Addis Ababa, August 27, 2025 (ENA) -- A high-level Ethiopian delegation, led by Finance Minister Ahmed Shide and including Ambassador Girma Biru, Special Advisor on Economic Affairs to the Prime Minister, delivered a message today from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan.   The meeting was attended by South Sudan’s Vice President for the Economic Cluster, Foreign Affairs Minister, Finance and Planning Minister, Presidential Affairs Minister, and the Governor of the Central Bank. During the meeting, Minister Shide conveyed Prime Minister Abiy’s commitment to deepening the historic and enduring ties between Ethiopia and South Sudan, emphasizing the bonds forged through shared history.   President Kiir expressed gratitude for the message and reaffirmed the strong, longstanding relationship between the two nations.   The delegation also engaged in productive discussions with Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, South Sudan’s Vice President for Economic Cluster, focusing on bilateral and regional matters of mutual interest. The discussion focused on undertaking joint economic cooperation and infrastructure investments, including collaborative efforts on road networks, electricity transmission lines, and telecommunications. Both sides agreed to accelerate joint infrastructure initiatives, including the Pagak-Maiwut-Mthiang-Paloch road project, to enhance connectivity and economic integration.   Cooperation in energy, aviation, telecommunications, and banking was also explored to bolster economic ties in alignment with the strategic political relationship. The discussions, attended by South Sudan’s Finance and Planning Minister, Central Bank Governor, and the Executive Director of the Vice President’s Office, underscored the importance of closely monitoring project implementation to ensure progress toward shared goals of economic cooperation and regional integration. This visit reinforces the commitment of Ethiopia and South Sudan to strengthen their partnership and advance collaborative efforts for mutual prosperity.

  By Bereket Sisay Addis Ababa, August 27, 2025 (ENA) -- The political portrayal of the Horn of Africa, seemingly shaped by an Orientalist perspective, is overwhelmingly negative. The region has always been portrayed as a hotbed of instability, a place where political tensions and risks are rampant. In fact, the region's reality does not differ much from this portrayal, as it has experienced political turmoil for many years. Communal conflicts, terrorism, political chaos, piracy, and interstate wars have plagued the region for a long time. Furthermore, external intervention by outside actors exacerbates these political crises and puts the region in disarray. The region also has a history of being used as a chessboard, emerging as a center of gravity for diverse actors from near and far due to its geopolitical position. Consequently, the region is characterized as a symmetric multipolar region, exhibiting a convergence and divergence of interests that negatively impact its well-being. These crises and their impacts have rendered the region as it is today. This characterization has damaged the image of the region and each country within it and calls for each country's efforts to change the narrative for the better, once and for all. However, undertaking mutually beneficial political and economic projects that can defy the region's previous presentation requires courage and solid political will. In light of this geopolitical reality, Ethiopia has made every effort to transform the situation and contribute to the region by taking responsibility. The nation redefined its approach long ago, embracing a collective strategy to address significant regional challenges and work toward a better future. Ethiopia has been working tirelessly for the region's common good, determined to overcome its grim past and propel the region toward sustainable development and peace. As stated in its foreign policy document, Ethiopia prioritizes its neighboring countries because their destinies are closely linked. Ethiopia seems to embody the sentiment, "Either we swim together or we sink together," which aptly captures the region's interdependent nature. Ethiopia's dedication to the region is not just theoretical. The country has demonstrated this commitment through collaborative efforts and mutually beneficial strategies over an extended period, as evidenced by its recent tangible actions. These initiatives are grounded in the principle of mutual advantage for the region and the broader continent, thus promoting stability and development. Consider Ethiopia's contributions to regional peace, for example. Its role as a peacekeeper in Somalia exemplifies its dedication to tackling regional issues collaboratively. Since 2006, Ethiopia has demonstrated its commitment to the principle of "non-indifference" toward its neighbors' struggles by actively working to foster peace and security in Somalia. This has significantly benefited the region and its people. While the terrorist group al-Shabaab has not been completely eradicated, its threat has significantly decreased, leading a robust stability in the region. Furthermore, Somalia’s relatively stable federal government today is largely due to Ethiopia's contributions, as well as those of other nations. Ethiopia has consistently demonstrated its willingness to collaborate with Somalia as partners in maintaining peace and security, viewing it as a shared responsibility. Ethiopia’s stability is intertwined with Somalia’s security, and Somalia’s security and long-term progress depend on Ethiopia’s growth and development. At Somalia’s 2022 presidential inauguration in Mogadishu, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized this point, stating: “We don’t view our progress as a nation separate from that of our neighbors for we truly understand that a neighbor at peace with itself is an ally for our paths to prosperity.” Similarly, Ethiopia has played a critical role in fostering peace and stability in South Sudan, which has faced civil conflict since its independence. Through the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Ethiopia has successfully led negotiations between conflicting parties, resulting in a peace agreement that many considered unachievable. Despite the challenges of implementing the revitalized peace deal, South Sudan is progressing toward greater stability. Ethiopia is widely recognized as a key contributor to this process due to its significant efforts in fulfilling its regional responsibilities. In sharing the burden of the region's social crisis, Ethiopia has proven itself to be an important ally. Despite its economic challenges and large