Archive for category: News

H.E. Ambassador Oumer Hussien Presented a Copy of his Credential Letter to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. While presenting the copy, Ambassador Oumer stated that he would work hard to expand the scope and depth of cooperation between UAE & Ethiopia.

Government of Ethiopia response to the US determination of grave crimes.

The US State Department has issued a statement determining that certain grave crimes were committed during the conflict in northern Ethiopia. Considering the Report of the Joint Investigation by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN-OHCHR), this statement does not contain new findings.

The Government of Ethiopia does not accept the blanket condemnations contained in the statement and does not see any value in such a unilateral and adversarial approach.

The statement is selective as it unfairly apportions blame among different parties in the conflict. For no apparent reason, the statement appears to exonerate one party from certain allegations of human rights violations such as rape and other forms of sexual violence despite the clear and overwhelming evidence about its culpability.

The statement is untimely. It is coming shortly after the launching of national consultations on options for a transitional justice policy. One of the pillars of transitional justice policy is accountability. This foresees that there will be further investigations into allegations of the kinds of crimes the statement alleges. These investigations will consolidate those undertaken by the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce implementing the recommendations of the EHRC-OHCHR Joint Investigation. It thus prejudices these national efforts to thoroughly investigate allegations, whoever is the culprit.  

The US statement is inflammatory. Whatever the intentions of the US State Department, this statement will be used to advance highly polarized campaigns pitting one community against others in the country. This partisan and divisive approach from the US is ill-advised. As Ethiopia is implementing the Peace Agreement, such apportioning of blame is unwarranted and undercuts the support of the US for an inclusive peace process in Ethiopia.

The visit of the US Secretary of State gave hope that the two countries are poised to mend their bilateral relations. The Government of Ethiopia hopes that despite the US’s statement, the frank discussions held and understanding reached during the Secretary of State’s visit to Ethiopia will help restore the strategic relations between Ethiopia and the United States.

The Government of Ethiopia will continue implementing all measures of accountability, including finalizing the nationwide consultation on transitional justice and ensuring that justice is done for all victims. Friends of Ethiopia are welcome to constructively support this process.

H.E. Deputy prime minister & Foreign minister Demeke Mekonnen conferred with Yemeni Foreign Minister H.E. Dr. Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak at office today (20 March 2023).

During the deliberations H.E. Demeke briefed H.E. Dr. Mubarak on current affairs. While underscoring the need to further bolster the multifaceted ties, Mr. Demeke urged Dr. Mubarak, to work closely towards the reactivation of relations.

Dr. Mubarak, on his part, assured Mr. Demeke of his government’s continued support in the resumption of formal engagements. Yemen and Ethiopia need political consultations, Dr. Mubarak told Mr. Demeke. He also said, the Government of Yemen will assist the Government of Ethiopia to expedite the voluntary repatriation of Ethiopians in Yemen.

H.E. Ambassador Mesganu Arga, State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, met on Thursday with H.E. Mr. Jiri Kozak, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, and discussed various bilateral and common-interest issues and ways to cooperate.

The State Minister expressed the commitment of the Federal Government of Ethiopia to implement the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement further calling on the Czech Government to play an important role in revitalizing the relationship between Ethiopia and the EU.

The First Deputy Minister expressed the need for the continuation of the Political Consultation between Ethiopia and the Czech Republic in order to deepen and strengthen the relationship at a higher level.