December 11, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — Being back from EU-Africa summit in Lisbon Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said, the current Ethio-Sudan cooperation in the road development sector will further be strengthened in other infrastructure development sectors too.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al-Basher inaugurated Al-Gadariff- Al-Galabat -Doka highway, few days ago which is believed to be a major land link to transport Ethiopian agricultural products to Sudan and fuel from Sudan in return.
Also, the Sudan’s First Vice President, Salva Kiir Mayadrit is expected tomorrow in Addis Ababa where he would hold talks on the bilateral ties between the tow countries and ways to strengthen the economic exchanges.
During the inauguration, Sudanese President, Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, has applauded the bilateral and all rounded cooperation of the two brotherly nations saying as "exemplary to other African countries."
The economic cooperation of the two countries is growing fast particularly in agriculture and energy sectors, Ethiopian Television reported in connection with a recent visit to Sudan of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.
The two neighboring countries are installing necessary infrastructure facilities such as trans-boundary road links to further enhance their multifarious cooperation.
Prime Minister Meles, during his stay in Sudan, also has held discussions with his Sudanese counterpart on issues related to South Sudan and Darfur crises.
The two leaders on the occasion have made fresh pledges to commit themselves in assuring lasting peace and managing conflicts.
The construction of the 156 km-long section was executed by an Egyptian constructor. The project has cost 30 million USD, 90% of which was from a grant provided by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) and 10 pct by the Sudanese Government
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Improving Bilateral Ties Between Kuwait and Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, December 12, 2007 (Addis Ababa) - Foreign Minister, Seyoum Mesfin announced on Wednesday that Ethiopia and Kuwait agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation after fruitful discussions held between senior government officials of the two countries.
Seyoum made the announcement after holding talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Sabah AL-Salem Al-Sabah on Ethio-Kuwait bilateral relations and on peace and security issues.
Seyoum said the two sisterly countries decided to bolster diplomatic and bilateral cooperation, especially in trade, investment, and political sectors.
The two countries also agreed to meet and hold discussions on international issues as well as on the prevailing situations in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.
As per the agreement reached between the two countries, an Ethio-Kuwait Joint Committee, composed of government officials and members of the business community, is to begin activities soon.
According to the minister, the two countries finalized preparations to sign labor accord that would enable Ethiopians work in that country.
Seyoum made the announcement after holding talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Sabah AL-Salem Al-Sabah on Ethio-Kuwait bilateral relations and on peace and security issues.
Seyoum said the two sisterly countries decided to bolster diplomatic and bilateral cooperation, especially in trade, investment, and political sectors.
The two countries also agreed to meet and hold discussions on international issues as well as on the prevailing situations in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.
As per the agreement reached between the two countries, an Ethio-Kuwait Joint Committee, composed of government officials and members of the business community, is to begin activities soon.
According to the minister, the two countries finalized preparations to sign labor accord that would enable Ethiopians work in that country.
Bali climate talks find focus in fund for poor nations
With UN climate talks here so far largely deadlocked, an agreement this week to breathe new life into a fund to help poor countries cope with a warming climate is set to be the big breakthrough of the conference.
The issue of adapting to climate change, despite the conference's primary goal of preventing further climate change, has gained new prominence at the Bali talks. Protecting the neediest countries from the effects of a warming world has now become a central theme of the gathering.
"Climate change affects us all, but it does not affect us all equally," Ban Ki Moon, secretary general of the United Nations, said Wednesday to a room of newly arrived ministers and heads of state at the opening of high-level sessions. "Those who are least able to cope are being hit hardest. Those who have done the least to cause the problem bear the gravest consequences."
The meeting in Bali is part of negotiations on how to invigorate a faltering 1992 treaty, the Framework Convention on Climate Change, and to replace the Kyoto Protocol, a 1997 addendum that requires three dozen industrialized countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by 2012.
The adaptation fund, which is managed by the Global Environment Facility, an independent financial organization, was established in Kyoto in 1997, but had been criticized for being too difficult to access and for raising only paltry sums of money.
Under an agreement reached by delegates Tuesday, developing countries and other institutions will have direct access to the fund, which is expected to streamline the funding of crucial projects in the developing world. The fund will be overseen by a 16-member board of representatives from both rich and poor countries.
The adaptation fund is to be maintained using a 2 percent tax on transactions within the Clean Development Mechanism, under which rich nations receive carbon credits for investing in sustainable projects in developing countries. The aim of the fund is to help protect those most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, like drought, flooding and severe storms.
"For the poor, this is clearly a recognition that participants here in Bali are serious about their concerns," said Monique Barbut, chief executive officer of the Global Environment Fund. "They can see that there has been a shift at the conference. It is not all about who is emitting, but it is also about the ones who are suffering from those emissions."
Indeed, in the past few years, negotiations over a global climate treaty have developed a dual focus - mitigating climate change and also adapting to it.
Some analysts, however, are skeptical about just how significant the establishment of the adaptation fund will be for the world's defense against environmental disasters associated with rising temperatures.
A recent United Nations Human Development Report detailed how the poor, especially along the equator, are the most vulnerable to climate hazards and lashed out at rich countries for not following through on their original financial commitments to help.
The report said that an additional 600 million people would be hungry, 200 million more displaced by floods and 400 million more exposed to diseases like malaria and dengue, if the world's temperature rises just two degrees Celsius.
Kevin Watkins, lead author of the report, said a lot of uncertainty remained about the level of actual resources that will be mobilized under the new agreement.
"This is not a final solution," he said on the sidelines of the Bali conference. "But we can see how the issue is starting to force its way up the climate change agenda."
Carbon trading is expected to become a $70 billion a year industry by the time the adaptation fund goes into effect in 2008. Still, garnering only 2 percent of that amount means it will fall well short of projected needs in the developing world. The Human Development Report called for $86 billion annually in new and additional financing for pro-poor adaptation.
Although not included in this week's agreement, the idea of extending the two percent tax to other financial mechanisms was discussed and could be included in later drafts. But until then, analysts hope that spending the money correctly will make up for not having enough. "It is not simply a question of additional money, it is using the money you already have in a smart way," said Hans Verlome, director of the Global Climate Change Program for WWF. "You will get more bang for your buck by investing in climate smart projects."
The issue of adapting to climate change, despite the conference's primary goal of preventing further climate change, has gained new prominence at the Bali talks. Protecting the neediest countries from the effects of a warming world has now become a central theme of the gathering.
"Climate change affects us all, but it does not affect us all equally," Ban Ki Moon, secretary general of the United Nations, said Wednesday to a room of newly arrived ministers and heads of state at the opening of high-level sessions. "Those who are least able to cope are being hit hardest. Those who have done the least to cause the problem bear the gravest consequences."
The meeting in Bali is part of negotiations on how to invigorate a faltering 1992 treaty, the Framework Convention on Climate Change, and to replace the Kyoto Protocol, a 1997 addendum that requires three dozen industrialized countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by 2012.
The adaptation fund, which is managed by the Global Environment Facility, an independent financial organization, was established in Kyoto in 1997, but had been criticized for being too difficult to access and for raising only paltry sums of money.
Under an agreement reached by delegates Tuesday, developing countries and other institutions will have direct access to the fund, which is expected to streamline the funding of crucial projects in the developing world. The fund will be overseen by a 16-member board of representatives from both rich and poor countries.
The adaptation fund is to be maintained using a 2 percent tax on transactions within the Clean Development Mechanism, under which rich nations receive carbon credits for investing in sustainable projects in developing countries. The aim of the fund is to help protect those most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, like drought, flooding and severe storms.
"For the poor, this is clearly a recognition that participants here in Bali are serious about their concerns," said Monique Barbut, chief executive officer of the Global Environment Fund. "They can see that there has been a shift at the conference. It is not all about who is emitting, but it is also about the ones who are suffering from those emissions."
