Vol. 24 No. 1247 August 1, 2020 ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA...

Vol. 24 No. 1247 August 1, 2020 ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA www.thereporterethiopia.com Price 10.00 Birr

Local oil company hit by hard currency shortage|FULL STORY ON PAGE 5

#StaySafe

Abiy rules out . . . page 9

Ethio Telecom amasses . . . page 25

By Neamin Ashenafi

In his latest meeting with the leaders of different opposition political parties on Wednesday, 29th of July, 2020, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) defended the measures taken by his administration following the death of popular singer and political activist Hachalu Hundesa on basis of restoring law and order across the country; and downplayed the

claims that the measures are taken to weaken the Opposition.

The discussion was held in a hall inside the Office of the Prime Minister, in the presence of seasoned members of the opposition such as Merera Gudina (PhD), Beyene Petros (Prof.), Aregawi Berhe (PhD) and others. During the discussion, many of them raised questions in relation to the recent political unrest in the country and the detention of a

number of politicians.

Accordingly, the leaders of the opposition political parties, whose members are currently detained, raised some concerns about the matter and requested the PM to intervene. However, the PM countered saying the ongoing measures should not be considered as targeting and weakening the opposition political parties. “This is an effort by the government to restore law and order; it is

in no way targeting a certain group or individual. In fact, so many members of the regional government and the ruling party are also subject to detention”.

While arguing the motive of the recent detentions was to restore law and order, the PM also cautioned all political parties, aspiring to assume political power, to abide by the rules of the game and the law of the

By Kaleyesus Bekele

The national telecom company, Ethio Telecom, has generated 47.7 billion birr revenue in the 2019-2020 fiscal year that ended June30, 2020.

The revenue jumped by 31.4 percent compared to last year. Ethio Telecom, which is preparing itself for competition, has achieved 105.1 percent of its target. Forty nine percent of the revenue was generated from mobile services, 29 percent from data and internet, nine percent from international business, 9.4 percent from value added services and 3.6 from other services.

“This is an outstanding performance,” Ethio Telecom’s chief executive officer Frehiwot Tamru told a press conference on Thursday. The company generated USD 147.7 million from international services, jumped by 50 percent. According to Frehiwot, the revenue generated from international service increased due to the tariff reduction, and measures taken to control illegal telecom operations. However, she said the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the foreign currency earner in the second half. “There was no demand for international services like

roaming after the spread of the pandemic,” Frehiwot said.

In the year under review, Ethio Telecom paid 11.3 billion birr in tax and four billion birr dividend to the government,

the sole owner of the company. The state monopoly serviced 318 million birr loan. “We are paying our debt according to schedule and this helped us improve our working relations

with our development partners. Our vendors are now happy and asking us if we need loan for the telecom reform program,” Frehiwot. It is to be recalled that the Chinese telecom giants ZTE and Huawei have undertaken massive telecom infrastructure projects in Ethiopia with vendor financing schemes.

Ethio Telecom’s subscribers have reached 46.2 million of which 44.5 million are mobile voice subscribers. The company has 23.8 million data and internet subscribers, 980,000 fixed service and broadband 212,000 subscribers.

Frehiwot said the demand for data and internet is increasing steadily. “That is a global trend,” she said.

Frehiwot attributed the achievements to the management and staff of the company. “We have a dedicated and committed management and employees who worked hard to realise the strategic plan. The leadership was able to successfully mobilize and the staff,” she said.

Ethio Telecom spent 1.1 billion birr on corporate social responsibilities, the highest amount that the telecom firm

Ethio Telecom amasses 47.7 bln birr revenueVandalism costs the company direly

Government bars telecom infrastructure companiesKPMG completes asset valuation

Photo By: The Reporter /Daniel Getachew

2| The Reporter, August 1, 2020 Vol. 24 No. 1247

www.thereporterethiopia.com

EDITORIAL

Published weekly by Media & Communications Center

Address: Bole Sub City, Kebele 03/05, H. No. NewTel: 011 6 616180 Editorial011 6 616185 Reception 011 6 616187 Finance

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0910 885206 Marketing [email protected]


General Manager Amare Aregawi Managing EditorBruh YihunbelayEditor-in-Chief Asrat Seyoum

Sub city: N.lafto, K. 10/18, H.No. 614Senior Editor

Dibaba AmensisaEditors

Kaleyesus Bekele Yonas Abiye

Bruck Getachew Online EditorBrook Abdu

Assistant Editor

Senior ReportersSamuel Getachew

Dawit Tolesa

Columnists

Tsion Taye

Chief Graphic Designer

Yibekal Getahun

Senior Graphic Designer

Sofoniyas Tadesse

Dagmawi Gobena

Graphic Designers

Tsehay Tadesse

Fasika Balcha

Semenh Sisay

Netsanet Yacob

Head of PhotographyNahom TesfayePhotographers

Tamrat GetachewMesfen Solomon

Daniel GetachewCartoonistElias Areda

Fasil W/giorgis Marketing Manager

Endalkachew Yimam

silencing the majority!Ethiopian politics continues to be a shouting match between the vocal minority that are adept at drowning out the silent majority. From the leaders of government and political parties to social media activists a handful of individuals are engaged in a deathly struggle to assume or consolidate power totally oblivious to the notion that the very the voiceless masses they hold in contempt. Consequently, the public has been sidelined from having a say in determining the fate of the country as though this is the exclusive province of the few and in the process subjected to endless ordeal. This has immeasurably harmed the democratization process and perpetuated abject poverty in Ethiopia.

Ever the since of modern politics in Ethiopia a succession of tyrants have used the nation and its people as lab rats on which they experimented such ideologies as Marxism and Revolutionary Democracy that have set the country back decades. Though they could have instituted an indigenous system of governance truly reflective of the will of the people, they chose to foist on the people ideologies lacking social basis that were imported wholesale without adapting them to the nation’s unique conditions. Moreover, peddling false and unsubstantiated narratives that, inter alia, erode the shared values Ethiopians have developed over centuries and helped them co-exist harmoniously; sow division rather than promote pluralism; and defeat nation-building endeavors have become their pastime. To make matters worse it’s virtually the political elite alone that are participating in dialogues which play a critical role in shaping the future of the people. These exclusionary dialogues are not only an exercise in futility, but also disenfranchise the masses.

The destiny of the Ethiopian public must neither be put up for negotiation nor decided by politicians or the elite for

they only have their interest at heart and do not care an iota about the welfare of the people and have no qualms over using the youth, who ought to be raised to become responsible citizens, as cannon fodders that do their bidding. While the privileged few abuse their power and wealth to live a life of luxury and enroll their kids to the best schools, the majority poor lead a miserable life and have no choice but to send their children to mediocre schools. It’s the lives and properties of the wretched masses which are destroyed in the intercommunal conflicts they stoke, not theirs. That’s why the vocal minority must not be allowed to decide the destiny of the silent majority.

One of the imperatives necessitating an end to the entrenched habit of rendering the masses voiceless is the turning of Ethiopian politics into the battleground of implacably opposed forces bent on crushing each other regardless of the collateral damage. For instance, efforts to lay the democratization process on a firm foundation, which got underway following the seismic political change over two years now, have been impeded by political

actors that were unhappy with the reforms that have been introduced since then. Although the return of a number of exiled politicians and activists was expected to contribute to broadening the political space, the country was rocked by an unprecedented level of ethnic and religious conflicts. The radical ethno-nationalists among them are particularly to blame for a spate of violence that led to the death and injury of thousands of innocent civilians, the displacement of millions more from their homes as well as the destruction of both public and hard-earned private property. To rub salt into the wound many of the architects and perpetrators of the violence were not held to account for their misdeeds. When the powerful few trample on the voiceless majority mayhem and destruction are bound to ensue. This is precisely what has been happening in Ethiopia.

A select few people that managed to grab the reins of power without public consent have robbed the country blind and perpetrated countless other crimes. Individuals and groups related by marriage or belonging to network sharing

financial or other interests have carried out atrocities in the name of the public. Aside from committing egregious human rights violations they have gamed the system to enrich themselves and their ilk to the tune of billions. They and their partners-in-crime have incited and continue to incite conflicts through various mainstream media outlets and social media cadres they control in order to cover up their sins, derail the ongoing reform and engineer a return to the “throne”. The masses have been sacrificed on the altar of the power for the few. This travesty has got to stop.

The hopes of citizens to see an Ethiopia where they live in peace, freedom, equality and justice have been dashed by a few bad apples intent on remaking the nation in their own image. Plots to inflame sectarian violence with intent to tear apart a people that have gone together through the good times and the bad times and defended their nation against aggression are exacting a heavy toll. Devoid of a vision for a better Ethiopia the masterminds behind this destructive agenda are disseminating patently false narratives that instigate tensions and detract from development efforts. If the nation’s elites truly have its interest at heart they should be the voice of the voiceless masses instead of acting as the echo chamber of the few. They would do well to appreciate that the people’s claim to sovereign power finds practical expression in their ability to be heard. It’s also incumbent on them to seek an antidote for the vitriolic narratives inciting the youth to violence and inspire them to focus their energy on education and voluntary service. Let’s close together the chapter where the few do whatever they please at the expense of the masses; let’s say no to the vocal minority silencing the majority!

HEADLINESThe Reporter, August 1, 2020 Vol. 24 No. 1247 |3


14|

The Reporter, July 25, 2020 Vol. 24 No. 1246


LIVING AND THE ARTS

WATER CRISIS IN A TOWN

OF OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS

14||LIVING AND TH

WAOF

12|

The Reporter,

hiopia.com

INTERVIEW

The Reporter: The Bill

& Melinda Foundation

has become an important

organization within Ethiopia,

involved in areas of health

among others. Share with me

the highlights of the work of the

foundation within the nation?

Since making our first grant in

Ethiopia in 2000 and opening

our office in Addis Ababa in

2012, we have partnered with

the government, the private

sector, donors and civil society

to help Ethiopians live healthy

and productive lives. We are

guided by the strong conviction

that every life has equal value

and this grand mission informs

all our engagement.

Our priorities in Ethiopia

are in the areas of health,

nutrition, agriculture and

women’s empowerment. To

do this, we work with more

than 135 partners including

government agencies and

affiliates at the federal and

regional-level.

For agriculture, our focus is on

ensuring smallholder farmers

have access to products and

services they need to grow

productive crops. Ethiopia

has shown that a country

can accelerate inclusive

agricultural transformation

when a government provides a

clear vision for the sector and

aligns public and development

partner funds around a set of

priorities. We will continue

supporting Ethiopia to succeed

and be an exemplar for others

to follow.

For health, we support

sustained, universal coverage

of family health, expanding

access to immunizations, and

strengthening existing health

systems. We are supporting

“WE WISH TO

REMAIN STEADFAST

IN OUR SUPPORT TO

THE GOVERNMENT’S

GRAND VISION”HADDIS TADESSE

Haddis Tadesse is the country representative of the Bill

& Melinda Gates Foundation. He has been at the helm

of one of Ethiopia’s biggest development partners since

Samuel Getachew

RIT

10|



IN-DEPTH

A local entrepreneur, who is a frequent traveller to China, began importing such products two years ago and he was

surprised to discover such an exclusive business where the demand is much greater that his capacity to deliver. He

did not even have to open a store, when his online effort yielded much success.

By Samuel Getachew

Near the Addis Ababa Stadium,

around the area once known as an

Armenian ghetto during the old

era of Emperor Haile Selassie of

beautiful architectures currently

used mainly as pharmacies

and bank branches, there were

young women who had come to

purchase a famous lotion.

Named Fair & Lovely and others

and those made by world famous

multinationals such as L’Oreal,

Olay and others, the cream is

said to help them with their

skin condition initially, but in

reality is a skin lightening cream

that is fast gaining popularity

locally with little safeguarding

from government authorities.

Such products have now become

so popular, many of the buyers

first hear about it from words of

mouth from their hairdressers

and pharmacists to help them

have a better skin tone.

The most popular cream in

Ethiopia is produced by Unilever,

as part of a white lightening

business worth more than USD

10 billion in the world. To local

users, the cream has helped

them embrace an abnormal skin

tone that suddenly is lighter,

rejecting their dark skin which

fast becomes less appealing. This

is as the cream faces a backlash

in the world in the midst of the

Black Lives Matter movement

that has yet to reach Ethiopia.

In Addis Ababa, the phenomenon

of white lightening skin has

been growing in the last decade,

since local entrepreneurs began

to head to China and India and

import commodities and see a

brisk business.

A local entrepreneur, who is

a frequent traveller to China,

began importing such products

two years ago and he was

surprised to discover such an

exclusive business where the

demand is much greater that his

capacity to deliver. He did not

even have to open a store, when

his online effort yielded much

success.

“Best price Perfect White

Lightening Serum is specially

conceived for a fast and effective

action. Thanks to its active

treatments, Perfect White targets

and removes immediately brown

tasks and unifies the complexion

in order to restore the skin to its

natural brightness. Your skin

is clear, fresh and smooth, it is

perfect! Become young ever,”

he advertised in an online typo

prone effort.

Under his wrap, he carries skin

care cream, peppermint oil, face

steamer, shea butter and others,

selling them anywhere from 200

birr to 1200 birr.

While some African nations,

including Rwanda, Ghana, Cote

d’Ivoire and South Africa have

taken notice of the impact of such

products to their populations

and have banned them from

importation, Ethiopia has not

put anything forward to see it

banned.

In 2016, Ghana banned the

chemical used to make the

product, hydroquinone as a

“matter of public safety.” In

addition, the creams were noted

to contain mercury and high-dose

steroids, which are hazardous

to one’s health according to

the World Health Organization

(WHO).

Like Ethiopia, Nigeria has done

little to ban the products. Last

year, a Nigerian medical doctor,

Ola Brown coined an article

for CNN reflecting on how 77

percent of Nigerian women use

the product to lighten their skin.

“African women don’t bleach

their skin simply because they

are vain. They lighten their skin

because fair skin is too often

seen as more attractive and

provides them with an economic

advantage,” he wrote.

XXX

26|



SNAPSHOTS

/Mesfen Solomon

INSI

DE

By Birhanu Fikade

The US-based JLL Hotels and Hospitality Group reported that Ethiopia has seen a significant decline in tourism arrivals over the past four year, with the first quarter of this year exhibiting a further 35.5 percent decrease.

A new report dubbed: “Spotlight on Ethiopia,” which provides a brief hotel market review, indicated that in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, January to March 2020, Ethiopia received 118,947 international arrivals compared to the 184,433 tourists who came to Ethiopia in the same period in 2019, indicating a 65,485 decline in tourist arrivals.

However, the report underscored that the decline have long been felt, since 2017. For that, according to David Desta, associate of JLL Group for Sub-Saharan Africa Region, there are many contributing factors. “Increased competition from regional countries, lack of a diversified tourism product and political unrest are among

these factors,” David said.

He also emphasized the race among East African nations with Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania stimulating and promoting their destinations to travelers, better than Ethiopia. Rwanda, for instance, has been investing on promoting its destinations; using major football clubs like Arsenal, wearing “visit Rwanda” jerseys on games.

These countries are more appealing because they have a “Combination of safari and beach destinations that steer travelers to Kenya and Tanzania, where packages are affordable and competitive.”

While the rest of the East African destinations have created more vibrant and diverse tourism activities, David says, Ethiopia’s tourism market is highly dependent on “Its historical and cultural assets, such as the Northern Circuit of Bahir Dar, Gondar, Lalibela, and Axum. It is true that, Erta-Ale and the Danakil Depression attract thousands of visitors every year; however, there is potential for Ethiopia to invest and

promote other attractions in the south and central parts of the country.”

On the other hand, ongoing hotel projects in Ethiopia are also reported to be experiencing difficulties, such as having adequate access to hard currency and lack of prompt services to facilitate Letter of Credit facilities, making it unappealing to travellers.

The report mentions that out of the 21 international hotel projects in the pipeline, almost half have been abandoned, so far. “Difficulty accessing foreign currency in Ethiopia has also led to the delay of many projects. As a result, some projects have been abandoned, which is evident in other real estate assets with skeleton structures visible throughout the city,” David said.

Despite the shortcomings in the tourism sector, the long-term prospects seem optimistic, with major face-lifting projects undertaken to be a more appealing destinations. The launch of Unity Park, with the ongoing

Beautifying Sheger projects and Entoto Park alongside Mesqel Square’s Renovation, are believed to be significant projects that could uplift the tourism and hospitality sector in Ethiopia.

Welcoming the contents of the report, Neway Berhanu, managing director of Calibra Hospitality Consultancy and Business PLC, told The Reporter that the impacts of COVID-19 and the erratic peace and stability situation has impacted both sectors. According to Neway, the tourism sector has sustained numerous upheavals and concerned parties should work on addressing these factors that substantially impact the sensitive sector.

JLL Group has been active in the Ethiopian market over the years, advising and consulting clients throughout the entire hotel investment lifecycle: from feasibility studies, operator selections, to financial advisory and investment sales. In addition to its offices in the US and South Africa, the firm has representations in Kenya, Morocco and Tunisia.

arrivals to Ethiopia decline by 35 percept Half of hotel projects in the pipeline have been abandoned


Advertisment4| The Reporter, August 1, 2020 Vol. 24 No. 1247



By Birhanu Fikade

Yetebaberut Beherawi Petroleum S.C., a local oil company founded predominantly by oil transporter companies more than 15 years ago, expressed its frustrations over the lack of access to hard currency needed to import oil products in to the country, making it difficult to operate its main line of business in the past two years, and threatening its existence, The Reporter has learnt.

According to Haileleul Olana, chairman of the Board of Directors (BoD) of the company, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) used to avail USD five to seven million annually, for oil products. However, in the past two years, accessing currency for oil-product importers has become a nightmare; and this year, for instance, the company was only allowed to receive USD 200,000.

Haileleul said oil products are among the priority commodities that the government has given exclusive access to in terms of hard currency. However, in recent times, the company is unable to access much needed hard currency. “We never had this difficulty before. It started happening only in the past two years; and this year, we were told we will have access only to USD 200,000, which we can’t understand,” Haileleul said.

The chairperson also revealed that numerous appeals have

been made to respective authorities. Appeals to the management and the Board of CBE, to the governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) and to its Board chairperson, and all the way to the Ministry of Trade and Industry; but none have resulted in conclusive outcomes.

On average, one liter of oil product could cost around USD two. Hence, USD five

million could have helped to purchase some 2.5 million liters. However, with the dwindling foreign currency access, Yetebaberut was given only USD 200,000. Its imports have considerably reduced to 100,000 liters of products. The company said it requires USD eight to 10 million to be able to have a positive and profitable business.

The import of oil products is associated with the least

attractive profit margins of the oil distribution sector in Ethiopia. Currently, in addition to Yetebaberut, National Oil Company (NOC), Total and OiLibya vie for the petroleum distribution business in the country through imports of oil products.

Accessing private banks for hard currency, according to Haileleul, has one potential disadvantage. “They require us to deposit as much as 300 percent in local currency against the amount of hard currency we asked for; and we can’t afford that,” he said stressing that his company could not afford such large amount of liquidity. Efforts to include comments from CBE bore no fruit as of press time.

Established in 2004, Yetebaberut Petroleum was able to stretch across the country with 130 gas stations. With its depot under construction, the total worth of its assets currently is estimated to be around one billion birr. With an authorized capital of 400 million birr, Yetebaberut has managed to increase its paid-up capital to 267 million birr. Currently, Yetebaberut is an exclusive distributor of BP and Castrol oils in Ethiopia, Djibouti and South Sudan.

Local oil company hit by hard currency shortage

Brook Abdu

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) is insisting on introducing and expanding palm trees in Ethiopia given the high demand for dates in the country as well as other African nations and the Middle East, The Reporter learnt.

Reviewing the progress of the annual tree plantation campaign in the country dubbed: “the Green Legacy”, Abiy remarked that the achievement so far is nothing short of motivational. But, he also cautions there should not be any rush to conclude the campaign; and that rather the focus should be on completing the remaining tasks [of planting trees]. He also insisted on linking the tree planting campaign with real job creation and other economic impacts that can arise from the campaign.

Presenting the report to the members of the Green Legacy Technical and Steering Committee members, the Minister of Agriculture, Omar Hussein said that 83 percent of the targeted planting of five billion tree seedlings has been achieved. This, he said, is excluding fodder and other seedlings meant for animal feed.

Although this is to be taken as a success in terms of the plan and the one and half months it took to accomplish, Omar said that there were challenges observed in planning and executing the campaign. Accordingly, the failure to not plan according to the geospatial conditions of the country, data tracing challenges as well as lack of pre-allocated budget for the campaign were mentioned as challenges.

“We should have allocated the required budget to the campaign rather than looking

for a budget while doing the job,” Omar stressed.

According to Omar, the remaining tasks are finalizing the 17 percent planting, planning and coordinating a closing ceremony, monitoring and following up on seedlings planted, and establishing an independent project office that would lead future campaigns. He also added that, the planning for the upcoming planting season should also be done ahead of time, beginning from now, including mobilizing of resources and seedlings preparation, out of which 80 percent are indigenous plants.

Highlighting that the campaign was conducted over the period of one and half years and there is a remaining one and half month to close the year’s campaign, Abiy said the performance is hopeful and indicative of achievability of the plan.

“We have to show our success in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project in the Green Legacy too. We have to finish it within the timeframe we have put forward and finish it. We have to also show that we are capable of not only planning but also executing,” he stressed.

Apart from this, Abiy said that, even though the seedlings planted are not indigenous, the plan should be to plant fruit trees.

But, regarding the need for a specific project office to run the seedlings planting, Abiy said that there is already a commission tasked with such activities – which is the Environment, Forestry and Climate Change Commission. Although there is an institution to handle the task, Abiy said that this is not a task to be left for a single institution but everyone’s responsibility.

PM pushes popularization of palm trees in Ethiopia

HEADLINES6| The Reporter, August 1, 2020 Vol. 24 No. 1247


... NEWS IN BRIEFMore than 3.5 billion tree

seedlings planted through Green Legacy Campaign

Over 3.5 billion tree seedlings have so far been planted under this year’s Green Legacy campaign.

This was disclosed at a campaign where media leaders and professionals planted tree seedlings at Gulele Botanical Garden on Tuesday.

Press Secretariat Head Nigusu Tilahun said on the occasion that the government and the people are pulling resources to fulfill very crucial national agendas.

He noted that the successful completion of the first filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is one of the indicators of these strong collaborations.

The green legacy campaign, which was initiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed last year, is expanding wide and effectively, Nigusu added.

According to him, the nation has managed to plant over 3.5 billion tree seedlings out of the five billion trees to be planted this rainy season.

Highlighting the role of media in supporting the achievement of the campaign, he said the “media should play their role in realizing green legacy and other national development activities.”

(ENA)

Ethiopia, UK sign two grant agreements amounting to GBP

105 mlnEthiopia and the United Kingdom have signed this week two grant agreements amounting to GBP 105 million.

According to the first grant agreement, the UK government will finance 60 million pound for the implementation of Land Investment for Transformation, Phase 2 (LIFT-UP) program.

The objective of the program is to bring transformative, systematic, and sustainable change in land certification and market system in Amhara, Oromia, Tigray and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR) regional states, the Ministry of Finance said in a press release.

The main outputs of the program are to anticipate 7 million land parcels (out of a total of 36 million uncertified) with second-level land certification, and computerizing 103 districts (woredas) land administration systems where second-level certification has taken place, it added.

The second grant agreement that amounts 45 million pound will be earmarked for the support of Accelerating Ethiopia’s Economic Transformation (ACCELERATE) program, which is designed in line with out-ward oriented, manufacturing led sustainable and inclusive growth program of Ethiopia.

(ENA)

By Yonas Abiye

Surpassing expectations, the Federal Documentation Accreditation and Registration Agency has revealed it was able to amass 522 million birr in revenue from the services it has rendered during the recently concluded fiscal year which extends from 8th July 2019 to 7th June 2020.

According to the Agency’s statement sent to The Reporter, its initial plan was to deal and address up to some 893,524 issues and requests from customers. However, it was able to entertain around 826,629 issues and requests, meeting only 92.5 percent of its stated target. Nevertheless, the actual figure of received and addressed requests in the year has still shown an increase than the previous

year, by some 23,597 requests in the same reported period.

In terms of customers, the agency received a total of 1.5 million customers visiting its various branch offices; while the average number of customers who have received the service per day, is around 6,100 customers. Similarly, the stated total number of the customers for the fiscal year is greater in number than the previous year, by a margin of more 14,9oo customers.

Regarding annual revenue, the agency had set a plan to bag a maximum of 520 million birr from rendering its services on offer. Fortunately, the actual revenue collected was 522 million birr, attaining 104 percent of its target. This year’s performance has brought in 148.6 million birr in revenue than what was

reported during the previous year.

The major services rendered include, authenticating d o c u m e n t a t i o n , authenticating power of attorney or revocation of power of attorney; transferring of movable and immovable properties for third parties (which accounts 403,907), while online services have also been rendered. Meanwhile, the reported years’ service and cases that have been seen by the agency shows an increase compared to the previous year, by at least 126,324 more cases.

According to the agency, the launch of its online services has had a great impact enabling it to grow its customer number, services and address cases.

Meanwhile, from the total revenue the agency has

bagged in the year, it has also funneled some 384 million birr into federal coffins.

The agency’s Director General, hailing the year’s performance as a successful year, also praised employees and stakeholders for their commitments despite the pandemic challenges, especially during the 4th quarter of the fiscal year.

He hoped that the agency will continue to succeed in the years to come as well as intensify its efforts in fighting the pandemic as per the nationwide campaign.

In its statement, the agency said it has already planned to achieve at least 550 million birr in revenue while it sets to look at, at least some 909,292 cases at the end of the current fiscal year.

Agency bags over half a billion birr from accreditation, documentation services



purchases 12 mln birr bond to

Nile Insurance on Tuesday purchased additional bonds worth 12 million birr to

help finance the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

The CEO of the Company, Yared Molla, said on the occasion that the Company

had purchased a total of 51.2 million birr worth bonds in six rounds.

This bond is the 7th round of purchase that brings the total amount of

contribution so far made by the company to 63.2 million birr.

Expressing his joy over the successful completion of the first year filling of the

GERD, the CEO called on all Ethiopians to continue their unreserved support

to the realization of the dam as it is “the symbol of national unity and pride.”

Deputy General Director of the Office of National Council for the Coordination

of Public Participation on the GERD, Fikrte Te’amr commended the company

for its support and capitalized on the need for a strong collaboration among

all Ethiopians, financial institutions and other stakeholder to make the dam a

reality.

(ENA)

Gov’t reforms to drive Ethiopia’s tourism

industry: JLLJLL, one of the world’s leading real estate investment and advisory firms, this week released its overview of the hotel industry in Ethiopia.

The report examines the factors that make Ethiopia a unique tourist destination as well as the impact of COVID-19 on tourism in the region.

As of March 2020, international arrivals in Ethiopia decreased by 35.5 percent year-on-year to 118,950 mainly due to decreased flights, as well as cancellations by Ethiopian Airlines, which flies to over 80 destinations worldwide from Addis Ababa.

According to the report, the country’s tourism sector shows tremendous potential for growth given it is home to nine world heritage sites, as well as government measures to improve the investment landscape.

This includes relaxed visa policies, enabling nationals as well as residents from the African Union to obtain visa’s on arrival, which saw the Africa Visa Index go up by 32 places to secure a top 20 position in 2019.

Ethiopia is said to have one of the fastest growing economies in Africa.

(FBC)

By Kaleyesus Bekele

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Wednesday announced that as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions, African airlines are forecast to lose USD two billion in 2020.

IATA warned that without urgent financial relief, the industry is at risk of collapse, putting about 3.3 million jobs and USD 33 billion in African GPD in jeopardy.

To date, the governments of Sub-Saharan Africa Rwanda, Senegal, Côte D’Ivoire and Burkina Faso have pledged a total of USD 311 million in direct financial support to air transport. A further USD 30 billion has been promised by some governments, international finance bodies and other institutions including the African Development Bank, African Export Import Bank, African Union and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for air transport and tourism. However, much of the relief is yet to reach those in need due to institutional bureaucracy, complex application and creditworthiness processes, as well as cumbersome conditions to secure finance.

“Over USD 30 billion in financial support has been pledged to aviation and tourism in Africa. Some of this money has been allocated by governments, but far too little of it has reached its intended recipients. Governments and lenders need to urgently unlock the bottlenecks so that the money can flow quickly, otherwise it will be too late to prevent closures and job losses,” said Muhammad Albakri, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East. “There will

be no point re-opening the borders and skies if there is no industry left to speak of that is capable of supporting trade and tourism, which are the key components of any thriving economy,” Albakri said.

Speaking of harmonizing Re-start Measures Albakri said resuming aviation safely in Africa is essential to get the continent’s economies up and running. With African governments tentatively planning and considering the resumption of regional and intercontinental scheduled passenger flights, IATA is advocating for the harmonized adoption of the ICAO Take-Off guidance which outlines recommended biosafety measures. It includes adequate physical distancing, wearing face masks or coverings, enhanced sanitation and disinfection, health screening,

contact tracing and the use of passenger health declaration forms. It also calls for testing, where rapid and reliable testing is available.

“To instill public confidence and avoid repeating the mistakes made after 9/11 - which created disjointed airport security measures - governments and local authorities must adopt ICAO’s biosafety measures in a harmonized fashion and implement them consistently and diligently. This will also ensure that air travel is able to support the revival of economies without becoming a vector for spreading COVID-19,” said Albakri.

So far, Ethiopia, Benin, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal and Tanzania have allowed or announced the imminent resumption of scheduled international

passenger flights. Combined, they account for 19 percent of passenger traffic on the continent.

Africa’s largest airline, Ethiopian Airlines, has announced a lost revenue of one billion USD. The national carrier which suspended more than ninety percent its operation due to the adverse impacts of COVID-19 and flight restrictions has announced the resumption of flights to multiple destinations. The airline which serves 127 international destinations is currently flying to more than 40 destinations.

Air Transport supports the livelihood of 24.6 million people across the continent, contributes USD 169 billion to Africa’s economy and represents 7.1 percent of the continent’s GDP.

