ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia has well played her part to realize the African Flagship Project of Agenda 2063 as it has signed and ratified Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), the protocol for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and Free Movement of People and started to issue visa on arrival to committed African citizens, so said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Approached by The Ethiopian Herald Dawit Afework, Economic and Social Affairs in the Permanent Representative Office to the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) disclosed that the country is working to realize programs and initiatives to realize the African Flagship Projects.
The agendas will accelerate the Africa’s economic growth and development and promote common identity and culture of Africa, he said. Dawit added that Ethiopia is working to support the fifth project “Silencing the Gun by 2020”. The country has resolved its long-standing enmity with Eritrea and brought peace with its neighbor.
She keenly involved in the East African region peace process, as to him. The document from the ministry publicized that the government of Ethiopia played a meditating role in South Sudan conflicting with parties, between Eritrea and Djibouti. It also took part in solving the conflict between Kenya and Somalia. Again, Ethiopia helped the government of Somalia in its fight against Alshabab. Ethiopia has developed its satellite to collect data on changes in the climate and weather related phenomena.
This effort compliments the initiative to fulfilling the “Africa Outer Space Strategy”. The undergoing railway projects especially those connecting with the neighboring countries also augment the spirit of the integrated high-speed train network flagship project, revealed the document. The 14 pillars of the projects are in the areas of infrastructure, education, science, technology, arts, and culture.
The program encompasses 14 projects which are ought to unite Africa economically, politically, and culturally. They are meant to interconnect Africa. Furthermore, they are expected to generate stability and development in the continent. The pillars are envisaged to be completed in the first ten years plan, learnt from the document.
“The project is aimed at realizing an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in international arena. It is a strategic framework for the socioeconomic transformation of the continent in fifty years”, said Dawit. Ato Mussie Mindaye, Multilateral Trade Relation and Negotiation Director at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, on his part, confirmed that the African Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) facilitates free movement of people, goods and services in the continent.
It creates a suitable environment for easy movement of African citizens through the countries in the continent. Consequently, could strengthen their cultural exchange, as to him. The overall flagship projects require a huge amount of resources, coordination and coherence of national policy framework with the protocols provided at the continental level. Moreover, member state’s commitment and their internal political stability plays greater role in completing these projects, according to the experts.
The Ethiopian Herald, March 30/2019
BY GETAHUN LEGESSE
