GERD unites Nile Basin states: Study

By Worku Belachew

Addis Ababa- The construction of the Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD) has created unity and cooperation, changing old fashioned trends with an unprecedented dynamics within the Nile basin nations.

Dr. Tesfaye Tafesse

Presenting his study at First Pan African and Second College of Social Sciences (CSS) Monthly Seminar Series of the Addis Ababa University on Thursday, Dr. Tesfaye Tafesse Head of Centre for African and Oriental Studies of AAU, stressed that the previous political situation which revolved around the water utilization of Nile waters has been significantly improved particularly over the past three years owing to the construction of GERD project.

According to the study other contributing reasons for the positive stride are; the joint common positions upstream states hold for the respect of their natural rights as far as Nile waters is concerned which also include the rejection of colonial and post colonial agreements , nullification of Egypt's “historic rights” , and the emergence of new financial sources. It was also discussed that Sudan’s support of GERD is also a great catalytic factor.

Tesfaye argued the existence of an all-inclusive institutional setup and legal framework is fundamental to serve the best interests of Nile riparian nations. In this regard he noted the previous institutions such as Hydromet which failed to be inclusive while Tesfaye appreciated Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), still operational, for being strong breakthrough towards cooperation. He also put that the latest Cooperative Framework of Agreement (CFA) is “still outstanding” awaiting for the ratification of signatories to establish Nile River Basin Commission sooner than later. It was also unveiled that the CFA would help to increase the volume of water in the basin and suggested that nations that do not enter their signature such as Egypt need to revisit their stand.

He remarked that the benefits of GERD to the three countries namely Egypt , Sudan and Ethiopia need to be strong base for cooperation.

The university academic community including renowned professors was in attendance during the discussion.

It is to be recalled that the majority of Nile basin nations signed the CFA while Ethiopia followed by Rwanda took the agreement to their respective parliaments and ratified it. It is expected that other would follow suit and the Commission is expected to come to function.

Power outage: Deficiency or inefficiency? 

Power outage at times covering large portion of the capital has become a norm than exception. Due to that customers who unfailingly pay their electric bills have to bear additional burden—i.e., making repeated calls to nearby utility station or trekking in person to the stations to enter complaints. However, it is not uncommon to see that both ways fail to  bring a genuine solution as the public or customers are devoid of adequate information on how to contact the right officials.
There is a  toll free call centre “905”, for instance, which seems to bridge the gap of information though the numbers themselves have not been well introduced to the public. Even for those who know this service, it requires a number of attempts to get through. Put it another way, the busy line takes all the wits and may end up being another cause of  disappointment. To make matters worse, the call centre is automated in English for a virtual queue, to be on hold until agents handle the call. At least, the pertinent body need to apply the federal language, Amharic, so long as customer satisfaction is the ultimate goal.
Provided that the problems cited above will be sorted out, the call centre has a multiple purpose. In the first place, people from either a wireless or wired telephones can inform any kind of emergencies related to power easily. And it also helps residents to get speedy services as far as power outage is concerned. Apart from these, it cuts unnecessary bureaucratic hassling which can create loophole for rent seekers.
The nation which generated less than 300 mega watts two decades ago has now succeeded in multiplying this figure by over seven times—around 2,268 mega watts.  Works are also on progress to elevate the generation capacity between 8,000 and 10,000 mega watts within the GTP period, which is due to end this fiscal year. In addition, efforts are also in the pipeline to transmit and distribute power generated from various sources with reduced loss. However, these efforts get intercepted  due to problems, some of them might be beyond control and most others due to man made one. The latter seems to outweigh the former. This is  not said out of the blue. One can easily go to the various service stations in Addis for instance and see the public woes. Neighbourhoods that are in blackouts for weeks and days for unknown reason; residential areas that experiences repeated power failure due to fallen electric lines and who also do not know what to do when such emergencies occur; Small and Micro Scale Enterprises that find it hard to do their works because of same problem... and many more are the least to list. To be frank, the grand problems do not seem to emanate from problems which are beyond control. And it is not also power shortage, as also repeatedly told from pertinent bodies on various occasions.
The authority should probe its systems in case rent seeking mentality has grown invisible hands to spoil the service provision. Power with no doubt has to do with our development be it at individual level or whatever. And interruption even for hours means just a delay by same amount of time from our schedules. Above all, customers fulfil their duties in terms of paying the bills for the power they consumed, and they are also tax payers. Thus, any possible interruption should be communicated, if not compensated. And where there exist problems beyond human control, at least it is humble to ask apologies with appropriate channels. In fact, during the opening of the joint House meeting last October, President Mulatu asked apology on behalf of the government for power outages, particularly due to man-made problems. And  the pertinent body need to follow suit.
In addition, the Communication Staff of Ethiopian Electric Power need to incorporate various methods to get feedback from the customers. One method can be using social media to get immediate feedback from customers. It also has a great power to sustain governance in the sector. By the same token, the public's strong support in fighting rent seekers have a good role in sustaining governance.

GERD has more benefits to Sudan than Ethiopia: President Al-Bashir

Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir said the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is useful to all the parties and Sudan has been supporting the construction.

“Aswan is useful to Egypt and GERD is life to Sudan,” the President said.

President Al-Bashir told the Arabic newspaper “The Middle East” that “GERD is useful for all of us. I think the leadership of Egypt’s Mohamed Morsi made the GERD a political issue while the matter is totally technical and this is the big mistake”.

According to the Turkish news Agency Anadolu, which quoted the newspaper, President Al-Bashir said, “I think the leadership of Egypt’s Mohamed Morsi made the GERD a political issue while the matter is totally technical and this is the big mistake.”

“I personally watched a direct television programme aimed at spreading the idea of bombing Ethiopia’s Dam, destabilizing Ethiopia and giving support to opposition groups organized against the Ethiopian government. And this was a shameful programme,” the Sudanese President noted.

“Following this programme, the Ethiopian people became stronger and made the Dam a national project. Despite the difference in ethnicity and religion in Ethiopia, the whole people have a common and strong position with regard to their national project - the GERD,” he added.

Moreover, despite their differences the Ethiopian peoples are rallying behind the government to construct and complete their Dam. Even the needy are contributing towards the success of the construction of the Dam.

I suggest that Egypt should take corrective measures in this regard, he said.

“The existing government of Ethiopia is influential at global level. Ethiopians will complete the construction of the Dam, which is their dream. They never stop the construction of their national project, the GERD.”

“Sudan has been supporting the construction of the Dam. The country has conducted a study on the GERD and has already become aware that the Dam has more benefits to Sudan than Ethiopia.”

 

Pioneer women Minister, Ambassador: Obituary 

WORKU BELACHEW  

Women have got a place since ancient times here, though arguable. We can have queen Sheba (not queen of Sheba), queen Taitu and Her Majesty Empress Zewiditu.

But, as we talk of modern Ethiopian history Yodit Emeru looked like to pioneer career as a senior government official.

She started her career at Foreign Affairs Minister in 1946 and maintained a high quality personality for 25 years in a row as a Director General, assistant minister, state minister, acting minister, and ambassador, among other.

She also represented Ethiopia in UN general assembly which goes every year in New York.

Together with her high caliber colleagues, she contributed a lot for the founding of OAU and for its headquarters to be in Addis.

Yodit pioneered women ambassadorship and also being first state minister in Ethiopia, also headed delegates of African women association held in Tanzania.

She received her bachelor's degree from a usa university in political sciences.

Ambassador Yodit laid to rest on September 16, 2007 E.C at Kechene Medhane-Alem church. RIP

Please click the following link to get details http://www.awib.org.et/currency/spotlight/item/602-setting-diplomacy-ambassador-yodit-imru.html

Flames of new season

Bright falls from the skies

Bounce with might on the flowers

Stamping hope on the hears, of creatures.

“Adey Adey Abeba...”

Kids, young, men and women chants loud in Addis Ababa

Thick on the air a pleasant aroma

Faces shine, hearts rejoice

Clouds scatter, and bonfire smokes, floats,

Along the way rhythm from crowds, chants of kids

Stands high make big feasts.

In harmony with rivers' dancing

That flow in full volume

Bidding, farewell for the winter departing

Drums thunder with a rhythm

A melody from clergymen

With flecking of breathtaking pattern

like that of sea of teff grass, waving on field

Thy theater purifies soul, greens dead wood

Centuries back delivered

From the womb of great Yared

Staff, space and music note have elders

Born and grown up in Africa

Still reside, enjoyed in Ethiopia.

Yes, it's a new year

With the skies clear.

To reclaim lost fame

To continue the journey guided by the flame.

It's a new day

With blooming of Adey.

Burning agony, turning them ashes

In return handfuls, of Hopes

Bonfires flame, here and there

People depart blessing winter

Hands stretched to receive new season

To reap surplus, to see full barn.

Worku Belachew

Ethiopia's Fine Arts Ambassador--- Haimanot Alemu

BY LATE MELESE TILAHUM

Haimanot Alemu (centre) with artistes including Asnaketch Worku and Tesfaye Gessesse

 

The following piece is mainly an outcome of the expensive interview with this writer recently conducted with artist Haimanot Alemu. It took quite a while to pin down this often illusive person who often avoids giving interview to the media.

Haimanot Alemu was born in Addis Ababa but spent his childhood years in Holetta. On his father's farm, he was brought up loving horses, sheep and goats. He and his brothers had fun getting their morning milk right from under the cows when they were being milked.

Farming was the way of life for his dad and family that led to Haimanot’s love of the outdoors from an early age. Haimanot even tried his hand in farming and raising sheep and chicken, sort of a gentleman farmer. Today, he uses any spare time he has to drive out to the surrounding areas of Addis to enjoy the fresh air and the outdoors. He was also a boy scout in Teferi Mekonen Elementary School and eventually a Troop Leader in high school. Haimanot attributes his discipline to a lifetime of boarding school life and the Boy Scouts.

Haimanot Alemu, by nature, is a quiet sort of person who stays away from public events and is rarely seen at weddings or hotel lounges. This illusive person is probably one of Ethiopia's accomplished actors as well as its leading choreographer. As a young person, ballet and modern dance was his passion. He used to come all the way from his high school in Kotobe to the Creative Arts Center at AAU just to dance ballet and take part in plays performed in English. Nowadays, he spends his time at Astar Advertising, a global ad. Agency, working mostly on social marketing projects and doing communication-consulting work, for which he is certified by the EMI. Every once in a while, he would take a long journey to represent Ethiopia as an invited guest director, sort of Ethiopia's fine arts Ambassador, as he did recently. He came back after a three—month stay in India where he was invited to direct a Shakespeare, Play "Twelfth Night" in a place called Auroville in Tamil Nadu State in South India. He worked with actors from several countries who live in Auroville, a place of human unity and advancement. Haimanot used the unique style of the Mogul Empire of 18”‘ century India. It was an opportunity to strengthen the existing friendship between Ethiopia and India. Ethiopia was part of the over 100 countries which came together to establish Auroville as a place of peace and harmony some forty years ago. "I am honored that Auroville invited me to direct this production and work with their wonderful artists. I was proud to contribute my modest share to promote Ethiopia's image as an artistic Ambassador to a diverse people ., of India with age-old cultures of thousands of years, and was fascinated to see many similarities between our countries. India is truly an incredible place to visit.”

The last time we got a chance to see Haimanot on stage, in what he is best at, was when he was playing the title role of Uncle Vanya with such luminaries as the late singer/actress Asnaketch Worku, Tesfaye Gessesse, Getachew Debalke, Teferi Alemu and Haregeweyn Assefa. It was a show to behold, a rare treat of three generation of actors playing together. A few years before that he produced a feature film based on Sissay Negussu's novel ‘Girdosh'. It was the other memorable event that people remember well when Ethiopia's leading actors and actresses came together a couple of years ago with monologues from Tsegaye-Gabre Medhin’s plays at the National Theatre. Haimanot played a monologue from Arbegnaw Denbel which was mesmerizing, Fikadu T. Mariam did Tewodros, Abebe Balcha did Othello as well as other performers. It was a unique theatrical treat, one we probably won't see again for sometime.

From an early age, the theater always fascinated Haimanot. The first play he saw was Moliere's "The Miser". The work onstage seemed easy and enjoyable for the mind of a ten year old. That was his first experience of drama. The day was also special because the Emperor and the Queen were also there at the Teferi Mekonen School. The school was like a pet project of the Emperor and it was not unusual for him to drop in every once in a while. But to Haimanot's young mind, it was mind blowing experience. He says "that was a moment of truth when I decided to become an actor, right there and then. when the Emperor's entourage was seen off, I found myself mesmerized and was left sitting in the empty auditorium. I made up my mind that I would grow up one day to become an actor. I never changed my mind and stuck with it for the rest of my life.” It was a fascinating life that took him to the theater in Ethiopia and beyond in such countries as the US, Nigeria, Cuba, Vemen, and others.

In the early days of high school there were more opportunities to do Theater at Haile Selassie I Secondary school, referred to as 'Kotobe'. Theatre was a serious undertaking by the school director and the rest of the foreign staff. Haimanot and his friends did a lot of theater with their teachers and soon got comfortable playing in English.

In Kotobe, there was political activism by the students and debating about issues in front of the entire student body was the most favorite extra curricular activity. The heated debates would sometimes erupt into stone throwing fights. Haimanot's close friend and debate antagonist was young activist Tilahun Gizaw. Haimanot says with pride " I never lost a single debate. Tilahun hated that. I was the actor, he was the politician.” As seniors, a rebellion erupted over corruption, which led to the electric power and telephone lines being cut off by students. Eventually, the government arrested all the students and sent them to prison at the notorious Kolfe Fetno Derash Police headquarters. That was in 1965, it was the same year, by coincidence that a young man from South Africa was being trained for guerilla warfare somewhere in the camp." We young high school prisoners were taken out every morning for military drill exercises as punishment for our rebellion. Soon, me and my actor friends were perform plays for the prisoner population as well as the guards on duty.

By the time Haimanot got to the Haile Selassie University, there was no drama department. He didn't know anybody in America, the favorite destination then. Haimanot didn't know where to go in America because he did not know a single soul in the whole country. He opened a map of the U.S. and started staring at the different names of cities. New Vork, Los Angeles, Chicago, frightening names for the young 18 year old impatient to take off and to see the world. Then in the middle of the page he sees the name ’Twin Cities’. The state was Minnesota and the twins were Minneapolis and St. Paul. That was how life started in America for the courageous young Ethiopian bent on becoming an actor, maybe see Hollywood.

Haimanot did study acting and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor's Degree with Great Distinction and went on win a prestigious graduate fellowship to study for his Master of Fine Arts degree in theater arts. He went on to work as a professional actor playing roles in different theaters in Minneapolis including the Tyrone Guthrie theatre, well known for producing classical and Shakespearean plays. It was there that his passion for Shakespeare was more cultivated. Haimanot was a company member at the world famous Children's Theater of Minneapolis, a unique experience for the young Ethiopian actor as well the Cricket theater. In graduate school, he directed Tsegaye Gabre Medhin’s ”Oda Oak Oracle" which went on to represent the University at regional theater festivals.

Upon returning to Ethiopia, Haimanot went to apply for theater work at the Ethiopian National Theater. There was no vacancy. After all that work Ethiopia was not ready for him. Disappointed and surprised, Haimanot joined the PR department of Ethiopian Airlines as Associate Corporate Relations. To make a long story short, the revolution of 1974 broke out and soon Haimanot found himself back at the National Theater with Tsegaye Gabre Medhin as General Manager. The next couple of years, Haimanot found himself as Artistic Director of the National Theater. Theater had found a rebirth under Tsegaye with spectacular productions the audience had never forgotten. Haimanot directed and acted in several of these plays including "Petros at the Hour”, "Skeleton in Pages", "lnat Alem Tenu", Tewodros, as well as choreographing the first epic dance dramas. Haimanot directed and choreographed "Tiglachin” which was Ethiopia’s entry in the Black Arts Festival in Nigeria (FESTAC). Later, the play was taken to a festival in Havana, Cuba. Haimanot directed the dance and played one of the leading roles, alongside Wegayehu Negatu. Haima not and Wegayehu have always been close friends from TMS where they met as boy scouts. The friendship would last a lifetime as well as being together onstage at the National theater. Haimanot the director designed the role of "Jillu Morro" in Inat Alem Tenu. Years ago, they had played together in "Petros Yatchin Seat”.

Haimanot would probably be remembered for his portrayal of Emperor Tewodros, Arbegnaw Denbel in Inat Alem Tenu. The production featured some of the finest actors Ethiopia has ever produced. These are the likes of Wegayehu Negatu, Awlachew Dejene, Asnaketch Worku, Tesfaye Sahlu, Debebe Eshetu, Asegdetch Habte and more. All told, many agree that this production is probably his finest work in the theatre. It is considered by many that these few years under Tsegaye were probably the golden years of the theater with exceptionally high-grade productions of plays, Folklore shows that toured many countries around the world.

Haimanot’s stay in the US was not without acclaim. He won the Mary Goldwater Award for outstanding acting talent in Washington D.C. in 1988 and The Ira Aldridge Award for Shakespearean acting in Los Angeles in 1989. Haimanot was a faculty member at the El Camino College where he taught Shakespearean acting and directed "Twelfth Night” at the South Bay Conservatory for the Arts. Back in Ethiopia since 1991, he was an Asst. Professor who has taught at AAU, Rakhmanoff College and Unity University. He also had a talk show 'Fietlefit' on Ethiopian TV that presented Ethiopia's renown role models, Haddis Alemayehu, Captain Alemayehu Abebe, Getachew Mahteme Selassie, Dr. Dej. Zewde Gabre Selassie , Derartu, Hamelmal and other luminaries who discussed their works, life and experience.

Haimanot has been very active in development communication work. He has assisted many international NGOs to train their PR and communication personnel as well as reproductive heath nurses to upgrade their skills in personalized customer handling. He has also produced several documentary videos to promote their work. He also has an active life in sewing as Master of Ceremonies for different organizations throughout the years. Ever since he did a TV Telethon for the Amhara Development Association raising 32 million Birr in one day's telethon, he has gained public attention. This work in development has continued to this day helping different organizations raise funds and promote their work.

