A number of official reports indicates that Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are not essential for feeding the world, but if they were to lead to increased productivity, did not harm the environment and did not negatively impact biodiversity and human health. The fact is that GMO technology would still be owned and controlled by certain very powerful interests. Several scholars strongly argued that, in their hands, this technology is first and foremost an instrument of corporate power, a tool to ensure profit.
Professor Michael Hudson, a well known American Professor in International Economic Relations argued that, American foreign policy has almost always been based on agricultural exports, not on industrial exports as people might think. It’s by agriculture and control of the food supply that American diplomacy has been able to control most of the Third World. Professor Michael Hudson further noted that the Project for a New American Century and the Wolfowitz Doctrine show that United States foreign policy is about power, control and ensuring global supremacy at any cost, and part of the plan for attaining world domination rests on the United States controlling agriculture and hijacking food sovereignty and nations’ food security.
In his book ‘Seeds of Destruction’, William Engdahl traces how the oil-rich Rockefeller family translated its massive wealth into political clout and set out to capture agriculture in the United States and then globally via the ‘green revolution’. GMOs represent more of the same due to the patenting and the increasing monopolisation of seeds by a handful of mainly United States companies, such as Monsanto, DuPont and Bayer.
Findings of a report by researchers at Cambridge University in the UK indicated that in India, Monsanto has sucked millions from agriculture in recent years via royalties, and farmers have been compelled to spend beyond their means to purchase seeds and chemical inputs. The report also indicated that a combination of debt, economic liberalization and a shift to GMO cash crops such as cotton, has caused hundreds of thousands of farmers to experience economic distress, while corporations have extracted huge profits. BBC reported by quoting an official figures as of 2013 that over 270,000 farmers in India have committed suicide since the mid to late nineties.
Agriculture is the bedrock of many societies, yet it is being recast for the benefit of rich agritech, retail and food processing concerns. Official report released by GRAIN recently stated that small farms are under immense pressure and food security is being undermined, not least because the small farm produces most of the world’s food. Whether through land grabs and takeovers, the production of non-food cash crops for export, greater chemical inputs or seed patenting and the eradication of seed sharing among farmers, profits are guaranteed for agritech corporations and institutional land investors.
Vandana Shiva, a noted Indian social activist argued that the dominant notions that underpin economic ‘growth’, modern agriculture and ‘development’ are based on a series of assumption that betray a mindset steeped in arrogance and contempt: the planet should be cast in an urban-centic, ethnocentric model whereby the rural is to be looked down on, nature must be dominated, farmers are a problem to be removed from the land and traditional ways are backward and in need of remedy.
She stated that Western corporations are to implement the remedy by determining policies at the World Trade Organization, IMF and World Bank with help from compliant politicians and officials, in order to depopulate rural areas and drive folk to live in cities to then strive for a totally unsustainable, undeliverable, environment-destroying, conflict-driving, consumerist version of the American Dream.
According to Vandana Shiva, it is interesting and disturbing to note that ‘developing’ nations account for more than 80% of world population, but consume only about a third of the world’s energy. United States citizens constitute 5% of the world’s population, but consume 24% of the world’s energy. On average, one American consumes as much energy as two Japanese, six Mexicans, 13 Chinese, 31 Indians, 128 Bangladeshis, 307 Tanzanians and 370 Ethiopians.
Professor Arundhati Roy of Indonesia stated that despite the environmental and social devastation caused, the outcome is regarded as successful just because business interests that benefit from this point to a growth in GDP. Chopping down an entire forest that people had made a living sustainably from for centuries and selling the timber, selling more poisons to spray on soil or selling pharmaceuticals to address the health impacts of the petrochemical food production model would indeed increase GDP. It’s all good for business. And what is good for business is good for everyone else, or so the lie goes.
Food policy analyst Devinder Sharma adamantly argued that the ‘green revolution’ and now GMOs are ultimately not concerned with feeding the world, securing well-rounded nutritious diets or ensuring health and environmental safety. Biotechnological innovations have always had a role to play in improving agriculture, but the post-1945 model of agriculture has been driven by powerful corporations like Monsanto, which are firmly linked to Pentagon and Wall Street interests. Motivated by self-interest but wrapped up in trendy PR about ‘feeding the world’ or imposing austerity to ensure prosperity, the publicly stated intentions of the United States state-corporate cabal should never be taken at face value.
Devinder Sharma further noted that, in India, Monsanto and Walmart had a major role in drawing up the Knowledge Initiative on Agriculture. Monsanto now funds research in public institutions and its presence and influence compromises what should in fact be independent decision and policy making bodies. According to Devinder Sharma, Monsanto is a driving force behind what could eventually lead to the restructuring and subjugation of India by the United States. The IMF and Monsanto are also working to ensure Ukraine’s subservience to United States geopolitical aims via the capture of land and agriculture.
William Engdahl in the above mentioned book stated that only the completely naive would believe that rich institutional investors in land and big agribusiness and its backers in the United States State Department have humanity’s interests at heart. At the very least, their collective aim is profit. Beyond that and to facilitate it, the need to secure United States global hegemony is paramount.
According to William Engdahl, the science surrounding GMOs is becoming increasingly politicized and bogged down in detailed arguments about whose methodologies, results, conclusions and science show what and why. The bigger picture however is often in danger of being overlooked. GMO is not just about ‘science’. As an issue, GMO and the chemical-industrial model is linked to ultimately a geopolitical one driven by power and profit.
Profit, Power and Geopolitics in GMO
Denmark at the heart of sustainability
Denmark is by and large considered as a leader to emulate when it comes to actively contributing towards global challenges with sustainable developments.
Despite being a small Nordic country, Denmark has been very influential across the world owing to the country’s approach of understanding first the issues of a particular country and then working in mutual cooperation to combat common issues. This has led to Denmark in establishing a great rapport with numerous countries across the globe.
This great rapport is also reflected in Ethiopia’s relation with Denmark which can be traced back to the late 60s where the diplomatic relations of the two countries were cemented on the 5th of April 1967.  Following this establishment, Denmark started providing aid and assistance to Ethiopia through the Danish International Development Agency, DANIDA.
Over the decades, Denmark in Ethiopia has played an integral role in smart agriculture, sustainable forest management, increase access to green energy and has significantly improved the sustainable use of water resources.
In light of Denmark’s tremendous efforts at the heart of Ethiopia’s sustainability, Capital’s Groum Abate, reached out to Danish Ambassador to Ethiopia Kira Smith Sindbjerg, for in-depth insights on the two countries blossoming bilateral relations. The following are excerpts from the candid interview;Â
Capital: How has Denmark’s relationship with Ethiopia evolved over the years, and what steps have been taken to strengthen this relationship?
 Kira Smith Sindbjerg: The relationship between our two countries is strong and dates back many years. On the wall in my office, I have photographs of the State Visit in 1954 of His Excellency Emperor Haile Selassie to Copenhagen, meeting with the then King and Queen of Denmark. These photos remind me of the long history between our countries. But much have happened since then, and with our Ethiopian partners we work every day to strengthen this partnership. In 2004, Denmark opened an Embassy in Addis Ababa, and since 2018 we have had a comprehensive development cooperation between our two countries, supporting government partners, civil society, multilateral organisations and local communities to contribute to Ethiopia’s development goals. And more specifically to promote inclusive and sustainable growth, democratic reforms and human rights. Denmark and Ethiopia are also working closely together in the field of climate change and energy. Denmark is supporting forest preservation in Kaffa Zone in Southwest Region, and we have a long-running government to government cooperation to support the integration of renewable energy into the national energy grid.
 Capital: Can you discuss a successful program or initiative that Denmark has implemented in Ethiopia, and how it has benefited both countries?
Kira Smith Sindbjerg: Denmark has been supporting Ethiopia’s Agriculture Transformation Agency – or Institute, as it is known now, ATI, since 2014. Cooperation in the agricultural sector and contributing to more efficient and commercially viable farming makes very good sense. Both Denmark and Ethiopia have large and important agricultural sectors and much can be gained from learning from one another. Another example is our cooperation in the energy sector, where Danish energy experts are working closely with the Ministry of Water and Energy and the Ethiopian Electrical Power (EEP) e.g. on energy planning and modelling. This is a close and very successful cooperation based on an equal partnership and peer-to-peer learning.
Capital: Denmark is known for its innovative approach to sustainability and green energy. How do you plan to promote and enhance Denmark’s sustainability efforts in Ethiopia?
Kira Smith Sindbjerg: The cooperation in the energy sector has inspired us to replicate this model also in the water sector. In addition to supporting Ethiopia’s OneWash strategy with 29 mio. USD over a 3 -year period, we are in the process of establishing a government-to-government cooperation on water. Under this programme, Danish water sector experts will be working closely together with Sidama Regional State, the city of Hawassa and the city administration in Dire Dawa to increase access to clean water and improve ground water management. Access to clean water and efficient water management is key for health and development, and we are proud to work together with our Ethiopian partners to achieve this.
