Can #Berlin, #Paris reset 'strained' #EU-#Ethiopia ties?

#Germany and #France have dispatched their top envoys to Ethiopia to revamp relations strained by the Tigray conflict. Analysts say the EU member states are keen to support the reconstruction process but challenges remain.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's visit to Ethiopia on Thursday and Friday comes as the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) implement a peace deal signed in November to end two years of brutal war.

Baerbock is accompanied by her French counterpart, Catherine Colonna, who issued a statement on January 5 saying the trip would underscore their support for the peace deal brokered by the African Union.

https://www.dw.com/en/can-berlin-and-paris-reset-strained-eu-ethiopia-ties/a-64343852

Feature: Studio Other Spaces designs Meles Zenawi memorial park to reflect “complex feelings, reflections around Meles Zenawi’s legacy”

Commissioned by the Meles Zenawi Foundation (MZF), international design firm based in #Germany, Studio Other Spaces (SOS) has been working for the past ten years to transform Meles Zenawi Memorial Park, which covers 65 hectares on northern outskirt of the capital, Addis Abeba, into a park that is widely accessible to the community.

According to a press release sent to #AddisStandard by the SOS communications team, led by its founders artist Olafur Eliasson and architect Sebastian Behmann, the design firm conceptualized an expansive, multifaceted landscape that connects 7 pavilions and 5 buildings along a meandering 2.4km walking path.

“By designing a socially horizontal space, SOS has expanded the meaning of the word ‘memorial’ beyond the memory of a single leader to include the many memories of the countless people, whether from the cities or countryside, whether old or young, rich or poor, who make up the country of #Ethiopia and who themselves have lived its history” it added.

In 2016 Vogt Landscape joined the project to create curated gardens along the campus path and individual concepts for the landscape surrounding each building, says the press release. The path follows the topography of the site.

“These are explored through a series of pavilions that represent relevant stages in Meles Zenawi’s personal and political life, such as Education, Debate, Struggle, Transition, and Constitution."

https://addisstandard.com/feature-studio-other-spaces-designs-meles-zenawi-memorial-park-to-reflect-complex-feelings-reflections-around-meles-zenawis-legacy/

#Eritrea's repressive government criticizes exiles who attack overseas festivals as 'asylum scum'

Flaming cars, violent clashes, dozens of people detained. As one of the world’s most repressive countries marks 30 years of independence, festivals held by Eritrea's diaspora in Europe and North America have been attacked by exiles whom the regime dismisses as “asylum scum.”

People who fled the Horn of Africa nation say the violence against festivals in #Germany, #Sweden and #Canada are protests against a repressive government that's been described as the “North Korea of Africa.” Some allege that proceeds from festivals might support the government.

Hundreds of thousands of people have fled Eritrea over the years, many setting off into the deserts of #Sudan and then #NorthAfrica in attempts to reach #Europe.

https://news.yahoo.com/eritrean-festivals-attacked-europe-north-045522461.html

Passport rankings shift: #Ethiopia slips to 93rd amidst conflict

In the latest Henley Passport Index Report released last week, Ethiopia's passport has dropped four places, now ranking at 93 globally since July last year. This decline is attributed to the ongoing conflict in the country.

Meanwhile, #Uganda experienced a slight dip, moving from 72nd to 73rd place, and #Kenya, #Tanzania, and #Rwanda maintained their positions at 67th, 69th, and 76th, respectively. Though Rwanda's ranking remained unchanged, the number of countries its passport holders can visit without a visa rose from 63 to 66. Kenya leads with access to 76 countries, followed by Ugandans (69) and Tanzanians (73).

The Henley Openness Index, utilizing data from the International Air Transport Association (#IATA), ranks #France, #Germany, and #Italy as the world's most powerful passports. #Mauritius retains its top position in #Africa, slipping one rank to 29th globally, allowing passport holders to visit 148 countries visa-free.

#Kenya ETA: President Ruto's vision of visa-free entry proves tricky for some

Last year, Kenya's President William Ruto made headlines by announcing #visa_free entry for #African visitors. However, the recent implementation of new requirements has left many travelers surprised and inconvenienced. Adio, a #Zimbabwean residing in #Germany, encountered unexpected hurdles at Bremen airport when flying to Kenya. Despite assuming a hassle-free entry, he was asked for additional documentation, realizing Kenya's visa-free policy wasn't as straightforward as anticipated.

Under the new rules effective 01 January, 2024, travelers must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (#ETA) costing $30 for single entry, valid for 90 days. The process, initially perceived as simplifying travel, now demands flight details and hotel bookings.

Critics argue the ETA mirrors a visa in disguise, complicating travel and potentially deterring tourism. While Kenya cites security concerns amid global threats, the bureaucratic shift contrasts with President Ruto's vision of pan-African integration and trade facilitation.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68093488

#UN: #Sudan conflict claims thousands of civilian lives, displaces millions in one year

The UN Fact-Finding Mission in Sudan has reported that the nearly year-long conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (#SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (#RSF) has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths and millions of displaced individuals.

According to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, the fighting has led to the internal displacement of over 6 million people, while nearly 2 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries. In total, approximately 24 million people in Sudan are in need of humanitarian aid.

As the conflict nears its one-year mark on April 15, #France, #Germany, and the European Union will co-host a Humanitarian Conference for Sudan in #Paris. UN officials, including Assistant Secretary-General Joyce Msuya, will advocate for increased aid resources and improved humanitarian access.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-04-12/UN-Sudan-conflict-claims-thousands-of-civilian-lives-in-a-year-1sJrQAXDsBy/p.html

#US senator urges Biden admin to engage with #Somaliland, says State's “one Somalia” policy doesn’t reflect reality

Senator Jim Risch, ranking member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, urged the Biden administration to engage with Somaliland, and said that “State's “one Somalia” policy doesn’t reflect the reality.”

“I’ve urged the US State Department to engage with Somaliland and not ignore its democratic progress,” Senator Risch said adding that as US's “allies praise Somaliland’s election progress this week, the US admin is silent given that the “one Somalia” policy doesn’t reflect the reality of what’s happening there”, Senator Risch said on 27 April.

His comments came after a joint statement released on 25 April, by #Denmark, #EU, #Germany, #Norway, #Sweden, and the #UK welcomed the official announcement last week of the Somaliland election timeline by the National Electoral Commission (NEC).

Read more at: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1784863165362098265

#Ethiopia: #MoFA slams western embassies' press freedom statement as 'Paternalistic,' stresses adherence to rule of law

The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs( MoFA) has pushed back against a joint statement issued by Western embassies on World Press Freedom Day expressing concerns over the treatment of journalists in the country. The Ministry criticized the statement as "paternalistic," while affirming Ethiopia "upholds the freedom of the press" but stating this right "must be exercised and protected within the confines of the rule of law."

On May 3rd, over a dozen diplomatic missions, including the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, and #Germany, released a joint statement expressing concerns over the detainment of journalists in Ethiopia "for doing their jobs."

Read more at: https://twitter.com/addisstandard/status/1786654534091051131?t=svZk6idf_lP9jB78YHHg_g&s=19

#Ethiopia: Coffee exports yield $835 million for Ethiopia amid challenges

The Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (#ECTA) announced that coffee exports have brought $835.2 million in revenue to the country during the first nine months of the current fiscal year that started on July 8th, 2023. The nation exported 174,596 tons of coffee to international markets during this period, marking a notable increase compared to the previous fiscal year.

Saudi Arabia, South Korea, the United States, #Germany, #Japan, and #China were the major destinations for Ethiopian coffee products. The Deputy Director-General of ECTA, Shafi Umer, stated that the coffee industry achieved a significant milestone by generating billions of dollars in revenue following the nation's reform in the sector, including over $1.3 billion from exports in the previous fiscal year.

Despite this revenue, the coffee industry faces obstacles. A recent article by Addis Standard highlights the upcoming European Union Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR), set to take effect on December 30, 2024, which mandates stringent requirements for traceability and due diligence assessments for agricultural commodities like coffee exported to the EU. This regulation could impact millions of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia.

Gizat Worku, general manager at the Ethiopian Coffee Exporters Association (ECEA), expressed concerns about the challenges traditional smallholder farmers may face in meeting the EUDR standards due to limited resources.

For more details, follow the link to read the full article.

https://addisstandard.com/roasted-reality-ethiopias-coffee-faces-crux-with-upcoming-eu-regulation-endangering-livelihoods-of-millions-of-farmers/

#Djibouti in the midst of global sea route dispute

Djibouti, a small East African nation, is at the center of a significant geopolitical hotspot. Missiles fired by Houthi militants from #Yemen are falling near Djibouti's 195-mile coastline, while the country navigates complex regional dynamics. Bordered by #Eritrea, #Somalia, and #Ethiopia, Djibouti remains a critical player in the region despite its challenging neighbors.

Djibouti's strategic importance has grown, highlighted by recent #Houthi missile attacks. When the US requested permission to conduct operations against the Houthis from its naval base in Djibouti, the government declined, as stated by Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed. Despite its critical stance on Israel’s actions against #Hamas, Djibouti allowed #EU naval vessels to dock and refuel, supporting efforts to counter Houthi threats.

The conflict has boosted Djibouti’s main port, with more ships unloading goods for transshipment through the Red Sea. This growth underscores the importance of international investments in Djibouti’s military and intelligence infrastructure. Positioned at the junction of the #Red_Sea and the Gulf of Aden, Djibouti hosts military bases from #China, #France, and the US, with #Germany also expressing interest. Djibouti's challenging location paradoxically enhances its strategic value.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-05-17/next-africa-houthi-red-sea-attacks-make-djibouti-a-priority-after-hamas-attack