TheMonthlyPublicationfromtheEthiopianEmbassyinLondon

Ethiopian News

February2020

Inside this issue

Ethiopia’sStatementontheNegotiationsontheGrandEthiopianRenaissanceDam………………..2UK-Africapartnership:WhytheUKshouldreviewitsvisasystemforAfricanvisitors……………...3Ethiopia’stree-plantingdriveshortlistedfornationalclimatechangeaward…………………………..5BrightonFestival2020launcheswithLemnSissayasGuestDirector……………………………………....7Stolen18thcenturycrownreturnedtoEthiopia……………………………………………………………………....9Ethiopiatohold2020electionson29thAugust……………………………………………………………………….1133rdAfricanUnionmeetingtakesplaceinAddisAbaba…………………………………………………………12EthiopiaresumesWTOaccessionnegotiations………………………………………………………………………14EthiopianAirlinesmarksfirstanniversarywithgiftofrosestotheNorth………………………………18AccorsettoexpandEthiopiafootprintwithnewIbisStyleshotel…………………………………………...20KenenisaBekelewinsVitalityBigHalf2020innewcourserecord………………………………………...21

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TheMinistryofForeignAffairsandtheMinistryofWater, Irrigation and Energy of the FederalDemocratic Republic of Ethiopia noted withdisappointmenttheStatementissuedbytheUnitedStates Department of Treasury on the GrandEthiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) released on28th February 2020, following a meeting heldwithout Ethiopia’s participation. Ethiopia hadnotified Egypt, Sudan, and the US that it neededmoretimetodeliberateontheprocess.

Ethiopia,astheowneroftheGERD,willcommencefirst filling of the GERD in parallel with theconstructionoftheDam,andinaccordancewiththeprinciples of equitable and reasonable utilizationandthecausingofnosignificantharmasprovidedfor under the Agreement on the Declaration ofPrinciples(DoP).

Ethiopiadoesnotaccept the characterization thatthenegotiationontheGuidelinesandRulesontheFirst Filling and Annual Operation of the GERD(Guidelines and Rules) is completed. The “text”

reportedlyinitialledbytheArabRepublicofEgyptin Washington D.C. is not the outcome of thenegotiationorthetechnicalandlegaldiscussionofthethreecountries.EthiopiamadeitclearthattheGuidelinesandRulesmustbepreparedbythethreecountries. The Countries are yet to addressoutstandingissuespertainingtothefinalizationoftheGuidelinesandRules.

Ethiopia,withthefullknowledgeandagreementofEgypt and Sudan has addressed all dam safetyrelated issues during the International Panel ofExperts process. Egypt and the Sudan hadexpressed their appreciation under Principle 8 oftheDOPandEthiopiawillcontinuetoimplementitingoodfaith.

Ethiopia is committed to continue its engagementwiththeArabRepublicofEgyptandtheRepublicofthe Sudan to address the outstanding issues andfinalizetheGuidelinesandRulesonthefirstfillingandannualoperationoftheGERD.

Ethiopia’s Statement on the Negotiations on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

Source:MinistryofForeignAffairs,29thFebruary2020

3 February 2020

Anewbeginning In January 2020, the UK hosted the UK‒AfricaInvestmentSummit2020,thefirstofitskind.Atthishistoric event the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson,declaredthat“Africaisthefuture,andtheUKhasahugeandactiveroletoplayinthatfuture…theUKandAfricannationsaretakingthefirststepsontheroad to a new partnership”. Mr Johnson pledgedthat the UK will introduce a fairer immigrationsystembuilton“treatingpeoplethesamewhereverthey come from, by putting people beforepassports”.

DoestheUKdiscriminateagainstAfricanvisitors?Arecent cross-party study by the Royal AfricanSociety (RAS) concludes that “The UK has goodrelationswithmostAfricancountries,butitneedsto be recognised that no single issue does morepotentialdamagetotheimageorinfluenceoftheUKin Africa than this visa question”. The study

highlights that “HomeOffice data on visa refusalsshows that African applicants are over twice aslikelytoberefusedaUKvisathanapplicantsfromanyotherpartoftheworld”.Theperceptionisthattheobjectiveofthepolicyandpracticeistoincreasebarriersand“deliberatelydecreasethenumberofapplicants” from Africa. Separately, British MPshave warned that UK-African relations are beingseverely damaged by what they refer to as a“broken”UKvisitorvisasystem.

Problems faced by African applicants for UKvisas

ThattheRASreportandthewarningsbyMPshavereceived little attention from government bodies,Parliament, and the majority of the media isdisconcerting.Thereisalotoftruthinthefindingofa cross-party inquiry that “people from Africancountriesoftenperceivethereasonsgivenforfailed

UK-Africa partnership: Why the UK should review its visa system for African visitors

AnopenlettertoBorisJohnson,bothHousesoftheUKParliament,andfriendsofAfrica

byArkebeOqubay

GUEST

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Ethiopian News

applications as biased or discriminatory”. Thisperceived discrimination runs counter to thegovernment’sidealsandvalues,isdamagingtothecountry’s long-standinghistorical tieswithAfrica,andwillweaken the overall relationship betweentheUKandAfricaatatimewhentheUKneedstostrengthenlinkswitholdfriendsoutsidetheEU.

The bias against African visitors is multi-faceted,and not just limited to visa refusals. The visaprocessislengthyandbureaucratic.Almostallvisaapplications fromAfrican countries areprocessedin Pretoria, South Africa, often taking up to 3-4weeks.Inmostcases,visasgrantedarevalidfor30days only, even for ministers and governmentofficials.Applicantsareoftenchargedamuchhigherfee than British visitors pay for visas to enterAfrican countries. Comparison with otherdevelopedcountries’visasystemsshows that it islesscostlyandtimeconsumingforAfricanstotravelto the USA, EU, and China than to the UK. Visaapplications to the USA and the EU, which oftengrant two-year multiple visas, are usuallycompletedwithinaweek.Somecountries,suchasSingapore,offeravisaserviceonarrivalforAfricanvisitors.

Threepracticalmeasuresforimplementationin2020

African governments have themselves beenworkingtoimprovevisasystems.MorethantwentyAfrican countries grant E-visas for internationalvisitors, including UK citizens. In January 2020SouthAfricaandEthiopiasignedavisawaiverforgovernment officials and diplomatic passportholders. Itwouldbeeasy for theUKto take threepracticalmeasures to eliminate the apparent biasagainstAfricanvisitorstotheUKin2020.

