Spotlight On President Barack Obama’s official visit to Ethiopia (Part one)

Redwan Hussien, Minister of Ethiopia’s Government Communication Affairs Office (Photo: Addis Fortune)

What Benefits did Ethiopia get from president Barack Obama’s recent visit? Minister Redwan Hussien responds to Meet EBC’s Tefera Gedamu. Please watch below

(From Left to Right) US National Security Advisor Suzan Rice, President Obama’s special envoy to South Sudan and former US ambassador to Ethiopia Donald Booth and special assistant to President Barack Obama Gayle Smith

Awramba Times (Addis Ababa) –US national security advisor Suzan Rice, special assistant to President Barack Obama Gayle Smith, President Obama’s special envoy to South Sudan Donald Booth, US ambassador to Ethiopia Patricia Haslash and other high ranking US officials and prominent diplomats, bust some moves energetically to Tigrigna Music in the presence of US President Barack Obama,during the state dinner, at the National palace in the Capital Addis Ababa last week. Please enjoy the video below

From left to right: Awramba Times Editor Dawit Kebede, EBC media dassesa producer Selam Mulugeta and Zami FM CEO Zerihun Teshome

Selam Mulugeta of EBC Media Dassesa discussed with Dawit Kebede of Awramba Times and Zerihun Teshome of Zami FM on President Barack Obama’s recent visit to Ethiopia. Please watch

US President Barack Obama inspects the Ethiopian Honor Guard ahead of a meeting Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn in Addis Ababa on July 27, 2015 (Photo by Minasse Wondimu Hailu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

By Robel Yohannes
Over the past few years, various government officials and world leaders have paid official visits to Ethiopia. Turkish President, Chinese Prime Minister, Italian Prime Minister, US President among other prominent world leaders have made their way to the National Palace in Addis, some of them for the first time in their country’s history. This is despite the fact that vocal criticism of human rights abuse thrown at it by international human rights group, some Ethiopian opposition groups and other entities. To get an insight into the variables that best articulate these dynamics and other related issues, The Ethiopian Herald held an execlussive interview with Costantinos Berhutesfa (PhD), Professor of public Policy at School of Graduate Studies, AAU. He is also Board Chairman of Ethiopia Aid and Trustee of African Humanitarian Action. Hereunder follows the first part of the interview.

In the midst of widespread accusations from human rights groups and Ethiopian opposition groups, many world leaders have visited Ethiopia over the past few years. The Turkish President, Chinese Prime Minister, President Barack Obama among other prominent world leaders have visited Ethiopia. Why is that?

The first thing is Ethiopia is the political and diplomatic capital of Africa. So, there is no way for leaders to avoid coming to Ethiopia. The second thing is Ethiopia is a major player in Africa politics, including the fact that the country is seat to important regional institutions like the AU, UNECA. Thirdly, despite being located in one of the most difficult neighborhoods in Africa, which includes countries like South Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea, Ethiopia with its large population has become very stable amid this confusion. Also, in the last three year, the passing of our former Prime Minister Ato Meles Zenawi also attracted a lot of emissaries to come here for his funeral. Read more

Redwan Hussien, minister of communication Affairs office (Photo: Michael Wondmu/Awramba Times)

Awramba Times (Addis Ababa) — Redwan Hussien, minister of communication Affairs office, told journalists at a press conference in Addis Ababa that his government is assisting farmers who are victims of the failure of seasonal rains recently causing death of many cattle in some parts of Ethiopia. Please watch the press conference highlights below

Addis Ababa

It is irresistibly urging feeling to talk about the motherland, especially on return, and I would like to share the feel I and my family had during our stay in Ethiopia in the months of June and July of 2015.

As there are Ethiopian diaspora day event and Oromia diaspora festival taking place in the month of August, my trip to Ethiopia has begun with the surprise of the number of diaspora heading to the country. An airport worker in Dulles international airport has advanced to ask me why many people are going to Ethiopia this year. Even though I could not give him the correct answer, I was rejoiced with the news. I could not wait to step my foot on Bole. My trip this time was personal and did not consider any of the things government was doing at the time.

With the almost completed railways and high rising buildings throughout the city, I have found Addis completely new to my eyes. Many new roundabouts are constructed eliminating traffic congestions. Condominiums, houses, Hotels, restaurants, boutiques, factories, new beers, new music, new cars, extremely busy traffic and so on. I bet you will get lost as in a big city when you visit Addis. Economy is really, literally vibrant.

Hay! When the train starts its full operation and when the streets are arranged for pedestrians and cars, and are cleared from dust; when electric power and water problems are resolved, Addis will catch up with the 20th century cities. Still one more century behind than European and American counter parts. It might take two or more years for the current reformation to complete.

