Meldungen von Januar 2017
von Redakteur
27.1.2017 Wieder Dürre am Horn von Afrika: Das Leben von 6,5 Millionen Kindern ist von Hunger bedroht. Save the Children, Finanznachrichten.de
Berlin (ots) - Bis zu 6,5 Millionen Kinder könnten aufgrund wiederkehrender Dürren am Horn von Afrika verhungern, warnt Save the Children vor dem Treffen der Afrikanischen Union in Addis Abeba. Eine halbe Million Kinder in der Region leidet bereits jetzt an schwerer akuter Mangelernährung. In Somalia, Äthiopien und Kenia blieben über mehrere Jahre hinweg Regenfälle entweder komplett aus oder traten nur unregelmäßig auf. Dadurch wurde eine schwere Wasserknappheit und großes Viehsterben verursacht, so dass bis zu 15 Millionen Menschen in den drei Ländern dringend auf Hilfe angewiesen sind.
"Die nächste Regenzeit wird der Region erneut zu wenig Niederschläge bringen und die schon verzweifelte Situation von Kindern und ihren Familien in Somalia, Äthiopien und Kenia zusätzlich verschlimmern - Millionen von Menschen könnten dann von Hunger bedroht sein oder verhungern", so John Graham, Direktor von Save the Children Äthiopien vor dem Treffen der Afrikanischen Union. (…)
Beinahe die Hälfte der Bevölkerung Somalias (fünf Millionen Menschen) ist von einer schweren Nahrungsmittel- und Wasserknappheit betroffen, somit steht das Land am Rande einer Hungersnot. Die Anzahl der Menschen mit Mangelernährung in Somalia hat bereits kritische Ausmaße erreicht und wird sich in den nächsten Wochen voraussichtlich noch vergrößern. Tausende Familien befinden sich auf der Suche nach Nahrung und Wasser. Viele dieser Familien hoffen Hilfe in Äthiopien zu finden. 93 Prozent aller Kinder, die nach der Ankunft im Dollo Ado Lager in Äthiopien untersucht werden, zeigen Anzeichen von Mangelernährung.
Auch Äthiopien leidet unter der Dürre. Viele Kinder sind gezwungen, die Schule abzubrechen, was ihr Risiko steigert, frühverheiratet oder zur Migration gezwungen zu werden. Während die äthiopische Regierung immer noch daran arbeitet, die Auswirkungen der letztjährigen Dürre zu mildern, beantragt das Land 948 Millionen US-Dollar, um 5,6 Millionen Menschen in Not zu helfen; 47 Millionen US-Dollar wurden bereits zugesagt. In Kenia sind mehr als 1,25 Millionen Menschen dringend auf Nahrung angewiesen - wobei sich diese Zahl in den nächsten Monaten noch deutlich erhöhen dürfte. (…)
17.1.2017 Ethiopia Situation Report - January 2017. FAO
IN NUMBERS
5.6 million People food insecure. 1.9 million Households require emergency livestock support in 2017.
USD 42 million required for humanitarian response in Ethiopia’s agriculture sector in 2017.
USD 20 million needed by FAO to assist 1 million farming, agropastoral and pastoral households in 2017.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Humanitarian needs in Ethiopia have halved since last year owing to generally average crop production, wide-scale humanitarian coverage and proactive Government response in 2016.
- Food insecurity levels remain alarming despite improving national food availability. Since July, the number of priority hotspots has increased by 15 percent – largely owing to slow livelihoods recovery and emergence of new drought in southern and southeastern pastoral areas.
- FAO requires USD 12.5 million to address needs of pastoralists affected by new drought in southern and southeastern Ethiopia. The failure of a critical rainfall season across the Horn of Africa has caused critical shortages of pasture and water, resulting in extreme emaciation, disease outbreaks and the deaths of tens of thousands of livestock in affected areas of Ethiopia.
http://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/ethiopia-situation-report-january-2017
17.1.2017 Ethiopia leads response to relief aid for 2017, ENA
Ethiopia has set the donor community off on the right course by putting aside more than one billion Birr as the first financial installment to fund relief operations in 2017. Setting the ground for the donor community, the government of Ethiopia has committed 47.35 million USD (1.09 billion birr) as first installment to support people in need of humanitarian assistance in 2017. This came as the 2017 HRD, the Joint Government and Humanitarian Partners Document, was launched today indicating that 5.6 million people would require relief aid in the fiscal year.