1) Visas should be easily accessible for Africanvisitors to theUKand the fees shouldbe reducedfrom their current levels. The minimum validityperiod should be comparable to those of the EUSchengenvisaandtheUSAvisa,whichis24months.Applicants requiring visas for health care orbusiness purposes should be encouraged and thedurationofthevisaprocessshortened.

2)Studentvisasareinstrumentaltothestrategyofdeveloping long-term and deeper relationshipswithAfricancountries.StudentseducatedintheUK

will be the next generation of business leaders,government officials, and communityrepresentatives. Student visas should be thesimplest and most accessible, enabling Africanstudents tobenefit from theUK’sexcellenthighereducationsystemandallowingAfricanuniversitiesto work closely and exchange academic staff andstudentswithUKuniversities.

3) The UK should sign bilateral reciprocalagreements with the governments of individualAfrican countries waiving visa requirements fordiplomaticpassportholders.

Inadditiontothese,acomprehensivereviewofthecurrent system should be undertaken, withparticular attention to the findings of the cross-party study, which identified areas urgentlyrequiringimprovement.

Issues highlighted include: practical and logisticalbarriers; inconsistent and/or careless decision-making; perceived lack of procedural fairness;financial discrimination in decision-making;perceived gender or racial bias; and lack ofaccountabilityorarightofappeal.Addressingtheseproblemswill be seen by all Africans andAfricangovernmentsasasymbolicdemonstrationoftheUKgovernment’s commitment to partnership withAfrica.

Thus, without prejudice to the UK’s right as asovereign state todetermine its own immigrationpolicyandvisasystemforvisitorstotheUK,Icallon theUKgovernment togiveurgentattention toimproving the current system, especially as itappliestoapplicantsfromtheAfricancontinent.AstheUK leaves theEU, itwillbeseeking to furtherstrengthen its diplomatic relations with othercountriesandincreaseitsengagementinAfrica.Ina landscapewheremanyinternationalpowersarecompeting for stronger tieswith and influence inAfrica,aneasingofthevisaprocessandincreasedgoodwilltowardsAfricanvisaapplicantscouldbeofconsiderable mutual benefit to African countriesandtheUK.

Arkebe Oqubay, senior ministerand special advisor to the PrimeMinister of Ethiopia, ODIDistinguishedFellow,amemberoftheRoyalAfricanSociety.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this letter are of the author anddonot necessarily reflect the officialpositionoftheGovernmentofEthiopia.ThisletterhasalsobeenpreviouslypublishedintheFinancialTimes.

5 February 2020

Ethiopia’s Green LegacyInitiative, which resultedin over 4 billion treesbeingplantedin2019,hasbeen shortlisted for TheClimate Coalition'sGreenHeart Hero Award,whichrecognises the incredibleworkthatisbeingdonetotackleclimatechange.

The Awards are aimed at celebratingthe unsungheroeswhoarehelpingtocreateasaferandcleanerfuture, and include green businesses, schools andMembersofParliaments.

Ethiopiaisnominatedinthe“OverseasInspiration”category:

“Between [May and October 2019], Ethiopia planted an

almost unbelievable four billion trees. Enrolling volunteers from across the country, it embarked

on one of the most ambitious tree-planting programs in history, with one day in July alone ending with 350 million trees planted. As

part of the Green Legacy Initiative, the scheme is an

example to the rest of the world of what is possible when a nation

works together to help protect the things they love.”

ETHIOPIA IN UK

Ethiopia’s tree-planting drive shortlisted for national climate change award

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Ethiopian News

PM Abiy Ahmed, who spearheaded the Green Legacy Initiative, plants a seedling within the Office of the Prime Minister’s compound

Ethiopia is shortlisted alongside Sierra Leone’sNgoleagorbuCocoaFarmersUnionandNigeria’sJosGreen Centre E-Waste Solar Project.Thenominationsaresubmittedbythepublic.

Winnerswillbechosenbyanindependentpanelofjudges and announced on Monday 9thMarch at aceremony held at the Houses of Parliament inLondon and hosted by Sky News presenter KayBurleyandBBCPresenterEvanDavis.

Ambassador Fesseha and the Head of PublicDiplomacy, Mr Mekonnen Amare, will attend thereceptiononbehalfofEthiopia.

The British Institute in Eastern Africa celebrates 60 years of partnership

with Ethiopia

On26thFebruary,theEthiopianEmbassyinLondonhosted an event to commemorate the 60thanniversary of the very successful collaborationbetweentheEthiopianCulturalHeritageAuthorityandtheBritishInstituteinEasternAfrica(BIEA).

H.E. Ambassador Fesseha Shawel Gebrewarmlywelcomed90gueststotwoillustratedtalks,whichwerefollowedbyacocktailreceptionsponsoredbyDiageoplc,whohavebeeninvestinginEthiopiafor

someyears.AmbassadorFessehacongratulatedtheinstitution on their historic milestone andencouraged more collaborative efforts inarchaeology, given Ethiopia’s rich history andheritage.

At the event, BIEA’s Director, Dr Jane Humphris,spokealongsidehercolleagueDrNiallFinneran,ofWinchesterUniversity.TheystressedthatmuchoftheInstitute’scontributioninvolvesthetrainingofEthiopianarchaeologistsas theirresearchwork iscommunitybased.

Dr Jane Humpris presents Ambassador Fesseha with a copy of Professor David Phillipson’s “Archaeology at Aksum, Ethiopia, 1993-7” which provides detailed account of five seasons’ research at Aksum. Dr Humphris began by outlining some of thehighlights of the partnership that involvedinvestigation of Ethiopia’s spectaculararchaeologicalhistory.

She also addressed someof the excitingplans forfuturecooperation includingapublicationon ironworksinancientAksumiteironproduction.

Dr Niall Finneran, who has previously directedlandscape archaeology fieldwork projects inEthiopia at Aksum, Shire and Lalibela, presentedsomeofthefundamentalresultsoftheresearchheconducted under the supervision of renownedEthiopian expert Professor David Phillipson innorthernEthiopia.Inabroad-rangingpresentationhe explored aspects of early Aksum, shrinearchaeology,kingshipandmonasticisminmedievalEthiopia.

Fulleventcoverage,includinginterviewswithBIEAwill be up on our YouTube page soon. You cansubscribeatwww.youtube.com/EthioEmbassyUK.

7 February 2020

BrightonFestivalissettogetalittletasteofEthiopiathankstoacclaimedEthio-Britishpoet,playwright,broadcaster and speaker, Lemn Sissay MBE, whohasbeenselectedasthisyear’sGuestDirector.

Brighton Festival isthe largest annual, curatedmulti-artsfestivalinEngland,andthisyear’sthemeisImagineNation.

