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Africa and the European Union A partnership for the future

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By Josep Borrell and Jutta Urpilainen

Europe looks increasingly at Africa – but with new eyes. There is ambition to lift our partnership to another level. We want to engage Africa’s youth are determined to build their own future, ideally in partnership with others.
The European Union wants to make sure we do this together: not for but with Africa. This is also our approach in the proposal towards a new comprehensive strategy with Africa. The Strategy is a start for an intense dialogue on our shared priorities, with the finishing line at the European Union – African Union Summit in October. At the Summit, we should jointly agree on concrete deliverables to benefit the lives of African and European citizens alike. The Summit should serve as a catalyst.
The new EU leadership has put Africa at the very top of its agenda. The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel have been to Africa within weeks after taking office. Last week we travelled to Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Sudan.
Meanwhile, Africa is changing too and this change is driven by economic dynamism and the world’s youngest population. Regional integration is also advancing: with the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA), the continent is aiming to create the biggest trade area since the founding of the World Trade Organisation. Our twin continent is indeed in many ways the place for the future: be it climate change, digitalism, sustainable growth, fair economy and security, it is Africa, where the globally important decisions are going to be taken.
Regrettably, multilateralism is being undermined just when we need it most. The two biggest trends shaping our world – climate change and the digital revolution – are changing both continents. This is why Africa and Europe should stand up for a model of international cooperation, based on rules-based multilateralism, political freedom, solidarity and human dignity. Inclusivity will enable us to harness the full potential of our citizens, including the youth and women.
Other players are increasingly active in Africa. What is distinct about the EU, is that we put human development and sustainability at the heart of our vision: the right of people to shape their own lives in freedom and with their rights protected.
Progress in Africa is real, but there are still many challenges: enduring poverty, conflicts and democratic rights are under threat. The expected doubling of Africa’s population presents real opportunities but also demands action. We need to be ambitious but also realistic and focused on what works.
The key factor driving us to revamp our partnership is not our geographical proximity, shared past nor personal links. What really drives our partnership is our shared future and shared interests.
What forms the essence of a future-oriented EU-Africa partnership? This week the European Commission puts forward its proposal for a strategy for a partnership with Africa . The agenda is built on the following building blocks:
The Green transition and energy access. The climate crisis makes ambitious climate action imperative. But the green transition is also a new growth strategy. Let us work together to create green jobs in renewables and sustainable urbanisation.
The digital transformation. Africa is already embracing the digital revolution. Look at the transformational effects of e-payment systems. Let us maximise the potential to leapfrog and use the digital economy to drive economic growth.
Sustainable growth and jobs. The economic dynamism in Africa is real. Working together, we can unleash the potential especially of young people and women. The ACFTA has the potential to be a game changer.
Peace and governance. Silencing the guns was the theme of the last AU Summit. As the AU steps up, the EU is ready to do more. The new European Peace Facility will enable us to do more together. For peace to be sustainable, it must be anchored in local political dynamics.
Migration and mobility. It is a fact that migration is happening at unprecedented scale – mostly within Africa. Demographic and economic trends suggest it will remain a big feature on the Europe-African agenda. We need comprehensive and balanced approach, based on partnership and joint responsibility.
Above all, Africa and EU need to be partners for multilateralism, defending a sustainable vision of how to organise societies and the international order, based on human rights and the SDGs, and engaging with youth. Precisely because these principles are openly questioned.
We are ready to take a leap forward in the Europe-Africa relations. Both sides will need to invest in it. Europe for its part is ambitious and keen to discuss with our African partners how we can shape our shared future together.
Josep Borrell is EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission.
Jutta Urpilainen is European Commissioner for International Partnerships.

