Category: Political News

Addis Ababa: The eminent persons and elders have a very critical role in supporting the efforts of IGAD find solutions to the multifaceted challenges facing the region, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Workneh Gebeyehu said.

IGAD eminent persons induction and orientation meeting was held in Addis Ababa, comprising renowned personalities from each member states.

The body of eminent persons is tasked with providing advice on key IGAD areas of cooperation, leveraging their rich experience and influence across various sectors, including peace, development, trade and regional integration and climate change.

Speaking on the occasion, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Workneh Gebeyehu said this is the day that we start the long journey.

The very reason we are establishing the Council of Eminent Personalities is to support the endeavors of IGAD which we are working on peace and security, environment and cross border migration i
n the region, among others.

He urged eminent persons to play an active role to be a voice for the voiceless who are suffering because of the conflict in the region.

Moreover, he elaborated that all of the leaders of IGAD member states have full support for the eminent persons constituting this council.

Minister of Justice Gedion Timothewos on his part commended IGAD for the initiative they have taken in bringing together this council of eminent personalities and elders in the region.

‘I believe this is a very critical initiative in a region that is ravaged by conflict and discord,’ he stated.

Recalling the motto of IGAD is peace, prosperity and regional integration, he said, adding for this aspiration to be realized such a council of eminent persons would have a very critical role.

Moreover, he elaborated that the elders and the eminent personalities are the repositories of the communal wisdom.

Therefore, he reiterated the unwavering support of the government of Ethiopia to help the council in all its
initiative and efforts.

Members of the IGAD Council of Eminent Persons on their part expressed their commitment to work closely with IGAD and national actors to find common and alternative African solutions to the complex African problems and challenges facing the region within the rich African traditions and values.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: Reforms launched over the last years have made Defense institutions to become research and innovation centre, Chief of Staff of the Defense Force, Field Marshall Birhanu Jula said.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and senior military officers have visited the remarkable work done by the Defense Engineering Industry Corporation to produce various weapons, rockets, and tanks using reverse engineering.

Speaking at the occasion, Field Marshall Birhanu Jula said the work of building armor capabilities of defense forces continue to be strengthened based on research.

Field Marshall Birhanu added that the defense industry and defense logistics maintenance center have been made to carry out their duties based on the strategic needs of defense forces.

In particular, he mentioned that the defense institutions are carrying out their work according to the direction set to improve the weapons needed for the army.

He added that the institution is not only profitable now, but it is also engaged on innovative works
.

The country cannot continue buying everything from abroad, he stated, adding that they started working out of the conviction that it is possible to reach the level where it can export using the local capacity.

Defense Minister Abreham Belay on his part recalled that the challenges faced by Ethiopia in recent years have created an opportunity to enhance the country’s internal capabilities.

Ethiopia has built a strong national defense forces, he said, adding that this has strengthened the country’s defense capabilities through reforms carried out at the National Defesne Forces.

The challenges Ethiopia faced in the past few years have made the country to have drawn lessons the minister said, adding in particular, the challenges have opened new avenues to increase our capabilities.

He said that in order to protect the security of the country, we are not only buying weapons from abroad, but using our own capabilities to improve and repair the old weapons.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: The upcoming inclusive dialogue in Ethiopia is a critical opportunity that will play significant role in shaping the destiny of the nation, member of the Advisor Group of the National Dialogue Commission, Rahel Bafe remarked.

Ethiopia is finalizing its preparation to conduct the first ever inclusive national dialogue with main objective to create national consensus on critical matters by recognizing and resolving long-standing disputes and disagreements.

In her exclusive interview with ENA, Rahel said the dialogue is a golden opportunity for all Ethiopians to bringing critical national agenda on the table for discussions for the betterment of the country.

‘This opportunity might happen like once in life, once it is passed, we might not get it again like the 5 years term election,’ she underscored.

According to her, the dialogue encompasses a wide range of national issues, both past and present, as well as the future.

It should also be taken as one of the processes essential to effective nati
on-building initiatives and phenomena that go beyond political boundaries.

Even though there is a political component to this nationwide consultation, it is still important for all Ethiopians to bring up national issues for consideration, Rahel stated.

The people of Ethiopia including political parties and other pertinent actors in the country should not miss this opportunity and engage actively by playing their constructive role to successfully accomplish the dialogue as it is a phenomenon that might happen once in history, she underscored.

‘Political parties might be gone in 20 years but the country will remain forever. Therefore, this national dialogue is beyond political interests.’

Rahel further stressed the need for all political parties to work in cohesion with the commission’s guidelines and schedule to contribute their part for the successful conduct of the process.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: Advisor to the president of Ethiopia’s Islamic Affairs Supreme Council Ustaz Abu Bakr Ahmed emphasized the importance of everyone playing their role in achieving successful national dialogue in the country.

Ethiopia is about to commence the first ever national dialogue with a view to strengthen the national unity and prosperity of the country by resolving its long standing challenges and reach consensus on basic issues.

National Dialogue Commission, which is responsible to conducting the dialogue, have carried out various activities including identifying potential participants at the regions and city administrations across the country.

Tasks related to collecting agenda at the regional levels and related activities have been conducted by charting out various means and ways in cooperation with concerned stakeholders.

In his interview with ENA, Advisor to the President of Ethiopia’s Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, Ustaz Abu Bakr stressed the importance of everyone playing their role in achievi
ng successful national dialogue, with the participation of various segments of society and a peaceful approach to addressing concerns.

The advisor explained that the prevailing culture of failing to resolve conflicts through constructive dialogue remains a persistent challenge.

He acknowledged that Ethiopia has faced diverse challenges and problems over the decades, and noted that efforts have been made to address these issues since the recent changes, including the establishment of the National Dialogue Commission, which is crucial for forging a national consensus and driving the country’s development.

Ustaz Abu Bakr highlighted that dialogue is the only viable solution to find lasting resolutions to differences and promote national development, as opposed to the use of force or other confrontational methods that lead to bloodshed and conflict.

Citing the Northern War as an example, the advisor underscored that disputes and issues in the country cannot be resolved through weapons and violence, but rather
requires a concerted effort of national dialogue.

He emphasized the need for a contest of ideas, where questions are posed in a civilized manner to reach common solutions that satisfy all parties, rather than resorting to coercion or forces, which only serve to destroy lives and undermine the country.

The advisor emphasized that national dialogue holds a pivotal role in finding solutions to the country’s problems, and urged everyone to lend their support and assistance to ensure the success of this vital process.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Ambassador Taye Atske-Selassie, received the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adoye, in his office.

On the occasion, Ambassador Taye affirmed that the Ethiopian government is fully committed to the implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement.

Commissioner Bankole commended the implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement.

With this inline he reiterated the AU’s commitment to implementing the Ethiopian peace process, recalling that Ethiopia was the first country to benefit from the AU Peace Fund, receiving one million US dollars in support of its DDR process.

In addition, he recalled that the Union has successfully deployed the full team of the AU Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mission (AU-MVCM).

He also added that the African union will continue to support the implementation of the transitional justice policy framework in Ethiopia.

The two sides held a wide-ranging discussion o
n important issues of peace and security in the Horn of Africa, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Bankole noted that Ethiopia is a formidable and effective partner in the peace-making efforts in the Horn of Africa and he underscored African Union’s commitment to continue strengthening its joint work with Ethiopia.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh held fruitful discussion with the Interior Minister of Azerbaijan, colonel-general Eyvazov Vilayat Suleyman.

Addis Ababa, May 15/2024 (ENA) Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh held fruitful discussion with the Interior Minister of Azerbaijan, colonel-general Eyvazov Vilayat Suleyman.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: Ethiopia’s Minister of Councils in its 32nd regular session held today has passed decisions on a number of economic, diplomacy and social issues.

The Council first discussed on four financial support and loan agreements made with the government of Italy, the African Development Bank (ADB), and International Development Association (IDA).

Among them are the 52 million USD obtained from ADB for the implementation of electric grid project in East Ethiopia, 10 million Euros obtained from the government of Italy for job creation and infrastructure development project as well as 255 million USD and 393 million USD secured from IDA for various development projects.

The council unanimously decided and referred the draft bills to the House of Peoples’ Representative for approval after thoroughly discussing on the bills and affirming that they are very much compatible with Ethiopia’s loan administration policy.

The other agenda tabled for the council of ministers were three draft proclamations and a re
gulation put forth by Immigration and Citizenship Service.

The first one was draft proclamation to amend immigration proclamation number 354/1995 aimed at ensuring the right of free movement, improving the quality and speed of immigration service delivery, establishing a coordinated border control and administration system among other things.

The second draft proclamation was prepared with the objective to reorganize the Immigration and Citizenship Service to render better services that fulfill the demands of citizens, ensures accountability and transparency, safeguards the national interests and security of the country.

The Council further discussed on the draft proclamation on Civil and Family Registration which is developed to make the service delivery of civil and family registration process efficient, accessible, transparent and effective.

The Council unanimously referred the draft bills to the House of Peoples’ representative for approval following extensive deliberations.

The council also discusse
d a proposed regulation to determine the fee charge for the services provided by the Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS).

The draft regulations have been prepared for the need to expand the services provided by the institution, improve the quality of the services, and establish a system to cover the costs incurred to provide services in a manner that takes into account the capabilities of the user community.

After deeply discussing the draft regulation, the council unanimously decided to make it effective from the day it will be published in the Negarit Gazeta.

Finally, the council discussed on two bilateral agreements presented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The first is an agreement signed between the governments of Ethiopia and Russia to upgrade the air service agreement.

The other is an agreement made between the governments of Ethiopia and Indonesia to waive visas for holders of diplomatic and service passports.

Considering that if the agreements are approved, Ethiopia will further stren
gthen its bilateral relations, economic and social ties between the two countries as well as it will not harm the interests of the country and will not result in special obligations.

Therefore, the council referred the agreements to the House of Peoples Representatives for approval.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency