Metro

Ethiopia sets up committee to negotiate peace with Tigray rebel forces

Published

2 years ago

June 14, 2022

The Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, has set up a committee to negotiate peace and a ceasefire with rebel forces from the northern region of Tigray, in what is seen as the first public confirmation of key steps towards peace negotations.

The committee which was set up on Tuesday by the government, is aimed at ending the nearly two-year conflict in Africa’s second-most populous nation which has killed thousands of civilians, displaced more than nine million people and plunged parts of the Tigray region into famine conditions.

Speaking to members of parliament during a special session, Abiy said:

“Regarding the peace … a committee has been established and it will study how we will conduct talks,” the first time he will be publicly referring to the body.

The committee which is headed by Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen, has 10 to 15 days to hammer out details of negotiations and submit to the government.

The move is also seen as the Ethiopian government’s best attempt at finding a lasting solution to the conflict since fighting erupted in Tigray in November 2020 and spilled over into the neighbouring regions of Afar and Amhara last year.

The Tigray Peoples Liberation Front, TPLF, a former rebel army which transformed into a political party, had dominated national politics for nearly three decades until Abiy’s appointment in 2018 reduced their rule to Tigray.

The TPLF has continued to accuse Abiy of wanting to centralise power at the expense of the regions, while he said they were seeking to regain national power.

The war between the national government forces and its allies and the Tigrayan forces has upset Abiy’s plans to modernise Ethiopia’s dwindling state-run economy with widespread reports of hunger, mass killings of civilians, sexual violence and allegations of ethnic cleansing.

Related Topics:Ethiopia Featured Negotiations Peace Tigray

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Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

5 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.

Metro

Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

Published

1 day ago

November 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.