Foundation Stone Laid For Amibara Properties (January 4, 2020)

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A foundation stone has been laid for Amibara properties, a city centre project, which would be developed by Afar investors at a cost of 11 billion birr.

The development will be undertaken on area of 50,000 square meters around Gotera and comprises over 450 residences, commercial centres, hotels, retail outlets and recreation facilities as well as green area and Afar cultural centres.

The project will create permanent and causal job opportunities for more than 10,000 unemployed residents, mostly the youth, it was noted at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Mayor of Addis Ababa city, Engineer Takele Uma, said the city administration would join efforts with other investors to address the housing problem in the capital city.

He also pledged that the city administration would provide all the needed support for the project’s success.

Present at the groundbreaking ceremony were also Engineer Aisha Mohammed, Minister of Construction and Urban Development, and other invited guests.

According to the Mayor Office, the city administration will launch soon eight similar projects in partnership with local investors, in addition to the two housing projects by UAE and Chinese companies.

FM Gedu Andargachew Confers with US Ambassador Michael Raynor (December 30, 2019)

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Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Gedu Andargachew today (December 30) has met with H.E. Michael Raynor, the US ambassador to Ethiopia.

The two discussed bilateral issues and what the two countries could do to ensure peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.

Mr. Gedu appreciated the long-standing historical and diplomatic relations between the two countries.

He also thanked the US Government for extending support to Ethiopia in education, health, human rights and other development issues.

The Ambassador commended the reform in Ethiopia and assured USA’s unrelenting support to help make it successful.

Minister Selishi Held Talks with PM Hamdok, Lt.Gen. Burhan (December 22, 2019)

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Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy, Sileshi Bekele, on Sunday held talks with Sudanese Prime Minister, Abdalla Hamdok and Lt.Gen Abdul Fattah Al Burhan, President of the Sovereign Council of Sudan on issues of mutual interest.

According the statement from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the officials have exchanged views on strengthening the bilateral relations of the two sisterly countries.

During the discussion, the Minister also delivered a message from Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed to Sudanese Prime Minister, Abdalla Hamdok and the President Lt.Gen Abdul Fattah Al Burhan.

The meetings were held on the sidelines of the Tripartite Ministerial meeting of Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in Khartoum.

Ethiopia Launches First Satellite Into Space (December 20, 2019)

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Ethiopia has launched its first-ever remote sensing satellite (ETRSS1) into space this morning, Friday Dec 20.

Fitted with a high resolution camera, the 70kg multi-spectral satellite was launched from China, with its ground station located in Ethiopia at the Entoto space observatory facility.

The satellite, with a design life of two years, was carried on board a Long March 4B rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China’s Shanxi Province.

Government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen and former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn attend the launching of the satellite from Entoto space observatory.

Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister stated that the launching of the satellite will lay a historic foundation to Ethiopia’s journey to prosperity.

Stating the importance of building global competitiveness in technology, Demeke said, the launching of the satellite is the first step to Ethiopia’s progress towards this goal.

According to experts, the satellite would contribute a lot in gathering beneficial information and release Ethiopia’s dependency on other countries for information.

The satellite is expected to monitor the environment and weather patterns for better agricultural planning, drought early warning, mining activities and forestry management.

Ethiopia is now the 11th African country to have launched a satellite into space.

The country also planned to launch communication satellite for telecommunications and broadcasting services in the future.

Nation Ready for Upcoming 33rd AU Summit: FM (December 20, 2019)

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Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedu Andargachew, met with Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat today.

The discussion focused on preparations being made for the upcoming 33rd AU Summit, scheduled take place 30-31 January 2020 in Addis Ababa at the African Union (AU) headquarters.

Gedu said a national organizing committee led by State Minister Hirut Zemene has already begun making the necessary preparations for the summit.

As a host country, Ethiopia is ready to work together with the African Union (AU) for the success of the meeting, the Foreign Minister added.

During the summit, South Africa will take over the AU Chairmanship from Egypt.

Ethiopia’s Satellite Contributes More in Gathering Information: Experts (December 18, 2019)

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Ethiopia will launch its first Remote Sensing Satellite (ETRSS-1) on Friday December 20 from a space station in China.

Dr Getnet Feleke, a Physicist at the Kotebe Metropolitan University, told FBC that the launching of the satellite would contribute a lot in gathering beneficial information.

He further said that it will release Ethiopia’s dependency on other countries for information.

Dr Getnet, who is also a member of the Ethiopian Space Science Technology Institute, stated that Ethiopia needs to plan ahead to launch other satellites.

Yelikal Chalew, Satellite Research, Development and Operation Director at the Ethiopian Space Science Technology Institute, said Ethiopian and Chinese experts had participated in the designing of the satellite.

