Ministry of Mines announced that it will be implementing a policy change that will give metal and steel manufactures access to local iron ore in order to produce steel bars.
Mines Minister, Takele Uma (Eng.) said that the implementation of the new policy will eliminate the struggle manufacturers face including lack of raw materials and forex.
We are visiting our manufacturers today to discuss with them and urge them to continue to focus on what matters during this critical time of our historic trajectory and continue our initiative to use our natural resources. (FBC)
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Addis Hotels Ready to Welcome 1 mln Diasporas: Hotel Owners’ Association
Addis Ababa Hotels have prepared themselves to welcome the one million Ethiopian Diaspora and friends of the nation, with special packages and affordable services, according to Addis Ababa Hotel Owners Association.
Last week, PM Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has invited one million Ethiopian diaspora and Ethiopian friends to come and celebrate Christmas in the East African nation.
According to Addis Ababa Hotel Owners’ Association, hotels in the capital are preparing to provide standard services.
Association General Manager, Amaha Bekele, said the association has discussed on the preparations with more than 175 hotels, including star-rated hotels.
In addition to providing packages, Amaha said activities are underway to make hotels more affordable for incoming guests and a task force will be setup to work with stakeholders.
Finally, he called on all residents of the capital to carry out their responsibility accordingly and welcome the guests with the Ethiopian culture of hospitality. (ENA)
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Prosperity Party EC sets directions on National Consultation
Prosperity Party executive committee conducted a discussion on current national affairs and set directions on the importance of inclusive national consultation.
Head of Prosperity Party Office, Adem Farah stated that in its meeting, the EC set out directions to lay a strong foundation on the country’s existence and promote democracy.
According to him, the executive committee also reviewed the current state of affairs in the country and commended the achievements registered in the “Operation for National Unity in Diversity” campaign.
The Committee expressed gratitude to all security apparatuses including the National Defense Force, the regional security forces, the people at the surroundings of the battlefronts, and all Ethiopians at home as well as residing abroad for their outstanding contributions, it was indicated.
It also called on the people to continue their efforts in strengthening their support in order to attain other victories in the future.
The committee also evaluated the progress made in reorganizing and rehabilitating areas affected by war and stressed the need to strengthen the efforts in a coordinated manner.
Finally, Adem said the executive committee discussed ways to strengthen the ongoing political transition in Ethiopia and on the importance of inclusive national consultation. (ENA)
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PM Holds Discussion with Leaders of UN, AUC
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has held discussions with UN Secretary General, António Guterres and the African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat.
The PM said as a founding member of both the UN and African Union, Ethiopia has been a proponent of multilateralism rooted in respect for national sovereignty.
“I have held a productive phone discussion with Antonio Guterres and Moussa Faki Mahamat on current issues,” Abiy twitted.
It is to be recalled that PM Abiy has also held extensive phone discussions on Thursday with the leaders of Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Eritrea, and South Sudan. (ENA)
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Horn BRIEF
Ugandan Parliament passes EACOP law
The Parliament in Uganda passed the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP, Special provisions) bill, now awaiting President Yoweri Museveni’s signature, further bringing the country closer to its dream of achieving first oil by 2025.
The bill will facilitate the implementation of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline project in Uganda, domesticating an existing treaty between Uganda and Tanzania before the EACOP Company can embark on the pipeline construction.
In August this year, the Tanzania Parliament passed the same law.
The 1,443 km long pipeline running from Hoima in western Uganda to Tanga Port in Tanzania is a key infrastructure project for Uganda’s realization of first oil and has four Joint Venture Partners, including Total Energies (62 percent), Uganda (15), Tanzania (15), and China’s CNOOC (eight percent).
Uganda’s (UNOC) total financing requirement to EACOP is USD 293 million and the government has already advanced USD 130 million for first cash call obligation.
The project is poised to cost about $3.5billion but still faces financing challenges after some European lenders who had expressed willingness to fund the project changed their mind. (The east African)
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Raila Odinga to run for presidency in 2022 General Election
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has announced that he will run for presidency in the 2022 General Election.
Odinga, 76, made the announcement at Kasarani Stadium on Friday, December 10, after several months of speculation about his candidacy in the upcoming polls.
“I ask for nothing, and I will never ask for anything, except the opportunity to serve,” he said during his speech at Kasarani Stadium.
The former PM said his priorities, among others, are unity agenda, teachers’ welfare, national healthcare, employment and economic recovery.
“Peace-making is not a self-enriching enterprise, it is a blessing from God,” he said.
This marks the fifth time the ODM chief is taking a stab at the presidency after four previous failed bids in 1997, 2007, 2013 and 2017.
The 76-year-old Odinga will face off against Deputy President William Ruto, who has promised to place small and middle income earners at the center of his government operations, should he win the State House race.
This will be the first time Ruto, a former Eldoret North MP; will be throwing his hat into the ring.
Ruto, in past campaign trails, said at least seven people – Uhuru Kenyatta, Raila Odinga, Musalia Mudavadi, Gideon Moi, Kalonzo Musyoka, Moses Wetangula and Cyrus Jirongo – had plotted to gang up against him in 2022, but he was confident that “the people’s blessings are with me”. (The Standard)
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Kenya: Court of Appeal Reverses 50-50 ruling on Matrimonial Properties
Kenya’s Court of Appeal has overturned two precedent-setting judgments that had ordered for a 50:50 division of matrimonial properties.
The second-highest court in Kenya overturned the judgments made by the High Court and settled on sharing of properties based on each spouse’s contribution.
The courts have been struggling on the question of whether spouses should split matrimonial property equally upon divorce, and the issue is also pending determination at the Supreme Court.
In one of the annulled judgements, the appellate judges granted the woman a 10 percent share of the value of a matrimonial home only and explained that the man was entitled to 90 percent because evidence showed he paid for the property in full with no monetary contribution by the wife.
The appellate court noted that there was no child born from the couple’s union, hence the woman’s contribution would only fall under “companionship”.
This is because even household chores like purchases at the supermarket were undertaken by a house help and the man’s driver. (The East African (Nairobi)
