The Monthly Publication of The Ethiopian Embassy in London 

ETHIOPIAN  NEWS

Volume 4 Number 10   November 2005 On-line version 

Parliament passes resolution establishing enquiry Commission

Ethiopia’s House of Peoples Representatives has passed a resolution establishing an independent commission that will investigate the recent street riots in Addis Ababa. The Commission will investigate the violence, the measures taken to contain the security problem and whether excessive force was used by the police, as well as assess whether there were any human or constitutional rights violations. The report will also look into the damage caused to property and the loss of life, both of which were strongly deplored by the House during its deliberations.

The Commission is comprised of eleven members, who were appointed and approved by parliament on 7^th December, from a list proposed by the Legal and Administrative Affairs Standing Committee. Frehiwot Samuel, who served as President of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State Supreme Court, will act as Chairman of the Commission, and Shiferaw Jamo, who served as an advisor to different government offices will be Deputy Chairman. The other nine members are as follows; Abune Elsa, Archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church; Sheik Elias Redman, Deputy President of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council; Abel Musie, who is serving with the Catholic Church; Priest Dereje Jenberu, the Deputy President of the Mekane-Yesus Church; Hikmet Abdela Metek, a businessman; Dr. Gemechu Megresa, who was Deputy President of Addis Ababa University; Tamrat Kebede who works for the African Development Bank; Abdu Diad of the Pastoralist Concern Association and Wolde-Michael Meshesha, who is Vice President of the Federal First Instance Court. Members were recommended by the Legal and Administrative Affairs Standing Committee on the basis of their political independence, their reputation, competence and experience in their careers and their integrity.

They will have the authority to call anyone in Ethiopia as a witness during their investigations, including top government officials, but it will not be within the remit of the Commission to bring any prosecution. The Commission will report its findings to the House within 90 days of its establishment.

The motion to establish the Commission which went before the Parliament on Monday 14^th November also recognised the potential danger in attempting to redress any discontent by resorting to anti-democratic methods, and noted the efforts of the government to protect the constitutional order as well as public peace and security. The House passed the resolution after deliberating on the report presented by the Federal Police Commission on the security problems that took place in the capital city and a few other towns on 8^th June and the 1^st and 2^nd November 2005.

Federal Police Commissioner Workeneh Gebeyehu described attempts by some elements to overthrow the constitutional order of the country by creating security problems both before and after the election period. Evidence of their repeated calls for violence will be presented in audio and video formats alongside other materials. Commissioner Workeneh went on to report that 35 civilians lost their lives, and 156 sustained light and serious injuries during the disturbances. Seven riot police were killed and another 338 sustained light and serious injuries. Another policeman later died of his injuries after spending twenty days in intensive care.

The violent demonstrations in early November were met with great concern from the government and members of the international community. Bereket Simon, Public Relations Advisor to Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, said the government would take measures to safeguard the constitution and called on the public to stand by the government in combating anti-peace forces.

US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack deplored “the use of violence and deliberate attempts to provoke violence in a misguided attempt to resolve political differences" and appealed to the Opposition to “refrain from inciting civil disobedience during this time of heightened tension."

Prisoners arrested during the street riots have had access to their family members, religious leaders, medical care, books and other items and are being treated with due respect while they await further court appearances. The detained leaders of the CUD have also been granted access to the international media.

Meanwhile, the House of People’s Representatives has reported that 59 of the 109 CUD members who were elected in May have now taken their seats in the Parliament.

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Meles pledges full support for UNMEE

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has pledged Ethiopia’s continuing full support for the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE). The Prime Minister met with UN Undersecretary-General for Peacekeeping, Jean-Marie Guehenno and his military adviser Major-General Randhir Kumar Mehta of India on Monday 12^th December, where he reaffirmed that Ethiopia will continue to provide the necessary assistance for the UN mission to continue its work.

Meles also reiterated Ethiopia’s acceptance and willingness to abide by the recent resolution passed by the UN Security Council on 23^rd November 2005. UN Resolution 1640 was officially accepted in an open letter the previous week by Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin to Sir Emyr Jones Parry, Permanent Representative of the UK and current President of the UN Security Council and to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. In the letter, Seyoum said Ethiopia was prepared, “in the interest of peace, and with the view to affording better opportunity for the implementation of [the] Resolution...to redeploy its forces consistent with the instruction of paragraph 2 of resolution 1640.”

"Ethiopia has no interest in keeping the crisis between the two countries going," he continued, adding that they were looking for an outcome which is “consistent with sustainable peace between the two countries.”

"That was why we came up with the 5-point border proposal more than a year ago which was welcomed by the international community, including the Security Council," Seyoum noted.

UN Resolution 1640 demanded the reversal of Eritrea’s decision to ban UN helicopter flights, called for a return to 16^th December 2004 deployment levels and for both parties to work to break the current stalemate through diplomatic efforts.

