Legal
hurdles over collaterals
By Andualem Sisay
Due to a stream of court injunctions banks claim that they are
unable to sell defaulter properties held as collateral and valued
at 39.5 mln birr.
According to 223 sample cases selected for study by the Ethiopian
Bankers Association (EBA), banks are facing challenges in exercising
their rights of selling non-payers' properties as per the law passed
nine years ago. This was indicated at a day long symposium organized
by EBA on Saturday 11 August, 2007, at the Addis Ababa Hilton.
 MORE
Treating a nation bleeding from brain drain
Dr. Tewabech Bishaw, a veteran figure at the Ministry of Health,
having worked there since the Emperor’s days, says she noticed
while working as human resource department head at the ministry
some 20 years ago, that many health professionals sent abroad for
further study do not return back to Ethiopia. Since then she has
been thinking about a remedy for the brain drain that is bleeding
the country to this day.
MORE
Ethio-Sudan Optical Fiber project inaugurated
By Kirubel Tadesse
The Ethio-Sudan optical fiber installation project was officially
inaugurated at a grand ceremony held at the Sheraton Addis on August
11, 2007.
Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC), announced that a
high speed and capacity international link via Sudan will be realized
through the Ethio-Sudan optical fiber installation project. The
implementation of Addis-Metema fiber optical line including the
establishment of a link with the already existing optical network
in Addis Ababa was finalized with over 118 million birr capital.
The physical work of the project took about a year together with
the test works.
Ethiopian’s hotel dream finally comes
true
By Tedla Desta
The Ethiopian Airlines is to launch construction of a four star
hotel of 300 rooms in the Bole area by December, Chief Executive
Officer (CEO), of the Ethiopian Airlines, Girma Wake said.
“We have on average 250 transit passengers who go to various
hotels in Addis; so the construction of the hotel would be helpful
in this regard,” Kassim Geresu, Executive VP of Finance and
Strategic Planning of Ethiopian Airlines, told Capital. Kassim also
said that the hotel would be built at an estimated cost of 50 million
dollars.
No room for old practice, says AEF
By Andualem Sisay
As the new federalism policy of the country has no room for old
practice, it is time for the Ethiopian Employers’ Federation
to transform itself into a confederation by facilitating the formation
of regional employers’ federations, says the newly formed
Addis Ababa Employers’ Federation (AEF).
At a press conference held on Thursday August 9, 2007 by the newly
established AEF to officially announce its formation, the federation
stressed the need for other regions also to have their own federations.
MORE
Hope Enterprises to build university college
for 70 mln birr
By Kirubel Tadesse
Hope Enterprises, a non- profit organization, which is working
to address problems of the needy, is building a university college
at a cost of seventy million birr.
The university college will be built on land HOPE Enterprises obtained
in Lafeto Nefase Silk sub-city, Lebu area. Girma Welde Giorgis,
President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, laid the
cornerstone of the university college in a ceremony attended by
six hundred guests including parliamentarians, civil society organization
representatives and ambassadors from countries such as the United
Kingdom, the Netherlands and representative of the European Union.
MORE
Six MoARD staff, Indian national in custody
By Tedla Desta
The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission arrested seven
suspects including an Indian book supplier for alleged corruption
in book trading, sources told Capital.
The six suspects under custody have been working as members of the
tender committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
(MoARD).
Eastern Nile parliamentarians share views,
experiences
By Andualem Sisay
The Joint Multipurpose Program (JMP), Regional Parliamentary Committee
of the Eastern Nile countries (Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt) began
the first exchange visit in Ethiopia and Sudan from August 7-13,
2007.
The parliamentarians of the three countries are being briefed by
the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), and Eastern Nile Technical Regional
Office (ENTRO), Executive Directors and project coordinators on
progress to date, key activities, achievements, potentials and the
way forward on Eastern Nile Subsidiary Action Program (ENSAP), projects
in general and JMP in particular.
ERA set to execute record high value projects
By Tedla Desta
The Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) is set to execute a record
of high value projects during the next Ethiopian year, Samson Wondimu,
Information and Public Relations Head of the Authority told Capital.
Samson said that the Authority has budgeted over 5.6 billion birr
for 172 projects to be performed in the coming year, from which
3.1 billion is covered by the government while the rest is from
loans and grants. The budget is to be used for road construction,
conducting studies, capacity building and other activities.
MORE
PCI to launch Diaspora conference
By Kirubel Tadesse
Precise Consult International (PCI) is to launch the first annual
Ethiopian Diaspora Business Conference to be held on September 19,
2007 at the UNECA.
In a press release it sent to Capital, PCI noted that the Ethiopian
Diaspora Business Conference aims to make a business case for investing
in Ethiopia and illustrate exactly how the diaspora can benefit
from the investment opportunities that exist in the country, while
supporting the ongoing development and growth of the Ethiopian economy.
MORE
USS Enterprise in 3D catapults Ambassadorial
delegation
By Tesfu Telahoun
America’s most decorated naval vessel, the USS Enterprise,
currently docked off Djibouti, was visited by US and foreign dignitaries
on last Sunday August 5, 2007.
The luminaries included, Cindy Courville, US Ambassador to the A.U.,
Ethiopia’s A.U Ambassador, Sahlework Zewdie, the Ambassador
of Uganda, Edith Ssempala as well as the recently appointed Ambassador
of Romania accredited to the A.U and Ethiopia, H.E. Mr. Gabriel
Branzaru.
MORE
Corruption watchdog drops charges
Case against Alemayehu Bekele et al groundless
By Kirubel Tadesse
The Federal Ethics and anti- Corruption Commission dropped charges
against Ato Woldegabriel Nayzgi, former General Manager of the Federal
Inland Revenue Authority (FIRA), and four other defendants prosecuted
in relation with Ato Alemayehu Bekele’s Helena Health Care
company, over alleged tax impropriety.
Ato Million Assefa, lawyer for Alemayehu Bekele told Capital that
the Commission dropped all charges, with Ato Alemayehu and other
defendants released from jail over Monday and Tuesday.
MORE
Cardiac center to start beating
By Kirubel Tadesse
Dr. Belay Abegaz, founder and President of the Children’s
Heart Fund of Ethiopia, announced that the cardiac center will start
operating as early as January 2008 with the support of Sheik Mohammed
al Amoudi and the Chain of Hope Institute of UK, founded by Professor
Sir Magdi Yacoub.
Capital learned that Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub, one of the world’s
finest cardiac surgeons, will cover the expense of the equipment
needed for the operation of the cardiac center, worth 10 million
USD. In addition, Professor Sir Magdi has promised to build a research
center inside the Black Lion hospital adjacent to the cardiac center.
MORE
EIC settles Meta’s 2 mln birr claim
By Tedla Desta
The Ethiopian Insurance Corporation (EIC), paid out a claim to
the Meta Abo Brewery amounting to 2,028,272.72 birr,in compensation
for a damaged steam boiler, in one of the largest insurance sums
EIC paid this year. Last march the corporation had honored 21.5
million birr claim of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation.
The check was issued by Acting Managing Director of EIC, Tesfaye
Alemu, to the General Manager of Meta Abo Brewery, Solomon Kedede.
MORE
Pilot training course in condos management
launched
By Kirubel Tadesse
The Addis Ababa Housing Agency and the city’s Education Bureau
started training service workers for condominium buildings. A pilot
training course, for house service workers, was held at Entoto TVET
College from August 1 to 4, 2007.
Twenty one college students studying plumbing, electricity and metal
work have been enrolled in the pilot training that has acquainted
them with the basics of house management: what to do in case of
emergencies to prevent damages to buildings and people; how to do
small repair works and proceed with different service requests,
as well as legal regulations for condominium buildings. As part
of the course, the trainees also had practical exercises on a new
condominium site, Mekanissa 2.
MORE
80% of general waste untreated
By Kirubel Tadesse
Nega Abrha, Hydro-environmentalist with the Ministry of Water Resources,
said that 80% of Addis Ababa’s general waste is untreated
as per information collected.
This was said at a Forum for Environment meeting held at Semen Hotel
on August 10, 2007. Nega presented ‘Waste Water Treatment
in Ethiopia,’ a paper explaining the need of industries to
build waste treatment plants to discard sewage water, which contains
minerals, solids and other organic materials which cause health
problems.
Hard knock life for detained children: study
Do detention centers help children be productive citizens upon release?
By Andualem Sisay
Due to the lack of special attention and poor facilities, children
in most Ethiopian prisons and detention centers are suffering, a
study by The African Child Policy Forum reveals.
The study result announced at a two-day national conference held
at the Ghion Hotel -August 9-10, reveals that children in prison
and detention centers are treated in the same way as adult prisoners
in terms of meeting and communicating with family members and friends.
August 9: World’s Indigenous People
Day
A celebration of humankind’s diversity, a reminder of the
exclusion of indigenous peoples
By Andualem Sisay
The focus of attention for many of the world’s indigenous
people, most of whom are marginalized, will be based on the decision
that is due to be taken in the next days by the United Nations General
Assembly in relation to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples, say Louise Arbour, United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights and Rodolfo Stavenhagen, Special Rapporteur.
MORE
HIV/AIDS community outreach to combine alcohol,
gender norms
By Andualem Sisay
AfriComNet organized an international cnference on ‘HIV and
Alcohol, Gender Norms and Gender-Based Violence: a Strategic Communication
Perspective’ from 5-9th August 2007 at the Hilton Hotel, Addis
Ababa.
The overall aim is to help place these issues on national and regional
agendas and at the same time, enable participants to integrate alcohol,
gender norms and gender-based violence into HIV/ AIDS community
outreach, advocacy, media, and client education and counseling programs.
MORE
Over 10 mil birr HIV/AIDS project launched
By Tedla Desta
An urban HIV/AIDS prevention project funded by the European Union
and valued worth over 10 million birr was launched on Tuesday August
7, by Care-Ethiopia, in collaboration with the Bright Hope Organization,
Dawn of Hope Ethiopia, and Organization for Social Services for
AIDS (OSSA), and the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA).
MORE
Kazanchis to run out poverty
By Tedla Desta
The youngsters of Kazanchis confirm that they are ‘Arada’s’
- city folks. They, unlike former youngsters who portray their streets
smarts by getting their incisors removed, are illuminating their
quality by working tangible deeds.
Casa Inchis aka Kazanchis is found in the eastern part of Addis
Ababa and was reputed for being dominated by lively bars and hotels,
making it the most blistering part of the capital.
MORE
|
Legal
hurdles over collaterals
By Andualem Sisay
Due to a stream of court injunctions banks claim that they are
unable to sell defaulter properties held as collateral and valued
at 39.5 mln birr.
According to 223 sample cases selected for study by the Ethiopian
Bankers Association (EBA), banks are facing challenges in exercising
their rights of selling non-payers' properties as per the law passed
nine years ago. This was indicated at a day long symposium organized
by EBA on Saturday 11 August, 2007, at the Addis Ababa Hilton.
Highlighting the significance of the finance sector to the economy
and its fast growth, Neway Gebreab, Economic Advisor to the Prime
Minister and Director of the Ethiopian Development Research Institute,
called on all participants of the symposium that included government
executive organs from all regions, to come up with solutions for
problems observed in the growing financial sector.
Courts order injunctions as a result of petitions from debtors who
usually claim ownership over the properties held by the banks as
collateral. A third party often also claims that he/she has bought
the property without knowing that it was held by banks as collateral.
Borrowers gain court injunctions over the collaterals often claiming
that the start up bid price set by the banks for the property is
not corresponding to its actual worth. Family members of the debtors
also try to stop the banks from selling these properties by appealing
to court.
To resolve these challenges in implementing the law that authorizes
banks to directly sell collaterals of defaulting clients, the EBA
advised courts to critically review the cases before passing injunctions
which result in the banks losing time and money.
According to some bankers, it is only after a long legal process
that banks can finally sell these properties and recoup their money.
The banks also claim that the reason that debtors plead the court
to ban the sales is to get time to hide some of the properties they
had offered as collateral for their loans. Banks at times are said
to find cars offered for loan collateral actually without engines
when they reclaim them from defaulters. Now the trend has gone as
far as taking out some household fixtures such as bathroom fittings
before the bank gets its hands on it.
Borrowers on their part routinely complain that banks are overly
eager to seize properties at the slightest hint of even momentary
default. Properties are put to auction without the banks first exhausting
all avenues of facilitating the repayment of loans, they claim.
Treating a nation bleeding
from brain drain
Dr. Tewabech Bishaw, a veteran figure at the Ministry of Health,
having worked there since the Emperor’s days, says she noticed
while working as human resource department head at the ministry
some 20 years ago, that many health professionals sent abroad for
further study do not return back to Ethiopia. Since then she has
been thinking about a remedy for the brain drain that is bleeding
the country to this day.
But what she realized during her tour to other countries as a United
Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) employee in the past 20 years
is that brain drain is a global phenomenon and has no quick fix
as such. Continuing her search for a solution that at least would
minimize the harm that brain drain causes to the nation, she realized
that countries known for their fast economic growth such as Japan,
China and India were able to effectively use knowledge and skills
of their diaspora.
To introduce the practice of these countries to her country, last
year Dr. Tewabech along with nineteen others, who support her idea,
formed a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Hibret Lelimat Ma’ekel
(HLM), which literally means Unity for Development Center.
The overall intention of the center is to pave the way for incremental
channeling of diaspora intellectual and other resources for national
development of the country. It aims to treat the harm caused by
brain drain that the nation is suffering from and redirect it into
brain gain.
“It is not something new that we are trying to introduce,
what we are doing is only adopting the success of others. I believe
that with time this initiative will have incremental input to our
country,” said Dr. Tewabech.
Over the last few decades Ethiopia has lost its human capital and
its investment in higher education as highly qualified professionals
leave the country and fail to return. Studies have shown that over
the last three decades, an estimated 35-50 per cent of Ethiopian
students sent abroad fail to return.
