Djibouti is under negotiation with a French company to diversify its logistics partners from the east to west.
Recently officials at the Djibouti Ports and Free Zone Authority (DPFZA) told Capital that the government of Djibouti would use more partners for the upcoming mega logistics projects.
Early this week the Chairman of Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority (DPFZA), Aboubaker Omar Hadi, stated that Djibouti is working with French shipping company CMA CGM to develop a new container terminal at an initial cost of USD 660 million.
If the two parties conclude their negotiation it would be the first western company to be involved in the investment of the logistics sector in Djibouti. Previously the UAE company, DP World followed by the Chinese giant China Merchants Holdings, invested in the port development project in partnership with the government of Djibouti.
After the decision of the government of Djibouti to terminate the management deal of Doraleh Container Terminal with DP World, western powers expressed their concern in terms of their logistics activity for their military bases if the Chinese company takes over the management of the container terminal; so the latest report would be a relief for them.
In February, Capital quoted the DPFZA Chairman that the country plans to launch the construction of the Djibouti International Container Terminal (DICT) along with some other mega projects.
DICT will be the main project as it would exceptionally boost the country’s exclusive container port terminal facility.
This new facility shall be erected between Doraleh Container Terminal, which has changed to the name Doraleh Container Terminal Management Company, and the recently inaugurated Doraleh Multi-Purpose Port (DMP) with a natural water depth of 18.5m. DICT’s total investment is tagged at USD 660 million.
The upcoming additional container will have a capacity 2.5 million TEU containers in the first phase.
Aboubaker told Reuters on Tuesday that the authority hopes to award the concession to the French company in July.
The new container terminal project could break ground as early as September with construction expected to take 24 months, Aboubaker said, speaking on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan, Côte D’Ivoire.
The French company will have a 15 percent share on the DICT. According to the plan, fifteen percent of the project’s cost will be financed through equity. Of that, the DPFZA will contribute 85 percent, with its concession partner providing 15 percent. The rest will be raised via international institutions and banks.
The other project that is expected to be launched in the current month is the construction of Ship Repair and Dry-docks, which will consume USD 200 million, according to the document that Capital obtained from DPFZA.
Djibouti Damerjog Industries Development (DDID) is also the other huge project that the Djibouti government plans to undertake in the near future.
The DDID project will have a multipurpose port, livestock terminal, a refinery, storage tanks, dry dock, gas complex and its jetty, and jetty for refined oil and for crude oil.
A few years ago Djibouti planned to construct the livestock port at Damerjog, a place that is close to the border of Somaliland in the south of Djibouti, but it has been revised with additional massive development facilities.
As per the plan the DDID will have a multipurpose port that can accommodate all kind of cargo including bulk and containerized. The livestock port which is targeted to solve the problems of livestock exporters from Ethiopia will be constructed with the goal of modernizing and boosting the cattle export of Ethiopia.
At the same time the complex port and additional facilities will also include several projects that are directly related with natural gas development and export from Ethiopia.
Even though the DP World agreement was terminated last month Djibouti has been able to expand its partnership and the confidence of foreign investors. Recently DPFZA signed a deal with the Singapore based shipping company, Pacific International Lines to raise the Doraleh Container Terminal Management Company, the former DCT, and cargo handling by a third. The container terminal has a capacity to handle 1.8 million TEU per annum. If the negotiation with CMA CGM is finalized it would be the second biggest deal after the contract termination with DP World.

Weeks after getting out from six years in prison, the popular journalist, Eskinder Nega and the politician Andualem Arage were arrested last week and are now being held at the Nifas Silk Police station. The arrest occurred during a ceremony in Jemo at Journalist Temesgen Desalgne’s home. Temesgen is also under custody.
Along with Eskinder, blogger, Befekadu Hailu, Mahlet Fantahun,Woinshet Molla, Adissu Fantahun, Adissu Getahun and Zelalem Werkaggnew are also in custody.
A friend of Eskinder told Capital that they still do not know why the police arrested them.
“Temsegen invited some people to his house for a welcoming ceremony after they spent six years in jail, however the police came and arrested them.”
In an interview with VOA Eskinder Nega’s Lawyer said that the Police are saying that the arrested group gathered outside which is prohibited under the current state of emergency and they displayed flags with no star in the middle.
He added that their case will be handled by the command post special court.
Protests and group gatherings are banned under the state of emergency and security forces are instructed to take action against people disturbing the peace. A special court has been set up to prosecute people who incite violence as well.
In recent interview with Capital, Andualem opposed the state of emergency by saying that it is not a real solution to curb the current problems of the country.
“It is a paradox for me. The government should open wide discussions with the people to understand the reasons behind the protest, the logic behind the unrest. Without providing a solution applying a state of emergency is moving the people from the dark to another dark place. It is about time to call all stakeholders who are concerned about their country to provide solutions,” he said.
Eskinder also agreed with Andualem’s opinion.
“It may handle problems for a temporary relief but like I said before there must be negation between parties and the government. I agree with the US Embassy’s stand against the state of emergency. The problem is here is a political problem not chaos and it must be solved through a political decision not by a state of emergency.”
Eskinder won awards from the International Press Institute (IPI)’s 69th World Press Freedom Hero, Golden Pen of Freedom, and PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write.

Alternate Foreign Minister of Greece, Prof. George Katrougalos visited Addis Ababa from March 26 to 27, 2018. During his visit the Minister held discussions with several government officials. Katrougalos also met with Dr. Aklilu Hailemichael, Ethiopian State Minister of Foreign Affairs and the two signed an agreement that would offer job opportunities for Ethiopians aboard Greek Vessels.
The Alternate minister also honored the National Day of the Hellenic Republic at a ceremony held at the Greek Club.

The Addis Ababa city administration is in the finals stages of providing shelter and other direct support to 5,600 street boys and girls in the capital city.
The support which includes food, health service, education and rehabilitation should begin in the next six months. The land needed to build the shelter has been prepared in Akaki Sub City and construction is expected to begin soon.
The target group of this program is children without homes and family ties which are mostly street children and children especially vulnerable to abuse and exploitation such as children of sex workers and children of dwellers. The scheme will not include children who live with families and in slum areas.
This program will serve homeless children and those who face exploitation such as children of sex workers and people living on the streets. People living in slum areas won’t qualify.
Birhan Lewyew, Addis Ababa Bureau of Labor and Social Affairs and Social Security Agency Communication Officer told Capital that the program will also work to rehabilitate the children.
“We are studying if we should give the children money, but we have some concerns. Some of our staff say that the children may use the money for cigarettes or alcohol while others counter that the children need money to buy things like personal hygiene items. So we will continue discussing the matter.”
It is estimated that there are 20,000 street children in Addis and they are often blamed for crime. They are also often exploited.
Previously, Elshaddai a local NGO attempted to rehabilitate 800 Street children in Addis Ababa but they ended up back on the street.
The Social Affairs and Social Security Agency Bureau, through the support of the World Bank, currently provides 170 birr per month to 19,000 needy people who are incapable of working due to age or disease. Soon an additional  32,000 people should qualify for this program.  However this amount is often too small to meet people’s basic needs. The World Bank is studying this program.
“As a social office we have the responsibility to help street children. We want to help them live a fulfilling life and if possible join their family or obtain education or jobs” the PR added.