Let us unite with love; surpass in forgiveness!

Vol. LXXVI No 281 4 August 2020 - Hamle 28, 2012 Price Birr 5.75

Page 9Page 6 See Ethiopia, Egypt ... Page 3

• 10,000 new cases of COVID-19 expected in fortnight

Ethiopia, Egypt Sudan resume talks on GERD

See Coronavirus: ... Page 3

BY YOHANES JEMANEH

Ethiopia is now getting ready to treat 10,000 new COVID-19 cases as it has recently launched mass testing for coronavirus. The country would carry out 200,000 COVID-19 testing in two weeks and anticipates 10,000 new cases through community-based movement and testing campaign.

According to State Minister of Health Dr. Dereje Duguma, the campaign will help to increase the national daily testing capacity to 15,000 from the current 11,450.

To this end, the country has already imported one million testing kits, he said, adding that other necessary items are also stored by the and would be made available to its 46

laboratories soon.

“Each laboratory needs to achieve at least 85 to 90 percent of its testing quota per day.”

The campaign aims to identify and treat the expected 10,000 positive people in health institutions or at home, he noted.

BY STAFF REPORTER

ADDIS ABABA - Ministers from Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan resume talks here yesterday aimed at recommencing the progressive negotiation over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

The AU-led tripartite negotiations among Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt on the GERD will resume this afternoon after they were suspended for two weeks.

The first round of talks was suspended on July 13, 2020 after 11 days of negotiations held virtually on the first stage filling and operation of the dam.

According to a statement posted on the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy official Facebook page, this week’s negotiations will take place for the next one week.

The negotiations will deliberate on the directions set by leaders of the three countries as per the document tabled for them following the first round of negotiation, it said.

According to the Ministry, the Government is committed to working towards the end of the negotiations in a mutually beneficial way for all parties.

Ethiopian completed the first stage of filling the dam late July.

Both Egypt and Sudan, concerned that

BY BILAL DERSO

ADDIS ABABA - Marathon Motor Engineering, a local automotive firm, said that electric cars would be roaring in the capital sooner than later as it has finalized its preparation to assemble 36 ultramodern, cost-effective and environment-friendly electric vehicles in daily operation.

The firm also reiterated that the vehicles

Electric vehicles set to roar in Addis soon

would be sold at affordable price for individual and enterprise customers capitalize on government’s tax reduction and other incentives for the automotive industry.

Approached by The Ethiopian Herald, Marathon Motor Founding CEO Melaku Assefa said that the commencement of the

See Electric ... Page 3

Coronavirus: Nation rolling up sleeves as

concerns mount

“TPLF-led administration cultivated hostility, animosity

among Ethiopian people,” - Taye Bogale

Locusts expose people to famine in East Africa leaving

land naked, demolishing crops

NewsPAGE 2 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 4 AUGUST 2020

BY ESSEYE MENGISTE

ADDIS ABABA - With nine World Heritage sites and commitment from the government to achieve reforms, Ethiopia still has room for growth in its tourism sector. Ethiopia has still untapped tourism potential despite current rugged outlook says JLL.JLL is one of the world’s leading real estate investment and advisory firms, recently released its overview of the hotel industry in Ethiopia. With a population of over 110 million, Ethiopia is said to have one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa. “With

domestic tourism likely to recover first following the pandemic, Ethiopia should tap into the domestic and regional market as a short-term solution to revive its tourism industry,” says David Desta, Associate, JLL Hotels and Hospitality group.Positive economic growth and the increase in foreign investment will positively impact corporate demand for the hotel sector. Addis Ababa is expected to see an increase in corporate, NGO, and diplomatic demand over the next few years. Ethiopia currently has upward of 21 internationally branded hotels under development which in theory

could add around 4,300 rooms.With poor hotel infrastructure in major tourist destinations throughout the country, opportunities could be found to develop hotels and lodges in these areas to attract domestic and international travelers.“The impact of COVID-19 in Addis Ababa has seen 88 percent of hotels either full or partially closed and the market will take some time to recover. The opening up of the economy represents the most significant opportunity to fuel this recovery, as this would increase the number of multinationals that are based in the country, and in doing

so increase hotel demand,” says Wayne Godwin, Head of Hotel Advisory, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved $2.9 billion to finance Ethiopia’s Home Grown Economic Reform program; which was introduced to alleviate challenges faced in the economy. With the opening of the economy, increased opportunities are expected to present themselves to the hotel sector.Wayne says JLL has identified these reforms and strong growth in the economy as excellent fundamentals for the sector.

Untapped tourism potential still exists in Ethiopia

long and no generation can be eternally remembered unless new ones take turns to be recorded generation after generation. What I meant, this biggest African Dam and manmade lake is a living testimony our forefathers have offered us renewing history of ancient days.

“This is not water, its blood,” I continued dictating Mahfouz. ”Don’t you know how much hard-earned many this dam consumed, don’t you know how greedily your fathers milked this river and prospered at the expense of ours”

“No more blame and complaint,” he stopped me, half smiling. I didn’t want to accuse him of guilt his forefathers committed. “Cool down, dude, I’m just kidding” I embraced him wholeheartedly.

But proceeded talking to myself, call it an inner speech. This dam is not a matter of growing a tomato at ones back yard, its rather equivalent of setting free oneself, and getting independent from colonialism, if you like. “Don’t fool yourself,” my soul laughed at me. “Don’t belittle your

forefathers’ great deeds, unless you are super idiot.” It continued. All along I understood how stupid it is to discredit deeds of history in all its form, good or bad, whatever value it may be composed of.

The more we came close to the off shore, the more deadly beautiful it turned. Its breath was perfume enough to cure from any disease of now and the generation to come. Its soft hands of the night wind recalled me how prefect and medicinal nature is if nurtured. “Once the harshest valley, Guba, thanks to patriots of that very episode of time, has turned into Earthily Paradise.

Mahfouz once again approached me.

“We Egyptians, Sudanese and Ethiopians are twins, to your surprise identical twins we are. “He cherished me with a bluish Ethiopian wine his Ethiopian wife, Selma offered him earlier for the nightly tour back at the boat yard.

“We are children of the Nile” I replied, taking sip from his wine. It tasted not alcohol, rather pure waters, but had the chemistry to get into high. Minutes later, we

found ourselves at a boat yard, near Asossa, a city nick named as a “Mango City”

I rushed to a resort I booked a day earlier, connecting him to a guide for any extra tour. As I reached there at my room, I coincided with a live transmission from the national broadcaster -EBC.

“What a heartwarming New Year gift it is?!” Everybody there was crazily dancing. I rewind the news the prime minister extended in his New Year wish. What a surprise!

Here it goes….

“I’m very pleased to tell you that Ethiopia is set to launch a nuclear program this very week…..…Happy Ethiopian New Year. ” he smoothly faded away from the screen.

Still with a complete euphoria, I unlocked my phone and skimmed through AssossaTimes for any latest updates….The title of the first news went as”…Ethiopia earns 5 billion USD exporting electric power to African countries. . And down on the same page it read “Honeymooners rates GERD as the best garden of lovers.”

In its business corridor the daily wrote “Ethiopia makes 2 billion USD exporting fish from its manmade lake”….And this culminated, my browse for fresh news “Guba is to host the global aqua scientists …”

My phone, as usual, struck at 12 AM, shortly after I was fallen in a decent sleep. No way to compromise, I tempted to have at least minutes, though. My daily routine then followed. I took no time to pick my favorite from the menu, after all what else can a dude have by the side of an ocean as a breakfast, other than aquatic harvests. Then a freshly sliced fish graced my table for breakfast accompanied by a freshly picked mango and a strong coffee.

When I called for the bill, I happened to meet an Arab host. I sensed from his face that he was still feeling home sickness, couldn’t even learn a single word of the local language…..Gush…Is this meant the last shall be first, sadly, recalled the Qur’anic verse and left him tipping 50 USD.

GERD in...

BY BILAL DERSO

ADDIS ABABA- Residents of Addis Ababa said the recently-completed first phase of filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) showcased the country’s successful journey to prosperity through active participation of every citizen and the government. On Sunday, Ethiopians and foreigners of Ethiopian origin living here and across the globe showed solidarity for the filling of the dam starting from 04:00 PM for three minutes under the theme: “Our Voice for Our Dam”.Residents who talk to EPA stated that the completion of the first phase of filling the dam affirm the fact that no earthly force can deter Ethiopia from prosper and that the diplomatic success the government registered in bring back GERD talks to African Union is also compared with the victory of Adwa. The residents indicated that the filling of the dam also testify the long-cherished ability of the people of Ethiopia to pass any challenges and difficulties and stand unison for common goal. “All the sons and daughters of Ethiopia are credited in making new history through

“GERD’s first filling showcases Ethiopia’s prosperity”: Addis residents

actively financed the construction of the GERD in purchasing bonds and lottery, making donation and involved in SMS schemes.” According to them, the filling of the dam plays a pivotal role to government’s vision of transforming the agrarian economy to industry-led one through availing a dependable electricity for the manufacturing sector. The dam would also have a paramount importance in changing the livelihoods of citizens and maintain the country’s status of the powerhouse of the East African region. They called on the public to maintain their

support to the building of the dam financially, professionally and in other ways. The government should keep its engagement in solving differences in the use of Nile waters through negotiations and meticulous diplomatic efforts are also crucial to promote Ethiopia’s just cause in the fair utilization of natural resources for the international community.

In related development, Office of National Council for the Coordination of Public Participation on the construction of the GRED in collaboration with Lift Ethiopia hosted a solidarity campaign to make Ethiopian voices

heard in the global community. Addressing the event, Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen said Ethiopians from all walks of life have massively contributed to the construction of the flagship project.According to the Deputy Premier, the solidarity campaign is staged to mobilize public’s active participation and draw diplomatic backings from global key players for the successful execution of the GERD other rather than celebrating the first phase of filling the dam. “We testified the world how strong we are and capable to achieve our desires without any support from the outside. The dam is our demonstration of unity and togetherness. We are striving to complete the dam together as we started it together,” Demeke remarked. Since the commencement of the construction of the GERD, the public have contributed more than 13.6 billion Birr for the dam. It is to be recalled that on July 21, the government announced that the first phase filling of the dam was successfully completed capitalized on the two weeks of heavy rainfall that was received in the current Ethiopian month.

Citizens while taking part in ‘Our Voice for Our Dam’ event

News THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 4 AUGUST 2020PAGE 3

They are providing public health equipment and sharing experiences as well as medical knowledge and personnel in order to find solutions.

Vaccine may not come very soon but this kind of lockdown cannot go further and we have to find a bridge to releasing vaccine before it becomes a disaster. Everyone must contribute whatever they can and share in finding solutions. There is some hope that vaccine may be out there already to be analyzed and synthesized in order to be an effective solution. Medical persons, nurses, doctors, midwives, volunteers etc. are resiliently working day in and day out taking care of the ill and finding out durable solutions. Some are affected by the disease and some are dying to save our lives. These unique and bighearted professionals deserve our appreciation and our respect. History will remember their dedication and hard work in saving many lives.

Further, people are giving up their hotels, guest houses, and transport vehicles. Centers have been open to host those contracted or affected by the virus and to those affected by financial burden caused by this pandemic. People are starting to do what they did not do before. They are showing the true color of humanity that may stay longer and stay for good in the future. We must say thank you to those who are helping.

Society at one point in time or the other have been confronted with variety of manmade as well as environmental or unforeseen circumstances such as the current phenomenon; however, history teaches us that society also confronted and did overcome those challenges and confrontations as well.

There is currently a whole range of remarkable research that is being done in order to find a solution to this disease and looking at the data, the scientific message

seems to be pretty clear. Different attempts are coming out for a vaccine. There are different vaccines already engineered and in place and some have moved to peoples’ testing. There is a whole range of different approaches to make a vaccine but difficult to know which one can work effectively. It is the safety issue and the testing of the vaccine that matters. It takes a lot of testing to know what works effectively. There has to be a solid data in order to know what works effectively under testing. It is believed that they all can be effective and there is a lot of optimism in that regard. However, following proper trail and proper scientifically required testing procedures with no discrimination what so ever is absolutely necessary.

This epidemic has altered our sense of the world and hence, it requires us to adjust and take action we have never taken before. We all must adjust and take action that we

cannot make a decision. We need to start to be honest on what we are doing. We need to follow scientific lessons, procedures and directions and must not be misled by non-scientific myths, religious, cultural and traditional impediments contrary to medical and scientific solutions in fulfilling safety responses to this epidemic.

Every nation is affected by this disease and since it is a global endemic disease, it needs a global solution and global cooperation. Hospitals are confronting many challenges and it is taking a lot of these medical personnel in fulfilling their responsibilities; therefore, they must be funded and well equipped with necessary medical critical supply such as ventilators, gloves, masks and other equipment. Governments, the business community, philanthropists, universities, research centers and the public at large must do their share in order to get us out of this unprecedented danger.

For every action...

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has identified vulnerable citizens in accordance with types of jobs. Hence, security professionals, health workers, laborers and people with low income are more vulnerable to this global pandemic including patients of HIV AIDS, diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. Moreover, the ministry has selected 1,000 places where vulnerable people live and work together so that the testing campaign will give due attention to those places.MoH is also offering training to all health professionals designated in COVID-19 response to move in full capacity to test and protect the pandemic as fast as possible, he noted. The government will also evaluate the outcome of the campaign through time in order to ease national restrictions in terms of education, and businesses in contrast with the pandemic. The committees organized across the country to combat the pandemic led by the ministry and presidents of each state will work hand in hand to achieve the campaign. MoH wants leadership commitment at federal and regional level than any other times to achieve the campaign through awaking and reminding the people to respect the laws implemented to protect the pandemic through using face masks, applying social distancing and proper sanitation among others. “We expect them to monitor the campaign each day and hold evaluation meeting two times each week to achieve the goal,” Dr. Dereje said. The plan is to cover 80 percent of the country’s woredas testing peoples in 17 million houses (80 to 85 million of the

total population) via providing door to door service, he stated. As to him, the campaign is intended to reduce the pandemic surge through leadership commitment, cooperative effort among stakeholders, undertaking health and other basic services side by side.Generally, the campaign is a gear changer in terms of making crucial national decisions like planning and implementing post COVID-19 annual programs including the academic and economic activities, he indicated.The national ministerial committee that was organized to combat coronavirus held a meeting this weekend to evaluate the undertaken measures.Since the first case confirmed four months ago, the pandemic has been surging in Ethiopia. The current increment in new cases is due to the political instability and reluctance of the society to apply protection schemes, as to Dr. Dereje. Surprisingly, the 92 percent of confirmed cases has not shown symptoms of the pandemic, he mentioned.The national committee noted that the protection measures that will be taken this month will help to indicate the upcoming national activities from next Ethiopian New Year. Therefore, the committee recommended that teachers and students will play important role to achieve the campaign since they are now free following school closure due to the pandemic. The number of coronavirus is surging across the globe reaching 18 million cases and 689,000 deaths of which Ethiopia shares 18,706 cases and 310 deaths.

Coronavirus: Nation...

the dam will reduce the Blue Nile’s flow, want a binding agreement that will guarantee that a certain amount of water will still flow downstream while the initial filling completed positively.

Ethiopians are now relating their pride with the dam. On Sunday, citizens were expressing

their joy in the streets of the capital as per the successful initial filling of the mega project.

When fully completed, the GERD will be the largest hydroelectric dam in Africa and Ethiopia sees it as key to achieving economic stability and for raising citizens out of poverty.

Ethiopia, Egypt Sudan...

new electric cars’ assembly line is aligned with the government’s priority to build a climate-friendly economic growth as the vehicles have zero emission of carbon dioxide. The electric vehicles have also a paramount importance in reducing the hard currency the country has been incurring to the importation of petroleum and diesel.

“Marathon jumped very quickly to assemble electric cars locally mainly because it received a strong request by Prime Minster Dr. Abiy Ahmed when the latter took part in the inauguration of the state-of-the-art Hyundai Cars Assembly Plant along with Hyundai Motor Company CEO, Won Hee Lee in February 2019.”

Prime Minister Abiy’s government has taken unprecedented measures in incentivizing automotive firms engaged in car assembling business in reducing the excise tax levied in new cars from 50 to 30 percent thereby making the vehicles more affordable for the growing middle-class. The government’s measure also aims at discouraging the importation of old cars that drain the hardly-gained hard currency for maintenance and importation of spare parts and they are environmentally hazardous.

According to the CEO, Ethiopia’s growing middle-class coupled with government’s huge investment in the hydroelectric projects that will make electricity more

accessible and affordable, will help to boost the local demand for electric cars. Owning electric cars have benefits in cutting fuel maintenance and service cost and the vehicles are easily chargeable in charging stations as well as household electric supply and could travel up to 300 kilo meters per single charge.

Melaku indicated that the electric cars will have been assembled by local automotive professionals in a view to paving knowledge, skill and technology transfer and the activity will also avail a sizeable job opportunity for youth graduated from technical and vocational education training institutions.

Noting that the company plans to assemble different capacity of electric automobiles, SUVs, minibus, midi bus and trucks, he called on the government further deduct the tax rate leveled in new vehicles so as to enhance affordability and ensure forex allocation to sustained operation.

Regarding Marathon Motor’s involvement in the national COVID-19 response, the CEO pointed out that the company donated half-a-million Birr to the National Task Force that is designated to mobilize funds for pandemic.

Estimates indicated that currently more than one million registered vehicles in Ethiopia.

Electric vehicles set...

THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 4 AUGUST 2020 PAGE 4

OpinionContributor

Kiram Tadesse

Breaking African glass ceilingmany in developed countries. In a bid to enable women enjoy their full rights as equal partners in development African countries have adopted several normative and legislative protocols, including the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa also referred to as the Maputo Protocol. This protocol has been integrated into several constitutions and into national laws and policies. However, various documents including those commissioned by the AU say much more needs to be done in terms of implementation and accountability, particularly where economic, social and cultural rights of women are concerned. Clearly majority of African women are employed in agriculture where productivity and incomes are low. According to AU documents, many of those employed outside agriculture are in the informal sector where jobs are vulnerable and incomes low with gender wage disparities. Whereas a 2015 UNESCO report says African women are suffering the consequences of climate change much more than men. The report claims, for example, because

Expressed in its Agenda 2063 some more than four decades from now Africa wants to be a place where its people fully enjoy all their human rights by eliminating all forms of violence and social, economic, and political discriminations against women and girls in particular. At the stated period marking an end to all harmful social practices, all barriers to access to quality health and education for women and girls would be non-existent. By then Africa would have fully empowered women with equal access and opportunity in all spheres of life while full gender parity would be attained. This means that the African woman would have equal economic rights, including the rights to own and inherit property, sign a contract, register and manage a business. Moreover, over 90 percent of rural women would have access to productive assets, including land, credit, inputs and financial services. While some progress have already been made at country levels, by 2063 the continent aspires to see women occupy 50 percent of elected offices at state, regional and local bodies, and 50 percent of managerial positions in government and private sector would be women. Although across the world’s regions men and women do not always enjoy the same conditions and opportunities, in the economic and in the social and human development, however relaying on the potential offered by its women and youth by then Africa aims to finally break the economic and political glass ceiling hindering women’s progress.Women are 52 percent of the African population, however addressing the major issues pertaining unequal access to economic, political, social and cultural opportunities require vigorous effort at all levels. As more and more years into the Agenda period the issue keeps to be pressing requiring for tailored intervention where a certain meaningful mechanism comes into practice. Perhaps no more business as usual helps the content’s ambition to come true. Commemorating this year’s Africa’s Women’s Day on 31 July, the African Union has celebrated Empress Tayitu Betul and Athlete Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia among legendary black women it has named. This has been hailed by observers that with this the continental unity organ has tried to make sense of its significance in celebrating legends of the content. There are now provisions on sexual and gender-based violence, economic, social and cultural rights and the principle of equality and right to non-discrimination in constitutions, polices and in legislations across the continent. Despite the many challenges women are still facing across the continent, AU commends female participation in African legislatures in the area of political participation which outpaces

of desertification they are obliged to spend more time travelling long distances to get resources such as water and firewood, leaving them less time for education or finding other sources of income. As early as 1995, at the Fourth World Conference on Women, the environment was identified as one of the twelve critical areas of concern requiring specific commitments from states to advance women’s rights. On other hand the issue attached to water use should also be a concern that has to be addressed for equitable utilization among all women in Africa. Despite having been given a range of recommendations by numerous actors about possible ways of overcoming the glass ceiling hindering women’s progress, however there is a continuous blame on the national governments for their inadequate political commitment to match pronouncements on restoration of gender inequalities with respect to access, participation and advancement of women with deeds. Some argue that national leaderships are making use of women’s participation to serve their political interest.

“The environment was identified

as one of the twelve critical areas of concern requiring specific commitments from states to advance women’s rights.”

The Ethiopian Herald

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Editorial

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PAGE 5 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 4 AUGUST 2020

Deputy Editor-in-Chief Wakuma Kudama Email:wakuma220@gmail.com

Editors/ReportersDaniel BeyeneBacha ZewdeBilal DersoYohanes JemanehEsseye MengesteGetahun LegeseMussa Muhammed

Editor's Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect

the stance of The Ethiopian Herald

“For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”BY YOHANNES GEBRESELLASIE (Ph.D.)

Acclaiming nation’s Green Legacy Campaign

At this time, coronavirus is number one public enemy. As a result, it has created a devastating effect on the social economic and political landscape and has taken many human lives and destroyed massive material resources. It has become a curse to humanity at large and many people have lost their lives and many are still suffering as a result of this pandemic disease.

Coronavirus is a global pandemic. We all become vulnerable to it. This heartrending disease has never been in our body before and can become a full blown pandemic. Everyone can contract it and be affected by it. It has no respect to anyone. No one is protected from this endemic disease. It is indiscriminate. It affects everyone irrespective of color, age, gender, religious or any socio-economic or cultural backgrounds.

In the event of this pandemic, usual and natural activities have been curtailed, stopped or at least minimized and that causes an unprecedented chaos, confusion and hopelessness amongst the public at large all over the world. It has caused isolations and quarantined so many people in order to stop spreading the disease to others. Humans

like to socialize, to get together, to hug each other, to play with each other etc. We all are used to be close to each other. These values, traditions and norms cannot be the order of the day at this point in time because they are now causes for contracting this disease.

Although this pandemic has created a negative impact on the society at large in all aspects of life globally, as the renowned scientist Isaac Newton’s 3rd law of inertia, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction”, renowned medical scientists including the WHO are working day in and day out to find solutions and many are risking their lives in doing so in order to save lives. However, we all must listen to their advices and strictly follow their guidelines. It seems however that many are becoming complacent to their advices and the disease has been spreading unwarranted so far.

We must shoot back and get rid of this curse sooner than later and reverse this pandemic to help us all come back to our normal life style.

Further, there are also some myths with no scientific relevance that are confusing the public at large. Myths such as: corona does not affect young people, corona can be washed and flashed out with water, hot weather can kill corona etc. These traditional

thoughts contrary to scientific solutions are becoming an obstacle to fulfilling scientific safety responses and procedures. As a result, many, in thousands are contracting this deadly disease and many are disappearing.

Virtual socializing is becoming the norm and is becoming relevant and imperative because normal socializing is giving up its position to virtual socializing to avoid close contact and if possible to stop the spread of coronavirus or at least to minimize it. It is okay to be isolated and it is okay to be guaranteed and it is okay to be tested because these measures are taken for safety purposes to keep us safe; therefore, these scientific measures must be strictly adhered to and be stringently followed.

Since this disease affects everyone, it needs a global and unified response in order to get out and have a long term exit of this endemic disease. Global responses include but not limited to sharing of information, sharing of medical equipment, sharing and assistance of medical personnel and medical information. The long term exit is to get a vaccine to prevent the disease from happening again. We must get the vaccine to get us out of this mess. We need a mechanism to get us out but it has been slow thus far, therefore, countries are going through difficult times right now and are

hoping and wishing for a quick solution to this endemic disease. Some measures such as those mentioned above are underway however.

Testing is absolutely critical and countries must share their good experiences and good practices in that regard. Countries must develop a long term strategies in order to get a vaccine sooner than later to save lives. Vaccine takes long time to develop but it is a global question for a global public good; therefore, the sooner it is made and distributed the better for the safety of the public at large. It must be noted that it is now or never for global leaders and governments alike to respond. They should fund the public health hospitals, clinics, medical personnel with needed equipment, manpower and technical and professional assistances.

Since corona is a global endemic, it needs a global and unified response and global cooperation. Here, politics has no place at all. Countries have started to put their differences out and are coming together and responding dutifully vis-à-vis this issue.

See “For every action ...page 3

Starting last Ethiopian rainy season, the incumbent has introduced Green Legacy Campaign aimed at planting 20 billion trees in five years. During the first year of the campaign, the government and the public at large have made a great history having smashed world record by planting 353 million tree seedlings in a single day.

By the same token, the nation is going to achieve this year’s Green Legacy Campaign of planting a total of five billion tree seedlings as it has so far planted over four billion saplings across the country.

Moreover, this year’s campaign is being carried out while Ethiopia is celebrating its successful completion of the initial filling of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), this by itself has obviously provided further impetus for the campaign.

Undeniably, planting tree seedlings and finalizing the construction of GERD are inseparable from each other. This is because achieving the Green Legacy Campaign will for sure guarantee the future of this flagship project as the dam will not face water shortages all year round mainly due to the nation’s afforestation drive.

It is true that the Green Legacy Campaign needs to be replicated to neighboring countries in a bid to bring about tangible results in slowing down rate of net deforestation across the Horn of Africa.

This campaign will definitely play a pivotal role in reducing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Therefore, all of the countries in region are expected to join the campaign exerting intensified efforts and taking various necessary measures in the efforts of reducing carbon emissions from forest and rates of deforestation.

Similarly, Ethiopia has to proceed getting involved in a nationwide afforestation campaign for the coming years as it will make most of the barren lands and deforested areas green and create renewable resources as well.

One must not forget that in parallel with actively participating in the Green Legacy Campaign, he /she needs to focus

on forest management activities apart from planning and developing policies that make monitoring and measuring of forest resources effective.

Truly, more than ever, the whole world needs to toil to reduce the impact of climate change and sustainably promote use of forest resources on the earth. Presently, some of the impacts of climate change have been vividly witnessed in the forms of extreme hot weather, torrential rain fall, flash floods among others in some parts of the world than ever before. Therefore, Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Campaign is part and parcel of addressing the impacts of climate change in a scientific and effective manner. Ethiopia also deserves world acclaim for its Green Legacy Campaign.

PAGE 6 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 4 AUGUST 2020

Tuesday Exclusive

BY BACH ZEWDIE

Today’s exclusive guest is Taye Bogale, an author and history teacher. These days, Taye is at the forefront in advocating the virtues of Ethiopiawinet, unity and accountability. He passionately speaks for Ethiopian unity, fraternity, liberty, identity, dignity, nationality and authenticity.

The Ethiopian Herald made a short stay with him. Excerpts:

Herald: Since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has come to office a number of changes have been evident. Several people have also appreciated those changes witnessed as the result of the reform while a few people say the reform is not producing any fruits. Which opinion do you support? Or how do you view the reform?

Taye: Actually the reform has exhibited a very profound change in the political scenario, in the economic arena, in the social facades as well as in the cultural fabric of the lives of the Ethiopian society and eastern part of Africa at large.

As you already know, in the past 27 years in the so-called Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Party (EPRDF) regime, Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) led period, there were different sources of exploitation, marginalization and domination of a certain group. It was really a sort of monocracy during the period of late Meles Zenawi.

Monocracy refers to the rule of one person against others. All the others were amenable, submissive, and adaptable. In terms of economy, it was a sort of oligarchy. That means rule by few, few individuals. Actually, I can explicitly say a few individuals from Adwa, a town in Tigray State dominate not only the Ethiopian people as a whole but also ultimately the Tigrians themselves.

Secondly, there was a divide and rule way of administration particularly focusing on the people of Amhara and Oromo on one hand and dividing the Oromos themselves on the other. To cite a classic example, I was born and grown up in Negelle Borena, in the Guji zone. I am well aware that they deliberately divided the Borena and Guji on one part and Guji and Borena on the other part. One part is known as Borena - Guji zone and the other part is Guji - Borena zone.

In terms of federal administration, the Borenas ought to come under the same umbrella; likewise, the Gujis had to have their own sort of administration because both people have their own democratic Gadaa system. But the rulers deliberately split the people into two and that led to a sort of not only discrimination but also bloodshed between the two brothers who speak the same language and who share the same identity over the years.

Similarly, they divided Amhara people among Shewa, Gojam, Gondar and the like. And ultimately TPLF system cultivated hostility and animosity among the Ethiopian people. But since Megabit 2010 E.C., after

“TPLF-led administration cultivated hostility, animosity among Ethiopian people,” Taye Bogale

the inauguration of Dr. Abiy Ahmed as a prime minister, there were significant changes. The first one was, during the Weyane period, the Oromia, the Amhara and different regions were administered by TPLF clique. The leaders in different regions were only nominal and puppets. They were made and unmade on the interest of TPLF.

Currently, however, the legislative, executive and judiciary organs in all regions function by their own merits without interference from the TPLF thugs.

The Somali, Afar, and different pastoralist peoples were labeled as people who were unable to shoulder revolutionary democracy and they were totally segregated, marginalized as well as outcast in the last 27 years. But currently, they become part and parcel of the system and were integrated as an integral part of EPRDF. This is a very significant change.

In addition, different media outlets were mushroomed to unearth their opinion without any limit until the recent political upheaval and turmoil that created the spilling of blood of innocent civilians and destruction of different towns. So in terms of economy, in terms of politics, in terms of culture and in all aspects, there is a very significant change. That is why, in my opinion, Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed had obtained a Nobel Peace Prize.

And there was mutual suspicion between Eritrea and Ethiopia. For 20 years, it was a

total shutter no war and no peace situation between Ethiopia and Eritrea. This was totally alleviated by the active role of the prime minister in particular and prosperity party in general.

So, in short, in my opinion, there are changes but I have to underline that democracy is not a revolutionary process, it rather is evolution. So, it is very difficult and cumbersome to bring about democracy within a matter of two years because the Ethiopian politics for over a longer period of time was a subject of controversy among different politicians and scholars. Regardless of this, there is a very profound change since the introduction of the reform with all its limitations.

Q: As TPLF was professing it’s implementing a federal system, were there fair distribution of resources and power?

Taye: Extreme corruption and contraband were rampant. A few number of individuals controlled not only the rein of power but also the economy of this country in Gambela, Benshangul Gumuz, Afar and Somali.

If you go from north to south, west to east, the people were in a sort of cast system. There were layers. There were upper groups known as TPLF while individuals from Oromo People Democratic Organization (OPDO) and Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM) served only the interest of the TPLF who take the lion’s share in the economy. Now, the current system

of administration does not allow similar extreme corruption. It seems that economic progress is on the right track regardless of certain challenges.

Herald: Why do you think that TPLF focused on the two peoples: the Amhara and Oromos, to implement its “divide and rule” tactic?

Taye: Actually, as I said it was a sort of oligarchy, aristocracy or rule by few. They know very well that people may not accommodate their system. So, just as the British did during the Colonial Era, divide and rule mechanism was the ultimate tactic that they devised and implemented by creating animosity between these two peoples.

As you know England or Britain is an island but at the end of the 19th century they controlled 1/4th of the surface of the globe and boasted of their large empire stating that “The sun never sets over the British isles.” Likewise, these weyane thugs (TPLF) ultimately focus on indirect or divide and rule policy for the sake of convenience of their own system at the expense of the Ethiopian peoples.

The Amhara and Oromo elites, who joined the party, were as I said initially submissive totally. They were running after their own belly than improving the people that they represent and they served as a watchdog or a lesion officer for TPLF than their own peoples.

But that does not mean that the Oromos and Amharas as well as different peoples simply sat and looked at the situations. They fought utmost gallantry with almighty and strength that God can give them.

But the TPLF-led government used a coercive force by organizing its own army known as Agazy as Hitler did during his reign. So, the problem is that there are individuals still now that run for their own belly, for their own advantage at the expense of their own peoples. And this is the main reason why they just dominate the reign of power for a longer period of time in the Ethiopian regions.

As you see intellectuals were labeled by different nicknames. For instance, the Amharas were considered as chauvinists; the Oromos as narrow nationalists; the southern peoples as people with an inferiority complex and loyal to the Amhara dynasty.

Amhara dynasty is their labeling. I don’t agree with this. There is no dynasty in the name of people. In world history, there is the Hohenzollern dynasty in Germany, the Habsburg dynasty in Austria-Hungary, the Romanov dynasty in Russia and Solomonide or Solomonic dynasty in Ethiopia. But they deliberately labeled the past regimes as the Amhara dynasty, the Amhara rulers.

Herald: How do you see the teaching of the nation’s history in the last 20 years? It seems that some historical facts have been perverted and they became a source of conflict as a result? Unlike other subjects, history does not have plasma

PAGE 7 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 4 AUGUST 2020

Tuesday Exclusivetransmission for high school students? Why?

Taye: Actually, in order to just argue, whether the historical facts during the last 27 years are plausible or not, it is important to see the ultimate objectives or the cardinal objectives of teaching history and the way it was implemented on the ground.

The ultimate objectives of teaching history are: first, by studying the past in order to vividly or clearly understand the present and to foresee or forecast the directions of future development. Secondly, it would enable us to play a vital role in politics, economics, social life, cultural life, religious life and the like. And thirdly, by studying history, we can develop ways of collecting data and processing that into information and finally to build it up into knowledge and reach into the level of self-actualization and wisdom.

There must not be interference from the government side in history. It has to be the ultimate or exclusive duty of historians to preserve the authentic history of the nation. Unfortunately, the governments did not allow that; not only the EPRDF but also the previous regimes were also interfering unnecessarily in the works of historical chroniclers.

There was no plasma program transmission of history lessons for the high school students while the other subjects had their own plasma transmission program. The main problem is on one hand, the government has no interest to appreciate history.

On the other hand, it was really a subject of controversy among scholars. There were divergent views. There are four different types of scholars as far as history is concerned. The first type of historians applauds for the existing government. They don’t want to write any agonies of the government. They want to glorify that respective government. These historians dominated the arena.

Secondly, there are Marxist Leninist historians. TPLF by itself is a Marxist-Leninist party. And they consider history as a whole history of class struggle; the struggle between the oppressed and the oppressor ones; the exploited and the exploiters. As a result of this, they don’t want to see history in its own right or merit.

The third ones are ethno nationalist historians. The ethnic nationalist historians from Amhara, Tigray and Oromo want to chant for their own respective group than the history of the 80 nationalities of Ethiopia. As a result, the students were not interested in joining the history department in Addis Ababa. In addition, as you see for the last 27 years, there was only political history. There was not economic history, cultural history, and military history in the textbooks even the religious history is not treated per the line or the interest of the discipline.

Herald: Who must be responsible for all these distortions?

Taye: In my opinion, the lion’s share relies on the government part because they impose their own will against the history of Ethiopia. Instead of allowing scholars to exercise their academic freedom, they interfere in the history and appraise their own interests. This is one of the major problems.

The other one is the scholars themselves lined towards this or that circle instead of serving the purpose of history; instead of focusing on the objectives of history. The objective of history is just to ameliorate or alleviate problems. But they add fuel to the burning fire of the problems. In other parts of the world, history is the major subject from primary to tertiary education.

Herald: What should be done to correct the perversions of facts? Is there a way to converge the divergent views so that the nation would trade a path to democracy?

Taye: In the first place let us put all our differences aside and focus on the subject matter and let us make a compromise. Compromise means accommodating others views and ideas without being overridden by our own dogmatic belief. My way or no-way should be avoided. They have to think in terms of 115 million people than their own circle. Whenever there are disagreements, why we do not learn the patterns of different countries? For instance, American history is also a subject of controversy; but through discussion, they solved their problems.

Whenever there are divergent views, we need to put them aside for a time being and we have to write first what is agreed by all the concerned parties.

Herald: Nowadays, people are engaged in conflicts based on an orally narrated history of their forefathers. People are being killed; property is being destroyed as a result of the orally transmitted history that narratives some group had committed the crime against the other? Do you think that there is a way to correct these problems by writing a reliable history based on authentic facts?

Taye: Actually for the purpose of peaceful coexistence, first we have to underscore that this generation has no involvement in all the past wrongs. The main problem that we have is our history highly relies on oral history because the society is oral. We can get written literature in the northern part of Ethiopia for some practical reasons.

So, my interest to ameliorate this problem is first, we have to come together and understand one other whenever there are divergent views. We have to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of putting the real or fabricated bloody history in the new generation’s textbooks. The best remedy for these controversial issues is discussing on a round table with an open heart, with integrity and passion.

Herald: How do you see the current federal system of Ethiopia? Some people argue that there is no true federalism, unlike the last 27 years. How do you see their view?

Taye: There are actually three systems in the world; unitary, federal and confederation. Today, only 28 countries in the world follow a federal system of administration. The rest follow the unitary system of administration.

In the last 27 years, the so-called federal system was enacted. Practically, however, the system, in my opinion, was not really federal. In most parts of the country, many minority ethnicities were dominated by the majority ones or merged together. This is not geographic or ethnic federalism. There is no such sort of federalism in the history

of the world.

Secondly, as I said earlier, the economy was totally dominated by TPLF. Almost all regions had no full right to administer their own resources without the decision of TPLF.

But after the inauguration of Prime Minister Dr. Abiy into office, we can argue that the legislative, executive and judiciary organs in Oromia State have started to work independently. For instance, there is no interference from the federal government on the Oromia’s issue. Even a 10th region, Sidama, has recently come into existence. [Previously marginalized] states like Somali, Afar and others are also administering their own economy without any interference.

Herald: Following the resent conflict and unrest, the government has imprisoned some political leaders who were suspected of leading the conflict. Would this have any negative impact on the fledgling democracy of the nation?

Taye: Democracy has its own limitations. The government has allowed for these political actors to exercise their right of freedom of assembly, media and different democratic elements. In the context of the third world country, for instance, those political prisoners were allowed to say whatever they want.

But, in this situation, because of a lack of democratic experience in this country, in both parties, the government and the opposition parties; the conditions went from bad to worse and tensions highly escalated.

Besides, there were some inflammatory expressions from the opposition party leaders and even some went to the extent of saying that ‘We can overthrow the government’.

In order to sustain the state peacefully, the media has to work properly and the federal system has to be implemented efficiently, without the involvement of the federal government.

For instance, the budget has to be administered by the respective region. Each region has to utilize its own resources; thereby, the people would benefit according to their number, and different methods and the federal grant formula have to be exercised appropriately as well.

Herald: What would you suggest as a solution to the current problems?

Taye: The government has to be transparent because mutual suspicious are common these days. So, to alleviate this problem, transparency and accountability of the government is the most important thing. Everyone has also to act like a human being and respect the principles of their religions.

PAGE 8 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 4 AUGUST 2020

Business & Development

BY BACHA ZEWDIE

Ethiopia’s economic achievements have shown impressive change since the reformThe government has been working since the day after the reform to address the bottlenecks that have plagued the Ethiopian economy. To address the country’s economic woes and sustain economic growth, the government has formulated and implemented an economic reform agenda. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in response to recent questions from members of the House of Representatives said that the economic reform has made great strides in most sectors.

He said that one of the challenges in Ethiopia’s transformation is the state of the country’s economy. He explained that due to severe budget deficit in the country; it was difficult to pay salaries and that it was difficult to continue the growth process. He recalled that the country was in a difficult situation to earn more money due to the high debt burden.

The government as to him has been able to make significant progress in most sectors as it has formulated and implemented an economic reform agenda to address the situation and sustain the country’s growth. He said the economic reform agenda had three main pillars. Correcting the distorted macroeconomic was one of the pillars of the reform as the country’s economy was in a state of extreme macroeconomic turmoil, he noted.

According to the Prime Minister, the second pillar of the reform is the identification of structural bottlenecks that hinder the economy from moving in the right direction and speed. The third pillar that deserved focus in the reform agenda is to increase production and productivity by utilizing all the potential of the country in the manufacturing sector. This means investing every penny, time, and knowledge in a resource-generating sector.

He added that the reform agenda has been achieved in the last two years and has yielded results in many sectors. One of the areas where the results have been achieved is to reduce the budget deficit and reduce the huge debt burden. Ethiopia owes 31 percent of its gross domestic product only from foreign debt, he explained.

As to him, foreign debt, which accounts for 31 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), has to be repaid in a short period of time and has high interest rates. This put the country at great risk to get extra loan.

Due to the effective work done on the loan, the debt ratio, which has reached 31 percent of the GDP, has been reduced to 25 percent. This has opened the door for more loans, believing that the country can afford to pay more, not just borrowing.

Much work has been done not only to reduce debt, but also to change the nature of debt. More work has been done to shift high-interest loan to low-interest commercial loans that be paid back over a longer period of time and more work is being done, he said.

According to the Prime Minister, converting most of the commercials to concessions will

reduce the country’s spending on foreign debt and provide an opportunity for development work. In this regard, the work done is very promising. This successful work must be strengthened.

The second issue on the reform agenda is the private sector. Because most of Ethiopia’s resources are collected from all sources and used for government projects, he explained that the private sector has been holding back from playing a role in the country’s economy due to lack of funding. The private sector is made up of many creative people and people who create a lot of jobs everywhere.

However, the sector was struggling financially. As a result of financial shortfall, the sector could not contribute its part to the economy. He said the lack of adequate financing of the private sector will slow down the overall economic activities so that attentive work was underway to alleviate the problem.

Thus, the budget allocated to the sector has been increased. In order to support the sector there is a big difference between the budget approved by the House of Peoples’ Representatives in 2018 and the budget allocated to the sector this year and this indicates attention to the sector, he explained.

According to the Prime Minister, in 2018, the private sector received 90 billion USD in loans from banks whereas this year, the private sector has earned 160 billion USD. With this money, it has the opportunity to complete the work that has stopped everywhere, to start new projects and to complete the existing buildings.

Adding, he said that this success is not just about increasing the amount of money. Rather, excellent works have been done in identifying and resolving major bottlenecks in the financial sector. One of these activities was the removal of 27 percent of the money deposited by banks in the National Bank of Ethiopia.

Prior to the reform, each private bank had to purchase an additional 27 percent of its customers’ bonds. In addition to the pressure on private banks, it had its own pressure on large-scale depositors not to work vastly, so the 27 percent was lifted; and most of the money they deposited at the National Bank

was released ahead of time.

These measures are to stimulate the financial sector. Since, The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) was made to provide large amount of money to the private sector, the use of resources in the private and public sectors has changed. It has opened the door for the private sector to get better attention and resources, he said.

Working better to focus on economic sectors that increase productivity he also mentioned that there are other areas in the reform agenda that have been worked hard over the past two years. The Prime Minister cited the agricultural sector as an example. Over the past two years, agricultural inputs have increased dramatically. Not only the increase in agricultural inputs, but also the facts that in many regions, if farmers cannot afford to buy agricultural inputs, all types of agricultural machinery have been imported duty-free with the support of the regional governments, so that they can provide inputs to farmers in the form of loans.

The farmer did not have the opportunity to get money from the banks, despite the land he already had. It is important to change this situation, even if the farmers do not have a building as collateral; with their cattle, land or resources on the land, People who have saved money, in particular, have the opportunity to get more loans and buy tractors and other machinery. This is making a real difference in the manufacturer industry. He also said that tangible results are being seen at the moment and the results are increasing over time.

According to the Prime Minister; in addition to agriculture, there is a focus on the manufacturing industry. In particular, after the breakout of corona, the manufacturing industry has been given the lead to focus on products needed for local and foreign consumption for the time being. For example, markets for sanitizers, mouth and nose masks, gloves, and weekend wearing have been made available at home and abroad.

With the necessary support gained from abroad such as through negotiation with the government of Djibouti, the manufacturing industry has had the opportunity to go through a difficult period without losing workers.

Regarding minerals, Prime Minister Abiy said Ethiopia is losing what it deserves as a result of contraband and that other countries are taking advantage of it. To address this, the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has been able to stop the massive flow of products from the country. Fortunately, as a result of the crackdown due to coronavirus, smuggling has been reduced to some extent. He also said that it was able to store large quantities of gold into the National Bank during the corona season alone.

The key issue is the impact of every step and wealth growth on the country’s economy; it is important to measure the growth of each wealth and every economy in terms of its contribution to GDP growth, he said.