Describing the situation, Dr. Tewabech said, “One can easily
realize how much the country is bleeding from the situation.”
To treat this bleeding, HLM has finalized an interactive website
www.hlmethiopia.org that will be officially launched at the end
of this month.
The main objective of the website is to facilitate partnership and
collaboration with committed Ethiopian diaspora and friends of Ethiopia
and link them with the institutions that are ready to use the knowledge
and skills of these people.
As part of its aim of reaching all the Ethiopian diaspora abroad,
HLM has also began networking itself with community and similar
interest groups and associations of Ethiopians living in different
countries.
HLM is also planning to organize a symposium at the end of this
month to get an overview of the conditions the Ethiopian diaspora
who will be here for the millennium celebration want to be met in
order for them to work here and to gauge the expertise demand of
the institutions here.
So far, the NGO is getting support from the Addis Ababa as well
as the Ethiopian Millennium Festival Secretariats. The Ministry
of Foreign Affairs and that of Capacity Building have also been
showing support for the idea.
Ethio-Sudan Optical Fiber
project inaugurated
By Kirubel Tadesse
The Ethio-Sudan optical fiber installation project was officially
inaugurated at a grand ceremony held at the Sheraton Addis on August
11, 2007.
Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC), announced that a
high speed and capacity international link via Sudan will be realized
through the Ethio-Sudan optical fiber installation project. The
implementation of Addis-Metema fiber optical line including the
establishment of a link with the already existing optical network
in Addis Ababa was finalized with over 118 million birr capital.
The physical work of the project took about a year together with
the test works.
According to ETC the prevalence of internet service interruption
and traffic congestion resulting from the increasing demand of internet
customers necessitated the Ethio-Sudan optical fiber installation
project. Since July 2006, the corporation realized the extension
of an additional 185 Km optical fiber project from Gondar up to
Metema.
Siemens is the company that undertook the project which has enabled
Ethiopia to be connected through the Sudan, crossing the border
town of Gelebat, Sudan, and linking up with the Veraizon network
based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Ethio-Sudan optical fiber project was initiated and materialized
with a view of establishing high speed, cost effective, reliable
and dependable international links as well as to overhauling the
existing telecom infrastructure facilities and complement the international
telecommunications services rendered by micro wave and satellite
communications technologies by deploying cutting- edge fiber optics
technology.
ETC added that the completion of this project has resulted in the
substantial increment in the quality of telecom services in the
country as well as at international level. The Ethio- Sudan optical
fiber link which was initially at E3 (34 mb/s) has reached to STM-1
level (155 mb/s) as of January 2007. ETC’s broadband internet
server now gets direct access to the server of Veraizon via Sudan
and Jeddah.
Ethiopian’s hotel
dream finally comes true
By Tedla Desta
The Ethiopian Airlines is to launch construction of a four star
hotel of 300 rooms in the Bole area by December, Chief Executive
Officer (CEO), of the Ethiopian Airlines, Girma Wake said.
“We have on average 250 transit passengers who go to various
hotels in Addis; so the construction of the hotel would be helpful
in this regard,” Kassim Geresu, Executive VP of Finance and
Strategic Planning of Ethiopian Airlines, told Capital. Kassim also
said that the hotel would be built at an estimated cost of 50 million
dollars.
Ethiopian had coveted in the past to buy the Ghion Hotel Enterprise
which was put up for privatization.
The CEO of Ethiopian Airlines also said that notwithstanding various
pressures, the national carrier’s results improved in 2006/07.
He said the flag carrier accomplished heartening results, despite
high fuel prices, increased rates on leased aircraft, migration
of pilots and technicians, as well as security problems in its destination
countries. This year alone over 60 mechanics have been lost.
He said, the “international aviation industry is expected
to face an annual deficit of over half a billion dollars this year,”
noting the grim global status of the industry.
Ethiopian Airlines has placed an order for ten 787 Boeing Dreamliners
– a revolutionary aircraft with unprecedented passenger comfort.
The first two of these aircrafts will be delivered in September
and November of 2008, making Ethiopian the first to operate the
787 in Africa.
Ethiopian’s revenue in the past year reached 6.9 billion birr,
which showed a 28 percent increase from that of the preceding year
and, netted a profit 129 million Birr.
Some 39 percent of the total expenditure of EAL goes towards the
purchase of aircraft fuel, Girma said.
The number of travelers reached 2.1 million in the past year, with
a 19 percent increase over the previous year. Ethiopian plans to
transport 2.56 million passengers in 2007/08 and hopes to increase
the number to three million by 2010. It also plans revenues of 8.2
billion birr with 7.7 billion in expense, 448 million gross profit
and 151 million birr net profit in 2007/08. The CEO also mentioned
that B737-700 simulators will be purchased for 12 million birr in
October.
On July 12, 2007 Ethiopian Airlines signed an agreement with Boeing
Capital
Corporation (BCC) for the purchase of one MD-11 freighter aircraft,
which is scheduled to be delivered in December 2008, as reported
by Allafrica.
Ethiopian is also negotiating for a second converted MD-11 freighter
aircraft on a lease basis scheduled for delivery at the end of 2009.
Ethiopian presently owns and operates two B757 freighter aircraft.
The airlines recently won the 2007 Africa Business Award of The
African Times - USA for its significant contributions towards the
development of air transport in Africa. In September 2006, it won
the title “African Airline of the Year” for the year
2006 by African Aviation Journal for its financial performance and
overall profitability, passenger growth, route network expansion,
fleet modernization, in-flight services and overall customer care.
In a related development, Ethiopian is to launch services to Zanzibar
with Boeing 737-700 aircrafts that have 118 seats – 16 in
Cloud Nine and 102 in Economy.
To celebrate this new flight, Ethiopian will be introducing special
fares from Europe to Tanzania. With daily service to three destinations
in Tanzania, passengers will have the flexibility to fly into Zanzibar
and out of Kilimanjaro and thus experience both the best beaches
and the highest mountain in Africa.
No room for old practice,
says AEF
By Andualem Sisay
As the new federalism policy of the country has no room for old
practice, it is time for the Ethiopian Employers’ Federation
to transform itself into a confederation by facilitating the formation
of regional employers’ federations, says the newly formed
Addis Ababa Employers’ Federation (AEF).
At a press conference held on Thursday August 9, 2007 by the newly
established AEF to officially announce its formation, the federation
stressed the need for other regions also to have their own federations.
Although the law that deals with the issue of employers and employees,
which is derived from the new constitution of the country, has given
the mandate for the Ethiopian Employers’ Federation to facilitate
the formation of associations, still after ten years, there are
no employers’ federations in the regions except for AEF. It
is with this intention of fulfilling the demand of its members and
exercising the right provided by the law that AEF has taken the
pioneering measure of realizing the formation of the first regional
employers’ federation, some three months ago.
Now, AEF believes that there has to be one strong Ethiopian employers’
confederation. In order to realize this, AEF calls on all employers
in other regions of the country to follow in its footsteps and form
regional employers’ federation.