This writer asked Haimanot what he considers himself to be and how he gets time to juggle so many professions at the same time. " Primarily, I consider myself to be an actor, first and foremost. I am still that ten-year old playing with his fantasies. For different reasons Iwon‘t get into here, I am sorry I have not played many more roles for the Ethiopian public. Now we are all getting beyond out time, so a lot is lost. Second, I consider myself a teacher of the craft and a perennial learner for this a profession that will take more than one lifetime to learn. So I have decided that I am a master of all trades but a master of none. An actor can adapt and survive in many different challenging lives, learning each role as new and building these characters that flash on the stage or in front of the camera and disappear. A life of fantasy and illusion, as in child play. But you know what? I wouldn't change my decision to become an actor, ifl had to do it all over again. I guess I am an incurable azmari!"

As if all those different life roles are not enough, Haimanot has turned back to his passion for singing and playing the guitar. "The guitar came into my Life when I was a student in America and I became lonely and homesick. Music was an escape and therapy that kept me company for years and years. The late sixties and early seventies in America was an eye opener to world issues, the Vietnam war and political protests; and l was in the middle of it and still trying to get a couple of degrees while I was experiencing turmoil that rocked America then. The civil rights movement and the experience of black renaissance in Martin Luther King, Malcolm and Dylan were all shaping my thinking and memorable times. I was driven to excel and be the best that I can be for my country and people. I am a lucky person and thank God that he has given me some talent and led me to experience some ofthe most incredible times in the world where history was made, right in front of our young lives.”

The writer also asked him what he would like to turn his attention to, as he pushes middle age. “I think teaching acting will be on the top of the agenda, together with directing more plays. We have to keep the classical and experimental theater alive by producing plays in this genre every year. If time allows, I may also try some acting. It has been a while and I think there is a need now to expose the new generation to more acting by senior practitioners, sort of set the standard and give them something to learn from. It is of concern today that, because of video films, actors think they do not need to study the craft of acting. That will eventually reduce plays and films to sub-standard state and will not bring about excellence in the arts.”

(Source:http://www.ethpress.gov.et/herald/index.php/herald/art-culture/2147-ethiopia-s-fine-arts-ambassador-haimanot-alemu)

Wishing you a happy Ethiopian New year

Why the whole haunting multiplied by zero? 

BY SOLOMON GEBRE-MEDHIN 

• One sentence of the manager multiplies all claps by zero

What I found the easiest thing to anticipate and of course to win even in betting is the abundance of enthusiastic claps in almost all of the meetings on various issues. One can easily put themselves into a game saying that there would be warm clapping in every pause of the meetings; either when a speaker appears or disappears, or when a speaker begins or ends, or when every sentence of that particular 'orator' ends in period or so.

Let us take a couple of minutes to see how the meeting and the clapping are entwined these days. However, in this particular piece, we would observe how the latter served as a mere company of the former. The following is a little bit modification of a real meeting that took place in an organization that I prefer to keep the name undisclosed.

Directing to my point, there was a meeting and it was under way. The management of that organization called the meeting to discuss and respond to the complaints of employees who sue the organization for its impotence in the fight against the rent seeking mentality observed in the management village. One thing to note here, the how the members make it the dialogue on the venue, by the way have you ever heard of any organization or company complaining about its workers? I doubt even the existence of such organization for it is usually heard the outcry of employers be it may in governmental or non-governmental organizations.

In any case, as the meeting was under way, there came a time for the angry employers to take the floor and utter their cries from the bottom of their hearts. One of them said, “Here in our organization, we (naming his department) are severely oppressed. We are not being treated in such a proper manner that we should be treated. Our complains are not heard, our efforts are not applauded. However, the management is right by our nose to take any 'disciplinary' measures for a silly reason such as not bowing for the boss while greeting.” Now this gentleman is in an extraordinary emotional status seeming to say more although he promised to cut his speech in short so as to show respect to the respected management and to save their golden time.

So he kept on speaking, promotion is very rare to us despite the convenient credentials we have. The salary scale of our organization unlike its peers is very low and therefore it fails to safeguard us from the challenge posed upon us by the ever increasing prices of goods and commodities including the house rent prices. There bursts a warm clapping and sighs of support from every corner of the hall. And now, this gentleman felt sure that right after his majestic speech, the manager would say 'I quit my job for I am not capable of being a leader of such an organization. Yes that is what the clap signaled to this man. In fact, any one who attended the meeting in that hall in that particular moment would not be wrong to think of seeing new faces in the administration offices the next day.

Inspired by the first speaker and the hot clap that signaled support to his speech, a lady stood up to share hear hearts. One must be wise like few to realize how some situations make gender balance even for speaking in such occasions, and some even would dare to say that it indicated there exhibited a real democracy in that organization as gender equality was settled.

Introducing the department where she is from, the lady looked courageous to rain the storms of her complaints on the management. Indulging herself in the activity of checking the position of the mike and herself, she started saying that the organization is purchasing spare parts and stationery and other writing related materials from unauthorized company in a very expensive price. She said, “We are, I think the only organization in the country collecting rubbish for nothing nor for preserving goods of the past.” as she expected, a laughter and a clap flooded after her last word.

As the rain continues to fall from her mouth, the lady stepped to another chapter of her speech that forced the audience to blood-red their hands as they clapped. Here is what she said, “Employment here in our organization is done based on bloodline. You can find number of idles here hired not because they suit the position they are assigned to but only because they have been privileged to have blood connect to one another. And as a result, some of us are suggesting this organization to be renamed Mr. X and his family's plc.” Well, I do not think that there would be any other such ironic expression that would force meeting participants to surrender for clapping, applaud and laughter. Some even wanted to rise from their seat but I think they immediately ignored their motives of doing so may be because they knew that all these laughter and claps do nothing to change the mismanagement of their organization.

I learnt later after almost a couple of months from the so called historic meeting, the organization rather got standing, stagnant and continued the usual maladministration. And the claps that could be heard miles away from the meeting place did not bring any change, but a zero value investment of power by the clappers. One sentence from the general manager multiplies all the utterances and the claps by zero; he said, “Everything that has been said so far emanates from lack of proper information about the fundamental democratic and transparent activities that this management is doing.”

And as for the organization afterwards, it continued with its dark side bureaucracy and malpractices as nothing had happened and as no one ever questioned it too. In parallel, as for the employers, they kept on working but cursing the management as they did before the meeting that was full of clapping which did nothing at all.

GERD

 

All roads lead to Rome

Worku Belachew 

The issue of GERD one's again brought Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt under same roof for talks in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. Over the past years following the commencement of the flagship project, Ethiopia shades light on the solid fact that the dam won't bring any of anticipated fears of few Egyptian counterparts, environmental, social or whatever. This had been proved true as the trio panels were exposed to important evidences—both the dam site and all available documents— and concluded as no significant harm would be caused.

As stated in the FDRE Foreign Affairs and National Security Policy and Strategy, the nation's front line enemy that causes threat to its survival is poverty and backwardness. The introductory section of this document read as: “the attainment of speedy economic development, democratization and peace is fundamental to the survival ofour country which finds itself in a state of abject poverty and backwardness.”

Fighting this harsh scenario is central to its activities. Winning the neck-to-neck wrestling against poverty is not an event rather it is a process. Over the years, no stone has been left unturned, to expedite this process. Now the economic achievement of the nation is one of the fewest fast speeding in Africa. GERD is a showcase of the development and the future of Ethiopia, therefore. There is no intent to harm anyone in the basin. But, there is an intent to benefit those in the basin.

For Ethiopia, the development of the region in particular, and Africa as a whole is so important. Citizens of Ethiopia were/are in UN missions in Africa. Ethiopia is doing a lot to stabilize the region, it has played crucial role for Somalia to make it stand with equal feet among the rest of the nations. Same efforts are under way for South Sudan, to mention but few. Therefore, this nation has, since long time ago, advanced its stand to the sentiment of Pan-Africanism, the impetus that glue Africa and Africans together in the economic, social and political fronts.

The government of Ethiopia has not been preoccupied in theorizing Pan-Africanism, it has rather laid the foundation for its practicality. The power interconnection Ethiopia accomplished between Djibouti and Sudan is a case in point in this regard. And GERD is no different. Clean energy of 6,000 mega watts will be generated here but would be in use by neighbouring nations as well.

From the onset of the construction of GERD, in various fora, Ethiopia's unshakable stand has been manifest. In this fourth round of trio talks, Ethiopia maintained the stand as it accepted the agreement reached to further assess the hydro-logical modeling, social and environmental impacts of the dam.

It suffice to mention this proverb here: “All roads lead to Rome”.

In a regular press conference of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), spokesperson Dina Mufti put the matter this way: “Ethiopia accepted the proposal for further study in which four experts from each country will participate. We are confident enough, the assessment will not come up with any new impact other than which was studied thus far.”

The national effort is to abolish poverty and backwardness.

When it comes to using cross boarder rivers, Ethiopia respects the non harming principle toward downstream riparian and pursue development exercising its natural rights. As it has been mentioned above, the rhythm of the nation's development greatly considers cooperation, mutual benefit— in one terminology, Pan-Africanism.

With the exception of few, all in the riparian have understood the reality. And all African brothers and sisters, young and adult, also reflected in various ways that GERD is a source of cooperation.

In this regard, Ethiopia has wide opened all windows to cooperate on the issues of Nile in general and GERD in particular. The fact is one and one, whether assessment is done or not, GERD will not harm anyone. It rather multiply opportunity for downstream nations in many ways as suggested by famous scholars. And will integrate the region as whole.

Quotation of the day

“There is no time to waste. We must either unite now or perish.” Julius Nyerere

Taxi service irregulrities 

souring shortage

BY WORKU BELACHEW 

For most residents and visitors of Addis, transportation hassling has been an inescapable daily encounter. Passengers who beat the bitter open air wrestling, and a short distance like race secures a trophy of getting themselves on board taxis. 

The Darwinian theory of “survival of the fittest” seems to hold water here. Pregnant women, elders, fellows with physical disability... have no choice than simply be observant of the street theater. One can see the power of scarcity as it is dismantling age old culture of sympathy for the needy which our society practiced. In some places passengers have to desperately wait in lines until their turn come to get taxis.

So called taxi coordinators who are organized into micro and small scale enterprises get busy collecting money from every passer by taxi doing almost nothing valuable for passengers. Only in few places they coordinate queues and rarely give protection from pickpockets.

 

The varied modes of public transportation, such as blue and white taxis, mid buses and city bus carry passengers to their brim, previously in peak hours but now throughout the day.

The situation has turned into a state of 'money cannot buy comfort' when it comes to public transport. Honestly speaking, a slight part of the shortage is artificial. There is still a kind of irregularities that the city's transport authority has overlooked.

Coming year is decisive in that it will bring the Light Rail Transit (LRT), deemed to downplay the shortage and irregularity, operational. But, until then sort of controlling to leverage the available modes into public need appears so essential. It is clear that the city transport bureau has put various mechanisms in place to bring the service back in track. Sadly but, their lone efforts and its results are insignificant compared to the chaos.

The blue and white ones have route plates. And particularly on week days until evening, they operate sticking to their routes. Owners of these taxis have organized themselves into associations and the route case is revised periodically by the associations. This is done to make the zoning system fair. For instance, if a taxi works in a route that road construction/maintenance is underway or in a place that has a high traffic jamming, then in the next round it will be assigned to better areas.

Let's put the irregularity here: For instance, some taxis are double licensed to serve both in the city and across regions tagging a name “supportive taxis''. Moreover, supportive taxis has no visible route plates.

If anyone knows the routes of supportive taxis, it obviously is the taxi driver, the attendant and transport authorities. Consequently, these taxis, at times when they can be out of the sight of transport controlling officers, break trips aiming to collect two higher fares or force passengers to pay extra fares or drive to a route that they can reap maximum gains. Such irregularities are furthering the transportation chaos.