Brand new songs were released from different cultures and regions. Many times, the southern singers have dominated in the country in my previous trips. In this trip, Madingo has dominated. In the Lafto concert, he has enjoyed the night applauses. He was more favored than Haile Roots. “Marmar” and “Swadilate” have become my favorite songs of his Album.

I started driving in Addis the next day I arrived. Many people will agree that one of the corruptions in Addis is the traffic police. No driving person could not encounter it. Traffic officers will stop you to ask for bribes all the time. It was such disgusting that they dare to enter your car to drive away to a safe place where they could not be seen.

On this trip of mine, I was pulled over three time. The first time, I was given a ticket for parking violation. The second and the third time, I was forgiven from moving violations with warning. None of the officers tried to arrange for a bribe. The way traffic officer are paid and controlled has changed. That was one less corruption than my previous trip. That was good change to admire.

I happened to be on “Chemballala” holiday in Awassa when I arrived. There were a few political instability during the holiday in the previous years by people who depended on rumors, assumptions and exert excess challenges on our government. This time, it has been completed fairly peaceful and my family has enjoyed watching the southerners’ dances in the “Chambalalla concert and Awasastreet shows. My wife and me as well as our children have also enjoyed pausing for pictures on the encounter of MarkosFikru, comedia singer who sings “Koralehu! Aroge Chama Yalew?”.

Surfing the city and the country has been very smooth. It did not take us much effort to get to Bahirdar where my family visited “zegai” by sailing on Lake Tana. Our family vacation was excited by dancing “eskista” with the famous kassahunTaye “Alemyasora” singer after a dinner in Bahirda. I have also enjoyed homemade “Dagussa and Gibto” Areqe.

By the way, Bahirdar, like Awasa will soon start competing with Addis if their momentum continues. For now, both cities have more quality streets than Addis.

The country has improved and is continuing to improve without any exaggerations. Many Ethiopians are enjoying the changes as we did in our stay. All internationalconferencesduring my stay have been concluded with no issues. Peace is what I felt in all the regions I stepped on.

Most importantly, EPDRF has become a better government by striving for every day change both in the economy and political sectors. We have a lot to work together and support our people and country for a better place to await for ourselves and the next generations.

As usual, going home has good feelings than coming from home. Sadly, my trip was concluded with a return this time again. The good part is that we are coming back to U.S.A.

Selamyigtemen!

Awramba Times (Addis Ababa) – Ewnetu Bilata, state minister of Government Communication Affairs office of Ethiopia, argues how the evolving threat of terrorism poses a greater threat in terms of lives and property loss in today’s modern world. Please watch his exclusive interview with EBC’s police program.

The Meles Zenawi Foundation in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Rwanda hold its inaugural symposium on August 21, in Kigali, Rwanda, with the theme: “The African Democratic Developmental State.” Please watch below

Awramba Times presents Video highlights of EPRDF organizational congress in Mekelle. Please watch below

Hailemariam Desalegn, Chairman of EPRDF

Awramba Times (Meke’lle) – Ethiopia’s ruling party, Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary and Democratic Front (EPRDF), concluded its congress today re-electing Haiemariam Desalegn as the Chairman and Demeke Mekonnen as the deputy chairman of the front.
The chairman of the ruling EPRDF is expected to assume the PM’s post after the endorsement of the house of people’s representatives in the coming September. Please watch

Tony Hall, BBC director general

(BBC) – The BBC is proposing to introduce a news service for Eritrea and Ethiopia on medium- and short-wave radio.

In addition to Africa, the BBC has proposed expanding services in other countries, like Russia and North Korea.

This is to enhance its coverage of “parts of the world where there is a democratic deficit in impartial news”.

BBC Head Tony Hall also suggested increasing digital services to Nigeria, one of the broadcaster’s biggest markets in Africa.

The suggestions would need to be approved by the government before the services are launched.

They are part of a green paper set out by the BBC as part of its discussions with the government about its future.

The proposals say there is the ambition to be commercially self-sufficient and that the aim would be for any public funding to be matched by external income.

These could include advertising, subscription, syndication deals and funding from other governments.

The government launched a consultation in July on the BBC’s Royal Charter, which sets out the purpose of the BBC and how it will be governed, promising to ask“hard questions” about the corporation’s size and ambition.