Muhammad Albakri

HEADLINES8| The Reporter, August 1, 2020 Vol. 24 No. 1247


.. HORN IN BRIEFHHOORRNN INN BBRIEF

commits grants to shore up

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved grants worth about USD 41.16 million to Djibouti to bolster the national budget in support of government efforts to mitigate national and regional impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding will take the form of an African Development Fund grant for USD 4.12 million and a USD 37.04 million grant from the Bank’s regional operations envelope. The Bank is providing the funding under its COVID-19 response facility. The funding aligns with Djibouti’s development objectives

“It is the first time the Bank is leveraging the regional operations resources for a budget support operation. This approach was pertinent to ensure that Djibouti has adequate resources to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in its territory and limit cross-border impacts that pose serious risks for health, social and economic development for the country and ensure adequate controls at territorial borders and all points of entry,” said the Bank’s acting director general for East Africa, Nnenna Nwabufo.

(MENA FN)

South Sudan misses deadline to form new parliament

Parties to South Sudan’s revitalized peace deal missed a regional deadline Sunday to dissolve and reconstitute parliament.

A July 14 communiqué by East African bloc IGAD, which mediated South Sudan’s peace agreement, called on President Salva Kiir to dissolve the current National Legislative Assembly by July 26.

A partial unity government was formed five months ago, but parliament has yet to be reconstituted and Kiir appointed state governors just a few weeks ago.

Information Minister Michael Makuei told VOA’s South Sudan In Focus that the parties are still working on “the process” of reconstituting parliament.

There is no good reason for the delay, according to Boboya James, a policy analyst and researcher with the Institute of Social Policy and Research in Juba.

“The more you delay, the more you make the people of South Sudan suffer. It is important for the formation to happen so that the structures of government under the peace agreement are able to function,” James told South Sudan in Focus.

(VOA)

By Samuel Getachew

The second and final phase construction of Adey Abeba National Stadium has been launched. This is to be the biggest stadium with 62,000 seating capacity. The first phase was built at a cost of 2.47 billion birr.

This phase is to take three years to complete and the Chinese State enterprise, the China State Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) is contracted to undertake the work. The construction had

been delayed for much of the year.

The Facility Director at the Sport Commission, Asmera Gizaw, had blamed the “Inhabitant relocation and shortage of hard currency to import materials and pay contractors,” as the reason for the delay.

It is to be recalled that the Stadium faced much difficulty and its leadership faced a strong backlash from the Chinese government, including financial penalties and demotion when they tried to keep an accident that

occurred under wraps. The accident, a fire that broke out, had killed seven people and left dozen others with severe burns; and instead of providing the victims adequate support, it instead transported them in the wee hours of the night with minimal financial support.

Ethiopia has faced a number of queries with its increasing investment in stadiums, throughout the country, when the nation has a lot of vulnerable population, while it relies on China to fund much of its government infrastructures.

In 2016, the Economist wrote an article titled – Ethiopia’s football follies - taking a poke of the various constructions of stadiums, depicting an average family awaiting dinner and instead being served a plate of stadium at the dinner table.

In addition, there has been grumblings about the location of the stadium, which is near Bole International Airport, surrounded by a neighborhood with little or old infrastructures and how it would accommodate the thousands of stadium goers when it opens in 2023, if it goes all according to plan.

Adey Abeba stadium set for



The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) says an airstrike that was intended to

target Al-Shabaab fighters in Somalia earlier this year killed one civilian and

wounded three others, in a rare admission by the Command.

The findings were part of AFRICOM’s second quarterly report on civilian

casualties and marks only the third time in AFRICOM’s history that the

command has said civilians were killed in Somalia as a result of U.S. airstrikes

against Islamist militants.

“Our goal is to always minimize impact to civilians. Unfortunately, we believe

our operations caused the inadvertent death of one person and injury to three

others who we did not intend to target,” AFRICOM Commander Army Gen.

Stephen Townsend said in a statement Tuesday.

The death occurred from a US strike on February 2 in the vicinity of Jilib,

Somalia. The civilians killed and wounded “weren’t visible” when the military

conducted the strike, which targeted and wounded one Al-Shabaab terrorist,

AFRICOM spokesman Air Force Col. Chris Karns told VOA Tuesday.

(VOA)

Sudan to send more troops to

The Sudanese government is sending more troops to the restive Darfur region, following a spike in violence there.

Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said the forces would protect people during the farming season.

Unidentified gunmen killed more than 60 people in the region on Saturday, and another 20 the day before, the UN said.

Hundreds of thousands of people have died in fighting between government forces and rebels since 2003. Millions have been forced from their homes.

More than a decade later, people finally started returning home in time for this year’s July-November planting season after a government-sponsored deal was reached two months ago.

But this has led a new conflict over land rights between the people who took over the land with those who have returned.

In the latest upsurge, several villages were burned, and markets and shops looted, said the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

No group has so far said it carried out the attacks.

(BBC)

By Samuel Getachew

Millions of children, under the age of five, are at risk of suffering from wasting this year, a condition brought about by a combination of low energy (nutrition) intake and high loss, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that is having an impact throughout the world.

The new finding by UNICEF highlights, 80 percent of those affected are from sub-Saharan Africa and South Asian countries. The United Nations agency is appealing to donors for USD 2.4 Billion for the effort to help improve nutrition. Wasting, which makes children weak and thin, is a prevalent pandemic in Ethiopia in itself and 47 million children suffered from it around the world last year.

“It’s been seven months since the first COVID-19 cases were reported and it is increasingly clear that the repercussions of the pandemic are causing more harm to children than the disease itself,” UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said.

“Household poverty and food insecurity rates have increased. Essential nutrition services and supply chains have been disrupted. Food prices have soared. As a result,

the quality of children’s diets has gone down and malnutrition rates will go up,” she said.

Unless the world reacts and provides support, the agency is warning that

54 million children will be affected, which is said would be a “level not seen in this millennium.”

Poor diet or insufficient nutrition being the main cause; even before the pandemic, millions of Ethiopians, including children, were suffering from lack of food.

In June of this year, UNICEF and the World Food Program inaugurated a multiyear effort to prevent acute malnutrition. According to UNICEF, WFP launched a three-year partnership in Ethiopia, to support the Government of Ethiopia in preventing acute malnutrition. “Here in Ethiopia, and due to the combined effects of desert locusts, climate change, and the secondary impact of COVID-19, UNICEF and its nutrition partners anticipate that the number of children to be treated for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in 2020 alone will rise by 24 per cent.”

threatens children around the world

land.

Regarding the regional election planned by the Tigrai Regional State, the PM assured the parties that the federal government has no intention to take an armed measure, “although there are clear provocations”.

“Some people expect the federal government to respond forcefully, there are constitutional processes and institutions that are governing the country and as such these provisions will prevail overtime,” the PM underscored.

Apart from this, the PM and leaders of the opposition political parties have also discussed numerous issues of national interests such as the GERD, COVID-19 and peace and security.

Therefore, both parties agreed to continue discussion on

different identified national

issues in a platform that

will bring political parties

together, and also agreed

the next discussion to be on

national consensus.

Abiy rules out . . . CONT`D FROM PAGE 1



IN-DEPTH

A local entrepreneur, who is a frequent traveller to China, began importing such products two years ago and he was surprised to discover such an exclusive business where the demand is much greater that his capacity to deliver. He did not even have to open a store, when his online effort yielded much success.

By Samuel Getachew

Near the Addis Ababa Stadium, around the area once known as an Armenian ghetto during the old era of Emperor Haile Selassie of beautiful architectures currently used mainly as pharmacies and bank branches, there were young women who had come to purchase a famous lotion.

Named Fair & Lovely and others and those made by world famous multinationals such as L’Oreal, Olay and others, the cream is said to help them with their skin condition initially, but in reality is a skin lightening cream that is fast gaining popularity locally with little safeguarding from government authorities. Such products have now become so popular, many of the buyers first hear about it from words of mouth from their hairdressers and pharmacists to help them have a better skin tone.

The most popular cream in Ethiopia is produced by Unilever, as part of a white lightening business worth more than USD 10 billion in the world. To local users, the cream has helped them embrace an abnormal skin tone that suddenly is lighter, rejecting their dark skin which fast becomes less appealing. This

is as the cream faces a backlash in the world in the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement that has yet to reach Ethiopia.

In Addis Ababa, the phenomenon of white lightening skin has been growing in the last decade, since local entrepreneurs began to head to China and India and import commodities and see a brisk business.

A local entrepreneur, who is a frequent traveller to China, began importing such products two years ago and he was surprised to discover such an exclusive business where the demand is much greater that his capacity to deliver. He did not even have to open a store, when his online effort yielded much success.

“Best price Perfect White Lightening Serum is specially conceived for a fast and effective action. Thanks to its active treatments, Perfect White targets and removes immediately brown tasks and unifies the complexion in order to restore the skin to its natural brightness. Your skin is clear, fresh and smooth, it is perfect! Become young ever,” he advertised in an online typo prone effort.

Under his wrap, he carries skin care cream, peppermint oil, face

steamer, shea butter and others, selling them anywhere from 200 birr to 1200 birr.

While some African nations, including Rwanda, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and South Africa have taken notice of the impact of such products to their populations and have banned them from importation, Ethiopia has not put anything forward to see it banned.

In 2016, Ghana banned the chemical used to make the product, hydroquinone as a “matter of public safety.” In addition, the creams were noted to contain mercury and high-dose steroids, which are hazardous to one’s health according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Like Ethiopia, Nigeria has done little to ban the products. Last year, a Nigerian medical doctor, Ola Brown coined an article for CNN reflecting on how 77 percent of Nigerian women use the product to lighten their skin.

“African women don’t bleach their skin simply because they are vain. They lighten their skin because fair skin is too often seen as more attractive and provides them with an economic advantage,” he wrote.

XXX

The Reporter, August 1, 2020 Vol. 24 No. 1247 |11


IN-DEPTH

While most of the targeted market – mostly young and vulnerable - is recruited by way of an online advertisement and communication, there are now advocates against its use from unexpected sources.

I am aware of the risk of using these products. The people who come and purchase these products come from vulnerable populations and have little exposure or information on it. They just have a dream of being beautiful and successful. I am a businessman. My role is to sell and meet the demands of my customers. I am unfortunately, not in the business of preaching. That is the role of the government.

Senait Tsegaye, a 22 former domestic worker and a recent returnee from Dubai started using such a cream when she moved there. To her, the ideal look meant you needed to be white as it represented the success she saw watching Kana TV. Dark skin, to her, was associated with misery, conflicts and poverty.

Going to a foreign land for work, she wanted to be more attractive, appealing to her “madam lady”.

“Months before I went abroad, a lotion was suggested to me as a way to be more appealing. At first, I was confused about what it was and what it would make me look. I applied it on my face and continued to various parts of my body. Then it became normal to me to use it. The issue I have now is, I completely need to use it evenly all over my body because if I do not, I will have different shades, dark and light skin,” she told The Reporter.

Another importer of such products in the Mercato market, with an array of brand and forged brand names told The Reporter, much of the products come from India, where the market has blossomed into a half-a-billion USD business and where much of the population still use it to

lighten their skin.

He told The Reporter, while cosmetics are a brisk business with a growing population with spending power, much of it like nicotine comes by way of Dire Dawa without paying duty taxes and out of the bounds of the government and wondered how it could be banned with such an open border and corruption.

“I am aware of the risk of using these products. The people who come and purchase these products come from vulnerable populations and have little exposure or information on it. They just have a dream of being beautiful and successful. I am a businessman. My role is to sell and meet the demands of my customers. I am unfortunately, not in the business of preaching. That is the role of the government,” he said.

While most of the targeted market – mostly young and vulnerable - is recruited by way of an online advertisement and communication, there are now advocates against its use from unexpected sources.

Recently, a local teenager wrote an online post asking which lightening cream she should be using and the reaction was not what she was looking for.

“I’m (sin) a 17-year-old girl who lives in Ethiopia. What’s the best whitening cream or soap for a black-skineed person which is effective?” she wrote.

Jan Krusat, a self-described Licenced aircraft maintenance engineer was quick to respond.

“First, stay as you are. You are most likely very pretty. And your skin gives you good protection against sunlight. Secondly, the chemicals used in whitening soaps and creams are not exactly healthy. I know some Ethiopian women here in Germany (the airline I’m currently working for has hired several Ethiopian flight attendants), they all have embraced their heritage and carry their skin colour and curly hair with pride. And they look very good as they are!” he wrote to her.

“Skin whiteners come in two categories: those that do not work and those that have massive side effects that will irreversibly damage your skin. If you have hyperpigmented spots caused by acne, consult a dermatologist to see what medically monitored options are available for you. If you do not have any skin problems, using whiteners is only going to cause them,” another advised.



INTERVIEW

The Reporter: The Bill & Melinda Foundation has become an important organization within Ethiopia, involved in areas of health among others. Share with me the highlights of the work of the foundation within the nation?

Since making our first grant in Ethiopia in 2000 and opening our office in Addis Ababa in 2012, we have partnered with the government, the private sector, donors and civil society to help Ethiopians live healthy and productive lives. We are guided by the strong conviction that every life has equal value and this grand mission informs all our engagement.

Our priorities in Ethiopia are in the areas of health, nutrition, agriculture and women’s empowerment. To do this, we work with more than 135 partners including government agencies and affiliates at the federal and regional-level.

For agriculture, our focus is on ensuring smallholder farmers have access to products and services they need to grow productive crops. Ethiopia has shown that a country can accelerate inclusive agricultural transformation when a government provides a clear vision for the sector and aligns public and development partner funds around a set of priorities. We will continue supporting Ethiopia to succeed and be an exemplar for others to follow.

For health, we support sustained, universal coverage of family health, expanding access to immunizations, and strengthening existing health systems. We are supporting

Haddis Tadesse is the country representative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He has been at the helm of one of Ethiopia’s biggest development partners since

Samuel Getachew of The Reporter on the work of the foundation, on working on gender empowerment, on the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the wisdom of vaccinations. Excerpts:



INTERVIEW the government’s goal of strengthening Ethiopia’s capacity to achieve Primary Health Care (PHC), by focusing on the delivery of evidence-based, high impact health and nutrition interventions at national and regional levels.

And in all our focus areas we seek to address gender barriers and to that end integrate gender across all our workstreams.

The foundation, as well as the Gates continue to be engaged within the continent and both have become an important and noted partners with increasing spending investment in Ethiopia. What is the long-term vision of the foundation in the country?

Our mission is to support Ethiopia in its efforts to reduce poverty and increase the coverage of life-saving development and health delivery interventions.

We are proud to be a strong partner for Ethiopia as we have witnessed tremendous developmental strides, shepherded by a strong central government which has pursued an ambitious development agenda. We wish to remain steadfast in our support to the government’s grand vision of building a prosperous Ethiopia.

Since 2000, the poverty rate has dropped from 63 percent to 23.5 percent, life expectancy has increased from 50 to 67 years and is now higher than the average for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 61. We have also seen both maternal mortality and under five mortality rates drop by nearly 70 percent. Ethiopia has made great strides in education too, with almost all children enrolled in primary school.

As always, more can be done and we need to focus our resources to improve quality and address critical bottlenecks.

One area that is noted to receive much support in Ethiopia is areas of gender equality and girls’ empowerment, including in access to education from the foundation. Tell me about that?

We believe everyone should have an equal opportunity to lead a healthy, productive life. And we know that no matter where you’re born your life is harder if you’re a girl and this is even more pronounced in countries like Ethiopia.

In Ethiopia our work on improving gender equality mostly focuses on supporting programs that give women and girls better access to health services and overcoming the persistent challenges they face in the agricultural sector.

Ethiopia has made progress advancing gender equality over the last few years: more girls are finishing primary school and women across the country have better access to healthcare. In 2000, less than 20 percent of girls completed primary school, and today just over half do. One area where Ethiopia has had significant success in addressing gender equality is the delivery of health services. In the last 20

years, the maternal mortality rate in this country has decreased from a ratio of about 1,000 deaths per 100,000 births to 401 deaths per 100,000. This is a significant achievement and the result of strong leadership from the government and the ongoing support of key partners, including the foundation.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic provides us an opportunity to rebuild a more prepared and equal society. As Melinda wrote recently, COVID-19 might be gender blind, but it isn’t gender neutral. Economically the crisis exploits existing disparities women face when it comes to jobs and accessing credit. There is a health implication too. We’ve seen from previous pandemics that when health systems are strained, maternal mortality rises. This is no coincidence. The parts of health systems devoted to caring for women are the most fragile and underfunded, so they tend to collase first and fastest.

But the COVID-19 pandemic provides policymakers with a chance to do things differently - improve health systems, design more inclusive economic policies, gather better data, and prioritize women’s leadership - countries can build back better, more prepared, and more equal.

How do you see the current development of COVID-19 within Ethiopia and perhaps reflect on the work of the foundation on that front?

Ethiopia, like many African countries, needs to be congratulated for its swift and effective response to COVID-19. We commend the government for taking bold and decisive measures to mitigate the immediate health-related impact of COVID-19 and protect venerable communities from the damage that may be inflicted on them by the COVID-19-shock. In January, even as many Western nations hesitated, Ethiopia began passenger screening at Bole International Airport and put in place other preventive measures. Of course, the

pandemic isn’t over and things could change quickly, but today the continent is the least impacted region in the world according to the World Health Organization (WHO), with less than five percent of reported cases and less than one percent of all deaths, despite being home to 17 percent of the global population.

In Ethiopia, we have been helping the government in coordinating its response. This includes providing technical assistance to forecast supply needs, helping strengthen disease surveillance, and helping prepare for and mitigate the economic costs of the pandemic. We are also working with other donors and regional agencies to help the government secure protective equipment and other treatment supplies.

Ethiopia has also benefited from our work at the regional level, particularly with partners such as the Africa CDC, and WHO’s regional office for Africa. One of the best examples of this has been our partnership with the Africa CDC to train lab teams, including in Ethiopia, on how to test for and detect COVID-19. In February, only two countries on the continent had the capacity to test for COVID-19. Today, almost 50 countries do.

There is growing interest for potential vaccines for the virus and the Gates are one of the most visible funders of it. What are the prospects of a vital vaccine being discovered for the virus that has devastated countless people and killed thousands in the world?

We have been informed by the experts that safe and effective vaccines could be developed as early as the end of the year - pending the results of large-scale clinical trials - with scale up and delivery happening well into 2021 and beyond.

What is equally important is that once safe and effective vaccines are available, that they can be delivered to countries and people who need them most, not just to those who can pay the most.

The role of vaccinations and its acceptance in Ethiopia is growing. Share with me the work of the foundation on that front and how far, as a society, we have become to make it accessible and vital to those who need it most?

I remember reading one of your recent articles on how mothers are beginning to witness first-hand the lifesaving power of vaccines in Ethiopia. Such stories of progress are backed up by data. Almost three-quarters of Ethiopian children received their full course of routine immunizations in 2017 compared to only 50 percent in 2007. That is amazing progress to see in a single decade.

However, despite extraordinary progress, there are still logistical and cultural challenges to delivering vaccines in certain regions. For example, in Addis Ababa nearly 85 percent of children received all basic vaccinations but in Afar and Somali regions, the rate is below 20 percent. More than 870,000 children in Ethiopia missed out on lifesaving measles, diphtheria and tetanus vaccines in 2018. We must continue to work together, governments and global partners alike, to help protect and save children from deadly, preventable diseases. We also need to exert maximum effort to ensuring that women and girls are not disproportionately affected by these challenges.

I believe the same set of constraints that impede the implementation of general health services in Ethiopia (such as inadequate follow-up and supervision) are the same challenges for immunization programs.

Vaccination coverage in Ethiopia often varies according to household wealth and maternal education.

Thankfully, targeted programs to reach under-immunized children in these subpopulations have helped improve vaccination coverage and equity outcomes in Ethiopia. Over the years, various innovative measures, such as training 40,000 health extension workers, have been critical to improving health outcomes across the country.

The most visible warriors of the pandemic, as well as those who implement the vision of your foundation are the health practitioners in the world and Ethiopia is no exception. Any parting message you have for them?

COVID-19 has changed our lives beyond recognition. We have seen how diseases can spread rapidly with no respect to national borders. COVID-19 anywhere is a threat to people everywhere.

We owe a profound debt of gratitude to our heroic frontline healthcare workers who day-in-day-out are putting themselves at risk to help control and manage the disease. Much of our success to-date has been the result of their hard work and dedication and the exemplary leadership that is being given across all levels should continue unabated.



LIVING AND THE ARTS



LIVING AND THE ARTS

The community has been suffering for decades to get

water and now the situation is getting

worse.

By Dawit Tolesa

Bekoji town, known for its Olympic gold medal winning athletes in Ethiopia, has played a pivotal role in athletics history that has dominated the world arena. Nevertheless, a town filled with remarkable talent, has been suffering from the lack of access to clean water for almost two decades. Nine Olympic gold medals have been won by athletes coming from Bekoji. Topping the remarkable feet achieved by athletes hailing from Bekoji include, Derartu Tulu, the first Ethiopian woman and the first black African to win an Olympic gold medal. She grew up tending cattle in the village.

Bekoji is located in Oromia regional state, Arsi Zone, 220km from the capital, Addis Ababa. Currently, the year on year increase in population has exacerbated water shortages.

For the purposes of water supply and sanitation project, the town administration, with the support of the Nile Consulting Group, had conducted a population census in 2006.

According to the census, the total population of the town was 33,100 and the major economic activities are trading, service provision and government employment. In relation to these, 98 percent of the town’s population was dependent on the town’s water supply as a primary source of water. About 55.5 percent have a private tap, and some proportion of residents tended to rely on spring, river and rain water as primary sources, with 12 percent relying on spring water, 14 percent on river water, and 18.2 on ponds and rain water.

However, according to the census conducted in 2012/13, the total population of the town had exceeded 75,000 people. Based on the information obtained from Bekoji Water Resources Bureau, the town does not have sufficient capacity and that about 25,000 of people could only benefit.

Bekoji Water Resources Bureau Director, Wesenu Lema, explained that the number of communities that are currently living in the town and their daily consumption is incomparable.

“The community has been suffering for decades to get sufficient clean water and now the situation is getting worse,” Wesenu said.

Bekoji tap-water, started by Daniel Close, a Peace Core Volunteer (PCV) in 1966, was able to provide water for 500 people and among this, only 102 had tap water in their houses. The source of water for the existing water supply system was from spring water (Tulu Negeso Spring) located at about 2km North East of the towns center.

“While I did open my heart for the project, and I did coordinate some of the funding for the project, I did not open my wallet. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, I made the same money as my Ethiopia peers,” said Daniel Close explaining the starting point of Bekoji water tap via email.

However, since the population started to grow, a second borehole project was commenced by a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) called “ONE WASH” in 2009. The then new project was accessible for 15,000 people until 2011.

Since then, the community has been suffering, waiting for three to ten days to get clean water, with many people dependent on a public tap for water.

“We have 19 public water taps that address the communities unable to own a home tap. They are relying on public taps and have to wait a shift for three to ten days,” Wesenu said.

As for the water consumption, the average daily consumption is 2.25 liters per second. However, due to scarcity of water, water rationing has been in effect in the town. In this regards, the current usage of water is 34.3 percent. However, Wesenu suggested that this number should increase to 75–80 percent to fully provide clean water.

Water shortage and COVID-19 in Bekoji town

COVID-19, is affecting 218 countries and territories. A disease which demands strict adherence to hand hygiene can make matters especially worse in places where there is lack of access to clean water. The total number of COVID-19 cases in Ethiopia is increasing at an alarming rate and has claimed 239 lives so far. And for towns like Bekoji, the uncertainty remains unbearable.

Damitu Tola has lived in Bekoji for more than 40 years. She has four kids and she does not have a tap water. She has been using the public tap near her house, but now, she is using streams as a water source due to the dire water shortage.

“We were using a public tap water before and we spent more than an hour returning home. Now, it is very tough to easily get water, if you don’t get up early in the morning due to the long queues of people,” Damitu said adding, “We are not even able to prepare food let alone protect ourselves from the virus. So, we are waiting for the government to solve the lack of clean water.”

After the Ministry of Health (MoH) announced the 1st COVID-19 case in Ethiopia on March 13th, Bekoji town has been taking necessary actions to protect the community from the pandemic. The town’s health center has been engaged in a massive door to door campaign to engage with the community to battle the virus.

“We have tried to setup hand washing facilities at every entry point to the town and we have also

used volunteers, working to raise awareness in the community,” Bekoji’s Health and

Hygiene regulatory focal person, Teshome Legesse said.

Nonetheless, the hand washing facilities are now not functioning due to the lack of water. Even hotels, restaurants and government offices water tankers, are empty. Some hotel and restaurants are using water bought from vendors.

Fortunately, there is no major outbreak of COVID-19 cases reported in the town. However, there were three suspected cases, and put in

isolation. They later tested positive.

“We are carefully following up and monitoring movements of our

communities and keeping an eye on strange faces that come into town,” Teshome said.

According to the town water resource administration, the main problem is the maladministration that delays the water projects. The town has an elevation of 2800 meters and is believed have a rich reliable source of water. Currently, the town water resources administration has commenced a new borehole water project, which costs 400 million birr. This project will be concluded in 2021 and upon completion, is expected to benefit more than 100,000 local communities.

Furthermore, the shortage of electricity does not make the problem any easier, hindering the projects progress. The water resource administration has in fact mentioned this as the main challenge.

In a study conducted by Water.org found that only 42 percent of the population has access to clean water supply and only 11 percent of that number has access to adequate sanitation services. In rural areas of the country, these figures drop even lower resulting in health problems in the people and their animals.

In addition to illness, many children, especially girls, face the upheaval of reversing a thought process that has kept them from going to school, for house chores. Statistically only 45 percent of kids attend primary school.

Ed.’s Note: This reporting project, overseen by infoNile, was made possible through the support of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting and the National Geographic Society.


16| The Reporter, August 1, 2020 Vol. 24 No. 1247COMMENTARY

By Manaye Ewunetu

This paper examines Egypt’s continuous misleading and falsified propaganda aided by its backers, the Arab League against Ethiopia’s right to use its natural resources. It should be clear to the wider international community that the filling and future operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GRED) is not the main issue for Egypt.

It is not a secret that throughout the history, Egypt has been an obstacle preventing the development in the African Nations in general and the Ethiopian Nation in particular. Egypt has always followed a destabilising policy against Ethiopia by creating internal division and financing separatist elements to fragment the country and prevent Ethiopia from developing and utilising its natural resources.

Now, as part of Egypt’s misinformation campaign, the Cairo University professors have formed a group called “Group of Nile Basin” (GNB).

The main purpose and activities of GNB is issuing unfounded statements and publishing misleading papers in the national and international journals. According to our investigation, these publications are not supported/informed by real data on the ground.

The group’s main aim is to underestimate the huge benefits of the GERD for Egypt and the wider Nile basin countries.

Members of the GNB group include:

Mohamed N. E. Allam – Ex. Minister of Water Resources & Irrigation

1. Mohamed S Bazarah – Prof. of Irrigation and Drainage

2. Alaa Al-Zawahry – Prof. of Hydraulic and expert of dams and member of the National Committee of GERD.

3. Mohamed S. El-Manadily – Prof. of Hydraulics – Chairman of Department of Irrigation and Hydraulics, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University.

4. Nader Nour Eddin – Prof. of Water Supplies and Lands, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University

5. Ahmad E. Hasan – Prof. of Hydrology, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University.

6. KhaledH Hamid, Prof. of Water Supplies, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University – Member of the Trio Committee

7. Ashraf M Ghanim, Prof. of Hydraulics, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University.

8. Mostafa A Gheith, Pro.f

of Irrigation & Drainage, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University.

9. Mohamed H Algamal, Prof. of Hydraulics, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University.

10. Hesham B Mohamed, Prof. of Water Supplies, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University. Member of the National Committee to study GERD.

11. Mohame E Abol Hagag, Prof. of Hydraulics, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University

Another misleading assessment used by Egypt to legitimise its uncontested use of the Nile water is by making false claims about the availability of sufficient rainfall in Ethiopia. The reality is that due to its mountainous topography, Ethiopia’s natural water retention capacity is less than 20 percent which means that 80 percent of the rainfall will runoff out of Ethiopia to the downstream countries mainly to Egypt. Ethiopia is a water highway and most of the rainfall flows out of the country.

Although Ethiopia has the right to control and divert its water resources for agricultural developments, the main purposes of the GERD construction is for power generation and will not reduce the rainfall- runoff to the downstream countries.

Ethiopia has always been supporting the equitable use of the Nile Water and has always maintained and is willing to keep the Nile as a uniting force for the people of the Nile basin nations and not a source of dispute. Ethiopia is also willing to maintain the Nile basin to remain a place for peace and not a battlefield. However, Egypt is refusing to recognise Ethiopia’s right to use its water resources for power generation without harming the downstream countries.

The flawed in Egypt’s claim of historical Nile water right and its legality

The 1959 so called “Colonial Agreement” which allocate zero water usage for Ethiopia and upstream states of the Nile was illegal and never signed by Ethiopia. Now most upstream countries have signed a Cooperative Framework Agreement, but Egypt and Sudan have refused to sign the binding document.

Based on the current agreement by the Nile basin countries, there is no mutually accepted water treaty between upstream and downstream countries.

Even though there is a flourishing irrigation projects and dam constructions in the Sudan and Egypt, Egypt argues that the Sub-Saharan

Egypt continues to mislead the international community

VIEWPOINT

Limitations on freedom of expression in EthiopiaBy Tagel Getahun

One of the fundamental rights of man is freedom of expression. The right to freedom of expression is a global standard, protected under regional and international human rights instruments, treaties, and frameworks.

Freedom of expression is considered as a democratic right under Ethiopian constitution. Freedom of expression is the foundation of individual liberty and self-fulfillment. And it is vital to the attainment and advancement of knowledge, and the search for truth. In addition freedom of expression is essential to democracy as it supports political participation, and allows citizens to inform themselves about matters of public concern. Finally, it is seen as a check against government overreach and abuse.

In the United States, protection for freedom of expression is codified in the First Amendment of the US Constitution, part of the 1791 Bill of Rights while in Europe, freedom of expression is protected in foundational instruments from the Council

of Europe, and at the European Union level. Additionally, it receives protection at the national level through freedom of expression provisions in national constitutions.

Yet, freedom of expression is not absolute and can be restricted, in limited circumstances. International, European, and US law all share this common principle of limited state interference for individual expression, constrained to specific circumstances. Historically, restrictions on speech have included that of national security, intellectual property, obscenity, crime, contempt of court, and the protection of official secrets.

