The Ethiopian delegate has reportedly concluded meetings with different groups in Sudan including TMC leaders at this writing but it is unclear as to what is achieved so far
PM Abiy Ahmed and his delegation arriving in Khartoum. Photo credit : OPM
borkena June 7, 2019
As Sudan’s opposition demands a transfer of power from the Transitional Military Council to a civilian government, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed led a high-level delegation to Sudan to broker peace between the two contending forces in Sudan.
According to the Sudan Tribune, It was head of the IGAD that initiated Prime Minister for mediation in Sudan. The mediation intends to achieve a civilian-led transitional government, which will be good for three years if it happens, in Sudan which is essentially what the Sudanese opposition is pushing for.
Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew and Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian Defense Force, General Seare Mekonnen, among others, are part of the Prime Minister’s entourage to Sudan.
The delegation held talks with Chief of the Sudanese Transitional Military Council, Lt. Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
As well, the Office of the Prime Minister disclosed after the visit that the Abiy Ahmed held discussion with the main opposition group as part of the mediation effort. He told the opposition group that Ethiopia is fully committed to fostering peace in the region and that unity is a precondition for peace in Sudan.
Egyptian representatives and African Union (AU) Commissioner for Peace and Security, Smail Chergui, are in Sudan to mediate between transitional Sudanese military leaders who overthrew the country’s longtime military leader, Omar Al-Bashir, and the opposition group.
It was following Sudan’s temporary suspension from the African Union Sudanese opposition, Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC), demanded the full transfer of power to a civilian government without any negotiation, as reported by Sudan Tribune.
Also, the opposition demanded “The immediate dismantling of the Janjaweed militias and handing over their weapons to the army, and end the bloody rampage in the streets of the cities,” as cited in Sudan Tribune.
On June 3, dozens of protesters were killed outside the army headquarters and the country’s prosecutor has started an investigation into the killings, reported Sudanese news source.
Ethoipia’s northern neighbor, Eritrea , has sent a high level delegation sometime in May. Eritrea’s position is that the African Union should not interfere in the affairs of Sudan.
National Election Board Recruiting Committee has finalized its work. It is the parliament that will pick the last 4 candidates from the list of eight shortlisted names.
borkena June 7, 2019
Two weeks after announcing the opening of the nomination process for National Electoral Board Membership position, the recruitment committee disclosed on Friday shortlisted candidates.
According to the committee, eight candidates are shortlisted of which only four will be picked for a board position. The successful ones are expected to be full-time employees unlike the practice before.
Ethiopian State Broadcaster (EBC) reported that the committee received about 200 nominations for the position via phone, fax, and electronic mail.
Dr. Meshesha Shewarega, chair of the recruiting committee, nominees screened in three phases and finally, eight candidates were shortlisted.
The number of Board Members is cut down to five as part of the Abiy Ahmed’s administration reform measure and the vacant positions are only four. The number of board members was nine prior to the reform measure and members were working on a part-time basis only.
The committee has completed its work. The prime minister will present shortlisted candidates to the parliament and the final four will be elected, according to the report by Fana Broadcasting Corporation.
In terms of academic background, the candidates were required to be from political science, law, public administration, statistics and information technology. Political neutrality was another selection criterion.
There have been calls for Ethiopian government to postpone national election in the country on grounds of security concern.
Garbage dump landslide in Koshe, outskirts of the Addis Ababa, is still claiming lives.
Koshe, scene of the accident
borkena June 10, 2019
Two years after Ethiopia experienced a devastating garbage dump landslide which claimed the lives of well over 120 people, another landslide in the same ground reportedly happened on Monday, June 10, 2019, reported Fana Broadcasting Corporation (FBC).
The accident happened around 7: 30 a.m local time in Koshe, outskirts of the capital Addis Ababa in the South West of the city.
According to the state broadcaster, EBC, one person is killed. Other local news media have not confirmed the number of casualties.
The victim is said to be 60 years old man. He was found alive and later died in hospital, according to Fana Broadcasting.
Rescue workers are reportedly on the site searching for survivors. Addis Ababa Roads Authority has deployed excavators for the rescue work.
The accident happened near a roadside and a number of shanty plastic houses were near the area which means that the death toll could rise.
EBC remarked that there are still residential homes near the garbage dump site and that residents in the area need to be evacuated from the area.
The landslide in 2017 caused outrage and government pledged at the time that it will everything to avoid similar accidents.
Community members in Aksum told Abiy Ahmed the implementation of the constitution needs government attention.
Abiy Ahmed holding meeting with Aksum community members. Photo : OPM
borkena June 10, 2019
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has visited Aksum, Tigray region, in northern Ethiopia on Monday, the office of the prime minister disclosed.
In this historical Ethiopian town, which is also one of the major tourist destinations in the country, he held a town hall meeting with residents.
