Tentative
steps to banking globalization ?
By Andualem Sisay and Kirubel Tadesse
Looking at their faces, one can easily understand that most of
the local bank presidents who were attending a workshop entitled,
‘The Banking Sectors role in enhancing Cooperation between
Germany and Ethiopia’, organized by Commerzbank, were rather
depressed. They must have been thinking about their degree of competitiveness
against such internationally renowned banks as the country prepares
itself for accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
 MORE
Dutch investor plans five-star hotel, real-estate
development
By Andualem Sisay
Absorbed by the current investment climate and opportunities in
Ethiopia, a Dutch national is to invest over 40 mln USD on a five
star hotel and real-estate ventures in Addis Ababa.
Mr. Cvan Hal and his Ethiopian wife, Mrs. Genet Abebe, have decided
to live in Ethiopia after concluding their 18 year business in the
Netherlands. They have now secured 50,000 square meters in Bole
area for real-estate purposes and are expecting 4-5,000 square meters
of land in the same area for the five-star hotel they plan to build.
MORE
Parliament to elect new president tomorrow
By Our Staff Reporter
The term of Ethiopian President Girma Wolde Giorgis will end when
a new presidential election is held tomorrow, October 8, 2007, in
the House of Peoples’ Representatives.
According to Ambassador Teshome Toga, Spokesperson of the House
of Peoples’ Representatives, who briefed journalists yesterday,
the election of the new president will take place at a joint session
of both the House of Peoples Representatives and the House of Federation.
MORE
Still no consensus on inflation cause, solution
By Andualem Sisay
Economists, the government and the private sector are still unable
to reach at a consensus on the real cause and solution for the ever
inflating price hike on commodities and especially on basic needs.
This was revealed at a discussion forum organized by the Addis Ababa
Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association (AACCSA) on Wednesday,
October 3, 2007 that gathered representatives of government and
the private sector.
MORE
Kufour pays visit Ethio-Ghanain ties set
to grow
By our staff reporter
Current Chairperson of the African Union, H.E. President John
Kufuor of the Republic of Ghana, congratulated the people and government
of Ethiopia on the successful celebration of the new Ethiopian and
African Millennium.
President Kufour made the remarks while he was in Addis Ababa from
October 3 to 5, 2007 to hold discussions with P.M. Meles Zenawi,
in respect to strengthening bilateral ties between their two sisterly
nations.
MORE
CUD may seek name change
By Kirubel Tadesse
Engineer Hailu Shawl, President of the Coalition for Unity and
Democracy, stated that they would be forced to change the party’s
name if the ongoing efforts to have the party registered fail. Hailu
added that now CUD is an unregistered political party and efforts
to legitimatize the party have failed but that they will continue.
MORE
ISO gives microbiology testing certificate
accreditation for Ethiopia
By Muluken yewondwossen
Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE) launched the
accreditation of microbiology testing laboratory certificates in
five fields by the South African National Accreditation Service
on October 4, 2007 at the QSAE hall.
Accordingly, the process for accreditation has started with the
review of quality documents of the Laboratory by SANAS. After site
assessment was conducted from May 11 to 17 and from June 13-21,
2007 led by Mr. Claus Ditershichel and Mr. George Shirodder who
are experts of DKD Accreditation of Germany.
MORE
Mekdim Technologies launch web site
By Our Staff Reporter
Mekdim Technologies PLC has launched a web site for Internet users
at large on Wednesday, October 3, 2007.
The organizer of the site, Ato Dereje Belachew, described the launching
of the site as a great achievement and a successful result of the
effort to improve the various lines of services the Internet is
providing to explorers, during his remarks at the launching ceremony.
MORE
“Leaders of nations should be inspired
to follow and adopt the model of Gandhi”
By Kirubel Tadesse On a lecture held at the African
Union Plenary Hall on October 2, 2007, Abune Paulos, Patriarch of
Ethiopia, Archbishop of Axum and Echeque of the See of Saint Tekle
Haeimanot and President of the World Council of Churches, explained
that today’s leaders can lead the world to a just and proper
one if they follow Gandhi’s model.
On his lecture at the 139th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, which was
commemorated as the first international Day of Non-Violence, he
lauded the life of Mahatma Gandhi and his message of non-violent
revolution. His Holiness also gave an overview of Mahatma’s
life starting from his childhood.
MORE
Reporting obligations under International
Human Rights instruments by Ethiopia ‘regrettable’.
By Addis Mulugeta
The joint Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ethiopian Human Rights
Commission initiative to implement a project aiming at the implementation
of reporting obligations under international Human Rights instruments
ratified by Ethiopia and with the support of the United Nations
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, acting on behalf
of UNCT - Ethiopia, is about to be launched. A national conference
on the implementation of reporting obligations under International
Human Rights Instruments by Ethiopia was held at the UN Conference
Hall on October 1, 2007.
MORE
Grahamstown: African Journalists’
HQ
By Tedla Desta, Grahamstown, South Africa
Wearing traditional Ethiopian garments, Chris Kabwato, Director
of Highway Africa, smartly heads the evening program held to conclude
and see off the ICT conference participants. Chris is a man to be
given the greatest respect for staging an event that brought pan-Africanism
in journalism into reality.
MORE
Gandhi Photo Exhibition
By our staff reporter
The Embassy of India has organized a photographic exhibition depicting
the life of Mahatma Gandhi on the occasions of the first International
peace and non-Violence Day, the new Ethiopian Millennium and the
60th independence anniversary of India, on October 1, 2007 at the
National Museum, Addis Ababa.
Embassy of India holds commemorative events
By our staff reporter
The new Ethiopian Millennium has coincided with the 60th anniversary
of India’s Independence Day and in this respect, the Embassy
of India has held a series of events to commemorate the two occasions.
The first of these events took place on September 29, 2007 and included
a blood donation camp, quiz and drawing contests for children.
MORE
French royalty visit eastern Ethiopia
By Muluken Yewondwossen
A delegation of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus
of Jerusalem have visited Kebri Dehar and Teferey Ber in the Somali
Regional State refugee camp to help out with the water problem of
the refugees.
It is to be recalled that the visitors concluded an agreement on
June 20, 2007 in Geneva, Switzerland with the United Nations High
Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in order that they may conduct charitable
work among African refugees.
MORE
Anesthesiologists Association Established
By Muluken Yewondwossen
The founding national conference of the Ethiopian society of Anesthesiologists
Professional Association [ESAPA] was held in Desalegn hotel on September
29, 2007.
The Ethiopian anesthesiologists had met in 2004 to discuss about
the importance of the establishment of a forum to facilitate the
interrelationship among anesthesiologists in Ethiopia. Their particular
interest centered on raising and maintaining standards of the medical
practice of anesthesiology and improving patient care. The conference
has resulted in the establishment of the Ethiopian Association of
Anesthesiologists.
Ministers to discuss African trade, regional
cooperation and integration
By our staff reporter
Ministers and senior officials from over 40 African countries,
the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs),
will convene at the headquarters of the Economic Commission for
Africa (ECA) next week to deliberate on the state of the regional
integration agenda.
MORE
|
Tentative
steps to banking globalization ?
By Andualem Sisay and Kirubel Tadesse
Looking at their faces, one can easily understand that most of
the local bank presidents who were attending a workshop entitled,
‘The Banking Sectors role in enhancing Cooperation between
Germany and Ethiopia’, organized by Commerzbank, were rather
depressed. They must have been thinking about their degree of competitiveness
against such internationally renowned banks as the country prepares
itself for accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
For many, last week’s announcement by Commerzbank, the second
largest German bank, to open an office was unexpected news. The
fact that the banking sector in Ethiopia has been protected from
involvement of foreigners by Banking Proclamation No. 1984 makes
this development even more surprising.
The arrival in tandem of Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel along with
the bank’s officials to Addis Ababa is making some wonder
whether there could be political pressure at government to government
level.
After listening to the results of the workshop with Prime Meles
Zenawi, Chancellor Merkel’s comment on China’s active
involvement in the Ethiopian market and elsewhere in Africa also
reveals her country’s political commitment to aggressively
involve in the continent. Dr. Angela said that she understood the
finance sector in Ethiopia is ‘a little bit sensitive’
but could do more with cooperation with Germany and international
financial organizations.
Intending to break the silence of the local bank representatives
at the workshop, “We are here to assist the Ethiopian banks,
we are not competitors to Ethiopian banks but rather a service provider
for them,” said Konrad Engber, Senior representative of the
commerce to Addis Ababa.
“We won’t give any form of Banking Service and we have
no intention of opening a branch rather will engage in general consulting
services and organize trainings both in Germany and Ethiopia. The
office provides service for you (local banks) and will be used for
conducting research,” he stressed.
Instead of responding to the Commerce bank officials’ offer
for services, some of the local participants chose to throw questions
that revealed their unease about the bank’s presence.
“What prompted Commerzbank to open the office at this point?
And what kind of research will it undertake,” asked a participant
from one of the government owned bank.
Commerzbank officials explained that the opening of the office came
about as a result of the company’s new strategy of providing
services for clients (local banks) by being closer to them. According
to the expert’s Commerzbank, the relationship between Commerzbank
and Ethiopian banks has begun in 1964 and so far, they have provided
capacity building training for 50 local bank professionals in Germany.
The officials added that the liaison office will serve as an East
Africa representative for conducting research on how they actively
participate in the finance sector of countries in the region: Ethiopia,
Kenya, Djibouti, Sudan and Somalia.
Responding to Capital on whether he thinks that Commerzbank will
be a threat to them by engaging itself in banking sooner or later,
“I don’t think they will be a real threat to our business
in the next four or five years,” commented Eshetu Fantaye,
Awash International Bank Vice President for Corporate Services,
after attending the workshop.
According to Eshetu, as the ongoing international trade agreements
such as WTO and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) that Ethiopia
is negotiating will hopefully take several years, it is less likely
for Commerzbank to kick local banks out of the market by entering
totally into the Ethiopian banking business.
