Government prepares a significant leap to better the country in the form of the ‘War recovery and reconstruction conference’, which is set to be held on Monday June 12, 2023.
At the conference, both federal government officials and regional government officials from Tigray and Afar region as well as development partners are said to participate in the meeting that will take place in Addis Ababa, at the Hyatt Regency hotel.
It is well known that the conflict in Ethiopia has significantly impacted the country’s economic trajectory, causing significant economic costs worsening livelihoods and the population’s well-being. The spillover effects which have primarily been broad-based, have affected all sectors of the economy, including agriculture and industrial activities.
Monday’s discussions are said to be made on the restoration of social cohesion, building trust and confidence in the government, and on the prioritization and reintegration of ex-combatants.
Similarly, the meeting will pay close focus on restoring critical infrastructure and social services; economic policy prioritization and sequencing given tight post-conflict fiscal resources, as well as post-conflict fiscal resource options and principles, to consolidate peace and build prosperity. It will also look at economic revival in the Amhara region, options for revenue generation in post-conflict environments, and sequencing of post-conflict economic reforms and managing the social/distributive impacts.
As seen in last two years, millions of people have been displaced as a result of the war, with a significant majority not getting adequate humanitarian aid. Despite domestic economic mobilization to cater to logistics, Ethiopia’s economy was severely impacted by the two years of bloody war.
The war which broke out in November 2020, ended courtesy of a ceasefire between, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian federal government, following a peace deal in November 2022.
The peace deal then paved the way for an inclusive and sustainable recovery, strengthening public institutions and social cohesion among all Ethiopians.
It has been indicated that the total recovery needs, are estimated at US$20 billion over 5 years to reconstruct schools, health institutions and infrastructures in the Afar, Amhara and Tigray regions of the country. As part of an effort to mobilize the required funds, the Ethiopian government strongly urged its international partners to contribute financial assistance.
The government has been indicating that it has begun implementing immediate recovery interventions revitalize affected communities and the economy from the war’s effects primarily using our own resources and by support of the World Bank. The international community has pledged emergency assistance to address urgent humanitarian needs since the conflict began
It is said that the government and development partners have conducted a damage and needs assessment (DaNa) and further developed a recovery and reconstruction plan to lay the foundation for the reconstruction process.
The conference is said to provide a forum to discuss the recently completed DaNA report and the 3RF/recovery plan for Ethiopia. It is expected to raise awareness, foster knowledge exchange, and mobilize local and international support for post-conflict economic and social recovery through improved public administration, services and livelihood restoration, infrastructure rehabilitation, and support to affected households and SMEs expected to contribute to shaping local and global efforts on the way ahead for a prosperous and stable Ethiopia.
Gov’t postures post war strategic bounce back
Why the fourth India-Africa forum summit should happen during Delhi’s G20 presidency
Holding IAFS IV before the G20 summit may sound hurried, but it is perhaps the best way to enhance the G20 presidency
Written by Gurjit Singh
With the resurgence in India’s support for the priorities of the Global South, there is an expectation of a revival of institutional arrangements with regional fora. The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Papua New Guinea in conjunction with his visit to Australia revived the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has revived consultations with the 15-member Caribbean community and the eight-member SICA of Central America. He has recently been to South Africa and Namibia and last month to Uganda, Ethiopia and Mozambique.
The most visible aspect of India’s cooperation with the Global South is its engagement with Africa. After three India Africa Forum Summits in 2008, 2011 and 2015, the fourth has been considerably delayed due to the pandemic. This upset the scheduling of summits that the African Union had envisaged. Now that the AU is holding summits with its partners, it is time for India to hold IAFS IV during its G20 presidency in 2023.
Holding IAFS IV before the G20 summit may sound hurried, but it is perhaps the best way to enhance the G20 presidency. It is preferable to do it in a functional manner. But how can this be done practically?
First, it is Africa’s turn to host IAFS. The first and third summits were in India, while the second was in Addis Ababa, the seat of the AU Commission. Three years ago, the AU had recommended holding the IAFS IV in Mauritania. But, Mauritania does not have the facilities for a large summit. Discussions have shifted now to find a viable host location. Did the external affairs minister during his visits to African countries bring up the search for a host? I believe that Addis Ababa is the best suited for this task as it has the facilities for holding such large summits.
Second, the size of the fourth summit. The first two summits were held under the Banjul formula with 15 African countries and the AU Commission participating. At IAFS III a massive event for all 54 African countries was held. The IAFS has a three-tier platform of the AU, the eight regional economic communities of Africa and important bilateral participants. The options are whether to invite all African countries or return to the Banjul formula. A large summit is time-consuming and is best used when inviting leaders to India. When holding the summit in Africa, the Banjul formula of engaging 15 countries is more manageable. It abides by the AU principles and would serve the purpose of handling IAFS IV efficiently and quickly.
Third, who will attend the summit. The Banjul format has permanent and rotational members. The five permanent members are the founders of the New Economic Partnership for African Development. South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, Algeria and Egypt are important countries, but lack adequate regional representation from all parts of Africa; the Regional Economic Communities (REC) provide that balance. Africa has more than 40 such communities with overlapping memberships. When the AU emerged in 2002, it recognised eight RECs. The countries which chair these eight are invited.
Further, the current chair of the AU is invited along with the immediate past chair making it a total of 15 countries. The AU Commission is the 16th participant. Some countries may hold two positions in this framework, effectively reducing the number. At IAFS II it was decided to seek adequate participation by inviting the deputy chair of the REC whose chairman also had another hat.
The five permanent invitees have frequent interaction with India. The Banjul format increases interaction with countries which are not normally on the horizon of bilateral engagements. An example of this is Comoros, which is now chairing the AU on behalf of Eastern Africa. Comoros is a strategically important country, but engagements with it are rare.
If the Banjul format is followed, which countries are expected to participate in IAFS IV if held this year?
The five permanent invitees should be there. The South African president is having a rough political ride. Nigeria has a new president. Senegal has an established president in Mackey Sall, who chaired the AU effectively in 2022, but faces internal turmoil presently. Algeria and Egypt have steady leaders, though their record in participating at IAFS is inconsistent. The AU Chair Comoros and Senegal as the past chair are part of the format. The AUC is represented by Moussa Faki Mahamat, the second-term chairperson from Chad. He and the president of Comoros are also the African nominees to represent the AU at the G20 summit in September. Egypt and Nigeria are invited as guests to G20 by India.
There are eight other representatives who would be invited. The seven-member East African Community is currently chaired by Burundi. The 19-member COMESA is chaired by Madagascar. The Democratic Republic of Congo is the current chair of the Economic Community for Central African States and the 15-member Economic Commission for West African States (ECOWAS) is chaired by Guinea-Bissau.
The largest REC is the 29-member CENSAD. It was dormant and is being revived. The chair is Niger. The eight-member Inter-Governmental Authority on Development for the Horn of Africa is chaired by Sudan, which is currently in the throes of civil war. A separate stable country from its fold, like Kenya or Uganda, should be invited.
The eighth REC is the five-member dysfunctional Arab Maghreb Union. It is the smallest, but the most fractious due to differences between Algeria and Morocco. It is unclear who chairs this organisation since no summit has been held for years. Inviting Morocco will be the best since Algeria and Egypt are already on the list.
This format, along with locating the summit in Addis Ababa will be a feasible way forward. It will augment India’s G20 presidency in real terms.
The Indian Express
NegedBank, Shashemene, Hambericho promoted to the Premier League
Two years after joining back the higher league in place of ECWC, Ethiopia NegedBank returned to the top tier. Shashemene Ketema roared back in to the premier league after 15 years in the wilderness. Hambercho-Durame secured an automatic promotion in to the Ethiopian football elites group for the first time in its 10-years history.
Ethiopia NegedBank secured its promotion to the top tier topping group (A) with 60 points from 28 matches. Crushing SendafaBeke to 4-1 victory in the season’s final group match at Abebe Bikila stadium, NegedBank under head coach Beselot Lulseged heralded its promotion to the upper league eight points clear off runner-up Bench-Maji. Dominating the group with 18 wins, six draws and only two defeats, many are expecting NegedBank to come out stronger in the coming season.
Fourteen years since it last played at the top tier, Shashemene Ketema booked its promotion after 16 wins, 5 draws and 5 defeats. Collecting 53 points from 26 matches, the side from Oromia finished top of the group eight points clear of promotion contender Air-Force alias Nib.
Former footballer Tsegaye Agro in the hot seat, the physically dominant Shashemene had been in group (B) driver seat since the start of the second round booting down long talked about group favorite Addis Ababa Ketema. Despite having one of the most seasoned yet unsuccessful Paulos Getachew (Mango) as head coach Addis Ababa finished fifth collecting only 38 points from 26 matches.
The Higher league surprise package Hambericho-Durame joined the premier league for the first time since it’s foundations in 2014. Unbeaten throughout the league season, Hambericho secured promotion finishing top of group (C) collecting 48 points from 12 wins and twelve draws. Gelan Ketema finished second one point behind Hambericho.
It is considered the luckiest year for Hamberico for both its men and women football clubs secured passage to the top tiers. Greatful for both teams’ success, the Southern Region zone promised to handover a plot of land for each of the squad members and coaching staffs.
Ethiopian Messay appointed manager of Maccavi-Haifa
Israel former association footballer and manager who played for Israel U21 national team is the new Head Coach to champions Maccavi-Haifa.
Israeli football champions Maccavi Haifa announced the appointment of Ethiopian-born Messay Dego as head coach in place of Barak Bachar who left for Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade. This season, 37-year-old Dego coached the club’s youth team, which played in the group stage of the UEFA Youth League, and also led the team to win the Israeli Youth Premier League title.
His coaching career also includes five senior teams in the two top Israeli leagues, in which he did not win any titles. “It is a big challenge to lead Maccavi Haifa to further achievements,” Dego said. “Hard work awaits us.”
Bachar led the club to three Israeli Premier League titles after a decade in which the team failed to finish in first place. He also led the team to the Champions’ League group stage this season, where they faced Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica and Juventus.
Maccavi is the oldest club in Israel counting 110 years old and with its own 30000-seater stadium owned by Yakov Shahar. The 14 time Israel champions popularly known as the Greens are said to start an early season preparation ahead of next season’s European champions’ league.
