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Newsletter 13 |
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HPR Endorses PM’s Recommendations on Administration of Capital City Somalia Re-opens Embassy in Addis Ababa ERA to launch Five- Year Road Construction Package Million -Year -Old Fossils Discovered in Afar Rift |
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HPR Endorses PM’s Recommendations on Administration of Capital City The House of Peoples’ Representatives (HPR) approved recommendations by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi allowing three weeks for elected CUD City Council members aspiring to take over the administration of the city to come in sufficient numbers to assume the role. In his report, the Prime Minister said, so far the government has been making unstinted efforts to ensure that the people are governed by leaders they have elected. Since the elected representatives have not so far gathered adequate votes, Meles said, it would be dangerous to leave the matter unresolved indefinitely and thus has recommended the solutions to be decided by the parliament. The recommendations include giving three week time for the elected city council members to gather votes that would be adequate to assume the administration of the city. If they fail to come up with the required number, the recommendations provide for a provisional caretaker administration to be established for a period of one year until a new election is organized. In his report, Meles further said, mindful of the coordinated actions of anti-peace forces, the government has mobilized the people and law enforcement forces against them and has successfully foiled their attempts. According to the Prime Minister, in an attempt to enhance the three main democratic institutions, a study conducted by consultants has been finalized and will be distributed to members of the House for discussion. Meles has also expressed gratitude for contributions made by development partners in the country’s effort to build a democratic system, especially in the selection and retention of consultants, as well as experience sharing and cooperation in building the democratic institutions. He also cited tremendous achievements in higher education which made possible the admission of more than 99,000 students in state universities. Attempt is also being made to improve the quality of education and connect universities through broadband internet with higher learning institutions abroad. |
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Somalia Re-opens Embassy in Addis Ababa The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia opened its Embassy in Addis Ababa. Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin on the occasion said the Embassy of Somalia in Addis Ababa symbolizes the closing of the dark chapter in the history of the people of Somalia. The re-opening of the embassy, according to the Minster, is also an expression of hope for the future of Somalia and will facilitate more enhanced contact between TFG and the international community. Ethiopia has already decided to open its embassy in Jowhar, the seat of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, and designated an ambassador to Somalia, Seyoum said. Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, Professor Ali Mohamed Gedi on his part said Ethiopia has been exerting utmost efforts to restoring peace and stability in Somalia in the sprit of neighborhood and partnership. The Prime Minister said the re-opening of the Somalia Embassy is a beginning of new integration, good neighborhood, and cooperation between the two countries which he said testifies to the success of the leadership of the two regimes. Somalia's Embassy to Ethiopia is the first to be re-opened under the auspice of the Transitional Federal Government accredited to Ethiopia and Africa Union (AU),Gedi said. |
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ERA to launch Five- Year Road Construction Package The Ethiopian Road Authority /ERA/ says it is to undertake a five - year main road development package. Public Relations Department Head with the Authority Samson Wondimu told MoFA Newsletter that the road networks are to be constructed from 2006-2010 with an out lay over 31 billion birr. The construction would be carried out with the money allocated by the government, donors and aid agencies. Upon finalization of the package, about 18,000 kilometers of road will be constructed, up graded and rehabilitated. ERA in collaboration with regional states and the public at large also plans to construct more than 92,000 kilometers of all- weather road, with special emphasis to pastoral and semi-pastoral areas. The road sector development would enable Ethiopia to improve its economic performance and meet the Millennium Development Goals /MDGs/. |
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Million -Year -Old Fossils Discovered in Afar Rift The Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage said palaeoanthropologists have recently discovered new Australopithecus remain that dates back to 4.1-4.2 million year in Asa Issie and Aramis areas of Afar State. The authority said the Pliocene fossils found in the Middle Awash area of the Afar rift include diagnostic craniodental remains, the largest hominid canine yet recorded, and the earliest Australopithecus femur. Coordinator of the study and one of the scientists Dr. Birhne Asfaw said, the fossils, which are sampled from a woodland context, suggest a relatively rapid shift from Ardipitheus to Australopithecus in this region of Africa evolving either replacement or accelerating phyletic evolution. Dr. Birhane said the new discovery that paves the way to carry out further studies on evolution of human beings would be published and distributed worldwide on Nature magazine, a research journal, as of 13 April 2006. The earliest Austrapithecus is Au. Anamensis which are the probable chronospecies ancestor of Au, Afarenis, according to the team of scientists. The origin of Austraopithecus, the genus widely interpreted as ancestral to Homo, has been a central problem in human evolutionary studies. In a related news, Ethiopian Archeologists' have uncovered several ancient relics and buildings through excavations they conducted at the ancient town of Axum. Coordinator of the archeologists team Tekle Hagos said that the team has been carrying out excavations beginning form Feburary 8, 2006 on the tombs of Izana and Remhai around the Statue of Queen of Sheba in Axum town. |
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MFA Calls for Closer Cooperation with the Judiciary An official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscored the need for courts, prosecutors and police to work closely with the Ministry in its effort to carry out its international duties. Ambassador Girma Amare of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the annoucement at a consultative meeting the Ministry held here with judges of the federal courts. As Addis Ababa is a seat of several international organizations, it has signed several agreements enabling it to host continental and international organizations and thus their implementation should be given due attention. He said the rights and legal protections the country renders to foreign diplomats and international organizations are equally reciprocated to Ethiopia. There might be cases in which some diplomats or employees of international organizations might abuse the rights given, he said, adding that the judiciary should work closely with the Ministry to deal with such individuals seeking to curb their unlawful activities. Deputy President of the Federal Supreme Court, Menbereteshey Tadesse on his part said the major objective of the meeting is to raise awareness as to how to handle the cases brought to courts concerning diplomats as well as deepen understanding on international law. |
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Romania Keen to Boost Ties with Ethiopia The Romanian Charge d’ Affaires to Ethiopia says the investment environment in Ethiopia is conducive for foreign entrepreneurs. Marious Nicolescu told MoFA Newsletter that there are a lot of opportunities for investors in the textile, agriculture and construction sectors among others. Romanians are keen to take part in the socio-economic development of Ethiopia. According to Nicolescu, Romanian companies are exporting various construction materials to Ethiopia while Romania imports coffee, tea, hides and skins. The trade balance between the two countries was five million dollars in 2005. While bracing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their bilateral relations next year, Ethiopia and Romania are traversing new stage of development cooperation. Ethiopia and Romania established diplomatic ties in 1957. Thousands of Ethiopians who have studied in Romania have been instrumental in consolidating relations between the two countries. |