 10.8% for the fiscal year ending in July underpinned by its reforms, from 9% in the previous year, according to the National Bank of Ethiopia annual report released on Tuesday (January 7). The NBE report indicated “The proper implementation of the recently launched Home Grown Economic Reform Program is expected to contribute toward developing a modern, vibrant, competitive and sound financial system.”
The Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels participated in the HOBO Reizenannual tourism fair which took place in Leuven, a town located 30 km from Brussels. The tourism fair was organized by HOBO Reizen, a Belgian tour operator which includes Ethiopia in its tour packages. The one-day event attracted over 3,000 visitors. Among the tourist destinations displayed in the fair, a booth was separately arranged by the organizer to exhibit Ethiopia’s historical, cultural, and natural tourist attractions and provide information and explanations to the visitors.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia announced on Friday (January 3) that Ambassador Redwan Hussien has been appointed to be State Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia as of 27 December, 2019. The Ambassador has been serving as Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Eritrea since July 2018. He has also served his country occupying various high level government positions including being a minister of communication and Ethiopia’s envoy to Ireland.
Ethiopia’s parliament passed legislation on Thursday (January 9) aimed at curbing gun ownership after a surge in regional ethnic violence blamed on a proliferation of small arms in private hands. “There is a significant number of guns in our society since the previous government and the law will help us to formalize ownership,” lawmaker Tesfaye Daba told parliament during the passage of the bill.
Ethiopia donated 10 tons of pharmaceutical drugs last week on Friday (January 3) to Victims of flooding in Somalia.Ethiopian Ambassador to Somalia Jamaludin Mustafa Omar delivered the drugs to Hiiraan region administrator in the presence of the president and house speaker of the regional state and the Ethiopian defense force members serving under the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM). The Ethiopian ambassador said the Ethiopian people and Government would always be in presence when the Somali brothers and sisters are in need of a hand. On the occasion President of Hirshabelle regional state Mohamed Abdi Waare commended the donation and appreciated the Ethiopian soldiers under AMISOM for extending their hands to flood victims in the area in addition to carrying out the peace-building activities.
Eritrea
Senior Eritrean delegation comprising of Mr. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Presidential Advisor Mr. Yemane Gebreab and Mr. Hagos Gebrehiwet, head of Economic Affairs at the PFDJ, participated at the Ministerial Meeting of Arab and African Coastal States of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden convened in Riyadh. At the meeting hosted by King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia on Monday (6 January) Minister Osman Saleh reiterated Eritrea’s position that the Arab and African Coastal States of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden shoulder primary responsibility for the security and development of the Red Sea. Minister Osman further stated that the objective must be to build an effective regional organization with requisite competence and capability. The Ministers that attended the meeting also signed the Charter of the Establishment of the Council of Arab and African Coastal States of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The document will be presented to the Heads of State of the eight member states.
Minister of Information Mr. Yemane Gebremeskel met and held talks with the Saudi Minister of Media, Mr. Turki bin Abdullah Al-Shabanah on Tuesday (January 7), in Riyadh. The discussion between the two ministers was focused on scope and modalities of cooperation between the two Ministries in promoting multi-faceted investment and trade as well as security and development in the Red Sea.
Djibouti
State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi held talks with Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mahmoud Ali Youssouf on Thursday (January 9) in Djibouti City. Wang Yi spoke highly of the development of China-Djibouti relations, and said that China is a sincere, reliable and long-term partner of Djibouti. He also thanked Djibouti for its firm support on issues involving China’s core interests and major concerns. Wang Yi said, China is willing to view relations with Djibouti from a strategic and long-term perspective, and deepen political mutual trust with Djibouti. Youssouf thanked China for its long-term selfless help and strong support to Djibouti. Youssouf said that Chinese Foreign Minister’s first visit to Africa at the beginning of the year reflects China’s friendship with African countries and Djibouti. This visit also coincides with the 41st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Djibouti.
Kenya
Al-Shabaab extremists have overrun a key military base in Kenya, killing three American Department of Defense personnel and destroying several US aircraft and vehicles before they were repelled. The attack on the Manda Bay airfield early on Sunday (January 5) was the al-Qaida-linked group’s first attack against US forces in Kenya.Five attackers were killed, Kenyan military spokesman Paul Njuguna said.Al-Shabaab, based in neighboring Somalia, claimed responsibility for the assault. (See article)
Somalia
Reports from Lower Juba region in southern Somalia indicate that heavily armed Al-Shabaab militants have attacked a Kenyan military base in Kulbiyow town on Tuesday (January 7). The ambush attack, according to the residents has prompted a fierce gunfight between the fighters from Al-Shabaab and the Kenyan soldiers, causing losses on both sides.
Somalia’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Ahmed Isse Awad joined his counterparts from seven countries in Riyadh on Monday (January 6). The meeting of Foreign Ministers of the council of Arab and African states on the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden was hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In the meeting, a new alliance of Arab and African States was established which include Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Yemen, Eritrea, and Djibouti.
The upper house of Somalia’s parliament on Monday (January 6) approved a new petroleum law, which aims to provide a regulatory framework that will help to attract investment in exploration by major oil companies. The country currently does not produce any oil but production could transform the economy as seismic data has shown there could be significant oil reserves offshore. The new law will establish revenue sharing between the central government and states and will provide a legal framework for an industry the country hopes will bring jobs after decades of conflict.
Al Shabaab said it was responsible for a bomb blast on Wednesday (January 8) near the presidential palace and other government buildings in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu that city authorities said had killed three people. The attack appeared to be part of an intensified campaign over the past two weeks by the al Qaeda ally in Somalia and neighboring Kenya, which have porous borders and often ad hoc methods for sharing intelligence. Three people were killed in Wednesday’s blast, Saleh Hassan Omar, spokesman for the city’s mayor, said in a statement. The bombing hit Sayidka junction, a security checkpoint near the palace, the interior ministry, and parliament.
US forces in conjunction with their Somali counterparts conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants reportedly killing 3 militants in the process, Africa Command said in a press release. “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, US Africa Command conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists who engaged Somali National Army partner forces on patrol near Bacaw, Somalia,” the release said. “At this time, it is assessed this precision airstrike killed three militants.”
Somalia Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire is working to help build a consensus around the formation of Galmugug regional assembly. On Monday (January 6), the PM met with clan elders, federal MPs and politicians from Galmudug. He also met with the top clan leader of the Ayr sub-clan of Habargidir, who predominantly inhabit the Galmudug regional capital of Dhusamareb, and requested them to intensify their role in finalizing the Galmudug State formation process.
South Sudan
U.S. senior diplomat on Saturday (January 4) called on the IGAD countries to put pressure on the two main peace partners in South Sudan to move forward with the formation of the transitional government. Tibor Nagy made his call following a statement by the IGAD countries the United States, the United Kingdom and Norway to mark the 50th day of the 100-day extension of the pre-transitional period concluded last November.
South Sudan’s First Vice-President Taban Thursday (January 9) Deng Gai denied allegations by the U.S. Treasury of his involvement in the murder of two activists and scribed it “as baseless and unfounded”. On Wednesday the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed targeted sanctions on Gai saying he worked to obstruct peace implementation in the country and was behind the kidnapping and the murder of human rights lawyer Samuel Dong Luak (Dong) and SPLM-IO member Aggrey Idry (Aggrey). However, on Thursday (January 9), he rejected the accusations saying he had been wrongly accused and vowed to work with the U.S. administration to prove his innocence.
The UN peacekeeping mission on Friday (January 3) confirmed that troops from the South Sudanese government and the SPLM-In-Opposition in the Upper Nile region are now joining the training centers in Wau. As part of the ongoing efforts to establish a unified national army instructors were deployed in the training centres and fighters of the two parties started to arrive in Wau. The UNMISS released a report saying that army soldiers and SPLM-IO fighters are now arriving at the training centres in Wau.
SPLM-IO media official on Tuesday (January 7) has urged the registration of government forces in the cantonment sites and their integration to the joint training centres. Following Entebbe agreement and IGAD decision to extend the pre-transition period for 100 days, the Joint Defense Board (JDB) directed that forces join the training centres even if they are not registered in the cantonment areas. It said the procedure can be done in the training sites. “The registration of the government forces are not yet to be (done) and the government forces are not showing up in the training centres,” Manawa Peter Gatkuoth SPLM-IO Deputy Chairperson of the National Committee for Information and Public Relations said. He further said the government forces are still in the civilians’ sites.
The Troika countries last week on Thursday (January 2) called on the South Sudanese leaders to finalize the implementation of the pre-transitional sticky issues ahead of the formation of the transitional national unity government. The United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Norway issued their call to mark the 50-day of a deal struck on 7 November 2019 by President Salva Kiir and his main peace partner Riek Machar to delay the transition government for 100 days. (See article)
Sudan
Sudan and China reaffirmed the strength of bilateral relations saying they are not affected by the political changes that took place in Sudan following the overthrow of former President Omer al-Bashir. The Assistant Undersecretary of the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ilham Ibrahim Wednesday (January 8) discussed relations between the two countries with the Minister plenipotentiary at the Department of Western Asia and North Africa of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Liu Yong Feng. The visiting Chinese diplomat announced that “the visit came in the framework of maintaining friendship between the two countries, as China considers Sudan a partner and friend.”
Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok and a leading member of the Sovereign Council, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo ’Hemetti’ and several senior officials were for five days in El-Geneina to deal with the security and humanitarian issues in West Darfur state after the death of over fifty people in tribal clashes between Arab tribes and Massalit. In its regular meeting on Wednesday (January 8), the Sudanese government discussed the tribal attacks in El-Geneina and the efforts made to stop the fighting, provide humanitarian aid to the affected people and ways to hold accountable those involved in the tribal fighting.
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok on Wednesday (January 8) said that the conflicting tribal parties in West Darfur State had committed themselves to end hostilities after bloody violence that led to the death of over fifty people. On Sunday, Hamdok, and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo Hemetti of the Sovereign Council and several senior civilian and military officials ended discussions in El Geneina with the tribal leaders who pledged to not resume clashes.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it is providing Essential Household Items (EHIs) to over seven thousand people displaced by the recent tribal violence in Darfur. The ICRC on Wednesday (January 9) said they distributed 1’300 tarpaulins, 2’600 mosquito nets, 3’900 blankets, and 1’300 sleeping mats to those who had been displaced after the tribal clashes in El Geneina by the end of December 2019. According to UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) statement issued on Saturday (January 4) the recent clashes between Massalit and Arab tribes in West Darfur state have displaced some 40,000 people.”
The Sudanese government Saturday (January 4) expressed hope to conclude a comprehensive peace agreement with the various armed groups before the deadline specified in the constitutional document in February 2020. The Constitutional Document signed between the military council and the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) on August 22, provides to reach a lasting peace with the armed movements within a six-month period that ends in February. Mohamed Hassan al-Taishi, Sovereignty Council member spokesman for the government negotiating delegation told reporters in Juba that a comprehensive peace deal addressing the issues of the different regions remains possible before the expiration of the period indicated in the constitutional document.
The Sudanese government on Tuesday (January 7) ordered the suspension of two TV channels and two newspapers on suspicion of receiving funding from the regime of ousted President. On Tuesday evening, security forces raided the premises of Ashorooq TV, Taiba TV, Alsudani and AlrayAlam newspapers. Also, the authorities closed the office of the Holy Quran Association. The closure came in implementation of a decision by a committee tasked with the dismantlement of the former ruling party and the institutions liked to the al-Bashir’s regime.
The Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC), Sudan’s ruling coalition, said that they handed over a list of 14 nominees to be appointed as state governors to the Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok. Last November the FFC and the government delegation negotiating in Juba with the armed groups agreed to postpone the Sudanese Revolutionary Front SRF-contested appointment of the 18 governors before the signing of peace agreements. “We handed over a list of 14 nominated state governors to the prime minister, and the rest of the states are still under consideration,” Gafar Hassan Osman, an FFC leading member said on Tuesday (January 7).
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The Trilateral Ministerial Technical Meeting on GERD Winds up without Agreement
The Trilateral Ministerial Technical meeting of the Ministers of Water Affairs of Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan on GERD is concluded on Thursday (9 January 2020) in Addis Ababa failing to resolve outstanding issues concerning the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
The trilateral Ministers of Water Affairs on the filling and operation of the GERD convened for the fourth time since the meeting held in Washington DC on 06 November 2019. The Ministerial technical meeting was held as per the direction of the heads of governments of the three countries in their meeting in Addis Ababa on 10 February 2019 for the Ministers of Water Affairs to hold technical discussions and come up with scenarios on the filling and operation of the GERD. The meeting was also attended by the observers
Although the meeting was expected to be concluded by reaching an understanding on outstanding issues relating to filling and operation of the GERD, including on the volume of minimum release from GERD and cooperation during drought and prolonged drought agreement, it failed to agree on any of the issues.
Ethiopia has proposed a filling plan that is stage based and will take from 4 – 7 years depending on the inflow at the GERD. It also proposed to take mitigation measures in the incidence of drought or prolonged drought during the filling and operation of the Dam.
These proposals allow the prevention of significant harm on the downstream countries and have taken into account the proposals of Egypt and Sudan. However, the insistence by the delegation of Egypt to have its entire proposal accepted has prohibited reaching of an agreement.
At the meeting, Egypt presented its own version of a filling plan. Egypt’s proposal will make the Dam be filled in 12 – 21 years time and obliges Ethiopia to compensate the “cumulative deficit” for the water it uses for Dam filling. However, considering Ethiopia applies drought mitigation strategies at all stages of filling, the concept of “cumulative deficit” does not exist.
Egypt’s proposal also assumes natural flow on the Blue Nile River, which zeros all abstractions including the existing water development projects Ethiopia has built for the past 50 years on the Blue Nile. This is tantamount to denying Ethiopia`s not only future but also existing rights to use its Nile Waters. Whereas, Ethiopia posited the justified position that the filling and operation will be based on the inflow at GERD site. The principle of natural flow is non-cooperative and deprives Ethiopia of its just and sovereign right to use its natural resource.
Egypt’s proposal reinforces the country`s self-claimed sole ownership of the Nile waters that Egypt seeks to preserve. This inflexible position contravenes the principles of equitable and reasonable utilization and lacks spirit of cooperation. These fundamental principles together with the obligation not to cause significant harm are enshrined under the Declaration of Principles (DoP) that the three Countries have signed in March 2015.
As using the Nile is a matter of survival for Ethiopia, it will continue its efforts to preserve its rights to use the water to meet the needs of its existing and future generations. Ethiopia rejects any direct or indirect attempt to make it accept unjust and inequitable colonial or other “treaties” in which it is not a Party and that allocates zero water out of its contribution of 77Billion Cubic meters. In its engagements with Egypt and Sudan, Ethiopia will continue its effort based on brotherhood, good faith, and cooperation to make the GERD an example for cooperation and integrated development.
All matters relating to the filling and operation of the GERD are sufficiently discussed based on scientific evidence. The Countries have convergence on considerable number of technical issues on filling and operation of the Dam. Ethiopia is of the view that the ministerial technical meetings demonstrated the actual opportunity for reaching an agreement among the countries themselves if all the countries acted in good faith and spirit of cooperation. In the next step, the water Affairs Ministers will report to the Heads of Governments of the three countries that will give direction on the way forward.
On 13 January 2020 the Foreign Affairs and Water Affairs Ministers of the three Countries will meet in Washington. The meeting will be an opportunity to review progress of the technical discussion.
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Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Visits Guinea and Equatorial Guinea
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has been in a State visit to Guinea, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa as of Wednesday (January 8). He has concluded visiting Guinea and Equatorial Guinea and held fruitful discussions with the Heads of States of the two countries which resulted in the signing of Memorandum of Understanding that help boost relations. Prime Minister Abiy’s last leg of tour will be in South Africa, where he is expected to hold bilateral talks with South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa on ways of cementing relations between the two countries.
Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s state visit to the Republic of Guinea was held on Wednesday (January 8) at the invitation of President Alpha Conde of Guinea. Upon arrival, the Prime Minister was accorded a warm welcome by Guinea’s President Alpha Conde. The visit aimed at enhancing the bilateral cooperation between the two sisterly countries.
During the visit, the two leaders held a deep and fruitful discussion on different issues of mutual interest at the bilateral, regional and international levels. They further emphasized the need to promote and step up the economic relations and work on the implementation of the already signed agreements during the visit of Aplha Conde in February 2019. It is recalled that the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership agreement was signed during the visit of Professor Alpha Conde to Ethiopia in February 2019, which clearly demonstrated the determination of the two countries to elevate their bilateral relations to strategic level. Some of the important agreements signed during the visit were Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of Joint Ministerial Commission, Memorandum of Understanding on Agriculture, Science, technology and Higher Education, Culture and Tourism and Cooperation Agreement in the field of Health and Medical Sciences. They reiterated to cooperate in concrete terms in the field of energy and mining sectors. The Prime Minister also visited hydro dam and energy projects.
Ethiopia and Republic Guinea have long historical relations dating back to 1960s. During the time of President Sekou Toure of the Republic of Guinea supported Ethiopia on its effort to reconcile the Monrovia and Casablanca groups and the establishment of OAU.
Concluding his visit in Guinea Dr. Abiy Ahmed headed to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea for a two-day official visit (from 8th to 9thof January 2020). The visit came after the invitation of Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Mr. Siméon Oyono Esono Angue, Minister of External Relations and Cooperation, and other ministers and senior government officials, diplomatic corps residing in Malabo and a number of Ethiopian Diaspora warmly welcomed the Premier on his arrival at Malabo International Airport.
The high-level visit was primarily aimed at further strengthening the already excellent bilateral ties between Ethiopia and Equatorial Guinea in various fields. During their deliberations, the two leaders noted with delight the long-standing cooperation and friendship that exist between the two countries and reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthen the excellent relations for the mutual benefit of both peoples.
In his speech, the Prime Minister noted that Ethiopia and Equatorial Guinea have long- standing diplomatic relations based on the principles of Pan-Africanism and their sense of fraternity. In witness of this, Prime Minister recalled the cooperation and consultation of both countries in their responsibility to promote and defend African common interests and positions on peace and security issues during their term as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.
President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo expressed Equatorial Guinea’s strong desire to have robust cooperative relation with Ethiopia. He emphasized the strong and long-standing relations of the two countries and their shared insights on various areas of mutual concerns.
The President indicated that the relation of both countries, guided by cooperation agreements signed so far, enabled both countries to cooperate, consult and further elevate the existing relations to a new level. He mentioned with satisfaction the air service agreement between the two countries that resulted in Ethiopian Airlines flying to Malabo seven days a week and suggested the same attention be given to the other cooperation agreements with the view of implementing them.
President Obiang Nguema proposed a joint committee to be established to evaluate the status of implementation of the signed agreements and to explore the potential of new sectors of cooperation aiming at promoting the mutual interest of both countries. At the conclusion of the bilateral meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism and a Joint communiqué were signed.
On the occasion, President Obiang Nguema took the opportunity to congratulate Dr. Abiy Ahmed for his great efforts and significant contributions towards the sustainable resolution of conflicts in the East Africa region which has earned him the recognition of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize. Consequently, the President bestowed upon Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali the Great Collar of Independence Award, the highest honor in Equatorial Guinea for his achievements in peace in the Horn of Africa.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited industrial oil and gas zone of Malabo Punta Europa, National Park of Malabo and Malabo Paseo Maritime. Ethiopia expressed interest to learn from the Experience of Equatorial Guinea on Natural Gas production.
In addition to the meetings between the heads of states, a discussion at Foreign Ministry level was conducted on the procedures of implementing the 11 cooperative agreements signed between the two countries including air service, tourism and labour cooperation.
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Troika Urges South Sudan Peace signatory Parties to finalize Sticky Issues
The Troika countries on Thursday (January 2) issued a statement calling on the South Sudanese leaders to finalize the implementation of the pre-transitional sticky issues ahead of the formation of the transitional national unity government.
The United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Norway issued their call to mark the 50-day of a deal struck on 7 November 2019 by President Salva Kiir and his main peace partner Riek Machar to delay the transition government for 100 days.
The second delay for the formation of the transitional government was decided because of the delay in the implementation of the security arrangements and the determination of states number and boundaries.
“The Troika remains committed to the people of South Sudan, and at this important point, we call upon all parties to meet their commitments to deliver lasting peace. With less than six weeks remaining to meet the extended deadline to form a Transitional Government of National Unity, South Sudan’s leaders have a clear duty to their citizens to deliver. We commend the leadership of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in its continued efforts to mediate among the parties, and we commit to work with the region to ensure that the parties deliver progress,” said the statement.
The Troika also welcomed the recent meetings between leaders of key parties and their public commitment to form a government of national unity by the February deadline and urged all sides to build on this, to continue dialogue, and to ensure meaningful progress. The three countries further called on all sides to further demonstrate that they possess the political will to deliver peace. The statement underlined that all parties need to uphold, and affirm publicly, their commitment to the permanent ceasefire, and to instruct their forces to exercise restraint. Each delay in implementation worsens the urgent humanitarian crisis and shakes the people’s confidence in their leaders, the statement added.
The Troika also reminded the South Sudanese parties that Ending reliance on military force and creating political space for a diverse range of voices from all political parties, civil society, and the media is essential to creating a durable peace and an inclusive government that represents the interests of all parties to the agreement.
In echoing the voices of South Sudan’s civil society leaders the statement called on the government of South Sudan to fund the peace process transparently, and said Troika encourage all signatories to demonstrate measurable progress on the issues of states and boundaries and on the implementation of pre-transitional security arrangements. Troika also said they encourage South Sudan’s recommitment to the inclusion of at least 35 percent of women in every level of government as decided by all the parties.
“The people of South Sudan deserve a government that respects human rights and leaders who make necessary compromises for the greater good of the country,” reads the statement. Troika member states also urge the signatories to the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) to fulfill their obligations to represent the interests of all South Sudanese, do all that is required to form an inclusive national unity government, and lay the foundations for the next steps of South Sudan’s peace process and political transition.
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Al-Shabaab’s Camp Simba Attack
One US military service member and two contractors were killed in a terrorist attack on a military base in Kenya. The terrorist group al-Shabab attacked the base, used by Kenyan and US forces, in the popular coastal region of Lamu on Sunday (January 12). The US military said in a statement that two others from the Department of Defense were wounded. “The wounded Americans are currently in stable condition and being evacuated,” the US military’s Africa Command said.
Gen Stephen Townsend, commander of US Africa Command, added in a statement: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of our teammates who lost their lives today.” As we honour their sacrifice, let’s also harden our resolve. Alongside our African and international partners, we will pursue those responsible for this attack and al-Shabab, who seeks to harm Americans and US interests.”
In explaining what happened at Camp Simba, the Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) said “an attempt was made to breach security at Manda Air Strip” but the attack was repulsed. Four militants were killed, it added. A fire caused by the attack had been extinguished and the airstrip was now safe, a KDF spokesman said. A nearby airfield used for civilian flights had reopened, aviation officials said.
The AFRICOM statement said Al-Shabaab senior leaders pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda and are believed to have trained and fought in Afghanistan. In 2008, the U.S. Government designated al-Shabaab as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Historically, al-Shabaab has been willing to engage large forces, often using surprise and asymmetric tactics.
