“There must be no return to violence,” declared a joint statement from twenty-four embassies based in Addis Ababa and the European Union delegation, responding to the escalating tensions in Ethiopia’s Tigray region.

The embassies stated they are “monitoring ongoing developments and the escalating tensions in northern Ethiopia.” They called for de-escalation and dialogue, pledging support for the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement.

“We re-emphasize our full support for the cessation of hostilities agreement of November 2022, which silenced the guns. There must be no return to violence. We strongly urge all parties to protect the agreement by de-escalating and engaging in urgent dialogue. We stand ready to support you,” the joint statement added.

The statement was endorsed by the USA, UK, New Zealand, Japan, Norway, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Hungary, The Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Finland, Sweden, and the European Union.

The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) and Eritrea have signed an agreement for $19.5 million in grant funding for the Desert to Power Eritrea 12MW Mini Grid Project.

Eritrea’s Minister of Finance and National Development, who is also the Bank Group Governor for the country, Dr. Ghiorghish Teklemichae, signed on behalf of the government during a 10 March signing ceremony.  The Bank Group’s Deputy Director General for East Africa, Dr. Léandre Bassole, represented the institution.

The financing, to be sourced from the Bank Group’s Transitional Support Facility (TSF), will support the rollout of mini-grids that will generate 12MW of electricity across the regions of Teseney (6MW), Kerekebet (3MW), and Barentu (3MW).

The project will be implemented by the national Ministry of Energy, the Eritrea Electricity Corporation (EEC) and local companies under the supervision and guidance of a design and engineering technical consulting firm to be contracted.

“We are proud to say that Africa is working with Africa to bring change to Africa,” Minister Teklemichae said during the signing ceremony. “This is for the good of our people and we are ready to work with you.”

The project is expected to provide improved energy access to more than 235,000 Eritreans, 20 percent of them women and youth. Beneficiaries will include residential households, small-scale farms, agro-processing zones, and water supply systems. The project will additionally benefit over 160 schools and 90 health centers in the Gash Barka region.

To build local capacity and ensure project sustainability, 25 local companies will be trained and equipped with tools and machinery.

Ethiopian Investment Holdings has announced the appointment of Abel Tadesse to head the Ethiopian Insurance Corporation. This strategic move comes as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen developmental organizations in the country.

Founded in 1975, Ethiopian Insurance Corporation has played a pivotal role in the nation’s economic landscape, particularly in the insurance sector. With nearly 50 years of experience, the organization has been a key player in driving investment and fostering growth in various industries.

Abel brings with him a wealth of experience, having served in significant roles within the insurance sector, including as a senior executive at Awash Insurance. His leadership is expected to provide fresh insights and bolster the corporation’s operations as it navigates the complexities of the Ethiopian market.

The regional commissions of the United Nations convened a high-level interactive dialogue at the United Nations Headquarters to present the outcomes of the regional Beijing+30 reviews and outline next steps to accelerate gender equality.

Held during the sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the dialogue underscored both progress and persistent challenges in implementing the Beijing Platform for Action.

In his address, Mr. Claver Gatete, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to gender equality, stressing the urgency of removing structural barriers to women’s empowerment.

“While Africa has made significant strides in education, political representation, and women’s involvement in peace and security, deep-rooted inequalities persist. Women’s economic exclusion, the gender digital divide, and the impact of debt burdens on gender-responsive investments must be addressed with urgency,” he stated.