After yesterday’s meeting, Mr Guehenno told the assembled journalists that he had held constructive and fruitful discussions with the Premier, and that he would shortly depart for Eritrea to convince the government in Asmara not to expell UNMEE personnel from its territory.

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Meles meets with US official

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has held talks with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Donald Yamamoto. During the meeting on the 29^th November, which marked the start of Mr Yamamoto’s three-day mission to Ethiopia, the Prime Minister and US official conferred on a number of issues. Mr Yamamoto, who previously visited Ethiopia in January 2004 and in early October this year, later met with Ethiopian opposition officials during his visit.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among the topics under discussion were the international fight against terrorism, as well as ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and the United States of America.

The two sides exchanged views on the situation in Somalia and the Horn of Africa regional in general, as well as the internal situation in Ethiopia and any support that could help the further development of the democratisation process. They also discussed the current state of affairs between Ethiopia and Eritrea, with particular regard to Resolution 1640 passed by the UN Security Council on 23^rd November, which demanded the reversal of Eritrea’s decision to ban UN helicopter flights and called for a return to 16^th December 2004 deployment levels. The Resolution also called on both parties to work to break the current stalemate through diplomatic efforts.

In a related development, following discussions with the relevant authorities on 1^st December, Major-General Rajender Singh, the commander of the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea, has described as “very positive” the willingness indicated by Ethiopia to comply with the recent UN resolution.

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Former German Ambassador deplores recent troubles

The former German Ambassador to Ethiopia has called on all opposition MPs to take their seats in Parliament and for all political parties to resolve their differences through peaceful means. Dr Helga Gräfin Strachwitz, who served as Ambassador from 2002, was speaking during an interview on Ethiopian Television on 2^nd December 2005.

“Democracy dwells in the parliament, not in the streets,” the former Ambassador said.

“Democracy is a process and not something which can happen overnight.”

“All parties should take dialogue as the only option for resolving differences,” she continued, and street violence “would not bring anything to the growth of democracy.” She appealed to all political parties in Ethiopia to put aside their differences and work for the progress of the country, as recent events could have a huge impact on national development.

Dr Strachwitz also commented on the Ethio-Eritrea border issue, saying that the situation should be resolved through dialogue, and that she could not understand why Eritrea “retreats from the proposed dialogue.” She added that Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s statement that Ethiopia does not want another war was “unequivocal.”

Dr Strachwitz first served as Director for Africa for the German government, and then as Ambassador to Ethiopia and Djibouti. After her diplomatic tenure in Ethiopia came to an end in November this year, she decided to remain in the country at the Langano resort, which she described as calm and beautiful.

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Seyoum visits China

Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin led a high-level delegation on a recent four-day visit to China, which coincided with the commemoration of the 35^th anniversary of the founding of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The visit, which began on 27^th November, gave officials the opportunity to hold talks with representatives from the Chinese government, Chinese investors in Ethiopia and members of the business community, on ways of enhancing investment and strengthening economic cooperation.

The delegation held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and exchanged views on the further consolidation of trade, investment and economic and technical ties.

The delegation sought ways of furthering Ethiopian exports to China, after exports showed an increase from 2004, when the Chinese Government passed an act allowing quota and tax-free shipments of Ethiopian agricultural exports. The delegation sought to encourage present Chinese investors to enhance their involvement and to attract new investors into Ethiopia.

The Chinese Foreign Minister recognised that relations and cooperation between the two countries have strengthened over the last fourteen years and said that his country would further enhance its assistance to Ethiopia and consolidate its aid and loans to development projects.

Meanwhile, in Ethiopia, the Chinese government’s donation of laboratory equipment and teaching materials was given to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at a special ceremony attended by the Chinese Ambassador Lin Lin and State Minister for Agriculture, Dr Abera Deressa. The equipment and materials, worth 9 million Birr, is to be used to improve agricultural colleges. At the ceremony the Ambassador pledged his Government’s willingness to enhance cooperation in the agricultural sector between the two countries.

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Belgium cancels Ethiopia’s debt

Ethiopia and Belgium have signed a debt relief agreement to the tune of €14.63 million. The agreement, which was signed on 8^th December by Finance and Economic Development Minister Sufian Ahmed and Belgium’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Fedric Renard, is part of the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and saw Belgium cancel 100% of Ethiopia’s outstanding debt.

The agreement stipulates that the money saved from the debt relief would be used by the Ethiopian government to finance the country’s poverty reduction programme. At the signing, Minister Sufian said the debt cancellation would contribute to Ethiopia’s economic development, most of which is paid for from local taxation.

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USAID FEWS NET says food security improving

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) has reported that food security is improving in Ethiopia, and suggests that the number of people in need of assistance in 2006 could be the lowest in the last five years. Its report for the period October 2005 to November 2005 notes that a good crop production is anticipated this year and that there has been an improvement in humanitarian response, including food distributions and financial transfers from the Productive Safety Nets Programme (PSNP), which has had “a positive impact on food security and nutrition in recent months.”

