U.S. Policy Speech Gets Government Fumes

May 18 , 2024


[ssba-buttons]

  National dialogue and transitional justice emerged as key themes of the U.S. "foreign policy speech on human rights", addressed by U.S. Ambassador Ervin Massinga last week. He briefed the press on his country’s position on the political crisis in Ethiopia, advocating for a nationwide ceasefire for a path towards reconciliation. In a bold public statement, Massinga addressed adversarial forces in the conflict, urging them to stop targeting civilian infrastructure such as schools, health facilities, and water supplies. Along with armed forces in the regional states, Massinga addressed the government that "a security-focused approach will not solve complex political issues." He further advised the release of key political figures. "How a country defends itself reveals its character and will undoubtedly determine the course of future conflict and social cohesion," he said. The federal government took exception to the speech. The authorities in Addis Abeba saw "unsolicited advice" in his statements and characterised it as "allegations against" the government. Releasing a statement the next day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the policy speech, criticising it as "ill-advised and containing uninformed assertions."  However, the Ministry expressed its intention to address "factual inaccuracies and inconsistencies" through engagement with the U.S. Embassy.


Radar

Bank of Abyssinia Signs Partnership with Droga Cooperative

Bank of Abyssinia has entered into a partnership agreement with Droga Health & Financial Savings and Credit Cooperative to provide financial support and services for its members. The agreement was signed yesterday at the Bank's headquarters. The deal aims to strengthen collaboration between the two institutions, enabling cooperative members to access tailored banking services. It was signed by Wosenyeleh Abera, Deputy CEO for Customer Relations and Marketing at the bank, and Zelalem Yilma...


Radar

Wegagen Introduces Real Time SWIFT Tracking

Wegagen Bank has launched a new mobile app feature enabling customers to track international SWIFT payments in real time. The bank is the first in Ethiopia to introduce an online SWIFT payment tracking system. By integrating SWIFT Global Payment Innovation, customers, particularly those involved in import-export trade, can monitor cross-border transactions using a Unique End-to-End Transaction Reference (UETR) directly from their smartphones. To use the service, customers select the SWIFT...


Radar

National ID, Zambia Partners to Expands Program Reach

The National ID Program has signed an agreement with Zambia's counterpart to provide consulting services for the development of software that will issue digital IDs. It is the first time the institution has extended its expertise beyond national borders, a sign of growing recognition for its rapid progress. Program officials described the partnership as a milestone in their effort to position themselves as a regional player in digital transformation. The collaboration is expected to center...