Ethiopia and the United States have reportedly held the 6th Bilateral Democracy, Governance and Human Rights Working Group meeting on Tuesday.
The meeting was co-chaired by State Minister of Foreign Affairs Taye Atskeselassie, US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Tom Malinowski, and US Ambassador to Ethiopia, Patricia Haslach, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A press release issued by the US Embassy later stated that the Working Group provided an opportunity for representatives of the US government and the government of Ethiopia to discuss frankly the full range of governance and human rights issues in Ethiopia.
It disclosed that the discussion addressed a broad range of subjects, including election related issues, the situation in the Oromia Regional State and the Amhara Regional State. The annual U.S. Human Rights Report, the important role of civil society in strengthening good governance, Ginbot 7, opportunities for media engagement and training, and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), among others. (Press Release)
PM meets with Machar
Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn has held discussion with First Vice President designate, Riek Machar (PhD), in Addis Ababa Tuesday, Machar’s press secretary said.
They discussed the steps being taken and challenges being faced in the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS),” James Gatdet Dak quoted as saying.
Machar left the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on Wednesday after holding meetings with the Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.
In a briefing to the South Sudanese community in Nairobi, he called on members of the opposition’s leadership in Nairobi to begin to move to Juba in preparation for his soon return.
Machar for the last one month reportedly toured a number of African countries and met with their respective presidents and prime ministers, briefing them about the issues in the implementation of the peace deal and asking for their support for its full implementation.
He met with leaders representing East, West, South and North of the African regional blocs in the African Union (AU). (Sudan Tribune)
Walta TV to kick off tomorrow
Walta Information Center it to start a new television service since April 01, 2016.
According to the information obtained for the Center, the television service is to kick off with a trial for three months from the UAE and then starts a regular service then after by obtaining license from the Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority.
The new channel is aimed at building image of the country by introducing tourist attraction sites, and development works in the country to the rest of the world.
The channel kicks off in the morning and lasts for 18 consecutive hours.
WIC, which has 22 years of experience in the country’s media industry, has been doing commendable documentaries and this shall be an asset for its television service.
The new television channel can be accessed on frequency 12604, Polarization Horizontal, Symbol rate 27500 and FEC. 5/6.
The channel shall start service in Amharic during the trial period and the center has planned to deliver its service in other different languages. (WIC)
EEP, Indian company sign deal to construct power substations
Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) on Tuesday signed a contract agreement with Larsen and Toubro Limited for the design, supply and construction of Akaki II, Debrezeit II, Dukem, Mojo and Ginchi 400 kilovolt and 230 kilovolt substations on a turnkey basis.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ethiopian Electricity Power (EEP), Engineer Azeb Asnake and Rahul Sikka, Head of African Power Transmission and Distribution for the contracting company from India signed the agreement.
Speaking during the agreement signing ceremony, Engineer Azeb has said that the construction of the substation and the transmission line would have “significant importance as the backbone for the industrial and railway power supply in the country.”
The realization of the project would enhance power services rendered in the project areas and Addis Ababa as well as the Eastern Electricity Highway, she added.
Since EEP’s system is interconnected, the project’s significance will go as far as positively affecting other parts of the country. (ENA)