Ethiopia is a partner in human rights promotion and protection - UN rights chief

The United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein has described Ethiopia as a partner of his office in its efforts to promote and protect human rights.

The UN rights chief arrived in the country today (April 2) on an official visit on the invitation of the Ethiopian government.

He has since held discussions with Dr. Addisu Gebre-Egziabher, Chairperson of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC). “Ethiopia is one of our partners in the Commission’s efforts to promote and protect human rights for all,” Zeid is quoted to have said during the discussion.

Ethiopia is one of our partners in the Commission’s efforts to promote and protect human rights for all.

For his part, the EHRC chief said as a founding member of the UN Human Rights body, Ethiopia has been implementing human rights laws endorsed by the global outfit.

Zeid is also expected to meet other top government officials including Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and speaker of the legislature, Abadula Gemeda.

He will also meet other ‘‘high-ranking Ethiopian officials, to discuss the human rights situation in Ethiopia and the work of the UN Human Rights Office in the country,’‘ a statement from his office confirmed late last week.

It is not clear yet whether the issue of sending independent investigators to probe the anti-government protest deaths will come up at any point. The UN has previously pushed for Ethiopia to allow it to send investigators but Addis Ababa has said it was capable of handling an impartial probe.

The EHRC recently released its report on the protests which hit three regions – predominantly the Amhara and Oromia regions. It stated that 669 people were killed during protests – out of which over 60 were security forces.

The country is currently under an extended state of emergency, which was imposed in October 2016 to quell the spreading protests. The government said there was the need for an extension to consolidate peace efforts so far.

Scheduled meeting with AU Chief and other top officials

As part of his visit, Zeid will also hold discussions with African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat on how to focus on plans to reinforce coordination between the UN and AU on human rights.

The meetings will also include top officials like the AUC Commissioner for Peace and Security Smail Chergui and AUC Commissioner for Political Affairs Cessouma Minata Samate.

The two bodies recently signed an agreement aimed at strengthening their partnership. The signature in New York – by UN chief Antonio Guterres and Mahamat is a framework agreement on enhanced cooperation in peace and security.

At the end of his visit, on Thursday 4 May, the High Commissioner will hold a press conference at the UNECA Conference Centre at 16:00. Read more here

Joint Sudanese-Ethiopian troops patrol joint border

May 2, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - A joint Sudanese-Ethiopian force has started patrol operations to stop human trafficking and drug smuggling on the borders between the two countries.

The joint force including military troops and security elements patrolled the common borders and detected human trafficking violations and theft incidents besides excessive cutting of trees at Dinder Biosphere Reserve (DBR) in Sudan.

The DBR is located on the border between Sudan and Ethiopia, 300 miles south-east of Khartoum. It is estimated at about 10,292 square kilometres.

According to the Sudanese-Ethiopian parties, the patrol of the joint force comes in implementation of the outcome of the recent meeting held in Amhara region which recommended the formation of a joint force at borders between Sudan’s Sennar state and Ethiopia’s Amhara region.

Director of the border department at Sennar state and head of the Sudanese side Fadl al-Mawla Mohamed Toum, said the patrol operation aims to prevent border violations during the coming periods, pointing the joint meetings seek to strengthen ties between the two sides.

He pointed that the joint force managed to retrieve 260 head of sheep that were recently stolen at the Ethiopian border and handed it back to its owners.

Last March, senior Sudanese and Ethiopian army officers in Khartoum discussed a number of issues pertaining to border security, ways to prevent and combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling besides the local and regional security threats.

They underscored the importance to promote relations and joint work between the two countries, pointing to several recommendations and understandings on issues of security and sustainable development as well as strategic military cooperation and coordination. Read more here

Ethiopia line up Uganda friendly

Ethiopia will take on Uganda in an international friendly on June 3 in Addis Ababa as both sides prepare for their opening fixtures in the Afcon 2019 qualifiers.

The Walia Ibex were drawn in Group F along with four-time African champions Ghana, neighbours Kenya and Sierra Leone.

Newly appointed Ethiopia head coach Ashenafi Bekele in an exclusive interview with supersport.com said, “Playing against Uganda will give us very good preparation for our game against Ghana. The Cranes are a top side in African football especially if you see the events of the past two years.”

“They have players who play at a high level and will give us a very good challenge. Last year, they held Ghana to a goalless draw in Tamale which goes to show you their quality.”

Bekele, who is keen on qualifying Ethiopia to Afcon for the first time since 2013 when they ended a 31-year old jinx, understands the importance of kicking off the campaign on a high note.

Playing against Ghana away from home will call for precision and determination from the Walia Ibex whose last fixture was last September in a 2-1 win over Seychelles in the Afcon 2017 qualifiers.

Meanwhile, Ghana played at Afcon 2017 in Gabon and reached the semifinals for a sixth consecutive time, a rather consistent feat that has seen them maintain their place among the top teams in African football.

However, with St George competing in the Caf Champions League group stages against the reigning African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, 2014 finalists AS Vita and 2007 winners Etoile du Sahel in Group C, several of Bekele’s players will be up against top opposition.

Ethiopia will ultimately be looking to qualify for Afcon 2019 in Cameroon but Read more here

Somalia’s President to visit Ethiopia ahead of London conference

MOGADISHU, Somalia- The President of Somalia’s Federal government Mohamed Abdulahi Mohamed Farmajo is expected to pay his first state-visit to neighboring Ethiopia since taking office in February 8, Garowe Online reports.

According to Presidency sources, Farmajo will hold meetings with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn and other government officials in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

The leaders are expected to discuss a range of bilateral issues of common interest, mainly strengthening the relationship between the two countries, security and development.  

In the past months, local media circulated reports that relationship between the two countries reached low point as Villa Somalia turned down an official invitation from the Ethiopian government to visit Addis Ababa following the presidential election.

Unlike previous Somali Presidents who paid their first state visit to Ethiopia, President Farmajo traveled to Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Jordan and Turkey before his scheduled visit to Addis Ababa this week.

Ethiopia has significant number of troops serving with African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), whereas Somalis are concerned that their neighbor intervention in the country is not in good faith.

However, this comes ahead of London-conference on Somalia in UK, as international partners will participate to show support to the new Somali Federal government in areas of security, social services, development and drought relief.  Read more here

Ethiopia sentences 2 accused al-Shabaab members to prison

Addis Ababa - Ethiopia says two men accused of trying to establish a cell of the al-Shabaab extremist group inside the country have been sentenced to six years in prison.

The state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate on Friday reported that Bedris Yesuf and Anis Usman were accused of being members of the Somalia-based al-Shabaab and recruiting members for an Ethiopia-based cell.

The Ethiopian Federal Attorney General says the men were arrested three years ago while they were planning to carry out a terror attack.

Ethiopia is one of the countries that have sent troops to neighboring Somalia under an African Union mission against al-Shabaab, but in October it withdrew other forces it had sent independently into the country.

Al-Shabaab has carried out attacks beyond Somalia's borders, notably inside Kenya. Read more here