Mujib Kasim leads EPL top scorers’ chart

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With such a fast and furious pace Fasil Ketema’s goal machine Mujib Kasim is sure to write a new chapter in football history book at the end of the season surpassing the 25 goals record set by St George striker Getaneh Kebede. Addis Gedey of Sidama Bunna and Biruk Beyene of Hawassa are joint seconds from afar.
Almost a goal per game Mujib managed to net more than half of the club’s 25 goals tally at the end of the ongoing league season first round. A hat trick over Diredawa Ketema, Mujib’s marksmanship helped Fasil to stay strong in the title race finishing second in the table with 26 points from 15 matches. Bagging 14 goals Mujib stands far ahead of his contenders.
Though Sidama Bunna revived late in to the end of the first round, one man strike force Addis Gidey appeared to get some rust. His contribution so far in the season is minimal that is nine out of the 28 goal tally thus sharing second place with Hawassa’s Biruk Beyene stands joint second scoring nine of the eighteen goal the club scored.
Fitsum Alemu of Baherdar and Baye Gezahne from Wolayta Dicha stand joint third each scoring eight goals. The upcoming game changer Abel Yalew of St George has scored seven goals while five players: Amanuel G/Kidan of Mekele, Fitsum G/Mariam of Sebeta, Getaneh kebede, Okiki Afolabi of Mekele and Yigezu Bogale of Sidama are next in the rank each banging in six goals.

“Ethio-Electric club is in dangerous cross road” Hailu Woldu

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The 60 year old Electric FC is said to be in a dangerous cross road of losing its existence unless otherwise an immediate action is taken by the Board of directors that comprised of the two institutions that are Ethio-Electric Power and Electric Utility. In his brief stay with ETV sport program Hailu Woldu stated that the club participating in the 32 sides Ethiopian Super League since three years is in critical situation for there appears no one is responsible for what is going within the club despite an annual budget of nearly one hundred million Birr.
Former Electric player, currently an administrative manager at Electric Utility who is running for Addis Ababa Football Federation Executive body told ETV sport that the current situation is part of the partition of the giant Power Corporation in to two different government institutions: Power and Utility.
According to Hailu both Chief Executives are enthusiastic in supporting the club pumping in more than 80 million Birr annual budget. But the once famous football club is struggling to survive due to lack of proper guidance from the board of directors dominated by individuals from the Utility. “Major decisions are taken without the knowledge of the full Board members” Hailu remarked.
Insiders disclosed that the chairman of the board of directors and Utility Human Resource Executive Essayas Dembel has submitted his resignation amidst a corruption probe by internal audit. “I am not sure but I heard Essayas is no more active in the decision making” Hailu stated in his interview.” There are so many actors surrounding the club administration pocketing good salary and yet it is ruining day after day” Hailu added.
Sacking the first team coach Anwar Yasin following a huge rejection from club supporters for poor results, former player turned Coach Gulelat Ferde named a makeshift coach for the club ten points behind the group top spot.

Kenenisa breaks Mo Farah’s course record

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Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele broke Mo Farah’s course record in the men’s Vitality Big Half race in London with a time of one hour and 22 seconds.
Kenenisa shaved 1:18 minutes off the record set in 2019 by Briton Farah, who missed out with an Achilles injury. Britain’s Lily Partridge won the elite women’s race for the first time with a time of 1:10:50. Kenenisa’s victory sets up an exciting head-to-battle with Eliud Kipchoge, as the two fastest marathon runners of all time line up for April’s race.
“The new course record is a great bonus. I wasn’t focused on time today, I just wanted to win,” said Kenenisa Bekele. “I’m on schedule in my preparation for the London Marathon in April. There’s no question about the crowds in London being great.
“They were cheering all around the course and it felt like a great place to be.”
Britain’s Christopher Thompson finished second in the men’s race, with Jake Smith in third. The full London marathon will take place on Sunday, 26 April.
Partridge – running in her third London half-marathon – cruised to victory in the women’s race. Her compatriots Samantha Harrison and Stephanie Davis finished second and third respectively. “My coach said to me before the start that the goal was to win,” said Partridge. “It wasn’t about the time today. It’s my fastest ever half marathon during a marathon build-up.”