Renowned Ethiopian-American plant geneticist and executive director of Purdue University’s Center for Global Food Security Professor Gebisa Ejeta recently concluded a productive visit to Ethiopia.  His visit focused on strengthening agricultural research, promoting food security, and fostering collaboration between Ethiopian and U.S. institutions. 

Professor Gebisa, a 2009 World Food Prize Laureate and winner of the 2023 U.S. National Medal of Science, is a global leader in the field of plant genetics.  Born in 1950, Gebisa grew up in rural Ethiopia and was educated at Jimma Agricultural and Technical School and Alemaya College of Agriculture, both of which were established under the U.S. government’s Point Four program.  In 1974, Gebisa undertook his graduate studies at Purdue University in Indiana, USA. 

Throughout his visit, Professor Gebisa emphasized the importance of agricultural research and innovation in addressing global food security challenges.  Gebisa met with leading U.S. and Ethiopian government officials including U.S. Ambassador Massinga and Minister of Agriculture Dr. Girma Amente.  Professor Gebisa also spoke with leaders and researchers at Ethiopia’s premier agricultural research institutes including the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research.  

Renowned Ethiopian-American plant geneticist and executive director of Purdue University’s Center for Global Food Security Professor Gebisa Ejeta recently concluded a productive visit to Ethiopia.  His visit focused on strengthening agricultural research, promoting food security, and fostering collaboration between Ethiopian and U.S. institutions. 

Professor Gebisa, a 2009 World Food Prize Laureate and winner of the 2023 U.S. National Medal of Science, is a global leader in the field of plant genetics.  Born in 1950, Gebisa grew up in rural Ethiopia and was educated at Jimma Agricultural and Technical School and Alemaya College of Agriculture, both of which were established under the U.S. government’s Point Four program.  In 1974, Gebisa undertook his graduate studies at Purdue University in Indiana, USA. 

Throughout his visit, Professor Gebisa emphasized the importance of agricultural research and innovation in addressing global food security challenges.  Gebisa met with leading U.S. and Ethiopian government officials including U.S. Ambassador Massinga and Minister of Agriculture Dr. Girma Amente.  Professor Gebisa also spoke with leaders and researchers at Ethiopia’s premier agricultural research institutes including the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research.  

Sudanese Sovereign Council deputy chairman Malik Agar boycotted a peace forum in South Africa on Saturday, protesting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) ‘s participation. Agar, who was scheduled to present a paper on the situation in Sudan, left the African Peace and Security Forum in Johannesburg after a delegation from the RSF arrived, his office said in a statement…Brigadier General Omer Hamdan led the RSF delegation, which included al-Quni Hamdan Dagalo, brother of RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The forum, held by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, addressed the current state of peace and security in Africa and the role of regional and international organizations in promoting stability. (Sudan Tribune)

Ethiopia’s parliament has approved the appointment of a new president to replace the country’s first female head of state, Sahle-Work Zewde. Taye Astike Selassie, foreign minister since February, has taken up the largely ceremonial role. In Ethiopia, political power lies with the prime minister – currently Abiy Ahmed. Sahle-Work had reportedly fallen out with Abiy in recent years. The prime minister’s backing of her initial appointment in 2018 was hailed as a breakthrough for gender equality in Ethiopian politics…During her presidency, she made several calls for peace across the country, though she was criticised for not talking more about the gender-based violence during the two-year civil war in Tigray. But it is believed she was concerned about the current conflicts in Oromia and Amhara regions…President Taye, 68, an experienced diplomat having served at the UN and in Egypt, is considered close to Abiy. He was sworn in in front of MPs on Monday. The replacement of Sahle-Work means that Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan is currently Africa’s only female head of state. (BBC)