Ethiopia: Ambassador urges international community to enhance humanitarian support in Tigray

The Ethiopian Ambassador to Germany, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic, Mulu Solomon held a fruitful discussion with the Director of the Sub-Saharan Africa Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Nicol Adamcová.

The discussion focused on the latest developments on the Great Renaissance Dam (GERD), the border issue with Sudan, the current situation in Tigray, the Sixth National Election and other mutually beneficial bilateral issues.

On the occasion, Ambassador Mulu expressed her gratitude to the Government of the Czech Republic for the recent initiative to respond to COVID-19 and regular health services, oxygen production plants, Intensive Care Units (ICU) worth 20 million of Birr that strengthens ties and historical friendship.

Regarding the situation in Tigray, the ambassador stressed that the government’s measure on TPLF prevented the Horn from becoming a focus of terrorism.

He claimed that the government was able to provide humanitarian assistance to more than 4.1 million citizens by building the destroyed infrastructure that was destroyed by TPLF.

He also mentioned that the aid already provided was 70 percent covered by the government, while 30 percent was covered by the international community and NGOs.

Ambassador Mulu also called for more support from the international community, as it has been about 40 days since unrestricted access and unhindered mobility have been allowed for humanitarian agencies in the Tigray region.

Ambassador Mulu also gave a briefing and expressed Ethiopia’s position on the GERD negotiation and the border conflict with Sudan.

He stated that Ethiopia is always in favor of a peaceful and negotiated solution for both cases and called for the benefit of GERD for all and the truth on the ground to be understood.

Nicol Adamcová, Director of the Sub-Saharan Africa Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, praised the long-standing bilateral relationship between Ethiopia and the Czech Republic.

He expressed the support of 10 million CZK granted by the Czech Republic through UNHCR to ease the burden on the Ethiopian government at the end of last year.

The director added that, as cooperation continued, Ethiopia and the Czech Republic signed a memorandum of understanding for the oxygen production plant, the maternity ICUs and the NICU worth 20 million birr.

Adamcová noted that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s personal initiative for reform, including work done to improve the role of women in the country’s politics and beyond, is impressive.

She stated that Ethiopia has become a champion in the empowerment of women and their incorporation into politics.

The director also noted that Ethiopia is considered a provider of regional stability, according to the Foreign Ministry.