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The U.S. newly-appointed Horn of Africa Special Envoy Jeffrey Feltman‘s recent comments about Ethiopia and the region in his Foreign Policy magazine interview is not something expected from a diplomat, so remarked Ethiopian Ambassador to the United States Fitsum Arega.

Expressing the appointment of a special envoy to the Horn of Africa is a positive gesture that has demonstrated United States’ special attention to the region; Ambassador Fitsum told local media that Feltamn’s remarks, however, lack respect and courtesy to African partners.

“As soon as assuming the new responsibility, the diplomat made unsubstantiated claim that the growing alliance of ‘authoritarian’ leaders Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia has seriously weaken the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the regional block.”

Contrary to the special envoy’s opinions, IGAD has been executing commendable activities to bring the partnerships of the Horn of African countries for the peace and development of the region, the ambassador added.

“Besides his failure to recognize the current situations of the Horn of Africa, Feltman has disrespected leaders of sovereign states and his attempts to ridicule them sadden the people of the respective countries.” His mockery on the partnership of the three neighboring countries has also adverse impact in the peace and stability of the region.

Diplomatic sources told the local media that Feltman’s irresponsible comments could lead the volatile Horn of Africa to further chaos whilst his comparison of the current situation in Tigray State of Ethiopia with Syria also puts the diplomat’s integrity in question.

The special envoy’s expression of Ethiopia’s forthcoming General Elections as a reason to trigger conflict and unrest in the region is aclear violation of the country’s sovereign rights, the sources noted.

Emory University expressed its commitment to strengthen ties and support to Ethiopian Academic Institutions.

H.E Ambassador Fitsum Arega held a zoom meeting with representatives of Emory University’s Global Strategy and Initiatives.

Ambassador Fitsum expressed his appreciation for the continued assistance and partnership of Emory University with Ethiopia’s health sector and academic institutions, particularly Addis Ababa University.

He also mentioned Ethiopia’s keen interest to scale-up the current cooperation beyond the health sector and expand the partnership to other academic institutions beyond Addis Ababa University.

Representatives of Emory University’s Global Strategy and Initiatives on their part indicated the university’s bold commitment to boost the existing ties with Ethiopian academic institutions and the health sector.

The meeting mainly focused on ways to strengthen institutional partnership and opportunities between Emory University and Ethiopia, continuing to build on institutional relationships with Ethiopian Universities and organizations.

H.E. State Minister Redwan Hussien has updated today (April 29) Ambassadors of Asian countries in Ethiopia on the current situations in Tigray, the GERD negotiations, the Ethiopia-Sudan border dispute, and the 6th national election.

Although a lot of progress has been registered, particularly with regards to the delivery of humanitarian aid, some challenges remain to be dealt with to ensure lasting peace in Tigray, he said.

All of Tigray can be fully accessed now, he said, though a military escort could be required to deliver humanitarian aid in some of the areas.

With the redeployment of regional police forces and the establishment of community policing, the security of the region will be much improved, he said adding preparations for inclusive dialogue are underway to fully return the region into normalcy.

Considering the need to employ the approaching rainy seasons for farming, the government is providing farmers with seeds and fertilizers and facilitating the process to return internally displaced people to their homes.

He also spoke about the modalities that the government has prepared to respond to requests for visa extension and access to communication facilities for aid workers operating in the region.

Ambassador Redwan also said the government is urging the UN and EHRC to expedite the implementation of their agreement to jointly investigate alleged human rights violations in the region to put perpetrators into account.

Securing the region from outlaws and criminals and rebuilding destroyed infrastructure are the main tasks that the government is preoccupied with, he said.

On the GERD negotiations, Ambassador Redwan walked the diplomats through the major reasons that stalled the talks which are attributable to the irrational claims of Egypt and the self-defeating moves of Sudan.

He said the international community should understand that all of the concerns of Sudan have been adequately addressed while Egypt has continued to project its irrational claims of protecting the colonial-era treaties by window-dressing the claim through various names and demands.

In this regard, he said Ethiopia hopes the AU-led process will lead to a win-win solution that takes into account the country’s refusal to sign an agreement that forecloses the rights of its future generations for development.

The State Minister also talked about the Ethiopia-Sudan border dispute underscoring the belligerent attitude of Sudan that threatened to reverse all the positive achievements achieved following the signing of the 1972 Exchange of notes between the two countries.

Speaking about the upcoming general elections, he said the government has shown its commitment to making it fair and free which can be witnessed by the appointment of a former opposition figure as head of the NEBE who has ensured the organizations’ institutional independence.

The briefing ended following further discussions based on questions forwarded by the diplomats.

President of the Supreme Court of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Meaza Ashenafi discussed with Ambassador of the U.S. Geeta Pasi on the justice secotr.

On the occasion, the U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia, Geeta Pasi reiterated the commitment of her government to continue support, collaboration, and assistance for Ethiopia’s justice sector reforms.

Ambassador Pasi acknowledged and appreciated the Supreme Court’s reform efforts for the independence of the judiciary and confirmed the continued partnership between Ethiopia and the United States.

The Supreme Court President, Meaza Ashenafi, to her part, said the discussion which was fruitful, adding that issues related to USAID support, ways to address gender based violence and gender party issues, challenges and opportunities to strengthen the longstanding relationship between Ethiopia and the U.S. are among the topics covered.