Public Engagement to Transform Addis To A Cleaner, Greener Capital By Henok Tadele Haile As the vibrant heart of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa holds a unique significance, not just for its residents, but also for the international community that calls this city home. Recognizing its importance as the political capital of Africa and a hub for influential global organizations, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has embarked on a transformative journey to elevate Addis Ababa's status and enhance the quality of life for all who inhabit this dynamic metropolis. Over the past few years, the city has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis, with the creation of world-class parks, museums, and other amenities that have bolstered Ethiopia's tourism sector and made Addis Ababa an increasingly attractive destination for visitors. From the breathtaking Unity Park to the captivating Entoto Park and Friendship Park, these new landmarks have not only added to the city's allure, but have also served to improve the living conditions of its residents. Now, Prime Minister Abiy has set his sights on an equally ambitious goal: revolutionizing the city's public sanitation infrastructure. Launching the "Clean Streets and Healthy Livelihood" campaign, the Prime Minister has called upon all Ethiopians to join hands in building cities that prioritize cleanliness and inclusivity, recognizing the critical importance of collective effort in achieving this vision. One of the objectives of the PM’s initiative is to build modern public toilets in the identified corridors to enhancing accessibility and fostering cleanliness within urban landscape. This initiative also strives to elevate hygiene standards across our city and nation by promoting a culture of dignified toilet usage and raising awareness about cleanliness. At the heart of this initiative is the construction of modern, hygienic, and accessible public restroom facilities across Addis Ababa's urban areas. For decades, the city has grappled with a lack of standardized public sanitation services, leading many residents to resort to unsanitary alternatives. The Prime Minister's plan aims to address this pressing issue, not only improving public health and reducing the spread of waterborne diseases, but also creating employment opportunities and fostering a sense of dignity for those in need. To ensure the sustainability and success of this project, the government has launched a digital telethon, seeking both cash and in-kind contributions from the general public, individual donors, and institutions. This telethon, scheduled for a ten-hour period on Sunday, May 12th, 2024, has been aptly named "Clean Streets - Healthy Lives," underscoring the interconnectedness of urban cleanliness and the well-being of the community. The plan is to raise 50 million Birr in a 10hr period digital telethon challenge. As Prime Minister Abiy has eloquently stated, "We are colorful when we come together for a collective cause." Indeed, the resounding success of this telethon will not only showcase the power of unity and mutual concern, but also serve as a testament to the Ethiopian people's unwavering commitment to creating cities that cater to the needs of all. The campaign is a great opportunity to engage all Ethiopians including the diaspora and members of the international community based in Addis Ababa as well as friends of Ethiopia, and others have the chance to contribute individually or in groups to this magnificent objective which aims at enhancing public sanitation services.   Through this ambitious initiative, Prime Minister Abiy's vision for a cleaner, greener, and more inclusive Addis Ababa is taking shape. By harnessing the collective efforts of the government, the private sector, and the public, the city is poised to become a model of sustainable urban development, setting a precedent for cities across Ethiopia and the African continent. As we rally behind this cause, we bear witness to the transformative power of community-driven change, paving the way for a brighter, more prosperous future for Addis Ababa and its people.  

BY SOLOMON DIBABA The Agreement on Permanent Cessation of Hostilities was signed on 2 November, 2022 between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the TPLF in Pretoria, South Africa. The peace talks mediated by the AU, was attended by international observers such as UN and paved the way for a lasting peace in northern part of Ethiopia. Even before the signing of the agreement, the Ethiopian Government had been providing the lion’s share of relief supplies to the citizens affected by the war and has been cooperating with international partners and UN systems to facilitate the supply of relief food to the needy people of Tigray. The Pretoria Peace Agreement has enhanced a new culture of putting an end to conflicts by soliciting political solutions through round table discussions. This bold move amplifies the importance of a mature and resolute decision of the federal government of Ethiopia to prevent future generations from inheriting a legacy of winners and losers characterized by animosity and grudges. Through peace agreement, the two parties agreed to halt the bloody and unnecessary conflict. The Ethiopian Government has established an environment conducive to unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Tigray. Following the signing of the peace agreement, the government surpassed its obligations stipulated in the accord and implemented series of measures deemed necessary to cultivate trust and sustainable peace in the northern part of the country. The government has also been diligently working towards repairing and reinstating damaged infrastructure facilities and services. Considerable financial resources have been allocated by the government to reinstate economic activities in the Tigray region. Given the substantial dividend of peace, the government has carried out activities beyond expectations to heal the wounds inflicted by the conflict. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Ethiopian Government took remarkable swift action in restoring the infrastructure facilities that were damaged by the conflict by opening up road transport to Tigray as a major prerequisite for fast-tracking relief and rehabilitation supplies as well as restarting social services like hospitals, health centers and clinics and schools as well as telephone and network services. The government also restored electric power supply in Tigray, Afar and Amhara regions by deploying professionals who accomplished their duties in a relatively shorter period of time. Major airports in Tigray region were rehabilitated and air transport resumed operations enabling citizens to reunite with their families who had been separated for two years. With regard to costs of the maintenance of airports in Tigray, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told members of the House of People’s Representatives (HPR) earlier this year that over half billion Birr of expenditure was made for the resumption of the air transport to Shire, Mekele and Axum. The air transport at least helped people with chronic diseases to fly to Addis and get medical treatment. Moreover, Ethio telecom also repaired over 1000 kms of optical fiber and 475 mobile sites while repairing over 20,000 landline telephones, it was learnt. Furthermore, the National Bank Ethiopian provided 10 billion Birr liquidity, enabling some 600 bank branches to start services. Almost all universities in Tigray regional state have resumed their duties. Similarly, health care institutions are now providing health services. Through a special procurement, the federal government has imported 500 tractors and over 300 pumps to improve agriculture in Tigray. About 630,000 hectares of land was also cultivated in the region last crop season with support of agricultural inputs support such as tractors, select seed, fertilizer and pumps by the Ministry of Agriculture and other regional states. Moreover, major public and private banks were reopened to provide financial services which were totally closed during the war which lasted for two years. This has helped to reinvigorate business activities that have totally collapsed in the advent of the devastative war. The aforementioned results are just a few of the achievements carried out by the federal government as part of its duties to the Pretoria Peace Agreement, creating confidence with TPLF. However, the other party has reciprocated little. For instance, former combatants of TPLF have not been demobilized, to the contrary, there are visible deployment and mobilizations of armed forces for fresh conflicts that everyone can see, claiming they will seize disputed areas of former settlements. This is in stark violation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement. The peace agreement underscores that disputed areas should be resolved constitutionally, not through force. Hence, to fully implement the peace agreement, the other signatory must reciprocate its duties in the same manner and commitment demonstrated by the federal government: it needs to demobilize its forces, cease provocation to control disputed areas by force. It is only the federal government which should have military might and capability. States are prohibited from maintaining armed and organized forces beyond the police and militia required for law enforcement at the state level; they should not exceed this limit. Hence, the disarmament process and associated procedures must be expeditiously implemented in accordance with the plan charted out by the Rehabilitation Commission. Efforts to resettle those displaced by the war must be accelerated, but IDPs should be returned to their settlements as civilians, not with arms. The issue of administrative border demarcation should be addressed constitutionally, not by resorting to military means. The people of Tigray have greater expectations for the implementation of the peace agreement because much of their current and future aspirations depend upon the full implementation of the Agreement for which the government has paid special attention. The AU and international community are fully backing the timely implementation of this agreement which is of crucial importance for both the national peace and security as well as the stability of the Horn of Africa. Failing to learn from past mistakes is more problematic than committing the mistakes in the beginning. Without drawing lessons from our past mistakes, it will be difficult to whole heartedly collaborate with those who wish to perpetuate the problems we face today. Thus, sustaining the achievements so far registered by the federal government to accelerate the full implementation of the agreement seriously requires the other signatory to contribute its part in the peace process with no reservations and excuses as the terms of the Agreement entail legal accountability at all levels. All told, the federal government has gone a long way to fully implement the peace agreement. It is vehemently working for durable peace and stability, upholding the rule of law. Hence, the National Dialogue is under implementation to resolve differences of opinion among citizens on fundamental issues and forge a national consensus and address Ethiopia’s backlogs of problems through extensive public discussions. The government has also put in place a Transitional Justice Policy Framework, anchored on the pillars of justice, accountability, reconciliation and redress past mistakes. Inevitably, Ethiopia’s prosperity will thrive on.