Ethiopia's teff grain set to be world's next 'super-food'

DEBRE ZEYT - Under a searing midday sun, a herd of cattle circles atop a pile of golden teff, thrashing the wheat-like grain, a method that has been practised by Ethiopian farmers for centuries.The crop, mostly grown in the Horn of Africa, is a key part of the country's heritage and a crucial food staple, but is also gaining increased interest abroad among health afficionados seeking a nutritious, gluten-free alternative to wheat."Ethiopians are proud of the crop because it is almost our identity," said Solomon Chanyalew, director of the Debre Zeyt Agricultural Research Centre, a teff research hub."But these days, teff is getting global attention," he said.Relatively unknown outside of Ethiopia -- for now -- the cereal is predicted to replace quinoa as the latest global "super-food".But a ban on exports to control price hikes at home has left farmers tied to local consumers, limiting their contribution to growing markets abroad. Read more at http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/653121-ethiopia-s-teff-grain-set-to-be-world-s-next-super-food.html

Israel offers to mediate Ethiopia-Egypt dam row

Friday, March 07, 2014 ADDIS ABABA – Israeli Agriculture Minister Yair Shamir has voiced Israel`s readiness to assist Egypt and Ethiopia reach agreement over the latter`s construction of a multibillion-dollar hydroelectric dam on the Nile River.According to Ethiopia`s state-run news agency, Shamir made the remarks at a Thursday meeting in Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn.The agency did not specify how Israel intends to assist both countries in ironing out their differences over the dam.Relations between Ethiopia and Egypt soured last year over construction of Ethiopia`s Grand Renaissance Dam on the upper reaches of the Nile – Egypt`s main source of water.The controversial project raised alarm bells in Egypt, the Arab world`s most populous country, which fears a reduction of its traditional share of Nile water.Water distribution among Nile Basin states has long been based on a colonial-era agreement granting Egypt and Sudan the lion`s share of the river`s water.Addis Ababa insists the new dam will benefit downstream states Sudan and Egypt, both of which will be invited to purchase electricity thus generated.-Welcomed-Ethiopia`s Foreign Ministry, for one, welcomed Israel`s offer."Any country like Israel may raise such idea and Ethiopia appreciates this," Jemal Beker, director of Middle East affairs at the ministry, told Anadolu Agency.He said Ethiopia was ready to negotiate a "win-win solution" with Egypt based on the framework of a tripartite dialogue initiative that also includes Sudan and an international panel of experts."There`s a technical negotiation underway," Beker said. "It has no political nature.""Egypt withdrew from the tripartite negotiation," said the diplomat. "But Ethiopia believes Egypt will be back and negotiations will continue."The state news agency quoted the dam`s chief engineer, Simegnew Bekele, as saying that a full one third of the project had been completed.Bekele added that the project`s total workforce would be raised from 7500 to 13,000 in the months ahead.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency/Turkishpress.com

Taste of Ethiopia

Rochester, New York – Feb 12th, 2014 Berbere-spiced lentils have lately become this carnivore’s first thought when venturing out for a bite, and credit for that should go to Rochester’s recent wave of excellent and affordable Ethiopian spots. The latest is Taste of Ethiopia (155 State St., 503-4056, tasteofethiopiarochester.com), which offers a typical American restaurant experience alongside a more traditional — and way more colorful — Ethiopian one that involves communal dining out of a tall lidded basket. Cuisine from Taste of Ethiopia (Image credit: PHOTO BY MARK CHAMBERLIN)

Released South Sudan Detainees In Ethiopia for Peace Talks

NAIROBI — Seven former political detainees from South Sudan arrived in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Wednesday to join talks aimed at resolving the crisis in the world's newest nation, a spokesman for anti-government negotiators told VOA. Yahanis Musa Pouk said by phone that the team of seven former detainees arrived in Addis Ababa from Nairobi Wednesday evening. Opposition negotiators had threatened to boycott the second round of talks unless several demands were met, including that the former detainees, who were released to the custody of the Kenyan president in late January, be allowed to travel to Ethiopia to take part in the negotiations. The opposition withdrew its boycott threat after Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) mediators assured them that the seven would be allowed to attend the talks.

Israel, Canada firms to jointly develop potash mine in Ethiopia

Feb 13,2014 JERUSALEM, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Israel Chemicals (ICL), the world's sixth largest potash producer, announced Thursday it will partner with Allana Potash of Canada to develop a potash mine in Ethiopia. The so-called Danakhil potash project is located in the Dallol region of Ethiopia's northeast Afar province. "The Danakhil mine will provide potash for Ethiopia and Africa, and, combined with ICL's agronomic fertilization know-how, will enable local farmers to increase agricultural output and food for the region," said Stefan Borgas, president and CEO of ICL.

Ethiopia, EU launch joint project to promote nation’s culture

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia- It has been said and it is still being said that Ethiopia is a country of unique characteristics of her own. Her uniqueness is of course related to the peculiar culture, tradition, language and both tangible and intangible heritages which belong to th

e world as well. Though it is a cradle of human kind and land of remarkable natural and cultural heritage, the country has not benefited from these resources. Accordingly, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MoCT) has been taking a wide range of actions to raise the number of domestic and foreign tourist flow to the country. The flow of domestic tourism, despite its improvement over time, needs to be given due attention. In general, the Ministry is convinced that developing the tourism sector is a direct indication of supporting the development of the nation.

WHAT LED TO THE TPLF REBELLION: THE RISE OF WEYANE UPRISING ─ PART TWO

By Professor Kinfe Abraham President, Ethiopian International Institute for Peace and Development (EIIPD) and President, HADAD One of the unfortunate outcomes of the policy of alienation of nations and nationalities was the Weyane revolt that took place in Tigray immediately after the return of the Emperor from exile. The Weyane uprising was ignited by many factors. These included the general insecurity which prevailed in the post-liberation years which was aided by a large quantity of arms left by the Italians, which stimulated brigandage. Prof. Kinfe Abraham Factors Which Promoted the Weyane II (TPLF) Rebellion The brigandage was promoted into a nationalist rebellion because of the usual actions of centerist domination which were aimed to cow down the region. The most obvious symptoms of the officially sanctioned arbitrariness were the high incidence of inefficiency and corruption, and the callousness and rapacity of the Territorial Army. To the above may be added the ill-advised policy of the imperial government, which unleashed a cruel campaign of retribution against the Raya Azebo and lowland Afars in the same way as in the 1920s. Another factor was that the government had underestimated the disgruntlement of the nobility of Tigray, a section of which it had rudely and crudely alienated.

WHAT LED TO THE TPLF REBELLION: THE RISE OF WEYANE UPRISING I ─ PART ONE

By Professor Kinfe Abraham President, Ethiopian International Institute for Peace and Development (EIIPD) and President, HADAD It was in the Tigray country that, during the first seven centuries AD, the kingdom of Aksum reached heights of civilisation never again attained in Ethiopian history. Because of the antiquity of their region and the glory of their past, the Tigreans are to some extent the cultural aristocrats of Ethiopia. Donald Levine The Northern region of Ethiopia comprising Eritrea and Tigray has always been both the soft belly and the front line of Ethiopian defence. Attacks that have undermined the sovereignty of Ethiopia in the past, from the times of Yohannes and Menelik to Haile Selassie, have mainly come from the north. Even now the strongest of the national movements are in the north.

Rough Guides Names Top 10 Countries To Visit In 2014 and Ethiopia Wins

Ethiopia has been named as Rough Guides’ number one country to visit in 2014, beating the likes of Madagascar, Brazil and Turkey. EXCERPT FROM RCI VENTURES JAN 05, 2014 12:00 PM Ethiopia has been named as Rough Guides’ number one country to visit in 2014, beating the likes of Madagascar, Brazil and Turkey. The world-renowned travel guide range said: “This culturally rich East African nation has always been an enticing destination, and though it remains poor, independent travel around the country is becoming easier thanks to a boom in small hotels and restaurants. From Skift: Rough Guides’ top 10 countries to visit in 2014 are: 1. Ethiopia 2. Madagaskar 3. Brazil 4. Turkey 5. Georgia 6. Rwanda 7. Japan 8. Bulgaria 9. Macedonia 10. The Philippines Rough Guides’ top 10 cities to visit in 2014 are: 1. Rio de Janeiro 2. Sarajevo 3. Liverpool 4. Umea (Sweden) 5. Lviv (Ukraine) 6. Marseille 7. Almaty (Kazakhstan) 8. Rotterdam 9. Glasgow 10. Portland READ THE COMPLETE STORY http://www.rciventures.com/ethiopia-named-rough-guides-number-one-for-2014/