“The community members appreciated the Prime Minister’s responsiveness to the call residents made to hold discussions with him on issues related to the rehabilitation of the obelisks. In addition, the Prime Minister addressed key queries raised regarding budgetary allocations, water shortages, infrastructure requirements, peace and security, and other issues,” his office wrote in a Facebook update on June 10, 2019.
Abiy Ahmed with Tigray region’s acting president, Debretsion. Photo : OPM
The office of the prime minister did not however explicitly disclosed about demands from community members regarding the Federal system and implementation of the constitution.
There have been allegations coming from the region and/or Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) against Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration regarding what they called a violation of the constitution and a threat against the Federal system. The formation of Identity and boundary commission, and truth and reconciliation commission were among the issues that TPLF leaders and their followers criticized Abiy’s government.
TPLF has also opposed the possible postponement of the National Election on grounds that it is unconstitutional, and Aksum community members raised the issue during their meeting with the prime minister. EBC reported that PM Abiy Ahmed told residents there is interest in carrying out the election as scheduled on the party of the ruling coalition, EPRDF, but, he said, “there needs to be a consultation and consensus among all parties.”
There has been an ongoing controversy between the Federal government and Tigray regional state regarding the arrest of former spy chief Getachew Assefa. Although Federal court order is issued repeatedly to bring Getachew before the law, Federal law enforcement agents did not get the cooperation they need from Tigray regional state. Getachew has not appeared before the law to date.
Ethiopia’s parliamentarians express concern over fairness of proposed budget allocation federal regions for next fiscal year.
Ethiopian Parliament Building
borkena June 11, 2019
Members of Ethiopian House of Representatives debated the draft budget on Wednesday, reported Ethiopian News Agency (ENA).
They raised questions on grounds that budgetary allocation practices in the past have caused conflicts for they lacked equity and fairness.
As well, parliamentarians noted that a research team was established one year ago to determine whether the budget allocation is fair or not.
One of the views reflected is that the budget allocation could raise a question of fairness and equity again if it is not done before the House of Federation completes budgetary allocation calculation improvement work.
Majority of parliamentarians argue that infrastructure development works in the federal regions does not have accurate criteria and that has contributed to a lack of fairness.
Budget work for the upcoming Ethiopian fiscal year on the basis of a practice that has been criticized on grounds of fairness and equity is sternly opposed, based on reports from state media.
One of the demands during the countrywide protest that led to a change within the ruling coalition was budgetary allocation that is not proportional to population size and finger was mainly pointed at Tigray region on grounds that TPLF, which dominated government before April 2018, unfairly takes more from government coffer and other sources.
The draft budget for the 2012 Ethiopian Year ( 2019 G.C) was tabled in the parliament on Tuesday, this week.
The Minister for Finance, Ahmed Shide, told parliamentarians that Ethiopia projects a 9 percent economic growth for the next fiscal year and that the budget is prepared on the basis of fiscal macro-economics.
The proposed budget is 387 billion Ethiopian Birr (that is about $US 12 billion) and the government intends to finance it mainly through tax revenue.
According to the draft bill, 63 percent of the budgetary allocation is intended for programs in education, health, and agriculture sectors, among others.
The budget deficit will be covered with borrowings from internal and external sources.
A considerable number of members of Ethiopian Parliament opposed the appointment
Ethiopian Parliament in session
borkena June 13, 2019
The Ethiopian Parliament approved on Thursday the appointments of National Election Board of Ethiopia members. Four candidates are appointed from shortlisted eight candidates.
There were dissenting voices in the parliament, based on a report by Deutsche Welle Amharic Service.
Seventeen members of parliament voted “no” to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s proposal. They opposed the appointments on grounds that “the Prime Minister did not consult with Agar parties [sister parties] about the recruitment process of the elected board members,” according to DW Report.
A representative of the Prime Minister who presented the lists of candidates to the parliament argued that the PM called upon the opposition parties to take part in the recruitment process of the candidates but only 20 opposition party representatives attended the process. There are more than 100 opposition and sister parties in Ethiopia.
Of the eight shortlisted candidates, the parliament approved the appointment of Bizuwork Ketete (woizerit), Wubshet Ayele, Getahun Kassa, and Abera Degefa.
Members of the parliament who voted for the above-mentioned individuals believe that they are politically “neutral,” and have adequate academic and experience for the position.
Wubshet Ayele is named as Deputy Chair of National Election Board of Ethiopia. Bertukan Mideksa retains her position as chairperson.
It was on June 7, 2019, that the recruitment committee disclosed shortlisted applicants from among that it said 200 nominations via phone, e-mail and fax.
Among criteria for the nominations were, Ethiopian citizenship, political neutrality, and academic background related to the works of election board including political science, law, public administration, statistics and information technology, as reported by borkena.
