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Ethiopian Americans and Eritrean Americans residing in the Greater Seattle Metropolitan Area have condemned the propaganda campaigns waged by remnants of the defunct TPLF clique and called upon their elected representatives in both Houses of the United States to carefully analyze the situation in Ethiopia.

The organizers of the rally are the “Ethiopian Public Diplomacy Team” and “Allen LeAbbay,” a Coalition of Ethiopian Women in Seattle.

In a coordinated joint public rally, the demonstrators vehemently condemned the high treasonous crimes and crimes against peace perpetrated by the TPLF clique back in November 2020.

The participants of the rally also strongly denounced the propaganda campaigns, waged by the remnants of the defunct junta that has attacked Ethiopian National Defense Forces stationed in the Tigray Region of Northern Ethiopia, for more than two decades in defense of the sovereignty of the Country and peace of its People.

The demonstrators further deplored the undue diplomatic and political pressures attempted against their country of birth, by politicians of some western countries, unjustifiably influenced by the organized defamation campaigns and lobby works, financed by the resources illegally embezzled from the Ethiopian people, in the last three decades, by some core members and supporters of criminal clique and their cronies living luxuriously within the Ethiopian diaspora.

The marchers also called upon the international community to carefully analyze the situation in Ethiopia and submitted their statements, with twelve demands, to the Offices of Honourable Patty Murray and Honourable Maria Cantwell, the two Senators representing the State of Washington in the US Senate.

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, returned home this morning after two-days of regular, consultative, meetings with President Isaias Afwerki.

President Isaias Afwerki bid farewell to the Prime Minister and his delegation on their departure from Asmara International Airport.

The extensive consultations between the two leaders focused on bilateral partnership and the joint strategic development programmes on the offing within the framework of broader regional prospects and perspectives.

In light of the common strategic partnership and envisioned joint trajectory, the vicious military attacks unleashed in the past five months, and attendant disinformation campaigns were also assessed in depth. The two sides agreed that important lessons have been gleaned from temporary hurdles precipitated by this reality that will further bolster the joint undertakings by the two sides in the period ahead.

The two sides also agreed to hold follow-up consultative meetings in Addis Ababa.

Ministry of Information

Asmara

26 March 2021

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Demeke Mekonnen, received a high-level delegation led by the US Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, Ambassador Donald Booth, at his office today.

He briefed the delegation on the tripartite negotiations of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and other related issues.

He said although Ethiopia contributes 86% of the water share of the Nile River, 60% of its citizens still live in darkness and Ethiopia aims to change this once the construction of the dam is concluded.

Demeke affirmed that it is Ethiopia’s legal and sovereign right to use the Nile water for development fairly and equitably and that Ethiopia has no interest in harming the lower Nile Basin countries in doing so.

Recalling that the trilateral talks had been held to address concerns raised by Sudan and Egypt, he reiterated that Ethiopia has always been committed to resolving issues through negotiations.

He expressed Ethiopia’s interest in sustaining the African Union-led talks under the Chairmanship of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Demeke added that talks to change the modalities of the negotiations should be treated according to the provisions of the DOP, which was signed by the tripartite in 2015.

He also said that Sudan has been provided with information on the security of the dam and the filling of the dam is part of the overall construction project.

Demeke thanked friendly countries for their efforts to make the negotiations successful and maintain peaceful relationships among the countries in the region.

Discussions between the two sides ended based on mutual understanding, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The spokesperson of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, H.E. Ambassador Dina Mufti, gave the Ministry’s biweekly press briefing today (23 March 2021) to the media. In his presentation, the Ambassador focused on political diplomacy, issues on the #Ethiopia-#Sudan border issue, the #GERD negotiation, Humanitarian aid in Tigray, economic diplomacy, and citizen-centered diplomatic activities.

I. Political Diplomacy

• Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen discussed with the U.S. Delegation led by Senator Chris Coons the humanitarian situation in Tigray and other key issues on Saturday. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke outlined a range of issues including the military operation in Tigray, the border dispute with Sudan, and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. President Joe Biden has dispatched Coons to Ethiopia to meet with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Chairperson of the African Union Commission too.
• H.E. Mr. Demeke Mekonnen Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia made remarks on Thursday (March 18) at the ministerial meeting of the AUSPC on Peacekeeping in Africa: Emerging challenges and critical lessons for sustainable Peacekeeping operations. He called for a judicious appreciation of Africa’s contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security. He also highlighted the following as a unified message from Africa:
  • peacekeeping missions in Africa must be participatory,
  • Stronger coordination amongst African Troop Contributing Countries within the continent, the United Nations and possible bilateral or regional cooperation mechanisms should be present in the face of challenges
  • Effective and meaningful participation of women in peace operations must be prioritized.
  • Institutional capacity building through peacebuilding programs should be promoted
• H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia received the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Ethiopia, H.E. Sami Jamil Abdullahi, at his office on Wednesday (March 17) to discuss issues of mutual concern. Their discussions included the humanitarian support efforts in the Tigray region, the Ethiopia-Sudan border dispute and the issue of Ethiopian migrants in Saudi Arabia, where they have underscored the importance of cooperation in repatriating Ethiopian citizens.
• Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen opened a symposium held on Wednesday (March 17), on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the commencement of the construction of the #GERD. He said completing the flagship project is a matter of assuring the sovereignty of the country. Organized by the Ministry of Water, Irrigation, and Energy of #Ethiopia (MoWIE), the symposium aimed to review the progress of the construction of the dam, consult on developments with stakeholders and review the status of the tripartite negotiation. It is underscored that Ethiopia remains committed to a win-win solution for all & strongly believes in African solutions to African problems.
• Ethiopia and China conducted their first political consultation virtually on Tuesday (16 March 2021). The consultation was led by State Minister, H.E. Redwan Hussein, and Assistant Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Deng Li. The meeting covered an exchange of information on domestic political developments, Ethiopia-China strategic partnership, and cooperation in regional and international issues of mutual interest. The humanitarian efforts in Tigray, China’s principled stance on Ethiopia’s case in the UN Peace and Security Council, the GERD, the Ethio-Sudan border, and the importance of upscaling bilateral relations in economic issues were the main points discussed.
• In a statement to the Kenyan media and international media based in Nairobi, Ambassador of Ethiopia to Kenya, H.E. Ambassador Meles Alem, called on the media to balanced coverage of the current situation in Ethiopia. He urged the media to consider changes and report accordingly focusing on the humanitarian situation in Tigray following the unfettered access granted to the media and humanitarians in the region, the Ethio-Sudan border issue and the GERD negotiations.

II. GERD

• Ethiopia believes in the AU-led dialogue over the Grand Renaissance Dam and hopes the negotiations will commence soon under DRC’s leadership
• Ethiopia remains confident that the AU-led negotiation over the GERD is an ongoing process that will provide win-win solutions to the negotiating parties
• Concerns over the future course of the negotiations, such as the Quartet, have never been officially submitted to Ethiopia.
• The African Union-led negotiation should be finalized before any other option is pursued to solve outstanding issues among the tripartite regarding the GERD.
• In this regard, In case any other option is deemed necessary, the issue shall be treated by pertinent provisions of the Tripartite Declaration of Principles on GERD.

III. Ethiopia–Sudan Border Dispute

• The government of Ethiopia has been consistent regarding the need to solve the Ethiopia-Sudan border dispute through negotiation. We will negotiate with Sudan as long as it pulls back its troops out of Ethiopian territories it has occupied as of November 06, 2020
• We urge the international community to continue to pressure Sudan to act respecting international law and according to the provisions of the 1972 Notes it has exchanged with Ethiopia

IV. Humanitarian support in Tigray

• The Ethiopian government, despite the unfettered access granted to Humanitarians, is still covering 2/3 of the total delivery of aid in the region.
• The Government of Ethiopia reiterates its call to the international community to scale up humanitarian support in the Tigray region

V. Economic Diplomacy

• The Consulate General in Los Angeles in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia hosted a virtual Investment Forum on Thursday March 18, 2021 to strengthen business ties between Ethiopia and the United States of America. The forum made a successful deliberation on Home-Grown Economic Reform and the Business Environment in Ethiopia, including opportunities & incentives in the priority sectors the country provides to foreign investors. In the investment forum more than 108 company representatives, representatives of chambers of commerce and organizations were represented.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Trade of Canada in collaboration with Ethiopia’s and Senegal’s embassy in Canada has co-hosted the first Canada-Africa Clean Growth Symposium which was held virtually for three days from March 15-17, 2021. It aimed at exploring innovative policies to grow robust low-carbon economies and build resilience to climate change and future shocks, fostering cooperation, research and international alliances devoted to clean growth as well as mobilizing capital for clean and low-carbon growth and energy in Africa. The symposium has brought together over 1400 people and included participation from 35 African countries, giving access to highlight potential investment and commercial opportunities on developing clean growth solutions and creating job opportunities. At the end of the Symposium which was held for three days from March 15-17, 2021, Canada’s Minister of International Development, Hon. Karina Gould announced Canada’s contribution of $132.9 million to establish the Canada-African Development Bank Climate Fund, which aims to enhance women’s economic rights and participation in climate action, and to mobilize private capital to fill the climate investment gap in Africa.
• H.E. Ambassador Jemal Beker, Head of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia’s Mission in the Kingdom of Bahrain met with H.E. Mr. Sameer Nass, Chairman of Chamber of Bahrain Commerce and Industry on 16th March 2021 and discussed a range of issues on how to strengthen trade, investment, tourism, and business between the two countries. To this end, H.E. Ambassador Jemal Beker explained the reform Ethiopia is undertaking that creates huge opportunities for FDI through market liberalization, incentive packages, easy rules and regulations of investment, availability of a one-shop service, abundant trained skilled labor and competitive clean energy. On the other side, H.E. Mr. Sameer Nass appreciated the presentation and said availed opportunities in various sectors such as agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, and services are of their interest to pursue in Ethiopia.

VI. Citizen Centered Diplomacy

• Ethiopians living in Taif and Hawaya cities of Saudi Arabia have granted 581 thousand birr to support the Ethiopian Defense Forces that were subjected to a surprise attack from the TPLF clique. In handing over the collected funds to diplomats of the Ethiopian consulate in Jeddah, Community representatives pledged to continue to support the Defense forces and other nationwide projects, such as the GERD. Representatives of the Ethiopian Consulate in Jeddah thanked the community members for the encouraging support and expressed hope that the community in Ta’if and Hawaya would continue supporting critical projects in the country.
• About 1426 Ethiopians have been repatriated from Saudi Arabia and Yemen over the week. Among these, 143 are from Yemen.

VII. Diaspora Participation

• Ethiopians in living in Los Angeles and Khartoum have made public rallies supporting the law enforcement operation of the federal government in the Tigray region. They have called on the international community and the media to respect Ethiopia’s sovereignty. They have rejected the undue pressures against the government of Ethiopia from some diplomatic corners too.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen discussed with the U.S. Delegation led by senator Chris Coons on humanitarian situation in Tigray and other key issues on Saturday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke outlined a range of issues including the military operation in Tigray, border dispute with Sudan and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

Demeke briefed the delegation on the humanitarian situation in Tigray and the nature and purpose of the law enforcement the federal government carried out in the region.

Regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Demeke said that Ethiopia wants to stick to the trilateral negotiation which is under way under the auspices of the African Union.

Demeke briefed the delegate on the real situation in Tigray so as to shed light on the confusions that the US Government previously had about the military operation in the region.

Deputy Premier Demeke also told the delegation unequivocally that Ethiopia doesn’t want any interference in its law enforcement operation in its territory and explained about Sudan’s aggression in border areas of the nation.

Spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Dina Mufti, who attended the discussion, said that the face to face meeting was decisive to clear confusions woven by various elements and enable the US know the truth about what is really on the ground.

The meeting would help further relationship between Ethiopia and the US, Ambassador Dina noted.

There is strong willing on part of the Ethiopian government so as to create conducive situation for the investigations into alleged crimes of human rights violation through independent agencies including the UN Humanitarian agencies.

According to EBC, Senator Chris Coons, to his part, urged the government and partner organizations to intensify humanitarian assistance in Tigray.

America considers Ethiopia’s strategic importance in the Eastern Africa and the region at large reaffirming America’s commitment to closely follow the situation in Ethiopia

This is the first high level delegation from the US since President Joe Baiden took office.