European doctrine follows a similar approach to the ICCPR. Under the ECHR, interferences with freedom of expression must follow a three-step test that requires that they are (1) provided by law, (2) pursue a legitimate purpose, and (3) are necessary in a democratic society.

The United States, by contrast, operates under different doctrines. First Amendment analysis tends to take account

of the type of speech as well as the type of restriction. First, it considers several narrow categories of expression as “unprotected speech,” including incitement, defamation, fraud, obscenity, child pornography, fighting words, threats, defamatory lies (libel or slander), and lying under oath.

In Ethiopia the constitution says the rights can be limited only through laws which are guided by the principle that freedom of expression and information cannot be limited on account of the content or effect of the point of view expressed. Legal limitations can be laid down in order to protect the well-being of the youth, and the honor and reputation of individuals. Any propaganda for war as well as the public expression of opinion intended to injure human dignity is prohibited.

There are plenty of legal provisions that are dehydrating this freedom in Ethiopia. One of these is found in the civil code. Accordingly, for example, media can publish only the truth about facts regarding defamation. Any false defamation is prohibited. In contrast to this, for instance, in US, only intentional false

statements are prohibited.

There is a prohibition on hate speech and disinformation in Ethiopia.

Treatment of hate speech differs across the Atlantic. In the United States, hate speech is fully protected by the First Amendment unless it falls under an exception, most commonly true threats, incitement to violence, or defamation. Accordingly, hate speech enjoys a relatively high level of protection in the United States.

In Europe, countries differ significantly in how they approach and define the topic of hate speech, and in how they apply the above concepts. These variations generate significant inconsistencies in the law and its application across the region and even within countries. The European Court of Human Rights has followed a case-by-case approach. The Court has excluded it from the scope of freedom of expression. And many European countries have distinct laws to combat hate speech

Egypt continues to . . . page 22

Limitations on . . . page 25



The Reporter: Tell us about the support Stand-by-me provides for students and what is the reason behind choosing Bekoji town?

Biruk Mekonen: Well, one of the main programs that Stand-by-me focuses on is education. We have 112 students in high school and preparatory levels, and we provide with food, uniforms, supplementary books and different resources. We also have 56 students studying in the various universities. We provide them with a monthly support ranging from 800 to 2500 birr. The 800 birr monthly support goes to students studying in government universities and 2500 birr is provided for college students, for a monthly tuition fee and house rent. In general, Stand-by-me has been working in Bekoji town for the last eleven years, bringing a significant change to the community, particularly for kids. One of the reasons we worked in Bekoji is because the poverty level is really massive and we want to address that. We have a school in Bekoji called “Bethany School” which currently has 401 children. Alongside the school, we provide a homemade breakfast, lunch and all school necessary materials including teachers.

What are some of the projects undertaken by Stand-by-me to help children so far?

In the project, we have 27 children with a 24 hour home care service. These children were abandoned, or have lost both of their families. Apart from that, we hired them a counselor, a cook, babysitters

and ten staff members that look after them. So, I can say that it is like a lifesaving organization in Bekoji. After it was founded, many individuals have visited us with children that were abandoned. Most of them don’t have families or any responsible person. Hence, Stand-by-me has really saved their lives and help them start anew.

What makes it different from other charity organizations?

Well, we don’t only look after the kids, we also looks after their families. We provide a monthly support to those families who are really poor, in a program called Keeping Family Together (KFT). There are 111 families and we provide them a monthly payment support ranging from 500 to 1500 birr for each family, to aid them in looking after their families, pay rent and manage accommodations. This is a monthly payment for old age families. We also have around 87 families with HIV/AIDS and we provide them nutritious foods like peanut butter, onion, coffee and others. Stand-by-me also provides house repair services for these families, especially during the rainy season.

What are the progresses made by the organization?

Well, with the help of the town administration, we were able to get 4000 hectares of land. We want to expand our projects more, to build more classrooms, sport fields, a standard library for the town and we want to provide more

to vulnerable children and their families. Now we have 56 staff members on the ground. Elsewhere, we are also in the process of starting a water project in the compound of our organization.

Who is the foremost supporter of this project?

Honestly, stand-by-me spends millions of birr in this project and it is a huge investment. Established in the UK, its support mainly comes from the UK. We have a sponsorship scheme whereby every kid in the project has a sponsor. These sponsors contribute monthly to Stand-by-me in its UK offices and the UK office mobilizes the fund from government or non-governmental offices through different activities. Then after, they send it to us and it is a massive investment. The main thing is they truly understand what humanity is. That is the only reason they provide a lot of effort, money and resources.

There are a number of charity organizations in Ethiopia aimed to support people in need of assistance. However, some of them only focus on temporary support rather than following-up. Hence, how does Stand-by-me look after these kids while they are studying and after finishing their studies?

What makes it different from other charity organizations is that we have a virtuous follow-up mechanism. We evaluate every student not only in Bethany school, but also university students. For those studying in high school and in preparatory levels, we have an

education coordinator team. This team has a responsibility to look after those students. The team has a responsibility to contact teachers and follow-up on their education performance, collect their grades and evaluate academic results. We have a group on telegram, to follow university students, and also we have a telephone contact with their lecturers. One of our oldest kid from this organization will graduate in accounting this year. So, we provide all the necessary assistances until graduation.

What about after graduation?

In fact, what we do is once they graduate we provide some amount of money so that they can look for a job. Once they get a job, they can leave the organization and we shift the budget onto other kids. That is how it works. Elsewhere, we have a program called Income Generating Activity (IGA). So, in IGA we have 13 families that can create a business and earn money. We gave them money to start their own business. Currently, there are families who have started farming, animal husbandry and opened shops. The minimum amount of money we grant them ranges from 25,000 birr to 30,000 birr. So, if any graduated students are interested in working in our organization, our door is open. But, they have to go through the normal process, like anyone else who applies for the job.

Stand-by-me, a charity organization established in the UK, rescues children from around the world and provide care. The organizations care work creates a safety net programs for thousands in Bekoji town, located 220 Km from the capital city,

western Oromia region, in Dembi Dollo town, 600km from the capital. Since its opening in 2013, it has followed in the Bethany Schools footsteps, caring for and educating over 400 children. Stand by me looks after vulnerable children and kids from poor living backgrounds in Bekoji town, helping them reach their potential. One of its achievements to date is that 10 of its children have reached a university level in their studies and are hopeful to send a further 100 students

obstacles of child labor, medical problems, early death and extreme poverty, they also provide food and rent support which enables families to send their children to school. Biruk Mekonen is the project manager for its Bekoji project, in Ethiopia. Dawit Tolesa of The Reporter has sat down with Biruk to discuss the activities of the organization. Excerpts:

INTERVIEW+



R Artist makes non-intrusive

surroundings

R Google’s new ‘for context’ links could give you the big picture around big news stories

#REPORTERBOOK 0 Vol. 24 No. 1247

Urban artist Falko One brings life and color to the streets of South African towns. After thirty-two years as a graffiti artist, Falko has played a significant role in the development of South Africa’s graffiti scene by leaving his marks on lonely walls.

The artist’s awe-inspiring murals often resemble local wildlife which also cleverly interacts with various elements of the buildings, such as windows, pipes, or air conditioners.

In 2010, Falko started a project called “Once Upon A Town,” where he painted his way across South Africa, turning poor neighborhoods into open-air galleries that attract tourists. Vivid elephants in all shapes and forms are his most common and recognizable artworks.

Falko One's career goes way back, he explained his background. “I started doing graffiti art in 1988 through my involvement with hip hop (very, very early days in our development) here in Cape Town, South Africa. It’s all I do to this day. The elephants in particular I started doing in 2014. I was in Dakar, Senegal when I did the first one."

Falko makes a beautiful case for non-intrusive methods of painting so that graffiti doesn't clash with the environment, or with the locals, for that matter. Sometimes the graffiti may look great by itself, but it isn't responsive to the environment.

On the right are some of Falko’s work.

(Bored Panda)

If you’ve recently spotted a little secondary box underneath a Google News story that gives you a big-picture understanding of the news, you’re not alone: Google appears to be experimenting with a new “for context” feature in Google News that links to a second, broader story on the same topic.

Spotted earlier by Valentin Pletzer on Twitter, the feature appears to be live on mobile phones for some very specific search results.

It’s small enough that you might easily miss what’s changed, but it’s that “for context” box under the CNET story. Intriguingly, it links to another CNET story to provide the bigger picture; it’s possible that this feature isn’t designed to divert traffic from some publishers to others, but rather just to provide the bigger picture around a news story. That’s also how Facebook’s “About This Content” feature often works, which also frequently points to related content from the same website. Of course, Google also has “knowledge panels” and “featured snippets” outside of its news box to direct people to more info about all sorts of topics.

While multiple Verge editors have gotten the new Google feature to work in multiple time zones, they weren’t able to make it pop up for other potentially controversial news topics like hydroxychloroquine.

(The Verge)



Spotify Premium users can now host

friends — even if they live far awayR

#REPORTERBOOK

Microsoft launches new Family Safety app for iOS and AndroidR

#ThisWeekInHistory||ERBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKKKK

Downtown Dire Dawa in the late

On July 27, 1953, the Korean

Microsoft launched a new Family Safety app for iOS and Android this week. The software giant has been testing the app in recent months, and it is designed to allow families to manage screentime and app usage. Parents can use the Family Safety app to receive reports on app usage and overall screentime and even set app time limits with the ability for children to request extensions.

Microsoft Family Safety also syncs across Windows, Xbox, and Android, so time limits for games and apps will be synced across multiple devices. This prevents kids from swapping devices to get some extra hours to play Minecraft or Fortnite. Specific apps can also be fully blocked.

Microsoft has also added web and search filters to limit browsing to kid-friendly sites. These filters work across Microsoft’s Edge browser on Windows, Xbox, and Android. Most of these screentime and content filters are limited to Android on the mobile side, but Microsoft says it is working on bringing them to iPhones, too. There is even the ability to lock down surprise spending on accounts with purchase request emails, helping prevent credit card bills for thousands of V-bucks.

Family Safety can also be used for location sharing between family members.

(The Verge)

Spotify is now allowing its paying users to listen to music and podcasts with friends and family at the same time, even if they aren’t in the same location. Through its beta feature called Group Session, any premium user can generate a shareable link with up to five friends, who also have Spotify Premium, that’ll allow them to simultaneously stream content.

Any person in the streaming party can pause, play, skip, or select tracks in the queue, and they can add their own choices, too. There’s no chat feature, which means listeners will have to rely on a third-party app to discuss the podcast or music with their friends. To host a session, premium users can select the Connect menu in the bottom left-hand corner of their play screen and scroll down to “Start a group session.” Once tapped, they’ll receive a shareable link they can send over social media or messaging. The feature is still in beta, Spotify notes, but the company says it plans to “evolve” it over time.

Group Sessions first launched in May as a tool for hosting in-person parties. Hosts can share a Spotify Code that their guests scan to join the party. The company has been building its premium user features for years in an attempt to encourage them to subscribe.

(The Verge)



COMMENTARY +

The challenges of the . . . page 24

By Silewnet Belachew

In the contemporary political economy no route seems better than multilateralism in pursuing a common goal among nations. Clinging to unilateralism in a multilateral world is like a mere political suicide.It is irrational to think that any state can individually encounter the multifaceted diplomatic challenges that exist; yet, some nations like the US have clearly demonstrated their intention to take actions unilaterally on a number of vital matters, such as international peace and security, terrorism, environmental, humanitarian issues and global pandemic etc.

In the midst of complex global politics which draws a serious of challenge to unilateral actions taken by a nation, US’s decline on multilateralism conveys an important message which inculcates that some crucial issues are worth the risk of taking independent actions without the consent of the other parties. If for instance, we take

the case of the utilization of trans-boundary water resources, at times unilateral measures seem rewarding to end incessant spats between the riparian and down streamed countries. On this regard, Americans move to build the Hoover dam on Colorado River is one of the best case in point of independent act by a riparian state to hold on trans-boundary River water without an agreement being reached with a downstream country, Mexico. Likewise, Turkey, Brazil, Russia, India and other nations followed similar paradigm in building their massive dams.

On the other side, Ethiopia’s move to negotiate with Sudan and Egypt on the Nile River while being an upper riparian nation is beyond such norms and a millstone in soft diplomacy. Ever since the early stages of the building of the dam, Ethiopia has been engaged herself in incessant negotiations with Egypt and Sudan, believing a mutually benefiting agreement could possibly be signed, resolving

the water sharing conflicts once for all. Up until now, Ethiopia remains voicing equitable, fair and reasonable allocation of the Nile water among the Nile basin nations yet, Egyptians who never wanted to lose their “veto power” on the river keep revolutionizing their tactic with disgraceful diplomatic pressuring and demonizing Ethiopia’s image before the international community and the Arab league in particular.

While, Egypt’s notoriously famous diplomatic actions and old- aged stubbornness has stalled all rounds of negotiations on the dam, Ethiopia has finally accomplished the first round filling of the most contested dam in the region. Cairo and Khartoum has characterized this act as a unilateral action which is in fact was based on the Declaration of Principles signed among the three countries in 2015; the principles of cooperation, equitable use of waters and ‘no significant harm. Accordingly, the first filling of the dam has proved the notion of ‘no significant harm’

practically as it didn’t reduce the usual water flows to Sudan and Egypt; revealing Ethiopia’s interminable determination to follow a more cooperative and principled ways solely grounded on internationally accepted water laws and protocols which seeks peace and mutual benefits between Nile basin states. Furthermore, it has indirectly demonstrated the failure of Egypt’s military recourse, myriads of unilateral diplomatic tactics, deceptions and procrastination.

In conclusion, any unilateral action is not a panacea for the hydro- ails of the Nile Basin. The best universal remedy is that all of the Nile basin nations to pull together and redouble their effort to effectively establish and maintain a Nile Basin inclusive cooperative framework agreement and working together in the spirit of cooperation with a profound aspiration for the peace and prosperity of Africa.

Ed.’s Note: The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of The Reporter.

Unilateralism: a panacea for

VIEWPOINT +

pandemic agendaBy Jean Pisani-Ferry

There is a growing possibility that the COVID-19 crisis will mark the end of the growth model born four decades ago with the Reagan-Thatcher revolution, China’s embrace of capitalism, and the demise of the Soviet Union. The pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of human societies and fortified support for urgent climate action. And it has strengthened governments’ hand, eroded already-shaky support for globalization, and triggered a reappraisal of the social value of mundane tasks. The small government, free-market template suddenly looks terribly outdated.

History suggests that transitions between phases of capitalist development can be harsh and uncertain. The postwar growth model took shape only after the Marshall Plan catalyzed its emergence. And the transition from the stagflationary 1970s to the market-dominated growth model took a decade. The years ahead will most likely be tough ones.

The challenge is not only one of uncertainty. It is also that the emergence of a new coherence usually requires something or someone to give way. In the late 1940s, European rent-seekers gave way to the forces of modernization. And in the 1980s, organized labor gave way to financial capitalism. The same will be true this time, because the coherence among the emerging priorities is all but obvious.

Start with climate change. Although the transition to carbon neutrality is probably the only

way to preserve our wellbeing, it is bound to unsettle the lifestyle of households accustomed to driving SUVs or relying on outdated heating systems.

A stark reminder of the social consequences of carbon taxes was recently provided by the French Yellow Vests uprising. While these taxes were ill-designed and regressive, the problem runs deeper: as the green transition entails replacing “brown” capital with “green” capital, it will require additional investment – conservatively estimated to be one percent of GDP per year in the coming decades – in more efficient industrial systems, buildings, and vehicles. Keeping public consumption and net exports constant, this will translate into a decline in private consumption of one percent of GDP – or roughly a two percent decline in level.

Next comes less reliance on global markets for essential supplies. Although China’s participation in the global economy has been disruptive for workers, it has benefited consumers massively. As Robert Feenstra of the University of California, Davis and his colleagues have shown, China’s entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001 lowered US manufacturing prices by one percent per year – a 0.3 percent gain in purchasing power. Using a different methodology, Lionel Fontagné and Charlotte Emlinger of CEPII (Paris) have found that by 2010, imports from low-wage countries had made the median French household eight percent richer. By now, the boon to consumers could have reached 10 percent in Europe and the US.

How much would higher

economic autonomy cost? Let us assume that it would imply giving up one-fourth of an eight percent gain from globalization. This would cut real consumption by another two percent.

But there is more: projections by the International Monetary Fund and the OECD indicate that by 2021, the GDP share of public debt in advanced economies will have increased by at least 20 percentage points. In a zero-interest-rate environment, most countries can afford this, but after the pandemic is over, governments will have to start reducing their debt ratios in order to create the necessary fiscal space to confront the potential recurrence of disruptive shocks. Assume, conservatively again, that half of the increase is reversed over ten years through taxes on households. This would imply another one-percent-of-GDP cut in income and, other things being equal, another two percent consumption drop. In total, this would lower the decade’s annual consumption growth by 0.6 percent.

Real income, however, is not expected to increase by much more. As a comprehensive World Bank study recently emphasized, annual productivity gains – the engine of economic growth – have stalled globally since the 2008 financial crisis, with annual increases below one percent per year in advanced economies. Stagnant productivity, if it continues, will, along with demographic aging, leave no room for increasing individual household consumption over a ten-year period.

The public-health crisis, however, has triggered a renewed awareness of the

importance of the mundane tasks many workers perform. In most advanced societies, it is believed – at least for now – that the income of these workers should better reflect their contribution to the common good. It would be odd to tell them that the best they can hope for in the coming decade is to keep their income constant.

So, who and what will give in? Implicitly or explicitly, this debate will probably dominate policy discussions in the years to come. For sure, the likes of US President Donald Trump will claim that sovereignty and consumption growth take precedence over climate preservation and debt. Those who think differently will have to find a way out of what looks like an incoherent set of objectives.

To that end, efficiency will have to be given high priority. This implies fostering productivity, rather than dreaming of de-growth; emphasizing an economic approach to the green transition, rather than wasting resources in ill-chosen decarbonization investments; and defining precisely what economic security entails, rather than aiming at a reshoring of production for which developed countries have no comparative advantage.

By itself, however, efficiency will not suffice to overcome the challenges that have emerged. The new aims – the preservation of public goods, economic security, and inclusion – will need to take center stage, relegating shareholder value to the second rank. And instead of



Preventing a global . . . page 24

Emerging economies . . . page 24

returning to school should undergo a learning assessment aimed at identifying those in need of support. Remedial teaching programs such as those pioneered by organizations like BRAC and Pratham can then prevent these children from falling further behind, thereby reducing the risk of future dropout.

Third, increased international financing is critical. Most of the world’s poorest countries, especially in Africa, entered the economic downturn with limited fiscal space. That room for maneuver is now shrinking further as recession bites and external-debt problems intensify.

Rich-country governments have responded to the COVID-19 crisis by tearing up their fiscal and monetary policy rulebooks and underwriting ambitious national recovery plans. They should be equally bold in supporting education in developing countries.

More effective leveraging of multilateral development bank balance sheets is an obvious starting place. The Education Commission has advocated establishing an International Finance Facility for Education to provide loan guarantees, thus enabling the World Bank and

OPINION

By Kevin Watkins

“The beautiful thing about learning,” the great blues guitarist B.B. King once wrote, “is that no one can take it away from you.” Born and raised in poverty, King understood the value of education as a force for change. If only political leaders responding to the COVID-19 pandemic had an ounce of his insight.

COVID-19 is now mutating into a global education emergency. Millions of children, especially the poorest and young girls, stand to lose the learning opportunities that could transform their lives. Because education is so closely tied to future prosperity, job creation, and improved health, a setback on this scale would undermine countries’ progress, reinforcing already extreme inequalities. Yet this emergency has yet to register on the pandemic response agenda.

Lockdowns have shut more than one billion children out of school. For an estimated 500 million, that means receiving no education at all. A Save the Children survey in India found that two-thirds of children stopped all educational activity during lockdown. The danger now is that a perfect storm of lost schooling, increased child poverty, and deep budget cuts

will lead to unprecedented reversals in education.

This is an emergency layered on a pre-existing crisis. Even before the pandemic, 258 million children were out of school, and progress toward universal education had stalled. Now, increased child poverty alone could result in ten million children not returning to school. Many of these children risk being forced into child labor or early marriage (in the case of adolescent girls). Meanwhile, already abysmal pre-pandemic learning levels, which left half of all children in developing countries unable to read a simple sentence by the end of primary school, are set to worsen.

Pathbreaking research on the impact of the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir, Pakistan captures the risk to learning. Schools were closed for three months. When they reopened, attendance quickly recovered. But four years later, children aged between three and 15 who lived closest to the fault line had lost the equivalent of 1.5 years of learning.

Imagining that outcome on a global scale gives a sense of what is at stake. Education empowers people, reduces poverty, and improves health, and the human capital that it generates shapes the destiny of countries. Lost education will erode that

capital, effectively placing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals beyond reach.

Governments should now be investing to prevent that outcome. Unfortunately, education budgets are being hollowed out by recession and the diversion of public spending – and international aid – to health care and economic recovery. As a result, governments in low- and middle-income countries could end up spending USD 77 billion less than planned on education over the next 18 months.

So, what can be done to avert disaster? In its new global Save Our Education campaign, Save the Children has set out a three-part agenda for recovery.

The first priority is to keep learning alive during lockdowns. Governments should do all they can to reach children through radio, TV, and remote-learning initiatives. Countries such as Ethiopia, Uganda, and Burkina Faso have developed ambitious national distance-learning programs. They and others need more donor support to implement them at scale.

Second, the pandemic creates an opportunity to address the wider learning crisis. Too many children are being taught at the wrong level, owing to schools’ rigid application of poorly designed curricula. Every child

Preventing a global education disaster

high returns. In addition to the critical role they play in storing carbon, tropical forests are vitally important to the indigenous people who inhabit them, as well as for eco-tourism, implying that the restoration of natural habitats could create many jobs.

We can pay for these efforts through a combination of smarter public spending and aggressive incentives for private investment. A large proportion of the huge sums allocated for fiscal stimulus should be channeled toward sustainable infrastructure and related initiatives. The tens of billions of dollars that were previously spent on fuel subsidies could now help to fund clean transportation. According to a recent University of Oxford study, “green recovery” projects deliver more jobs and higher returns on government spending compared to traditional fiscal stimulus measures.

Emerging economies can also draw on external sources of income to fund such initiatives. Investors are currently seeking opportunities to invest in green bonds, which attracted USD 255 billion in private capital last year. Moreover, billions of dollars are potentially available from global NGOs and foreign governments to protect and restore natural habitats, and holders of fiscally constrained countries’ debt may be willing to forgive part of it to

By Luis Alberto Moreno and

Henry M. Paulson, Jr.

While lockdowns have slowed the spread of the coronavirus in many countries, their economic impact has been devastating. At the same time, with fewer commuters, factories at a standstill, and limited construction, the havoc that humans wreak on the environment has become apparent.

Around the world, people are experiencing a revitalization of their natural surroundings, even as they deal with the tragic human toll of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many city dwellers are seeing blue skies, hearing birdsong, and breathing clean air for the first time in years.

This “return of nature” proves that even in lower-income countries, decisive policies and collective action can transform lives in a matter of weeks. Governments should take note of this as they craft policies for a post-pandemic recovery. Near-term measures will understandably be aimed at alleviating the immediate economic pain. But long-term success requires addressing the structural problems that fueled public frustration long before the pandemic.

Six months ago, major cities in Latin America and the Caribbean were in turmoil. Many factors triggered the mass protests that

engulfed the region, but recurring themes were rage over limited job opportunities, poor public services and infrastructure, and environmental degradation. People were tired of long commutes on overcrowded buses in smog-choked cities. They were fed up with unsafe tap water and unreliable electricity supplies. And they were anxious about their prospects in economies buffeted by natural disasters and weak leadership.

The devastation of the pandemic has temporarily eclipsed such concerns. But, a year from now, if their lives feel like a replay of 2019, people in these countries will be justified in asking why policymakers have not met their demands with concerted action.

Similarly, the threat from climate change has not diminished. If unaddressed, future devastation is inevitable, threatening the economic security, political stability, and the health of our planet and its citizens. That is why the policy choices made in the pandemic’s aftermath will be more critical than the virus itself in determining our future.

Developing countries have a historic opportunity to adapt their economic model in preparation for these challenges. They should start by embracing a “green recovery” based on sustainable infrastructure in transportation, energy, sanitation, logistics, and communications.

For example, as a result of COVID-19, governments everywhere are rethinking transportation systems to accommodate social distancing. In Europe, some cities are creating large “car-free” zones to facilitate walking and cycling. Emerging economies should seize this moment to build next-generation public transport systems, such as electric buses, trains, or subways that reduce emissions while enabling large numbers of people to get to school or work safely.

Similar choices can be made with energy. Instead of extending their reliance on fossil fuels to generate electricity (which is especially tempting now, given the current plunge in petroleum prices), governments should take advantage of recent breakthroughs that have made renewable energy much less expensive.

Countries in or near the tropics are also disproportionately affected by the floods, droughts, and hurricanes associated with climate change, and by the warming temperatures expected to encourage more pandemics in the future. Now is the time to protect and restore wetlands and rebuild coastal infrastructure, and to invest in low-cost housing and water systems that can withstand weather-related shocks.

Investments to protect and restore the rich biodiversity of fragile ecosystems primarily located in the tropics would also yield

Emerging economies should OPINION +



CONT`D FROM PAGE 16

1. Constant flow of water throughout the year

Due to the construction of the GERD, Sudan and Egypt will have a constant and regulated flow of water throughout the year. This will increase crop production in the 9 months dry season which is impossible without GRED.

2. Timely drought and flood prediction capability

In addition of the recurrence flooding and loss of crops, damage to the wider community of Sudan and Egypt, there is also a waste of water every winter released by Egypt downstream of the High Aswan Dam (HAD) in order to free up space for flood water and sediment flushing. The construction of the Renaissance Dam will reduce if not eliminate the flood risk to the downstream community and will also assist Sudan and Egypt to make a timely prediction of drought an important factor to set up drought mitigation policies.

3. Decrease sedimentation load to the downstream reservoirs

Sudan and Egypt have been building many dams along the Nile River without consenting the upstream riparian countries including Ethiopia. Siltation of these

This includes covering the open surface water canal systems and adopting drip irrigation as well as developing desert compatible crops.

Rather than helping Egypt to produce a kg of rice at expense of 70 Ethiopians consumption the Arab League need to help Egypt help to cover irrigation canals and outdated flood irrigation agriculture for thirsty crops in a desert climate.

Water consumption in the Egyptian tourism Industry

In Egypt, tourism is a water-consuming activity because of the need to irrigate golf courses, fill swimming pools, fountains and artificial lakes, supply hotels and so on. The tourism sector is one of the main water consumer in Egypt. While Ethiopia is dying of starvation and draught, Egyptians are creating golf courses in the desert.

Egypt vs. Ethiopia per capita energy and water consumption

While Ethiopia’s water consumption per capita is 279l Egypt enjoys 2020l. While the Egyptian population enjoys a continuous supply of energy, potable drinking water, job security due to its industrial development and food security, nearly 60

reservoirs has been a major issue for storage and structural integrity of these dams.

According to publicly available studies, the Sennar Dam which was constructed on the Blue Nile (Sudan) has lost 71 percent of its original water storage capacity due to the sediment deposition over a span of 61 years. The Roseires Dam in Sudan has lost 36 percent of its original water storage capacity in a span of 28 years.

The High Aswan Dam Reservoir (Lake Nasir) is the second-largest man-made reservoir in the world. The reservoir extends from the southern part of Egypt to the northern part of Sudan. The Nasir Lake has a total length of about 500 km (350 km inside Egypt and 150 km inside Sudan). More than 124 million tons of sediment per year is deposited in the Lake Nasir reservoir which has reduced the reservoir volume tremendously.

The construction of the GERD will substantially reduce the sedimentation

percent of Ethiopians live in darkness, do not have portable water supply, depend on food aid, 40 percent of its youth are unemployed and Ethiopia unable to develop its industries due to lack of energy.

Based on publicly available data, approximately 97 percent of the urban population and 70 percent of the rural population of Egypt receive a piped water supply. Contrary to Egypt, Ethiopia has long suffered from severe power shortages as only 40 percent of its 115 million-people population have access to electricity. Also, only 42 percent of the population has access to clean water, only 11 percent of which can get sanitation services. The construction of the dam will lift Ethiopia from this vicious circle energy poverty.

Benefits of the GERD dam to the downstream courtiers

The construction of the GERD on the Blue Nile is more beneficial to Sudan and Egypt than Ethiopia. The followings are the main benefits:

African countries do not deserve the same rights to drink from the

of Egypt. Egypt is developing a desert to be self-sufficient in its food supply while denying Ethiopia and other upstream riparian countries the right to drink from the river or use it for energy production.

The irrigation project or Toshka irrigation canal, which 310 km from lake Nasir, as it is located in a very arid and sandy desert to lose more than 3 billion cubic meters per year as evaporation and 1 billion meters cubic water loss from the lake Nasir itself. .

Water Intensive Agriculture Production of Egypt.

While Ethiopia is facing drought and starvation Egyptian agriculture products are export-oriented to feed the world. Rice, Sugarcanes, Watermelon and other similar water-consuming crops are main agricultural products produced in Egypt. Good to know Egypt is a desert and not swamp but it is a major rice exporter in Africa. Egypt’s rice cultivation loses about 1.8 billion metres of water in evaporation, transpiration, and irrigation every year. An average of 1,400 litres of water are used in the production of every kilogram of rice, which is equivalent to 70 Ethiopians daily water consumption per capita.

These types of crops are not suited for the arid environment and require a huge quantity of water to sustain it. It will be much cheaper for Egypt to import these types of crops instead of producing them at home.

Egypt should also reduce water evaporation from irrigation canals in the desert which is wasting billions of cubic meters of water every year. Egypt should also attempt to find an alternative water source instead of taking the Nile water for granted.

water, which find it’s root the ideology racism and colonialism. In fact, this race-based solidarity between by Arab countries appears the perpetuation of the same racial ideology.

That is why Egypt should be challenged by all upstream riparian countries and the issue should not be left for Ethiopia alone. Until Egypt abandons its 80 percent ownership mentality and 20 percent by Sudan the other 8 upstream countries, including Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan must push for comprehensive agreement based on CFA. If not Egypt, will continue to impose it’s colonial agenda.