Bereketabe Yohannes, who recently celebrated his 14th birth day, died after he was drowned on Monday, in Crissy Field beach, in San Francisco.
According to reports, he went missing in the water around 2:15 PM, and was pulled out from the water by Fire Department got him out of the water but it was apparently late. His body was found around 3: 20 p.m.
He was pronounced dead at California Pacific Medical Center, according to KTVU report.
Dawit Yohannes, his father, is cited as saying “Everything is lost…he was my lovely boy.”
Bereketeabe graduated from grade 7 and was an honor roll student.
The family hopes to bury him in Ethiopia, and friends of the deceased have opened a GoFundMe account.
Dessie residents want the prime minister to think about amending the constitution if there is a need to save Ethiopia from disintegration
Late 19th century banquet hall (Gibir adarash as it is called in Amharic) of Niguse Michale of Wollo, Ayteyef ,Dessie .
borkena June 15,2015
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held discussion with residents of Dessie on Saturday. The meeting happened in the historic big banquet hall of Nigus Michael, father of Lij Iyasu, Ayteyef with its spectacular view of the town. He was joined by Deputy Prime Minister, Demeke Mekonen, and the president of Amhra regional State of Ethiopia, Ambachew Mekonen.
Whether all residents of the city were invited to the meeting is unclear.
Based on a report from Amhara Mass Media Agency (AMMA), residents who got the opportunity to attend the meeting with the prime minister have raised political and economic questions.
Ethnic and religious-based violence in different parts of Ethiopia is raised as a major concern and residents emphasized the need to enforce the rule of law and protect the security and safety of citizens.
Dessie town , Arabgenda area. Photo : www. borkena.com
For Abiy, Stoping ethnic and religious-based violence need the involvement of religious leaders and the people.
The residents also expressed their belief that the existing constitution of Ethiopia has opened the door for the potential disintegration of the country and demanded that the government need to amend the constitution.
Abiy Ahmed’s response to the demand was “if there is a need to amend the constitution, an effort will be made to hold a discussion and amend it,” as cited by AMMA.
In terms of economic demands, residents raised an increasing number of unemployed youth in the city and infrastructural problems, including road, that Dessie is facing.
Abiy’s response was seemingly generic: To decrease the number of unemployed people, development projects need to be completed. In a situation where freedom of movement and freedom to work in any part of Ethiopia, and in a situation where there are no considerable projects capable of significantly reducing the number of unemployed youth in the region, it remains a question if Abiy Ahmed’s response makes any sense.
Power shortage and the issue of Wollo tertiary hospital were also raised. Abiy’s response was “We have signed $US1.8 billion contract with a Chinese company to improve the problem of electric power distribution, and an effort will be made to fix the problem.”
As to the question of a referral hospital construction, he pushed it aside to regional authorities pointing out the Federal government has allocated budget for development.
Abiy Ahmed, along with Demeke Mekonen and Ambachew Mekonen, was in Dessie on Saturday. He held discussion with residents in the historic 19th century Niguse Michael’s Gibet Bet ( Banquet Hall).
Residents raised numerous questions including domination of ethnic Oromo in the Federal government positions.
With regard to domination of ethnic Oromos in government positions, Abiy said “It is not true, not even one percent. If that is true, I will resign within 24 hours.” Watch the video below (Amharic).
Toronto – Ethiopian Peoples House of Representatives approved on Tuesday the appointment of Board members of the state-owned Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), reported state broadcaster EBC reported.
As per the new administrative arrangement, the agency is now directly answerable to the parliament.
Bekele Muleta is unanimously confirmed as Chair of the Board.
All newly appointed board members took oath on Tuesday before the parliament.
Ethiopian News Agency is one of the oldest news agency and its establishment goes to the 1940s, and it was back then known as “Agence Direcsione,” according to information from Wikipedia.
“Canada encouraged Ethiopia to continue to address the drivers of intercommunal conflict,” Canadian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Antoine Chevrier.
Ambassador Chevrier participating in the 7th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) at the African Union Commission, on June 10th, 2019. Photo credit : Canadian Embassy in Addis Ababa
Borkena : Honorable Ambassador Antoine Chevrier, Canada’s ambassador to Ethiopia and Djibouti, and Canada’s representative to the African Union, I would like to thank you for your time. It is now well over six months since you became Canada’s Ambassador to Ethiopia. What is it that has impressed you most about the country and society so far – something that would perhaps impress other foreigners as well?
Ambassador Chevrier : I am of course impressed by the country’s deep and rich history and its diverse society. I feel that I still have much to learn. The depth of the ties between both our countries is also quite significant, and the importance of the Ethiopian community in Canada is an important part of our relationship. But even more than that, what impresses and motivates me is that, building on this, we have the potential to do even more.
Borkena: Ethiopian Airlines ET 302 crash near Bishoftu (Debre Zeit as it used to be called until very recently) is a sad experience, presumably.18 of the victims are Canadians. And you have visited the crash site. How overwhelming was it to you personally? And to the embassy – in terms of the consular service that you had to provide to the victims’ families and those who are affected?
Ambassador Chevrier : The crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 was a devastating tragedy that affected many Canadians, citizens of other countries and of course Ethiopia. Of course it had an impact on all of us at the Embassy, and indeed visiting the crash site on multiple occasions was difficult and moving at the same time, but nothing in comparison to what the families and loved ones of the victims are going through. There is still much that remains to be done and our commitment to assist them in the next steps is fully intact.
Borkena : let me ask you about Canada’s diplomatic relation to Ethiopia. It is older than half a century. How is it evolving in recent years? And what is that you aspire to contribute in that regard?
Ambassador Chevrier : Canada has a longstanding friendship with Ethiopia and its people. We have many similarities – diverse populations that speak many languages, and a federal system of government to name but a few. This relationship was historically centered on development cooperation (Ethiopia was the 2nd largest recipient of Canadian Development Assistance in 2017-18). However, in recent years it has become increasingly diverse. Our people-to-people ties continue to strengthen, and trade between our countries is growing.
At the political level, momentum has been building. Our Prime Ministers have had several positive discussions, and earlier this month Prime Minister Trudeau met with President Sahle-Work Zewde in Vancouver during the Women Deliver Conference. The Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (CAPA) sent a delegation of seven Parliamentarians to visit Ethiopia in March 2019, where they had an intensive program, visiting with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Markos Tekle, Minister of Trade and Industry Fetlework Gebregziabher, Deputy Speaker of the House of People’s Representatives, Shitaye Minale, and civil society, NGOs, UN agencies, and the African Union Commission. In November 2018, former Minister of International Development, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau visited Ethiopia and met with both President Sahle-Work and Prime Minister Abiy, as well as Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide. During the visit Minister Bibeau announced $23 million in funding for two initiatives to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in Ethiopia: Innovative Finance for Women Entrepreneurs which will help 25,000 women entrepreneurs; and, Women’s Voice and Leadership, which will support 48 local women’s organizations across four regions of Ethiopia
Borkena : Considerable, and growing, number of Ethiopians live in Canada. How do you rate its importance in Canada’s relation with Ethiopia?
Ambassador Chevrier : The Ethiopian community in Canada is diverse, vibrant and active and is an important asset and a bridge between both countries. In our increasingly networked world, these individuals help to strengthen the bonds between our countries, defying the many kilometers that separate us. They have an important skill set, understanding both Canadian culture and Ethiopian culture, and are in a unique position to build partnerships, whether through trade and economic opportunities, or other initiatives.
Borkena: In your message as Canada’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, which is in the embassy’s website, you mentioned that “Ethiopia is a country of strategic importance to Canada.” Apart from being a “growing economy” with well over 100 million people and the presence of Canadian businesses in the country especially in the mining sector, could be corrected for wrong, is there any other reason as to why Ethiopia is of strategic importance to Canada?
Ambassador Chevrier : Ethiopia is an influential and important actor within the region and across the continent. Together we can work to promote shared values including gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Canada and Ethiopia co-organized an important meeting on Women Peace and Security in Addis Ababa in January 2019, illustrating our shared commitment to peacekeeping. Ethiopia has been a trailblazer, appointing its first woman president, a gender balanced Cabinet, and its first woman President of the Federal Supreme Court. And other countries are following Ethiopia’s example. I had the opportunity to attend the Women Deliver 2019 Conference in Vancouver, Canada, in June with President Sahle-Work Zewde, where she spoke passionately about gender equality and women’s rights.
Borkena: How are Canadian businesses doing in Ethiopia? Any red tape experiences and/or challenges in policy area?
Ambassador Chevrier : With its large market, Canadian companies are certainly interested in doing business in Ethiopia and there are sectors presenting natural opportunities for increased presence, like energy and infrastructure for example. However, while Ethiopia did increase its ranking on the Ease of Doing Business index in 2019, there is space for further improvements that would make Ethiopia a more attractive market for companies and investors. There have been recent efforts to make starting a business easier, to facilitate trade across borders, and to ensure the enforcement of contracts. These are welcome steps, as is the recently introduced Public-Private Partnership modality, where Canada has significant experience and expertise. Indeed, on June 13 at the Africa Energy Forum in Lisbon, Canada and Ethiopia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on collaboration on infrastructure development using public-private partnerships.This is an important step that will lead to new and interesting areas of collaboration.
