Islamist advance seen to threaten a wider conflict
By John Donnelly, Globe Staff September 28, 2006
WASHINGTON -- Africa specialists criticized the Bush administration yesterday for not paying more attention to the increasingly volatile situation in Somalia, saying that senior officials were consumed by their efforts to stop the fighting in the Darfur region of Sudan.
In Somalia, Islamist militias have taken one town after another in the south-central part of the fractured nation since capturing the de facto capital Mogadishu in June. Now, they appear poised to attack the small town of Baidoa near the country's western border with Ethiopia.
Baidoa is the base of the increasingly powerless Somali transitional federal government, which is backed by the United States and Ethiopia. Analysts predict that if the Islamists attack the town, which appears likely, the conflict could evolve into a wider war with Ethiopia. [Full story here]
Ethiopia can beat malaria with its latest programme, says official at UN children’s agency (UN News)
28 September 2006 – Ethiopia has a chance of defeating malaria, its biggest killer, an official from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said today as the Horn of Africa country’s Government launched a major push against the disease ahead of the annual transmission season.
Speaking at the launch in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, UNICEF Country Representative Bjorn Ljungqvist said: “We now have an historic opportunity to get on top of malaria. We can make this killer disease as manageable as measles and other childhood conditions in the West.”
Malaria infects nine million Ethiopians each year and can kill more than 100,000 people, mostly young children, within just a few months during an epidemic. The peak of the annual transmission season is October to November.
The three-pronged programme will cost at least $140 million over the next three years and is being supported by UNICEF, the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the World Bank and several foreign governments and public agencies.
Under the campaign the distribution of insecticide-treated malaria nets across the country is being expanded drastically. Before 2004, there were only 1.8 million nets; by the end of this year there will be eight million nets and that number will increase to 20 million by 2008.
Ethiopia will start treating the overwhelming majority of its malaria cases with the drug Coartem, which has a 99 per cent success rate, compared with the 36 per cent rate of the current preferred drug, Fansidar.
Health posts around the vast country are also being supplied with cheap rapid diagnostic test kits that can detect serious malaria cases within minutes, avoiding the delays that come with sending samples from patients to distant laboratories.
Mr. Ljungqvist urged international donors to keep up their support of the campaign as it continues, especially “the hard-to-fund parts of any malaria campaign – the monitoring and evaluation and the general management costs to run such a large operation.”
Source: UN News Centre
Speaking at the launch in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, UNICEF Country Representative Bjorn Ljungqvist said: “We now have an historic opportunity to get on top of malaria. We can make this killer disease as manageable as measles and other childhood conditions in the West.”
Malaria infects nine million Ethiopians each year and can kill more than 100,000 people, mostly young children, within just a few months during an epidemic. The peak of the annual transmission season is October to November.
The three-pronged programme will cost at least $140 million over the next three years and is being supported by UNICEF, the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the World Bank and several foreign governments and public agencies.
Under the campaign the distribution of insecticide-treated malaria nets across the country is being expanded drastically. Before 2004, there were only 1.8 million nets; by the end of this year there will be eight million nets and that number will increase to 20 million by 2008.
Ethiopia will start treating the overwhelming majority of its malaria cases with the drug Coartem, which has a 99 per cent success rate, compared with the 36 per cent rate of the current preferred drug, Fansidar.
Health posts around the vast country are also being supplied with cheap rapid diagnostic test kits that can detect serious malaria cases within minutes, avoiding the delays that come with sending samples from patients to distant laboratories.
Mr. Ljungqvist urged international donors to keep up their support of the campaign as it continues, especially “the hard-to-fund parts of any malaria campaign – the monitoring and evaluation and the general management costs to run such a large operation.”
Source: UN News Centre
Ethiopia blames Eritrea’s inability to ’behave like a normal state’ (Sudan Tribune)
Sept 28, 2006 (UNITED NATIONS) — Ethiopia told the U.N. General Assembly it wants to normalize relations with Eritrea because it needs durable peace, but it accused its Horn of Africa neighbor of refusing to "behave like a normal state."
Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year guerrilla war, but their border was never settled. In April 2002, following a 2 1/2-year border war, an international boundary commission awarded the key town of Badme to Eritrea — but Ethiopia has refused to implement the deal.
