The Monthly Publication from the Ethiopian Embassy in London Ethiopian July 2018 News Inside this issue CONNECT WITH US PM Abiy’s first 100 days in Office………………………………..………………………………..……………………….2 Ethio-Eritrean Embassies resume diplomatic relations ………………………………..………………………. 4 Professor Sebsebe becomes first African ForeiGn Member of the Royal Society …………………….5 UK launches largest tax partnership programme to help Ethiopia transition from aid ………….7 Ethiopia bids farewell to EnGineer SemeGnew B ekele…..………………………………..……………………... 9 UK Group discover the Land of OriGins………………………………..………………………………..……………..14 Ethiopian Airlines’ wins Skytrax’s Best Airline in Africa award ………………………………..…………17 International Coffee Day to be celebrated in Ethiopia for the first time……………………………….18 Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund account operational ………………… …………..…………………………….18 Circus Abyssinia returns to EdinburGh FrinGe ……………………………….. ……………………………..…….20 @EthioEmbassyUK Ethiopia is Open for Business! VISIT | INVEST | TRADE in the Land of Origins High -level delegation to come to London for UK -Ethiopia Trade and Investment Forum Page 12 Ethiopian News PM Abiy’s first 100 days in Office Spurred by the mandate he had received from the In a manner and style seldom seen and much liked ruling coalition, Ethiopian People's Revolutionary by the public, the Prime Minister embarked on a Democratic Front (EPRDF), to embark on a whistle-stop tour to Regional States where he rectification course of action and to usher in called on Ethiopians to close ranks so that reforms, Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed went “Ethiopia’s unity in diversity can flourish in an straight into action. Since his election by the environment of durable peace and stability.” In customary parliamentary vote on 2nd April, he has tandem with his speaking engagements in regional motivated Ethiopians with his catchphrase, capital cities, the Prime Minister was quick to “Medemer,” which soon became the mantra of implement one of EPRDF’s recent pledges. The millions of Ethiopians who espouse the cause of release of hundreds of prisoners was welcomed the revitalisation of Ethiopian unity. “Medemer” – warmly by the people of Ethiopia as well as Amharic for togetherness - is not so much an Ethiopia’s international development partners. ideology as an attitude, which holds that it is possible to change human nature; it offers the No sooner had the Prime Minister completed his opportunity for Ethiopians to forgive past speaking tour of Ethiopia’s Regional States than he misdeeds, for the sake of the common good. set out to visit Ethiopia’s neighbours: Sudan, 2 July 2018 Kenya, Djibouti, Egypt and Somalia, where he Road and air transport, and telecommunication apprised the leaders of the smooth transition of links were restored between Ethiopia and Eritrea power which had taken place in Ethiopia as well as after 20 years, and Eritrea has expressed its his administration’s commitment to further readiness to allow Ethiopia access to the Port of enhance bilateral and regional relations. At Assab. Uganda’s National Heroes Day on 9th June, President Yoweri Museveni made Prime Minister Abiy a Member of “The Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa.” PM Abiy and President Isaias sign the historic Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship between Ethiopia and Eritrea Next in Prime Minister Abiy’s speaking itinerary was the United States of America – home to the PM Abiy with Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta largest Ethiopian diaspora – where he borrowed one of former-President John F. Kennedy’s At meetings at the Office of the Prime Minister with phraseologies: “Ask not what your country can do businessmen, young people and a large contingent for you, but what you can do for your country!” to of Ethiopia’s academics, Dr Abiy expressed encourage thousands of Ethiopians in Washington EPRDF’s regret for past errors, and echoed the DC, Los Angeles and Minneapolis to be part of ruling party’s renewed commitment to usher in a Ethiopia’s revival. rectifying course of action, so that the momentum of growth and transformation is maintained. In a significant departure from EPRDF’s previous stand, the Prime Minister also announced EPRDF’s commitment to part-privatise state-owned enterprises such as Ethiopian Airlines, Ethio- Telecom and Ethiopian Electric Power. This economic policy has already attracted great interest nationally and internationally. An ad hoc committee of the wise has been set up to ensure that the process of part-privatising state-owned enterprises is carried out above-board and in a transparent manner. PM Abiy holds discussions with leaders of US-based Ethiopian political parties in Washington DC The Government’s declaration to unconditionally accept the Algiers Agreement on the border The Prime Minister’s first 100 days in office have between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and Dr Abiy’s been hectic and peripatetic, but they have surely historical visit to Eritrea in early July, which was ushered in a rapprochement with Eritrea after 20 reciprocated by President Isaias Afewerki’s State years, and hope of a bright future for Ethiopians visit to Ethiopia a week later, must surely be the after nearly three years of unrest in parts of apogee of the Prime Minister’s first 100 days. Ethiopia. July 2018 3 Ethiopian News ETHIOPIA IN UK Ethiopia and Eritrea resume diplomatic ties Photo: Ethiopian Ambassador (l) H.E. Dr Hailemichael Aberra Afework with his Eritrean counterpart, H.E. Mr Estifanos Habtemariam Following the historic rapprochement between Ambassador Hailemichael, echoing PM Abiy’s Ethiopia and Eritrea, Ambassadors, diplomats and message of love and forgiveness on the occassion, staff from the respective embassies all over the said: “We are here today in the spirit of love and world have been paying courtesy calls. togetherness...to make up for lost time and unite our two nations and peoples in the pursuit of Here in London, on 3rd August, a delegation led by peace.” Ambassador Hailemichael, senior diplomats and staff paid a courtesy visit to the Eritrean Embassy Similarly, on 6th August, a delegation from the in London, to further cement the peace agreement. Eritrean Embassy, led by Ambassador Estifanos, paid a courtesy visit to the Embassy. Welcoming Ambassador Estifanos and his delegation to the Embassy on the occasion marking the historic resumption of the brotherly and sisterly relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea, Ambassador Hailemichael said, “We are delighted to have come to this stage in our relations and thank our two leaders for the hard work they have put into getting us to this stage. What remains is for us to strengthen our cooperation and trade The Eritrean Ambassador, H.E. Estifanos relations between the two countries.” Habtemariam, diplomats and staff, warmly welcomed the delegation. 4 July 2018 “It is now up to all of us, wherever we may be, to Professor Sebsebe becomes first African strengthen these bilateral relations between our Foreign Member of the Royal Society two governments as well as our people,” the Ambassador concluded. Leading Ethiopian botanical scientist, Professor Sebsebe Demissew, has been elected as a Foreign Member of the Royal Society, becoming the first ever Sub-Saharan African scientist to be elected in the Society’s Ambassador Hailemichael with Ambassador Estifanos and Eritrean 357-year history. diplomats On 13th July, the Professor was formally admitted In related news, the governments of Ethiopia and to the Society at the Admissions Day ceremony, Eritrea appointed Ambassadors to the respective where he signed the Charter Book and the countries for the first time in 20 years, after Obligation of the Fellows of the Royal Society. reopening Embassies. This follows an announcement, in May 2018, that H.E. Redwan Hussein has been appointed sixty eminent scientists from around the world Ethiopia’s first ambassador to Eritrea. Mr Hussein have been elected as Fellows and Foreign Members was formerly Ethiopian ambassador to Ireland and of the Royal Society, in recognition of their has previously served as communications minister. exceptional contributions to science. Similarly, Eritrea appointed H.E. Semere Russom as Professor Sebsebe has been made a Foreign its Ambassador to Ethiopia. He is Eritrea's former Member for his lifelong work on promoting ambassador to the United States and current Ethiopian biodiversity and the direct benefit this education minister. has daily for people in his country, and right across Africa, and joins the likes of Elon Musk and Jim Al- Former Sudanese PM congratulates PM Abiy Khalili. A delegation led by former Prime Minister of “I see my election as an honour Sudan, Sadiq Al Mahdi, paid a courtesy call on for all African Scientists and Ambassador Hailemichael Aberra Afework to collaborators. This is a sign that extend congratulations to Ethiopia's new Prime Minister, Dr Abiy Ahmed. the quality of our work is being recognised internationally.” Speaking on the occasion, Professor Sebsebe said: “I am honoured and delighted to become a Foreign Member. I hope that I will be able to use my membership of the Royal Society to further strengthen links between scientists in the UK and Africa in general, and those that aspire to be Future Leaders of African Independent Research, in particular. I am also inspired to contribute to the improvement of the quality of education and Mr. Al Mahdi also expressed his delight over the scientific research in Ethiopia”. recent rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea. July 2018 5 Ethiopian News Venki Ramakrishnan, President of the Royal Research Professor of Chemistry at the University Society, said: of Nottingham, added: “Our Fellows are key to the Royal Society’s “I am absolutely delighted by Professor Sebsebe’s fundamental purpose of using science for the benefit honour. I have known him nearly 15 years. He is an of humanity. From Norwich to Melbourne to outstanding scientist and is an Honorary Professor Ethiopia, this year’s newly elected Fellows and at our University. I’m sure that his Foreign Foreign Members of the Royal Society are testament Membership will be a huge boost for science in that science is a global endeavour and excellent Ethiopia and across the whole of Africa”.