“But, “he says,” we are not quite sure about the
laws and proclamations that may passed in the meantime.” The
office will definitely help them to know better the economic activities
of the country as well as the nature of local bank customers, which
altogether prepares the bank to be competent enough to banking business
in Ethiopia, according
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who was invited to hear to the conclusion
of the workshop, along with Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel, at the
Sheraton Addis on Thursday October 4, 2007, Commerzbank, can be
engaged in the business of managing local banks on their behalf
in addition to providing capacity building training to their staffs.
Meles also said that he agrees with private Ethiopian banks assessment
that the key challenge in Ethiopian banks is the man power development.
“We would very much support Comerzbank and other German banks
participation in the development of our banking personnel. In this
regard I want to indicate that we have a very effective program
of cooperation with the German government that involves man power
training in various fields. “
Even if he concentrates on the training related possible and existed
relations, he pointed out that there is still a room for partnership.
“ It is possible under our regulations to provide management
service for our banks. The private banks are allowed to contract
their management for foreign companies, therefore where the domestic
banks have request for such service, it is possible for example
Commerzbank to manage the local banks.”
“Allowing foreign banks into Ethiopia at the moment will most
likely cause financial crises in the country as we have observed
in East Asian countries in 1997,” says Hailu Kibret (PhD),
Economist at …
As the national bank of Ethiopia will not have the capacity to control
the circulation of foreign currency, the flow of foreign currency
from Ethiopia will increase extremely, according to Dr. Hailu.
“In general, as local banks are not able to compete with foreign
banks, letting them to fully engage in banking business in the country
now will not will harm the economy,” he says.
Dutch investor plans five-star
hotel, real-estate development
By Andualem Sisay
Absorbed by the current investment climate and opportunities in
Ethiopia, a Dutch national is to invest over 40 mln USD on a five
star hotel and real-estate ventures in Addis Ababa.
Mr. Cvan Hal and his Ethiopian wife, Mrs. Genet Abebe, have decided
to live in Ethiopia after concluding their 18 year business in the
Netherlands. They have now secured 50,000 square meters in Bole
area for real-estate purposes and are expecting 4-5,000 square meters
of land in the same area for the five-star hotel they plan to build.
“We decided to move to Ethiopia encouraged by the business
opportunities and the climate of the country,” says Mr. Cvan
Hal, an Energy Engineer by profession who owns, along with his wife;
Cool Force- a company engaged in the transport and energy sectors.
“The market opportunities in the Netherlands are minimal when
compared to that of Ethiopia, as the European market features more
competition.
There are lots of opportunities in Ethiopia for an investor,”
he said.
When completed, the two investments are expected to create 330 permanent
jobs.
Commenting on the areas that need improvement in the relevant offices
he has visited so far, Mr. Hal suggested: “to make the money
transfer short, easy and simple for a foreign investor, the National
Bank of Ethiopia has to have one section that deals specifically
with letters of credit. “This will help to reverse the current
long process that consumes three to four days of a foreign investor
by rotating from one office to another.”
He also indicated that the investment authorities and other offices
that deal with foreign investors need to prepare a web-site or brochures
in various international languages so as to save the time an investor
wastes not knowing where to go, which process to accomplish first,
how to go about it and what documents are expected.
Parliament to elect new
president tomorrow
By Our Staff Reporter
The term of Ethiopian President Girma Wolde Giorgis will end when
a new presidential election is held tomorrow, October 8, 2007, in
the House of Peoples’ Representatives.
According to Ambassador Teshome Toga, Spokesperson of the House
of Peoples’ Representatives, who briefed journalists yesterday,
the election of the new president will take place at a joint session
of both the House of Peoples Representatives and the House of Federation.
“The president should not have any prior association with
any party, meaning only independents should assume the presidency”,
stipulates Article 6 of Proclamation 255/2002.
Referring to this article, many people speculate that the next president
could be someone from outside of the parliament or even former president
Dr. Negasso Gidada, the only independent Member of Parliament.
However, many doubt that Negasso will be willing even if the ruling
party nominates him for the position, to bring him back once again
to the presidency.
There are also rumors that president Girma Wolde Giorgis will have
the chance to be elected for a second term if he receives more than
a two third’s vote from the Parliament. The Federal Democratic
Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) Presidency has a term period of six
years.
Still no consensus on inflation
cause, solution
By Andualem Sisay
Economists, the government and the private sector are still unable
to reach at a consensus on the real cause and solution for the ever
inflating price hike on commodities and especially on basic needs.
This was revealed at a discussion forum organized by the Addis Ababa
Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association (AACCSA) on Wednesday,
October 3, 2007 that gathered representatives of government and
the private sector.
Many, including the Ethiopian government, agree that the current
inflation rate in Ethiopia is in the region of 20 per cent.
According to economist Haile Kibret (PhD), the government’s
introduction of surtax and the private sector’s hording of
products in anticipation of higher prices have contributed to the
existing inflation.
On the other hand, the representative from the Ministry of Finance
and Economic Development, Hailu Abebe, believes that introduction
of surtax by the government is not a cause for inflation; it is
rather a solution.
Indicating that surtax will continue to be implemented in the coming
12 months, Hailu said, “Government introduced the surtax to
generate money to control inflation by subsidizing basic needs of
the public at large.”
However, a critic at the meeting suggested that government would
have earned a lot more money from the cement that is being imported
tax free had it established a cement industry support program and
taxed the imported product like it did for stabilizing sugar prices
in the country.
Eyesus-work Zafu, Chairman of AACCSA, disagrees with both arguments
that depict surtax as the solution for the problem of inflation
as well as the private sectors’ involvement at large to the
existing inflation. He said: “surtax has nothing to do with
minimizing inflation. The private sector of Ethiopia has no potential
to create such huge inflation at the national level.” He argues
that the private sector is unfairly blamed for inflation based on
speculation.
However, they all seem to agree that the rapid growth of the Ethiopian
economy is the real cause for the current inflation.
Eyesus-work shares the recent International Monetary Fund (IMF)
experts’ advice of slowing down the country’s fast growth
by moderating (minimizing) investment on the public service sector
as the right solution.
But on the government side, this solution is unthinkable as it has
rather chosen to strengthen this fast growth trend as the sole solution
for inflation and other problems as well. However, till then, the
government seems to stick to prescribing painkillers- such as salary
increment, importing basic needs like wheat and cooking oil and
distributing them at reduced prices to low income families.
But some critics at the meeting argue that strengthening the capacity
of local industries that produce basic needs like cooking oil is
a better approach to manage inflation than importing such items.
Agreeing partly with both the government and the private sector
that the rapid growth of the economy is among the reasons for the
existing inflation, Dr. Haile says: “such growth is not sustainable
unless it is balanced with the lives of the majority.”
He also strongly believes that the 10% surtax, which government
claims was only imposed on luxury goods, is transferring to basic
needs with above 10 per cent in actual effect. According to some
scholars, the 10 per cent surtax in effect contributes up to 50
per cent to the price hikes.
The recent exchange rate increase that reaches above nine birr in
exchange of one dollar from around eight birr a few years ago was
also speculated as one of the reasons for the inflation by participants
of the meeting.
One participant also mentioned government’s refusal to allow
the private sector to establish a commodity exchange system last
year, as one of the causes for the inflation observed in the country.
Others argued that the existing inflation wouldn’t have occurred
if the government didn’t fail to transfer the excess money
at hand to private banks.
Kufour pays visit Ethio-Ghanain
ties set to grow
By our staff reporter
Current Chairperson of the African Union, H.E. President John
Kufuor of the Republic of Ghana, congratulated the people and government
of Ethiopia on the successful celebration of the new Ethiopian and
African Millennium.
President Kufour made the remarks while he was in Addis Ababa from
October 3 to 5, 2007 to hold discussions with P.M. Meles Zenawi,
in respect to strengthening bilateral ties between their two sisterly
nations. Enhancing peace and stability in the continent also featured
in the talks the two leaders conducted. Kufour also met and held
talks with A.U. Commissioner Professor Alpha O.Konare.
It was indicated on the occasion that Ethio-Ghanain co-operation
in the aviation sector is to be bolstered as well as the enhancement
of trade in the form of Ethiopia expporting leather, coffee and
flowers to Ghana while the latter desires to export to Ethiopia
coconut and aluminum products.
President Kufour departed on Friday, October 5, 2007 and was seen
off by P.M Meles and A.U. Commissioner Professor Alpha O.Konare.
CUD may seek name change
By Kirubel Tadesse
Engineer Hailu Shawl, President of the Coalition for Unity and
Democracy, stated that they would be forced to change the party’s
name if the ongoing efforts to have the party registered fail. Hailu
added that now CUD is an unregistered political party and efforts
to legitimatize the party have failed but that they will continue.
In an interview the CUD President gave to German Radio Amharic Service,
he explained that the disagreement that exists between him and the
group led by Dr. Berhanu Nega and Birtukan Medeksa is to be resolved
once the two groups meet. Hailu added, “This is an ordinary
matter that happens in any party and in any country; this is just
a disagreement that has occurred between a few leaders of the party.
It will be resolved once we sit down and talk.” The group
led by Dr. Berhanu and Birtukan is to travel to the U.S. state the
party president Engineer Hailu is visiting to hold talks with him.
Explaining why the disagreement happened in the first place Hailu
said, “It happened because of the rush decision to go to the
U.S.A. I could not go with the group because my visa request response
was late and the rest had already gone there and started work.”
