The Monthly Publication of The Ethiopian Embassy in London 

ETHIOPIAN  NEWS

Volume 4 Number 7 June / July  2005 On-line version   

NEBE releases results for 435 Parliamentary Seats

The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has announced official results for 435 of the 524 constituencies where elections were held on 15th May 2005. Three hundred and seven results were released on 8th July in the presence of representatives of political parties, international observers and the media at the NEBE Headquarters. A further 128 results were released on Tuesday 26^th July.

Out of the 435 official results, the ruling EPRDF has secured 241 seats followed by the two major opposition parties, the CUD with 108 seats, and the UEDF with 51 seats. The other official results are as follows: OFDM 11, BGPDUF 8, ANDP 8, GPDM 3, SMPDUO 1, SPDP 1, HNL 1, ANDO 1, Independent 1. The list of winners for the House of People’s Representatives is available at the NEBE’s website www.electionsethiopia.org

The initial 307 results declared included those constituencies where the results were not contested and those where the complaints lodged were rejected by the Complaints Review Body (CRB) and the NEBE after preliminary hearings. Eighty-eight of the 128 results declared on 26^th July were those which Complaint Investigation Panels (CIPs) recommended the provisional results be upheld and the remaining 40 are the ones rejected by the Complaints Review Body (CRB) after initial hearings.

The Board endorsed all recommendations made by the Complaints Body and Panels, with the exception of the Adama 2 constituency in East Shoa zone of Oromia State, where it decided to uphold the provisional result.  Following the recommendations by the CIPs, the NEBE has ordered that elections be re-run in 15 constituencies. NEBE Chairman Ato Kemal Bedri said “All re-run elections will take place on 21 August, on the same day as the elections in the Somali region.”

Meanwhile, the NEBE extended the registration period for political candidates standing in the Somali State elections for the State Council and House of Peoples’ Representatives on 21^st August, by a period of one week at the end of July, instructing woreda and constituency administrations to continue the process at the same time as voter registration. The decision, which was announced on 8^th July, was made after political parties requested the extension to allow more candidates to be fielded, which it is hoped, will result in a greater participation in the election. It is thought an estimated 2.5 million voters will register between 25^th July and 13^th August, when the registration period ends.

The temporary ban on demonstrations and outdoor public gatherings imposed by the Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia was lifted on 14^th July. The ban was enforced as of May 16, 2005. As the situation in Addis has returned to normal “there is no necessity to lengthen the duration of the ban,” the Prime Minister’s office said. The spokesman added that any group wishing to hold a demonstration still needs to apply to the relevant authority, the Addis Ababa City Provisional Government, who have the authority to issue permits for demonstrations or public meetings in line with the laws of the country.

AU meeting calls for full debt relief

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi led a high-level delegation to the fifth African Heads of State and Government Summit, which met in Sirte, Libya, on 3^rd July 2005. African leaders welcomed the $50 billion debt relief already agreed by the G8 but called for full debt cancellation for all African nations, fairer trade with the developed world and an end to agricultural subsidies. They also called for donor nations to increase aid to 0.7% of their Gross Domestic Product by 2015 and requested that two of its members be given permanent seats on the UN Security Council when its reform is debated in September.

Among the other issues discussed at the summit were security on the continent with specific reference to Somalia, Sudan and Cote d'Ivoire, and a report on Africa’s common position which was to be submitted at the G8 Summit in Gleneagles.

In an end of summit statement, leaders requested developed countries and development partners “expedite the process of total debt cancellation for Africa by the year 2007” and that it "must be applied by all creditors (multinational, bilateral and commercial), including the African Development Bank". They also called on the international community to eliminate trade barriers and subsidies to give Africa access to fair markets. The statement also endorsed the recommendations of the Commission for Africa report, which called for increased foreign assistance to the continent in return for good governance.

Speaking to journalists during the AU Summit, PM Meles Zenawi said that Western donors should not waste aid money “to prop up unsavoury leaders”, while UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said most countries would prefer to use trade to “lift themselves out of poverty than live on handouts” and the challenge beyond aid would be the abandonment of restrictive trade embargoes and subsidies so Africa could compete more fairly. The AU also passed a resolution calling on all western countries to return cultural artefacts stolen during colonial times.

Meles attends G8 meeting

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi came to the UK to attend the G8 Summit held in Gleneagles, Scotland, as G8 leaders confirmed the cancellation of 100% of outstanding debts of the 18 eligible Heavily Indebted Poor Countries - which includes Ethiopia. Meles was one of several leaders from African countries, which included South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana, Senegal and Algeria, who were invited to meet the G8 leaders and attend a special session on Friday 8^th July 2005.

The leaders of the G8 nations - the United States, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada - backed the agreement, which was made on 11^th June by finance ministers, who called for the immediate scrapping of 100% of the debt owed by the world’s poorest nations to free up funds for health care, education and other urgent needs.

Those countries – many in sub-Saharan Africa – owe about $40 billion to the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the African Development Bank.

The G8 leaders and representatives from the European Union also agreed a £28.8 billion aid boost for Africa. EU member states have pledged to reach a collective aid target of 0.56% of Gross Domestic Product by 2010, and 0.7% by 2015. President George W. Bush proposed doubling US aid to Africa over the next five years to $8.6bn (£4.8bn). The G8 deal also includes commitments to the wider distribution of anti-HIV drugs in Africa by 2010; to provide extra support for training 20,000 African peace-keeping troops; to support the African Peer Review Mechanism to encourage African countries to improve governance and action to reduce bribery by the private sector through rigorously enforced laws against bribing foreign public officials.

Most trade issues were deferred until discussions take place later this year in Hong Kong, but there was support for increased market access and a commitment to working towards a timetable to ending subsidies and trade tariffs.

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who heads the African Union, said the summit was a success and that African issues were being tackled "realistically".

"The G8 leaders are now saying to African leaders, 'yes', if you do your side of the deal we will do our side of the deal. We are on the right path, but we still have a long way to go."

British Prime Minister Tony Blair recognised the limitations of the agreements reached. "It isn't all everyone wanted, but it is progress," he said. "It does not change the world tomorrow; it is a beginning, not an end. I believe we have made very substantial progress indeed. We do not, simply by this communique, make poverty history. But we do show it can be done and we do signify the political will to do it.”

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said the G8 deal represented a "good day", but that it was only "a beginning". Hilary Benn, the UK Secretary of State for International Development, said the summit showed "politics demonstrating its capacity to make a difference".

Campaigner and Commissioner for Africa, Bob Geldof hailed the G8 summit deal, saying as a result “ten million more Africans will be alive in 2010.”

 
The UN Millennium Review summit later this year will consider the progress made towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals, but it is already clear that much more needs to be done – one of the reasons why Prime Minister Blair set up the Commission for Africa, of which PM Meles was a key part.

African leaders have been invited to previous G8 Summits, such as the Kananaskis Summit in 2002, where the Africa Action Plan was agreed, in response to, and in support of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), itself initially developed and articulated by a small group of African leaders and endorsed by the African Union in July 2001. G8 Heads of State allocated Africa Personal Representatives to take forward the Africa Action Plan, who reported its progress to the meeting at Gleneagles.

After attending the G8 summit, Prime Minister Meles returned to Ethiopia, stopping off to attend the inaugural ceremony of the Sudanese President and Vice President.

Meles to receive Yara award

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has been named the winner of the Yara Prize, a new award honouring individuals or organisations who reduce poverty and hunger through environmentally sustainable agriculture in Africa. The Ethiopian Premier will receive the first Yara Prize – worth US $200,000 – for his contribution to improved food security and human nutrition in environmental friendly ways. According to the prize committee, Meles has brought about political change in Ethiopia, while introducing development strategies that considered the rural poor first and foremost. The award, which was created this year by the Oslo based agricultural group Yara International ASA, consists of the $200,000 bursary, a diploma and a work of art.

According to the Yara website, the prize was established in response to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s July 2004 challenge to the private sector that it should help create a ‘green revolution’ in Africa. The company – a global market leader in mineral fertilisers – took up the challenge, and sought to focus on the real possibilities for ending Africa’s deep structural crisis and eradicating its life-threatening poverty. Present on the continent since 1985, Yara saw “a special opportunity, and a particular responsibility, to help increase productivity in African farming” and set up the Yara Foundation, whose main purpose is to award Prize and to commend outstanding efforts within African agriculture. An international Board of experts, chaired by the Yara President and CEO, selects candidates for the award.

The prize will be presented by Jeffrey Sachs, the top economic advisor to the United Nations, at a ceremony in Olso, Norway on 3^rd September.

Donor countries should double assistance – Sachs

Professor Jeffrey Sachs, the special advisor to the UN Secretary General heading the Millennium Development Programme, has called for donor countries to double their assistance to Ethiopia, at a meeting with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Professor Sachs, who met with PM Meles on 25^th July, said the current level of assistance given to Ethiopia is less than half that which is given to other African countries.

Professor Sachs also reported that encouraging results in education, food security, infrastructure development and the expansion of health service facilities for mothers and children, had been achieved in a pilot development project underway in Koraro kebele in Hawzein woreda, in Tigray. The project, which was launched four months ago, is part of a programme being carried out in ten African countries which are designed to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals – eight anti-poverty goals which the world aims to meet by 2015.