If unchecked Egypt can block Sudan’s plan to build three dams (Shereik, Kajbar, and Dal dams) in northern Sudan with a total hydropower capacity exceeding 2000MW). Uganda is also planning to do the same and they should support and rally behind Ethiopia in its current negotiation with Egypt.

Wastage of the Nile Water by Egypt

While denying the Ethiopian people the right to use their natural water resources, Egypt wastes billions of cubic meters of the Nile water annually due to its ill manged, outdated and unsustainable irrigation systems mainly by diverting of the Nile water by an open surface water canals through evaporation. One of the longest canal prone to evaporation is the Toshika canal.

Against the advice of international water experts,

in 1997, the Egyptian government approved the Toshka irrigation open surface canal project. This project entails building a series of canals and a pumping station to carry water from Lake Nasser to irrigate portions of the Western Desert

Egypt continues to . . .



problem to Sudan and Egypt reservoirs. This will directly benefit Egypt and Sudan with additional agricultural production, energy generation, river navigation and water supply.

4. Energy cost saving from pumping of water in summer

In order to transfer water into the Egyptian desert, the Mubarak Pumping Station in Toshka was inaugurated in March 2005 with a discharge of 300m3/sec (25.92 million cubic meters per day). It pumps water from Lake Nasser to be transported by way of a canal through the valley, with the idea of transforming about 231,000 ha of the desert into agricultural land.

Egypt is turning a desert into an agricultural oasis while denying Ethiopia the right to produce energy for its rapidly growing population. The pumping cost for Egypt is too high in summer. The construction of the GERD will maintain constant water level throughout the year substantially reducing cost of pumping for the Egyptian government.

5. Regional economic integration (Secured electricity supply)

Sudan, Egypt and other Nile basin countries will receive electricity supply from Ethiopia without contributing to wards the cost of construction of the GERD which is a very cheap option. It will also be a catalyst for regional power integration.

Filling of GERD and future reservoir operations will not affect the downstream flow

Sudan and Egypt have no right to request Ethiopia to sign a legal document regarding the quantity of flows downstream to be released during the initial filling and future operation of the dam. Neither the international transboundary nor the African Convention on the sharing of natural resources require Ethiopia to get Sudan and Egypt’s blessing or agreement to fill and operate the dam inside its national boundary.

According to various studies conducted on the Nile Valley, the Nile River flow is among the highest in the world from about 50-60 million cubic meters per day in April-May, to over 700 million in June - September. Sudan and Egypt obtain a large and destructively excessive flow in the rainy season, the excess of which will without

a problem can fill the GERD Reservoir fairly quickly. Rate of evaporation in the GERD reservoir is also negligible compared to that of the existing dams in the Sudan and Egypt.

Several Computer Simulation Scenarios were also developed by water resource management practitioners to test transboundary policy arrangements that range from no international cooperation during filling, to various agreed annual release volumes from the GERD throughout the filling period. Adaptation of the operation of Sudanese and Egyptian reservoirs to the presence of GERD were also simulated to demonstrate their need for well-planned management policies.

The results of the computer simulation indicate that Sudan and Egypt can largely manage their risk to major water supply diversions by changing the way they operate their reservoirs. The High Aswan Dam Reservoir (Lake Nasir) storage capacity is 162 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) with more than 100 billion cubic metres of reserve water to be used during the draught period.

The computer simulation result also demonstrated that Sudanese and Egyptian hydropower generation potential is likely to increase due to regulation of flows coming upstream from the GERD.

To avoid any unplanned shortages, an agreed annual release from the GERD can be complemented by both Egypt proactively reducing annual downstream releases and a cooperative basin-wide safeguard strategy to provide additional releases from the GERD in critical circumstances without a legally binding agreement.

Experts in the field also confirmed that as long as Ethiopia ensures a decent minimum flow of water downstream—say, 25 billion cubic meters a year, while Egypt promises to take drought mitigation measures of its own, both sides can win and amicably settle their differences.

The operation rules of the High Aswan Dam (HAD) is also based on illegal Nile Water Agreement of 1959. Instead of asking Ethiopia to provide Egypt with the dam filling and operation rule of the GERD, Egypt should provide Ethiopia with its HAD operation rules and discuss

how to revise this outdated HAD operation rules based on the new reality on the ground which is the existence of GERD.

Based on the above facts, there is no reduction of water to the downstream nations due to the initial filling and future operation of the Ethiopian dam.

Countering Egypt’s misinformation campaign

Ethiopian academicians and water resource management experts both at home and abroad should coordinate and critically review papers produced by the Group of Nile Basin. By exposing their flawed publications, we can inform the international community Egypt’s unjustified obstruction of Ethiopia’s right to develop its natural water resources. If Ethiopia fill the dam, it will be keeping 10.5 bcm water per annum while releasing 63 bcm water to Egypt, which is 82 percent of the total water from all rivers including, Abay, Tekeze, Baro-Akobo-Sobor rivers. Egypt has more than to 300 bcm of water, such as Aswan 174 bcm, Nassir 131 bcm and other reservoirs and dams, which is equivalent to 6 years annual flow of Nile.

While that is the truth Egyptian academician and water experts abuse of scientific journals by publishing unfounded doomsday scenario because Ethiopia want to keep 10.5 bcm water which is 0.35 percent of Egypt’s reservoir for their narrow national interest against the norms of academia and professional ethics.

Target for negotiation

It was a mistake for Ethiopia at the initial stages of the negotiation with Sudan and Egypt to declare that the GERD can only be used for power generation purposes. Sudan and Egypt are using their dams for multipurpose including agriculture, power, water supply and navigation. Ethiopia must have unrestricted right to use the water.

Ethiopia should also get a legal agreement with Sudan and Egypt regarding the watershed management and environmental protection of the Nile basin including cost sharing agreement as Sudan and Egypt are the main beneficiaries of the Nile water. The establishment of rainfall observation radars and flow gauging stations are important to monitor climate change effects and build our prediction capability including flood and drought predictions. This should be a collaborative approach by all Nile basing countries.

Water Consumption (2020) Country Litre/day/per capita Ethiopia 279 Sudan 2,087 Egypt 2,202

Source: Worldometer

https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.USE.ELEC.KH.PC

Sedimentation due to environmental degradation of the upstream catchments will be a major threat to the full operation of dams in the Nile basin. A valley-wide watershed management system supported by hydrological and hydraulic models are required to assist with this effort. Ethiopia should negotiate with Sudan and Egypt to contribute towards our watershed management efforts including financing.

In addition to this, the current expansion of the water Hyacinth (Inboch) weed in Lake Tana should also be a major concern to the three Nile basin countries. The water Hyacinth weed is covering large area of Lake Tana threatening its existence and destroying the biodiversity of the Nile basin. Unless the water Hyacinth weed is tackled now it will affect the future storage of all the dams located in Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt.

Ethiopian’s economy is mainly dependent on the agricultural output which is directly dependent on the adequate and continuous availability of water. More than 90 percent of the country’s source of energy is also hydropower. In spite of the above realities, various Ethiopian governments had not given enough attention to the water sector research and development institutions. This requires urgent action by the FDRE government without being distracted by the current political wrangling with Egypt.

The existing water technology institutions in Ethiopia should be properly financed and equipped with the latest available water technology and skilled manpower. Ethiopia should play a leading role in water technology in the region and has the opportunity to do so if there is a will by the FDRE government and regional authorities. The Nile Valley also deserves to have its own research and development centre. This is very critical for the future safety and sustainability of the GRED.

Water and Energy is the most two important factors that would decide on the health and prosperity of the Ethiopian Population. If those two essential parameters could be provided in adequate quantities and managed in an efficient way, then the population of Ethiopia is going to flourish.

Ed.’s Note: Manaye Ewunetu (PhD) is Managing Partner of ME Consulting Engineers Ltd. UK. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of The Reporter. The writer can be reached at [email protected].



other institutions to borrow cheaply on international markets and lend the funds to developing countries. Every One dollar of guarantees under this scheme could unlock four dollars of financing for education. This approach, which would include rigorous debt-sustainability evaluations of recipient countries, could mobilize resources on a scale commensurate with the crisis. Aid donors and the World Bank should support it.

To its credit, the Bank is front-loading resources already allocated to the International Development Association, its concessional lending arm. But an unprecedented crisis surely demands more than that.

The Bank should establish a supplementary IDA budget of at least USD 35 billion and step up its support for education.

Debt relief is another potential source of financing. The G20’s Debt Service Suspension Initiative for IDA members (the world’s 73 poorest countries) is a small step in the right direction. Unfortunately, private and Chinese creditors, which account for over half of these countries’ debt-service payments (about USD 25 billion this year) have shown scant interest in participating. As a result, countries like Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Ghana are currently spending two or three times more on debt service than they do on primary education.

In effect, countries are meeting short-term debt payments by eroding long-term human capital. Allowing the claims of private creditors to rob children of their right to an education is morally indefensible and economically ruinous. That is why Save the Children has proposed a mechanism through which debt obligations can be converted into investments in children.

We can measure the health impact of COVID-19 on adults by tracking infection rates and deaths, and we can gauge its economic effects in terms of lost GDP, higher unemployment, and rising public debt. The education emergency is less visible to policymakers. But it

will leave millions of the world’s poorest children carrying the scars of diminished opportunity for the rest of their lives. We can – and must – protect their future.

Ed.’s Note: Kevin Watkins is the CEO of Save the Children UK. The article is provided to The Reporter by Project Syndicate: the world’s pre-eminent source of original op-ed commentaries. Project Syndicate provided inclusive perspectives in our changing world by those who are shaping politics, economics, science and culture. The views expressed in this articled do not necessarily reflect the views of The Reporter.

Preventing a global . . . CONT`D FROM PAGE 21

Emerging economies . . . CONT`D FROM PAGE 21

protect tropical biodiversity.

The pandemic has forced us to stop and think about our impact on the planet, and to imagine the kind of world we want. There is still time. By planning for a green recovery, governments can help ensure that the coronavirus leaves a positive legacy for future generations.

Ed.’s Note: Luis Alberto Moreno is President of the Inter-American Development Bank and a member of the World Economic Forum’s Foundation Board. Henry M. Paulson, Jr., a former US Secretary of the Treasury, is Founder and Chair of the Paulson Institute. The article is provided to The Reporter by Project Syndicate: the world’s pre-eminent source of original op-ed commentaries. Project Syndicate provided inclusive perspectives in our changing world by those who are shaping politics, economics, science and culture. The views expressed in this articled do not necessarily reflect the views of The Reporter.

The challenges of the . . .

CONT`D FROM PAGE 20regarding growth as the ultimate solution to inequality, advanced economies will need to tackle distributional issues head on. It is to be hoped that they will be spared the convulsions that often accompany structural and policy changes of such magnitude.

Ed.’s Note: Jean Pisani-Ferry, a senior fellow at Brussels-based think tank Bruegel and a senior non-resident fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, holds the Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa chair at the European University Institute. The article is provided to The Reporter by Project Syndicate: the world’s pre-eminent source of original op-ed commentaries. Project Syndicate provided inclusive perspectives in our changing world by those who are shaping politics, economics, science and culture. The views expressed in this articled do not necessarily reflect the views of The Reporter.



Limitations on . . .

Ethio Telecom amasses . . .

CONT`D FROM PAGE 16

CONT`D FROM PAGE 1

Disinformation (also: fake news, false news, misinformation, viral deception) is not a well-developed concept in freedom of expression law or theory. As emphasized recently at the international level, freedom of expression is “not limited to ‘correct’ statements” and only in specific circumstances does disinformation map to a category of speech that can be

legally restricted.

Generally speaking, a distinction has been made between the statements of opinions on the one hand (which cannot be false and may generally not be restricted) and statements of facts, which can be false and can be restricted in narrow circumstances.

False statements of fact are

treated differently but have generally been accepted as a necessary part of free debate. Strict legal requirements for proving the truth of publications (e.g., by journalists) are considered in violation of freedom of expression as they would keep the media from fulfilling their societal function to inform the public.

Other limitations whose constitutionality is controversial are provided under the terrorism law, advertisement law and criminal law.

Ed.’s Note: The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of The Reporter. He can be reached at [email protected].

allocated for such programs. According to the CEO, the company donated 100 million birr to support COVID-19 response. Frehiowt was proud to announce that Ethio Telecom is financing the scientific research being undertaken on COVID-19 medicines. “The Ministry of Innovation has requested us USD 600,000 USD for the research and I am proud to announce that we have provided them with the first round of payment. I had a discussion with the minister recently and he told me that the research is bearing fruitful results and it is on the final stage. It is better if you hear the good news from them,” she said.

The company has also financed major government projects such the Addis Ababa City Beautification project, and the Green Legacy Initiative.

The road has not been a bed of roses. Ethio Telecom has faced several challenges that hinder the development agenda that

the firm is advancing.

According to Frehiwot, infrastructure vandalism and security vulnerability, commercial power interruption, COVID-19 and telecom fraud were the major challenges facing the company. The company’s annual report indicated that 1,161 infrastructure damages were reported in the year under review, increased by 33 percent compared to last year. Ten security personnel were killed and four sustained physical injuries. 12 were abducted and four vehicles were damaged. “I am sad to report the damages incurred on our company. Ethio Telecom is a public enterprise that is making a significant contribution in the economic development of the country. It has created more than 287,000 jobs. It is involved in several CSR projects. We are buying uniforms for school children. The company is the property of all Ethiopians. I do not understand why we attack a company that provides daily

bread for hundred thousands of people,” Frehiwot lamented.

The Ethiopian government is undertaking a radical telecom reform program that aims at liberalizing the telecom market. The Ethiopian Communications Authority is in the process to grant two licenses for international telecom operators. The Ministry of Finance, which is spearheading the telecom reform program, is looking for a strategic partner that would acquire a 40 percent stake on the state monopoly.

As part of that effort Ethio Telecom has hired the international consulting firm KPMG to conduct asset valuation work. Frehiwot told The Reporter that KPMG has completed the asset evaluation work. “They have presented the first and second report for review. We will reveal the report in about two weeks,” Frehiwot said.

In a related news, the Ethiopian

government has decided to deny entry to telecom infrastructure companies. Telecom infrastructure companies that builds and lease telecom towers were vying to enter the Ethiopian market. Several companies have approached Ethiopian authorities.

The management of Ethio Telecom protested the attempt to allow foreign telecom infrastructure firms to cater the service locally. Frehiwot told The Reporter that the government has decided not to license foreign firms. “We have sufficient telecom infrastructure like fiber cables that we can rent to the new entrants. Telecom infrastructure companies will not be allowed to operate here. So new entrants will either use our infrastructure or build their own,” Frehiwot said.

The 126 year old company has 36,000 employees and 249,000 distributers.

TENDER NOTICETENDER NOTICE FOR CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL, GI PIPES,& FITTINGS, HDPE/PVC PIPES& FITTINGS, IRON PRODUCTS, TOOLS & HARDWARE AND WOOD/TIMBER FRAMEWORK AGREEMENTContract title: products, Tools& Hardware and Wood/Timber Publication reference: T007/2020

Location: Oromia Region (Bale Zone, Negelle and Wonchi) Afar

COOPI – CooperazioneInternazionaleEthiopia funded by multiple donors is seeking to engage service providers to enter into Long Term Agreements (LTA)/ Framework Agreements (FWA) to provide

for the period of one year and intends to apply a portion of that grant to payments under this contract. No party other than COOPI shall derive any rights from the grant or have any claim to its proceeds. Under no circumstances or for no reason whatsoever will the donor entertain any request for indemnity or payment directly submitted by the humanitarian organisation’s contractors.

