borkena
November 15,2018

Ethiopian Athletics Federation executive committee elected Derartu Tulu as president of Ethiopian Athletics Federation in an emergency meeting held yesterday.

Derartu, who is Africa’s first women and first Ethiopian Olympic Champion in 10,000 meters at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, has been serving the federation as vice-president since November 2017.

Her election as president came days after Haile Gebreselassie resigned from his position as president of the Federation. He announced his resignation and brief explanation of why he did so in a twitter message.

“I became a president of the EAF because I wanted to do something back for my sport; athletics is my passion. However, some people were making the work impossible, so it is better to leave,” he wrote without giving details as to what exactly made him to decide to cut short his four year term presidency of the Federation.

It is with regret that I hereby announce my resignation as president of the EAF.

Full statement here: pic.twitter.com/dgLT1Z4Uck

— Haile Gebrselassie (@HaileGebr) November 14, 2018

Fighting doping was on the top of his agenda and his administration has passed tough decision on some athletes last month.

The Federation is planning a general meeting in two months of time to name a president for the Federation.

Photo : File



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National Reconciliation Commission, and Identity and Administrative Boundary Commission to be established, seemingly as conflict mitigation measures but Parliament is yet to approve it.

borkena
November 16,2017

The council of ministers discussed and approved draft bill to establish National Truth and Reconciliation Commission which is sent to House of Peoples Representatives for approval, according to information from the Office of the Prime Minister.

The draft is informed by the assumption that social and political conflicts Ethiopia experienced for many years has caused layers of grudges and tension. And the commission is intended to bring about reconciliation based on the ideals of “truth and justice.”

Although some scholars, like professor Al Mariam, support the idea, there are critics who tend to think that it does not make sense for they think that there has never been large scale social conflict that requires national reconciliation. “who are the reconciling parties?” is the question they often pose.

At the height of ethnic politics with TPLF in firm control of machinery of government, political accusations had been labelled against ethic Amhara as “neftegna” and as perpetrators of ethnic oppression in the history of the country, but the cloud of misconception and misrepresentation of ethnic Amhara is now clearing with the fall of TPLF.

Eritrean leaders including president Isayas Afeworki did seem to share a form of negativist view towards ethnic Amhara in the past only to learn through time that their view towards Amhara was baseless which President Isayas Afeworki reportedly spoke about during his latest visit to Ethiopia which focused on Amhara region.

Ethic based political parties in the country are also changing their conception of history of ethnic based oppression in the history of the country linked to Amhara supremacy.

Oromo Democratic Party (ODP), one of the largest ethic based party in the country that is governing Oromo region of Ethiopia, recently changed its long held political convictions in that regard when is said that oppression in the history of Ethiopia was class based, not ethnic based, which reflects the realities that that brought about the 1974 Ethiopian revolution many of whose leaders, including colonel Mengistu Hailemariam, where ethnic Oromos.

In a related development, the council of ministers has also agreed to establish Identity and Boundary Commission to resolve disputes over identity questions and administrative boundaries in different parts of the country.

The decision is informed by the idea that conflicts over identity questions and boundaries are becoming sources of instability. And the commission will be established on the principle of neutrality and professionalism.



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Legahar Housing Village project will create 25,000 jobs and will be completed in seven years,says gov.t

borkena
November 19,2018

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched in the capital Addis Ababa today a private public partnership housing project worth billions of US dollars (50 billion birr in Ethiopian currency.)
Demeke Mekonnen and other senior government officials including acting Mayor of the city and religious leaders were among the attendees of the launch ceremony.

The project site is the historical Legahar, in heart of the city, and will be constructed on 36 hectares of land, some of which is land from residents in the area who are, reportedly, promised to be given better housing in the same area, according to Ethiopian State medoa.

Acting Mayor of Addis Ababa, Takele Uma says the project is designed to be an affordable housing one, as opposed to gentrification, and the housing needs of residents in the area will be taken care of.
According to Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC), as many as 1600 residents of the area will be beneficiary of the project and will have affordable housing units.

When the project is completed, in five to seven years time, Legahar village will have 3 four and five star hotels, recreation centers including cinema, residential apartments, and commercial units and parking facilities.

Four thousand residential units in the project are believed to help ease housing shortages in the city and historical sites in Legahar area are said to be intact, based on Fana report.

The huge village project in the capital is a public-private partnership between the government of Ethiopia and United Arab Emirates construction firm, Eagle Hills.

It is also expected to open twenty-five thousand employment opportunities, seemingly mostly temporary ones during the construction stage of the project which is seven years, maximum.



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Weeks after persistent protest,consultation between Federal&regional authorities led to decisions to change leadership in Afar region of Ethiopia.

borkena
November 19,2018

It has been more than seven months now since most parts of Ethiopia experienced considerable political changes following Abiy Ahmed’s election, from within the ruling coalition EPRDF, as Prime Minister to replace Hailemariam Desalegne who resigned sometime in mid February of this year.

Yet, some parts of Ethiopia did not experience the change as stooges of political forces before the “change” in Addis Ababa are still in power.

In Gambella region region for example, it was only last month that president of the regional state, Gatluak Tut, resigned following persistent protest. Of course, his resignation does not amount to major changes as the structural arrangements that that supported bad governance in the past are still intact.

Yet, some regions do not even have leadership changes and Afar region is a good example. It was one of the regions where TPLF exercised an absolute political influence, not to mention other forms of it.

There have been protests in recent weeks in the region demanding for changes and the regional administration resorted to forceful measure to suppress them – perhaps the reason that compelled the Federal government to step in to resolve the issue.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has been holding a meeting with Afar Regional State leadership and Afar National Democratic Party Central Committee members since last week but was interrupted due to the African Union meeting.

Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) cited the office of the Prime Minister to report that the discussion focused on how to implement “changes” that are taking place at the national level, at the regional level.

He resumed the meeting today and they have decided to replace existing leadership in Afar Regional State with new leadership. From the experience in the past, at least in the case of Gambella and Somali region of Ethiopia, Younger politicians with “global” experiences, among other things, are taking leadership positions.

The decision regading Afar region is said to be in the interest of “ensuring peace and security and making people in the region beneficiaries from development programs,” according to a report by Fana Broadcasting Corporation (FBC).

The leadership in the region reportedly pledged to engage and involve the youth in the region to address democratic and development questions in the region.



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borkena
November 20,2018

Ethiopian government provided Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) wit an office in the capital Addis Ababa today.

Located in in Gulele area of Ethiopia’s capital, which is in the west side of the city, the office was, according to Fana Broadcasting Corporation (FBC), in OLF’s possession during the transitional government over twenty five years ago. OLF lost it when it fell out with the then powerful master of the ruling coalition, Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

Citing Tolera Adaba, spokesperson of the ethno-natinoalist organization, the report added that return of the office to OLF was part of the arrangement made during Asmara talk between Ethiopian government officials (Dr. Workeneh Gebeyehu and Lemma Megersa to be specific) and the former.

Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)’s reportedly expressed gratitude for Oromia Regional State and the Federal government for honoring the Asmara agreement.

The organization recently reached deal with Oromo Democratic Party (ODP) to resolve differences peacefully and end resorting to armed activity within Ethiopia.

Before the recent agreement, federal and regional authorities have been trading accusations with OLF which refused to disarm fighters in some parts of Oromo regional state of Ethiopia which caused security crisis in Wollega and Gujji areas. The reason OLF gave at the time was that it was not part of the Asmara agreement.



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borkena
November 20,2018

Ethiopian security forces reportedly seized illegal fire arms in Debre Berhane, a town only 120 kilometers north of Addis Ababa, earlier today.

A report by government affiliated FBC says 50 AK 47, 1 rocket launcher and 40 magazines of bullets were caught.

It is said to be smuggled, loaded in a truck, from Gambella region. National Information and Security Services was clandestinely following the routes of the truck and was finally caught in Debre Berhane, says the report by Fana Broadcasting.



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borkena
November 21,2018

Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) rebel fighter returned to Ethiopia today, reported FBC.

They were based in Eritrea for many years now waging rebel activities against the government of Ethiopia. The government of Eritrea has ended hostility with Ethiopia after reapproachment policy with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration.

Return of Ogaden rebels to Ethiopia came several weeks after the Somali-ethno nationalist organization reached peace deal with Ethiopian government to end armed struggle and return to Ethiopia for a peaceful struggle.

It was Ethiopia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Workneh Gebeyehu, who led a delegation to Asmara for the peace deal with ONLF and strike a deal with the rebel organization which had been engaged in armed struggle,since the 1980’s, with a goal to secede Ogaden region from the rest of Ethiopia.

Somali regional State reportedly organized an official reception for the rebel fighters when they arrived in Jijiga, seat of the regional government.

The region experienced a considerable security crisis in early August of this year. Thousands of residents were displaced and dozens killed when the region’s Special Forces and youth groups organized by the then president of the region, Abdi Illey who is now in jail, launched an ethnic based attack against non-Somali Ethiopian communities in the region.



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borkena
November 21,2018

In a matter of hours, Ethiopian House of Peoples Representative will have its seventh regular session of its 4th year.

And it is expected to vote on proposal to elect National Election Board Chairperson, among other things, according to the report by state media, Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) which cited sources from the Ethiopian Parliament.

The new chairperson will replace Samia Zakaria, former Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria, who was appointed as Election Board Chair in February 2018.

Sources in social media say former judge and opposition party leader Birtukan Mideksa who recently returned from seven years of exile in the United States is likely appointed to the position.

She returned to Ethiopia after being officially invited by the government of Ethiopia.



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borkena
November 22,2018

Three Assosa University students are reportedly killed yesterday after a renewed violence.

As reported a few days, it was what looked like a fight between two students that was escalated to an ethnic based one.

From the first violence the number of victims was reported to be 34 and was mostly non-life threatening injury. And about 5 students were in hospital.

Now the situation is changed. Science and Higher Education Minister, Hirut Woldemariam (Dr.), confirmed, as reported by FBC yesterday, that three students are killed.

The violence was controlled initially but was later renewed, according to Dr. Hirut.

She added that the conflict between individuals was escalated because of elements, in the student’s community apparently, with their own agenda.

She also said that there are entities within the university community carrying out a mission for external forces; and they are instigating violence.

Universities have become targets as tools to reverse the ongoing reform and change in the country, according the Hirut. She mentioned that there have been similar incidents at Harmony University.

Meanwhile, Benshangul regional state authorities said today that they are working to resolve the issue at Assosa University and help resume classes.



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borkena
November 26,2018

Demonstrations took place in nine towns across Tigray regional state, Northern Ethiopia, yesterday. Ethiopian State affiliated media reported that Adwa, Aksum,Adi Sheho, Alamata,Mehoni,Setite Humera,Abiyu Adi and Raya towns saw demonstrations demanding for “respect for the constitution.”

The demonstrators have also opposed identity questions in Wolkait and Raya claiming that “identity questions are not the agenda of people in Wolkait and Raya” for they consider it to be parts of Tigray.

On the other hand, many Ethiopian activists understood have criticized what they call is “crackdown on former corrupt officials.”

The demonstrations happened weeks after Ethiopian government arrested former METEC director, Kinfe Dagnaw, and his brother Isayas Daganaw, in connection with alleged corruption.



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borkena
November 26,2018

Amhara regional state media, AMMA, reported today that there was tension in Debre Tabor, in Southern Gonder, prison.

It happened today around 5 p.m. local time after inmates tired to mug prison guards in an attempt to escape prison, Amhara Mass Media Agency added.

It is unclear if there are any causality as the source did not mention about it.

However, it is known that convicts with long prison terms are implicated in the incident as per Commander Menge Kebede who is is head of Debre Tabor prison.

The attempt was foiled and tension is under control after police reinforcement is sent to the prison.



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borkena
November 26,2018

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is scheduled to engage Ethiopian Opposition party leaders, contending party leaders as government calls them now, tomorrow.

The office of the prime minister announced invitation to the meeting on social media platforms and media outlets when it called up on opposition leaders to register for the meeting either by making a phone call or sending e-mail through the Prime Minister’s Press Secretariat.

The meeting will take place tomorrow but it is unclear if it is going to be televised. Agenda of the meeting is not disclosed but there are speculations that the next general election and the election board could be among the items for discussion.

Last week, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration secured parliamentary approval to appoint Birtukan Mideksa, who used to be an opposition leader and political prisoner, as the new election board chairperson. She is the first election board official not affiliated with the ruling coalition, directly or indirectly.

Meanwhile, the press secretariat in the prime minister’s office held an informal consultative meeting today with heads and representatives of media agencies, according to information from the office of the Office of the Prime Minister. The meeting was intended to update media heads and representatives “on the current structure and new working procedures currently being put in place including setting up PMO Correspondents.”



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borkena
November 27,2018

Ethiopian House of People’s Representatives approved today members of Census Commission. The members were proposed by the office of the prime minister and are mostly drawn from his cabinet members.

According to a report by Fana Broadcasting Corporation (FBC), members appointed to the commission are eleven.

The commission is composed of Muferiat Kamil (Minister for Peace), Ahmed Shide (Minister for Finance), Omar Hassen (Minister for Agriculture),Dagmawit Moges(Minister for Transport), Amin Aman (Minister for Health), Fitusm Assefa (Plan Commission Commissioner), Shimeles Abdissa (Chief of Staff in the office of the prime minister), Jantirar Abay(Minister for Urban Development and Construction), Yalem Tsegay (Minister for Women,Youth and Children), Temesgen Burka( Democratic Institution building coordinator) and keria Ibrahim (Speaker of House of Federation)

Some activists are calling for the upcoming census to be postponed again on grounds that it could aggravate instability in the country from the point of view of radicalizing ethno-nationalism which could bring about controversy, even conflict, over the outcome of the census.

It has been postponed twice in the past.



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Ethiopian Airlines named 2018 Best Airlines in Africa. The airlines has won the title six times before.

borkena
November 27,2018

In a press release issued today, Ethiopian Airlines disclosed that it is named 2018 Best Airlines in Africa. It is for the seventh time in a row for Ethiopian Airlines to win the prestigious title.

Full press release from the Airlines reads as follows :

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest Aviation Group in Africa and SKYTRAX Certified Four Star Global Airline is pleased to announce that it has won 2018 Best Airlines in Africa Award for the 7th year in a row from African Airlines Association (AFRAA).

The award was given on November 27, 2018in recognition of its exceptional financial performance at the 50th high profile African Airline Association Annual General Assembly taking place in Rabat, Morocco.

Regarding the award, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, remarked, “We are thrilled to win this prestigious award. In the last seven years we have been coming to AFRAA AGA and receiving this continental high-profile award every single year. We sincerely thank AFRAA and our sister African Airlines for the award. The award underscores the continuous efforts and hard work of Ethiopian employees who are highly committed for the extra ordinary success of our airline. The accolade also attests the soundness of our fast, profitable and sustainable growth plan, Vision 2025 and the associated business model. Our sincere gratitude also goes to our customers worldwide for giving us the opportunity to serve them, for travelling on Ethiopian in great numbers, for their continued feedback and support which is critical success factor in continuously improving our award-winning customer services.

Africa is registering rapid economic growth which holds a very strong future and I would like to remind my fellow industry partners, governments and all stakeholders that we all need to strategize on how we all can work together to capitalize on the opportunities arising from the business and investment boom in the continent and take the role of air connectivity to the next level. Most of all, we all need to synergize our strengths to realize the vision of creating a single and unified African Air Transport market.”

Ethiopian Airlines registered a record in key financial metrics in the 2017/2018 fiscal period.

For more information, checkout Ethiopian Airlines



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WCHR
Press release
November 28,2018

After the Gurage Zone council voted to proceed with Statehood (Kilil) aspiration of the Gurage people, the corrupt Southern Ethiopia Peoples Democratic Movement (SEPDM) Party has suddenly rejected their constitutional demands. This illegal action will trigger more humanitarian crisis in southern Ethiopia. The Wolayta Committee for Human Rights (WCHR) condemns this partial and dictatorial decision by SEPDM to deny Gurage people; after the SEPDM council already approved Sidama statehood less than three weeks ago. This is unjust, favoritism and unconstitutional.

While this action seems odd to outside observers, it is consistent with the Sidama-dominated ruling party’s modus operandi in Hawassa, which has refused justice for the hundreds of Wolaita people burned alive or massacred by mobs in June 2018.

According to the constitution, every nation, nationality and peoples of Ethiopia has a right for self-determination and administration. Instead of continuing the old TPLF tactic of dividing people by inciting Kebena, Silte and other families of Gurage people amongst each other, the SEPDM ruling party must apply the rule of law and grant statehood to all aspiring people and respect the human rights of all Ethiopians in our multiethnic urban centers. Similar to the old TPLF tactic to divide Christian Oromos from Muslim Oromos, the attempt by SEPDM head Muferiat Kamil and pro-TPLF Silte cadres like Siraj Fegessa to exploit the dialect & religious diversity of Gurage speaking people should end as soon as possible. Stoking religious conflict will lead to more humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia.