“Humanitarian needs are expected to be much lower in crop dependent areas, which will benefit the most from this year’s good production and where it is thought that the PSNP will address the needs of chronically food insecure households,” said the report.

The overall production prospects for the 2005/2006 season crop are also expected to show a marked increase over previous years due to the good performance of the rains during the belg (March – May) and kiremt (June – September) seasons, the increase in planted areas in recent years (some 9.8 million hectares for the year 2004/2005) as well as above average cereal prices (for example the significant increase in world coffee prices that will positively affect at least 700,000 households in Ethiopia) and no reported serious incidents of pests.

The report also noted that while the number of people in need of assistance in 2006 could be less than the 3.8 million beneficiaries who received emergency food assistance in 2005, segments of the rural population, especially in pastoral areas, may continue to be unable to access adequate food.

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Ethiopian Delegation visits Edinburgh for ACP-EU Summit

The Speaker of the House of Peoples Representatives Ambassador Teshome Toga led a high-level delegation to Britain to attend the tenth African-Caribbean-Pacific and European Union (ACP-EU) Joint Parliamentary Summit. The delegation arrived on 15^th November for the ten day conference in Edinburgh, where they briefed representatives from other member countries on the current events surrounding the Ethio-Eritrea border and the events since the May 2005 election. 

The delegation reiterated the belief of the Ethiopian Government that the present border situation calls for dialogue and that it is impossible to achieve any resolution to the problem other than through peaceful means. It also distributed written materials relating to the May 2005 elections, which detailed the preparatory work that went into organising peaceful and democratic elections, as well as the efforts being made by the Government and Parliament to settle post election problems, including the creation of the independent inquiry commission.

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Addis Ababa short-listed for Town Planning Award

Addis Ababa has been short-listed for the prestigious 2005 World Leadership Awards for its innovative and resourceful town planning under the stewardship of its Mayor, H.E. Mr Arkebe Oukubay. In the Town-Planning section of the Awards, Addis Ababa is up against South Africa and Barcelona in the final short-list.

Under Arkebe’s stewardship the Award judges recognized that there had been many improvements in Urban Governance. Under Mayor Arkebe the lowest administrative structure, the kebele, was made the centre of development and was given the power to administer schools and health centres, promote the development of small businesses, coordinate neighbourhood developments, and enforce the various municipal and non-municipal codes. This enhanced the participation of local communities and increased the transparency and accountability of the governance systems. People’s Advisory Councils with more than 80,000 members were established at all levels with members drawn from all sections of society. Any policies, programmes and budget proposals initiated by the City Government have to be deliberated by these councils before they are implemented. Delivery of services to residents and local businesses showed dramatic improvements.

The innovative Grand Integrated Housing Development Programme addressed the problem of offering housing for the Urban Poor. In 2005 the city began construction of about 50,000 housing units and allocated about 40% of its budget for the housing programme. 32,000 housing units are well under construction, with employment opportunities created for more than 40,000 in 2005 alone. About 1000 small enterprises were established and are now actively participating in various works such as brick-laying. Addis also introduced an innovative neighbourhood development programme that engages slum dweller communities and prioritises their most pressing problems in consultation with their local administration to determine the budget required to execute the projects. The major works executed in 2004 include 300km of access roads and 160km of drainage systems.

The city administration designed an employment strategy that promotes the development of the private sector. Given that the size of the labour force is growing faster than the large-scale investment, the development of small-scale enterprise was indispensable to addressing the problem of growing unemployment and poor quality employment. The city placed micro and small enterprise development at the centre of its urban development strategy. The city arranged credit facilities to small businesses and in 2004 and 2005 micro and small enterprises received 160 million Birr (USD$ 20 million) in credit at favourable terms. Technological support is also provided to small businesses in the form of improved equipment and machinery that help improve productivity and quality of product. Small firms are given access to opportunities by linking them with foreign and domestic suppliers, supermarkets, etc. Small businesses receive priority and preferential treatment in government contracts particularly in the construction industry. As a result in 2004 small businesses created about 65,000 new jobs in the City, while this number more than doubled in 2005 where more than 110,000 people gained temporary and permanent employment opportunities with micro and small enterprises, with women and young people benefiting most.

The prevention and control of the spread of HIV/AIDS was the top health priority of the city, which rapidly expanded voluntary counselling and testing service centres, promoted the distribution and effective use of condoms, and raised awareness to counter stigmatisation. All these resulted in a behavioural change among people, as well as a significant turn around in the spread of the virus.

The primary education enrolment rate is currently about 96%, while the secondary education enrolment rate is about 39% in Addis Ababa. The number of classrooms increased so students can access full day education and more teachers are being trained. The construction of nearly 200 school blocks with 4,000 classrooms that can accommodate 200,000 students was launched in 2005. The schools are constructed using a low cost-technology and with an active participation of the community in terms of financial, material and labour contribution.

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Meles attends launch of Partnership with Africa initiative

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has visited Germany to attend the launch of the new ‘Partnership with Africa’ initiative. The Premier was in Bonn on 4^th and 5^th November alongside Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, South African President Thabo Mbeki, former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union Alpha Omar Konare and President of the Pan-African Parliament Gertrude Mongella for the launch of German President Hurst Koehler’s forum, which is expected to deliberate on cooperation and partnership between Africa and the developed world.

In a press conference at the end of the two-day meeting, the gathered leaders expressed their belief that the initiative will help to forge a real and tangible partnership between African and European countries. The Ethiopian Ambassador to Germany, Hiruy Woldeamanuael said Prime Minister Meles, President Obasanjo and President Mbeki were invited to the Forum as they are believed to have developed key ideas on furthering the partnership between Africa and the developed nations. The forum agreed to hold further meetings on an annual basis until 2009, with the next taking place in 2006 in Africa. 

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Book-link & Blackwell donate medical books worth $55,000

Blackwell Publishing has donated medical science text books worth more than US $55,000 to Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education through the London-based charity, Book-Link. The 1,500 medical science text books will be used by all five medical schools in Ethiopia, to help further the education of the country’s future doctors and nurses. Among the books will be key texts, such as Axford’s Medicine and Cuschieri’s Surgery as well as the renowned Lecture Notes and At a Glance series.

At a press conference on 16^th November in Addis Ababa marking the arrival of the books, Minister of Education, Dr Sentayehu Woldemichael, lauded the donations made by Book-Link, adding that education inputs are “essential in producing skilled manpower and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.”

State Minister Dr Adhana Haile said the donation is both “essential and timely” and extended his gratitude to Ethiopian Airlines for shipping the books free of charge.

Professor Beard, co-founder of Book-Link and Professor Emeritus of obstetrics and Gynecology at the School of Medicine of the Imperial College, said the donation “has the potential to revolutionise the medical education system in Ethiopia. As Ethiopia continues to confront diseases, such as malaria, AIDS, and tuberculosis, it is imperative that their medical students have high-quality resources and education to prepare for these challenges.”

Speaking at the time of the original announcement of the donation back in September, René Olivieri, the CEO of Blackwell Publishing, “We are pleased to partner with Book Link on this project. Book-Link aligns well with our mission to support the advancement of knowledge and learning and it is our hope that these books will help grow the medical curriculum in Ethiopia.”

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Ethiopian coffee exports increase

Ethiopia’s coffee is enjoying increased popularity in the world’s market as figures show exports of the country’s specialty coffee have risen five-fold over the last few years. In an interview on 27^th November, the President of the Ethiopian Coffee Exporters Association (ECEA), Hailu Gebre Hiwot said last year’s exports of the country’s specialty coffee had reached more than 50,000 tonnes – up by 500% in the last six years, which he in part attributed to the strong reputation of Ethiopian coffee among major international buyers and roasters.

With more and more coffee washing stations opening in the country, the production of quality, washed coffee beans has increased at a faster rate than that of the unwashed variety, accounting for nearly a third of the country’s coffee exports last year, said Hailu, with the added benefit that specialty coffees sell at higher prices than ordinary varieties.

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Ethiopia’s 8% economic growth prediction

Ethiopia's economy is on course to achieve a growth rate of 7-8% in this financial year, according to a senior Ministry of Finance official. Fantahun Belew, the Head of the Ministry of Finance’s macro-economic policy department, said the economy was on the road to recovery after slumping to negative growth in 2002/03 due to a severe drought.

"We hope we will continue to have a stable macro-economic (environment) with economic growth of between 7 to 8% percent this year," Fantahun said. "Our ambition is to scale that to achieve 10% growth in the long-term. We also project single digit inflation, but not more than 10%."

Ethiopia recorded a real gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 8.9% in the 2004/05 fiscal year which ended in June, compared with 11.4% the previous year. Negative growth of 2.9% was recorded in 2002/03, a result in part of two consecutive years of severe drought.

Fantahun said he did not expect the country's political problems impact greatly on the forecast, saying that "these are very short spells and will not have major effect on economic projections.”

Fantahun went onto say that the Ethiopian government had introduced economic reforms to ensure growth is sustained as a means of pulling millions out of poverty. He also said that the fact that international aid was being used properly would convince donors to continue supporting Ethiopia's reforms.

"The government is more accountable and transparent than ever in managing financial resources," he said. "We hope our development partners will focus on our performance."

The reforms introduced aim to boost agricultural production, transform the civil service, raise investment in the regions and alternations to the tax regime to increase the collection of internal revenue.

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Ethiopian Airlines report passenger increase

Ethiopian Airlines has reported a massive increase in business in the first quarter of the current financial Ethiopian year. More than 462,000 passengers used the airline in the three month period, marking a 17% increase in passenger numbers for the same period last year.

Kagnew Fisseha, the public relations manager for the airline, also revealed that EA earned a net profit in the last 2004 – 2005 financial year of more than 308 million Birr (US $35.5 million), while annual passenger numbers reached more than one million, as a result of the various reforms and measures adopted by the airline over the last few years.

EA, which is the largest African airline and provides domestic and international services between Ethiopia, the United States, Europe and Asia, has been undergoing a programme of modernisation to enable it to compete more effectively in the air transport industry. It recently announced plans for the construction of a new cargo terminal at Addis Ababa airport, which will have the capacity to handle up to 120,000 tonnes of cargo every year, and signed a contract with the Boeing Company for the purchase of ten Boeing 787 airplanes in a move described by Ethiopian President Girma Wolde Giorgis as placing “EA at the forefront of the future of commercial aviation, not only in Africa but also across the globe.”

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Arab Bank signs new loan for transport project

The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has signed a US $6.5 million loan agreement with the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). In a ceremony held at the BADEA headquarters in Khartoum on Wednesday 16^th November, the agreement, which will help finance the Assosa-Kurmuk Road Project in western Ethiopia was signed by H.E. Kadafo Mohamed Hanfare the Ambassador of Ethiopia in Khartoum and Mr. Medhat Sami Lotfy, the Director General of BADEA.

It is hoped that the Assosa-Kurmuk road project, which will link Ethiopia to the Sudan, will contribute to the national, regional and economic development of Ethiopia by widening and integrating the road network by connecting the various regions to the project area. Furthermore, the project should facilitate the passage of goods and trade with the Republic of the Sudan, as well as provide access to social services, while ensuring road safety and reducing the cost of transportation.

The project is co-financed by the Saudi Fund for Development and the Ethiopian government. This new loan will be repaid over 30 years with a 10 period of grace, and is part of the total $95.36 million of loans agreed between Ethiopia and BADEA.

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Awash Winery begins expansion work

The Awash Winery temporarily stopped production at its factory to install new equipment as part of its expansion project to increase output and efficiency. Production at the factory, in Lideta District, was suspended for 45 days in order to allow the new equipment from Italy and Germany to be installed. The equipment was acquired with money from the Privatisation and Public Enterprises Supervising Agency, with installation originally planned for before September 2005. It was delayed when the boiler from Italy was accidentally damaged en route.

The old equipment was dismantled and reinstalled at the Awash factory in Mekanissa, where production continued. The company, which as been in business for the last 25 years, also recently reported a 12.5 million Birr profit in the 2004/2005 financial year, up from the 8.8 million Birr profit from the previous year.

The Harar Brewery also began an expansion project recently, which it hopes will increase production by more than 50%. The brewery produces more than 15,000 barrels of beer annually and is well known for its different varieties of beer, which is sold throughout Ethiopia and exported to the US, Canada, Djibouti and the Netherlands.

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Corporation signs deals for new power plants

The Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPC) has signed an agreement worth more than 667 million Birr for the construction of a power distribution plant and the installation of power transmission lines. The agreement was signed by EEPC General Manager Mihret Debebe, the International Manager of Spanish company CYMI & SOCOIN and Hemant Desai, the International Project Manager of the India-based KEC International Ltd on Wednesday 23^rd November 2005.

Under the agreement, CYMI & SOCOIN will build the 400-KiloVolt electric power stations at Sokoru and Alem Gena woredas, and upgrade the Sebeta I power distribution station to 230KV.  KEC International will install 213 kilometre-power lines which will carry electricity from the Gilgel Gibe II hydroelectric dam to the distribution stations in Addis Ababa and Sebeta.

The EEPC General Manager, Mihret Debebe, said the planned projects will help to create a reliable electric power supply in Ethiopia, “as part of the 25-year Master Plan and the five-year Strategic Plan of the Corporation.”

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Ethiopian NGO receives award at World Travel Market

An Ethiopian non-governmental organisation received an international tourism award at London’s World Travel Market on Wednesday 16^th November. Local non-profit NGO TESFA (Tourism in Ethiopia for Sustainable Future Alternatives) assists remote rural communities by helping rustic holiday tukuls in Ethiopia’s highlands, which are run by local villagers. TESFA was praised for its pioneering work in the Highly Commended for Poverty Reduction category.

"Tourism can play a crucial role in helping local communities end their dependency on aid and food handouts," said Mekedim Fikre, manager and founder of TESFA.

"It means local people benefit directly from money spent by tourists," added Mekedim.

Close to three thousand people directly benefit from the tourist sites, which are located in three communities in Meket woreda. The NGO, working with the villagers, builds the sites to international standards, which are then run by the locals, who work as guides, cooks and site managers.