population, Ethiopia plays a significant role in addressing the regional refugee crisis. The country hosts over one million refugees from neighboring countries, including Sudan and South Sudan. This generous act reflects Ethiopia’s commitment to a collaborative approach to regional issues and shared development. It has earned international praise by countering the restrictive immigration policies of many developed nations, which have become the new normal. Similarly, as climate change poses a major threat, particularly in the Horn of Africa, where adaptive capacity is limited, Ethiopia has not sat idly by; rather, it has carved out its own solutions. To combat climate change, Ethiopia launched the Green Legacy Initiative, planting billions of trees with widespread citizen participation. Additionally, Ethiopia is expanding this initiative throughout the region by providing neighboring countries, such as Djibouti and South Sudan, with seedlings and sharing its expertise. This contributes to collective regional efforts against climate change and fosters a resilient green economy. Ethiopia’s cross-border development initiatives vividly demonstrate its commitment to fostering shared prosperity in the region. A prime example is the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s vision for cooperative growth. Beyond providing electrification and other indirect benefits to Ethiopia, the GERD is a transformative project designed to benefit neighboring countries, particularly Sudan and Egypt, by regulating floods, managing water flow, and serving as a vital energy source for a region long plagued by energy shortages. The dam’s energy output will drive industrial and manufacturing growth, advancing both national and regional development in alignment with the aspirations of Agenda 2063, Africa’s blueprint for continental integration. As the manufacturing sector expands, it will create jobs across various value chains, boosting livelihoods and raising per capita income. This will surely contribute to sustainable development in the region and beyond. Likewise, Ethiopia’s pursuit of sea access reflects its dedication to mutual prosperity and regional collaboration. Far from a self-serving ambition, this endeavor aligns with the principles of shared growth, as access to the sea would unlock multi sectoral opportunities for neighboring countries. Ethiopia’s landlocked status has long constrained its economy and geopolitical standing, while also depriving the region of the broader benefits that sea access could enable. By securing maritime access, Ethiopia could catalyze regional advantages akin to those of the GERD, reinforcing its commitment to development projects that prioritize collective progress and mutual benefit. Additionally, Ethiopia has played a key role in strengthening IGAD, transforming it into a robust multilateral institution that unites member states around shared goals. This is another milestone in the nation's efforts to promote regional cooperation. Therefore, all these stories convey one major truth: Ethiopia aspires to grow and prosper through shared contributions. To that end, Ethiopia has adopted a collaborative approach to solving inherited problems and establishing effective strategies for achieving sustainable peace and development. A collective response is a new possibility, and every country in the region must exhibit the political will to make this pragmatic geopolitical vision a reality. If they cooperate, these countries have the capacity to alter the region's political and economic direction. Moreover, moving forward is not an option in this chaotic global scenario. Today, the world's geopolitical landscape is tense. The war between Ukraine and Russia continues, the crisis in the Middle East grinds on, and the rivalry between China and the U.S. intensifies. Additionally, many concerning negative trends have emerged in Africa and the region at large. Thus, it is crucial to navigate this volatile global political and economic landscape and carve out possible solutions for Eastern Africa, particularly the Horn of Africa, at least for the time being. For the Horn of Africa to achieve peace and prosperity, collaboration must move beyond rhetoric. Ethiopia has taken bold steps now the question is whether others will follow.

Addis Ababa, August 27, 2025 (ENA) -- Despite progress over the last decade, billions of people around the world still lack access to essential water, sanitation, and hygiene services, putting them at risk of disease and deeper social exclusion, according to a new report released by the United Nations. The report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the children’s agency (UNICEF), issued as World Water Week gets underway, highlights persistent gaps in access, with vulnerable communities facing the greatest disparities. The report published under the theme “Progress on Household Drinking Water and Sanitation 2000–2024: special focus on inequalities,” revealed that, while some progress has been made, major gaps persist. People living in low-income countries, fragile contexts, rural communities, children, and minority ethnic and indigenous groups face the greatest disparities. Despite gains since 2015, 1 in 4 – or 2.1 billion people globally – still lack access to safely managed drinking water, including 106 million who drink directly from untreated surface sources. “Water, sanitation, and hygiene are not privileges; they are basic human rights,” said Ruediger Krech, Director of WHO’s Environment, Climate Change and Health Department. The report finds that people in least developed countries are more than twice as likely as people in other countries to lack basic drinking water and sanitation services, and over three times as likely to go without basic hygiene. “These inequalities are especially stark for girls who often bear the burden of water collection and face additional barriers during menstruation,” said Cecilia Scharp, UNICEF’s head of water, sanitation, and hygiene services. Data from 70 countries reveal that while most women and adolescent girls have menstrual materials and a private place to change, many still lack sufficient supplies to manage their needs safely and with dignity. Some 1.7 billion people still lack basic hygiene services at home, including 611 million with no facilities at all. “We must accelerate action, especially for the most marginalised communities, if we are to keep our promise to reach the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Krech. “At the current pace, the promise of safe water and sanitation for every child is slipping further from reach – reminding us that we must act faster and more boldly to reach those who need it most,” said Scharp.

Addis Ababa, August 27, 2025 (ENA) – Water and Energy Minister of Ethiopia Habtamu Itefa remarked that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) ensures a regulated flow of water and reduces flood risks for downstream countries while promoting fairer and more sustainable transboundary water management. The Minister has affirmed that the current Ethiopian generation has realized its long-cherished development aspirations through the successful completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). This milestone, he stressed, demonstrates the nation’s resilience, unity, and determination. The minister explained that Ethiopia is preparing a special inauguration ceremony for the historic GERD project, which is expected to inspire not only Ethiopians but also the global community. According to him, this achievement was made possible by the collective effort of all Ethiopians who stood together with unwavering commitment. Recalling Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s earlier remarks, the minister noted that the GERD is “the result of a drop of blood, a drop of sweat, a drop of tears, and a drop of water.” In this regard, he emphasized that the Prime Minister’s words underline how the dam embodies Ethiopia’s development journey, a journey marked by immense sacrifice and perseverance. More importantly, he added, the GERD demonstrates Ethiopia’s ability to achieve multifaceted progress that extends far beyond power generation. Furthermore, Habtamu underscored that the GERD is not merely a dam but a project born from Ethiopia’s long-standing determination to utilize its water resources effectively. By completing the project, the current generation has fulfilled a centuries-old aspiration through resilience and collective struggle. The minister also highlighted the regional and continental significance of the GERD. He explained that by ensuring a regulated flow of water, the dam reduces flood risks for downstream countries while promoting fairer and more sustainable transboundary water management. Thus, the project stands as a symbol of cooperation and shared benefit for Africa as a whole. In addition, he praised Ethiopians both at home and in the diaspora for writing a proud chapter in history. Their financial, professional, and moral contributions, despite differences, enabled the realization of this national dream. As a result, the GERD today is not only producing energy but also creating new opportunities. It is serving as a source of fish resources and an eco-tourism destination, thereby transforming Ethiopia’s waters into a blessing across multiple sectors. Minister Habtamu concluded by paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives and to those who contributed selflessly. Their legacy, he said, will be remembered for generations to come. Looking ahead, the electricity generated by the GERD has the potential to expand energy access both within Ethiopia and across the wider region, further consolidating the dam’s role as a cornerstone of national and regional development.

Addis Ababa, August 27, 2025 (ENA) - The International Labour Organization (ILO) commended Ethiopia for implementing legal instruments to ensure labor protection for workers employed in foreign countries and its continued effort for partnership. In an exclusive interview with ENA, Khumbula Ndaba, the ILO Country Director for Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan, highlighted recent government initiatives to protect its citizens. He specifically praised the launch of the LeMengede mobile application, a joint project developed by the Ministry of Labor and Skills and the ILO. The LeMengede app provides essential information to citizens, including details on destination countries, their rights and responsibilities as workers, and contact information for Ethiopian embassies and consular offices abroad. According to Ndaba, this technology-driven tool will help the government better manage labor migration and demonstrate its commitment to prioritizing the safety and rights of its citizens. He also emphasized the crucial role of bilateral labor agreements between Ethiopia and destination countries. These agreements, he explained, regulate employment conditions and safeguard the rights of Ethiopian workers. He cited the agreement made with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a prime example, which ensures that Ethiopian nationals can work legally in the Emirates with their rights protected. Ethiopia has signed similar agreements with other countries, especially in the Arab world, to provide legal employment opportunities and ensure the welfare of its migrant workers. Ndaba noted that these agreements are vital for setting clear standards, such as prohibiting the abuse of workers or the confiscation of their passports. "These agreements empower the Government of Ethiopia to intervene whenever necessary, protect the rights of its citizens, and monitor their safety abroad," Ndaba stated. He also underscored the importance of complementary measures like pre-departure training to help prepare Ethiopian workers for overseas employment and ensure a safer migration process.