TPLF proposed co-ownership of the Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam, reports Eritrean News Source

borkena
May 5, 2020

Eritrean Press (EP) claims to be an Eritrean news source, said on Tuesday that TPLF offered Egypt joint-ownership of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) if Egypt helps restore EPRDF to power.

“TPLF representatives have informed Egyptians that if the old EPRDF returns to power before the GERD dam water filling is completed, they will consider the dam to be jointly owned by Egypt and Ethiopia, a source tells EP,” wrote Eritrean Press.

EP cited an unspecified source to report that Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) agents living abroad had a secret meeting in Mid March in Cairo (seemingly with Egyptian authorities).

According to EP, the Egyptians saw the request from TPLF in a positive light.  “Cairo viewed the new plea by Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF) as a positive step toward putting their hands on one of Africa’s largest infrastructure projects: the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), despite its earlier sharp criticism of it,” EP added.

Cairo has told TPLF representatives that they will clarify their position soon regarding co-ownership and method of operating the dam, and how to fill it with water in times of flood and drought.

The news story is not covered by any other news outlets. However, last week Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hinted that some forces in Ethiopia are dealing with enemy forces against the interest of Ethiopia.

Yesterday, the central committee of TPLF decided to hold an election in Tigray, just a day before the Ethiopian parliament deliberated on the best option on how to go about the general election based on a recommendation from parliamentary standing committee for legal, justice and democracy affairs.

Appearing on state media, Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC), on Tuesday, Chairwomen of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) said that there is no constitutional basis for the regional authorities in Tigray to conduct their election.

The Federal government of Ethiopia has not yet responded to TPLF, an organization that is running the regional government in Tigray, to the decision that it passed regarding the next election. If it gets to a point where the Ethiopian government has to enforce the law, it might turn out to be a warlike situation – to say the least.  

Borkena reached out to several Ethiopian political enthusiasts to see that they thought of the alleged TPLF move to partner with Egypt. While underscoring the point that there is no substantial evidence from other sources to conclude that TPLF is seeking partnership with Egypt, all the commentators seem to suggest the same thing: TPLF has a history of treason and will not hesitate to do anything to bargain for power.

One commentator who responded to borkena on the anonymous basis said “To be honest with you tplf will do whatever in its capacity to compromise abiy…Remember they’re thinking of going their own ways & Egypt can be an ally in this effort.”

Join the conversation. Like borkena on Facebook and get Ethiopian News updates regularly. As well, you may get Ethiopia News by following us on twitter @zborkena

The post Egypt reportedly getting partnership plea over GERD from TPLF appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Abiy Ahmed said in his message of the 79th anniversary of Ethiopian Victory Day , the sacrifice in blood and life was not for glory but for a united and sovereign Ethiopia

borkena
May 5, 2020 

Despite the Coronavirus situation and social distancing measures in place, Ethiopia has celebrated the 79th anniversary of victory day over fascist Italy.

On May 5, 1941, the Ethiopian flag was raised in the capital Addis Ababa after five years of Italian occupation. The day also marked the return of Emperor Haile Selassie from five years of exile abroad.

It was celebrated near Dilachin (which means in Amharic our victory) Statue near Arat Kilo in the capital Addis Ababa.

Representatives of Ethiopian Patriots and the Addis Ababa City administration had put a wreath near the statue.  

President Sahle-Work Zewde did not attend the ceremony at Arat Kilo. Yet, she conveyed a message for the victory day.

“Happy Anniversary of the 79th Victory Day. Although we can not celebrate Victory Day near the Patriot’s Statue as usual due to the COVID 19, I have a strong belief that we commemorate colorfully ,in spirit, the unforgettable heroism of Ethiopia’s children,” she said in her message.

Likewise, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has conveyed his message in three languages – Amharic, Oromigna, and English. He even composed a short poem in Amharic hailing the heroism of Ethiopian patriots.

“We commemorate the brave resistance of our forefathers and foremothers that paved the path to the freedoms we enjoy today. Their fight for country and people. Their unparalleled commitment to love of Ethiopia demonstrated through the sacrifice of blood and life. Not for mere glory. But for a united and sovereign Ethiopia…,” he wrote on his social media page.

In the past few weeks, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was criticized by most Ethiopians for changing the state emblem of Ethiopia, a lion, which was on either side of the entrances of Emperor Menelik’s palace with a Peacock.  

Although not explicit, Abiy Ahmed’s message seems to denote that the Unity of Ethiopia is experiencing a challenge. Leaders in the Tigray region of Ethiopia are increasingly taking paths that are in a collision course with the central (Federal government). In the latest strings of measures, the central committee of Tigray Regional State (TPLF), an ethnic-based political organization that is governing the region, announced that it will conduct an election defying the electoral board of the country’s measure to postpone the election.

Join the conversation. Like borkena on Facebook and get Ethiopian News updates regularly. As well, you may get Ethiopia News by following us on twitter @zborkena

The post Ethiopian Victory Day commemorated despite Coronavirus situation appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Egypt reportedly took her fight against Ethiopia’s right to use from its water resources to the Security Council of the United Nations

borkena
May 6, 2020

Egypt has reportedly lodged a complaints letter to the Security Council of the United Nations concerning Ethiopia’s intent to fill the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in July of this year.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia (MFAE) has seen the letter sent to the Security Council, according to a report by Sheger FM on Wednesday.

