News in Brief ETHIOPIA DECLARES INDEFINITE HUMANITARIAN TRUCE TO FACILITATE FREE FLOW OF AID INTO TIGRAY REGION: (GCS) In a statement issued on March 24, 2022, the Government Communication Service (GCS) declared that the Government of Ethiopia has declared an indefinite humanitarian truce to expedite the provision of humanitarian aid to compatriots in the Tigray region. The Government further calls upon the donor community to redouble their generous contributions to alleviate the situation and reiterated its commitment to continue working in collaboration with all domestic and international partners to expedite the provision of humanitarian assistance. The commitment being undertaken by the Government of Ethiopia could have the desired outcome of improving the humanitarian situation on the ground only to the extent that it is reciprocated by the other side. Currently, increased number of United Nations humanitarian flights and expedited through improved clearance procedures for the delivery of fuel and cash for payments by aid organizations is ongoing. Flights for ICRC, WHO, and the European Union have been facilitated to deliver humanitarian aid. The Government has also been working to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance through convoys via the Abala-Mekelle corridor.
PM ABIY AHMED EXPRESSES GRATITUDE TO AFRICANS OVER THE PEACEFUL, SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE AU SUMMIT Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has expressed gratitude on February 6, 2022, to all African countries for their contribution to the peaceful and victorious conclusion of the 35th A.U. Summit. H.E. PM Abiy underlined that all Africans have to strive together for an African Solution to African Problems. The Premier expressed gratitude to all Africans for standing with Ethiopia in its trying times. It was the first Summit of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union to be held physically after two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The summit was concluded with a renewed commitment to respond to the pressing challenges facing Africa and expressing rededication to meet the development needs of the continent. The theme of the year is dedicated to nutrition under the title “Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent”
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The Ethiopian Messenger
GRAND ETHIOPIAN RENAISSANCE DAM COMMENCES GENERATING ELECTRIC POWER Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has officially launched power generation at the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) hydropower plant on February 20, 2022. The Premier attended the first production of 375 MW hydropower from an early generation of GERD. The Premier noted that the dam would not obstruct the natural flow of the River Nile, adding that the commencement of the power generation indicates Ethiopia’s amicable position on the river for the project doesn’t impose any harm against downstream countries. Abiy also reiterated the commitment of Ethiopia to facilitate conducive integration in the power supply sector across Africa and beyond the continent through proper utilization of its natural resources. The Prime Minister further expressed gratitude for all individuals and institutions that contributed their part to the construction of the dam and the successful beginning of the generation of electric power from the GERD, which he described as “Africa’s largest power plant. More than 60 percent of the Ethiopian population do not have access to electricity. The GERD is expected to address this wide gap to access of electricity without causing significant harm to downstream countries and based on internationally accepted principles.
IMPORT SUBSTITUTION LIES AT THE HEART OF ETHIOPIA’S ASPIRATIONS FOR FOOD SELF SUFFICINCY on March 6, 2022, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated that Ethiopia has embarked on irrigated summer wheat productivity by strengthening cluster farming approaches. The prime Minister noted that farmers in several parts of the country have been harvesting greater yields that will continue to be supported through various efforts. The Prime Minister further underscored that import substitution lies at the heart of Ethiopia’s aspirations toward self-sufficiency. The Ministry of Finance recently stated that Ethiopia has managed to cover 336,000 hectares of land with irrigation surpassing the plan set for 300,000 hectares during the current season. The Prime Minster takes a regular working visit to various irrigation project sites to witness first-hand the success of this important project that is the only path to food self-sufficiency.
