ADDIS ABABA -- Egypt Tuesday became the latest in a string of countries to deny accusations by UN experts of violating a 1992 arms embargo on Somalia by training gunmen loyal to a powerful Islamic movement.
Cairo slammed allegations that its military officers trained Islamic fighters as "fallacious and untenable" and expressed shock about the authors' ignorance of Egypt's policy toward Somalia.
In a statement released by its embassy in Addis Ababa, the foreign ministry spokesman "expressed his shock and strong dismay at the inclusion of such totally fallacious and untenable allegations in UN reports prepared by Western experts, whose political affiliations are unknown."
The report, prepared for the United Nations Security Council, "reflects the stark ignorance of those experts about the facts and the premises of Egypt's policy toward Somalia," the statement said.
The UN report paints a grim picture of illegal militarization in Somalia, where the Islamists and weak government are now on the brink of all-out war that many fear could engulf the Horn of Africa region in conflict.
In their 80-page report, the UN experts accuse Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah militia of supplying weapons to the Islamists, many with Eritrean assistance.
They said that Ethiopia, Uganda and Yemen are providing weapons and troops to the government and that the potential exists for Somalia to become a proxy battleground for arch-foes Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Of all the named countries, only Ethiopia has admitted sending military advisors to help the government but flatly denied sending thousands of troops to protect the feeble administration.
Asmara has dismissed the report's proxy war suggestion as a "fairytale" and said that its conclusions were part of a US-backed plot.
Cairo, which has already protested to the UN, said that it had "presented evidence on the neutrality of Egypt's policy toward Somalia, and on its eagerness to restoring security and stability to all the Somali territories as soon as possible."
Since they seized control of the capital, Mogadishu, in June, the Islamists have expanded their territory to include most of southern and central Somalia, where they have imposed strict Sharia law.
Somalia, a nation of about 10 million, has lacked a functioning central authority since the ousting in 1991 of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre. The transitional government, established in 2004, has proved incapable of restoring order.
Source: Middle East Times
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Ethiopian troops patrol in Somalia (Brocktown News)
By MOHAMED OLAD HASSAN, Associated Press Writer 5 minutes ago
MOGADISHU, Somalia - Hundreds of Ethiopian troops were patrolling a strategic road that leads to Somalia‘s government headquarters after a brief but intense firefight in the area this week, witnesses said Wednesday.
"At least 200 Ethiopian troops are carefully patrolling the road," said Yusuf Kheyre, a resident of Bardale district about 40 miles southwest of the southern town of Baidoa where the government is based.
Ethiopia acknowledges sending "military advisers" — not soldiers — to Somalia, although Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has threatened to send tens of thousands of troops across the border if the Council of Islamic Courts attacks.
Experts have warned Somalia has become a proxy battleground for Somalia‘s neighbors, Eritrea and Ethiopia. A confidential U.N. report obtained last month by the AP said 6,000 to 8,000 Ethiopian troops are in or near Somalia‘s border with Ethiopia, backing the interim government. The report also said 2,000 troops from Eritrea are inside Somalia supporting the Islamic movement.
The Islamic Courts, meanwhile, have steadily gained ground since taking over Mogadishu in June and now control much of southern Somalia.
The group‘s strict and often severe interpretation of Islam raises memories of Afghanistan ‘s Taliban, which was ousted by a U.S.-led campaign for harboring Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida fighters. The United States has accused Somalia‘s Islamic group of sheltering suspects in the 1998 al-Qaida bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
"The detainees were watching an Indian film dubbed into Somali language," said Abdi Shardi, a cinema owner.
"The flood problem in Somalia is more than we can fix alone," said Sheik Nor Barud, a spokesman for the Islamic courts‘ flood relief committee. He said his group will protect relief workers in areas under Islamic control.
Associated Press Writer Salad Duhul contributed to this report.
Source: Brocktown News
MOGADISHU, Somalia - Hundreds of Ethiopian troops were patrolling a strategic road that leads to Somalia‘s government headquarters after a brief but intense firefight in the area this week, witnesses said Wednesday.
"At least 200 Ethiopian troops are carefully patrolling the road," said Yusuf Kheyre, a resident of Bardale district about 40 miles southwest of the southern town of Baidoa where the government is based.
Ethiopia acknowledges sending "military advisers" — not soldiers — to Somalia, although Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has threatened to send tens of thousands of troops across the border if the Council of Islamic Courts attacks.
Experts have warned Somalia has become a proxy battleground for Somalia‘s neighbors, Eritrea and Ethiopia. A confidential U.N. report obtained last month by the AP said 6,000 to 8,000 Ethiopian troops are in or near Somalia‘s border with Ethiopia, backing the interim government. The report also said 2,000 troops from Eritrea are inside Somalia supporting the Islamic movement.
The Islamic Courts, meanwhile, have steadily gained ground since taking over Mogadishu in June and now control much of southern Somalia.
The group‘s strict and often severe interpretation of Islam raises memories of Afghanistan ‘s Taliban, which was ousted by a U.S.-led campaign for harboring Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida fighters. The United States has accused Somalia‘s Islamic group of sheltering suspects in the 1998 al-Qaida bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
"The detainees were watching an Indian film dubbed into Somali language," said Abdi Shardi, a cinema owner.
"The flood problem in Somalia is more than we can fix alone," said Sheik Nor Barud, a spokesman for the Islamic courts‘ flood relief committee. He said his group will protect relief workers in areas under Islamic control.
Associated Press Writer Salad Duhul contributed to this report.
Source: Brocktown News
Ethiopia issues new rules to monitor NGOs operations (Sudan Tribune)
Nov 22, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopian government is putting in place a new system to regulate the activities of the NGOs working in the country, in order to closely control and evaluate their activities.
According to the new regulation, the NGOs operating in the country have to deal with the relevant governmental institutions in order to monitor their activities.
The Ethiopian minister of Justice Asefa Kesito said there are more than 3,000 local and international NGOs operating in the country, out of which some have been breaching their declared objectives, the pro-government WIC reported Tuesday.
He said the NGOs used to secure licenses without first signing implementation agreements with the concerned authorities. He further said that licenses could now be issued, if NGOs only fulfil the requirements set by a committee established last September.
Though there was a system through which the NGOs can be evaluated by submitting an audit report, the monitoring and supervision system was very loose, according to the minister.
Asefa elaborated that it was also very difficult to find out the type of work, amount of capital and place where the NGOs were operating, while the new system enables the relevant federal and regional offices to follow up their activities.
The new system will inform ministries in each sector about the activities to be undertaken by the NGOs and open their door for the monitoring and evaluation works, he added.
The number of NGOs that operated in Ethiopia from 1951 to 2005 stood at 1,656, whereas 1,567 NGOs were registered during the last three years alone.
Out of the 3,737 NGOs currently operating in the country at present 1,681 are local,262 foreign development organizations and the rest being faith based, professional, civic and others organizations.
Source: Sudan Tribune
According to the new regulation, the NGOs operating in the country have to deal with the relevant governmental institutions in order to monitor their activities.
The Ethiopian minister of Justice Asefa Kesito said there are more than 3,000 local and international NGOs operating in the country, out of which some have been breaching their declared objectives, the pro-government WIC reported Tuesday.
He said the NGOs used to secure licenses without first signing implementation agreements with the concerned authorities. He further said that licenses could now be issued, if NGOs only fulfil the requirements set by a committee established last September.
Though there was a system through which the NGOs can be evaluated by submitting an audit report, the monitoring and supervision system was very loose, according to the minister.
Asefa elaborated that it was also very difficult to find out the type of work, amount of capital and place where the NGOs were operating, while the new system enables the relevant federal and regional offices to follow up their activities.
The new system will inform ministries in each sector about the activities to be undertaken by the NGOs and open their door for the monitoring and evaluation works, he added.
The number of NGOs that operated in Ethiopia from 1951 to 2005 stood at 1,656, whereas 1,567 NGOs were registered during the last three years alone.
