Capital

India-Africa partnership sealed

By Teguest Yilma
New-Delhi

Meles to confer with labor union officials

By Tedla Yeneakal

Construction permits banned

By Groum Abate

Cement shortage hits

By Groum Abate

Transport Ministry promises to re-instate laid off employees

By Tewodros Kebkab

Association plans to import wheat

By Muluken Yewondwossen

Lufthansa cuts commission to Ethiopian travel agencies

By Muluken Yewondwossen

UDJ collects over six thousand signatures

By Kirubel Tadesse

NIB Bank completes automation
Targets ATM implementation, Telephone and Online Banking

By Kirubel Tadesse

Federal Police to call bidders for forensic lab construction
Official website & automation of fingerprints will be launched

By Kirubel Tadesse

Court acquits former CBE officials on two charges

By Tedla Yeneakal

Inflation increases to 22.9%

By our staff reporter

Google’s inaugural gadget competition kicks off

By Groum Abate

Students participate in leadership training

By Tagu Zergaw

Gebbeta steps up to actualization

By Abiy Demilew

The impossible becomes possible

By Addis Mulugeta

Embassy of India, Ministry of Housing organize seminar, exhibition

Beyene’s party pulls out from elections

By Tedla Yeneakal

Government sets political contribution terms
Opposition fears a multi-party system crumple

By Kirubel Tadesse

‘Advancing agriculture through knowledge and innovation’

By Addis Mulugeta

MAGGI introduces new products for local market

By Muluken Yewondwossen

Swift decision required for UNMEE

By our staff reporter

India-Africa partnership sealed

By Teguest Yilma
New-Delhi

African Heads of State and Government along with the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, agreed to redefine and re-invigorate the decades-old partnership and historical and civilizational links between the African continent and India.
Their resolve was revealed on Wednesday 9th April, in the Delhi Declaration that was signed at the end of the two-day India-Africa Forum Summit held in New Delhi, India. The two sides agreed to base their partnership on the fundamental principle of equality, mutual respect, and understanding between their peoples. The leaders also reached complete agreement on priority areas of multi-sectoral partnership and steps to be taken to consolidate the same.
On Monday 7th April, a foreign ministers meeting attended by Minister Seyoum Mesfin, discussed in detail the India-Africa areas of priority engagement and two documents, the Delhi Declaration and an Africa-India Framework for Cooperation, which were considered and adopted at the summit.
The framework spells out agreed areas of cooperation including human resources institutional capacity building, education, science and technology, agricultural productivity and food security, industrial growth, including small and medium enterprises, and minerals. Other areas of mutual interest are development of the health sector, infrastructure, ICT and establishment of judicial systems with police and defense institutions under civilian control.
The Delhi Declaration is a political document that covers issues of bilateral regional and international interest to India and Africa, including common position on UN reforms, climate change, WTO , international terrorism and other issues.
In line with this position, the summit called for reform of international institutions, particularly the United Nations and the Bretton Wood institutions, stressing the need for effective ways and participation of developing countries including quotas and voting rights in the international financial institutions.
“There is a need for an urgent and comprehensive reform of the UN to enable it to more effectively deal with the challenges of today’s world. We share the view that the UN should function in a more transparent, efficient and effective manner, in that the composition of its central organ must reflect contemporary realities. In particular, the expansion of the UN Security Council in both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership, is central to the process of UN reform,” the Delhi Declaration read in part.
India is vying for permanent membership with the UN Security Council while Africa, as a group, is also demanding its own slot.
The government of India announced a duty free tariff preference scheme under which 34 least developed countries in Africa will enjoy preferential market access for exports.
In his opening remarks at the India-Africa Forum Summit on Tuesday 8th April, PM Dr. Manmohan Singh also announced a 5.4 billion dollar line of credit to the regional economic communities of Africa. He said so far, between 2004-2009 India had extended lines of credit amounting to 2.15 billion dollars and further announced that over the next 5 to 6 years, his government will finance projects focusing on human resource development and capacity building in Africa worth over 500 million dollars.
The prime minister also proposed the establishment of an India-Africa volunteer corps devoted to development work in the area of public health, informal education and women’s empowerment, emphasizing the need to invest in the creative energies of the youth.
He further pledged to double the long-term scholarships for under-graduates, postgraduates and higher courses for African students. The number of training slots under India-Africa technical assistance program will be raised from the current 1100 to 1600 annually.
Addressing the summit, PM Meles Zenawi said, “the initiatives announced at the summit give an assurance that this is an effort to change current realities.”
He noted that the partnership up to now is not based on accepting the status quo and received wisdom, but in transforming the status quo and finding new paradigms, not only because of the justice of our cause, but because we take it upon ourselves to change it. “Our partnership has a glorious past, and will have an even more glorious future,” he said.
The India-Africa Forum Summit, which aims at strengthening economic engagement between India and Africa, was attended by 14 African heads of state and government. These were, Ethiopian PM Meles Zenawi, John Agyekum Kufuor, President of Ghana and immediate former chairman of the African Union, Abdoulaye Wade, President of Senegal; Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of Tanzania, also current AU chairman; Joseph Kabila Kabane of DRC; and PM of Burkina Faso Tertius Zongo.
Also in attendance were Goodluck Jonathan and Rupiah Banda, Vice Presidents of Nigeria and Zambia respectively.
Prof. Alpha Omar Konare, outgoing chairperson of the AU, Ahmed Ouyahia, former PM and personal representative of the president of Algeria, Mrs. Fayza Abou El Naga, Minister of international cooperation of Egypt, Moses Wetangula, Kenyan minister of foreign affairs and Dr. Ali Abdul Salam Altreki, Secretary for African Union affairs of Libya were also present.
PM Dr. Manmohan Singh, who was chairing the plenary session declared the 21st century as ‘the century of Asia and Africa’ during which the people of the two continents will work together to promote inclusive globalization.
The outgoing chairman of the African Union Commission, Prof. Alpha Omar Konare, lauded India for her active role in Africa’s liberation war against colonialism. The chairman said that Africa needs to partner with India to share the experiences and expertise in the area of agricultural development, science and technology and education.
He challenged African governments to do things differently by moving away from the colonial exploitative form of trade where Africa exports mainly raw materials to developed countries. He also appealed to African leaders at the forum to take tough political decisions in order to not only attain the millennium development goals, but also ensure that their people are self sufficient in food production to protect themselves from the adverse effects of global economic recession, referring to the current hike in petrol and food prices in the world market.
Prof. Konare clarified that the proposed partnership between India and Africa should not be characterized by begging, or with short term assistance, but with long term investment for mutual benefit; a win-win approach for both sides.
The India-Africa solidarity should be characterized by implementation of pledges, unlike the past when pledges were made and never fulfilled. He also added that the partnership has no intention to work against any other economic interest or organizations. In the next 30 to 40 years, India and Africa together will constitute a huge economic bloc of over 4 billion people, a force to reckon with.
Ghana’s President J.A Kufuor, immediate former AU Chairman, appealed to India to transfer technology expertise to Africa, noting that Africa looks towards India as its strong strategic partner. He said the cooperation between India and Africa will help galvanize and accelerate growth and stability, both for India and Africa. This, he said, will in turn contribute to sustainable global peace, prosperity and security.
He further said, “India and Ghana were founding members of the Non-Aligned movement which was subsequently joined by many African countries on attainment of independence. The nations of Africa and India take common positions in the UN and other important global forums. Heavily endowed by nature, Africa cries for scientific and technological development for its drive into modernity and accelerated growth.”
Putting away his official speech, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, engaged the audience in a hearty encounter. Explaining why Africa, a resource rich continent, is still lagging behind, he said that following independence, the continent was bedeviled by anti-private sector bias, “which has [now] been somewhat ameliorated, but not been completely eliminated.” This attitude, he said had led to the nationalization of private companies in the 1960s.
He also mentioned lack of access to international market as a major bottleneck to Africa’s growth and transformation. “The India-Africa partnership shall enhance opportunities at accessing market.”
Massive value loss from Africa to the outside world on account of processing semi-processed goods, he explained, makes Africans “the unacknowledged donors of wealth to Europe, USA and other parts of the world.”
President Museveni also noted the small fragmented African market, characterized by low purchasing power as yet another drawback. Elaborating the point, he said, North America was made up of only 3 countries of USA, Mexico, and Canada; South America of only 16 countries, but Africa is “rich in countries,” 54 of them.
Briefing the international media, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. Anand Sharma, said economic cooperation engagement between India and Africa has already exceeded USD 30 billion. It has increased 6 fold in the last 5 years, and has enormous potential to grow further.
Responding to questions from the media, Mr. Anand Sharma, dismissed claims that India’s current drive in Africa arose out of China’s growing economic influence in Africa.
“This skepticism emanates from those who have not been adequately informed about the history of India’s engagement with Africa. I would advise skeptics to go back to Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru at the dawn of our independence, who did not think of competing, when in 1946 no vested concern had guided India to take the issue of racial discrimination in South Africa to the UN.
“India has not suddenly discovered Africa; India’s relationship with Africa is time tested, distinctly different and cannot be compared with any other country,” Mr. Sharma said.
In conclusion, the heads of state and government also agreed that in addition to a high level of political exchange between them in the bilateral, regional, and multilateral context, Africa and India must meet every three years. They thus agreed that the next Africa-India Summit will be held in 2011 in Africa.
They also agreed to develop within a period of one year a joint plan of action at continental level and an appropriate follow up mechanism to implement their Framework of Cooperation.
As the leaders were meeting for two days at government level in New Delhi, several outreach events before or concurrent with the summit were undertaken. These were: the first ever India-Africa editors’ conference, a seminar of intellectuals from Africa and India on India-Africa partnership in the 21st century, a program for youth and women from Africa and a business conclave. Ethiopian delegates participated in all the events.

Meles to confer with labor union officials

By Tedla Yeneakal

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is set to confer in the coming two weeks with officials of the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU), aimed at tackling basic problems encountered by labor union members at large.
Kassahun Fole, President of CETU, told Capital that the Prime Minister has agreed to hold discussions with him “We have had internal meetings amongst ourselves and reached consensus on questions that we need answers for”he said.
“It will include labor union members in the regions as well,” Kassahun said. “It will be a televised meeting as we want the public at large to be aware of the fruitful discussions we will be having.”
However, CETU officials are awaiting the exact date of the meeting to identify the procedurals of the meeting so that the right consensus will be reached amongst all stake holders involved.
“This is the first time that we are having meetings with the Prime Minister ever since the new management took over,” Kassahun adds, “we will arrange further proceedings when we hear from the labor union officials.”
In January 1977, the Derg replaced CELU (abolished December 1975) with the All-Ethiopia Trade Union (AETU). The AETU had 1,341 local chapters, known as workers’ associations, with a total membership of 287,000. In 1962, the Ethiopian government issued the Labor Relations Decree, which authorized trade unions. In April 1963, the imperial authorities recognized the Confederation of Ethiopian Labor Unions (CELU), which represented twenty-two industrial labor groups.
CELU was the first labor organization to reject the military junta and to demand the creation of a people’s government. In May 1975, the Derg temporarily closed CELU headquarters on the grounds that the union needed to be reorganized.
CETU includes nine industrial groups, the largest of which is manufacturing, which had accounted for 29.2 percent of membership, followed by agriculture, forestry, and fishing with 26.6 percent, services with l5.l percent, transportation with 8.l percent, construction with 8 percent, trade with 6.2 percent, utilities with 3.7 percent, finance with 2.4 percent, and mining, 0.7 percent.

Construction permits banned

By Groum Abate

The Addis Ababa City Infrastructure Development office has banned sub-cities to issue construction permits for all businesses for unspecified period as of Wednesday April 9, 2008.
The letter written to all the 10 sub-cities of the capital city states that due to unspecified reasons, construction permits could not be issued to those who applied for an unlimited period until further notice.
Some observers said that the move is in a bid to control illegal moves by some people that have managed to get land during the election period.
The construction permits are given in accordance with the Ministry of Works and Urban Development’s building codes.
The Ministry was established in October 2005 with the same responsibilities and powers as the former Ministry of Infrastructure Development.
The building code set standards for building construction and designs. The code would also consider earthquake tolerance and the quality of drainage systems. The regulation stipulates that designs of buildings taller than a proscribed number of storeys can only be done after being given special permission.
The Code will also include the standards and quality control as well as approval of materials that will be used in construction.
The City’s Caretaker Administration Cabinet last week ordered lease boards of the city, to stop passing decisions on land related issues, until such time the newly elected administration takes office.
During a power vacuum in the transition from the provisional city administration of Mayor Arkebe Oqubay to the current caretaker administration, there had been alleged massive land grabs and illegal transfer of plots.
National by-elections and local as well Kebele elections are scheduled for April 13 and 20 respectively.
A report by the Federal Inland Revenue Authority revealed that contribution to GDP from the construction sector exhibited a steady growth during the period 1994/95 to 2004/05. It increased from birr 1.728 billion in 1994/95 to birr 3.726 billion in 2004/05 registering an annual average growth rate of 8%. The share of the construction sector in total GDP was 3.31% in 1994/95 and reached 4.47% in 2004/05.

Cement shortage hits

By Groum Abate

A severe cement shortage has hit the country and forced a halt to small scale construction in the city, after the government banned those allegedly importing cement with black market foreign currency.
Amazingly, the price of cement remains stable without any change during the last couple of weeks.
According to some small scale contractors who buy cement from the market, even though the price is stable it is hard for them to find cement for their construction needs.
Commenting about the price, they said that about 12 cement retail shops have been closed after they were found escalating prices some weeks ago and that move by the government has led to the stabilization of the price.
Mugher Cement Enterprise, the biggest player of the five cement factories in the country, could only meet five percent of the total demand.
According to a survey done by Mugher during the last Ethiopian fiscal year, the country’s demand for cement is 17.8 million tones annually, whereas the country’s total production is only limited to 1.9 million tones per annum.
Mugher cement factory accounts for the lion’s share of the cement market in Ethiopia with a production capacity of 900,000tn along with Dire Dawa cement factory with 72,000tn production per annum, Messebo cement factory with a capacity of producing 700,000tn annually (an endowment firm of the ruling party) and the new entrant Abyssinia Cement, a subsidiary of Abyssinia Steel.
However, their output has so far failed to satisfy the need for cement for the developing nation.
Derba Midroc, sister company of Midroc Ethiopia; Ethio Cement; Jema Plc; and East Africa are also in the pipeline to start construction of cement factories. Other companies has also either started construction of the factories or were granted land for cement factories that includes Star Business Group, Nyala Metals, DH Geda, and National Cement Factory among other companies.
Furthermore, Nigeria’s leading industrial conglomerate, Dangote Group, which controls about two-thirds of the Nigerian cement market, has signed contracts worth 1.2 billion dollars in February with China’s Sinoma International to builtd cement plants in Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania, Senegal and Zambia.

Transport Ministry promises to re-instate laid off employees

By Tewodros Kebkab

The Ministry of Transport and Communication has promised to take back the 500 employees the Ministry had laid off following the Business Process Re engineering (BPR) program it underwent.
After the Committee met with Minister Juneidin Sado on April 10, 2008 and heard the good news one of them told Capital that they are all pleased that the Ministry gave them a positive response.
Some employees complain that they were not given documents on the results and recommendation of the BPR.
“We could not tell what is going on in the Ministry clearly, but there is a decentralization of the Ministry into five parts. Another thing is that people have been hired even as we were laid off, trying to find a solution. Anyway we are happy that we finally got attention,” said the laid off employees.
A bank expert who preferred anonymity told Capital that the main purpose of BPR is to recommend an organization to a better process of work accomplishment.
According to Birhanu Amsalu public relations officer within the Ministry, the BPR is being applied procedurally.
“BPR is simply a set of activities that transform a set of inputs into a set of outputs or giving the required and best services to clients effectively. The employees are not fired from their jobs as such, but we are trying to retrieve their credentials and assign them to the Ministry’s offices in the various parts of the country,” added Birhanu.
The Banker said that this process is assisting effectively for those companies who have sought out methods for faster business process improvement.
“Moreover, companies want breakthrough performance changes, not just incremental changes, and they want it now. Because the rate of change has increased for everyone, few businesses can afford a slow change process. One approach for rapid change and dramatic improvement that has emerged is BPR. So our country will be experienced through time,” explained the anonymous banker.
At the time the employees were laid off the Ministry proposed to provide parking lots as an income generating mechanism for the employees but they however protested and demanded to be reinstated to their positions.
A letter signed by Birhanu Adelo, director of the Prime Minister’s office and Cabinet Affairs Minister and dated December 2007 stated that the laid off employees should be returned to their post.

Association plans to import wheat

By Muluken Yewondwossen

Members of the Flour and Flour Products Producers Association (FFPPA) have announced that they are encountering shortages of inputs and are to explore means of importing wheat to the country.
Tadesse Gena, president of the Association, told Capital that there is a shortage of wheat supplied to factories.
“As the result of the shortage members of the Association have asked to study proper ways on how to import and distribute wheat in the country, especially for producers,” said Tadesse.
After the lifting of Value Added Tax and Turn-Over Tax imposed on grains, prices have shown a 15 to 18 percent decrease. Currently members of the FFPPA used to pay 410 birr for a quintal of wheat. But after the lift of the Taxes, the price has come down to 360 birr. The price of one quintal of flour has declined to 560 birr from the prior 680 birr.
The recently launched Ethiopian Commodities Exchange (ECX) explains that growth in the domestic market is likely to grow, as the overall economy grows, with increased cereals demand, as well as increased local food aid procurement and cash injections into the national safety net programs.
According to the members, even if the price they pay for the input products have decreased they are not able to produce at full capacity and said the price is not the problem but rather the supply shortage in the market.
FFPPA has 70 members. It held discussions on the matter on April 8, 2008 with the Federal Inland Revenue Authority (FIRA).

Lufthansa cuts commission to Ethiopian travel agencies

By Muluken Yewondwossen

Lufthansa German Air Lines has stopped the seven percent commission it used to pay for Ethiopian travel agencies that sell its tickets, as of May 1, 2008. This is because many travelers are using electronic ticketing.
Worku Yitayew, president of Tour and Travel Agencies Association (TTAA) told Capital that even if such matters are becoming more common in other countries, it was better if Lufthansa didn’t stop it in this season.
“During this season there are a high number of travelers so we are going to lose many customers as compared to the other seasons and will earn much lessr than we expected,” said Worku.
According to some members of TTAA, Lufthansa gives a two percent commission to travel agencies in Egypt and they stated that the Egyptians got their commission because the agencies have a strong Association that stands firmly for its members.
“If we have a strong relationship between the members and trust each other so we could convince the Airline to continue with the commission payment,” added the members.
Serge Soucek, general manager of Lufthansa Ethiopia, said that Lufthansa will allow to use fifty USD mark up fair per one ticket from their ticketing sale so that the agencies continue getting incomes.
The Tourists and Travel Agencies Association has sixty one members and was established twelve years ago.
Lufthansa has flight four times a week into Addis Ababa from Frankfurt and recently signed a code share agreement with Ethiopian Airlines. Ethiopian Airlines has started to deliver Economy class meals to Lufthansa starting from March 28, 2008. Within 2-4 months Lufthansa will also start to uplift Business class meals from Ethiopian’s Catering Division. Ethiopian has been partnering with LSG Lufthansa Service, the world’s biggest airline caterer and provider of integrated in-flight solutions which assist Ethiopian in managing and upgrading its catering division.

