New chairman appointed for the African Diaspora Foundation

 The African Diaspora Foundation, USA based educational organization dedicated to developing centers for peace and nonviolence studies, curricula, and outreach programs that promote peace, nonviolence and reconciliation in Africa and other parts of the world, has appointed Ethiopian citizen Honorable Mussie Hailu as Chairman for Africa. Chairman Hailu will be working very closely with Boshigo Matlou of South Africa and other selected individuals around the continent. (Press release, August 01, 2006 )

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to receive 2006 Africa Prize for leadership

Ms. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf , President of the Republic of Liberia and the first woman ever to be elected as president of an African nation, has been named as the laureate of the 2006 Africa Prize for Leadership for the Sustainable End of Hunger.

Hunger Project President Joan Holmes made the announcement on a global conference call. The Prize, which includes a $100,000 cash award to further the laureate's work for the well being of the people of Africa , will be presented at a gala award ceremony on October 21 at the New York Hilton Hotel. The Africa Prize was established in 1987 as a strategic intervention to call forth effective leadership committed to the well-being of Africa 's people . (Press release August 7, 2006 )

A Mission of the European Commission visited Dire Dawa disaster

On August 10, 2006 , a Mission from the European Commission Delegation in Addis Ababa and the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Department ( ECHO ) visited the site of the flooding disaster in Dire Dawa.

“Our visit is intended to show our solidarity and support for the affected community and identify how best we can help in the shortest possible time,” said Ambassador Tim Clarke , Head of the European Commission to Ethiopia , speaking for the affected. (Press release August 11, 2006 )

Ethiopian rebels 'ready for talks'

Separatist rebels in Ethiopia say it is untrue that they are not willing to talk peace with the government.

Ethiopian troops are currently engaged in a big operation to flush out Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) rebels near the border with Somalia . The ONLF chairman told the BBC that it was the government that was hindering dialogue and he denied accusations that his fighters were killing civilians. Prime Minister Meles said dialogue with the rebels had failed . ( BBC , August 10, 2006 )

Flower export earnings up 73 percent

Ethiopia 's flower exports grew by 73 percent during the most recent fiscal year to reach $22mn, the Ministry of Trade and Industry has said.

The ministry said that export earnings increased by $9.3mn, when compared with the previous fiscal year.

The country hopes to increase its earning to over $100mn within a few years. The commodity's earnings have grown four-fold over the last three years, according to figures made available by the Customs Authority. (Business in Africa, Johannesburg , August 10, 2006 )

Congressman Payne says Ethio-U.S. bilateral relations in good shape

Congressman Donald M. Payne said cooperation between the United States and Ethiopia in the fields of politics and economics is in good shape.

While conferring with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi yesterday, Congressman Payne said the cooperation between Ethiopia and the U.S. have been strengthening from time to time. The U.S. has been providing assistance for the development activities being carried out in Ethiopia , Payne said.

Ethiopia has been benefiting from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) the U.S. offered for African countries, the Congressman said. (The Ethiopian Herald August 9, 2006 )

WB gives Ethiopia over $ 289 mln in grants, loan

A Loan and grant agreement amounting 289.7 million US dollars was signed between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and the World Bank on Monday.

Whereas, out of the total amount, 274.70 million USD is to be extended in the form of loan, the remaining amount is a grant. As per the agreements, the loan and grant will be used to finance four different development projects in Ethiopia .

Accordingly, 133.4 million dollars is allocated for Rural Electricity Access Expansion; 87.3 million dollars for Road Sector Development Phase II projects; 54 million dollars for Rural Capacity building projects; and 15 million dollars to support the Finance Sector capacity Building Projects. (The Daily Monitor August 9, 2006 )