Out of the 3,737 NGOs currently operating in the country at present 1,681 are local,262 foreign development organizations and the rest being faith based, professional, civic and others organizations.
Source: Sudan Tribune
Great Ethiopian Run, Athletics Federation sign 100,000 br deal
By Groum Abate
Organizers of the 2006 TOYOTA Great Ethiopian Run, one of Africa 's biggest road races, are to sign a technical support contract with the Ethiopian Athletics Federation.
Sources told Capital that Haile G/Sellasie and Bisrat Gashaw Tena of the Federation are scheduled to sign the agreement today, November 12 th 2006. The technical support the federation is to give the Great Ethiopian Run would cost 100,000 birr, according to our sources.
For sometime there have been talks that the Great Ethiopian Run may not take place due to disagreement with the Athletics Federation. The later, is said to have claimed 50% from the total income of the event, which the organizers refused, stating that they do not make that much profit from the event, according to sources. After negotiations the two parties agreed for the organizers to pay a technical support fee of 100,000 birr to the federation based on the latter's technical support proposal.
Organizers of the event claim that they spend almost 200,000 birr annually for organizing the event. They say that the money goes to race publicity material and organization, which costs 56 birr per competitor, 21 birr less than the fee charged to the participant. The balance is covered by sponsors. The profit at the end would be used for publicity and other race organizations, according to the sources. It was reported that Sonia O'Sullivan will compete in this year's Great Ethio pian Run. “I have watched the race on TV before, and I know it's getting bigger every year,” said O'Sullivan, who has dual Irish and Australian nationality. “Having competed against Et hiopia 's top athletes over the years, I'm lo oking forward to visiting the country for the first time and re newing friendships.”
Olympic champwions Hicham EI Guerrouj and Carolina Kluft will be in attendance, although not competing.
Twenty-five thousand participants have already registered for the l0 km race scheduled for 26 November.
Source: Capital
Organizers of the 2006 TOYOTA Great Ethiopian Run, one of Africa 's biggest road races, are to sign a technical support contract with the Ethiopian Athletics Federation.
Sources told Capital that Haile G/Sellasie and Bisrat Gashaw Tena of the Federation are scheduled to sign the agreement today, November 12 th 2006. The technical support the federation is to give the Great Ethiopian Run would cost 100,000 birr, according to our sources.
For sometime there have been talks that the Great Ethiopian Run may not take place due to disagreement with the Athletics Federation. The later, is said to have claimed 50% from the total income of the event, which the organizers refused, stating that they do not make that much profit from the event, according to sources. After negotiations the two parties agreed for the organizers to pay a technical support fee of 100,000 birr to the federation based on the latter's technical support proposal.
Organizers of the event claim that they spend almost 200,000 birr annually for organizing the event. They say that the money goes to race publicity material and organization, which costs 56 birr per competitor, 21 birr less than the fee charged to the participant. The balance is covered by sponsors. The profit at the end would be used for publicity and other race organizations, according to the sources. It was reported that Sonia O'Sullivan will compete in this year's Great Ethio pian Run. “I have watched the race on TV before, and I know it's getting bigger every year,” said O'Sullivan, who has dual Irish and Australian nationality. “Having competed against Et hiopia 's top athletes over the years, I'm lo oking forward to visiting the country for the first time and re newing friendships.”
Olympic champwions Hicham EI Guerrouj and Carolina Kluft will be in attendance, although not competing.
Twenty-five thousand participants have already registered for the l0 km race scheduled for 26 November.
Source: Capital
EEPCo to recycle toxic chemical
By Groum Abate
Experco International, a Canadian firm has been selected to decontaminate toxic chemical leaks of Chromated Cooper Arsenate destined for the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) in January 2002, still lying at the Port of Djibouti .
Sources told Capital that a meeting was held on November 6 at EEPCo's headquarters between the two parties led by Kidane Gizaw from EEPCo and Aboubaker Douale Waiss from Djibouti where it was agreed that Experco International executes the project at a cost of 522,887 dollars.
According to our sources, the meeting was concluded agreeing on the terms and conditions the selected company would commission and supervise the decontamination. EEPCo is expected to finalize negotiations with Experco International shortly to commence the project.