President Isaias Afewerki, US defense secretary Ash Carter and Gen. Samora Yenus

Eritrea has accused arch-rival Ethiopia of “sabre-rattling” and of threatening to invade, with the neighbours still in a tense standoff following a 1998-2000 border war.
Asmara’s Ministry of Information said in a statement that war-like rhetoric from Ethiopia’s main party in the ruling coalition — the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) — had increased.
Eritrea, which broke away from Ethiopia in 1991 after a brutal 30-year independence struggle, remains on an effective war-footing with Addis Ababa after a return to war in 1998.
“The TPLF’s sabre-rattling has been a common staple throughout winter. And this has been ratcheted up in the past few weeks,” said the information ministry statement, released Monday.
“The TPLF regime is resorting to tactics of covert intimidation to dissuade various circles from associating with Eritrea. It has gone beyond these hints to openly assert that, ‘it has secured a green-light from the United States to unleash war against Eritrea.'”
There was no immediate reaction from Ethiopia, but Addis Ababa has previously dismissed such statements as propaganda.
Eritrea is struggling to stem a flood of refugees from its borders to Europe, an exodus attributed to gross human rights violations in the hermit state.
Eritreans make up the third largest number of refugees trying to reach Europe, after Syrians and Afghans.
Asmara however says its controversial policy of decades-long national service — a key reason some 5,000 people flee each month — is due to threats from Ethiopia.
Source: AFP

THE SHRILL CRY OF THE NAYSAYERS IN THE ETHIOPIAN DIASPORA (Part I of a III part commentary)

By Genenew Assefa

If you think president Obama’s visit to Addis Ababa made a positive impression in the citadels of the Ethiopian opposition in the Diaspora, you are mistaken. Instead, no sooner the president’s travel destination hit the wires than the vocal minority of naysayers took to the streets, protesting the Whitehouse decision as an inadvertent endorsement of an otherwise “illegitimate government”. Whereas the covert ferry of the top leadership of AG-7 to Asmara, curtsy, no doubt, of the president of the pariah state of Eritrea, received applause in the shrill exile social media. As can be expected, the mainstream global networks headlined Obama’s state visit to East Africa as a milestone event worthy of a cover story. Indeed Obama’s three-day tour of the cradle of mankind is newsworthy as it marks a watershed in US relations with emerging Ethiopia under, in the president’s own words, “a democratically elected government.” In an inverted vain, however, doomsdayer opposition websites continue to post speculations of an impending doom to the ruling party in Ethiopia by dint of AG-7’s huge military build-up in Africa’s epicenter of regional destabilization, alias, Living Hail! Not exactly an unwarranted designation, considering that thousands of Eritreans flee this nightmarish land in search of respite from unremitting torment of no parallel in the living memory of the first post-partition generation of Eritrea. Whereas, groves of core functionaries of outlawed extremist entities of all strands shuttle back and forth to Asmara to update themselves in cross-border terror and indiscriminate mayhem of innocent bystanders.

But for ESAT, arguably the most hatemongering media outlet on the planet, AG-7 leaders’ stealth fret to the garrison state of Eritrea constitute a milestone in the multi-pronged ”Operation Restore Hope ” in the “land of despair” called Ethiopia. A backlog of disinformation briefs seems to have been in stored lest the Asmara-backed “Freedom Struggle-” is ridiculed by skeptics as yet another tricky ploy to milk the gullible in the Ethiopian Diaspora. To dispel any such doubt ESAT could only scramble to vouch for AG-7’s resolve and readiness to lick the “pushover army of the ramshackle EPRDF government”. The very government, mind you, that, contra ESAT, world leaders, not least president Obama, publicly hail as a bastion of regional peace and a beacon in an African age of radical change, characterized by growth and transformation. Read more

Molla Asgedom, chairman of the Tigray People’s Democratic Movement (TPDM) with his fighters [Photo by Ethiopiafirst]

The Ethiopian security service on Sunday announced the return of a dissident Ethiopian general to the country with 800 rebel fighters, and praised the neighboring Sudan for securing their repatriation to the country.
The official Ethiopian TV broadcast a statement welcoming the return of the Tigray People’s Democratic Movement (TPDM) fighters from Eritrea and described the move as a “Great Victory”.
The statement further said the return of TPDM leader General Mola Asgedom comes as results of secret contacts conducted by the Ethiopian intelligence and security service with him since a year ago.
The Ethiopian TV praised “the Sudanese government’s role in resolving the crisis,” describing it as a “historical role that the people and the Government of Ethiopia will never forget”.
It stressed that the Sudanese forces “strongly responded” to attempts by the Eritrean authorities to hunt Asdedom’s fighters inside the Sudanese territory, adding the latter received all the needed logistical and humanitarian support from the Sudan Armed Forces.
Ethiopian and Eritrea trade accusations of support to rebel groups from both sides since the eruption of a bloody war between 1998 and 2000 over border disputes. However, the Sudanese government was keen to remain at equal distance from both sides.
On Saturday, a Sudanese security official disclosed that the Gen Asgedom and his troops arrived into the Sudanese town of Hamdait at the border triangle between Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sudan on Friday evening after clashes with the Eritrean army on the same day in Eritrean city of Omhajer.
The Sudanese official went on to say that Asgedom and 683 of his forces handed over their weapons to the Sudanese authorities.
He further pointed that the Sudanese army successfully prevented the escalation of clashes between Asgedom’s forces and the Eritrean army and evacuated the Ethiopian fighters to Wad al-Hilu town in Kassala State while their leaders were transferred to unspecified areas inside Sudan.
The Eritrean government did not react to these reports till Sunday evening.
Source: Sudan Tribune

A Farewell to artist Seble Tefera

By Thabile Manala

Ethiopia is head and shoulders above the rest of Africa in meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

The Gates Foundation has released a report compiled by the Overseas Development Institute, titled: “One foot on the ground, one foot in the air” tracking Ethiopia’s development despite having the lowest human development in the 1990s.

In the wake of massive agricultural investment, a sector which employs three in four Ethiopians and a government committed to pro-poor spending, the East African country is expected to halve its poverty.

According to the report, the agricultural sector has cut poverty by seven per cent between 2005 and 2011. With Ethiopia’s development finding its roots in an agriculturally-led environment, it has included, “Maintaining teams of agronomists across vast rural areas to boost productivity by recommending best agricultural practices and scientific innovation.

“Further, a doubling of Ethiopia’s road network in two decades, which has allowed more farmers to bring their produce to market,” said the report.

The notable takeaway lessons from Ethiopia’s experience in sustainable developmental goals is firstly, “Centring government policy on a single goal – poverty reduction – and taking a multidimensional approach can encourage ministries to work more comprehensively and consistently.”

A further strategy is, “Integrating social sectors into broader economic planning and high rates of pro-poor spending benefit the economy.” Thirdly, “Long-term planning and a clear division of responsibilities can build the foundation for broader transformation.”

Another key driver of poverty reduction is Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP), Africa’s largest social protection scheme, which pays seven million Ethiopians in food or cash in exchange for work on agricultural-infrastructure projects that maintain food security and reduce the incidence of famine.

“The PSNP mobilises 10 per cent of the population (1.5 million households) to stabilise food supply cutting poverty nationally by 7 per cent since 2005.”

Further key findings have now predicted Ethiopia to be the fastest-growing country in the world over the next three years. But unlike other nations, most notably China, Ethiopia has achieved this growth while maintaining its low level of inequality.

Ethiopia’s human resource development plan centres on education, which alongside the building of physical infrastructure, is seen as a path to structurally transform the economy and to create more jobs. Ethiopia has nearly universalised primary education, flipping primary enrollment from under one in five in school to under one in five out of school.

But “One foot on the ground, one foot in the air” also highlights the challenges that remain. Improvements in access to education (e.g. 190% increase in number of primary schools between 1997 and 2012/13) has often not been met by similar improvements in the quality of education. Read more

THE country’s New Year was only marked on September 12, and it is already turning out to be a good one for Ethiopians—as scores queued up for hours Sunday to catch a ride on the inaugural service of the Addis Metro—the country’s, and sub-Saharan Africa’s, first light rail system.

M&G Africa

Construction of the much-anticipated 32-kilometre line in the capital city ended in January, and the $474 million project has been in testing since, in addition to sorting right of way concerns.

It is expected to carry 15,000 people per hour in one direction, meaning it could attain four times that in all directions, with a projected top speed of 70km/hr. Authorities hope it will make commuting easier for Addis Ababa’s population of nearly 4 million.
The green trams will from October operate on the city’s East-West route, while those coloured blue are now shuttling between north and south, daily from 0600hrs to 2200hrs. Even the tickets are colour-coded, depending on the distance to be travelled, and the price. Fares could range up to $0.5, which observers say reflects heavy government subsidies. Read More

From Right to Left Neamin Zeleke Berhanu Nega and Ephrem Madebo

Editor’s Note

High level officials of the US-based Ethiopian opposition group, Ginbot 7 movement, have gone to the neighboring Eritrea to start an arm struggle against the Addis ababa government. The list included the movement’s chairperson Dr. Birhanu Nega and foreign relations head Ephrem Madebo.

According to reliable sources, both leaders of the movement are naturalized citizens of the United States. However the U.S. government doesn’t encourage naturalized Americans to go off and fight in foreign wars.

The U.S. immigration and nationality act indicates, any citizen who “enlists or enters himself, or hires or retains another to enlist or enter himself, or to go beyond the jurisdiction of the United States with intent to be enlisted or entered in the service of any foreign prince, state, colony, district, or people as a soldier could face revocation of his/her citizenship. “If you hold a U.S. passport, you’ll note that it advises that you “may lose your U.S. citizenship” by “serving in the armed forces of a foreign state.” The U.S. immigration and nationality act clearly underlines.

In a press conference held last Monday, head of Government Communication Affairs Office (GCAO), Redwan Hussein, said that his government is closely working with US authorities on the matter. Please watch below