UDJ collects over six thousand signatures

By Kirubel Tadesse

The former Coalition for Unity and Democracy majority supreme council members, who are forming a new party, Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ), have managed to collect over six thousand signatures, four times than the 1500 signatures needed to form a new national party.
According to Engineer Gizachew Shiferaw, who is heading signature collecting committee, an overwhelming degree of support was observed from people in all parts of Ethiopia collectors were dispatched to. Gizachew told Capital that during signature collection, very few ‘minor problems’ occurred especially in Butajira, Gurage Zone when two signature collectors were jailed. “I don’t regard the problem as a serious one, we have seen similar problems nearby and we notified the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) about the situation,” explains Gizachew, “our people were released. We don’t know whether NEBE secured their release or not.”
According to Gizachew, 1007 in Oromia, 317 in South, 1481 in Amhara, 280 in Afar and 1994 signatures in Addis Ababa areas were collected. Even if the UDJ exceeded the number of the signatures expected by law, less than 40% and 60% signature numbers percentage from one region and other four regions respectively, more collectors are to travel to other parts of the country. Signature collectors are expected to go to Tigray and Jijiga in the coming few days. The travel reports of the collectors show that two men were assigned in four directions, South to Butajira, Awassa; North to Gonder, Gojam and Tigray; East to Adeha, Harar, Arsi, Afar; West to Gurage, Nekemete, Metu and one to the 10 sub cities of Addis Ababa.
Senior member of UDJ explain to Capital that after completion of the signature collection phase the party may call a general assembly to elect leaders and to submit necessary documents such as a political party program and party regulations. The member also explained that the party might also decide to file the required documents and ask for time before it calls a general assembly and elect leaders. Capital reported that a majority of the former CUDP’s supreme council, recently empowered by renowned politician Professor Mesfin Woldemariam and MPs led by Temegen Zewdie Okayed the move of forming a new party. It is expected that few members of the supreme council, who voted against forming a new party and assignment of executive committee to lead the process, would stand against electing new leaders, which surely excludes Hailu Shawul since he did not put his signature for the new party. Some senior members of UDJ including Dr. Yakob Hailemariam, still expect Hailu Shawl to reconcile differences and get on board with UDJ. Many other senior members of the former CUDP do not share the optimism. Even if Hailu assigns an acting new president, Abayneh Berhanu, and his supporters are operating on different agendas and as separate entities, UDJ’s top official including Birtukan Medkisa were caution not to deny accreditation of his presidency in all of their press statements. These officials claim that since he is not present it is the vice president (Justice Birtukan) who can assume his duty; instating Abayneh as acting president is breaking party laws and is unacceptable. According to Capital sources, it is unlikely that in the near future the UDJ election will give Hailu a commanding position even if he cames on board.

NIB Bank completes automation
Targets ATM implementation, Telephone and Online Banking

By Kirubel Tadesse

NIB International Bank Share Company has completed the first phase of automating and networking in its ten branches in Addis Ababa and will continue to incorporate its remaining twenty six branches to the already established network.
The first phase has cost the Bank over one million USD.
Main, Tana, Adarashe, Abenet, Shola, Mamokasha, Ras, Urael, Tiret and Cathedral are where the network is already established. The network also integrates two head office departments; Accounts and Finance and International Banking Department.
The automation and networking of the ten branches with StarBank Banking Solutions was implemented by ETA Info Tech, a member of ETA ASCON & ETA STAR Group, a four billion USD conglomerate based in the United Arab Emirates.
According to Amerga Kassa president of NIB International Bank, the preparation for a networked and computerized Management Information System dates six years back. This was followed by a selection of StarBank for the job on November 25, 2003.
“ We have been crawling through the process until February, 2007, when we were able to fully computerize and network ten braches in Addis Ababa”, explained Amerga before handing his letter of final acceptance to ETA Info Tech.
Rakesh Ranjan, Vice President of ETA Info Tech said that the existing network can accommodate the remaining branches efficiently with plenty of room left for other branches, which may be established in the future.
Rakesh explained to Capital that similar automation projects were implemented and proved to be efficient in years of live services for large size banks which have over fifty braches, in many parts of Asia.
“It only takes a short period of time to advance the current network coverage, because the server can accommodate all the remaining branches and what we will do from now on is that whenever a new branch is opened, it automatically becomes a client of the existing network, “explains Rakesh, “what is a breakthrough achievement for NIB is that this system is compatible with Automated Teller Machines (ATM), Online and Telephone Banking Technologies. It easily means that the full implementation of these technologies is a matter of a very short period of time.”
NIB’s IT experts say that the compatibility of the implemented system with the ATMs, Online and Telephone Banking technologies was repeatedly proved to be effective and full implementation will follow as per five years bank’s strategic plan which should kick of after the reaming branches fall under the network with initial cost estimate of 12 million ETB.
An IT expert told Capital that most bank systems in Ethiopia lack sufficient requirement analysis studies. The expert adds that some banks systems fail to the extent that they don’t recognize some Ethiopian names. According to the ETA Info Tech Vice President, NIB’s system had extensive requirement analysis. “ From day one of the project, we had the world’s best practicing software, but we didn’t try to adopt and implement it here directly,” explained Rakesh, “ as they say steady and fast wins the race, we spend most of the project time assessing the local need; localizing the best features of the system as per requirements and needs of NIB users, because at the end of the day, if it isn’t simple for the end users of the bank, there isn’t really any success story to tell.”
The Bank’s pilot testing showed 100% success and members of the pilot testing team were awarded with certificates at a program on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at Desalegn Hotel. Lemma Haile Giorgis, chairman of the board of directors of the bank handed over the certificates.
The successful introduction of these new technologies is expected to boost profits of Nib International Bank S.C., which won three years in a row the World’s Best Emerging Market Banks in Africa Awards including in the year 2008. Established on 26th May 1999, NIB commenced operations on 28th same year with a paid up capital of ETB 27.6 million and authorized capital of 150 million ETB. Collecting over 75.6 million ETB net profit last year, NIB’s total capital is currently 425.1 million of which 297.6 million is paid up.

Federal Police to call bidders for forensic lab construction
Official website & automation of fingerprints will be launched

By Kirubel Tadesse

After securing a ‘no objection’ approval for its forensic expansion project from the World Bank, the Ethiopian Federal Police Commission together with Ministry of Capacity Building is soon to float an international tender for the construction of laboratories in four regions.
The forensic expansion project which aims to capacitate forensic investigations through skilled manpower, modern equipment and center based support was proposed by the Federal Police Commission. Although the proposal had managed to receive an ‘ok’ from the Ethiopian government, getting donors had been difficult and took much longer than anticipated. According to Federal Police Commission, Director General Workneh Gebeyehu, obtaining financing from the World Bank is under progress and the international bids will be called soon.
The last nine months progress report of the Commission presented by Workneh to the House of Peoples’ Representatives, Legal and Administrative Affairs Standing Committee, indicates that official website of the Commission will be launched soon. “The proposal is already submitted and after that the Requirement Analysis Document (RAD), which is completed, it is only coding, which is in its final stage, that remains unfinished.”
Sources from the Commission told Capital that the prototype of the website was tested and tried by some officers three months ago and the launch of the website is expected to be in short time period.
Full Automation of the Commission’s documenting is also in the program coding stage after RAD and system designs were completed. According to IT experts, if one proposed system’s RAD and System Design is completed, the program coding can be finalized and the system can start operation shortly as it is the former that accounts up to 70% of the total project time.
As per the report of the Commission, automating collection of fingerprints, which was given a priority to harmonize the Commission’s crime investigation system to world standard, has been successful. Workneh explained to the standing committee that digitizing and transferring the 226 527 fingerprints in to the new database is completed and new fingerprints are put in the database. According to the report at the completion of the project, the manual practice of taking fingerprints will be automated and fingerprinting would be taken in live scanners replacing papers and ink. Workneh also explained that even if the automaton is yet to be completed, through civil service reform the Commission has managed to cut down the thirty days period applicants used to wait to obtain results of fingerprints to less than five days.
Explaining some of the services provided by the Commission’s VIP Protection Service, Workneh explained to the standing committee that flower and fruit exports are provided protection that extends all the way from the place of production to Bole International Airport, where they will be taken to various international market destinations. According to the Federal Police Commission, there are reports of minor conflicts that claim to have ties with land compensation and others near flower and fruit farms. “Even if some exporters demand protection themselves after reports of transit related crimes, the protection service has been instated to encourage and boost confidence for investors in the horticulture industry, “the Commission source told Capital.

Court acquits former CBE officials on two charges

By Tedla Yeneakal

The Federal High Court passed a ruling on Thursday, April 17, 2008, acquitting two of the 19 corruption charges filed against 41 former Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) officials and staff members under the file of former CBE President, Tilahun Abbay.
Acordingly, the Court acquitted them of charges of the violation of lending policy involving owners of Meskel Flower Plc, Eskinder Yoseph and Abeba Trading, owned by Berhan Gidday.
The former case involved the provision of 16 million birr to Meskel Flower for the import of materials and the latter was a 5 million birr loan for Abeba Trading in which the project itself was held as collateral.
Judges at the High Court said that the bank officials have not violated the policy in these charges and the provision was made with the view of enhancing the capacity of these businessmen who has a positive credit history.
Tamiru Wondemagen, lawyer for the majority of the defendants, told Capital that the charges are quite complicated and that they have requested the court to ease the procedural of the court proceedings.
“Their cases has been extremely delayed, due to the changes of judges several times. When a new judge takes over the case, he is entirely new to the issue and needed some time to coherently understand the case,” Tamiru said.
The defendants were imprisoned since 2001, after charged by the Federal Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (FEACC) for alleged abuse of power, breaking the bank’s policies in disbursing loans and benefiting from the advances.
“Based on Bank’s procedures, the ‘Loan Approval Form’ that is required to be filled by executives of the bank has complicated the case, since one manager of the bank can not solely be responsible for disbursing loans.” Tamiru added.

Inflation increases to 22.9%

By our staff reporter

Ethiopia’s annual inflation rate increased to 22.9 percent in February led by rising food costs, Bloomberg says, quoting the Central Statistical Agency.
Inflation expanded from 19.4 percent in January, the Addis Ababa-based agency said in a report. Food prices climbed 30.2 percent on an annual basis, from 28 percent in January, the report adds.
In a related development, the National Bank of Ethiopia is offering for sale a of range treasury bills valued at 2.534 billion birr ($266.5 million), it said on Monday.
It is offering a 28-day treasury bill worth 560 million birr maturing on May 7, 2008, a 91-day treasury bill worth 500 million birr maturing on June 9, 2008 and a 182-day treasury bill worth 1.474 billion birr, maturing on October 8, 2008.
The bank said in a notice published in the state-run Ethiopian Herald newspaper that the bills can be bought for a minimum amount of 5,000 birr and thereafter in its multiples.
The bills will be sold on April 9 and results announced on the same day. The deadline for submitting bids is on April 8.
The bank said any income derived from the treasury bills or operations is tax-exempt.

Google’s inaugural gadget competition kicks off

By Groum Abate

Google has kicked off the inaugural gadget competition for students in East Africa and will announce a winner in August.
In the next four months, Google expects students enrolled at universities in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Burundi to work on their ideas and submit functioning gadgets on July 14, 2008.
A large number of students from the region registered and submitted their gadget ideas by April 4, the deadline for submissions, according to Louise Welch, Google’s project manager for Global University Programs
“We have enjoyed broad participation from students and universities across East Africa. We cannot release exact numbers for confidentiality reasons, but we’ve had robust participation across the board,” Welch said.
While the competition seeks innovative gadgets that can be used globally, it is also encouraging the development of gadgets for local use.
“There is no formula to what makes a good gadget, but there are certainly things to think about when creating one. Does it provide useful and frequently updated information? Or does it provide service that people will need to use frequently? Is it diverting? Fun? Attractive?” Google notes in the advertisement sent to participating universities.
The gadgets will be judged on their functionality, including gadget completeness, cleanly written code and technical sophistication. Ease of use and design scalability of design and originality are also judging criteria.
The categories the devices can win include best education specific gadget, most technically sophisticated gadget and gadget most likely to get international traffic
Students participating in the competition will receive a Gadget Winners Certificate, a Google shirt, pen and notebook. Five students will receive a US$350 stipend and one student will receive a $600 stipend.
Regarding use of language, Welch was noncommittal about whether Google is encouraging development of gadgets that can use local language or whether all gadgets must be in English. Ethiopia’s national language is Amharic and Tanzania uses mainly Kiswahili, which is also widely used in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.

Students participate in leadership training

By Tagu Zergaw

Executive Committee members of high school Student Councils from 94 secondary schools (530 students, nearly half of them female) have participated in the leadership training organized by Ethiopian Teachers Association (ETA) and Initiative Africa (IA). The trainings took place in five towns: Mekelle, Adama, Awassa, Bahir Dar and the capital, Addis Ababa, with the financial support of the European Union (EU). The training was designed as part of ‘Backing Ethiopia’s Future’ project. Moreover, sixteen teachers from the targeted regions participated the training of trainers. Earlier different activities had been done to enhance the leadership potential of the student council members by organizing consultative meetings, experience exchange programs, national workshops, etc.
The training was based on four manuals; how to establish and strengthen a students councils, how to plan and program student council activities like how to organize non-curricula activities i.e. school events, fund raising, financial management, how to make democratic student council election and lead different meetings, and prepare draft student council’s bylaw. This training was intended to promote student councils and their members to participate in the exercise of building democracy and to give them a chance to participate in school activities and other related academic issues.
According to some participants and trainees, the training has given them better understanding on how to manage their students councils and develop positive communication with their school community, to strengthen their student council, and to solve sensitive and prominent student issues.
In addition to this a technical support is being implemented in selected thirty five high schools and in project areas by technical support lead experts.

