An Ethiopian is scaling up through the clouds to plant the flag of Ethiopia representing hope in “The New Ethiopia” at the highest point in the world, and help bring attention to street children in Addis Ababa.
Standing at 8,848 meters in Nepal, Mount Everest commands the ultimate mountaineering challenge, presenting climbers with extreme level difficulties mentally and physically, including death.
As a professional engineer and an elite high altitude climber, no one is more prepared to meet this challenge than Sirak Seyoum of Ethiopia, who looks to share the pinnacle of earth with the Ethiopian flag, his charity and his supporters. He is the only Ethiopian who
has already conquered so many mountain peaks in some of the remotest parts of the world, where the Ethiopian flag was quietly raised at the highest peaks of continental regions.
He is taking 11 years-worth of extreme mountain climbing experience, to the top of the world this April – June 2019.
An Ethiopian to climb Mount Everest
Rotary International President visits Ethiopia
Holds high level advocacy with government on polio eradication
Rotary International President, Barry Rassin visited Ethiopia this past week and held talks with high level government officials to advocate Ethiopia’s engagement and leadership on polio eradication initiatives.
He was accompanied by Rotary International Director, Olayinka Hakeem Babalola and Rotary District 9212 Governor Jeffrey Bamford through a series of meetings with the government and stakeholders.
He confirmed Rotary’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s polio eradication efforts, both at the national level and through Rotarians’ volunteer activities aimed at educating communities about polio and ensuring every child is immunized.
Advocacy with Ministry of Health, partners and allies
Rassin met with State Minister of Health Dr. Lia Tadesse and representatives from WHO, UNICEF, USAID, CDC, and Core Group, working to enhance health services in the country and held talks concerning Ethiopia’s polio transition plan and Rotary’s work.
During the discussions, Dr. Lia expressed her appreciation for Rotary’s support in
eradicating polio from the country. She said that it has been five years since polio transmission was interrupted in Ethiopia and that her ministry would work to ensure that it doesn’t return in the horn of Africa.
She said that the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) will ensure routine polio immunizations are conducted regularly, especially in critical areas along the borders of the country. Ethiopia shares borders with six countries.
Ethiopia achieved its Polio Free Status in June 2017. The last case of polio was recorded on January 5, 2014 and since June 2014 the transmission of polio was declared officially interrupted.
Still, Ethiopia can only be free when the whole region is certified polio-free. Throughout the year, the Ministry of Health conducts several vaccination campaigns with the support of partners and allies – WHO, UNICEF, USAID, CDC, and Core Group- targeting children under five. About five million children are vaccinated each time, mainly in Somali Wardher, Dollo Zone, Afar, Tigray, Gondar, and Gambella regions, including refugee camps.
According to the FMoH, the objectives outlined in Ethiopia’s polio transition plan is to maintain its polio free status and to ensure that in a post eradication era, Ethiopia can continue to address its most pressing public health and humanitarian needs by applying the lessons learned through its polio eradication efforts.
To address the remaining challenges and implement the transition plan successfully, there is a budget deficit of around 12 million USD; funds which the FMoH is working on raising.
Rassin commended the work done so far to render the country polio free. “You have done wonderful work, but you still need to remain vigilant,” he said. “Now the hard work starts; we need to reach out to every child along every border or else this disease can blow up in no time. This is critical and Rotary is committed through the end,” he reiterated.
Rotary International Director, Olayinka Hakeem Babalola on his part noted that intensive surveillance is critical to ensure potential cases are detected quickly in all the countries of the region.
This work is an important part of guaranteeing that Africa can achieve its polio free status, he stressed assuring that Rotary will be working together with all stakeholders until polio is completely eliminated from the world.
Recognizing the state’s achievement
Rassin also presented a certificate of recognition to Ethiopia for its efforts to eradicate polio. President Sahle-Work Zewde received the certificate on Monday, March 4 at the Presidential Palace where she exchanged views with RI delegation on the achievements made by Rotary in Ethiopia, according to the office of the President.
Rassin said the strong partnership between the Government and Rotary played a key role in helping the organization carry out successful activities in Ethiopia. He also pledged to continue cooperating with the Ethiopian government.
“It is because of this high level engagement and leadership that Ethiopia has succeeded in maintaining its polio-free status, even as other areas of the Horn of Africa are affected by a polio outbreak,” Rassin commended.
President Sahle-Work on her part said that the government will provide all the necessary support for the organization’s activities in Ethiopia. She further said a new civil society law was recently ratified by Parliament in order to create favorable conditions for non-governmental organizations.
Exploring Potential Partnerships
In addition to the traditional partners, Rassin and his team held a courtesy visit with the Chief of Staff and Chief Advisor El-Ghasssim Wane of the African Union Commission the same day.
Rotary International Representative to the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Samson Tesfaye said that the discussion revolved around the partnership between Rotary International and the African Union Commission. He said that the “African Union’s vision of Agenda 2063 and Rotary’s six areas of focus have shared values that can pave way for an area of collaboration between the two organizations for the betterment of the African population.”
Rassin also held a courtesy visit with the Executive Secretary of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Vera Songwe. The two organizations explored possible ways to collaborate on digital health and economic development.
Rotary National Day & Clubs Chartering in Hawassa
The fourth National Rotary Day was colorfully celebrated on Saturday, March 2 at St. Joseph’s School in the presence of RI president and his delegation. The Rotary Clubs in Ethiopia showcased their projects at the national day celebration, with Betty G entertaining the joyful crowd of Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interacts, all celebrating their work together.
Rotary Country Chair, Azeb Asrat, marked the occasion by saying, “What an honor and privilege to have the visit of RI President and senior Rotary officials to Ethiopia.” Such a visit will inspire local Rotarians and encourage voluntarism. “Rotary stands to change lives,” she added
On Sunday, March 3, Rassin installed two Rotary clubs chartered this month in Hawassa; RC of Hawassa and RC of Hawassa Lake.
Recognizing selfless polio warrior
Before leaving, Rassin also presented a meritorious award to Rotarian Mohammed Idris, in recognition of his significant and active personal service toward the goal of polio eradication.
“Rtn. Mohamed has worked tirelessly, since the start of the GPEI (global polio eradication initiative) first with WHO and then with Rotary through the National Polio Plus Committee, liaising with MoH, partners and allies,” said Past District Governor Ezra Teshome.
Rassin said this Regional Service Award is a high level recognition from the Rotary Foundation Trustees’ Chair, Paul A Netzel.
Rotary and Polio
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who come together to make positive, lasting change in communities at home and abroad.
Thirty years ago in 1988, when Rotary started the fight against polio, there were 350,000 cases of polio estimated in 125 endemic countries; one thousand children per day were paralyzed by polio. Today in 2019, there are only 6 cases in the world.
Which African Teams Will Qualify For Qatar 2022?
We’re less than a year removed from the 2018 World Cup. But the qualifying cycle starts fairly early, which means it won’t be much longer before the next World Cup – in Qatar in 2022 – becomes relevant. So, just as Capital recently explored the four berths up for grabs in Africa for the U-20 World Cup later this year, here we’ll take a much more preliminary look at some of the teams to watch for once CAF qualifying for 2022 is underway.
For starters we should clarify that there’s plenty of guesswork here. We don’t even know for certain that the Qatar 2022 field won’t be expanded from 32 to 48 teams – let alone how many slots there will be for African teams. Keep an eye on news coming out of FIFA for further information in these areas. Additionally, we can’t speak to defined, official favorites before qualifying even starts. For that, a whole category of sites and resources for football tips and betting lines exists in the UK and Europe. Those sites and resources will undoubtedly be publishing pure odds and even guides on favorites and different qualifying regions as soon as the action is underway.
Here, we’re simply basing the conversation on the qualifying process for 2018 (for which there were five slots for African teams) and our knowledge of how the noteworthy teams should advance toward 2022.
Long Shots
Ethiopia – We’ll mention Ethiopia as a long shot candidate simply because this team would typically be our focus. Ethiopia won’t have good odds to advance through CAF qualifying, but acquitted itself fairly well in the 2018 process, losing out in the second round in a 4-6 aggregate to Congo. It’s not one of the stronger sides in Africa, but it’s one capable of making a surprise run – particularly if the field expands to 48.
Uganda – Uganda pulled off one of the forgotten surprises of CAF qualifying for 2018, finishing ahead of Ghana in Group E (but still falling behind group winner and eventual qualifier Egypt). “The Cranes,” as this national team is called, have played well of late, most notably in the Africa Cup Of Nations, and may be a team on the rise.
Mali – This is perhaps the main long shot to keep an eye on. Mali finished last in its group in 2018 CAF qualifying, but is thought of as a tricky team with legitimate potential. Defensive standouts Diadie Samassékou (Bundesliga) and Hamari Traoré (Ligue 1), as well as forward Moussa Marega (Liga NOS) bring big league experience and will all be in their primes come qualifying. Interestingly enough, one football writer simulated the 2022 World Cup on Football Manager already, and found Mali in the field.
Contenders
Morocco – Morocco made it into the 2018 event and will have a chance to repeat the feat in 2022. This was a polarizing team in that some dismissed it as a happy-to-be-there participant and others saw it as a potentially tough out. We have to remember that 2018 marked Morocco’s first Cup berth in 20 years, so perhaps two in a row is a lot to ask. But manager Hervé Renard seems to be able to get a lot out of his roster.
Ivory Coast – Ivory Coast is one of the relative powers that missed out on 2018 unexpectedly – not quite on the same tier as the likes of Italy or the Netherlands (both of which also missed out), but still a surprising absence. This is representative of a legitimate downturn in Ivory Coast football in recent years, though the team has a chance to right the ship in this summer’s Africa Cup of Nations. The Ivory Coast squad still boasts young, top-level talent on defense and across its midfield, but may struggle scoring at the highest level.
DR Congo – Of all of the teams that fell short in CAF qualifying for 2018, DR Congo was the closest to securing a World Cup berth. The team finished just a point behind Tunisia in Group A. Some of the team’s standout players will be getting a little old for 2022, but the striker duo of Firmin Mobile and Kabongo Kasongo have a lot of good football ahead of them (and already contributed to this team scoring the most goals in Group A before 2018).
Cameroon – Cameroon falls somewhat in line with Ivory Coast in that it’s traditionally among Africa’s top teams, but has struggled more recently. It frankly just isn’t as strong a team as it’s been at times, but it’s a fairly young bunch full of players in their low- to mid-20s, and André Onana has a chance to become the best goalkeeper in Africa, which should give Cameroon a chance in a lengthy qualifying process.
Favorites
Nigeria – Nigeria was viewed by most as the strongest African side in 2018, and could well be in a similar position in 2020. They have some players aging out, but some exciting young talent swelling the ranks. Perhaps more than any other team here, it would be surprising if Nigeria didn’t qualify, and the Nigerians may also have the best chance of making a deep run.
Senegal – Senegal was present in Russia in 2018, and had perhaps the most heartbreaking exit of any team in the group stage. Despite tying with Japan in every meaningful sense, they were eliminated via the “fair play” tiebreaker, prompting the country to appeal to FIFA to revise the rule. That ought to leave Senegal about as motivated as any African side to qualify and perform well, and the team should have the talent to do it. A few of the team’s standouts will be on the wrong side of 30 by 2022, but superstar winger Said Mané should be at the absolute peak of his powers, as should top goalscoring threat M’Baye Niang.
Egypt – Egypt was a disappointment in 2018, and frankly star striker Mohamed Salah was uninspired after his blistering EPL and Champions League campaigns heading into Cup action. It might have left a bad taste in your mouth, but Salah should be hungry to do better, the team is mostly young with potential to improve, and Egypt breezed through qualifying for 2018. It doesn’t look like as strong a side as Nigeria or Senegal, but it still looks likely to qualify.
Ghana – Ghana fell well short of expectations in 2018 qualifying, finishing, as mentioned, behind Uganda in Group E. It’s a little bit confounding on the surface, though Ghana did draw with Egypt, and its plus-2 goal differential topped Uganda’s plus-one. A lot will depend on how 22-year-old Emmanuel Boateng evolves as a scorer in the next few years, as well as whether or not Jordan Ayew’s best football is in front of him. But Ghana can certainly have a better finish in 2022 qualifying without any major changes.