Prime Minister Meles said the successes achieved in the pilot project showed that meeting the millennium development goals was possible so long as the necessary assistance was made available, and expressed his belief that positive results could be achieved by replicating the project in other parts of the country. Meles also said that among the development projects underway in Ethiopia, the government was focusing on rural irrigation, education, health, rural road development, electrification and telephone network expansion. Professor Sachs also praised the ‘encouraging’ move by the European Union to double its assistance to Africa, and the positive progress that had been made by the G8 Summit, the Commission for Africa report and the UN’s Millennium Project.

Export Revenues Increase

The Ministry of Trade and Industry has announced that export revenues increased in the last Ethiopian financial year. Ethiopia earned more than US $708 million from the exports – primarily of coffee, but also meat, livestock, floricultural and horticultural products, grains, oil seeds, hides and skins – to Europe, Asia, America and other African countries. The amount earned exceeds that of the previous year by $200 million following a 39% increase in the volume of goods exported. The figures, announced on 15^th July, show coffee accounted for the largest proportion of total exports, with 145,000 tonnes earning $296 million, showing a growth of 65% in revenue generated and a 14% increase in supplies when compared to last year, while skins and hides exports have registered a 61% increase in supply and a 48% increase in revenue.

EIC registers success in European tour

Recent visits to four European countries proved successful in promoting investment opportunities in Ethiopia, according to the Head of the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC). Speaking on 22^nd June, Commissioner Abi Wolde-Meskel said the trips to Slovakia, Austria, Hungary and Belgium, during which discussions were held with investors, members of the business community and government officials, had lead to encouraging results in the promotion of the opportunities and incentives devised by the Ethiopian government.

Following discussions, the Commissioner noted that since the Slovakian company Matador launched a joint venture with the Addis Tyre Factory, more investors from Slovakia had expressed their interest in investing in Ethiopia. During discussions, investors talked of the potential of agriculture and industry in Ethiopia, and of their plans to visit the country to study investment opportunities more closely.

The Ethiopian Embassy in Austria organised a workshop on opportunities and incentives for interested business people, and a consensus was reached on agreements relating to investment protection and insurance. A similar workshop was held in Hungary, where investors showed an interest in working in the floriculture, food and hides and skins sectors.  

Abi Wolde-Meskel later announced the establishment of the Investment Facilitation and After-care Department of the Commission, which will work to help investors expand their businesses, while still trying to attract new investors. The Department was established to make the investor support programme more efficient, by helping them to tackle any difficulties they encounter.

Hungary cancels debt

The governments of Ethiopia and Hungary have signed a US $7.4million debt cancellation and development cooperation agreement. The debt cancellation amounts to 90% of the total amount which Ethiopia owes to Hungary. The 29^th June agreement, was signed by State Minister of Finance and Economic Development Mekonnen Manyazewal and Hungarian Ambassador to Ethiopia Dudai Jano. The Hungarian Government also decided that the remaining 10% should go towards the implementation of the poverty reduction programme in Ethiopia, as a mark of the closening ties between the two countries. At the signing of the agreement, Minister Mekonnen called on Hungarian investors and private establishments to make use of the enabling investment environment in Ethiopia.

Can Organic Farming Feed the World?

Dr Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher of Ethiopia’s Environmental Authority gave a ground-breaking lecture at the Royal Geographical Society in London on Tuesday 12^th July, entitled Can Organic Farming Feed the World? The lecture was introduced by broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, who praised the “vibrant, resilient, creative people of Ethiopia”. The writer and environmentalist Colin Tudge, author of So Shall We Reap, also spoke on the same platform.

In his lecture, Dr Tewolde stated that industrial agriculture rejects comprehensively informed ecosystem management in contrast to the natural system – “in nature, species that grow together often exploit fully or partially different niches of the same ecosystem”. He said that “though intensive inputs may make agriculture productive in a given season, sustained productivity over years is not possible with monocultures.”

“Industrial agriculture tries to produce a homogenous environment of marketable components, irrespective of the diversity of the pre-existing ecosystems...It uses irrigation extensively even where it is not needed. It thus creates a captive market for its pumping and irrigation equipment. It also creates contracts for building dams and irrigation and drainage canals. In this way, it geographically extends the age-old problems associated with irrigation. It divorces animal production from crop production. It disposes of both animal and human wastes and plant residues as if they were poisonous. It plants single variety monocultures as a continuum over very extensive areas. Ecological disruption thus becomes inevitable.”

Dr Tewolde said we need to “fundamentally rethink the way we farm, in richer and poorer countries alike...Industrial agriculture is changing climate globally and destabilizing even the little that remains of the biosphere's natural ecosystems.” He adds that we need to adopt “agricultural systems that can maximize the biomass that we require, while at the same time strengthening the homeostasis of the agricultural ecosystem.”

He suggests organic farming, if taken seriously, could achieve this “but only if we take it seriously and do all the necessary research and development...to bolster rather than shunt the natural cycles that improve the functioning of the ecosystem as a whole.”

Dr Tewolde has begun this process with farming communities in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia, which started on degraded land, and have obtained reassuring results. The full text of Dr Tewolde’s lecture is available in the News section of the embassy website at www.ethioembassy.org.uk

Ethiopia and US sign grant agreements

The governments of Ethiopia and the United States of America have signed 3 amended grant agreements amounting to US $38.9 million. The agreements were signed on 7^th July by Mekonnen Manyazewal, the State Minister of Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, US Ambassador Aurelia Brazeal and William Hammink, Mission Director of USAID Ethiopia.

“The US government has been a long-standing development partner of Ethiopia,” said State Minister Mekonnen, expressing his hope that the US support to Ethiopia would continue in the years ahead. Ambassador Brazeal said the largest grant, of $16.2 million, would be used to bolster the growth of the Ethiopian private-sector, with a particular focus on food and agricultural sectors. The second grant, of $12.6 million, would be used in the health sector, to reduce vulnerability to disease, prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria, increase child immunisation programmes and expand family planning services. The remaining $10.1 million, is to be used for education improvements by working to improving teacher training and increasing primary school enrolment and the number of elementary school children who complete at least 8 years of education.

Meles meets US Congressman

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin have met with US Congressman Michael Honda, who visited Ethiopia in early June. Congressman Honda met with the Prime Minister on 1^st June, where he was briefed on the electoral process and international and bilateral relations with the United States of America. He praised the efforts of the government and the people for improving education and the standard of living, as well as the voter turnout at the May elections saying that, in percentage terms, participation by the electorate in the polls was much higher than that of the US Presidential elections of 2004.

Honda also met with members of the business community, opposition officials and Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin on 8^th June, after visiting various projects in Addis Ababa, Awassa, Mekele, Lalibela and Zalambessa, where he said he had observed first hand the work undertaken towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS, malaria, leprosy and other diseases, and other development work.

He also praised the projects being undertaken as part of the Nile Basin Initiative, which he believes will be of great benefit to the further development of the country’s infrastructure, the protection of the environment and agriculture.

Congressman Honda, praised by Seyoum as “one of the great friends of Ethiopia”, is a keen advocate of Ethiopia in the United States and has been campaigning for increased investment in and support for the country.

Internet coffee auction success

The first internet auction of Ethiopian coffee has been a great success, with all 26 lots reaching prices above their reserves. The coffee lots sold for an average of US $3.22 per pound, above the reserve price of $1.50 per pound and above the average $1.30 per pound in normal markets. The highest bid received was for $6.50 per pound of Yirgacheffe coffee.

The auction was a collaborative effort between Ethiopia’s coffee growers and the eCafe Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the agricultural and economic development of farming communities that cultivate and produce rare and exemplary Arabica coffees. It monitors auctions to help communities earn more from their product and aims to foster enduring relationships between quality coffee growers and buyers.

Four unions of 151 coffee cooperatives, with a total membership of 180,000 individual producers, participated in the auction, which was held on 30th June, netted a total of $187,000 for those that took part in the sale of washed and unwashed high grade coffee. Ethiopian coffee growers welcomed the results of the auction.

"Through the efforts of the Foundation, Ethiopian coffee was able to be sold at a tripled price of $6.50 per pound," said Oromia Coffee Union head Tadesse Meskela, referring to the top bid. Tadesse said the auction also showed growers that they should focus on quality, rather than quantity.

Abraham Begashaw, Head of the Agriculture Ministry’s Coffee Quality Control Department, hailed the auction as an initiative that brought positive results and support to Ethiopian coffee farmers.

"ECafe is proud to sponsor this groundbreaking effort to bring the best Ethiopian coffees to the industry," said eCafe President Willem Boot, "finally, farmers at the coop level who produce these exemplary coffees will receive the prices and the recognition they deserve."

White Nile to explore Ethiopia

White Nile Ltd, a UK oil and gas exploration company jointly owned by the new government of South Sudan, has secured permission to explore a 70,000 sq km area in Gambella. The company agreed terms with the Ministry of Mines for a Joint Study Agreement on Friday 8^th July, which will cover the area of southern Ethiopia known as the Southern Rift Basins.

The agreement covers a two-year period during which White Nile, in collaboration with the Petroleum Operations Department of the Ministry of Mines will conduct geological and geophysical studies aimed at evaluating the prospective nature of the area for oil.

