Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen meets UN Human Rights representative for East Africa
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen has received at his office and held discussions with H.E. Marcel C. Akpovo, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) regional representative for East Africa.
The Deputy Prime Minister appreciated Marcel for the readiness of his office to support Ethiopia’s efforts in strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights in Ethiopia.
He also commended the recent joint agreement of the UN and EHRC to conduct joint investigations into alleged human rights abuses allegedly committed in the Tigray region.
In this regard, Demeke said the Ethiopian government is committed to bringing perpetrators to justice based on the findings of the joint investigation.
Successful collaboration on the joint investigation between the two institutions would clarify the reality on the ground and stem the unwarranted criticism on the institutional independence of the EHRC, he added.
He finally expressed hope that the EHRC and OHCHR would start their joint investigation soon and that this will contribute to enhancing the capacity of the EHRC.
The discussion between the two sides also covered the Ethiopia-Sudan border dispute and the negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
Marcel, on his part, thanked the Deputy Prime Minister for extending support and cooperation to the success of his office in the region.
The Regional Representative also expressed satisfaction with the working relation and collaboration with EHRC, in particular with the joint investigation over the Tigray issue.
Keen to Boost Cooperation in Water Resources
H.E. Ambassador Nebiat Getachew, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Algeria, met April 27 H.E. Prof. Mihoubi Mustapha Kamel, Minister of Water Resources of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and discussed ways and means of further enhancing cooperation between the two friendly countries in the field of water resources.
Ambassador Nebiat briefed the Minister on the construction and negotiation process of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, GERD.
He expressed Ethiopia’s unwavering commitment to dialogue with the downstream countries with a view to addressing their concerns and achieving a mutually beneficial outcome. He also noted Ethiopia’s conviction that the ongoing AU-led process will contribute to the realization of this objective in the spirit of finding African solutions to African problems.
Minister Kamel appreciated Ethiopia’s right to develop its natural resources and its commitment to find solutions through African mechanisms. In their discussion, they both agreed to work together on management and protection capacities of their water resources and facilitate contacts, partnerships and cooperation between respective agencies in charge of water resources.
Minister Kamel reiterated Algeria’s commitment to share its experiences in training and capacity building initiatives that could be of benefit to Ethiopia’s aspiration to develop its natural resources.
Ethiopia and Algeria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 13 April 2017 in the field of water resources development.
Delegation concludes Ethiopian Diaspora engagement visit in the US, Europe
Ethiopian delegation led by State Minister, H.E. Ambassador Birtukan Ayano has concluded its face-to-face engagements with Ethiopians and people of Ethiopian descent in the US.
The visit was aimed at encouraging the Ethiopian Diaspora to continue extending financial and advocacy supports to key flagship projects and holding constructive discussions regarding pivotal issues of the country.
The delegation that headed to the US included Director-General of Ethiopia’s Diaspora Agency, Selamawit Dawit, and had held fruitful engagements with Ethiopians living in Washington, New York, Minnesota, and their environs.
Deputy Director-General of the Agency, Dr. Mohamed Endris, had also led a delegation that went to Europe and spend time in Frankfurt, Germany, and Geneva, Switzerland.
During the talks, Ambassador Birtukan and members of the delegation have extended their country’s gratitude to the Diaspora support on issues related to the GERD, Covid-19, and the “Dine for Nation” project.
They have also expressed delight in the remarkable support extended to the Ethiopian Defence Forces and all affected people during the law enforcement operation in the northern part of the country.
They have also urged the Ethiopian Diaspora to take note of internal and external forces that are working in unison to thwart the reform process in the country.
At the meetings, the delegation was able to observe that members of the Diaspora have great interest to unconditionally address and support their country’s needs and concerns.
They have also underscored the need to facilitate access to up-to-date information, new fundraising strategies, and viable methods to streamline their financial contributions sustainably.
The delegation in Europe facilitated training to Ambassadors and mission leaders, diplomats, and ICT professionals serving in 18 missions on the use of the Agency’s updated Diaspora Registry database.
It was reported that more than 90,000 USD was collected from members of the Ethiopian Diaspora via their representatives and various associations in the areas that were part of the delegation’s visit in the US.
Ambassador Abdulfatah Abdullahi presents his copy of credentials to Foreign Minister of Somalia Mohamed Abdirizak Mohamud
Newly appointed Ethiopian Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Ambassador Abdulfatah Abdullahi Hassen presented his copy of credentials to H.E. Mr. Mohamed Abdirizak Mohamud Abubakar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia, on Sunday (25th April 2021).
The Ambassador pledged to further scale up the relationship between the two countries while Minister Mohamed Abdurazak thanked Ethiopia’s commendable role for the peace and stability of Somalia and assured the Ambassador of his government’s full support for his efforts to further strengthen bilateral relations.
For his part, Ambassador Abdulfatah affirmed his country’s firm and supportive stance for the Somali people and their governmental institutions, expressing his happiness to work in Somalia and his aspiration to develop close bilateral relations and to coordinate with the interests of the two countries to enhance and enrich areas of bilateral partnership.
The Ethiopian Herald May 2/2021
COMPILED BY BACHA ZEWDIE
