Day: June 17, 2023

Violence against women and girls is taking on a worrying and unacceptable scale in our society, and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs has cried out. Since the beginning of the year, cases of maltreatment, rape, ritual crimes, murders, and killings targeting women and girls are said to have hit the headlines, causing shock, grief, and horror.

The Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa in a press briefing on June 15, 2023, lamented the increasing number of murders and acts of violence perpetrated against women and girls in Cameroon.

The press briefing which took place in Yaounde, Center region of Cameroon was aimed at reiterating to all women and girls of the country, the determination of the government to put an end to the inhuman butchery.

According to Minister Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa, the Cameroonian government will continue to implement family and mental life education programs as well as positive parenting programs and accelerate the implementation of the National Strategy to combat Gender-Based violence.

“Under the very high impetus of the head of State, and the coordination of the Prime Minister, Head of Government, we intend to intensify the denunciation of perpetrators and set up structures for this purpose. We equally intend to promote the culture of peace, living together, and the rule of law,” she stated.

“Through me, the Government of Cameroon is taking this opportunity to rejoice over the happy outcome that would have led to the tragic disappearance of some thirty women abducted by separatists in the North West on May 20, 2023, and condemns this pernicious instrumentalization of women,” she continued.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Security elements in Yaounde, cntre region have opened investigation with the hope of apprehending a suspected kidnapper.

The suspect, Andela Fabrice is reportedly on the run with his friend’s daughter of just about three years old.

According to sources, the little girl’s father accommodated Fabrice in his home in Messassi where he was living with his two daughters. He went out Thursday June 15, 2023 and only to return the next day and discovered only elder daughter sleeping, while the younger one was no where to be found, including his friend Fabrice.

Unable to reach Fabrice, he reported to the police who have launched a manhunt to track down Fabrice, suspected to have kidnapped the little girl.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

About 3,165 pilgrims from different parts of Cameroon will be in Saudi Arabia for the next 24 days, in fulfillment of the Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam.

The last contingent of faithful left the Yaounde Nsimalen International Airport on Friday, June 16, in a ceremony presided at by the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, and Saudi Ambassador to Cameroon, Faisal bin Saud Al-Mejfel.

A total of 11 flights scheduled from June 11 went successfully. 2,211 pilgrims left through the Garoua International Airport on 8 flights, 686 from the Douala International Airport on two flights, and 268 pilgrims through the Yaounde Nsimalen Airport on one flight.

The 2023 Hajj is programmed to take place between June 26 and July 1, with millions of pilgrims from across the world converging on Saudi Arabia.

Participants often travel to the holy land a week before, and stay for an extra week after the rites at the holy sites of Mecca, Mina, Mount Arafat, and Muzdalifah end.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Ambassadors of MIKTA countries (Mexico, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Turkiye and Australia) stressed the need to use technology for peace and the resolution of conflicts.

Embassy of Indonesia in Addis Ababa in collaboration with embassies of MIKTA countries (Mexico, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Turkiye and Australia) organized seminar yesterday under the theme “Digital Transformation: Towards Collective Response to the Global Challenges.”

The seminar was attended by participants from Ethiopian government officials, ambassadors, international organizations, academicians, among others, it was indicated.

Indonesia’s ambassador to Ethiopia, Al Busyra Bansur said digitalization creates great opportunities but at the same time also comes with challenges such as digital skill gap, misinformation and disinformation.

He appreciated the Ethiopian government for the attention it has given to digital transformation and stated that is why this seminar was held on digital transformation.

Mexico’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Victor Trevino said the world faces the development of tools such as artificial intelligence even though it has potential to improve our everyday lives.

The international community faces the challenges of policy making to ensure that digital transformation contributes to peace and development, he added.

“In the sense MIKTA must continue restoring that diplomacy and supporting the engagement into the use of technology for peace and the resolution of conflicts. Our actions should keep contributing to strengthen our rule-based international system,” the ambassador elaborated.

Ambassador of Australia to Ethiopia Julia Niblett said promoting digital inclusive society is a priority for Australia.

The Australian government is currently developing its final data and digital strategy, and this is expected to be released by the end of 2023.

Through this data and digital strategy, the Australian government seeks to deliver simple, secure and connected public services for people and for businesses through world class data and digital capabilities, she said.

To this, she stressed it is important to use technology for the benefit of the international community and development.

Ambassador of Turkiye to Ethiopia, Berk Baran said on his part that digital transformation has been crucial for the economy and development.

“We as MIKTA are making an effort to promote peace and prosperity,” he stated.

Noting all MIKTA ambassadors are residing in Addis Ababa, the political center of Africa, he said that Ethiopia is the best fit place to promote the MITKA principles.

Ambassador of South Korea to Ethiopia, Kang Seokhee said digital transformation is vital for the globe.

Digital transformation may be an opportunity as well as challenges for the international community today, he said, adding it is important to use technology for finding solutions for the current social and economic problem.

MIKTA was formed under Korean leadership in 2013 and is an acronym for the names of five member countries-Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey, and Australia.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Ethiopians all over the world need to stand with their nation to help it achieve the goals and objectives of becoming a beacon of prosperity in Africa, Director General of Ethiopian Diaspora Service, Mohammed Endris said.

Director General of Ethiopian Diaspora Service, Mohammed along with Embassy staff discussed with Ethiopians and Ethiopians descent representatives in Kenya on current affairs of the country, on 16 June 2023 at the embassy’s premises, according to Ethiopian Embassy in Kenya.

Ethiopian Deputy Head of Mission in Nairobi, Ambassador Workalemahu Desta, stated that diaspora and citizens are the epicenter of the new foreign policy orientation of Ethiopian diplomacy.

During the meeting, the efforts of the government in ensuring sustainable peace in the country, the progress and implementation of national projects, improvements of services and current affairs of the country were the topic of discussion.

Director General of Ethiopian Diaspora Service, Mohamed on his part commended the diaspora for extending their all-rounded supports to flagship projects as well as on pivotal issues of the country.

In addition, he praised the diaspora for their expedited responses in supporting their country during internal and external challenges facing the country over the last few years.

He stressed that Ethiopians all over the world need to stand along with their nation to help it achieve the goals and objectives of becoming a beacon of prosperity in Africa.

Finally, he called on the diaspora to further enhance their unreserved support to national development projects and to be part of the solution for challenges facing the country.

Participants also assured their continued support to their country and to work hand in hand with the embassy.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The emerging coffee company, Wild Coffee Ethiopia, has won the Africa Food Awards as one of the rising star companies of the year, the Ethiopian Embassy in Kenya disclosed.

In a ceremony which took place yesterday, Managing Director of Wild Coffee Ethiopia, Gezahegn Mamo, received the award at a ceremony held at Safaripark Hotel in Nairobi.

During the occasion, Gezahegn announced that the company will open the first international wild coffee tasting house in the capital city of Kenya very soon.

Over 50 African companies received different awards in various categories at the recognition ceremony.

Since its first edition in 2017, the Africa Food Awards celebrates people, new product innovations, sustainability initiatives, and leading companies in Africa’s food industry.

The award has become sub-Sahara Africa’s most respected food industry award.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency