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Home , Catherine Hamlin, Ethiopia, Justin Muturi, Parliament of Kenya

Parliament of

Australian Parliamentary Delegation to and

3 to 9 June 2018

© Commonwealth of Australia 2019

ISBN 978-1-74366-951-8 Printed version ISBN 978-1-74366-952-5 PDF version

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Australia License.

The details of this licence are available on the Creative Commons website: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/au/.

Members of the Delegation

Mr Andrew Broad MP Member for Mallee Leader of the Delegation

Hon Luke Hartsuyker MP Member for Cowper

Mr Graham Perrett MP Member for Moreton

Mr Tim Watts MP Member for Gellibrand

Ms Julia Searle Delegation Secretary

Introduction population and playing an intermediary role in and South . This report gives an account of the Australian Parliamentary Delegation to Kenya has one of the most diversified Kenya and Ethiopia from 3 to 9 June economies in Sub-Saharan . 2018. Sectors contributing to economic growth are agriculture, building and The delegation comprised: , infrastructure development, manufacturing, transport • Mr Andrew Broad MP, Delegation and services, tourism and mining. Leader,

• Hon Luke Hartsuyker MP, Australia–Kenya relations • Mr Graham Perrett MP, and Australia and Kenya established • Mr Tim Watts MP. diplomatic relations in 1965. Ties between the two countries include As one of very few delegation visits to collaboration on agriculture and food Africa in recent years, the overall security, counter- and piracy, objective of the visit was to strengthen mining and education. ties with Kenya and Ethiopia. The visit provided the opportunity to reflect on The Kenyan community in Australia the existing relationship with each continues to grow with 19,390 people country and to discuss opportunities to born in Kenya, most having arrived in the strengthen these relationships into the last 10 years as skilled migrants. There is future. The delegation sought to explore a strong Kenyan diaspora in Australia. issues of common interest in the areas of humanitarian , mining, agricultural Australian aid to Sub-Saharan Africa is production, governance, education, focussed on education, agriculture, trade and investment. extractives and governance. The majority of the bilateral program is Appendix A outlines the delegation Australia Awards scholarships. Since program. 2011, 433 Kenyans have been supported through Australia Awards. In 2017–18, Visit to Kenya 49 Kenyans were supported to 3 to 7 June 2018 undertake Masters degrees and short courses in Australia. Kenya is the second largest economy in and its capital, , is one The Department of Foreign Affairs and of the fastest-growing cities in Africa as Trade’s Australia NGO Cooperation well as a major regional hub for the Program and Direct Aid Program support , multilateral a range of community development organisations and diplomatic visits. programs. Kenya plays an increasingly important regional role on humanitarian, maritime Parliamentary relations and regional security issues in the , hosting a large refugee During the course of the visit, the delegation met with the Speaker of the

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National Assembly, the Majority Leader in March 2018 to work together towards and members of the Foreign Affairs unifying the country. This was described Committee. These meetings helped to to the delegation as a ‘’ further political ties between the two between the government and countries. opposition.

The delegation’s first parliamentary Speaker Muturi welcomed the meeting was with the Speaker of the delegation to Kenya. He described the , the Hon Justin structure of the current parliament and Muturi. reflected on the need to bring back aspects of the Westminster system. The Parliament of Kenya is a bicameral consisting of the Senate (67 Delegation members indicated that they seats) and National Assembly (349 welcomed public commentary about seats). Speaker Muturi is the seventh corruption and the stance being taken by speaker of the National Assembly and the Chief Justice (which had been the first since the reintroduction of the reported in that day’s media). Speaker bicameral parliament under Kenya’s new Muturi indicated that he personally . welcomed the Chief Justice’s statement and described the problems presented The composition of the National by corruption. He stated that he believed Assembly is established by the Kenyan law was sufficiently robust to Constitution as: deal with corruption and outlined key aspects of the Constitution and relevant • 290 members elected by the laws that deal with leadership and elected voters of single member integrity, and anti-corruption. He constituencies, explained the appointment of the • 47 women elected by the , which according to the registered voters of the , Constitution, must be done each constituting a single competitively. member constituency, • 12 members nominated by Other areas of mutual interest included parliamentary political parties Australian mining interests, such the according to their proportion of current mineral sands project in Kwale, members of the National opportunities to share farming and Assembly to represent special agricultural production experiences from interests including youth, persons Australia, and the impact of employment with disabilities, and workers, laws in Kenya. In terms of trade, it was and noted that Australia is Kenya’s second largest export market after the European • the Speaker as an ex officio Union for cut flowers. member. Delegation members appreciated the Following months of discord between opportunity to observe proceedings in the Government and Opposition the National Assembly with Speaker following the 2017 elections, the Muturi in the Chair. President and Opposition Leader agreed

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He noted that there are 290 constituencies in Kenya and described his constituency in Garissa. Delegation members asked about the activities of al- Shabaab, noting the attack on Garissa University in 2015.

Mr Duale also outlined the Constituent Development Fund, whereby 2.5 percent of revenue is divided amongst the Delegation members with the Hon Justin Muturi, Speaker of the National Assembly constituency for purposes such as education and support for the elderly. The delegation met with the Hon Aden Duale, Majority Leader of the National Assembly.

Mr Duale is serving as the first Leader of the Majority of the National Assembly since the position was introduced under article 108 of Kenya’s new constitution in 2010. Delegation members with the Hon Aden Duale, Majority Leader in the National Assembly Mr Duale told the delegation about the creation of his office, describing it as a The delegation also met with members difficult office. He referred to the of the Defence and Foreign Relations absence of Ministers in the House – like Committee. The meeting was chaired by the US system, Ministers only appear the committee’s Vice Chairperson, the before Committees. Discussion with Mr Hon Richard N Tongi MP. Duale ranged across the handshake between the Government and Mr Tongi noted that the Committee has opposition leader to the institutions that oversight of the Minister for Defence, have been put in place to address Minister for Foreign Affairs, National corruption. Mr Duale referred to the Intelligence Minister and the East African Office of the DPP, Auditor-General and Community Minister. Matters falling Director of Criminal Investigation who within the responsibilities of the report to the Parliament. Anti-money committee include defence, intelligence, laundering and anti-bribery legislation foreign relations, diplomatic and exists as well as parliamentary consular matters, international committees, such as the Committee of boundaries, international organisations, Supply, which scrutinises every vote. He agreements, and conventions. noted lifestyle audits are undertaken on key officials in Government. Mr Tongi stated that he appreciated

cooperation with Australia in the areas Mr Duale described the ethnically-based of mining, agriculture, education and the of Kenyan politics and the health sector. divisiveness of presidential elections.

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Visit to Kenya and Ethiopia

Matters canvassed in discussions With an influx of new arrivals in 2014, included Australia’s involvement in Kakuma surpassed its capacity by over maritime security, 58,000 individuals. Land for a new operations, refugees, dual citizenship, settlement at Kalobeyei, 25km from terrorism and radicalisation, and Kakuma town was identified following corruption. negotiations between the UNHCR, the National Government, the Country Aid and humanitarian issues Government of Turkana and the host community.3 Developing countries play a significant humanitarian role. Kenya, together with At the time of the delegation’s visit, Lebanon, and Ethiopia, is home there were 186 088 registered refugees to nearly 90 percent of the ’s and asylum-seekers at Kakuma of a total refugees.1 number in Kenya of 468,910.

A key focus of the delegation’s visit was The breakdown of refugees and asylum the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Turkana seekers at Kakuma by country of origin County in north western Kenya, one of was: the country’s most impoverished and • , 108,047 marginalised areas. • Somalia, 33, 545

• Democratic of Congo, The delegation was hosted by the 11,723 UNHCR Sub-Office Kakuma, led by Mr • Ethiopia, 10,355 Tayyar Sukru Cansizoglu. • Sudan, 9,919 Representatives of the UNHCR and the • , 10,024 United Nations World Food Programme • (WFP) accompanied the delegation , 1,695 throughout their visit to Kakuma. • , 616 • , 53 UNHCR Sub-Office Kakuma has two • Other countries, 111 areas of operation: Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Integrated In the period from January to May 2018, Settlement. 5,180 people arrived at Kakuma, with 3,911 originating from South Sudan. Just Kakuma Refugee Camp was established over 58 percent of the total number of in 1992 following the arrival of the ‘lost 2 boys of Sudan’. During that year, refugees also fled Ethiopia and Somalia. Ethiopia caused them to again flee, and they began ‘trickling’ into northern Kenya about a 1 Group and UNHCR, 2016, “Yes” In year later. Some 10,000 boys, who became my Backyard?: the economics of refugees and known as the ‘’, lived at their social dynamics in Kakuma, Kenya, Report Kakuma Refugee Camp for the next eight years. No: AUS14056, p. 1. International Rescue Committee, 2 Between 1983 and 1987, an estimated 20,000 , accessed 26 July 2018. 3 were driven from their families and villages in UNHCR Kenya, ‘Kakuma Refugee Camp and southern Sudan by civil war. These boys, many Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement’, of whom died on the way, walked more than , accessed 21 June 2018.

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Visit to Kenya and Ethiopia refugees and asylum seekers are aged 17 facilities within the camp, including or under.4 primary schools and training centres, and indicated that refugees were Kakuma is divided into four parts allowed to travel outside the camp for (Kakuma 1, 2, 3 and 4) and spreads services. across 15 square kilometres. The three villages that make up Kalobeyei are Mr Mutambo talked about social and about 3.5km (or 16km by road) from economic integration, indicating that a Kakuma. Of Kakuma’s total population, fifteen year program to guide integration 38,000 live in Kalobeyei. is in place. He also stated that there are economic opportunities within the Following arrival in Kakuma, delegation that are as yet members called on the Deputy County unexplored.5 Commissioner, Mahamad , and Colonel Kasili Mutambo, Camp Manager–Refugee Affairs Secretariat, Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government.

Mr Daha welcomed the delegation, stating he was pleased to see an Australian parliamentary delegation in Kakuma. Mr Daha described the work Meeting with County Commissioner Mahamad that has been undertaken over the last Daha and Colonel Kasili Mutambo five to ten years, during which there has been peaceful relations between the The delegation then travelled to the host community and refugees, to UNHCR Compound for briefings on the achieve social and economic integration UNHCR’s work at Kakuma and the United with the support of the county Nations World Food Programme (WFP). government. Many people arriving at the camp have experienced multiple displacements and Mr Mutambo commended Australia for often don’t realise that they have its efforts to resettle refugees and crossed . described the current population of the camp, noting a significant number of The delegation heard about the support arrivals from South Sudan. Sixty seven that is provided to refugees from their percent of people within the camp have arrival at the reception centre, including arrived within the last five years and 87 percent in the last ten years, with the 5 A joint 2016 World Bank and UNHCR report impetus for people to leave their home analysed the impact of the refugee camp upon countries usually being a combination of the local host community, finding that it is an factors. Mr Mutambo also referred to ‘integral part of Kakuma’s social, cultural and economic fabric’ with a significant role in the projected socio-economic development of 4 UNHCR, Statistical summary as of 31 May 2018, Turkana County. World Bank Group and pp. 2–4, , accessed 21 dynamics in Kakuma, Kenya, Report No: June 2018. AUS14056, pp. 2, 7.

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Visit to Kenya and Ethiopia food assistance and supplementary During the registration process, they are feeding, medical treatment, and English given a unique identifier, their details are language programs. Representatives recorded in the protection KASI,7 described the different approaches that and biometric information is collected are being taken at Kalobeyei settlement (either fingerprint or iris scan). They are to stimulate the local economy. This then provided with documentation includes providing refugees with cash to containing all of this information and enable them to work with the local confirmation of their refugee status. community to construct housing. Ninety eight percent of those arriving at Similarly, instead of providing a monthly Kakuma are found to be refugees. distribution of food and some cash as occurs in Kakuma, refugees at Kalobeyei The process includes a protection are provided entirely with cash to spend interview, where refugees asked what on food and other supplies with the outcome they seek, for example, to intent of stimulating a market economy. return to their homes or to be resettled.

It was explained that, once in the camp, any hostilities from a refugee’s home country must be put aside. Representatives described the unifying effect of the Kakuma football league from which the best players are drawn into Kakuma United FC. It was also noted that half of the Olympic refugee team at the 2016 games originated from Registration and documentation interview at Kakuma. Kakuma Refugee Camp

Members were informed that UNHCR is working with the Kenyan immediately following the delegation’s Government to transition responsibility visit, the first TEDx event hosted in a for reception, registration, refugee camp would be taking place at documentation and refugee status Kakuma, with speakers to include determination to the Government’s 6 current and former refugees. Refugee Affairs Secretariat.

The delegation then visited the camp for At the hospital facilities, the delegation briefings on key areas of operations. was briefed by International Rescue Committee (IRC) and UNHCR The delegation was briefed on the representatives. IRC partners with registration and documentation process UNHCR to provide hospital facilities at for new arrivals at the camp and, with Kakuma. the consent of those people being interviewed, observed the different to Boots, an Australian-based stages of this process. Most of the private sector NGO that supports people arriving have either a mobile phone or sim card, or access to a phone. 7 Kiosk to Access Services and Information (KASI). KASI is also one of the used by refugees to access key information in their files and 6 https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/21032. schedule their own appointments.

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Visit to Kenya and Ethiopia refugees living in camps and their based violence (GBV).8 Representatives neighbouring host communities, spoke about preventative and case provides the entry point for Australian management work that occurs through support to the hospital. Representatives the centre, as well as a women’s of Barefoot to Boots also briefed the protection and empowerment program delegation during the hospital tour. that is teaching life skills. The centre aims to be a one-stop-shop that also The delegation visited the paediatric addresses the stigma associated with ward, which has 42 beds. About 4,000 GBV. One of the challenges faced by the babies are delivered at the hospital each support centre is addressing GBV that year – around 10 to 12 each day. Around has occurred across the – the 12 percent are by caesarean delivery. delegation heard that about 60 percent The ward now has two incubators, of people coming into Kenya have provided by Barefoot to Boots. experienced GBV before arriving.

In May 2018, 89 patients were admitted In the afternoon, the delegation to the hospital with a recovery rate of travelled to Kalobeyei Integrated 81.3 percent. Reasons for admission Settlement, where construction of included non-oedema, oedema, permanent shelters is ongoing. As pneumonia, , gastroenteritis, previously noted, Kalobeyi is designed to anaemia, kala azar, and tuberculosis. support refugee self-reliance and greater refugee-host interactions by stimulating The delegation heard about the a local economy from within. Refugee- operational challenges facing the owned businesses within the settlement hospital, which include staffing gaps, also serve host communities. increased numbers of consultations, reduced funding, lack of critical Kalobeyei has 60 traders. The delegation equipment, limited funds for buildings met with one trader and viewed her and walkways, and supply. The shop which, in addition to food, stocks a highest priority needs were identified as range of non-food items sought by the a new Emergency block, x-ray services local host community. This trader has and accommodation for staff. Patients been at Kalobeyi for two years, before are bused to the nearest x-ray services, which she sold fruit in Kakuma. She told which are 100km away. delegation members that she tries to stock fresh produce, with and rice In the period from October 2017 to April being her highest selling items. 2018, there were 147,614 consultations undertaken. 42,516 of these were for children aged under five. Around 10 8 Services that can be provided by UNHCR in percent of the hospital’s services are response to GBV include health care, psycho- targeted to the local host community. social support, legal aid and support for reintegration into the community if required. Support is intended to ‘overcome the The delegation also visited the Support immediate effect of the violence inflicted as Centre, which provides support for well as to address the trauma and stigma women who have experienced gender- associated with such incidents’. To reduce and mitigate such violence, UNHCR and its partners also implement a prevention strategy. http://www.unhcr.org/ke/protection.

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both the UNHCR and the WFP support refugees living in the camp. UNHCR and WFP representatives emphasised the importance of foundational funding like that provided by Australia.

UNHCR considered that in the response to asylum seekers, developed countries also have a critical role to play in peace building.

BWAA General Shop, Kalobeyei Integrated The following day, the delegation Settlement returned to the Kakuma camp to visit the Reception Centre, which is jointly The delegation also visited a recently operated by the UNHCR and the Kenyan constructed two storey house, built of Government. stone with a corrugated iron roof, in the settlement, which will accommodate a family of 14. This house was one of many constructed using cash to obtain materials and services from the local community. The delegation heard that training in masonry and carpentry is increasing within the camp to help facilitate this process.

Delegates with UNHCR, WFP and Barefoot to Boots representatives at Kakuma Reception Centre

Members heard that new arrivals spend two to three weeks in the centre as their needs are assessed. The centre can house 2,000 people (or up to 3,000 using tents). At the time of the delegation’s visit, there were 798 people in the centre. The delegation was informed An impromptu photo opportunity with children that around 20,000 asylum seekers (or at Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement 300 per week) were expected each year. At the time of the delegation’s visit, Another project designed to promote around 5,000 people, mostly women and integration is sorghum farming, a project children, had arrived. The delegation that has been running for several observed and participated in the months with the local community over supplementary feeding program being 188 hectares with 744 farmers. run by the WFP. AusAid provides funding to support this complementary feeding. Delegation members heard about the role that Australian aid plays in helping

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institutional capacity of developing countries.

In 2018, DFAT offered 4,031 awards to 60 countries at an estimated cost of $320 million, of which 1,620 are long term and 2,411 are short term awards. Around 12 per cent of awards were offered in Africa.9

Meeting Australia Awards alumni gave AusAid supported complementary feeding the delegation the opportunity to program provided by WFP observe the enduring value to the Australia-Kenya relationship of Kenyan At the conclusion of the delegation’s visit students’ experiences living and studying to Kakuma, Mr Watts delivered to in Australia. Two recipients, Mr Barefoot to Boots a donation of football Njiru Njeru and Ms Angella Ndaka spoke boots, keeping gloves, balls and jerseys about their experiences. from his electorate. Mr Njeru obtained a Masters degree in Australia Awards Mining Engineering from the University of and is the Chief The delegation attended a reception at Officer of the Kenya Chamber the High Commissioner’s residence with of Mines. the Australia Awards Alumni in Kenya. Ms Ndaka obtained a Masters of Public The stated aim of the Australia Awards is Policy from the Australian National to build people-to-people linkages at the University. She currently lectures at individual, institutional and country and consults on levels, and to develop capacity and public policy for the Kenya School of leadership skills so that individuals can Government. contribute to development in their home country. The delegation had the opportunity to engage in informative discussions with The program consists of both long-term other attendees about their involvement and short-term awards. Scholarships are in the Australia Awards and subsequent provided on a bilateral basis in line with career pathways. priority sectors identify by each country program and are for long-term Australians in Kenya vocational, undergraduate, Masters or PhD level study at Australian institutions. The delegation was pleased to have the Australia Awards Fellowships are short- opportunity to visit AusQuest farm at term training targeted at senior officials Athi River. Stuart Barden and his family and mid-career professionals, who are in a position to advance key regional development policies and increase the 9 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Information Brief: Australia Awards, 20 July 2018.

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Visit to Kenya and Ethiopia moved to Kenya in 2012 to establish Challenges and opportunities AusQuest, which farms approximately 1,000 acres ‘using modern machinery The delegation enjoyed informative and an emphasis on low-input discussions on political, economic and technologies and methods such as “zero rights issues in East Africa with till”. The farm is also used in part to representatives of humanitarian groups conduct field trials and research on new at a lunch hosted by the High varieties of crops as well as testing the Commissioner. efficacy of pesticides. Discussion included corruption and the challenges associated with elections and governance across the East African community and the lack of faith in statehood resulting from poor governance. It was agreed that there was disillusionment among young Kenyans who have been impacted by economic management, with many wanted to leave the country rather than build a better country. It was seen that Delegation members with Stuart Barden at there was an opportunity for Australia to AusQuest be more engaged in supporting election

and governance processes. The delegation toured the farm to inspect the crops, including mung beans, Discussions also included opportunities and forage sorghum, discussed such as those in the mining sector, agricultural production techniques and where similarly, it was considered there heard about some of the challenges were opportunities for Australian working in Kenya, including logistics and companies to contribute expertise and employment laws. The Barden’s farm is increase transparency. adjacent to and some of the crops are grown on land leased from the adjacent Opportunities also exist for investment conservancy. in fast growing economies, which would

lead to improved lives for the The delegation also attended dinner with population. Australian business and private sector representatives at the High Discussion ranged across various issues Commissioner’s residence. Attendees concerning Ethiopia. It was generally represented a range of industries agreed that Ethiopia had done some including mining, resources, ‘impressive things’ in the months infrastructure, rail infrastructure, preceding the delegation’s visit, education, engineering, investment, including economic reforms and the consulting and finance. return of disputed to Eritrea. It was considered that Ethiopia would benefit from assistance in developing its democratic processes.

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Kenya and Ethiopia have been peace-keeping missions, contributing to instrumental in regional disputes, but it 10 missions since the . It has also was argued that Kenya needs to take a had an increasing role in international stronger regional leadership role within affairs. the East African community. Kenya should see itself as the in the Agriculture represents 43 percent of GDP region, however due to the lack of a well and 90 percent of exports. defined regional policy, it doesn’t see that it has responsibilities. The delegation notes that the Indian Ocean is an emerging strategic space, On the subject of terrorism, the and that Ethiopia, whose airline flies collaboration and links between al- throughout this region, is an important Shabaab and Islamic State were of part of this system. concern, particularly because of the shift from regional to global issues. Australia – Ethiopia relations

It was considered there was a need for a Australia and Ethiopia celebrated 50 more proactive role in relation to South years of diplomatic relations in 2015. Sudan and Somalia. Trade between Australia and Ethiopia is currently small with being Visit to Ethiopia Australia’s largest import from Ethiopia, 7 to 9 June 2018 significantly ahead of other imports and exports. The Department of Foreign The delegation participated in a range of Affairs and Trade notes that Ethiopia is meetings in Ethiopia, including with endowed with mineral resources and is State Ministers and members of the keen on bilateral investment and sharing Foreign Affairs Committee. expertise. Opportunities to strengthen links between Australia and Ethiopia featured Ethiopia is consistently one of the largest in the delegation’s meetings. recipients of official development assistance. Organisations like Hamlin At more than 100 million people, Fistula Hospital and the Fred Hollows Ethiopia is the second most populous Foundation, established by Australians, country in Africa and one of the fastest have delivered much needed medical growing economies in the world. It has a services in Ethiopia over a long period of year-on-year GDP growth rate between time. 8 and 12 percent and significant untapped natural resources, including The Ethiopian diaspora in Australia is water, and rare earth materials. In over 13,000 people. Approximately 3000 recent years there has been heavy people settled in Australia in the period investment in infrastructure and from 2000-2005. hydropower. Parliamentary relations Ethiopia is the seat of the and plays an influential role in mediating The delegation’s first meeting in Ethiopia African conflicts, such as South Sudan was with Dr Eyasu Abraha, State Minister and Somalia. It is a leading contributor to for Agriculture and Natural Resources. Dr

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Abraha is an agricultural specialist with reducing vulnerability to disaster and more than 25 years’ experience. building disaster mitigation capacity via ensuring .11 The agricultural sector is central to the lives and livelihood of most . The delegation met with the About 12 million smallholder farming Chairperson, Tesfaye Daba Wakjira, and households account for an estimated 95 members of the Standing Committee of percent of agricultural production and Foreign Affairs. Discussion included 85 percent of all employment.10 As areas of economic similarity and joint noted above, agricultural commodities interests, such as agriculture, resources, are key exports. mining and security, as well as opportunities for closer ties between Discussion with Dr Abraha ranged across Australia and Ethiopia. key Ethiopian agricultural industries, including the country’s two biggest The Chair noted that the Ethiopian exports: coffee and oil seeds. Dr Abraha economy has a strong dependence on outlined the Government’s commitment the agricultural sector, with 85 percent to moving forward through knowledge of the population involved in farming. He transfer, capacity building and recognised the strength of the technological development, but noted government-to-government relationship that Ethiopia was still a developing between Australia and Ethiopia and country in need of support. It was noted noted Ethiopia’s interest in Australian that Australia is a benchmark for dryland investment. Chinese investment in agriculture and management. Ethiopia was also noted.

Dr Abraha referred to Ethiopia’s second Some of the challenges facing Ethiopia five year plan and noted there was need include its diversity as well as corruption for greater private sector involvement, and governance, which it was noted are including incentives. being addressed by the Prime Minister.

The government has developed a second Discussion included water and Ethiopia’s Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP II) dam construction on the River. The for the period 2016–20. The overarching Chair outlined Ethiopia’s position on the objective of GTP II is the realisation of dam and noted the Comprehensive Ethiopia’s vision of becoming a middle Framework Agreement for the Nile.12 income country by 2025. In GTP II, the agriculture sector is considered to be 11 FAO, Ethiopia at a glance, one of the major sectors driving growth. , accessed agricultural production and productivity 28 August 2018. and commercialisation, reducing 12 More information is available at degradation of natural resources, Initiative, ‘Comprehensive Framework Agreement’, , accessed United Nations (FAO), Ethiopia at a glance, 6 August 2018. The is an , accessed countries: Burundi, of 28 August 2018. Congo, , Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South

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Opportunities for Ethiopian students The State Minister further noted that were also discussed, including the need Ethiopia is an ancient civilisation of for employment for the increasing immense natural and cultural beauty number of students in schools and that seeks to promote tourism. The universities. Minister and delegation discussed opportunities that a direct flight from Ethiopia to Perth might facilitate across economic and tourism opportunities.

The Kefi minerals investment in Ethiopia was noted.

Discussion also included shared values Meeting with Standing Committee of Foreign between the two countries and the Affairs opportunities that growth provides for young people, noting that 70 percent of The delegation met with the State Ethiopia’s population is under 30. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Professor Afework Kassu. Trade and investment

The State Minister noted the well- The delegation met with Dr Belachew established people-to-people and Fikre, Commissioner of the Ethiopian government-to-government relations Investment Commission. between Australia and Ethiopia, including collaboration on global peace The Ethiopian Investment Commission is and security. He also noted that Australia the key body outside the Prime had supported Ethiopia’s bid for a UN Minister’s Office advising the Prime Security Council seat. Minister on the investment climate and investment options in Ethiopia. The State Minister welcomed opportunities to strengthen business and According to the Commission, for the investment, identifying agri-processing, past 10 consecutive years Ethiopia has textiles and pharmaceuticals as areas of been identified as one of the fastest investment opportunity. He stated that growing economies in the world, with the Government is moving to strengthen consecutive GDP growth rates of over the private sector through public private 10.5 percent. There has been a partnerships. significant increase in the volume and size of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) The State Minister noted local Ethiopian inflows as well as the number of projects investment in infrastructure, including initiated or implemented. The railways. At the time of the delegation’s Commission’s website states: visit, had just taken delivery of its one hundredth aircraft. The high level of economic growth, the provision of better infrastructure, the Sudan, The Sudan, and Uganda, successive growth of market sizes and established in 1999. The Comprehensive the government’s openness for FDI Framework Agreement opened for signature contributed to high profile investors on 14 May 2010 and is yet to enter into force. targeting Ethiopia in the past few years.

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In 2014–15, Ethiopia recorded a 100 considered that opportunities were percent change in FDI flow and was affected by the lack of a services sector included in the top-10 destinations in to support production. Opportunities Africa. It also doubled its registered such as a services sector for mining and growth in manufacturing projects. FDI direct flights to Australia were discussed. inflow to Ethiopia has showed a continuous increase of more than 12 percent per annum, which the Commission attributes to the country’s The delegation was pleased to gain the 13 favourable investment climate. perspectives of a diverse group of Ethiopian women on the empowerment In discussions, Dr Fikre referred to of women and the involvement of Ethopia’s economic and population women in political life and government. growth, noting that the country is a stabilising power in the region. Attending the lunch meeting with the delegation were: Dr Fikre described growth in investment • in the manufacturing sector and cited HE Ambassador Woineshet total FDI investment of US $4.2 billion Taddese, Permanent last year. The Ethiopian Government has Representative to the African provided infrastructure through the Union recent construction of almost 25 • Mulu , General Manager specialised industrial parks. The parks of Right Vision International have specialised design for sectors such • Sara Tabit, Pan-Africa Office Girls as textiles and pharmaceuticals, and are Advocacy Alliance Manager, surrounded by other infrastructure, African Union Liaison and Pan- including airports, railways, dry ports Africa Program Office, Plan and universities. International

Dr Fikre considered it was time for more • Samrawit Assefa, producer and private sector involvement in business correspondent infrastructure and described the lifting of • Liya Girma, Senior Business the that occurred Process Analyst, World Food immediately prior to the delegation’s Programme (and Australia Award visit as significant from a FDI viewpoint. alumni) He also noted passage of a Public Private

Partnerships bill. The delegation heard about the great

improvement in the number of girls Discussions included opportunities for attending school, right up to the tertiary Ethiopia to be a regional hub, noting, for level, over the last twenty five years. example, that Ethiopian Airlines provides However, women were described as links throughout Africa. It was being mostly represented in the lower echelons of the workforces, with few in 13 Ethiopian Investment Commission, Economic the highest echelons, and it was Indicators, considered that the pace of , improvement has not met expectations. accessed 23 August 2018. While the number of students has

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Visit to Kenya and Ethiopia improved, it was generally agreed that more work needs to be done on the quality of student outcomes.

There was consensus across the group that women’s empowerment starts at home within the family.

Discussion ranged across: Delegation members with Dr • food security, and the AC importance of women’s control of food at a household level, It is estimated that in Ethiopia around 9,000 women each year develop • changes in the way in which girls , which leads to are being raised when compared incontinence, physical impairment, with past experience, shame and marginalisation. Reducing the • maternity leave and family number of women who experience planning, obstetric fistula, which is almost unheard • women’s access to financial of in western societies due to effective institutions, maternal healthcare, is complicated by prolonged and obstructed labour among • inequality in pay between the young, poor and undernourished Government and private sectors, women, and a lack of skilled attendance and differences between law and at birth. implementation, and • the representation of women in With her husband, Reginald, Dr Hamlin Parliament. established the hospital in 1974. The hospital has treated around 55,000 It was considered that progress is still to women, and has the capacity to treat be achieved on maternal health and more than 2,500 new cases of obstetric , and that rural women in fistula in Ethiopia each year. The hospital particular remain vulnerable. also provides care for 50 long-term patients. Services are provided free of Hamlin Fistula Hospital charge through three key institutions: • Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital and The delegation was privileged to have five regional centres, tea with Dr Catherine Hamlin AC and • Hamlin College of Midwives, tour the Addis Ababa Hamlin Fistula established in 2007 to train Hospital. midwives subsequently deployed

in Government health centres close to the regional facilities, and • Desta Mender Centre, which provides rehabilitation, training and long-term support for post-

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Visit to Kenya and Ethiopia

operative women with • Ethiopia’s refugee population, incontinence. many of whom have been in Ethiopia for up to 25 years; the Humanitarian issues high number of children in groups from some countries; and social The Ambassador hosted dinner at his and economic integration with residence, attended by representatives local communities. It was noted of UNICEF, UNHCR, Plan International that in regions such as Gambella, Ethiopia, World Vision Ethiopia and Save the ethnic balance has been the Children. distorted creating a high potential for conflict, The delegation heard about the range of • Around 1.7 million internally humanitarian issues facing Ethiopia. It displaced persons (IDP) are living was noted that Australia provides core in the Oromo/, with funding to agencies, allowing agencies to 225 IDP camps along the border. respond to crises based on need. IDP represent a long term

challenge for Ethiopia and have Discussion ranged across the following suffered from a lack of topics: government attention to conflict • Ethiopia has been in IDP, humanitarian crisis mode since • The importance of good 2015, with drought and disease governance and political stability, having a significant impact, and • Too often the humanitarian • The need to improve educational development response has to outcomes, not just attendance, pivot to an emergency response, with a greater focus at the making it difficult to focus on primary and vocational levels. long term development needs and on building resilience, World Heritage Site • The Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework,14 and The delegation appreciated the Ethiopia’s new Refugee Law that opportunity to travel to Lalibela, located provides freedom of movement in a mountainous region 645km from for refugees, Addis Ababa, to reflect on Ethiopia’s history at the world heritage listed rock- hewn churches of Lalibela.

14 Ethiopia was one of the first countries to apply Dating from the 13th century, there are the Comprehensive Refugee Response 11 medieval monolithic cave churches at Framework, which was officially launched in Ethiopia on 28 November 2017. The Ethiopian the site, which also includes an extensive Government has made nine pledges relating to system of drainage ditches, trenches, employment, schooling, land availability, ceremonial passages, hermit caves and integration and social services to improve the catacombs. The churches were hewn lives of refugees. More information is available from the rock into monolithic blocks. at CRRF Global Digital Portal, ‘Ethiopia’, http://www.globalcrrf.org/crrf_country/eth/, These blocks were further chiselled out, accessed 6 August 2018. forming doors, windows, columns, floors

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Visit to Kenya and Ethiopia and roofs. Some of the interiors, such as Ambassador Mark Sawers in Ethiopia in Biete Mariam (House of Mary) are and their staff for their significant decorated with mural . support to the delegation’s visit and their work in ensuring the visit The churches are preserved within their proceeded as smoothly as possible. setting in the village and are surrounded by traditional, two storey circular village A particular highlight of the delegation houses with internal staircases thatched was the visit to Kakuma Refugee Camp. roofs. The ‘ of Lalibela’ was a The delegation would like to thank symbol of and substitute for the holy representatives of the UNHCR and WFP places of Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and for facilitating the visit to Kakuma and has had considerable influence on Kalobeyei, for the comprehensive Ethiopian . The churches are briefings and access to the camp, and for home to a community of priests and hosting the delegation overnight at the monks, and remain a place of pilgrimage UNHCR Kakuma compound. The time and devotion today.15 spent at Kakuma provided valuable insights, especially for delegation During the visit, delegation members members with significant diaspora engaged with local people within the communities in their local electorates. town and were informed of the contribution that tourism has made to Discussions with parliamentary the economic growth of Lalibela. There colleagues were open, broad-ranging has been significant Chinese investment and constructive. It is clear that in road construction in the vicinity of the Australia, Kenya and Ethiopia share town. The broader region has a many common values and interests, and population of over 20 million, with most that opportunities exist to build and people living an agricultural subsistence strengthen our relationship with these lifestyle. At the time of the delegation’s countries. visit, preparations were underway for sowing in late June.

Acknowledgements

The delegation would like to thank all those who contributed to the visit Andrew Broad MP program. The delegation greatly Delegation Leader appreciated the effort that went into producing such a productive visit and the hospitality that was extended to the delegation in each country.

The delegation thanks High Commissioner Alison Chartres in Kenya,

15 UNESCO, Rock-Hewn Churches Lalibela, , accessed 26 July 2018.

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Appendix A

Delegation Program

Saturday, 2 June 2018 • Depart Australia

Sunday, 3 June 2018 • Arrive Nairobi • Dinner and briefing with Head of Mission and Deputy Head of Mission

Monday, 4 June 2018 • Depart Nairobi for Kakuma • Arrive Kakuma • Call on Deputy County Commissioner • Briefing at UNHCR Compound • Briefings and inspections at Kakuma Refugee Camp • Lunch at UNHCR Compound • Briefings and inspections at Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement • Dinner at UNHCR Compound

Tuesday, 5 June 2018 • Briefing and inspection of Kakuma Reception Centre • Depart Kakuma for Nairobi • On arrival, transfer to Athi River • Briefing and inspection at AusQuest farm • Depart Athi River for Nairobi • Reception of Alumni of Australia Awards at High Commissioner’s residence

Wednesday, 6 June 2018 • Informal meeting with Australian High Commission staff • Depart for Parliament • Meeting with the Hon Justin Muturi, Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya • Meeting with the Hon Aden Duale, Majority Leader of the National Assembly • Lunch with:

- Mr Rashid Abdi, Project Director, Horn of Africa, International Crisis Group - Dr Hassan Khannenje, Director, The HORN Institute - Ms Ivy Kihara, Deputy Director, InformAction Kenya - Mr Samuel Kimeu, Executive Director, Transparency International Kenya - Mr Murithi Mutiga, Senior Analyst, Horn of Africa, International Crisis Group

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- Mr Felix Odhiambo Owuor, Executive Director, Electoral Law and Governance Institute for Africa • Attend National Assembly proceedings • Meeting with Deputy Chairman and members of the National Assembly Defence and Foreign Relations Committee • Dinner with Australian business and private sector representatives:

- Mr Aref Adamli, Finance, Competiveness and Innovation Global Practice, World Bank - Mr Francois Bosch, Director Business Development, Worsley Parsons - Professor Rhonda Breit, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Aga Khan University - Mr Kym Fullgrabe, Senior Trade Commissioner, Austrade - Mr Stephen Kuria, Chairman, Kenya Australia Chamber of Commerce - Mr Tim Smyth, Executive Director, Eastgate and Founder and CEO, 1 Degree South (IDS) Fund - Mr Chike Uchendu, Africa Regional Deputy Director, SMEC - Ms Brenda Wabule, Regional Manager, Austrade - Mr Simon Wall, External Affairs Manager, Base Titanium - Mr James Woodward, Head of Infrastructure in Kenya, KMPG - Mr Derel Wust, Managing Director, 4Tel Pty Ltd

Thursday, 7 June 2018 • Depart Kenya for Ethiopia • Meeting with Dr Eyasu Abraha, State Minister for Agriculture and National Resources • Meeting with Dr Belachew Fikre, Commissioner, Ethiopian Investment Commission • Lunch with Ethiopian women leaders:

- HE Ambassador Woineshet Taddese, Permanent Representative to the African Union - Samrawit Assefa, producer and business correspondent - Mulu Solomon, General Manager of Right Vision International - Liya Girma, Senior Business Process Analyst, World Food Programme (and Australia Award alumni) - Sara Tabit, Pan-Africa Office Girls Advocacy Alliance Manager, African Union Liaison and Pan-Africa Program Office, Plan International • Meeting with Hon Tesfaye Daba MP, Chair, Hon Ayele Negeri MP, Deputy Chair and members of the House Foreign Relations Standing Committee • Meeting with State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Professor Afework Kassu • Tour of Hamlin Fistula Hospital and afternoon tea with Dr Catherine Hamlin • Dinner with humanitarian, UN and NGO leaders at Ambassador’s residence:

- Daniel Abbott, Save the Children - Abadi Amdu, Head of Programme Operations/Interim Country Director, Plan International Ethiopia

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- Matthew Crentsil, UNHCR Deputy Representative to Ethiopia - Otto Farkas, Director, World Vision Ethiopia - Gillian Mellsop, Country Director, UNICEF

Friday, 8 June 2018 • Depart Addis Ababa for Lalibela • Tour of Lalibela World Heritage Site

Saturday, 9 June 2018 • Depart Ethiopia

Sunday, 10 June 2018 • Arrive Australia

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