Commenting on whether the newly established Addis Ababa Employer’s
Federation participated on the secretive election of Ethiopian Employers’
Federation Board of Directors that took place last Saturday at the
Ghion Hotel, Getahun Hussein, President of AEF said: “As the
meeting was closed to the media, we as Addis Ababa Employers’
Federation were also not invited to participate in the election.”
According to some of the participants of last week’s Ethiopian
Employers’ Federation board election, regional branches that
came under the pretext of investment conference also took part.
“Verifying whether the existing Ethiopian Employers’
Federation is legal or not is not up to us; it is the duty of the
Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. But what we can say is the
formation did not follow properly the structures as stated by the
law,” Getahun said.
One of the eleven Board members of the Addis Ababa Employers’
Federation on his part said: “I think the time has come not
to keep on calling the Ethiopian Employers’ Federation a federation.
It has to be able to transform itself from federation to a confederation
that represents all employers in the country.”
Before Saturday’s election, the Ministry of Labor and Social
Affairs had rejected the previously elected leaders of Ethiopian
Employers’ Federation claiming that it did not meet the requirement
for approval by the ministry.
The Ethiopian Employers’ Federation used to have branch offices
in some of the major cities of the country but people claim that
the Federation was too centralized to let the branches exercise
a significant amount of discretion.
Since the time of Emperor Haile Selassie, employers found all over
the country have been swallowed by one central Ethiopian Employers’
Federation, the legality of which now seems unclear.
Hope Enterprises to build
university college for 70 mln birr
By Kirubel Tadesse
Hope Enterprises, a non- profit organization, which is working
to address problems of the needy, is building a university college
at a cost of seventy million birr.
The university college will be built on land HOPE Enterprises obtained
in Lafeto Nefase Silk sub-city, Lebu area. Girma Welde Giorgis,
President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, laid the
cornerstone of the university college in a ceremony attended by
six hundred guests including parliamentarians, civil society organization
representatives and ambassadors from countries such as the United
Kingdom, the Netherlands and representative of the European Union.
According to the President of HOPE Enterprises, Dr Minas Hiruy,
the university college will be completed in three years and will
accept one thousand five hundred disadvantaged students who meet
the requirements of the Ministry of Education. He added that the
university college will specialize in the five areas of management,
environmental studies, English language, computer communication
technologies and social work studies in under graduate programs.
He also added that in order to maintain quality of the education
at the university college, only twenty four students will be allocated
per class room. Students will also have a chance to get course materials
online together with the libraries and workshops available on campus.
Dr Minas Hiruy said, “We don’t want this university
to be a ticket for students to get out of their villages to Addis
and then to foreign countries. What we expect from our students
at the end of their three or four year education program is the
knowledge and the skills together with the will and the commitment
to go back to their community and work to solve their community
problems.”
The fist draft curriculum of the university college was developed
by Dr. Minas and later on by Dr. Agidew Rede, a graduate of Columbia
University, and also Ayalew Zegeye, a long time associate of Addis
Ababa University with masters degree from the United Kingdom. The
latter two volunteered to assist starting from sometime in 2007.
HOPE Enterprises has a feeding center next to its Churchill road
office at its Addis Ababa branch and other projects found in Dessie,
Gambella, Assosa and other towns.
Six MoARD staff, Indian national
in custody
By Tedla Desta
The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission arrested seven
suspects including an Indian book supplier for alleged corruption
in book trading, sources told Capital.
The six suspects under custody have been working as members of the
tender committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
(MoARD).
“The individuals were arrested for allegedly buying books
published in Ethiopia, but claiming that they were printed in India,”
the source said. The cost of the books also seems to have been overstated,
as a result of which over 62,000 Birr was suspected to have been
embezzled, the source added.
The individuals have appeared in court and a seven day investigation
period was approved for the prosecutor.
It is to be recalled that in a three months extensive investigation,
the Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested 150 people, of whom
91 suspects’ cases related to land issues.
The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission was established
in May 2001 and until the year 2006, investigated a number of cases
and pressed charges against 500 individuals, about 100 of whom received
1-19 years imprisonment.
Eastern Nile parliamentarians
share views, experiences
By Andualem Sisay
The Joint Multipurpose Program (JMP), Regional Parliamentary Committee
of the Eastern Nile countries (Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt) began
the first exchange visit in Ethiopia and Sudan from August 7-13,
2007.
The parliamentarians of the three countries are being briefed by
the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), and Eastern Nile Technical Regional
Office (ENTRO), Executive Directors and project coordinators on
progress to date, key activities, achievements, potentials and the
way forward on Eastern Nile Subsidiary Action Program (ENSAP), projects
in general and JMP in particular.
The parliamentarians will visit related institutions in Ethiopia
and the Sudan to exchange views and experiences pertinent to cooperation,
and participate in study tours to water resources related functions
and locations.
In a second round of the JMP Regional Parliamentary Committee Exchange
Visit, to be arranged at the end of 2007, the parliamentarians will
travel to Egypt, where they will expand their exposure to the Eastern
Nile and the issues that need to be addressed to undertake joint
investments.
The objective of the visit is to promote and deepen shared understanding
of pertinent ENSAP issues and the resource potentials in the region,
and the constraints for their mobilization.
It also aims to strengthen linkages among Eastern Nile parliaments
and establish working relationships between ENTRO and Eastern Nile
parliaments to buildup support for and facilitation of implementation
of joint investment programs such as JMP.
Based on the required high-level political commitment to create
consensus on GMP, ENTRO promoted the idea of establishing a Regional
Parliamentary Committee to consult and inform the parliaments of
the three Eastern Nile member countries at an early stage of the
process.
Consequently, in June 2006, ENTRO visited the Parliaments of Egypt,
Ethiopia and Sudan where a wider group of parliamentarians were
provided an overview of JMP activities and achievements.
The parliamentarians of the three countries then expressed a strong
support for Nile Basin Initiative (NBI)/ENSAP and JMP. They indicated
a desire to remain engaged and participate in regional parliamentary
exchange.
The NBI that includes the nine Nile riparian countries: Ethiopia,
Sudan, Egypt, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda,
Tanzania and Uganda, and Eritrea, which currently participates as
observer, was established in February 1999.
As these countries rely to greater or lesser extent on the Nile
waters to meet their basic needs and promote economic growth, NBI
aims to achieve sustainable socio-economic development through equitable
utilization of and benefit from the common Nile basin water resources.
ERA set to execute record
high value projects
By Tedla Desta
The Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) is set to execute a record
of high value projects during the next Ethiopian year, Samson Wondimu,
Information and Public Relations Head of the Authority told Capital.
Samson said that the Authority has budgeted over 5.6 billion birr
for 172 projects to be performed in the coming year, from which
3.1 billion is covered by the government while the rest is from
loans and grants. The budget is to be used for road construction,
conducting studies, capacity building and other activities.
The Addis Ababa –Nazareth –Gedeo road is one of the
earliest projects to be launched in the 2007/08 budget year, he
said. The 214 km road is to have eight lanes. In addition, Samson
said: construction of 246 km of road under 11 projects will be started
in the coming year.