The total resource requirement is estimated at 948 million USD, of which 598 million is required for emergency food assistance. "Of the total number of people requiring humanitarian assistance in 2017, 36 per cent are in Oromia, 29 per cent in Somali, 11 per cent in Amhara, 8 per cent in SNNP and 7 per cent in Afar," stated Mitiku Kassa, Commissioner, National Disaster Risk Management Commission in his opening statement at today's HRD 2017 launching event. (…)
http://www.ena.gov.et/en/index.php/politics/item/2567-ethiopia-leads-response-to-relief-aid-for-2017
- Politics, Justice, Human Rights -
29.1.2017 Hailemariam, Guterres Discuss National, Global Issues. ENA
Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has conferred with UN Secretary-General, António Guterres on national and global issues. The two sides have exchanged views on the issue of ensuring peace and security in the horn of Africa.
During the discussion, Guterres has appreciated Ethiopia pivotal role in ensuring peace and security in the horn region saying it is ‘exemplary’.Furthermore he praised Ethiopia’ efforts in hosting thousands of refugees from neighboring countries and affirmed that UN will continue to support Ethiopia in this regard. Prime Minister Hailemariam on his part said Ethiopia will continue its efforts towards ensuring peace and security in the region.
The two sides have also discussed the current situation in Somalia and south Sudan, according to Ewunetu Bilata Adviser to the Prime Minister.
26.1.2017 A court in Ethiopia jails thirteen Muslims accused of killing prominent Sheik from three to sixteen years. The thirteen were also accused of working to ‘establish an Islamic state’ in Ethiopia; one of the accused has died while in jail. Mahlet Fasil, Addis Standard
Ethiopia’s federal High Court 19th criminal bench has today sentenced 13 Muslims accused of killing Sheik Nuru Yimam, a prominent Islamic leader in Dessie town, 387kms North of Addis Abeba, in July 2013, from 2 years and eight months to 16 years in jail. Charges against the thirteen include charges of organizing themselves to work towards ‘establishing an Islamic state’ in Ethiopia, a terrorism accusation. The accused were originally 14, but the 9th defendant, Mubarak Yimer, has died on January 15, 2016, under suspicious circumstances while he was in police custody. He was found dead in his cell and no investigation was carried out to establish the cause of death.
The killing of Sheik Nuru Yimam, who was shot to death at his residence on the night of July 5, 2013, has been one of the most controversial issues ever since. He was known to have publically supported the government’s crackdown against Muslim protesters that began in Dec. 2011. Muslims who continued protesting against the government maintain he was killed by government thugs to blackmail their protest movements. Ethiopian Muslims were protesting since 2011 against what many of them say were an uncalled for interference by the government in the affairs of their religion. The protests came to a disturbing twist on Monday, Oct. 29th, 2012 when a federal court in Addis Abeba decided to charge 29 Muslim protestors arrested in July of the same year with “plotting acts of terrorism” under the country’s infamous anti-terror proclamation.
According to today’s court ruling, the highest sentences were handed to the 8th defendant Yimer Hussein, who was sentenced to 16 years in jail, while the seventh defendant, Umar Hussien Ahmed, was jailed for 15 years and six months. Umar is also among the 38 inmates who are accused of setting the controversial Qilinto fire. (…) Their lawyer, Bahiru Mikanga, told Addis Standard that there were enough grounds to appeal the sentencing, but said he was yet to discuss further actions with his clients.
Today’s sentencing follows yet another sentencing of a group of Muslim protesters into lengthy jail terms. On January 03, the federal High Court 19th criminal bench has sentenced19 defendants under the file name of the first defendant Kedir Moahmmed Yusuf.
24.1.2017 Effort to contain problems in some areas shall sustain-Command post. Walta Information Center
The command post established to contain havoc and violence during the state of emergency has stated that the effort to stabilize the country and prevent anti-peace tendencies in some areas of the country shall be strengthened, a report by Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporate said. Even if there are tangible changes in areas that were recently destabilized, there are still problems that need further effort to create sustainable peace and stability in the country at large.
The command post, which indicated that it has evaluated its performance during the last months, also has said that the efforts made so far were fruitful as they were undertaken with the participation of the public. Tasks that returned calm and enabled the country to have its previous sustained stability are successfully performed. The command post disclosed that it has tailored future strategies by discussing potential challenges to be faced ahead.
http://www.waltainfo.com/news/national?category=2
18.1.2017 Ethiopian ruling party holds dialogue with opposition. Comprehensive dialogue hailed as promising long-term solutions to political tensions, but format is criticized. Anadolu Agency, Addis Getachew
Ethiopia’s ruling party is meeting Wednesday with the nationally registered main political opposition for a dialogue aimed at long-term stability. The move came a week after Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn promised to engage with the country’s opposition that “chose the peaceful path”. Accordingly, about 23 opposition parties sat in discussion with the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) at the office of the government whip in a closed session.
The meeting, the first in a series, will first agree on procedural and protocol issues followed by substantive issues. “The move is excellent for bringing about durable solutions in the country,” Chane Kebede, head of the Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP), a major opposition party, told Anadolu Agency. (…)
Election, governance, economic participation, political space, and youth employment are the issues expected to take center stage.
Additionally, US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield will arrive on Thursday to encourage the participants, said a government representative who declined to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media. (…)
http://aa.com.tr/en/africa/ethiopian-ruling-party-holds-dialogue-with-opposition/729785
16.1.2017 Parties say ready for dialogue: ENA
Readiness of EPRDF to work together with political parties on national issues through dialogues and consultations will help to sustain the ongoing economic growth, representatives of political parties said. Representatives of political parties who talked to ENA said they are ready to make active participation in the activities aimed at deepening democracy in the country.
Chairperson of Ethiopian Justice and Democratic Forces Front (EJDFF), Geresu Gesa, appreciated EPRDF for the initiative. Saying the activity will create an opportunity to discuss on national issues and address challenges, he added that it will also help political parties contribute their own share in the development of the country. “As the country's economy has witnessed successive economic growth, political parties need to be engaged in dialogue and consultations with the ruling party to address challenges facing the nation," he said. The Chairperson urged the need to consider agendas and recomondations presented by the parties.
Chairperson of Coalition for Unity and Democracy (Kinijit), Ayele Chamisso, on his part said that the country's constitution has paved the way for the realization of a multi-party system. Since political parties are working for the development of the country, they need joint forums to discuss and debate on national issues, Ayele said. Ayela said his party supports initiative of the ruling party in this regard and is ready to make active participation in the dialogue.
Organizational Affairs Head of Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP), Ermiyas Balkew, said organizing such events is proper in order to foster democracy in the country. He urged the need to create conducive environment for the success of the dialogue.
Ethiopian Democratic Unity Movement (EDUM) is among the parties that are ready for the dialogue. Chairperson of the party, Goshu Gebrasilassie, said that his party has already presented proposed agendas for discussion with EPRDF.
It was recalled that EPRDF has announced it's readiness for dialogue and consultation with political parties operating legally in the country and dialogue and consultation is expected to begin soon. EPRDF has been expressing willingness to work closely with political parties on national issues, acknowledging its weakness in the past in this regard.
http://www.ena.gov.et/en/index.php/politics/item/2565-parties-say-ready-for-dialogue
15.1.2017 Dialogue with Political Parties to Begin Coming Week: EPRDF. ENA
The Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) announced that it is ready for dialogue and consultation with political parties operating legally in the country. In an exclusive interview with ENA, Shiferaw Shigute, Head of the Office of the EPRDF, said the dialogue and consultation is expected to begin in the coming week. EPRDF has been expressing willingness to work closely with political parties on national issues, acknowledging its weakness in the past in this regard. The Party has been working with political parties that are willing to cooperate under the umbrella of the joint political parties' council. Shiferaw said the party is ready to work with other parties that are peacefully operating in the country. Working with political parties includes dialogue, consultation and debate, he added.
"We work together with peaceful political parties and other concerned bodies. When we say we work together, we enter into dialogue on issues that can enable us go along with and we debate on our differences. Since the public is the judge we want that to happen," he said. This will enable the public to know the agendas of the political parties and make its own decisions, he added.