Ethiopia’s deputy U.N. ambassador Negash Kebret, addressing the assembly’s ministerial meeting on its final day on Wednesday, said his country was committed to peace and security in the Horn of Africa region — much as its foe might try to disrupt the efforts.
"Ethiopia will not allow its dispute with Eritrea to distract it from its focus on development, although this is the main mission of Eritrea since the conflict began eight years ago," Kebret said.
[Read full story here]
Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year guerrilla war, but their border was never settled. In April 2002, following a 2 1/2-year border war, an international boundary commission awarded the key town of Badme to Eritrea — but Ethiopia has refused to implement the deal.
Ethiopia’s deputy U.N. ambassador Negash Kebret, addressing the assembly’s ministerial meeting on its final day on Wednesday, said his country was committed to peace and security in the Horn of Africa region — much as its foe might try to disrupt the efforts.
"Ethiopia will not allow its dispute with Eritrea to distract it from its focus on development, although this is the main mission of Eritrea since the conflict began eight years ago," Kebret said.
[Read full story here]
Ethiopia launches bold tourist programme (Business in Africa)
Addis Ababa - Banking on a combination of cultural diversity, natural scenes and historical sites, Ethiopia has embarked on an ambitious tourism development programme that would make it a leading destination of holidaymakers in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2020, Culture and Tourism minister Mohamed Dirir said on Monday.
Though the number of foreign tourists visiting Ethiopia and earnings from the industry doubled over the last decade, the industry still accounts for a meager 2 percent of the national GDP.
"We have set forward a strategic plan that focuses on the improvement of services at the existing hotels and resorts in order to achieve this goal," said Dirir.
"We are considering seriously of branding Ethiopia for what it offers to tourists destined to Africa."
In 2005 Ethiopia hosted 227 398 tourists compared to 184 077 arrivals the previous year. In terms of receipts, the country posted $134.5mn in 2005 - an increase of $20.2mn compared to 2004.
According to the minister, the government's commitment to enhance the role of tourism in the economy, and the increasing public and private investment in the development of infrastructure were basic factors that contributed to the humble rise in tourism earnings.
To provide momentum to the new plan for the industry, the government has drafted a legislation that would be ratified soon on upgrading Ethiopia's Hotel and Tourism Institute. Also, a tourism investment code was in the pipeline.
"A major priority area will be the elimination of supply barriers in the hotel, transport and tour operator sectors," Dirir said, adding that both domestic and international players would be encouraged in order to enhance the role of the private sector in tourism.
Though an ancient country that was believed to be the cradle of mankind, Ethiopia was like a man who overslept and is now waking up when the sun is already high in the sky to find its rank in the tourism industry. South Africa, being more politically correct, claimed to be the cradle of humankind.
One would ask: 'What has this East African country to offer other than monuments and a history of feudalism that was punctuated with internal rivalries, repulsion of colonial expansionists, and a military dictatorship alongside a chronology of natural disasters?'
In a bid to lure tourists from overseas, authorities in Ethiopia said what has been done on the promotion side so far was not enough to kick-start the industry's growth.
They were taking an unusual step to send 'Lucy' aka 'Dinknesh', the famed paleontological discovery of human fossils dating back 3.5 million years, on a 'know-Ethiopia tour' of museums in the United States.
The dates of her itinerary were yet to be fixed, but officials confirmed it would be in the near future. [For more..click here]
Though the number of foreign tourists visiting Ethiopia and earnings from the industry doubled over the last decade, the industry still accounts for a meager 2 percent of the national GDP.
"We have set forward a strategic plan that focuses on the improvement of services at the existing hotels and resorts in order to achieve this goal," said Dirir.
"We are considering seriously of branding Ethiopia for what it offers to tourists destined to Africa."
In 2005 Ethiopia hosted 227 398 tourists compared to 184 077 arrivals the previous year. In terms of receipts, the country posted $134.5mn in 2005 - an increase of $20.2mn compared to 2004.
According to the minister, the government's commitment to enhance the role of tourism in the economy, and the increasing public and private investment in the development of infrastructure were basic factors that contributed to the humble rise in tourism earnings.
To provide momentum to the new plan for the industry, the government has drafted a legislation that would be ratified soon on upgrading Ethiopia's Hotel and Tourism Institute. Also, a tourism investment code was in the pipeline.