Ethiopia’s gross domestic product (GDP) has increased significantly since the reform. Ethiopia’s GDP in 2018 was 2.2 trillion Birr; but now has reached 3.4 trillion Birr as a result of extensive measures taken following the reform. That means, it has now reached more than 100 billion USD which was about 85 billion USD. This is a huge step forward.

He explained that if the pressure on inflation can be corrected alongside the results set to increase the country’s gross domestic product; it will make the result stronger.

In addition to gross domestic product, there has been a significant budget increase. According to the 2018 budget approved by the council, 89.2 billion Birr has been set for the capital budget. In 2021, however, 160 billion Birr was allocated for the capital budget. Thus, the capital budget alone showed a difference of 71 billion Birr in two years. The capital budget is crucial to answer questions on roads, health, education and various infrastructures, he further explained.

On the budget allocated to some sectors, more than 50 percent increment was recorded in two years. For instance, in 2018, 21 billion Birr was allocated for Agriculture and Irrigation Development and now, it is grown up to 33.4 billion Birr. The growth is huge in terms of time. If more than 50 percent of the budget growth is repeated, it is possible to make a big difference, he stressed.

In addition, 58 billion Birr is budgeted for roads this year which was 28 billion Birr in 2018. The budget has grown by more than 50 percent in two years. An additional 30 billion USD has been invested in the sector.

Cooperation of the community is essential not only in the budget but also in the strength of the contractors, the strength of the contract management while the resources allocated are crucial to grow the sector that it is possible to record results, he explained.

The budget allocated for education in 2018 was 19 billion Birr and now it has increased to 24 billion Birr. Significant investments have been made in all sectors, especially in terms of budgeting, poverty reduction and increased productivity. He explained that if this can be strengthened in the coming years, prosperity can be achieved.

Ethiopia’s economy on the rise in 2020

Environment THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 4 AUGUST 2020PAGE 9

Billions of hungry insects are threatening to cause famine amidst the coronavirus pandemic, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said. Huge swarms of desert locusts with a greedy appetite for main crops like teff, wheat, and sorghum are sweeping over the Horn of Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, leaving crops and rangeland destroyed.Spring-bred swarms are shifting north to the summer breeding areas. In the northwest Kenya, there has been a notable decline in immature swarms. This is due to controlling operations and migration to Ethiopia. Nevertheless, in Ethiopia, immature swarms are mainly present in the Somali State, and to a lesser degree, in parts of Afar, Amhara and Tigray states. In Somalia, immature swarms are present on the northern plateau where some of them have started to become matured. Survey and control operations are in progress in the three countries, Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia. In Sudan, low numbers of solitaries’ mature adults are present between Eritrea and North Kordofan while mainly immature adults are present farther north in the Nile Valley. According to FAO, a combined 42 million people in Eastern Africa and Yemen were already expected to face acute food insecurity this year. The spread of the locusts, and the novel coronavirus pandemic could push more people to border on starvation.Across the countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, the effect of the locusts, this year, has already been the worst in decades, with billions of insects that spread over hundreds of thousands hectares of domain land. Chief Information and Forecasting Officer for the Desert Locust Control Organization for Eastern Africa, Mehari Tesfayohannes said: “I have a lot of experience with locusts, but this is my first time to see such a size of a swarm.” Locust swarms refers to several species of short horned grasshoppers that can radically change how they look and behave under the right circumstances. Out of roughly 7,000 species of grasshoppers, about 20 are considered to be true locusts. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, though in many places they rarely gather enough numbers to swarm. The species behind the recent swarms in Africa and Asia is the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria. It’s normally an introvert, leading a solitary life. But now and then after, ideal environmental conditions cause a population outburst.Locusts form swarms with roughly 150 million individuals per square kilometer, or 600,000 per acre. Those 150 million locusts eat as equal food as 35,000 people eat every day. This year has seen swarms spreading

over as much as 2,400 square kilometers, nearly 600,000 acres, according to the report of FAO. Once airborne, locust swarms can travel more than 100 miles in a day as they ride the wind, devouring almost all vegetation in their path. As stated by the World Bank, the scale, speed, and destruction of locust swarms together make them international danger to agriculture. “Locusts do not honor political boundaries and can easily invade other adjacent countries.” Governments are fighting back against locusts amid a pandemic and have been a threat to humanity for thousands of years, but anticipating those remains tricky. “It went well with ground and aerial control operations” for locusts in East Africa, said Mehari, from the Desert Locust Control Organization for Eastern Africa. “Even though, there were some restrictions due to the virus.”However, providing technical support and training is still tricky in the age of social distancing; it is harder to help on the ground or hire people to help control the locusts or gather all the stakeholders in one room. The disaster caused by locusts is both possibly quick and lasting. A dark cloud descends on a farm, and a swarm can demolish an entire season’s crop in an afternoon. But their reproductive cycles and their ability to take their destructive

appetites on the road, means that crisis can repeat itself over and over again.Countries in East Africa, parts of Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia are stimulating for the next wave of this crisis now through June, when the new swarms will start to form. If conditions remain favorable, and if control operations falter, another wave could devastate the region from September through December this year. For now, famine and food insecurity remain the biggest threat and more than 20 million people in the East African region already faced severe food insecurity in 10 countries, according to FAO. Climate shocks and other natural disasters, conflict, and displacement have created those conditions, though that predates the coronavirus crisis. The World Food Program said that the pandemic could cause famine worldwide, pushing an additional 130 million people close to starvation, on top of the 135 million already on the border.Locusts will make this worse in places like East Africa and Yemen, where each bug can eat its weight in a day. If control operations can spare farmers’ crops, or the grass that herders depend on, that will prevent the most acute crises.But if those crops and vegetation can’t all be saved, people will exhaust their food supplies, pushing another 2.5 million to the border of hunger in East Africa.

BY MUSSA MUHAMMED

Countries like Yemen already have about 17 million people on the border of famine due to conflict and drought. Locusts are now eating away at its already faltering agriculture system. So far, the FAO noted, it has saved about 720,000 tons of cereal across 10 affected countries, which amounts to food for about 5 million people. And the UN agency is still seeking additional funds, primarily for livelihood support for farmers and herders who have lost their crops or food source. The organization will start launch a new international appeal.The coronavirus pandemic could also make the humanitarian crisis more fraught. Many who see their crops destroyed or fields torn up might seek work elsewhere, likely in big cities. Quarantine, curfews, and travel restrictions in some of these countries may make that extraordinarily difficult. The economic pressures of lockdowns, which are affecting countries rich and poor, may also make labor opportunities scarce. Some governments are focusing their limited resources within their own borders to control the spread of the virus. However, controlling locusts will require countries to work together, and it will take a sustained effort to fight this ancient plague, even among modern conflicts and a global pandemic. “Our gains have been significant,” said Qu Dongyu, director general of the FAO, in a statement.

Locust swarms leave behind every green area naked

Locusts expose people to famine in East Africa leaving land naked, demolishing crops

Art & CultureTHE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 4 AUGUST 2020 PAGE 10

BY AHMED MOHAMMED

Shortly after I enjoyed a freshly sliced fish for super, there followed another freshly picked mango juice, and then

a strong coffee came in, all harvested from the manmade lake, GERD and from that of its evergreen lake side garden. I felt done. In fact no one starved even to death here, it’s very scenic landscape, plus its massaging wind it pumps day in and day out is perfect enough to replace any meal.

Sensing the quest of my soul, decently dressed lady, perhaps owner of Bar Guba, invited me a song about old days. We communicated telepathically. Sadly, I had to soon head to join my friend Mahfuz before the nightly cruise, Bamza, began its trek over the biggest manmade lake in Africa. Still nostalgic because of the melody the Lady invited me, I left Bar Guba and crazily rushed to the boat yard inhaling the freshening air of the Nile, listening to its poetic wave and watching its heavenly scenic garden. I felt massaged, even kissed by the soft and lip-like lake side of the dam, all along to the boat yard, and onwards, nature is in its purest form. “This is Garden of Eden “an angel whispered at me. You are a honeymooner, track your lost self-self, Hewan here, the way Adam did, he added before he gently faded away. “I was about to respond, but narrowly survived from talking alone as a majnun (madman) for I was abruptly met by Mahfouz, the travel story writer for Ahramonline.

“No time to waste! “He warned me, giving his last goodbye kiss to his Ethiopian wife, Selama. Once the third nightly cruise for Assosa left, we had to wait another solid our, unless we had to pay extra 50 Ethiopian Birr for the nightly shuttle.

We preferred the usual water craft to the nightly shuttle, thinking of having more time to make more new friends of different nationalities and backgrounds, best of all, Mahfouz had to have sufficient time to interview as many people as he could for his weekly aquatic chronicles both in Ethiopia and in Egypt.

Sharp at 7PM the blue painted water craft began floating heading first to the south, then twisting to north - west. As the poetic and rhythmic wave of the manmade lake rocked it, the craft turned its side and headlamps on now and then as a warning for skyrocketing yachts to leave its lane. Every time yachts paved the way for the nightly cruise, the lake turned into a pub fully decorated with deems lights of heavenly colors.

