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.
Peace accord still in vain for South Sudan
Djibouti announces second major trade fair
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.
USD 20m poultry farm to be built in Ethiopia
Diaspora, Israeli company team together to meet need for cheap meat
A corporate chicken farm which can produce 24,000 tons of poultry meat per year will be built in Alage, 30km from Adame Tulu at a price tag of USD 20 million.
The chicken farm came to fruition after the Israeli livestock company Agrotop, and Diaspora owned Nutropia Poultry & Feed signed an agreement to start the farm.
According to the deal Agrotop will construct and manage the farm while Nutropia will own the business. The project which will be constructed in four phases will take four years to complete. After the first phase is completed at the end of this year, the farm will begin producing 4,700 tons of chicken meat.
When the farm begins operating it will create over 150 jobs. The chicken meat will be exported to African countries and will be sold to local hotels, restaurants, organizations, supermarkets and individual consumers.
Once completed, the Nutropia project will include a parent stock rearing farm, a parent stock production farm, six broiler farms, a hatchery, slaughterhouse and poultry feed mill.
“One of the main reasons for malnutrition in Ethiopia is the unavailability of cheap animal protein. Currently, only 12 percent of the country’s protein intake comes from animals,” explained Fasika Eyassu, Nutropia’s co-founder. “Nutropia is entering the market with the aim of closing this gap. We aim to restore dignity of mankind by ending hunger and malnutrition. We believe that great businesses tackle great problems.” Nutropia is founded by Fasika Eyassu and Eyob Tesfaye.
Ethiopia’s annual average chicken meat consumption is only half a kilo per year per person as compared to 2.3 kgs per year per person in the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa and 41 kgs per year per person in Peru. With a population of more than 100 million people, Nutropia is well positioned to meet the growing need for cheap and easily obtained protein.
Agrotop is a leading global player in livestock turnkey projects. The company provides a full range of services for realizing livestock and agro-industry construction projects, while focusing on its clients’ visions and maximizing their business results.
Abenezer Feleke
Name: Abenezer Feleke
Education: International certifications in Marketing, Digital Marketing, MSc, BSc.
Company name: Kodastropi Marketing Solutions
Title: Managing Director
Founded in: 2015
What it does: An integrated marketing and communications company
HQ: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Number of employees: Six
Startup Capital: 20,000 birr
Current capital: 200,000 birr
Reasons for starting the business: The opportunity present in providing professional marketing services
Biggest strength: Planning, communications, multitasking and management
Biggest perks of Ownership: The thrill of using my own skills and passion for development
Plan: To take the company to a global level and be the leading company in setting pioneer solutions in the areas of marketing
Biggest challenge: The balance between protecting one’s own business interests while keeping the positive relationship afloat with multiple clients
First career: Marketing Representative at a Digital Pay Media TV company.
Most interested in meeting: Barack Obama
Most admired person: PM Dr. Abiy Ahmed
Stress reducer: Movies, travelling, vacations
Favorite past-time: Volunteering and meeting influential people in many professions
Favorite book: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Favorite destination: Italy
Favorite automobile: Mercedes Benz C & S Classes