"A major priority area will be the elimination of supply barriers in the hotel, transport and tour operator sectors," Dirir said, adding that both domestic and international players would be encouraged in order to enhance the role of the private sector in tourism.
Though an ancient country that was believed to be the cradle of mankind, Ethiopia was like a man who overslept and is now waking up when the sun is already high in the sky to find its rank in the tourism industry. South Africa, being more politically correct, claimed to be the cradle of humankind.
One would ask: 'What has this East African country to offer other than monuments and a history of feudalism that was punctuated with internal rivalries, repulsion of colonial expansionists, and a military dictatorship alongside a chronology of natural disasters?'
In a bid to lure tourists from overseas, authorities in Ethiopia said what has been done on the promotion side so far was not enough to kick-start the industry's growth.
They were taking an unusual step to send 'Lucy' aka 'Dinknesh', the famed paleontological discovery of human fossils dating back 3.5 million years, on a 'know-Ethiopia tour' of museums in the United States.
The dates of her itinerary were yet to be fixed, but officials confirmed it would be in the near future. [For more..click here]
Somali president survives bomb attack (Daily News)
MOGADISHU (Somalia): As the Somali president left parliament, few noticed when his security detail ushered him from his three-ton armoured car to an ordinary car. It was a simple, routine security measure that saved his life.
Moments later a massive car bomb exploded outside the makeshift parliament building of Somalia's virtually powerless government in Baidoa, destroying President Abdullahi Yusuf's armoured car and killing his brother and four other members of the presidential detail.
Though Yusuf had moved to another car, his driver lost a hand in the blast. The president then alighted and escaped on foot with guards, witness Abdisalam Mohammed Nor Hassan said. Other witnesses said the president was cut by flying glass.
As Yusuf fled, a gun battle broke out between his bodyguards and eight suspected accomplices of an apparent suicide bomber. Six were killed and two were captured, the country's Foreign Minister Ismail Mohamed Hurre said.
No one so far has claimed responsibility. Two people were arrested, Hurre said. He had no details on the suspects. [For more..click here]
Moments later a massive car bomb exploded outside the makeshift parliament building of Somalia's virtually powerless government in Baidoa, destroying President Abdullahi Yusuf's armoured car and killing his brother and four other members of the presidential detail.
Though Yusuf had moved to another car, his driver lost a hand in the blast. The president then alighted and escaped on foot with guards, witness Abdisalam Mohammed Nor Hassan said. Other witnesses said the president was cut by flying glass.
As Yusuf fled, a gun battle broke out between his bodyguards and eight suspected accomplices of an apparent suicide bomber. Six were killed and two were captured, the country's Foreign Minister Ismail Mohamed Hurre said.
No one so far has claimed responsibility. Two people were arrested, Hurre said. He had no details on the suspects. [For more..click here]
US to launch $20 mln project to promote Ethiopian rural economy (Sudan Tribune)
Sept 18, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — The United States is to launch tomorrow a twenty millions USD project to help the Ethiopian rural economy and employment.
The United States would continue supporting the private sector through the US Agency for International Development with a view to increasing rural incomes and employment.
“Agribusiness Project” would be officially launched on Tuesday in the presence of concerned ministries and associations.
The project would provide technical support to increase productivity of coffee, flowers, leather and oil seeds.
The project would last for five years and is expected to enable the country to obtain 450 million USD in the first three years and aims to increase it to 1 billion USD after five years.
According to the American Embassy and the USAID executive officers, some 20 million US Dollars is earmarked for the execution of the project.
The project would be executed in Oromia, Amhara, Tigray as well as South Ethiopia Peoples’ State.
Source: Sudan Tribune
The United States would continue supporting the private sector through the US Agency for International Development with a view to increasing rural incomes and employment.
“Agribusiness Project” would be officially launched on Tuesday in the presence of concerned ministries and associations.
The project would provide technical support to increase productivity of coffee, flowers, leather and oil seeds.
The project would last for five years and is expected to enable the country to obtain 450 million USD in the first three years and aims to increase it to 1 billion USD after five years.
According to the American Embassy and the USAID executive officers, some 20 million US Dollars is earmarked for the execution of the project.
The project would be executed in Oromia, Amhara, Tigray as well as South Ethiopia Peoples’ State.