This, according to him, has created key capacity to manage all works by Ethiopians after the launching of the satellite. They acquired the necessary knowledge, he said.

The satellite would help distribute information to different offices after they are processed at the Entoto space observatory facility by Ethiopian experts, he added.

According to Yelikal, Ethiopia will launch additional remote sensing satellites over the coming three years.

ETRSS-1 is fitted with a high resolution camera.

Deputy PM Urges to Improve Support for Refugees (December 17, 2019)

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Deputy Prime Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, urged the international community to improve support for refugees in order to enhance their socio-economy capacity.

Demeke made the remarks as the first Global Refugee Forum opens today in Geneva, Switzerland.

A sustainable resolution to refugee situations can not be achieved without the cooperation of the, the deputy Prime Minister noted and adding that the support for refugee should be more responsible.

He said that Ethiopia is committed to provide the necessary supports to refugees based on the comprehensive refugee response framework (CRRF).

The support and response to refugees through Ethiopia will be strengthened in accordance with the International Refugee Convention framework, he added.

He announced that Ethiopia is ready to provide practical assistance to refugees in the areas of basic services and social security, capacity building, skill training as well as economic integration.

The Forum is the first assembly at the Ministerial level to follow up on the practical implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees, affirmed at the UN in New York in December 2018.

The first Global Refugee Forum hosted by Switzerland  co-convened by Ethiopia, Turkey, Costa Rica, Germany, and Pakistan.

The Global Refugee Forum, convened at the ministerial level, is a unique occasion for UN Member States and other stakeholders to deliver concrete pledges and contributions that will advance the objectives of the Global Compact and achieve tangible benefits for refugees and host communities.

President Sahle-Work Named One Of 2019 World’s Most Powerful Women (December 16, 2019)

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President Sahle-Work Zewde has been selected as one of the World’s Most Powerful Women of 2019 by Forbes.

The President is the only African woman on the list.

President Sahle-Work Zewde is a role model not only for Ethiopian women but women all around the world.

A seasoned diplomat and veteran of the United Nations (UN), Sahle-Work became Ethiopia’s first president in October 2018.

In her first address to the parliament, she promised to be a voice for women and stressed the importance of unity.

President Sahle-Work’s appointment is a tremendously symbolic move for the country, opening the door for gender parity.

Ethiopian Cultural Groups Arrive In Asmara (December 16, 2019)

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Ethiopian cultural groups and artists arrived in Asmara, Eritrea this afternoon.

Upon arrival at the Asmara Airport, the delegation was received by high level Eritrean Government officials.

The cultural groups and artists will present concerts in Keren, Massawa and Asmara during their week-long stay, according to Yemane Gebremeskel, Eritrea’s Minister of Information

Eritrean cultural groups had made similar tour in Ethiopia last April, he added.

Ethiopia and Eritrea signed a peace agreement just over a year ago after two decades of hostility.

The two countries have now opened up diplomatic, telecoms and air transport links.

Nobel Peace Prize Winner PM Gets Hero’s Welcome (December 12, 2019)

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Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed, the winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, was given a hero’s welcome when he returned home this morning.

Senior Government officials and residents of Addis Ababa welcomed the Premier with celebrations in honor of Ethiopia’s first Nobel Peace Prize winner.

A 21-gun salute is also fired in honor of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister told local journalists at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport that the the Prize has brought a great opportunity to build the country’s image.

He called on Ethiopians to seize the opportunity to build their country by listening to each other and resolving their differences.

The Prime Minister extended his gratitude to the peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea, and President Isaias Afwerki in particular.

The Prime Minister expressed his hope that he will celebrate the Noble Peace Prize achievement with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki soon.

Prime Minister Dr Abiy received the Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, 2019 in Oslo, Norway.

He was award the prize in recognition of his crucial role in creating peace between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

The award is also in recognition to his efforts to build democracy in Ethiopia and contribution to peace and reconciliation processes in East and North East Africa.

During the award ceremony, Berit Reiss-Andersen, Chairperson of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said “We are awarding the Peace Prize to you as an individual because you have personally made an extraordinary difference across several arenas.”

“It is the totality of your efforts that convinced us that it is you, Mr. Prime Minister, who have made the most significant contribution to peace in the past year,” she said.

In his Nobel lecture, Prime Minister Dr Abiy thanked the Norwegian Nobel Committee “for recognizing and encouraging my contribution to a peaceful resolution of the border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea.”

As a result of the peace deal “families separated for over two decades are now united, diplomatic relations are fully restored, air and telecommunication services have been re-established,” he said.