Coal
fired cement...
The idea of introducing a cement plant that consumes charcoal
instead of furnace oil is based on study conducted by the Minerals
and Energy Ministry. "By using coal for our double line cement
production plant, we will be saving ourselves and our country some
250 million USD that will have been incurred for importing furnace
oil for our company's yearly production of 7.8 million tons of cement
per year (302 days).
 MORE
Luxembourg Industries produce...
Industries Ltd and one Israeli-Mr.Joseph Eshed.
In addition to its engagement in the formulation, production, packing,
labeling and distribution of agro-chemicals, the company has also
reached at a consensus with concerned Ethiopian government offices
to provide Research and Development support.
A memorandum of understanding is under preparation, which enables
the country to establish a national agro-chemicals research center
that will be formed under Ethiopian Institute for Agricultural Research
(EIAR), a government research center.
MORE
Yemeni investor to join ten various sectors
in Ethiopia
By Andualem Sisay
A Yemeni investor, Murtadha A. Abduljalil is to invest in ten
sectors in Ethiopia with over 220 mln USD creating job opportunities
for over 900 employees.
Real-estate development, construction materials manufacture, aluminum
products manufacturing, glass factory, production of juice, biscuits,
pasta macaroni and cooking oil are among the investment areas.
MORE
Hot anti malaria nets on the market.
Ministry of Health cautions relief organizations
By Andualem Sisay
The Ethiopian Ministry of Health warned donors not to buy stolen
Insecticide Treated Nets, (ITN), which were supposed to be distributed
free to thousands of people, living in various regions of the country
and at risk of malaria.
According to a statement by the Ministry, the said bed nets are
found in the hands of illegal dealers.
The suspects and others who allegedly collaborated with them have
been imprisoned at the 3rd Police Station and the case is under
investigation.
MORE
More die at the hands of smugglers in the
Gulf of Aden
By Joe De Capua, Washington
14 September 2007
The waters of the Gulf of Aden may be calmer this time of year.
But they’re still extremely dangerous for Somalis and Ethiopians
trying to make their way across to Yemen.
After two months of rough seas, conditions have improved in the
gulf – and those wishing to cross are once again hiring to
smugglers to do so. However, the UN refugee agency says in
the past 10 days alone, over 50 people have died violently at the
hands of smugglers.
MORE
Al Amoudi receives prestigious millennium
award
‘For your unforgettable favor to the Ethiopian people’
By Kirubel Tadesse
At a ceremony held at the national Palace on the evening of September
13, 2007, Sheik Mohammed Al amoudi received the first award of the
millennium from Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. The First Order of
the millennium he received has a message engraved which reads: ‘for
your unforgettable favor to the Ethiopian people’.
MORE
Ethiopia and Eritrea: back to square one?
By Andualem Sisay
Following the Ethio-Eritrea Boundary Commission meetings held with
representatives of the feuding parties in The Hague September 6-7,
2007; Ethiopia has indicated that Eritrea is violating the Algiers
Peace Agreement by completely over-running the 25 km Temporary Security
Zone (TSZ) between the two countries.
MORE
TV show featuring Haile Gebre Selassie launched
By Kirubel Tadesse
A new television show entitled ‘Teshai Loves Learning’
featuring Haile Gebre Selassie, and targeting three to six year
old children was launched on Monday September 10, 2007 at Alem Cinema.
Save the Children, with funding from the Presidential Emergency
Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID), partnered with Whizkids Workshop
to produce four episodes of ‘Teshai Loves Learning’
with messages focusing on children affected by HIV/AIDS.
MORE
America’s first mega-church celebrates its 200th anniversary
and leads 150 delegates on a historic journey to Ethiopia –
homeland of its founders
Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III to meet with key Ethiopian
Government, academic and economic dignitaries
On September 15, The Abyssinian Baptist Church in the City of New
York, one of the oldest African-American institutions impacting
America, and the nation’s first mega-church, continues its
18-month bicentennial celebration, Abyssinian 200: True to Our God,
True to Our Native Land, by returning to its roots – Ethiopia.
MORE
Saudi Embassy sets conditions on Haj travel
.
By Kirubel Tadesse
The Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Ethiopia has
put conditions on Oumra and Haj visa applicants from Ethiopia. The
Embassy stated that all visa applicants should have an international
passport and should be at least forty years old if traveling alone.
The Embassy said that although these conditions have been set, it
will not deny the service of issuing visas.
The Embassy assured Muslims that one of the main duties of the Embassy
is serving its Muslim brothers and sisters in this friendly country
and providing all the facilities for them to perform their religious
rituals.
MORE
And the winner is...
Twenty four girls will contest to be crowned
Miss World Ethiopia 2007 Tomorrow
By Kirubel Tadesse
Twenty four girls who passed previous screening and tests will
contest to become Miss World Ethiopia 2007 on Monday evening, September
17, 2007 at Hilton Addis.
The contest is organized by Artaele enterprise in cooperation with
Miss World 2007 LTD, which will host the Miss World 2007 on 1st
December 2007 in China. The contestants were introduced in a fashion
show at Getu Commercial Center on Friday 14, 2007. Three judges
were also introduced at the fashion show to take marks of the contestants.
Then the marks will be added together with the result of the final
completion night at Hilton.
MORE
More prisoners pardoned on millennium eve
By Kirubel Tadesse
On the eve of the Ethiopian millennium, September 11, 2007, about
17,700 prisoners were released by the Federal and different regional
governments.
The Ministry of Justice said that prisoners in regional prisons
had appealed and their requests were reviewed by the regional boards
of pardon. It added that the regional boards of pardon approved
the requests and passed them on to presidents of the respective
regional governments. The requests made by prisoners at Federal
prisons were approved by the Head of State upon recommendation by
the Federal Board of Pardon.
Invest on the youth
By Kirubel Tadesse
Mayor of Addis Ababa Berhane Deressa said that the diaspora can
make a difference by investing on the youth.
He explained that with a minimum investment of twenty or less USD
per month, one diaspora member who is here for the millennium celebration
can take care of his Ethiopian brother or sister by helping them
get a better education with continuous support.
“Many eat but many more don’t,
that has to change”
By Kirubel Tadesse
His Holiness Abune Paulos, Patriarch of Ethiopia, Archbishop of
Axum and Echeque of the See of Saint Tekle Haimanot and President
of the World Council of Churches said that in the coming period
starting from day one of the third Ethiopian millennium, all Ethiopians
should share the basic needs of life with their fellow citizens.
MORE
Netherlands Embassy’s architecture gets
deserved recognition
By Kirubel Tadesse
The Royal Netherlands Embassy in Addis Ababa has received the
2007 Aga Khan Award for Architecture, at a ceremony held in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia.
The jury of the Awards for Architecture said in their report that
the guiding principle of the construction of the Royal Netherlands
Embassy in Addis Ababa was a respect for place while addressing
the functional requirements of a working embassy, resulting in a
contemporary structure that fully engages its local environment.
House ready to promote tolerance and national
consensus
By Andualem Sisay
The House of Peoples’ Representatives announced its readiness
to strengthen its reform activities towards promoting tolerance
and creating national consensus in the country when it starts its
third term in the new Ethiopian year 2000.
According to its Speaker Teshome Toga who briefed journalists on
Sunday, September 9, 2007 in the new Ethiopian Millennium (2000)
year, the Parliament will try to democratize itself by strengthening
the role of opposition party representatives in constructive engagements
in the House.
MORE
|
Coal
fired cement...
The idea of introducing a cement plant that consumes charcoal
instead of furnace oil is based on study conducted by the Minerals
and Energy Ministry. "By using coal for our double line cement
production plant, we will be saving ourselves and our country some
250 million USD that will have been incurred for importing furnace
oil for our company's yearly production of 7.8 million tons of cement
per year (302 days).
The company has already secured financing from a foreign bank and
plans to export up to 60 per cent of its production. North Holdings
Plc, which was founded in 2001, is already engaged in food processing,
transport and general trading businesses in the Middle East and
Djibouti.
According to Temesgen, North Holdings Plc Ethiopia branch is undertaking
feasibility studies to be engaged in mining and synthetic plastic
manufacturing. Temesgen is also engaged in various business activities
such as coffee export, transport and food processing with partners
under another share company called the Nile Business Group.
Luxembourg Industries produce...
Industries Ltd and one Israeli-Mr.Joseph Eshed.
In addition to its engagement in the formulation, production, packing,
labeling and distribution of agro-chemicals, the company has also
reached at a consensus with concerned Ethiopian government offices
to provide Research and Development support.
A memorandum of understanding is under preparation, which enables
the country to establish a national agro-chemicals research center
that will be formed under Ethiopian Institute for Agricultural Research
(EIAR), a government research center.
The decision on the need of an R&D center on agro-chemicals
usage and residue analysis in Ethiopia came about after two workshops
were conducted at Ambo and Melkasa agricultural research institutes
about a couple of months ago in the presence of Luxembourg Industries
owner Isaac Luxembourg.
"In addition to conducting R&D on agro-chemicals and undertaking
impact assessment/residue analysis, it will also be engaged in providing
training to farmers on how to use agrochemicals/pesticides and protective
tools," says Asefa.
In its first phase, the company will start production of agro-chemicals
in DebreZeit, Oromia Region, with 10 mln birr in investment capital.
When it fully begins production after six months, it will create
jobs for some 300 employees.
Duplicating this investment in other regions of the country, the
company has plans of opening two additional agro-chemicals plants
in Wukro-Tigray Region and Bahir Dar-Amhara Region.
According to Asefa, "After meeting the need of the local market,
which enables the country to save huge amounts of foreign currency
for importing these chemicals, the company targets to penetrate
the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and
other African countries." Following these investments, it is
also planning to produce veterinary medicines in Ethiopia.
Luxembourg Industries Ltd roots date back to 1930 when it was established
in Israel as Palimport Ltd. by Mr. Israel Luxembourg. Operating
first as commission agents and brokers, the company later focused
in the 1940s on the import and trade of chemicals and steel. By
1950, Luxembourg had a firm foothold in the agricultural chemicals
market.
During the next two decades, the 60s and 70s, the company concentrated
and expanded its activities in crop protection chemicals by supplying
Israeli agricultural enterprises with insecticides, miticides, fungicides
and herbicides imported from Europe and the United States. A manufacturing
program was initiated in the beginning of the 1970s and a few years
later, Luxembourg began exporting its agricultural and industrial
chemicals to overseas markets.
Yemeni investor to join
ten various sectors in Ethiopia
By Andualem Sisay
A Yemeni investor, Murtadha A. Abduljalil is to invest in ten
sectors in Ethiopia with over 220 mln USD creating job opportunities
for over 900 employees.
Real-estate development, construction materials manufacture, aluminum
products manufacturing, glass factory, production of juice, biscuits,
pasta macaroni and cooking oil are among the investment areas.
A general hospital, Sugarcane plantation, construction and agricultural
machinery rental, cement factory and general grade one construction
are also the areas the investor is interested in.
Except the cement factory which will be constructed in Oromia Region,
the nine other investments will be in Addis Ababa. After obtaining
an investment license last week, the investor has now returned to
Yemen to facilitate the implementation of his investment on the
ground, according to the information obtained from his representative.
The number of foreign investors who are showing interest to work
in Ethiopia is increasing over time, since the country signed major
global and regional investment guarantees and continued to provide
investment incentives to encourage investors in Ethiopia.
For instance, the number of projects by both foreign and local investors
that have got licenses from the Ethiopian Investment Agency in the
1998 Ethiopian Calendar year (2005/6 G.C.) rose to 5,788 from 3,008
in the previous year.
During this period, the total investment capital of the projects
increased over 100 per cent to 79.5 bln birr from 36.3 bln in the
1997 Ethiopian Calendar year.
Excluding the number for the last Ethiopian year, 1999, in 15 years
the Agency gave licenses to 18,537 projects of both local and foreign
investors. Out of this, the manufacturing sector attracted 5,330
investors followed by 4,799 investment projects on real-estate,
renting and other related business activities.
Hot anti malaria nets on the
market.
Ministry of Health cautions relief organizations
By Andualem Sisay
The Ethiopian Ministry of Health warned donors not to buy stolen
Insecticide Treated Nets, (ITN), which were supposed to be distributed
free to thousands of people, living in various regions of the country
and at risk of malaria.
According to a statement by the Ministry, the said bed nets are
found in the hands of illegal dealers.
The suspects and others who allegedly collaborated with them have
been imprisoned at the 3rd Police Station and the case is under
investigation.
The letter distributed to Anti-Malaria Coalition and other concerned
government offices, urged for relief organizations not to buy and
distribute ITNs from these dealers except from those that are legally
authorized to import and sell the bed nets.
The statement of the Ministry followed the capture of a huge amount
of ITNs in the warehouse of a dealer in Mercato, Addis Ababa, according
to our sources.
Although this year in Ethiopia, malaria outbreaks were not detected
in any part of the country, the government in collaboration with
donors such as Jimmy Carter's Foundation were able to import 20
million bed nets to be distributed for those assumed to live in
malaria prone areas in the country.
The 20 million figure is calculated with two bed nets per household
with average five members in one household. At the end of August
this year, 18 million nets have been distributed providing protection
for 9 million households in what is the largest campaign of its
sort on Africa.
Until 2006 Malaria was a major public health problem in Ethiopia.
It contributed up to 20% of under-five years olds deaths. Tragically,
in epidemic years, mortality rates of nearly 100,000 children are
not uncommon. In the last major malaria epidemic in 2003, there
were up to 16 million cases of malaria - 6 million more than an
average year.
Out of an estimated 9 million malaria cases annually, only 4-5 million
will be treated in a health facility. The remainder will often have
no medical support. It is estimated that only 20 per cent of children
under five years of age that contract malaria are treated in a facility.
More die at the hands of smugglers
in the Gulf of Aden
By Joe De Capua, Washington
14 September 2007
The waters of the Gulf of Aden may be calmer this time of year.
But they’re still extremely dangerous for Somalis and Ethiopians
trying to make their way across to Yemen.
After two months of rough seas, conditions have improved in the
gulf – and those wishing to cross are once again hiring to
smugglers to do so. However, the UN refugee agency says in
the past 10 days alone, over 50 people have died violently at the
hands of smugglers.
Astrid Van Genderen Stort is a spokesperson for the UNHCR. From
Geneva, she spoke to VOA English to Africa Service reporter Joe
De Capua. “The sailing season has resumed at the beginning
of this month.
I say sailing season, but it’s really the smuggling season
in the Gulf of Aden. And unfortunately we’ve seen already
a lot of deaths…at least 56 people have died in a brutal manner.
Some people were stabbed. Some people were beaten. Some people died
while being held, basically pushed together in the hold of the boat.
Some people were forced overboard. Some people died trying to make
it to shore swimming,” she says.
Since September 3rd, the UNHCR estimates the arrival of 12 boats
in Yemen carrying 925 Somalis, Ethiopians and others. Another boat
that left Bosaso in Somalia’s Puntland region drifted for
six days some 100 kilometers offshore before returning. The agency
says many had serious health problems. One of the survivors said
smugglers forced him to drink acid.
“The smugglers are ruthless, as ruthless as they were last
year. Unfortunately nothing has changed there. All they care about
of course is getting the money for the trip and if you’re
lucky you’ll actually make it to the other side. They pay
an average of $70 to $150 and might not even make it to the other
side,” she says.But why hire smugglers knowing how dangerous
and dishonest they are? Van Genderen Stort says, “These are
people who are leaving because they are desperate, desperate because
they are living in very, very difficult circumstances in their countries
or places of origin. Desperate because of the war, the violence
that’s going on. A lot of people are coming from Somalia.
There’s also a lot of them coming from Ethiopia and we see
that the situation there is getting much more difficult as well,
especially in the Ogaden zone in Ethiopia. People just don’t
have a choice. They have to leave…they cannot survive where
they are”She says the people have nothing to go back to. “They
might as well risk their lives. If they lose it, well, that was
the risk. But if they don’t, then there might be slight opportunities
that their life might get better.
The UNHCR and other agencies are running awareness campaigns to
warn people of the dangers. So far this year, 10,000 people reportedly
arrived in Yemen in 103 boats. More than 280 people have died and
about 160 are listed as missing.
Al Amoudi receives prestigious
millennium award
‘For your unforgettable favor to the Ethiopian people’
By Kirubel Tadesse
At a ceremony held at the national Palace on the evening of September
13, 2007, Sheik Mohammed Al amoudi received the first award of the
millennium from Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. The First Order of
the millennium he received has a message engraved which reads: ‘for
your unforgettable favor to the Ethiopian people’.
Meles said that this first prestigious award was given to Sheik
Mohammed Al Amoudi in recognition of his significant contribution
to Ethiopia. “Al Amoudi lead the first major investment, believing
that his assets should be spent to benefit his country,” he
said. Meles added that Al Amoudi started investing in Ethiopia over
fifteen years ago, at a time when profits for investment in the
country were not guaranteed.
Deputy Prime Minister, Addisu Legesse also thanked Sheik Mohammed
Alamoudi for his efforts to make the Millennium celebrations as
colorful as possible.
Al Amoudi expressed his delight at receiving the award and said
that he is ready to invest more and is committed to contribute towards
bringing the country out of poverty. He added that he is not yet
satisfied with the work and investment he has made in the last fifteen
years and much more work is expected from him and all Ethiopians.
Attendants of the ceremony watched a forty five minute long documentary
of Al Amoudi’s international investment career and good will
activities. Sheik Mohammed Al Aamoudi of Ethiopia is recognized
for his immediate response to many Ethiopians who suffer from sudden
health problem and accidents. Tilahun Gesesse, Ali Redi of Ethiopian
coffee club, and the recent acid attack victim Kamilat and her sisters
are among the beneficiaries.
Sheik Mohammed Al Amoudi sponsored and sometimes covered entire
telethon donations in Ethiopia on many occasions for the last fifteen
years. The twenty five million birr donation for the Children Heart
Fund of Ethiopia’s cardiac center and the millennium hall
he constructed at a cost of a hundred million birr are some of Al
Amoudi’s recent contributions.
Ethiopia and Eritrea: back
to square one?
By Andualem Sisay
Following the Ethio-Eritrea Boundary Commission meetings held with
representatives of the feuding parties in The Hague September 6-7,
2007; Ethiopia has indicated that Eritrea is violating the Algiers
Peace Agreement by completely over-running the 25 km Temporary Security
Zone (TSZ) between the two countries.
According to the statement by Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum
Mesfin on September 10, 2007, in its presentation to the Commission,
Eritrea has made clear it would not withdraw the thousands of troops
and heavy weapons inside the TSZ, nor would it lift restrictions
on UNMEE (United Nations Mission to Eritrea and Ethiopia).
“This failure to comply with its fundamental legal obligations
is unacceptable. During the meeting, Eritrea did not deny that it
was engaged in threatening and use of force against Ethiopia,”
notes the statement.
“In view of this, the Commission stated that it could not
resume demarcation and that it still intends to declare the coordinates
it set forth in its arbitrary Demarcation Statement of November
27, 2006 as final at the end of November 2007,” the statement
continued.
“Ethiopia cannot accept the Commission’s coordinates,”
says the statement. “Demarcation requires a valid process.
These coordinates are not the result of a process consistent with
the Algiers Peace Agreement, international law and practice, or
the Commission’s prior mandate and practice.”
According to the statement, “Indeed, the Commission abandoned
its own demarcation process because Eritrea refused to cooperate
with the Commission. The fieldwork was made impossible by Eritrea
prohibiting UNMEE helicopter flights and other essential operations
and moving its army into the Temporary Security Zone.”
Asked if the crisis between Ethiopia and Eritrea is going to escalate
into war again, Seyoum Mesfin said, “Ethiopia will not allow
the situation to go back to square one.”
At the press briefing he gave in his office for both foreign and
local media on Monday, September 10, 2007, Seyoum added: “Although
any insecurity along the border with Eritrea or other neighbors
is a threat to Ethiopia’s struggle to fight its major enemy
-poverty, we still remain committed to the peaceful resolution of
the crises.”
“Ethiopia will consider all legal and political solutions
and remain vigilant so as not to allow Eritrea to repeat what it
has done before,” he said.
According to Seyoum, the military forces of the two countries are
only 70 meters apart after Eritrea deployed its forces into the
Temporary Security Zone, which was previously under the control
of UNMEE.
He said: “Ethiopia told the Commission that demarcation of
the border had been rendered practically impossible by the actions
of Eritrea in continuously violating the Temporary Security Zone,
severely restricting UNMEE’s operations, and persistently
engaging in terrorist activities against Ethiopia.”
It was in 1998 that the two countries went to a bloody war that
claimed thousands of lives on both sides, billions of dollars in
property, followed by displacement of thousands of people.
In his briefing Foreign Minister Seyoum also noted that the Ethiopian
Millennium celebrations will open new doors for the country to be
able to conquer poverty and meet the challenges of creating a just
and prosperous society.
“It provides us with a unique opportunity: to look back at
our long history, going back perhaps to the very dawn of humanity,
with sorrow, with pride, and to the sacrifices we have made and
the victories we have achieved,” he concluded.
TV show featuring Haile
Gebre Selassie launched
By Kirubel Tadesse
A new television show entitled ‘Teshai Loves Learning’
featuring Haile Gebre Selassie, and targeting three to six year
old children was launched on Monday September 10, 2007 at Alem Cinema.
Save the Children, with funding from the Presidential Emergency
Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID), partnered with Whizkids Workshop
to produce four episodes of ‘Teshai Loves Learning’
with messages focusing on children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Haile Gebre Selassie, the great Ethiopian athlete of all times and
USAID Mission Director Glenn Anders together with Save the Children’s
country director, Margaret Schuler and the creators of ‘Teshai
Loves Learning’, Shane Etzenhouser and Bruktawit Tigabu, gathered
at the Alem Cinema to watch the first episode entitled “Tsenat”
introducing a puppet character whose mother died of HIV/AIDS. It
was said that all four episodes will be televised on ETV.
According to Haile, who starred in one of the episodes of ‘Teshai
Loves Learning’, entitled ‘Eat right and Exercise’,
he said that it is his duty to speak up for the children of Ethiopia.
“Children are our future. I want our children to grow up healthy
and happy. I want them to know that they can be who and what they
want to be.” Haile stated that he had doubts about the television
show when he was first approached to participate. “Who knew
that Teshai loves learning would encourage me to renew my career
in acting? I never thought that my costars would be a giraffe and
a turtle-but what a wonderful experience!” Haile said.
Calling Haile Gebre Selassie “the most famous man in Ethiopia,”
Glenn Ander, USAID Mission Director, thanked the athlete and child
advocate for sharing his talents and message with the children about
the importance of exercise and eating healthy and nutritious food.
He also encouraged the media to help educate the public about the
shows running from September 16 through November 3, 2007. Anders
said, “the Ethiopian Millennium provides an opportunity for
us to renew our efforts to reach out to children and help them set
a better future.” The first episode of ‘Teshai Loves
Learning’ series is scheduled to be aired on Sunday morning,
September 16.
A recent report of the Ministry of Health and the Federal HIV/AIDS
Prevention and Control Office HAPCO - estimate that there are over
five million four hundred thousand orphans in Ethiopia this current
year. More than half a million of these children are impacted by
HIV/AIDS. The press release of USAID explains that the US government
funded project entitled “Positive change: Children Communities
and Care (PC3)” aims to reach more than half a million orphaned
and other vulnerable children and their families over a five year
period.
It was also learnt that six international NGO’s and over thirty
two local NGO’s are currently working with over four hundred
eighty six community based organizations to provide comprehensive
care and support services to orphans and vulnerable children and
their families.
The program has been primarily implemented in fourteen cities that
include most of the major towns and surrounding urban areas in Ethiopia,
which are highly affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Save the Children
USA is to be the lead implementing agency for these programs.
America’s first mega-church celebrates its
200th anniversary and leads 150 delegates on a historic journey
to Ethiopia – homeland of its founders
Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III to meet with key Ethiopian
Government, academic and economic dignitaries
On September 15, The Abyssinian Baptist Church in the City of New
York, one of the oldest African-American institutions impacting
America, and the nation’s first mega-church, continues its
18-month bicentennial celebration, Abyssinian 200: True to Our God,
True to Our Native Land, by returning to its roots – Ethiopia. The
primary purpose of the first-ever,
two-week pilgrimage is to embark on a spiritual and missionary journey
that will reconnect Abyssinian with the people and country for which
it is named and strengthen ecclesiastical ties with the nation that
is its sacred land. This momentous journey is a core
component of a series of major events and activities commemorating
the church’s 200th anniversary in November 2008.
In 1808, after refusing to participate in segregated worship services
at a lower Manhattan church, a group of free Africans in America
and Ethiopian sea merchants formed their own church, naming it Abyssinian
Baptist Church in honor of Abyssinia, the former name of Ethiopia.
In 1954, former Ethiopian Emperor, Haile Selassie I, presented
Abyssinian’s pastor, Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., with the
Ethiopian Coptic Cross. This cross has since become the
official symbol of the church.
“As we celebrate 200 years of Abyssinian Baptist Church as
an empowering center of spiritual and community transformation,
we are eager to embark upon this befitting journey to our native
land of Ethiopia, especially during this time of the Ethiopian Millennium,”
said Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III, pastor of Abyssinian. ”The
African-American church has long been a galvanizing force in the
active building of beloved communities in the United States. We
seek to further advance that cause as part of our global mission
– gaining first-hand knowledge during our pilgrimage that
will aid in our consideration of a viable, long-term course of action
supporting the people and progress of Ethiopia.”
During the trip, Dr. Butts and members of the 150-person Abyssinian
pilgrimage will assess economic, health, education and social needs
of the Ethiopian people to determine how The Abyssinian Baptist
Church can specifically apply its resources to encourage advancement
in the country. The delegation will also experience the
history and culture of Ethiopia through a five-city tour during
which they will visit,
among other places, hospitals, schools, World Heritage sites and
the Holy City of Axum, the presumed location of the Ark of the Covenant
– a sacred container holding the Ten Commandments stone tablets.
In addition to exploring opportunities for Abyssinian to translate
its successful development models to Ethiopian communities, Rev.
Butts will also draw upon his roles as Chairman of Abyssinian Development
Corporation; President of SUNY College at Old Westbury; Chairman
of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (NBLCA); and
Chairman of the Board of North General Hospital in Harlem, to address
issues of poverty and economic revitalization, education, health/
HIV/AIDS.
He will also participate in an economic development and Diaspora
support roundtable discussion with Professor Abiyi Ford of Addis
Ababa University (AAU), as well as explore the development of an
exchange and articulation agreement with AAU.
Rev. Butts plans to meet with Ethiopian dignitaries and leaders
including Donald Yamamoto, U.S. Ambassador; His Holiness, Abuna
Paulos; Seyoum Mesfin, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Tadelech Dalecho
Dando, Minister of Culture & Tourism; and Andreas Eshete, President
of Addis Ababa University, among others.
In addition to the Ethiopia pilgrimage, featured Abyssinian 200
celebration activities include: a first-time collaboration featuring
Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis, Dr. Butts and a mass
choir premiering Marsalis’ penned mass for the bicentennial;
a theme song composed by legendary duo Ashford & Simpson; a
published book featuring contributions from Dr. Maya Angelou and
Dr. Cornel West and co-authored by Drs. Quinton H. Dixie, Genna
Rae McNeil, and Houston Roberson; a Schomburg Center for Research
in Black Culture exhibition tracing Abyssinian’s significant
role in the history of New York City; a partnership with StoryCorps,
the national oral-history project (in partnership with the Library
of Congress) to document and preserve the stories of Abyssinian
for future generations; a formal White-Tie gala for elected officials,
dignitaries, business leaders, and the entertainment industry in
recognition of Abyssinian’s significance to the global community;
a formal Black-Tie event and auction in New York City for the Abyssinian
congregation and community supporters; a music CD featuring the
Abyssinian Choirs and special guests; and a specially commissioned
abstract painting titled “Til Now We Stand at Last”
by Harlem artist Dianne Smith. (ECTV- - New York, NY)
Saudi Embassy sets conditions
on Haj travel .
By Kirubel Tadesse
The Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Ethiopia has
put conditions on Oumra and Haj visa applicants from Ethiopia. The
Embassy stated that all visa applicants should have an international
passport and should be at least forty years old if traveling alone.
The Embassy said that although these conditions have been set, it
will not deny the service of issuing visas.
The Embassy assured Muslims that one of the main duties of the Embassy
is serving its Muslim brothers and sisters in this friendly country
and providing all the facilities for them to perform their religious
rituals. The Royal Embassy of Saudi added that it does not charge
any payment for issuing Oumra visas. In a press release the Embassy
sent to Capital it explained that, claims that the embassy is refusing
to issue Oumra visas is baseless.
The press release further added that, the Embassy does not interfere
in the issuance of visas through licensed travel agencies which
have IATA membership and have signed a contract with one of the
Saudi offices in the Kingdom.
It was learnt that Ethiopian travel agencies send the list of names
of visa applicants to the Saudi Oumra offices, which in turn, sends
it to the Ministry of Haj in the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Embassy further explained that the Ministry of Haj in the Kingdom,
after it approves the Saudi Oumra office’s request, sends
its approval to the Ministry of Foreign affairs. “The Embassy
can only issue visas after receiving the Foreign Ministry’s
approval” said the press release.
“The Embassy hopes that the Muslim community will be able
to perform the Oumra rituals smoothly this year and wishes them
also a safe return to their countries in good health,” reads
the press release of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia.
And the winner is...
Twenty four girls will contest to be crowned
Miss World Ethiopia 2007 Tomorrow
By Kirubel Tadesse
Twenty four girls who passed previous screening and tests will
contest to become Miss World Ethiopia 2007 on Monday evening, September
17, 2007 at Hilton Addis.
The contest is organized by Artaele enterprise in cooperation with
Miss World 2007 LTD, which will host the Miss World 2007 on 1st
December 2007 in China. The contestants were introduced in a fashion
show at Getu Commercial Center on Friday 14, 2007. Three judges
were also introduced at the fashion show to take marks of the contestants.
Then the marks will be added together with the result of the final
completion night at Hilton.
Tadelech Dalecho, State Minister of the Ministry of Culture and
Tourism, made an opening speech at the Fashion show. Tadelech, in
her opening remarks, pointed that the winner of the competition
will play a key role in building a positive image for the country,
which is the major aim of the new millennium celebrations. Tadelech
added “Ethiopia is a country of more than eighty nations and
nationalities, each with unique culture and identity. When we choose
one girl to represent the entire nation, it is difficult to satisfy
all, but it can be done if we look deep in her inner beauty and
looks.” She appreciated the work of the designers who made
the cultural clothings in line with the tastes of today’s
youth.
Tesfazegi Abera, Manager of Artaele Enterprise, said that the main
aim of the competition is building a positive image of Ethiopia
and benefiting the country’s tourism industry. He added, “We
hope that this year’s program will have very exciting competition
between the girls who will compete to represent their country in
this historic millennium celebrations period. He added that this
year’s competition will offer the winner a golden opportunity
to persue a modeling career in New York next to promoting their
country’s image to the rest of the world.
The contestants were shown very attractive modern designs of cultural
clothes. Miss World Ethiopia 2003 and Miss Africa at the Miss World
Pageant 2003, Hayat Ahmed attended the fashion show along with other
models, designers and photographers. Miss World Ethiopia 2007 is
sponsored by Ethiopian airlines.
More prisoners pardoned on
millennium eve
By Kirubel Tadesse
On the eve of the Ethiopian millennium, September 11, 2007, about
17,700 prisoners were released by the Federal and different regional
governments.
The Ministry of Justice said that prisoners in regional prisons
had appealed and their requests were reviewed by the regional boards
of pardon. It added that the regional boards of pardon approved
the requests and passed them on to presidents of the respective
regional governments. The requests made by prisoners at Federal
prisons were approved by the Head of State upon recommendation by
the Federal Board of Pardon.
As a result of the pardon, 19 prisoners from Gambella, 60 from Harari,
4,995 from South Ethiopia Peoples’ State, 1,800 from Tigray,
458 from Benishangul Gumuz, 3,108 from Amhara, 6,942 from Oromia
and 308 from the federal prisons, are now free.
“The pardon has been granted to individuals who have shown
good behavior, and in view of the contributions they could make
to national economic development”, said the Ministry of Information
quoting the Ministry of Justice. Capital learned that one woman
who was sentenced to death for committing crime saw her sentence
reduced to life imprisonment while an operative of the Oromo Liberation
Front (OLF) was pardoned.
The pardoned include individuals who were convicted and were serving
prison terms up to twenty years for crimes such as armed robbery,
murder, rape and other offenses.
Invest on the youth
By Kirubel Tadesse
Mayor of Addis Ababa Berhane Deressa said that the diaspora can
make a difference by investing on the youth.
He explained that with a minimum investment of twenty or less USD
per month, one diaspora member who is here for the millennium celebration
can take care of his Ethiopian brother or sister by helping them
get a better education with continuous support.
He added, “Investing millions is undoubtedly very important,
but all of the diaspora can not do that. But not having thousands
or millions to invest does not mean that you can’t bring change
or make a difference. If one diaspora member helps to feed and educate
even a single Ethiopian, he/she is really making a big investment
and bringing change in one’s life. All of us should promise
to support one Ethiopian starting from day one of the Millennium.”
Mayor Berhane, wearing traditional clothes for the first time in
public appearance, delivered the message for all Ethiopians on the
occasion of the new Millennium on Monday, September 10, 2007, from
his office. In his message he said, “I wish all Ethiopians
who attained this historical moment of passing from the 2nd to the
3rd Millennium a peaceful, healthy and high time of progress.”
He added that he hoped the new millennium would be one in which
citizens prioritize their country’s benefits rather their
own. Berhane also said, “I wish this era to be an era of fair
competition, diligent work and an era when a sense of urgency is
given priority.” He called on residents of Addis Ababa to
plant and protect one additional tree, which he said can change
the environment for the better.
“In safeguarding and preserving the heritages, the various
towns of our country have had special roles to play. Correspondingly,
Addis Ababa is believed to have been in the front line of Ethiopia’s
socio- economic and political activities in the last 120 years and
is also believed to keep that up in the future, Mayor Berhane explained.
“The developmental role Addis Ababa plays, being the capital
of Ethiopia, the seat of the African Union and other international
organizations, is immense. Each of its residents has the responsibility
of making the city preserve and continue the shining role it played
in the next Millennium and at the same time make the city a suitable
place to reside in”, the Mayor said.
He expressed his hope that Ethiopians adopt better work ethics with
strengthened social harmony and resolve that make poverty a thing
of the past.
“May the year 2000 bring us joy, love, peace and everything
we look forward to in our lives. I wish you a bright and prosperous
future”, Mayor Berhane concluded.
“Many eat but many
more don’t, that has to change”
By Kirubel Tadesse
His Holiness Abune Paulos, Patriarch of Ethiopia, Archbishop of
Axum and Echeque of the See of Saint Tekle Haimanot and President
of the World Council of Churches said that in the coming period
starting from day one of the third Ethiopian millennium, all Ethiopians
should share the basic needs of life with their fellow citizens.
His Holiness added, “Many are eating when many more don’t,
and many of our children go to school but many others don’t.
That has to change so that all of us can enjoy basic rights and
privileges of humans in the coming new Ethiopian millennium.”
In a statement he addressed to all Ethiopians on the eve of the
millennium, he said Ethiopia is about to enter a new chapter and
Ethiopians should work hard to make it possible.
His Holiness said, “Ethiopia has many children suffering from
AIDS, elders without any kind of help and assistance, people who
leave their country because of the problems they face and those
who don’t get medical care in sickness; and this is all the
result of poverty.” He added, “Therefore, we hope all
of us can work cooperatively by listening to one another to solve
the problems in the coming new millennium.”
He called on all Ethiopians, irrespective of religion and cultural
difference, to work together for their country’s peace and
development in a spirit of unity and brotherhood. He said that a
lot has been done in each of the two thousand Ethiopian millenniums.
He stated that the country should focus on the youth so that development
can be sped up. “We say the youth don’t read, but where
are the libraries? So we should construct more libraries, art galleries
and others so that the youth can possess the knowledge and the wisdom
to take their country to a bright future.”
He also said that the church was trying its best to teach and spiritually
empower its followers to take part in the celebrations of the millennium.
He added that the church has exhibited its history in many forms
in order to teach the youth history of the church. Moreover, he
noted, a new book which recounts the last two thousand years history
of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church will be available in Amharic and
English soon. His holiness Abune Paulos also added that the church
has finalized preparations to host a peace conference on September
27, 2007 at the ECA (Economic Commission for Africa) and concluded
by saying that the September 28 Meskel celebration will be very
colorful and a spiritual event that involves all Ethiopians and
tourists.
Netherlands Embassy’s architecture gets
deserved recognition
By Kirubel Tadesse
The Royal Netherlands Embassy in Addis Ababa has received the
2007 Aga Khan Award for Architecture, at a ceremony held in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia.
The jury of the Awards for Architecture said in their report that
the guiding principle of the construction of the Royal Netherlands
Embassy in Addis Ababa was a respect for place while addressing
the functional requirements of a working embassy, resulting in a
contemporary structure that fully engages its local environment.
A press release of the Royal Netherlands Embassy also explained
that Dutch architects Dick van Gameren and Bjarne Mastenbroek have
received the Award along with Ethiopian architect Rahel Shawl Zelleke,
of the firm ABBA Architects. The Royal Netherlands Embassy opened
in May 2005.
The Embassy’s press release added that the architects were
inspired by the rock hewn churches of Lalibela of which their unique
architecture is reflected in the embassy in a contemporary way.
“The Aga Khan Award for Architecture has a triennial prize
fund of US$500,000, making it the world’s largest architectural
award. The rigor of its nomination and selection process has also
made it, in the eyes of many observers, the world’s most important
architectural prize, the press release said.
Awarded projects have ranged from the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur
to a primary school in Bangladesh. During the current cycle of the
Award, 343 projects were presented for consideration, and twenty
seven reviewed on site by international experts. An independent
Master Jury selected nine award recipients that were notable for
having attained the highest standards of architectural excellence
while reflecting the values of their specific environments. Founded
in 1977, the Award marks its 30th anniversary this year, with the
completion of the 10th cycle of the program.
The projects that received the 2007 Award are: Samir Kassir Square,
Beirut, Lebanon, Rehabilitation of the City of Shibam, Yemen, Central
Market, Koudougou, Burkina Faso, University of Technology Petronas,
Bandar Seri Iskandar, Malaysia, Restoration of the Amiriya Complex,
Rada, Yemen, Moulmein Rise Residential Tower, Singapore, Rehabilitation
of the Walled City, Nicosia, Cyprus, School in Rudrapur, Dinajpur,
Bangladesh.
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture, established in 1977 by His
Highness the Aga Khan, recognizes examples of architectural excellence
that encompass contemporary design, social housing, community improvement
and development, restoration, re-use, and area conservation, as
well as landscaping and environmental issues. The Award explains
that it embraces all types of building projects that affect today’s
environments, ranging from modest small-scale interventions to major
complexes and urban or regional design. It added “Recommendations
may include initiatives for housing, for community and neighborhood
projects, and for those that focus on urban areas and issues. Projects
may also address infrastructure, transportation, industry, offices
and commercial facilities, and educational and health facilities,
to name but a few.”
The Award hopes especially to encourage and learn more about the
works of younger architects and emerging talents. Architects and
other project personnel may submit their own projects for consideration
in the Award.
The Award’s objective is to encourage architecture that reflects
the pluralism that has always characterized Muslim communities.
Eligible projects encompass recent architectural efforts in all
Muslim countries as well as those in areas where Muslims do not
comprise a majority, including Europe, North America, Australia
and Oceania, and elsewhere. To be eligible for the Award, all projects
should demonstrate service to Muslims, although eligible projects
do not have to serve exclusively Muslim communities, states the
Eligibility Criteria of the Aga Khan Award.
House ready to promote tolerance
and national consensus
By Andualem Sisay
The House of Peoples’ Representatives announced its readiness
to strengthen its reform activities towards promoting tolerance
and creating national consensus in the country when it starts its
third term in the new Ethiopian year 2000.
According to its Speaker Teshome Toga who briefed journalists on
Sunday, September 9, 2007 in the new Ethiopian Millennium (2000)
year, the Parliament will try to democratize itself by strengthening
the role of opposition party representatives in constructive engagements
in the House. This includes capacity building of both the ruling
and opposition party representatives.
“Ethiopians need democracy, good governance, peace and development
like any other people; they have also sacrificed their lives towards
this cause,” said MP Teshome, stressing the need for creating
national consensus at the beginning of the third Ethiopian Millennium.
“This concept is totally agreed on by all the opposition and
the ruling party, the difference arises on how it will be achieved.
It is in this area that the House of Peoples’ Representatives
is planning to work hard and targets to build national consensus
when it begins its third year,” he said.
He also mentioned that elections for the open seats in the parliament
will be undertaken in February 2008 along with Kebele and Woreda
elections. There are 36 seats that are planned to be filled through
this election.
In conclusion, MP Teshome Toga asserted that, more than ever, the
House shall exert maximum effort in the coming years to achieve
tolerance and create national consensus among various groups in
order to lead the nation out of poverty.
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