Ethiopia was elected chair of the African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Communication and Information Technologies for the progress it made in telecom, information and communication technology sectors.
Communication and Information Technology State Minister, Getachew Negash told ENA on Thursday that the countries elected Ethiopia with the view of sharing a lot of experience from its achievements in the areas of telecom and ICT through integrated efforts underway by the public and private sectors.
“It is a big opportunity because as a country we do have our agenda to develop the economy and to proceed with development in social, economic and political aspects in which ICT is very important”, he added.
Ethiopia’s ICT National Policy and Strategy should be aligned with the development of the African ICT sector and Agenda 2063, the State Minister said, adding that “I have (therefore) found it very big opportunity and we will take the responsibility to the platform. As a hosting country we are privileged and honored to discharge this responsibly.” (ENA)
Ethiopia, Puntland state agree to strengthen cooperation
Ethiopia and Puntland State of Somalia have agreed to strengthen cross-border cooperation, trade, investment and people-to-people relations.
The report said that Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn and Puntland’s State President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali on Wednesday discussed issues of common concern, especially peace and stability of the entire region.
They have also discussed ways of fighting terrorism and the Al-Qaeda linked terrorist group Al–Shabaab. The militant group is based in Somalia and has carried attacks in the capital.
Ethiopia has been supporting Somalia and Puntland in terms of security and both parties have agreed to work in infrastructure development especially in road, air and use of ports, it was learned.
President of the Puntland State of Somalia, Abdiweli said “we have really a deep understanding about the relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia in general and Puntland and Ethiopia in particular.”
The President added that “… I do not think we will have lasting peace without the support and commitment of the Ethiopian people and government. (ENA)
China, Djibouti agree to establish strategic partnership
China and Djibouti on Thursday agreed to establish strategic partnership to strengthen all-round cooperation.
The announcement came as Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing the political capital of China.
Guelleh is the first head of state of an African country to visit China since the conclusion of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in October.
Stressing that China attaches great importance to relations with Djibouti, Xi said the two countries have always treated each other with equality and showed mutual respect and support since the establishment of diplomatic ties 38 years ago.
China is willing to work with Djibouti to speed up the implementation of the results of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), jointly forge ahead with Belt and Road construction, and fully strengthen bilateral cooperation in all fields, the Chinese president said. (Xinhua)
South Sudan cannot issue passports after failing to pay tech fees
Cash-strapped South Sudan can no longer issue passports after its German technology provider shut down its system because the country failed to pay its bills, the government has said on Friday.
South Sudan’s economy has been ruined by a civil war, now in its fourth year. Its main income is from its oil reserves but fighting has slashed production to less than a third of pre-war levels.
Public money is tight and civil servants and soldiers go unpaid for months, and hyperinflation has rendered its currency almost worthless.
South Sudan’s passports and national identification server has been blocked by its host, German company Muhlbauer, after the government failed to pay an annual software license fee of around $500,000, a government official said.
Deputy Finance Minister Mou Ambrose Thiik told Reuters on Tuesday that the government would make the payment early next week. “We are working on it,” he said.
South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, is now unable to issue passports or national identification cards. (Reuters)
