Addis Ababa, September 30/2023(ENA) The International Peace Support Training Institute (IPSTI) has been providing quality education to African military officers and the institute needs to increase the intake of officers from African countries to draw experience from Ethiopian peacekeeping operations, Ugandan, South Sudanese and Kenyan military officers told ENA. Members of the national army of South Sudan, Uganda and Kenya have successfully completed their two-year long studies at IPSTI and graduated with Master of Arts degree in Peace and Security Management last week. The IPSTI, which earlier was known as Ethiopia Peace Support Training Center, has been providing education and trainings to both Ethiopian and African military officers and civilians for many years for effective peacekeeping missions in the sub-region and the continent at large. IPSTI has contributed a lot to enhance the capacity of the East Africa Standby Force (EASF) and other organizations working on peace and security issue, by drawing trainees from across the region. Lieutenant Colonel Watasa David, a Ugandan chief instructor, who was awarded gold medal for his outstanding achievement lauded the quality education he received during his studies and promised to impart his knowledge and experience to his fellow Ugandans and Africans as his country is also actively participating in a peacekeeping operation. “I will use my knowledge to also try to impart it to my fellow people back home and as our country is participating in the peacekeeping operations,” Lieutenant Colonel David said, He added “We are living at a time where peace is becoming a scarce commodity and getting this knowledge from this institute has been a wonderful experience, not only for me but also for my country.” Noting that pursuing studies at the institute is fortunate for African officers, he said: “Ethiopia is also like home. When the training started, it was during COVID-19 pandemic. So there were a lot of restrictions, but we never missed home. Ethiopia was like a home.” I had wonderful experience with Ethiopian officers in the classroom, he said, adding my first exposure with Ethiopian officers had been during peacekeeping operations in Somalia and noted that Ethiopia has contributed a lot of peacekeeping operations especially for African countries. “Now this was my first time experience with the Ethiopian academia, and our class got students who had been in Abyei peacekeeping. So we use it to share a lot of experience especially from Ethiopian perspective. And Ethiopia has had a rich history, especially in peacekeeping. And I was so happy with the inclusion of female officers from Ethiopia. During the class discussions, they were always telling us the gender perspective of every debate. So it was very interesting for our region,” he explained. The courses are relevant and other African countries need to draw and benefit from Ethiopian experience, “Ethiopia has been able to do it and what we can learn from,” the Lieutenant Colonel said. According to him, the study tours organized for them to African Union, his visit of the Unity Park and Adama Hot water were all good learning experience. Brigadier General Jok Angok Deng, a South Sudanese was among the military officers graduated with Master of Arts degree in Peace and Security Management. Brigadier General Deng is a military attaché at the South Sudan's Embassy in Addis Ababa. He expressed his hope that the number of students admitted to the institute from South Sudan and other African countries will increase in the future, so will their experience and skills be expanded by acquiring best knowledge and skills to apply in Africa and in global peacekeeping operations. “I hope next time the number of South Sudanese students will be more than one,” he said. Ethiopia has extended support to South Sudan in human resource capacity building efforts for many years, Brigadier General Deng said, adding “South Sudan is a newborn nation that needs human resource development and Ethiopia has been instrumental in providing trainings to so many students, whether civilians or member of the army.” I had also graduated from the same institute with masters degree in 2017 in military operation and leadership and now with another masters degree in Peace and Conflict Management, he said. “Many South Sudanese also graduated from Ethiopia with different certificates. This is human resource development for South Sudan, which is a new nation, and they will contribute like Ethiopia in peacekeeping operation in other parts of Africa.” he added. Although South Sudan has lack of trained force for peacekeeping operations, it started participation in peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) under the East African Force, he said. Ethiopian peacekeeping contingent did an excellent job in Abyei, he recalled, adding that they were fair enough to protect those who were vulnerable people in the area. Ethiopia's peacekeeping track record is quite impressive and it needs to be emulated by South Sudan, he said. Similarly, Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Yego, who is from Kenya graduated from IPSTI. The courses he took were very important, especially to the Horn of Africa, where we are experiencing conflict and they will help us to understand the resolution of the conflict, Lieutenant Colonel Yego said   Ethiopia and Kenya have been cooperating in capacity building efforts in many ways, including exchange program and training for military personnel, he noted. The lieutenant colonel commended the quality of education and experience acquired during his studies. “The instructors are very excellent and they provide everything. The quality of education here is very nice. And I also advise my colleagues(Kenyans) to pursue for the same course if given the opportunity,” he said. He thanked both his country for granting him this opportunity and the Ethiopian government, ENDF and this institute for the support provided to him.  

Addis Ababa, September 30/2023(ENA)- The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has inaugurated a Moyale Cross-Border Development Facilitation Office.   IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu and Marsabit County Governor Mohamud Ali inaugurated the office on Friday. The office is expected to support communities on Moyale-Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. Speaking on the occasion, the executive secretary said that the facilitation office is a central part of a flagship agenda to take IGAD to the people.   This office shall serve as a catalyst for enhancing vision of IGAD in fostering sustainable peace, shared prosperity, and seamless regional integration, Workneh pointed out. "It's (also) our commitment to fostering regional cross-border cooperation with the objective to propel mutual interests, including the promotion of trade and cultural ties," he added. Marsabit County Governor Ali twitted that the inaugurated IGAD’s Cross-Border Development Facilitation Office in Moyale is a historic step toward regional peace and prosperity. Let's work together for sustainable development in the Horn of Africa, the governor urged. According to IGAD, the office in Moyale will be mandated to facilitate cross border cooperation actors, local government institutions and communities in their respective clusters to foster cooperation around a common programming agenda, especially delivering social services to host communities, refugees, and migrants. The office was built with the cooperation of IGAD and German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development.

Addis Ababa, September 30/2023(ENA)- Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia need to exploit their historic ties with lots of potential for cooperation in various spheres, House of People's Representatives (HPR) Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs Standing Committee Member Ambassador Dina Mufti said. The longstanding relations of the two countries, both in terms of business relations and people-to-people contacts, are deep-rooted and strong, according to the Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs Standing Committee Member. In an exclusive interview with ENA, Ambassador Dina pointed out that Ethiopia is a country that sheltered Muslims during their persecution. Muslims from Saudi Arabia fled to Ethiopia and they were welcomed by the then Ethiopian leaders. He further stated that the business, trade relationship, and cultural relationships between the two countries have developed over the years. Noting the huge interaction between citizens of the countries, Ambassador Dina stressed the need to further strengthen these relationships. Geographic proximity is also believed to be an encouraging factor to promote tourism in both countries. Many Ethiopians live and work in Saudi Arabia, and many more travel to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj every year. This helps to further enhance relations to a higher level. Ambassador Dina underlined that “Ethiopia is one of the populous countries in Africa and the opportunity of making business with Ethiopia is huge. So, Saudi Arabia can make good use of that.” There is opportunity for investment, tourism, and technology transfer, he noted, adding that it is possible to strengthen the relationship between the two countries in many spheres. By identifying areas of cooperation in those areas and further strengthening research to exploit the potential, we can go far, the standing committee member stated. According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the relationship between Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia is long-standing, historic, and firmly established on people-to-people ties over the centuries. The solid foundation of bilateral relationship and partnership was laid with the First Hijrah in the 7th century when Ethiopia welcomed the followers of the Prophet Mohammed by providing sanctuary and hospitality. Furthermore Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia have recently agreed to bolster the bilateral relations between the two countries. Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia began diplomatic relations in 1949.    