Lost in my deep euphoric thought, I continued thinking of old days architects behind such an aquatic monument namely late Meles Zenaw, and current leader Abiy Ahmed, until the captain waked me up with a song of the then Ethiopia, hit of the day frequented as Ethiopians were in the fight to claim their natural right over Nile waters. What has struck me most was not the lengthy and inhuman approach the Egyptian politicians showcased to eternally own the

GERD in 2050

resource of Ethiopia, rather impressed by the super fabulous diplomacy our forefathers tabled to outsmart in the debate for fair Nile waters.

The song still on the air dictating me all the chronicles Ethiopians the then wrote, not in ink, but in blood. All of a sudden, however floating cruise appeared on its way to Bamza, another business center adjacent to Sudan. Packed with night life lovers, the moving hotel was seen trembling as if was being hit by a tremor. “What a sexy cruise it is!? “Exclaimed Mahfouz, the Egyptian travel logger.

He looked wordlessly euphoric, but busy too trying to capture every episode he experienced. Having some breath, “I feel I’m in Egypt, cruising over Aswan.” He resumed his chat. From his smiling face, I sensed what his soul wanted to tell me about.

“We are children of the Nile, identical twins, for that matter. “Look! He interrupted me pointing his finger at the passing floating hotel. “It looks Nagib Mahfouz‘s cruise,” he added, trying to recall a water vehicle named after the renowned Egyptian literary treasure, a favorite novelist of mine too. He browsed and dag out multiple pictures of the cruise. I felt he was alone, alone because his soul was detached away from his poor flesh, just the way I felt.

Still he was busy composing every detail of night lives, making all his fives restless. Just a while later, as he sipped his strong coffee, he introduced me with an Egyptian dictum, which I many times have come across. “Water is thicker than blood,” he boasted of

the old saying of his forefathers.

“I feel…” he continued, giving me no room to respond, “I’m ashamed of my forefathers, who long shamefully insisted to deny your right of using Nile waters….how on earth a country can be a bystander, an onlooker of its own bread…?”

He looked unhappy of accounts he read about the level of selfishness Egyptians down in history showed over the usage of Nile waters. “What an obsessed country mine was” he laughed with a flesh back and opened the window for fresh air to let in, but retreated back fearing splashes of water droplets coming in through the half opened window.

He strongly resembled me, and I’m a carbon copy of his face. The color of Abay is seen visibly circulating throughout his blood, so is in mine. We both, Egyptians and Ethiopians, feed on the Nile waters, it’s a divine gift full of mystery, perhaps a cord to connect us all, a never drying water equivalent of cuisine to feast on.

“It’s now one PM, and we need four more solid hours to reach at Assossa.” The captain tipped us his way ahead could be tough because of the runoff expected tonight…..Strangely, unlike to me, Mahfouz sounded pleased of the bad news for he was fond of adventures, hoping the forceful wave which is expected to make us all dance out of will. “Suit yourself,” he made fun of me. “I don’t care so long us the captain can take me to Assossa by 7AM.” “…. Who cares” I cried in reply. It was safe enough for me to arrive any time tomorrow.

“Appreciate if you tip me anything about Dabos University?” he requested me “Its home of the best aquatic life scientists,” I boasted about. “There is a must see aquatic museum, a spot where you can snap chronicles all about Nile waters and everything about this dam: its architects.” I tipped him, adding name of a contact person.

“I do thank you,” he overlapped with my exchanges. “To be genuine your forefathers made history. I came across the patience Ethiopians the then showcased in the lengthy and immoral justifications ours tabled…,” Apology for any guilt our fathers committed….

“No no …I stopped him.” Not because your forefathers were selfish, but because they misunderstood us for our ancestors had failed to promote the real motive of the project. After all, the paranoiac rhetoric, as you know, had impacted the fair usage of Nile waters Ethiopia initiated. Any way that’s an old story, “I aborted my preach from proceeding. He too resumed his endless business of composing and taking pictures.”

Back to myself. I collected all my though and began to visualize every step Ethiopia went through to build this earthily Paradise

of Guba and its environs. Best of all, unlike the Egyptians, our forefathers begged no country to finance such an aquatic monument, but skipped thousands of meals, suffered a lot for the sake of us. Meant, we Ethiopians today are honeymooners, enjoying life at it’s full at the expense of our forefathers. Salute to Late Meles Zenawi, hat off to Abiy Ahmed Ali, thumbs up to you all fallen and alive.

Let me dictate you how this biggest dam came in to being. As he nodes his head, my brief went down this way…

Long long, long years after Ethiopians tempted Abay, a brave man named Meles came to power, his teaching and political orientation was divisive though. With all his odds, he sensed the right time to act and surprised Ethiopians with his grand project of constructing a dam over Abay. He called for mass support and earned the most patriotic response and kicked the project off.

Sadly, died before seeing its completion, leaving the 4 billion USD project for looters to scavenge on. Years later, a mass protest brought a real Ethiopian, named Abiy Ahmed to power. Abiy’s appearance to the political scene of the country, as you might heard, not only spared the nation from collapse, but also sustained the flagship project and later turned into a reality, pleasing all Ethiopians. The man, who is now in his late nineties, has also introduced the country with fresh perspectives and political theories … After I told him enough; he looked less interested for me to go on. As he resumed his routine, I looked back, and discovered everybody was busy in side talks, some were seen capturing pictures of the night fall drama, even some others were in their deep soul, enjoying the newly come out song… Blues of the Nile by Jasmine Mahfouz and Elias Lakawo,an Egyptian and Ethiopian singers respectively.

It was a single, all about Abay, a divine cord made to be used as a knot to tie Ethiopia and Egypt.

Every time the captain changed the gear of the vehicle so did my thought. I continued turning pages of history, chronicles of great deeds Ethiopians the then made, the Grand Renaissance Dam in particular. I have been long told that Ethiopia long suffered from boasting of ancient grace and greatness until an envisioned generation has all of a sudden mushroomed, regretfully to write a new chronicle of own, what I’m reading right now on Nile Waters.

Many had accused our forefathers of boasting about the victory of Adwa, rock hewn of Lalibella, Jogel Wall, saying they had left nothing to leave behind. The dam, which is equivalent to the victory of Adwa, has helped our forefathers to be remembered. In fact, no generation leap forward unless it turns its old days on.

It’s a must to step on the gate of history to reach at today’s gate. But no history lasts

See GERD ... Page 2

Long long, long years after Ethiopians tempted Abay, a brave man named Meles

came to power, his teaching and political orientation

was divisive though. With all his odds, he sensed the right time to act and

surprised Ethiopians with his grand project of constructing a dam over Abay. He called for mass support and earned the

most patriotic response and kicked the project off

(Imaginatively visited)

Toursim THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 4 AUGUST 2020 PAGE 15

BY GETAHUN LEGESSE

Ethiopians have varieties of occasional costume. The traditional clothes are colorful and magnificent. Blue, white, red, yellow, black, red and combination of these colors provide beauty to the clothing of the nation.

The traditional dressings are common during holidays and occasional festivities. Some clothes are unique to specific celebration. For instance, the clothing meant for Timket, Ethiopian Epiphany, would be slightly different from that would be worn to other holidays provided that shawls, netela have been shared among Ethiopian women.

Ethiopia is a home to multi-ethnic groups each having unique culture and tradition with commonalities among them. Likewise, the costume varies from tribe to tribe with likeness in some kind. Thus, one can comprehend not only biodiversity, but also the cultural diversity which is the underlying cause of the beauty of the nation.

Some central and northern areas, women’s traditional clothes are often made from cloth called shemma. It is basically cotton cloth, about 90 cm wide, woven in long strips which are then sewn together. Sometimes shiny threads are woven into the fabric for an elegant effect. It takes about two to three weeks to make enough cloth for one dress. The bottom of the garment or shirt may be ornamented with patterns.

Men wear shorts and a knee-length shirt with a white collar, and perhaps a sweater. They also frequently wear knee-high socks, while women might not wear socks at all. Men as well as women wear shawls, the netela specifically on the occasion of religious celebration and funerals. The shawls are worn in a different style for different occasions. When going to church, women cover their hair with them and pull the upper ends of the shawl about their shoulders reproducing a cross, meskelya, with the shiny threads appearing at the edge.

During funerals, the shawl is worn so the shiny threads appear at the bottom, madegdeg. Women’s dresses are called habesha kemis, and are often made from the shemma cloth. The dresses are usually white with some color above the lower hem. Bracelets and necklaces of silver or gold are worn on arms and feet to complete the look. A variety of designer dinner dresses combining traditional fabric with modern style are now worn by some ladies in the cities

Samuel Argaw, Production and Plan Manager of traditional garment, told The Ethiopian Herald that the consumption of local products has been increasing over time with the improvement of the quality of their products. Some of the products are of fine quality. They are of export quality and are being dispatched to foreign countries, he said.

Samuel added that the price of the items is calculated based on the total cost incurred during production. About 70 to 80 percent of the raw materials are imported from abroad. This is one of the major factors that contribute to price increment.