Source: Sudan Tribune
Gun shootings targeted at a plane carrying UN staff in Gedo, southern Somalia (Shabelle)
UN relief operations in Somalia’s Garbaharey district in Gedo region southern Somalia has got stuck after tribal militias in area have opened fire at UN airline.. [Full Story..]
Gun shootings targeted at a plane carrying UN staff in Gedo, southern Somalia (Shabelle)
UN relief operations in Somalia’s Garbaharey district in Gedo region southern Somalia has got stuck after tribal militias in area have opened fire at UN airline.. [Full Story..]
Flower growers threaten to move to Ethiopia (Walta)
Addis Ababa, September 12, 2006 (WIC) – Investors in floricultural development in Kenya have been threatening to relocate their business to Ethiopia due to poor infrastructure and security,The East African Standard reported. [Full Story...]
Ethiopian govt. fears war with Somali Islamists in lieu of Eritrea. (Shabelle)
Hassan Kalkata
( Sh.M.Network) Since the Islamic courts union took over the Somali capital and its surroundings.Ethiopian government’s concern grows over a major battle between the Islamic court’s militias and its forces what it called Eritrean embroil.
There are accusations and counter -accusations between Ethiopian and Eritrean governments meddling into the internal affairs of the anarchic Somalia.
Arch-foes Ethiopia and Eritrea, who are accused of supporting the rival Somali sides, are believed having made a political battle ground for the anarchistic country Somalia, but they often deny these accusation while there are some clear cut proofs as some independent sources confirm
Ethiopian authority accused of its rival, Eritrea of giving logistic and military support to the Islamic courts union which is enjoying broader support from almost the entire community of Somalia, on the other hand Eritrea accuse Ethiopian the same manner of supporting the weak Somali TFG based in Baidoa the provincial capital of By region .
Somalia engaged bitter war Ethiopia over territorial dispute in 1977 which left hundreds.Ethiopia is now said to be afraid of Islamic courts to launch a war against its territory in lieu of Eritrea.
When the Ethiopian officials asked about the military intervention waging in Somali territory, in reply they often describe the move as “border tight security”
Islamists in Somalia deem Ethiopian authority is hostile to Somali community and has a great grudge against Somali people in which the Islamists claim they defend their country what the called enemy of “Islam Ethiopia” but are the Islamic courts ready to fight with Ethiopia on behalf of Eritrea?.
Source: Shabelle Media Network
( Sh.M.Network) Since the Islamic courts union took over the Somali capital and its surroundings.Ethiopian government’s concern grows over a major battle between the Islamic court’s militias and its forces what it called Eritrean embroil.
There are accusations and counter -accusations between Ethiopian and Eritrean governments meddling into the internal affairs of the anarchic Somalia.
Arch-foes Ethiopia and Eritrea, who are accused of supporting the rival Somali sides, are believed having made a political battle ground for the anarchistic country Somalia, but they often deny these accusation while there are some clear cut proofs as some independent sources confirm
Ethiopian authority accused of its rival, Eritrea of giving logistic and military support to the Islamic courts union which is enjoying broader support from almost the entire community of Somalia, on the other hand Eritrea accuse Ethiopian the same manner of supporting the weak Somali TFG based in Baidoa the provincial capital of By region .
Somalia engaged bitter war Ethiopia over territorial dispute in 1977 which left hundreds.Ethiopia is now said to be afraid of Islamic courts to launch a war against its territory in lieu of Eritrea.
When the Ethiopian officials asked about the military intervention waging in Somali territory, in reply they often describe the move as “border tight security”
Islamists in Somalia deem Ethiopian authority is hostile to Somali community and has a great grudge against Somali people in which the Islamists claim they defend their country what the called enemy of “Islam Ethiopia” but are the Islamic courts ready to fight with Ethiopia on behalf of Eritrea?.
Source: Shabelle Media Network
Irrigation projects that ensure food security of 3mln people underway in Oromia state (Walta)
Addis Ababa, September 12, 2006 (WIC) - The Oromia Irrigation Development Authority disclosed that it has launched irrigation development projects which would ensure food security of three million people in the state. [Full Story..]
Ethiopia grants clemency for 263 prisoners (Sudan Tribune)
Sept 12, 2006 (ADDIS ABAB) — Ethiopia has granted its first-ever amnesty to 263 prisoners, commuting the death penalty against 11 of them, state media reported Tuesday.
President Girma Woldegiorgis gave clemency to 237 inmates while the remainder received reduced prison terms to mark the Ethiopian New Year, which falls on September 11.
"The prisoners were provided with the clemency and reduction of prison terms as they have repented and shown good disciplines while they were in prison," President Girma was quoted as saying. Convicted rapists and those convicted of corruption were not included in the amnesty.
Ethiopian officials were not immediately available for comment on the amnesty and it was not clear if any opposition leaders who were jailed last year were among those freed.
More than 100 independent journalists, opposition leaders and aid workers are on trial for treason and attempted genocide after violent protests following disputed 2005 elections.
London-based human rights group Amnesty International has called the defendants "prisoners of conscience who have not used or advocated violence."
In January, Britain withheld 50 million pounds (US$87 million; A73 million) in aid to Ethiopia’s government, redirecting it to humanitarian agencies or local governments because of concerns about the central government’s handling of the unrest.
Source: Sudan Tribune
President Girma Woldegiorgis gave clemency to 237 inmates while the remainder received reduced prison terms to mark the Ethiopian New Year, which falls on September 11.
"The prisoners were provided with the clemency and reduction of prison terms as they have repented and shown good disciplines while they were in prison," President Girma was quoted as saying. Convicted rapists and those convicted of corruption were not included in the amnesty.
Ethiopian officials were not immediately available for comment on the amnesty and it was not clear if any opposition leaders who were jailed last year were among those freed.
More than 100 independent journalists, opposition leaders and aid workers are on trial for treason and attempted genocide after violent protests following disputed 2005 elections.
London-based human rights group Amnesty International has called the defendants "prisoners of conscience who have not used or advocated violence."
In January, Britain withheld 50 million pounds (US$87 million; A73 million) in aid to Ethiopia’s government, redirecting it to humanitarian agencies or local governments because of concerns about the central government’s handling of the unrest.
Source: Sudan Tribune
Bad times for Kenya's flower sector (East African)
CATHERINE RIUNGU reports that according to figures from the Horticultural Crops Development Authority, flower export earnings had dropped from $297.2 million to $243.2 million by July
Kenya's flower industry has expressed fears that dropping profits, possible mechanisation of post-greenhouse operations and a hostile business environment could result in massive job losses.
The Kenya Flower Council said late last week that for the first time in 30 years, the flower industry has suffered a 15 per cent decline in profits.
According to figures released by the Horticultural Crops Development Authority, flower export earnings fell from Ksh22 billion ($297.2 million) to Ksh18 billion ($243.2 million) by July. More losses are anticipated following an unusually long warm summer in Europe, which will affect exports since sales are usually high during the cold season.
The big producers, who control more than 50 per cent of flower exports, say they are considering mechanisation of post-greenhouse operations, which will render many workers in the labour-intensive sector redundant. [More...]
Kenya's flower industry has expressed fears that dropping profits, possible mechanisation of post-greenhouse operations and a hostile business environment could result in massive job losses.
The Kenya Flower Council said late last week that for the first time in 30 years, the flower industry has suffered a 15 per cent decline in profits.
According to figures released by the Horticultural Crops Development Authority, flower export earnings fell from Ksh22 billion ($297.2 million) to Ksh18 billion ($243.2 million) by July. More losses are anticipated following an unusually long warm summer in Europe, which will affect exports since sales are usually high during the cold season.
The big producers, who control more than 50 per cent of flower exports, say they are considering mechanisation of post-greenhouse operations, which will render many workers in the labour-intensive sector redundant. [More...]
Chinese firms win telecom contracts in Ethiopia (Sudan Tribune)
Sept 10, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — The Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) signed a memorandum of understanding with three Chinese telecom companies on a telecom infrastructure development project.
ETC has designed a four-year expansion project which would enable it to increase the number of mobile phones from the existing 1.5 million lines to seven million, the number of land lines from one million to four million and to lay a 6 km optical fibre backbone network. So far, the corporation has installed a 4,000 km optical fibre network across the nation.
The total cost of the telecom infrastructure development project is estimated at 2.4bn dollars.
ZTE Corporation, Huawei Technologies and Chinese International Telecommunication Construction Corporation (CITCC) are the three Chinese firms recruited for the project.