The terms of the agreement allow the company to enter exclusive negotiations with the Ministry of Mines for an Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement. The company, which has an initial investment of US $450,000 plans to begin geophysical operations in September with magneto-telluric and gravity surveys.

The Chairman of White Nile, Mr Phil Edmonds said

“We are very pleased that we have agreed terms with the Ethiopian Government and hope that this is the start of a long-running relationship.”

"We will work closely with the Ministry of Mines to evaluate the area, which both parties believe has strong potential for future development, especially due to it being adjacent to the highly prospective Gambela region.”

"Following the conclusion of the exploration work programme and the analysis of the data collected, we aim to progress the project with the Ethiopian Government to maximise the potential of the region as quickly as possible.”

White Nile has recently commissioned an extensive seismic survey on its Block Ba exploration concession in South Sudan. The Company is aiming to build a strong regional presence focussing on oil exploration and production.

Addis hosts international auto fair

Addis Ababa hosted the second International Automotive trade fair between 23^rd and 27^th June. Auto Ethiopia, is an annual trade exhibition which is supported by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce, the Ethiopian Trade, Industry and Tourism Bureau and the Ethiopian Investment Authority. This year’s event was one of the biggest international trade expos held in the Addis Ababa Exhibition Centre, and featured all kinds of automotive products, from machinery and spare parts, to accessories.

State Minister of Infrastructure, Haile Assegide said the trade fair makes a significant contribution to Ethiopia's economy, because of its role in “bringing together suppliers and consumers, facilitating the transfer of technology, and serving as a platform for exploring the possibilities of joint venture among participants.”

The State Minister also said that as the automotive market was growing very fast in Ethiopia, the exhibition will serve as “an opportunity to collect important input for the government's decisions regarding the sector.”

The last two days of the Auto Ethiopia fair are open to the general public and other non-delegated visitors, giving featured products a balanced exposure to both business interest and consumer markets, in turn providing wider branding opportunities, introducing Ethiopian businesses and their products to the international community and inviting foreign investment.

Eshetu Belay, Managing Director of Ed Stelor Trading and Coordinator of the event, said the fast growth in the Ethiopian automotive market attracted many participants and visitors from Europe, the Middle East and North America, with 50 local and 12 foreign car manufacturing companies displaying their products at the exhibition.

Meanwhile, Aviation and Allied Business Publications (AABP), who publish the Aviation and Allied Business Journal, have announced that their 11^th Annual Leadership conference will be held in Addis Ababa, from 5^th to the 7^th September 2005. The conference will be themed Air transport in Africa: Translating Vision into Action. Announcing the conference on 14^th July, Captain Edward Boyo of AABP, said Ethiopia was chosen as the host because of its “thriving air transport industry and the leadership role the country plays in the East African region.”

The conference, which is expected to discuss policy and regulations, infrastructure, finance, safety and security in the sector, is expected to be attended by 250 delegates from Africa and other continents and will include key decision makers and major players in the air transport industry and its allied sectors.

Beles Hydro project agreement

The Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) has signed a contract with Salini Construction to build a hydroelectric power station over the Beles River, a tributary of the Blue Nile in the Benishangul Gumuz State. The agreement was signed in the Sheraton Addis on 8^th July 2005 by the EEPCo General Manager Mihret Debebe and Salini Construction International Division General Manager Claudio Lautixi. Salini Construction have recently worked on the Tokwe-Mukorsi Dam in Masvingo, Zimbabwe, and are currently working on the second phase of the Gilgel-Gibe Hydroelectric project, which will increase the country’s electricity supply by 60% and is due to go operational from December 2007.

It is hoped that construction of the Beles hydro power project, which is expected to generate more than 460 mega watts of electricity, will be completed in a little over 3 years. The project will cost 6 billion Birr and includes smaller irrigation and drinking water projects.

In related news, the Ministry of Water Resources announced on 13^th July that construction of the Kesem-Tendaho dam will be completed by next year. Once completed the 1.6 billion Birr project, which also involves the construction of a 35 metre bridge and a 30 metre-long canal, will allow close to 90,000 hectares of land to be developed. The Ministry also announced that, in the new Ethiopian financial year, irrigation development studies would be carried out in Tana, Humera, Dedesa, Nekempt and Koga.

Dashen Bank to introduce Visa cards to Ethiopia

Dashen Bank has obtained a licence to use e-payment technology to become the first bank in Ethiopia to issue and acquire Visa cards. Applied Communications Inc. Worldwide, a leading international provider of enterprise e-payment solutions, has licensed its BASE24 e-payment processing solution to the private commercial bank. The bank has also chosen ACI Card Management System and ACI Smart Chip Manager software to support the bank’s card operations business.

Dashen Bank will deploy ACI software to issue cards and authorise, route and switch both ATM and POS transactions while meeting processing requirements for EMV (Europay, MasterCard and Visa) smart card transactions.

Dashen Bank is the first bank in Ethiopia to be appointed a principal member of Visa. The bank’s decision to select ACI’s technology was prompted by a number of key requirements including the need to meet aggressive transaction growth objectives, support for multiple delivery channels and devices, and the ability to offer world-class card payment services to over 260,000 customer accounts in Ethiopia.

“We have a reputation for harnessing the advanced capabilities of IT to improve our service to customers,” said Ato Lulseged Teferi, President of Dashen Bank.

“Our decision to invest in ACI technology is no exception. ACI is the recognised market leader in consumer payments software, and its BASE24 system meets our current requirements while providing the flexibility to enhance our service offerings in the future.”

“We are delighted to take the lead in providing Ethiopian consumers with the convenience of payment cards,” added Lulseged.

“This marks a significant milestone in our development, and we expect to coincide the launch of the cards with our 10th anniversary in December 2005.”

ACI technology will initially support ATM and POS delivery channels at Dashen Bank, with the option to support the emerging Internet and mobile channels in future. With ACI, Dashen Bank will now also be able to support all card types including credit, debit and smart cards. The bank will also benefit from interfaces to global credit and debit networks. The Banker magazine recently named Dashen Bank its 2004 Bank of the Year for Ethiopia for outstanding quality and innovation in the financial world - the fourth consecutive year that Dashen Bank has received this award.

ETC and Thuraya agreement expands mobile network coverage

Thuraya, one of the world’s leading mobile satellite telecommunications operators, has launched a new service in partnership with the Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) which will expand network coverage for mobile telecommunication services. Through service provider Afrospace, Thuraya will complement domestic networks by extending its satellite based service to all urban outskirts and villages in Ethiopia. Subscribers to the service will remain connected to their prefered mobile network, but will be able to access Thuraya’s system whenever their preferred national network is out of reach. The two companies launched the new partnership at an event at the Hilton Hotel in the capital Addis Ababa on 20^th June which was attended by local telecom sector officials, businessmen, representatives from NGOs and the public and private sectors, and the media. A demonstration of Thuraya's products and services was also given.

“Ethiopia is a major country with a large population and has always constituted a priority for us in the African region,” said Yousuf Al Sayed, Chief Executive Officer of Thuraya, who addressed the guests alongside Gamal El Din Eltayeb, Managing Director of Afrospace, and Tesfaye Birru the ETC Chief Executive Officer.

In partnership with leading national telecom and mobile communications companies, Thuraya provides blanket coverage in more than 110 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Central and South Asia and North and Central Africa and large parts of Southern Africa.

In related news, Tesfaye Biru, Chief Executive of the ETC, has said access to information infrastructure is “something comparable to liberty for Ethiopia”. Tesfaye, who was quoted in a recent article in the UK’s Financial Times by Ian Limbach, went on to say the information infrastructure is “one of the means of tackling the development issue. We missed all of the previous opportunities, so we cannot afford to not be on board this revolution.”

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development also recently announced that the inhabitants of more than 300 towns across Ethiopia have been given access to telephone services over the last 3 years, with the number of telephone lines increased from 400,000 to more than 1 million. The announcement was made at a consultative meeting on the country’s Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction Program (SDPRP) which was held in Gambella on 12^th July. Several woredas now have access to the internet and efficiency has been increased by reducing the cost of international calls, connection to the internet and increasing the time for which the service is available. 

Ethiopian PM expresses condolences

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has expressed his deep anguish over the terrorist attacks that occurred in London on 7^th July 2005. In a message of condolence sent to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Prime Minister Meles said “these barbaric acts were calculated to wreak havoc in an indiscriminate manner on civilians and probably create problems of the successful outcome of the G8 Summit.”

"We vehemently condemn such barbaric acts for which there can be no justification whatsoever," Meles said. “In these hours of sorrow and grief, our condolences and solidarity go to those who have lost loved ones and to the government of the United Kingdom whose determination to fight such savage acts has our full support.”

ALSO IN THE NEWS

● Dr Catherine Hamlin, the founder of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, was given an honorary fellowship at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Scotland at the end of June, for the work she has done for the plight of women. The hospital is the only one in the world that specialises in fistula surgery.  It was opened in 1974, and operates on more than 1,200 patients each year, all free of charge, with a 93% success rate.  

● The Ethiopian and Japanese governments signed a US $4.79 million grant agreement on 21^st June which is to be used to help improve the health and standard of living for the people in Southern Ethiopia Peoples State by providing safe and clean water. State Minister of Finance and Economic Development Mekonnen Manyazewal and Japanese Ambassador Kenjiro Izumi signed the agreement which will allow for the purchase of equipment to be used in the development of 240 water supply facilities.

● A third contingent of the Ethiopian Peacekeeping force has been sent to Liberia. The Ministry of Defence said the contingent, which left on 27^th June, has received the relevant training for discharging their international peacekeeping responsibilities efficiently. More peacekeepers will also be sent to Burundi in the coming weeks, as the UN has decided to extend its peacekeeping mission in both countries.

● A film festival celebrating the 30^th anniversary of Ethiopia’s relations with Cuba was opened on 23^rd June. Ricardo Garcia Diaz, Cuban Ambassador in Ethiopia, said the festival was a token of the strengthening relations and part of the exchange of cultures between the two countries. Diplomats, government officials and other invited guests attended the event held at the Italian Cultural Institute.

VAT on books lifted

Value Added Tax (VAT) on books has been lifted in Ethiopia. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development lifted the tax on 18^th May in a move welcomed by the Ethiopian Writers Association (EWA). Association President, Getachew Belete described it as an indication of “the government’s commitment to the development of literary works in the country.”

The Ministry made the decision after taking into consideration the importance of reasonably priced books in furthering the knowledge of the Ethiopian people, following concerns about the increase in the price of books because of VAT. The import of books is also free of duty, a move which the EWA President said has had a positive impact on the development of the literature of the country and the cultural development of the present generation.

Harar world heritage site under consideration

An agreement has been reached in principle, to register the walled city of Harar (also known as Jegol) on the list of World Heritage sites following the 29th World Heritage Conference held in the South Africa. Teshoma Toga, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, told journalists after the meeting that the Heritage Committee had reached a consensus in principle to accept the proposal submitted to the United Nations Education Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO) because of Harar’s outstanding ‘universal’ value. The 80-page proposal, which included photographs and slides of the Jegol wall - built in the 16^th century - as well as ancient churches and mosques, was one of a number of Ethiopian sites that were discussed during the meeting, which was held in Durban from 10^th to 17^th July.

Minister Teshoma said the Committee has requested that a detailed plan for the protection and conservation of the Harar site be submitted by February 2006. Teshoma also reported that the Committee had been briefed by the Ethiopian delegation on the efforts underway to restore the Simien national park, which is currently on the endangered list. During the conference, 17 sites and 7 natural wonders were added to the U.N. list of protected World Heritage Sites. World conservation leaders also agreed to establish a World Heritage Fund for Africa to help the continent protect its cultural and natural sites.

In related news, a delegation led by Minister Teshoma arrived in Paris on 27^th July for discussions at the UNESCO headquarters about ways of re-erecting the historic obelisk, the cost of which will be met by the Italian government.

Ethiopian musicians launch CD to raise HIV/AIDS awareness

A CD of music entitled “We Shall Survive – a Music for Life Project” has been launched by Ethiopian artists in partnership with the United States government, as part of the fight against HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. The CD consists of 14 songs, featuring 39 Ethiopian artists, residing in both the US and Ethiopia.

Funding for the project was provided by President Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) - a $15 billion, 5-year programme - through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Joining U.S. Ambassador Aurelia E. Brazeal at the launch on 29th June at the Ethiopian Radio Conference Hall in Addis Ababa, were the artists who participated in the production, as well as representatives from the Government of Ethiopia, NGOs and the U.S. Embassy.

The CD was more than 18 months in the making and saw 21 vocalists take part, such as Bezawork Asfaw, Elias Melka, Henok Abebe, Johnny Raga and Yayehyirad Alamerew. It is hoped that the lyrics will raise awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention, testing and care and avoid the stigmatisation and discrimination of those infected with the disease, by highlighting the fact that AIDS is everyone’s problem.

“The loss of Ethiopian citizens in the most productive years of their lives has a detrimental impact on economic growth, development, and stability of the country,” said Ambassador Brazeal, before going on to praise the launch of the CD - “the first of its kind produced in Ethiopia by Ethiopians on social issues.”

Walta makes HIV/ AIDS film

Walta Information Center has put together a 45 minute documentary film aimed at raising the level of HIV/AIDS awareness among those vulnerable groups in society along the Addis-Djibouti highway. The film shares the experiences of people living with the virus in Adama, Metehra, Awash-Sebat, Dire-Dawa and Logia towns. The film launch took place on 21^st June and was attended by Dr Tewdros Adhanom, State Minister of Health; Dr Tadesse Wuhib, Ethiopia Director of the Center for Diseases Control; Negash Teklu, the General Manager of Walta Information Center (WIC) and the film’s director, Kidene Yilak.

State Minister Tewdros said the film was indicative of the open dialogue about HIV/AIDS between those people living with the virus and those without. Negash Teklu said WIC had produced the documentary to act as educational material, adding that they had also organised seminars and televised discussions on prevention and control efforts across Ethiopia.

Babile Elephant sanctuary

Work on the Babile Elephant sanctuary will enter its final stages next year, with 6,982 square kilometres reserved as a safe haven for elephants, birds and other animals currently under threat of extinction. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with the Harar and bordering states administrations, will complete the sanctuary which is currently home to more than 200 elephants and 250 species of bird. New roads and existing routes will be improved, to give better access for tourists who wish to visit. The Reserve was established to protect the only known population of the isolated, ecologically distinct elephant subspecies Loxodonta africana orleansi, a subspecies that was once also found in the Somali Alifuuto (Arbowerow) Nature Reserve.

Art exhibition opens in Camden

‘A glimmer of hope’ – a new exhibition by Ethiopian artist, Assefa Gebrekidan, opened at the Camden Arts Centre on 22^nd July and will run until 11^th September 2005. The official opening of the exhibition took place on Saturday 23^rd July with an Ethiopia Day, featuring music, food and an open studio. For more information, please visit www.camdenartscentre.org There are free exhibition tours on 17^th August, 7– 8pm, and 11^th September, 3-4pm.

Meles meets FIFA President

Sepp Blater, President of the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) has visited Ethiopia, where he was met by the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi on 21^st July and laid a corner stone for the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) headquarters.

Mr Blater praised the “tremendous social value” of involving young people in soccer and said that it is “very well known that there are highly talented young people in Ethiopia and it is necessary to work hard in the field to nurture and bring the talent to fruition.”

Blater had attended a special ceremony at the Addis Ababa Stadium on the previous day, where, in the presence of senior government officials such as House Speaker Dawit Yohannes and the newly elected EFF President Dr. Ashebir Wolde-Giorgis, he laid a corner stone near the main gate for the EEF headquarters which is being built with the support of FIFA. Speaker Dawit, who addressed the thousands of football fans and invited guests who attended the ceremony, expressed thanks to FIFA for the assistance it provided for the building of the office.

Sport

Kenenisa Bekele just missed breaking his own 5,000 metres world record at the Golden League meeting in Paris on 1^St July. He came in first place with 12 minutes 40.18 seconds, just under three seconds outside the existing mark. Kenenisa also just missed an All Comers’ record – held by Haile Gebrselassie – when he won the men’s 5,000m in 12 minutes 55.55 seconds at the Norwich Union British Grand Prix at Crystal Palace, London on 22^nd July.

Ethiopian athletes took first place in both the men’s and women’s races at the British 10k run on Sunday 3^rd July. Haile Gebrselassie won in a time of 28 minutes and 12 seconds, finishing almost a minute ahead of his nearest competitor. Genet Getaneh finished in 33 minutes and 34 seconds, coming in 18^th position overall, but first in the women’s race. More than 19,000 people took part in the event, which took place in London.

Tirunish Dibaba, Berhane Adere and Meseret Defar took the three top places in the 5000 metres at the IAAG Gold League Golden Gala in Rome on Friday 8^th July. Tirunesh finished first in 14 minutes, 32.57 seconds, followed by Berhane in 14:32.79 and Meseret in third place in 14:32.79

Ethiopian athletes also took the top two positions in the 3000metres at the World Youth Championships in Marrakesh, Morocco on 17^th July. Cherkos Feleke and compariot Ibrahim Gashu were timed at 8:00.90 seconds and 8:04.21 respectively.

The African Badminton Federation (ABF) has announced the identity of the coach who will help Ethiopia’s team ahead of this year’s All Africa Junior Badminton Championship. Simon Mugabi, Ugandan Badminton Association official and national coach, has been appointed as part of the ABF exchange programme to promote the sport in Africa. Ethiopia is the host for the Under-19s event. The tournament starts on 22^nd July at the Arat Kilo Sports and Education Centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Ethiopia has announced its provisional athletic team for the 10^th IAAF World Athletics Championships to be held in Helsinki, Finland between 6^th and 14^th August 2005. As announced on 14^th July by the Ethiopian Athletics Federation, the final marathon squad of twelve athletes will consist of: Gashaw Melese, Gadisa Shentama, Dejene Guta, Ambesse Tolossa, Hailu Negussie and in reserve Ashebir Demissie for the men’s team. The women’s team will consist of Mulu Seboka in reserve, Asha Gigi, Dure Tune, Shitaye Gemechu, Meseret Kotu and two-time Olympic 10,000m champion Derartu Tulu, who will be making her major championship marathon debut.■

Ethiopian News – Volume 4 Number 7June/July 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