Indeed, in the past few years, negotiations over a global climate treaty have developed a dual focus - mitigating climate change and also adapting to it.
Some analysts, however, are skeptical about just how significant the establishment of the adaptation fund will be for the world's defense against environmental disasters associated with rising temperatures.
A recent United Nations Human Development Report detailed how the poor, especially along the equator, are the most vulnerable to climate hazards and lashed out at rich countries for not following through on their original financial commitments to help.
The report said that an additional 600 million people would be hungry, 200 million more displaced by floods and 400 million more exposed to diseases like malaria and dengue, if the world's temperature rises just two degrees Celsius.
Kevin Watkins, lead author of the report, said a lot of uncertainty remained about the level of actual resources that will be mobilized under the new agreement.
"This is not a final solution," he said on the sidelines of the Bali conference. "But we can see how the issue is starting to force its way up the climate change agenda."
Carbon trading is expected to become a $70 billion a year industry by the time the adaptation fund goes into effect in 2008. Still, garnering only 2 percent of that amount means it will fall well short of projected needs in the developing world. The Human Development Report called for $86 billion annually in new and additional financing for pro-poor adaptation.
Although not included in this week's agreement, the idea of extending the two percent tax to other financial mechanisms was discussed and could be included in later drafts. But until then, analysts hope that spending the money correctly will make up for not having enough. "It is not simply a question of additional money, it is using the money you already have in a smart way," said Hans Verlome, director of the Global Climate Change Program for WWF. "You will get more bang for your buck by investing in climate smart projects."
Former southern rebels to rejoin Sudan government
Former southern rebels to rejoin Sudan govern- Sudan's former southern rebels said on Tuesday they would order ministers to rejoin a national coalition government, ending one of the biggest political crises to hit the country since the end of a two-decade civil war.The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) said it would end its boycott of the Government of National Unity on Wednesday after leader Salva Kiir met President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and resolved a string of grievances.The SPLM pulled its ministers out of the coalition government in October, accusing Khartoum of stalling on a 2005 peace deal that ended Africa's longest civil war.The move sparked a bitter row between the sides and stirred fears of a return to conflict.But SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum told reporters that Kiir and Bashir had now resolved almost all the points of contention, including a timetable for the withdrawal of troops to either side of Sudan's north-south border.The SPLM and Khartoum were still at loggerheads over the demarcation of the central oil-rich Abyei region, he said. But both Bashir and Kiir had agreed to discuss the issue again in a week and were confident it could be resolved, he added."We have achieved a lot... We have resolved all the outstanding issues that caused the crisis, with the exception of Abyei," said Amum.Kiir is Sudan's first vice president as well as head of the SPLM.Abyei's status was left unresolved in the agreement signed between Khartoum and the SPLM in 2005. Khartoum eventually rejected the findings of an independent commission on the demarcation.Amum said the SPLM had agreed to provide all necessary funds for border demarcation and a national census."We have also agreed to institute a full transparent system in the management of the oil sector," he said. All political parties would also start on a programme of "national reconciliation" to heal wounds left by the rift.The sharing of oil revenues has been one of the most contentious issues since the peace deal. The census is supposed to pave the way for national elections in 2009 and a referendum on the possible secession of the south in 2011.Around 2 million people died during more than 20 years of north-south fighting, fuelled by the discovery of oil against a background of ethnic and religious differences.Oil is linked to conflict elsewhere in Sudan too.Rebels from western Darfur said on Tuesday they had seized a Chinese-run oil field and vowed more assaults on other installations. Sudanese media denied the report, saying a small rebel attack had been repelled.The Justice and Equality movement said it carried out the attack to force Chinese oil firms to leave. The insurgent group accuses Beijing of arming Khartoum and financing the government through oil revenues.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
'Dozens killed' in Algeria blasts
'Dozens killed' in Algeria blasts The Algerian capital, Algiers, has been rocked by two deadly bomb attacks, on the country's Constitutional Council and the offices of the United Nations.
