One of Africa’s fastest rising music stars, Betty G, released her second album dubbed ‘Wegegta’ on Thursday June 21 at the Friendship Hotel. The album release party was attended by many who came from different sides of the public. During the album party Betty G whose name is Bruktawit Getahun, performed her new songs.
The album has 13 songs and is on sale.
Betty G has been named as Ethiopia’s high profile supporter of United Nation Higher Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). Betty G, who catapulted to stardom following the release of her debut album “Manew Fitsum” in 2015, is an active supporter of social rights.
Betty G recently gained fame across Africa following her appearances in Coke Studio Africa. As a high profile supporter for UNHCR, she joins an influential group in the public domain who use their influence, dedication and hard work to raise funds, awareness and advocate for refugees.
Ethiopians massively rallied in support of the new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) on Saturday June 23.
During the rally a bomb blast rocked the rally injuring many people. Fitsum Arega Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister Offices said in his twitter account that ‘based on reports from Police and Hospitals, 83 people are injured. Of the 83 injured, 6 are in critical conditions. No death so far has been reported.’
photo: Anteneh Aklilu
Two people were caught red handed when they were trying to throw grenades. A woman and a man who brought the grenades inside their lunchboxes were captured by the public when they try to throw them.
After the blast the Prime Minister furiously denounced the blast and said that no one who has a ‘plan to set us back will succeed.’ He said that those who did this are ‘cheap and will be identified and will be dealt with.’
photo: Anteneh Aklilu
Right after the rally where he was rushed to safety by his security officers, he said that the perpetrators will get the proper punishment.
Ethiopia in its recent history has never experienced such kind of attack. “Even during the recent volatile unrests, public places have never experienced such a thing. This is outrageous,” said one of the supporters of PM Abiy, who came with his children.
photo: Anteneh Aklilu
“How can someone with proper mind do this? This is a rally for unity, love and hope, why would someone be against that?” the supporter asks.
PM Abiy showed up at the march wearing a t-shirt with a map of Africa and Mandela’s famous “power” salute. During his speech he said that he “has no doubt Ethiopia will return to its former glory. Our quest requires all of us to be active participants and not passive bystanders. Regardless our roles, we all need to engage whether it is in the government, in politics, in business, in sciences or arts.”
photo: Anteneh Aklilu
“Building an independent nation is not the same as building a free society. What good is a free country, if we don’t enjoy freedom? If we are not free from fear? If we don’t have freedom of speech and expression? If we build walls that divide us rather than bridges? What good will come out?” he added.
The crowed continued to cheer and chant when the program was suddenly halted after the blast that happened around 9:30 am.
On the rally several slogans and flags including the Ethiopian unsigned flag, the flag of Eritrea, and flags like Oromo Liberation Front has been observed.
Capital learnt the several people were arriving from different corner of the country when the blast occurs. Some of them even started to walk two days before the event from Adama. Some also came from as far as Gambella. While people started gathering early in the morning around 5:30 am at Meskel square, the flood of the crowd continued until 10:00 am. Police also stated that the public was highly supportive to calm the crowd after the explosive incident that could have created massive damage by stampede.
It has been also reported that most of the victims were transported to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital and other nearby hospitals.
photo: Anteneh Aklilu
The explosive occurred at the right side of the stage where the officials were sitting.
Some also claimed that the attack is an assassination attempt on the new prime minister.
Eritrea’s Ambassador to Japan, Estifanos Afeworki in his twitter message strongly condemns the attack. “Eritrea strongly condemns the attempt to incite violence in today’s demonstration for peace.” The US Embassy in Addis, Patriot Ginbot 7 and others immediately condemned the attack.
photo: Anteneh Aklilu
Seyoum Teshome one of the organizers of the rally told Capital that the organizers are visiting those that are injured and will give a press conference about the incident today Sunday June 24.
The rally is one of the biggest ever staged in the country’s history where over a million people attended. See pics of the event on page 22.
The much expected IGAD meeting held in Addis Ababa to broker a peace deal between Sudanese President Salva Kiir and his bitter rival, Riek Machar concluded without an agreement other than scheduling another talk in Khartoum.
In statements ahead of the meeting held by the regional bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) rebel group, led by Riek Machar, called the current peace efforts “unrealistic” and warned that South Sudan government forces were planning an attack on their troops in the country’s south.
“For any meaningful dialogue to take place, it should be within the context of a comprehensive political settlement, so that the guns can fall silent and a conducive environment for dialogue established,” SPLM-IO said.
On the other hand Martin Elia, acting foreign minister said Riek Machar shouldn’t wait for an election if he wants to be president.
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed who is the Chair Person of IGAD warned the two sides to reach agreement and to restore peace in their country.
“How many agreement has been made so far ? Yet, still no concerted action has been made. If the responsible parties in the countries are not willing to stop the suffering of their own citizens we will take action to make peace which is our moral duty to help the people of South Sudan.”
The last meeting between Kiir and Machar immediately preceded the outbreak of deadly fighting in the South Sudanese capital Juba in July 2016.
Defeated, Machar fled into exile in South Africa where he was placed under de-facto house arrest.
At the same time, Sudan announced that the two men would meet in three days for new talks in its capital, Khartoum. South Sudanese Information Minister Michael Makuei confirmed the meeting.
South Sudan’s conflict started as a power struggle between the country’s political leaders before slipping into a broader feud between the two biggest ethnic groups, the Nuer and the Dinka.
More than a million people have fled their homes in South Sudan since fighting broke out in December between government and rebel forces. President Salva Kiir says it was a coup attempt, blaming soldiers loyal to former Vice-President Riek Machar for the trouble, but Mr. Machar denies this.
The Chamber of Commerce of Djibouti (CCD) announced that the second edition of International Fair of Djibouti (IFD) 2018 will be held this coming December.
During the launching ceremony of the second edition of IFD 2018 on June 21 Youssouf Moussa Dawaleh, President of CCD, said that the second event will be held from December 3 to 10.
The Horn of African Chamber organized the time celebrating its 110th anniversary. It had hosted the first ever international trade fair and regional integration forum at Palais du Peuple from December 3 to 10, 2017. It will be the held on the same exact days as last year.
Entitled “Djibouti gateway to Africa”, the first Fair was an excellent opportunity for the companies present to develop their business network and expand their customer portfolio.
It has been stated to be the biggest achievement in terms of attracting international actors and has grabbed the attention of media locally and internationally. It was also the first such event in the country.
Moussa Dawaleh says it launched the event in 2017. The large-scale commercial event brought together nearly 200 companies last December, of which 55 were foreign companies from some 20 countries. It generated more than 11,200 visits during the entire period of the fair.
“Through this International Fair, we wanted to open the Djiboutian market to new regional and international opportunities,” he said at the launching of the second IFD.
The CCD president says these events will enable companies in the Republic of Djibouti to gain a foothold in new markets and see future successful partnerships
Many foreign companies from Somalia, Turkey, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, France, China and India have already expressed their desire to participate in this second edition.
According to the CCD, participant registration has officially commenced.
“I invite you to register today to allow us to reserve you, at the earliest, a booth and according to your choices,” Moussa Dawaleh.
Previously the number of Ethiopian participants from the public and private sector were below expectations, despite the fact the two countries have the highest linkage in the economic and social arena. However high government officials have attended and event participated on the panel discussions held in relation with the trade fair.
The economy of Djibouti and the involvement of FDI has increased in the country during recent years. The nation’s service sector particularly the logistics area is being aggressively developed. The private sector activity in the country with open market economy which includes the financial sector is seen as a good opportunity for the growing FDI in Djibouti.
On this upcoming occasion the participation of the Ethiopia Ethiopian business from the public enterprises and private sector is high because the event will be a good opportunity not only to enhance partnerships with Djibouti business but also business professionals globally.