Borkena: In November 2018, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated his Ethiopian counterpart on what he called “ambitious program of reform” seemingly referring to some policy initiatives following what The Economist described ,in its December 2018 publication, as “a coup within the EPRDF.” Do you believe that the reform in Ethiopia is ambitious given Abiy Ahmed administration’s inability to even ensure safety and security of citizens, and while the rights of Ethiopians to work and live in any part of Ethiopia, as citizens, is compromised while refugees living in Ethiopia are given the right to work due to administrative arrangement and political aspirations of radical ethno-nationalism?
Ambassador Chevrie : The reforms undertaken by the administration of Prime Minister Abiy are ambitious and we certainly view them with optimism. As with all wide-ranging reform processes, there are many challenges that need to be addressed and it is equally important to remember that some types of reform take time to yield results – I am thinking, as an example, of the economic sphere where reforms can take time to materialize into jobs.
Borkena: Despite tangible gains out of the reform measures in a range of areas (yes, there were reports of detainment of journalists in recent weeks both in the capital Addis Ababa and outside of it), Ethiopia is living a dangerous state of existence as far as enforcing the rule of law and protecting citizens are concerned. Hundreds are killed in ethnic violence and nearly three million people are internally displaced (the government claims that it is returning IDPs to their places). Yet, there seems to be a tendency to see the crisis rather as an expected component of the “change process.” What would you say about it? And what’s its implication in the effort to make Ethiopia a democracy?
Ambassador Chevrier: We are monitoring the situation of internally displaced people (IDPs) in Ethiopia. During Ethiopia’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in May 2019, Canada encouraged Ethiopia to continue to address the drivers of intercommunal conflict and guarantee that conflict-displaced populations are not returned home until it is safe.
Borkena : Canada is committed to support the reform measure, as reiterated by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he met with President Sahlework Zewde this month in Vancouver where Women Deliver 2019 conference was organized. How is Canada going to support Ethiopia’s aspiration to change itself in terms of building a system in which citizens cherish freedom, equality and unity?
Ambassador Chevrie : As I am sure you are aware, Canada had a central role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the 1940s, and the promotion and protection of human rights has consistently been a central part of our foreign policy. Respect for freedom of belief, diversity and pluralism, and gender equality are all core Canadian values that are also central to our engagement in Ethiopia. As illustrated by the President’s participation in Women Deliver 2019, and the meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau, gender equality is one evident area of shared priorities, and this ranges from sexual reproductive health and rights to women peace and security. We certainly believe we can partner with Ethiopia to achieve results including, for example, to help the country hopefully meet its commitment to end female genital mutilation as well as child, early, and forced marriage by 2025.
Borkena: From experience in the past year or so, it became apparent that ethnic nationalism posed a threat to the reform process, and possibly to the very existence of Ethiopia. This view is reflected in numerous articles published in The Economist, IPI Global Observatory, Aljazeera and what not. How do you rate the challenge to Ethiopia in that regard? Do you see a reasonable chance of success for the reform agenda without reforming supporting institutional and administrative arrangements?
Ambassador Chevrier : Ethiopia is at an important juncture, where its citizens have space to decide what type of future they want for themselves and the generations to come. Speaking from my country’s experience, Canadians have found that diversity is our strength. For any country, the institutions that support it and provide services to its citizens are of key importance. Strengthening Ethiopia’s institutions is an integral part of the reform process and in delivering on the vision of Prime Minister Abiy for Ethiopia’s citizens.
Borkena: Canada has mostly social and economic development programs in the country, and it is one of the leading development partners to Ethiopia, so to speak. Given the extent of security problem and lawlessness that Ethiopia is facing which could practically hamper any development efforts and perhaps drag the country to conflict too, isn’t it reasonable for development partners, donor countries and multilateral institutions,to realistically rethink prioritization of development areas? For example, don’t you believe that Ethiopia could benefit more, and by extension development and economic partners, from pre-emptive conflict mitigation programs rather than crisis management and humanitarian aid in post conflict situation. If so, do you know if there is possibility for Canadian Development Initiative in that direction, not just for Ethiopia, but in the continent as well?
Ambassador Chevrier : Canada delivers its official development assistance in accordance with its Official Development Assistance Accountability Act (ODAAA), which stipulates that assistance contribute to poverty reduction, take into account the perspective of the poor, and be consistent with international human rights standards. While this assistance can take the shape of activities like enhancing food security or the provision of basic services, I agree that there is always room to be more innovative in achieving results. As an example, the development of a strong economy is a key component of sustained security and prosperity. Along with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Canada believes in the need for start-up capital and access to finance to assist businesses in meeting the national and international demands for Ethiopia’s products. Canada will therefore continue to invest in technical and vocational training, youth life-skills, entrepreneurship and business development services, as well as access to finance to assist young women and men make their business grow.
Borkena: Thank you.