The minister of capacity building, Tefera Walwa; Minister of Transport and Communications Junedin Sado; the Chinese ambassador to Ethiopia, Lin Lin, and other dignitaries attended Wednesday 6 September the signing ceremony held at the Sheraton Addis.
Eight companies had submitted financial proposals to the corporation. Western telecom giants like Siemens, Nokia, Alcatel and Eriksson are among the list. But ETC selected the Chinese firms.
On the hand, the Chinese telecom company, ZTE Corporation, announced its plan to build an assembly plant in Ethiopia that manufactures telecommunications equipment.
(Reporter/ST)
Source: Sudan Tribune
ETC has designed a four-year expansion project which would enable it to increase the number of mobile phones from the existing 1.5 million lines to seven million, the number of land lines from one million to four million and to lay a 6 km optical fibre backbone network. So far, the corporation has installed a 4,000 km optical fibre network across the nation.
The total cost of the telecom infrastructure development project is estimated at 2.4bn dollars.
ZTE Corporation, Huawei Technologies and Chinese International Telecommunication Construction Corporation (CITCC) are the three Chinese firms recruited for the project.
The minister of capacity building, Tefera Walwa; Minister of Transport and Communications Junedin Sado; the Chinese ambassador to Ethiopia, Lin Lin, and other dignitaries attended Wednesday 6 September the signing ceremony held at the Sheraton Addis.
Eight companies had submitted financial proposals to the corporation. Western telecom giants like Siemens, Nokia, Alcatel and Eriksson are among the list. But ETC selected the Chinese firms.
On the hand, the Chinese telecom company, ZTE Corporation, announced its plan to build an assembly plant in Ethiopia that manufactures telecommunications equipment.
(Reporter/ST)
Source: Sudan Tribune
Ethiopian policy riles N. American Jews (Jerusalem Post)
North American Jewish leaders are calling a Finance Ministry proposal to reduce the rate of Ethiopian aliya a major breach of trust that could have serious ramifications for Israel-Diaspora relations.
The move comes after the American Jewish community has committed to collect more than $300 million to help Israelis affected by the recent war. Now some are questioning the Diaspora's role in raising money for Israel given that the earlier pet funding priority of Ethiopian aliya, undertaken at the behest of the government, has been seriously downgraded. [More..]
The move comes after the American Jewish community has committed to collect more than $300 million to help Israelis affected by the recent war. Now some are questioning the Diaspora's role in raising money for Israel given that the earlier pet funding priority of Ethiopian aliya, undertaken at the behest of the government, has been seriously downgraded. [More..]
Addis, US intervention saw the rise of Islamic courts (East African)
THE CONCEPT OF THE ISLAMIC Courts, owes its origins to lawlessness that engulfed Somalia following the break up of government in 1991
Initially, the Courts were clan-based units that operated in various neighbourhoods of Mogadishu and was limited to dispensing Sharia-based justice in the absence of government institutions, and was seen as the only way the clans could deal with criminals in their midst.
The Islamic courts was first introduced in 1992 in the Medina area, near the international airport, where marauding gangs were looting people's property with impunity. Religious elders met and decided that the only way to reign in criminals was to introduce religious courts to dispense justice based on Islamic law.
Soon after, other clans who live in various parts of the city followed suit. Security improved and criminal activities dropped sharply. [More..]
Initially, the Courts were clan-based units that operated in various neighbourhoods of Mogadishu and was limited to dispensing Sharia-based justice in the absence of government institutions, and was seen as the only way the clans could deal with criminals in their midst.
The Islamic courts was first introduced in 1992 in the Medina area, near the international airport, where marauding gangs were looting people's property with impunity. Religious elders met and decided that the only way to reign in criminals was to introduce religious courts to dispense justice based on Islamic law.
Soon after, other clans who live in various parts of the city followed suit. Security improved and criminal activities dropped sharply. [More..]
Ethiopia earns $1.8bn from exports
Addis Ababa – Ethiopia secured $1.8bn from exports during the last budget year, said the ministry of trade and industry.
The upbeat ministry public relations and information office head, Hailu Abebe, said the figure was $189.6mn better than the previous period.
Adebe said that exports would continue to receive special attention, especially with studies being conducted into floriculture and roasted coffee development, to maintain rapid economic growth.
He said trade agreements and joint chambers of commerce had been set up with several countries and co-operation on investment with Sudan, Nigeria and Iran had been scaled up.
He added that the country was receiving help from the European Union with regards to its efforts to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO). -BiA Online
Source: Business in Africa
The upbeat ministry public relations and information office head, Hailu Abebe, said the figure was $189.6mn better than the previous period.
Adebe said that exports would continue to receive special attention, especially with studies being conducted into floriculture and roasted coffee development, to maintain rapid economic growth.
He said trade agreements and joint chambers of commerce had been set up with several countries and co-operation on investment with Sudan, Nigeria and Iran had been scaled up.
He added that the country was receiving help from the European Union with regards to its efforts to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO). -BiA Online
Source: Business in Africa
Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya to vacinate 3 million children (eitb)
The vaccination campaign, which will run Sept 9-12, should be followed by two more in November and December in high-risk areas around the borders between the three states.
Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia will vaccinate nearly 3 million children against polio in a bid to stamp out the paralysing disease, which has re-emerged in the Horn of Africa, the World Health Organisation said on Thursday. [More..]
Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia will vaccinate nearly 3 million children against polio in a bid to stamp out the paralysing disease, which has re-emerged in the Horn of Africa, the World Health Organisation said on Thursday. [More..]
The crisis in the Horn of Africa: Nomads with no future (IOE)
Sitting on grass mats, under the shade of acacia trees in Ethiopia's Borana rangelands, more than 350 nomadic herdsmen and women from 60 tribes in 18 countries gathered to discuss their future. [More..]
Trini UN Peacekeeper Ejected from Eritrea (Breaking News)
A Trinidad and Tobago national who was working as a peacekeeper in Eritrea, an embattled country in northern East Africa, has been ejected by the government which accused the Trini of spying.The Trinbagonian was given 24 hours to leave the country together with four other UN staff. [More..]
Russia to help UN stabilize situation in Ethiopia, Eritrea (Trend)
Author: А.Mammadov
04.09.2006
(RIA Novosti) - Russia will give support to the UN mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea to stabilize the situation in the region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Sunday, reports Trend.
"I want to express support for the UN mission. We will closely cooperate with our partners within the UN, including the Security Council, so that the mission's new mandate, after it is prolonged, can be used to bring stability to the region," Lavrov said at a meeting with the mission's acting head during his visit to Ethiopia.
Source: Trend News Agency
04.09.2006
(RIA Novosti) - Russia will give support to the UN mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea to stabilize the situation in the region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Sunday, reports Trend.
"I want to express support for the UN mission. We will closely cooperate with our partners within the UN, including the Security Council, so that the mission's new mandate, after it is prolonged, can be used to bring stability to the region," Lavrov said at a meeting with the mission's acting head during his visit to Ethiopia.
Source: Trend News Agency
Somali Islamists, government agree interim peace accord (Turkish Press)
Somalia's powerful Islamic movement and weak government signed an interim peace accord here that calls for the formation of a unified national army and police force, officials said.
The four-point agreement reached after three days of Arab League-mediated talks commits the two sides to respecting a previous June 22 mutual recognition and truce pact and not to seek military aid from neighboring states, they said. [More..]
The four-point agreement reached after three days of Arab League-mediated talks commits the two sides to respecting a previous June 22 mutual recognition and truce pact and not to seek military aid from neighboring states, they said. [More..]
MoFA says Eritrean move diversionary tactic from country's internal problems (Walta)
Addis Ababa, September 03, 2006 (WIC) – Eritrea’s false propaganda and strategy of weakening Ethiopia through mercenaries, which is a pretext to its internal political and economic crisis, will only manifest its anti-peace activities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said. Full Story..
Ethiopian and Ugandan military officers train Somali government forces in Daynunay, southern Somalia (Shabelle)
Mogadishu 02, Sep. 06 ( Sh.M.Network) - Somali president Abdulahi Yusuf Ahmed has joined an opening a ceremony held in Daynunay military camp, suburb of Baidoa, a temporary headquarter for the Somali largely tenuous federal government. Full Story..
The first UN World Food Program ship docks at Mogadishu’s port (Shabelle)
Mogadishu 03, Sep. 06 ( Sh.M.Network) - A vessel carrying UN World Food Program aid supplies had docked at Mogadishu’s international seaport. The ship is reported to be loaded with food aid and other supplies. Full Story..
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