Source: IRIN

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 MODJO, 13 July 2010 (IRIN) - Ethiopia has lifted a two-year ban on the export of cereals such maize and sorghum, following a good harvest which has led to surpluses, according to a government official.  

"The ban is lifted mainly due to low prices in the market," said Amakele Yimam, corporate communications director at the Federal Ministry of Trade and Industry. "Ethiopia is now producing a lot. Exports will definitely benefit all stakeholders in the export process, especially smallholder farmers."

SO PREDICTABLE was the result of the recent general election in Ethiopia that the announcement that Meles Zenawi, the prime minister, had been returned to office seemed almost comically triumphant. His ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) won 499 out of 547 parliamentary seats—with all but two others going to EPRDF-allied parties—and all but one of 1,904 council seats in regional elections. The voter turnout was a vertiginous 93.4%. This was one-party rule with a vengeance: the triumph of repression, the squashing of dissenting voices and the shutting down of independent media.

Yet many in the West had high hopes for the clever and resourceful Mr Zenawi, who came to power nearly 20 years ago. Once a mate of Britain’s former prime minister Tony Blair, for instance, Mr Zenawi sat on Mr Blair’s Commission for Africa which in 2005 outlined a comprehensive approach to solving Africa’s many problems. Mr Zenawi was supposed to be the brightest example of a new generation of leaders who were going to combine good governance with making poverty history. In fact, as this year’s election proved, there is precious little of the former, and as Peter Gill’s well-written and accessible book shows, still an awful lot of poverty.

ADDIS ABABA — The total forest cover of Ethiopia has tripled in size since 2000 as a result of large-scale reforestation campaigns, the authorities announced on Thursday.

The impoverished Horn of Africa nation, which suffered from chronic droughts and famine in the past, has in recent years undertaken massive tree-planting campaigns to help reduce land degradation and improve its biodiversity.

"Ethiopia was able to increase its forest coverage to nine percent now from only three percent previously," the agriculture ministry said in a statement.

"The increase... is attributed to the forestation campaign launched all over the country since the last decade," it added.

Ethiopia covers 1.1 million square kilometres and is sub-Saharan Africa's second most populous country.

Ethiopia is one of the most stunning places on earth. Our motto is “13 Months of Sunshine” because of its wonderful, sunny climate–even during the couple of months during the rainy season. Travelers marvel at the incredible greenery, majestic mountains, and—most of all—Ethiopia’s beautiful people. Ethiopia’s existence dates back almost 3,000 years. Here, in fact, is where the legendary skeleton of Lucy was discovered. She is evidence of one of the earliest traces of our hominid ancestors—she is slightly older than 3.2 million years old.

However, more than anything else, the beauty of Ethiopia is our culture. If any culture has grasped the fact that life is short, Ethiopia certainly belongs in the top tier of candidates. Growing up, I could never understand why, when someone came to our house, even unannounced, my mom would drop whatever she was doing and invite the person in. It did not matter what time of day it was; she would offer the visiting individual a meal. She would sit down and share, laugh, and cry with the “uninvited” guest. I witnessed this throughout all the years I was growing up. My mom, through her actions, taught my siblings and me that life is all about sharing what you have with others–even when you have the least of which to share.

When I went to Ethiopia to work as a volunteer at famine relief camps, I saw this graciousness with even more clarity. Each day, the volunteers would give the local people a small can of protein-fortified flour so they could bake bread or make porridge to eat at home. This was their daily ration for the whole family! The volunteers, on the other hand, had more than sufficient food. And yet, there were times when the locals would invite us to share their “ration” knowing that we could eat to our content elsewhere. To me, that was the ultimate sign of generosity and hospitality.

When I saw the Mystery of the Nile, a film produced by IMAX theatres few years back, I was awestruck by the beauty of Ethiopia and her people. Last year, on December 9th, CNN’s Budget Travel segment featured Ethiopia as being the place to go to on vacation. Evidently, we come from a country that is deeply admired and has a profound and rich history and culture to match. If you have not visited Ethiopia or have not returned for a long while, you will be struck by the beauty of Ethiopia and her people.

I live in Northern California, Silicon Valley, where people move at 400 miles an hour. It is a different environment than the one I witnessed growing up in Ethiopia. However, having an Ethiopian upbringing has enabled me to slow down and smell the roses. My background has truly given me a peaceful balance. Today, no matter how much money there is to be made, I try to keep everything in stride.

I make sure that I have time first for God, second for myself, and third for family and friends before I commit myself to anything else. I want to make sure that I don’t let the wont of money or financial gain overtake my need for spiritual fulfillment nor rob me of the relationships that I cherish. I ensure that I take time each day to cook healthy food, workout, get enough rest and have time for family and friends. At the end of the day, what is most important is not my financial portfolio; instead, my health, my relationship with God, and my family and friends are the core of my essence. I found that I am at my happiest when these things are in sync; no amount of money can supplant this happiness.

Last year, my aunt passed away at the age of 94. During this time of sorrow, I have noticed that the Ethiopians in this younger generation—who adapt to the fast-paced western lifestyle—are suffering from fatal diseases at a much younger age. I am talking about heart attack, high-blood pressure, and diabetes to name but a few ailments. Though the world around you seems to be running non-stop, you don’t have to follow in the same frantic pace. Take time to enjoy each day; a day is the only asset that you can’t recoup. So, as you make goals and resolutions for the rest of your life, I do hope that you will keep this mantra into consideration—Carpe Diem, seize the day!

(AFP)

Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda in May signed the Nile Basin Cooperative Framework meant to replace a 1959 accord between Egypt and Sudan that gives them control of more than 90 percent of the water flow.

"The government of Ethiopia pays tribute ... to (outgoing) President Dahir Riyale Kahin for his high sense of obligation to the people of Somaliland ... and to the leader of the winning party Ahmed Mohamud Silaanyo for his magnanimity and for his commitment," a foreign ministry statement said.

"The people of Somaliland can always count on the full support of the government and people of Ethiopia as they continue to preserve their peace and stability and ensure the democratic process is protected," it added.

Tax evasion in Ethiopia

As you, all know, Ethiopians don’t have expire date on their government period. When the Prime Minster is ready to resign, you will be told by then. Till then, you have to wait and see. We do have a lot of rules and regulation’ Excessive power of charge is ample here in Ethiopia. There is high possibility that you could be arrested today, tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. 

Many have been detained but few are charged. Charges have different scenarios. Here in Ethiopia Tax invasion is different from the general term for efforts to not pay taxes by illegal means. Tax invasion in Ethiopia is pure politics.

Charge#1 -Earlier; may be a primary attack was started with Birhane Mewa, Former Ethiopia chamber of commerce president, from his suggestion that the government should give protection for Ethiopian infant industries who were really struggling against the competition from Chinese manufacturers.

Ethiopia says record budget to boost infrastructure

By Barry Malone

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopia on Thursday passed a record 77.2 billion birr annual budget that targets infrastructure development to drive growth in one of Africa's poorest but fastest-growing countries.

The 2010/11 budget is up 20 percent from 64.5 billion birr in 2009/10 and is the biggest budget ever approved by the country's parliament.

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi told MPs that Ethiopia had budgeted a bigger slice of its total budget -- 70 percent -- on poverty reduction and infrastructure development programs than any other country in Africa.

"The government is working hard to electrify rural towns and a large amount of our development spending will go on roads," Meles said.

The figures in the budget were unchanged from a draft proposal presented to parliament for debate last month by Finance Minister Sufian Ahmed.

China, Ethiopia Vow to Build Closer Military Ties

E African nations firm on Nile deal

Five East African countries have announced their refusal to go back on a deal they signed last month to share the waters of the Nile, despite fierce criticism from Egypt and Sudan.

The stand was adopted as the latest meeting of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, ended with open disagreements on Sunday.

After more than a decade of talks driven by anger over the perceived injustice of a previous Nile water treaty signed in 1929, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya signed the agreement in May without their northern neighbours.