The Ethiopian

ERALD Made in Ethiopia ዘ The collective conscience, the pride and the prejudice X-TRA Sunday X-TRA Page 23 Unmapped

destinations Morocco to alert Ethiopia in water management sights expertise Page 12 Page 20

Only Diplomacy and Talks will Achieve what War Cannot Let us unite with love; Accomplish surpass in forgiveness! Page 19 Vol. LXXVI No 286 9 August 2020 Nehassie 3, 2012 Price Birr 5.75 Agelgil and The Signs of Genuine Filseta Greatness Page 16 Page 24 Feasible regulation vital to protect national parks from destruction Page 3

Novel Crisis affects good governance expedition of GERD Ethiopia not only a spring Page 2 of development but also historic Why CSOs prove emblem of this voiceless in generation Ethiopia? Page 3 Page 2 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 PAGE 2 Herald Exclusives Why CSOs prove voiceless in Ethiopia? BY HAFTU GEBREZGABIHER set of roles in societal development. Over the last two decades, these roles have shifted Having over 2700 legally registered civil as the external environment for civil society society organizations (CSOs) in the country, has changed.” their role is rather found insignificant, due He added that a “renewed focus on the to the general claim against civil societies in essential contribution of civil society Ethiopia, a country of hundred ten million. to a resilient global system alongside When mobilized, CSOs, sometimes called government and business has emerged”. the “third sector” (after government and The mere existence of CSOs is for delivering commerce), have the power to influence services to meet education, health, food the actions of elected policy makers and and security needs; implementing disaster businesses. But the nature of civil society - management, preparedness and emergency what it is and what it does is evolving, in response; bringing expert knowledge and response to both technological developments experiences to shape policy and strategy; and more nuanced changes within societies, don’t give us (CSOs) recognition.” organizations (NGOs), labor unions, giving power to the marginalized; and according to the World Bank. The other limitation that hinders CSOs from indigenous groups, charitable organizations, encouraging citizen engagement. The CSOs in the Ethiopia are not well contributing their due role is the constraint faith-based organizations, professional Upholding integrity, justice, accountability, positioned as their image was highly of resources. The main sources of their grant associations, and foundations.” equity and the right of people starting from damaged specially during the last decade are external funds. Currently, due to the The term became popular in political and their internal governance up to having or so and the biased designation of corona virus pandemic, even such sources economic discussions in the 1980s, when platforms that could strengthen the role of civil societies as wrong partners by the have been facing depletion. Thus, with the it started to be identified with non-state civil society can help the country benefit local media, say Population, Health and resources not at hand, CSOs couldn’t play movements that were defying authoritarian from the registered civil societies and those Environment Consortium (PHE-Ethiopia) their role. This should be the concern of the regimes, especially in central and eastern pending registration, according to Negash. Executive Director Negash Teklu said. government, Negash further stated. Europe and Latin America. “If we really want to change the rights and “The image, which was created on the civil The new law Ethiopia has redefined CSOs Klaus Schwab, founder and executive interests of this group, encouraging them to society’s sector, is due to the government’s making void the previous confusions in chairman of the World Economic Forum, govern themselves recognizing the various push. Their name was wrongly taken. More NGOs and CSOS. Thus, as of now, there is wrote in the preface to a 2013 report, the policy directions is essential. Recognizing than anything, the media till to date, has no more NGOs classification in the country. Future Role of Civil Society: “NGOs, the civil societies to the right way will up to now marked us wrong partners. The According to the World Bank: “Civil society labour leaders, faith-based organizations, give the country a good leverage. Make media is pushing up to now with the wrong refers to a wide-array of organizations: religious leaders and other civil society sure that no one should be left behind the image. Even government affiliated Medias community groups, non-governmental representatives play a critical and diverse development goals,” Novel Crisis affects good governance expedition of Ethiopia BY MEHARI BEYENE particularly vulnerable extremely difficult choices, rather than make during COVID-19: false compromises, to address the impact of The COVID-19 crisis has had a moderate borders have been a prime COVID-19 across the continent. The Africa impact on governance, peace and security source of new infections, Joint Continental Strategy for COVID-19 in the Horn of Africa particularly, in the requiring dedicated provides a clear vision for how the African countries of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, health and economic Union will work with its member states to Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan, so interventions. address the multi-faceted challenges posed disclosed by Africa Union. by the pandemic. Africa Union As to Africa Union’s report, as of 24 July, Commissioner for Peace ‘’Whilst the focus has been on mitigating there were 50,066 cases and 1,392 deaths and Security, Ambassador the health and socio-economic impacts, confirmed of COVID-19; the true caseload Smail Chergui on his COVID-19 has the possibility of is likely understated due to limited testing part said that the novel significantly impacting governance, peace capacity. No country has experienced coronavirus disease has and security and reversing gains made in significant political instability. Political spread rapidly around Africa. COVID-19 could delay electoral change and reform processes remain mostly the world since it was processes and could affect accountability, on track. No major conflicts have emerged first identified in January service delivery and the quest for improved since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 2020. This pandemic governance on the continent. In addition, Al-Shabaab remains a threat in the region represents a major crisis the virus has delayed the implementation and could be strengthened by the loss of for countries across the of critical peace agreements and hampered livelihoods. African continent, not our mediation efforts at the local level’’ he On the report, COVID-19 has delayed only in the risk to lives. indicated. progress in implementing reforms in some Africa has a young He went to say that terrorist and non-state countries and is inhibiting government population, which should armed groups have not ceased their attacks effectiveness across the region. The decrease the numbers against innocent populations. In West integration of different armed forces in South of severe cases, but it Africa, Boko Haram insurgents launched Sudan has been put on hold and elections has large numbers of an offensive against an army base claiming in Ethiopia have been postponed. Elections levels and jeopardizing livelihoods. Political people with underlying health conditions the lives of hundreds of peacekeepers. In the in Somalia were postponed due to internal stability and progress may be tested as the which make them vulnerable. Perhaps Horn of Africa, Al-Shabaab has continued to security concerns and not COVID-19. In health, social and economic impacts of most significantly, health systems have pose significant risks to civilian populations most countries, government operations have COVID-19 grow. Lockdowns, which are very limited capacity to treat severe cases. in the region, especially in Somalia and been constrained due to closures of non- now being relaxed in many countries, have Importantly, the economic impacts will be Kenya. While the spread of terrorism and essential services and government workers strained livelihoods. Food insecurity is severe. Measures to contain the spread of extremism on the continent is worrisome, it being asked to work from home. Budgets expected to deteriorate across the region in COVID-19 will inhibit economic activity is even more alarming to see terror groups will be constrained by reduced economic the coming months. These stresses are likely and could hit the poor hardest, especially leverage the outbreak of coronavirus to activity, and the fall in the oil price affecting to continue to grow and, in some countries, those living in cities. spread misinformation as a recruitment oil-exporting countries, further affecting may lead to civil unrest, political instability Added he said that the consequences tactic. service delivery and possibly corruption. or violence.’’ The report pointed out. of COVID-19 pandemic could be long- The impact of COVID-19 has hampered He capitalized that while COVID-19 The report indicated that bilateral country lasting. Supporting countries to address mitigation efforts to improve stability in the creates clear challenges to government relationships have been stable and the immediate and long-term impact of region. effectiveness and risks to peace and security, borderland areas in the region have been COVID-19 requires a regional approach. the pandemic may, in place, also present ‘COVID-19-related containment measures mostly peaceful since the start of COVID-19. The leadership of the African Union has renewed opportunities for enhancing together with the global recession, lower Except for a few isolated incidents, there been crucial and commendable. It will governance or achieving breakthroughs to oil prices and damage to agriculture from have been no major confrontations along continue to support governments to make lasting peace in parts of Africa. locusts and flooding, are increasing poverty the borders. Borderlands in the region are PAGE 3 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 Herald Exclusives Feasible regulation vital to protect national parks from destruction

BY TSEGAY HAGOS damages had been inflicted on animal, bird and plant species. Ethiopia has many magnificent national ‘’We have been undertaking a research to parks endowed with endemic animals understand the cause of wildfire devastating and plant species. Awash, Omo, Semien national parks. The major cause was Mountain, Altash, Bale, Abiyata lakes, manmade. People have been setting fire on Nech Sar, Gambela, Yabelo, Kafta Sheraro bushes and forests to find new grazing and and Gibe Sheleko is but to mention few agriculture lands,’’ he said. Beekeepers and of the major national parks in the country. miners too have been causing fire. However, due to lack of plausible policy, The director general noted that awareness which encourages the protection and creation works on ways of combating preservation of such blessings, they have wildfire and its effects on animals, birds and been facing many challenges; wildfire, plants species have been underway. deforestation and hunting were among the ‘‘The strategy which is under design would predicaments. include ways of controlling and protecting Cognizant of this, the Ethiopian Wildlife fire. Highly vulnerable parks such as Kafta Conservation Authority (EWCA) has Sheraro, Semien Mountain and Bale would planned to design a controlling and be beneficiaries from the strategy,’’ Kumara management strategy that could safeguard points out. national parks from wildfire and other For his part, Zenebe Arefayne, Coordinator The public has played a massive role in Zenebe stated that most of the time fire dangers, Director General of the Authority at Kafta Sheraro National Park said extinguishing the fire using traditional could break out due to negligence of miners Kumara Wakjira says. that the park has been beset by frequent ways,’’ Zenebe confirms. and beekeepers and urged people to refrain Wildfire has been gutting down national conflagration risks. According to him, strict follow up and from setting fire on parks. parks. Hence the strategy that took this Gold miners have ignited fire while cooking conservation mechanisms would parry wild National parks have paramount contribution into account would address the problem food last year and consequently, about 1,500 fire which has been affecting parks across in preserving biodiversity. Besides, their thoroughly, as to him. hectare of forest was turned to ashes, as to the country. tourism significance is massive. If well When we see recent burnings, Bale, him. Kafta Sheraro inhabited by various animal, conserved and properly developed, they Semien Mountain, Halaydege Asebot, ‘‘Though it had caused damage on bird and plant species does not have fences could be ecological blessings and they have Omo, Gambela and Kafta Sheraro national a significant hectare of forest, it was which restrain miners and beekeepers, who a potential of transforming the tourism parks were set on fire .As a result, massive extinguished without affecting animals. encroach on the forbidden territory illegally. sector to a higher level. GERD not only a spring of development but also historic emblem of this generation BY MEHARI BEYENE electricity supply, it has infused the sentiment of nothing is impossible in the GERD is not only a lifeblood for rail minds of citizens. transport and other development ventures After reminiscing that there was a plan to of the country but also nation’s emblem install a one thousand and five kilometer rail that bears the historic fingerprint of line now the 680 kilometer is finalized. citizens, noted the Ethiopian Rail Transport He noted that there were expectations that Cooperation. finance from sugar factories, GERD and In an interview with EPA’s journalist Chief industrial projects will irrigate the rail executive of the cooperation Dr.S entayehu way projects in vain as the aforementioned W/Michael noted that all the rail ways that projects were tardy in actualizing. were built, well underway and envisaged As the country’s burden of loans are heavy lean of electricity. Aside from catalyzing and as money could not be easily accessed the country’s march on the avenue of the execution of the project is derailed. development and fostering people-to-people According to him, the rail lines from Awash relation, GERD will warrant a sustainable to Hara market, Weldeya to Mekle are under power support to the Rail transport .The Ethiopia with ports and neighboring springboard for country’s development. construction and the one from Weldey to rail ways in the pipeline as well as those countries. They play quite a role serving a Apart from promising a sustainable Metema is under feasibility study. rendering service are ones that connect Debre Berhan fast turning into a Mecca of key investment ventures BY MEHARI BEYENE investors are outlaying a huge amount of money created jobs are absorbing a significant number of the unemployed in the The investment flow of the Debre Birhan workforce. town has shot up by 7 billion from a record high of over 10 billion Birr last Ethiopian According to Birhanu this Ethiopian year year, disclosed the town’s Industry Office. a plan was made to draw a three billion Birr worth investment and activities were Eighty hectare of land taken away from underway to this effect. Surprisingly. 270 investors who for years failed to engage investors that got investment license have in investment activity after fencing off outlaid 17 billion Birr year. Though it was investment lands is given to investors in the 112 investors the town planned to welcome true sense of the word. town, he further noted, this Ethiopian year 250 industry license task is being handled divided into 4 Approached by journalists of EPA, head of were issued as investors were coming to clusters—food and food processing items, He ascribed achievement to the presence Debere Birhan’s Industry and Investment his office in droves. Among these investors garments and textile, chemical and industry, and supply of investment lands classified in office Birhanu G/Hiwot noted that the town 85% of them are Ethiopians. wood and metal works. clusters, the protection to investments and is fast turning a Mecca of key investment investors rendered by the community of He noted research findings have showed 76 The clusters were introduced to create a ventures of paramount significance to the the locality, the strong chemistry with the investment potentials worth outlaying one’s conducive investment atmosphere and country. government, the fight against bureaucratic wealth on and that handsomely pay are monitor the activities of bodies that have Currently as many local and foreign red tape and the presence of over 10 identified. The investment land facilitation a stake in the investment ventures of the thousand people THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 PAGE 4 frican News

Intellectual property and the public Interest beyond access to medical technologies BY MEHARI BEYENE An effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic requires that all COVID-19 As World Trade Organization members met medical tools, including treatments, on 30 July for a Trade-Related Aspects of vaccines and tests, are affordable, Intellectual Property Rights Council formal available and accessible to everyone and session, South Africa took leadership in allocated based on public health need, but highlighting that the intellectual property past experience has shown that IP barriers barriers that stand in the way of access to severely hamper the development of and COVID-19 drugs, tests and vaccines must access to medical tools, especially in low- be urgently overcome, and called on World and middle-income countries. While the Trade Organization members to explore 73rd World Health Assembly ‘COVID-19 new bold measures, according to World response’ resolution recommends countries Trade Organization. use the health safeguards enshrined under The statement delivered on 30 July follows the TRIPS Agreement to facilitate equitable an intervention made by South Africa access, there has not been, until this point, last month in an informal session of the any formal discussion about their use or TRIPS Council and a paper submitted limitations at World Trade Organization. by the country earlier this month entitled Medecins Sans Frontieres has seen time ‘Intellectual Property and the Public and time again how IP barriers leave Interest: Beyond access to medicines and lifesaving medicines, essential diagnostics medical technologies towards a more and new vaccines out of the hands of the holistic approach to TRIPS flexibilities’. most vulnerable people in developing In the submission and the statement, countries. For example, past experience South Africa expressed the critical need with the pneumococcal vaccine and human for World Trade Organization members papillomavirus vaccine has shown that to overcome IP barriers; the concrete intellectual property can affect every step examples of IP barriers facing COVID-19 of vaccine development, and monopolies vaccine development; the difficulties can hinder timely introduction of affordable countries face using the full range of health vaccines in developing countries. We safeguards enshrined in international trade cannot risk repeating the same mistakes in and IP rules; the limitations of relying the face of this global pandemic. pharma can be trusted to act in the public recognize the gravity of the challenges on voluntary mechanisms to address IP Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, interest and illustrate how we cannot rely faced by countries today and show barriers; and the need to address trade we’ve seen several concerning examples on the voluntary actions of companies in solidarity once again during this pandemic secrets that stand in the way of technology of pharmaceutical corporations seeking this pandemic. and support the demand raised by South transfer. monopoly power through patents. For During the height of the HIV/AIDS Africa to pursue a comprehensive and In the statement, South Africa called for example, the voluntary licenses recently epidemic, World Trade Organization expeditious approach to removing the consideration of ‘new bold measures’ signed in secret by Gilead for the members adopted the Doha Declaration on intellectual property barriers, and that to address IP barriers, including binding investigational drug remdesivir that was the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health all governments take urgent actions to commitments to ensure open sharing and approved for emergency use in treating in 2001 to empower health ministries to knock down these IP barriers that stand global non-exclusive rights to use know- COVID-19 inexcusably exclude nearly address barriers to access to lifesaving in the way of people’s access, including how, data and technologies, and legislative half of the world’s population. These drugs. Medecins Sans Frontieres hopes suspending and overriding patents and measures to restrict patent ever greening. actions provide scant assurance that that World Trade Organization members other exclusivities. US-Africa energy committee makes capital markets access its priority

BY FASICA BERHANE challenge is now set to increase further given To unlock future growth potential in the current market dynamics and conditions, US-African energy cooperation, Committee The US-Africa Committee of the African and increasing lack of appetite for fossil Members highlighted several issues and Energy Chamber held its first Meeting fuels from traditional investors or lenders. solutions. A key one pertains to expanded this week to discuss the future of energy Beyond just upstream, participants agreed partnerships, with the need to increase cooperation and investments between the that Africa offers the most attractive energy engagement with a broader range of US and Africa post Covid-19. investment opportunities for American stakeholders, including public and private The US-Africa Committee gathers top investors, stakeholders and entrepreneurs institutions, energy investors in North private and public industry experts and but the issue around messaging and America seeking an interventional venture, executives from both sides of the Atlantic, perceptions of the continent continues to and universities. More importantly, all all committed to fully exploiting the hinder investment. agreed that the future of US-African energy potential of US-African energy cooperation. In addressing perceptions of Africa in the cooperation will need to open up to SMEs The meeting identified key areas and US, participants highlighted the significant and entrepreneurs and not be limited only to of accessing US capital markets priorities to increase the level of capital and lack of adequate and objective messaging large and traditional corporations. The need The US-Africa Committee was appointed technology flows and address the challenge on African opportunities and African to encourage African investments into the by the African Energy Chamber to serve of accessing US capital markets. markets in the US. Addressing such issue of US was also brought to the table as a way to on its Advisory Board in 2020 and 2021. Committee Members especially highlighted perceptions has been identified as a major further support a win-win relationship that Its members share a common belief that the challenge of raising capital for priority for the Chamber and the Committee would support further capital flows going the US-Africa cooperation has the potential exploration and development projects in in order to properly communicate the both ways. to transform Africa’s energy industry, and upstream oil & gas, coupled with a lack opportunities of doing business in Africa The meeting identified key areas and serve as advisors and transaction mentors to of understanding of Production Sharing as opposed to focusing solely on often priorities to increase the level of capital and the Chamber and its network. Its members Contracts mechanisms and structures. This exaggerated security and safety issues. technology flows and address the challenge include: Sunday Page 12 Agelgil Sunday sights destinations Unmapped Filseta ዘ Page 16 and The Ethiopian ERALD

Only diplomacy and talks willachieve X-TRAX-TRA Made inEthiopia water management to alert Ethiopiain to alert what war cannot conscience, the The collective The signs pride andthe Morocco accomplish of genuine of prejudice greatness expertise Page 23 Page 20 Page 24 Page 19

THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 PAGE 6 frican News Canada grants medical supplies to Africa Union BY MEHARI BEYENE The Canadian’s donation is a significant contribution to support the implementation The African Union Commission has received of the Africa Joint Continental Strategy a consignment of medical supplies from for COVID-19, which aims to prevent the Government of the Republic Canada in severe illness and death from COVID-19 support of the continent’s fight against the infection in African Union Member States deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, and to minimize social disruption and the according to Africa Union. economic consequences of the COVID-19 The donation which contains 400,000 pieces pandemic. of N95 masks was delivered to the Africa “Combating COVID-19 needs to be a Centres for Disease Control and Prevention collective effort and the people of Canada (Africa CDC) to boost its distribution of are delighted to contribute to this cause for essential Infection Prevention and Control the people of Africa through the AU, in materials to AU member states for the addition to our support to the Partnership COVID-19 response. to Accelerate COVID-19 Testing (PACT) “We express our profound gratitude on initiative being implemented by the Africa behalf of the Commission and the people CDC to increase testing on the continent,” of Africa, to the government of Canada for said Antoine Chevrier, Ambassador of these medical supplies worth over 2 million Canada to Ethiopia and the African Union dollars. It comes at a very crucial time when when he handed over the items. the entire world must collaborate in the The African Union and Canada have spirit of solidarity to defeat this common maintained long-term partnerships in enemy’’, said Ameira Elfadil Mohammed, addressing global health, peace and security, Canada’s commitment to supporting efforts Joint Continental Strategy to mitigate the Commission for Social Affairs, Africa as well as economic challenges affecting the by the AU’s Africa CDC to achieve the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak across Union Commission. continent of Africa. This donation echoes goals of PACT and fully implement the member states. World Health Organization to deploy health experts in South Africa BY MEHARI BEYENE Ghebreyesus, who has been steadfast in his leadership during a defining global crisis. The South African COVID-19 response We look forward to welcoming the World will soon be bolstered by a surge team Health Organization team and integrating of health experts from the World Health them to buttress our COVID-19 response.” Organization (WHO), according to World The delegation will be required to complete Health Organization. an initial period of quarantine and testing World Health Organization will be before being cleared for deployment in deploying 43 experts from various fields to the country. They will be initiated into the support the COVID-19 outbreak response current national health efforts and informed management. The first 17 health expects on how the National Department of Health will arrive and include key expertise is supporting provincial COVID-19 in epidemiology, surveillance, case programmes. Then they will be deployed in management, infection, prevention and the national department and the following control, procurement, as well as community provinces: Eastern Cape, Free State, mobilization and health education. Among Gauteng, Kwazulu Natal and Mpumalanga. them is, Dr. David Heymann, a seasoned “These provinces have been identified as infectious disease epidemiologist and the ones needing the most urgent support public health expert, who was at one-time where the first team can make the most Assistant Director-General for Health impact. As the remaining experts are Security and Environment at World Health deployed by World Health Organization, all Organization. He headed the response to the provinces in the country will benefit from SARS epidemic in 2003, working with his their presence,” said Dr Sandile Buthelezi, team to mediate international efforts to halt the Director General of Health. the pandemic. The surge team is expected to contribute These deployments have emanated from necessary to identify cases, isolate and Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo and to national efforts in key response areas continued discussions between the Minister provide care, follow up contacts and fully Geneva, Switzerland respectively to support including surveillance and streamlining of of Health, Dr. Zweli Mkhize, and World implement physical distancing and other the experts on the ground. epidemiological systems and World Health Health Organization global and regional key public health measures. In this way “Dr. Moeti and Dr. Ryan have become Organization global COVID-19 response leadership. With South Africa now among we will minimize the spread and impact of familiar and trusted figures in the fight guidelines, improved case management, the top five of the world’s most affected COVID-19.” against COVID-19,” said Minister of leading to a reduced hospital burden and countries, it is critical to strengthen its World Health Organization will be primarily Health Dr. Zweli Mkhize. “They have been increased community buy-in resulting COVID-19 response. responsible for funding the international supporting and complementing our national in greater compliance to public health “At this time when the COVID-19 epidemic surge team with South Africa largely being efforts and we have had very fruitful and measures. in South Africa is spreading rapidly, it is responsible for providing administrative honest discussions with them. World “World Health Organization Regional important that we work together to intensify resources for smooth initiation and Health Organization will greatly bolster Office for Africa has made supporting South our fight against the virus,” said Dr. Owen integration of the partnership. our efforts as we have seen how effective Africa a key priority,” said Dr. Moeti. “I Kaluwa, World Health Organization The surge team will be jointly led by their interventions have been in countries believe our joint efforts with South African Representative for South Africa. “For Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, World Health like China, Spain, Italy, Mauritius and other health experts will help flatten the curve this reason, World Health Organization Organization Regional Director for countries that have been through what we and save lives. We are in this together. Our is ramping up support to complement Africa and Dr. Michael Ryan, Executive are facing now. I would also like to pay solidarity which spans the globe is a model national and provincial efforts to scale- Director of the WHO Health Emergencies tribute to the Director General of World partnership for an effective response. United up the response. Our collective efforts are Programme. They will work virtually from Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanhom we will defeat COVID-19.” PAGE 7 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 Editorial when they stand united. The military prowess displayed in Adwa and the developmental feat of practically translating the mega project, GERD, into action is in consonance with this fact. Chemistry magnifies our beauty As our forefathers handed down to us a sovereign Ethiopia fighting irrespective of ethnic, We Ethiopians are people that got past trying times standing in unison such as keeping nation’s religious, gender and economic differences, following suit, this generation is showcasing it is sovereignty marching to showdowns in confluence gathered from every corner of that nation. an hire of the aforementioned sentiment bringing to life a gigantic hydropower dam-GERD. We are people that take pride from glorious history congregated under the umbrella of a A cross section of society that runs the gamut from millionaires to shoe shiner boys have been great nation referred to Ethiopia, which displays a broad spectrum of language, cultural and contributing their share. It is against this backdrop, Ethiopians expressed elation when the first religious diversity. phase of GERD’s filling materialized. On their knees and raising their hands skyward some This virtue lending us hues we have lived for eons exhibiting love and respect for one another. did so. The expression of joy is befitting the event that consummated a tough developmental As such, Ethiopia has become a beacon light of freedom and a universal symbol of invincibility. thrust. Yet we should not forget a demanding task is still ahead of us as it is the first chapter we We Ethiopians are people that never infringed on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of went through. We are expected to extend unceasing support before GERD sees completion. any nation. An ecstasy-expressing event themed “our voice for our dam!” was held last week by Ethiopians Rather as the adage runs “a friend in need is a friend indeed” we are people that extend support all over the world in connection with the first phase of the filling of the dam. Speaking about to neighbors in their times of trouble. We want our unity to be exemplary in Africa. It is out this Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen said Ethiopians’ firm stance to give birth to of this sentiment we have played a frontliner role of the establishment of the Organization of GERD shows their conviction and resentment of lost opportunities. African Union (OAU). Rather, single-minded, effecting GERD is expected from us. We have to strengthen this for the During colonization, representing Africa we had been its voice. We did pay life sacrifices for furtherance of our country. The fact so far 13 point 6 billion Birr is collected from Ethiopians continental freedom, while African brothers were yoked by exploitation. We had practically corroborates the case in point. demonstrated we are true allies. Following this rear guard support of Ethiopians, as a first phase, the dam has begun to Unfortunately as there are citizens that bask under such golden history, on the flip side, there retain water for hydropower generation. This task was a hit. Citizens must show unstinting are the peevish that harbor resentment. The latter find themselves subject to insomnia and support featuring mannerism and making astounding history is the characteristic features of vexation. Ethiopians. Hence, it doesn’t come as a surprise to witness the presence of some citizens who could wish As such exhibiting narrow nationalism, confining ourselves in ethnic shelves, regional fences to dismember the country. They spared no effort to hack every fabric of unity that glued its and displacing fellow citizens must not characterize us. people. Serving a Trojan horse to evil forces that try to benefit from fishing in troubled water is not a Recently such individuals left no stone unturned to wreck down a great nation agitating people characteristic feature of genuine Ethiopians. to go for one another neck. Fortunately, leaning on their time-old peaceful coexistence, unity Rather seeing the completion of mega projects like GERD with no dissension, loving fellow in diversity, chemistry as well as not heeding the preaching of the heinous that aspire to drive citizens, affording shields to them, protecting them from COVID-19 Pandemic and sustaining a divisive wedge among them, Ethiopians have reached at this stage keeping their beloved the green legacy should be made a point of. country intact. Ministry of Peace’s effort to forestall conflicts in concert with religious institutions deserves Times beyond number, Ethiopians had demonstrated how they emerge with astounding history praise. It must be backed by an all-out support. View Straightening the distorted history of our country BY FITSUM GETACHEW ‘ideology’ is behind all this movement?! If is not their people! It is not in their worry The Ethiopian Herald this is not nihilism, I don’t know what it is! because they themselves have decided to Established in 1943 So many times in the past we have heard the Once people begin to be killed in masses die for money, not for values. Published daily except Mondays saying that a country that does not learn from and every infrastructure is deliberately These are really dangerous developments By The Ethiopian Press Agency past history and past mistakes is condemned destroyed, the meaning of politics becomes once they take foothold! The moment that to repeat them! This is a truthful statement just non sense because who does it serve and outside forces get involved in the internal A/Editor-in-Chief : Worku Belachew and we have seen that a number of times in how? The meaning of political entities and political discourses of our country, (and email- [email protected] our recent history and that of many African whatever could transpire from that becomes there are already serious indications of this Address- Nifas Silk Lafto Sub-city countries and beyond. But we must also nothing. eventuality, look at the social media which add that people must learn their past history The above countries we referred to are are totally “unEthiopian” in their nature! Woreda - 05, House No---- properly and neutrally and not expose it to more or less in such sad state. They are that is when we need to wake up and reject Tel- +251 111 26 41 98 political manipulations. And that is what has either in tremendous crisis or are already it forcefully and in unison! been happening in this country for decades! failed states. Their peoples are desperate This is the red line that we must not Deputy- Editor-in- chief In the meantime, we see what is happening and struggling to survive amid the debris of allow them to cross. It would have tragic Alem Hailu in other countries and we seem not to learn the unending battles or are condemned to be implications, and we see it in other nations. Email- [email protected] from them. What has been happening in displaced and migrate en masse to foreign It would really be the end of our country. Editors/Reporters various African countries, in very recent lands where they are often denigrated and ‘Adieu Ethiopia’! Tesgaye Hagos years, should have taught us something rejected. And it would be the festival of many an Haftu Gebrezgabiher about how to go about to resolve any This is thanks to their myopic political enemy of Ethiopia praying just for that to Mehari Beyene political or other forms of differences. leaders bickering over power and riches! happen, working day and night for that. Are Henok Tibebu Incidentally, none of those troubled states In these cases, almost inevitably outside we ready to accept this scenario? Many are Ambo Mekasa could qualify to being ‘democratic’. They actors do intervene, trying to fish in warning that a proxy war in Ethiopia is not Genet Fekade share similarities amongst themselves and troubled waters. They ride one of the horses to be totally excluded. Foreign hands are Mussa Mohammed with us. They all show that the moment and in the process aggravate the situation, transpiring using covert and at times overt Fasika Berhane we fail to abide by the rules of the game, complicating it further. The war gets means! They may not need to send troops Contributers the entire scenario changes and the playing protracted and the suffering of the people as but they can and do send money, and arms, Mulugeta Gudeta ground itself is ruined. Everything becomes well. This is a typical development in many to support or encourage those fighting the Tekelebirhan Gebre micheal meaningless. Changing the country into a of the above mentioned countries. Take country’s sovereignty and its constitutional Getachew Minas battlefield is just suicide. It leaves everyone Libya, take Yemen, take Syria and others! apparatus, trying to destabilize it. This has Joseph Seboka displaced. The race becomes one of self- The mercenaries fighting in these feuds do transpired from recent police reports. The Solomon Wassihun annihilation! Unfortunately, that is what our not have ideals nor countries to fight for, aftermath of the killing of Artist Hachalu so called politicians or activists seem to be but money. They do not become heroes Hundessa has been symptomatic. General Manager busy with these days. Tel. 011-126-42-22 or martyrs if they die, because they stood Fortunately, it failed. And we must make Fax. 251-011-156-98-62 There is so much cynicism, so many egos, only for economic returns, not any moral sure that any further similar attempts must Advertisement and Dist. Department and so much recklessness, along with so principle. They have neither national feeling be nipped in the bud! This will be the email:[email protected] much disrespect for the lives of humans, nor attachment to any of these warring primary homework of the government as Tel. 011-157-02-70 friends and foe alike! It is difficult to sides and whoever pays them more is their See Straightening the distorted ... Page 25 imagine what kind of world they want to preferred employer, their hero, their boss, Website: www.press.et build when what they preach and practice is their king! They do not bother about any sort Editor's Note: The views entertained email: [email protected] sheer violence, killings and atrocities with of destruction because they have no sense of Facebook /Ethiopian Press Agency in this article do not necessarily reflect the destruction of everything, everywhere. belonging to any of those countries. They do the stance of The Ethiopian Herald It is really difficult to grasp what sort of not bother about the losses of life because it THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 PAGE 8 OPED No economic transformation without radical land reform! BY TEKLEBIRHAN GEBREMICHAEL been undermined the importance of quality education and training; The Nature of Land b) value creation has Land is a gift of nature par excellence. been de –emphasized; However, its value can be increased by c) It has been given making it habitable and usable through rise to a general class building infrastructure including roads, struggle; d) It has electricity, tele- communications, water engendered identity – supply, irrigation dams, health care systems, based struggle for land real estate, etc. Typically population density and its consequences on rural land is low while on urban land it is in terms widespread high. As a result, it is necessary to use vertical internal displacement space in urban areas to accommodate the and deadly inter – high population density. community conflicts; Rural land is usually utilized for farming, e) and it has promoted a animal breeding in general and livestock political and economic and poultry development, forestry, etc. On system divorced from the other hand, urban land is mostly used for merit and practical residential housing, commercial buildings, achievement. industrial development, public buildings, Above all, land as urban parks and the like. The essential the major source of characteristics of land are the following: income and wealth in Barring land reclamation, land is fixed in its should be distributed as follows: for constructing urban houses for rent. In Ethiopia has produced extent (area); undeveloped land as mentioned a) Rural land already held by peasant short, the pre – Hailesellasie long period pompous and self – conceited political of Ethiopia’s history may be described as above, is a gift of nature; and the population farmers should remain as is and and economic leaders who ignorantly look one of feudalism and the Haileselassie era to land ratio globally and particularly in title deeds should be granted to the down upon well –educated and experienced one of a combination of feudalism and economically underdeveloped countries is a holders including the right to sell the professionals and technocrats, who actually inchoate capitalism. On the other hand, the rising quantum. land and exchange it; possess the technical knowledge and skills Derg regime experimented with socialism The Relationship of Population to Land b) Rural land for commercial farming, necessary to transform the political and under which rural land was confiscated Particularly in developing countries such forestry development, animal economic landscape of the country. It has from landlords and granted to tenants on a breeding (including livestock become quite normal to see real –estate – as Ethiopia, the fixity of land vis –a-vis usufruct basis. a rising population has caused a serious and poultry development), agro rich individuals rise to positions of federal shortage of land, sending land prices sky- –industrial and other industrial The TPLF/EPRDF regime maintained the and local government power and yet being Derg’s land proclamation but used it to high, particularly in urban areas. In Ethiopia development, etc. should be sold or hopelessly clueless when confronted with redistribute land to its supporters via the urban land, especially in Addis Ababa, has be held on lease at nominal prices; complex political and economic issues of land lease system. The methods of land fetched a price as high as 350,000 birr per c) Urban land for public housing should vital national importance. I have come across wealth transfer have been quite simple. sqm compared to only 25 cents some fifty incumbent as well as opposition leaders be granted to legally established Outright land grants are made to favored years ago! It is therefore quite clear that, in who just are unable to grasp the numerical housing cooperatives practically free government officials, and large bank loans the absence of an enlightened and popular of charge; fact that even in a democracy based on and credits are approved on government identity–based politics, communities with government, land essentially a gift of nature, d) urban land for commercial buildings orders for leasing land at exorbitant prices small and large populations cannot be becomes a big source of income and wealth should be granted to legally (like 350,000birr per sqm) for so- called equal unless that democracy is based on the without having to work! established commercial building real –estate developers. Prime urban lands principle of one community, one vote! The In Ethiopia, land is being used as the cooperatives at nominal prices; occupied by small dwellings are leased to problem is that a real –estate-rich individual cornerstone of a patronage political and e) urban and suburban land for agro favoured individuals and enterprises after economic system. Constitutionally, land is would not even attempt to understand what –industrial and other industrial demolishing the small dwellings without is at issue in this fundamental question! owned by the government and collectively enterprises should be granted at proper compensation. So, in essence, the What then should we do to tackle the by the Ethiopian people. In actual fact, nominal fees; TPLF/EPRDF regime has instituted what however, de facto land ownership is a problem head on? At the risk of being f) As regards land ownership, land has been described by some individuals as government monopoly. Hence, land, be it a latter–day feudalistic system. The final repetitious, I shall recommend the following may be held and owned by private rural or urban, is being distributed by the outcome of such a land policy has been the major propositions: individuals, communities and government at will. Who are the beneficiaries creation of a landed gentry confronted by a) Establish a ministry of land reform government and may also be held on of land distribution by the federal and local a large landless population – a pretty good and administration and staff it with a lease basis; government? Here are the major ones in recipe for a typical class struggle! experienced land policy wonks and g) All land, rural and urban, may be order of benefit: Government officials; With regard to land use, under the Derg technocrats; subject to government taxes and federal government and local government regime, land as a source of income and b) Prepare a country –wide land use levies. loyalists; so-called foreign investors and wealth was reduced to practically zero since plan; real- estate developers; corruptionists with The History of Land Distribution and particularly for residential housing it was c) Grant title deeds to peasant deep pockets and the general public. Use in Ethiopia granted by the Derg government free of farmers; How Should Land be Distributed? As is well known, Ethiopia is an ancient charge. This has been completely revised d) Grant urban and suburban land for country with a long and rich history. At under the TPLF/ EPRDF regime, where In order to answer this question satisfactorily, residential and commercial housing the beginning, since the population to land land has become the most important single we should remember once again that land is and buildings to their respective source of income and wealth. For example, a gift of nature; that it has become scarce ratio was low, land was no object. In fact, legally established cooperatives at many people who built their homes on relative to population growth and that it is population was much more important for the nominal fees; an essential factor of production. The fact purpose of benefiting from the advantages prime land granted by the Derg regime e) Grant land for commercial farming that undeveloped land is a gift of nature of a large human congregation in pursuit free of charge have now become instant and industrial development at should inform the belief that its price should of forming a large army and labor force millionaires! nominal prices; essentially be low and that it should initially necessary for nation – building. In the initial Concluding Remarks f) Impose reasonable taxes and levies be distributed fairly by an enlightened and phases of nation-building, rulers granted In present day Ethiopia, land has become on all land holdings; popularly elected government. Another large tracts of land to government officials, a major source of income and wealth, principle that may be derived from this warriors and soldiers as rewards for their discouraging the growth and development g) Recognize four land ownership basic observation is that land should not be services in the cause of nation – building. of marketable knowledge and skills and and holding patterns, namely a major source of wealth and income as has Ordinary subjects farmed these tracts of entrepreneurial talent, which are actually private, commercial, government been the case since the ouster of the Derg land as tenants, who had to surrender up the real source of the wealth of nations and and lease. regime. to 2/3 of their produce to their landlords, individuals. This state of affairs has led to Finally, we cannot expect economic According to the foregoing principles, land who used it for their own consumption and the following negative outcomes: a) It has transformation without radical land reform! PAGE 9 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 OPED Preventing youth radicalization BY GETACHEW MINAS in order to better understand human rights issues of equality, gender and minorities rights. Introduction: Developing countries are forced to confront youth problems Sixth, the personnel dealing with youth such as unemployment, marginalization, problems should be aware of their own violence, extremism and radicalization values and identities. They have to assess all of which are interlinked. They have their abilities for self-reflection, critical to design strategies for fostering active thinking and emotional control. They have citizenship and participation of the youth to be open to develop and acquire new in diversified ways. These strategies need skills in the field. These personnel who to focus on preventing marginalization are in contact with young people must be and radicalization that potentially result in aware of the need of “objectivity.” They violent behavior. have to support the youth in navigating their The succession of terrorist attacks and way through their dilemmas. They may the rise in incidents of hate-crime and be suffering from the crisis of identity and xenophobia “reinforced” the need for exclusion as well as emotional crises. preserving open and inclusive societies. and engage these personnel. They provide openly and frankly. The personnel officer Seventh, the personnel working with the Inclusiveness may help to prevent at an them with guidance which is extracted from should remember that listening is “more” youth must encourage “intercultural and early stage the radicalization that leads various good practices. important than talking. inter-faith” discussions which underscore common values. They should guide and to extremism. Also, the promotion of The basic prevention also targets all young Fourth, it is crucial for the personnel to help young people to express and explore citizenship and the common values of people as mentioned earlier. The prevention learn the reality of the young people and their own identity as well as that of “others.” freedom, tolerance and nondiscrimination at this level is indirect, by equipping to know the trends before engaging the They also need to accept the necessity of through education are of great value. In this young people with life skills which are youth in conversation. It is obvious that the the young people to express their fears and effort, the “role” of education in preventing contributing to their resilience in the face of young people today are fascinated by urban frustrations in relations to intercultural or and combating youth violence is crucial. disaster. An important strategy at this level myths, conspiracy theories and extreme interfaith issues. When intercultural and The role of education in preventing is to “empower” young people to be able to ideologies. Thus, it is important to know the interfaith dialogue takes place, the personnel radicalization of the youth is fundamental. make their own choices. However, a sense basic current trends and issues in relation to should try to “stress” the common values It can instill in the youth the necessary life of vigilance and urgency is required around extremist movements which are attractive to instead of spotting the differences. skills and human rights values. It contributes the immense challenges societies are faced young people. Such information is necessary to the development of “positive” identity. with due to the youth. It is pointed out that for the personnel to converse productively Eighth, make best use of existing training It builds in the youth “resilience” against “violent” radicalization is a disruptive force with young people. opportunities on violent radicalization processes. There is a need to provide extra extremist ideologies and ensures their of the social fabric which is there to stay and Training and awareness-raising tools based training to the personnel to learn more personal well-being. Also, instilling work can affect all parts of the society. on scientific research and interviews with about the psychological, pedagogical, habits in the youth, education empowers The personnel that handle the youth youngsters are useful tools. These tools are social context and background of violent them to be active and responsible citizens. problems should be ready to contribute packages which elaborate on different ways radicalization processes. They should Engagement in productive work keeps the to the “identity” building process of to enhance the resilience of youngsters also learn about extremist ideologies that youth guarded from extremist ideologies. young people. These personnel and the against violent radicalization. These the youth are interested in and about the Education and training scheme helps organizations they represent will find packages are used in a resilience training manipulations of extremist movements. young people gain skills and competencies. practical measures for basic prevention. program for youngsters. In active “group” Training that deals with extremist Ideals It develops skills through formal and These measures are indicated here. First, training, youngsters strengthen different supports the personnel, the teachers and informal activities such as teamwork. The “never fear” discussing any issues raised aspects of their resilience. other frontline workers to better understand scheme also supports young people in the by the youth that seem a challenge to Such training tools are also prepared for what violent radicalization is all about. It difficult issues of identity that may arise the personnel; they should be discussed parents and frontline workers to raise their should be based on a solid pedagogical during adolescence. It makes a difference and not avoided out of fear. Providing a awareness on the various problems of perspective, which addresses a normal by supporting youth who are at risk of response to issues is important and crucial young people and on how to prevent them. part of adolescence that can derail if the marginalization and social exclusion. to “participate” in a conversation related to These tools provide insights and practical necessary “checks and balances” are Education and training should, therefore, the young people. While accepting positive exercises for parents and adults about the not provided by adults in time. It invites be designed to empower the youth in views and concerns, the personnel should social environment of youngsters. They may social professionals to engage youngsters addressing problems. It also enables them to “reject” any extremist ideology leading to cover issue such as resilience, challenges, and explore their feelings and ideas while deal with the challenges of growing up in violent behavior. influence, communication and information. a complex, pluralistic and modern society. also setting clear boundaries. The training Second, discuss issues related to the This training program is used along with includes the opportunity to practice skills In the past, educators have examined concerns of the young people in a “safe” awareness-raising tool. in real case scenarios though the use of an the contributions of formal and informal environment. Young people may raise basic Fifth, enable young people to understand actor. learning. They also analyzed the impact human and existential questions which may human rights and democratic values “in Ninth, there is a need to provide positive of youth development on the promotion of reflect their inherent feelings. They should, practice.” To inculcate these values in the narratives to counter “extremist” ideologies. responsible citizenship. This developmental therefore, be treated with the necessary minds of the young people, the personnel The personnel should be able to provide process helps in the “prevention” of safety, attention, discretion and the should be able to create appropriate young people with counter narratives to marginalization and radicalization of young understanding that these are important issues learning methodologies. Practical issues combat extremist ideologies. By counter people. The educators have structured a for them. The personnel have to support may be addressed, for example, through narratives, it means an alternative narrative coherent approach for the prevention of the young people in developing their own views workshops. When engaging in discussions for positively presenting facts and offering youth from social problems. This approach on different political and religious positions. on issues that concern young people, all alternative solutions. This narrative is known as “basic prevention,” targeted at They should, however, aim at countering views must be taken “seriously.” There is enables young persons to critically analyze the youth. and “preventing” prejudice and extremist no need to discuss ideologies and religion an extremist ideology and expose its Method of basic prevention: thinking by stressing on shared values and as these are not as useful as understanding inadequacies to meet their needs. The method of youth prevention from social ideas and by showing possibilities and injustices, which are often burning issues Tenth, it is necessary to “inform” young marginalization and extremism has been means of democratic participation. for young persons. These, however, can be people about agencies working against developed by G. Caplan. He has constructed Third, the personnel that deals with youth a starting point for an honest discussion. In discriminatory practices. Young people are the method of “basic prevention.” This issues, should dare to discuss “taboo” topics. practice that means that personnel engaged often “not” aware of the existence of public approach targets all young people, aiming to The personnel should not avoid discussing in youth affairs should use “neutral” and structures which can provide protection reach them through exemplar practices. The issues such as sexual orientation, racism, moderate language. They should avoid against discriminatory practices. This forces targets are mainly those who are already politics, cultural differences, religious or confrontational discussions for the purpose them to feel unprotected from extremist engaged in extremist activities. Basic mental health issues. There are no taboo of maintaining friendly relations. At the networks. In reality, they are exposed to the prevention is also aimed at all personnel topics which cannot be discussed. Engage same time it is important for the concerned danger of radicalism, fanaticism, terrorism, who deal with young people who could in a conversation which does “not” make personnel to reflect a democratic and human young people feel embarrassed or rejected rights oriented position. Many discussants be at “risk” of violent radicalization. It See Preventing ... page 25 also addresses organizations which train and discuss these topics with young people are often given the tools and knowledge THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 PAGE 10 Business Information ECX daily commodity exchange data

Coffee, Aug. 05, 2020 LUGD4 2012 1230 1415 1415 1415 185 43.35 Bonga LUBPDD5 2011 1014 1021 1021 1021 7 5.51 DireDawa Produc- Vol_ SarisCof-

tion- Prvs- in_ Warehouse LUBPAA5 2010 1310 1287 1323 1263 23 42.79 fee SarisCof- Symbol Year Close Close High Low Change Ton Name WYCAQ1 2012 2750 2750 2750 2750 0 5.41 Dilla LUBPAA4 2010 1353 1369 1489 1301 16 71.40 fee WGJQ1 2012 2700 2760 2760 2760 60 12.60 Bule Hora SarisCof- WGJ3 2012 2500 2400 2400 2400 100 14.40 Bule Hora LUBPAA3 2010 1555 1485 1575 1431 70 27.61 fee UWARQ2 2012 2400 2400 2400 2400 0 17.85 Hawassa SarisCof- USK9 2012 1315 1315 1315 1315 0 10.20 Bonga LUBPAA2 2010 1751 1820 1847 1767 69 37.28 fee USK8 2012 1307 1323 1326 1316 16 34.37 Bonga USK7 2012 1300 1334 1334 1334 34 7.65 Bonga UKW8 2012 1350 1381 1381 1381 31 13.80 Gimbi Haircot Bean, Aug. 05, 2020 UKW7 2012 1362 1428 1428 1428 66 10.20 Gimbi UKW6 2012 1440 1474 1481 1467 34 10.20 Gimbi Productio- Prvs- Vol_in_ Warehou- UKW5 2012 1506 1521 1522 1521 15 31.38 Gimbi Symbol nYear Close Close High Low Change Ton seName UKW3 2012 1589 1600 1600 1600 11 8.55 Gimbi RWPALG 2012 2407 2409 2455 2455 2 10.00 Kombolcha UKFQ2 2012 1750 1700 1700 1700 50 14.01 Bonga

UKF9 2012 1155 1311 1311 1311 156 15.30 Bonga RWPALG 2012 2407 2409 2455 2455 2 10.00 Nazareth UKF6 2012 1402 1414 1415 1412 12 18.21 Bonga RWPA5 2012 2407 2409 2455 2455 2 10.40 Kombolcha UKF4 2012 1450 1500 1500 1500 50 19.75 Bonga UKF3 2012 1550 1550 1550 1550 0 6.12 Bonga UIB8 2012 1290 1330 1330 1330 40 11.65 Bedelle Mung Bean, Aug.05, 2020 UIB8 2012 1280 1330 1330 1330 50 9.03 Productio- Prvs- Vol_in_ Warehou- UIB7 2012 1381 1389 1389 1389 8 7.12 Bedelle Symbol nYear Close Close High Low Change Ton seName UIB7 2012 1382 1395 1401 1389 13 9.55 GMB- UIB6 2012 1396 1435 1440 1427 39 12.75 Bedelle SUG 2012 3064 3067 3126 3126 3 16.10 Kombolcha UIB6 2012 1401 1440 1440 1440 39 5.10 GMB- SUG 2012 3064 3067 3126 3126 3 15.00 Nazareth UIB5 2012 1392 1469 1469 1469 77 5.46 GMBS4 2012 3064 3067 3126 3126 3 30.00 Nazareth UHRC4 2012 2352 2351 2351 2351 1 5.10 DireDawa GMBS3 2012 3064 3067 3126 3126 3 33.90 Kombolcha UHRB5 2012 2412 2420 2420 2420 8 5.10 DireDawa GMBS3 2012 3064 3067 3126 3126 3 43.40 SarisGrain GMB- UHRA5 2012 2568 2550 2550 2550 18 5.10 DireDawa BUG 2012 3064 3067 3126 3126 3 54.40 SarisGrain UHRA4 2012 2601 2597 2600 2590 4 15.30 DireDawa GMBB4 2012 3064 3067 3126 3126 3 21.80 SarisGrain UGM8 2012 1365 1381 1381 1381 16 5.47 Gimbi GMBB3 2012 2988 3067 3126 3126 79 60.00 SarisGrain UGM7 2012 1406 1424 1425 1423 18 16.51 Gimbi UGM6 2012 1430 1452 1456 1447 22 66.30 Gimbi Sesame, Aug.05, 2020 UGJ6 2012 1431 1435 1435 1435 4 13.87 Bule Hora UGJ4 2012 1750 1770 1770 1770 20 8.69 Bule Hora Pro- SarisCof- ductio- Prvs- Vol_ Warehouse- Symbol nYear Close Close High Low Change in_Ton Name UEW9 2011 0 1303 1303 1303 0 3.52 fee WWS- SUG 2012 3939 3943 4018 4018 4 20.00 SarisGrain UBMQ2 2012 1700 1700 1700 1700 0 11.32 Bonga WWSS5 2012 3939 3943 4018 4018 4 13.20 Nekemte UBM9 2012 1306 1315 1315 1315 9 10.20 Bonga WWSS5 2012 3939 3943 4018 4018 4 8.70 SarisGrain UBM7 2012 1307 1339 1340 1335 32 14.04 Bonga WWSS4 2012 3939 3943 4018 4018 4 5.50 Pawe LWSD3 2012 1680 1480 1480 1480 200 4.35 Hawassa WHG- SUG 2012 4129 4134 4213 4213 5 14.10 Hummera LWJM2 2012 1403 1391 1391 1391 12 8.69 Jimma WHGS4 2012 4129 4134 4213 4213 5 10.00 Metema SarisCof- RDSSUG 2012 4302 4307 4389 4389 5 5.00 SarisGrain LWBP2 2010 1954 1999 2150 1855 45 34.12 fee LUWL5 2012 1103 1107 1107 1107 4 7.65 Gimbi LUWL3 2012 1230 1237 1237 1237 7 5.10 Gimbi LUJM4 2012 0 1100 1100 1100 0 5.10 Jimma Soya Bean, Aug.05, 2020 SarisCof- Productio- Prvs- Vol_ Warehou- LUJM4 2012 1459 1527 1527 1527 68 2.55 fee Symbol nYear Close Close High Low Change in_Ton seName LUJM3 2012 1250 1204 1204 1204 46 5.56 Jimma SBAS2 2012 1257 1258 1308 1308 1 10.00 Pawe PAGE 11 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 Media Review Nation’s joy at fever pitch BY SOLOMON WASSIHUN overflowing jubilation. The Ethiopian that galvanized citizens irrespective of president has earlier described the successful their political outlook to stand in unison of The fountain of joy that has bursted 2 weeks completion of the first phase of the GERD purpose to work for a better future of their ago has culminated into an international filling as a historic juncture for Ethiopia nation. It was reported that the Ethiopian event at the beginning of last week, where and Ethiopians. “Our dreams are coming diaspora including even those who are who erd is an exemplary Ethiopians around the globe made of a true. The dam has now reached a point of don’t see eye to eye with the incumbent chorus of bliss and unity in the celebration no return. The filling of the dam is a great flagship project that government on various issues have so far of the resounding and huge leap made by victory for all those who are endeavoring galvanized citizens contributed over 1 billion Birr in support of the GERD project. That jovial event, titled to make our region a source of peace and G the grand project. Scholars are suggesting our voice for our dam” was initially planned irrespective of their political stability. It is also a great victory for the that the inception and implementation of by the organizes to be a 3 minutes long outlook to stand in unison of people of all the riparian countries. Nothing similar mega projects would have far- celebration moment to be held last Sunday is impossible if we join hands, devoted and purpose to work for a better reaching influence in bolstering Ethiopian at 4 pm by Ethiopians everywhere. But stand united towards a common goal,” the future of their nation nationalism and the sense of Ethiopian when implemented the celebration went President stated. for hours with tumultuous street demos identity which have been overshadowed and dances by happy crowds carrying the There was no better time for the joyful over the last three decades with excessive Ethiopian flag. Cars on the tres have joined moments to come to our nation. It has ethnocentric sentiments. indeed lifted up our spirits and restored and further intensified the celebration mood Among several remarks made by the broken hearts by the horrible injustices by honking their horns. Ethiopian diaspora over the past week, the and lawlessness choreographed by anti- one that impressed me most the comment “Ethiopians all over have voiced support Ethiopian and anti-peace forces, who are to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam close to 14 billion Birr has been raised so far made by an Ethiopian living in Switzerland. intent on destroying our dream of building (GERD) expressing their delight on [the for GERD project, and over the last budget “it is a great honor to belong to a generation a peaceful and prosperous nation. latest GERD] developments through year about 750 million Birr has been raised. that is making a history that stands in equal merrymaking. Many have celebrated GERD The electrifying celebrations of the success She also reminded the gathering that almost footing to Adwa. Now we Ethiopians have by joining outdoor events that took place in in the progress of the GERD project would two-thirds of the overall project work has proven to the world that we are not just several cities of the country. Thousand of undoubtedly spur the enthusiasm of citizens been completed. history talkers, but we can also be history Addis Ababa residents, dressed colorfully to intensify its support for the national flag makers. Our beloved country is facing now “They told us we can not dare to go for it, were dancing and waving the national flag. project. This is well-evidenced bt the fact both formidable challenges and a bright but we took up the challenge and started it. They have shouted joyfully “It is My Dam”, that over 40 million Birr as been raised in future. The current leaders have told us they Then they told us we will soon quit it, but “Our voice for our dam” slogans across the support of the project just within a few days intend to build a nation where supremacy we persevered and went through several streets of the capital. Several segments of since we heard the big news about the dam the law and better ideas prevail. We all have hurdles. After that they told us we can not the community regardless of their age and on 22 July. invested our time and money in the future social status have reaffirmed support for fill the dam, but we did it with resounding At a televised grand event at Sheraton, of our country. So we would be sure we the construction of the Grand Ethiopian success. We Ethiopians have shown the attended by senior government authorities would have a country that we hand over Renaissance Dam.” Wrote FBC on a news world we are a nation capable of realizing and personalities, which was the epicenter of to children in decades to come. Therefore, story covering the event. our hopes and aspirations by our own “our voice for our dam’ global celebration, Ethiopians have to come closer more than means,” she said on the occasion. The progress made by the GERD project the head of the office responsible for support ever before to bring GERD project to worth all the media fanfare and citizens’ mobilization for GERD has indicated that GERD is an exemplary flagship project completion.” The Corona brief –Week 21 BY SOLOMON WASSIHUN appearing continuously in various local in September. Among the priority issue that cases [915]. It was in the past week that media outlets to update the public about the the outcome of the campaign would have a the record number of daily case fatalities t is almost five months since the latest preventive measures and the overall bearing on is the government’s decision on reported[28]. the total number of cases has coronavirus set foot in our nation. trend on the pandemic in the nation. The whether to open schools at the beginning of already gone over 20k, and the total case Ithe way the country’s authorities latest message they have is, it is only when the new year. fatalities were fast approaching 400. prepared for and responded to the individuals and families take responsibility The health minister on her part stated: “The What is more startling is that it took the pandemic in all these trying months has to prevent the disease that we can arrest the campaign we embark on this month is a pandemic 79 days to spread to the first been commendable. However hard they spread of the pandemic. national mobilization to enable everyone thousand cases, but in the past month, July, persevered, complacency and disruptions The Premier too, employing his talents to take preventive measures responsibly and this month the pandemic has moved in the strict enforcement of the emergency of making emotion-stirring speeches has and actively and perform wider nationwide with such accelerated speed that it can infect decree as well as negligence on the part coined a sound bite a few months ago to testing to better understand the epidemic 1,000 new additional cases in just under 48 of the public at large has contributed to sensitize and urge every citizen to take and determine measures to be taken.” hours. Even more alarming is the trend of the widespread of the virus with alarming responsibility in the fight against the case fatalities. The last month is reported to speed. Reporting on the official launching pandemic. The premier’s sound bite is now be the deadliest month so far. In the month ceremony of the campaign held last Friday A renowned Ethiopian epidemiologist has being aired repeatedly intermittently on of Hamle [July in Ethiopian calendar],245 in the presence of the Deputy Premier, remarked in an ETV interview last week the national TV. This is how the Premier’s case fatalities have been recorded, while FBC wrote: “The campaign sees testing that said: “ Our nation has done everything sound bite goes: “This long and dark time the corresponding figure in the earlier days[ 200,000 people for the virus in the coming to its capacity to prepare in advance well will all be behind us. All of you, fellow which is roughly 4 months]was only 120. two weeks and conducting a door-to-door before the virus reaches our border. The citizens, are members of the army that survey covering 17 million people.” However, despite the above grim statistics, fear accompanied by the news about the defend our nation against the pandemic. the spread of COVID-19 in Ethiopia advent of the virus had compelled the …”. The litmus test for the success of the appears to remain relatively less severe campaign could well be the figures that pubic to exercise maximum caution. As a At an event held recently the Premier has compared to the neighboring countries,. would depict the trend of the pandemic in result of that we got appreciable results [in announced, a month-long nationwide Case fatalities per million of the population this month and the next one. We do hope suppressing the virus spread]. The trouble Community-Based Activities and Testing in Ethiopia is currently standing at 3, which and cross our fingers to see the gradient was the public did not keep the preventive campaign. In his twitter page, he wrote: is the second least figure compared to that of the pandemic curve at least not to go effort up in latter days, and that has brought “Increased testing is key to knowing of the neighboring countries. Eritrea still steeper. us to the situation we see today.” the trend of COVID-19 nationally so as says it has never recorded a single case The knowledge world-class health experts to enable effective decision making on The campaign launched at a time when fatality. Similarly, the total number of cases have about COVID-19! ( is less than 6 various fronts.” The testing campaign will the spread of the disease in the nation at per million of the population in Ethiopia months old, and is constantly evolving. help inform “the next steps to undertake in its worst so far. A few days ago, we heard is still lower than that of all its neighbors Several Ethiopian top health experts are the new [Ethiopian] year” which will begin a record number of new daily coronavirus except Eritrea. THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 PAGE 12 The Executive Unmapped destinations sights

BY MEHARI BEYENE Image Ethiopia Tours is founded with a clear vision of changing the negative images attached to Ethiopia as a synonym The tourism policy in Ethiopia is to poverty and famine, to a more positive and versatile image that pays adequate getting improved. It has a tone of tribute to the intricacy of the country and encouragement. But the visa provision will transform Ethiopia from an underrated to tourists has a long process and has travel destination to an appealing one. a limitation. This is really one of the It is a travel agent that invites tourists to major obstacles. Thanks to the Ethiopia come to Ethiopia and experience a country of centuries of old history and culture, government, a visa is given for all a bio-diversity, a country striving for nationalists. development and progress, and hospitable people welcoming with open arms. Asrat Kahsay is the General Manager of Image Ethiopia Tour and Travel Agency and owner of Hotel Celeste in Addis Ababa. Excerpts: Herald: Would you tell us about what kind of activities you have been doing so far? Asrat: With regard to the tour and travel company, we take tourists all overf the world and different corners of Ethiopia as well as Djibouti, Somalia and nowadays Eritrea. Herald: What sort of services does your travel agency provide? Asrat: We are providing different package’s tours. It could be a historical sight we have in Ethiopia, cultural attractions, natural and wild life attractions. Sometimes we do also adventurous tourism, related to Danakil Depression, active volcano. Herald: I think hiking is one of the adventurous activities. What do you have in this regard? Asrat: Some of the tools we are running Danakil depression include hiking activities. We do this in a Rock-Hewn Church in Tigray, particularly, It was not seen as one of the major industry We are on duty bound to attract and Gheralta Mountain and in Lalibelia. We which plays a role in harnessing the participate in the promotion of tourism are inviting tourists to do trekking in country’s economy. As a private sector, the sights. One can see this in neighboring Semien Mountains National Park and Bale private travel companies are doing well countries like Kenya and South Africa. Both Mountains National Parks. to attract tourists abroad as well. We have private and public sectors should work to Herald: What is the travel agency doing to given discount package and are promoting promote our tourism sights. our products to foreigners through means attract domestic tourists? Herald: What do you suggest about the of main stream printing media. Most of Asrat: We are working and developing ideas The negative image applicability of conference tourism? the tourists are not taking our package as a to practice domestic tourism. You might ask has been discouraging major destination sights. Asrat: In my opinion, that is the opportunity some of your friends where they spend their we have because as a country, particularly, tourists from coming Herald: How do you assess the tourism leisure times, they envision to go to Dubai Addis Ababa is the head quarter of Africa policy of the country regarding opening a and some other places. We try to attract to Ethiopia. If we are Union, and some regional organizations window of opportunity to do adventurous domestic tourists using seeking the help of like, United Nations Economic Commission working together in things? local customers, mainly Ethiopians living for Africa, conference tourism should be both in urban and rural areas. It is not fair the public sector, it Asrat: The tourism policy in Ethiopia prioritized and well-promoted. This is one of to take your family in Dubai for visitation can promote Ethiopia is getting improved. It has a tone of the major opportunities we have. Therefore, purposes. encouragement. But the visa provision our location could attract so many business It is much better to take them in Lalibelia, as a major tourist to tourists has a long process and has opportunities. a limitation. This is really one of the Axum, Gondar, Bahir Dar and other destination. Herald: Though Ethiopia is endowed with major obstacles. Thanks to the Ethiopia attractive sights. We are a country where both natural and cultural heritages, it still government, a visa is given for all that domestic tourism is not recognized as lags behind in generating income and job nationalists. This can be seen as a positive such. I think, this should not be the job of opportunities? What is the reason behind change. And so many things can be done by private sector. Of course, to attract local you think? tourists the private sector should be engaged private sectors. Asrat: Well, I think we have to remember in domestic tourism. Recently, the tourism The public sector should be studying new that numbers of tourists coming to the sector by itself has not been given priority destinations in the country. The private country are very limited. One of the main by the government. sector has also developed new destinations. reasons behind this is the impression of PAGE 13 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 The Executive

Woman welcoming tourists Foreign tourists with tour guides foreigners toward the country. The negative image is because of the famine that hit the country in 1980s. We have also unfriendly neighbors. So, the region by itself is a place of instability. That discourages tourists from coming to Ethiopia. A country which has tourism potential whether one calls it historical, cultural and natural beauty related with the volcano, all that, Ethiopia should lead the tourism sector at worldwide. The negative image has been discouraging tourists from coming to Ethiopia. If we are working together in the public sector, it can promote Ethiopia as a major tourist destination. If we are working hard to change the negative image of the country and creating the awareness of the global society, we can change the pre-existing problems. The country should encourage the private sector to engage in tourism sector. Tourism should We also have very friendly be seen as a major sector in creating jobs and generating incomes. Prioritization should be people. Ethiopians are given by the government. cordial and friendly people. Herald: Do you think that Ethiopia could tap In terms of international technology to improve the tourism service Foreigners with local community and to attract tourists? flight connection, thanks Asrat: Having a hotel and travel agency destinations. We have so many historical Asrat: One of the weaknesses in tourism has contributed a lot to minimize financial backgrounds. We have so many cultural to Ethiopian Airlines, we sector is the utilization of technology. To crisis. The tourists also get full service with diversities. We have so many natural have the best Airlines that promote Ethiopia as a tourist destination, affordable prices. We invite our customers beauties. We have destinations appreciated the tour operators and owners have to go to to deal on travel and hotel booking at the by visitors. is grabbing the attention of same time for the benefit of both travel meet potential customers face to face. The Above all, we also have very friendly tourists who could love to main reason is that we have weak online agents and customers. Diversification by people. Ethiopians are cordial and friendly service when it comes to internet access itself enables to do risk assessment. people. In terms of international flight come to Ethiopia. here in this country. Herald: Tell us about other countries connection, thanks to Ethiopian Airlines, Of course, it is improving now. But, more experience in the attraction of tourists? we have the best Airlines that is grabbing should be do. We have to spend huge the attention of tourists who could love to Asrat: If you see some neighboring amount of money to promote our tourist come to Ethiopia. countries in travel and tour services such destinations through means of technological as Kenya and Tanzania, South Africa, the Herald: Do you think that Ethiopia could tools. private sector is doing a lot in the promotion harness the tourism sector properly in As we go to London, Madrid and Berlin, of tourist destination in the countries. relation to holiday tourism sub sector? we have to remember that we pay a lot of The public sector has been working hand Asrat: As a platform, we have everything to money for the flight and other transportation to hand with the private sector in the attract holiday travellers and the potential services as well as accommodation. But, if promotion of tourism of the countries. It to attract holiday travellers and a potential we have online service, we do not spend is also given special emphasis because it to attract adventure tourism. Currently, the that much money. has tapped potential in job creation and government is trying to improve holiday generating incomes as well as developing Herald: Do you think that diversification tourism. Both the private and public the economy of the nation. in the investment of both travel and hotel, tourism organizations have a duty to do a has contributed a lot to minimize the risk We are way behind in this regard. We are lot in attracting tourists both at global and and add profit margin? the country with so many unexplored domestic levels. PAGE 14 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 Art & Culture AFROCENTRIPEDALISM (Discoursing multiple representations of the great Gada Statue)

BY DEJENE SAKOUME Afrocentripetalism views such concepts like feminism, gender and sex as unfit fragmentation alien to African standard. Dear Editor, It relies on such units of analysis as sisters Our generation that comes of age is now in and brothers against women and men, a position that is unique. Whether we are sisterhood and brotherhood against gender, uniquely privileged or uniquely unlucky and Afrocentripetalism against feminism. has yet to be determined. Therefore, it avoids the dichotomy of However, its uniqueness seems to me very geocentric fragility-gender, sex feminism, clear. and unites them in to a single thought- There are two eminent threats to our future heliocentric Afrocentripetalistic totality. decent survival. Afrocentripedalism is not mere denial of One of the threats takes us back to 1906, a the various deep-rooted oppressions in year that yearn when political-compradors Africa. It equally recognizes the pervasive had devised toxics that have been dehumanization of Africans by Africans. spreading with no detoxification effort It differs in identifying and diagnosing the for over a century, and that nearly eroded prob lem, and takes into hand the essence our collective existence(the publication of African sisterhood and brotherhood in Rome of Afework Gebreyesus who as a method and remedy for African ontologically capitalized on the internal problems. In other words, it solely relies weaknesses that failed to incorporate the on African concepts and empirical contents majority as citizen de facto, among others, in dealing with African problems by marks the manufacturing of organized Dedicated to millions of African sisters (young and elders) who painstakingly wit day and night, and exposing the gradual replacement of the toxics), and its affluent breed in Marxism whose existence sustains the state of art of the society, economy and politics. heliocentric by the geocentric when in that served as bed rock rationales for fact the heliocentric is yet at the center of liberation movements which by turn and by time praxis. A true word equally acts and ranging from equality, liberty, love, human activities. It is therefore a call for design institutionalized infrastructure for reflects. Consequently, no one can say a forgiveness to justice, all indistinctly united reducing the burden on the heliocentric, violence (deposited-violence, if you like), true word for another, in a prescriptive under a single room. The statue depicts an a call to abandon the geocentric, an the fruit of which we are reaping today and act which robs others of their words. African brother and sister standing shoulder attempt to decolonize African brothers and other bursts yet to come from the far right Therefore, words like gender, sex and to shoulder emitting those immortal ideals. sistersfrom the un-African appendices, a and far left. feminism may reflect but never act, and Indeed, it is the greatest theologically clarification over disorientations of the The second threat, which is also closely hence they are prescriptive and unafrican. correct abstraction ever signifying GOD’s base and dislocations of the apex through tied with the first, follows the second The dearest to African reality are sisters WILL in act and in reflection. That is how signification and Africanization of the self- invasion and its consequence which and brothers, and Afrocentripedalism. the almighty dictates humanity to pair. Afrocentripetalism against sexism, gender can be traced back to 1941, when the These are true words that reflect and at the The Great Gada Statue has the power to and feminism. emperor-abdicate came back home with same time act here and now, thanks to the reconcile politics with economics, the left Afrocentripedalism is Moral- his policy of Britishization (the policy of great statue of Gada that revealed to me to with the right, unity with diversity and the Copernican masking the dark skin with white contents abandon prescriptions of industrial society, self with the otherness. It also embeds the Afrocentripetalism, therefore, is an in the words of Franz Fanon), and that and embrace Afrocentripetalistic totality grand ideals of pan-Africanism. I quote essential virtue by creation, a moral - empirically commenced fast and sure on the questions of African sisters. the famous catchphrase from the remarks Copernican, a modality of benign and self- depletion of Ethiopia from its own gallant My argument is that Afrocentripedalism is of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah that squares with sufficient moral gravity, a foundational spirit of the past (I will separately send heliocentric and as such it is an accidental the symbols signified in the Great Gada beingness unto which African family, you my philosophical reflection: Adwa: A deviation representing African personality, Statue: UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED state and society are gravitated. It is not a Compact and Yet Incomplete Victory some family and state under its command. For WE FALL. category, and therefore, neither is it gender other day). example, equality, the center-quest of Afrocentripedalism as Heliocentric nor sex. It is an essence, a self-sufficing It was against these backdrops that a feminism, is a concept that delinks itself Dictate Afrocentripidalist emanating from the from the African praxis. In Africa, the landmark episode unfolded on midnight Most attempts that have been tried to creation - having, loving, caring, nurturing equation is whether life is complete or of 27 March 2018. The same date ushered analyze and solve African problems have and protecting. incomplete. African brothers and sisters are in a new era of hope with the birth of the not been based on African world views It is an epistemic center built on the inseparable totality by themselves. They current leadership. and intellectual conceptions. This may bi-directionality of the formation of are neither equal nor unequal, but together, For the first time in our history, it was be one of the reasons why many have not knowledge. Its metaphysics is alpha and either are complete, and apart, both are necessary to make a crucial decision been successful. Therefore, it is vital to omega of organized human existence incomplete (look at the statue of Gada). whether our fate as collective existence pay attention to concepts that are African aligned along the conception of beingness can continue or not. In that decision which Afrocentripedalism was born out of the centered. Afrocentripetalism is one such embedding the pillar of existence and I dub it a day of immortal liberators, Great Statue of Geda. I was shocked by concept that should be considered. proper meaning of life. It is a moral domain the immense representation of truth in the significance of which cannot be Afrocentripetalism is a heliocentric treaty stressing not only what is right but what this Afrocentripedalist statue with my first exaggerated. on the conception of African sisterhood is always right. It is cosmopolitan of the and one time look only. It cancelled the 27 March 2018 also ushered in a departure and brotherhood. It is Afro-centric because highest order embracing nature as an equal whole establishments of gender, sex and from our own past, with the mightiest task it is entirely based on the signification of entity. feminism, and replaced it with sisterhood, of detoxification and restoration which is Africanness. It is centripetal, because it is It is a graduated economic principle as brotherhood and Afrocentripedalism that yet to start. a moral force, gravity at the center, just it bases money making solely on the speaks for itself. One sees equality not like Copernicus’s expository model of the concept of “Genzeb”. “Genzeb” may be a Amongst the various toxic establishments as a singular phenomenon, but as a twin heliocentric against the geocentric is an synonym for money making and its lexical are the party politics and its complete inseparable totality. The same holds for existential self-evident truth, African moral definition signifies Understanding and/or negligence of discourse on ‘gender’ parity. liberty and justice. It is a genius of this matrix is also a self-evident heliocentric knowledge-based business. (Here I have to Politics has remained the domain of century that decolonizes us from the ceiling praxis of the family, state and society that open a parenthesis owing to my limitation confused brothers, and sisters are by large of the Sistine Chapel or Mona Lisa. kept themselves aloof of it. I employ such must be liberated from the geocentric to a philosophical translation of Genzeb, Author’s Note catchwords as sisterhood and brotherhood, illusion. whether my association to Understanding because I refused to employ such words as The Great Statue of Gada is a monumental Afrocentripetalism, therefore, is not a mere essentially lacks (I am sure it will not women and men, gender and sex. sculpture that symbolizes multiple signification of feminine virtue, neither is it exceed) business episteme or not, and heliocentric Afrocentripedalist totality de-legitimization of gender nor sex. In fact, whether its ontology There is no true word that is not at the same See AFROCENT... page 26 PAGE 15 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 Art & Culture Short Story The numerical tyranny of democracy BY TEKLEBIRHAN GEBREMICHAEL big plus although a lot still remains to be would do exactly the same thing under the done”, Okello said. circumstances”, Goshu, one of the other two Okello, a Gabellan youngster, was adopted “Can you give us some of the major things interviewers, said. by an Oromo family headed by Gutema that need to be done?” the interview panel “But it could be unconstitutional”, said at the age of eight years. In about a year’s asked. Megersa, the other interviewer. time Okello mastered the Oromo language, Well, any Ethiopian kid Oromiffa, and at ten years of age hewas “Well, the TPLF is still powerful in Tigray “Goshu, what you just said is political fully inducted into Oromo society through who grows on a diet and where it seems to be re-grouping to regain sacrilege. The constitution is sacrosanct and power, and what appears to be rather strange any violations of its sacred pronouncements the Oromo cultural initiation ceremonies, love and affection such including Gudefecha, Mogassa and the “ is that the government is aiding and abetting would be tantamount to a betrayal of all Gada system. Okello grew tall and strong as that generously prvided the effort with almost undiminished federal those who sacrificed their lives for it”, said on a generous diet of Chechebsa, Ganffo, by my beloved father government funding”. the interviewer who brought up the issue, in the first place, whose name was Tolossa. Ergo, milk and beef and lamb. By the time Gutema would perform even “What would you do if you were in he was sixteen years of age, he had mastered power?” “If you think the constitution is the Bible or the arts of horse riding, spear throwing and better than I have been able “Oh! First, I have neither the ability nor Koran, there must be something wrong with “dulla” fighting. He started school a bit late. to do”, replied Okello, with a the inclination to be in power in a country you upstairs!” said Goshu. So he graduated from high school at 20, after feeling of great gratitude. where the leader is pounded by contending “How dare you say that!” Tolossa stood which he entered Horomia University and political forces from all sides. Second, if by up to create a frightening showdown with received his B.A degree with distinction in some improbable coincidence I do become Goshu who responded in equal measure. political science. the leader of the country, I would not go “Come on guys! Don’t flare up like twelve- Okello then consulted with his adoptive for reform but for radical change”, Okello year olds! I haven’t got the slightest interest father Gutema about his future career replied, being careful not to mention the in witnessing a fist-fight between two and Gutema, who was himself somewhat word revolution. supposedly grown-up politically inclined in his outlook, said: “What would your radical change lads! Here is a smart idea to shed some light “Well, Okello, you shouldn’t have any simply the nicest person I have ever met in involve?” my life! He is more than a father to me. He is on the issue. Let’s pose one last question to second thoughts about going to Finfine “Well, ending federal funding for the TPLF a mother, too”, answered Okello, with tears Okello which goes like ‘what is your opinion (Addis Ababa) and being a top-notch cabal in Tigray; disbanding its special welling up in his eyes. As a matter of fact, he about the constitution?” Megersa proposed politician advocating for identity-based military force and integrating it into the had to produce a tissue paper handkerchief Okello, who was summoned back to the politics to advance particularly the Oromo federal army; responding fully to the to dry his eyes. interview room, answered the question thus: and Gambella cause”. demands of the identity groups of the south “Frankly, I do not see the need for Omoro “You are absolutely right, Dad. I will leave “What do you think is the cause of the region and the multi-ethnic city of Addis and Amhara to have identity- based ‘killills’ for Finfine tomorrow morning at 9:00 from conflict between the two identity groups?”, Ababa to be ‘Killils’; cooperating and unless they are driven by an ulterior motive Bale Robbi airport by plane”, Okello said. was another tough question. sharing power with opposition parties in to jointly or singly dominate and oppress “You will need some money”, Gutema “I don’t really know. Maybe it is a struggle Amhara Killil, especially with Abin; doing for dominance and for regional political the same with opposition groups in Oromia, all the other identity groups with smaller said and produced a wad of 5000 birr and populations or more ominously secede from handed it over to Okello, who responded: power. It could also be a struggle for particularly with OFECO; and holding economic resources. It is difficult for me to an absolutely free and fair election under Ethiopia, destroy it and form their own “Well I don’t really know how to thank you sovereign countries!” for everything you have done for me,” and understand when an Oromo family brought strict, medically mandated anti-Covid-19 kissed Gutema on the forehead. me up wth such love and affection!” Okello protocols”, said Okello. Tolossa sprang to his feet and landed a replied. massive blow on Okello’s jaw. Okello In Addis Ababa Okello went straight to “What about Tigray, Somali Killil, Afar, “Are you willing to join Prosperity Party if etc.?” pounced on Tolossa like a tiger on a gazelle, the Prime Minister’s Office and managed wrestling him down to the floor. The PM’s to meet the press secretary and introduced you are chosen for the job?” “Well, Mustafa Mohammed of Somali press secretary who heard the commotion himself: “My name is Okello Gutema from “That is not a fair question. You already know ‘Killil’ is arguably the most popular political from his adjacent office arrived on the scene Bale Robbi. I have heard you have a few the answer to that question, because I need leader second only to Abiy. As to Tigray, and said, “What the hell is going on?” vacancies in your office and I would like to the job”, said Okello without attempting to it would be just a matter of cooperating compete for one of them, particularly the hide his irritation. and sharing power with opposition parties, Megersa tried to narrate what happened. The PM’s press secretary said: position advertized for a political aide in your “We do not mean to manipulate you into especially with Arena”, said Okello. office. I have a B.A in political science (with becoming a member of the Party with a job The members of the interviewing panel “Tolossa, don’t you know that our dear Prime distinction) from Horomia University”. offer, but since we are all working for the were completely dumbfounded at the depth Minister has set up a panel of constitutional “You have about three days before the Prime Minister we have got to be on the and credibility of Okello’s political views lawyers and concerned professionals to deadline. Please apply for your preferred same page”, one of the interviewers said. and started looking at each other in utter review the constitution to recommend potential amendments and outright changes position on line and we will call you for an “At any rate, I would rather you evaluated bewilderment. One of them commented: and alterations and the interim report titled interview in about a week’s time”, the press me on the merit of my qualifications rather “You are just a fresh political science ‘The Numerical Tyranny of Democracy’ secretary replied than on my personal opinions”, Okello said, graduate, admittedly with distinction. How clearly points in the direction of what Okello “Thank you Sir. I will do just that”, said trying to avoid creating any prejudicial did you manage to develop such mature and is reported to have said?” Okello and left the press secretary’s office. impression. internally consistent political views without yet being a practicing politician?” “Sorry, Mr. Press Secretary, you are About a week after Okello’s encounter with “Agreed, let’s move on to some other issues. forgetting all those who sacrificed their lives the press secretary in the Prime Minister’s What do you think is the purpose of political “Well, any Ethiopian kid who grows on for the constitution”, Tolossa said. Office, he got the promised phone call from power in Ethiopia?” a diet and love and affection such as that generously prvided by my beloved father “Tolossa, I do empathize with you, but the the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary’s office. “Well, to democratize and economically Gutema would perform even better than I numerical facts are incontrovertible. In The lady at the other end of the phone was develop the country”, Okello answered have been able to do”, replied Okello, with a an identity-based parliament Oromo and very courteous and said: “Ato Okello, you briefly. may come to the Prime Minister’s Office for feeling of great gratitude. Amhara form some 62 percent of the total. “Has there ever been a democratic an interview today at 3:00 PM. Thank you”. Then the panel of interviewers requested Oromo alone can veto a bill that requires a government in Ethiopia?” “Thank you very much. I will be there at Okello to wait in an adjacent room until they two-thirds majority as they are 35 percent of 3:00”, replied Okello. “Not that I know of. In Ethiopia’s recent tallied their respective scores and reached the total. How can there be equality between history, Haileselassie’s reign was a a composite result on their individual the Kimant identity group and the Oromo?” The three officials who conducted the benevolent dictatorship. Mengistu’s interview were cordial, but their questions assessment and appraisal of the interview. “You should have told us this a long time and Melese’s regimes were both brutal The average assessment grade was 90 plus, ago!” said Tolossa. were pretty tough. They asked Okello the dictatorships, but Mengistu’s land following questions one by one: but one of the interviewers aired what he “I did not write the constitution. Melese proclamation was a redeeming feature described as a nagging concein: “The guy Zenawi and company did. Anyway, come to “How come you are a Gambellan but whereas Melese’s dictatorship was devoid is an independent thinker loyal only to the my office and get a copy of the study group’s were brought up by an Oromo family?” of any much feature”, Okello replied. dictates of rigorous logic and so he could ‘The Numerical Tyranny of Democracy’ for “My uncle took me to Bale because there “What about Abiy’s reformist easily go astray from the official line and your perusal”, said the Press Secretary and was some sort of conflict in Gambella government?” completely flout party discipline if we was about to leave when he paused for a between Agnewaks and Nuers”, said Okello “I would rather not comment on that. At any succeed in persuading him to join Prosperity moment and turned to Okello and said: “Use “Who looked after you in Bale?” rate, the fact that it has removed the TPLF Party”. your brain more than your brawn both of “Gutema, my beloved adoptive father, is Mafia group from the center or power is a “Well, that would really not be a problem. I which you seem to have in abundance!” THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 PAGE 16 A Peek/This is Ethiopia Agelgil and Filseta BY BAHIRU SETEGNE

Summer is the most difficult and coldest of all the seasons especially for herdsmen who endure disagreeable weather characterized by heavy shower, blood-curdling cold, fogy skies, among other natural yearly occurrences. As opposed to this, summer is also a looked- forward season for herdsmen due to certain events that make them happy. For instance we could mention events like filseta the ( fasting season known as the Dormition of Saint Mary), and buhe; even they enjoy chanting different songs on fields or farms. Filseta is the most famous fasting season for children (especially herdsmen). I know this firsthand from my experiences. I accumulated knowledge on it from where I was born and raised. The reason why friends and I, herdsmen, were eager to greet Filseta was my head, I was strongly averse to getting me even if I implored her for it. unleavened bread) with Shiro wot (a soup not mainly to enjoy a green light to heaven. made of pea powder) were kept in our agelgil shaved. My father forcefully made me squat, After finishing shaving my hair, always my Rather, it resulted from the happiness of while my mother shaved me against my will. for lunch. carrying agelgil (a type of traditional Food mother smeared the butter on my gudiro. It was so painful! As it was excruciating, I Smearing the bald head with a bit butter The former ones were our favorite ones. container/case) and dining in a large group. felt like as if she were cutting bushes grown Our mothers in the provinces still now make is a must-do practice after shaving. But, I In fact, lots of mulmuls, can be baked on a on my head. Therefore, to lessen the pain, I disliked it when the rays of the sun melted single traditional stove for family members agelgil from grasses of akirma and giramta. was washing my hair after covering it with At times, even it would be adorned by alela the butter that found its ways in to my eyes. of larger size. But if there are only one or two a piece of cloth for some hours. When it got The liquid butter (melting) had been creating children at home the mulmuls can be baked that contains green, yellow, red and other damp it would be easy to shave it. Finally, colors. problem on my eyes .Tears used to trickle encircling the big bread. more often, she would leave a circular patch down my face. As there is a belief that shaving during Filseta on the front .This style is called gudiro. The According to the culture of my community, turns the hair gray, true to the culture of my mothers of my age mates liked to leave a pair Agelgil in Filseta was a fascinating moment sooner or later, a herdsman will carry agelgil, community, my mother had been shaving my of similar patches that resembled horns on for us. As such we celebrated it in a friendly whip, during filseta. Heading to a field hair before Filseta’s entrance into observance. their sons’ head in addition to gudiro. But manner. Mostly, loafs of home-baked bread (moor) carrying agelgil and whip on one’s In fact, as I felt pain when a razor touched my mother refused to create such shape for (mulmul) and Injera (a flat traditional See Agelgil and ... page 17 Photospread From planning, initiating, financing and Ethiopian people. constructing, everyone has contributed their Unity According to The Office of National Council sweat and money. GERD is a heroic living for Coordination of Public Participation on the monument, the first filling has assured the rise construction of the GERD, Ethiopians have sounds of Ethiopia and a bright destination of the next contributed a total of 13.6 billion birr so far generation. It also proved a true depiction of and have expressed desire to contribute more beautiful the resiliency and unbreakable sprit of the following the first year filling of the dam. BY FASICA BERHANE It was a rainy Sunday. But, that didn’t stop residents of Addis Ababa from pouring out onto the streets to roar, cheer, shout, sing and chant their hearts out in joy. The wait is over and YES! Ethiopia has started the initial filling of the mega project dam showcasing a huge step and progress in the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam—a national symbol and pride of all Ethiopian people. People from all walks of life went out to spread their energy and to express their national joy in to one voice accompanied by slogans, flags and sounds of horns and trumpets. The vibe and the feeling was just remarkable, it was a day different from any other one. A day to last for history. The city was glittered with flags. People were singing, screaming, eyes filled with tears of happiness which was visible even under their masks. All hail the heroes and heroines that waited and fought with resilience, hope, commitment and optimism despite the many ups and downs. PAGE 17 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 A Peek/This is Ethiopia

Agelgil and ... shoulder is our best boasting occasion that Serving the food on gabi (a flat cotton-made allowed us to experience pride on par with cloth) or lemid (a piece of goat or ship hide) carrying a gun. encircling it we were dining together. Lemid is a kind of traditional cloth especially for Pertaining to Filseta, there is something that herdsmen. makes me amused to these days. Once when I was a kid, I ate half injera with a buttermilk Our agelgil should stay on our shoulder until early in the morning, and my mother kept the we go back home at sun down. Whenever a remaining half in my agelgil. Furthermore, family member took back our agelgil before I felt so hungry and eager to eat lunch as we returned back home, we felt a strong someone who underwent a trying fasting discomfort .We considered that we didn’t day not eating a bite. I didn’t touch the food observe the fasting that day properly. in my agelgil though tempted. Because we At night, we liked reporting to our families presumed that the right fasting is abstinence whose child’s agelgil proved the favorite or from eating the food in our agelegil before delicious one. Our parents used to laugh. the time is up. Consequently, we ate the food opening our agelgil before lunch time due to This way after fasting for two weeks, we our eagerness to eat too. celebrated filseta fasika followed by buhe. The night of filseta fasika proves long for us, We used to eat the lunch in a large group. But other spices. During our herding days, friends and I were so eager to devour food with whey (cheese no one join the group if one fails to meet the cowherd, shepherd, and goatherd. or buttermilk) served mixed with fantastic The godchild, who has the right to eat more quality criteria. ingredients and spices like rue or tenadam. bread and serve some for his beloved ones, What will be an unforgettable event for us The major criterion is who had brought a In fact, our delicious food was injera with will be the hero of the day as the bread was is also the lashings of the whips. The whip delicious food in his agelgil. Injera with pemmican wot which our parents scrambled offered to him by doting his/her godmother/ (giraf) has a sensitive cord in the hearts of Shiro is the most common or staple food to make a dish called fifit. For us, fresh wot father. herdsmen. loaded on our agelgil. Mulmul and chibito is not as delicious as scrambled Injera or After a coffee is prepared, the bread will be Our fathers made for us whips from barks are the most favorite food items kept in fifit. Especially, Pemmican fitfit is really broken in to smaller pieces using a knife. of special trees, ropes, (sometimes leather) agelgil during filseta fasting days. Chibito is something mouth-watering and popular for Breaking bread is given for elders after attached to a handle (made of small stick). made from the flour of Teff or other crops. us. blessing and praying. Of course, children It was used for making animals move. We The latter ones are thicker than injera and Reverting back to the tradition ceremonies in hate the man who liked breaking the bread enjoyed cracking it. We lashed the cattle with thinner than bread that will be broken into the community where I was born and grown into very smaller pieces. They would call the whips to array them to the field where we smaller pieces to be dipped in a mixture of up, debire tabor and buhe celebrations show down a curse on him “may your hands got want to lead them to. Really, we enjoyed pepper with butter or oil. a bit differences from each other. The former broken!” cracking the whips and singing songs that lent colors to our adventures ventures that Among foods items brought by herdsmen is celebrated on Nehassie 13 and the latter on The daughter-in-law (especially the new made us to be proud we engaged in. and which we detested and disliked in our 17. On the other hand, Buhe and filseta fasica one) will be visited by her parents and other criteria are found injera with Ethiopian may have a chance to overlap if Nehassie 16 close relatives on buhe. Often they visit her Sometimes, snatching away our whips, cabbage (gomen), telba or pepper even injera falls on Wednesday or Friday. carrying such big bread. Unfortunately, if farmers lashed us to, while our heads of baked of flour other thanteff . Warnings were Godmother/father will bring the bread for she is not staying at her husband when this cattle encroached on their farming plots and given for all not to bring such kinds of food their godchild on buhe that makes both so ceremony draws neigh they will send her to caused damage on crops. again. If someone persisted with such kinds happy. On the other hand, a child opts to him before buhe is celebrated. Therefore, of food in his agelgil again, he/she would be Due to the aforementioned reasons, whip, remain tight-lipped if his godmother/father her parents take abig bread to her in-laws excluded from group members who often buhe, agelgil and filseta are still itched on my fails to bring the bread on buhe. The bread house. Even they may bring her along with brought sought-for foods. mind. The same is true with my age mates. will be seasoned by coriander (dinbilal) and the bread on the exact day of buhe. THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 PAGE 18 Witness My visit to Canada The streets of Montreal

BY FITSUM GETACHEW

When yesterday evening we got to Montreal, the first thing I and my Tanzanian friend Noel did was go out for a walk in the centre. We wanted to have a snack and therefore asked for information at the exit of the hotel. The porters indicated us to go straight up and after two or three intersections we would get to what is called St. Catherine Road where there was everything one would need in a city. Banks, shops, hotels, bars, restaurants, book shops etc...And in fact after a few minutes we were there. The weather was not particularly warm, our clothing was not so suitable but we fought the breeze with our walk. We had some fatigue in our body as we had come Ottawa on a train; but the walk was a sort of uphill and we got heated. A few minutes later here we are in the centre of Montreal, exploring a new Canadian city, a city we knew had different cultural features than Toronto and Ottawa, a city with Francophone culture, history and tradition. **** On the morrow, I got up early, went up to St. Catherine Road again to change some travellers check because I needed 300 CAD Central Montreal to pay the room for the two days I slept ***** there. I had run out of Canadian money and with family. Going to another bureau a busy and there are a lot of restaurants and Proceeding with the official visit in the had to change some travellers check. So I young white lady (she sounded American) pubs packed with clients. morning, we went to the National Film went to the ‘Bureau de Change’ as banks working at the counter just changed it right It is a lively city completely different from Board just outside the centre. Then we saw are closed in Montreal on Saturdays and away with a smile. My doubts and worries what we saw in Ottawa. We saw night clubs the Lester Pearson Peace Centre before Sundays. In the first bureau I got, there were immediately erased. I thought I was along St Catherine Road where there were going to the famous McGill University. In was in the bank an old fellow with Asiatic vindicated. shows of all sorts. We saw body guards at fact, our stay there was protracted because looks. I presented the check and signed it Then I went back to my hotel to receive the entrances. Security is a priority wherever we had our lunch at the student-run cafeteria in front of his eyes. But after a close look at some messages as I was looking for my you go in public places especially in places and then went on to visit a number of my signature, he said the signatures I signed Ethiopian friends, Dr. Mesfin Lissanu and such as night clubs. There are ‘videurs’ institutes. We inquired about admission did not look ‘alike’ and he politely declined his sister Seble whom I had promised to or bouncers, visibly huge guys ready to formalities and the costs as we did with to change it. I was surprised and tried to visit if I had the occasion to come to Canada intervene if anyone creates problems of Toronto University. show him that there was no issue with the when they had met me at the Canadian security to clients. It is a profession I have McGill is very famous in Ethiopia for signatures because it was my signature that Embassy in Addis. I found the message and seen many even in the police force do even its Law School. Many Ethiopian veteran could have some variations depending on gave them appointment at my hotel. at part time arrangements. I know there are the day or my movements etc. He however lawyers, judges and parliamentarians had Delta Centre-Ville is one of a big chain of some Ethiopians who qualifying physically seemed to have made up his mind and did received their training there. Many still hotels in Canada, I found out later on. The were recruited as bouncers in some discos not give me a chance. Instead he advised me dream to go to McGill as its fame attracts building is very tall, at least by Ethiopian in the US. to go to the American Express office nearby them. Canadians say its status matches standards, extending up to more than thirty In Italy, I knew a huge Israeli man of where there was no problem, he suggested, Harvard in the US or Oxford in the UK. storeys. I stayed at the 14th floor and from Palestinian origin who was such a guard in because it was the original place of issuance In fact, I was told that the President of the where I enjoyed an aerial view of Montreal. a disco and used to work with me while I of the check. I admit I was annoyed by what Supreme Court in Ethiopia (the reference My Tanzanian friend Noel stayed at the 24th was only a DJ! His immense presence itself looked to me pure prejudice or distrust. is 2002 of course) and the Chairman of the floor! discouraged any problem creating youths. However, I knew I had no choice. I left National Electoral Board studied at McGill When necessary he would not hesitate to hoping to do it where he advised me to do. Being in the centre you could see only other Law School. To be honest it was also one sky scrapers and the intersections of roads. use force but his preference was the peaceful of my childhood fancies. That is why this But the incident did not please me at all. The hotel was very busy, most visitors means so that clients would not get anxious visit was of particular interest to me. I was Rather it upset me. But I did not want my looked American families as Montreal is a about their safety. wondering: Was it in fact worth it? How stay in Montreal to be marred by this single few hours away from the border. With the During our walks in the centre of Montreal, would I have managed in such environment? individual’s ‘distrust’ remembering that even wonderful high ways and the cheaper cost of I and Noel wanted to eat something at But as so much had changed since my AAU here in Ethiopia, some bank tellers would living here, US tourists flocked particularly affordable price and therefore we peered at days I had by then little appetite for such do the same when it came to signatures during weekends. some of the restaurants on the avenue. Some venture anymore! even exhibiting multiple Ids. I remembered places were pretty expensive. Naturally we that it had happened to me but resorting to **** **** had to adapt our choices to our pockets. the director I was paid. In a foreign land I Montreal looks like a typical European or Our visit at McGill was relatively long. We After some search, we got in to a place thought it was not the case and had to leave better a French or Italian city. The buildings toured the ‘campus’ and had the occasion to where there was a variety of sandwiches thanking him diplomatically! and roads recall their structure. People see many of the activities of the students. We at affordable prices. We got two huge mainly spoke in French although there is a saw they had numerous student publications I had a few hundred US dollars but I wanted sandwiches with bacon and vegetables with conspicuous American students’ presence distributed gratuitously at the entrance, and to keep them for eventual emergency coke. I remember we paid less than ten due to the famous McGill University we observed the variety and wide assortment expenses while continuing to travel after Canadian each. What impressed me a lot beyond the visible presence of coloured of students many working there. McGill, the my Canada visit ended. I had the intention was that all the staff I saw in these places people of Francophone culture such as Cote authorities were telling us, is perhaps the to stay a few days in the Netherlands were very young people. I thought Montreal D’Ivoire or Senegal. You see the streets are was visibly teeming with youths. see... The streets page 26 PAGE 19 THE EHTIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 The Horn Only diplomacy and talks will Achieve what War Cannot Accomplish BY MULUGETA GUDETA

Both Egypt Independent and Middle Monitor newspapers last week reported the news that was agitating so many rumor- mongers and social media sensational news addicts. The online version of the newspapers quoted Egyptian president Abdul Fatha Al-Sisi saying that he will not go to war with Ethiopia over the GERD project. Soon afterward, the president sent his minister of foreign affairs for a brief visit to Khartoum, Sudan for a talk with his Sudanese counterpart. The details of what the two discussed are kept secret although it was obvious they could talk about bilateral or tripartite matters over the Nile dispute. Many eyebrows are raised over the visit whose details would sooner or later be made official. No doubt that the GERD is going to turn the geopolitics and ‘geo-economics’ of the Horn region in the long ran. It is going to make Ethiopia an economic force to reckon with in the region and the leader in big project innovations and regional influence. The GERD is not only about water rights. It is also about hegemonic competition between countries of the region. It is now clearer than ever that Egypt is furious about Ethiopia’s dam not because it affects its water share but because it rivals its hegemonic ambition over the region that it dominated for much of the past century. Some experts say that the wars of the future will be fought over water rights but these conflicts are basically about hegemonic ambitions. it has gone long enough to be irreversible. the Egyptian political establishment might to demonstrate their power and wealth. What was important for now at least was Second Cairo cannot stop the filling of be feeling threatened with this sudden While welcoming the president’s statement that the Egyptian president has reassured the dam because it has already become, Ethiopian rise to prominence in the region about his new-found change of rhetoric, both his domestic constituencies and his although partially a fait accompli. Third, with the biggest hydropower dam in Africa. one should also look at it critically because critic that there is nothing in the GERD Third, contemplating war with Ethiopia at In the eyes of many establishment gurus the past should serve as a lesson when dispute that would lead to war and all this stage would not only be absurd but also in Cairo, Ethiopia does not deserve such a Egyptians often said one thing and did differences should be dealt with during suicidal in the context of the contradictions big and prestigious place in the region, and something different in matters of days. the forthcoming talks. For all those who of Arab politics and Egypt’s involvement in Africa. Furthermore Egyptian built the Such a contradictory behavior had on many wish the best for the GERD and for the in the Libyan crisis. It is also engaged in Aswan Dam with huge Soviet engineering, occasions in the past led to worrying doubts three countries, and follow the discussions the fractured Arab politics in the Middle financial and moral assistance. The former as to the real intentions of the Egyptian closely, there cannot be a better news than East siding Saudi Arabia and its allies Soviet Union wanted Egypt to become government and its advisors on the GERD this. And for those who would like the because they provided hundreds of millions its strategic partner in a geopolitical dispute. disputing countries go to war, well, that of dollars worth of assistance when the environment that was crucial to promote As the Egyptian president’s declaration must be their saddest moment. military came to power in Egypt. Moscow’s hegemonic ambitions and its came unexpected, there is no reason that Is this appeasement or genuine desire There are indeed so many questions that competition with the United States that he would make a U-turn unexpectedly for peace? This is the basic question need to be asked before embracing Egypt’s stood on the side of Israel in the context of too as this has become a typical behavior Ethiopians should ask themselves at this or Al-Sisi’s sudden embracing of peace the Arab-Israeli conflict and the struggle of of the Egyptian officials along the course juncture. What is the reason for Cairo after so many decades of war mongering the Palestinians for statehood. of the dispute for the last nine years since to make a sudden U-turn after so many over the Nile waters by prominent On the contrary Ethiopia is building the the launching of the project. To some years of continued efforts to sabotage politicians in Cairo from Nasser down to GERD with its own money, which is diplomatic watchers, Egypt’s words and the GERD and after spending so many Sadat and Butros Boutros Ghali. President a blow to countries in the region who acts sometimes look like a repeat of the diplomatic resources to achieve its goals? Sisi might be suspending his war rhetoric might think that such a big project cannot plots in Agatha Christie’s classic novel Unless the latest statement by Al-Sisi about for the simple reason that Egypt’s domestic be successfully implemented without “Death on the Nile”. abandoning the traditional attitude of Egypt and regional politics are not conducive to foreign assistance or international support. If we take President Al-Sisi’s latest that they would go to war over the Nile engage the country in yet another conflict Ethiopia’s achievement has also a moral statement as quoted by the newspapers at water even if a drop is reduced is officially that it might not win or might lead to regime element as it has greatly boosted its spirit of face value, we may suspect that a rift in the made and in an official agreement. Why crisis or even regime change in Cairo. self-reliance which might also be perceived position of the Egyptian establishment has does Egypt now says it does not want war What might have made Cairo so furious as a threat to Egypt’s regional; ambitions. occurred, pitting those who go for “Egypt’s with Ethiopia after it allegedly tried to over the GERD project may be what one In the context of the global crisis further Nile’s control by any means”, against collude with domestic forces to exploit the might call “a politics of envy and anger”. exacerbated by the corona virus pandemic, those who prefer a peaceful outcome of the recent political crisis in Ethiopia in order to The Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser are no country, even the strongest and richest disputes. The above-quoted newspapers sabotage the filling of the GERD? marvels of construction that Egyptians one, is in a position to act freely to carry also reported president Al-Sisi as saying The following reasons may be sited as the are proud of as a symbol of their illusion out its plans for war or peace. Even the best that only diplomacy and bilateral or reasons for the temporary change of rhetoric. of grandeur and their regional hegemonic intentions are sabotaged by COVID-19 let multilateral talks will accomplish what First Cairo has seen that sabotaging the ambitions. Now the GERD is going to alone the evil intents of political leaders at war cannot achieve. This is no doubt an dam is something that cannot be done since dwarf both the Aswan and Lake Nasser and the highest levels whose hands are itching encouraging THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 PAGE 20 In the sphere of diplomacy

Morocco to alert Ethiopia in water management expertise

BY MEHARI BEYENE strengthening, in many fields, within a win- Ababa, a soil fertility mapping, to figure win partnership. out formula for customized fertilizers, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture His Majesty’s 2016 visit to Ethiopia was a Nezha Alaoui M’Hammdi has been the & Natural Resources and the Agricultural historic moment in our bilateral relations. current Ambassador of His Majesty the King Transformation Agency. This Visit allowed the signature of 12 of Morocco to Ethiopia and Djibouti since Agreements and gave a new dynamic to In addition to that, the fields of renewable 2016 and first Permanent Representative of the bilateral cooperation between Morocco energy and logistics and among others, the Kingdom of Morocco after its return to and Ethiopia. in which the Kingdom of Morocco has the African Union by 2017. accumulated a huge expertise, are also Herald: What supports does the embassy She also served from 2013 to 2016 as an set to boost bilateral ties between the have to strengthen further Ethio-Morocco Ambassador of Morocco to Ghana, Togo two countries to illustrate an ties? and Benin. After joining the Moroccan he interest of Moroccan African model in the South- Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1989, she Nezha: The tradition of friendship and South cooperation. handled the relations with the European fruitful cooperation linking Morocco and investors in the Ethiopian In this respect, and following Economic Community, the European Ethiopia is underlined by our increasing market is increasing. This the Agreements signed in Union and the Council of Europe, and later visits exchanges of officials, which T 2016, the Moroccan Agency the African Affairs as Deputy-Director at confirms the common wish to further includes investments by Anwar for Sustainable Energy, in the the Moroccan Foreign Ministry. reinforce ties between our two countries so Invest Group and Holmarcom energy sector, and Tanger Med, as to give a further impetus to our already Currently, she is the Ambassador of Group, the country’s top investors. in logistics, are sharing the existing cooperation. Morocco to Ethiopia and Djibouti. Both Moroccan expertise with their Morocco and Ethiopia are lands of tolerance The Embassy is aiming to contribute in Ethiopian counterparts. and peaceful co-existence between peoples enhancing bilateral economic cooperation Considering the importance of water in and religions. The Ethiopian Herald has and in attracting more Moroccan investors ensuring food security, Morocco is building just approached Morocco Ambassador to to Ethiopia. We are proud of the signature in Addis Ababa a Water Management Ethiopia, Nezha Alaoui, to discuss on the of the Memorandum of Understanding Institute, which is going to help in capacity bilateral relation between the two countries. to set a factory for fertilizers production and skills building in this field. Excerpts: worth 3.7 billion USD, named Dire Dawa Fertilizer Complex. In terms of investment, the interest of Herald: Have Morocco achieved its Moroccan investors in the Ethiopian market missions and objectives since it opened The plant, which will soon go operational, is increasing. This includes investments embassy here in the country? is to help Ethiopia reach self-sufficiency by Anwar Invest Group and Holmarcom in fertilizer production, with prospects of Nezha: I see cooperation between Morocco Group, the country’s top investors. Many investing in its potential for exportation. and Ethiopia, since His Majesty’s Visit other companies are in the study phase, to Ethiopia in November 2016, at an all- In addition to the OCP project, Morocco such as Saham holding Group, a Pan- time high and the bilateral relationship has conducted, via the OCP office in Addis African investor of reference. PAGE 21 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 In the sphere of diplomacy

Ethiopia has been selected as a guest of honor in the Africa Development Forum, which was organized in Casablanca, Morocco, on 15 and 16 March 2019. Considered as one the most important We use the instrument that investment platform in Africa, this is very famous here which Forum has witnessed the participation of a very important delegation, led by His is Masinko, we also use it Excellency Dr. Aklilu Hailemichael, State in Morocco. Minister for Business Diplomacy and Diaspora. Ethiopia has also participated, for the first time and with an important delegation, including public actors and private sector, in the 14th Edition of the International Agriculture Fair, held in Morocco, from 16 to 21 April 2019. Herald: What kind of tasks does the embassy in Ethiopia accomplish to benefit the members and the community at large? Nezha: Among others, women economic empowerment, in which the Kingdom of Morocco has accumulated a huge expertise, is set to boost bilateral ties between the two countries to illustrate an African model in the South-South cooperation. Morocco is working to enhance its collaboration with Ethiopia in the field of Ambassador of Morocco to Ethiopia women economic empowerment. In this It is to be mentioned that Morocco is a in common is our cultures and traditions respect, both, Morocco has organized, in welcoming land for students, especially much similar with the Ethiopians. For 03-04 December 2020, in collaboration those from sub-Saharan countries. For the instance, in Morocco we have a kind with the Center for African Women current academic year, they represent 85 of music and dance very similar to the Economic Empowerment, the First Women percent of 20,500 foreign students enrolled Ethiopian ones. Continental Event, under the theme in Moroccan institutions. Morocco is “Boosting Intra-African Trade: Women We use the instrument that is very famous also building in Addis Ababa a Water Taking The Lead”, which witnessed the here which is Masinko, we also use it Management Institute, which is going to participation of 08 Moroccan Women in Morocco. We are encouraging the help in capacity and skills building in this Cooperatives. participation of the two countries in the field. events held in Ethiopia and Morocco in The inauguration of this event was honored Herald: Does the Morocco set envision on order to reinforce the cultural bilateral by the presence of Her Excellency Sahle- economy, political and military diplomacy ties. Work Zewde, President of the Federal with Ethiopia? If yes, brief us about that? Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and In this regard, we witnessed the His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, Taking the geographical Nezha: Especially in the Economic field, participation of Fendika Group in Timitar Chairperson of the African Union distance between the reforms in Ethiopia are encouraging international Festival, held in Morocco in Commission. our private sector to settle their business June 2019. Later in November 2019, the Morocco and Ethiopia in Ethiopia, which is nowadays attracting Moreover, a women Moroccan delegation, same Ethiopian music group, with other more and more the attention of the led by the Vice-president of the National into consideration, Ethiopian delegates, has participated in the Moroccan companies. Union of Women of Morocco has also paid anyone can assume lack “Visa for Music” festival in Morocco and a visit to Addis Ababa, from 27-31 January Ethiopia also provides a very attractive its Fendika Group Director was awarded 2020. The UNFM is Chaired by Her Royal of common values in both market and its Government’s policy of on this occasion. Highness Princess Lalla Meryem and countries. But, there are reforms is creating conditions to favor We are very pleased also that one famous considered as the oldest and largest women core values and cultural economic development, including through traditional Moroccan group visited organization in Morocco. more foreign investment. Ethiopia, on the occasion of the reception Herald: What are the challenges the similarities in common. Herald: Does the embassy works on organized to celebrate the National Day embassy faced in realizing its goals? Morocco and Ethiopia are cultural and public diplomacy? If yes, of Morocco in July 2019. I am sure that brief us about it? the next will be full of cultural exchange Nezha: The only challenge is the both lands of tolerance activities between the two countries due to geographical distance. The two countries Nezha: Taking the geographical distance have signed in 2016 an Agreement on the and coexistence between between Morocco and Ethiopia into the existing potential in this respect. Air Services and we are aiming at opening peoples and religions. consideration, anyone can assume lack of Herald: At last, you are welcome to convey a direct flight Casablanca-Addis to further common values in both countries. But, there your message? boost bilateral relations. Otherwise, the are core values and cultural similarities in Nezha: Morocco, as Ethiopia, is a land of entire environment is conducive to promote common. Morocco and Ethiopia are both tolerance and enjoys a long-lasting stability our bilateral cooperation. lands of tolerance and coexistence between and development. Ethiopians are welcome peoples and religions. Herald: Does the Morocco Embassy to discover the Moroccan culture. They in Ethiopia have any contribution for Since my appointment as an Ambassador are also invited to visit the most attractive the capacity building of the youth and of His Majesty to Ethiopia, I have realized, touristic country in the world and enjoy socioeconomic improvement of the in the daily life situation, that we have core discovering the old civilization and the community of Ethiopia? values in common that are related to our tourist attractions in Morocco. identities, civilizations, history, tolerance Nezha: Morocco, considering the benefits We have a great deal to look forward between religions, co-existence, firm and of capacity building in development, has and seize the shared willingness to boost strong determination to move forward, and raised the quota of scholarships granted to bilateral trade ties and benefit from the huge success stories in development. the Ethiopian authorities to 50 places for opportunities to even greater cooperation the academic year of 2019/2020. The other point I noticed also that we have between Morocco and Ethiopia. THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 PAGE 22 Investment & Economy Institutions’ indispensible role in forest development BY ABEBE WOLDE GIORGIS