Two-hundred tonnes of Copper Chromate Arsenate (CCA) arrived from Britain in late January 2002 at the port of Djibouti , bound for EEPCo when the incident happened. EEPCo had imported the chemical for protecting wooden electric poles against termites and decay. The cargo was immediately blocked by port authorities because the chemicals were beginning to seep out of their containers, said to be in poor condition. A total of fifteen sea containers were found leaking and subsequently removed to a secure site. In September 2005, the joint Ethio-Djibouti Intergovernmental Technical Committee agreed on the decontamination of the port and the damping in Ethiopia of the whole content of the aforementioned compartment.
Several attempts by Capital to contact EEPCo officials were unsuccessful.
A UN expert sent to investigate the hazardous cargo in 2002 warned that CCA is a "carcinogenic product and dangerous for the environment," and asked the international community to help decontaminate the affected zone in the port.
The report also called for the cargo to be sent back to Britain . Some countries have banned CCA, which is used as a pesticide, primarily to impregnate wood to protect it from termites.
The cargo is currently stocked in an area of the port's docks, "sealed off" with cement. The leaked CCA is feared that it could contaminate the port's water. A Swiss ecotoxicologist from the Canton of Geneva has established a detoxing zone to accommodate contaminated waste and soil in 2002.
According to figures by WHO, at the time of the leak, as many as 350 persons have claimed to have been exposed. So far, there has been at least one death, though a direct link to chemical exposure was not established.
The components of CCA, an acid-based product containing chromium, copper, and arsenic are highly toxic, corrosive and may cause cancer. Experco International, member of Teknika HBA, a Canadian based firm was established in 1962. The firm has been involved in different projects in many African countries including Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Côte D'Ivoire, Cameroon, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, DRC, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo, and Tunisia.
Source: Capital
Experco International, a Canadian firm has been selected to decontaminate toxic chemical leaks of Chromated Cooper Arsenate destined for the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) in January 2002, still lying at the Port of Djibouti .
Sources told Capital that a meeting was held on November 6 at EEPCo's headquarters between the two parties led by Kidane Gizaw from EEPCo and Aboubaker Douale Waiss from Djibouti where it was agreed that Experco International executes the project at a cost of 522,887 dollars.
According to our sources, the meeting was concluded agreeing on the terms and conditions the selected company would commission and supervise the decontamination. EEPCo is expected to finalize negotiations with Experco International shortly to commence the project.
Two-hundred tonnes of Copper Chromate Arsenate (CCA) arrived from Britain in late January 2002 at the port of Djibouti , bound for EEPCo when the incident happened. EEPCo had imported the chemical for protecting wooden electric poles against termites and decay. The cargo was immediately blocked by port authorities because the chemicals were beginning to seep out of their containers, said to be in poor condition. A total of fifteen sea containers were found leaking and subsequently removed to a secure site. In September 2005, the joint Ethio-Djibouti Intergovernmental Technical Committee agreed on the decontamination of the port and the damping in Ethiopia of the whole content of the aforementioned compartment.
Several attempts by Capital to contact EEPCo officials were unsuccessful.
A UN expert sent to investigate the hazardous cargo in 2002 warned that CCA is a "carcinogenic product and dangerous for the environment," and asked the international community to help decontaminate the affected zone in the port.
The report also called for the cargo to be sent back to Britain . Some countries have banned CCA, which is used as a pesticide, primarily to impregnate wood to protect it from termites.
The cargo is currently stocked in an area of the port's docks, "sealed off" with cement. The leaked CCA is feared that it could contaminate the port's water. A Swiss ecotoxicologist from the Canton of Geneva has established a detoxing zone to accommodate contaminated waste and soil in 2002.
According to figures by WHO, at the time of the leak, as many as 350 persons have claimed to have been exposed. So far, there has been at least one death, though a direct link to chemical exposure was not established.