"By involving local communities you ensure that projects are sustainable and address the needs of the communities as determined by the people who live in them," said Mekedim.

"The cottages are built at specially selected sites with sheer cliff faces, waterfalls and woodland, giving spectacular views of the Ethiopian highlands and dramatic gorges."

TESFA was short listed from around 700 other organisations around the world for the 2005 First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards in the Best for Poverty Reduction category. Ethiopian Airlines was among those organisations that supported TESFA’s nomination, while Hollywood actor Brad Pitt is the most famous visitor to the holiday tukuls.

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Ethiopia receives donation to help fight trachoma

ORBIS International, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the prevention of blindness in the developing world, has announced that more than $17 million worth of the Pfizer-donated antibiotic, Zithromax, will be distributed in Ethiopia to help the organisation in its fight against trachoma – one of the leading causes of blindness. The drug will be given through the International Trachoma Initiative, which will also donate similar amounts to ORBIS over the next two years.

"This donation by Pfizer, through ITI, will be life changing to so many Ethiopians," said Oliver Foot, president and executive director of ORBIS.

Founded in 1998, the ITI collaborates with national ministries of health and other partners to develop a strategy for tackling trachoma. Trachoma affects 84 million people world wide, 8 million of whom are blind, with preschool children and adult women the most at risk of infection. Representatives from ITI recently held talks with Ethiopian State Minister for Health, Dr. Tewdros Adhanom, to discuss Ethiopia’s Five-Year National Programme for Trachoma Control, which is now being implemented in 32 woredas across the country and will give an estimated 25 million Ethiopians access to preventative medicines.

Since it was created in 1982, ORBIS has, through its permanent country programmes and Flying Eye Hospital, trained more than 93,000 local professionals in 83 countries and recently announced that it has allocated more than 13 million Birr for the provision of various ophthalmic services Ethiopia in 2006. Dr Wondu Alemayehu, the Country Director of ORBIS Ethiopia, said the money was earmarked for sixteen projects across the country which to integrate and improve the capacity of services.

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President opens Ethiopia’s World AIDS Day

President Girma Wolde Giorgis has called on all Ethiopians to work together to contain the spread of HIV/AIDS. In a speech delivered as part of the country’s observance of World AIDS Day on 1^st December, the President called on all citizens to ‘join hands’ against the virus. He said the efforts made so far to contain the spread of HIV/AIDS have shown encouraging results, but warned people not to be “deceived by the results achieved” as “continued quality treatment to all those in need is important.”

The President then went on to open a National Resource Fair at the Sheraton Addis which is exhibiting materials designed to raise the awareness of HIV/AIDS, among which were leaflets and other materials produced over the last few years with the help of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (or PEPFAR). More than 30 government and non-governmental organisations engaged in HIV/AIDS related work took part in the three-day exhibition.

Also speaking at the event was Minister of Health Dr. Tewodros Adhanom, who said 16,404 people were now benefiting from free anti-retroviral (ART) treatment, up from only 900 the previous year, and the number is expected to rise to 100,000 over the course of the next year.

The event was also attended by government officials, foreign dignitaries and diplomats, among whom was the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission for the US Embassy, Mr Brian Moran, who also spoke at the launch event. Mr Moran noted that Ethiopia, one of the fifteen PEPFAR beneficiary countries, has secured $120.9 million so far and will also receive $101 million next year to help the country reach its five-year goal of providing anti-retroviral treatments to more than 210,000 people, as well as care and support services to a further one million, while hopefully preventing at least 555,000 new HIV infections.  

Head of the Addis Ababa Health Bureau, Dr. Etagegn Getahun said the City Administration had increased its services and the number of target beneficiaries by establishing prevention and control councils at all levels and assigning coordinators and executive bodies up to kebele levels. Dr. Etagegn also noted that the number of voluntary HIV/AIDS blood testing and counseling facilities had reached 147, which have benefited 370,919 people in the last two years.

Among the other events that took place was a panel discussion organised by the African Union (AU) on the prevention of HIV/AIDS, which featured the AU Commissioner for Social Affairs, Bience Gawanas, UNAIDS representative to Regional Organisations, Bunmi Makinwa and UNICEF country Director, Bjorn Ljunqvist.

There was also a prize giving ceremony to recognise the efforts of individuals living with HIV and of organisations for their work in the prevention and control of the virus. At the ceremony, which was attended by MPs, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi expressed his belief that all Ethiopians would work hard in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Meles gave his special thanks and prize money to the winners, who also received certificates of recognition from the President. 

A minute’s silence was observed for those Africans who have lost their lives through the virus.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS

● The 50^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Japan was commemorated in November with a series of events, which included a performance by a Japanese drum team and the opening of the restored Japanese garden in the grounds of the National Palace. At a press conference at the start of the commemorative events, Japanese Ambassador Kenjiro Izumi said the two countries have enjoyed friendly relations and that his government will continue to assist with education, health, potable water and other projects around Ethiopia.

● The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has praised Ethiopia for its ‘substantial progress’ in its programme to deal with the possibility of an avian flu outbreak. As part of its preparations at the end of October, Ethiopia established a national task force to plan for the possibility of a bird flu outbreak, and tightened the ban on poultry imports from countries where the H5N1 strain of the flu has been found, as well as demanding all imported poultry products be tested before entering the country.

● Ethiopia imported its first cargo of goods through the Red Sea port of Berbera in Somaliland on 15^th November. The arrangement came into effect in July this year, following a bilateral agreement in August 2003 to improve road links and establish customs and posts, which, it is believed will help create jobs and encourage trade.

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Addis Chamber Trade Fair

The tenth Addis Chamber International Trade Fair will be held from 23^rd February to 1^st March 2006, at the Addis Ababa Exhibition Centre. Organised by the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce, the “Quality and standards for competitiveness” trade fair is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Bank of Ethiopia, Ethiopian Investment Commission, Ethiopian Airlines and the Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation, amongst others. The fair organisers hope that it will create an opportunity to introduce Ethiopian business enterprises and their products/services to the general public and the international business community, while promoting the investment potential of the country. For a visitor application form and more info log on to www.addischamber.com

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New library offers interactive learning to 50,000 children

A new youth library has opened in Addis Ababa which will benefit more than 50,000 young people. The Impact Children and Youth Library, which opened on Saturday 26^th November, is a learning centre for young people living in the Kirkos area of Addis, and will help to enhance their educational achievements. It is also hoped that the extra educational opportunities provided by this new facility will help address long-term development issues in the country.

The library offers a range of useful and interactive learning activities that incorporate multimedia tools, which it is hoped will make learning a rewarding and enriching experience, as well as create an environment conducive to learning, with information available in an accessible manner.

Youth forums on issues such as health, citizenship and careers, as well as after-school educational programmes such as computer and internet training courses are among the activities planned.

The initiative, which will be run by Impact Library, an Ethiopian NGO, has been supported by UNESCO – the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation – who have provided funding to equip the library’s computer lab and audio-visual centre, as well as staff-training in the use of ICT and various software tools such as CDS/ISIS and Greenstone Digital Library Suite.

It is the first facility to be operated by Impact Library and will act as a pilot from which lessons will be learnt that will guide and inform the expansion of the project into other parts of Ethiopia.

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Ancient Helmet returned to Ethiopia

An ancient 16th century soldier's helmet has been returned to Ethiopia almost 140 years after it was stolen by invading British troops. The helmet was officially handed over at the museum of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies in Addis Ababa University on 29th October 2005.

The helmet had been left in Ethiopia by Portuguese troops who were actively engaged in the country's politics in the 16th and 17th centuries when they supported the Ethiopian monarchy against enemies and rebels. It was last seen in Emperor Tewodros' treasury before it was stripped bare by UK soldiers.

The helmet is the tenth major piece of plunder that has been handed back to Ethiopia since 2001, when a Scottish priest returned a sacred Tabot (or holy altar slab), also taken in the Battle of Magdala in 1868.

The ancient Portuguese helmet is being returned by Richard Snailham of the Anglo-Ethiopian Society in London, who had the artifact in his private collection after acquiring it from a descendant of one of the Magdala campaign's officers.

Campaigners believe the trickle of returns which started after the formation of AFROMET (the Association for the Return of the Magdala Ethiopian Treasures) is now slowly becoming a flood.

Richard Pankhurst, son of the suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst and vice-chair of AFROMET in Addis Ababa said “each return seems to inspire someone else to check in their attic and find a missing piece of Ethiopia's national treasure. The whole process has a cumulative effect.”

Since 2001 those items of Magdala plunder that have been returned to Ethiopia have included a tabot from the Rev John McLuckie, of St John's Episcopal Church, Edinburgh in December 2001, a tabot and illuminated manuscript by Ian MacLennon in July 2003, a Book of Psalms by Andrew Heavens and Amber Henshaw in September 2003, Emperor Tewedros’ Shield by Fiona Wilson, academic in Denmark in May 2004, pages of a torn manuscript by a UK lawyer in February 2005 and a sword from Tony Watts of Bapty Limited in October 2005.

More information is available on the www.afromet.org website.

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Popstar Lemar talks Ethiopia

The singer Lemar Obika has been speaking on British television about his trip to Ethiopia. In an interview on the GMTV programme on Tuesday 22^nd November, the former Fame Academy star spoke about his Christian Aid sponsored trip to Addis Ababa and Lalibela.