TheFestival,scheduledtotakeplacefrom2nd–24thMay2020,willfeatureover120eventstakingplacein27venuesandlocationsacrosstheregion.Artistsexperimenting and creating new work is at theheartoftheFestivalwith17premieres,exclusives,commissionsandco-productionsandmanyFestivaldebutsfrominternationalartists.

Lemn’spersonalpassionsflowthroughoutthe2020programme, connected by a love of words andlanguageacrosstheatre,song,spokenword,artandpoetry.Contemporarywritersandpoetsaregivenaparticularspotlightwithseveralspokenwordandbookevents.

His support for new and established EthiopianartistsalsofeaturesprominentlywithappearancesbyEthio-jazzlegendMulatuAstatke,contemporarypianist/composerSamuel YirgaandwritersMaazaMengisteandAidaEdemariam.

Maaza Mengiste, Multatu Astatke and Samuel Yirga

Brighton Festival 2020 launches with Lemn Sissay as Guest Director

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Ethiopian News

InAdoptANation,Lemninvitesthepublictoadopthiminanintimateone-on-oneexperiencethatwillaskparticipantstosharetheirownthoughtsaboutfamily; and his best-selling memoirMy Name isWhyis discussed in conversation with British-EritreanwriterHannahAziebPool.

ExplaininghowImagineNationisaplacetojoinin,reflect and take time for a personal creativeexperience,Lemnsaid:

“The most damaging mirror trick in society is toconvincepeopletheyhavenoimaginationandthattheyarenotcreative.It’sjustnottrue.There’sgoingto be something for you in this Festival. Broadenyour horizons, be open andmaybe try somethingdifferent.WelcometotheImagineNation,welcometo the whole world in one celebration here atBrightonFestival2020.”

Andrew Comben, Chief Executive of BrightonFestivaladded:

“Brighton Festival is an annual invitation toeveryone to explore great art from all over theworld and inspire individual creativity. We’reexcitedandproudtobebringingtheFestivaltosomanyareasofthecityandthewiderregionandwehope thatLemn’sencouragement tobebraveandtry something new creates an ‘ImagineNation’ inwhichwecanalltakepart.”

Ticketsgoonsaleat9am,Weds19thFebruary.

For further information, visit Brighton Festivalwebsiteatwww.brightonfestival.org.TheEthiopia-relatedeventscanbeaccesseddirectlyviathelinksprovided.

AdoptANation

In this powerful, reflective, one-on-one experience,Lemn Sissay invites you to adopt him and tell himsomething about ‘family’ that you think he shouldknow. For further information visithttp://bit.ly/AdoptANation.

MulatuAstatke|Monday4thMay,8pm

Fewmusicianscanclaimtohavekickstartedawholegenre, butMulatuAstatke can rightly be called thefatherofEthio-jazz,afusionoftraditionalEthiopiansoundswithfunk,soulandLatinrhythms.

Tickets:http://bit.ly/MulatuAstatkeBF

MyNameIsWhy|Wednesday6thMay,7.30pm

Lemn Sissay reflects on a childhood in foster care,self-expression and Britishness as he discusses hismemoir,MyNameIsWhy,withHannahAziebPool.

Tickets:http://bit.ly/BrightFestxMyNameIsWhy.

Superheroes|Friday15thMay,7.30pm

JoinacclaimedpoetLemnSissayinconversationwithJohnBird,socialentrepreneur,lifepeerandfounderofTheBigIssue.

Tickets:http://bit.ly/BrightFestxSuperheroes

The Time Has Now Come: New HabeshaVisionaries|Friday15thMay,7.30pm

SpendaneveningwithsomeofEthiopiaandEritrea’snewvisionaries:MaazaMengiste,HannahAziebPoolandAidaEdemariam.

Tickets:http://bit.ly/HabeshaVisionaries

SamuelYirga|Saturday23rdMay,1.30pm

YoungEthiopianpianistandcomposerSamuelYirgacomes to takeBrightonby stormwithhis thought-provokingexplorationofEthiopianmusicfusedwithforward-thinkingjazzandsoul.

Tickets:http://bit.ly/SamuelYirga

9 February 2020

ArareEthiopiancrownfromthe18thcenturythatwasstolenandhasbeenmissing for twodecades,wasreturnedtoEthiopiaon20thFebruaryafter itwasdiscoveredintheNetherlands.

The crown was received by Prime Minister AbiyAhmed,theMinisterofCultureandTourism,H.E.DrHirutKassaw,andotherseniorofficials.

The Dutch Government, led by the Minister forForeign Trade and Development Cooperation,SigridKaag,facilitatedthehandoverwiththebeliefthat“ithasadutytorestitutethisimportantartefactbacktoitscountryoforigin.”Thegildedcoppercrown,whichfeaturesdepictionsof the Holy Trinity and Christ’s disciples, wentmissing fromHolyTrinityChurch in thevillageofCheleqotin1993andwasdiscoveredinRotterdaminOctober 2019, in the custody of Sirak Asfaw, aDutchnationalofEthiopianorigin.Asfaw told theAFP in an interview thathe found the crown in asuitcaseleftbehindbyaguesttohisapartment.AccordingtoastatementbytheDutchgovernment,“Lastyear,AsfawgotintouchwiththeMinistryofForeign Affairs, through the mediation of artdetective Arthur Brand, to discuss how to returnthis important cultural artefact to Ethiopia. From

LOCAL NEWS

Stolen 18th century crown returned to Ethiopia

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Ethiopian News

that point on, all parties worked together on thebestwaytorestorethecrowntoitsrightfulowner.”

“We’re honoured and delighted to have been

able to facilitate the rightful return. This is the crowning achievement of returning this heritage to

its rightful place.” ~SigridKaag,DutchMinisterforForeignTradeand

DevelopmentCooperation Followingthehandover,thecrownwentondisplayat theNationalMuseum inAddisAbaba,and thenwillbereturnedtoitsoriginalplaceinthechurchinCheleqot.

The crown is taken to the National Museum in Addis Ababa “Today Ethiopia receives a precious crown stolenseveralyearsagoandtakentotheNetherlands.Iamgrateful to Sirak Asfaw and the Netherlandsgovernment for facilitating its return,” PrimeMinisterAbiysaidinatweet.Thebronzecrownisthoughttobeoneofjust20ofitskindinexistence.…museumsurgedtoreturnstolenartefactsLastyear,onherdebutvisittotheUnitedKingdom,theMinisterofCultureandTourism,H.E.DrHirutKassaw called on all museums and others whoretain Maqdala heritage in their collections toreturntheartefactstotheirrightfulhome.

Theministermadetheremarksduringthehistoricceremonialhandoverof locksofhairbelonging toone of Ethiopia’s most popular Emperors –Tewodros II - at the National Army Museum inLondon.Applauding the National Army Museum for the“brave and principled decision to return theEmperor’shair,”theMinistersaid,“…forEthiopians,these are not simply artefacts or treasures butconstitute a fundamental part of the existentialfabric of Ethiopia and its people…[I urge] allconcerned to consider the intrinsic value of theitems in their collectionswhich are of far greatersignificance to Ethiopians than to those whoremovedthem.”

Ethiopians celebrate the historic return of Emperor Tewodros’ hair at the National Army Museum in London AspartofhertriptotheUK,theministeralsovisitedtheBritishMuseum,theBritishLibrary,theVictoriaand Albert Museum and St. George’s Chapel inWindsor.In discussions with the British Museum, theMinisterformallyrequestedthereturnof11replicaArksoftheCovenant,takenfollowingtheBattleofMaqdala,thatarecurrentlyprivatelystoredattheBritishMuseum.“TheArksactasspiritualanchorsfortheEthiopianOrthodoxChurchandaremorethanjustartefacts,”theMinisteremphasised.

11 February 2020

Ethiopia to hold 2020 elections on 29th August

The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE)announcedthat29thAugustwillbethedateforthenextparliamentaryelections.

Thedateistwoweekslaterthantheelectoralboardhadpreviouslyindicated(16thAugust),onaccountoftheweather.

“Looking at parts of the country which will beaffectedbytherainyseason,pushingtheschedulealittle further will ease our burden,” NEBEchairwomanBirtukanMideksasaidataconferenceheldinAddisAbabaonelectionpreparations.

During the conference NEBE also unveiled its new logo

Voter registration is due to begin in April andpoliticalpartiescancommencetheircampaignslateinMay.

Accordingtothenewschedule,thefinalresultsoftheelectionwillbeannouncedfrom30thAugustto8thSeptember.

Parliament approves hate speech and disinformation prevention law

The Ethiopian parliament has approved a hatespeech and disinformation prevention andsuppression law, aimed at preventing individualsfrom engaging in speech that incites violence,promotes hatred and discrimination against apersonoragroup.

TheLawisalsoaimedatpromotingtolerance,civildiscourse and dialogue, mutual respect andunderstanding and strengthening democraticgovernance,andisintendedtocontrolandsuppress

thedisseminationandproliferationofhatespeech,disinformation and other related false andmisleadinginformation.

The law prohibits disseminating hate speech bymeansofbroadcasting,printorsocialmediausingtext,image,audioorvideo.

254MW Genale Dawa III hydro dam inaugurated

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on 4th Februaryinauguratedthe254MWGenaleDawaIIIhydrodamproject,alongsidetheMinisterofWater,IrrigationandElectricity,DrSeleshiBekeleandtheMinisterofInnovationandTechnology,AbrahamBelay.

The Chinese-built hydro dam project cost around$451millionandisexpectedtofillacriticalgapinEthiopia'songoingeffortstomeettheenergyneedsofthecountry'spopulation.

TheenergysectorisoneofEthiopia'sprioritiesasthe country envisages becoming a lightmanufacturing hub in Africa and middle-incomeeconomyby2025.

Recently,a10-yearenergyroadmapwasunveiledthat aims to increase energy generation four-foldusing various energy sources such as geothermal,hydro,wind,co-generationandsolarpower.

…$6.5billionneededtoachieveuniversalaccesstoelectricityby2025

The Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy(MoWIE) saidEthiopianeeds$6.5billion tobringpower,fromrenewablesources,toallitspeopleby2025.

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Ethiopian News

ThiswasrevealedatconsultationstheMinistryhadwithrepresentativesoftheWorldBankGroup,theEuropean Union (EU) and other developmentpartners.

StateMinisterofWater, Irrigation andEnergy,DrFirehiwot Woldehanna, said the government isworkingtoachieveuniversalaccesstoelectricityby2025.

More than 7 towns/cities so far have access toelectricity from renewable resources, he said,adding the private sector should play the leadingrole to boost the country’s power generationcapacity.

Ethiopia’s overall access to electricity currentlystandsatonly44%.

Ministers approve additional $870 million 2019-20 budget

Aspartofeffortstofinancetheongoingeconomicreforms, the council of ministers approved asupplementarybudgetof$877.87millionfor2019-2020.

According to a statement on the PrimeMinister’sFacebookpage,18billionbirr(approximately$563million)fromtheadditionalbudgetisallocated“toovercomecurrenteconomicchallenges.”

“Therestofthemoney,whichis2billionbirrand7.9 billion birr, will be allocated for safety-netprogrammes and the national implementation ofequalpayforequalwork,respectively.”

This additional budget is pending approval byParliament.

Ethiopia ratifies Kampala Convention for IDPs

Ethiopia became the 31st African Union (AU)Member state to ratify theAUConvention for theProtection and Assistance of Internally DisplacedPersons (IDPs) in Africa, known as the KampalaConvention.

The Convention, a key regional legal instrumentaimed at protecting, assisting and resolving the

plight of IDPs, was unanimously passed byEthiopia’sparliament.

The Kampala Convention is the world’s first andonly regional legally binding instrument for theprotection and assistance of IDPs,who often faceheightenedrisksofsexualandotherviolenceduringtheir displacement, while they struggle to accesstheirbasicrights.

Welcoming the news, UNHCR, the UN RefugeeAgency,saidinastatementthat“thisrepresentsasignificantachievementforacountrythathashadtorecentlymanagemassive internaldisplacementwithinitsborders.”

“TheratificationofthisConventionunderscorestheGovernment’s concern and attention to the largenumberofpeoplewhoaredisplaced,whetherasaresult of conflict or changing climatic conditions,”said UNHCR’s Representative in Ethiopia, AnnEncontre.

“UNHCRwelcomestheopportunitytosupport theGovernment in implementing the tenets of theConvention and honouring its commitments,including through the development of a nationalactionplanforIDPs”.

33rd African Union meeting takes place in Addis Ababa

The33rdOrdinarySessionoftheAssemblyofHeadsof State and Government of the African Unionopenedon9thFebruaryattheAUHeadquartersinAddis Ababa. The meeting, which ran until 10thFebruary,washeldunderthetheme“SilencingtheGuns:CreatingConduciveConditionsforAfrica’sDevelopment.”

13 February 2020

In his opening address, the newly electedChairperson of the African Union, H.E. PresidentCyril Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa,outlinedtheprioritiesthatwillneedtobethefocusoftheUniontobolstertheprogressbeingmadeindriving Africa’s growth trajectory within theframeworkofAgenda2063including:

• Deepeningtheunityofthecontinent;• Advancing inclusive economic growth and

sustainabledevelopment• Ensuringpoliticalandeconomicunity,good

governanceandpeace• Supporting integration, industrialisation,

economic development, trade andinvestment

• Developmentofanappropriatestrategyforthefourthindustrialrevolution

• Economicandfinancialinclusionforwomenandmainstreamingtheinterestsofwomen

• Conflictresolution• Championing the position of Africa as a

strong and influential player in the globalarena

On the African Continental Free Trade Area(AfCFTA), which will become operational in July2020,MrRamaphosanotedthattheAfCFTAwillbeamajordriver for reigniting industrialization andpaving the way for Africa’s integration into theglobaleconomyasaplayerofconsiderableweightand scale. Mr Ramaphosa also announced thatSouthAfricawillhosttheExtraOrdinarySummitontheAfCFTAtobeheldbacktobackwiththeExtraOrdinary Summit on Silencing the Guns in May2020.

While speaking on the Theme of the Year, MrRamaphosa noted that, along with Africa taking

chargeofitspeaceandsecurityagendaandfindingAfricansolutionstoAfricanproblems,therewasanurgentneedto“…dealwiththeactionofcountriesoutsideourcontinentthatarefightingproxywarsandfuellingongoingconflictsonourcontinent.”

TheAUCommission(AUC)ChairpersonMrMoussaFaki Mahamat, speaking on the theme of thesummit,emphasisedtheneedforsolidarityamongAfrican countries if the continent is to achieve itsgoals for apeaceful and secureAfrica,noting that“thedeficitofsolidarityisoneofthebigweaknessesof the system of resistance and Africa’s overallcapacitiesforcontinentalresilience.

InlinewiththeongoingeffortsbytheAUtoensureinclusionofwomeninAfrica’sdevelopmentagenda,MrMahamatannouncedthat2020to2030hasbeendeclared The Decade of Financial Inclusion forWomen.

The UN Secretary General Mr Antonio Guterresspokeon the importanceof includingwomenandyouthinAfrica’speaceinitiatives.

Hesaidthat“peace,socialcohesionandsustainabledevelopment require women’s contribution andleadership.Womenclearlyhaveanessentialroletoplayinconflictpreventionandpoliticaltransitions,”hesaid.

He also said that it is necessary to engage andempower Africa’s youth, whom he said havebecomeadvocates forpeacethroughdialogueandaddressingtherootcausesofconflict.Inthisrespecthecommendedthe1millionby2021initiativeoftheAfrican Union which aims to reach millions ofAfricanyouthwithopportunities.

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Ethiopian News

Ethiopia resumed its World Trade Organization(WTO)membership accession negotiations at the4th meeting of the Working Party held on 30thJanuary.

MrMamoMihretu,senioradvisortotheEthiopianPrime Minister and chief trade negotiator, led ahigh-level government delegation, includingAmbassadorMisganuArgaMoach,StateMinisterofTradeandIndustry,DrEyobTekalignTolina,StateMinister of Finance, Ambassador Zenebe KebedeKorcho, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia inGeneva,aswellasotherseniorgovernmentofficialsand experts from a range of ministries andgovernmentagencies.

Thiswasthefirstmeetingoftheworkingparty inalmosteightyears.TheEthiopiandelegationsaiditwasreadytoworkjointlywithmemberstoadvance

and,hopefully, conclude, theaccessionprocessbytheendof2021.

Mr Mamo underscored the government'scommitmenttotheaccessionprocessandcalledonmembers to accelerate negotiations inconsideration of Ethiopia's status as a leastdevelopedcountry(LDC).

“Membership of theWTO is only the logical nextstep in Ethiopia’s broader efforts to inject rule oflawandpredictabilityinitsrelationswithallstatesaroundtheworld,”hesaid.

“Ethiopia is now ready for a deal; I am here to seek your

full support and commitment to facilitate this process and bring Ethiopia into the WTO within the shortest possible

period, ideally not later than the end of 2021.”

TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Ethiopia resumes WTO accession negotiations

15 February 2020

WTO members welcomed the resumption of theaccession process and supported Ethiopia'sdomestic reform efforts through this process. Inaddition, members pledged to provide technicalassistancetoEthiopiatoexpediteitsaccession.

ThechairoftheWorkingParty,AmbassadorMortenJespersenofDenmark,stressedthattheresumptionof Ethiopia's accessionprocess coincideswith theinternationally recognised peace and integrationefforts by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who wasawardedthe2019NobelPeacePrize.

“As the Prime Minister said in his Nobel speech,while the world is shifting rapidly, it is time forEthiopiatoreappeacedividendswithgoodfaithtoblossomintoprosperity,securityandopportunity.Ihavenodoubtthattoday'sWorkingPartymeetingwillcontributetoreachingthisgoal,bybecomingacritical turning point in the history of Ethiopia'saccession”totheWTO,AmbassadorJespersensaid.

“This meeting convened after almost eight years,has been critical at least on two accounts: first,sending a clear message that the accession ofEthiopiaisback;andsecond,Ethiopia'sengagementisdecisivelydifferentfromthepast-itispro-activeand bold, as the WTO accession is integral toEthiopia'sambitiouseconomicreformagenda,”headded.

ThechairnotedthatEthiopiaplaysamajorroleinthe Horn of Africa region, which has the highestconcentration of WTO accession activities.“Therefore, the resumption of the accession ofEthiopia is expected to give positive impetus toother African accessions, as well as regionalintegrationeffortsontheAfricancontinent,suchastheAfricanContinentalFreeTradeArea.”

Given Ethiopia's strong drive to advance theaccession process, the chair said members couldaimatholdingthe5thmeetingoftheWorkingPartyafterthenorthernsummerbreak.

MrMamo’s full statement is available on request.Pleaseemailpress@ethioembassy.org.uk.

Independent Council of Economic Advisors established to enhance role

of private sector

Ethiopiahasestablisheda12-memberindependentCouncilofEconomicAdvisorstoenhancetheroleoftheprivatesectorintheeconomy.

TheestablishmentoftheCouncilismeanttoensuresuccessful implementation of the ambitious andcomprehensive reform programme recentlyunveiled by the government to address macro-imbalanceandsustaingrowth.

InherremarksattheestablishmentoftheCouncil,Dr Fitsum Assefa, Commissioner of Planning andDevelopment Commission, said the home-growneconomic reform agenda initiated by thegovernment has given attention to the privatesector.

A10-yeareconomicplan,whichwillbeannouncedby the government soon, requires the realinvolvement of the private sector, theCommissioneradded.

Stating that the previous working systemwill nolonger continue, she said, the government willcontinuetosupporttheprivatesector,ensureruleoflawandfulfillinginfrastructuredemands.

TheCouncilwillalsoofferanindependent,objectiveandevidence-basedeconomicpolicyadvice to thegovernmentofEthiopia.

Ethiopia presents new coffee logo at the International Coffee Event 2020

Ethiopia unveiled a newcoffee logo at theInternational CoffeeEvent (ICE) 2020 thatwasheldinAddisAbabafrom6thto8thFebruary.

The new brand logo isexpected to distinguishEthiopiancoffeeandhelpcoffee farmers obtainpremium prices in theinternationalmarket.

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Ethiopian News

Speaking during a one-day stakeholder meetingheld in August 2019, Adugna Debela (Ph.D.),Director-General of the Ethiopian Coffee and TeaAuthority, said that the new brand representsEthiopiaasthebirthplaceofcoffee,withnumerousvarieties,andishopedwillbuildthereputationandacceptabilityofEthiopianorganiccoffees.

Ethiopiais the largest coffee producer in Africa,withaverageannualexportsof200,000tonnesoverthelastdecade.

Albeit obtainingover30%of its foreignexchangefromexportingcoffee,Ethiopiaconsumeshalfofthecoffeeitproduceslocally.

Dubbed “Coffee from the Land of Origins”, thesecondeditionofthethree-dayInternationalCoffeeEventfeaturedaconferenceandexhibition,aswellas cuppingandbarista competitions, coffeeorigintripsandtraditionalcoffeeceremonies.

56 exhibitors, hundreds of coffee buyers andexpertsfromallovertheworld,andhundredsmorecoffee industryactors inEthiopia tookpart in theevent.

Addis Ababa gets 4G

Ethio Telecom, Ethiopia’s sole telecom servicesprovider, has launched LTEAdvanced 4G (FourthGeneration) technology “in some parts of AddisAbaba where there is high internet usage trend”.FrehiwotTamiru,EthioTelecom’sCEO, said thereare plans to “launch the service in the regionalstatessoonaswell."

The 4G internet service, Ms Frehiwot said, willcontributetothenationalefforttowardscreatingasocial,economicanddigitaleconomy.Furthermore,she said, it will be able to address the increasedneedsofusers.

Thenetworkupgrade,carriedoutbyHuaweiaftermaking thedeal tendays ago, costEthioTelecomcloseto$5.5million(173millionBirr).

17 February 2020

EthiopiahasbeenincludedinNationalGeographicTraveller (UK)’s ‘Cool List’ of 20 must-seedestinationsfortheyearahead.

Listedatnumber12,Ethiopiaisnotedforits‘newtours, improved safety and a tourismtrade that’sgrowingfasterthananywhereelseinAfrica’.

“…green,mountainousEthiopiaisoneofthemostexcitingplacestovisitinAfrica,ifnottheentireworld.Thegovernmentintroducedelectronicvisasin June 2018 and encouraged theconstruction ofnewhotelsinAddisAbaba,whilenewdirectflightsfrom Manchester have begun withEthiopianAirlines. Travellers traditionally come to seek outtheancientrockchurchesofGheraltaandLalibela,but several tour companies, including WildFrontiers, are branching out to offer tours of theOmoValleywithvisitstotribesincludingtheMursi,famousfortheirlipplates.”

Pat Riddell, editor of National GeographicTraveller,said: “…we’ve scoured the globe for2020’smostinterestingdestinations.It’salistthatgives you plentyof inspiration close to home, as

well as further afield,highlighting hiking trails,emerging culinary hubs, luxurylodges andlandmarkattractions…Wehopethisyear’sCoolListhelpsyouenjoythejourney.”

Other African destinations included in the annuallist include Namibia at number 1, and Cairo atnumber13.

The National Geographic recommendation is thesecond big international endorsement of Ethiopiaas a tourist destination for 2020. Last November,Ethiopiawasplacedamong the‘4BestCountriesto Visit’ in 2020by travel publisher and tailor-madetripprovider,RoughGuides.

RoughGuidessaid “Ethiopia is utterlyunique.Theonlycountrytoclingontoitsindependenceduringthe nineteenth-century Scramble for Africa, itsculture and traditions have remained virtuallyintact.What’smore, itshistorygoesasfarbackasthe beginning of human existence. Its age-oldstructures, fiery cuisine, Amharic language andhigh-altitude wildlife occur nowhere else in theworld.”

TRAVEL AND TOURISM

Ethiopia makes National Geographic Traveller’s ‘Cool List’

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Ethiopian News

Ethiopian Airlinesmarked its first anniversary ofdirect flights from Manchester Airport to AddisAbaba by donating rose bushes and bouquetsfeaturingEthiopia’sfamousflowers,toTattonParkin Knutsford, Crook Hall and Gardens in Durhamand other locations across the North of EnglandincludingNewbyHallandGardensnearLeedsandRenishawlHallinSheffield.

TheNorth-EastisoneofthetopfiveregionstoflywiththeairlinefromManchesterthisyearsinceitlaunched flights from the Northern hub inDecember2018.

Theairlinehasflownmorethan17,000customersfromManchesterAirport’sTerminalTwosincethelaunch and has helped contribute to the boost intourism,notonlytoEthiopiabuttoothercountriesinAfrica,withitspopularonwardconnections.

Rosesarethebiggestexportontheairline’sflightsto Manchester, bringing in over 26 tonnes eachmonth. Other key cargo includes machinery andgarments.

Michael Yohannes, the Airline’s UK CountryManager,said:“Wearethrilledtobecelebratingourfirst anniversary at Manchester Airport, and wecouldnotthinkofabetterwaythanbringingatouchof Ethiopia to the region. We are proud to haveflownthousandsofcustomersfromManchesterandbeyond to Ethiopia, and some of the otherwonderful countries in Africa. The rose bushdonation is a symbol of the growth of the airlineacrossManchesterandthewiderregion.”

Carole Hyde, Business Development Manager atTattonPark,said:“ThankyoutoEthiopianAirlinesforselectingusasoneofthegardenstobeinvolvedinthiscampaigntocelebrateEthiopia’stopexport,fresh-cut roses. We are only a short hop from

Ethiopian Airlines marks first anniversary with gift of roses to the North

Ethiopian Airlines Traffic and Sales Manager at Manchester, Timothy Bettney, right, and Tatton Park’s head gardener, Simon Tetlow

19 February 2020

ManchesterAirportsoweare thrilledtowelcomethisnewadditiontoourbeautifulrosegarden,andlookforwardtotheconnectionsbetweenthesetwodestinationsbloomingandblossomingfurther.”