Medical officials have said more than 60 people were killed, but Algeria's Interior Minister, Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni, has only confirmed 22 deaths.
The bombs were the latest in a series of attacks in Algeria this year.
No group has admitted responsibility, but Mr Zerhouni has blamed a militant Islamist group linked to al-Qaeda.
A recently-arrested militant had revealed that the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) had planned several months ago to attack one of Tuesday's targets, Mr Zerhouni said.
BBC Security Correspondent Frank Gardner says the manner of the bombings and choice of targets suggest the involvement of the group, which is now known as al-Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb.
I would like to condemn it in the strongest terms - it cannot be justified in any circumstances UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
Earlier, Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem called off a cabinet meeting to visit hospitals where the injured were being treated.
"These are crimes that targeted innocent people. Students and school children were among the victims. Nothing can justify the crime," he said.
The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, also condemned the bombings, saying they were "just unacceptable".
"I would like to condemn it in the strongest terms. It cannot be justified in any circumstances," he told reporters.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, whose staff were caught in the blast, told the BBC that he had "no doubt that the UN was targeted".
The US government called the attacks an act of "senseless violence" on the innocent by the "enemies of humanity".
Students killed
In the attack near the Constitutional Council, a bus packed with students was passing by when the vehicle containing the bomb exploded at around 0930 (0830 GMT).
Security officials said the bus took the full force of the blast and was ripped apart, killing and injuring many of those on board.
At the UN offices in Hydra, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) building bore the brunt of the blast. A residential building and the UNHCR headquarters across the road were also damaged, witnesses said.
Sophie Haspeslagh, who works for the UNDP, told the BBC that she was in a corridor when the blast occurred.
"Everything shattered. Everything fell. I hid under a piece of furniture so I wouldn't be hit by the debris," she said.
"I was holding my jacket on my face because I couldn't breathe."
Ms Haspeslagh said a large part of the UNDP building was destroyed and it was feared people were trapped inside.
A spokesman for the UNDP, Jean Fabre, said at least 12 UN staff members were missing, while the UNHCR said one of its drivers had been killed and another was missing.
However, Algerian Interior Minister Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni said no UN personnel had been among the 12 dead bodies so far recovered in Hydra.
'Suicide bomber'
Earlier, Mr Zerhouni said the explosions had been caused by two car bombs, and that the one at the UN was triggered by a suicide bomber.
Ms Haspeslagh said one of her colleagues had seen a white van drive into the main UN offices then explode.
There have been a series of bomb attacks across Algeria during the past year in which scores of people have died.
In September more than 50 people were killed in suicide attacks - one of them involved a truck packed with explosives being driven into a coast-guard base.
Al-Qaeda link?
Members of the public have recently held rallies in protest at the upsurge in violence.
VIOLENCE IN 2007
6 September: 22 die in bombing in Batna claimed by al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb
8 September: 32 die in bombing in Dellys claimed by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
July: Suicide bomber targets barracks near Bouira, killing nine
May: Dozens killed in run-up to elections, in fighting between military and militants
April: 33 killed in Algiers in attacks claimed by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
March: Three Algerians and a Russian killed in attack on gas pipeline workers
February: Seven bombs kill six east of Algiers
Many of the recent blasts have been claimed by members of al-Qaeda's North Africa wing, calling themselves al-Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb (AQLIM), including a triple suicide bombing in Algiers in April which killed 33 people.
The militant group was previously known as the GSPC, but changed its name when it reportedly joined forces with al-Qaeda last year.
BBC regional analyst Roger Hardy says it is unclear how far the group really is linked to Osama Bin Laden's organisation, and how far it is merely inspired by it.
What is worrying Western experts and North African governments is the possibility that radical Islamists in the region no longer have a merely local agenda but are linked to a wider web of international networks.
Algeria suffered a brutal and bloody civil war in the 1990s, but in recent years violence had declined.
Did you witness the explosions or are you in the area? Use the form below to send us your accounts, some of which may be published.
