By Muluken Yewondwossen

The recently revived Ethiopian Navy is making preparations to establish a naval facility in Somaliland, in accordance with an agreement with the government. The Navy has identified the land chosen by the government as one of the potential locations for a future operational base in the area.

Rear Admiral Nassir Abadi, the Deputy Chief of the Navy, stated during a recent visit by the Peace and Foreign Affairs Standing Committee to the Naval Force Headquarters that the agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland is one of the responses the Naval Force had requested regarding naval bases along the coast. He also mentioned that they anticipate further responses.

Another senior officer stated, “Through different missions, we have proven ourselves capable of carrying out operations effectively. We view the current lease agreement as a positive step towards engaging in international operations.” He further explained that former naval officers have been involved in various responsibilities throughout the reform process.

The Ethiopian navy, one of the most renowned naval forces on the continent, was disbanded in the early 1990s when the Derg regime fell and Ethiopia lost its coastline due to Eritrea’s secession. However, the restoration of the naval force was one of the initial initiatives undertaken by the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed when he assumed office in early 2018.

Over the last five years, with the assistance of friendly nations, the Naval Force has been formally reestablished, with efforts focused on organizing the military subdivision and training officers. Naval Force officials have stated that the navy has been well-organized in recent years, with ongoing efforts for further expansion. They also mentioned that the navy has been involved in on-ground activities, such as participating in life-saving operations in the Somali region during recent flooding incidents.

The Naval Force is currently providing training for its officers abroad, and plans are underway to establish a naval training facility in Bishoftu, a naval academy in Bahir Dar, and other locations. The construction of the naval headquarters in the Marsh/Musiqegna Camp area, located between Minilik Hospital and Jan-Meda, is also being prepared. The current headquarters is temporarily located at the former Ministry of Defense headquarters near the National Theater in the city center.

Five years ago, the Naval Force conducted a comprehensive study to identify suitable coastal regions for the future naval base. The study suggested several potential sites in the surrounding area, and naval officers confirmed during the recent tour and discussion that they are ready to proceed with the development of the facility in Somaliland.

By Muluken Yewondwossen

The recent introduction of a visa waiver for Ethiopian travelers visiting Kenya has resulted in difficulties and changes in the entry process. The Ethiopian government is currently evaluating the situation.

Since Saturday, January 6th, Ethiopian visitors to Kenya have been experiencing a new and different process compared to before. According to the agreement between the two countries, Ethiopian travelers are not required to obtain a visa to enter Kenya. However, as of last week, Ethiopian travelers have encountered new incidents upon arrival in Kenya.

Travelers have expressed their frustration about the requirement to fill out extensive online paperwork upon arrival and the need to make electronic payments instead of using cash. At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, one passenger shared their experience of being asked for an International Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever, despite being a frequent traveler to the country.

The visa waiver program, which Kenya implemented on January 1st, officially took effect for flights departing from Ethiopia on Saturday, January 6th. The program includes waiving business and tourist visas for all nationalities and eliminating the need for electronic travel authorizations (ETAs) for citizens of the East African Community (EAC).

Under the new scheme, starting from January 1, 2024, foreign nationals, regardless of their country of origin, can enter Kenya for business or tourism purposes without a visa for stays of up to 90 days. However, all foreign nationals are required to obtain an ETA online in advance of their trip, with a fee of USD 30.

Passengers from Ethiopia are facing unforeseen challenges due to the new system. They are required to stay at the airport to fill out a digital form using their mobile devices, provide certain documents that they may not have readily available, and make the necessary payment online. Owning digital foreign currency is uncommon among Ethiopians, making it difficult for them to meet these requirements at the border when arriving in Kenyan airports.

The Ethiopian embassy in Kenya is actively assessing the situation, and officials in Addis Ababa are monitoring it closely. However, further information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently unavailable.

Kenya’s new ETA system requires travelers to provide a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining and one blank page, proof of hotel reservation, and personal information. Additional documentation, such as proof of financial resources and return ticket confirmation, may be required for certain travelers. Business visitors must provide official government registration documents of their company and an invitation letter from the host company.

ETAs are becoming a common requirement worldwide in countries that have visa exemptions as a means for governments to track and monitor the entry and exit of visa-exempt travelers.