Ethiopian flowers at Crook Hall and Gardens

EthiopianAirlines,whichfliestomoredestinationsin Africa than any other carrier, uses theultramodern B-787Dreamliner on the routewithbusinessandeconomyclasses.TheservicetoAddisAbabaoperatesonTuesday,Wednesday,FridayandSunday.

…non-stopManchester-AddisAbabaroutefromJuly

Ethiopian Airlines will makeits Manchester-Addis Ababaroute,whichcurrentlytransitsinBrussels,anon-stopservicefrom July. Further detailswillbeprovidedinournextissue!

…Ethiopian Airlines welcomes new UK PRManager

EthiopianAirlineswelcomedSallyPetersasnewlyappointedPRManagerfortheUK.

Sally Peters joined Ethiopian Airlines on 3rdFebruary, furtherstrengthening theUKmarketingteam at their London offices in Chiswick. Sallybrings a huge amount of experience to the fast-growingAfricanairline,havingpreviouslyworkedintheairlineandtourismindustry.

Michael Yohannes UK Country Manager forEthiopianAirlines said “We are delighted to haveSallyjoinourteamhereintheUK.Shebringswith

her such a wealth of valuable experience and anetworkofindustryconnections.Weareexcitedtoexpandour teamandcontinue togrowpassengernumbersandincreaseawarenessofourbrand.”

CommentingonherappointmentSallyPeterssaid“IamdelightedandveryexcitedtobeworkingwithEthiopianAirlines.IhaveadmiredthegrowthoftheairlineovertheyearsandlookforwardtoworkingwiththeteamwithmyPR&Marketingexperiencetopromotetheairlineanditsbrandinthefuture.”

Afterayearofcontinuedsuccessfulgrowth,inlinewith its 15-year strategic plan, Vision 2025, theairlineislookingtoincreaseitsmarketsharefromtheUKandexpanditsoperationsoutofManchesterAirport after celebrating a rewarding first year ofserviceinDecemberlastyear.

…EthiopianAirline’sSkylightHotelreceives5*rating

The Ethiopian Skylight Hotel has been awardedfive-star rating by the Ministry of Culture andTourism.

The$65millionHotel,whichopeneditsdoorslastyear,offersmuchneeded5-staraccommodationinEthiopia’sfast-growingcapitalcity,AddisAbaba.

Conveniently located adjacent to the airport, itsunique aircraft-shape design provides 373 guestroomsandspaciousexecutivesuites,4restaurantsincludingthelargestChineserestaurantinAfrica,2bars,aswimmingpool,gym,healthcentre,caféandgiftshops.

The hotel also has 5 meeting rooms and a hugeconferencehallofferingAddisaconvenientlocationforglobalandregionalconferencesandevents.

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Ethiopian News

…Ethiopianmobileapphits1milliondownloads

ThenumberofEthiopianAirlinesMobileAppusershasreachedonemillion.

With a robust and integrated digital strategy, theairlinehassetaninnovativeapproachtosimplicityandseamlessend-to-endcustomerexperiencewithitsuser-friendlymobileApp.

The multi-award-winning global airline launchedinto a digitization journeywith localised services,languagesand38paymentoptions.

EthiopianMobileAppenablesglobalpassengerstobook, pay, check in, board as well as enjoy flightstatusnotificationsallwithasingle-windowsystemandamobile-cloudfirststrategy.

Accor set to expand Ethiopia footprint with new Ibis Styles hotel

Accor, a world-leading augmented hospitalitygroup, is expanding its presence in Ethiopia aftersigning a management agreement to open a newpropertyunder itsdesign-ledeconomybrand,IbisStyles.

Accor has partnered with privateconglomerate,Yuluch Elyano Trading plc, tooperateIbisStylesAddisAbaba,itsfifthupcomingproperty in the capital,with a scheduled openingdateof2023.

Convenientlysituatedinasecludedlocationjustoffthe city’s main thoroughfare, Bole Road, 1kmfromAddis Ababa Bole International Airportandclose to corporate institutions and embassies, thepropertywill appeal to regional and internationalbusiness travellers seeking stylish and affordableaccommodation.

“Our partnership provides Accorwith an excitingopportunitytoshowcasetheIbisStylesbrandinamarket where demand for innovative budgethospitality concepts is being driven by thecontinent’s booming domestic travelsector,”saidMarkWillis,CEOMiddleEast&AfricaforAccor.

“ThedealalsomarksanotherimportantstepinourAfricandevelopmentstrategy,growingourEthiopiapipelinetofivepropertiesstrong,acrossadiverserange of targeted brands and strengthening ourpresence in a region we have earmarked foracceleratedexpansion.”

MrGoitom Girmay, Major Shareholder and CEO,YuluchElyanoTradingplc,said:“EthiopiaisAfrica’sfastest-growing economy, fuelled by significantinvestments in infrastructure and manufacturing,andvisitornumberstothecapitalaresurging.Thiscalls for high-quality accommodation operated byworld-leading hospitality groups and ouragreement with Accor to deliver a cutting-edgeeconomyhotelbrandinthedynamiccapitalaimstomeetthismarketneed.”

Ibis Styles Addis Ababa is expected to become adestination for travellers and families whoappreciate trendy boutique-style accommodationwith creative and culturally relevant design,moderntechnologyandhomecomforts.

The hotel will join Accor’s growing pipeline ofproperties inAddisAbabaunderbrands includingMGallery,Mercure,PullmanandMovenpick.

21 February 2020

Kenenisa Bekele wins Vitality Big Half

2020 in new course record

As part of his preparations for the 2020 LondonMarathon,Ethiopian longdistancegreat,KenenisaBekele set a new course record as he claimedvictoryatTheVitalityBigHalfon1stMarch2020.

Kenenisa with British athlete, Lily Partridge, who won the elite women’s race

Seeingoffstrongcompetitionfromrunner-upChrisThompson,Kenenisarecordedatimeof60minutesand22seconds,smashingSirMoFarah’spreviouscourserecordof61:15.

Bekelesaid:"ThiswasmysecondhalfmarathonintheUKandI’mveryhappytowin.Itwasalittlebitwindy…Thenewcourse record is a greatbonus. Iwasn’tfocusedontimetoday;Ijustwantedtowin.”

"I’mon schedule inmypreparation for theVirginMoneyLondonMarathoninApril.Iftheweatherisgood,thenI’mhopingtorunlikeIraninBerlinlastyear.”

"There’snoquestionabout the crowds inLondonbeing great. There was cheering all around thecourse;itfeltlikeagreatplacetobethankstotheamazingpeopleofLondon.”

Ababel Yeshaneh breaks half

marathon world record by 20 seconds

Ethiopia's Ababel Yeshaneh smashed the halfmarathon world record by 20 seconds on 21stFebruarytowintheRasAlKhaimah(RAK)eventintheUnitedArabEmirates.

The28-year-oldcrossedthefinishlineinonehour,fourminutesand31secondsattheWorldAthleticsGoldLabelroadrace,eclipsingthepreviousrecordof 1:04:51 set by Kenyan Joyciline Jepkosgei inValenciain2017.

Marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgeifinishedsecond,andhertimewasalsotwosecondsinsideJepkosgei'smark.

Ethiopian distance runner Abadi Hadis dies

WeweresaddenedtohearthatEthiopiandistancerunnerAbadiHadisdiedon4thFebruaryattheageof22. Aregularcompetitorontheinternationaltrackandroad circuits,Hadismadehisbigbreakthrough in2016. Clocking PBs of 13:02.49 and 26:57.88, hewasthefastestU20athleteintheworldthatyearat

SPORTS

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Ethiopian News

both 5000m and 10,000m. He also representedEthiopia at the Olympic Games in Rio that year,finishing15thinthe10,000m.

In2017,whilestillateenager,hefinishedthirdinthe seniormen’s raceat theWorldCrossCountryChampionshipsinKampala,leadingEthiopiatotheteamgoldmedal.Hewentontofinishseventhinthe10,000m at the World Championships in Londonlaterthatyear.

Hadis at the World Championships in London

Hadiswentontorecorda5000mPBof12:56.27in2018andfolloweditwithahalfmarathonbestof58:44.Hereplicatedthathalfmarathontimeatthestart of 2019 and followed it with a 26:56.4610,000mPB inHengelo. His last competitionwasthe World Athletics Championships Doha 2019,whereheexitedintheheatsofthe5000m.

Heisoneofjustfivemeninhistorytohavebettered13minutesfor5000m,27minutesfor10,000mand59minutesforthehalfmarathon.

OurthoughtsandprayersarewithHadis’familyandlovedones.MayHeRestinPeace.

Women, War and Resistance in The Horn of Africa

TheBernieGrantArtsCentreishostinganeveningwithaward-winningauthorMaazaMengiste,asshereadsextractsfromhernewbookTheShadowKing,followedbyaninterviewandaudienceQ&AchairedbyHannahAziebPool.

TheShadowKingissetinEthiopiain1935withtheimpendinginvasionofMussolini’sarmy.Thenovelis a captivating exploration of female power, andwhatitmeanstobeawomanatwar,castinglightonthe female soldiers written out of European andAfricanhistory.

Date:Thursday,5thMarch2020at7.30pm

Venue:BernieGrantArtsCentre,London,N154RX

Tickets+Info:http://bit.ly/BGACxMaaza

EVENTS

Save The Date: 8th April 2020

OnWednesday,8thApril,theEmbassywillhostanevent where conservators working for theEthiopianWorldHeritageFund(EHF)willgiveanillustrated talk on their restoration of Ethiopianchurchwallpaintings.To register your interest, please send an email torsvp@ethioembassy.org.uk.Formore informationabout theFund,pleasevisitwww.ethiopianheritagefund.org and www.gerda-henkel-stiftung.de. EHF’s mission was alsohighlightedinourNovembernewsletter,aswellasfeaturedinTheObserverandinaBBCinterview.

23 February 2020

Feetbare,bellypressedagainstaslabofrock,Iinchmyway along the ledge. The grainy surface feelsoddlyreassuring,giventhatbeyonditsedgelurksasheer200mdrop.Across the gorge, a rowof flat-toppedcliffsriseabruptlylikeasetofcolossalteeth;aloneeaglehoverslazilyabovethevoid.Thenextcarefulstepsleadintoasmallcave,alockedwoodendoorimprobablyetchedinthecliffside.

Upwards four-and-a-halfmetres and one dizzyingledgewalklater,asimplepadlockremainsthelastobstacle to Abuna Yemata Guh, the church cutstraight into a cliff face. It’s oneof around120 inTigray, Ethiopia. A mountainous expanse of bare,razor-edged peaks jutting from flat plains of ariddesert-likescrubland,thecountry’smostnortherlyregionisshroudedinmythandlegend,nonemorecaptivatingthanitsbizarrerock-hewnchurches.

HereinthejaggedGheraltamassifthereare30orso.Carved into solid rock,hiddenatopmountainsandhollowedoutofvertiginouscliffsides, they’resomeofthemostobscureandhard-to-reachplacesofworshiponearth.Despitethis,thechurchesarestillverymuchinuse,servingthelocalcommunityastheyhavedoneforhundredsofyears.

Gettingthereispartofthetest,Zelasie,ourguide,tells me, only the truly devout (and a few crazy“ferenjis” – Ethiopians’word for foreigners) pass.Zelasie explains that going to church is a regularpartoftheweeklyroutineinTigray.Thelocalflockwillscaleits4.5mwall,shufflingacrossitsperilousledgewithoutasecondthought.Evennewmothers,newbornstightlyswaddledontheirbacks,maketheclimbtobaptisetheirbabies.

Inside, the church is simple, a small cave withcarpeted floors and painted murals covering itsroof.Withnowind,rainorsunexposure,theimagesontheceilinghavebeenperfectlypreserved.Likeabiblical comic book, the stories of Christianityplastertheroof–depictionsoftheNineSaintswhohelpedspreadthereligionthroughEthiopiainthe5thcentury,the12Apostles,andAbunaYemata,thechurch’sfounder.

We’re alone: a rare treat, I’m told. “When I comehere, I lose everything. I feel free. It’s not likeanywhere else. It is a special place,” says Atsbha,leafing through the pages, now jaundiced andgreasy with age. I have to agree, even as a non-believer somethingeerily etherealhangsheavy intheair.Hiswideeyesareglassyashetellsofhisplantodedicatehislifetothechurchandthecommunity,justashisfatherhas.

Readmoreathttp://bit.ly/Visit_Ethiopia.

ETHIOPIA IN THE NEWS

Eagles, Edges and Edifices: Touching the Heavens in Tigray, Ethiopia

VisitingEthiopia’sOrthodoxChristianchurchescarvedintoclifffacessoaringmorethan2,000mabovesealevelisanepiphanicexperience–evenforanon-believer.

CONNECT WITH US

@EthioEmbassyUK

Published by the Public Diplomacy Department, Embassy of Ethiopia, London SW7 1PZ To receive a copy by email, please send an email to press@ethioembassy.org.uk.

A copy is also available online on our website: www.ethioembassy.org.uk.