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The 32nd Ordinary Session of the African Union Wrapped-up today, (February 10)
The Assembly, which comprises Heads of States and Government of all the 55 African countries, has ended its 32nd ordinary session. The Assembly meeting is the culmination of the Union’s statutory meetings and was preceded by the meetings of the Executive Council and the Permanent Representatives Committee.
Among the responsibilities of the Assembly were to determine the AU’s policies, establish its priorities, adopt its annual programme and monitor the implementation of its policies and decisions.
In this regard, the Heads of State and Government took over their two day meeting, receiving several reports including report on the Outcome of the Leadership In Health Financing Funds High Level Meeting presented by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda; President Mamadou Issoufou of Niger reported on the status of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as President Alassane Dramane Ouattara of Cote D’ivoire reported on progress achieved with regard to Agenda 2063.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat presented reports on the Implementation of the Institutional Reform of the AU and the Annual Report on the activities of the Union and its organs.
While making his opening remarks, President Kagame welcomed to the Assembly, the new leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo i.e. H.E. Felix Tshisekedi, and of Madagascar, H.E. Andry Rajoelina. President Kagame commended GuineaBissau, Botswana, and Zambia for signing the instrument for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) during this Summit, and encouraged those signatories who have not yet ratified to do so, at the earliest opportunity.
Regarding the efforts made towards sustainable financing of the Union, President Kagame remarked that, the relaunched Peace Fund now stands at $89 million dollars, with 50 Member States contributing. “This demonstrates the force of our collective resolve and ability”, he commented.
The 32nd Ordinary Session marked the end of Rwanda’s chairpersonship of the Union and President Kagame handed over to President Abdul Fattah Al-Sisi of Egypt during the opening ceremony.
President Abdul Fattah Al-Sisi called for creation of more job opportunities, and encouraged investments. The Chairperson of the African Union emphasized the need to resolve the ongoing challenges in Africa, particularly terrorism and extremism.
The sprawling city of Addis Ababa hosts the seat of the African Union (AU).

Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica is visiting Eritrea today, where he launches an initial €20 million project to rebuild the road connection between the Ethiopian border and Eritrean ports

EU Launches €20 Mln Project to Rebuild Road Connection between Ethiopian Border and Eritrean Ports

Addis Ababa, February 8, 2019 – Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica is visiting Eritrea today, where he launches an initial
€20 million project to rebuild the road connection between the Ethiopian border and Eritrean ports.

During his visit, Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica meets with the President of Eritrea Isaias Afwerki to discuss the situation in the region and explore ways for the EU and Eritrea to step up political relations and dialogue on matters of concern to both sides.

According to Commissioner Mimica “The European Union is committed to support Eritrea and Ethiopia in delivering their historic peace agreement, which ended twenty years of conflict. To back this, we are launching a €20 million programme to rebuild the roads connecting both countries. This will boost trade, consolidate stability, and have clear benefits for the citizens of both countries through the creation of sustainable growth and jobs.”

The new project will be financed through the EU Trust Fund for Africa and through the United Nation’s Office for Project Services (UNOPS), according to a press release issued by European Commission.

It will rehabilitate road connections between the Ethiopian border and Eritrean ports to boost trade and create jobs. This is the first phase of a broader support to Eritrea, which is planned to scale up later this year.

This co-operation is part of the EU’s new dual track approach of strengthening political dialogue with Eritrea, notably encouraging political and economic reforms and improvement of human rights, as well as pursuing development cooperation to tackle root causes of poverty, and to reinforce the peace agreement and economic integration.

In July last year, Eritrea and Ethiopia signed an historic peace agreement ending 20 years of conflict. This provides a major opportunity for economic development and stability in the region. The rapprochement has already yielded benefits for the Eritrean population, with re-opened borders, resumed communication and the reduction in the price of basic commodities.

One of the commitments of the peace agreement is that ‘transport, trade and communications links between the two countries will resume’. To achieve this requires rehabilitating the main arterial roads between the Ethiopian border and the Eritrean port of Massawa, which is the focus of this road project.

Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed met with the European Union Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Mr. Neven Mimica, at his office this afternoon

Premier Meets with EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development

Addis Ababa, February 7, 2019 – Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed met with the European Union Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Mr. Neven Mimica, at his office this afternoon.
The discussions are a continuation of the PM’s official visit to Brussels where he met with the leadership of the European Union Commission.
Mr. Mimica reaffirmed in this meeting that that the EU champions the political and economic reforms underway, which it will continue backing with budgetary support for development projects, according to Office of the Prime Minister.
In addition, the EU will also be supporting joint development projects between Horn region countries, in-line with Ethiopia’s regional integration aspirations.

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Ethiopia and the Republic of Guinea have signed strategic partnership agreement, that include cooperation on the establishment of a joint ministerial commission, agriculture, air services, health, science and higher education, as well as culture and tourism

Ethiopia, Guinea Ink Strategic Partnership Agreement

Ethiopia and the Republic of Guinea have signed strategic partnership agreement, that include cooperation on the establishment of a joint ministerial commission, agriculture, air services, health, science and higher education, as well as culture and tourism.
The signing of the strategic partnership agreement was witnessed by Prime Minister
H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed and President H.E. Alpha Condé of the Republic of Guinea.

On the occasion, President H.E. Alpha Condé commended Prime Minister Dr. Abiy for the reforms being undertaken in Ethiopia and acknowledged him for ending the stalemate with Eritrea.
The strategic partnership agreement was signed by Foreign Minister H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Guine, H.E. Mamadi Toure.