In a similar development, Dr. Berhanu Nega and Birtukan Medeksa
gave their testimonies before the U.S Congress, African Affairs
Standing Committee. Birtukan explained that the 2005 general election
was better when compared to previous elections. She added that the
limited air time the government let the opposition have and the
training it gave for law enforcement agency personnel resulted in
an improvement in the overall process of the election. Birtukan
explained, “The ruling party announced victory before all
the votes were counted and that resulted in unplanned and unorganized
protests from many sides.” Dr. Berhanu on his part explained
that in order to achieve economic development in Ethiopia, good
governance and democratic institutions must be established. If those
institutions are freely established and work efficiently, Dr. Berhanu
explained, Ethiopian opposition political parties can participate
in a sustainable manner which in the long run will benefit the country.
ISO gives microbiology testing
certificate accreditation for Ethiopia
By Muluken yewondwossen
Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE) launched the
accreditation of microbiology testing laboratory certificates in
five fields by the South African National Accreditation Service
on October 4, 2007 at the QSAE hall.
Accordingly, the process for accreditation has started with the
review of quality documents of the Laboratory by SANAS. After site
assessment was conducted from May 11 to 17 and from June 13-21,
2007 led by Mr. Claus Ditershichel and Mr. George Shirodder who
are experts of DKD Accreditation of Germany.
W/ro Genet Gebremedhin Director of the microbiology laboratory said
“The schedule of accreditations is on food products and parameters.
It includes meat and tomato paste, milk, dried food, oil seeds,
water and fruit juice.
“QSAE’s achievement in obtaining international Accreditation
should be seen beyond one organization for the accreditation means
a positive image in the development of our country’s economy.
The accreditation creates a conducive atmosphere to make our local
products competitive TV products in the world market. This will
greatly support the continuous economic growth and helps manufacturers
develop their confidence”, Tadesse Haile, State Minister of
Trade and Industry and chairman of the standards and certification
council told participants at the ceremony.
“This certificate may contribute to Ethiopia becoming a member
of the World Trade Organization”, Mesay Girma, Director of
QSAE. told journalists.
Mekdim Technologies launch
web site
By Our Staff Reporter
Mekdim Technologies PLC has launched a web site for Internet users
at large on Wednesday, October 3, 2007.
The organizer of the site, Ato Dereje Belachew, described the launching
of the site as a great achievement and a successful result of the
effort to improve the various lines of services the Internet is
providing to explorers, during his remarks at the launching ceremony.
According to Dereje, the new website, www.mekdim.net, gives unique
services that avail a good deal of comprehensive information to
the internet society. The organizer described that the site includes
movie reviews, compositions of Ethiopian cultural and modern music,
Ethiopian tourist attraction sites, entertainment, art, Amharic
alphabet, links to house and car rentals and sales, vacancies, local
news, daily price of commodities, and personal profiles and biographies
of celebrities, artists, writers, athletes, etc.
He also put forward that Mekdim Technologies will endeavor to work
together with other organizations that would like to share their
experience and ideas to the development of mekdim.net.
The site is referred to as a community-based information center
rather than a business oriented one. It is estimated to have cost
approximately 20,000 Birr to set up.
“Leaders of nations
should be inspired to follow and adopt the model of Gandhi”
By Kirubel Tadesse On a lecture held at the African
Union Plenary Hall on October 2, 2007, Abune Paulos, Patriarch of
Ethiopia, Archbishop of Axum and Echeque of the See of Saint Tekle
Haeimanot and President of the World Council of Churches, explained
that today’s leaders can lead the world to a just and proper
one if they follow Gandhi’s model.
On his lecture at the 139th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, which was
commemorated as the first international Day of Non-Violence, he
lauded the life of Mahatma Gandhi and his message of non-violent
revolution. His Holiness also gave an overview of Mahatma’s
life starting from his childhood.
“On October 2, 1869, Gandhi was born in India as an upper–class
Hindu. He successfully completed higher education in law from London
University College and then at the age of 24 he went to South Africa
where he spent twenty years in Durban. In fact, the bitter experience
of his early period in Durban, prompted him to fight against the
authorities for the Indians and marginalized and under privileged
people in South Africa”, His holiness explained. In a 1922
speech Gandhi stated his philosophy, “I am endeavoring to
show to my countrymen that violent non-co operation only multiplies
evil and that as evil can only be sustained by violence, withdrawal
of support of evil requires complete abstention from violence.”
The Patriarch also explained that Gandhi had once mentioned the
Sermon on the Mount by Jesus Christ, which he said, influenced him
deeply. “His life was based on asceticism, prayer, fasting
and meditation. He also refused worldly possessions, he wore the
loincloth and shawl of the lowliest Indian and subsisted on vegetables,
fruit juices and goat milk. So he got the title of “Mahatma”
and it means ‘the great soul’. The title is reserved
for the great sages. The above principles are definitely another
form of Christian ethics. Bappu is a familiar pet name of Gandhi,
given by his admirers and means father”, the Patriarch added.
His Holiness remembers the tragedy that saddened the world, “a
fanatic Hindu killed the father of a nation and the great father
was also a Hindu by birth. The main complaint behind his murder
was that he supported the Muslims. It reveals his impartiality,
effectiveness, and victory of his value based life and leadership.”
