Hundreds of Ethiopians staged a protest rally on Thursday February 27, in front of the United States State Department in Washington D.C.
They opposed President Donald Trump’s government pressure on Ethiopia in the negotiation on the operation and filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance dam (GERD).
“Stop pressuring Ethiopia,” Ethiopians chanted in front of the U.S. State Department.
“Mr. Secretary, 100+ million people deserve a fair share of the Nile,” reads another placard that Ethiopians carried during the demonstration.
These Ethiopians say the Trump administration is putting unfair pressure on Ethiopia to make Egypt get away with Ethiopia’s right to generate electric power from the mega-dam project on the Nile River.
Protesters also demanded the Ethiopian government to make public all details regarding problems in the negotiation.
Those advocating for that position argue that the Trump administration is primarily interested in helping Egyptian leader Sisi to get unfair deals at the expense of Ethiopia.
Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan have been negotiating the Dam since November 2019. The United States and the World Bank were present in the negotiation since then as “observers.”
Reports from media outlets who claim to have insider information about the negotiation process indicated that the “observers” are putting unfair pressure on Ethiopia to defend to promote Egypt’s position, which is informed by the Colonial-era agreement to which Ethiopia was not a signatory.
In related development, Ethiopia has asked the United States to postpone what was expected to be the final round of talks on the hydropower dam, it said on Wednesday, delaying the potential resolution of a dispute that sparked a years-long diplomatic crisis.
“We have asked that we need more time for consultation,” Bizuneh Tolcha, spokesman for Ethiopia’s ministry of water, irrigation and energy said, without providing details.
The final round of talks were scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Washington. The U.S. has hosted several rounds of talks in Washington with ministers from the three regional powers and the World Bank after years of trilateral negotiations failed.
Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan said on Jan.31 they would sign an agreement by the end of this month to end their differences over the filling and operation of the $4 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
Ethiopia is building the dam near its border with Sudan on the Blue Nile, which flows into the Nile river – the main water source for Egypt’s 100 million strong population. The dam is the centrepiece in Ethiopia’s bid to become Africa’s biggest power exporter.
There was no immediate comment from Egypt and Sudan.
Ethiopians protest against US involvement in GERD
US to provide $30.4 million to support democratic elections
The United States and the National Elections Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) signed a memorandum of understanding on Friday February 28, for a new USD 30.4 million program to support the upcoming national elections. United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Sean Jones and NEBE Chairwoman Birtukan Midekssa jointly unveiled the new USAID Ethiopia Election and Political Processes Program, which will help strengthen the capacity of NEBE officials to organize, administer, and conduct free and fair elections.
Under the partnership, U.S. support will utilize technology and leverage the reach of the Ethiopian media to educate the public about elections, while ensuring greater transparency and promoting meaningful participation among all citizens in the political process-with a focus on women, youth, and other traditionally marginalized groups. USAID and its partners will also strengthen the capacity of Ethiopian civil society organizations and political parties to respond to the needs of all Ethiopians more effectively.
“These elections belong to the Ethiopian people, and we are proud to be welcomed as a partner in supporting free and fair elections, and ensuring that the voices of Ethiopians in every corner of the country are heard as this country continues its remarkable journey,” said USAID Ethiopia Mission Director Sean Jones.
The USAID Ethiopia Election and Political Processes Program is implemented by the Consortium for Election and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS), which includes the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), the International Republican Institute (IRI), Internews, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), and the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA).
EU shows strong interest to back Africa’s green energy deal
The European Union shows a strong interest to back African green energy deal in the 10th EU- AU summit held at the African Union headquarter on Thursday February 27, 2020. This is announced by Frans Timmermans European Commissioner for green deal one of the 22European Commission delegation arrived in Addis at Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Ursulas Von der Leyen headed the delegation for the 10th AU-EU summit a partnership that started in 2005 between the two multilateral bodies.
“We come in the largest delegation ever to go abroad which shows a strong sign of interest that we have in Africa,” said Ursula von der Leyen in her opening speech of the meeting held at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa on the same day. The talks include a number of issues including trade and security in the form of training, capabilities and surveillance.
Deepening of AU-EU partnership in the areas of peace and security, climate change; adaptation and mitigation, trade and investment, migration, among others were the main points of discussion during the day long discussion.
European Union is also keen to tap African Continental Free Trade Area agreement as EU is the largest investor and trading partner to Africa, according to the commissioner.
The European Commission head also pledged direct support to the African Union Commission and African countries for anti-terrorism efforts in Africa.
“I am pretty excited of the possibilities to cooperate among the issues important for the successful deal in Europe” said Frans Timmermans.
“Africa is the first continent electrified without coal or a very limited coal,” said commissioner Frans Timmermans adding that working in energy mix is vital.
It is just a good business to do with renewable energy; it is much cheaper, the natural conditions of African nations to exploit green energy such as wind, solar, geothermal and hydro as well also gave a huge advantage.
The state giant telecom monopoly announces massive reduction in broadband internet tariff
Ethio Telecom introduced discount rates for Broadband Internet service. Residential service users will get up to a 69 percent discount while VPN service users will enjoy up to 72 percent discount. Moreover enterprises will get a 65 percent discount.
Firehiwot Tamiru, CEO of the telecom monopoly said that the government would do its part to ensure access to the internet service.
The tariff changes are made to address questions that Ethio Telecom clients have been asking for many years.
The tariff cut off goes with upgrading the speed for all types of customers after ZTE upgraded the telecom infrastructure. ZTE has completed an expansion of its services at a cost of 748 million birr.
“The Internet service would increase three percent faster for businesses, four percent faster for companies” said Ephrem Arefayne, Chief Marketing Officer of the company.
As per the new tariff, the previous monthly subscription fee of 978 birr for 1mbps internet service now becomes 499 birr, while the 3,191 birr fee for the 4mbps internet service becomes 1099 birr.
The service and the payment will be effective from the month of March 2020.
Ethio Telecom is one of the most profitable national assets that are up for privatization. Despite opposition to it, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government has announced plans to sell up to 49 percent of shares.
As the campaign for the upcoming general election is taking center stage of government activities, projects related to controversial economic decisions like that seem to be mute.
A number of African investors have expressed interest in investing in Ethio Telecom. Ethiopia’s state-owned telecom giant is said to have well over 60 million subscribers – mostly mobile phone users. Ethiopia has over 100 million people.
