Day: May 24, 2023

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) has announced today the establishment of a Peace Committee that jointly works with both local and international institutions to bring lasting peace to the country.

Speaking to journalists at the conclusion of the EOTC Holy Synod Summit held from May 9- 24, His Holiness Abune Mathias, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, disclosed that the committee will also have recognition by the government.

For all our people who have been harmed throughout the country due to the current crisis, the Holy Synod has decided that humanitarian support, consolation and visitation programs be made, the patriarch said.

In this regard, the Holy Synod has decided to provide twenty million Birr emergency humanitarian aid to compatriots in Tigray region to alleviate the grave problems they are facing because of the war, His Holiness Abune Mathias stated.

Furthermore, the church made a peace call to end unnecessary conflicts, displacement and migration of citizens observed in the country so that citizens can live together in equality, peace and love.

The Holy Synod has set up an election committee to ordain nine episcopate in Oromia and the Southern regions, it was learned.

It is to be recalled that the EOTC leaders, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and elders held a joint consultation to resolve the dispute between the fathers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

The disagreement was resolved through dialogue.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ethiopia to the State of Israel, Tesfaye Yitayeh, presented his letter of credentials to the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog yesterday at the President’s office.

During the discussion with the President, Ambassador Tesfaye stated that he would strive to deepen and broaden Ethiopia’s long-standing historical relationship with Israel in a variety of fields.

Concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), he explained that Ethiopia is constructing the dam for development purposes, that it believes in equitable water use, and that the AU-led tripartite negotiations will settle the outstanding issues.

In this regard, he made it clear that Ethiopia rejects the League of Arab States’ statement on the GERD.

The two sides also discussed Ethiopia’s role in the stability and security of the Horn of Africa, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The President of Israel stated that the historic people-to-people relationship between the two countries holds a special place in Israel and that he will provide all necessary support to the ambassador’s efforts to elevate this relationship.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

State Minister of Foreign Affairs ambassador Mesganu Arga held a discussion today with UN Ethiopia Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Catherine Sozi.

During the occasion, Ambassador Mesganu stated Ethiopia‘s keenness on closely working with the UN and its special agencies, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The State Minister expressed his appreciation to Catherine Suzi for her diligence in humanitarian work during difficult times in Ethiopia and support for the peace process in the country.

Catherine on her part expressed her appreciation to the government of Ethiopia for creating a conducive environment to address humanitarian assistance.

She also said that the UN will continue supporting the Government of Ethiopia’s efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The Namibian and United Kingdom (UK) governments are trying to find reasons for the increasing number of young Namibians going to the UK to claim asylum, British High Commissioner to Namibia, Charles Moore, has said.

Speaking to the media during a courtesy visit to State House on Tuesday, Moore said a large number of Namibians are still going to the UK to claim asylum, which remains a concern for the UK government.

In September 2022, Moore raised concern over the many young Namibians turning up in the UK claiming asylum to secure job opportunities, stressing that asylum is not for people looking for employment in the UK and that Namibians are abusing the system.

He noted that at one point in 2022, Namibia had the highest number of people seeking asylum in the UK.

Moore said Namibians are claiming asylum with various reasons, however, after assessment a vast number of cases have no grounds to claim asylum, noting that most people actually see a potential for a better life and economic enhancement in the UK.

“We still see a large number of Namibians claiming asylum in the UK, it has not decreased. We are still working on how we might address this and we have been talking to the Namibian government as well as trying to find reasons for it and see the ways to decrease it. No decision has been taken just yet… but we are still quite concerned about the numbers,” he noted.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency