H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia and H.E. Lejeune Mbella Mbella, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cameroon, met today (February 02) on the margins of the 40th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU to discuss bilateral issues.

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H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia and H.E. Lejeune Mbella Mbella, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cameroon, met today (February 02) on the margins of the 40th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU to discuss bilateral issues.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister thanked the government of Cameroon for standing by Ethiopia during the recent UN human rights special session on Ethiopia in Geneva.

Mr. Lejueune Mbella Mbella, on his part expressed his country’s interest to strengthen bilateral relationships with Ethiopia with extended engagements in agriculture and joint political consultations.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen had a meeting today with H.E. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Namibia.

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Deput Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen had a meeting today with H.E. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Namibia. In the meeting that took place on the margins of the ongoing AU ministerial session, the two sides deliberated bilateral relationships and issues of common concerns.

China’s FM visit Ethiopia

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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen says China’s FM visit during Ethiopia’s challenging time reflects the true depth of relationships between #Ethiopia and #China

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, and State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, H.E. Wang Yi had held a meeting and a joint press conference today (December 01) following the latter’s arrival in Addis for a short visit to Ethiopia.

During their discussion, Mr. Demeke reiterated his delight to welcome the State Councilor and Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi to Ethiopia and thanked him for making time to visit Addis Ababa disregarding the unfounded rhetoric on the deteriorating security situations in the country and the siege of the capital city by terrorist forces.

He said the Minister’s visit during Ethiopia’s challenging time shows solidarity and reflects the true depth and strength of the political trust and strategic partnership between the two countries.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister applauded the long-standing relations and cordial friendship that Ethiopia and China have continued to enjoy by respecting equality, mutual interest, and trust between the two countries.

The government and people of Ethiopia deeply appreciate the balanced, principled, and committed relationship that Ethiopia and China have been able to forge so far, he added.

The discussion between the two sides touched upon the successful outcome of the FOCAC Ministerial Conference held in Dakar where the Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to the success of FOCAC and bilateral activities.

Mr. Demeke also raised the need for more cooperation in financing post-COVID-19 recovery programs extending his appreciation of China’s considerations of debt reliefs in favor of Ethiopia.

In updating the Chinese Foreign Minister on the current situation in Ethiopia, Mr. Demeke spoke in detail on the destruction of lives and property due to the belligerent attitude of the TPLF.

He said the TPLF demonstrated its indifference to peace efforts while refusing to reciprocate the Ethiopian government’s declaration of the Unilateral Humanitarian Ceasefire last June.

Despite all the anti-government moves and thanks to the support of friends, today, the situation in Ethiopia on the ground is promising, he said.

The enemy is on its back foot following the decision of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to join the battlefronts, he added.

We have continued supporting the peace initiatives of H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, which is being held under the auspices of the African Union, he said adding that the government of Ethiopia stands ready to extend its peace overtures in giving a peaceful resolution to the ongoing problem.

Mr. Wang Yi, on his part, said China, as a friendly country, is closely following the situation in Ethiopia and opposes attempts by external forces to impose their political interest in the domestic affairs of Ethiopia.

It takes two hands to clap, he said, indicating that the TPLF should have accepted the peace overtures extended by the Ethiopian government.

He expressed his country’s commitment to further engage in investment, trade, capacity building, and development cooperation with Ethiopia, in addition to boosting support to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said China has confidence in the capability of the Ethiopian government to take things under control and protect all Ethiopians and Chinese citizens residing in the country.

China’s confidence in the government of Ethiopia to stabilize situations in the country is demonstrated through my visit to Ethiopia today and China’s restraint from blindly accepting the alarmist calls of the evacuation of citizens from Addis Ababa, he added.

He finally said that the relationship between China and Ethiopia is and will remain to be solid and unbreakable.

Tripartite Meeting on the #GERD

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Addis Ababa (03 January 2021)

The virtual meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Ministers of Water Affairs of Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan is held on 03 January 2021. The meeting is convened by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa and Chairperson of the AU Executive Council.

The Ministers exchanged views on the continuation of the trilateral negotiation focusing on a draft document presented by the experts assigned by the Chairperson of the African Union. Ethiopia pronounced its positive outlook towards the draft document and expressed its willingness to use it as a single-word document for the trilateral negotiation. Similarly, Sudan conveyed the importance of the document for the progress of the negotiation and its willingness to proceed with the negotiation with a defined role of the AU experts. Egypt categorically rejected the document.

Most of the issues on the first filling and annual operation of the GERD are agreed on. The main difference lies in the co-relations between the GERD Guidelines and Rules and the future water development projects on the Abbay Basin.

The GERD is a non-consumptive hydroelectric generating dam. Any agreement over the dam, which is being negotiated in the absence of a comprehensive water treaty and the prevalence of an unjust status-quo, shall be considerate of these fundamental factors. Ethiopia will not agree to a GERD deal that will in any way restrict its right to use the Nile waters.

On this basis, Ethiopia is committed to concluding the negotiation with good faith to reach an agreement. Accordingly, Ethiopia forwarded alternative approaches to Egypt and Sudan, which is hoped to garner their affirmative response.

In the coming week, the trilateral meetings will continue at the expert’s level with oversight of ministers of water affairs, to take stock of agreed and outstanding issues to be presented to the six ministers meeting that is expected to be held on Sunday the 10th of January 2021.

(An update on) TRIPARTITE MEETING OF MINISTERS OF WATER AFFAIRS ON THE GRAND ETHIOPIAN RENAISSANCE DAM

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Addis Ababa (04 January 2021)

Ministry of Water, Irrigation, and Energy – Ethiopia

The virtual meeting of Ministers Water Affairs of Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan scheduled for today could not be held due to the non-attendance of the delegation of Sudan. The Delegation of Egypt, AU assigned experts, and observers attended the meeting following the invitation extended by Ethiopia – the chair of the meeting.

It is to be recalled that Ethiopia while communicating its reservations to the chairperson of the AU Executive Council, had agreed to adopt the document drafted by the AU assigned experts as an input to the trilateral negotiation.

Nevertheless, the meeting planned to take stock of agreed and outstanding issues could not be held due to the absence of the Sudanese delegation. Ethiopia notified this development to the chairperson of the AU Executive Council.

የሕዳሴው ግድብ የውሃ ጉዳይ ሚኒስትሮች የሶስትዮሽ ስብሰባ

የፕሬስ መግለጫ

አዲስ አበባ (ታሕሳስ 26 ቀን 2013 )

የኢትዮጵያ፣ ግብጽ እና ሱዳን የውሃ ጉዳይ ሚኒስትሮች በዛሬው ዕለት ሊያካሂዱት ታስቦ የነበረው የበይነ-መረብ ስብሰባ ሱዳን ባለመገኘቷ ምክንያት ሳይካሄድ ቀርቷል። የዕለቱ ሰብሳቢ የሆነችው ኢትዮጵያ ባስተላለፈችው ጥሪ መሰረት የግብጽ ልዑክ እንዲሁም የአፍሪካ ህብረት ባለሙያዎች እና ታዛቢዎች ተገኝተዋል፡፡

ኢትዮጵያ የአፍሪካ ህብረት የሰየማቸው ባለሙያዎች ባዘጋጁት ሰነድ ላይ ያሏትን የልዩነት ሃሳቦች ለአፍሪካ ህብረት የአስፈጻሚ ምክርቤት ሊቀመንበር በማሳወቅ ሰነዱን ለሶስትዮሽ ድርድር እንደግብዓት ለመጠቀም መስማማቷ ይታወሳል፡፡ ሆኖም የልዩነት እና አንድነት ሃሳቦችን ለማጠናቀር የታሰበው የዛሬው ስብሰባ በሱዳን አለመገኘት ምክንያት ሳይካሄድ ቀርቷል፡፡ ይኸው ለአፍሪካ ህብረት አስፈጻሚ ምክርቤት ሊቀመንበር በኢትዮጵያ በኩል ተገልጿል፡፡

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen takes part in commemoration of #UN Day

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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E.Demeke Mekonnen, had participated on Tuesday (October 26) in a ceremony held in Addis Ababa to mark United Nations Day.

In addressing the Gathering, Mr. Demeke underscored Ethiopia’s commitment to value the UN Charter and pledged to continue supporting the multifaceted activities that the UN is undertaking in Ethiopia.

Mr. Demeke also highlighted efforts of the Ethiopian government to create understanding between Ethiopia and the UN regarding current situations in the country.

As one of the founding members of the UN, Ethiopia would continue to play its part in achieving its goals, he added.

High-level UN officials and representatives from the African Union also addressed the gathering.

United Nations Day is an annual commemorative day, reflecting the official creation of the United Nations on 24 October 1945.

The spokesperson of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, H.E. Ambassador Dina Mufti, gave the Ministry’s biweekly press briefing today (26 August 2021) to the media

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The spokesperson of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, H.E. Ambassador Dina Mufti, gave the Ministry’s biweekly press briefing today (26 August 2021) to the media. In his presentation, the Ambassador focused on political diplomacy, Economic diplomacy, and citizen-centered diplomacy. Please find here a Summary of the Press Briefing.

I. #PoliticalDiplomacy

H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs had a meeting on Wednesday (August 25) with leaders of humanitarian agencies and stakeholders operating in Ethiopia.

  • The Deputy Prime Minister gave a briefing on how the government of Ethiopia has been seriously taking humanitarian support to the Tigray region and facilitating all the necessary support to humanitarian actors despite the unwarranted invasions of the Amhara and Afar regions by the TPLF. He said,
  • the TPLF has involved in mass killings and looting of government and private properties in the stated regions derailing all the government efforts to create peace through the unilateral humanitarian ceasefire.
  • The destructive actions of the irresponsible TPLF have affected the normal lives of 3.5 million people in the Afar and Amhara regions, displacing about 500,000 people
  • TPLF’s deliberate looting and shooting of farming animals in the two regions have left many farmers vulnerable and made them dependent on Government’s humanitarian handouts
  • the international community should take the newly affected people in the two regions into consideration for humanitarian support
  • the international community should officially condemn the unhelpful and destructive acts of the invading force.
  • Participants in the meeting appreciated the briefing and further deliberated the importance of cooperation by various stakeholders in addressing the humanitarian needs of the affected people in Afar, Amhara and Tigray regions.
  • The meeting was also attended by high level government officials from the Ministry of Peace to further addressed the concerns of humanitarian stakeholders.

State Minister H.E. Ambassador Redwan Hussein had a conversation with Ambassadors of the Upstream Riparian States of the Nile Basin in Ethiopia. On the occasion, the State Minister

  • reiterated Ethiopia’s longstanding and unwavering commitment to having a fair and equitable utilization of the waters of the Nile River with close consultations with riparian countries.
  • appreciated the riparian countries that have signed and ratified the Comprehensive Framework Agreement (CFA) and called on others to follow suit.
  • recalled Tunisia’s proposal which was submitted to the Security Council in support of Egypt and that was rightly rejected by the Council.
  • noted that Tunisia’s ongoing preparation to submit its inappropriate request again to the Security Council would put all riparian countries in a difficult position that necessitates cooperation to reverse it.
  • Concluded that such an unhelpful move by an African state would only undermine the tripartite negotiation over the GERD and the upper riparian states should never accept it, the Ambassador concluded.

The ambassadors, on their part,

  • said that cooperation is needed to jointly invest in cross-border resources and solve African problems through African initiatives.

The new Ambassador of New Zealand, Mr. Michael Upton, has submitted a copy of his letter of credentials to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia. Upon receiving the ambassador’s credentials, Mr. Faisal Alie, Director General of the Protocol Affairs of the Ministry said the two countries should strive to further strengthen their close ties. He also briefed Ambassador Michael Upton on the current situation in Ethiopia.

II. #Citizencentered diplomacy

  • The Ethiopian and Eritrean communities in Paris, France and Norway organized a rally in support of Ethiopian Defense Forces and condemned the actions of the TPLF, which is instigating mass killings of civilians, displacement of populations. They called on the international community to condemn the TPLF for rejecting the unilateral ceasefire of the Ethiopian Government and called on western countries to refrain from putting unnecessary pressures on Ethiopia.
  • a total of 1041 people from Saudi Arabia and 41 from Puntland were repatriated.
  • Preparation is underway to repatriate 1200 citizens from Yemen as of today

III. #EconomicDiplomacy

H.E. Ambassador Tizita Mulugeta met and discussed with Mr. Mayur Doshi, Managing Director of Paradise group. During the discussion, the two sides raised the different investment opportunities found in Ethiopia. Amb. Tizita mentioned the different investment potentials and incentives in Ethiopia and underscored the readiness of the Embassy to support and materialize their investment proposal. On the other hand, Mr. Mayur expressed his company’s long years of experience in the ceramic industry and its decision to invest in the ceramic sector in Ethiopia.

IV. #CapacityBuilding

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia launched an online service for the diplomatic community and international organizations to quests for diplomatic privileges, immunity service, VIP saloon, and visa service. Addis Ababa-based embassies, international and regional organizations, and their employees will get quality and efficient services with the online service. State Minister, H.E. Ambassador Birtukan Ayano said the Ministry launched the online service continuing its endeavors to provide quality services to customers.

Office of the Prime Minister Press Briefing Transcript of August 26, 2021

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Office of the Prime Minister Press Briefing Transcript of August 26, 2021

Please click here to get the video link of the press briefing: https://t.co/dF0BwGT3pI

Key Highlights of the week include:

1. Official State #Visit by President Salva Kiir of South Sudan

  • Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met with President Salva Kiir and his delegation who just concluded an official visit to Ethiopia this afternoon.
  • The focus of the visit was to discuss key bilateral and regional issues of mutual concern
  • Of particular interest is a focus on strengthening economic ties and join infrastructure development to facilities these ties
  • Prime Minister Abiy briefed President Salva Kiir and the delegation on current issues in the country; including the positive economic performance of key sectors despite the many challenges including COVID19; he also shared examples of the enhanced democratic practices being experienced in the country for the first time and affirmed his government’s priority to domestic and regional peace as a first priority.
  • President Salva Kiir on his part, congratulated the Prime Minister and the Government for the peaceful conclusion of the 6th National Election; he also commended the successful second filling of the GERD and reaffirmed that South Sudan’s continues to attach great importance to the relations with Ethiopia. He condemned the attack of the Northern Command by TPLF which initiated an armed conflict and appreciated the Government’s effort to safeguard the Constitutional order, highlighting non-interference by external parties in Ethiopia’s current domestic challenge.

2. #Humanitarian Response Update in the Northern Part of the Country

  • This update includes humanitarian assistance provision to the Amhara and Afar regions in addition to the usual update for Tigray.

#Amhara and #Afar

  • Due to the terrorist group TPLF’s incursions into two other regions, the number of displaced in the Amhara and Afar regions have surpassed 500,000 requiring urgent humanitarian assistance to these communities
  • It is estimated that 4.5million people have also been affected as a result of these incursions and related destruction
  • Resultantly, in addition to the activation of the National Emergency Coordination Centre, Regional ECCs have been activated in Afar & Amhara regions and Emergency Incident Posts installed
  • The Fed Government is closely working with Afar leadership, elders and the community at large to facilitate smooth humanitarian access
  • Government has thus far distributed 4,820 quintal food for IDPs in Afar
  • WFP allocated three rounds of food distribution to IDPs in Afar and the First round is underway.
  • 4,621 qtl of food distributed to 30,939 beneficiaries in the Amhara region
  • 2,800 qtl moving to Waghemra zone of Amhara
  • 2,000 qtl food delivered to IDPs in Debark
  • Partners have also mobilized resources to 60,000 IDPs in Desse. 5,080 qtl distributed to 30 thousand beneficiaries
  • However, the support for the Amhara and Afar regions is still sparse and requires partners to scale up assistance as many lives are equally impacted
  • Assessment of damages due to the aggression by TPLF is being conducted in Afar and Amhara regions

#Tigray

  • On assistance to the Tigray region, as of yesterday August 25, 2021, 457 trucks have been deployed to the Tigray Region with 318 trucks that have already arrived
  • Check points have been reduced from seven to three to enable efficient transit of humanitarian assistance
  • Initially the government arranged four inlets to Tigray to facilitate humanitarian access. Now three are inaccessible due to attacks by TPLF forces. A corridor, still with intermittent access due to attacks, is open through Afar.
  • Food and non-food items plus agricultural inputs and fuel include aid deployment items by around 20 partners providing humanitarian assistance to the Tigray region.
  • More than 59million birr (more than 1million USD) has been transferred by partners between July 14 to August 14 to the region
  • Provision of agricultural supplies (seeds and fertilizer) has continued after the humanitarian ceasefire through partners
  • Unfortunately, service to Eritrean refugees in Tigray region disrupted putting the lives of tens of thousands at stake
  • Orchestrated and heinous attacks on Eritrean refugees in Tigray by TPLF forces; TPLF targeted Shimelba, Hitsats, Mai-aini and Adi-harush camps. Looted, many abducted and killed
  • To address these challenges, 91 hectares of land have been provided by the Amhara Region for setting up a safe haven for refugees and select partners have agreed to work on food distribution, construct of shelters; the site planning is currently underway.
  • The challenge however, remains that there is hindrance of safe passage by TPLF to refugees to move out of the conflict zone

3. #Challenges faced by the Government in facilitating humanitarian assistance

  • Access blockage by TPLF’s continued attacks at humanitarian aid access corridors
  • Food aid and medicines diversion by terrorist TPLF groups intended for civilians – we have seen images that have surfaced showing international humanitarian aid agency food items in the hands of terrorists which indicates that humanitarian assistance is clearly being siphoned away from civilians that need it by TPLF
  • The agreed upon timeframe for loaded trucks to unload and return is 3-5 days. But reports indicate that 72 vehicles haven’t returned since 21 July. There needs to be an accountability for this…

– Some other challenges:

  • Failure to follow the already in place communication guideline.
  • Travelling with unlicensed communication equipment
  • Failure to carry communication licenses
  • Failure to submit timely humanitarian activities reports.
  • Record keeping and reporting system for utilized food and non-food items in place. No report received in the past three months from partners
  • Nevertheless, this will be addressed through continued discussion with partners to better coordinate humanitarian aid acquisition and distribution.

4. #Crimes by TPLF in Afar and Amhara Regions

  • The past week the Terrorist TPLF has continued its killing of civilians, looting and destruction of properties in the Afar and Amhara regions
  • In North and South Gondar zones of the Amhara region, TPLF looted medical equipment and destroyed medical facilities including the Nefas Mewucha City Hospital
  • In North Wollo, they left killing a number of livestock which is a critical foundation of livelihood for citizens there
  • In Afar, in Kilbet Rasu Zone, Berhale woreda, Aseda and Asgidu kebeles, they attacked schools, government district offices, health centres, water reservoirs and civilian homes.

DPM and FM Demeke Receives Hon. Kelly

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H.E. Demeke Mekonnen Hassen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia earlier today received Honourable Trent Kelly, a Member of the Houses of Representatives of the United States.

Their discussion focused on deepening the bilateral relations and current development in the Horn of Africa.

Representative Trent Kelly commended the Government of Ethiopia for the improvement it has made since the signing of the Pretoria Peace Agreement. The decision of the U.S. Government to lift the human rights violation designation helps to further strengthen bilateral and international cooperation, he noted.
Honourable Kelly said Ethiopia is important partner to the U.S. and called for continued dialogue to address other outstanding issues as well.

H.E.Demeke, on his part , briefed Honourable Kelly about the ongoing socio-economic developments in Ethiopia and stated the need to support its post conflict peace-building efforts.

He also welcomed the decision of the U.S. and said Ethiopia expects continued support from the international community, at large and the U.S., in particular, in its reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.

Both sides concurred on the need for concerted efforts to address peace and security challenges in the Horn of Africa.

State Minister Amb. Mesganu Held Political Consultation with Kazakhstan Counterpart

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State Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Amb. Mesganu Arga held political consultation with his Kazakhstan counterpart, H.E. Kanat Tumysh, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan on bilateral, regional, and multilateral venues of mutual interest and cooperation.

In his remarks, Amb. Mesganu lauded the Consultation as an ideal platform for further cementing bilateral and multilateral ties and boosting Ethio-Kazakhstan economic cooperation. Further consolidation of longstanding political, security and socio-cultural cooperation is also part of the political consultation.

Deputy Minister Tumysh also expressed his gratitude to the Government of Ethiopia for its continued support and vowed to further bolster the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.