Statements from the executive bodies of the Amhara Democratic Party (ADP) and Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) clearly shows they are not interested in working together like they did for the past 27 years.
Like rivals both insulted, criticized and undermined each other in statements that brought about negative responses from many academicians and political groups.
TPLF’s statement heavily criticizing ADP said the party failed to secure regional peace and security. It went on to say that they hosted parasite groups working to destabilize the nation.
The statement listed seven points asking EPRDF to allow independent investigators to look into the groups behind the assassination of the late Commander in Chief of the army General Seare Mekonen and his friend.
The statement also asked ADP to apologize to the Ethiopian people for creating a lax security environment which failed to protect the ADP leaders, Ambachew Mekonen and Ezez Wasse, and Migbaru Kebede.
TPLF also asked EPRDF what the schedule and plan is for next year election.
TPLF slammed EPRDF for failing the nation’s security.
“Working with the groups who are devoted to federalism is the number one priority of the party and the party will fully collaborate in bringing peace,’’ the TPLF statement reads.
TPLF also said that the Sidama people’s request for the establishment of their own state should be handled rightly in accordance with the constitution.
ADP responded strongly to the TPLF statement saying “TPLF is the one who caused the country to have a nasty political situation.”
“TPLF is the one that bit the country and put us in trouble and it is the one who barked as if it was pure behind every problem. If the party was standing for justice it would have extradited the criminals who hide in Tigray, who are alleged of committing crimes against the Ethiopian people. But instead it is collaborating with the groups who are working to disturb the county and the region,” reads the ADP statement.
Professor Merera Gudina leader of the Oromo Federalist Congress told Capital that both parties bitter rivalry is the result of different views of reform and old hidden attitude not cooperating to work toward common goals.
“It is not surprising. Because it was in their mind and what happens now. They both rule the nation and should bring a solution before undermining each other not give us bread instead it will get us into trouble. EPRDF as a party should bring other parties who work for good democracy and must make a national consensus to give a better light to our country.”
Benyam G/Hanna, a political science graduate from Addis Ababa University says the dispute between ADP and TPLF is the result of conspiracy theories in the EPRDF house.
“We don’t know the real game in the country, there are games being played in the ruling party which are filled by a hidden agenda and this has cost us lives. One group is trying to hold the full power and public acceptance by making conspiracies and if the party does not come with a genuine agreement our country will be submerged into great chaos and disorder.’’
Professor Beyene Petros, Ethiopia Social-Democratic Party (ESDP) Chairman sees both party statements as childish. They do not address the country’s real problems.
“If there is a problem among parties they must sit and come with a solution but they are not doing that. Instead, they are giving statements which undermine the Ethiopian people. What is needed is a solution, what we need is someone who to give us hope and stopping us from getting in trouble,’’ he said.
Kinfemicheal Debebe (Abebe Kesto) who was member of the Ethiopian Democratic Party and the Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJP) and was released from prison last year said that TPLF can’t blame ADP for the murder of the Amhara Region’s leaders.
“Security is a huge issue. Decades ago Kinfe G/Medhin was assassinated and ADP did not blame TPLF, when Haylom Araya was killed ADP did not say TPLF was getting the country into trouble. What TPLF said is a very bizarre opinion to me. Any how’s the real thing that EPRDF should do now is looking inside itself not wasting time on undermining one another which bring us nothing for us,’’ he added .
ADP, TPLF fight will create chaos: Politicians
City truck ban affect exports
On Monday July 8 the Addis Ababa City Administration banned heavy trucks from driving through the city between 6:30 am and 8pm to speed up traffic flow. Now exporters using air cargo are saying they should be exempt.
The change has been visible as traffic jams have improved significantly during rush hour.
Tewodros Zewdie, Executive Director of the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA), said that even though the decision has made a dent in traffic snarls, other side effects were not taken into consideration. According to Tewodros, Ethiopian flowers are exported via airfreight on both passenger and cargo flights.
“The flight schedules vary and our members need to be able to transport their products any time to Bole International Airport, which is the main hub for Ethiopian cargo mainly for flowers and meat export,” the Executive Director told Capital.
But based on the new directive issued by the Addis Ababa Cabinet,trucks that transport the perishable products to the airport are forced to stop their movement and fined, according to information that Capital obtained.
“We appreciate the directive but there should be several schemes like allowing movement of perishable export products, since the flight schedule is on a different timeframe and arranged by airlines,” Tewodros said.
People in the horticulture sector complained that the current problem affects the quality of their products which might force them to discard the flowers. Tewodros acknowledge that the association does not have any quantitative evidence so far about the effect of the new rule on their business.
“So far we do not have latest analysis but definitely the current situation will affect the quality of our members’ product,” he explained.
He said that in the past couple of days he has talked about the issue with relevant government bodies like the Addis Ababa City Transport Programs Management Office, who controls the scheme. This morning I was talking with people in the government about how best to move our products,” he told Capital on Friday July 12.He mentioned that city officials told him the city cabinet may make some changes.
Kenya and Ethiopia are the top flower exporters on the African continent.
Meat exporters said that they are also being affected. Abattoirs are complaining that their products have been stranded. They claimed that the quality of the product, which is sensitive, will be affected by any interruption.
Semere Jelalu, Traffic Safety and Management Deputy Head at Addis Ababa City Transport Programs Management Office, told Capital that trucks can pay a fee to operate in the city.
In the day time to move in the city from 10 am to 4 pm trucks must pay 500 birr per day, while on peak hours in the morning and evening they have to pay 1,000 birr per day, according to Semere.
The new rules allow medium trucks like vehicles that have a capacity of 3.5 tons to move from 10 am to 4 pm freely.
“Since the beginning of the new scheme we did not stop any trucks of the stated sectors but if they did not pay and take the document that allows their movement they might be penalized by traffic police,” he said.
“The aim of the fee is to discourage them from driving during the day and rush hour and to re-arrange their schedule,” he added.
But he said that exporters are complaining about the fee.
“The directive is issued by the City Administration that is also responsible to amend the directive in favor of such sectors,” Traffic Safety and Management Deputy Head at Addis Ababa City Transport Programs Management Office explained.
Capital tried to talk with Wondemu Felate, Public Relations head at Ministry of Trade and Industry about the issue but was not successful.
GPS tracking a mandate for Cargo trucks
The customs commission will draft a law mandating that tracking devices be installed on cargo trucks as a measure to better monitor customs crossings and make sure the trucks are going where they say they are.
Tracking devices are pricy, the customs commission had hoped to convince companies to put the devices in voluntarily but the devices’ pricy cost made transporters reluctant.
“Transporters have shown no interest in installing the device because the cost of maintenance is too expensive” said Debele Kabeta, who leads the customs commission.
Previously a company won a 20 thousand birr bid to provide the monitoring device and 33 USD to maintain them.
Debele says this new rule will make transporters provide better logistics service.
Ethiopia wants to improve cargo standards as it lags behind neighboring Kenya, which has an average of 80,000 trucks on its Kenya-Mombasa route, whereas 13,500 travel the Ethio-Djibouti route.
These monitoring systems can provide information on fuel consumption, reduce speeding and accidents and help manage idle and maintenance time. Transporters will have to have the device installed on trucks to be allowed to work in the country.
AAU opens library donated by MIDROC
MIDROC Technology Group has transferred a new library building to Addis Ababa University dedicated for the Institute of Ethiopian Studies on July 11, 2019.
The imputes building the library came about when Prof. Andreas Eshete, who at the time was president of AAU, honored Sheik Mohammed Ali Al Amoudi with an honorary degree for his contribution to Ethiopia’s development.
CEO of MIDROC and president of Unity University Arega Yirdaw (PhD) handed over the key to the President of AAU Professor Tassew WoldeHana in the presence of dignitaries, communities of AAU and senior staff of MIDROC Technology Group.
“Sheik Mohammed believes that education is the key sector to transcend the county to development and civilization and this building is part of that strong firm,” said Arega Yirdaw.
The new building has two stories that rest on 6,240sqm. It holds a modern auditorium with 250 seats, four reading rooms an office and well-designed manuscript rooms, elevators and cooling systems.
MIDROC companies like MEPA Contracting and Management, Modern Building Industry, Wanza Furnishing Industry and Vision Aluminum participated in the library’s construction process. The library’s 116 million birr cost includes the furnishing.
The library was named after Sheik Mohammed Hussein Ali al Amoudi by the university management to recognize his contribution.
Arega, said the Sheik had demonstrated an exemplary and model contribution to the country adding that AAU is discharging its historic responsibilities to commemorate such personalities.
“The library is pertinent to understanding, Ethiopian languages, culture, history and is able to contribute to the country’s development as Ethiopia has a long history,” said Hirut W.Mariyam Minister of Higher Education and Science.
The research oriented Institute of Ethiopian Studies came into being in 1963 to discover civilization, history, culture and languages of Ethiopia and to provide documents, publications and manuscripts.
