News in Brief
Floods in Sudan: What Lesson to Take?
FM Gedu says Least Developed Countries need to recommit for the 2030 Development Agenda
Africa and the African Union
The AU Commission celebrated on Tuesday (September 15) the International Day of Democracy under the theme “COVID-19: A Spotlight on Democracy”. This theme is pertinent given that COVID-19 is an unprecedented public health emergency in contemporary times. A statement issued by the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, H.E. Minata Samate Cessouma, reaffirms the unwavering commitment of the African Union and its 55 Member States to the noble goals of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.
Ethiopia
Federal and regional leadership on Thursday (September 17) met to evaluate government response to natural disasters that have affected various regions in the country. During the discussion, it was noted that despite intense flooding, there are no reported deaths and the National Defence Forces have been on the ground undertaking necessary measures.
Minister of the Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, H.E. Gedu Andargachew on Thursday (September 17) participated in a virtually held annual ministerial meeting of the group of least Developed Countries (LDCs). The meeting aims to provide strategic guidance for the last year of implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action and articulate the key sustainable development priorities of LDCs. Mr. Gedu delivered a statement that pointed out strains that threatened Ethiopia’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and implement the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA). (See article)
The World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors on Tuesday (September 17) approved an 80 million USD grant to support Ethiopia to boost agricultural productivity and enhance market access for smallholder farmers. According to the World Bank’s 2019 Poverty Assessment for Ethiopia, agricultural growth was a key driver of poverty reduction over the past decade. Additional financing for the Second Agricultural Growth Project (AGPII) will further increase the economic potential of Ethiopia’s agricultural sector.
Some Serbian investors have shown a keen desire to invest in Ethiopia in the field of agriculture in particular, the country’s ambassador said on Monday (September 17). In an exclusive interview with ENA, Ambassador Aleksandar Ristic said Serbian companies are eager to engage in Ethiopia in different spheres, including in agriculture. “Serbia has a number of agricultural companies that are very developed and with very skilled people in the sector, particularly in the field of production of seeds. We are aware of the need for seeds in Ethiopia and established contacts between our countries and companies in this field,” he elaborated.
Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) announced on Thursday (September 17) that it has contributed 5 million USD to the Government of Ethiopia to promote the efficient response towards the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. KOICA and Ministry of Trade and Industry have virtually signed Memorandum of Understanding on the project for production of personal protective equipment (PPE) to retain jobs in small and medium enterprises engaged in leather and leather products.
The newly accomplished Unity Park, Sheger and Entoto projects are landmarks for the thriving Ethiopian tourism sector, said an expert. Tourism Development Expert Kaleab Belachew told The Ethiopian Herald on Thursday (September 17) that the projects have a wide range of benefits for the country’s tourism sector. The projects are comprehensive, very important, and commendable where all age groups, the diplomatic community, conference participants in the city, and business travellers will be attracted to visit, he added.
State Minister Ambassador Redwan Hussien on Wednesday (September 16) held talks with Behzad Khakpour, the departing Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Ethiopia. The Ambassadors stressed the need to scale up the relations between the two ancient states.
Minister Gedu Andargachew, on Tuesday (September 15) met with the outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Tan Jian. The minister thanked Mr. Jian for his outstanding service during his stay in Ethiopia. Mr. Gedu said the relations between Ethiopia and China grew exponentially in politics, investment, trade, people-to-people engagements, and tourism during Ambassador Tan Jian’s stay in the country.
The Government of Denmark announced on Tuesday (September 15) that it has committed 10 million Danish Krone for enhancing the existing partnership between the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the Danish Institute for Human Rights. According to a statement released by the Embassy of Denmark in Ethiopia, the project aims to strengthen the capacity of Ethiopian Human Rights Commission.
The Government of Japan has contributed 30.24 million USD to support Ethiopia meet the relief food needs of communities affected by COVID-19, desert locusts, drought, and flooding, the World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Wednesday (September 16). According to a press release of WFP, the contribution to be channeled through the National Disaster Risk Management Commission will meet the acute food needs of over 1.6 million people in the regions of Afar, Amhara, Oromia, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples, Sidama, and Tigray in the framework of the 2020 Humanitarian Response Plan.
State Minister Ambassador Redwan Hussien and Mrs. Teresa Ribeiro, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Portugal had held a virtual discussion on Monday (September 14) on the bilateral relations between the two countries as well as on the upcoming priorities of Portugal Presidency to the European Union (EU) Council.