The Brit and MOBO award winning star talked about his visits to the Gemini Trust, which promotes development and AIDS awareness through creative arts and a local community dance group, and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Development and Interchurch Aid Commission water project, which helps local farmers and assists the provision of clean water. He also visited the site of the historic Lalibela carved rock churches.

“Meeting people in Ethiopia is amazing. I hear about their lives, where they are and where they want to get to – it’s inspirational,” Lemar says in his online diary of his trip.

Christmas Books

Chains of Heaven: an Ethiopian Romance

Philip Marsden’s latest book on Ethiopia The Chains of Heaven: an Ethiopian Romance has received very favourable reviews and extracts concerning the monastery of Abba Salama – “possibly the world's most terrifying approach to a holy site”, according to the author (see chapter 14)  - were published in the Times newspaper. It is published by Harper Collins and costs £14.99. In end-of-year book review lists the writer William Dalrymple chose it as his book of the year. The book has been reprinted as it sold out within a few weeks.

The Moor of St Petersburg
 

The latest book on Ethiopian prince “Abraham Hannibal” by Frances Somers Cocks is a thrilling account of his possible origins, both in Ethiopia and in Chad. A very engaging read, The Moor of St Petersburg: in the Footsteps of a Black Russian (Goldhawk Press) has attracted favourable reviews and is available from all good bookshops, price £8.99.

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Sport

Haile Gebrselassie won the 22^nd Zevenheuvelenloop 15 kilometre race in Njimegen, the Netherlands, clocking his third world best this year. The Ethiopian champion finished the race in 41 minutes and 57 seconds, just 28 seconds short of the world record set in 2001, but marking the world best for 2005. Haile was one of the 21,350 runners that took part in the race on Sunday 20^th November.

This latest victory for Haile follows his world best time for the 10 miles (44:24) in September in Tilburg and this year’s fastest marathon (2:06:20) at the ING Amsterdam Marathon in October. Haile was a late entrant for the run with organisers keen to compensate for the withdrawal of Britain’s Paula Radcliffe, who was suffering from bronchitis, and sought a ‘star athlete’ to take her place. He was joined in the men’s 15km by fellow Ethiopian Tessema Abshiro, who finished in fourth place with a time of 43:40.

Meanwhile, Berhane Adere and Mestawat Tufa also ran for Ethiopia in the women’s race, with Berhane finishing a comfortable first in 47:48, and Mestawat coming in third place with 49:00.

The 2005 International Chiba Ekiden took place on Wednesday 23^rd November, with more than 630,000 spectators watching the 13,000 runners that took part. Ethiopia’s Women’s team finished in overall second place with a time of 2:14:16. In the relay awards, Ethiopia’s Burka Gabo came first in the men’s race with a time of 13:22, while Ejigu Sentayehu came third in the women’s race in 15:29. Finally, in the 5000m sub event, Ali Abdoshi came first in the men’s race clocking a time of 13:56.92 and Alemitu Abera won the women’s event with a time of 15:53.91.

More than 26,000 runners took part in the fifth Toyota Great Ethiopian Run (GER) in Addis Ababa on Sunday 27^th November, setting a new record for the biggest road race in Africa. Organisers had originally planned for 25,000 participants, but added the extra spaces because of huge demand.

Ethiopian athletes won both the Men’s and the Women’s events in the 10 km race, the course of which ran through the main streets of Addis Ababa and finished in Meskel Square. Ketema Negussie finished the Men’s race in 28 minutes, 24.13 seconds, beating the previous record set in 2003. Genet Getahun finished the Women’s race in 33 minutes, 5 seconds, an improvement of 1 minute on her previous year’s time. They were both awarded 35,000 birr in prize money, 10,000 of which was for setting new course records.

Meanwhile, members of the National Orphans and Vulnerable Children Task Force, an umbrella organisation that includes UNICEF, UNAIDS, USAID, NGOs and Ethiopian government departments, raised more than $18,000 after they took part in the GER as part of their "Run for Their Dreams". The money raised will go to the care of orphans and vulnerable children.

Kenenisa Bekele will be taking part in the Great Edinburgh International Cross Country in Holyrood Park, Scotland on 14^th January 2006. He was due to race the event last January, but withdrew following the sad death of his fiancee.

Also in the new year, Haile Gebrselassie will take part in the 21.1km P.F. Chang’s Rock n’ Roll half marathon in Phoenix Arizona on 15^th January. The event, which is expected to attract 34,000 runners, will mark his first road race in the USA. Tim Murphy, the Elite Racing President, said

“It’ll be gigantic...and draw more attention to this as a truly worldwide event. Haile is truly the greatest.”

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Ethiopian News – Volume 4 Number 10   November  2005

 Published by the Press Office, Ethiopian Embassy, 17 Princes Gate, London SW7 1PZ

Telephone: 020 7838 3883   Fax: 020 7838 3889

info@ethioembassy.org.uk  www.ethioembassy.org.uk