Ambassador Birgitte Markussen, Head of Delegation of the European Union to the African Union inaugurated four street art murals on May 9, as part of the Europe Day celebrations in Addis Ababa, seat of the African Union. The murals were collaboratively done by artists from Africa and Europe who were actively present at the celebration, together with representatives from the diplomatic and artistic community. The event highlighted the powerful tool of art to bring the two continents, Africa and Europe closer.
The murals represent shared values of the two continents; unity, peace and mutual respect. They are tangible manifestations of the thriving Africa-EU Partnership, illustrating the cooperative principles that bind both Unions, in a positive and optimistic outlook of a common future.
These public art pieces are the contribution of the EU Delegation to the African Union, to deepen the relationship between the two continents, visualizing also the year of ‘Arts, Culture & Heritage’ as declared by the African Union.
“Our aim is to go beyond the usual perceptions we have of each other,” comments Birgitte Markussen, Ambassador of the EU to the African Union, “It’s about promoting what we have in common and what we share. There is nothing more powerful than bringing people together to achieve this, and I want to congratulate the artists coming from different countries for their excellent work and cooperation”
The murals are found on three walls under Pushkin Roundabout, Roosevelt St and on the office building of the Delegation of EU to the AU.
The innovative project was launch
ed in March, 2021 with an open call for street artists from both continents to apply for participation. From April 29 – May 08, artists from Africa and Europe have been painting on walls at the Sarbet underpass and the Delegation of EU to the African Union’s office premises. Selected through a widely circulated open call, street artists Mohammed Awudu from Ghana, Edoardo Trionfera from Italy, Maria Peña Coto from Spain and Wesley Van Eeden from South Africa, assisted by 8 local artists, have come together to create beautiful additions to Addis Ababa’s scenery.
Besides the creation of the artworks, this initiative has also been a time of skill transfer and training. The 8 local artists who served as support have had the opportunity to learn from some of the best muralists.
Grand street murals by African and European artists inaugurated
Pent-up demand will help propel Africa’s travel recovery once restrictions are lifted
Africa’s travel recovery will be fueled by substantial pent-up demand, according to the “Africa Travel Recovery, Opportunity & Risks Research Brief”, by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company, written exclusively for Africa Travel Week (ATW).
Lockdown restrictions have suppressed a significant amount of demand, especially for leisure travel, and the easing of restrictions and continued vaccine progress will be essential to realise this latent travel demand, the report states.
While a more youthful population has minimised the impact of the health crisis in Africa, there are concerns regarding the region’s access to vaccines. However, the COVAX initiative has helped alleviate these anxieties by providing and campaigning for a more equitable distribution of vaccines.
While we wait for a return of international visitor arrivals, stymied by renewed coronavirus outbreaks and the emergence of 501Y.V2, first reported in South Africa, a strong domestic market and an uplift in short-haul travel will support the travel industry in the near-term, adds the report.
According to the report, domestic travel is set to account for 73% of total arrivals in 2021 – up from 55% in 2019. Reduced travel appetite for far-away travel will increase the short-haul share of international arrivals in 2021 to support markets which have been traditionally more dependent on longer-haul markets.
Lastly, continued infrastructure improvements, targeted tourism support and concentrated digital marketing campaigns could help stimulate future tourism growth. Infrastructure improvements and better use of digital platforms could help increase destination competitiveness. This could add to lingering demand for less-crowded destinations with outdoor activities and attractions, which will also be fuelled by a rise in more sustainable travel.
“While we grapple with the ever-changing environment, this Tourism Economics Report, compiled exclusively for Africa Travel Week, shines a positive spotlight on the potential for tourism to Africa. Our role as Africa Travel Week is to keep the interest in travel to Africa burning by providing a dynamic platform for stakeholders to reconnect as we work together at Making Travel Happen Again,” says Megan Oberholzer, Portfolio Director: Travel, Tourism and Creative Industries at Reed Exhibitions Africa.
ETHIOPIA & THE HORN I
It seems the current definition of the Horn doesn’t include the two Sudans. A while back the whole Sudan was considered part of the Horn, but that conception seems to have faded away, particularly after the secession of South Sudan. Whether the Sudans will be reconsidered as part of the Horn in the years to come is something that remains to be seen. Be that as it may, the ongoing flux of geopolitics seems to have worked its way, also in our region. Positions of countries that were taken for granted for a long time are now changing rather swiftly. The currently evolving relations between countries of the Horn are aspects of this changing global reality!
Ethiopia and Eritrea are making amends. We are not going to belabor this point, as it has been dramatically demonstrated, to all and sundry, in the last few weeks. By the same token, Eritrea and Somalia are restoring formal diplomatic relations. We can realistically expect good relations to be established also between Djibouti and Eritrea, maybe sooner than later. Such goodwill will certainly pave the way for more cooperation between the four countries of the Horn. If the current trend continues it might not be long before closer political arrangements between countries can be forged across the width and breadth of this once rife with violent region. Confederation or even Federation might not be out of the ballpark, so to speak! There are two visible motives why such political configurations might come to fruition. Today we will examine some of the internal imperatives, to be followed by relevant sequels.
In all the four countries of the Horn, objective conditions exist that compel the reconsideration of the seemingly various trajectories these countries have been pursing. Ethiopia, as the core country of the horn is regarded as a trendsetter, in many regards. In the last half a century, it had managed to execute radical changes, both in its polity and policy. From Imperial Ethiopia, whose polity was dominated by highland Christians (for thousand of years) to a Marxist regime that promulgated the most radical land tenure system in Africa, Ethiopia proved, time and again, its willingness to experiment with far reaching ideas to secure peace and stability. Despite the number of protracted wars the Ethiopian state waged against both outsiders and organized insiders, the country as a whole had always displayed an open attitude towards new and more cohesive projects with a view to foster its long-term strategies. Ethnic federalism is the latest to be tried in this land of diversity. This overarching policy ruled the land for about three decades, with mixed results. Time has now come to also rethink this paradigm, may be in toto!
The ethnic federalism launched roughly three decades ago has yielded tangible results, some positive and others not so positive. Most importantly, this paradigm demonstrated to the world, especially to neighbors, Ethiopia’s resolve to try all means necessary to tackle its recurrent internal problems/strife consciously and deliberately. ‘Taking the bull by the horn’ was the phrase favored by the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Again, it would be preposterous to thoroughly evaluate the experiences of the last three decades in this column. We will only pinpoint to the combined outcomes that threaten to unravel the federal state of Ethiopia! We are inclined to believe that Ethiopia’s ethnic federalism, despite its benign features, is implicitly predicated on ethnic favoritism. Adhering to such principle is tantamount to reading the ‘universal declaration of human rights’ up side down, so to speak! When abrasive ethnic consciousness is regarded as the height of enlightenment, all other rational discourses tend to be relegated to the back burner. There are plenty of examples to illustrate the various consequences of such an emphatically stated constitutional program. When ‘collective rights’ outshine ‘individual rights’, the tendency is to have instinctively organized entities (along ethnic lines) impose their will on individuals. As a result, critical reflections as part and parcel of ‘freedom of expression’ suffer immensely, to say nothing about other activists’ issues of whistleblowing, organizing, etc.!
Unbridled collective rights has fostered, maybe inadvertently, wide spread organized crimes in Ethiopia. It is not without reason qualifiers are used when discussing the Mafiosi: the Irish Mafia, Sicilian Mafia, Russian Mafia, etc. The current PM Abiy Ahmed has already coined the phrase ‘Daylight Hyenas’ to describe our homegrown Mafiosi. To be sure, these ‘Daylight Hyenas’ exist in all regions of the country and tend to operate in unison. For example, opportunities were limited or even fully closed to the ethnically unaffiliated, particularly in the domains of the regions. At times, even native inhabitants of a region were excluded from all considerations (state, market, civil society, etc.) if they were reluctant to support the reigning policy of favoritism. Disfranchising and disempowering those deemed competitors, in the sphere of politics, economics, etc., became the pastime of the ethnically obsessed, as this platitude shielded their incompetence, inhumanity and gross corruption! To further such shallow ends of the degenerate politicos, some of the critically inclined mavericks, both from within and without, were targeted for elimination. The highly organized Mafiosi State that operated behind the scene was empowered to execute such tasks along with its creation in the private sector, namely the parasitic oligarchs, both domestic and foreign! By the Ethiopian ‘Mafiosi State’, we mean a clandestinely operating state that leverages the apparatus of the formal state and the ruling party (in a highly coordinated manner) with the clear intention of undermining the rule of law to fulfill criminal desires! What is to be privileged, if one cannot flaunt one’s position of being above the law to ordinary mortals? This was the motto of the Mafiosi state, which has effectively undermined the current federalism from within!
If truth be told, ethnicity-targeting violence is to be expected, particularly in a country where regions are legally encouraged to prefer ‘their own’, as opposed to ‘the others’! This not-so-subtle and institutionally built-in alienating sentiment was elevated to the highest echelon of all the country’s state organs. The failure to dismantle this lopsided and disempowering governance structure, along with the heinous Mafiosi State, which was behind many of the injustices and atrocities, is what ignited the country from below. This comprehensive socio-economic ailment was initiated, to a large extent, by the degenerate elements of the TPLF and later expanded to all the other regional parties and states. Patiently waiting for the ever-receding ‘deep reform’ from above, the sheeplets (the youth) finally lost it and took to the streets. The rest, as they say, is history!
The whole episode of ethnic federalism serves, once again, as another illustration of Ethiopia’s inherent willingness to try non-conventional methods/approaches to come up with lasting solutions to what ails its complex existence. When such attempts fail, the country seems to be ready and willing to embark, yet again, on another wave of reform, with determination to sweep the old and replace it with the new! Ethiopia seems to openly uphold the following obvious truth; the only thing inevitable in the whole universe is change, and it should be embraced, not feared. “The enemy is fear. We think it is hate. But, it is fear.” Gandhi. Good Day!
The electoral race Prosperity Party
Elections in their true nature keep a democratic country functioning, as they give the people the right to select their own government. Choosing the right leadership is integral to the success and growth of any given country. With the 6th Ethiopian general elections fast approaching, Capital has organized a series of interviews with aspiring political parties, with topics that encompass their incoming policy plans with regards to important matters that are required for the progress of Ethiopia.
To this end, Capital drew links with the Prosperity Party, through their public and international relations head, Bikila Hurrisa (PhD). The following are the party’s subsequent plans with respect to the key stone areas that require dire attention for a better Ethiopia. Excerpts;
Capital: What kind of policy plans does Prosperity party have towards developing education in Ethiopia?
Bikila Hurrisa: As noted, for the last 27 years, the education system in the country has been deformed while accessibility and quality of education has decreased. It is difficult to build a nation without quality education which is accessible for all, because knowledge is crucial. This requires an appropriate direction to set a new process in motion in form of policy. In the last three years, we have been working to make it correct. Education and development are closely related endeavors. This is the main reason why we always say Education is the key instrument in the development of nations. Accessibility and quality of education will be the first targets of prosperity; in certain division we have been revising the strategy. The first strategy is to strengthen pre-regular education both for children and adults to get access to quality education. This quality education will also be streamlined across sectors of development to individuals such as pastoralists and farmers who are the backbone of the country. The second strategy is creating a quality first cycle regular education system to create strong citizens. Lastly, we want to position ourselves by creating a strong higher education system. Previously, the system was not a problem resolver; however, we are working to change this by making the system able to resolve economic and social problems whilst building the nation.
Capital: What kind of policy does prosperity have regarding job creation and minimizing unemployment rate?
Bikila Hurrisa: Unemployment in Ethiopia is a structural problem which has been coming waddled from time to time. The micro economy structure has been problematic.
Prosperity Party to this end will focus on urban development and urban development by implementing activities that accelerate urban development and rural development.
Our party believes that it is a matter of accelerating job creation by ensuring that cities are guided by a comprehensive plan and decentralized city administration that integrates sustainable development.
We will work to solve the problem and create systems that can make every one beneficiary. By solving problems from the grass root level we will be able to allow citizens to find the required jobs as well as create an environment that can change their lives.
Our party is working hard to reduce unemployment by expanding the economy, developing small and micro enterprises that lay the foundation for industry, and improve family based economy to improve living standard.
Capital: What kind of policy framework do you have in store to support and improve the agriculture sector?
Bikila Hurrisa: The problem on the agriculture sector webs from the micro economy. The country is gifted with its natural resources while is still depends on imported wheat, paying billions of dollars in the process. We believe that the agriculture sector could develop if we improve the manufacture sector. Our policies will be geared towards the following; The government will implement various agricultural policies to support the sector such as agriculture led industrialization, participatory and accelerated sustainable development to eradicate poverty to increase agricultural productivity, and production to be sustain in food security. The agriculture will be supported by modern technologies and finance and we will support the sector to increase its contribution to the GDP. Agricultural research and development, irrigation, access to credit are some of the areas that we have looked closely looked into and we will continue to improve the same.
We believe strengthening agriculture finance could have great impact on the development; moreover, transferring capital to rural areas will benefit the farmer and modernize the sector and increase production and productivity.
We plan to reduce particularly high food prices that are mostly affecting the welfare of households with fixed income. Removing import tariffs on farming commodities to benefit consumers will be our areas of continued focus.
These policies tend to underestimate the role of technology and information markets that can determine agricultural productivity, when we embark on our incoming term we will delve into evidence based, technology encompassing procedure for addressing the sector issues. All in all our policies will depend on the agrology, which means the application of science to agriculture. Thus our policies going forward will be backed with scientific evidence in addition to the latest technologies available in the market today.
Capital: How will Prosperity party tackle the foreign currency crunch that has proven to be a challenge for the country?
Bikila Hurrisa: Shortage of foreign currency is a big issue that is hindering the growth of the nation. We have a demand based economy; this is largely due to an increase in the country’s trade deficit led by increased imports of construction materials for large-scale infrastructure developments and stagnant export growth amongst some other goods which are not useful to improve living standard of citizens. The government will take different measures, such as Foreign exchange regulations that are currently very strict, we have also placed stringent measures in controlling the black market and protecting the regular economic interaction. Increasing the local production capacity to replace the imported items and increase export and also through increasing production and productivity, we are working to decrease import substitution.
Building and completing mega projects that can contribute to exports and an increase in foreign currency by following industry and industrialization are some of the other avenues that we are looking to progress to tackle the crunch.
Capital: What kind of policy does Prosperity Party have regarding decreasing inflation and building sustainable living standards?
Bikila Hurrisa: The problem with inflation is messed up. The previous government expressed economic development by counting buildings which were constructed by loans, which is called infrastructure development rather than the economic development. So it is enfolded from past and has currently compounded the pressure on the citizens.
We are planning to solve the problem with different strategies, such as creating more jobs to give income for all, increasing family based income, increasing local supply, investments, increasing local production and productivity. Also there are short term, medium and long term strategies, in short term we are working to solve the problem by importing items to fill the gap in the market while in long term plan in the five years we plan to extensively improving local productivity to be fully self-sufficient to improve the situation.
Capital: What is the general economic policy of Prosperity Party?
Bikila Hurrisa: We follow an economic policy called parametric capital. Prosperity intended to establish Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda (HERA). From a medium-to-long term perspective, the HERA advocates the postponing of the target for Ethiopia to become a lower middle-income country.
Our party aims to establish sustainable economic growth to make the country an economic hub for Africa whilst getting in the middle income countries category.
Establishing more robust infrastructure and strengthening the manufacturing and agricultural industry are atop of our economic agenda.
We are constantly developing our industry to reach the level at which it would contribute to a reduction in the country’s trade deficit. We are aggressively promoting investment options in the country in order to grow foreign direct investment in the labor-intensive manufacturing industries. We are also keen to increase the number of industrial zones and improvements of investment and business environment are expected to be implemented in long term as the government will be focusing on some areas by living most of investment areas to the private sector.
We give special attention to the improvement of the business environment, non-tariff bearers will be implement both nationally and at regional levels. Ethiopia has ratified the implementation of the African continental free trade agreement which will help the country to become the hub for the African manufacturing sector inclusive of the development of industries in the country across the board.