Another example of cooperation in green energy, is the Assela Wind Farm, which is being constructed in Assela in Arsi zone. This wind farm – is expected when finished to have 29 wind turbines providing green and sustainable energy to 300,000 households. The wind farm is being built with Danish wind turbines produced by Siemens Gamesa Renwable Energy. This project is a strategic project for both Denmark and Ethiopia, to show that wind farm investments on a large scale is viable in Ethiopia, hopefully paving the way for more investments and additional wind energy projects.
 Capital: What are your comments on latest developments regarding humanitarian operations and the current situation in Tigray Region?
Kira Smith Sindbjerg: While full of potential for growth and development, Ethiopia is also currently facing many challenges. One of those is the dire humanitarian situation for millions of people across the country – due to drought, floods, conflicts and displacement. Supporting the needs of the Ethiopian population is a key priority of the Danish development and humanitarian work in the country. Last year, Denmark provided 33 million USD to humanitarian assistance in Ethiopia, enabling our UN and civil society partners to save lives in the crisis situations across the country. Denmark is committed to continue providing humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia as well as to other countries in the region, having supported humanitarian assistance in Somalia and Kenya as well. Latest, Denmark has provided 7 million USD to support civilians in Sudan fleeing the devastating conflict in Khartoum and elsewhere.
The situation in Tigray and the continuing implementation of the Pretoria agreement is encouraging, and I warmly welcome the parties’ commitment to respecting the agreement that has effectively silenced the guns in Tigray since 2 November 2022. I recently visited Tigray and witnessed the many challenges this region faces to reconstruct and rebuild basic services. Further, the road of the transitional justice process and to ensure accountability will be long. But this should be a top priority for the government and we as partners are ready to support it. Only by ensuring full justice can the wounds of the conflict truly heal and Ethiopia can move on.
Capital: What is Denmark’s involvement in the preparations for the upcoming National Dialogue?
Kira Smith Sindbjerg: The National Dialogue process is an important opportunity to achieve coherence and peaceful coexistence in Ethiopia, and it’s very positive that the Parliament and the National Dialogue Commission have started the preparations. Denmark has previously supported civil society organisations in promoting dialogue as a tool for conflict resolution nationally and between communities. I look forward to the official launch of the National Dialogue process and we are hoping to support the process through our UNDP partners together with EU and other partners. I believe that a credible and inclusive dialogue process where all voices – including from women, youth and minorities – are heard and treated as equal is our main goal. Without taking inclusive perspectives into account, the National Dialogue process as such is at risk.
Capital: What is the trade relation between the two countries, and what have you been done to boost trade relations?
Kira Smith Sindbjerg: Promoting trade and investments between Denmark and Ethiopia is a key part of our work at the Danish Embassy. While there is still room for improvement, our numbers suggest that trade – both from Ethiopia to Denmark and vice-versa increased from 2021 to 2022. The Danish companies working in Ethiopia range from large and world-renown companies like pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk and water pump manufacturer Grundfos, to smaller start-up companies, such as the fintech company Jamii.One, working to bring Danish knowhow and solutions to Ethiopia. From the Embassy, we are doing our best to help companies navigate the Ethiopian market and regulations in order to promote increased investment and trade between our two countries. We believe that Danish companies – whether in agribusiness, water, green energy, tech and digital or other areas – have key solutions and knowhow that can benefit the Ethiopian markets and contribute to economic growth and sustainable development.
Capital: Ethiopian Airlines started flying directly to Copenhagen starting at the end of May. Will this help better the relations between the two countries?
Kira Smith Sindbjerg: When Ethiopian Airlines arrived in Copenhagen on 22 May it represented a great leap forward in the relations between our countries. We hope that this direct flight will lead to greater trade, and increased tourism – both Ethiopians visiting Denmark, and Danes visiting Ethiopia, drawn by your rich culture and history, amazing natural sights, famous hospitality, and not least great coffee and 13 months of sunshine.
Capital: Do you have other development assistance being implemented in the country?
Kira Smith Sindbjerg: Denmark has a broad ranging and long running development cooperation engagement with Ethiopia. Denmark’s development engagements aim to promote economic growth, democratic reforms, climate and livelihoods as well as agricultural development and human rights. We work with a range of partners and with a budget of USD 160 million from 2018 to 2024. Ethiopia is actually one of the largest recipients of Danish development assistance. Denmark is a large donor to the Agricultural Transformation Institute as well as the PSNP safety nets programme, supporting the needs of the many people across the country struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table. Among our many focus areas are also the health and rights of women and girls, as we are working with our UN partners to empower women as well as to help women who have been victims of sexual and gender based violence, which sadly has become even more acute after the conflict in the northern part of the country.
Capital: You are bidding for the UN Security Council for 2025. Can you tell us about that?Â
Kira Smith Sindbjerg: Our candidature for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council is a natural extension of our strong and longstanding commitment to the UN and international cooperation. We believe that dialogue, partnership and mutual respect are the foundation for moving the world forward together. As a small country, we understand the value of an international order, where all countries – large and small – have an equal voice based on the principle of sovereign equality. If elected to the Security Council, we will be a strong voice for small states and continue advocating for reform towards a more accountable, coherent, transparent and effective Security Council. We will also work to enhance the meaningful participation of elected members, non-members and civil society in the work of the Council. Denmark has a long and solid track-record of working to bridge divides and promote cross-regional partnerships to solve common challenges. We take pride in finding common ground. This is the spirit of cooperation that we will bring to the Security Council.
From Addis Ababa to Jerusalem
In celebration of World Music Day, the Alliance Ethio-francaise pays tribute to the renowned piano queen, Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou, with the theme of ‘From Addis Ababa to Jerusalem.’ On June 21, 2023, the event honors Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam through a captivating photo exhibition, followed by a remarkable piano concert featuring performances by Girma Yifrashewa and Mathieu Odoux.
Claude Blevin, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of France, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “For the second time, the Alliance Ethio-francaise celebrates World Music Day, delighting music lovers with the world of the great French composer Claude Debussy. Music is the expression of the inexpressible.”
Teguest Yilma, President of the Alliance Ethio-francaise, highlighted the exceptional career of Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam and thanked Francis Falceto for bringing her music to light in the Ethiopiques collection. Teguest stated, “The late Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Gebru was a pianist and composer with a fundamental vocation in a tormented life. Everything else is merely misfortunate and a consequence of loss.”
Born in 1923 in Addis Ababa as Yewubdar Gebru, she later adopted the name Emahoy Tsige-Mariam. Hailing from an upper-class family, she was sent to a boarding school in Switzerland at the age of six, where she studied violin. At the young age of 21, she became a nun and resided in the Gishen-Mariam Monastery.
In 1984, Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam fled Ethiopia and found solace in Jerusalem. Living quietly in a small cell of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, she dedicated most of her time to her faith and her beloved piano. Her enigmatic music, a combination of Ethiopian traditional songs, classical influences, early jazz, gospel, ragtime, and the choral traditions of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, gained global recognition through Francis Falceto’s Ethiopiques series. In 2006, an album of her archive recordings was released as part of the Éthiopiques compilation albums of Ethiopian music, in collaboration with the record label Buda Music.
Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam, who passed away at the age of 99 on March 28, left behind a remarkable legacy. Her compositions continue to captivate listeners with their unique fusion of musical styles. The exhibition, opening on June 21, will showcase her life and work, allowing visitors to appreciate the depth and richness of her musical contributions. The exhibition will remain open until mid-July, offering an extended opportunity for the public to immerse themselves in the world of this extraordinary artist.
The commemoration of Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou and her journey from Addis Ababa to Jerusalem not only honors her individual brilliance but also serves as a reminder of the power of music to transcend boundaries and touch the hearts of people worldwide. Through her compositions, Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam has left an indelible mark on the global music scene, weaving together diverse musical traditions and creating a tapestry of beauty and inspiration.
Supporting AS Port
The ceremony for the donation of a large quantity of sports materials and equipment took place on June 20, 2023 at DMP. The event was attended by notable guests, including Djama Ibrahim Darar, Director General of PDSA/DMP, XU Song, Managing Director of China Merchant Port Group, Souleiman Waberi Hared, President of the Football Federation, Iltireh President of AS Port, and other distinguished individuals.
This ceremony, sponsored by CM Port Group for the football club, symbolizes the strong friendship and collaboration between PDSA/DMP and China Merchant Port Group. The generous support from the Chinese conglomerate underscores their dedication to promoting sports and fostering relations with the historic Port and its primary subsidiary, DMP.
AS Port, established in 1978 by Saad Omar Guelleh, Mohamed Ali Kako, and Aboubaker Asso, is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in national football. The club upholds a remarkable and enduring legacy aligned with the vision of its founders. Notably, AS Port holds the most titles in the country, having won the Djibouti championship seven times and securing second place on five occasions.
The club’s accomplishments extend beyond league victories, as they have also emerged victorious in the Djibouti Cup on nine occasions, with prestigious awards presented by President Ismael Omar Guelleh.
The partnership between AS Port and China Merchant Port Group exemplifies a shared commitment to promoting sports development and forging strong ties between PDSA/DMP and China Merchants Port Group. AS Port seeks to leverage the resources and expertise of their sponsors to further strengthen the club’s position.