2. Contracting authority :COOPI - CooperazioneInternazionale- COOPI is an independent non-governmental organization,

and to building a future that guarantees everyone adequate living conditions, equal opportunities. Since 1965 COOPI has carried out more than 700 development projects and emergency interventions in 50 countries in co-operation with more than 50,000

people.

3. Description of the contract

Long Term Agreements (LTA)/ Framework Agreements (FWA) to provide HDPE/PVC pipes, Iron products, Tools& Hardware and Wood/

for the period of one years

4. How to obtain the tender dossier: The tender dossier is available from the Contracting Authority by contacting the following mail addresses: [email protected] and [email protected] in Addis Ababa, YekaSubcity- Woreda 8 - House New from 8.30 AM to 5.30 PM Monday to Friday starting from 30 July 2020.

0116591001 or 0116591921.Tenders must be submitted using the standard tender form included in the tender dossier, whose format and instructions must be strictly observed.

Tender document may be submitted from Monday to Friday from 8.30 AM to 5.30PM to:

New – Ethiopia Telephone: 0116591001 or 0116591921

5. Deadline for submission of tenders:-The deadline for the submission of tenders is 14 August 2020 @ 5:00 PMin Addis Ababa, YekaSubcity- Woreda 8 - House New – Ethiopia.

Any tender received after this deadline will not be considered.



SNAPSHOTS

Photo By: The Reporter /Mesfen Solomon



SNAPSHOTS

Oromia, in Oromia

where a mammoth


Advertisment28| The Reporter, August 1, 2020 Vol. 24 No. 1247

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTThe National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), re-established by proclamation No. 1133/2011, is the constitutionally mandated body to conduct elections, organize referendum, and regulate political parties in Ethiopia. NEBE is undergoing institutional reform to enhance its credibility and capacity and conduct free, impartial and credible elections. Through the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), NEBE has contracted ABH Partners to provide human resource recruitment and management services. Accordingly, ABH Partners would like to invite applicants who meet the below requirements to apply for the following vacant positions. General Requirements:1. The applicants should not be a member of any political party.2. The applicants should be willing and able to perform duties and responsibilities in an impartial manner adhering to the principles of NEBE.

S. No. Vacant Position Required Number

1 Chief Executive 1

Minimum of 4 years’ experience in public sector Minimum of 5 years’ experience in Executive managerial position Respect NEBE’s main principles of performing in a free, impartial and fair manner

2 Deputy Chief 1

Minimum of 3 years’ experience in public sector Minimum of 4 years’ experience in Executive managerial position Respect NEBE’s main principles of performing in a free, impartial and fair manner.

3 Finance and Budget Manager

1

MA/MBA/BA in Accounting, Accounting & Finance, Business Management, Business Administration and public Finance For MA/MBA holders: at least 8 years of relevant experience of which 4 years on leadership position and 4 years of

experience in public sector. For BA holders: at least 10 years of relevant experience of which 6 years on leadership position and 4 years in public

sector. Respect NEBE’s main principles of performing in a free, impartial and fair manner

4 Human Resource Manager

1

MA/MBA/BA in Human Resource & Organizational Development, Business Management, Public Administration and /

For MA/MBA holders: at least 8 years of relevant experience of which 4 years in a leadership position For BA holders: at least 10 years of relevant experience of which 6 years in a leadership position

5 Human Resource 1

MA/MBA/BA in Human Resource & Organizational Development, Business Management, Public Administration, and

Respect NEBE’s main principles of performing in a free, impartial and fair manner.

How to apply

via email to [email protected] by stating the position you are applying on the subject line of the email. Application may also be submitted in person to our

Application Deadline: 5:30pm, August 14, 2020 For more information and detailed Job description, please visit our job portal at www.abhpartners.com/vacancy-announcement-list or www.ethiojobs.com

Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.

DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO ETHIOPIA

CALL FOR TENDERS FOR PROVISION OF SECURITY SERVICES

Reference number EEAS/DELETHA/2020/CPN/0003

Contract notice 2020/S 121-293665 and

Corrigendum 2020/S 132-322366 (extension of deadline)

The Delegation of the European Union to Ethiopia has launched a call for tender for security services.

you need in order to participate:

eTendenring: Link: https://etendering.ted.europa.eu/cft/cft-display.html?cftId=5824

OR

On the Delegation’s web site https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/ethiopia/81656/eeasdeletha2020cpn0003-provision-security-services_en

Job Title: Senior Accountant Work Place: Addis Ababa Level: Senior Level (2+ years experience) SCOPE OF WORK Perform and coordinate accounting duties within our organization. Responsibility

and reports. Preparing revenue projections and forecasting expenditure. Assisting with preparing and monitoring budgets. Maintaining and reconciling balance sheet...Location: Addis Ababa Career Level: Senior (2+ years experience)Salary: Negotiable

Coordinating accounting functions and programs.

Preparing revenue projections and forecasting expenditure.Assisting with preparing and monitoring budgets.Maintaining and reconciling balance sheet and general ledger accounts.Assisting with annual audit preparations.

issues of non-compliance.Contributing to the development of new or amended accounting systems, programs, and procedures.Performing other accounting duties and supporting junior staff as required or assigned.

Job Requirements

2 or more years of accounting experience.

Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.Strong organizational and stress management skills.

Ability to train and manage staff.Ability to work with little to no supervision. Job Description

How to Apply

their updated CVs, copies of their educational background, and cover letter to:[email protected] or submit the documents in person to Hajuta Trading PLC Headquarters, Kaliti to Saris Rode, next

advertisement is announced .

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTHajuta Trading PLC

AdvertismentThe Reporter, August 1, 2020 Vol. 24 No. 1247 |29




C r o s s w o r d

(astrology-online.com)

Kun

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Kom

men

tsACROSS1. Unit of bread5. Eyeglasses10. At the peak of14. Skin disease15. Synagogue scroll16. French cheese17. Unnecessarily19. Jewelry20. Tin21. Mountain crest22. Draws into the mouth23. Inveigled25. Chilly27. Prefix meaning "Modern"28. Elastic31. Rewrite34. Pasted35. 52 in Roman numerals36. Gingivae37. Carnivals38. Assistance39. Clairvoyant's gift40. Unrefined41. Clenched hands42. Floatplane44. Drunkard45. Anagram of "Tutor"

46. Tuft50. Ancient Hebrew vestment52. Approaches54. Caviar55. Paper holder56. Something that is derived58. An intimate chat59. Habitual practice60. Cain's brother61. Pitcher62. An analytic literary composition63. MorselsDOWN1. Javelin2. Sea3. Concerning (archaic)4. Nourished5. Record player6. Modelled7. At one time (archaic)8. Feverish delirium9. Timid10. Curt11. Three wheelers12. Pig sound13. Pins 18. Twined

22. Hurried

24. Hotels

26. Angers

28. Skid

29. Sword handle

30. Puppy sounds

31. Anagram of "Sage"

32. Cogitate

33. Be understanding of

34. Emaciation

37. German for "Madam"

38. Strikes

40. Lummox

41. Civet-like mammal

43. Appropriate

44. Appraise

46. Subarctic coniferous forests

47. Small African antelope

48. Desire

49. Staggers

50. Behold, in old Rome

51. Farm equipment

53. Historical periods

56. Fitting

57. Bar bill

AriesAries, remember the importance of expressing your emotions to those around you. If you carry around the full emotional weight of life, it may prevent you from

receiving advice today, remember that all beings are different and that even the most well-intended advice may not be helpful to your current situation. TaurusTaurus, with so much to do in one day, a to-do list is critical. Make sure that you order the things you need

to just three tasks of crucial importance in one day. This afternoon, make sure you give yourself time to relax. Take a long bath, treat yourself with a favorite fruit, or curl up with a favorite book.GeminiGemini, look beneath the surface of the issues you face today so that you are able to see the full range of options available to you. Make sure you know all of the possible outcomes of a situation before you bring it up in a serious discussion. Be cautious if you have to travel or use the internet for extended amounts of time today.

Cancer

Cancer, projects completed today will almost certainly be successful. This may be either in business or if you've helped a younger family member with the science fair. The romantic connection is very possible as well if you're single.

Leo

Leo, the monotony of everyday life may weigh on you heavily today. Try to spend some time shaking things up. Take a different route, visit a favorite place or person you haven't seen in a while, or shake up your romantic habits. Singles have a high chance of meeting someone special.

Virgo

Virgo, inspiration may strike at the most unlikely of times. Perhaps you will be inspired to engage the arts or repair something around your home. It could also come to you like a drive to try a new method

to overdo it. Consider the feelings of those around you as well as your energy levels.

LibraLibra, if you feel like you're on vacation, use the mindset to generate more creative solutions than you would otherwise be able to. Sometimes a more distant mindset can pick up things that are impossible to see if you are closer to the problem. This evening is a great time to go to the spa or have a warm bath, as these may help you rest up and be more present tomorrow.ScorpioScorpio, romance is in the air for all. For those in relationships, this may mean that it's time to try something new or go on an extravagant date. Singles have a high chance of meeting a special someone as

SagittariusSagittarius, work is likely to require all of your focus and more time than usual. Going with the

talk of promotions comes up, but it could leave household chores undone. This minor issue may be exacerbated if a family member needs help moving or redecorating as well. Though you will likely have the energy for all of this.

Capricorn

Capricorn, double check your budget. There is a high risk of going over the allowed limits for impulse spending if you're not careful about it. Be wise and only buy what you need and what will bring you joy for a long time to come. This evening, don't take on more than you can handle. It may be a good night to head to bed early.

Aquarius

Aquarius, prioritize your to-do list so that even if you

relax in the afternoon. To this effect, make sure you are careful with your words to those in charge. If you have a sudden epiphany that would radically change something in your daily life your style choices, write it down and consider starting on it shortly.

Pisces

care about from the sidelines. Taking sides in these matters can only lead to heartbreak. Instead, take some time for yourself away from these issues. Consider partaking in the arts or immersing yourself in a good book.

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Come here Bobby! Come!

Well I don't see him

coming your way.

That’s because he is keeping his social distance.

SPO

T TH

E D

IFFE

REN

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Can you spot the 12 differences between the two pictures? SOLUTION

What are you doing Kuncho?

I’m playing with the dog.

LEISURE

NEW TO



SPORT

World Athletics today announced further revisions to its rules governing shoe technology, which are designed to give clarity and certainty to athletes preparing for the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and preserve the integrity of the elite competition.

These amendments, approved by the World Athletics Council and introduced with immediate effect, are based on significant ongoing discussions with the Working Group on Athletic Shoes, established this year, and with shoe manufacturers.

They include changes to the maximum height of spiked shoes for track and field events and the establishment of an ‘Athletic Shoe Availability Scheme’ for unsponsored elite athletes. The maximum height for road shoes (40mm) remains unchanged.

The purpose of these amendments is to maintain the current technology status quo until the Olympic Games in Tokyo, across all events, until a newly formed Working Group on Athletic Shoes, which includes representatives from shoe manufacturers and the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) have had the opportunity to set the parameters for achieving the right balance between innovation, competitive advantage, universality and availability.

The amendment includes clarification of the position for new shoes that have been approved to date. The maximum height of the spikes on track shoes have been amended as set out in various events.

World Athletics CEO, Jon Ridgeon, said the previous rule changes, announced in late January, were designed to give the athletes clarity before the Tokyo Olympic Games, which were originally due to take place in July-August of this year.

However, the postponement of the Olympic Games for a full year, due to the global pandemic, had given the governing body more time to consult with stakeholders and experts to develop amended rules that will guide the sport until late 2021.

“We have a better understanding now of what technology is already in the market and where we need to draw the line to maintain the status quo until after the Tokyo Olympic Games,” Ridgeon said.

“In developing these rules we have been mindful of the principles of fair play and universality, maintaining the health and safety of athletes, reflecting the existing shoe market in these challenging economic times, and achieving a broad consensus with the shoe manufacturers

who are major investors in our sport.

Working Group on Athletic Shoes

The new Working Group on Athletic Shoes (WGAS) met for their first meeting last Wednesday (22 July). It is tasked with overseeing studies around shoe technology, exploring definitions to provide clarity to athletes about the shoes they are able to compete in, creating a robust certification and control process and provide expert advice and recommendations to the World Athletics Competition Commission on the future direction of World Athletics’ Rules and Regulations concerning elite athlete shoes for the long-term which may or may not be different to the current rules.

Olympic qualifying system to recommence for road athletes from September 2020

World Athletics will lift the suspension of the Tokyo Olympic qualification system for the marathon and race walk events from September 1, 2020, due to concerns over the lack of qualifying opportunities that may be available for road athletes before the qualification period finishes on May 31, 2021.

The original suspension period, from April 6 to November 30 2020, was introduced due to the competition and training disruption caused by the global pandemic, and remains in place for all other track and field events.

Road athletes will be able to register Olympic qualifying entry standards from 1 September 1 to November 30, but only in pre-identified, advertised and authorized

races being staged on World Athletics certified courses, with in-competition drug testing on site.

The accrual of points for world rankings and the automatic qualification through Gold label marathons /Platinum Label marathons, remains suspended until November 30, 2020.

World Athletics President, Sebastian Coe, said it had become apparent that marathon and race walk athletes may have very limited opportunities to register Olympic qualifying times in 2021 due to the uncertainty around staging mass participation events over the next year, which relies heavily on cities around the world agreeing to stage them.

“Most of the major marathons have already been cancelled or postponed for the remainder of this year and the evolution of the pandemic makes it difficult to predict if those scheduled for the first half of next year will be able to go ahead,” Coe said.

“That situation, combined with the fact that endurance athletes in the marathon and race walks can only produce a very limited number of high-quality performances a year, would really narrow their qualifying window without this adjustment.

“We have also been assured by the Athletics Integrity Unit that the anti-doping system is capable of protecting the integrity of road races during this period and will put in place strict testing criteria for all athletes.”

Competition opportunities

The Virgin Money London Marathon, due to take place on Sunday, October 4, is committed to working with

World Athletics to promote this opportunity to athletes around the world and assist with their travel challenges so they can participate in London and achieve their Olympic qualifying time.

World Athletics will also work with the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon to see if they can offer similar opportunities.

In addition, it is expected there will be at least two major race walking events staged between September 1 and November 30, 2020.

Both the Athletes’ Commission and Competition Commission were consulted prior to this decision and approved the proposal.

The Athletes’ Commission noted that this decision does not assist all athletes, given the travel restrictions still imposed by some countries, but will support the majority of road athletes in the particularly difficult circumstances they face, to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

In making the decision, the World Athletics Council also noted that the conditions for making the Olympic standards at the World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 were challenging for road event athletes, whereas the conditions for in-stadium events were excellent, as the results showed.

World Athletics will also work with its Member Federations and meeting organizers to ensure that there are sufficient pre-Olympic competition opportunities for all track and field disciplines, particularly those that traditionally have fewer meeting opportunities, from December 1, 2020 onwards.

(World Athletics)



DESIGN & PUBLISHER MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE (MCC) PRINTED BY BERHANENA SELAM PRINTING ENTERPRISE

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Vol. 24 No. 1247 August 1, 2020 ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA...

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Transcript of Vol. 24 No. 1247 August 1, 2020 ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA...