Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke conferred with UK’s Minister of State for Development and Africa

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen received to his office UK’s Minister of State for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchel at his office on 21 March 2023.

Expressing the gratitude of the Government of Ethiopia to the British Government for its continued humanitarian assistance, DPM and Foreign Minister Demeke briefed Mr. Mitchel on current affairs and called upon the later to work closely to enhance Ethiopia-UK ties. The DPM and Foreign Minister, among others, noted the continued commitment of the Ethiopian Government towards the consolidation of the peace agreement within the transitional justice framework and that it requires the support of partners like the UK to further expedite the implementation.

Mitchell, on his part, commended the strides made in ensuring the peace and stability of Ethiopia with the signing of the Pretoria Peace Agreement and the commencement of national public consultations on transitional justice options. He assured Mr. Demeke of the continued support of the British Government towards the full implementation of the peace agreement and the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts of the Federal Government in Northern Ethiopia.

The two sides concluded their fruitful deliberations by reaffirming the commitment of their respective governments to further bolster cooperation in bilateral, regional and global matters of mutual importance.

Ethiopian Parliament Votes to Remove TPLF’s Terrorist Designation

The House of Peoples Representatives of Ethiopia voted to remove TPLF’s (Tigray Peoples Liberation Front) terrorist designation in its 6th round 2nd year First Extraordinary Session held on March 23 2023.

In the extraordinary session house has lifted TPLF’s terrorist designation with majority vote, 61 against and 5 abstentions. On the occasion, Government Whip Tesfaye Beljige highlighted the significance of revocation of the designation of TPLF as a terrorist organization in supporting the efforts underway to bring lasting peace in Ethiopia.

Justice Minister Gedion Timotheos (PhD), responding to the queries raised by the parliamentarians stated that TPLF has been taking positive measures that have served as a ground for the revocation of its designation. Recalling the conditions that have forced the government to designate TPLF as a terrorist organization such as disobedience to the constitutional order and unlawful elections, its attack on the Northern Command of the ENDF, the Justice Minister said that the group has been contributing to the national efforts for peace. Willingness to disarm and demobilize its combatants as the positive steps taken by the TPLF based on the Pretoria Peace Agreement. TPLF’s collaboration for the establishment of transitional administration in Tigray region is also a positive step it has taken to support the peace process, he said. “Accountability and related issues will be addressed based on the transitional justice system put in place in line with the ongoing peace process.” Added the minister.

This is another step by the Ethiopian government towards the full implementation of the November 2 Pretoria Peace deal and the subsequent Nairobi Implementation Protocols. In addition to this, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has appointed Mr. Getachew Reda as the President of the newly established interim administration of Tigray on March 24, 2023.

Similarly, the federal government has prepared Transitional Justice Policy and began activities. The particular work would help ensure accountability and give justice to victims of the conflicts that occurred in the past years. It is also crucial to recall that the incumbent has also been making attempts to implement the recommendation of the Joint Investigation teams of the Ethiopian Human Rights of Commission and Office of the United Nations of Human Rights Council. Ethiopia has reiterated a firm commitment to investigate allegations of human rights violations and pledged to hold nationwide consultations on transitional justice. Addressing the 36th Meeting – 52nd Regular Session of Human Rights Council, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the United Nations Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma recently said that Ethiopian government has been working actively on the full implementation of the signed peace agreement. “The agreement had stopped the conflict and all forms of hostilities. Its implementation has brought about a significant increase in humanitarian aid and restoration of services.”

Despite the long list of positive developments, rebuilding the country requires the contribution of the global community. It is disclosed that the post war rehabilitation works demands a little over 20 billion USD. The Ethiopia’s coffer cannot alone cover this huge chunk of money. International financers and creditors must funnel finance via different schemes. The financial toll of the conflict is huge and it is high time for the international community to back Ethiopia to fully rehabilitate from the impacts of the costly war.

International Community Ought to Support Endeavors to Consolidate Peace

The strings of measures Ethiopia has been taking following the inking of the Pretoria peace pact have already yielded fruits. The incumbent has also been living up to the terms of the Pretoria and Kenya agreements. The progress made it possible to deliver essential humanitarian aids and restore social services connecting the Tigray state with power grids and telecom services.

Most importantly, the deal returned the entire northern part of the country to normalcy. The sound of gun is silenced and replaced with the sound of humanitarian trucks. The dire situation is changed. Hostility has left a place for tranquility too. The earlier-than- expected progress has already received worldwide recognition.

With more hopes in store and unflinching resolve, the country has made history which is worth emulating to the rest of Africa. The incumbent has been effectuating the agreed terms one after the other.

Unlike the expectations of doomsday tellers, Ethiopia sets the tone for the entire African nations and sends a clear message to the world that Africa is capable of resolving its predicaments peacefully and independently. There has also been similar gesture from Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) side which greased the skid for the successful implementation of the landmark peace initiative. Everything is now under control and the diplomatic ties with the international community have seen U-turn. The mayhem and human suffering also brought to an end. It is not unfair to say that the country has transformed from a state of chaos to a state of calmness. With the pressing issues addressed, the implementation of the grand deal has entered a decisive point.

Commission to commence National Dialogue June 2023

The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC) said it has been working tirelessly to commence the National Dialogue, which is believed to bring lasting solutions to the longstanding problems, in June 2023.

