Category: Government Policy

Addis Ababa: The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland is extremely important as it contributes to the stability of the Horn of Africa, the President of Ethiopian Institute of Public Diplomacy in Sweden Yassin Ahmed said.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, the president noted that the MoU is very important because it meets Ethiopia’s ambition to find sea port and enables Somaliland to get shares in the Ethiopia Airlines.

Recall that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Musa Bihi signed the historic memorandum for partnership that benefits both sides on January 1, 2024.

The MoU is a culmination of the bilateral relations that have developed since 1991, especially since Ethiopia and the UAE signed an agreement to use the port of Berbera, Yassin said.

‘I think Ethiopia is not the first and the only country that has agreements with Somaliland. Somaliland has agreements with the Emirates, Britain, many European countries, and many Arab and African countries. If it has rel
ations with regional countries, then it is a matter of principle that Ethiopia and Somaliland, as neighbors, should have agreements.’

According to him, the agreement is not only a bilateral agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland, but a memorandum of understanding with regional and international understandings behind it.

‘In my view, there must be regional and international understandings to promote common interests and protect security and stability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.’

On the other hand, Yassin stated that Ethiopia, as a pivotal country in the Horn of Africa, has regional and international interests, in addition to the security of the Red Sea.

The president noted that there is an alliance to protect the Red Sea; and therefore eastern and western powers that have economic interests seek to protect the Red Sea because it represents 40 percent the global trade corridor.

Ensuring stability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea is therefore crucial, and peace in the region will o
nly be realized by meeting the ambitions and needs of actors, Ethiopia included, he elaborated.

Creating a maritime outlet for landlocked Ethiopia with some countries overlooking the sea is thus imperative, he added.

This guarantees regional interests of the Arabs and the Middle East as well as those of international and regional powers, he elaborated.

Economically speaking, Ethiopia would be able to reduce cost of trade and port service fee. With the entry of Ethiopia into the BRICS, where the economy is linked regionally and internationally investment will also increase, he stated.

From a political standpoint, the memorandum could be an indicator for the formation of a confederation of the Horn of Africa like the European Union and the Nordic countries such as Sweden and Norway; as it will enable the countries of the Horn of Africa to deal as a unified bloc, the president said.

As for security, Ethiopia’s obtaining a sea port and establishing a military base in the Red Sea is a protection for regional
security and common interests.

Yassin pointed out the presence of countries from afar converging in the region to protect their interests. ‘You see all the military bases in Djibouti. So, what is wrong if Ethiopia builds military base in Somaliland to protect its economic interest?’

The president underscored that ‘Ethiopia, as the largest country in the Horn of Africa and the headquarters of the African Union, must have a base to protect its economic interests and the interests of the countries of the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia will have a role in maintaining regional security and international peace.’

He stressed the importance of creating economic integration between countries in order to maintain regional peace and reduce conflicts.

‘Without common regional economic interests, there won’t be lasting peace,’ he stressed, citing as an example the European Union founding countries.

Such blocs are basis for common economic interests and makes peace, the president said. He underlined that it is impossible an
d extremely difficult for economic interests to achieve through hostilities.

Diplomatic avenue is the only avenue for shared interests, he said.

Yassin mentioned landlocked countries such as Rwanda and Uganda which agreed with Kenya to achieve their shared interests through understandings with coastal countries.

Therfore, he urged Africans to support Ethiopia that enters into partnership, which is a milestone for shared interests.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: The bloc has also countries with large population and geography, and the addition of the five new member countries will even make it stronger, he added.

BRICS comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. With the accession of Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates this month, the membership has doubled.

The bloc is bringing the global market system from the previous uni-polar to at least two options. It has huge ever-increasing share from economic perspective at the global level. In multilateral stage, these countries have provided various products to the global market.

Based on the countries modality and agreement as well as their large population, the bloc is expected to entertain huge trade transaction, the minister elaborated.

The bloc will increase the empowerment of Ethiopia with massive significance in terms of making the economy grow, increasing competency and ensuring the balance of competition globally as well as increasing the source of finance fr
om single source to two, he stated.

Gebremeskel said Ethiopia will definitely benefit from such a huge market with its industry products and agricultural products.

The recent seaport agreement with Somaliland and its membership in BRICS will enable Ethiopia to benefit a lot by exporting and importing goods at fair price to the member countries.

Regarding the preparation of the country to properly benefit from other trade blocs, the minister pointed out that as a member of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Ethiopia has submitted tariff offers for goods and is in the process of joining World Trade Organization.

For the minister, the recent agreement with Somaliland to secure seaport will have great significance in shipping the nation’s products to member countries of the BRICS and to import good at fair prices from those countries.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Partnership and Cooperation signed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Muse Bihi Abdi in Addis Ababa on January 1
, 2024 includes wide scopes of cooperation in social, economic, political and military fields.

It gives Ethiopia the opportunity to obtain a permanent and reliable naval base and commercial maritime service in the Gulf of Aden through a lease arrangement, while Somaliland gets share from Ethiopian Airlines.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS) has announced today that foreign nationals who are residing in Ethiopia without legal permit are strongly urged to acquire legal document within one month.

ICS Director General Selamawit Dawit told the media today that over 18,000 foreign nationals are living in Ethiopia with fake documents.

In addition, there are a large number of foreign nationals residing in the country without fulfilling the immigration rules and regulations of the country, she added.

According to ICS Director General, migrants are living in Ethiopia using fake ID, residence visa, and company names.

She added that the Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS) is working in collaboration with federal police to bring these foreigners to the legal system.

Therefore, she strongly urged foreign nationals who are living in the country without legal permit to bring their document to the immigration and citizenship service from first week of January 2024.

Legal measures will be taken against th
ose who fail to register within the dates of this announcement, it warned.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The second generation Ethiopian diaspora residing in Italy and Germany have been showing great enthusiasm to the invitation made by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for them to visit their homeland.

The premier urged the second-generation diaspora to come to their origin in three rounds from 30th December 2023 to the end of September 2024.

The first-round homecoming under the motto “Connect to Your Culture” began from 30 December 2023 and ends on 29 January 2024.

The second round dubbed “Connect to Your Historical Roots” will take place during the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, and the third round from the upcoming Ethiopian rainy season to 30 September 2024 under the motto “Leave Your Legacy.”

Following the invitation, Ethiopian embassies in various countries have commenced preparations to facilitate the visit.

Ethiopian embassies in Italy and Germany told the Ethiopian News Agency that the diaspora residing in the two countries have shown high enthusiasm to visit the homeland.

The embassies have also
formed committees that coordinate the visit and provide vital information for the diaspora communities in the respective countries, it was learned.

Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Italy, Demitu Hambisa said the embassy has conducted discussions with Ethiopians and foreigners of Ethiopian origin residing in Italy, Greece and Malta with a view to creating awareness.

The embassy is also disseminating information and exchanging ideas with the diaspora about the importance the invitation via its website and Zoom, she added.

According to her, the second generation diaspora in the countries are expressing huge desire to visit their country of origin.

Because the event would help them to get accustomed with Ethiopia’s history, its unique cultural and religious heritages as well as learn about the ongoing development activities and pave the way to leave their legacy.

The employed youth are showing interest to visit their homeland in the first and second rounds, while the teenagers prefer the third round, Ambassador Demi
tu stated.

Diaspora Sector Coordinator at the Ethiopian Embassy in Germany, Aschalew Kebede said the response of the diaspora in Germany to the homecoming call of the premier has stirred huge enthusiasm.

The embassy is currently engaged in creating awareness about the objective and content of the and establishing a coordinating committee.

The visit is pivotal for the second generation Ethiopian diaspora as it creates great opportunity to familiarize themselves with their origin, history, and culture.

The call is also instrumental in transferring knowledge and skills to their peers in Ethiopia as well as explore the opportunities to invest in tourism and other sectors to enhance the growth of the country.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Egypt’s attempt to reimpose the colonial era agreement on water sharing and make water distribution a main agenda in the tripartite negotiations on the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) have made the negotiation fail, Trans-boundary rivers and water diplomacy advisor Fakahmed Negash said.

Recall that the negotiation on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) that had been interrupted for sometime resumed in August 2023.

Since then, the negotiations were held for four rounds in Addis Ababa and Cairo and ended without an agreement.

Ethiopia pointed out on the occasion that Egypt’s position restricts its future development and contradicted the articles in the Declaration of Principles on GERD.

The trans-boundary rivers and water diplomacy expert noted that Ethiopia has been reflecting the idea which focuses on fair utilization of the dam and mutual development.

On the other hand, Egypt raises the agenda which enables it to use the water alone, he noted.

Therefore, Egypt’s unwillingness to accept
the principle of give and take and diplomacy has made previous negotiations, including the recent one, fail.

According to Fakahmed, the tripartite negotiations in the past five years have been going on with the focus on water filling and releasing, but it should have been on power generation.

He stressed that Egypt’s desire to put the burden of drought compensation on Ethiopia alone is unprincipled and outside the international experience of resisting drought together.

On the other hand, Egypt’s unilateral request for release of 40 billion cubic meters of water from the dam is a ploy to delay the dam’s water filling and construction.

Its demand that quota should be set on the amount of water released is also aimed at diverting the agenda of the tripartite negotiation to water sharing and distribution; and Ethiopia has repeatedly stated that it will not accept this agenda.

Ethiopia should be careful to prevent the tripartite negotiation from being dragged to water sharing and distribution, Fakahmed stated
, stressing that water sharing should be discussed in the Nile Basin Initiative Cooperation Framework by the Nile basin countries.

According to him, Ethiopia will not accept the unacceptable colonial-era agreements signed in 1929 and 1959 that Egypt wants to remain in place.

The tripartite negotiation is based on the ‘Declaration of Principles’ agreement signed in Khartoum in 2015 and Ethiopia is carrying out the construction of the dam consistent with the agreement.

The water expert and diplomat revealed that Egypt will continue using different strategies to delay the tripartite talks at different times, he said, stressing that Ethiopia should accordingly take this into consideration and make comprehensive preparations.

He underlined that Ethiopia should carry out diplomatic activities for the implementation of the Nile Basin Comprehensive Cooperation Framework in order to achieve fair utilization of water resources and sustainable development.

Ethiopia has repeatedly expressed its firm commitment to re
aching an amicable and negotiated settlement that addresses the interests of the three countries and looks forward to the resumption of the negotiation.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The recent agreement with Somaliland is a demonstration of the government’s belief in achieving Ethiopia’s aspirations through cooperation with its neighbors, through the principle of reciprocity, and through peaceful means. This opportunity is open to all and remains open, according to a statement the Government Communication Service issued today.

The statement recalled that some countries, including Ethiopia, had opened a consular office in Hargeisa in early 1990s. Nevertheless, Somaliland has not yet received full recognition. Despite this, it has signed agreements with various countries, including agreements for port development.

A MoU that was signed enabling 19 percent share of Berbera port for Ethiopia with other partners, is a proof of this fact. It is also known that other countries are following the same process. Yet there has been no murmur or complaint when this materialized.

The full statement of the Government Communication Service is attached below.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for
Partnership and Cooperation has been signed between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Somaliland.

The MOU includes wide scopes of cooperation in social, economic, political and military fields.

Following the scramble for Africa, Somaliland remained under British colonial rule and gained its independence on June 26, 1960. It is to be recalled that at that point in time many countries have given it recognition. However, five days later in the same year, Somaliland voluntarily became one with Mogadishu which had just gained its independence from Italy.

In 1991, Somaliland declared its independence once again and has since then been practicing democracy for 30 years by holding a series of elections and peaceful transition of government. Some countries, including Ethiopia, have opened a consular office in Hargeisa. Nevertheless, Somaliland has not yet received full recognition. Despite this, it has signed agreements with various countries, including agreements for port development.

An MOU that wa
s signed enabling 19 percent share of Berbera port for Ethiopia with other partners, is a proof of this fact. It is also known that other countries are following the same process. Yet there has been no murmur or complaint when this materialized. The recent MOU that has been signed which enables Ethiopia to gain a military base and access commercial maritime services through reciprocity and through a lease agreement is basically the same.

There has been a longstanding cooperation agreement between our country and Somaliland. The recently signed comprehensive memorandum of understanding for partnership and cooperation reflects efforts made by the two parties to further strengthen their friendship and respond to the historic questions of both parties. It will also facilitate a strategic partnership in a sustainable manner based on clear details and transparency.

For Somaliland, the MOU enables them to acquire the type of assistance and partnership they cannot get from any other country and also responds to the
ir longstanding demands.

As it pertains to our national interests, it is clearly outlined in our foreign policy that we give priority to our neighbors. In this way, we seek to find solutions to our neighbors’ problems by working together. We are committed to sharing and jointly developing natural endowments towards fulfilling the vision and aspiration we have for developing together. It also creates an opportunity to safely protect and advance our existence and national interests.

In its long and medium term as well as recent history, our nation had direct access to the sea. Through intricacies from far and near, we had however lost this access, and later regained it. In the end, a civil war which lasted for three decades fomented by internal crisis and foreign conspiracy occurred. At the end of the civil war and through both a historical and legal mistake, the country has remained landlocked for the past 30 years.

In the last five years, in order to correct this fracture of history and the frustrations of
our people, the new government pursing reforms has been deliberating upon ways of expanding sustainable and reliable port and sea access options that suit the status and growth of our country.

Following further ideation, this proposal was recently announced to Ethiopians at large and the international community as the official position of the government.

The position announced by the government is strongly rooted in a desire to not engage in war with any one; to ensure that the options pursued are mutually beneficial to all stakeholders and also expresses Ethiopia’s readiness to share its endowments. Accordingly, we have made great effort to explain our position to all who are able and willing to listen.

Consultations and negotiations on mutual benefits have been going on with Somaliland for months now. Therefore, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed for the benefit of both parties. This document gives Ethiopia the opportunity to obtain a permanent and reliable naval base and commercial maritime s
ervice in the Gulf of Aden through a lease arrangement, and according to the government’s announced position, it allows Somaliland to derive an equivalent share of the lease from Ethiopian Airlines. Beyond that, it also includes provisions for the Ethiopian government to make an in-depth assessment towards taking a position regarding the efforts of Somaliland to gain recognition.

The natural endowments that our region is endowed with are more than enough for all of us. It is not possible to create a better tomorrow by denying cooperation under the veil of insecurity or wickedness. The agreement with Somaliland is a demonstration of the government’s belief in achieving Ethiopia’s aspirations through cooperation with its neighbors, through the principle of reciprocity, and through peaceful means. This opportunity is open to all and remains open.

The MOU has created an opportunity to cure the decades old stress and anxiety of Ethiopians. Therefore, it is a historical event that has made Ethiopians happy. This
is also an event that should please all Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia, as well as all members of the international community who desire for peace to reign in the region.

No party or country will be affected by this MOU. There is no broken trust nor is there any laws that have been transgressed. While this is the fact, it cannot be said that some will not be offended, shocked and refrain from attempting to destroy the positive progress

Therefore, Ethiopians in particular must believe that we will be respected only when our nation asserts its proper place in the region, continent and the world; and when it plays its constructive role and upholds its national interests. Therefore, the FDRE government calls upon all Ethiopians to use this opportunity for elevation by putting aside our differences and letting the spirit of tolerance govern us.

As this is a once in a lifetime historical occurrence, let us use this opportunity to save our country in unison! Let us work together to make our Ethiopia a symbol
of elevation by ceasing to pull one another down, so that we may not be blamed in the annals of history.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency