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UNDP Africa Annual Management Meeting held in Addis Ababa The 2009 Annual Meeting of UNDP regional directors, UN resident coordinators/UNDP representatives, organized by the UNDP country office in Ethiopia, took place at the UN-ECA in Addis Ababa from 16 to 19 June 2009, in the presence of the UNDP Administrator and Chair of the UN Development Group, Ms. Helene Clark, who was recently appointed to this post. The meeting, which had the theme: “Addressing the Impact of the Current Global Financial Crisis on Africa’s Development”, was opened by Ato Sufian Ahmed, Minister of Finance and Economic Development of Ethiopia, who welcomed the participants on behalf of the Government in his address at the inauguration of the three-day event. Also present at the meeting were government, donor, and civil society representatives and members of the diplomatic community. The event brought together UN Resident Coordinators and UNDP Country Representatives covering 45 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Following the opening ceremony, a high-level panel discussion entitled, “Global Financial Crisis: Implications for Growth and Development in Africa” was held with individual presentations made by three distinguished panellists, including Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, and chaired by Ms Helene Clark. In his presentation on “Africa’s Policy Response to the Global Financial Crisis and how the International Community should help Africa”, Prime Minister Meles highlighted that the first crisis to affect Africa was caused by the accelerating increase in commodity prices, particularly that of oil, and the decrease in the price of agricultural commodities, in respect of which he gave detailed analysis. According to Prime Minister Meles, to help Africa at this particular juncture, the international community should give Africa the necessary policy space to adjust to the changed circumstances; extend more development assistance, as Africa needs resources more than in the past in light of the more hostile global economic environment that appears to be emerging; and, compensate Africa for damages caused to it as a result of climate change, which it did not create, but is one of the factors that are expected to make the transformation of African economies even more difficult than in the past. He particularly emphasized the problem of climate change by indicating that global warming is hitting Africa first and hitting it hard. The Prime Minister underlined the need for Africa to be represented by one delegation at the upcoming climate change negotiations in Copenhagen, as was the case during the recent G-20 summit in London. This will enable Africa to speak in one voice and to ensure that Africa’s legitimate interests would be effectively promoted and that progresses so far made would not be reversed as a result of the effects of the crisis. He further stressed that, in order to accelerate development in Africa, agricultural transformation is central, hence the need for green revolution. He also added that Africa should be able to add value to what it produces. The Prime Minister further added that there is no single solution to the problem and achieving results should depend on the policy choices of each country based on realities on the ground. Ms Helen Clark, in her remarks at the panel discussion, stressed that without concrete action to combat the global economic and financial crisis now, the prospect of any progress on the MDGs could stall, or might even be reversed. She added that there is higher probability of the outbreak or recurrence of conflict during severe economic shocks and, therefore, urged UNDP officials to continue engaging with their respective host governments to identify the remedial actions so as to reduce such adverse consequences of the crisis. During her brief working stay in Ethiopia, UNDP Administrator Ms Helen Clark also met high level government officials, including Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Speaker of the House of Peoples Representatives, Ambassador Teshome Toga. The discussions revolved around a number of important issues of cooperation between Ethiopia and the UNDP. The discussions also focused on the ways through which the international community could support Ethiopia in its endeavours to achieve the MDGs. She also met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Tekeda Alemu and held talks on various regional issues.
******** PM Meles Visits Equatorial Guinea Prime Minister Meles Zenawi paid an official visit to Equatorial Guinea from 10 to 11 June 2009 at the invitation of the Country’s President, Mr. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. The visit offered an opportunity for both leaders to exchange views on various aspects of their bilateral cooperation as well as the current regional and international developments in general and the situation in Africa in particular. Among the issues discussed during the visit were the state of peace and security in Africa, the strengthening of the African Union and African integration, the reform of the United Nations as well as cooperation in the fight against terrorism. The two leaders also took the opportunity to reiterate their commitment to work closely and to coordinate their common positions. The Prime Minister’s visit was preceded by the second meeting of the Ethio-Equatorial Guinea Joint Ministerial Commission which was held in Malabo from 6-9 June 2009. The Ethiopian delegation was headed by Ato Seyoum Mesfin, Minister of Foreign Affairs while the Equatorial Guinean delegation was led by Mr. Paster Micha Ondo Bile, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophone. It was noted during the meeting that Ethiopia and Equatorial Guinea are endowed with immense physical and human resources that can serve as a basis for exchange and cooperation between the two countries to enhance the mutual benefit of their peoples. It is to be recalled that a General Cooperation Agreement between the two countries was signed in 2005 with a view to strengthening their excellent relations of friendship and cooperation. The Joint Ministerial Commission meets biannually to periodically evaluate and monitor the status of the implementation of agreements between the two countries. The second meeting of the Joint Ministerial Commission was therefore held to overview the level of implementation of the existing agreements and to explore ways of further cooperation. At the end of this Joint Ministerial Commission meeting cooperation agreements were signed in the areas of reciprocal investment protection and promotion, training and experience sharing, and agriculture. Detailed discussions and exchanges of views on possible expansion of areas of cooperation were also held. The establishment of a joint trade committee was deemed vital to implement the already existing trade agreement between the two countries. An agreement was also signed between the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association and its Equatorial Guinea counterpart. On the other hand, the inaugural ceremony of the Ethiopian Airlines flight to Malabo was held on the margin of the Joint Ministerial Commission meeting. Ethiopian has commenced a regular three times a week flight to Malabo beginning from the second of June 2009. The inaugural ceremony was attended by ministers and higher officials of Equatorial Guinea, diplomatic community members in Malabo and representatives of the business community. In his inaugural statement, Minister Seyoum Mesfin, who is also Board Chairman of the Ethiopian Airlines, stated that the commencement of the Ethiopian flight to Malabo links not only Ethiopia and Equatorial Guinea but also will contribute to connecting the continent to the rest of the world. Ethiopian currently flies to thirty three destinations in Africa and more than fifty in the world; and it is believed that this infrastructural link in Africa would undoubtedly have a multiplier effect on the strengthening of relations in the trade, investment, cultural spheres and in bringing peoples closer.
******** Ethio-Sudan relations; Current dynamism The cooperation between Ethiopia and Sudan, more particularly in the economic and trade area, continues to grow. In this regard both attach great importance to the mechanisms that have been put in place to facilitate this cooperation. It is in that spirit and pursuant to the understanding reached at the recently held high level commission that the meeting of the Economic & Trade Committee was held. The Ethiopian delegation was led by Ato Girma Birru Minister of Trade and industry while the Sudanese delegation was led by Mr. El-Tigani Salih Fidail, Minister of International Cooperation. The action plan that was drawn by the committee is designed to help boost the level of economic cooperation and infrastructural interconnection between the two countries by implementing, reviewing and expanding existing agreements. The follow up mechanism that has been put in place is also reviewed in such a way that any possible lacunas are addressed. It is to be recalled that the political committee had its meeting in May and similar plans were drawn in the fields of foreign relations, justice and information. According to the cooperation agreements on foreign relations the two countries have agreed to have extensive consultations at all levels, including al the level of ambassadors in third party states. The social committee will meet soon at the end of this month. The relation between Sudan and Ethiopia is indeed a strategic one and the dynamism that has been infused into it since recently is only appropriate. Between them, the two countries have a population of about 120 million, which constitutes the largest market potential in our part of the world. The two countries also enjoy a Preferential Trade Agreement and this can serve as bedrock of regional economic cooperation. What is more, the current dynamism will help both countries to play a pivotal role in the process of regional integration. Needless to say, both countries share responsibilities in ensuring regional peace and stability. Peace is of fundamental interest to the two countries and a matter in which both should work ever more closely. In fact, Ethiopia has been playing an active role in the implementation process of the CPA and remains committed to do its level best at bilateral and regional levels to assist the two parties to sort out obstacles in the lead up to the 2011 referendum and beyond.
******** Patriotic Somalis targeted by terrorists This week on 18 June 2009, a suicide attack in Beledweyne town of Hiran region caused the killing of the TFG Minister of National Security, Mr. Omar Hashi Aden and former Ambassador of Somalia to Ethiopia, Mr. Abdikerim Farah. The terrorist attack was carried out at mid-day, in front of Medina Hotel where a meeting was to be held between Mr. Omar Hashi and 20 clan elders. According to the former governor of the region who survived the attack, close to 100 people were killed by the suicide bombing. Al Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack. The fact that the latest attack targeted officials of the TFG who have been known for their bold and patriotic position against extremist elements and their foreign backers such as Eritrea clearly indicates the extent to which these forces could go to destroy what little chance of stability there may be in the war-torn country. The death of Mr Omar Hashi Aden and other officials as well as innocent civilians in the hands of terrorists is indeed a tragic loss to Somalia, to the region as well as to the international community. Mr. Aden was one of the most ardent believers in reconciliation and his elimination must have been considered by his enemies to be necessary to the success of their campaign to further derail the peace process in the country and to lead to more chaos and violence. Meanwhile, the terrorist incident of 18th of June has been roundly condemned by the international community at large. In a strongly worded joint statement the UN, the AU, EU, IGAD and the Arab League have condemned “this horrific suicide car-bombing”, also indicating that the incident “demonstrates that the extremists will stop at nothing in their desperate attempt to seize power from the legitimate government of Somalia by force.” The statement also stated that these elements are a threat not only to the country, but also to the IGAD region and the international community. The joint statement also called for an investigation to identify the names and nationalities of the suicide bombers behind this assassination. It is anticipated that the UNSC will issue a statement condemning this callous act of terror. There are reports coming from Somalia that foreign extremists are openly operating in Mogadishu, Bay Bakol, Kismayo and Gedo regions of Somalia. The foreign Mujahidins are not only engaged in training, home bomb making and agitating the youth to commit terrorist acts; they are also actively engaged in battles to topple the TFG and chase out AMISOM. Al Shabab and Hizbul Islam are emboldened by the support they get from foreign Mujahidins and the government of Eritrea as well as those who are financing Asmara. As a result of this, Al Shabab and Hizbul Islam are vowing to open more war fronts in Central Somalia, Hiran, and Gedo and Bay Bakol regions to eliminate any chance of the government and its allies to stabilize Somalia through security and reconciliation measures. This cowardly act of terrorists is a grim reminder that terrorism has to be confronted head on beyond mere condemnation. The attack that took place on 18 June 2009 against the TFG official and innocent clan leaders and civilians can possibly continue anywhere in Somalia unless the Al Shabab and its backers are punished for the terrorist acts they commit. That is why the IGAD and the AU Peace and Security Council are still urging the UNSC to take actions on those regional states that help extremists to undermine the peace process and destabilize the country. The latest suicide car bombing that took place in Beledweyne has the marks that are typical of Al Qaeda's similar actions elsewhere in the world. The fact that such horrific acts are being carried out successfully in Somalia threatens the region and beyond. The open threat the AL Shabab leaders made against Kenya is just a case in point. *********************** In a related development, the AU Peace and Security Council held its 194th meeting on 15 June 2009. Apart from the report that was circulated to members, the meeting was briefed by the Deputy Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson (DSRCC). The DSRCC underlined how the extremists are trying to derail the peace process. With regards to the security situation, it was emphasized that the situation remains volatile since the intensification of fighting between the TFG and extremist elements. Since the presence of AMISOM in Mogadishu is vital to assist the Transitional Federal Institutions to consolidate peace and state building, the DSRCC recommended to the Council to renew the mandate of AMISOM. The meeting also heard a brief Statement from SRSG of the UN Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah. After exchange of views on the situation in Somalia by the participants, the Council adopted a communiqué. In the communiqué the Council reiterated its strong condemnation of the recent acts of aggression perpetrated against the TFG, the civilian population and AMISOM in Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia by armed groups including foreign elements bent on undermining the peace and reconciliation process and regional stability. The Council also expressed its deep concern over the increased presence of foreign elements in Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia. The Council demanded that the armed groups cease their attacks on TFG and AMISOM. The council reiterated again its call to the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on spoilers. It is to be recalled that the AU Peace and Security Council had called up on the UNSC to impose sanctions on those parties, most particularly Eritrea, who continue to be obstacles to the restoration of peace and reconciliation in Somalia. The Council appealed to all AU member states to provide all the required support to the TFG, including military one to enable it to confront the armed elements that are carrying out attacks against it. The Council concluded its meeting by renewing the mandate of AMISOM for additional 7 months.
******** The Evidence against Eritrea is incontrovertible Eritrea has been supporting the terrorist elements in Somalia in different ways. Eritrea itself has admitted that it supports these elements. Of course, Eritrea has also made it a habit to play with words to explain away its culpability. At times it claims that it is only providing shelter to the insurgency; or that it is providing them the opportunity to hold discussion. The truth of the matter is, it has always flaunted the support it has been giving to these groups out of a “moral & legal obligation” that, strangely enough, it believes it alone has towards the Somalis. But now that it is feeling the heat coming from the international community, it appears to have changed its tone. It has started to flatly deny that it provides arms to the terrorist elements in Somalia. According to its foreign ministry’s press release on 15th June, 2009, what Eritrea did with regard to Somalia was, far from supplying extremists with arms, to exercise its right to ‘dissent’ with the decisions of the international community on the future of Somalia. Despite its ‘denial’, Eritrea congratulates itself on having pursued for the last two years what it calls a ‘realistic’ position with regard to Somalia, that Abdullahi Yusuf’s government was doomed. It was indeed realistic in light of the fact that Eritrea did everything to prove itself right by giving all kinds of support to the Al Shabab. Eritrea has its own unique standard for what is legitimate and what is not. Despite its new found ‘respect’ for international law, it still finds it baffling that the TFG should still be considered ‘legitimate’, simply because it is recognised by the International community. It is as if only those who fight their way to power—as Eritrea likes to believe it did—can only be considered genuinely legitimate. Whatever the explanation, Eritrea seems to sincerely believe that it has every right to extend and withdraw legitimacy at will. And it is not ashamed of it even when it is trying hard to be more diplomatic, as their latest overtures are held out to be. Finally Eritrea seems to have realized that it cannot continue to ignore the fact that the international community is close to abandoning its earlier policy of appeasement and is therefore trying to draw down its vitriolic propaganda against the UN and the AU. Unfortunately for Eritrea, its change of tone may have come too little too late. Africa knows better than listening to Eritrea’s deception. Indeed the whole world, even those who were generous enough to give Eritrea the benefit of the doubt, now know that the time has come for Eritrea to account for its acts of destabilization. The case for sanctions on Eritrea has long been in the making by other actors without result. The difference now is that Africa is speaking loud & clear that the regime in Asmara is a force of destabilization for the entire sub-region and has to be dealt with firmly. The evidence against Eritrea is overwhelming. All those who have keenly followed Eritrea’s activities are now convinced that Eritrea continues to supply these violent armed groups with deadly weapons. Even as it tries to hoodwink the international community into believing that it is not supplying arms to the terrorist elements, the regime in Asmara has continued calling for the destruction of the TFG in no uncertain terms. It has advocated attack against the African Union Peace Keepers-AMISOM, fully sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council. Eritrea has consistently called for further bloodshed and attacks against TFG and AMISOM itself. These indeed are grave violations of international law, making the case against Eritrea even more compelling. In all seriousness, these calls for violence can not be taken simply as expressions of ‘dissent’ with the international community regarding developments in Somalia given Eritrea’s active and irrefutably proved acts of support to the terrorists. The UN Security Council has been steadily moving towards imposing sanctions on Eritrea as the evidence of Eritrea’s irresponsible and blatant acts only continues to intensify. The more the Council edges towards sanctions, Eritrea has become ever more noisy and offensive. Africa has become the usual target, of course. The Eritrean Ministry of Information has even dared to call the Organization for African Unity, the predecessor of the African Union, in the most demeaning terms. But then again, this appalling attack on our continental organizations coming from the Eritrean regime is not uncommon. What makes these Eritrean attacks against the African Union particularly offensive is not only the extent it has gone to totally deny the achievements of the OAU; but it has also been shamelessly calling for the demise of the AU. Eritrea’s leaders have a bizarre belief that the legitimacy of any government or organization depends on whether or not it endorses their every move. Eritrea does not simply call the OAU and now the AU ‘incompetent and passive entity’ ‘acting as a tool for external forces, western spy networks and the agents of neo-colonialism’; but its leaders also hold that the name of the African Union has become, in their words ‘that of humiliation and embarrassment for Africans.’ Members of the African Union cannot stand idle while the Union is being shamelessly attacked and vilified by one of its members. It was only appropriate that the African Union called on the United Nations Security Council to impose sanction on Eritrea for its acts of destabilization in Somalia, following calls by IGAD. In any case, Eritrea’s despicable actions against the African Union and its representation of African history in such contemptuous manner should not deter resolute action against Eritrea by the United Nations Security Council. It would in fact show the international community the true nature of the regime in Asmara and its real intentions in destabilizing the entire region. Increasingly Eritrea is seen for what it is—a regime unable and unwilling to behave as any normal state fully respecting the norms governing relations between states. The time has now come for this intransigent regime to face the long overdue consequence of its illegal acts. The United Nations should not fail Africa at this critical stage. The people of Somalia and the entire region are expecting the regime in Eritrea to be seriously punished for all the suffering and instability it has caused. Resolute actions by the United Nations against Eritrea shall remove one more roadblock barring lasting and inclusive process for peace in Somalia. Punitive measures against Eritrea under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter are the only logical and consequential outcomes of Eritrea’s own acts and are legitimately demanded by Africa consistent with the principles of international law. Eritrea’s latest acrobatics should not be mistaken for change of ways; even when it tries hard to appear civilized—of sorts—its language betrays its arrogance. Its time for the international community to exercise its right to tell Eritrea to behave.
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Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Ministry of Foreign Affairs