The components of CCA, an acid-based product containing chromium, copper, and arsenic are highly toxic, corrosive and may cause cancer. Experco International, member of Teknika HBA, a Canadian based firm was established in 1962. The firm has been involved in different projects in many African countries including Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Côte D'Ivoire, Cameroon, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, DRC, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo, and Tunisia.
Source: Capital
ERA to execute road projects with 1.5 billion birr in Somali, Gambella States
Addis Ababa, November 17, 2006 (WIC) - Preliminary works are underway to launch four road projects in Somali and Gambella states with 1.5 billion birr this budget year,the Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) disclosed.
Authority Public Relations and Information Main Section Head, Samson Wondimu,told WIC today that the roads to be constructed include 220kms Degahabur-Kebridahar,105kms Kebridahar-Shilabo and 165kms Gode-Kebridahar roads in Somali State and 120kms Adura-Berbe-Akobo roads in Gambella State.
The road projects to be executed in the Somali State include asphalting of damaged gravel roads,while the roads to be built in Gambella are new gravel roads in areas with no road facilities, according to the head.
Samson further added that the Authority has purchased various construction machineries at a cost of 613 million birr to efficiently carry out the work and finalize the projects according to the timetable.
The construction of the roads would improve the social and economic benefits of the community, Samson said, adding that they would also significantly contribute toward harnessing natural resources in the regions and boost the overall economic growth of the country.
The fund for the execution of the roads and procurement of the machineries has been earmarked by the government, the head concluded.
Source: Walta Information Center
Authority Public Relations and Information Main Section Head, Samson Wondimu,told WIC today that the roads to be constructed include 220kms Degahabur-Kebridahar,105kms Kebridahar-Shilabo and 165kms Gode-Kebridahar roads in Somali State and 120kms Adura-Berbe-Akobo roads in Gambella State.
The road projects to be executed in the Somali State include asphalting of damaged gravel roads,while the roads to be built in Gambella are new gravel roads in areas with no road facilities, according to the head.
Samson further added that the Authority has purchased various construction machineries at a cost of 613 million birr to efficiently carry out the work and finalize the projects according to the timetable.
The construction of the roads would improve the social and economic benefits of the community, Samson said, adding that they would also significantly contribute toward harnessing natural resources in the regions and boost the overall economic growth of the country.
The fund for the execution of the roads and procurement of the machineries has been earmarked by the government, the head concluded.
Source: Walta Information Center
Ethiopian coup plot defendants claim mistreatment (AFP)
KALITI, Ethiopia -- Two defendants in the trial of Ethiopian opposition figures accused of plotting a coup after disputed elections last year complained Monday of mistreatment in custody.
The pair, aid workers Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie, said that they were neither "physically nor psychologically" prepared to go on with the trial because of the conditions that they are being held in.
Speaking for the two, Bekele told a court in Kaliti, Ethiopia, just south of Addis Ababa that they had been separated from the rest of the defendants Friday and that he was placed in a shipping container before being moved to an overcrowded cell.
"Because of all that, I'm psychologically tormented," he said. "I can hardly sleep and I'm not ready for the cross-examination of the witnesses. We request to the court to return to the place where we were before Friday."
"We are not physically, nor psychologically ready," Bekele said. "We have the right to a fair trial. Defendants have to be treated fairly and shouldn't be exposed to adverse measures."
"We are appealing to the court to observe our rights," added Demissie.
Judge Adil Ahmed then asked prosecutors to ensure that the pair are put back in conditions similar to those that they were being held in before and adjourned the trial, which is hearing from prosecution witnesses, until Thursday.
Bekele and Demissie are among 111 defendants, including nearly all of the leadership of the main opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), being tried on various charges, including treason, genocide, and conspiracy.
The case has drawn deep concern from donors and criticism from rights groups that maintain that the government is trying to stifle dissent in the wake of unrest following the May 2005 election that the CUD claims was rigged.
Opposition protests against alleged massive electoral fraud erupted into two explosions of violence in Addis Ababa and other cities in June and November last year in which 193 civilians and six police were killed.
Authorities say that the CUD was attempting to overthrow the government through nationwide protests and prosecutors have presented documents and witnesses that they say corroborate a coup plot.
