Premier Holds Teleconference with African Leaders (April 4, 2020)
Convened by President Cyril Ramaphosa, leaders of Ethiopia, Rwanda, Senegal, Egypt, Zimbabwe, DRC and Kenya held teleconference yesterday.
African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Director-General of the World Health Organization Dr Tedros Adhanom, and Director of the Africa Center for Disease Control, Dr. John Nkengasong, also attended the discussion.
After the discussion, Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed said on Twitter “with updates on actions taken and challenges the continent faces, we also discussed the need for collective leadership to circumvent the adverse effects of the COVID19 crisis.”
“A coordinated African approach is critical as we pursue economic responses with global partners,” he added.
The Prime Minister also extended his gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron, for joining “our call, for continuing to be a champion for Africa in these challenging times.”
Ethiopian, Rwandan Leaders Hold Phone Talks On COVID19 (April 3, 2020)
Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed has held phone talks with Rwandan President Paul Kagame on challenges of coronavirus (COVID19).
Rwanda is one of the African nations with the highest number of cases of the virus. It has so far reported 82 confirmed cases.
After the discussion, Prime Minister Dr Abiy said; Ethiopia reported 29 confirmed cases, with three recoveries.
Similarly, the Premier also held discussion with European Council President, Charles Michel on cooperation with the EU to mitigate adverse effects of COVID19 on Africa.
The Premier appreciated the responsiveness of the EU Council and EU Commission to the emerging support needs of the continent.
Ethiopia, Norway FMs Call for Joint Approach to Fight COVID-19 (April 3, 2020)
Gedu Andargachew, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia held a phone discussion with his Norwegian counterpart, Ine Eriksen Soreide, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gedu briefed the Norwegian Foreign Minister about measures taken by Ethiopia to fight COVID-19.
Citing the recent virtual Summit of the IGAD member states convened to deliberate on a regional IGAD strategy to combat the spread of the Corona Virus (COVID-19), Gedu underscored the need to take a joint approach to curtail the effects of the virus.
Ine Eriksen Soreide thanked Gedu for the condolences he offered on the unfortunate loss of lives in Norway due to the virus.
She noted the importance of cooperation at this critical time appreciating IGAD’s initiative and explained how the Nordic countries also are joining forces to fight the pandemic.
Ethiopia, World Bank Sign Over $82m Emergency Support to COVID-19 Response (April 3, 2020)
Ethiopia and the World Bank Group’s today signed $82.6 million financing agreement ($41.3m grant & $41.3 million credit) to help the country mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The agreement was signed by Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance and Ms. Carolyn Turk, the World Bank Country Director for Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan and South Sudan.
Due to the current global Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the signing was done via electronically, complying with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation for social distancing.
“Although Ethiopia has achieved significant gains in improving health outcomes and strengthening its health system, the COVID 19 outbreak is expected to challenge the nation’s public health preparedness and response systems and negatively impact the economy,” said Carolyn Turk.
“The project will provide much needed emergency funds to help Ethiopia to fill critical resource gaps in its public health emergency preparedness.”
The new COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project is designed to help Ethiopia develop counter measures to lessen the devastating effects of COVID-19.
The project will support Ethiopia’s National Preparedness and Response Plan for COVID-19 by financing the procurement of medical supplies and equipment, building diagnostic capacity and training, improving the health screening of people entering into the country, and establishing quarantine, isolation and treatment centers.
It will also support communications and information outreach activities to encourage behavioral change, such as social distancing, hand washing and sanitation.
Furthermore, the project will help the country to reduce the potential impact of the epidemic on health systems, social services and economic activity.
The World Bank Group is rolling out a $14 billion fast-track package to strengthen the COVID-19 response in developing countries and shorten the time to recovery.
As countries need broader support, the World Bank Group will deploy up to $160 billion over 15 months to protect the poor and vulnerable, support businesses, and bolster economic recovery.
GERD 9th Year Commencement Celebrated With Panel Discussion (April 2, 2020)
Ethiopia today celebrated the 9th year of the start of construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) with a panel discussion.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sileshi Bekele, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy said any external pressures and challenges from inside couldn’t deter the progress of the project.
The dam will start holding 4.9 billion cubic meters of water next rainy season, the Minister said.
Engineer Ashebir Balcha, Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) CEO, said the dam is progress well and could start holding water next July.
However, if plans to hold water is not achieved due to a variety of reasons, the country will lose up to €1 billion in one year, he said.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is now 72.4%, said Engineer Kifle Horo, General Manager of the project.
Roman Gebreselassie, Head of Office of the National Council for the Coordination of Public Participation on the Construction of Dam, said Ethiopians from inside and abroad have so far contributed 13.4 billion birr for the dam.
Meanwhile, President Sahle-Work Zewde said the dam is a flagship project executed to break poverty.
Ethiopia is building the dam to reach 65 million people who do not have access to electricity and defeat poverty once and for all, she said.
“The project is a symbol of our unity and determination,” she said.
The President called upon all Ethiopians to continue their support to make the project a success.
GERD is scheduled to be fully completed in 2023.
Ethiopia, Denmark Express Solidarity in Fighting COVID-19 (April 2, 2020)
The Minister of the Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Gedu Andargachew today held a phone conversation with Rasmus Prehn, the Minister for Development Cooperation of Denmark about ongoing efforts exerted to ward off the spread of COVID-19.
Gedu briefed the Danish Minister about the efforts undertaken by the Ethiopian Government in fighting the spread of COVID 19 so far in addition to the initiative taken to establish a joint front by IGAD member states to alleviate the danger posed by the virus.
Prehn confirmed his country’s commitment to joining hands with Ethiopia in the fight against COVID-19, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ethiopia, South Korea Sign $93m Loan Agreements (April 1, 2020)
Ethiopia and South Korea have signed two concessional loan agreements amounting $93 million today.
The loan would be used to finance the Addis Ababa Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and land information management system (LIMS).
Of the total, $63 million will be channeled for the BRT project.
The BRT corridor will have five essential services out of which two will be constructed within the corridor and will be delivered by 18 metre-long, low-floor buses.
Three services with a fleet of 12 metre-long, low-floor buses will partially be branched out of the corridors to provide direct services.
The Addis Ababa Bus Rapid Transit is expected take five years for completion.
The agreements were signed by Admasu Nebebe, State Minister of Finance and Shin Deog-Yong Senior Executive Director, EXIM Bank of Korea.
‘We Will Start Filling GERD Next Rainy Season,’ Prime Minister Abiy (April 1, 2020)
Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed said the country will begin filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) reservoir in the upcoming rainy season.
He made the remake following the 9th year anniversary of the commencement of the dam. “We will start filling the dam in the next rain season,” he said.
Financing the project with their own resources, Ethiopians have shown their capacity, added.
Ethiopians give special place for the project because it is a symbol of sovereignty and unity, the Prime Minister said.
“The current coronavirus outbreak should not hinder us from completing the project,” he stated.
The Prime Minister also called on all people to do their part in the efforts to halt the spread of coronavirus (COVID19).
Launched nine year ago, GERD is more than 72.4% complete now, according to Dr Engineer Seleshi Bekele, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy.
Works on the project is also well underway, he added.
Once completed, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will be the largest hydropower project in Africa.
Ethiopian, South African Leaders Calls For Collective Leadership to Overcome COVID19 Impact Agreements (April 1, 2020)
Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed held phone conversation with South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The discussion focused on the need for collective leadership to overcome the impact of coronavirus (COVID19) together, according to a twitter post by the Prime Minister
“We agreed that withstanding the economic damages that the pandemic introduces requires the support of G20, World Bank and IMF for Africa,” he added.
The Prime Minister held phone talks with a number of leaders on ways to mobilize support for Africa’s fight against the virus.
The number of confirmed cases around the world is now nearing 860,000, with more than 42,000 deaths.
UN Secretary General António Guterres warned that the current coronavirus outbreak is the biggest challenge for the world since World War Two.
He said it could bring a recession “that probably has no parallel in the recent past”.