To protect and develop forests, the nation should revisit the relations among various institutions and improve the forest sector via rearranging institutional organizations. But, instead of strengthening institutions the decision of downsizing the former Ministry of Forest has hung a question mark over the action. Dr. Habtemariam Kassa is advisor in the International Forest Development. According to Habtemariam, recently two international forest research institutions, based in Germany and in Netherland, have come up with research results on the impact of climate change on east African countries. The outcome indicates that in the central part of Ethiopia the rate of rainfall will not decrease it will rather increase. Even it will be torrential and this again might create risks. Therefore, the correlation between climate change and forestry should be seriously considered. The second one that must be underlined is that, currently due to the scarcity of land, the rural-urban migration is increasing. This again forces one to ponder what kind of landscape dynamics is working, land usage In 2017, the nation has spent 10 billion Birr these state paid very little attention to the and the role of forest in protecting land. for the importation of constructional wood sector. We don’t see the role of the federal In developing countries such as Ethiopia and paper. government in the states. It is also witnessed when the economy grows, the investment that the absence of cooperation between the This tells how the forest resource is demand on forestry will also increase. two entities and no one incentivizes farmers dwindling. Hence, creating enabling environment to to engage in tree plantation. accommodate the private sector is vital. According to Habtemariam, in the GTP2, Even though there are crucial legal Whenever population size and people’s the nation had planned to create job documents at the federal level, it is not income increases, the demand of wood opportunities to youths from the forest The absence of implemented at the lower institutions level. products will also increases. This, in turn, sector. But the objective is not yet realized. puts pressure on the natural resources. This “The plan was ambitious. It aimed to efficient and effective Enhancing the involvement of community- again creates additional incentive to farmers increase the nation’s forest coverage by 1 institutions on the based and private sector forest development to plant trees. percent annually. It also underlined the need is the other thing that should need attention. of growing trees by each household. But that But still their participation is insignificant. In the western Ethiopia timber production lower hierarchical level was far from fulfilled. Hence, the question The pertinent institutions which have is expanding. Cognizant of this, the is why we failed to accomplish what we hampers the chance to responsibility in land allocation do not government must play a crucial role to planned ambitiously,” asked Habtemariam. discharge their duty in this regard. strengthen the activities. create wealth To strengthen carbon-neutral economy, And this affords the nation an opportunity Studies indicated that, the nation has not still by the year 2035, billions of tree saplings to create job for thousands from the sector. managed to ensure food security. As a result, have to be transplanted. Therefore, from Had the private sector involved in the it balances the deficit by foreign handouts. now on the ground work should be laid. To sector, saving 10 million Birr allotted for Since 2011, the government has been accomplish the plan, the government must the importation of wood would have been implementing the Climate Resilient Green work hand in hand with state governments. possible. Economy rigorously. Currently the nation The effort to promote the forest research The absence of efficient and effective is half way through the project. The project work at institutional level is encouraging. institutions on the lower hierarchical level is aimed at developing carbon-neutral Planning a road map regarding the sector But what is wrong is that the new hampers the chance to create wealth. economy by the year 2030 GC. is also carried out. While planning ideas of proclamation is doesn’t go in line with the There are some good experiences gained by Therefore, building institutions led by professionals are used as input. land and investment proclamations. There non-governmental organizations regarding committed leadership is essential. are gaps that must be bridged. Currently, the size of forest coverage is forest development. But they are not The recent IRLI research indicated that, in changing for the better. Many strategic The nation pursues a federal political replicated by other institutions and never Ethiopia forest areas are threatened by the documents are being produced. The draft system. State governments have their own been internalized. encroachment of farmers. national forestry sector development mandate with regard to land utilization and The nation has also lost possible chances plan, for the coming 10 years, will be forest management. They have organized In fact, the expansion of agriculture is to garner huge resource from international implemented. institutions based on the agro-ecology on vital but the concern resides in the failure projects such as climate finance. What the ground. It should be understood that to designate places meant for farmlands. Financial mobilization for its is done in this regard is insignificant as forest and agriculture have alignment. Particularly, the expansion of farming implementation is undergoing. To create compared to what must be done. In effective witnessed in the south western Ethiopia enabling environment for forest protection Looking the State’s organizational structure, and inefficient structure of institutions does not go in line with the nation’s forestry and development, in 2018, the forest Benishangul-Gumuz State has forest is responsible for losing the opportunity commitment. Worse still, farmlands are proclamation is improved. As compared to commission; the Gambela State has only because, before providing grant for climate abandoned due to land degradation and this other countries’ laws, the new proclamation one office and one car used to perform field finance, donors scrutinize the organizational again puts pressure on forests. is better. work. Hence, we can understand that how structure of forest institutions. PAGE 23 THE EHTIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 Indepth Made in Ethiopia The collective conscience, the pride and the prejudice BY MULUGETA GUDETA company and was condemned to quickly disappeared from the scene as it appeared a Last week, the first made in Ethiopia electric couple of years earlier. If memory does not car rolled out of the Marathon Motors, fail me again, it was ousted by a company assembly line. Most of the electronic media affiliated by the TPLF-owned conglomerate reported the news with the usual fanfare and that started to produced the so-called exaggerated advertisements. The arrival of the Mesfin Industrial plc. branded vehicles. As first electric car made in Ethiopia was hailed the company had an aversion against the almost as if it were an Ethiopia made car. competition, it secured its survival, however There is however a radical difference between temporary by outmaneuvering and ousting ‘made in Ethiopia’ and ‘made by Ethiopia’. Holland Car whose owner was a remarkable Made in Ethiopia refers a place, i.e. it is Made pioneer of personal vehicles in Ethiopia. in Ethiopia and not in Kenya. Back to our point of departure. Why are Made by Ethiopia means Ethiopia produced some Ethiopians and the media often fond it. Of course, Ethiopia here implies Ethiopian of saying “We are the first to produce this, citizens. However, the local media often the first to make that?” I think this fixation confuse made in Ethiopia made by Ethiopia with being the first to produce something is and try to give the public a false sense of part of our collective psyche. It is perhaps a public pride and prejudice. Some Europeans way of fighting off the inferiority complex often find it difficult to accept that Ethiopians that modern technology and our poverty can make beautiful things. They said the have colluded to diminish us in the eyes of people or a community living in a definite his classic Things Fall Apart, showing church of Lalibella could not be the work of the world. For every action, there is a direct geographic area we call a country that shares how colonialism killed black identity and Ethiopian architects. Zara Yacob the monk and opposite reaction. This is Newtonian a certain way of thinking or being conscious the traditional communal ethos that is so could not invent rational philosophy. Instead physics but we can also use it in looking at of the world they share or being identified by widespread in almost all African societies. of defending what belongs to them by right, our psychological reaction to the world that is such a common conscience. some Ethiopians chose to abandon their Some African countries have grown beyond often portraying us as uncivilized and without heritages and assume the manners of the One of the defining elements of a nation, their traditional bounds and contributed to imagination. deniers. according to bad old Stalin as well as post- white colonial pr post-colonial collective Our pride, sometimes overblown pride in Stalinist psychoanalysts and scholars in the conscious. They joined post-colonial This year, many first things have been the Axum stele, can be seen as part of our West, is a common language. One of the European philosophy, arts, sports, science, registered in Ethiopia that has sent the first collective conscience that refuses to be defining elements of collective psyche might etc. Derrida left Algeria and joined European carrying a rocket carrying a satellite into space. humiliated by colonial powers, and fascist be a common way of dreaming, thinking mainstream philosophy and co-authored It started to fill the first and biggest dam in Italy in particular, that tried to humiliate us by and understanding the world around us and deconstructionism and post-modern art Africa on the Nile. And now it has assembled invading us a couple of times. Our collective of ourselves. One of our defining collective criticism. Camus produced some of the best the first electric car in the country. The first pride, which is deeply embedded in our psyche is that Ethiopians are brave people if philosophical novels and won the Nobel time journey touched space and then came collective conscious, seems to says, “Well, we we mean by those defeating colonialists who Prize for literature in the name of France. The down to earth which is quite a remarkable came to invade their country. founding fathers of Negritude in philosophy may be backward now but we had one of the achievement in these bad times when the and poetry, like Senghor used the French most advanced civilizations in the past!” The However, killing ones’ brothers and sisters world is reeling with so many problems. language to express African thoughts and same goes for all those historical artifacts, art who are living within a national boundary These are true first time achievements, with African feelings. crafts and castles and dungeons that we are or share a common destiny is not an act of some qualifications. fond of and showing them off to Europeans bravery. It is rather the highest expression of Ethiopians too have contributed to foreign When we say that Ethiopia sent a rocket and non-Europeans alike. Maybe this is a hatred or cowardice or both. Killers, as they civilizations in the past. Now they are in the into space and built the first electric car we manifestation of our collective psyche that say in many cultures, or often cowards who process of going back to the past in order to should be clear about what is meant by adores the past because it considers the past are afraid of dying, while those who show redeem the present. Even reclaiming the Nile these statements. Ethiopia has not built from more glorious than the present. We were the magnanimity or compassion are the real is part of this process of going back to the scratch the rocket for satellite communication. first to “build them at a time when Europeans heroes. This can be debatable of course and roots in order to do something new at present. Neither has it built the components for the dwelled in caves!” so goes the collective we can go on arguing for eternity without ever Ethiopia is also trying to do things its own electric car. It has only assembled the electric conscience. achieving consensus. way and this is reflected in the new thinking car parts by importing them from South or home-grown policy which may a process The first to produce something and the first Most nations have their own kinds of Korea. This is important to avoid the illusion of finding one’s bearing on local realities and to suffer humiliation have no connection other collective conscience or self-conscience so of grandeur and the exaggerated statements do things the local way. than being first acts. Producing something new to say. The Germans think of themselves issued by some media outlets whenever the is progressive while remembering humiliation hard working, perfectionists, and that might If this new approach of going back to the roots country does something good. is regressive unless it helps us go forward. be right. Americans imagine themselves succeeds, the coming generations would be In the current global economic environment, Well, Russians suffered millions of victims as outgoing, adventure-loving, innovative, justified for saying that “We Ethiopians are it is obvious that developing countries like in the hands of Nazi Germany but what is pioneering…etc. The French collective the first to build the biggest dam in Africa!” Ethiopia cannot invent wheels or start things the point of repeating this historical fact for consciousness has its sources in its history, If they fail, well, they might fall back in their from scratch. Global technology is developing umpteenth times unless we do something summed up in the almost universal motto usual historical gloominess, accusations and at breakneck speed and one country alone beautiful in order to teach the old enemy that of the French Revolution: liberty, equality, justifications that do nothing to advance the cannot play the game of catch up all by itself. we can survive and do beautiful things. fraternity; in addition of course to their nation -building process. romanticism, artistic sensuality, fine cooking Ethiopia spent decades if not centuries without To make matters clearer, the media should If Russians always said, “Look! We were the etc. and intellectual curiosity. have made some research as to which first to send a man into outer space!” That finding the right formula for a national-rebirth component of the car is made here and which would be sweet vengeance indeed. But, if African nations too have their collective because it lost its roots and adopted a foreign one was imported in order to help us evaluate they keep on saying to the Germans, that they conscious rooted in their traditions, cultures soul or tried to think and even speak like whether the car really is an Ethiopian creation killed millions of their compatriots during and religions. Some of them consider foreigners. The way forward to the kingdom in the true sense of the term or it is simply WWII, every time they cross the Brandenburg themselves brave fighters (in the traditional of spiritual freedom may be long and difficult. the place where the car is assembled. Anyway, Gate, that would be a negative kind of sense against white colonialism), worshippers At the end of the day, the journey from mental whatever way we look at it, it is good news collective memory that betrays a hidden intent of multiple gods, herbalists that cure slavery to mental freedom, will be long that the electric car is assembled here in to pay blood with blood at a suitable moment. uncommon diseases, spiritualists who mediate and with some luck it may lead to the time Ethiopia. between the real and unreal world, witch when Ethiopians will proudly say that they Do Ethiopians have a collective psyche or doctors who cure illnesses of the mind, and have started to invent their world and claim If memory does not betray me, the first a collective consciousness? Of course, they so on. This is of course before their collective that things are made not in Ethiopia but by assembled car was produced here by Holland have. Every national entity has it and every conscious was eroded by colonialism and Ethiopians themselves. Then there will be no Car plc, which was later on condemned to country has it. From the standpoint of ordinary post-colonial Western subversions. Chinua more space for prejudice and genuine pride bankruptcy allegedly by the state-allied car psychoanalysis, collective psyche is what a Achebe has portrayed this masterfully in would be the new collective consciousness. THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 PAGE 24 Success Story The signs of genuine greatness BY JOSEPH SOBOKA

We often attribute appearance to greatness. It becomes the quality that should be looked up to as naturally or necessarily belonging to greatness. But appearance in this respect is only what is shown or can be seen. It is often external to which many people get attracted without giving consideration of what lies behind. In many instances, the truth behind what is seen depict the reality about the things we try to find out. Greatness, after all, is being above the average in size and quality. A person endowed with such quality has a remarkable ability or character. He does things to a high degree of excellence. Greatness depicts cleverness and being skillful. Genuine greatness exhibits any quality that makes for excellence. It is a manner of being just in which a person fulfills his function without bragging about what he is capable of doing. It is how he is, either natural or through training oneself to nourish the reasoning part on the study of noble literature for his mental faculty. Thus, this helps the great man to be in command over the appetites which are by nature insatiably covetous. He is the kind who exercises temperance - he is a man of stern self-control. In all his doings, he rules situations with wisdom. Greatness creates a person who would not be likely to take advantage of situations for selfish purposes; PM Abiy Ahmed good in almost every circumstance. The neither is he overwhelmed by the desire to for their undeserving self-esteem. But a great himself to adopt his noble character. In all his benevolence of a great man makes it possible embezzle the money entrusted to him, no man, to win the admiration or popularity, interpersonal activities, he avoids dominating for the poor to achieve their objectives which matter how destitute he is. Lack of basic does not unnecessarily over stretch himself. others. He acts within the bounds of his limits they would not have been able to do so by needs do not compel him to compromise his Hypocrisy is highly disdained in his and limitations as much as he expects others themselves. As a civil servant, a great man is honest principles. presence. He hates to falsely make himself to do likewise. He does not behave as the appear virtuous or good. He is himself and all-knowing sage. He admits that there are often involved in the activities of doing good. Apparently, a great man might compromise encourages others to be likewise. Untainted a lot of things he does not know and is ever His name is often mentioned for making conveniences but not principles at all. He is personality is all he is proud of. Traces of bad ready to learn, given opportunities are struck friendly assistance, especially financial totally against putting himself under suspicion behavioral qualities are seldom observed in to do so. Gentleness endows the person with support for hospitals and schools whenever by unwise behavior. Principle is a guiding him. quality of being truthful no matter how the he is asked for. A great man, even if he does rule for his behavior. He aspires to rise up to situation is threatening. Habits of stealing, not have money, he goes to any distance to A great man has the ability to produce definite one’s uncorrupted high moral standard. If, for telling lies or cheating are highly abhorred find solution for the financial problems of results in all his endeavors. Efficacy marks his instance, he is a businessman, he refuses on by such a person. In business transaction, the needy; borrowing or personally starving untiring personality. He is always intent on principle to understate his income for taxation he is the most trusted person among the by forfeiting the little he owns for the sake producing the desired high qualities and none purposes. Most often, many business people shareholders. The underlying principle is that of others. Such quality is rare since many wish to amass wealth without moral guide as other than that; unflinching is he from the a person who is primarily honest to himself is people, no matter how wealthy they are, find the situation appears to be the order of the day. objective he sets until it is achieved. He does it difficult to give money, which they think decidedly honest to all who cross his way in In modern times, conscious is totally debased not flinch from unpleasant duty whatsoever. is their only lifeline; it takes a gut to give every business and social endeavors. In short, due to the sole desire of accumulating money He is honorable and straightforward in away without expecting any return. Many a great man is trustworthy. to become wealthy and place oneself on high behavior. Greatness is noted by the respect a wealthy people are bent on accumulating as socio-economic status. Through such scheme person has for others and by the way he treats Greatness signifies elements of true much money as possible without making any they prefer to be looked up by others with them with due consideration. He does not selflessness. The spirit of generosity is deduction. Their joy is being placed on the owe and respect undeservedly. However, that interrupt what other try say or do, and does vivid in the great man. He is not selfish; he pinnacle of the height of wealth. Anything is not the way a great man values himself. It not interfere in other’s business uninvited. generates happiness from the noble power short of that is a threat to their confidence is not his desire to single out himself from the He is all trustworthy and respectful in all his of freely giving. He prioritizes the interest of in life and they will do anything to ward off society: he wishes to draw those around him dealings with people. others, particularly those who are in dire need the situation at all cost. They always keep to rise to high stations in life with him. of assistance. As a noble-minded person, he is watch and avoid the occurrence that calls A great person’s character is the reflection always ready to give without expecting return for money-offering. The situation of school- Simplicity is greatness, they say. A great of what he is inside. His behavior is in and without being asked for; he is generous age children, loitering in his neighborhood, man is easily approachable and understood consistence with his action; after all, what with his money with little regret, though. The due to lack of school fees, little attracts their without difficulty. In every situation and is filled inside naturally spills over and out-of-work persons often attract his attention sympathy. circumstance, he does not cause trouble to observed through clear utterance. One cannot to prove his generosity. As a kind-hearted these why wish to identify themselves with give what one does not have. His true worth A great man is filled with feeling of expectation person, at any time, he shows thoughtfulness, him. He is innocent and straight forward. Yet, that earns or deserves respect, radiates out and trust that something good will come out from sympathy or love for others. A great man there are times when he is misunderstood words from the inside. He is a dignified what he does for the wellbeing and benefits of is seldom heard and seen of pursuing his by scoffers who speak contemptuously and person among all he hangs out with and he, others. He is geared to creating circumstances personal interests and advantages. He is not low cultural disposition and inexperienced. too, gives dignity regardless of the socio- that people should live in hopes of better fortune self-indulgent or greedy. He is rather selfless. A great man generates joy by making his economic status of the person he associates next time. He is patient and peaceful in all his He gives up one’s own interest for the sake friends or others around him, who are objects with. He has the capacity to identify with interpersonal relationship. Greatness takes into of other. of ridicule, feel secured. But simple-minded all without jeopardizing his life’s principles; account other’s interest and advantages in people, out of nowhere, appear superior only rather he tries to convince and win others to Greatness is imbued with the wish to do every aspect of life. THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 PAGE 25 Preventing Youth... militancy, belligerency and aggression. These governance. It is also vital to develop inculcating the youth with the values of It inculcates “positive” identity in the youth. young people are easily recruited by terrorists “counter-narratives” against hate-speech and responsible citizenship in their country. It builds “resilience” against extremist who engage them in violent acts against the violence. It is important to involve “new” These schemes focus on preventing the youth ideologies and ensures the personal well- state, the society and the communities they partners notably law enforcement agencies from marginalization and radicalization that being of the youth. Also, instilling work live in. The youth “begin with” hate-speeches, and national monitoring bodies for a “zero potentially result in violence and terrorism. habits in the youth empowers them to be aggression and violent acts beginning with tolerance” approach to all aspects of violence active and responsible citizens. Engagement Reversing terrorist attacks, hate-crimes, the communities and neighborhoods they and aggression. in productive work keeps the youth guarded ethno phobia and xenophobia reinforce the grew up. It is, therefore, important to create The sole purpose of working on the youth from extremist ideologies that implant in need to preserve “inclusive” societies. All- awareness among the young using rounds of is to focus on “resilience” to anti-social them violent behavior. The characteristics of inclusiveness prevents the radicalization of “peer-group” discussions. and antidemocratic influences. Youth the youth are more or less the same across the youth that leads to violent extremism. empowerment and their participation and the developing countries, including Ethiopia. Based on the new vulnerabilities of societies Also, sharing of common values of freedom, social inclusion help in developing their Those Ethiopian youth residing abroad that have been exposed to the negative tolerance and respect for others is valuable. personality. As close assistants of the should, therefore, learn about the history of aspects of the “Internet and social media,” The role of the youth is crucial in promoting youth, school teachers could contribute their country, and engage in cultural practices it is useful to design appropriate strategies inclusiveness for combating crimes. In this to the promotion of active citizenship and and exchanges among themselves. The to protect the youth from such influences. effort, however, the input of education is not prevention of violent radicalization. responsibilities for such valuable efforts lie This strategy should be led by the youth to be discounted. Primarily, educators have to with the educational attaches and diplomatic and youth-oriented actions. Among these Conclusion: Several countries confront “earn respect” from the youth through their missions. These and all other kinds of actions are the mobilization of the youth and youth problems, which have political, exemplar social behavior and act. the conduct of “campaign” against violence, economic and social implications. Political avenues that lead to the “prevention” of radicalism, aggression and militancy. It is contenders radicalize the youth and recruit Infusing in the youth the necessary life youth radicalization and extremism should crucial to encourage media literacy, digital them for violent activities. In countering skills and human rights values should be be constructed. citizenship and youth participation in internet this, governments devise schemes for one of the primary objectives of education. Thank you. Other CSOs are doing similar engagements the role of civil society. Blackmailing... and contributions. But it is not well heard. Some 17 percent of the total population are to the wrong image being created against effective accountability and transparency. Furthermore, the role of civil society in people with some disabilities. If we really CSOs. Herald: The country has been going its right sense means that the management want to change the rights and interests Herald: Some self-serving CSOs are also through the thick and thin starting from team and internal governance of any society of this group, encourage them to govern said to be tarnish the image of the sector. the election postponement, COVID-19, need to be more democratic, nonpartisan themselves recognizing in the various Are there educate internal and external and the instability in some parts. How do and neutral from any religion, ethnicity and policy directions. political party. mechanisms to ensure accountability and describe the CSOs in this regard? Recognizing the civil societies to the right transparency? Negash: At the first place, we have internal Herald: What platforms must be there way will give the country a good leverage. Negash: The existence of the NGOs for problems in finalizing the bylaws. Secondly, to boost CSO’s involvement to get the Make sure that no one should be left behind the civil society in this country. Being our the environment where we can play our role country on the track? What do you the development goals. recommend? main establishment and mission is how is not well suited. The civil society may have The participation of the CSOs be it at we contribute starting from development, their own stand on the election. But, we are Negash: First, to civil society needs to regional or federal level, be it at policy to human rights, peace and stability of the not to the level that can contribute positively. get help in order govern itself in a better making process and implementation should nation, but we have seen in the history of the We have participated and played a role in way. Ethiopia has many youth association. be taken fully in to consideration. process wherein the name of the civil society the Sidama referendum. However, the CSOs Majority of the composition of the country Herald: There is a wrong mindset that there were civil society or NGOs established have not a strong capacity to impact such a is youth. If we want the youth to play a relates CSOs with foreign aids. How can for self-serving. This is very true. process. This is also doesn’t mean that we constructive role, the governments up to are not playing our role. this be bridged? The reason that they went down to this level now have not help these segments of the was due to the fact that the civil society was The impact expected from the civil society it society to go govern themselves. They Negash: In its full and comprehensive not strongly organized by having clear bylaw, really needs to be heard. The obstacles such tried to use them as messengers. This has sense, if we are committed to see sustainable code of conduct and strategic plan. This as low media coverage, the tarnished image to be improved through creating a platform developmental interest in Ethiopian I was historically in 2013, when the charities of the civil society should be improved. The so that the youth can organize and govern absolutely agree on the issue that the and society’s forum and law that read civil restrictions should be lifted in the premise themselves in the right way. resources center of CSOs should be locally generated. This is the right answer. It should societies are only established to contribute that the civil society is for the sustainable This works for all the CSOs in order to be a local community and people-centered. to the people’s benefit in protecting human development and good of the society. be capacitated and play their role in their rights and ensure democracy. However, in reality Ethiopia, is not there. We are playing role in the GERD project respective professions from the principle of Currently, there are 2,700 legally registered through contributions, generating funds, for civil society value. As a country and as civil society we are still donor supported. This not appreciated. civil societies in the country. And in the being example, my organization–PHE Ethiopia Ensuring integrity, justice, accountability, established civil society council in which all Consortium which is a member of the Dam equity and the right of people starting from Herald: Thank you on behalf of my the registered members are represented is Council and the technical team which we their internal governance would be vital. newsroom and our readers. going doing to finalize the code of conduct, contribute to the bigger national council and These kinds of platforms could strengthen by law and the directions that can ensure contribution of salaries for two rounds. Negash: Thank you very much!

It is clear that trying to teach history outside a glorious and enviable history of thousands Straightening the distorted ... its natural context is an intellectual crime and of years. well as all the people of Ethiopia who would fancy forming ‘a new state’ where they dangerous for the current generation. This is The narrative that some student leaders of bother that this country survives these evil could find themselves on the throne or be something that those who promote it do not the sixties tried to create ‘another country’ mercenaries and messengers of hatred, racism, crowned ‘president’ of that entity! fail to realize. But they are so cynical and full in open denial of all the historical records and death! This may look very distant but what has of ego, they go on promoting and peddling demonstrable with all the relics to be found It is not a mystery that Ethiopia has lived been happening in the past few years it to the young minds of our generation to in several parts of the country is now nothing for ages surrounded by unfriendly elements. and even during the past three decades in manipulate them for political gains! more than wishful thinking! Some never hid their delight in an Ethiopian general has been tuned to this state of mind! This is just nothing less than a disgrace that balkanization or disintegration. They even The long term strategy has always been Trying to diminish the history of the country we all need to condemn, reject and fight work on that day and night! They abhor the unfortunately indicative of such eventuality. to a few decades may have succeeded for a before it gets any worse. We must review idea of a grand Ethiopia capable of exerting There has been systematic preparation of while; but the truth cannot remain buried for our history books published with distorted sound influence in the Horn of Africa. academic curriculum of schools, deliberately too long. We are now rediscovering what the accounts teeming with political messages! They dread a powerful Ethiopia capable of obliterating the common and shared history true intent of these people has been and is. promoting African integration! They hence and glories of generations of Ethiopians by It is so easy to distort history looking from a The need to repulse all these fabricated stories promote the narratives of division and discrediting them and trying to divide nations political vantage point. This must be rejected. is now using all the records and accounts we hatred among peoples in the mosaic called and nationalities along ethnic and religious For more than two decades the current have at hand. Ethiopia. Their social media are busy sowing lines, sowing seeds of hatred and suspicion! generation has not been told the true history The history of Ethiopia needs to be seriously misinformation, disinformation and a culture The government we had for decades had of their forefathers. Clannish ideas have been researched and taught to the young generation. of hatred! been focusing and underlining the differences at the centre of all discourses. Our schools must be reviewed along with the There are suspicious moves that some extreme between various peoples of Ethiopia rather Those who controlled the political and curriculum and the poisonous ideas peddled elements in our political landscape may be than appreciating and promoting the common economic power also strived to control the by these merchants of death and destruction. financed and promoted by these foreign values of our peoples. They have prepared historical and cultural narratives. That was A badly informed or misinformed and misled forces. They try to subject ‘little states’ to texts that promote distrust and encourage what has been taking place in this country. generation cannot be expected to embrace the their whims and caprices! And it is sad to see revenge for stories that have happened years Reducing the history of this country to a values of their forefathers and are ready to that there are people who bear our nationality before even this generation was conceived, few decades has long been condemned by destroy everything. This is the consequence and yet secretly cherish the same outcome disregarding the need to take things within true historians. It was ascertained that this of what narratives have been fed to these working round the clock to that end! They their own historical context. respectable Horn of Africa country does have innocent youths. PAGE 26 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2010 The streets... best university in Canada, and one of the port’ in a restaurant called ‘Le Vieux Port’. best ten in the world! I heard its research At seven thirty we were all there around a centre was particularly renowned. May be table enjoying our dinner. its publications were also of international The entrance of the restaurant is so narrow stature. They handed us an orientation CD and dim and the first hall so small that no on McGill. one would believe that there were three In the afternoon, after our visit to McGill, storeys in the building all belonging to the our last visit was ‘Telefilm Canada’, an restaurant. I found out the exact size when organisation that was engaged in financing I went around in search of a toilet, and and supporting mainly commercial films for seeing that there were halls here and there. Canadian audience. At a higher storey, I asked one of the tens of waiters how many chairs there were. His In two weeks we had all sorts of visits and answer was: ‘guess!’ knowing that I would by now we were saturated with information. never even come close! I said two hundred, We had a lot of material, printed or two fifty! trying to be as expansive as electronic, including fliers, brochures, pads possible. He laughed and said: 700! Wow! and leaflets. By now we know a lot more It is four floors of restaurant, he said. It must about Canada than we did when we arrived. be one of the largest places in Montreal I Beside what we were presented with, we thought! also made our own first hand personal There we had our chats, our laughs and observations. Montreal was the last leg of most of all a nice full-fledged dinner with our visit and that also was concluding. wine and coffee. In the end, we walked Before saying farewell to the whole group, all the way down to the hotel because our our guide/tour manager had the blessed idea manager thought that we would rather do of having ‘a last supper’ together at ‘the old some sightseeing of the shops and the old Montreal. Montreal: The Old Port AFROCENT… carries with it business ethics, environmental the Great Gada Statue. institutions devoid of their sisters when in subject. It objectifies the body. ethics and other virtues undiscovered. fact sisterhoods own the major operation of The determination of their difference For most, it signifies two wings of the the day. Treaties on sisterhood and brotherhood: should invite linguistic intervention, same bird with zero space to apprehend the ontology of Afrocentripedalist family and my imprudent translation should be concepts of equality and inequality. Such Theologically, the Great Gada statue worrisome). is Afrocentripetalist uniformity, a totality signifies that Afrocentripetalism is ‘gender’ Now from the body proper, I shall born out of the logic of necessity in neutral. The first two persons in creation descend to the treaties of sisterhood and Afrocentripetalism asserts moral behaviors sisterhood and brotherhood. In addressing were man and woman, male and female, brotherhood. Afrocentripedalism is a shapes African thought process, and as such the pressing question of sisters and Adam and Eve. The next generation transaction, an alteration from the state of underpin what ought to be done for African brothers, the essential question intrinsic commenced with brothers and sisters. nature to the state of culture mediated by problems. It begins with the body as a to Afrocentripetalist view is the necessity marriage. Afrocentripedalist family is a Cosmo-conscious element and analyses it of completeness. The question of equality Feminism relies on deconstructing the unity of virtuous sister and honest brother. as a moral organ beyond the natural and and inequality are inessential. It lacks the narratives: “the first woman is the cause of biological and grows into a clarification basic formula of life and reduces oneness the first fall”, whereas Afrocentripedalism It is not an institution that came out of social over what it means to have an African in life into material gain only. It is divisive. relies on the soteriology of the first sister, contract. It is a totality, culmination, end in personality behind the dark color. With such According to the Afrocentripidalist the that a vindication of humanity from its itself, dictate of nature, and therefore, is Soteriological argument, Afrocentripetalism whole is more equal than the parts. In fact, own lust is attained through Immaculate sacred cult. In Afrocentripedalist family, builds on a new perspective about African the parts remain incomplete. Humanity, Conception. In other words, sisterhood “Why I am brother” and “Why I am a sisterhood and brotherhood and projects therefore, is the combination of the two. signifies unity with God. Such is the sister” takes the principle of OTHERS wider intellectual bedrock for what is meant Any combination of the number two paired archeology of the great statue of Gada; FIRST SELF LAST. There is no room for by Afrocentripetalist State and Society. in the order of creation is metaphorically its theological representation cannot be otherness. In fact, one reciprocally exists in As such, it not only decolonizes but also correct to describe the necessity of reduced into woman of the west. other. For example, the question “why I am liberates the African thought process, and togetherness of sisters and brothers joined in a brother” fundamentally reciprocates the establishes it on a firm, Africanized base. life, that they are like two eyes of the same Soteriology: The body as a moral organ answer, “because I lack a sister”. There will face, two hands of the same body, and two Afrocentripedalism is opposed to coper- wings of the same bird. The denial of one In perceiving the first miniature of be an absolute reception of one by another, nican Antidote against the other begets incompleteness, Afrocentripidalism, the body comes as reciprocally equally connected with zero disfunctionality and disarray. The point is: the first entity in the order of things. What otherness. It is this age-old experience of organized brothers are incomplete without accompany then is a body? Is it reducible to biological human existence that has become threatened of sisters and visa vis. Marriage and family, features only? No, a body is a being that Essential nature of Afrocentripetalist by the Copernican antidote, a malignant therefore, signifies compact asymmetry, signify the dwelling agent for redemption, State and yet evolving social constructs. absolute complicity with nature and the the first cell of salivation. It is a sacred- being, carrying unity with deliverance. To perceive a state as an abstract entity is The Copernican is natural, and is created self. Ones desire to discover the natural According the first sister signify the story denial. Functional Afrocentripetalism do being whereas the anti-Copernican is lack in the self is completed in embracing of fall, the second sister signify the story not fundamentally rely on the traditional manmade. Therefore, the anti-Copernican heliocentrism. Africans brothers are but of deliverance. Spiritual personality, its is the domain of evolution whereas the vanity without sisters. components of a state. It rather considers truest kind of the last order, came into being Copernican is the domain of creation. them as subsidiary administrative entity. The The concepts of equality and inequality through the virgin marry, the beginning and The latter came out of social constructs essentials of Afrocentripetalist are moral are analyzed here from the point of view and deconstructs and is yet incomplete. the end of heliocentrism, the purest a priori behaviors loaded on to its human elements of seriousness in life. Who gives deep connection, a unifying agent to the realm The former came out of divine ordain and that are the congruency of sisterhood and seriousness in organizing life in the most of that than which nothing greater can be is therefore complete. There has been a brotherhood in life, a virtuous mother and practical way in the projection of the progressive regression, fast speed-erosion conceived. By her Immaculate Conception, philosophy of caring and protecting? an honest father. The rest of the traditional of this age-old feminine virtue. the second sister suppressed the division of Inequalities should be measured in terms human nature into male and female. elements are administrative. The great Gadda Statue of Sebeta: of organization and management of life. An Afrocentripedalist state, therefore, Archeology of Multiple Heliocentric African brothers are more unequal in their Therefore, the body is a dwelling place is a moral entity, the highest voluntary Representations contribution to life. In fact African sisters of vindicated virtue. (See the entire are more equal than their brothers. Why? discussion of my unpublished work: organ of Afrocentripedalist brothers and There is a deep and indissoluble bond African brothers are not yet aware of Ethicopia: Revaluation to Moral Genesis). sisters that came out of the pedagogy of between sister and brother as depicted in themselves. They live on unsymmetrical We conclude then that moral virtues are the Afrocentripedalist education. THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 PAGE 29

Strengthening women’s access to climate information services crucial to improve their ability to adapt to climate risks

BY FASICA BERHANE

ADDIS ABABA– The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) on Thursday hosted a webinar in which participants discussed ways through which member States and institutions can strengthen the engagement of women in climate information and services (CIS) which they can utilize to support the CIS value chain for the benefit of their countries and communities. According to a press release from The Economic Commission for Africa, ECA COVID- 19 response, the webinar was held under the theme ‘Strengthening the Engagement of Women in CIS Generation, Packaging, Dissemination, Uptake and Use.’ The webinar sought to strengthen the engagement of women in CIS at regional level and to build their capacity and awareness of climate information tools and gcardblog.files.wordpress.com resources. involving women in the switch to cleaner, affirmative action in some instances to ensure national levels. modern energy, ensures that their concerns, we address the issue of limited participation In his remarks to the webinar, Jean-Paul Jennifer Mohamed-Katerere, an independent and those of the community, are addressed. of women and girls in climate issues and Adam, Director of the ECA’s Technology, expert on human rights and environmental science,” said Ms. Matashane-Marite, adding Climate Change and Natural Resource For her part, Keiso Matashane-Marite of governance, for her part, said; “Policy understanding gender complexities was of Management Division, said investing the ECA’s Gender, Poverty and Social interventions are needed to promote uttermost importance before delving into in women as part of the climate change Policy Division, said African governments meaningful participation of women in the initiatives to increase women’s engagement response was crucial as this would lead to and institutions should provide incentives climate information and services value chain to with CIS. environmental gains and greater returns for women and girls to engage in CIS and improve access to climate data and services.” across the sustainable development goals in the process help contribute towards Participants identified and discussed the Katerere said critical policy interventions (SDGs), Africa’s Agenda 2063 and broader poverty eradication and the attainment of the potential contribution of women in mitigating were needed in engaging women in development objectives. He also said that sustainable development goals. environmental damage and embedding climate decision-making; participatory planning; post COVID-19 response was important for justice in governance mechanisms as the world She emphasized that there were close links communication and information technology Africa to build back better with a gender lens. emerges from the coronavirus (COVID-19) between gender and climate, adding gender and education. pandemic, enumerated tools, resources and “Women have significant knowledge and inequalities exacerbated climate change networking opportunities to support women Participants has further emphasized the need understanding of the changing environmental vulnerabilities in communities. conditions, which could play a crucial role in engagement in CIS, and identified bottlenecks for innovative solutions in order to ensure identifying viable and practical community “We need to demystify climate change and and impediments in facilitating women capabilities built for women in relation to adaptation,” said Mr. Adam, adding that call for aggressive policy interventions or even involvement in CIS at national and sub- access to CIS. THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 9 AUGUST 2020 PAGE 30 One to One/Herald Guest Blackmailing and labeling CSOs as wrong partners need to be corrected

BY HAFTU GEBREZGABIHER was damaged before. Therefore, the government support can be full of such Our guest for this week is Negash Teklu. He The clear vision of damages are improved by the above- has served as Chairperson of the Ethiopian mentioned mechanisms. Civil Society Forum. Now, he is Executive civil society is to Herald: Is there any legal constraint Director of PHE Ethiopia Consortium. We see vibrant CSOs hindering the CSOs from attaining their have discussed the activities of the Civil objective? Society Organization (CSO) and related for democracy, issues. Negah: Yes. I have mentioned beautifully development and what the government positively is doing. Herald: There is a general claim that the Let me be clear with the hindering things. role of CSOs in supporting the country’s human rights in If the true nature of CSOs in their right way reform is rather insignificant. Why is that? the SDGs perspective, societal perspective, What is the role of CSOs in supporting Ethiopia by 2030. the GTP-II have to acknowledge that the current reform undertaking in CSOs do not only need the stick, it uses Ethiopia? Supporting the reform could also the carrot. The carrot should be at the be either by backing the reforms action level where the government gives it strong or by providing useful criticisms for the establishments. But, the carrot for example better of the country? Negash Teklu I generating grants, only allow generating Negash: The name of CSOs be it NGOs in law that already has been endorsed. The engagements of all citizens. The reasons from foreign sources. They are not accessing the country more was been after 1986. The clear vision of civil society is to see vibrant are; the civil society is not well established. grants from the government. This situation role of civil society in the peacebuilding, CSOs for democracy, development and tells us that there is still restriction. Herald: How do you see the support in humanitarian or charity activities that human rights in Ethiopia by 2030. Secondly, see women, youth, and step by step beyond the charity nature has of the current leadership in providing In our engagement, be it in the new leadership necessary room for the CSOs in order to disability associations which are the civil developed in the late 1990 engaged itself society group. Let’s see the professional in developmental activities. From this and the old leadership in the country, the play their due role? way the CSOs institutionalizing the game is associations like; economic associations perspective, in the last 11 years, the role Negash: Starting from the incorporation from the perspective of the real role of the and medical associations have a very of civil society was increasing in number of the role of civil society in the second civil society. That is nonpartisan and neutral critical role to play in the development following the 2002 elections and the GTP and then changing the restrictive law nature of the civil society; our basis is how of the country. In the old direction, it was restrictive law has come in to force which by the new proclamation and asserting we contribute for the people’s development. restricting their participation. However, the was contributing negatively to the nature of and engaging with the process, with On the core values and activities that the new law allows them. The problem is that CSO. the establishment of the civil society CSOs are engaged, is from the fact that they their capacity was highly damaged by the organization (Authority of Civil Society The participation of CSO in the development, are neutral and liberal while working with the past restrictive law especially before the Organizations) and the engagements have democratization, humanitarian works and different regimes. As a forum, in the draft of GTP-II came into action. If we capacitated had up to now by the government how peace of the country was restricted. Then the repressive law, we never supported that them to the level of generating government the new cane be more supportive in a way the CSOs start to change the restrictive law. time government. We have been contributing funds, they can play their role. do our thins by our governance including to the development of the country backing Since the coming of that law, the CSOs establishing our council that is the civil A very good example here is that the the growth and transformation (GTP) and continued through organizing themselves society council endorsed in the new government has established a command SDGs plans in a beautify way through the at first in an informal way, but in 2013 the proclamation. In general, these things are post responsible for the prevention of developmental engagements in the areas of CSOs were able to establish a joint forum very helpful to CSOs. the COVID-19 and to contain resultant with the name of Ethiopian Charities and environment, humanitarian aid and various risks. The Ministry of Health for itself has Societies Forum that incorporates all CSs activities. However, this is not to the level of the established the same task force. Majority CSOs and the people’s expectations. They in the country, be it registered at federal To figure out it in a figure, the CSOs have of the task force members starting from the have many limitations in which many of or at regional level. Thus, the platform been contributing worth of $ 2 billion advisors and technical committee teams are these limitations are to be addressed by we were able to represent all international developmental intervention during the GTP from the civil society. The others actively the CSOs by themselves. In addition, the organizations and national NGOs with implementation. These days it is increasing, playing in generating funds, supporting the government’s support is very crucial. their charity wing and the societal wing to for instance in the current crisis, CSO is victims be it at field level, at national and improve the restrictive. contributing a lot in partnership with the The result of the old restrictive law on us regional level and other civil society areas, government. In the health sector, due to has restricted CSOs to the level where they we are doing our level best to contain the To the level, we injected, the GTP that problem. beautifully addressed the role of civil the COVID-19 induced crisis, most of the cannot get funds directly from government society in development and democracy in activities related to prevention, campaign through the finance system in the country. The other limitation that hinders CSOs the right way. I can say this is the basis of and humanitarian contribution are being For example, green climate funds supported from contributing their due role is resource the new CSOs law. It is our struggle that carried out by civil societies. Thus, we never the country with the participation of CSOs. constraint. Their main source of income is brought the new law. Even before that changed our objectives. The law has no modality for channel the grants and other external funds. Currently, private sector and CSOs. That should be we developed a joint recommendation One thinks that must be clear is, civil societies due to the coronavirus pandemic, even our changed, if it is really needed to have the of 47 pages that recommended for fully are not and can’t blindly supporting the donors have been facing challenges. Thus, role of civil society’s contribution in the changing the repressive law and abling government. We have been supporting the with the resources at hand, CSOs couldn’t development and democratization process the civil engagement policy based on the strategies of the country that can contribute play their role effectively. This should be of the country. demand of the civil society. Therefore, for the benefit of the people correctly. the concern of the government. the new law is the fastest law endorsed by The majority of the humanitarian However, if we are asked the questions that The image which was created in the civil the new leadership while we (CSOs) have activities by civil society are done by the are civil societies doing the way expected society sector is due to the government’s been working and as a result of the new international organizations. The local once from them? Definitely not. For example, in push. Their name was wrongly blackmailed. proclamation that resulted in changing the are not strong to contribute their role. peacebuilding and stability, civil societies More than anything, the media has up to law. In the civil engagement, policy is also in This demands the government support by are not contributing their role. The recent now classified us wrong partners. The the draft process. The Agency has submitted improving the directives to enable the local disturbances in few parts of the country, media is pushing up to now with the wrong to the council of ministers so that both the NGOs to contribute a role in humanitarian we have seen high politicization and image. Even government-affiliated Media new proclamation and the civic engagement activities, accessing funds including from polarization things, if the civil society plays don’t give us recognition. This labeling is law are opportunities. the government. Hence, this restriction its role being neutral, nonpartisan in a way another challenge as well. including if the civil society is wanted The civil society has now clear voice and that contributes constructively in minimizing to its role in peacebuilding, increase the Access to media is almost deprived due well established with the new civil society the polarization in bringing constructive credibility of the civil society. The image See Blackmailing... page 25 BERHANENA SELAM PRINTING ENTERPRISE