The defendants adamantly deny the charges but most have refused to enter pleas, claiming that the trial is a political tool to destroy the opposition.
Source: Middle East Times
The pair, aid workers Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie, said that they were neither "physically nor psychologically" prepared to go on with the trial because of the conditions that they are being held in.
Speaking for the two, Bekele told a court in Kaliti, Ethiopia, just south of Addis Ababa that they had been separated from the rest of the defendants Friday and that he was placed in a shipping container before being moved to an overcrowded cell.
"Because of all that, I'm psychologically tormented," he said. "I can hardly sleep and I'm not ready for the cross-examination of the witnesses. We request to the court to return to the place where we were before Friday."
"We are not physically, nor psychologically ready," Bekele said. "We have the right to a fair trial. Defendants have to be treated fairly and shouldn't be exposed to adverse measures."
"We are appealing to the court to observe our rights," added Demissie.
Judge Adil Ahmed then asked prosecutors to ensure that the pair are put back in conditions similar to those that they were being held in before and adjourned the trial, which is hearing from prosecution witnesses, until Thursday.
Bekele and Demissie are among 111 defendants, including nearly all of the leadership of the main opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), being tried on various charges, including treason, genocide, and conspiracy.
The case has drawn deep concern from donors and criticism from rights groups that maintain that the government is trying to stifle dissent in the wake of unrest following the May 2005 election that the CUD claims was rigged.
Opposition protests against alleged massive electoral fraud erupted into two explosions of violence in Addis Ababa and other cities in June and November last year in which 193 civilians and six police were killed.
Authorities say that the CUD was attempting to overthrow the government through nationwide protests and prosecutors have presented documents and witnesses that they say corroborate a coup plot.
The defendants adamantly deny the charges but most have refused to enter pleas, claiming that the trial is a political tool to destroy the opposition.
Source: Middle East Times
Father jailed for the genital mutilation of his daughter
A man has been sentenced to 10 years in jail for the genital mutilation of his two-year-old daughter, in what is said to be first such case in the US.
Khalid Adem, an Ethiopian immigrant, was found guilty of aggravated battery and cruelty to children by the court in the state of Georgia.
Prosecutors said he used scissors to remove his daughter’s clitoris in 2001. A US women’s rights group described the verdict as a victory against female genital mutilation worldwide.
Girl’s testimony
Adem, 30, wept loudly as the jury’s verdict was read in the town of Lawrenceville.
During the trial, he denied the charges and said he found the practice to be reprehensible.
The girl, who is now seven, had testified on videotape that her father “cut me on my private part”.
The daughter’s mother had said she did not discover that the child was mutilated until nearly two years later.
“This was a violation of her rights as a child, her rights as a woman, and most of all her rights as a human being, she will never be the same,” Fortunate Adem said in the courtroom, according to a tape recording broadcast by local radio station WSB.
Equality Now, a US women’s rights group, said it was the first recorded case of female genital mutilation in the country.
A recent report by the World Health Organization condemned genital mutilation, saying it caused infection, appalling pain and serious long-term injury.
The practice is part of tradition in a number of African countries.
Some communities there believe it helps to preserve a girl’s honour.
Source: l'express
Khalid Adem, an Ethiopian immigrant, was found guilty of aggravated battery and cruelty to children by the court in the state of Georgia.
Prosecutors said he used scissors to remove his daughter’s clitoris in 2001. A US women’s rights group described the verdict as a victory against female genital mutilation worldwide.
Girl’s testimony
Adem, 30, wept loudly as the jury’s verdict was read in the town of Lawrenceville.
During the trial, he denied the charges and said he found the practice to be reprehensible.
The girl, who is now seven, had testified on videotape that her father “cut me on my private part”.
The daughter’s mother had said she did not discover that the child was mutilated until nearly two years later.
“This was a violation of her rights as a child, her rights as a woman, and most of all her rights as a human being, she will never be the same,” Fortunate Adem said in the courtroom, according to a tape recording broadcast by local radio station WSB.
Equality Now, a US women’s rights group, said it was the first recorded case of female genital mutilation in the country.
A recent report by the World Health Organization condemned genital mutilation, saying it caused infection, appalling pain and serious long-term injury.
The practice is part of tradition in a number of African countries.
Some communities there believe it helps to preserve a girl’s honour.
Source: l'express
Chinese volunteer team arrives (Walta)
Addis Ababa, November 02, 2006 - China has sent a 50-member volunteers’ team to Ethiopia to render a one-year service. The team arrived here at Bole International Airport yesterday.
Capacity Building Ministry Public Relations Acting Head Yilma Tibebu said that the volunteers would serve at various ministries and offices.
The volunteers came here in fulfilment of the Chinese government pledge to provide capacity building assistance to Ethiopia, he added.
Yilma also noted that the Chinese volunteers are believed to have made significant contribution in the capacity building sector.
The volunteers would be assigned to seven Federal Ministries, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State and the Information Communication Technology Development Agency, he said.
The volunteers are trained in Information Communication Technology (ICT), agriculture, pedagogy, mines and other fields.
(ENA)
Capacity Building Ministry Public Relations Acting Head Yilma Tibebu said that the volunteers would serve at various ministries and offices.
The volunteers came here in fulfilment of the Chinese government pledge to provide capacity building assistance to Ethiopia, he added.
Yilma also noted that the Chinese volunteers are believed to have made significant contribution in the capacity building sector.
The volunteers would be assigned to seven Federal Ministries, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State and the Information Communication Technology Development Agency, he said.
The volunteers are trained in Information Communication Technology (ICT), agriculture, pedagogy, mines and other fields.
(ENA)
NEBE calls on CUD to hold general assembly, election
Addis Ababa, November 03, 2006 (WIC) - The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) urged the leadership of Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) split into two to urgently hold a general assembly and submit the list of its elected leaders and members of the assembly.
Office Deputy Executive of NEBE,Tesfaye Mengesha, told WIC today that though the provisional coordinating committee of the party was told to call a general assembly and notify the Board its elected leaders before eight months,it has failed to do so as the leadership have been blaming one another.
According to him,chairman of CUD’s provisional coordinating committee,Temesgen Zewde, and his deputy Ayele Chameso have been suspended each other from the party and added that NEBE has not accepted the plea of both as they have no mandate to suspend each another but temporarily coordinate the party.
Tesfaye said though the deputy chairman Ayele Chameso recently called a general assembly which elected permanent leaders, four of the elected members, in a letter they wrote to the Board, have rejected the election claiming that it was conducted in their absence and that the assembly was illegal.
Therefore, NEBE will not accept the separate activities of the two bodies because the mandate of the 22 member of the provisional coordinating committee of the party and the six leaders is to call a general assembly and organize the various bodies of the party,according to the statute of the CUD.
He finally underlined that any decision made in the name of the party would not be acceptable unless agreed upon by the 22 committee members, including the chairperson and his deputy.
Source: Walta Information
Office Deputy Executive of NEBE,Tesfaye Mengesha, told WIC today that though the provisional coordinating committee of the party was told to call a general assembly and notify the Board its elected leaders before eight months,it has failed to do so as the leadership have been blaming one another.
According to him,chairman of CUD’s provisional coordinating committee,Temesgen Zewde, and his deputy Ayele Chameso have been suspended each other from the party and added that NEBE has not accepted the plea of both as they have no mandate to suspend each another but temporarily coordinate the party.
Tesfaye said though the deputy chairman Ayele Chameso recently called a general assembly which elected permanent leaders, four of the elected members, in a letter they wrote to the Board, have rejected the election claiming that it was conducted in their absence and that the assembly was illegal.
Therefore, NEBE will not accept the separate activities of the two bodies because the mandate of the 22 member of the provisional coordinating committee of the party and the six leaders is to call a general assembly and organize the various bodies of the party,according to the statute of the CUD.
He finally underlined that any decision made in the name of the party would not be acceptable unless agreed upon by the 22 committee members, including the chairperson and his deputy.
Source: Walta Information
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