Category: Politics

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited Ethiopian Ambassador’s residence in South Africa whose construction has been completed in a short period of time.

Prime Minister Abiy said that the experience of building and completing high quality Ethiopian projects at speed should be a value that should be reflected in all Government and individual projects outside of the country.

Following the direction given by Prime Minister Abiy to the Ethiopian Embassy in South Africa during his 2020 visit, the construction of the Ambassador’s residence has accordingly been completed in a short period of time and visited yesterday by the Prime Minister.

He also indicated that the experience of building and completing high quality Ethiopian projects at speed should be a value that should be reflected in all Government and individual Ethiopian projects outside of Ethiopia.

Alongside the visit, the Premier and his delegation planted Green Legacy seedlings in the yard, according to Office of the Prime Minister.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Ethiopia’s endorsement to join the BRICS bloc will contribute a lot to realizing South-South cooperation, according to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Ethiopia’s bid to join the emerging-markets bloc of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) was endorsed this morning during the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In his statement following the endorsement, Prime Minister Abiy said Ethiopia’s endorsement to join the BRICS bloc will contribute a lot in realizing the South-South cooperation.

According to him, Ethiopia was chosen by the bloc because of its large population and history as well as the high growth rate it is experiencing.

The prime minister further mentioned those positive factors that have helped Ethiopia to join BRICS included the Green Legacy Initiative, its green energy development, and the ongoing agricultural activities to become food self-sufficiency as well as the overall GDP growth.

Abiy, who describes BRICS as one of the world’s emerging largest blocs in terms of population, economy and influence, stated that the group has steadily been growing.

More than forty countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS. Of these, 6 countries have met the criteria and became members.

Noting that those other countries which have joined the bloc have by far large GDP, Abiy pointed out that Ethiopia was selected due to its development prospects and as a future African powerhouse.

The PM noted that there is a great hope that Ethiopia’s membership will consolidate South-South cooperation.

“BRICS has been an important bloc where many are looking to join. Our current membership is a victory achieved through many struggles. We are very grateful to China, India, Russia, Brazil, and South Africa. They have helped us a lot.”

The premier revealed that in his conversation with leaders of these countries, they have acknowledged that Ethiopia’s membership of the BRICS family is crucial for Africa’s diplomatic influence at the international stage and to empower the South-South cooperation.

In general, the prime minister underlined that Ethiopia’s BRICS membership could be taken as one of the biggest diplomatic victories of the country recorded in the last few decades.

Abiy, who also spoke about the bilateral talks he held with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS, disclosed that China has given a one-year debt relief until the entire debt restructure process will be made.

This is a huge achievement to Ethiopia, he noted.

He also recalled the bilateral discussion with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding that “in our meeting with the Prime Minister of India, we agreed to work together in science and technology, military, trade and investment.”

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussion on the sidelines of the BRICS-Africa Outreach & BRICS Plus meeting today, according to the Office of the Prime Minister.

During the occasion, the leaders have expressed a mutual expression of commitment to deepening relations, especially with Ethiopia’s entry into the BRICS group.

They also agreed to strengthen political cooperation as well as economic cooperation in areas of agriculture, technology, trade and investment, it was learned.

Recall that Ethiopia’s bid to join the BRICS family was endorsed this morning during the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Ethiopia is working towards more diversified and inclusive diplomatic engagements in bilateral, regional, continental, and multilateral venues, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Meles Alem said in his biweekly press briefing today that works will be carried out to take the country’s diplomatic relations to a higher level and strengthen partnership in the current Ethiopia budget year.

He pointed out that activities are underway towards a more diversified and inclusive diplomatic engagements in bilateral, regional, continental and multilateral venues.

Diversification and inclusivity of holistic and cross-cutting engagements in the areas of aviation, sports, cultural and people-to-people diplomacy will be the focus during the current fiscal year, the spokesperson disclosed.

He stated that efforts have been made to rejuvenate diplomatic relations with countries that were strained following the war in the north. As part of this, efforts will be made to increase the number of friendly countries.

Ethiopia is working on normalizing relations with the United States and the European Union along with boosting relations Asian, Pacific and South American countries, Meles stated.

In the Middle East, the Spokesperson disclosed, the Government is working closely with countries of the Gulf to further boost the multifaceted relations, especially in the areas of trade, investment and job opportunities for our nationals in those nations.

The overall diplomatic engagements of the country in multilateral fora including the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) will be guided by its commitment to multilateralism and enhancing its participation.

Ethiopia’s main foreign policy imperative in the neighboring countries is ensuring peace and stability as well as economic integration bolstered by people-to-people and infrastructural linkages, according to the Meles.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The recent official working visit of the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to Ethiopia will elevate diplomatic and economic integration between the two countries, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In his biweekly press briefing today, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Meles Alem said that the recent visit of UAE President was successful.

During the visit, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and United Arab Emirates President have expressed commitment to build stronger bridges that benefit both people.

In a bilateral meeting the leaders held with their respective delegations, they have acknowledged the ever strengthening ties between Ethiopia and the UAE.

Following the bilateral meeting, the leaders presided over a signing ceremony of 17 agreements in various sectors, including industry, agriculture, investment and finance, it was learned.

The Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also talked about Ethiopia’s Foreign Affairs plan for the current budget year and other activities carried out on the diplomatic and international relation issues.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

About 50 people protested in Windhoek on Wednesday in solidarity with Namibia Economic Freedom Fighter member, Michael Amushelelo.

Amushelelo was arrested in March on allegations that he violated a court order that prevented him from protesting against youth unemployment. He was arrested alongside Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member of parliament Inna Hengari and social activist Dimbulukweni Nauyoma on 21 March 2023. Hengari and Nauyoma have since been released on bail of N.dollars 5 000 each.

On Wednesday, protestors marched from Katutura Shoprite to Zoo Park in the Central Business District with a petition addressed to the Office of the Judiciary.

Amushelelo and his sympathisers insist that he and his co-accused did not protest, but were merely informing the crowd about the High Court’s order that prevented them from protesting on 21 March.

“We emphasise the crucial need for the judiciary to demonstrate its independence from external political influences. The erosion of trust in the judicial system among the youth is currently a matter of deep concern. The suppression of voices and the fear of political involvement due to potential repercussions cast a shadow on the principles of democracy that our nation upholds,” the petition reads.

Amushelelo addressed the protesters via a phone call. His wife, Julieta Amushelelo, also joined the crowd.

“We must have young Amushelelos rising up in every part of the country so that it becomes a point where prisons are filled with people fighting for justice, and a righteous cause. Remember, we are not fighting for anything other than what was the promise of our forebearers, and that is basically prosperity and a harmonious country that we are all supposed to live in. Unfortunately, the country has become a police state,” Amushelelo told protesters.

The Judiciary’s Executive Director Bernard Kukuri received the petition.

Source: NAMPA

Vice President Nangolo Mbumba on Wednesday launched the #WeAreEqual campaign, a continental action plan by Africa’s first ladies aimed at closing the gender gap in Africa.

#WeAreEqual is an initiative of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), which has a membership of 45 first ladies across Africa. The initiative is aimed at advancing gender equity and closing the gender gap across the continent.

Speaking at the launch at State House, Mbumba said the campaign aims to advocate and improve the lives of women and girls in Namibia and across Africa by promoting gender equality. He said women and men possess the same inherent dignity and deserve the same rights as they have the same potential to contribute to society regardless of gender.

“With this campaign, we want to bring an essential truth that women and men are equal, no exception. Despite the fundamental truth, the reality faced by many girls and women across Africa tells a different story and Namibia is no exception,” he noted.

According to the Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI), Namibia has been ranked as the most gender-equal country in Africa, and the eighth most gender-equal country in the world as of June 2023. No country has however achieved full gender parity yet.

Mbumba highlighted that the campaign will focus on areas where women and girls mostly experience inequality such as health, education and economic empowerment, amongst others.

Speaking at the same occasion, Namibia’s First Lady and President of OAFLAD, Monica Geingos said African first ladies are joining hands to shine a spotlight on the importance of closing gender gaps, how gender equality benefits everyone, and why it is essential for progress on all fronts of development.

“Inequality continuously manifests itself in every shape that challenges society and the result of inequality speaks for itself and we need to listen… #WeAreEqual speaks to the discrimination women and girls experience in everyday lives, and together we can break down the wall that is standing in their equal rights,” she noted.

Geingos further noted that the campaign equally aims to bring together stakeholders and partnerships with the mission to overcome harmful gender practices and build towards the African Union Agenda 2063 where both women and men conquer ‘The Africa We Want’.

The campaign was officially launched in Kinshasa, Congo by OAFLAD in June 2023 and Namibia is the first country to launch its national campaign.

Source: NAMPA