The Ministry has disclosed that Ethiopia is not changing its position in regards to exercising its sovereign rights to use from its natural resource and  to fill the dam in a way that will not cause harm to the lower riparian countries.  

Sheger FM cited Amsalu Tizazzu, deputy acting spokesperson, as saying that Ethiopia has been doing all it can in the discussions so far and that Ethiopia still believes that the issue could be resolved through tripartite talks with Egypt and Sudan.

Meanwhile, Deutsche Welle Amharic service reported on Wednesday that United States authorities continue to exert pressure on Ethiopia, directly and indirectly, to make the latter extend the time needed to fill the dam.

The United States and The World Bank brokered talk on the operation and filling of GERD failed in late February of this year. In the aftermath of it, Egypt launched a campaign to mobilize the Arab World. In early March of this year, The Arab League issued a statement condemning Ethiopia’s position which the latter reject as “one-sided and blinded.”  

Dr. Engineer Seleshi The Minister of Water, Irrigation, and Electricity, Bekele Awulachew, disclosed recently that Ethiopia will start filling the dam starting the months of July to operate two turbines.

The project is said to be, overall, 73 percent completed.

Meanwhile, a news shared on social media by Eritrean Press claims that TPLF is approaching Egypt with a proposal of joint ownership of the dam in exchange for political support that would help TPLF gain power in the Federal government.

Join the conversation. Like borkena on Facebook and get Ethiopian News updates regularly. As well, you may get Ethiopia News by following us on twitter @zborkena

The post Egypt lodged complaints to the Security Council,Ethiopia says will not give up its right appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice Party says the proposed solution needs to be one that addresses three problems at the same time

borkena
May 6, 2020

A day after the Ethiopian parliament passed a decision to seek constitutional interpretation as a panacea for the constitutional crisis as the next general election is canceled due to Coronavirus; Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice Party (EZEMA) has issued a statement that proposes a solution to the situation in the country.

“The solution we propose to resolve the existing crisis should be one that overcomes threat from the Coronavirus epidemic, ensures continuity of Ethiopian State, and facilitates the transition to a democratic system,” said in its statement.

The Ethiopian constitution stipulates that a general election has to be held before the end of the parliamentary term but that turned out to be impossible due to the Coronavirus situation.

Apart from the constitutional crisis, EZEMA assessed the situation and issues that Ethiopia is facing. The assessment manifests a common understanding with prime minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration.

Coronavirus, desert locust infestation which is affecting agricultural productivity in the country and possible aggression against Ethiopia due to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) are key challenges.

The party also noted that the security and geopolitical situation in the country could be changing fast.

In terms of a solution to the existing situation, the party explored political and legal options – as indicated in the letter. It also said that they held extensive discussion with constitutional law experts in the country.

“EZEMA believes that there has to be a strong government capable of public and provide leadership [to tackle the challenges that Ethiopia is facing].”

EZEMA sees the formation of a transitional government as something that could lead to further crisis. A transitional government could not be a strong one as it lacks strong governance structures, said EZEMA. Besides given the number of political parties in the country (they are more than one hundred), it could be difficult to reach consensus in such a short time.

The party also sees weakness in some of the legal options in that they could create a gap for the government to act decisively and quickly, and could also impair the effort to transition to a stable democratic system.   For example, it foresees the impossibility of conducting a general election in a free and fair manner under circumstances of the state of emergency. 

For that reason, the party says that declaring a state of emergency (one of the legal options) is not a suitable option for Ethiopia’s current situation.

Equally, dissolving the parliament is a legal option that could potentially lead to a weak government which the party sees as undesirable in light of Ethiopia’s current situation.

Embarking on the constitutional amendment is hard to undertake under the current situation as the process could be time-consuming – among other issues,it was argued. 

What EZEMA proposes a selective constitutional amendment to article 58/3 to extend the election by one year under extraordinary circumstances but restricting government power during this period. The party also called for a forum for opposition political parties in the meantime to continuously engage in negotiation and dialogue.   

As indicated above, EZEMA as an opposition party came up with the proposal a day after the parliament decided to seek constitutional interpretation to find a legal ground to extend the election.

Although many of the opposition political parties are convinced that the election can not be conducted in August 2020 as planned initially, there does not seem to be an agreement on how to go about the next step.

Then there is Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) that represents stark political polarization in the country. The party is seeking to conduct its election in Tigray which the chairwomen of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) referred to as unconstitutional.

Join the conversation. Like borkena on Facebook and get Ethiopian News updates regularly. As well, you may get Ethiopia News by following us on twitter @zborkena

The post Ethiopian opposition proposes a solution to resolve constitutional crisis, beyond appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

National Movement of Amhara (NaMA) says the better option to resolve the political crisis is to let the government lead the transition, not a new transitional government for Ethiopia

borkena
May 7, 2020

The formation of a transitional government could not be a solution for Ethiopia’s political crisis, the National Movement of Amhara (NaMA) said on Thursday.

After completing two days of an emergency meeting, the Executive Committee of the movement has issued a statement reflecting on what it called a political crisis in the country.

NaMA explicitly stated the political crisis in the country can not be solved through an election or reform measures.  It emphasized on continuous engagement and dialogue among the political elites.  

“Viewed from the task of defending the sovereignty of the country, ensuring the safety and security of citizens, and enabling an entity capable of discharging its responsibility to ensure the rule of law, the idea of forming a transitional government is not attainable,” said NaMA executive. What NaMA believes is a state-led transition that could usher the country to a reliable structural and systemic change.

NaMA said the better option at this time is to let the government stay in power until the next election so that it can lead the transition process. Ethiopia’s election was scheduled to take place in August of this year but was later canceled as the Coronavirus situation affected the series of activities leading to the election.

NaMA has articulated its position from the interest of Amhara people and “other brotherly people,” as described in the statement.

The demands of Amhara people are systemic and structural, and the solution is a political one that could emanate from the political dialogues of elites.

Choosing long term interest of people over quick short term political gains is the way to go forward for NaMA. And it envisions unceasing dialogue, mediation, and reconciliation as strategies to achieve those goals.  

To that end, the organization recommended the formation of a national dialogue commission (drawn from opposition parties, civic organization, and other stakeholders) that is answerable to the House of the People’s Representative.  PM Abiy Ahmed established a truth and reconciliation commission with approval from the parliament but the project did not demonstrate much progress.

The Movement also called for the government to make the necessary preparation to defend citizen’s peace and security as the country is in a difficult situation.

In a message to what it called “defeated forces” that are trying to restore repression, NaMA said that it condemns their moves and will struggle against it. The implicit, more explicit arguably, message is to Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) which announced this week that it will conduct its own election in the Tigray region. The Chairperson of The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia said this week that TPLF can not conduct its election according to the constitution.

Opposition parties are offering a possible solution to resolve the current political crisis in the country. On Wednesday, Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice Party (EZEMA) proposed a particular amendment to the constitution to resolve the election time-related crisis.

Join the conversation. Like borkena on Facebook and get Ethiopian News updates regularly. As well, you may get Ethiopia News by following us on twitter @zborkena

The post Ethiopia’s political crisis couldn’t be solved through a transitional gov’t: NaMA appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
May 7, 2020

Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed has conveyed a thirty minutes long video message to the nation days after the Ethiopian parliament passed a decision to seek constitutional interpretation as a panacea to resolve what some political pundits call a constitutional crisis.

It is triggered by the inability of the National Election Board of Ethiopia to conduct the election as planned, before the end of the parliamentary terms as required by the constitution, due to the coronavirus situation.

The parliament is seeking interpretation to find a legal means to extend election time.

Outside of the government structure, the issue has triggered a discussion in the opposition quarter. 

A considerable number of opposition parties seem to agree with the government and with the Electoral Board, that it is impossible to carry out the election in August 2020. However, there are also opposition political parties that are fiercely warning the government that its right to govern the country expires at the end of September. And they propose a transitional government or else government has no right, what so ever, to enforce the rule of law. Radical ethnic Oromo political activists like Jawar Mohammed see a problem if the government tries to rule after September 30. Lidetu Ayalew, a politician who considers himself to be in the center, has similar views on the issue of transitional government.

On the other hand, there is Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF); still part of the Ethiopian government although behaving much like a radical opposition group, vows to conduct an election on its own terms in Tigray region of Ethiopia – a move that violates the constitution.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed warned both groups.  He warned that the government will not tolerate forces that are seeking to usurp power through violent means.

Watch his speech below (in Amharic)

Video : embedded from Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation YouTube channel
Cover photo : screen shot from the video

Join the conversation. Like borkena on Facebook and get Ethiopian News updates regularly. As well, you may get Ethiopia News by following us on twitter @zborkena

The post Ethiopian PM: We will not tolerate forces who seek to usurp power through violence appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

As Ethiopia is fighting COVID 19 amid heated political controversies over the fate of the next general election, Addis Ababa City reportedly continued demolition of houses in the heart of the capital

borkena
May 8, 2020

The Addis Ababa City administration reportedly continued to demolish houses – and hundreds are reduced to homelessness.

Balderas Council For Genuine Democracy leader, Eskinder Nega, tweeted on Thursday that City authorities have been demolishing houses in the vicinity of Addis Ababa Post office – which is close by to the heart of the city.

The demolition task force was operating overnight.

In a video clip circulating on social media purportedly showing victims of the demolition on Thursday night, elderly woman who identified herself as Sadiya Mohammed said, with tears, “they demolished my house and left me on the streets.

Eskinder Nega said that police did try not to allow Sadiya Mohammed not to speak to Balderas leaders, based on a twitter message he shared on Friday, May 8, 2020.

Addis Ababa City Administration has apparently ignored the allegation as no statement is issued at this writing.

On May 4, acting Mayor, Takele Uma, took religious leaders in the city to a tour of construction projects in the city days after the Ethiopian Church made complaints that the city administration demolished Meskel Square, a land that the church owns and uses for various religious festivals.

The mayor had a meeting after the tour with the religious leaders after the tour. He told them that beautifying the city can not be achieved without “doing justice” to its residents.

In late April, the city administration “…demolished dozens of homes belonging to day laborers over the past three weeks, rendering at least 1,000 people homeless amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Amnesty International said today,” as reported by Amnesty International.

Join the conversation. Like borkena on Facebook and get Ethiopian News updates regularly. As well, you may get Ethiopia News by following us on twitter @zborkena

The post Ethiopia:As demolition continues in Addis dozens reduced to homelessness appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
May 8, 2020

Nebiyu Sehul Mikael is head of Tigray Prosperity Party office. In a statement, he shared on Friday; he said that his party has a legal, moral, and popular legitimacy.

After September 30, he asserts, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front’s (TPLF) sole power in the region will come to an end. “Who is to administer after that,”? he asked.

And then he answered it himself: “It is easy. It is the Prosperity party and prosperity government. It has multifaceted authority to govern Ethiopia, and it is an expression of the destination of the reform measure underway,” he said.

Given the position of TPLF and its willingness to go to war to defend what it calls “the interest and people of Tigray,” chances are it is not going to be as easy as Nebiyu Sehul Michael’s assertion.

TPLF has issued a statement this week saying that it will have its own election in the Tigray region. Chairperson of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia, Birtukan Mideksa, said that TPLF authorities in the region do not have a constitutional right to conduct an election in Tigray.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on his part conveyed a thirty minutes long video message on Thursday this week. He said his government will be forced to take action against those who are intending to have an election against the constitution and the decision of the election board.

There is a possible conflict which might take a military form; many Ethiopians tend to see it that way if TPLF insists on going ahead with organizing elections in the Tigray region.

Ethiopia has canceled the general election which was scheduled to take place in August due to the Coronavirus situation.

Join the conversation. Like borkena on Facebook and get Ethiopian News updates regularly. As well, you may get Ethiopia News by following us on twitter @zborkena

The post Tigray Prosperity Party vows that TPLF’s monopoly of power ends after September appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
May 9, 2020

A report by Aljazeera on Saturday said Ethiopia admitted that its troops who were on duty “protecting a camp in the town of Bardale” shot down Kenyan Cargo plane – operated by African Express.

According to the report, the Ethiopian army has sent a statement to the African Union (AU). However, the African Union has not published a statement or a report about the statement.

The Ethiopian army is cited as saying, in the statement, “The Ethiopian soldiers mistakenly believed the plane was on a “potential suicide mission” because they had not been informed about the “unusual flight” and the aircraft was flying low,” as reported by Aljazeera.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia has not yet issued an official statement admitting that Ethiopian troops shot down the plane.

On May 6, 2020, the Ministry issued a statement expressing condolences to Kenya and Somalia who lost their six citizens in connection with the accident.

Kenya and Somalia were jointly investigating the plane crash.  Most Ethiopians seem to be skeptical of the incident as there are all sorts of conspiracies and anticipate that Ethiopia will launch an investigation in the army unit that was in charge of providing security in the town of Bardale, Somalia.

The plane was reportedly carrying medical supplies to Somalia.

Join the conversation. Like borkena on Facebook and get Ethiopian News updates regularly. As well, you may get Ethiopia News by following us on twitter @zborkena

The post Ethiopia admitted its troops shot down the plane in Somalia: Aljazeera appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

One more patient has lost the battle to Coronavirus. Sixteen new cases confirmed ; 13 of them in the capital Addis Ababa.

borkena
May 9, 2020

After nearly two months of a rather slow rate of spread, Coronavirus infection rate is showing a remarkable increase in Ethiopia – one of the most populated countries in Africa.

The Ministry of Health reported that 16 more new cases have been confirmed over the past twenty-four hours after 2383 people were tested in the designated testing centers across the country.

What is alarming is that 13 of the new cases do not have a travel history. However, the Ministry of Health reported that they had exposure to COVID 19 infected persons. Two of the new cases have a recent travel history, and one patient had both a travel history and exposure to an infected person.

13 of the patients are from Addis Ababa -a city that is said to have nearly five million residents and a city where social distancing measures proved to be difficult for reasons of economic activity and culture.

One patient is in Woldia town- Amhara regional state. And two patients are in Southern Ethiopia – specifically Butajira and Wolaita Soda towns.

In terms of gender, the Ministry of Health Data shows that 9 are females and 7 are males. 

The total confirmed case in the country has now reached 210. 106 patients are currently getting treatments in the designated centers across the country and no patient is reported to be in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). On the other hand the number of registered deaths reached five after one patient died on Saturday.

The Ministry of Health also disclosed that two patients reportedly recovered from the treatment centers in the capital Addis Ababa. The total case of recovery in the country, as of May 9, is 97.

So far Ethiopia has tested a total of 32,689 suspected coronavirus cases.

Join the conversation. Like borkena on Facebook and get Ethiopian News updates regularly. As well, you may get Ethiopia News by following us on twitter @zborkena

The post Ethiopia Coronavirus case continues to surge, total 210 appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Five Ethiopians who allegedly worked with the Nigerian man, to facilitate the fraud, are reportedly arrested

borkena
May 10, 2020

On Sunday, Ethiopian intelligence claims that it has foiled banking fraud worth over $US 110 million. The attempt was made using an unspecified international money transfer system.

According to state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporation (FBC), the suspects allegedly coordinated to withdraw money from the Bank account of Mr. Neil Charles – who is said to reside in California. Based on the narrative from the intelligence department, as reported by FBC, the suspects tried to withdraw money from the Finefine branch of Commercial Bank of Ethiopia pretending as if Mr. Neil Charles authorized payout for the stated amount.

The Nigerian man who allegedly coordinated the crimes is identified as Adeymi Aderemi Abdulrafiu. He has been living in a guest house in the Bole area of Addis Ababa for more than a year. According to intelligence officials, the suspect was networking for and coordinating the fraud during his stay in the country.

Ethiopian intelligence was following up on the suspect during these times. He and his collaborators were caught inside the bank as they tried to withdraw the first round of funds in the amount of nearly 61 million Ethiopian birr.

He recruited Ethiopians with IT expertise and experience in the sector. According to the FBC report, five Ethiopians are arrested along with the Nigerian man. Their identities are undisclosed.

Addis Ababa police and Commercial Bank of Ethiopia authorities cooperated with the intelligence department to foil the crime.

Join the conversation. Like borkena on Facebook and get Ethiopian News updates regularly. As well, you may get Ethiopia News by following us on twitter @zborkena

The post Nigerian man arrested in Ethiopia over bank fraud worth more than $US 110 mln appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

With the project reaching 73 percent completion, Ethiopia announces that it adheres to plan to fill the dam starting July this year.

borkena
By Bernabas Shiferaw
May 11, 2020

Ethiopia’s Water, Irrigation, and Energy Minister Sleshi Bekele (PhD) has announced today that Ethiopia will proceed according to its original plan and begin filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in July. The construction of the dam has reached 73 percent (with the civil works at 87 percent) and this is enough to commence the filling. 

The Minister gave a presentation today at a meeting of the GERD technical committee, led by the Prime Minister, which also includes, among others, Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen, General Adem Mohammed, the army chief of staff, Gedu Andargachew, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Former Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn, who is also a Water Engineer.  

It was also revealed at the meeting that Ethiopia has prepared a document as a response to the complaint Egypt filed to the United Nations Security Council last week. It was also reported that both Egypt and Sudan refused to review the document that details the execution of the filling work, although they had previously expressed agreement to the timing of the filling. 

A report by Wazema Radio, the new document that Egypt and Sudan have refused to review, is actually more suited (compared to Ethiopia’s previous plans) to their interests. According to Wazema, it would take more than 10 years for the dam to reach its maximum capacity as per this new document. The document also gives assurance that the filling will not take place in the second year if, due to drought in Ethiopia, the total yearly flow of the river falls short of 31 Billion Cubic Meters.  

Sudan, reportedly, fears pressure  from the US and Egypt is demanding to have more detailed information supported with numbers and to be allowed to have a part in the administration of the Dam to make sure everything is being done as per the agreement. 

Regarding the Washington platform, in which the US, Egypt and Sudan had reached an agreement without Ethiopia, it has been decided that Ethiopia will not return to it until the platform is open for discussion. 

According to Wazema radio, however, although some members of the diplomatic team that did the negotiation on Ethiopia’s behalf have expressed their fear that returning to the Washington table will only lead to more pressure (on Ethiopia) and controversy, the general opinion among team members is that not returning to the table could be very harmful and that the best thing to do is to return to the table and doing the utmost to reach an agreement that protects Ethiopia’s national interests. 

Wazema also reported that there is a consensus among delegation members that the negotiation should be led by the Water, Irrigation and Energy Minister Sleshi Bekele and not the Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew who is newer to the process, has limited experience in diplomacy, and was rather reserved in the last round of the negotiation. Moreover, the Water Minister ought to take the lead because the negotiation involves much that is technical. Adding new members that are able diplomats has been suggested as a solution to the diplomatic-deficiency that the team might face as a result of having the Ministry of Water at the forefront of the negotiations.  

Join the conversation. Like borkena on Facebook and get Ethiopian News updates regularly. As well, you may get Ethiopia News by following us on twitter @zborkena

The post Ethiopia Decides to Carry on with Plan to Fill the Dam Starting July appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Former Ethiopia Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegne is to have a “role” in GERD negotiation. Egypt and Sudan rejected new proposal

borkena
May 11, 2020 

In the past few weeks, it was reported that Ethiopia’s new proposal regarding the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is rejected by Egypt and Sudan. 

But the details of it were not revealed. A report published by Wazema radio on May 11 ( in the Amharic language) highlighted components of what it called a nine pages proposal – detailing how and when Ethiopia is going to fill the dam.

Currently, the dam is 73 percent completed – as revealed by the Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy, Dr. Seleshi Bekele. And Ethiopia intends to start filling the dam this July. Wazema Radio analysts say the plan does not seem to be realistic in light of the existing situation. 

In the first phase of it, a total of 4.9 billion cubic meters of water will be filled, and it takes two years to do so.  In the third year, Ethiopia will fill another 13.5 billion cubic meters of water.

But the plan could change if there is a change in the amount of water reaching the dam. If the water reaching the dam is less than 31 billion cubic meters, then water filling will be suspended -apparently until condition improves. Drought is a possible factor in a situation like that. One good point in regards to drought, according to Wazema, the document described it as a drought within Ethiopia, not elsewhere.

The second phase of the filling will take between two to five years ( that is on top of the two years needed to fill the first phase). By the end of it,  the dam will have 49.3 billion cubic meters of water. Wazema noted that the dam will not have 74 billion cubic meters of water, which is the total water holding capacity of the dam, at the end of seven years. It might take at least ten years to fill the dam. 

The document that Ethiopia prepared was intended to address the concerns of lower riparian countries but they have rejected it.  Egypt seeks to have a role in the dam administration and a quantitative guarantee regarding the water to be released from the dam. 

Egypt has already lodged a complaint to the Security Council of the United Nations claiming that it will cause security issues in the region if Ethiopia started to fill the dam without signing the agreement. 

Meanwhile, there seems to be a divergence in Ethiopia’s negotiating team. Some argue that it is not necessary to return to Washington negotiation. For them, it will just lead to unnecessary controversy and pressure. 

And there is a part of the negotiation team that holds the view that the negotiation should not be abandoned entirely. This group seeks to back to the negotiation and work on making a strong case for Ethiopia in a way to defend the national interest and sovereignty of the country. Based on the Wazema report, this view appears to be dominant. 

Another important consideration is that there is a proposed change to the configuration of the negotiating team. Owing to the technical nature of the negotiation, there is a proposal to designate the Water, Irrigation and Energy Minister as the main negotiator. The team is to be reinforced with persons with diplomatic skills and technical knowledge of the issue. 

There are reports that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has appointed former PM Hailemariam Desalenge to play a role in the negotiation. Another addition to the team is Motuma Mekassa who briefly served as minister of defense, among other roles. 

Egypt and Ethiopia were unable to reach an agreement in the US brokered negotiation that last part of which was in February 2020. Since then, Ethiopia opted out of the negotiation pursuing national consultations.

Join the conversation. Like borkena on Facebook and get Ethiopian News updates regularly. As well, you may get Ethiopia News by following us on twitter @zborkena

The post Ethiopia’s new proposal on GERD filling, operation appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
By Bernabas Shiferaw
May 12, 2020

The huge compound, located around Gerji and commonly known as ‘Anbessa Garage’, that serves as the head office and maintenance center of the Anbessa City Bus Transport is being demolished. Mr. Teferra Kasa, the chairman of the workers’ union of the organization, told Deutsche Welle (DW) that workers were told that the order came directly from the Mayor, Mr. Takele Uma, himself. 

The compound rests on 98,000 square meters and hosts 350 buses. It is one of the largest, if not the largest, vehicle maintenance centers in the city. Other public transportation providers also send their vehicles here when they are in need of service.  

According to Mr. Teferra, such a decision should not have been made without a meeting of stakeholders, including the workers. However, in the present case, even the executives of the company did not have a say in the matter. They told the workers, in response to their inquiries, the order was given by the mayor himself, not in writing but verbally. 

The suggested replacement for the compound is a rented compound somewhere else. As can be easily understood, this would mean, among other things, a major increment in cost for the company. 

Mr. Teferra said that such a decision doesn’t make sense at all, especially since they have been told that 3,000 new vehicles have been ordered to increase the company’s capacity. The only motive he sees behind the decision is the city administration’s desire to destroy living footprints of the city’s history. And this is the second instance in which such a motive revealed itself in the last two years. The first was when the company’s logo was modified recently. Many felt, then, that the new logo didn’t exactly look like a lion. 

The Anbessa city bus is one of the oldest modern public institutions of the city. It was established 78 years ago, during Haile Selassie’s reign. It was the only public owned transportation service in the city for a long time, until new such services came into being in recent years. It was, and still is, a major part of the daily lives of the inhabitants of Addis, providing the cheapest means around the city. Currently, it employs more than 4,500 workers.

As is characteristic of public institutions established during Haile Selassie’s time, its logo was that of a lion. In fact its name, Anbessa, also means ‘Lion’. 

Through the years, especially after the fall of the Derg, the image of lions was removed from the logos of many of these organizations, including the Ethiopian Airlines, Ethio-telecom, and the Electric Power service. 

Mr. Teferra said that he believes the demolition, like the modification of the logo, is an attempt to destroy the city’s living history. 

Like Mr. Teferra, many people have been, of late, accusing Abiy’s government, and especially the city administration under Mr. Takele, of working intentionally to demolish historical buildings, monuments and other structures in the city. The last two months have witnessed controversies surrounding, among others, an attempted demolition of the country’s first cinema, the renewal of Mesqel square, statues of two peacocks built in front of the palace compound.

Join the conversation. Like borkena on Facebook and get Ethiopian News updates regularly. As well, you may get Ethiopia News by following us on twitter @zborkena

The post Anbessa Garage Demolished by Mayor’s Orders appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
Editorial
May 12, 2020 

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government has lost a considerable support base mainly because of political reasons. However, the response to the coronavirus pandemic is by and large a respectable one despite all sorts of resource constraints.

The response to the recommendation to the electoral board of Ethiopia, presuming that it is free and independent, regarding the postponement of the election was reasonably unavoidable either.

While Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) administration took all forms of Coronavirus preventions measures including banning all forms of movement between towns and countryside temporarily before any other regional administrations and even federal government, its attitude towards response measures at the Federal level of government which entailed a delay in the scheduled federal elections is unconstructive, to say the least. Note that the Federal government has already declared a five months-long state of emergency to implement preventive measures against the spread of the pandemic.

TPLF went further. It announced that it will organize an election in the Tigray region.  Legal experts in the country pointed out that TPLF does not have a constitutional ground to organize an election on its own flouting National Electoral Board of Ethiopia. T

The chairwomen of the Board appeared on the state-owned television station and explained unequivocally that it is not constitutional for TPLF to organize election at a regional level defying constitutionally instituted electoral body.

Meanwhile, Abiy Ahmed’s government traveled along existing paths to extend the election by way of seeking constitutional interpretation which the house of people’s representatives endorsed with a majority vote. In the opposition quarter, notable ones like the National Movement of Amhara, and Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice party expressed consensus that the election cannot take place as planned and that the formation of a transitional government in Ethiopia is not a good option given the multifarious challenges some which could even pose threat to the sovereignty of the country. On Monday, another group of opposition which included Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) insinuated when they decided to extend the government by one year because of existing challenges.

On the contrary, TPLF, technically still part of the Ethiopian government despite the fallout with prime minister Abiy Ahmed’s government, mobilizing resources and governance structures for the election that it is intending to organize.

The Federal government has made it clear, rightly, that it will enforce the rule of law. Consequently, TPLF elites are engaged in extensive propaganda that it is facing threat from the Federal government. Opposition parties operating in the Tigray region said this week that TPLF is exploiting the state of an emergency in the country as a propaganda tool.

Needless to say, TPLF is a political organization with extensive experience of organizing political plots although often it executes them poorly. During its time as a rebel guerrilla group, it has deliberately triggered an airstrike against civilians in a small village of Hawzen.

As a government, it has plotted numerous ethno-religious violence in what many seem to believe part of the divide and rule strategy. There is no guarantee that TPLF will not organize a tragic event to stir hate in the Tigray region against the rest of Ethiopians. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government needs to act decisively – there is no question about that. But it has to act with caution!

Join the conversation. Like borkena on Facebook and get Ethiopian News updates regularly. As well, you may get Ethiopia News by following us on twitter @zborkena

The post Ethiopia : Why gov’t needs to take precaution in dealing with TPLF’s de facto state appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

A rights group in Ethiopia are demanding their immediate release 

borkena
May 13, 2020

Addis Ababa Police Commission announced on Wednesday that it has started “taking measures” against individuals who are not wearing a facemask in public places, and those who are not maintaining social distance.

According to a news update from the commission, it has arrested about 1305 people from about 23 locations in the capital Addis Ababa for what it says is a failure to comply with Coronavirus prevention measures outlined in the state of emergency that Ethiopia declared in April 2020.

Ethiopia’s latest emergency legislation has given law enforcement bodies extra power to enforce prevention measures.

All the places that police patrolled are areas that are known for being crowded under normal circumstances.  Kirkos, Gulele, Addis Ketema, Yeka, Addisu Gebeya, Janmeda, Kazanchis, Piazza, and Giorghis are some of the areas from where police arrested individuals.

And many of these localities are open-air marketplaces – hard to avoid places for millions of people in the city for reasons of economic activity.  315 of those arrested are female while the remaining 990 are males.

What seems to be paradoxical is that Ethiopia has released tens of thousands of prisoners across the country as part of the measure to prevent the spread of the COVID 19 pandemic. Rights group question if the approach is productive while condemning arbitrary arrests.

Ethiopian Human Rights Commission said on Tuesday that police should immediately stop arbitrary arrests and release those detained.

“…Indeed, the Emergency Regulations impose an obligation to wear face covering in public service areas such as markets, shops, transport services or other public spaces with large number of people where social distancing is not possible. Otherwise, arbitrary arrest of people on the streets is outside the regulation, disproportionate and counter-productive measure which should stop immediately and all those detained should be released immediately,” said in a statement published on social media.  

A parliamentary body has been arranged to oversee the implementation of the five-month-long state of emergency which is portrayed as one of the key components of Ethiopia’s prevention policy. However, it is unclear if that parliamentary body is acting on the issue.

So far, Ethiopia has reported 263 confirmed cases of Coronavirus and 5 deaths.

Join the conversation. Like borkena on Facebook and get Ethiopian News updates regularly. As well, you may get Ethiopia News by following us on twitter @zborkena

The post Ethiopia arrested thousands of citizens with no face mask in public places appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
May 13, 2020

Ethiopia is poised to open five more land border checkpoints along the borders to its neighbors.  And it will happen within a month, according to a report by state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporation (FBC)

Ethiopian immigration and nationality affairs office is cited as saying that the plan is intended to foster the fight against the spread of Coronavirus pandemic. The borders are also intended to control illegal entry into the country.

The checkpoints will be opened along the Ethio-Sudan border, Ethio-Somali Border, Ethio-Djibouti-Border.  

Coupled with the existing ones, Ethiopia’s border checkpoints will be seventeen. 

Join the conversation. Like borkena on Facebook and get Ethiopian News updates regularly. As well, you may get Ethiopia News by following us on twitter @zborkena

The post Ethiopia poised to open five more border checkpoints appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

After closing for well over one month due to Coronavirus, Ethiopian Church opening door to worshipers

borkena
By Bernabas Shiferaw
May 14,2020

The Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has decided to reopen churches which had been closed in early April due to the fear of COVID-19. The press release issued by the Holy Synod after the conclusion of its council stresses that this will be done “in a careful manner”. The reason behind the Synod’s decision is that “the disruption of Church services has affected the spiritual lives of the congregation and because they cannot live separated from the Church.” 

The decision to close churches had been controversial at that time. Many had asked if Church services could not be carried out with the care necessary to avoid the spread of the virus and how the Church can disrupt services that are considered essential like Christening of children and funeral prayers. 

During the council, a report was presented by the team that had been established by the Church to carry out activities necessary to avoid the spread of the virus inside Church compounds. According to the report, the police had intervened, unasked, in the matter and begun guarding doors of churches and acted in ways that are considered offences as per the tradition of the Church. Moreover, they had also taken forceful measures against members of the clergy and the congregation. The report details instances of forceful action and misconduct by police officers. For these reasons, the team had asked that all preventive measures in and around churches should be carried out by Sunday school members and youths who are members of the congregation.

The council of the Holy Synod is held twice a year, in May and in November. Most of the members of the Holy Synod come to Addis Ababa from all over the country and from other parts of the world. The decision to close churches was made by the Standing Synod, a committee of five Synod members which acts and makes decisions on behalf of the Holy Synod until the Council of Holy Synod is held. 

Reportedly, members of the Holy Synod, after hearing the report, criticized the Standing Synod for its decision to close down churches and for allowing intervention by the police. Members of the Standing Synod, in response, have responded saying “the measure was taken in our name but we do not know anything about it.” 

Accordingly, the Holy Synod decided for the churches to reopen. Preventive measures are to be taken during services but they are to be implemented by the church administration with the cooperation of Sunday school members and youth members of the congregation.

The Holy Synod, in its press release, has also called for Charity among citizens at this difficult time and urged the people to continue supporting the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Join the conversation. Like borkena on Facebook and get Ethiopian News updates regularly. As well, you may get Ethiopia News by following us on twitter @zborkena

The post Ethiopian Church Holy Synod Decides to Reopen Churches Carefully appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
May 14, 2020

The Council of Constitutional Inquiry announced on Thursday that is working on Constitutional Interpretation request from the House of People’s Representatives of the Federal government of Ethiopia.

The parliament made the request in early May after the majority of parliamentarians voted for Constitutional Interpretation as a better legal option to deal with the issue of extending the national election which was scheduled to take place in August 2010.

In a media brief, Meaza Ashenafi, President of the Federal Courts, said that the task is given a priority and that the Council is working on it diligently, as reported by state media – Ethiopian News Agency.  

Constitutional lawyers and other legal experts are taking part in the work, she added.

“Members of the council have been working responsibly and independently,” ENA quoted her as saying. And she seems to be confident, based on the ENA report, that the outcome of the interpretation will demonstrate “the neutrality and fairness of the process.”

The council has disclosed, via Meaza Ashenafi, an intent to hold a public hearing on Saturday and Monday.

Three articles of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia will be interpreted in the process to see if the Ethiopian government can extend the election, and if so, under what circumstances.  Article 54 (1)  “Members of the House of People’s Representatives shall be elected by the People for a term of five years on the basis of universal suffrage and by direct, free, and fair elections held by secret ballot,” Article 58, (2) “The House of People’s Representatives shall be elected for a term of five years. Elections for a new House shall be concluded one month prior to the expiry of the House’s term,” and  Article 93 of the constitutions which explains declaration and execution of states of emergency are among the articles up for interpretation by the council.

After the Ethiopian parliament endorsed the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) decision that it is unable to go ahead with the national election in August due to Coronavirus, the House debated four legal options to extend the general election and voted in favor of constitutional interpretation.

State of Emergency, Constitutional amendment, and dissolving parliament were other options considered by the Ethiopian parliament.

Join the conversation. Like borkena on Facebook and get Ethiopian News updates regularly. As well, you may get Ethiopia News by following us on twitter @zborkena

The post Ethiopia’s Council of Constitutional Inquiry working on Interpretation appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Ethiopia’s election board says they failed to submit document as part of the requirement in the new regulation. Parties yet to respond.

borkena
May 15, 2020 

The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) announced on Friday that it has rescinded recognition of 27 opposition political parties.

The decision is made over what the board calls a “new requirement” that parties have to fulfill to be recognized as a legitimate political party.

“The election board notified 106 parties that were certified with the old regulation to fulfill criteria that are stipulated under the new regulation until March 12, 2020. Of the 106 parties who received a notification letter from the election board, only 76 have submitted documents,” said the statement that the election board released on social media.

The election board is one of the institutions that went through a reform process after Abiy Ahmed became prime minister in April 2018.

The Board claims that it examines documents submitted by 76 parties to establish if the parties fulfilled the new criteria, including the number of founding members – names and signatures if changes of regulations and general assembly documents are attached – among other things.

On the other hand, the Board says that 27 parties have not submitted the required document, and they are no longer recognized as political parties in the country.

According to NEBE, Thirteen of the parties requested an extension of the Electoral Board’s deadline, and 14 parties have not entirely submitted the required documents.

The parties led by a notable figure in the current Ethiopian political landscape, like Yilkal Getnet, have lost their certification as a result of the NEBE decision.

Meanwhile, the election board is anticipated to make a decision against Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) over the latter’s decision to go ahead with organizing elections in Tigray region without the recognition of the election board. But that is something that would involve the Federal government as well.  

Join the conversation. Like borkena on Facebook and get Ethiopian News updates regularly. As well, you may get Ethiopia News by following us on twitter @zborkena

The post Election Board rescind recognition of 27 political parties appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.