• Minister Seyoum's visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

• Ethio-Kenya Joint Consultative Meeting on Gibe III Hydroelectric Project

• Somalia: never too late for the international community to act

• ·Eritrea: obstinate under sanctions 

Minister Seyoum's visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

 An Ethiopian delegation led by Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin paid a three day (June 1-3, 2009) official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. During the visit, Minister Seyoum held fruitful discussions with H.R.H. Prince Saud Bin Al-Faisal, the foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and with other high ranking officials of the Kingdom including H.E. Dr. Fahd Bin Abdulrahman Bin Suleiman Balghunaim, Minister of Agriculture and Co-Chair of the ethio-Saudi Ministerial Joint commission, H.E. Saud Al-Mathami, State Minister, member of the Cabinet and Majlis Shura (parliament), and H.E. Engineer Yousuf Al-Bassam, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Saudi fund for Development. Minister Seyoum also held discussions with Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Jeraisy, Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as with Saudi private investors who already have started investment and with those who are in the process of finalizing their proposals to invest in Ethiopia.  

The discussion between Minister Seyoum and his Saudi counterpart focused on ways and means to strengthen bilateral relations, regional and international issues of common concern. On the bilateral relations, Minister Seyoum briefed his Saudi Counterpart about the substantial improvements registered in the volume of trade, investment and development finance cooperation between the two countries. He  also expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the visionary and forward looking food security initiative developed by H.R.H. Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, which no doubt has contributed to the further strengthening  of bilateral relations of the two countries. Minister Seyoum also briefed his Saudi counterpart on the recent developments in the Horn of Africa particularly the situation in Somalia and the Sudan. Both sides affirmed the importance of enhancing mutual cooperation in the areas of trade, investment and development finance. Moreover, both sides agreed to coordinate their efforts towards finding lasting solution to the problems in Somalia and the Sudan. Both sides also underscored during their discussion that they will work towards reinvigorating their role in maintaining peace and stability in the Horn in general and in Somalia in particular. Both parties noted satisfaction on the success of their cooperations and the way relations between the two countries progressed. The discussion between Minister Seyoum and his Saudi counterpart was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.  

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has had a long-standing partnership with Ethiopia and its nationals are among the leading investors in the country. The Geographic proximity of the two countries and the fact that their resources are complimentary also help to strengthen this relationship. In this connection, Minister Seyoum in his discussion with the Minister of Agriculture and other officials, called upon the Saudi Arabian side to exert maximum effort to create an enabling environment for further expansion of trade, investment and development assistance. Minister Seyoum also stressed the need to establish a mechanism to facilitate the smooth operation of trade and investment. The Saudi side fully agreed with issues raised by Minister Seyoum and expressed Saudi Arabia's commitment and readiness to closely work together with the Ethiopian side to further strengthen trade and investment and stressed the need for both sides to explore and fully utilize existing instruments and potentials of cooperation in those areas.  

Minister Seyoum also exchanged views with Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Jeralsy, Chairman of the Saudi Arabia Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In his discussion, he emphasized the importance of people to people relationship in business and investment. Both sides agreed on the need for establishing a joint business council that would create a forum for both sides to further enhance the relations.   

Minister Seyoum also held discussions with representatives of three Saudi companies that displayed encouraging responses to the possibility of engaging in investment activities in the agricultural sector. Minister Seyoum assured them of the commitment of the Ethiopian Government to facilitate their business opportunities.  

Minister Seyoum Mesfin and members of his delegation also attended the May 28 colorful celebration held at the Residence of the Ethiopian Ambassador.

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Ethio-Kenya Joint Consultative Meeting on Gibe III Hydroelectric Project

 Ethio-Kenya Joint Consultative meeting on the Gibe III Hydro-Electric Project was held on June 3, 2009 in Addis Ababa at the Intercontinental Hotel. The Kenyan delegation was composed of representatives of Ministries of Energy, Foreign Affairs, Environment, as well as Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, State Law Office, the Office of the President and the Nairobi University.  The delegation was headed by Mr. John R. Nyaoro, Director of Water Resources in Kenya's Ministry of Water and Irrigation.  The Ethiopian delegation was headed by Mr. Miheret Debebe, CEO of Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCCo) and also part of the delegation were representatives of Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Mine & Energy, Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, Environmental Protection Authority, Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation and the Consulting firms involved in the project. 

In his welcoming remark the Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation, Ato Miheret Debebe, noted that the development and management of hydropower is central to the quest for ensuring sustainable and meaningful success of the country's endeavors to achieve industrial and agricultural development.  He further underlined the role of Gibe III hydroelectric power in enhancing investment and expansion of energy export to neighboring countries thereby ensuring the development and integration of the sub-region. 

The head of the Kenyan delegation on his part pointed out that he considered the Gibe III hydroelectric power project as a positive milestone.  According to him, Kenya considers the sustainability of the project in terms of maintaining community as crucial.  He underlined the project is going to profit Kenya as well. Kenya’s Ambassador to Ethiopia also reiterated that Kenya has a lot to benefit from the project.  

Minister of Water Resources Ato Asfaw Dingamo officially opened the bilateral consultation.  In his opening remark, he underlined that the longstanding close bilateral relations between Kenya and Ethiopia would be further enhanced by the consultative meeting.  He said that the two countries share common concern and have mutual understanding to ensure the sustainability of Gibe III.  He expressed his conviction that the consultation would help identify facts from mere assumptions to allay any fears that might exist with regard to the possible impact of the project.  

As the basis for the consultation the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation and the consulting firms briefed the meeting about the overall status of the project. The briefing included an in-depth explanation on Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and designed mitigation plans to address possible impacts.  Detailed explanation was given by experts on environmental management and monitoring plan, physical, biological, social and socio-economic environment of upstream and the downstream areas. 

Dr. Tewoldebirhan Gebregziabher, Director General of the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority appreciated the effort to put in place a proper monitoring mechanism on environment.  He emphasized the need for putting in place a proper monitoring mechanism and management in order to ensure sustainable management of the environment.  He assured the Kenyan delegation that the EPA will put in place the necessary monitoring mechanism and welcomed any concern that might be raised in the future on the part of the Kenyan side. 

The consultative meeting was useful in nurturing common understanding on diverse issues that seriously matter to and merit due attention by both countries.  The meeting realized that power shortages have become one of the biggest impediments to development.  Both sides recognized that electrification does brighten, not threaten, their future.  It was also pointed out that hydropower would help both countries achieve development goals both at national and regional levels. 

The meeting underscored impact of climate change as a common concern.  In this regard, the stark fact that both countries are facing a huge difficulty as a result of climate change was mentioned.  Climate change is hitting all Africa hard. Rising to this trans-boundary challenge indeed requires broader vision and cooperation. 

The two sides expressed agreement on using the powerful instrument, consultation, as a mitigating tool of handling trans-boundary challenges.  In conclusion, the meeting commended the existing excellent bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Kenya and signaled the trust and confidence that exists between them.  A two day project site visit was also arranged for the Kenyan delegation.

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Somalia: never too late for the international community to act

This week in the capital Mogadishu insurgents attacked AMISOM convoy near the base of the Burundian contingent that ignited fighting between AMISOM and the extremists.  On the other hand, fighting between the government and the extremists intensified both in the north and southern parts of Mogadishu. In the continued fighting so far pro-government clan militias succeeded in pushing Al Shabab/ Hizbul Islam fighters from many areas in the capital. It was also at the end of this week that government and clan militias closely associated with the TFG have recaptured Mahdai town in Middle Shebelle region.  Mahadai was taken over by Al Shabab two weeks ago.  

It does seem now that the government has shown some progress in its engagement against the extremist forces in Mogadishu and in Middle Shebelle region.  This is happening in the wake of the IGAD communiqué of 20 May 2009 that had been endorsed by the AU Peace and Security Council.  Following such positive development at the IGAD and AU level, the appeal forwarded by president Sheikh Sherif Sheikh Ahmed on the 25th of May 2009 to the people of Somalia and the international community seems to be well received by the Somalis especially in Mogadishu.   

What is remaining is the response from the international community, particularly from the United Nations Security Council in support of the government that would enable it to maintain security and stability in a sustainable manner. Thanks to the appeal made by IGAD and the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, there appears to be a better chance for the Security Council to finally act in a more responsible and meaningful manner. Equally important, the representative of IGAD, the AU envoy for Somalia, and the UN Secretary General’s special envoy for Somalia have made a joint appeal for the Security Council to act immediately. Unfortunately, the UNSC has hardly made any serious effort to help the TFG garner political/diplomatic support internationally, let alone to enable it to curtail the Al Shabab/Hizbul Islam alliance that is fully supported by the Eritrean government.  

What is essential at the moment is the need by the international community to use such a better opportunity to give a hand to the government and people of Somalia in practical terms in order to fight extremism.  It is only when such practical steps are taken that irresponsible states such as Eritrea would realize there could after all be consequences to their bizarre behaviors. Only then will the UNSC have done justice to its cardinal principles.

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 Eritrea: obstinate under sanctions   

Recent events from the Horn of Africa have provided two clear messages: the first, from the peoples and governments of the Horn of Africa, and indeed from Africa in general, has unmistakably told the regime in Eritrea that enough is enough – destabilization and aggression must stop. The second, equally unmistakable, is the  repetition of Eritrea's continuous contempt for Africa and its institutions. 

An example of the first came in Kenya's Daily Nation of Tuesday 2 June 2009. Entitled “Why the U.N. should move fast to punish Eritrea” it details the deeply held views of African institutions, states and commentators. It expresses the very clear wishes of the region that the United Nations Security Council should persevere in its current more determined position on the matter of Somalia and  actually “…tackle one of the notorious meddlers [in Somalia], Eritrea.” The newspaper was referring to the recent decision by the Security Council in support of AMISOM and the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. Directly responding to Eritrea's activities, it notes that “Mr. Ahmed’s government is the only authority the international community [recognizes]...”.  

The newspaper talks of Eritrea’s President Isaias Afewerki providing sanctuary to terrorist elements and as being their leading supplier of weapons, something that has continued unabated. Eritrea, indeed, has made no secret of its frantic conspiracy with terrorist elements to try to change the Government in Somalia.  The paper's analysis continued with the explanation that Eritrea's return of one of the leaders of these violent elements to Mogadishu a month ago clearly demonstrated: “...Mr Afewerki’s determination to continue rabble rousing in the Horn of Africa...” It is hard to disagree, and the paper is right on target: Eritrea lacks any such direct stake in Somalia as have the frontline states of Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya.  

Any of those who try to talk of “proxy war” should now be quite clear that Eritrea’s war is against the people of Somalia, even the entire region, and it demonstrates  what the paper calls President Issayas's sense of ‘frustrated grandeur’, or perhaps  what many other commentatoras would call “Eritrea's misguided and predatory policies”. The Daily Nation itself emphasizes that the Eritrean leader “…has orchestrated quarrels with Sudan, Djibouti, and Yemen and, of course, Ethiopia”. It ends by calling for the international community to act quickly on the calls by the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions against Eritrea. 

Eritrea's response to these calls has been to launch sustained propaganda attacks against IGAD, the organization from which it illegally suspended itself two years ago. Now the new aspect of Eritrea's reply to its critics have been its diatribes against the African Union, attempting to use false historical parallels to try and give itself the highly implausible appearance of a victim.  In fact, both IGAD and the AU have been the victims of Eritrea’s condescending abuse. Eritrea has even gone so far as to call for attacks against the AU's force in Somalia, AMISOM. It should be remembered that an African force for Somalia was originally suggested unanimously by IGAD (at a time when IGAD included Eritrea). The idea was then supported by the African Union and fully mandated and backed by the United Nations Security Council. None of this has now stopped Eritrea from calling for attacks against AMISOM and the TFG. Nor has Eritrea’s leadership given any indication it might be prepared to stop hosting international terrorist individuals and groups in Eritrea or halt its support to such bodies. The fact that Eritrea has been supplying weapons and other logistical support to terrorist groups inside Somalia has now been widely confirmed. It is this which finally forced IGAD and the African Union to take the unprecedented measure of calling for sanctions against one of their own members.  

One would expect this to have a sobering impact on Eritrea and its Government and President.  On the contrary, however, Eritrea appears to have chosen to continue its destabilizing activities in the region, and to continue to engage in futile propaganda. The United Nations Security Council is now expected to deliver a final verdict vindicating the efforts of the regional organizations to provide for a rule of law and for peace and security in our region.

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