Similarly, ERA said it has constructed roads covering 14,000 kms
with an outlay of over 4.9 billion Birr during the past Ethiopian
budget year. He said that ERA has achieved 96 per cent of targets
to construct 15,149 km roads during the reported period.
ERA had also completed the construction, upgrading and heavy maintenance
of roads as well as conducting feasibility studies and undertaking
capacity building activities, among others. Samson also said ERA
has begun implementing a five-year development program aimed at
strengthening the road sector.
The Authority signed a contract agreement worth over 8 billion birr
for 42 construction project works and about a quarter of a billion
birr for consultancy service with local and international contractors
and consultants. The construction of most of the projects has already
started and will be completed within two to three years.
PCI to launch Diaspora conference
By Kirubel Tadesse
Precise Consult International (PCI) is to launch the first annual
Ethiopian Diaspora Business Conference to be held on September 19,
2007 at the UNECA.
In a press release it sent to Capital, PCI noted that the Ethiopian
Diaspora Business Conference aims to make a business case for investing
in Ethiopia and illustrate exactly how the diaspora can benefit
from the investment opportunities that exist in the country, while
supporting the ongoing development and growth of the Ethiopian economy.
The PCI press release explains that crude calculations using remittance
figures (USD 1.1 billion in the first 9 months of 2006/07 alone)
show that the Gross income of Ethiopians in the diaspora is in the
range of 10-20 billion USD per annum, roughly equal to the home
country’s GDP of 13 billion USD in 2006.
PCI suggested that the diaspora can benefit from investing in a
growing home economy or stay behind and make profits by facilitating
the import of quality Ethiopian products into their home countries.
PCI added that market access, necessary for the survival of the
Ethiopian nation can be provided by the diaspora.
“Back in the old days, our forefathers fought off colonization
using spears, guns, and even their bare hands,” said Ato Henok
Assefa, Managing Partner at Precise Consult who grew up in New York
City. “Times have changed, however. The survival of the Ethiopian
state now depends on building the competitiveness of Ethiopia’s
industries. Be competitive or perish is the order of the day. And
in this endeavor, utilizing the diaspora who already possesses world
class know-how and capital is a no-brainer for Ethiopia.”
PCI noted the diaspora is starting to make an impact using the duty
free and quota free access Ethiopia enjoys to the United States
and European markets.
The first annual Ethiopian Diaspora Business Conference is being
organized with the financial support of The World Bank, USAID and
VEGA Ethiopia AGOA+.
USS Enterprise in 3D catapults
Ambassadorial delegation
By Tesfu Telahoun
America’s most decorated naval vessel, the USS Enterprise,
currently docked off Djibouti, was visited by US and foreign dignitaries
on last Sunday August 5, 2007.
The luminaries included, Cindy Courville, US Ambassador to the A.U.,
Ethiopia’s A.U Ambassador, Sahlework Zewdie, the Ambassador
of Uganda, Edith Ssempala as well as the recently appointed Ambassador
of Romania accredited to the A.U and Ethiopia, H.E. Mr. Gabriel
Branzaru.
The USS Enterprise is conducting a naval tradition called a Passenger
Exercise and its stopover in the Horn of Africa was an opportunity
for the visiting diplomats to observe and experience first hand
the U.S Navy’s active presence in the volatile sub-region.
Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the A.U replying to the print and
electronic media at a press conference hosted by Ambassador Courville
at the US. Embassy, August 7, 2007, expressed the uniqueness of
the visit from the perspective of one who had never before boarded
a naval vessel.
“This was my first time on an aircraft carrier and I was overwhelmed
by the sheer scale of the ship. This once in a lifetime opportunity
showed me the capabilities of American forces and the tasks they
are performing in the region.”
The USS Enterprise was the world’s first nuclear powered aircraft
carrier when it was launched in 1960 and commissioned in 1961. The
enormous ship, weighing 85,000 tons is 336 meters wide. It has a
top speed approaching that of a small luxury cruiser and requires
a crew complement of nearly 5000 men and women. The Enterprise has
been at the forefront of nearly all of America’s post WWII
confrontations, skirmishes, battles and wars. Built to counter the
communist threat, the Enterprise has evolved along with the uncertainties
of the post Cold War era and as its passage by the Horn of Africa
displays, the carrier is very much engaged in the global war on
terror.
The ambassadors expressed their appreciation of the high level of
professionalism and commitment they observed among the surprisingly
young sailors on board the ‘floating air force base.’
In her remarks, Ambassador Courville said, “Personally, it
is a dream comes true to land on a U.S aircraft carrier; but to
see the age of the young people on the ship, 18-22, handle the complexity
and technical capability of the ship, this made me very proud to
be an American.”
The Ambassadorial delegation also visited the Combined Joint Task
Force – Horn of Africa – CJTF-HOA, stationed at Camp
Lemonier in Djibouti – the main focus of their tour- understandably
eclipsed by the excitement of a carrier off shore and the thrill
of being catapulted aloft to land on a strip of metal in the middle
of the sea.
Speaking on the passage of the Enterprise as well as the purpose
of the visit to CJTF-HOA, Ambassador Courville said that showing
America’s strength on land, air, and at sea is a demonstration
of the United States’ firm resolve and commitment towards
peace and security in the regions. “The visit to Djibouti
was to bring together the United States and members of the African
Union Peace and Security Commission, and the Ambassador of Romania
to understand better how the US operates in the Horn of Africa.
It is not only about security, which is important, but it is about
humanitarian assistance, it has our soldiers volunteering to do
things in the region, to work with women’s organizations and
schools. It truly is a part of our national security interests.
This is what we call the 3D approach - Defense, Diplomacy and Development.
Uganda’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and the A.U, Edith Ssempala,
said on her part during the visit to Camp Lemonier that it is vital
that open lines of communication between the US and countries in
the region be maintained to ensure the success of peace keeping
efforts in the region. “I think the HOA mission is very important
because there are changes within the Horn of Africa. To keep peace
and stability, we should do more communicating and share our knowledge.”
Replying as to how his country is involved in the JTF-HOA, Ambassador
Branzaru of Romania explained in detail his nation’s relatively
recent history of transition from dictatorship to multi party democracy
and its accession to the E.U and pointed out that in addition to
his country’s practical commitment to peace and security globally,
Romania and Ethiopia share several socio-cultural and political
similarities.
“We are a largely Orthodox Christian country with an ancient
history. We have both emerged as democracies after decades of authoritarianism.
I think Ethiopia and Romania have a common interest in maintaining
stability in the Horn. In addition, the CJTF-HOA is made up of people
from nearly a dozen nations of which Romania is also one,”
said Ambassador Branzaru.
CJTF-HOA is within the U.S – Central Command and its sphere
of responsibility includes Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Uganda,
Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Tanzania and Madagascar. The
task force is made up of over 1700 people from the services, civilian
workers, coalition forces and partner nations.
It was indicated at the August 7, 2007 press conference that there
are plans in progress to stand up a separate Africa Command. If
it materializes, it is expected to be operational within three to
five years.
Corruption watchdog drops
charges
Case against Alemayehu Bekele et al groundless
By Kirubel Tadesse
The Federal Ethics and anti- Corruption Commission dropped charges
against Ato Woldegabriel Nayzgi, former General Manager of the Federal
Inland Revenue Authority (FIRA), and four other defendants prosecuted
in relation with Ato Alemayehu Bekele’s Helena Health Care
company, over alleged tax impropriety.
Ato Million Assefa, lawyer for Alemayehu Bekele told Capital that
the Commission dropped all charges, with Ato Alemayehu and other
defendants released from jail over Monday and Tuesday.
Million said that his client had appealed for bail to the Court
of Cassation following the Federal Supreme Court’s rejection
of the request. He said, “We took our appeal to the Court
of Cassation as we believed that there was a basic mistake in the
decision to deny bail to my client. My client was sure of his innocence
and ready to prove so in the regular court but since the hearing
is months away and his sentence would not exceed ten years if convicted,
we applied for bail rights.”
According to Million, the case brought to court was baseless and
that his client was accused of inappropriately presenting a complaint
of taxation. In any law or in simple logic anyone has the right
to not even complain at all. He also said that the dropped charges
have two possible reasons: one is that the Federal Ethics and anti-
Corruption Commission finally realized that there was not a violation
of law; the other could be to gather evidence and press charges
at another time.
Ato Alemayehu Bekele Molla, of Helena Health Care, former General
Manager of FIRA, Woldegabriel Nayzgi and his former deputy, Nebiyu
Samuel with three other defendants, had been in jail for almost
two months.
Cardiac center to start
beating
By Kirubel Tadesse
Dr. Belay Abegaz, founder and President of the Children’s
Heart Fund of Ethiopia, announced that the cardiac center will start
operating as early as January 2008 with the support of Sheik Mohammed
al Amoudi and the Chain of Hope Institute of UK, founded by Professor
Sir Magdi Yacoub.
Capital learned that Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub, one of the world’s
finest cardiac surgeons, will cover the expense of the equipment
needed for the operation of the cardiac center, worth 10 million
USD. In addition, Professor Sir Magdi has promised to build a research
center inside the Black Lion hospital adjacent to the cardiac center.
At a press conference Dr. Belay and Sir Magdi gave on August 10,
2007 at the Cardiac center, they announced that the Children’s
Heart fund of Ethiopia and Chain of Hope will work jointly to establish
an international standard cardiac center. Sir Magdi said, “The
main concern of Chain of Hope will be to ensure the quality of patient
care and treatment, making sure that patients are getting excellent
treatment and care from the center.”
According to Dr. Belay, the cardiac center was planned to be built
at a cost of 12 million birr but the cost has escalated to 17 million
birr. He added that they had hoped to get 25 million birr from “One
birr for one heart” project but that has failed with only
two million birr being collected. He said, “The cardiac center
is now financially secure thanks to Sheik Mohammed al Amoudi’s
donation of 33 million birr.” He added that Chain of Hope
professionals, who are members of World Heart Foundation, will teach
Ethiopian doctors so that in the next five years all professionals
will be Ethiopians.
Dr. Belay said that when he first thought of a cardiac center, he
did not expect to see his dream coming true in his life time but
hoped at least that his children will finish what he started. He
thanked the Addis Ababa City administration for the 2300 square
meters of land which will be used for generating income for the
operation cost of the center. He added that the Cardiac Center will
give children free treatment, irrespective of their economic status.
Adults will be required to pay fees which are substantially less
than what they would pay in foreign hospitals.
Recent information shows that 100 to 120 thousand children are suffering
from heart diseases in Ethiopia. The minimum cost of such operations
abroad is between twenty and thirty thousand USD.
EIC settles Meta’s 2
mln birr claim
By Tedla Desta
The Ethiopian Insurance Corporation (EIC), paid out a claim to
the Meta Abo Brewery amounting to 2,028,272.72 birr,in compensation
for a damaged steam boiler, in one of the largest insurance sums
EIC paid this year. Last march the corporation had honored 21.5
million birr claim of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation.
The check was issued by Acting Managing Director of EIC, Tesfaye
Alemu, to the General Manager of Meta Abo Brewery, Solomon Kedede.
The damage to the steam boiler was incurred while it was being transported
from Djibouti to Addis Ababa. This compensation payment is done
as the Meta Abo Brewery has a marine all risk insurance that covers
from warehouse to warehouse transportation, Tesfaye said.
In related news, the Ethiopian Insurance Corporation inaugurated
its 36th branch in Bole area. “Based on market research, the
Corporation opens new branches to serve its customers and potential
customers within close proximity,” the Acting Managing Director
said.
Ethiopian Insurance Corporation (EIC) was established in 1976. The
Corporation came into existence with Birr 11 million paid up capital
by taking over all the assets and liabilities of thirteen private
insurance companies nationalized. EIC was operating the business
for over nineteen years under protected monopolistic system as state
owned-sole insurer. After the demise of the Marxist regime in mid-1991
a fundamental change has taken place and there was a shift in political,
economic and social orientation from totalitarianism to that of
liberalism. Therefore in 1994, EIC was re-established as public
enterprise under proclamation number 201/94 with Birr 61 million
paid up capital.
Pilot training course in
condos management launched
By Kirubel Tadesse
The Addis Ababa Housing Agency and the city’s Education Bureau
started training service workers for condominium buildings. A pilot
training course, for house service workers, was held at Entoto TVET
College from August 1 to 4, 2007.
Twenty one college students studying plumbing, electricity and metal
work have been enrolled in the pilot training that has acquainted
them with the basics of house management: what to do in case of
emergencies to prevent damages to buildings and people; how to do
small repair works and proceed with different service requests,
as well as legal regulations for condominium buildings. As part
of the course, the trainees also had practical exercises on a new
condominium site, Mekanissa 2.
“The new type of housing with large condominiums has brought
about new challenges in terms of service and maintenance of these
buildings,” explains Daniel Tadesse, General Manager of the
Housing Agency. He added that often, the more residents there are,
the less each individual feels responsible for the building and
especially for common facilities. The training aims to provide residents,
site managers and house service workers, who assist them in taking
care of condominiums, with a completely new concept of property
management in Ethiopia.
One of the participants of the training, Zeritu Setegegn, said,
“The pilot training gave me practical insight and basic knowledge
in house service work. To me it looks like an interesting job.”
As to the job opportunities for the trainees, Wanda Moenning from
Addis Ababa Education Bureau and Sophos Sophianso, a consultant
of the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), are very optimistic.
They expressed their belief that the demand for house service workers
and site managers will grow with more condominiums being built in
the capital and other cities.
Capital learned that the Addis Ababa Housing Agency and the city
Education Bureau are planning to establish a new vocational training
course for condominium management.
80% of general waste untreated
By Kirubel Tadesse
Nega Abrha, Hydro-environmentalist with the Ministry of Water Resources,
said that 80% of Addis Ababa’s general waste is untreated
as per information collected.