Gebbeta steps up to actualization

By Abiy Demilew

Gebbetta Entertainment & Information Technology Plc (GEIT), established in September 8, 2004 by a group of Ethiopian entertainment and IT professionals, has now moved to its initial build-up phase, Capital learnt.
GEIT, which has recently secured 5000 sq. meters of land at a prime location at CMC area for its center and headquarters, has now finalized the architectural and engineering work to start the construction of the complex, according to sources.
Selome Gerima, co-founder, chairperson and General Manager of GEIT, told Capital that the immeasurable effort exerted to materialize the dream has now moved to realization.
“GEIT shall provide a new paradigm of business using the center as a springboard for launching a plethora of technologically advanced products and services,” said Selome.
“We are very ambitious to contribute to the growth of local capacity for the creation, production, and distribution of digital information and content of cultural, social and educational value using the latest technological tools; making it accessible for users both locally and internationally,” she added.
GEIT will exert efforts towards building a digital content infrastructure to give local access to information and knowledge and enhance active participation in the regional and global information market, according to Selome, exclusive to Capital.
“We are also aiming to create a strong local knowledge and user base that is indigenous and reflective of our rich culture, heritage and background of nations and nationalities using the entertainment industry as a business,” Selome affirmed.
GEIT creates a modern commercial convention and entertainment facility as an outlet, which meets international standards and contributes to the image and prestige of Addis Ababa as a leading cultural and political capital, added Selome.
The architectural design of the center, sketched by ACME Ethiopia, an engineering consulting firm, holds a modern international convention center, modern shopping and office facilities, cinema halls with capacity of 1,200 seats, rentable executive suits, IT based mass media, and IT and IS sections among others, according to Selome.
GEIT is in the process of inviting selected potential shareholders in the country and in the Diaspora to raise the required limited capital.
The company structure introduced by GEIT shows that, the company holds three basic divisions of Entertainment, Real estate and IT, detailing three sub-divisions under each.
“The highest decision making body of GEIT will be the general meeting of the shareholders,” Selome details. “The managing committee members are the founding shareholders, shareholders, elected professional advisors and the general manager.”
“We believe that we have to build a strong presence in the new world of technology and cyberspace representing our heritage and multimedia aggregation, to be able to retain and pass our history and unique identity to the next generation,” added Selome.
“Ethiopia is a country with rich and diversified local culture that is not yet fully documented or explored or recorded. This culture is complemented by a wide variety of flora and fauna,” says Selome. And development of this potential by entertainment industry and other industries is very small with some of them coming very recently, according to Selome Gerima.

The impossible becomes possible

By Addis Mulugeta

The United Nations has started to amplify the sound of mothers who have children with autism by addressing education, providing necessary facilities to all without discrimination, promoting an inclusive society and supporting centers for autism
In Ethiopia and Africa at large mothers who have autistic children do not have sound information and knowledge about symptoms of autism and those who are abandoned due to the circumstance of their children are confused and crying for help. They are unable to take employment because they must stay home to manage their children. They are ashamed of their autistic children due to pressure and misunderstanding of the society.
In Ethiopia alone after the establishment of Nia Foundation- Joy Center for children with Autism, 60 autistic children have benefited from the center’s service. However, 350 are still on their waiting list. Autistic children in the center have show important progress and their physical, mental, and social interaction has improved. A 13 old girl has started taking, and more than 85 percent of the children with autism behavior have been modified enormously.
On the other hand, the center has started celebrating the month of April as Autism months with various awareness creating activities. The center has achieved its present stage and attained full scale implementation after six years of long process, said Ms. Zemi Yenus, the founder of Joy Center at a press conference on April 9, 2008 at the center.
Dr. Florence Ssereo, UNESCO, Education Program Specialist, stated that within the UN alone the UNICEF, UNESCO, WHO and Human Rights Commission offices have come together and met regularly to discuss the collective support of children with disability and encourage and support centers which work on children with autism.
The best key for a locked children with autism is, “we should show and share our love, knowledge and information with them” Dr Florence says and added that the establishment of the center here in Ethiopia for children with autism became a nationwide initiative through out the whole regions.
UNESCO is increasing the capacity of teachers for children with disability through training.
Ms. Zemi on her part said that the establishment of the center has proven the negative attitude of people towards children with Autism. However, the problem is the number of children with autism is estimated to be over 530, 000 with no access to rehabilitation, education and training. Formerly one in every 10,000 children was diagnosed with autism but now one child in every 150 children is diagnosed.
The joy center has committed to create full integration of autistic children in their community through public awareness, rehabilitation, care service and support to be voice to the voiceless and advocate to regain their deprived rights and to conduct research on autism and disseminate the finding.
According to the document, Autism is a neurological development disorder which is characterized by impaired social interaction and problems with verbal and nonverbal communication. It causes unusual, repetitive, self injurious behavior or severely limited activities and interests.
Numerous children are often abused, chained, or locked in a dark room. A majority of the public, including many professionals in the medical, educational and vocational training fields are still unaware of how autism affects people and how to effectively work with individuals with autism. Children with autism have been deprived and denied of all the opportunities and the rights to get their academic, social, communicational skills training and involvement in the over all socioeconomic activities in the community.

Embassy of India, Ministry of Housing organize seminar, exhibition

The Embassy of India, Addis Ababa in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing & Urban Po’Jerty Alleviatiorl, Government of India, the Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council of India (BMPTC), the Housing & Urban Development Corporation of India (HUDCQ) and Ministry of Works and Urban Development of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is organizing an International Exhibition cum Seminar on Innovative Building Materials and Construction Technologies for Sustainable Housing in Ethiopia from 15-16 April, 2008 at the Ethiopian Conference Hall, Sidis’t Kilo, Guelele Sub City, Kebele 10. This is a special event to mark the Ethiopian millennium and 60th Anniversary of India’s independence.
The Seminar on “Low Cost Housing” will start at 2.00 p.m. on Tuesday 15 April, 2008. Important dignitaries and Experts from India and Ethiopia will give presentations.
The Exhibition on “Building” materials” will be inaugurated in same venue at 3.00 p.m. on 15tn April, 2008 and will continue from 9:OO a.m. to 5:00 pm on 16 April 2008.
The Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council of India (BMPTC) functioning under the Ministry of HO1Jsing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India is concerned with the development and promotion of environment friendly energy efficient and cost-effective building materials and disaster resistant construction technologies for application in housing and building construction. One of the major objectives of BMPTC is to operationalise an integrated system of technology transfer from lab to land for improving availability and cost effectiveness of building materials technologies based on agro-industrial wastes and local raw material resources. Similarly, the Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd. (HUDCO) is a premier Techno Financing Institution of India, in the field of Housing & Urban Development and has considerable experience and expertise in cost effective construction technologies.
The Indian delegation will be led by Dr. Harjit S. Anand, Vice Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and include the Director General from the Ministry as well as officers from BMPTC and HUDCO.

Beyene’s party pulls out from elections

By Tedla Yeneakal

The United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), the biggest opposition party in parliament has pulled out of the local councils and the bi-elections, accusing the ruling party of intimidating its supporters.
Prof. Beyene Petros, Chairman of UEDF, told Capital that his party has made the decision after it had tried on several occasions to address its complaints to the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), forwarding seven points, which he claims were not addressed.
“Our supporters and candidates were beaten up and arrested by the ruling party forces, we cannot take part in the elections in this sort of situation,” Prof. Beyene said. “As it stands, there is no democratic ground for us to participate in these elections.”
UEDF currently has 50 seats in the 547-member Ethiopian parliament and had been planning to field about 20,000 candidates for the local elections due today, Sunday, April 13, 2008.
“It does not mean however that we will not take part in other elections in the future,” he said. “All we are asking for is that the Electoral Board improve its’ procedures, so that all parties participate in a free and fair election.”
The ruling party, the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) on its part commented on UEDF’s decision saying that it is regrettable.
Special Public Relations Advisor to the Prime Minister, Bereket Simon, told Reuters that the decision is unfortunate that UEDF is withdrawing from a competitive election.
“The ruling party has tried to accommodate all their wishes and has gone an extra mile to ensure their participation.” Bereket said.
The EPRDF has more than 4 million candidates taking part in the Woreda and bi-elections.

Government sets political contribution terms
Opposition fears a multi-party system crumple

By Kirubel Tadesse

The amended bill for political party registration endorsed by the House of Peoples’ Representatives on Thursday, April 10, 2008, empowers the government to confiscate all finances of political parties, that come from unidentified sources.
Major opposition parties see the law as a threat; intentionally put by the ruling party to diminish their strength and grind down financial support. Opposition Whips attempted to obtain enough backing to reject the bill, which the ruling party’s and allied Members of Parliament did not hesitate to deny.
Before the House passed the bill by majority, Bulcha Demeksa (MP) told the House that he sees no use in going through the bill with comments since it would pass untouched no matter what he says or offers. “The standing committee wouldn’t pass it in the first place, if it weren’t for the 97% majority the ruling party holds, “Bulcha explains, “it is inevitable that the bill becomes law and surely it is intended to damage us so that the ruling party becomes sole power.”
In this one of the unified and tough resistances the opposition camp managed to demonstrate, Lidetu Ayalew’s UEDP-MEDHIN, which claims to present a third political option, aligns itself with the opposition despite its negotiation with the government on the bill. The party’s whip told the House that his party is in agreement with some of the articles but the objection it has in the remaining articles force it to stand against the bill. He proposed that the article, which orders to disclose any donor, be amended and only donations that pass a certain support level be identified. The proposal was not accepted by the ruling party, which says the Opposition should have taken the amendment as a victory since political party’s right for financial support, which would come from the government during election period, is preserved with this bill. The bill introduces how political parties shall merge, form coalition, or be replaced.
This bill sent back from the Legal and Administrative Affairs Standing Committee to the House and endorsed by majority on both occasions stipulates that any political party, which received financial support of any kind from unidentified sources, should return it and explain the situation to the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) in twenty-one days. The bill also stipulates that if any of the political parties fail to return financial gains from restricted and unidentified sources as per article 52, the assets shall be confiscated with court permission and the party shall be prosecuted with the relevant law.
Temesgen Zewdie (MP), a whip of the parliament group that is forming a new party-UDJ with a former CUDP majority, refers the bill as an oppressive tool, which will result in the extinction of democratic forces in the country. “When we say our members and supporters were killed and jailed for standing with us, this bill on the contrary forces us to disclose details of our supporters, “explained Temegen, “it is intended to scare away supporters and kill democracy by destroying opposition parties in the country.”
Government Whip, Shiferaw Jareso, chair and deputy chair of the Legal and Administrative affairs standing committee does not see why the Opposition is protesting stating that it is only natural that the NEBE subjects any form of transactions in political parties to inspection. The bill indicates as to how political parties shall merge, form coalition, or be replaced and on how government’s assistance to political parties shall activate. Shiferaw explained that political parties cannot be above the law and accountability and transparency is due as it is for the government.

‘Advancing agriculture through knowledge and innovation’

By Addis Mulugeta

Farmers in developing countries are refusing to apply use of knowledge and innovations to promote agricultural growth and development, disclosed the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
IFPRI organized an international conference to exchange ideas and success stories and address constraints to development.
On the April 7, 2008 conference held at the Hilton Hotel, participants discussed how agricultural knowledge and innovation could be strengthened to reduce poverty and hunger in developing countries and improve the livelihood of smallholders.
Dr. Joachim von Branu, Director General of IFPRI, said that world agriculture is in crisis because of the increase in food prices at international level and its impact has affected Ethiopia and other developing countries. Since January 2008 the price of basic food items has increased by 50 percent. Africa and the developing world in general need to accelerate agricultural production as prices become stable whenever there is more supply in the market.
He also explained that in many countries, development is hindered by lack of appropriate agricultural technologies, immense institutional constraints, and serious problems with the organization and management of agricultural systems. The scientific community must also play a central role by focusing agricultural research and technology on increasing crop productivity through crop breeding and water and soil management. In order to move to increasing productivity the producer must work on practical approaches and experience with agriculture.
Dr. Solomon Assefa, Director of the Ethiopian Institute of Agriculture Research on his part stated that the government is taking major steps in the agricultural sector and other economic sectors as a whole. In the past five years the government has embarked on making agricultural research more responsive to the needs and interests of resourceful farmers. Creating a farmers training center helps to make technology and advisory service to the resourceful farmers and major steps are being taken in the capacity building program.
Farmers are asking technologies at a faster rate than any time before and are very much encouraged of being out of poverty through innovation and knowledge, Said Solomon.

MAGGI introduces new products for local market

By Muluken Yewondwossen

MAGGI, a condiments brand announced on April 10, 2008 that it has introduced three different sizes of packages to meet the budget potential of all Ethiopians. The packs contain the favorite recipe ‘chicken flavor’ for Ethiopian customers.
“We have decided to introduce this new recipe” says Alexander Tjulkin, Business Manager for MAGGI, “because it better corresponds to the Ethiopian food culture than other products. “ Additional products will be introduced in the coming months to complete the range and even better respond to Ethiopian consumer expectations,” he explains.
The MAGGI company was created over 100 years ago in Switzerland by Mr. Julius MAGGI to produce dehydrated foods aimed at providing factory workers with nutritious and easy to prepare meals. In 1887 MAGGI liquid seasoning was introduced in the market. In 1889, the first MAGGI cubes and tablets were produced. It merged with Nestle, another Swiss company in 1947. Today the MAGGI brand covers all sorts of cooking aids and ready-to-cook dishes. Some 7.5 billion MAGGI cubes are sold per year around the globe.
Nestle is the largest food and beverage company in the world. Around the globe, it manufactures and sells culinary products, and also coffee, ice cream, water, chocolate, dairy products and pet food. The Nestle Egypt Representative office in Ethiopia was opened in 2006.
“The ingredients used to manufacture the MAGGI range is of the highest quality, we use the highest quality ingredients and add neither preservatives nor artificial coloring. The chicken meat and vegetables we use are absolutely safe and of the best quality.” added Tjulkin.

Swift decision required for UNMEE

By our staff reporter

If U.N. peacekeepers abandon the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea, a new war could break out between the two Horn of Africa neighbors, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a report.
The U.N. border mission, or UNMEE, has already withdrawn nearly 1,700 troops and military observers who for the past seven years had been trying to prevent Eritrea and Ethiopia from resuming a border war they fought from 1998-2000.
The peacekeepers had been stationed in a 15.5-mile (25-km) buffer zone inside Eritrea. But Asmara turned against UNMEE because of U.N. inability to enforce rulings by an independent commission awarding chunks of Ethiopian-held territory, including the town of Badme, to Eritrea.
Most UNMEE troops have been sent home temporarily and only 164 peacekeepers are now in Eritrea, Ban said in the report, obtained by Reuters on Wednesday. But those troops are only there to guard UNMEE equipment until it can be evacuated.
There are also a few peacekeepers on the Ethiopian side of the border, but Ban said Addis Ababa told him: “Ethiopia would find it extremely difficult to accept a long-term deployment of UNMEE limited only to the Ethiopian side of the border.”
UNMEE pulled most of its troops out of Eritrea after the government cut off access to fuel and restricted deliveries of food and other essential supplies. Asmara denies this and accuses UNMEE of enabling Ethiopia to occupy its territory.
Ethiopia has offered to hold talks with Eritrea but Asmara says Addis Ababa must first withdraw from Eritrean territory.
With Eritrea refusing to discuss the question of UNMEE’s return, Ban said there were several options for the future of U.N. forces on the border, where both sides have amassed troops in recent months. He also said the Security Council must make a swift decision on the fate of UNMEE.
“It is essential that the Security Council makes the necessary decisions as a matter of priority,” he said. In the meantime Ban said he could try to mediate between Ethiopia and Eritrea and the council could also consider sending missions to both countries.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed veteran U.N. troubleshooter Taye-Brook Zerihoun to head the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Cyprus and oversee newly restarted talks to reunify the divided Mediterranean island, the U.N. announced Thursday.
Zerihoun, an Ethiopian who joined the United Nations in 1981, will replace Michael Moller, of Germany, a special representative of the secretary-general in Cyprus and head of the U.N. peacekeeping mission, U.N. deputy spokeswoman Marie Okabe said.
Cyprus was split into an internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south and a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north in 1974, when Turkey invaded in response to a short-lived coup by people who wanted to unite the island with Greece. Last month, the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders agreed to restart peace talks on reunifying their ethnically split island.
Okabe noted that the Security Council must confirm Zerihoun’s appointment. The council’s approval is virtually certain and considered a formality.
Zerihoun is currently serving as the secretary-general’s deputy special representative in the U.N. Mission in Sudan , where some 10,000 U.N. peacekeepers are enforcing the 2005 agreement that ended Africa’s longest civil war between Sudan’s Muslim government and Christian and animist rebels in the semiautonomous south.
He also has been serving as the chief U.N. mediator for the Darfur peace talks since October 2007 in support of the efforts of U.N. special envoy Jan Eliasson.
In addition to working extensively on issues related to Sudan, Zerihoun has worked on special political questions at U.N. headquarters in New York and directed the division that deals with the Horn of Africa and central and southern Africa.

India-Africa partnership sealed

Meles to confer with labor union officials

Construction permits banned

Cement shortage hits

Transport Ministry promises to re-instate laid off employees

Association plans to import wheat

Lufthansa cuts commission to Ethiopian travel agencies

UDJ collects over six thousand signatures

NIB Bank completes automation Targets ATM implementation, Telephone and Online Banking

Federal Police to call bidders for forensic lab construction Official website & automation of fingerprints will be launched

Court acquits former CBE officials on two charges

Inflation increases to 22.9%

Google’s inaugural gadget competition kicks off

Students participate in leadership training

Gebbeta steps up to actualization

The impossible becomes possible

Embassy of India, Ministry of Housing organize seminar, exhibition

Beyene’s party pulls out from elections

Government sets political contribution terms Opposition fears a multi-party system crumple

‘Advancing agriculture through knowledge and innovation’

MAGGI introduces new products for local market

Swift decision required for UNMEE

India-Africa partnership sealed

Meles to confer with labor union officials

Construction permits banned

Cement shortage hits

Transport Ministry promises to re-instate laid off employees

Association plans to import wheat

Lufthansa cuts commission to Ethiopian travel agencies

UDJ collects over six thousand signatures

NIB Bank completes automation Targets ATM implementation, Telephone and Online Banking

Federal Police to call bidders for forensic lab construction Official website & automation of fingerprints will be launched

Court acquits former CBE officials on two charges

Inflation increases to 22.9%

Google’s inaugural gadget competition kicks off

Students participate in leadership training

Gebbeta steps up to actualization

The impossible becomes possible

Embassy of India, Ministry of Housing organize seminar, exhibition

Beyene’s party pulls out from elections

Government sets political contribution terms Opposition fears a multi-party system crumple

‘Advancing agriculture through knowledge and innovation’

MAGGI introduces new products for local market

Swift decision required for UNMEE

NIB Bank completes automation
Targets ATM implementation, Telephone and Online Banking

Federal Police to call bidders for forensic lab construction
Official website & automation of fingerprints will be launched

Government sets political contribution terms
Opposition fears a multi-party system crumple

NIB Bank completes automation
Targets ATM implementation, Telephone and Online Banking

Federal Police to call bidders for forensic lab construction
Official website & automation of fingerprints will be launched

Government sets political contribution terms
Opposition fears a multi-party system crumple