Day: May 24, 2023

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) has announced today the establishment of a Peace Committee that jointly works with both local and international institutions to bring lasting peace to the country.

Speaking to journalists at the conclusion of the EOTC Holy Synod Summit held from May 9- 24, His Holiness Abune Mathias, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, disclosed that the committee will also have recognition by the government.

For all our people who have been harmed throughout the country due to the current crisis, the Holy Synod has decided that humanitarian support, consolation and visitation programs be made, the patriarch said.

In this regard, the Holy Synod has decided to provide twenty million Birr emergency humanitarian aid to compatriots in Tigray region to alleviate the grave problems they are facing because of the war, His Holiness Abune Mathias stated.

Furthermore, the church made a peace call to end unnecessary conflicts, displacement and migration of citizens observed in the country so that citizens can live together in equality, peace and love.

The Holy Synod has set up an election committee to ordain nine episcopate in Oromia and the Southern regions, it was learned.

It is to be recalled that the EOTC leaders, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and elders held a joint consultation to resolve the dispute between the fathers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

The disagreement was resolved through dialogue.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The African Union (AU) 4th specialized technical committee meeting on youth, culture and sports has concluded its deliberation today by adopting laws and strategies with a view to tapping the benefits of sports, youth and culture sectors to the development of the continent.

The Experts’ Meeting of the 4th Specialized Technical Committee Meeting on Youth, Culture and Sports (STC-YCS4) was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 22 to 24 May 2023.

The theme of the meeting was “AU at 60: Unlocking and Scaling Innovation for AfCFTA Implementation through Youth, Culture and Sports”.

The meeting in its conclusion adopted various laws and strategies with a view to tapping the benefits of sports, youth and culture sectors to the development of the continent.

It also stressed need to fund youth programs according to priorities; that member states should take ownership of the sports industry by strengthening sports infrastructure, developing sports management and investing in sports.

The meeting has also pointed out that the development of sports, arts education and entrepreneurship vital to facilitate athletes to use their full potential as well as promoting sports for regional and village sports and culture.

The importance of ratifying the African Youth Charter and increasing its awareness has also been indicated during the meeting as 16 African countries have not yet ratified the Charter.

It was also emphasized that increasing the activity of the African diaspora is vital to enhance their contribution in the development the continent among others.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

State Minister of Foreign Affairs ambassador Mesganu Arga held a discussion today with UN Ethiopia Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Catherine Sozi.

During the occasion, Ambassador Mesganu stated Ethiopia‘s keenness on closely working with the UN and its special agencies, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The State Minister expressed his appreciation to Catherine Suzi for her diligence in humanitarian work during difficult times in Ethiopia and support for the peace process in the country.

Catherine on her part expressed her appreciation to the government of Ethiopia for creating a conducive environment to address humanitarian assistance.

She also said that the UN will continue supporting the Government of Ethiopia’s efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Deforestation, the use of chemicals such as pesticides by farmers, and Agro pastoral conflicts are some of the activities identified as major causes of the degrading nature of the Mount Bamboutos landscape linking 8 municipalities in the West, North West, and South West Regions.

This was revealed during a workshop organized on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 by Rainbow Environment Consult at the conference hall of the Babadjou Council. The workshop that went in line with the Community Based Landscape Management project, COBALAM, was aimed at discussing with farmers and grazers at the Mount Bamboutos landscape, and members of the Babadjou Council landscape management committee, to identify degrading factors on the landscape.

Among the major problems identified, were the use of chemicals such as pesticides by farmers, deforestation, and agro-pastoral conflicts.

” Also, water is gradually becoming scarce in the zone. These are realities noted during this workshop by participants. This study will help us get optimum solutions in the nearest future to restore the landscape. ” WADO Darling of Rainbow Environment Consult told us.

After the identification of these major problems, the COBALAM project on the Mount Bamboutos landscape will be implemented by Rainforest Alliance, we learned.

After taking part in the workshop, the 1st Deputy mayor, Mr Nolabo Paul was optimistic that the project will go a long way to restore the landscape.

” My impressions are good because, from presentations made this afternoon and the diagnostic works done by experts, I think the Mount Bamboutos landscape which links many Municipalities, will once again have its Biodiversity restored.” Nolabo Paul, said

Farmers on the landscape, on whom accusing fingers are being pointed, for the use of chemicals and deforestation, say they gradually understand where the project is heading to.

” This workshop as I understood, guides us towards the restoration of the Mount Bamboutos landscape. I think we can attain the goal. I think if we retire this landscape through reforestation, for example, it will be beneficial for both our ecosystem and us. It’s difficult because we carry on agriculture as our main source of living on this landscape but I hope if this project is implemented, things will be alright ” A participant told us.

The project, put in place by the Government of Cameroon, concerns the councils of Mbouda, Nkongdzem, Babadjou, Bafou, and Fongo Tongo councils in the West Region; Alou and Wabane in the South West Region, and Santa in the North West Region.

It targets at least 3,000 direct beneficiaries over five years (2020-2025), with 50 percent being women. About 10 percent of the total landscape population is going to benefit directly from the project.”

The project is aimed at removing Barriers to Biodiversity Conservation, Land Restoration, and Sustainable Forest Management through Community-based Landscape Management, COBALAM.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, the Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam, said his office condemn the kidnap and torturing of 30 women by heavily armed separatist fighters in Kedjom-keku village (Big Babanki), Tubah sub-division of the North West region on May 19 at about 8:30 am.

Simon Emile Mooh said the act is an example of gender-based violence and untold barbarism against armless civilians.

He went further to say that the perpetrators of this act against the elderly women, commonly called the “TAKUMBENGS” will not go unpunished.

In the release, Simon Emile Mooh mentioned that security forces have opened an investigation to track down the armed men and bring them before the law.

He reiterated the call for the population to collaborate with the administrative authorities, defense, and security forces to denounce and fish out these peace enemies for the return of normalcy.

The women were kidnapped following a peaceful protest organized on May 19, for an end to the atrocities of separatist fighters against the population.

Source: Cameroon News Agency