Editors’ note : borkena is Toronto based Ethiopian News portal. We were unable to interview Ambassador Antoine Chevrier in person in Addis Ababa as we are short-staffed and do not have Addis Ababa-based reporter. The Honorable Ambassador was very kind to allow us to submit interview questions electronically. However, we were unable to submit follow-up questions in view of time constraints. We do hope that we will interview him in person in the near future.
Eritrean delegation seem to be optimistic about the future of the relation between Eritrea and Ethiopia
Prime Minister meeting with Eritrean government adviser Yemane Gebreab. Photo : OPM
borkena June 19,2019
A year after their first arrival to open a new chapter and close an era of conflict and no-peace-no-war relation, high-level Eritrean delegation under the leadership of Foreign Minister Osman Saleh has arrived in Ethiopia on Wednesday in the afternoon.
Head of political affairs and advisor to President Isaias Afeworki, Yemane Gebreab, is also in the team.
The purpose of their trip, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, is to deliver a message of condolence from President Isaias Afwerki to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who lost his father on Monday.
The delegates also held discussion with Abiy Ahmed, and “reflected on the milestones achieved over the past year in ceasing of hostilities and discussed upon the next steps to be taken in further strengthening the relationship,” as reported by the MFAE.
Eritrean officials have planted trees in the premises of the office of the Prime Minister as part of the celebration of one year of peaceful relation after twenty years of bloody war and period of no-peace-no-war relation.
Meanwhile, Prime Minster Abiy Ahmed sent message to the Eritrean government and people on the occasion of Eritrean Martyr Day.
Tigray region authorities have made exceptions for certain crimes which means that inmates would remain behind bar until they serve their terms.
borkena June 21, 2019
Tigray regional state disclosed on Friday that it is granting amnesty to 2400 convicts.
Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) administration under Debretsion Gebremichael has pardoned the inmates on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of Martyrs Day, according to a report by state-affiliated broadcaster, Fana Broadcasting Corporation (FBC).
“Inmates who are pardoned are those who demonstrated behavioral change and who regretted their guilt,” the region’s head of the justice department, Amanuel Assefa, told FBC.
The report added that the Amnesty is granted in accordance with the region’s law and in accordance with the constitution of the country.
Gates of the prison are open starting Friday for pardoned convicts to leave prison cells behind starting Friday.
13 of the prisoners are of Eritrean origin, according to Deutsche Welle Amharic (DW Amharic) service report on Friday. Those Eritreans were reportedly convicted of human trafficking and robbery.
On the other hand, 51 of the prisoners released today are women and the majority of convicts are below 35 years of age.
In a press statement, the region’s security and administration head, Tekiu Meteku, said that those who committed rape, mugging, and second-time offenders are not included.
The regional state has pardoned 7538 inmates in just one year, added the report by DW Amharic.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed conveyed a message for people in Tigray, northern Ethiopia, on the occasion 31st Martyr’s day. He said the people of Tigray, along with the rest of Ethiopians, paid sacrifice for the unity and sovereignty of Ethiopia , and that the interest of Tigray people is to build a democratic Ethiopia based on the values of unity and freedom. His message came a week after Debretsion told The Ethiopian Reporter that the people of Tigray is showing tendency of secession but it is TPLF leaders that is pushing the people not to chose that line at this point in time.
Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), one of the biggest ethnic-Oromo nationalist parties accuse the government of closing down a branch office of the party in Guji zone of Oromo region, in Southern Ethiopia, VOA Amharic service reported on Friday.
The party also accused the government that it is harassing party members in the region.
Government authorities did not deny those offices are closed down in the region but it argues that the offices were closed on grounds that they were not operating in accordance with the law.
OFC office head, Tiruneh Gemta, says west Guji Zone members and their leaders are harassed. And he cites examples, in Gelana district Jateni Mitiku who is a member of the leadership in the zone has been in jail for two weeks.
In the same zone Liben district, head of administration of the district removed and tore apart our flag about two months ago. On Wednesday of this week, district authority burned our flag. They also removed two members of our party, Girja Guyo, and Samuel Mijo, from their office around 3 p.m., beaten them and detained them for hours and release them around 9 pm.
District administrator, Mathewos Otessa, denies the allegation. He told VOA Amharic that the party did not present permission to open a branch office in the district. He also claims that members were involved in illegal activity. Members of the party put OFC flag in the street without permission and members of the defense force in the region removed the flag, Mathewos Otessa added.
“We were not told as to who is the coordinator,” he told VOA Amharic reporter, Muktar Jemal.
Guji has been a conflict zone and over a million ethnic Gedeos were displaced from the region following an ethnic-based attack.
This week, government-affiliated media reported that the government arrested hundreds of alleged members of the militant Oromo Liberation Front.
Ethiopia’s PM statement issued on Sunday confirms that Amhara region president Ambachew Mekonnen and Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian Defense Force, Seare Mekonnen are killed. Adviser to Amhara region president, Ezez Wasse, is also killed. Growing number of Ethiopians questioning if there was indeed an attempted “coup d’etate”
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed
Source : OPM
borkena June 23, 2019
The Office of Prime Minister of Ethiopia has issued a statement on Sunday, June 23, 2019, regarding what it called an “attempted coup d’etat” in Amhara regional state in Bahir Dar, North Western Ethiopia.
The statement described what it says has happened and who is responsible for the incident, and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s order to arrest those who are involved in organizing the “coup.”
According to the statement, on June 22, 2015, in the evening senior leadership of Amhara regional state was having a meeting near the presidents’ office when a force under the leadership of Brigadier General Asamenew Tsige, head of the region’s peace and security, led a “coup d’etat.”
President of the region, Ambachew Mekonnenand his advisor Ezez Wasse are killed, the statement confirmed. Amhara Regional state attorney general, Migbaru Kebede, is also heavily wounded and currently in hospital. The injury is said to be a serious one.
The statement went on to disclose another high profile killed which happened the same day ( June 22) in the evening, not in the Bahir Dar but in the capital Addis Ababa.
Seare Mekonnen, Chief of staff of the Defense Force of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and a retired general who is said to be in the residence of the chief of staff at the time, Major General Gezai Abrera, are killed around 9 p.m in the evening.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s statement claimed that the Chief of staff was killed in an orchestrated plot. The assassin is said to be one of the bodyguards, according to the statement.
The killing of the chief of staff, the office of the prime minister believes, is related to the “coup d’etat” in Bahir Dar.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has ordered the arrest of all those who are involved in the plot.
Images of the statement from the Prime Minister is shared below.
Amharic version of the statement from the office of the PM. Source : OPM
English version of the statement. Source : OPM
Rumor about the death of high profile government officials was circulated on Saturday on social media.
Amhara National Movement leaders have remarked on the assassination of Amhara region president, Ambachew Mekonnen, and two his colleagues on Saturday evening, and on the situation in the region and in the country.
Migbaru Kebede was one of the promising politicians within Amhara Democratic Party (ADP). The region’s attorney general is the third victim from the Bahir Dar incident on Saturday. He is survived by five children
The late Migbaru Kebede. Photo : ENA
borkena June 24, 2019
Migbaru Kebede, Attorney General of Amhara region, died on Monday, Ethiopian state Media ENA reported citing Amhara region authorities.
He was shot on Saturday in the evening around 5:00 p.m. in Bahir Dar near the office of the region’s president in what the Federal government and Amhara Democratic Party say was an attempted coup d’etat – against the regional administration.
Migbaru was first taken to Felege Hiwot Hospital in the city of Bahir Dar soon after he was shot but was later flown to the capital Addis Ababa, and was admitted at Tikur Ambessa for a medical procedure.
Ambachew Mekonen, president of Amhara regional state and his top advisor, Ezez Wasse, were shot and killed the same day.
Details of a funeral arrangement for assassinated regional authorities are not yet disclosed.
According to a narrative from the Federal government, senior regional leaders were shot while they were having a meeting and the alleged coup d’etat is linked to Brigadier General Asamenw Tsige, who was the Peace and Security Head of the region.
The government disclosed on Monday that Asamenew Tsige is killed in the locality of Zenzelma, outside of the city of Bahir Dar on the way to Gondar. The government claims that he died while exchanging fire with security forces but it was not specified as to when he was killed.
Mounting skepticism of government narrative regarding the whole incident is unfolding among Ethiopians in social media. The factor that triggered it was the assassination of Ethiopia’s chief of staff of the Defense Force, General Seare Mekonnen, in the capital Addis Ababa around 9 p.m. – at least three hours after the alleged coup d’etat was put down. And the government has linked the assassination of Seare by his bodyguard to the attempted coup d’etat.
Today, the Federal police said that it has started an investigation into “crimes committed in Bahir Dar and Addis Ababa.”
Commissioner Endashaw Tassew said, according to Ethiopian News Agency, that most of the suspects are in custody due to coordinated work between Amhara region security, the Ethiopian Defense Force and National Intelligence and Security Service.
Based on a report by Ethiopian News Agency, the Federal Police is treating the incident in Bahir Dar (in Addis Ababa too) as a suicidal mission.
Meanwhile, the Ethiopian government announced on Monday that state funeral for the late Chief of Staff, Seare Mekonnen, is arranged for tomorrow. Seare will be laid to rest in his birthplace in North Ethiopia, according to a statement from press secretary in the office of the prime minister, Billene Seyoum.
Colonel Demeke Zewdu had an interview with Asrat Media and he shared his excellent analysis about what unfolded in Bahir Dar, Amhara regional state, on Saturday June 22, 2019.
.Critics of the Ethiopian government say the government is exploiting the alleged coup d’état to silence growing opposition
. National Movement of Amhara (NaMA) says its members are being arrested
Alleged killer of Ethiopian Chief of Staff of the Defense Force, Private Mesafint Tigabu
borkena June 27, 2019
So far over 250 people have been arrested in Addis Ababa and Bahir Dar since the “coup d’état” attempt, which happened in the evening of January 22, 2019, state broadcaster – Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation reported on Thursday.
All the arrests are made in connection with the incident which resulted in the assassination of three senior regional state officials and Ethiopian National Defense Force Chief of Staff, Seare Mekonnen, who was killed in the capital Addis Ababa. Ethiopian government linked the assassination of the chief of staff with the alleged coup attempt.
Ethiopian government said on Thursday that 212 suspected were captured with their firearms including machinegun.
Before the statement from the Federal Government, Amhara region police commissioner, Abere Adamu, told Amhara Mass Media Agency on Wednesday that 178 of the arrests were armed Special Forces of the region. Head of the region’s special force, Brigadier General Tefera, is also in custody while the government is carrying out an investigation, the regional police commissioner claimed.
Security and Justice Task Force,which draws its members from the Defense Force, The Federal Attorney-General, National Information, and Security Services and the Federal Police Commission – disclosed on Thursday that there were plans to assassinate other senior government officials.
The government has also announced the identity of the alleged killer of Seare Mekonnen and released his picture. According to the government, the killer is identified as Private Mesafint Tigabu.
The statement from the Task Force also says that “it is verified that the attempted coup d’état in Bahir Dar was organized by Brigadier General Asaminew Tsige and his collaborators,” as reported by DW Amharic.
A considerable number of Ethiopians reject the narrative by the government. In Lalibela, where the alleged ringleader of the coup is laid to rest, residents openly defy government narrative.
National Movement of Amhara disclosed on Thursday that over 100 members and non-members Amhara are arrested in connection with “attempted coup d’état,” as reported by Deutsche Welle Amharic Service. The number of arrested members is 56, claims the party. NaMA is an ethnic Amhara opposition party with a presence in Amhara region and outside of it as well. It was established about a year ago.
Apart from NaMA members, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmeds’ government has arrested over 50 members of Baladera council, an advocacy group led by prominent journalist Eskinder Nega who was released from prison about a year ago when Abiy Ahmed released all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience. The movement formed against an apparent move by the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed administration to make Addis Ababa, a city for ethnic Oromos under the Oromo regional state administration.
In a related development, Reuters reported on Thursday that “Men in camouflage uniforms killed more than 50 people and injured 23 others in the Metakal zone of the Benishangul-Gumuz region early on Monday, the region’s peace and security bureau head Abera Bayeta told Reuters.”
Benishangul Gumuz region is reportedly “investigating” the incident but inclines to the view that the attack is related to “cop in Amhara region.”
General Adem Mohammed is appointed as the new chief of staff for the Ethiopian Defense Force. His current position as Director of Intelligence is filled with Demelash Gebremichael. Let. General Molla Hailemariam is the new commander for ground force of the Ethiopian Defense Force.
General Adem Mohammed (left) and Let. General Molla Hailemariam (right). Photo : FBC
borkena June 28, 2019 Updated on June 28, 2019 10:56 Toronto Time
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appointed New Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian Defense Force, reported state-affiliated broadcaster, Fana Broadcasting Corporation on Tuesday.
General Adem Mohammed is picked to lead the Defense Force. In June 2018, he was appointed as the new Director-General to Ethiopian National Intelligence and Security Service(NISS). Before his last role, he had served in the role of head of the Ethiopian Air Force.
His appointment came in just a week after the revered former Chief of Staff, General Seare Mekonnen, was assassinated in the capital Addis Ababa in his residence while he was in the middle of “organizing a response” to what the Ethiopian government calls “attempted coup d’etat” in Bahir Dar, capital of Amhara regional state. The Ethiopian government has linked the assassination of the Chief of Staff on June 22, 2019, with the alleged coup d’etat. According to the government narrative, he was killed by his own bodyguard whom the government identified on Monday as Private Mesafint Tigabu.
In his role as Director of NISS, General Adem Mohammed was preoccupied in reforming the institution in a way to make it politically neutral and open for citizens on the basis of merit and competence.
Abiy appointed Demelash Gebremichael as the new Director of NISS. He was serving as Deputy Director of NISS. Before that he has served as Security Chief of Oromo regional state and as internal Security adviser of the Federal Police commission. Also, he has served as central committee of what is now Oromo Democratic Party (formerly known as OPDO). It is unclear if will carry on the task of reforming the institution, or will come up with new priorities in view of existing prevalent security problems in the country.
PM Abiy Ahmed also made two other appointments. Lieutenant General Molla Hailemariam is appointed as the commander of the Ground Force of the Ethiopian Defense Force.