South Sudan peace talks begin in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, peace talks between the South Sudanese government and rebels loyal to former vice president, Riek Machar, aimed at ending violence in the country have finally started. Officials said on Monday that the peace talks, brokered by the East African regional bloc, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), had officially started, after days of struggling to agree on a ceasefire. "They have begun," Ethiopian government spokesman, Getachew Reda, said on Monday. The announcement comes shortly after both sides said the talks had stalled over a disagreement on the agenda. Earlier, an Ethiopian official speaking on the condition of anonymity had also said that more procedural groundwork was needed before talks could be held between the two sides. Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing was also trying to help the two sides reach an agreement, adding, "China is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, so we are paying close attention to the evolving situation in South Sudan. We have been making mediation efforts." Talks are currently being held between South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and his Sudanese counterpart Omar al-Bashir, in the South Sudanese capital, Juba. Bashir has called for an immediate end to the ongoing violence in South Sudan. Clashes continue between government forces and rebels over the oil-producing Unity and Upper Nile states as well as Jonglei state. The recent fighting between troops loyal to Kiir and Machar erupted around Juba on December 15, 2013, after the former accused the latter of attempting to stage a military coup. SZH/SS

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — Rebels in South Sudan are forcibly recruiting civilians to march on the capital, the military said, even as representatives of the warring factions gathered in neighboring Ethiopia on Thursday for the start of peace talks. The fighting underscored the challenge facing African mediators as they try to nudge two rivals —President Salva Kiir and ousted Vice President Riek Machar —toward the negotiating table after more than two weeks of bloody violence in the world’s newest country.

US-based North Holdings to build cement factory in Ethiopia

December 28, 2013 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - An Ethio-American company based in the US, North Holdings Investment Inc., is to build a new cement factory with an outlay of USD 800 million in the Amhara Regional State near Dejen town. North Holdings Investment Inc president, Temesgen M. Bitew, told The Reporter that his company is planning to build the factory in east Gojam, Dejen wereda, Menda

locality. Temesgen said with two production lines the factory will have the capacity to produce 8.4 million tons of cement The idea of building the cement factory was conceived in 2006. According to Temesgen, the feasibility study was completed. The company is to hire a Danish contractor called FLS that would build the factory, supply and install the machineries.

Ethiopia's 'Festival of a Thousand Stars' Celebrates Diversity In The Cradle Of Humanity [PHOTOS]

Ethiopia's 'Festival of a Thousand Stars' Celebrates Diversity In The Cradle Of Humanity [PHOTOS]

Ethiopia plans $250 Million expansion project at Bole International Airport (ADD)

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport Terminal 2 Ethiopia plans $250 Million expansion project at Bole International Airport (ADD) Source: Reporter The Ethiopian Airports Enterprise is going to undertake a major expansion project at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport passengers' terminal at a cost of 250 million dollars. The newly-appointed CEO of the Ethiopian Airports Enterprise, Tewodros Dawit, told The Reporter that in line with the Ethiopian Airlines Vision 2025 development strategy the enterprise is undertaking various airport development projects. The Addis Ababa Bole International Airport Passengers' expansion project is one of them.

U.S. and UN Prepare Troops as Violence Grows in South Sudan

December 24, 2013 10:50 AM EST The U.S. and the United Nations are preparing to make more peacekeeping troops available for the growing conflict in South Sudan, as President Salva Kiir opened the door to talks with his deposed vice president.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon asked the Security Council to add 5,500 soldiers to the peacekeeping mission of 7,000 already there. The U.S. is positioning troops in the Horn of Africa area to assist in any additional evacuations in South Sudan, Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steve Warren said yesterday.At an emergency meeting yesterday in New York, all 15 members of the UN Security Council showed a “positive reaction”

Ethiopia: EEPCo divided into Two Separate Entities

18 December 2013Category: The Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) is divided into two separate entities, the Ethiopian Electric Power and Ethiopian Electric Service, Ethiopian Press Agency reported. The corporation's power supply and electricity delivery services will be divided between the two new companies.“Accordingly, the Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) will be responsible for the power supply while EES will be responsible for delivering electricity services,”

Ethiopia brings home 140 000 migrants from Saudi

2013-12-18 14:40 Addis Ababa - Ethiopia has brought home close to 140 000 citizens from Saudi Arabia, the International Organisation for Migration said on Wednesday, a month after the oil-rich kingdom started deporting undocumented migrants.Thousands are continuing to arrive daily from Saudi Arabia, where a seven-month amnesty period for migrants expired in November and where Ethiopia says three of its nationals were killed in police clashes as the migrants prepared to leave. "Ethiopia and IOM are now looking at an additional 35 000 migrants expected to arrive from the cities of Riyadh, Jeddah and new arrivals from Medina," the IOM said in a statement.

Gilgel Gibe III Near Completion - to Go Operational in September

17 December 2013 , Source: Ethiopia Government One of the biggest power generating projects in Ethiopia, the Gilgel Gibe III, is expected to go fully operational on September 2014. H.E. Ato Alemayehu Tegenu, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy said that so far 80% of construction work has been completed. One of the power projects planned to be commissioned within the GTP period, the Gilgel Gibe III will add 1,870MW electric power to the national grid upon its completion in September. The Minister also said that concurrent projects like the Genale Dam and the Adama II wind farm are progressing satisfactorily. Projects such as the Gilgel Gibe III project are expected to go a long way in providing energy for the domestic market, the demand of which has been expanding rapidly owing to the extensive infrastructure construction and increasing base of industry. However, power projects currently under construction are also expected to service the regional energy market. Ethiopia has already begun exporting electricity to Djibouti and Sudan and has started installing power transmission lines to Kenya. The energy policy of Ethiopia pictures development of energy sources that would be an instrument in enhancing co-operation and regional integration. Ethiopia's ambitious plan of generating 10,000 MW of energy within the GTP period was crafted, accordingly, with plans to provide energy to neighbouring countries

Ethiopia: ECX to Launch Online Trade Operation

17 December 2013 , Source: Addis Fortune The Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX) is making preparations to introduce online trading that enables market players to participate directly in the trade wherever they are. Online trading is envisaged to increase access to ECX and its service; build capacity of various stakeholder groups; and increase efficiency.The Ethiopian government is implementing the online trade project in collaboration with Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) in order to enhance the activates of ECX by creating a modern commodity trading platform which will introduce online trading, and establishing Remote Trading Centers in key locations across Ethiopia. The ICF is providing 2.2 million dollars of the total of 3.8 million dollar project cost and the Ethiopian government through the ECX is matching the remaining balance.The ECX information technology team is currently working on software design, development and other related functionalities to run a testing online trade platform.

What the Somalis can Learn from Ethiopian Cultural Festival?

By: Mohamed H.Bahal Somalilandsun - The Cultural Festival that held in Jigijiga was an immaculate efforts undertaken by both people and Government. It was human expression depicting the unity of people of 70 tribes of different culture, different region, different languages, and different religions, but under one nation.In a period of twenty one years, Ethiopia has shown remarkable transformation from feudal system into a capitalistic nation that embarked on economic and social success in urban improvement, modern highway system, transformation of peasant agriculture into commercial farming, and attracts foreign investment in industrialization projects.The core of such successes came from people who believe in the shrine of nationhood and the unity of their country.While Ethiopia was undergoing such economic transformation, Somalia was heading towards disintegration into a governance system so alien to a united Somalia. The present system of federalism was crafted by unholy alliances of UN, IGAD, and Europeans who after many years of negotiations came to believe that the Somalis have more pledges to clanism than nationhood.The medical subscription given to them happened to be a bitter pill that can't be swallowed.Right on the eve of forming federal system in different regions, it is apparent that clan feuds among the people living in the same districts came to the surface. This shows that the system has so much loophole that it can never result cohesive national government. It is a hodgepodge system that promotes clanism, lacks economic vitality, puts the regions on the mercy of central government for financial handout. Majority of the regions that will embody federalism, their people have no market economy, because they are either pastoralist or subsistent farmers. Despite this fact, the formation of regional governments emulate that of central government headed by president, cabinet ministers, and parliament.The constitutional wrangle that pops up every now and then and the challenges erupting from regional leaders, like Farole, is a clear indication that the system is elusive and inapt that can't function unless the constitution is subjected to review for amendment.If federalism works in Ethiopia why it doesn't work in Somalia? Ethiopians are people who subjected to rule and law for more than hundred years. They are zealous and patriotic. If even there are particular groups who oppose the government their dedication to their country remains unchanged. In the case of Somalis, if the head of the state is not their clan, they have no loyalty to that government. There is an anecdote that says two men who attended Friday pray came out of the Masjid. One of them said that he was impressed by the message of the Imam.The second one asked " What is Imam's clan?" This shows how clanism is embedded in minds of Somalis and if the Imam is not your clan you turn deaf ear to Allah messages.Regional Dignitaries at Jigjiga festivalIn the absence of national government much have been done in regions and districts that development never reached in the past. All by the efforts of clans, cities grew by leap and bound, educational institutions were built and managed by private people, and water wells were dug in areas that never had accessibility of water with the incomes came from Somali Diaspora.The district authorities have no financial sources to run social services, like dispensaries, hospitals, cities sanitations, and security. The spirit of self-reliance is so apparent in Somaliland where good governance and democratic elections held through out the years despite some deficiencies. Dependable security apparatus that exists in Somaliland is worth of emulation.All in all, the major deterrent to national unity is the abhorrent belief jn every Somali unless his/her clan gets a lion's share in the political power, they withheld their recognition to that government.

Mohamed H.Bahal

http://somalilandsun.com/index.php/opinion/4489-what-the-somalis-can-learn-from-ethiopian-cultural-festival