No argument, transport controlling officers cannot be on the spot every time but a kind of system need to be put in place to ease passengers woes.

In the first place, the transport fare is vague to passengers. Yes, a passenger knows the route they regularly uses. But, when they have to move to places they rarely use, it is hard to predict the fare unless one asks that form someone else. The list of fare should be made available to anyone. It could be made visible somewhere in the taxi. This protects passengers from paying extra fares. As many argues, technology is underutilized nationwide in our case. Otherwise, the list of transport fare should be on the bureau's website so that anyone can either visit or download it.

In addition, transport officers assigned in particular areas need to carry mobile phones that everybody can report breaches such as cutting routes, paying extra fares... This is not to mean their personal cell phones, but the office should make them equip with that and the public know the number just by posting it in the taxis. There should be also toll free phone that properly functions so that passengers can report such inconveniences.

Concerning supportive taxis, as they are serving in the city, a kind of double standard felt now need to be noticed and neutralized. They need to put their route plate in a transparent place as the blue and white taxis do. And route does not mean something thrown away on a dashboard. It is an instrument placed on a visible place so that every passenger can see it. In addition, the font of the text telling the route of the taxi should be reasonably magnified. Most supportive taxis so called route plates are hard to be read even for a person with good eyesight. I doubt this is unnoticed by the transport officials too.

Quite often, transport officials headache centers on number of people on board to taxis. If extra persons are on board, they immediately stop the taxi to issue a penalty ticket to drivers. The traffic police also do the same. The taxi drivers on their side do not accept their mistake easily and turn off their engines and leave their seats to beg the transport officers or traffic police, to seek their pity and escape penalty. The question lies here. Is is appropriate to leave driver's seat while eleven people are on board? But the officers do not bother about this, according to my observation. 

To make matters worse, their controversy goes for minutes at the cost of passengers. This writer has no any intent to say that officers should not penalize offending drivers. That is enforcing the law. And they are doing their jobs. But let's raise another question. In a city where transportation shortage is critical, what if those taxis board extra persons in pick hours? According to the taxis specifications they can carry up to one thousand kilo grams, meaning more than 15 persons. It is a relief. Workers can arrive their destinations on time. Students can attend their classes too.

Previously the back seat of taxis were for three persons only. The transport bureau permitted to board one extra person sometime in the past. How can this be treated according to the law? Isn't it the shortage that forces the bureau to board three persons in the cabin of taxis including the driver? Otherwise it is risky and uncomfortable.

Hopefully, the Addis Ababa Transport Bureau would see into these artificial cases that is adding into the shortage and give a timely solution. And these writer may hold interview with the senior officials of the bureau on the issues treated above in the near future.

Ebola...

Ebola virus outbreak is making headlines on world's mainstream media being global health emergency. Countries such as Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, are said the three states where the outbreak has been the deadliest. A related case also registered in Nigeria. The disease has a potent to spreading to neighboring countries and even to other continents. Unless, timely and adequate preparations take place, the disease would roll to our country too. The BBC ascribing the latest from WHO which classified Kenya as a “high risk” nation wrote as this nation is vulnerable because it is a major transport hub, with many flights from West Africa. Our nation is no exception. Some 500 passengers enters Ethiopia from Nigeria on a daily basis. This depicts that the country, particularly flight crew members and the likes would potentially be vulnerable.

The old adage but goes afresh now “prevention is better than cure”. However, when it comes to Ebola virus this does not work. The world seems to remain far behind discovering either the vaccine or the cure. Therefore, “Prevention is the safe way out”.

Ethiopian flights to west Africa must strictly be checked.

In a Thursday press briefing with local journalists, Health Minister Dr. Kesete-Brhan said preparations are underway to prevent the outbreak of the disease ahead. He also unequivocally proved that no single case of Ebola suspect had been tested so far here. According to him, some 275 health professionals drawn from public and private health institutions were offered with training about the virus. Committees and Command Posts have also been organized to facilitate the prevention. Likewise, a special hospital and Ambulance are also at the ready to treat those which would exhibit symptoms. In addition, a mechanism of keeping those with fever at the airport quarantine has been launched.

For African countries where there exist higher dependency for pharmaceuticals on developed nations, this disease remains hard to contain. Horrendous would be when it is compounded with countries that are most populous as the available resource is too dwarf compared to demand. But, the deadly virus is in Africa for a time being unless countries collaborate sooner than later. It can go anywhere right, left and center. That is why it is marked as an international public health emergency. That is way countries which are moving world's largest economy such as China are willing to help humanity. A Chinese embassy press statement sent to The Ethiopian Herald indicated a provision of around USD 5 million for humanitarian aids to the three Ebola hardest hit countries namely Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

A single person with the Ebola case could spread the disease and would cost in human life. Let's substantiate this argument with a clear fact. "Nigeria declares National Emergency on the outbreak of the disease. Reports has shown that this nation becomes the “fourth West African country involved in the outbreak when a dual US-Liberian citizen infected with Ebola arrived in Lagos after flying from Liberia via Togo on 20 July”. That is why we need to expedite every efforts ahead to prevent our citizens.

The preparation discussed above must be intensified and get supports from every stakeholder. Equipment that help detect suspects need to be available at airline checkpoints and strict control should be done at gateway of boarders. In addition cabin crew members need to get the proper protection.

Sadly, it seems that the world has critically failed or even ignored to bring cure for this disease. May be it was considered as it happened only in Africa and everyone overlooked it back in the mid of 70's. Yes, such ignorance cost in immense to the global community. But, this time the disease is an international health emergency. Therefore, the international community need to quickly respond to the emergency call of nations affected by the virus. It is time to contain the virus and come up with genuine solution. People are dying in west Africa, and countries need to follow the imprint of China to get people out of despair of dying alone.

May omnipotent creator brightens the mind of those working to find a cure!

“One of the biggest problems in Africa is that governments do not trust their people” -Dr. Harry Verhoeven

 BY FANUEL LAKEW

Dr. Harry Verhoeven is a doctoral researcher at the Department of Politics and International Relations, Oxford University (St Cross College). His research focuses on conflict, development and ecological change in Sudan and he is the convenor of the Oxford University China-Africa Network (OUCAN) and Oxford-Central Africa Forum (OCAF). He is also involved in research on the Great African War and political violence in the Great Lakes Region.

His research focuses mainly on the politics of water and agriculture in Sudan (and their link with political-economic evolutions) but he also writes on Ethiopia, Congo (DR), Uganda and Rwanda, concentrating in particular on regional conflict, the internal dynamics of regimes, rebel movements and natural resources.

The Ethiopian Herald's Fanuel Lakew has interviewed Dr Harry Verhoeven and discussed various issues including his educational and professional background as well his views on hydro-politics in the Eastern Africa Region, and African-China relations. The following is the full text of the interview.

Herald:- Would you introduce yourself to our readers?

Dr. Harry:- I was born in the Kingdom of Belgium, Western Europe in 1985 and I had a wonderful and educated family. I was able to travel from a young age to very different countries, come across many cultures and am very greateful for that. My travel does hopefully given me a certain degree of humility in my dealings with people and the cultures.

I studied my first years in Belgium in Social Sciences mainly Politics and Economics and then I moved to the United Kingdom (UK) right now live and work there. Then I studied in London School of Economics my Masters Degree and completed my doctorate at the University of Oxford which focuses mainly on the issue of the Nile, politics of the Nile and Sudan's role on that as well as some on Ethiopia and Egypt.

Since then I have been teaching African politics at the University of Oxford. I have also researched there on the whole range of issues pertaining to mainly Africa and a little bit to China and the Middle East.

Herald:- You have been to Ethiopian many times. How did you find Ethiopia, and what things impressed you most?

Dr. Harry:- Ethiopia is a very beautiful and fascinating country and I think it is a very complex country which is not easy to understand even if you visit many times and read a lot of books.

Herald:- What are these complex things?

Dr. Harry:- Oh! I think Ethiopian society but also Ethiopian politics even the economic situation are not so easy to understand and you know you have deep history that is connected to politics, religion, social affairs and relations to the outside world. So, I find a very complex society and for that reason very interesting to study and to try to better understand. So, I always enjoy coming back because I find it a good challenge for myself.

The other reason I like to come is because I like this country very much and I like its cultures and nationalities. I also find it to be a good place to work in. Of course, sometimes there are some issues of infrastructure or the telecom but it is a safe country and great weather, and hospitality and kindness of people.

Herald:- You have conducted researches on Great African War and political violence in the Great Lake Region and you mainly focus on African politics. Was there any special reason why you choose to focus on African politics?

Dr. Harry:- Yes there are some specific reasons. The first thing is that when we come to East or Central Africa, many things are happening; and many people are doing many different things but the truth is that violence has unfortunately been disproportionately important in defining the lines and options available to the overall majority of people living over there.

What is particular about this violence is that often that happened for a long period of time and is very systemic; not just by one government or one regime or political party. So, it is difficult to try to make any progress on any of the other issues we are concerned with such as social, environmental, economic, and political. Thus, we need to tackle this question of violence. Why do certain leaders take this decisions even though they have often catastrophic outcomes?

I would like to think that my research and partnership make a small but meaningful contribution to address those issues particularly in this region. The first reason is general while the second reason is personal. I happened to spend quite a little bit time in Northern Uganda in 2005 which at the time was in the midst of a terrible war, terrible insurgency by the Lord Resistance Army fighting against the Ugandan government. Living there I saw for myself the consequences of war and what is like to be in a war zone, and seeing the impacts on the people whether in terms of physically or mentally. You know, you see not just the material deprivation the poverty, the hunger and the disease which are pervert in many parts of Africa even the other part where there is no any war.

But the other dimension was fear of war and memories of war and the ways of distortion between families, human being, ethnic groups, religions, etc. is the frightening thing. For me, obviously that has changed my life. I mean I have seen poverty and suffering before and so particularly in the many of the children who taught me many things and for whom I have a highest consideration for teaching me something. For me it remains one of the best types of education which books never teach you.

There are certain things you understand when you are there and see it; and I think that gave me some motivation to try again helping and understanding whatever small way I can as individual.

Herald:- What do you think are the root causes of the conflict in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lake regions, and how can they be resolved?

Dr. Harry:- It is a million dollar questions. Of course about many books have been written simply puts conflict as the work of human beings. Obviously there is a history of colonialism and very problematic external engagement in Africa in the post-colonial era since 1960s.

On conflicts in Africa, there is an awful leadership that many African countries enjoyed. Everything is the fault of the outsiders but they have been frankly many disastrous decisions by African governments and that is extremely worrying.

There is the fact that in many cases poverty means that people be vulnerable to extremist youth or extremist rhetoric where it is Marxist or religious, ethnic or racist because this poverty of course creates a lack of dignity and loss of self worth, and shame and humiliation comes after all of that not having being able to provide to your family and not able to marry in some cases as a serious staff. These all play an important role in explaining why ordinary Africans join rebel movement and doing terrible movements. As I said how we can solve these things and there is no one magical solution. The whole range of things need to be improved and it would be very welcomed if the outsiders come to the helpful position towards Africa whether in trade, aid, investment or politics. It would be very important for African leaders to be trusted. One of the biggest problems in Africa is governments do not trust their people. But of course if you treat your people like animals, they will act like animals.

The point of trust is that someone can only act responsibly if you give him freedom to do so. There can not be responsibility without freedom and no freedom without responsibility.

Thirdly, it is very important that African countries believe on regional integration whether in sub-regions or continent wide level. Do not do this because I get all romantic about Pan-Africanism.

I think cooperation will give you much better chance of dealing with the power politics and the global economy. Some countries are five million people and some countries ten million people, and it does not mean very much but if Africa unites or negotiates as one that it talks as a billion people.

When you talk to the USA, the European Union (EU) or China, it is a different organ and that is something I would hope will help also prevent these conflicts.

Herald:- Let us come to the issue of water. Some people fear that water would be a source of conflict specially in the Nile Basin region in the future. Do you think it would be a source of conflict in the region and how do you see that?

Dr. Harry:- In my writings, I have always argued against that. I do not think that there is any evidence to suggest that water or other scarcity of resources is going to cause conflict or already caused conflict. Scarcity in most cases stimulates people to cooperate whether at the level of a village or the level of states. There are a lot of academic researches which prove this statistically. People do not fight over water or other resources.

Particularly when we comes to the Nile region as I have argued so many times before, the future of the Nile Basin is in cooperation, to let the past be passed, to move forward, to share your resources.

Herald:- You must be aware of Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam. Don't you think that Ethiopia has the right to develop its water resource in order to fight poverty?

Dr. Harry:- Very quickly and simply put I believe that the Ethiopian Dam—Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GRD) on the Blue Nile is a good thing not just for Ethiopia but for the region as well.

It can bring cheap and clean electricity to countries that need such as Sudan, South Sudan, Egypt, Kenya and may be one day Eritrea. So, I think in respect to that we should support any attempt by any Ethiopian government to try to speed up regional integration and the languages that has been coming up from the government here is encouraging.

I would hope that the Egyptian government becomes more flexible and understand the dam does not have damage to it, and it could work for its advantage. This could help change the relations in the region which historically has seen dozen conflicts and proxy wars to those of cooperation, economic growth and peace.

Herald:- You have presented a paper under the title: “Is China's non-interference policy history? The people's growing willingness to intervene on the African Continent” here at the Institute of Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) of Addis Ababa University. Tell me a little bit about the argument of the paper.

Dr. Harry:- Okay. The argument of the presentation I made is that China is already giving up its interference policy in Africa because its growing business interests forced to increasingly get involved politically in Africa. Simply put the more economically exposed you are to a country, the more you are likely to want to protect your interest in that country. If I invest a lot of money for example here in Ethiopia, I do not want to have a government that confiscates my asset. I want to have some kinds of leverage over this government. So, I will develop a political tie that would build a bigger embassy, and I will try to protect that as much as I can.

In many cases political protection is enough and countries scale up to also militarily, and this is the classical story of what happened with the Americans in the Middle East in the Persian Gulf in search of the oil.

My argument about China is that as its interest deepens so does the tendency to want to protect even though China will maintains its rhetorical commitments to non-interference principle. In reality it will increasingly get politically involved in Africa as I showed in the presentation that already has huge amount of cases. You can think of China involving in peacekeeping in Africa including sending combat troops to Mali. You can think of China's involvement in Anti-piracy operations in the coast of Somalia.

We have seen the evacuation of China nationals from Libya at the time of civil war in Libya in the NETO intervention. Thus, this is likely to be increased not decreased in the future.

Herald:- There is a regional organization here in East Africa called IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development). Do you think IGAD is successful in conflict prevention, management and resolution?

Dr. Harry:- In conflict prevention, the answer is no. IGAD and Ethiopia are trying to mediate these parties. That is welcome, necessary and important but it is not enough clearly. And let us encourage IGAD to do more to be vigilant and raise its gain further but let us not sit back and think everything is simple. We see conflicts in Somalia, tensions in Eritrea, the multiple wars in Sudan, South Sudan. And we are very far.

Herald:- So what has to be done to solve these problems?

Dr. Harry:- Fundamentally of course it is a political leadership as I always said wars are made by man, they can be solved by man.

Herald:- What are the lessons to be learned in this regard?

Dr. Harry:- It would help if countries would stop meddling in each others' matters. I mean Uganda is part of IGAD but unilaterally moves into South Sudan sending troops without consulting others.

Herald:- Would you tell me a little bit about the modern historical relationships between African and China?

Dr. Harry:- The relationship between China and Africa goes back to the 1950th and 1960th when China used to be ruled by Mao Zedong when he came to power after the revolution in 1949. Mao was to support a range of African liberation struggles as well as to support a number of progressive leftist regimes in Africa through friendship projects, typically building infrastructure and providing some support in agriculture, education and health care.

However, the political assistance was limited in terms of financial size and the impact. Perhaps, the famous project, the so called TAZARA railway— (also called the Uhuru Railway or the Tanzam Railway) links the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam with the town of Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia's Central Province. The project was financed and executed by the Peoples Republic of China at a cost of 500 million USD and was constructed as a turn key project between 1970 and 1975. TAZARA currently handles exports/imports of both Tanzania and Zambia, as well as Malawi, DR Congo, the Great Lakes region, South Africa and Zimbabwe— but apart from that there was not a huge amount of change in the development landscape of Africa.

The late 1970s, 80s and the beginning of 90s, the cooperation declined and China more focused on its internal growth and issues of democratization, economic reform, and opening up. This began to change as China began to realize that in order to sustain its growth and rapid industrialization external natural resources were needed.

For that it reason began intensifying relations with a range of African countries who mainly provide of natural resources and all critical materials such as petroleum, cooper, manganese, oil, etc.

The other phase, mainly after a year 2000, Africa did not just become a place where you could take resources but also you could sell things. Many people often see CHINA-AFRICA story as a straight forward extraction of resources. But the truth is that China serves a lot of things too here and provides services, engages in construction of roads and telecoms. It also provides cheap manufactured goods which are good business for Chinese companies particularly because there is no western competition, and the West thought there was no money to be made.

Herald:- Can you tell me the nature and the outcomes of the Sino-African relations?

Dr. Harry:- As I said the African-China relations is mainly driven by an economic goal which are explained in the extraction of resources as well as exporting of finished products. Historically, this is mainly about the so called One-China Policy. China does not pose any conditions on African countries. That is the policy of non-interference. China will not tell African countries how to organize their political system. But there is one exception. That exception is what we call the One-China Policy which is the instance of the government in Beijing that Taiwan as former part of China that they can not be independent, that it cannot be a state on its own. There cannot be any recognition for example for Taiwan by African countries. If you want official government assistance you have to recognize Beijing as a sole legitimate representative of the whole of China.

China also believes that engagement with Africa provides it with lots of diplomacy support in places like UN General Assembly, some degree of South-South Solidarity.

Herald:- Thank you very much for you time.

Dr. Harry:- Thank you.