Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Addressed the Parliament, Responded to Queries by MP’s
Prime Minister of the FDRE Abiy Ahmed (PhD) presented the government’s half year performance report to the House of Peoples Representatives on the House’s 11th regular session held on the 28th of March 2023. In his addresses the Prime Minister has discussed his government’s undertakings and took time to touch up-on the issues of sustaining and consolidating peace, economic issues and reconstruction efforts, the agriculture sector, the role of the media and other social endeavors.
Reflecting on the current state of Peace and Stability, Prime Minister Abiy stated that his government has taken bold steps to ensure inclusive peace and resolve differences with armed insurgents. He also highlighted the need for all actors to uphold their collaboration with the government in ensuring lasting peace. “When the shooting and killing stops, it does not necessarily mean that there will be an air of peace immediately. Adding “post-conflict wounds do not heal quickly.”
The premier continued; “Peace presupposes tireless efforts and strong commitment. Peace prevails if preceded by exertions towards it. To achieve positive and sustainable peace, the presence of heroes and heroines is a must. Especially, to ensure positive peace, there is a call for taking peaceful initiatives and measures. It is impossible to achieve positive peace using coercive force. We are striving to achieve positive peace with due commitment. Necessary action is being taken to realize it”.
Peace is a relative course. Compared to the situation six months ago, there is a significant progress. The Ethiopian Government is taking necessary action to strengthen the progressive peace and to ensure positive and sustainable peace. Initiatives and efforts are in progress to bring about durable peace.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed
Peace embraces everyone standing at the forefront in pursuing it. It needs everyone’s commitment and readiness to achieve it. We have to capitalize the current peace initiatives. We need to think about sustaining these efforts even with shortcomings.
Added the premier on the need to collectively work on further solidify the peace returns.
Reassuring the government’s resolute position to continue on building up on the current efforts, Prime Minister Abiy further cited government’s commitment in ensuring lasting peace including its reform in law enforcement agencies which could be mentioned as exemplary to other countries. He also stated his government’s readiness to discuss with any armed group to resolve any issue by affirming “The peace initiative was decided through dialogue as a party, and the government is committed to resolving conflicts through peaceful means and dialogue”.
Speaking of the economy, in light of the global economic uncertainties, the Prime Minister noted that, despite the challenges Ethiopia’s economy is constantly growing. He added, as our ties with the international community flourish miscellaneous disruptions tend to affect us and that we need to address four major priorities in this regard: Debt accumulation, rising cost of living, infrastructural gaps and imbalances in demand and supply.
Prime Minister Abiy Discussed Bilateral, Regional ties with President of the Union of Comoros
Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia H.E. Abiy Ahmed (PhD) received in his office on the 31st of March 2023 H.E. Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros.
Following the end of his discussions with his Comorian counterpart, Prime Minister Abiy stated in his tweeter messages that; “Pleased to receive Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros. Ethiopia attaches importance to its r/ship with the Comoros and will work to further consolidate cooperation on various fields. Our discussions included bilateral, regional and multilateral issues.”
It is to be recalled that the Union of Comoros is the Current Chair of the Addis Ababa based African Union for the year 2023.
IGAD Recognized the Police Heads of Ethiopia and Djibouti Police for their role in Regional Peace and Security
The Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) has recognized Commissioner General Demelash Gebremichael of the Ethiopian Federal Police and Colonel Abdourahman Ali Kahin, Director General of the National Police of Djibouti, for their outstanding contributions to the peace and security of the region This acknowledgement was made during a meeting held at the IGAD Secretariat’s Headquarters in Djibouti, where the Executive Secretary of IGAD, Dr. Workneh Gebyehu, met with Commissioner General of the Ethiopian Federal Police G/Michael and Director General of the National Police of Djibouti as the former is in Djibouti to reinforce the cooperation between the police forces of Ethiopia and Djibouti, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding signed in March 2021 by the two police forces.
The MoU is aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two police Forces in the fields of police personnel training and border security operations along the common border to combat transnational crimes such as human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and the trafficking of illicit arms and drugs that undermine the peace, security, and socio-economic interests of the region and beyond.
During the meeting, the Ethiopian Federal Police and Djibouti National Police Force presented a proposal on the technical and material support required for the units to perform their respective operations along the common border to the executive secretary of IGAD, as prepared by the task force.
The Executive Secretary echoed the need to combat crimes, security threats, and other illegal activities, including human trafficking, illegal arms smuggling, money laundering, and the movement of anti-peace elements. He pledged to support the task force in securing the peace and stability of the region.
Ministry of Justice drops Charges against Civil, Military Leaders of TPLF
The Ministry of Justice the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has announced the withdrawal of the charges against the civil and military leaders of the TPLF in its statement issued on the 30th of March 2023.
In its statement regarding the withdrawal of charges, the Ministry of Justice said that in accordance with the peace agreement signed between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Force (TPLF) and taking into account the international experience, it has been agreed that crimes related to the conflict should be dealt with in the framework of Transitional Justice.
Accordingly, Ministry of Justice has found it necessary to withdraw the charges against the civil and military leaders of the TPLF, who were accused of crimes, and have their cases dealt with in the framework of the Transitional Justice.
Therefore, we hereby announce that criminal charges that were filed in connection with this matter and were in the process of a dispute have been withdrawn in accordance with Article 6(3) (e) of Proclamation No. 943/2008, the Ministry of Justice stated.