Speaking to local media, ENDC Chief Commissioner Professor Mesfin Araya stated that extensive activities are underway to hold inclusive, participatory and transparent National Dialogue after four months. The first step in the process of National Dialogue is reaching consensus on agendas to be discussed.

After reaching consensus on the agendas, national reconciliation, compensation, justice, and other important issues come next which are important steps to conduct a successful National Dialogue as well as bring about sustainable peace.

Mesfin said: “The ultimate goal of the dialogue is to build national consensus and bolster a culture of trust as stated in the legislation. We are also aimed to ease the difference and misunderstanding between various sectors of the society and will begin the deliberation in June, 2023.”

Complying with its obligation to make the dialogue process inclusive and participatory, the commission is partnering with relevant institutions. Also activities are underway to identify the root causes of contentious issues that may lead to conflict and crises.

The commission is tasked to mend historical discords, which have challenged Ethiopia’s existence, in a public dialogue and bring national consensus and sustain the country’s integrity. The successful conduct of the National Dialogue will help to realize the new Ethiopia and enhance government’s legitimacy; the chief commissioner also emphasized the homegrown conflict resolution mechanism’s role in supporting the commission.

“We are operating independently without any interference from the government or any other interest group.” The ENDC was established with the objective of bringing sustainable solutions to age-old problems and mending historical inharmoniousness that are testing the country for the past many years.

Ethiopia, Djibouti Agree to Complete Road Links, Improve Customs Efficiency

Ethiopia and Djibouti reached an agreement on the completion of a road that links the two countries and provide solutions to improve customs efficiency. The 35-kilometer road between Galamo and Moloud will enable the smooth circulation of vehicles and cargo by enhancing transportation between the two  countries.

The agreement ensures that the Galamo-Moloud road will be completed within a year, with the appropriate payments being provided to the Ethiopian Construction Works Corporation (ECWC). The agreement was reached during the visit conducted by the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Alemu Simie to Djibouti.

During the visit the minister met with President of Djibouti, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh and head of Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority Omar Hadi to speed up the completion of the project.

Similarly, a delegation from the Ethiopian Customs Commission led by Commissioner Debele Kabeta also paid a three-day working visit to Djibouti. During the visit, the customs authorities of Ethiopia and Djibouti raised a wide range of issues on customs related matters and agreed to collaborate to improve customs efficiency, marking a significant step in enhancing service delivery efficiency to meet international standards.

Harmonized System Codification, Customs Values, TIN Number Guarantee, Ethiopian Bill of Loading, Facilitation of Train Procedures, Export Procedures, and Regional COMESA Transport Guarantee Bonds (RCTG) were some of the issues discussed by the customs authorities of the two countries.

In their respective engagements, both the Minister of Transport and Logistics and Commissioner of Ethiopian Customs Commission        reaffirmed the continued commitment of the Government of Ethiopia to enhance trade, transport and logistical ties between the two countries.

Ethiopia Plans to Export 2.3 mln Tons of Meat

Ethiopian Livestock Development Institute (LDI) announced that Ethiopia has planned to secure over 7.8 billion USD by exporting 2.3 million tons of meat and meat products from 2021-2031.

According to the Institute, Ethiopia has earned 65 million USD from export of meat and meat products over the last eight months though the performance is low, it was learnt.

The institute further stated that, it is working hard to secure 53 million USD in the remaining four months of this Ethiopian fiscal year in a bid to improve and compensate the low performances observed.

LDI Deputy Director Sahilu Mulu (PhD) stated that export slaughters have the capacity to process about 200 tons of meat products a year. However, only 20 percent of it was supplied to the intended foreign market mainly due to underdevelopment of the sector. “Reliable connection between livestock supplies and export abattoirs should be created to export more meat products of sheep, fish, goats and others, processed honey, wax and processed milk and related products,” he added. Resolving sector-specific challenges related to shortage of land, finances as well as maintaining traditional livestock species’ are areas of intervention by the Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and other stakeholders.

Currently, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar are the top destinations of Ethiopian meat.

Minister of Agriculture, Girma Amente (PhD) said the Ministry would focus on improving farmers’ life, economy and food security in a sustainable way. Since the sector contributes a lot to national economic growth, it has really needed active engagement of all stakeholders.

The minister also stated that, the Ministry would follow up and provide support to the sector in collaboration with concerned offices thereby helping the nation with get the benefit out of it.

Ethiopia earned 119 million USD from meat export in the past Ethiopian Fiscal year.

EMBASSY WARNS AGAINST FRAUDULENT WEBSITES OFFERING ONLINE VISA SERVICES

The Ethiopian Government has launched an online visa application system to simplify and expedite the process of obtaining a visa for Ethiopia. However, the Embassy has recently become aware of some fraudulent websites that mimic the official e-Visa website and mislead applicants into believing that they are applying through the official channels.

The Ethiopian Government has not entered into any agreement with the owners of these websites, and therefore visa applications submitted or payments made through these websites will not be accepted.

The official website for the Ethiopian Online Visa service is https:/ www.evisa.gov.et/ and no other website should be used for visa applications. Applicants are urged to submit their visa applications through the official e-Visa website only.

Please note that the following websites are not affiliated with the Ethiopian Government and should not be used for visa applications:

• ethiopiaevisa.com,
• ethiopiaonlinevisa.com
• evisaforethiopia.com, or any others.

To avoid any complications or delays in obtaining your visa for Ethiopia, the Embassy urges all applicants to submit their visa applications through the official e-Visa website only.