This was said at a Forum for Environment meeting held at Semen Hotel
on August 10, 2007. Nega presented ‘Waste Water Treatment
in Ethiopia,’ a paper explaining the need of industries to
build waste treatment plants to discard sewage water, which contains
minerals, solids and other organic materials which cause health
problems.
He mentioned that out of twenty three industries studied by the
Ministry of Industry, only three were found to have waste treatment
plants. On his paper, he recommended that the government obliges
industries which do not have waste treatment plants to study the
nature of their waste and construct appropriate facilities.
Another paper presented was ‘Rain water harvesting for water
resource management,’ by Ephraim Alamerew of the Ethiopian
Water Harvesting Association. He argued that despite Ethiopia’s
renewable fresh water potential, only 5% of Ethiopian water remains
home. He said that even if water is the most widely occurring substance
on earth, only 2.53% of it is fresh, i.e it can be used for drinking,
and the rest is salt water found in oceans.
He stressed that since water is a finite resource, its shortage
is a major problem in the world next to global warming and it needs
to be managed. His paper pointed out urbanization, industrialization,
climate change, desertification, and rapid population growth as
reasons harming water resources. He said that Ethiopia, unlike Arab
countries, does not have a physical shortage of water, with its
nine major rivers and 12 big lakes.
He discussed in his paper, benefits of integrated water resource
management in directing, concentrating and collecting water for
different uses such as drinking and livestock breeding. Taking Addis
Ababa as an example Ephraim explained that only 40% of its water
need is satisfied and the rest could be met with rain water harvesting.
He also highlighted some limitations of rain water harvesting as
not being able to work without rain, not being able to create new
cropping seasons as irrigation does, and being unable to stand alone
since it needs the support of other techniques such as the use of
fertilizers for farming.
Participants gave comments and forwarded questions to the two presenters
before concluding the 8th meeting of Forum for Environment.
Hard knock life for detained
children: study
Do detention centers help children be productive citizens upon release?
By Andualem Sisay
Due to the lack of special attention and poor facilities, children
in most Ethiopian prisons and detention centers are suffering, a
study by The African Child Policy Forum reveals.
The study result announced at a two-day national conference held
at the Ghion Hotel -August 9-10, reveals that children in prison
and detention centers are treated in the same way as adult prisoners
in terms of meeting and communicating with family members and friends.
“Since children are normally perceived and treated as adults,
there is no special attention paid to them and budgetary allocations
have not taken into account their needs. Training of prison staff
on the rights of the child is either non-existent or is not regular,”
it says.
Physical contact and verbal communication are restricted; a serious
deprivation for children who need warmth, love and support. Except
implementing principle of separate accommodation for female and
male prisoners, there is no separate arrangement for children in
prisons. There is also no segregation of prisoners who are serving
sentences and those waiting for trial or on trial, according to
the study.
Most of the children detained in police stations and prisons do
not have access to adequate education. Schools in detention facilities
are poorly staffed, barely supplied with essential materials and
suffer from lack of sufficient educational facilities.
Effective vocational training centers are not available in all prisons
where children are detained. Even the few existing ones are under-staffed,
inadequately supplied and equipped. The study also indicated that
some detained children are seldom being engaged in manual labor
that is harmful to their health and development without remuneration.
In addition, the study also states: “there are reports that
penalties included inhuman and degrading punishment.” This
is in part because prison officials delegated disciplinary authority
without strict supervision, the study concludes.
Out of about 120 prisons existing in the country, the study covered
eight prisons in four regions of the country (Amhara, Oromia, SNNP
Region and Addis Ababa).
According to the study, cells in prisons and police stations are
overcrowded. Many prisons and police stations do not have sufficient
water and sanitation facilities.
To improve the conditions that detained children are in, the study
calls for immediate action to be taken to enhance the capacity of
prison and detention officials and improve the physical environment
in prisons and detention centers. This includes: separation of detained
children from adult prisoners and provision of support and follow-up
services to imprisoned and detained children, among others.
As a long term solution, the study also advised the law makers of
the country to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility
from age 9 to 12 years in line with the recommendation of the United
Nations Committee on Rights of the Child.
It also suggests the revision of the law to ensure special measures
of protection to all children below 18 years. Revision of the law
on vagrancy to avoid automatically criminalizing children by virtue
of their status is also another recommendation of the study.
August 9: World’s
Indigenous People Day
A celebration of humankind’s diversity, a reminder of the
exclusion of indigenous peoples
By Andualem Sisay
The focus of attention for many of the world’s indigenous
people, most of whom are marginalized, will be based on the decision
that is due to be taken in the next days by the United Nations General
Assembly in relation to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples, say Louise Arbour, United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights and Rodolfo Stavenhagen, Special Rapporteur.
In their message for World’s Indigenous People Day, August
9, they stressed that while the day is a celebration of humankind’s
diversity and richness, it needs also to serve as a reminder of
the continuing exclusion of indigenous peoples face.
“As we stand at the brink of this historic decision by the
General Assembly, it is the time to call upon member states of the
United Nations to join as one and adopt the Declaration and thereby
establish a universal framework for indigenous peoples’ rights,
social justice and reconciliation,” states their joint statement.
The Declaration establishes international human rights standards
for the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples and was adopted
in June 2006 by the Human Rights Council, the principal human rights
intergovernmental body of the United Nations.
It has been 20 years in the making. Its contents are drawn from
the experiences of thousands of indigenous representatives who have
shared their anguish and their hopes.
The UN estimates that there are about 370 million indigenous people
in more than 70 countries around the world. They are among the most
marginalized people in economic, social and cultural terms.
Despite the challenges, the world’s indigenous people have
scored notable achievements in their efforts to reclaim rights during
the last decade, designated by the UN as the International Decade
of the World’s Indigenous People (1995-2004).
Under pressure from organizations representing indigenous people,
some African countries have made significant progress, the message
noted. Recently, Burundi amended its constitution to guarantee representation
in the national assembly to the indigenous Twa people, who live
in several countries in Africa’s Great Lakes region.
In neighboring Rwanda, the government is working with the main Twa
organization to investigate war crimes perpetrated against them
during the 1994 genocide, in which an estimated one third of all
Twa in that country were killed.
Elsewhere in Africa, Cameroon recognizes “pygmies” and
nomadic pastoralists as indigenous people. The government agreed
to comply with policies to compensate and resettle indigenous people
affected by the construction of the Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline,
an initiative supported by private investors and the World Bank.
Morocco lifted a ban on the teaching of the Amazigh.
“The adoption of the Declaration by the Human Rights Council
should be seen as providing impetus for renewed efforts by the international
community to address the pressing concerns of the world’s
millions of indigenous people, including perhaps the most urgent
issue of all: poverty and marginalization,” the statement
continues.
World leaders committed themselves in the year 2000 to realizing
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and in particular reducing
poverty by half, by the year 2015.
According to their joint statement, there has been progress towards
meeting these commitments “but as we reach the mid-point for
the realization of these goals, there is increasing evidence that
indigenous peoples are largely overlooked in these global efforts.
They remain among the poorest of the poor, with little reference
to them in the reports on implementation of the MDGs.”