In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Sileshi Amba, a consumer of traditional cloth, said that buying domestic products can have double significance. One is, it can cultivate the habit of using domestic products and boost the confidence of using them. Again, it can contribute to the economy of the country.

Sileshi is proud of wearing domestic

products including cultural clothes. Wearing cultural cloth would help display the beauty of the country to the rest of the world. The country has multitudes of natural and manmade wonders. And the cultural cloth is one of the beauties, as to

him.

The consumer figured out the first problem with wearing cultural cloth to be the comfort of the cloth. The clothes are not suitable for casual dressing. Most of the clothes are not to be dressed at work place. Thus, he usually wears them for special occasions. The clothes are colorful and are easily vulnerable to dirt besides their high cost.

Ayda Alemayehu, Salesperson at Tobel Cultural Cloth, said that the cultural clothes sold at her shop are worn occasionally. This is because the products are not comfortable to be worn daily. Buyers come to her shop during holidays and special events.

The demand for the cloth is also seasonal. People visit their shop only if they have to attend special occasions such as public and religious holidays, as well as weddings. Foreigners and Ethiopians living abroad may need the clothes as well. Otherwise, buyers rarely come to the shop, she added.

Ayda further explained that the production process of the clothes is difficult, time consuming and labor intensive. Due to this reason, the price of the clothes is high compared to casual clothes.

Amanuel Luba, salesperson of Sena Cultural Garment, told The Ethiopian Herald that selling domestic products is interesting. He earned much confidence in wearing and selling domestic products since he started the business. It gives a sense of national pride, as to him.

For Amanuel, some cultural clothes are colorful and loose. They are not fit and slim, thus, are not favorable for casual clothing. Rather, they are preferred during special holidays and cultural festivities. As a result, the demand for the clothes is situational.

The traditional clothes need to be designed in such a way that they could be comfortable and fit to every event. They should be made with fashionable design. Fashion is replacing the traditional clothes. Thus, making traditional clothes in a fashionable way could help increase the demand for the clothes.

The sellers agreed upon the fact that production and consumption of domestic goods and services would help enhance domestic business. It would help create job opportunity, maximize tax income, and increase Gross Domestic Product, they pointed out.

Some people of the country wear clothes of their own culture casually. They put on a piece of garment woven by local weavers. The Omo people are typical example of such people. They are known for their unique costume. Almost all of them put on their inland clothes regularly.

Ethiopians are also known for the cultural jewelries which are worn around the neck, the ankle, wrist, and head. Beads and other jewelries made of shiny metals are common among the people.

The nation’s beauty of cultural costume

Ethiopians dressed in national costumes

PAGE 16THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 4 AUGUST 2020

BERHANENA SELAM PRINTING ENTERPRISE

Taytu Betul, Empress of Ethiopia and wife of Menelik II Maya Angelou, a feminist icon and civil rights activist

BY ESSEYE EMENGISTE

Last week the Africa’s Women’s day was celebrated by remembering the most influential African black women. From them most influential African women Taytu Betul is among the one. The Battle of Adwa is known to have stopped the colonial aggression of Europeans in Africa after Ethiopian forces surprised the world by defeating heavily armed Italian troops that attempted to conquer the Empire in 1896. Behind this victory that maintained Ethiopia as the only African nation that was never colonized, lies a brilliant military strategist named Empress Taytu Betul.

According to various journals, Taytu was a loyal and respectful wife of Menelik II to whom she married in 1883 when he was still King of Shewa. Their marriage was beyond romance as it was believed to be a political marriage aiming to seal alliances with the northern regions where Taytu’s family held important positions.

Having been born into an aristocratic Ethiopian family related to the Solomonic dynasty, Taytu was educated, which was exceptional for an Ethiopian woman of that time. She could read and write Amharic, and fluently spoke Ge’ez, the language of the sacred texts handed down over centuries in one of the world’s oldest Christian nations.

With Menelik’s ascent to imperial throne, Taytu became empress of Ethiopia in 1889, and in that capacity became a valuable advisor to him. He would consult her prior to making important decisions and due to her intelligence and loyalty for the throne and her country; he endorsed her views and proposals in administrative, political, military as well as foreign affairs.

Determined to protect her country and husband’s interests, she went on to play a key role in the conflict over the 1889 bilingual Treaty of Wuchale which did not say the same thing in Italian and Amharic; the Amharic version recognized the sovereignty of Ethiopia and its relationship with Italy as just a diplomatic partnership, while the Italian version made Ethiopia Italy’s protectorate.

When that deception in the treaty was discovered by a councilor to the Emperor, Taytu tore up the treaty and pushed the Emperor to declare war against Italy. She declared that she preferred war to accepting protectorate status for Ethiopia as provided for in the Italian version of Article 17.

Her stance against the Italians earned her the title of a ‘stubborn woman’ because not only did she put pressure on her husband not to make any concessions to Italy, but she insisted that no diplomatic courtesies should be accorded to the Italians in any

Celebrating Africa’s influential and iconic women

diplomatic correspondence with them.

When an Italian diplomat in Ethiopia cautioned that the annulment of the treaty might cause Italy to lose its “dignity”, the empress replied: “We too must retain our dignity…you want other countries to see Ethiopia as your protégé, but that would never be.”

Menelik’s declaration of war did not shock the Italians as they fatally underestimated the Ethiopians, and Italian victory was considered a foregone conclusion in Europe and elsewhere. Convinced that they would face pushovers on the battlefield, the Italian army invaded the Empire from Eritrea.

Taytu made a remarkable contribution to the war effort when she proposed to besiege the Italian fort at Mekele by controlling their water supply which was approved by the Emperor. Although it was not easy to convince the Ethiopian soldiers that controlling the water source would be a more effective tactic than attacking the fort,

900 men from the Empress’s contingent went on to execute her plan.

Throughout the assault on the Italian troops, Taytu was on the frontline in the battlefield commanding her own contingent of about 5000 infantry and 600 mounted troops.

As the top lady in the Empire, Taytu kept exercising great power and when the emperor’s health weakened in around 1906, she began to make decisions on his behalf. She later faded from the political scene until her death in 1918.

Derartu Tulu was the 1st African Woman to win an Olympic gold. The day that Derartu Tulu won the women’s 10000 meters race in Barcelona 1992 draping the Ethiopian flag across her shoulders was the historic day when the first black African woman won a gold medal.

Derartu was born in 1969 in the village of Bokoji in the Arsi region of central Ethiopia as a seventh child in a family of 10 children. Even in elementary school, Derartu excelled in horse riding competitions. Derartu’s first significant win came in a 400 meter race in her school where she out-run the school’s start male athlete. That along with a win in 800 meters race in her district convincingly put Derartu in a path of a successful career in Athletics. In 1988, Derartu represented the region of Arsi and competed in a national 1500 meters race where she won a bronze medal.

When she was 17, Derartu was hired by the Ethiopian Police Force. In 1989, she competed in her first international race of 6 kilometer cross-country in Norway but was 23rd. In a year’s time, though, she competed in the same race and won the Gold Medal. Derartu won international recognition and success in the 90’s. Her record-setting win in the 10,000 meter race in Bulgaria and her win in the same distance race in Cairo, Egypt are worth mentioning.

Derartu’s win in the 10,000 meter race in the Barcelona Olympics goes down in the History Books as the first gold-medal

a dancer and an actress to a journalist and a civil right activist, she represented blacks and their exigency for equality through her writing and many skills. Maya Angelou’s performance next to significant figures, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X modeled a principled and better path for everyone in society today.

She fought for equality from America to Africa. She met two prominent figures in the Civil Right Movement history. In 1962 she met Nelson Mandela. He made a very eloquent impact on her interest in combating for equality. She commented: “I admire his endurance, of racism and imprisonment.” Two years later, she met Malcolm X in Ghana. She would soon join him in planning for an Organization of Afro-American Unity. No matter where Maya traveled, she continued to support the Civil Rights Movement.

During the Civil Rights Movement, many African American writers wrote analyses of society encompassing racial inequality and hardships. Maya Angelou was among those writers that become very influential in their literature works. As a feminist icon and civil rights activist, the powerful existence her words still lingers today in our society.

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela was born on 26 September, 1936 Bizana, Pond land Transkei district, South Africa. South African social worker and activist considered by many black South Africans to be the “Mother of the Nation.” She was the second wife of Nelson Mandela.

In 2016, Madikizela-Mandela was recognized by the South African government with the award of the Silver Order of Luthuli for her contributions to the liberation struggle during the apartheid era. On April 2, 2018, she died at the age of 81 after a long illness. Her life and legacy were honored with numerous memorial services throughout the country as well as a state funeral, held on April 14 at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, South Africa.

win ever by an African woman. Derartu had continued winning races and bringing, the gold, silver and bronze medals to her people and country. In her short but on-going career, she had managed to win 35 gold, 12 silver and 15 bronze medals.

The other strong and civil rights activist is Maya Angelou. Maya Angelou was considered very magnificent in every career she had. From

Taytu made a remarkable

contribution to the war effort when she proposed to besiege

the Italian fort at Mekele by controlling

their water supply which was approved by

the Emperor