Addis Ababa, September 28/2023(ENA) Ethiopia and Cuba need to exploit the ample potentials they have in many fields to further strengthen bilateral relationship, Cuba's Ambassador to Ethiopia, Jorge Lefebre Nicolas said. The ambassador told ENA that Cuba and Ethiopia have been in close ties since the establishment of their diplomatic relations in 1976. Cuba has helped Ethiopia during one of the most dangerous situation that Ethiopia faced in history where many Cubans came to this country. He also recalled that many Ethiopians also went to Cuba to pursue their studies. During the Heads of State and Government Summit of Group 77 + China which Cuba hosted from 15 to 16 September 2023, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke met and discussed with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and other officials on the margins of the summit. Ethiopia and Cuba have strong people-to-people relationship through the scholarship that continued over the years, Demeke stated, and noted “we have agreed to establish a ministerial consultation platform in order to elevate the special relationship we enjoy.” Now Ethiopians who pursued their studies in Cuba are back home as doctors, engineers, agriculturalists and professionals in many other fields, Ambassador Nicolas said. "Both countries have natural links established through years and there are also Cuban families here and Ethiopian families in Cuba. So it is a duty of us as a diplomat and politicians to strengthen that relationship,” the ambassador urged. "I think Cuba and Ethiopia in the last years have developed very notable economic capacity and economic power. But we can’t (fully) cooperate together in many fields. For instance, we in Cuba are very heavy drinker of coffee and Ethiopia has one of the best coffee industries. That is ground for cooperation,” he said. With a population of over 110 million people, Ethiopia has higher consumption of sugar, he said, adding that, the country has industries of sugar but not enough for Ethiopia. As Cuba has the knowledge and experience for many years in the sugar industries, we can establish cooperation on that and we have a potential also in biotechnology, the ambassador pointed out. He further elaborated that Cuba has developed some important medication drugs, for instance, during the COVID, Cuba developed five vaccines against COVID-19, which opens ground for cooperation. According to the ambassador, the level of development that Ethiopia and Cuba have reached is similar in some issues, but the cooperation is not worth of the existing potentials and we need to also learn experience from each other. “We can learn from you (Ethiopia) of 110 million people. We are only 11 million people. So, it is supposed to be easier for us with the help of each other, we can achieve better resource,” he said. There is popular people to people bonds between Cubans and Ethiopians, he said, adding we must keep that ties and take this to the political level, Ambassador Nicolas pointed out.    

Addis Ababa, September 28/2023(ENA)- The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) announced that it will inaugurate the IGAD Moyale Field Cross-border Coordination Office in Moyale-Moyale (Ethiopia-Kenya) cross border areas on Friday. This IGAD office in Moyale will be mandated to facilitate cross border cooperation actors, local government institutions and communities in their respective clusters to foster cooperation around a common programming agenda, especially delivering social services to host communities, refugees, and migrants. The event will also include the launch of the implementation of IGAD Regional Migration Fund (RMF) Infrastructures activities and share the accomplishments of the IGAD intervention on cash and livelihoods under SIMPI project and launch of the cross-border community-based migration network among others. The participants at the launching event will be drawn from both Ethiopia and Kenya various government structures at various levels and local communities from Moyale area, according to information obtained from IGAD.  

Addis Ababa, September 28/2023(ENA)- The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has adopted Youth Policy with a view to promoting the rights of the youth and strengthens their engagement in all matters of the region. IGAD held a landmark ministerial meeting towards the adoption of the IGAD Youth Policy in Kenya, Nairobi, on Wednesday. It was indicated during the occasion that the IGAD Youth Policy is a crucial framework for promoting youth rights in the IGAD Region as it is designed to guide and mainstream youth priorities in policies, laws, and programmes aimed at empowering youth and ensuring their meaningful participation in political processes.   The policy is also believed to play crucial role for the development of a comprehensive roadmap and action plan to empower the youth in the region. The policy has been developed through extensive consultations with Technical Experts responsible for Youth Affairs from member states, National Youth Councils, Youth-Led Organisations, and the IGAD Secretariat. The ministers up on the conclusion of their meeting have issued a statement on the declaration of the adoption and implementation of IGAD Youth Policy Framework. The ministers agreed to establish IGAD technical experts and ministerial committees on Youth Affairs as a platform to oversee, follow up, and periodically take stock of the progress of the implementation of the IGAD Youth Policy Framework. They also called upon development partners, including the International Financial Institutions, to provide support to the IGAD Secretariat and its member states for operationalisation of the IGAD Youth Policy Framework.  

Addis Ababa, September 27/2023 (ENA) The comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership between Ethiopia and China has deepened the bilateral cooperation in various fields, Chinese Embassy Deputy Chief Shen Qinmin said. The 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China was marked yesterday at the Sky Light Hotel. During the ceremony, Embassy Deputy Chief Shen Qinmin said China and Ethiopia have jointly made great efforts to promote peace and development in the Horn of Africa in a bid to make contribution to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region. He also stated that the BRICS mechanism presents a new vision and new opportunities for the two countries' common development. “Ethiopia plays an important role in regional cooperation and global affairs. (Therefore) Ethiopia's joining BRICS will bring new vitality and the momentum to the BRICS cooperation and to build the mechanism into a key platform for a fair and just global political order and economy with inclusive and sustainable development.” According to him, China has been supporting development endeavors in Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. Through the Belt and Road Initiative, China helps Africa effort for modernization into a faster track. Moreover, Deputy Chief Shen Qinmin noted that both China and Ethiopia attach great importance to green development. “The Green Legacy initiative by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed highly dovetails with the concept of Chinese modernization characterized by a harmony between the human being and nature.” The two countries are committed to preserving the ecological environment so as to effectively cope with challenges posed by climate change, the deputy chief added. Ethiopia's Finance Minister Ahmed Shide praised China for achieving a lot of results in terms of economic development, poverty alleviation and societal development in state institutions to become the pillar of global order during the past 74 years. For the minister, Ethiopia is the best example when it comes to China-Africa cooperation. The cooperation between Ethiopia and China is very comprehensive and strategic, he added. As a result, the two countries have been working together in infrastructural development, including railway, expressway, energy, telecom, industrial development and capacity building, among others. Ahmed further noted that Ethiopia's membership in BRICS is going to add new dynamism for cooperation between Ethiopia and China. “The membership of Ethiopia to BRICS is the testament for the potential and bright future for Ethiopia, and for the comprehensive development and reform with which the country is embarking, given the population and geographic location.” Former President Mulatu Teshome on his part said that China has always been defending common interest in pursuing common prosperity of countries in Africa. As Ethiopia is one of the most promising countries on this continent striving at a faster pace like never before, the BRICS platform will help it to enhance its cooperation with other countries, the former president stated, adding that “our commitment to deepening cooperation with China and ASEAN countries for mutual benefit remains consistent. African Union Commission Deputy Chairperson Monique Nsanzabaganwa said China and Africa have forged an unbreakable fraternity in the struggle against poverty in the past 70 years. Africa and China have written a splendid chapter over mutual assistance amid complex challenges and set a shining example for building a new type of international relations, she added. “We need further opening up in new prospects for China-Africa cooperation, expansion of trade and investment, experience sharing on poverty reduction, strengthening cooperation on the digital economy.” Nsanzabaganwa reiterated that the African Union will continue to appreciate the Chinese accompaniment in the implementation of the global development initiative, which dovetails with African Union’s Agenda 2063 and UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.        

Addis Ababa, September 26/2023(ENA) Algeria and Ethiopia will translate a very good political relationship to a very interesting economic tie that will benefit the two countries, Ambassador Mohammed Lamine Laabas told ENA. Algeria's Ambassador Laabas said during the commencement of a direct flight of Air Algérie to the Ethiopian capital on Friday that the flight is a concrete move to maximize economic benefit between the two countries. Since last year, the leaders and higher government officials of the two countries have been discussing direct air transport connectivity to bolster the bilateral relations. Accordingly, Air Algerie made its first direct inaugural flight from Algiers-Houari Boumédiène to the capital Addis Ababa. Ambassador Laabas stated that Algeria and Ethiopia will translate the decades-long very good political relationship into a very interesting economic tie that will mutually benefit the two countries. “We’ve been having very good political relations for many years. Now, opening this line, we will translate the very good political relations into a very interesting and benefitting economic, cultural, and commercial relations.” According to him, the lack of direct flight between Algeria and Ethiopia was a missing point to improve the overall relations of the countries. Even the Ethiopian Airlines, which flies to over 63 destinations in Africa using Addis Ababa as a hub, has gaps to connect North African and Sub-Sahran Africa countries. “We're going to benefit from the experience of the Ethiopian Airlines," Ambassador Laabas stated, adding that "this line is the first-ever opening to the Maghreb region. (And) we are delighted that our country has taken the decision to be the first Maghreb country to link with Ethiopia. That is very important. It was the only missing part of the network of Ethiopian Airlines." He elaborated that the lack of direct air connectivity had negative impact on the Maghreb and Eastern Africa regions. “This is what was missing --- this possibility to consolidate, to increase the commercial, economic relations while we are having very good political relation. Algeria has its goods, and Ethiopia has its goods. Now, we can exchange our goods directly without going through Europe, without going through the Middle East which used to increase the price of the cargo.” The direct air connectivity is also expected to positively impact the overall bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Algeria, according to the ambassador. “This will impact the other technical relations with the two countries. When you join directly the capitals, that will bring wealth for the two countries and companies. We are just bridging. Now you will see industries and companies find solution for their own problems. Now you will see companies do business in both directions,” Ambassador Laabas elaborated. Ethiopian leaders have visited Algeria and discussed with Algerian higher-officials last year and air connectivity was an issue. Establishing diplomatic relations in the 1960s, Ethiopia and Algeria have been enjoying strong political and diplomatic relations.