Somalia News Gazette

The EU stands ready to re-launch its regular Multi-annual Indicative Program (MIP) to accompany further progress on the consolidation of peaceful conflict resolution, reconciliation, stabilization and recovery and macroeconomic stability across Ethiopia, according to a statement issued by the Council of the European Union.

The statement also said that EU also strongly encourages the international financial institutions to assist the Government of Ethiopia in addressing the critical economic situation in the country through its economic reform agenda, and creditor countries to work towards a swift conclusion of the debt restructuring process through the Common Framework.

The Council of the European Union welcomed the significant progress in the implementation of the cessation of hostilities agreement, notably in terms of silencing the guns, facilitating improved humanitarian access, launching the National Rehabilitation Commission to address Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration.

EU also commended the establishment of the African Union Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mission (AU MVCM), the de-listing of TPLF as a terrorist organization, the advancement in restoration of public services and the appointment of an interim administration in Tigray as well as the ongoing development of a national policy on transitional justice.

Noting that Ethiopia is a key strategic partner for the European Union in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea region, and more broadly on the African continent, the Union appreciated the longstanding close cooperation and dialogue with the government on a wide range of issues.

The statement pointed out that with the resolution of the conflict in northern Ethiopia, the EU looks forward to a normalization of relations with Ethiopia and stands ready to support further progress on its path towards lasting peace.

Furthermore, the Union welcomed the improved humanitarian access to the majority of the conflict-affected areas in northern Ethiopia.

However, the release noted that the widespread humanitarian needs, including in other parts of the country affected by severe drought and other crises, require an adequate and well-coordinated response.

According to the statement, the EU is encouraged by the establishment of the National Rehabilitation Commission and is ready to offer its expertise and support to an inclusive and transparent Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration process.

Finally, the release said that the EU encourages continued and coordinated support of all international partners to the peace process. The Union, including through the engagement of the EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, and together with its member states, will remain in close contact with the GoE and with like-minded regional and international partners to ensure a common approach in support of Ethiopia’s lasting peace.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Ethiopia and Tanzania have kicked off a conference in Addis Ababa today with a view to accelerating the development of renewable energy in the two countries.

The two-day conference is underway under the theme “Fast-tracking renewable energy investment in Ethiopia and Tanzania”.

Addressing the conference, Minister of Water and Energy Habtamu Itefa said Africa in general and Ethiopia in particular has huge untapped renewable energy potential.

Hydro, wind and solar energy sectors were mentioned by the minister among the top priorities.

For Habtamu, engaging and encouraging the private sector is crucial to realize the potential of the huge asset of the energy sector in the years to come.

Representative of the ambassador of Tanzania in Ethiopia and General Manager of Tanzania Geothermal Development Company, Matthew Mwangomba said for his part that to ensure the enormous energy potential in Ethiopia and Tanzania, sharing expertise and experiences is critically important.

African Energy Now is hosting AENCon23 to showcase concrete opportunities in existing and upcoming renewable energy projects, including in solar, wind, hydro and geothermal energy.

The conference also aims at engaging international financiers and technology providers on renewable energy investment opportunities in the two countries.

The conference which targeted to accelerating renewable energy in Ethiopia and Tanzania is attending by all pertinent stakeholders from both countries.

African Energy Now (AEN) is a grant-funded programme that supports African governments to secure financing for investment-ready projects in the renewable energy sector.

AEN provides expertise on technical and financial aspects of renewable energy projects and supports investments from the initial engagement of investors up to negotiated terms for financial close.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Berenta Cement, an Ethiopian private limited company and Sinoma Cement of the China National Building Materials Group have signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement to jointly work in the development of the sector.

The signed agreement is aimed at cooperating strategically and investing jointly in order to build a cement factory in Shebele Berenta of the Amhara region.

During the signing ceremony, Amhara Region Chief Administrator Yilkal Kefale said the signed joint venture is of great importance to the region and the country in general.

He added that the regional administration will provide all the necessary support in order to complete the project as per its plan and start production.

Yilikal noted that upon completion, the factory is expected to meet the huge demand of building materials, particularly cement, create jobs, and avail advanced technology transfer.

“The signing ceremony is the beginning for the construction of the cement factory but I would like to remind all partners to work as quickly as possible to complete the project as per the plan. The people of Amhara and Ethiopia in genera as well as Amhara regional state are eagerly waiting for the completion of this factory,” Chief Administrator stated.

Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Zhao Zhiyuan said China has been Ethiopia’s largest trading partner and source of investment for many years.

“Chinese investment projects cover a wide range of sectors such as processing, manufacturing, agriculture, and mining and have played a positive role in accelerating Ethiopia’s industrialization process, increasing revenue, and creating jobs,” he elaborated.

The economy of Ethiopia is developing steadily and rapidly, especially in the building materials industry and infrastructure construction has also been flourished with great potential and broad prospects, he emphasized.

Berenta Cement CEO, Biresaw Minalu said the business scope of the project includes products and services in the field of cement, gypsum, and gypsum board, glass, and glass fiber.