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Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/7137997.stmPublished: 2007/12/11 17:58:56 GMT© BBC MMVII
Medical officials have said more than 60 people were killed, but Algeria's Interior Minister, Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni, has only confirmed 22 deaths.
The bombs were the latest in a series of attacks in Algeria this year.
No group has admitted responsibility, but Mr Zerhouni has blamed a militant Islamist group linked to al-Qaeda.
A recently-arrested militant had revealed that the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) had planned several months ago to attack one of Tuesday's targets, Mr Zerhouni said.
BBC Security Correspondent Frank Gardner says the manner of the bombings and choice of targets suggest the involvement of the group, which is now known as al-Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb.
I would like to condemn it in the strongest terms - it cannot be justified in any circumstances UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
Earlier, Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem called off a cabinet meeting to visit hospitals where the injured were being treated.
"These are crimes that targeted innocent people. Students and school children were among the victims. Nothing can justify the crime," he said.
The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, also condemned the bombings, saying they were "just unacceptable".
"I would like to condemn it in the strongest terms. It cannot be justified in any circumstances," he told reporters.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, whose staff were caught in the blast, told the BBC that he had "no doubt that the UN was targeted".
The US government called the attacks an act of "senseless violence" on the innocent by the "enemies of humanity".
Students killed
In the attack near the Constitutional Council, a bus packed with students was passing by when the vehicle containing the bomb exploded at around 0930 (0830 GMT).
Security officials said the bus took the full force of the blast and was ripped apart, killing and injuring many of those on board.
At the UN offices in Hydra, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) building bore the brunt of the blast. A residential building and the UNHCR headquarters across the road were also damaged, witnesses said.
Sophie Haspeslagh, who works for the UNDP, told the BBC that she was in a corridor when the blast occurred.
"Everything shattered. Everything fell. I hid under a piece of furniture so I wouldn't be hit by the debris," she said.
"I was holding my jacket on my face because I couldn't breathe."
Ms Haspeslagh said a large part of the UNDP building was destroyed and it was feared people were trapped inside.
A spokesman for the UNDP, Jean Fabre, said at least 12 UN staff members were missing, while the UNHCR said one of its drivers had been killed and another was missing.
However, Algerian Interior Minister Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni said no UN personnel had been among the 12 dead bodies so far recovered in Hydra.
'Suicide bomber'
Earlier, Mr Zerhouni said the explosions had been caused by two car bombs, and that the one at the UN was triggered by a suicide bomber.
Ms Haspeslagh said one of her colleagues had seen a white van drive into the main UN offices then explode.
There have been a series of bomb attacks across Algeria during the past year in which scores of people have died.
In September more than 50 people were killed in suicide attacks - one of them involved a truck packed with explosives being driven into a coast-guard base.
Al-Qaeda link?
Members of the public have recently held rallies in protest at the upsurge in violence.
VIOLENCE IN 2007
6 September: 22 die in bombing in Batna claimed by al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb
8 September: 32 die in bombing in Dellys claimed by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
July: Suicide bomber targets barracks near Bouira, killing nine
May: Dozens killed in run-up to elections, in fighting between military and militants
April: 33 killed in Algiers in attacks claimed by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
March: Three Algerians and a Russian killed in attack on gas pipeline workers
February: Seven bombs kill six east of Algiers
Many of the recent blasts have been claimed by members of al-Qaeda's North Africa wing, calling themselves al-Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb (AQLIM), including a triple suicide bombing in Algiers in April which killed 33 people.
The militant group was previously known as the GSPC, but changed its name when it reportedly joined forces with al-Qaeda last year.
BBC regional analyst Roger Hardy says it is unclear how far the group really is linked to Osama Bin Laden's organisation, and how far it is merely inspired by it.
What is worrying Western experts and North African governments is the possibility that radical Islamists in the region no longer have a merely local agenda but are linked to a wider web of international networks.
Algeria suffered a brutal and bloody civil war in the 1990s, but in recent years violence had declined.