“Special interests” of Gurage over Addis Ababa

WCHR also supports the reported request for “Special interest” of Gurage over Addis Ababa and Hawassa. This is consistent with the Oromia-Addis precedent and past practice. It will be unjust for the ruling party to deny Gurage people “special interest” over Addis Ababa, after approving Oromia “Special interest” over Addis Ababa. The Wolaita zone council has also referred its “special interests” over Hawassa due to Wolaita people’s historical and economic role in Hawassa as well as its large population in the city. Approving Wolaita “special interests” over Hawassa will mitigate the xenophobic attacks our people have suffered in the city.

Similarly, Gurage people have a multi-dimensional economic, historical, political and social connection with Addis Ababa and its surroundings. In fact, Gurage historical migration patterns in central Ethiopia and their 8th century (Sultanate of Showa) settlement in the area predates the 12th century Amhara migration and 16th century Oromo migration to the region. Over a million Gurages live in Addis Ababa and surroundings today. The recent Burayu massacre is historic lesson for our country to end vilification and dehumanization of minorities in Ethiopia’s urban regions.

In 2018 alone, nearly 2 million Ethiopians have been displaced and hundreds perished due to misunderstandings and disputes with the current federal structure.

It is imperative that the ruling party quickly approve both the regional statehood and special interests of Wolaita and Gurage people as soon as possible.

Whether EPRDF allows Gurage and Wolaita statehood will be a measuring stick on the legitimacy of the current multinational/ethnic federation. As recently indicated by the media in Hawassa, if the Ethiopian government forces Gurage speaking people to break apart based on dialect and religious divisions; then the Amhara and Oromia regions must be broken apart as soon as possible.

If Gurage and Wolaita are not allowed to become independent Regional States (with special interests), then all current regional states in Ethiopia must be disbanded immediately until a new form of federalism is established nationwide.

CC: Office of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed
SNNP Regional State Adminstration
Amnesty International (AI)
Human Rights Watch (HRW)
_____



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borkena
November 28,2018

Tibor P. Nagy, . U.S. Assistant Secretary, has arrived in Ethiopia for an official visit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia confirmed in a news update today.

Mr. Tibor is visiting Ethiopia as part of his tour in the Horn of Africa. Djibouti, Eritrea and Kenya are included in his tour in the region.

State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Markos Takele, greeted Mr. Tibor up on arrival at Bole International Airport.

During his stay in Ethiopia, he is expected to hold discussion with senior government officials including the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

As well, he is expected to attend the United States- African Union high level dialogue, and will also meet with officials of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), according to Ethiopian news sources.

The purpose of his visit to Ethiopia and to the region is said to be promoting trade relations between United States and African countries.

While China has a strong economic presence in Africa, the United States has a growing political and cultural influence in countries like Ethiopia.

Yet, the United States is showing increasing investment interest in the Horn of Africa’s nation with more than 100 million population and has wielded power to secure conducive investment policy.



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ODF and ODP, an influential ethnic Oromo political parties have agreed to unite as one party

borkena
November 28,2018

Oromo Democratic Party, the party governing Oromia Regional State of Ethiopia whose chairman is Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, reached agreement with Oromo Democratic Front (ODF) to unite and work as a single party.

Leaders of the latter party are among pioneers of Oromo ethno-nationalist political movement and were among the founders of what is now a radical ethno-nationalist party, Oromo Liberation Front. They returned to Ethiopia after decades of exile life in Europe and elsewhere.

When the agreement is fully completed, it may mean that leaders of ODF could have government positions, at least in the regional government structure as was the case for some members of former OLF factions (Gen. Kemal Gelchu,Gen. Hailu Gonfa and Colonel Abebe Geresu) who were hired in the security apparatus.

Lemma Megersa, president of Oromo regional state of Ethiopia, and Lenco Letta, leader of Oromo Democratic Front, signed memorandum of understanding today to unite and work as one party, according to reports by Fana Broadcasting Corporation (FBC.)

Lemma, who is also vice-chairman of ODP, is cited by FBC as saying that the two parties have their own history and impact in the history of Ethiopian politics, and underscored that other political parties need to come together to help foster the ongoing change and build democratic system rather than becoming a reason for division and disintegration of the country. Lemma also unveiled that his party is having a talk with other parties to achieve similar political results.

Lencho on on his part said that other political parties need to emulate the examples of ODF and ODP, according to a report by FBC.

ODP and OLF had been exchanging war of words following the latter’s refusal to disarm its combatants in some parts of the region but they recently reached agreement to resolve their differences through peaceful means.

Ethiopian opposition parties, including Oromo Liberation Front, held a meeting with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed yesterday and discussed about the next election, among other things.



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borkena
November 28,2018

Amhara regional state head,Gedu Andargachew, is reportedly leading a delegation to the United States.

He and his entourage will be traveling to five US cities : Washington DC, Dallas, Seattle, Los Angeles and Atlanta. The purpose is for a town hall meeting with residents in those cities who are from what is now Amhara region of Ethiopia.

They are expected to arrive in Washington on Saturday, December 1, and programs are scheduled in those cities between December 2 and December 12.

Knowledge transfer and the ongoing change in Ethiopia are key agenda items for the discussions.

Intellectuals from the region and business owners, among others, are expected to be part of the discussion.

The Ethiopian embassy in the United States is not only informed about the visit but also some of the coordinators for the tour are from the embassy. For example, Demeke Zemene, who is a consul at the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington DC, is among the committee the coordinators who gave a press statement regarding the visit.



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borkena
November 29,2018

As part of the reform agenda, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia disclosed today that it will announce new appointments of officials and diplomats very soon.

The Ministry Spokesperson, Meles Alem, said that the diplomatic missions will be hinged on priorities of the ministry namely enhancing strategic partnerships,economic diplomacy, efficient consular service delivery and engaging Ethiopian diaspora community, according to an update published by the ministry.

The spokesperson is also cited,during his press briefings today (November 29), as saying that the reforms that are underway in the ministry are meant to achieve better capacity to “lead foreign relations and national interests of the country.”

As to human resource deployment, political loyalty and party affiliations do not seem to be among selection criteria if what spokesperson says is true. “The main criteria are knowledge, skill and professionalism,” he is quoted as saying.

Academics and prominent figures are reportedly included in the new appointments but their names are not released until the ministry makes an official announcement.

In line with its “Zero-discord” policy objectives in the neighboring regions, experienced and skillful diplomats will be assigned in the neighboring diplomatic mission – according to Meles Alem.



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Ethiopian Social Democratic Party says EPRDF born administrative structure are sources of sense of disunity and conflict in the country

borkena
November 30,2018

Ethiopian Social Democratic Party (ESDP) says administrative arrangements is the main cause and is responsible for conflicts and sense of disunity in the country, and that Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front, the ruling coalition, is responsible for it, according to a report by Voice of America Amharic Service today.

Beyene Petros, who is chairman of ESDP, said that the existing administrative structure was arranged illegally and through dictatorial means.

In connection with what is now Southern Nations Nationalities and People’s Region(SNNPR),for example,Beyene recalled that the administrative arrangement made during the transitional government of Ethiopia, that is soon after TPLF led guerrilla forces took over power in Addis Ababa in 1991, was changed in contravention with the existing constitution of Ethiopia.

It was the late Meles Zenawi who ordered the creation of SNNPR in an outright dictatorial move, Beyene added.

Beyene, who is himself from Hadya zone of the region, says that the admnistratice arrangement used in the case of SNNPR lacked uniformity and contradicted to the constitution.

How so? He explained that the Ethiopian Federal states arrangement was made on the basis of language but the arrangement was not implemented in SNNPR for nearly 50 language groups were made to be included in a singe regional state.

In fact, several language speaking groups in the region do have larger number of population than an entire regional state in other parts of Ethiopia. For example Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, which is in Western Ethiopia, has less population than some language speaking groups in SNNPR.

In consequence, SNNPR is experiencing political problems which in some cases were transformed to conflict and security problems that have left hundreds dead and thousands displaced, among other damages.

Further, several language speaking groups in the region are now demanding statehood.

Leader of Ethiopian Social Democratic Party called for Ethiopian government to address the problem as quickly as possible while encouraging people in the region who are demanding for statehood to be patient.



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