“Ethiopia is the gateway to continental investment opportunities with untapped plenty of resources and the second largest population in Africa. In addition the comparative advantage of investing in Ethiopia …free trade benefits, strong business and investment protection, availability of young and competitive labor and rapidly growing, infrastructure,” he noted.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Somalia, Djibouti, and Kenya have begun evacuating their citizens from Sudan as fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces that erupted on April 15 continues intermittently. The first group of Somali citizens, including students, arrived in Ethiopia, an official of the country’s Foreign Ministry told local media in Mogadishu on Monday. He said 27 Somali nationals, including four women, have arrived in Ethiopia after crossing the border at Metema on Friday. Meanwhile, the Somali National Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) has established 24-hour hotlines for Somali people in Sudan who require evacuation. ‘If you’re a Somali Citizen in Sudan or you have family and friends there, IMMEDIATELY contact SoDMA,’ the agency said in a statement on Monday. Djibouti has also begun to evacuate its diplomatic staff and citizens from Sudan. Several diplomats, including Djiboutian Ambassador to Sudan Issa Khaire, arrived in Djibouti City on Monday, the country’s Foreign Minister Mohamoud Ali Youssouf confirmed on Monday. ‘The trip was exhausting with a lot of stress, but Alhamdulillah they are safe and sound,’ the Djiboutian top diplomat said in a message on Twitter, adding that 40 students are expected to arrive later in the day. Meanwhile, Kenya has also confirmed relocating 29 of its students who were stranded in Sudan owing to intense clashes with heavy weapons. The students have now been relocated to Ethiopia, from where they will fly to Addis Ababa and then to Nairobi, Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua said in a statement issued in Nairobi on Monday. Kenya is working to evacuate nearly 400 students from Sudan, he added. ‘I also, in particular, thank the Governments of South Sudan and Ethiopia for heeding our request and allowing Kenyans to cross their borders and make it to safety,’ Mutua said. Uganda also confirmed on Monday that four buses carrying 208 Ugandans began their 768-kilometer (477-mile) journey from its embassy in Khartoum to Ethiopia. From their temporary destination at Gandor Airport in Western Ethiopia, the evacuees are expected to board flights back to Uganda from Entebbe Airport, Ugandan Ambassador to Khartoum Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu said in a statement. The evacuees are now returning home, first to Ethiopia, he stated, adding that they will keep the country updated on the evacuees’ movement. According to the embassy, 208 people have boarded the buses, including 98 women and children, and they include diplomats, students, and members of the working community. An estimated 300 Ugandans were reportedly stranded in Sudan when clashes erupted between two warring military units in Khartoum. Meanwhile, Chad’s Minister of Communication Aziz Mahamat Saleh announced on Monday that his country will evacuate 438 nationals from Khartoum to Port Sudan, where a special repatriation flight will pick them up. He said among the evacuees are pilgrims, diplomats, and their families, as well as patients and students. Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno held talks with ‘Somali belligerents’ to facilitate their evacuation, he added. ‘Let us pray that they return safely,’ he wrote on Twitter. Fighting between the two warring Sudanese military units has entered its ninth day, killing over 420 people and injuring 3,700 others, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for Southern and Eastern Africa. The UN said the prices of essential items are ‘sharply increasing due to shortages.’ Thousands of people are fleeing to Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan, the UN said on Monday.

Source: Somali National News Agency

The Consultative Meeting on Somalia Blue Economy Framework and Sectoral Investment Plans and Experience Sharing Visit is being held in Mombasa, Kenya from 24-27 April 2023. In order to make the best use of the BE resources, Somalia has developed its BE strategy to set the stage for implementation. This if well implemented will put Somalia among the top coastal African countries with a high BE-based economic development. The strategy identified challenges and outlined potential intervention objectives and goals, of which a detailed program of actions should be developed for implementation after the adoption of the Strategy. In order to facilitate the realization of blue economy potential, the strategy also outlines the blue economy governance framework, which provides how the blue economy needs to be governed for optimal economic benefits. Moreover, the strategy will be the roadmap to develop the Blue Economy of the country and will be a tool to mobilize resources to develop the sectors. Based on the recommendation of Ministers of IGAD, Member States National Blue Economy strategy development is supported by IGAD through Sweden’s financial support. OBJECTIVE OF THE WORKSHOP The workshop will engage stakeholders and provide a basis for implementation and investment plans in Somalia BE. It is envisaged that Somalia would serve as an exemplar in building their capacities and channel investment in the country’s blue economy sectors. The specific objectives of the workshop are: Carry a diagnostic review of the Somalia Blue Economy sector as captured in the Blue Economy Strategy Identify innovative instruments, actions, and programs to promote marine fisheries, inland and coastal aquaculture, and offshore mariculture with various fish value chains. Review the ecosystems approach towards multi-species approach and product diversification, integrated coastal zone management, marine spatial planning, and industrial cluster, in addition to environmental and social safeguards. Identify investment and business opportunities for collaboration on the BE Flagship and the Feed Africa Strategy of the African Development Bank Map out ideas on how to attract private sector investments and PPPs into the development of the ocean economy through enabling frameworks and legislations. Develop fisheries and aquaculture specific BE investment plans within a cross-sectoral and multi-scale governance approach. Propose an implementation framework for Somalia BE Experience sharing among MS and with DP. EXPECTED RESULT The expected results of the workshop are: i. Reach a consensus on priorities, focus areas and key steps towards the development of the Framework and investment plans for Somalia BE ii. Experience sharing of the Somalia team from Kenya BE

Source: Somali National News Agency