November 23, 2019 News in brief The African Union’s Assembly on reform of the AU Commission… …the African Union Peace Fund officially launched The 66th Extra-Ordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi on an official visit to Italy The Council of EU describes Ethiopia’s reforms as a positive example for the Region News in Brief Africa and the African Union The 11th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union to discuss the reform of the African Union Commission was held at the weekend (November 17-18) in Addis Ababa. The Assembly passed decisions on the structure, portfolios and selection criteria of Commission officials, the mandate of the African Union Development Agency, the assessment and financial contributions of Member States, financial reforms including division of activity between the Commission and the Regional Economic Communities, reform of AUDA and the ARPM, and the role of the Commission in the Post-Cotonou Agreement negotiations. It also launched the African Union Peace Fund. (See articles) The IGAD Council of Ministers held its 66th Extra-Ordinary Session at the end of last week (November 16), under the chairmanship of Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Chairperson of the IGAD Council. South Sudan headed the agenda but the ministers also considered the activities of IGAD and Somalia. (See article) Ethiopia President Sahlework Zewde met with over 30 African Union Female Commissioners including Ex-AU Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini- Zuma this week, to discuss ways to empower women in Africa. The Commissioners congratulated the President on her presidency and pledged to support her development efforts for the betterment of African people. Prime Minister Dr. Abiy met with Li Yong, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) on Wednesday (November 21). The Office of the Prime Minister said discussions focused on UNIDO’s continued support to strengthening integrated agro-industrial parks in Ethiopia . These are expected to transform the structure of the economy ensuring agriculture productivity and value addition, and improving people’s livelihood. Prime Minister Dr. Abiy met on Monday (November 19) with Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. Emphasizing his commitment to changing the narrative of Africa and Ethiopia through the ongoing reforms, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed agreed with Michel Sidibé to strengthen efforts towards people-centered health development for Ethiopia. Prime Minister Dr Abiy met with the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Werner Hoyer and Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle this week. They discussed common issues of cooperation and future financing options for development projects in Ethiopia. The Bank has supported investment in Ethiopia since the 1970s, and opened its first permanent representation in Ethiopia in 2015. Following the successful conclusion of the 11th Extraordinary Session of the African Union on Sunday (November 18), Prime Minister Dr. Abiy extended his gratitude to the people of Ethiopia for the remarkably warm, courteous and generous hospitality that they showed in welcoming their sisters and brothers from all over Africa. The Prime Minister also thanked all the stakeholders, who at all levels dedicated their efforts for the successful conclusion of the summit. Prime Minister Dr Abiy will hold discussions on Tuesday (November 27) with leaders of contesting parties registered in Ethiopia as well as those that have returned to the country at the invitation of the Prime Minister. The discussion will focus on Ethiopia’s democratization process as well as electoral reforms required to ensure that the next elections are free and fair. The House of Peoples Representatives of Ethiopia appointed Ms. Birtikan Mideksa as chairperson of the Electoral Board of Ethiopia on Thursday (November 22). Ms. Birtukan, a lawyer by training, has held various positions including Judge at the Federal First Instance and Higher Court. She was also been a leader of the opposition Unity for Democracy and Justice party. She is well known for her prominent support for democratization in Ethiopia. Prime Minister Dr. Abiy extended his best wishes to all Muslims in Ethiopia and around the world on the occasion of the 1,493rd Mawlid festival, the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, as Muslims across the country celebrated on Tuesday (November 20).He urged the Muslim communities to celebrate the festivity by doing good deeds and helping the poor. The Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council called on the Muslim communities to pray for the peace and unity of the country while celebrating the festivity. REPORT THIS AD The Council of the European Union discussed Ethiopia at a meeting on Monday (November 19) and issued a nine-point statement welcoming what it called “momentous change”, and the major political and economic reforms which were gaining new impetus under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed. (See article) In a meeting with Michel Sidibé, the Executive Director of UNAIDS on Monday (November 19), Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh noted that Ethiopia has made all- round efforts in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. He said doing so was a matter of economic and security. Dr. Workneh said Ethiopia would continue to work closely with UNAIDS in prevention and control. He thanked UNAIDS for the support it extended to Ethiopia. Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu met with Mr. Manuel Augusto, Foreign Minister of Angola on Monday (November 19). The two sides held discussion on ways of boosting the bilateral relationship between the two countries. Dr. Workneh said Ethiopia was keen to strengthen cooperation with Angola, and pointed out that the ongoing reforms provided massive opportunities to elevate political collaborations and economic relations. Mr. Manuel, who commended the reforms, said it was important to expand economic links to add to the very good political engagement between the two countries. Ethiopia has requested the release of 224 nationals detained in Tanzania on allegations of illegal entry. Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu met Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Dr. Augustino Mahiga on the sidelines of the African Union Summit on Sunday (November 18). Dr. Gebeyehu asked the Tanzanian authorities to pardon the 224 Ethiopians so that they can return home. Minister Mahiga said the Tanzanian government was looking closely at the issue and would resolve the matter shortly in the interest of pan-Africanism. Speaking at the inauguration of a residence building for Nigerian diplomats on Sunday (November 18) in Addis Ababa, Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh underlined that Nigeria is Ethiopia’s strategic partner and the two countries have enjoyed longstanding ties, which, he noted, began in 1960. Dr. Workneh said the two countries would work closely on bilateral and multilateral issues. State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dr. Markos Tekle, bidding farewell to Turkish Ambassador Fatih Ulusoy on Monday (November 19) noted that Turkey was a key economic partner for Ethiopia. The two countries enjoyed strong trade and investment relations, he said, and he thanked Ambassador Ulusoy for his efforts strengthen bilateral cooperation. Ambassador Ulusoy noted Ethiopia’s key role in the maintenance of regional peace and stability and praised Ethiopia its role in lifting the sanctions on Eritrea. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has selected Ethiopia to host the 2019 World Press Freedom Day, annually observed on May 3. State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Markos Tekle, who met with Mrs. Ana Elisa Santana Afonso, UNESCO’s Liaison Office Director on Wednesday (November 21), emphasized that opening up the media was an essential part of the reforms now taking place in Ethiopia. He commended UNESCO continued support with both resources and technical assistance to assist Ethiopia’s efforts to preserve and protect its national heritage. Mrs. Afonso welcomed the reforms taking place in the country. State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dr. Markos Tekle, met with Dr. Roba Sharamo, Addis Ababa Office Director and Regional Representative to the AU, Horn and East Africa for Institute of Security Studies on Wednesday (November 21). Dr. Markos said the Ministry was keen to work closely with the ISS on research collaboration, training for diplomats and other technical issues. He commended ISS for its efforts to identify African problems and analyze foreign policies of African countries from an African perspective. Dr. Roba said the ISS would like to work closely with the government in the areas of policy discussion and technical support. He said it was preparing to provide training to Ethiopian diplomats on technical aspects of researching foreign policies. The China Zhejiang-Ethiopia Trade and Investment Symposium held at the Hilton Hotel in Addis Ababa on Friday (November 23) was opened by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Aklilu Hailemichael, who said the trade and investment relations between the two countries was consistently growing. He noted that Chinese Companies had invested over 1 billion USD in Ethiopia during the last two decades, adding that Ethiopia expected more through the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ launched with a focus on enhancing economic cooperation and connectivity among nations. A delegation of some 100 business