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a message to mark the Day on his
part said: “The world is paying growing attention to indigenous
peoples’ special stewardship in environmental issues and their
increasing voice in matters of climate change.”
This year’s observance at the UN is being organized by the
Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Department
of Economic and Social Affairs and the NGO Committee on the Decade
of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.
HIV/AIDS community outreach
to combine alcohol, gender norms
By Andualem Sisay
AfriComNet organized an international cnference on ‘HIV and
Alcohol, Gender Norms and Gender-Based Violence: a Strategic Communication
Perspective’ from 5-9th August 2007 at the Hilton Hotel, Addis
Ababa.
The overall aim is to help place these issues on national and regional
agendas and at the same time, enable participants to integrate alcohol,
gender norms and gender-based violence into HIV/ AIDS community
outreach, advocacy, media, and client education and counseling programs.
During the three-day conference, there were presentations that focused
on communication interventions related to minimizing alcohol-related
treatment failures and increasing access to treatment, care and
support. The event showcased the most cutting-edge communication
strategies and practices to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Eastern
Africa.
According to Garcia-Moreno C Watts’ research entitled Violence
against women: its importance for HIV/AIDS, “Unequal gender
relations are a key factor underpinning women’s inability
to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections, including
HIV/AIDS, as well as influencing how HIV infection and AIDS impacts
women’s lives.”
They are also a root cause of violence against women. More specifically,
physical violence, the threat of physical violence, and sexual violence
and coercion are all likely to be important factors associated with
HIV transmission for women of all ages in a range of settings.
The paper also discusses the importance of recognizing that women
who are HIV-positive are vulnerable to abuse. The practical implications
of recognizing the dimensions of violence against women for HIV/AIDS
research and different forms of HIV prevention activities are also
explored.
AfriComNet (the African Network for Strategic Communication in Health
and Development), brought together some 100 key communications practitioners
from East Africa to participate in this practical forum to synthesize
strategies and form action plans. At the end of the conference,
the participants passed what they called the Addis Ababa Declaration
on HIV and Alcohol, Gender Norms and Gender-Based Violence.
Specific outputs include policy recommendations to be tabled at
a meeting of East, Central and Southern Africa (ECSA), health ministers
in late 2007.
AfriComNet, formerly known as the Regional HIV and AIDS Behavior
Change Communication Network, is an association of HIV and AIDS
practitioners who reside, work or have a primary interest in Africa.
The network was established in recognition of the severity of the
continent’s HIV/AIDS pandemic and the need for a renewed emphasis
on high-quality strategic communications as critical to the response.
Over 10 mil birr HIV/AIDS
project launched
By Tedla Desta
An urban HIV/AIDS prevention project funded by the European Union
and valued worth over 10 million birr was launched on Tuesday August
7, by Care-Ethiopia, in collaboration with the Bright Hope Organization,
Dawn of Hope Ethiopia, and Organization for Social Services for
AIDS (OSSA), and the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA).
The project, getting ahead, aims to reduce the socio-economic impact
of HIV and AIDS on vulnerable women and children through enhanced
governance, Dr. Feven Tassew, Project Manager with Care Ethiopia,
said at the launching ceremony.
Dr. Feven said this will be achieved through designing and implementing
a comprehensive behavioral change communication program; providing
an accessible and affordable quality voluntary counseling and testing
service, and building the capacity of community based organizations
and local initiations in providing care and support to people living
with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and AIDS orphans.
The project also has the objectives of strengthening the institutional
safety net provided by local government, civil society organizations,
communities and households, and promoting sustainable livelihood
security to manage the impact of HIV and AIDS on 70, 000 vulnerable
women and children.
The project sates that it works on three of the UN-set Millennium
Development Goals-fighting extreme poverty and hunger, promoting
gender equality and empowering women, and fighting HIV/AIDS.
The projects are to be implemented in Addis Ababa and Bahir-Dar
over a period of three years.
Getting Ahead will work in collaboration with NGOs, the Government
and civil society while Care Ethiopia will take the key role in
facilitating activities in relation with the other partners.
HIV was first detected in Ethiopia in 1984 and the first two AIDS
cases were reported in 1986. HIV/AIDS surveillance activities began
in 1989 after the establishment of a national HIV/AIDS taskforce
with the Ministry of Health in 1987.
Based on reports taken from the 6th AIDS report in 2005, the cumulative
number of PLWHA is about 1.32 million (45% male and 55% female).
This results in a prevalence rate of 3.5% (3% among males and 4%
among females; 10.5% urban and 1.9% rural areas) for the then total
estimated population of 73 million.
In 2006, it is estimated that 39.5 million people in the world are
living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the highest
level ever. This figure includes the 4.3 million people who were
newly infected with HIV in the past year. Approximately 2.9 million
people died from AIDS in 2006.
In many regions of the world, HIV infections are heavily concentrated
among young people aged 15-24 years, accounting for 40 per cent
of new infections in 2006. However, the situation in Australia is
quite different where newly acquired HIV infections occur most commonly
in men aged in their mid 30s and in women aged in their late 20s.
Kazanchis to run out poverty
By Tedla Desta
The youngsters of Kazanchis confirm that they are ‘Arada’s’
- city folks. They, unlike former youngsters who portray their streets
smarts by getting their incisors removed, are illuminating their
quality by working tangible deeds.
Casa Inchis aka Kazanchis is found in the eastern part of Addis
Ababa and was reputed for being dominated by lively bars and hotels,
making it the most blistering part of the capital.
Two youngsters who initiated the idea of changing their areas in
the new millennium started testing their mind and hand. “We
managed to complete several activities. We had conducted the Kazanchis
cleaning campaign, beautifying the main road, musical concerts and
now we are going to host the Kazanchis five thousand meters run
under the motto of “Enough with Poverty,” one of the
organizers of the run said.
The young friends who formed a club named after their area have
been collaboratively working with the Addis Ababa City Administration
Millennium Office, Kirkos Sub-city and with the Addis Ababa Athletics
Federation to realize the run. The run will take place in and around
Kazanchis with 5000 participants. Ephrem Debebe, Project Manager
of the club said that they have gone through several hardships to
reach this goal. They are all born and raised in Kazanchis, which
is why they share the same view and vision for their locality.
The foreign community residing in Ethiopia is also invited to take
part in the event.
Speaking of the title of the run, “Enough with Poverty”,
Ephrem said that they work towards echoing the message of the Global
Call for Action against Poverty (GCAP), which calls for action from
the world’s leaders to meet their promises to end poverty
and inequality. In particular, they demand solutions that address
the issues of public accountability, good governance and the fulfillment
of human rights. It also advocates that major increases in the quantity
and quality of aid and financing for development, debt cancellation
and gender equality must also be at the heart of eradicating poverty.
GCAP supporters are united by their adoption of the white band.
The white band is the symbol that people, towns and cities all over
the world can adopt to show their support and keep the anti-poverty
message highly visible. The club aims to further its action and
train youngsters on entrepreneurship, produce a more creative and
enterprising youth.
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