Mark your calendars for the much-anticipated 6th Nu Chika Enabuka One Color Festival, taking place on December 2, 2023, at the iconic Meskel Square. This family day extravaganza promises an array of children’s games and natural entertainment, where participants of all ages can immerse themselves in the joy of play and discovery. From traditional crafts with mothers to experiencing the essence of Ethiopian culture, this festival promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Since its establishment in 2019, the Nu Chika Enabuka Children’s Center has been dedicated to imparting indigenous knowledge to young minds in a structured and engaging manner, while bringing families together in the process. Through innovative media initiatives and captivating events, this organization has become a beacon of creativity, art, and education for children across Ethiopia.
At the heart of the center’s media endeavors lies the enchanting children’s television program, Hamrawi. Launched in collaboration with Ethiopian Children’s Television and YouTube, this program ignites young imaginations by exploring themes of creativity, art, and recycling. It serves as a platform for children to embrace their artistic talents while learning about environmental responsibility.
The Nu Chika Enabuka Children’s Center has not only enchanted young hearts through their media initiatives but has also brought joy to thousands through their grand events. From the vibrant celebrations held at Bole Fana Park in Addis Ababa to the majestic “Nu Chika Enabuka Special Family Day” at the great palace unity park, these gatherings have united over 7,000 and 5,000 participants, respectively.
The organization’s recent events at Meskel Square on October 16, 2021, and November 5, 2022, were nothing short of extraordinary. Drawing in an awe-inspiring total of over 22,000 children and parents, these events garnered attention from both national and international media, shining a spotlight on the organization’s remarkable efforts.
In the realm of bureaucratic inefficiencies and corruption, few experiences can match the frustration and despair of attempting to obtain or renew a passport in Ethiopia. It is a process that promises much but delivers little, leaving countless individuals stranded in a web of red tape and endless waiting. In this editorial, we shed light on the harrowing reality faced by those seeking the most fundamental of travel documents and call for a much-needed overhaul of the passport issuance system.
At the heart of this nightmarish ordeal lies a staggering lack of efficiency within the immigration authorities of Ethiopia. It is an open secret that securing an appointment with these authorities is an exercise in futility. Promised dates come and go, leaving hopeful applicants in a perpetual state of limbo. The sheer magnitude of the problem becomes apparent when one realizes that hundreds of thousands of individuals are left waiting for their passports for an excruciatingly long period, often exceeding eight months to a year.
Expressing frustration is an understatement when it comes to describing the emotions experienced by those entangled in this bureaucratic quagmire. The dreams of individuals eagerly anticipating their passports are shattered, replaced by a sense of helplessness and disillusionment. As a result, scores of foreign workers, who contribute to the Ethiopian economy, are forced to seek alternative employment opportunities in neighboring countries, such as Kenya, due to the authorities’ failure to renew their permits or issue new ones.
The dire state of passport issuance in Ethiopia is a stark reflection of a system in disarray. As the inefficiencies and corruption continue to plague the process, the country finds itself at a crossroads, teetering on the precipice of further decay. It is disheartening to contemplate the repercussions of a society where the very institutions entrusted to serve the people are marred by inefficiency, corruption, and indifference. If Ethiopia is to reclaim its standing as a beacon of progress and opportunity, urgent action must be taken to rectify the passport issuance system and restore faith in the government’s ability to govern fairly and effectively.
What is perhaps most disheartening is the apparent disregard the immigration authorities have for the aspirations and needs of their own citizens. While the process of obtaining a passport for government employees appears to be expedited, the same cannot be said for the rest of the populace. This discriminatory approach not only undermines the principle of equality but also sends a clear message that the authorities believe themselves to be entitled, indifferent to the plight of ordinary citizens.
As a tax-paying citizen, it is not only disheartening but deeply disappointing to find oneself at the mercy of a passport issuance process that favors government employees at the expense of the general public. The very individuals who contribute to the nation’s development through their taxes are subjected to interminable waiting periods, while those in positions of power and privilege secure passports with ease. This flagrant display of inequality not only undermines the principles of justice and fairness but also erodes the trust and confidence citizens place in their government.
It is disheartening to witness a system where those entrusted with serving the public prioritize government employees over the very citizens who fund their operations through their hard-earned taxes. This blatant disregard for fairness and equal treatment further exacerbates the agony experienced by individuals awaiting their passports.
The inefficiency that plagues the authorities overseeing passport issuance in Ethiopia is beyond comprehension. With each passing day, it becomes increasingly evident that progress is only attainable through the greasing of palms. Corruption has permeated every level of the system, transforming what should be a straightforward process into a harrowing journey of extortion. It is a disheartening reality where individuals are left with no choice but to part with their hard-earned money in order to secure the basic right of a passport. The rampant corruption within the authorities responsible for passport issuance in Ethiopia have reached unimaginable levels. It is deeply concerning that obtaining a passport has become synonymous with bribes and under-the-table dealings, where progress is only made when money exchanges hands.
In a world that is increasingly interconnected, the ability to travel freely and engage with the international community is paramount. However, the current state of passport issuance in Ethiopia stands as a formidable barrier to these aspirations. Urgent reform is not only necessary but imperative. It is high time that the immigration authorities take stock of their inefficiencies, tackle corruption head-on, and prioritize the needs of the people they are meant to serve. Only through a concerted effort to rectify this broken system can Ethiopia reclaim its position as a nation that empowers its citizens and facilitates their engagement with the world.
The current situation not only reflects a broken system, but also raises concerns about the future of efficient governance and the ability of the authorities to serve the needs of its citizens.
Why Elon Musk is fighting a crucial battle for free speech
X (formerly Twitter) is suing watchdog Media Matters, accusing it of manipulating a hate speech report to tarnish the platform’s reputation
By Russian Market
Since Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter, there has been a prevailing intuition that the platform, since renamed to X, would inevitably emerge as a potent challenger to establishment media.
Whether it’s unraveling their carefully woven narrative on Ukraine or exposing the delicate veneer of their agenda, X (formerly Twitter) has consistently been a source of discomfort for those in Washington or the EU managing the news flow – from Israel to the respective migration crises. But who would’ve thought that the retaliation would be this desperate and embarrassingly obvious?
On November 20, 2023, X initiated legal proceedings against Media Matters, a non-profit organization founded in 2004 with a mission to monitor and rectify conservative misinformation in US media. X alleges that Media Matters orchestrated a deceptive scenario by strategically juxtaposing advertisers’ posts with extremist content.
According to X, the crux of the defamation claim arises from Media Matters’ publication of a report asserting that ads for major brands were displayed alongside posts endorsing Nazism. X further contends that Media Matters employed manipulated algorithms and fake accounts to craft a narrative intended to besmirch the platform’s reputation. While applauding the theatricality, X questions the seriousness of such tactics.
Advertisers left in shambles
The aftermath was catastrophic, it seems. Big players like IBM, Apple, and Comcast ran for the hills, distancing themselves from X faster than you can say “cancel culture.”
Allegations of ads cozying up to pro-Nazi and white nationalist content created quite the stir, dealing a hefty blow to X’s attempts to win back the trust of those precious ad dollars. But hey, who needs advertisers when you’re fighting the good fight, right?
Still, X waltzed into federal court in Fort Worth, Texas, guns blazing, claiming that Media Matters knowingly and maliciously portrayed ads next to hateful material as a casual Tuesday for typical X users. According to the allegations, Media Matters deliberately followed the crème de la crème of “extreme fringe content” accounts and others owned by X’s major advertisers, then kept refreshing the feed until the desired outcome was on display. The result was a carefully curated feed designed to make advertisers jump ship, all captured on screenshots. Quite the strategic masterpiece, apparently.
Media Matters swiftly responded, dismissing the lawsuit as frivolous. Its president, Angelo Carusone, claimed that the legal action was a feeble attempt to silence critics. Undeterred, Media Matters boldly asserted its confidence in securing victory in court.
‘Free speech absolutism’ backfiring?
Now, let’s delve into the context – Elon Musk’s tumultuous tenure at the helm of X. Allegations of Musk turning a blind eye to anti-Semitic messages have circulated since his grand takeover over a year ago. Amid global tensions, including the Israel-Hamas war, Musk’s reluctance to censor ‘problematic’ posts on X only added more fuel to the already blazing controversy that is his leadership.
In response to the tumult, X CEO Linda Yaccarino stepped forward, pledging a commitment to combat discrimination on the platform.
In the unfolding saga of X’s legal battle against Media Matters, a complex narrative reveals Musk’s transformative influence on Twitter. He proclaims himself a “free speech absolutist” and this commitment transcends mere financial investment; it is a passionate endeavor to combat what Musk sees as a media swamp threatening free speech on his platform.
Having been a part of X since its inception (as Twitter), I’ve observed its evolution into an alternative internet, fostering diverse opinions within reasonable limits. The power to choose whom to follow or interact with should be a personal decision, free from external influence. Media Matters, with its apparent manipulative tactics, embarks on a questionable path of both exploiting that power and trying to punish Musk for bestowing it upon users.
In a coincidental twist, Media Matters president Carusone proudly claims responsibility for the #DumpTrump movement.
As the legal drama unfolds, the X vs. Media Matters saga becomes a spectacle – a masterclass in desperation where the line between truth and manipulation blurs. Whether this episode will establish a precedent for digital discourse or merely intensify chaos remains uncertain. The next act in this gripping Silicon Valley showdown promises more twists in this evolving narrative.
Russian Market is a project by a financial blogger, Swiss journalist and political commentator based in Zurich.
Conflict, although an unpleasant feet, has been a common denominator that both Ethiopia and Israel has had to deal with in recent times. With Ethiopia bouncing back from civil war, now Israel has been the center of the world’s attention following the ongoing conflict with the Hamas.
In the midst of the chaos, Capital reached out to the Israeli Ambassador to Ethiopia, Aleleign Admasu, for insights of the two countries current relations. Excerpts;
Capital:What is the current state of diplomatic relations between Israel and Ethiopia? Are there any recent developments or initiatives that have strengthened the bilateral ties between the two countries?
Aleleign Admasu: The current diplomatic relations between both countries is thriving and we are working greatly with the Ethiopian government through the embassy on a plethora of issues such as health, agriculture, innovation as well as people to people ties through religion.
As is well known, the past two years have not been easy for Ethiopia stemming from the civil war which to some degree had perturbed our engagements in matters investment related to the country, but as the situation continues to get better, our investment prospects are also equally growing.
Similarly, this year has not been easy for us, as you well know from the Israel- Hamas war. Nonetheless, that has not derailed our diplomatic partnership as our relations have been longstanding. Furthermore, our cultural ties through the Ethiopian Jews is one that has been there since time immemorial.
Capital: How would you describe the economic cooperation between Israel and Ethiopia? Are there any significant Israeli investments or projects in Ethiopia, particularly in sectors like agriculture, technology, or infrastructure?
Aleleign Admasu: We enjoy a conducive pipeline of economic cooperation at different levels and sectors.
We are actively involved in the economic prosperity of the country through major projects. We have a significant presence in the mining sector courtesy of the mining company, Leica Geosystems.
We are also big in infrastructure development and we are liaising with Ethiopian Airlines through the opening up of a fairly new center in Ethiopia that converts passenger airplanes into cargo planes.
We are also active in the agricultural space. We have multiple Israeli NGOs who are helping farmers to enhance their produce through trainings on food security.
Likewise, Israel has been keen on sharing its expertise. To this end, we cooperate with health institutions in different parts of Ethiopia through exchange of experience, cardiology and other fields.
Capital:Ethiopia is home to a significant Jewish community known as the Beta Israel or Ethiopian Jews. What efforts are being made to support and strengthen the connection between these Ethiopian Jews and the State of Israel?
Aleleign Admasu: Today, Israel is home to the largest Beta Israel community in the world, with close to 200,000 thousand Ethiopian descent who are mainly assembled in the smaller urban areas of central Israel.
In the past three years, a couple of thousand of the Ethiopian Jewish community have migrated to Israel, and the government is trying its level best to set aside the budget to cater for their integration in the country.
The Ethiopian Jews’ integration in Israel has been challenging, truth be told, with the community suffering disproportionately high levels of unemployment and poverty as well as discrimination, although their situation has shown signs of improvement in recent years.
Capital:Ethiopia has faced several challenges in recent years, including political instability, regional conflicts, and humanitarian crises. How does Israel contribute to addressing these challenges and providing assistance to Ethiopia in times of need?
Aleleign Admasu: The past two to three years have not been easy for Ethiopia by any stretch of the imagination. Israel has had historical relations with the country and that also translated in our humanitarian efforts to provide aid to Ethiopia in its time of need.
Through various approaches we rendered support and the Israeli NGOs present also helped significantly in aiding for the recovery of the families in need. Moreover, the Ethiopian diaspora in Israel came together and pulled their financial resources to support the government through donations.
Again, the conflict was also came as an overlap to the global pandemic and during that time also we were active in donating the necessary equipment for the health sector in general.
Capital:In the realm of education and cultural exchange, are there any programs or initiatives that promote mutual understanding and cooperation between the people of Israel and Ethiopia? How do these programs contribute to fostering strong people-to-people ties?
Aleleign Admasu: The people of Ethiopia and Israel have a rich history. This has also been embedded through the sharing of culture. It could be as simple as teaching the Israeli locals to eat Injera and other Ethiopian cuisine, or even sharing tradition through dressing ‘Kemis’ or shorts ‘Kunta’.
Of course, religion as earlier mentioned has played an integral role in strengthening people to people ties. A lot of Ethiopians go to pray in Jerusalem and Golgotha. We do have thousands of people every year who come to experience the various biblical sites from Ethiopia.
Although our customs and traditions are unique they also share equal similarities, thus it is easy to integrate one with the other, which is an ease to the people to people assimilation. This ease has brought the two together, and that has been evident with the Ethiopian Jews support, who have stood with the country during the attack of the Hamas.
Capital: Climate change and environmental issues are global concerns. How does Israel collaborate with Ethiopia in areas such as water management, renewable energy, and sustainable development to address these challenges?
Aleleign Admasu: Israel is a country that is big on sustainability and uses top notch technology to tackle its everyday challenges. For, example, since its founding in 1948, Israel has never stopped inventing agricultural technologies that greatly improve farming everywhere. Now this continuing ag-tech innovation enables farmers to use water and fertilizer more efficiently, grow crops resistant to disease and drought, and harness data above and below ground to increase quality and quantity.
Furthermore when it comes to water management, Israel has plenty of expertise in desalination. As a water-insecure nation, we have for more than two decades been taking seawater from the Mediterranean and treating it through a process called reverse osmosis, essentially taking the salt out of the water to make it drinkable.
When it comes to sustainable energy, most countries are seeking to increase energy generation from renewable sources amid an escalating climate crisis that is warming the planet at an unprecedented pace.
Israel’s most recent target is to generate 40 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, mainly solar energy, by 2030.
In all of these movements, we have committed ourselves to not only share our expertise with Ethiopia but also with the whole continent. We continue to do so, through pledges that we have agreed upon with the Ethiopian government.
Capital:Ethiopia plays a significant role in regional dynamics within the Horn of Africa. Can you provide insights into Israel’s approach to regional diplomacy and cooperation in the context of the Horn of Africa, and specifically with Ethiopia?
Aleleign Admasu: Diplomatic developments over the past decade have grown in pace between the East African countries at different levels of engagement and capacity. Israel has played its role in technological advances to support the Horn and as a nation, we do recognize how pivotal Ethiopia is to the region. Overall, the foreign policy in the region is positive, and we have a uniform approach to strengthen our elations in the region.
Capital: Are there any ongoing or upcoming joint projects or collaborations between Israel and Ethiopia that you would like to highlight? How do you envision these initiatives contributing to the long-term relationship between the two countries?
Aleleign Admasu: We do have numerous projects, from investment opportunities to knowledge sharing and capacity building.
We have been working with farmers and have been sharing our know how in agri-tech. Similarly, we have had our medical experts share expertise with their counterpart Ethiopian health professionals, we do also have other collaborations with the government in the pipeline.
Capital: Ethiopia has a rich historical and cultural heritage. Are there any efforts being made to promote cultural exchanges, tourism, or heritage preservation between Israel and Ethiopia?
Aleleign Admasu: Culture and historical heritage have been a great propellant to attracting tourism to both countries. Israel has nearly, 5 million visitors annually because of its historical sites. Similarly, Ethiopia has a unique culture and having not been colonized makes it even stand out more. It has numerous attractive sites like Axum, Lalibela and so on. When we talk about promotion, I feel this goes hand in hand with the country’s security. So in order for us to promote this, we both need to be stable, peace wise. So our focus should primarily be focused on security first, because our selling point of our country is unique when it comes to heritage and history.
Capital: What are your personal priorities and goals as the Israel Ambassador to Ethiopia? How do you envision further enhancing and deepening the relationship between the two countries during your tenure?
Aleleign Admasu: Being that I was born in Ethiopia, I do feel that there is a great sense of responsibility resting over my shoulders to elevate the comprehensive relationship between the two countries. Of high priority is enhancing peace to both our countries because without peace all other relations whether economic, political or social may not thrive.
It is my vison to ensure that we continue to have amicable diplomatic relations built on mutual trust. I would love my time in office to be remembered for the multiple opportunities presented through investment, sharing of innovation, tighter government relations and more economic flow through job creation.
Capital: Describe the genesis of the war and the current state of the war between Israel and Hamas?
Aleleign Admasu; The ongoing armed conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups began chiefly in and around the Gaza Strip since 7 October 2023, with clashes also taking place in the West Bank and Israel–Lebanon border. On that day, Hamas-led Palestinian militants launched a multi-pronged invasion of southern Israel from the Gaza Strip. The surprise attack comprised a barrage of rockets, while around 3,000 militants breached the Gaza–Israel barrier and attacked Israeli military bases and civilian population centres, as well as a music festival near Re’im. Civilians were deliberately targeted, and more than 800 were killed, along with over 200 soldiers, during the attacks and counterattacks and an estimated 240 Israeli and foreign nationals were taken as captives or hostages to the Gaza Strip.
Despite Israel being a pro- peace country with its neighbors, we had to retaliate as any country would. We are now in a sticky situation and I personally hope that peace wins over the on-going war.
Capital: Finally, Can it be said that Israel has received the support it needs from Ethiopia?
Aleleign Admasu: We know and understand the Ethiopian situation. We know governments can be pressured and the country is also bouncing back from its own civil war. What we appreciate the most is the continued amicable relations, which I believe do stand the test of time.
US based data center company, Raxio, inaugurates its data center in the nation’s capital marking a new dawn for technological advances in the region.
The data center which is located in the Ethio ICT Park, is built on a 10,000 square plot of land offering collocation space for up to 800 racks, and delivering up to 3 MW IT power, providing a robust, fully-redundant environment for housing mission- critical IT infrastructure with a 24/7 availability.
The project which took a year and a half to complete consumed 30 million USD.
“Raxio newest Tier III certified data center, is meant to satisfy the growing needs of a vibrant business environment and public sector for dependable IT solutions,” stated, Bewket Taffere, General Manager of Raxio Data center in Ethiopia.
According to Bewket, the launch of the new data center represents a major milestone and helps the nation attract regional and international service providers.
The state-of-the-art environmentally friendly facility houses infrastructure to provide services for mobile network operators, financial service institutions, internet service providers and cloud and content network providers.
As a carrier neutral data center, Raxio Ethiopia is set to become one of Ethiopia’s hubs of connectivity creating an ecosystem where local and international carriers will be able to interconnect and exchange traffic.
“Raxio Ethiopia is the first of several facilities Raxio plans to open in Africa in the next few months,” CEO of Raxio Group Robert Mullins said, adding the company will open similar data facilities in Ivory Coast, Mozambique and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Currently, four different companies are building a data center in the ICT Park, namely; Safaricom Ethiopia, Ethio Telecom, Wingu and Raxio.