Did you witness the explosions or are you in the area? Use the form below to send us your accounts, some of which may be published.
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via mobile please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100 .
If you have a large file you can upload here.
Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name
Your E-mail address
Town & Country
Phone number (optional):
Comments
Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/7137997.stmPublished: 2007/12/11 17:58:56 GMT© BBC MMVII
Rice visit highlights major African issues Sudan’s Al-bashir meets Meles
By Andualem Sisay
The Capital
10 December 2007
United States Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, on Wednesday December 5, 2007 met with various African leaders in Addis Ababa and discussed on some of the current major issues of the continent.In her one-day visit, Secretary Rice held talks with the leaders bilaterally and multilaterally on issues such as resolving the conflict in the Great Lakes region, re-building Somalia, deploying peacekeepers to Darfur, HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis. In the morning, Dr. Rice had a multilateral discussion on the problems of the Great Lakes region with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the Republic of Uganda, President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda, President Pierre Nkurunziza of the Republic of Burundi, and Minister of State for Interior Denis Kalume, representing President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo. After the meeting took place in a spirit of frank and open exchange that helped to build trust among the member states, they all agreed on three major points, according to the statement the US Embassy in Addis Ababa dispatched to the media. Strengthening state institutions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in the security sector, as a prerequisite for long-term solutions to insecurity in Eastern Congo is one of the areas they have agreed on. As part of this accord, they will also commit themselves to supporting the rapid strengthening of these institutions. The Great Lakes member states have also agreed not to harbor any negative forces by denying them safe haven or support. They have also agreed on the implementation of the existing agreements among member states, including that the November 9, 2007 Nairobi Communiqué signed by the Congolese and Rwandan Governments, must urgently be implemented. The participants recommitted to do so, including by strengthening the Joint Verification Commission between Congo and Rwanda with third-party assistance.“Some of the problems have been dealt with. There are, however, some residual problems which need to be addressed, and we had a very thorough discussion,” said Uganda’s President Museveni at a press conference organized after their agreement.“Part of the danger for Africa is handling issues in a superficial way, and I am glad that Secretary Rice agreed to stay in the conclave. When you are electing the Pope, you don’t elect him in public, you first have a conclave. So we had a conclave of only the leaders, and we had a very thorough discussion,” he added. In a statement distributed to the media by the US Embassy in Addis Ababa, Secretary Rice on her part said: “We welcome this opportunity to support our Great Lakes partners as they work together to forge a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future for their people. I am here to underscore the commitment of the United States to your success. The United States remains committed to providing humanitarian assistance to address the current emergency in eastern Congo.”“We look forward to the full and rapid implementation of provisions of the November 9 Nairobi communique as a major step toward eliminating the threat of violence and enabling development as we press for peace, safety, respect for human rights and justice for all of the people of the Great Lakes region,” she added.
Rebuilding Somalia Later in the afternoon, Secretary Rice met with representatives of Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG,) including newly appointed Prime Minister Nur Adde Hassan Hussein and encouraged the TFG to renew and revitalize efforts towards a lasting political solution based on the Transitional Federal Charter. “I hope Prime Minister Hussein will draw on his humanitarian background to help facilitate delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid. A ceasefire agreement with key stakeholders, such as clan and business leaders, would be an important step in helping to facilitate delivery of humanitarian assistance, and would reduce the level of violence and create the conditions for longer-term security sector reform,” said Rice. “I also encouraged Prime Minister Hussein to develop a timeline for the remainder of the transitional process by early January, including the drafting of a new constitution and electoral law, as the first step in this process,” she added.Regarding the Somalia case, she also exchanged views with representatives from the African Union and United Nations to discuss the regional strategy to help restore lasting peace and stability in Somalia, including efforts to support the full and timely deployment of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and progress towards national elections in 2009.