The Ministry of Culture & Tourism announced its plans on Tuesday (September 15) plans to revamp and develop 99 existing and new tourist destination sites across the country. With the development of these sites, 59 new and 40 existing destinations, the Ministry hopes to generate 23 billion dollars by the end of 2022. The sites, developed through public-private-partnerships (PPP), will be selected across all regions in the country.
It was reported last week on Friday that the government of Ethiopia is set to build a national data centre, where all the necessary information and statistics of all federal institutions and citizens are securely kept and stored. The centre is to be built by the Ministry of Innovation & Technology and will also offer cloud services, making it the first nationally hosted cloud facility.
Eritrea
Ministry of Health announced on Monday (September 17) that three patients have been diagnosed positive for COVID-19 in tests carried out on Monday (September 17) at Quarantine Centers in Oubel (2) and Senafe (1) in the Southern Region. All the patients are nationals who returned from Ethiopia recently. On the other hand, one patient who was receiving medical treatment in a hospital in the Southern Region has recovered fully and was released from the facility on the same day. The total number of recovered patients to-date accordingly stands at 305. The total number of confirmed cases in the country to-date has risen to 364.
Djibouti
The activities of the Djibouti Sovereign Fund (Fonds Souverain de Djibouti – FSD) were officially launched on Monday (September 14) at the presidential palace in the capital. Following the implementation decrees promulgated on June 24, 2020, a special inter-ministerial committee was held under the high authority of President Ismaël Omar Guelleh, in the presence of the Prime Minister, members of the government and the Fund’s administrators. The Sovereign Fund presents itself as an ambitious and innovative financial instrument aimed at turbocharging the country’s development. It will strive to modernize the country’s economy, to boost the growth of a competitive private sector and to enhance the development of the public productive sector, one of the essential instruments of this transformation.
Kenya
Tanzania’s civil aviation agency has lifted a suspension on Kenyan aviation operators after the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) revoked the 14-day mandatory quarantine for all passengers arriving from the country. Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) had suspended Kenyan operators in retaliation to Kenya’s decision to subject passengers from Tanzania to a compulsory 14-day quarantine.
Somalia
Somalia’s President Mohamed Farmaajo and five federal state leaders have reached a deal that effectively retains the clan-based system of delegate voting in the upcoming elections. The new deal, which was reached after a five-day meeting in Mogadishu, revises the one reached last month between Farmaajo and three of the five states which chose to have 303 delegates voting for each of the 275 MPs of the Lower House. The new arrangement, which must be endorsed by parliament, means Somalia’s next elections will see 101 delegates voting to choose each of the 275 MPs who in turn will elect the federal president.
At least seven al-Shabab fighters were killed in fierce fighting with Somali National Army (SNA) in the southern town of Awdhigle in Lower Shabelle, a military commander said on Wednesday (September 16). SNA commander for section 66 Ahmed Maslah said the army clashed with the militants, injuring several of them during the gun battle. “We have killed seven al-Shabab militants in the fighting. We also removed landmines which the militants placed along Awdhigle road,” Maslah said.
The UN and its international partners on Tuesday (September 15) welcomed the resumption of dialogue between the Federal Government and the five Federal member states. They urge all Somali leaders to engage fully in serious dialogue aimed at reaching broad agreement on a credible and implementable electoral model. They also appeal to Somalia’s leaders to be guided by the national interest and the democratic aspirations of the Somali people at this historic moment.
The UN in Somalia on Tuesday (September 15) lauded health workers who have worked tirelessly to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as Mogadishu reached a six-month milestone since the first case was confirmed. While the period has seen achievements in containing the pandemic in Somalia, the UN cautioned that the response to COVID-19 was far from over and urged Mogadishu to redouble efforts to contain the virus.
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Force Commander Lieutenant General Diomede Ndegeya on Wednesday (September 16) has paid an official working visit to AMISOM troops in Beletweyne manned by Djiboutian Armed Forces (DJAF) and Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) to familiarize himself with sector 4.
South Sudan
David Shearer, head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), on Wednesday (September 16) updated ambassadors on the country’s ongoing political and security situations, which are unfolding amid the COVID-19 pandemic and an upturn in inter-communal violence in Jonglei and other states. Although the transitional government in South Sudan continues to function, with state governors now appointed, among other developments, progress on the 2018 peace agreement “limps along”, the top UN official in the country told a virtual meeting of the Security Council.
South Sudanese activist Rita Lopidia on Tuesday (September 15) was awarded the inaugural Women Building Peace Award for her work promoting women’s participation in peace agreements. Lopidia was chosen from among 10 finalists from countries that have experienced conflict including Colombia, Rwanda and Uganda. According to the United Nations, when women are included in a peace process, the agreement is 35% more likely to last at least 15 years.
Sudan
Heavy rainfall accompanied by extensive flash flooding across the Horn of Africa has continued to damage human life and property. Although this part of the African continent has been regularly affected by flash floods, this year marked a record high flow of the Nile Basin since the turn of the 21st century. The sudden torrential rain caused destructive flooding, particularly in Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda. The floods affected Sudan tremendously and called for the government of Sudan to declare a state of emergency. As various news outlets indicated, the floods have left hundreds of people to death, thousands homeless, destroyed agricultural lands and crops, and threatened to compromise historical sites. What lessons one can draw out of these destructive floods in Sudan? (See article)
The Sudanese authorities on Wednesday (September 16) said they seized a huge amount of explosives feeding an illicit trade in the artisanal mining of gold but also can be used in terrorist attacks. In a press conference held in Khartoum, Attorney General Taj al-Sir Ali al-Hebir said that the Rapid Support Forces (SRF) “set up 12 ambushes that resulted in the arrest of 41 people and seizure of dangerous explosive materials, which could blow up the entire capital, according to forensic analyzes.”
The designated Sudanese ambassador to the United States Noureldin Satti formally presented his credentials to President Trump on Thursday (September 17). The veteran diplomat who was picked last May made history by becoming the first Sudanese ambassador in 23 years since the diplomatic relations were upgraded late last year.
Deputy Chairman of the Transitional Sovereign Council in Sudan, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, “Hemedti”, reiterated pledges on Thursday (September 17) to exert the needed efforts for a permanent settlement that contributes to peaceful coexistence, security and stability. Hemetti received a Ngok Dinka delegation of the disputed Abyei area headed by South Sudan’s Minister of East African Affairs Deng Alor who tasked with the Abyei file. “The meeting discussed the situation in Abyei, how to find solutions to the area’s issue and start negotiating arrangements to reach lasting peace and stability,” said Hemetti in a statement posted on his Facebook page.
The World Food Programme (WFP) on Thursday (September 17) says that it is scaling up its efforts to reach nearly 160,000 people impacted by devastating floods, the worst the country has seen in a century. Some 650,000 people are believed to have been impacted by the floods so far. WFP says it is working tirelessly with the Government of Sudan and UN partners to ensure that food reaches those who need it and to increase the number of people who receive aid.
The displaced people in Darfur have declared their full support for the peace initiative proposed by the head of the mainstream Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-AW), Abdelwahid El Nur. A high-level delegation of the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) rebel alliance is scheduled to arrive in Khartoum on Thursday. The Darfur Displaced and Refugees General Coordination has started to consult the people in the camps about the proposal of rebel leader Abdelwahid El Nur to hold an internal dialogue on the peace process, Yagoub Abdallah, head of the Darfur Displaced and Refugees General Coordination, told the media on Wednesday (September 16).
The Head of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Lt-General, Abdul Fattah Al-Burhan, on Sunday (September 13), received a phone call from Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, reassuring on the situation in the country following the torrential rains and floods that hit the country recently. The Ethiopian Premier affirmed his country’s solidarity with the leadership and people of Sudan, wishing that the situation would return to normality soon.
The Transitional Prime Minister, Dr. Abdulla Hamdouk, on Sunday (September 13) , received a telephone call from the Somali President, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo during which he condolence him and the Sudanese people on the victims of the floods which hit large parts of the country. The Somali Head of State affirmed his country’s support to the government and people of Sudan In order to overcome this difficult time. Dr. Hamdouk, on his part, highly appreciated the leadership and the people of Somalia, especially, the initiative of the Somali Cabinet which exempted the Sudanese resident in Somalia from migration fees.
The Sudanese government announced its readiness to send a negotiating team to Juba to resume talks with the SPLM-North under the approach agreed on 3 September by the Prime Minister and the leader of the SPLM-N al-Hilu. Hamdok-al-Hilu agreement on how to include the relation between the state and religion in the peace talks was discussed on Monday (September 14) in a meeting of the Supreme Peace Council chaired by the head of the Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, with the participation of the prime minister and the transitional authority top officials.
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Floods in Sudan: What Lesson to Take?
Heavy rainfall accompanied by extensive flash flooding across the Horn of Africa has continued to damage human life and property. Although this part of the African continent has been regularly affected by flash floods, this year marked a record high flow of the Nile Basin since the turn of the 21st century. The sudden torrential rain caused destructive flooding, particularly in Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda.
The floods inundating East Africa are the expressions of a global challenge that is exacerbated by the weak resilience of the countries to natural calamities. A better disaster forecast system and adequate preparation to face such challenges could have averted the effects of the floods in all of these countries.
The floods affected Sudan tremendously and called for the government of Sudan to declare a state of emergency. As various news outlets indicated, the floods have left hundreds of people to death, thousands homeless, destroyed agricultural lands and crops, and threatened to compromise historical sites. Yet, Sudan is not alone. Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda have also received blows from the floods.
Reservoirs and dams in Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, and the other upper riparian countries of the Nile have the potential to regulate the flow of the Nile into Sudan and lessen the gravity of flooding from the torrential rain. During the flash flood season, such dams would ensure a regulated flow of the Nile into Sudan. In this context, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) will help Sudan in controlling and mitigating the effects of future floods when it upon its completion. Attesting to this, Professor Yasir Abbas, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources of Sudan, recently stated that the GERD would significantly enhance the resilience of Sudan to the deadly floods.
The other crucial intervention, in addition to afforestation and enhancement of the capacity of land management, is the construction of smaller dams in Sudan. They are dependable in barraging the flash floods and preventing the destruction of agricultural fields and residences. The reservoirs could also manage the flow Sudan receives from the White and Blue Nile Rivers and other tributaries in its territory to mitigate flooding effects. Similarly, the urgent necessity is the timely rehabilitation of existing earth dams in Sudan to prevent demolitions as it was the case with the Bout Dam in the Blue Nile State. Egypt, which was a victim of torrential rains and flash floods, used the Nasser Lake, with its 169 billion meter cubic storage capacity to contain the Nile flow. If released, this amount of water could have exacerbated the flash floods.
Flooding is one of the causes of displacement in East Africa. As it is the case in other things, the change in climate has also intertwined the fate of Sudan and Ethiopia and countries of the Horn a well. The bond between these countries is rooted in an existential factor that determines the resilience of both nations.
The situation calls for enhanced cooperation among the countries. Our policies and strategies should be in line with the emerging challenges we are facing. They should also promote cooperation and coordination to tackle the existential challenges posed by global warming. Ethiopia and Sudan that belong to similar regional and sub-regional integration mechanisms need to reinforce their bilateral projects in economic, social, and other sectors.
In line with this and following the news of devastating floods in Sudan, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed last week on Sunday affirmed that his country stands in solidarity with the people of Sudan. He said: “We are committed to working with the government of Sudan in ensuring such similar heavy flooding does not occur.”
The political realm should not be allowed to cover the big picture here. Although Africa has not polluted the globe, it is paying huge prices to global warming. Therefore, the international community, although strained by other challenges, will do right by extending its hand to Sudan and the other countries suffering from flood and drought. Above all, Ethiopia and Sudan must work together to build their resilience and capacities against climate change.
That is why the government of Ethiopia was and still is insisting that the GERD is for mutual benefit to mitigate such calamities witnessed in Sudan. If the GERD did not retain 4.9 BCM so far, the floods in Sudan could have been even worse. The simple message from Ethiopia is that we have to learn from what has happened and foresee a viable solution. Upon completion, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will ensure a regulated flow of the Blue Nile waters. The people of Sudan will not face the horrors of floods anymore. No rational person, we believe, can argue otherwise.
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FM Gedu says Least Developed Countries need to recommit for the 2030 Development Agenda
Minister of the Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Gedu Andargachew on Thursday (September 17), has participated in a virtually held annual ministerial meeting of the group of least Developed Countries (LDCs).
The meeting aims to provide strategic guidance for the last year of implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action and articulate the key sustainable development priorities of LDCs.
Gedu delivered a speech that pointed out strains that threatened Ethiopia’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and implement the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA).
He said the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has further weakened some of the development gains achieved by LDCs over many decades.
The LDCs have also continued to face multiple structural challenges, including poverty, unemployment, and the adverse impacts of climate change, he said.
Despite the apparent problems, Mr. Gedu said, Ethiopia is expanding rural development programs to achieve food security and promote agricultural productivity.
Ethiopia is also investing in social and physical infrastructural projects to meet some of the 2030 Development Goals, the minister added.
Noting that LDCs remain far below many of the targets set by the SDGs, Gedu called on to recommit to accelerating the full and effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA).
The meeting was hosted by Malawi’s Foreign Minister, Chair of the LDC Group, and attended by ministers from 47 LDCs, “Friends of LDCs” and the UN Deputy Secretary-General.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a commitment to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development by 2030 worldwide, ensuring that no one is left behind.
The IPoA aims to help LDCs overcome the structural challenges they face to eradicate poverty and achieve internationally agreed development goals.