This is not the first time for EPRDF to invite political parties to work together, Shiferaw said, noting the invitation that the party has issued to all political parties during the transition period. This times all legal political parties operating peacefully, whether they sign the electoral code of conduct or not. According to Shiferaw, EPRDF and other parties are expected to present their thoughts on ways of conducting the dialogue.
Noting there are other entities in addition to political parties willing to work together with EPRDF, Shiferaw said the Party is keen to cooperate with different sections of the society, academicians and civic societies. In addition to political dialogue and debate, the activity includes putting forward recommendations and consulting, as well as research, he added.
"We can work together with anyone who wishes to work in collaboration. It is possible to contribute to the country whether agreed or not with the line of the Front. EPRDF is ready in this regard. It means that we have made our readiness official," he said.
It was recalled that Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn at the beginning of the week has disclosed that the dialogue with political parties will began soon. The Premier said that in the activity aimed at deepening democratization in the country, will include the media, civic societies and representatives of the public.
Some 23 political parties are expected to take part in the dialogue and debate program
12.1.2017 Main engine of deep reform is the public-Premier. Walta Information Center
Prime Minster Hailemariam Desalegn, while addressing the 12th ordinary session of the House of People’s Representatives, said that the main driving force behind the deep reform that the government is undertaking is the public at large. The Premier noted that the reform has brought change in mindset that is vital for bringing change in employing government power after deep discussion at all levels of the leadership and the public in different forums.
Lack of adequate capacity, misperception and poor discipline and work ethics are the main factors for the proliferation of maladministration at different levels of the governance ladder, Hailemariam reiterated. The new leadership has to be evaluated based on its performance in each sector and so far it is of good prospect, he added.
The deep reform process was backed with transparency and accountability. As part of this, the wealth and properties of the leadership should be publicized to the public. The premier urged the house to play a close follow up role from the reform to be effective.
The ethics and anti-corruption commission and the recently founded office for the investigation of special corruption cases and other stakeholders can play a role in the effort to induce transparency and accountability in the country and strengthen good governance, he noted. (…)
He also spoke on the state of emergency and noted that the decree is constitutional and it has not (?!) showed that the country can overcome such challenges. The country has returned to peace and calm and has prevented great economic damages. The social ties between the people have returned to normalcy, he said while explaining outcomes of the declaration. (…)
The public, the military and security bodies have passed the situation by going through the most challenging incidents. Very limited challenges were witnessed during the performance of the state of emergency in relation to human rights and corrective measures are taken up on them, Hailemariam underscored.
The recent situation has not as such affected the flow of tourists and it was rather an opportunity to once again show that Ethiopia has a government and people capable of withstanding such challenges successfully, he added.
http://www.waltainfo.com/news/editors_pick/detail?cid=26856
9.1.2017 Premier urges public to involve in renewal process. ENA
Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn has urged the public to actively involve in the government's ongoing deep renewal process in a bid to expose corruptors and exercise good governance. In today's press conference with representatives of the local media, the Prime Minister advised the public to stand against corruption and poor governance. The ongoing deep renewal of government officials involves all the ranks up to the lower government structure.
Hailemariam said the renewal process which is anchored on the party's key principles is targeted at fighting rent-seeking and improving public service. He indicated that a specialized office which investigates corrupt practices among officials works in parallel with the well established Anti-Corruption Commission to close in on corruptors. (…) Mentioning the opposition block as key in building the nation's young democracy, he encouraged them to play their share by forwarding practical and alternative development policies.
9.1.2017 New office to Investigate Special Corruption Cases. GEESKA Africa Online
Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has announced the establishment of new office which is in charge of investigating special corruption cases. The new office, which operates under the federal police commission, will investigate individuals and organizations suspected of engaging in grand corruption cases. (…) According to the PM, the government has restructured the organization of the federal police in a manner that fits the corruption cases the country is faced with. The new office is organized like the Federal Investigation Bureau of the USA, he said.
The Investigation Bureau will thoroughly investigate grand corruption cases once a tip is provided by concerned citizens. The office will be further strengthened with appropriate labor force and equipment, said the PM. The Premier noted the investigation bureau has already established an information technology mechanism that can ensure the participation of the public at large in tipping corruption cases. Accordingly, any concerned citizen and the media can provide tangible tips to make accountable those involved in corrupt acts including sitting officials, he said.
Any official suspected of corruption will face two measures if the act is proved right, one is administrative measure while the other is a legal one, said the PM. PM Hailemariam underlined that the guiding principle behind the establishment of the investigation office is to deepen transparency throughout the government bureaucracy while conducting public businesses.
The PM, who announced the beginning a movement to deeply reform the rulig party, said that his party’s commitment to correct a wrong mindset which believes that the peak of a political power is embezzlement and finally corruption should be effective. “That is why we strongly say political power is a means to fulfill the will and aspiration of the public who gave us the political power but not a means to enrich one self,” unequivocally underlined the PM. “That is why the party has been removing from office many of its comrades recently,” he added. (…) He also remarked that a system to register and make public the wealth of any public official has been developed. It will soon be public, he said.
Walta has learnt that from regional states to the federal government many public officials have been removed from their post while others are under investigation. (Translated By Pawlos Belete, editted by Abraham Dereje)
http://www.geeskaafrika.com/26351/ethiopia-new-office-investigate-special-corruption-cases/
9.1.2017 Ethiopia targets opposition who met with European lawmakers. Elias Meseret , AFP, Washington Post
Ethiopia said Monday it will not release a leading opposition figure detained under the country’s state of emergency after meeting with European lawmakers in Belgium. Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn told reporters that Merara Gudina of the Oromo Federalist Congress party instead will face justice. “Individuals in the European Parliament who are harboring anti-peace elements cannot save those who trespass the law of the country,” the prime minister said.
Merara is one of 22,000 people the prime minister said were detained under the state of emergency declared in October after widespread, sometimes deadly anti-government protests. The government has said several thousand have since been released. (…) The state of emergency is set to end in May. The prime minister did not indicate it would be extended, but he told reporters that “as far as the date of lifting the state of emergency is concerned, it should be seen in the perspective that we have to consolidate the gains that we have made so far.”
5.1.2017 Ethiopia hands jail terms against Islamist activists. Tesfa-Alem Tekle, Sudan Tribune
An Ethiopian court this week sentenced 20 Islamist activists to over 5-years in prison on charges of plotting to establish an Islamic state in the East African nation.
According to a charge sheet Sudan Tribune obtained Thursday the defendants were all found guilty of plotting to stage terrorism attacks and plots to turn the dominantly Christian nation into an Islamic state. The federal court said the activists had been conspiring to incite protests among Muslims in cities including the capital, Addis Ababa, Jimma and Wolkite. They were also accused of organising to recruit members to incite violence and stage terror attacks in various parts of the country. Further more the court Said the accused had attempted to free 18 other jailed members of the self-calling Ethiopia Muslim Arbitration Committee.
Accordingly, the court has sentenced all except one to five and half-year behind bars. The 13th defendant who is suffering of tuberculosis was sentenced to four years and five months after the court considered his health conditions.
The 20 religious activists were arrested in 2015 following Muslim protests between 2011-2013 during when Ethiopian Muslims accused the government of interference in Islamic affairs, an allegation officials denied.
Mustafa Sefi, lawyer of the defendants told Journalists that the court ruling was unjust. He argued that the court ruling has denied citizen’s constitutional rights to freedom of expression.
Among the total 20 sentenced were also two journalists working for the Ethiopian faith- based station, Radio Bilal, over charges of conspiring with the activists. Khalid Mohammed, a news editor and Darsema Sori, a senior editor at the radio station were convicted along with the others on December 21 court hearing on charges of inciting extremists ideology and planning to overthrow the government through promoting Muslim resistance against government interference on religious affairs.
Following the court ruling, international press freedom campaigner, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Wednesday issued a statement condemning the court ruling. (…)
http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article61314
2.1.2017 EPRDF says “Deep Reform” underway properly. Walta Information Center
Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) said that its in-deep reform is underway properly. The Executive Committee has evaluated and proved that the reform has been undertaking as it was desired at all levels from top leadership to members. It also emphasized that a consolidated effort is exerted to tackle narrow attitude, chauvinism and religious extremism as these are serious challenges to realize the renaissance of the country. (…)
In its ordinary session, from December 30 to 31, 2016, the Executive Committee has evaluated its reform performances and ascertained that it has been taking place in its proper way. (…) According to the press release, abusing political power for self interest another wrong mindset that is could endanger the gains of the democratic and developmental ideology the country has been perusing for over two decades. (…) They agreed that to solve such tendencies in a timely manner so that the political system can effectively respond to the ever rising public demand for greater economic and political space. They also strongly agreed that creating such a favorable environment will strengthen Ethiopia’s renaissance.
(…) The convention has exposed a number of bad governance and corruption cases without fear and intimidation. As a result, complex corruption cases has been exposed while at the same time political, administrative and even legal actions has been taken, WIC learnt. (…) The Executive Committee has also evaluated government restructuring and leadership reshuffle, which is part and parcel of the reform schedule. According to the press release, the restructuring process has clearly separated party and government work that brought professionals to the power corridors of the country. (…) The Executive Committee also evaluated the results of the State of Emergency the country has enacted two months ago amid expansion of an act of violence in different parts of the country. It agreed that the State of Emergency has restored calm to violence inflicted part of the country, which has significantly contributed to restore peace and order in areas that has been experiencing violence foiling the anti-peace elements that are eager to destabilize the country.
The Executive Committee also extended it thanks to Ethiopians in all walks of life for their unreserved cooperation to halt the destabilizing force and ensure the full applicability of the emergency law, it noted. It also noted that Ethiopians have great hope on EPRDF renewal promise that the public at large is hopeful on EPRDF’s capacity to deeply reform itself and provide tangible responses to public grievances still waiting lasting solutions.
http://www.waltainfo.com/news/national/detail?cid=26679&category=2
- Economics -
21.1.2017 On the path to Industrialization. Gov’t awards 3 industrial parks construction projects to Chinese firms. Kaleyesus Bekele, Reporter
The Ethiopian Industrial Parks Development Corporation (IPDC) awarded the construction of three industrial parks in Addis Ababa and Jimma at a ceremony, which was held at Sheraton Addis, to three Chinese construction firms. The total cost of the project is a staggering 10.5 billion birr.
IPDC will construct the Bole Lemi II Industrial Park, the extension of Bole Lemi I at a cost of 3.5 billion birr in southern part of Addis Ababa. Bole Lemi II is dedicated for textile and garment industry. The corporation has selected CGCOC to undertake the construction which will take 12 months while the South Korean firm, DOHWA will be the consultant of the project.
The other Chinese construction company CTCE won the bid to construct the Kilinto Industrial Park which will host pharmaceutical industries at a cost of 5.5 billion birr. The Kilinto Industrial Park is dedicated to pharmaceuticals and high-tech medical equipment. The park will be built in the Akaki sub city in Addis Ababa within 12 months. DOWHWA will supervise the construction project.
IPDC will build the third industrial zone in the Oromia Regional State in Jimma town at cost of 1.5 billion birr. The Jimma Industrial Zone will house textile and garment industries. CCCC, the Chinese construction firm, which has accomplished several major construction projects in Ethiopia, will construct the industry zone within nine months. A local consulting firm, MH Engineering, will supervise the construction project. (…)
http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/content/path-industrialization
20.1.2017 Ethiopia Requests to Host World Economic Forum, ENA
Ethiopia has officially requested to host the 2018 World Economic Forum, an annual forum which attracts hundreds of global political and business leaders to collaborate on global issues. Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn made the request while discussing with its founder Klaus Schwab, a German-born business professor at the sideline of the Forum being held in Davos, Switzerland. The Premier during the discussion expressed his country's desire to host the 2018 World Economic Forum. If accepted, it would be the second time for Ethiopia to host the meeting. During the occasion, the Prime Minister briefed the founder about Ethiopia’s rapid and successive economic growth.
Professor Klaus Schwab noted that the World Economic Forum is closely monitoring the fast economic growth being registered in the country. He said that the development the country has been registering is exemplary to other developing countries. Professor Schwab said that Ethiopia's request to host the meeting will be answered in the meeting in Durban, South Africa in accordance with the procedure. Ethiopia’s readiness and success in hosting international and continental conferences, including the 22nd World Economic Forum would help it to win the bid, he further said.
The Prime Minister has also conferred with Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft Company, on issues related to ICT expansion projects being held in the country. Briefing him about the ICT Park being developed in Addis Ababa, Hailemariam urged for support and engagement from Microsoft. Bill Gates on the occasion pledged to extend support to the ICT village, according to Ethiopian Ambassador to Switzerland, Negash Kebret.
http://www.ena.gov.et/en/index.php/economy/item/2578-ethiopia-requests-to-host-world-economic-forum
11.1.2017 Eisenbahnstrecke zwischen Äthiopien und Dschibuti eröffnet. Börse Online
(dpa-AFX) - Eine Eisenbahnstrecke zwischen den ostafrikanischen Ländern Äthiopien und Dschibuti soll künftig den Handel am Horn von Afrika fördern. Mit Hilfe aus China wurde am Dienstag der letzte Abschnitt einer insgesamt 752 Kilometer langen Strecke eingeweiht, die Handelshäfen in Dschibuti mit der äthiopischen Hauptstadt Addis Abeba verbindet.
"Die Eisenbahn ist wesentlich für die regionale Vernetzung", sagte der äthiopische Premierminister Hailemariam Desalegn bei der Einweihungsfeier in Dschibuti. Mehr als 90 Prozent des Außenhandels des Binnenstaats Äthiopien erfolgt nach Angaben der dschibutischen Behörden durch die Häfen von Dschibuti. Bisher erfolgte der Transport nur per Lastwagen. Auf der Schiene soll die Transportzeit von Frachtgut von drei Tagen auf zwölf Stunden verkürzt werden.
Das Projekt kostete umgerechnet rund vier Milliarden Euro. Die chinesische Exim-Bank hatte die äthiopische Regierung mit einem zinsgünstigem Kredit bei der Finanzierung unterstützt./eme/DP/stk
10.1.2017 Ethiopia Earns 1 bln USD from Foreign Trade. ENA
Ethiopia has secured more than one billion USD from foreign trade during the first five months of the current fiscal year, the Ministry of Trade announced. The plan was to secure 1.7 billion USD during the specific period, but managed to obtain 1.029 billion USD, which accounts for 60 per cent of the target.
The foreign trade earning was obtained among other commodities from exports of cereals, natural gum, chat, oil seeds, coffee, legumes and stalk grains as well as livestock products. The earning also obtained from export of apparel and textiles, horticulture, electronics and leather products. Compared to earnings from the same period in last year which was 1.078 billion USD, this year's earnings is lower by 49 million USD. The Ministry disclosed that efforts will be made to increase foreign trade earnings over the rest of the fiscal year by increasing volume and quality of commodities.
Among the exported commodities, high performance was registered in packed spices, eucalyptus trees and roasted coffee. Cereals, natural gum and incenses, chat, oil seeds, coffee, milk and milk products, legumes and stalk grains did well on foreign market. While meat, fish, textiles and apparel, flour, cut flowers, tea, fruits and vegetables, electronic products and leather products showed moderate performance. Chemicals, construction materials, molasses, tantalum, spices, gum, canned fruits, gold, honey, live animals, beverages and byproducts of meat showed lower performance on the global market. Efforts will be made to supply more commodities with better and competitive qualities over the remaining months of fiscal year to meet the national plan, the Ministry told ENA.
http://www.ena.gov.et/en/index.php/economy/item/2540-ethiopia-earns-1-bln-usd-from-foreign-trade
5.1.2017 Ethiopian media moguls, athletes, investors join hands to establish African biggest TV. Gossip has it that they rented Aljazeera America’s Studio for international broadcasting, Habesha Informer
Athletes Haile Gebresilasie, Gebregzabher Gebremariam; media moguls Noh Samara of Worldspace and Amare Aregawi of “Reporter” have joined hands along with other 20 shareholders to establish biggest African satellite television called “African Renaissance Television (ART)”. (…) The redesigning and building restructuring work for a studio complex on Gebregzabher Gebremariam’s new building at Bole is one of the notable preparations.
It’s also gossiped that African Renaissance Television (ART) has also rented Aljazeera America’s studio in New York for international broadcasting. The studio is abandoned by Aljazeera America on its bankrupcy on April 30, 2016. African Renaissance Television (ART) shareholders have a 1 million ETB individual share.
4.1.2017 Ethiopia says it is developing space rocket capability Jeremy Binnie, London, IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
Ethiopia's Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) is working on a space rocket that it hopes will be operational in the next three years, the official Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) cited ministry spokesman Wondwosen Andualem as saying on 31 December. "Efforts are ongoing to launch into space a medium-sized rocket within the coming three years," Wondwosen said. The ENA cited him as saying that Ethiopia is developing the ability to produce satellites for security, weather forecasting, and other purposes with the help of unidentified "development partners", as well as the rockets needed to launch them into orbit.
It was announced in October 2016 that the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI) had been established to facilitate the development of the country's space and aerospace sector.
http://www.janes.com/article/66688/ethiopia-says-it-is-developing-space-rocket-capability
- Horn of Africa and Foreign Affairs -
24.1.2017 Ethiopia denies diplomatic row with South Sudan. Arefayne Fantahun, Ethiopia Observer
Ethiopia has denied cutting ties with South Sudan, a day after a South Sudanese government official was quoted to have said so. Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Tewolde Mulugeta dismissed as incorrect social media reports that his country had cut ties with the neighbouring country. He said that the two countries are working on their common agenda and their relationship “has not changed from what it used to be”.
http://www.ethiopiaobserver.com/2017/01/ethiopia-denies-diplomatic-row-with-south-sudan/
23.1.2017 Ethiopia expels South Sudanese diplomats. Ethiopia Observer
Ethiopia has suspended diplomatic relations with South Sudan and expelled South Sudanese diplomats from Ethiopia, it was reported. A diplomatic row has broken out between the two countries following rumours on social media that President Salva Kiir accepted to allow Ethiopian rebels to open their office in the capital Juba, according to the Sudanese Radio Tamazuj. South Sudan’s ambassador to Ethiopia, James Pita Morga, last week said his country cannot enter into a deal likely to harm Ethiopia’s interest with a third party. Morga, in an interview with the state-run Ethiopia Broadcasting Corporation (EBC), dismissed the alleged report as fabricated.
Since South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir paid visit to Egypt few days ago, lots of reports circulated on social media, alleging that the two leaders had agreed to sabotage a controversial Ethiopian massive dam project that is being built in Nile River which Cairo fears would eventually diminish its historic water share. According to Radio Tamazuj, the official accused the SPLM-IO faction allied to former First Vice President Riek Machar of circulating the rumour in neighbouring Ethiopia. ”The rebels now took advantage of that, and this information has already reached the government of Ethiopia,” he said.
http://www.ethiopiaobserver.com/2017/01/ethiopia-expels-south-sudanese-diplomats/
22.1.2017 South Sudan Says its not Afraid of Ethiopia. ecadforum
South Sudanese officials have stepped up their rhetoric against Ethiopia in what analysts see as a crucial moment in the relations between the two countries. An official with South Sudan’s ministry of information recently said his government was not afraid of Ethiopia.
Ethiopia has been looking at Juba with second thoughts lately after South Sudan’s embraced Egypt’s policy towards the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam]and the Nile water agreement.
An official, who is a close aide to the information minister Michael Makuei, has said the government of South Sudan was not afraid of Ethiopia and that the country had nothing to explain, adding that the country would press on with its strategic relations with Egypt.
“It’s a normal practice to look out for your own interests; all countries do that (…) we are ‘not afraid’ of any country, be it within the region or beyond, I think our ambassador in Addis Ababa made it clear to them on Ethiopian Broadcasting Television that we do not have to explain anything on our diplomatic relations with other countries” said Atem Deng Makuac an official at the ministry of information in Juba
Makuac’s statement comes just a day after the South Sudanese ambassador to Ethiopia was summoned on national television to explain President Kiir’s recent visit to Egypt and to dispel recent rumors that South Sudan and Egypt agreed on a “dirty deal” over Ethiopia’s building of a mega Dam on the river Nile. The official said the government in Juba would not back down from any deal with the Egyptian government due to their long standing relations.
http://ecadforum.com/2017/01/22/south-sudan-says-its-not-afraid-of-ethiopia/