A Week in the Horn of Africa

06.07.2007

  • Indian External Affairs Minister visits Ethiopia

  • Funding crucial for deployment of more peacekeepers in Somalia

Seeking to buttress on solid institutional framework the long-standing and excellent relations, the two sides have also made pacts establishing a Joint Ministerial Commission and a Protocol on Foreign Office consultations on the second day of Minister Mukerjee's four day visit to Ethiopia.  The cooperative relation between Ethiopia and India which is based on mutual respect and benefit, Minister Seyoum said is "a classic example of South-South cooperation."  Economic and trade relationship between the two nations has shown significant progress but more needs to be done in order to further exploit the potentials for much more expanded cooperation.  Both countries had established a joint trade committee and joint business council besides entering into several commercial bilateral treaties over the years with an aim to increase trade ties.  Mr. Mukherjee, the first Indian Foreign Minister to visit the second populous African country said "We have excellent political, economic and cultural relations with Ethiopia.  ... our endeavours are to strengthen the relationship and expand cooperation in all the fields."

During talks with the visiting Indian Minister of External Affairs, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi siad Ethiopia has benefited a great deal from India's support in capacity building and technology transfer.  Minister Pranab Mukherjee appreciated the fruitful deliberation he had with the Prime Minister and delivered the invitation of the Indian Prime Minister to the Premier to take part in a meeting India organizes on federalism.

Ethiopia has steadfastly supported New Delhi in its bid to become a member of the expanded UN Security Council.  It also believes India will exert its effort in making sure that Africa, the only continent unrepresented in the UN Security Council permanent seat, will be fairly given its share so that the continent would contribute to world peace and stability.  India and Ethiopia have agreed to establish a joint ministerial commission that will help address issues contained in pacts already signed and decide on all future bilateral cooperations.  Minister Mukherjee said "We wish to add substance to our partnership and provide a foundation of a sustained and rapid development taking into account the numerous complementarities that our two countries share."

Ethiopia's bid to build up its sugar industry has enlisted the support of India, a nation committed to the South-South cooperation, in the form of a loan amounting to $ 640 million dollar.  The announcement was made by the Indian Minister of External Affairs, Pranab Mukherjee.

After briefing the Minister on developments in Darfur and Somalia and the grand debate on African integration in Accra, Minister Seyoum urged India to increase its contribution in peace making "in our part of the world."  India's contingent in the UNMEE is the largest and their role and effort "to keep the integrity of the Agreements which Ethiopia and Eritrea signed," is commendable, said the Minister.

Indian External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherejee who was in Addis Ababa upon the invitation of Minister Seyoum, launched the Pan-African E-Network pilot project for Ethiopia that consist tele-education and tele-medicine, the first of its kind in Ethiopia.  The contribution of Indain professors and experts was immense in promoting people to people relations.

Minister Mukherejee has met and held talks with president Girma W/Giorgis, Chairman of the AU Commission Alpha Oumar Konare and also House Speaker Ambassador Teshome Toga.

Premier Meles also conferred with a senior Official of the UK Parliament on how to further bolster cooperation between the AU and EU and the assistance the latter could extend in support of NEPAD.

Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Gedi has underlined that only lack of international funding has delayed the deployment of more African peacekeepers to Somalia.  He rejected suggestions that blamed the delay on violence in Mogudishu.  "There is no other reason than lack of logistical and financial support," Gedi emphasized on the fringes of the AU Summit in Accra, Ghana. 

Ugandan peacekeepers in Somalia had plans to destroy on Monday weapons and ammunitions captured in recent weeks, safely detonating them at Jazeera beach in the outskirts of Mogadishu.  AMISOM - Ugandan troops have secured government institutions and according to the premier, the Somali people have welcomed the AU peacekeepers.  Other than Uganda, several other AU member states, including Burundi, Nigeria and Malawi have pledged troops.  Delay of the NRC, a major step to kick-start the peace process in Somalia, is also attributed to financial constraints.  Gedi said additional funds were provided last week.  He also expressed his confidence that the "security forces will be able to secure the capital city for the reconciliation conference."  Officials of the TFG have announced the deployment in the near future of an extra 3,000 Somali police officers.  Mayor of Mogadishu, Mohammed Dheere said "the forces now under the head of the police in Banadir region ... will do what they were trained to do very soon."   

On Monday Hawiyes considering cooperation with government convened a meeting but postponed it after two hours of talk.  The focus of the gathering was participation of the Hawiyes in the upcoming NRC slated for July 15.  Clan spokesperson, Ahmed Derie on Thursday said, "We will decide how we will attend the national reconciliation congress," which is expected to resolve the "inner clan conflict."   

Meanwhile, Eritrea has warned Somalia over cooperation with Ethiopia.  Asmara is now serving as a base to remnants of the ousted terrorists.  Aden Madobe, Speaker of the Ssomali Parliament accused the Eritrean President of undermining the stability of Somalia and creating chaos.  Eritrean military officials, who were fighting alongside international terrorists and the UIC, Adobe said, are now under the custody of the Somalia Government.