The Ambassador of India to Ethiopia, Djibouti and representative
of India to the African Union, Gurjit Singh, on his part said that
Mahatma Gandhi, besides advocating non-violence also felt that democracy
and respect for the individual were at the core of both religion
and politics. He added, “Today when we mark the International
Day of Non- Violence, we pay tribute to a human value which Gandhiji
highlighted and is truly universal in its value and application.”
The Ambassador announced that India has presented a bust of Mahatma
Gandhi to the Africa Union Commission to commemorate the first international
Day of Non-Violence. “statues of Gandhiji have been installed
all over the world including in Moscow, Edinburgh, Mexico City,
Lisbon, Catania, Yangoon, Washington, Ontario, Panama, Sana, Dhaka,
Warsaw, Lima, Brazil, Santiago, Suva, Damascus, Durban and Dakar.
I am sure that the AU Commission will install it in a planned and
appropriate manner befitting the Apostle of Non-Violence”,
the Ambassador concluded.
Reporting obligations under
International Human Rights instruments by Ethiopia ‘regrettable’.
By Addis Mulugeta
The joint Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ethiopian Human Rights
Commission initiative to implement a project aiming at the implementation
of reporting obligations under international Human Rights instruments
ratified by Ethiopia and with the support of the United Nations
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, acting on behalf
of UNCT - Ethiopia, is about to be launched. A national conference
on the implementation of reporting obligations under International
Human Rights Instruments by Ethiopia was held at the UN Conference
Hall on October 1, 2007.
The participants of this conference were representatives of government
organs, national human rights institutions, civil society organizations
and legal experts. Ambassador Kassa Gebre Hiwot, Chief Commissioner
of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, said during the conference
that promotion and protection of Human Rights requires the full
participation of all. The Ambassador further explained that Ethiopia
has ratified a number of international and regional Human Rights
treaties. He also added that a state party is obliged to submit
initial and periodic reports on implementation of the rights and
freedoms enshrined in reports to the committees on the Rights of
Children and on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against
women.
Mr. Frej Fenniche, Regional Representative of the High Commissioner
for Human Rights denigrated that Ethiopia’s human rights reporting
history has yet to match international standards. According to him,
Ethiopia only reported to the committee on the elimination of all
forms of discrimination against women in a regular manner in 2004
and 2005. Fenniche commended that Ethiopia reported to the committee
on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination back in
the 1990s. The representative put down Ethiopia’s efforts
to submit reports on the implementation of the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic,
Social, and Cultural Rights, the Convention against Torture and
the African Charter for Human and Peoples’ Rights.
He commented in his speech during the conference, “The responsibility
to promote and protect human rights lies with the government; it
is our belief that the participation and the involvement of the
civil society and national human rights institutions in this national
effort are crucial to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights
by all”.
Mr. Fidele Sarassoro, United Nations Resident Coordinator and Development
Program Resident Representative, also remarked that the issue of
the late submission or the lack of submission of periodic reports
as per international obligations is a major impediment to any effort
of promotion and protection of human rights. He supplemented that
a country which fails to submit its reports on a regular basis and
in conformity with the relevant guidelines unfortunately deprives
itself of the opportunity to benefita from the expertise of the
treaty bodies. Further, he said, “it also denies development
actors the opportunity to benefit from the recommendations of expertise
that could be very useful to elaborate coherent and targeted development
program”.
Ato Assefa Kesito, Minister of Justice, acclaimed that the sole
purpose of the establishment of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission
is as one of the organs responsible for the protection of human
rights to play a major role in enforcing rights and freedoms enshrined
in the constitution. He said, “Our country has not been able
to submit its implementation reports to the relevant treaty bodies,
except to a few, including the Committee on the Rights of the Child.
This is deeply regrettable”.
This national conference was finalized on October 2, 2007, after
recommendations were entertained from the participants regarding
Ethiopia’s regular reports on human rights situations, implementation
of certain core international human rights conventions in the country
and acknowledgment of the critical role of the judiciary in the
implementation and enforcement of human rights conventions. The
session also saw acknowledgment of the effort of the Ministry of
Women’s Affairs and of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs
to draft, submit and follow-up on the various reports submitted
to the committee on the rights of the Child and the committee on
the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. The
acknowledgement took into consideration the lack of adequate and
comprehensive data collecting mechanisms and indicators on the human
rights situation in Ethiopia and noted that this has contributed
to the problems related to the lack of information sharing amongst
key stakeholders in treaty reporting and due to the absence of a
government organ specifically mandated to supervise the reporting
process.
Grahamstown: African Journalists’
HQ
By Tedla Desta, Grahamstown, South Africa
Wearing traditional Ethiopian garments, Chris Kabwato, Director
of Highway Africa, smartly heads the evening program held to conclude
and see off the ICT conference participants. Chris is a man to be
given the greatest respect for staging an event that brought pan-Africanism
in journalism into reality.
Highway Africa is an annual ICT conference hosted by Rhodes University,
located in Grahamstown, South Africa. Each year, hundreds of delegates
from across the globe attend the conference to discuss issues relating
to Internet governance, ICT policy and media for democracy.
This year three participants from Ethiopia have taken part in the
conference which was very educative and useful in many aspects;
except for the frustrating visa application process one has to undergo
at the South African Embassy in Addis.
Over 500 delegates from across the continent gathered at the 11th
Highway Africa conference, in Grahamstown, from 9 to 12 September
2007. This year’s conference looked at issues relating to
Internet governance, ICT policy and media for democracy affecting
Africa and the globe.
The three-day conference also followed the theme of “Quality
and professionalism in Journalism and the media”, with a focus
on new media and technology.
Highway Africa is a partnership between Rhodes University (School
of Journalism and Media Studies) and the South African Broadcasting
Corporation (SABC), with the support of other partners, including
Absa, MTN, Telkom, development agencies and other sponsors.
The conference contributes to the fundamental transformation of
how media uses technology in production and dissemination of news
and information. To this end, the conference was a concoction of
presentations, debates and hands-on training workshops all related
to Internet, mobile and satellite technology and the media.
Awards were given in three categories: Individual and non-profit,
Corporate category and other broad criteria. The conference was
broadcast live on various SABC radio and TV stations.
Grahamstown is a city in the Eastern Cape Province of the Republic
of South Africa and is the seat of the Makana municipality. The
population of greater Grahamstown, as of 2003, was 124,758 (Rhodes
University Journalism Department). The population of the city proper
was 41,799 (Coega development corporation) of which 77.4% were African,
11.8% Coloured, 10% white, and 0.7% Asian. Since 1994, there has
been a considerable influx of Africans from the former, and nearby,
Ciskei homeland.
Located some 130 km from Port Elizabeth and 180 km from East London,
Grahamstown is also the seat of Rhodes University, a diocese of
the Church of the Province of South Africa (C.P.S.A. - Anglican)
and a High Court.
Grahamstown was founded in 1812 as a military outpost by Lieutenant-Colonel
John Graham as part of the effort to secure the eastern frontier
of British influence in the then Cape Colony against the Xhosa.
Grahamstown grew during the 1820s as many 1820 Settlers and their
families left farming to establish themselves in more secure trades.
In a few decades it became the Cape Colony’s largest city
after Cape Town. It became a bishopric in 1852.
In 1904 Rhodes University College was established in Grahamstown
through a grant from the Rhodes Trust. In 1951 it became a fully-fledged
University, Rhodes University. Today it provides world-class tertiary
education in a wide range of disciplines to over 6,000 undergraduate
and postgraduate students.
Gandhi Photo Exhibition
By our staff reporter
The Embassy of India has organized a photographic exhibition depicting
the life of Mahatma Gandhi on the occasions of the first International
peace and non-Violence Day, the new Ethiopian Millennium and the
60th independence anniversary of India, on October 1, 2007 at the
National Museum, Addis Ababa.
The exhibition features 50 rare photographs of Mahatma Gandhi taken
between when he was seven years old until he passed away. At the
opening ceremony Sofian Ahmed, Minister of Finance and Economic
Development, Ambassadors and other distinguished guests were in
attendance.
.Among several events organized by the Embassy of India was a tree
planting program on Sunday, October 30, 2007 held at Afincho Ber
Park, with the participation of the staff of the Indian Embassy,
the India Women’s Association and others.
The event was organized by the India Women’s Association in
collaboration with the Ethiopian Millennium National Council Secretariat.
Sixty treelings were planted and dedicated to the 60th anniversary
of India’s independence.
Embassy of India holds commemorative
events
By our staff reporter
The new Ethiopian Millennium has coincided with the 60th anniversary
of India’s Independence Day and in this respect, the Embassy
of India has held a series of events to commemorate the two occasions.
The first of these events took place on September 29, 2007 and included
a blood donation camp, quiz and drawing contests for children.
According to A.R. Radhakrishnan, Second Secretary of the Embassy
of India, the main objective of the event was to commemorate the
139th birthday anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the 60th anniversary
of India’s independence as well as to celebrate the new Ethiopian
Millennium. The quiz competition was conducted among 83 students
divided into two categories - below 12 years of age and 13 to 18
year olds. The theme of the quiz was the life and ideals of Mahatma
Gandhi. On the other hand, a drawing competition was organized for
105 students all of whom are below 10 years of age. This event was
organized by the Indian Women’s Association.
A.R.Radhakrishnan pointed out that the Indian Women Association
has also decided to organize a tree-planting program with the help
of the officials of the millennium celebration committees of the
Federal Government and the Addis Ababa City Administration on September
30, 2007.
The blood donation camp event was organized by the Ethiopian Red
Cross Society in association with the Indian Association and the
Embassy of India. Head of Blood Donations Facilitating Section at
the National Blood Bank, Ato Bekele Truwork, said on the occasion
that the objective of the blood donation was to give blood to the
people who are in great need. According to Bekele, 60 volunteers,
not only from the Indian community but also among invited guests
and members of the World Health Organization (WHO), donated their
blood.
French royalty visit eastern
Ethiopia
By Muluken Yewondwossen
A delegation of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus
of Jerusalem have visited Kebri Dehar and Teferey Ber in the Somali
Regional State refugee camp to help out with the water problem of
the refugees.
It is to be recalled that the visitors concluded an agreement on
June 20, 2007 in Geneva, Switzerland with the United Nations High
Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in order that they may conduct charitable
work among African refugees.
The Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem delegation is headed by the order’s
president, Prince Charles Philippe and arrived here on September
25. The delegation held discussion with UNHCR representatives in
Ethiopia about water access problems in refugee camps in eastern
Ethiopia. “We submitted a proposal to deal with improving
water access problem in the area and the order requested to visit
the camps over four days till September 30th,’’ public
relations head Kisut Gebre Egziaber told Capital .
Prince Charles Philippe is the nephew of Prince Henri of France,
Count of Paris, head of the royal family and the eldest son of Prince
and Princess Michel of France, also Count and countess of Evreux.
Prince Philippe was elected Grand Master of the Military and Hospitaller
Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem at a ceremony head at the royal
chateau of Blois on September 11, 2004.
The president of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, Prince Charles –
Philippe stated, “The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint
Lazarus of Jerusalem is one of Christianity’s most ancient
institutions. Present in the Holy Land as early as the eleventh
century, this order traces its origins back through religious, medicine
and military tradition as well as the traditions of chivalry and
hospitality’’, at a press conference after visiting
the two refugee camps, at UNHCR office Addis Ababa, on Sunday September
30, 2007.
The Order of Saint Lazarus undertakes charity work in more than
forty countries, assisting thousands of needy, ill people and those
rejected or stressed by their society. “We mean to help people
in the most desperate need; people who are dying of hunger, those
who are ravaged by disease, innocent victims of barbarity and others.
This is the human misery which we fight against day after day supported
with the determined efforts of thousands of volunteers’’,
concluded the French prince.
Anesthesiologists Association
Established
By Muluken Yewondwossen
The founding national conference of the Ethiopian society of Anesthesiologists
Professional Association [ESAPA] was held in Desalegn hotel on September
29, 2007.
The Ethiopian anesthesiologists had met in 2004 to discuss about
the importance of the establishment of a forum to facilitate the
interrelationship among anesthesiologists in Ethiopia. Their particular
interest centered on raising and maintaining standards of the medical
practice of anesthesiology and improving patient care. The conference
has resulted in the establishment of the Ethiopian Association of
Anesthesiologists.
The founding of ESAPA is in order to give optimal service in anesthesiology
and fill the gap presently existing for education, intensive care
and preoperative management of the acutely ill patient, respiratory
therapy and pain management research. Currently, for more than 80
million people and 138 hospitals, Ethiopia has less than 30 medically
qualified anesthesiologists.
Anesthesiology is the medical specialty concerned with the pharmacological,
physiological, and clinical basis of anesthesia, including resuscitation,
intensive respiratory care, and pain management. Anesthesiologists
are now expected to provide an increasing proportion of preoperative
care and to serve as preoperative physicians in a number of settings.
The establishment of ESAPA will help develop skills and expertise
for the anesthesiologist to serve as the critical care physician
for the patient.
Ministers to discuss African
trade, regional cooperation and integration
By our staff reporter
Ministers and senior officials from over 40 African countries,
the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs),
will convene at the headquarters of the Economic Commission for
Africa (ECA) next week to deliberate on the state of the regional
integration agenda.
Discussions at the 5th Meeting of the Committee on Trade, Regional
Cooperation and Integration takes place in Addis Ababa on 8-10 October.
According to the statement sent to Capital from t ECA, the meeting
will focus on addressing Africa’s integration challenges at
the national, sub-regional and continental levels.
Particular attention will be paid to the issue of intra-African
trade, which remains very low. In that regard, delegates will discuss
on how to overcome the key infrastructure and policy hurdles to
improving trade within Africa and provide practical suggestions
on how to significantly increase intra-African trade in the short
and medium term.
Another critical issue of concern is the lack of progress in the
international trade arena because trade with the outside world continues
to remain a major component of Africa’s total trade. The meeting
will therefore also examine the latest developments in the WTO negotiations
as well as the discussions on the economic partnership arrangements
with Europe, and assess Africa’s realistic expectations and
outcomes from these global trade talks.
Additionally, the Committee will examine matters relating to ECA’s
program activities in support of trade and regional integration
in Africa.
ECA is mandated by the UN General Assembly to set up a number of
sectoral committees such as the Committee on Trade and Regional
Cooperation and Integration. These committees are expected to meet
on a biennial basis to review problems and issues pertaining to
their respective development sectors, formulate policies and strategies
to address Africa’s development challenges, and advise on
sectoral work priorities to be reflected in the work program of
the Commission.
The outcome of the meetings of the committees are to feed into the
deliberations of the annual meetings of the Commission’s principal
legislative organ, the Conference of African Ministers of Finance,
Planning and Economic Development and its Committee of Experts.
|