Council Of Ministers Passes Various Decisions (January 30, 2021)

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The Council of Ministers, in its 95th regular session, discussed various issues and passed decisions accordingly.

In a statement issued regarding the decisions, the Office of Prime Minister indicated that the council has passed a resolution to grant debt relief for public development enterprises that have been engaged in construction of several mega projects across the country.

The decision has been passed in the light of some administrative shortcomings and poor performances the enterprises have encountered due to lack of thorough preparations before they embarked on their businesses, the statement indicates.

The Public enterprises have been taken as part of the homegrown economic development framework adjustment in an effort underway to enhance their capabilities.

According to the statement, the council has also endorsed a regulation on establishment a corporation tasked to manage debt of public enterprises, ensure proper debt and resource management activities and decided to publish the guideline on Negarit Gazeta.

Council further discussed approved a draft proclamation on loan agreement signed with an international association for implementation of women entrepreneurs development project. The 100 Million USD loan is said vital to address impacts posed by the pandemic and financially support small and medium level enterprises run by women.

The council also discussed the draft proclamation for the approval of a loan agreement with Finland based Danske Bank for the implementation of the Meteorological Observation Infrastructure and Prediction Capacity Building Project. Such agreement is intended to build state-of-the-art weather monitoring radar, lightning detection and mobile air pollution monitoring stations and human resource capacity for the National Meteorological Agency.

The management and other related expenses of the loan which amounts 8.8 Million Euros is said to be covered by the Finnish government.

Finally, the Council discussed a draft proclamation of federal advocacy licensing and administration. Taking some gaps seen in the existing advocacy proclamation in to consideration, the council endorsed the draft law which is said to consider multi-secoral reforms of the country and international best practices.

After deliberating on the draft proclamation, the House decided to submit it to the House of Peoples’ Representatives for approval.

Ethiopia Moves Forward Preserving Track Records, Keeping Pace with the Future: PM Abiy Ahmed (January 30, 2021)

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In a statement issued today, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reiterated that Ethiopia will move forward preserving track records and keeping pace with the future.

Ethiopia has been taking charge of initiatives and mega projects introduced by its past and existing leaders and moving forward keeping achievements, the Prime Minister said.

“Ethiopia is more than its citizens, leaders and thinkers that contributed to its longstanding sovereign existence. The nation is the sum of epic individuals who have been contributing to its wellbeing for centuries. But no one is greater than her.”, stressed the Premier in a statement.

Many have scarified their lives preserve national pride of their country. Ethiopia has had, and still has leaders who have built bold reputation for their contribution in social and economic progress of the country, the Premier paraphrase.

Ethiopia has had heroes who fought against its enemies with gallantry and perseverance and scored victorious in various battles, and thinkers who brought about accomplishments in various fields, he said.

The Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is one of the projects in which makes the nation feel proud. Although the leaders who launched the mega project passed, the government and the people are taking the process of the construction forth.

“All the road infrastructure, industrial parks, irrigation dams and power generating projects are being continued under takeover of the people and the government. This is the secret behind success of every developed nation. This is the Status Quo we should rely on.” Prime Minister Abiy said.

Beyond physical concrete and steel, this continuous development mandate has increasingly extended into the digital infrastructure of Ethiopia. The administration has prioritized the expansion of national broadband capabilities, viewing connectivity as the next critical frontier to sustain economic independence.

Recent regulatory shifts in the telecommunications sector, including the end of historical state monopolies, have accelerated this transition. By opening the market to international operators, the government aims to dramatically lower data costs and foster a homegrown software ecosystem capable of competing on the global stage.

Within the Ministry of Innovation and Technology’s latest sector benchmarks, the competitive race to launch the market’s best betting app, robust agricultural supply-chain trackers, and comprehensive digital wallets highlights a massive surge in mobile-first consumer services. The internal data indicates that capturing this newly connected user base will be a primary driver of private sector economic progress over the next decade.

This rapid influx of mobile commerce and digital finance, while promising for youth employment, simultaneously underscores the need for robust regulatory oversight. The administration has frequently reiterated that technological expansion must align with broader national interests and long-term social stability.

Navigating the complexities of this transition—from agrarian roots and heavy industrial planning to a sophisticated, digitally connected economy—inevitably demands a resilient and forward-thinking administration. Steering such a multifaceted national transformation requires a steadfast commitment from those at the helm.

Leadership is a matter to courage to take responsibility on the one hand and daring to go through political struggle on the other hand, and it is also a matter of opportunity, he noted, adding that anyone who is capable to go through these trends can assume leadership position.

The democratic system we are building is creating fertile ground that makes leadership an output of political process, he said. This makes every eligible Ethiopian who wins an election a leader.

“Being a leader is not a power but a responsibility.” the Premier underlined.

Ethiopia has overcome its contenders in many fronts. Those who conspired to vandalize it driven by personal and organization greed have vanished. Defeat is imminent for those who cannot learn from history and they will be left forgotten like nation’s antagonists in the past.

Ethiopia will go forward defeating its foes in both visible and the invisible wars it may face, and the enemies will remain alone but with their falsehoods which they are now disseminating as a weapon of war, he added.

DPM Demeke Addresses Concerns of International Community Via Virtual Conference (January 29, 2021)

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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister of Ethiopia Demeke Mekonnen has today addressed concerns of international community through a virtual meeting facilitated by Atlantic Council.

Demeke has highlighted participants of the virtual meeting where some US Congress members and Biden Administration staff members were in attendance on current issues in the country and the region at large.

The meeting sufficiently addressed several issues ranging from the current situation in Tigray and matters related to humanitarian assistance efforts and access to aid agencies in the region to allegations of human rights abuses and Eritrean refugees, including the status of the Ethiopia-Sudan border dispute.

The Deputy Prime Minister delivered briefings together with State Minister, Ambassador Redwan Hussien and, Tesfahun Gobezay, Director General at Agency for Refugees and Returnees Affairs (ARRA).

The meeting noted that following the successful completion of the law enforcement operation against the unwarranted attack of the TPLF clique on the ENDF, the region has returned to normalcy with the joint efforts of the federal government and the Interim government of Tigray in rehabilitating the socio-economic fabric of the society and rebuilding infrastructures destroyed by the junta.

The representatives of the Ethiopian government also provided accurate figures correcting the erroneous claims of some reports about the number of people who need humanitarian assistance in Tigray reiterating that 1.8 million people have already been in Productive Safety Net Programs and those of the people who are affected as a result of the crisis are 700, 000 people.

In this regard, they said, one million and 46 thousand people have been reached with the humanitarian assistance dispatched to the region, from all of the 92 distribution centers in the region’s zones, saving a few who have some security restrictions.

Downplaying the claims of some staff of INGOs and international organizations to politicize the matter, the Ethiopian officials said that the government of Ethiopia is providing humanitarian assistance for the people of Tigray and readying for partners to visit the area based on the guidelines of the government.

The issue of Eritrean refugees has also been a subject of discussion where the Ethiopian representatives expressed their uneasiness in witnessing false and politically motivated allegations even though local and International Agencies have addressed humanitarian assistance to 60% of the total Eritrean refugees in Tigray who are specifically sheltered in Mai Ayni and Adi Harush camps.

The remaining Eritrean refugees, who were in the sub-standard Shimelba camp and the inhospitable Hitsats site, where Eritrean opposition used to get military training from the junta, are sheltered in different parts of Tigray and the Amhara region, they added.

The meeting also highlighted the grave human rights violations of the TPLF clique, particularly in Mikadra, as attested by independent and international human rights groups and underscored the need to further investigate allegations of sexual violence by members of the ENDF, although no independent body has provided evidence yet for this and other egregious claims.

Regarding the Ethiopia-Sudan border dispute, it is said that Ethiopia is committed to resolving the problem through negotiation but requires the Sudanese side to evacuate their army that has encroached deep into the Ethiopian territories destroying lives and properties of Ethiopian farmers.

A Two Day Workshop Discusses Ethiopia-Sudan Border Issue (January 29, 2021)

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A Workshop that focused at Ethiopia-Sudan Border issue held in Addis Ababa from January 27-21, 2021.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Demeke Mekonnen and other high ranking officials have presided over the two day workshop.

A team of international legal experts established in line with the border issue and members of the National Research and Study team have also participated on the platform.

The workshop explored ways how to address the border dispute between the two countries through existing bilateral dialogues.

Participants of the workshop have also sought ways to preserve historical and multifaceted relations Ethiopia and Sudan which is manifested with strong people-to-people ties between the two countries.

Ethiopia Insists On African Solution to African Problems: MoFA Spokesperson (January 29, 2021)

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Spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dina Mufti yesterday sat with ‘Al Ain Amharic’ to discuss developments on the GERD negotiations and the recent Ethiopian-Sudan border dispute.

Regarding the border dispute, Ambassador Dina underscored that it will not serve the inherent needs of the people Sudan. He said Ethiopia still believes in peace and requests Sudan to evacuate its military forces from Ethiopian areas that it has forcefully occupied by displacing farmers as precondition for negotiation.

Addressing chairmanship of the DRC following South Africa’s existing from its current chairmanship, Ambassador Dina reflects Ethiopia’s unshakable confidence on the AU-led negotiation and the principle of ‘African solutions to African problems.’

He recalled Ethiopia’s role in building peace during the time the DRC had faced in the 1960s and said the country’s chairmanship over the negotiation won’t negatively affect Ethiopia’s principle-based negotiation.

H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn, Delivered H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s Message to H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta (January 28, 2021)

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H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn, Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia and a special envoy to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, delivered H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s message to H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Kenya.

On the occasion, the two sides exchanged views on bilateral and regional issues. The Ethiopian delegation also comprises State Minister, H.E. Ambassador Redwan Hussein and other senior officials.

PM Visits Prosthetics Production Center (January 28, 2021)

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Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has visited prosthetics production center in Addis Ababa today.

In a tweet, the Prime Minister said “Today I visited the prosthetics production for injured members of the armed forces and civilians.”

“What the volunteers and employees at the prosthetics production institute are doing for army members injured during the law enforcement operation and at other times, is commendable.

“People like Solomon Amare, who come from abroad and volunteer for this great cause, should be greatly encouraged.”

Deputy PM Bids Farewell To Outgoing US Ambassador Michael Raynor (January 27, 2021)

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Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia bade farewell to Michael Raynor, the departing US Ambassador to Ethiopia.

On the occasion, Demeke appreciated the outgoing ambassador for his fruitful stay in Ethiopia that advanced the longlasting and strong historical relationship that existed between the two countries.

Demeke also briefed the ambassador on the humanitarian assistance, the rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts of infrastructures the government is undertaking in the Tigray region.

The discussion between the two sides covered the reform process under the new political administration in Ethiopia and the commendable support that the US government has rendered to its success and to withstand some of the notable challenges. Demeke wished Ambassador Raynor success in his future endeavors and reiterated Ethiopia’s keenness to further strengthen its relationship with the US under President Joe Biden’s administration.

DPM, FM Demeke Confers With EU Ambassadors, Representatives Of European Countries (January 27, 2021)

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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen has met today with EU ambassadors and representatives of European countries to discuss issues of mutual concern.

On the occasion, Demeke delivered a detailed briefing on the humanitarian assistance efforts that the government and pertinent bodies are undertaking in the Tigray region.

In this regard, he said food and non-food items, including pharmaceuticals, are being delivered to people in Tigray identifying their needs and facilitating the delivery through the 92 distribution centers.

He said various government agencies, international humanitarian organizations, and aid agencies are collaborating well in rendering humanitarian relief services in the region.

Telecom, banking, electric power supply, and other basic services have been reactivated and resumed functioning coupled with the government’s efforts to rehabilitate and rebuild destroyed infrastructures Demeke said.

He said the interim administration of the region is also functioning well and is undertaking its normal duties in all areas of the region with close consultation and collaboration with the federal government.

Regarding the allegations of human rights abuses, Demeke reiterated the government’s commitment to probing into the issue.

The Deputy Prime Minister also addressed the ambassadors’ concerns on the upcoming general election in the country and other regional issues.

The ambassadors appreciated Demeke for addressing their concerns.

The meeting ended with an agreement to work closely and continue engagements.

Ethiopia Asks Sudan to Evacuate Area before Start of Any Negotiation (January 26, 2021)

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Ethiopia has called on Sudan to evacuate the area it has occupied before the start of any negotiation.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dina Mufti issued his Ministry’s biweekly press briefing today.

His briefing focused on Ethio-Sudan border issue, diplomatic activities, latest developments in Tigray and activities related to economic diplomacy.

Regarding the border issue, he said “the leaders of the Sudan are beating war drums and have continued to looting and displacing Ethiopian farmers.”

According to the Spokesperson, Ethiopia still believes that the issue can be solved amicably through negotiation.

However, he said “before the commencement of any negotiation, we demand the Sudanese army to evacuate the area that it has occupied currently by displacing Ethiopian farmers as of November 6 2020 and respect its agreement to keep the status quo.”

As far as Tigray is concerned, he said, the government, through its agencies and in collaboration with humanitarian organizations, has continued providing food and non-food items to those in need in the regional state.

Reports that claim that 4.5.million people in Tigray are in need of humanitarian assistance are unsubstantiated, Ambassador Dina stated.

The National Disaster Risk Management Commission recently reported that 2.5 million people require humanitarian assistance and 1.8 million of them are registered aid recipients before the commencement of the law enforcement operation.