Discussion on Darfur crisesRice also discussed on the issue of Darfur with different actors in the conflict. Although there was no official announcement about Rice meeting with Sudan’s president, Mr. Albashier was seen meeting with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in Addis Ababa on Ethiopian television that evening. According to the statement dispatched to the press following the meeting, the international community’s commitment to working with the Sudanese to see the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) implemented quickly was underscored. “The CPA – an historic accord that ended 21 years of a brutal civil war – provides the best framework for a peaceful, democratic Sudan. The parties to this agreement are obligated to make every effort to guarantee its success.” This meeting also demonstrates broad commitment from states in the region and partners around the world to support the North and the South as they work to solve disputes like the Abyei boundary, conduct a census, and move to deploy their troops in accordance with the CPA. Free, fair and transparent elections in 2009, as stipulated by the CPA, are the best hope of building and sustaining a unified Sudan, the statement continues.“We also urge all players in Sudan to end the violence in Darfur and to support everyone in the country who wants peace, security, and prosperity for themselves and their children,” she said. During her stay, Rice also discussed with Prime Minister Meles and representatives of the Ethiopian government on issues of bilateral importance to both nations, with a focus on Ethiopia’s relations with Somalia, Sudan and Eritrea. During the discussion she held with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has also expressed her government’s interest of the rapid deployment of Ethiopian troops pledged to the United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). She also urged Meles to work with Khartoum to allow UNAMID deployments, including non-African troops, to move forward unhindered. Rice also urged the Prime Minister to avoid any acts that might heighten friction between Eritrea and Ethiopia and to take concrete steps to lessen tensions on the border. “There must not be a resumption of hostilities initiated by either side,” she said. The discussion between the two sides also included the importance of strengthening democratic institutions in Ethiopia and the issue of food security, with a specific focus on ensuring unrestricted commercial food delivery throughout the country, including the Ogaden.Regarding Somalia they also discussed the need for the TFG to urgently resume the transitional political process outlined by the Transitional Federal Charter leading towards national elections in 2009. “We emphasized the need for a comprehensive ceasefire agreement to be forged between Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and non-extremist opposition groups, which would help prevent further violence and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Mogadishu,” she said in the statement. Other areas of discussion included regional security and fighting terrorism; democracy and human rights; economic development and food security; and public health concerns such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. She also indicated that the Bush Administration is against HR 2003, which is expected to be presented for the Senate of the US with the intention of protecting human rights in Ethiopia by its advocates and the recently released opposition party leaders of Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD). “The administration does not support this particular house resolution,” she said.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Sudan oil revenues reach $536 mln last October
December 2, 2007 (KHARTOUM) – Oil revenues in the country last October reached 536 million, its highest rate since the beginning of petroleum production in the Sudan, the official SUNA reported.
Sudan’s oil revenues of last October registered the highest rate since the beginning of petroleum production, where it registered 536 million dollars, 419.4 million dollars of which from exports return and 116.6 million dollars as the proceeds of the domestically used petroleum.
The increase of the revenues is attributed to the rise of the Dar Field production alongside receiving of three shipments of last August exports revenues.
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance and National Economy, al- Sheikh al-Mak pointed out that the share of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) of the oil revenues was 208.3 million dollars of which 172.4 million dollars of exports and 35.9 million dollars of the locally used oil, adding that GoSS received 178.3 million dollars represents the total of direct remittances from the centre.
He made these statements following a regular meeting of the Joint Committee for Oil Accounts, which includes the National Government and Government of Southern Sudan.
The committee reviewed production position, prices, domestic use and exports and sharing of the return in accordance with the provisions of wealth-sharing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
The committee also reviewed the Oil Revenues Stabilization Account (ORSA) which registered 153.8 million dollars in last October and the share of oil producing states which amounted to 9.56 million dollars; 3.45 million dollars for the Unity State, 4.04 million dollars for Upper Nile State and South Kordofan State 2.07 million dollars.
According to the national wealth sharing protocol, signed on 7 January 2004 by the government of the National Congress Party and the SPLM, at least 2.0 pct of the oil revenue is allocated to the oil-producing states in proportion to their output.
After the payment to Oil Revenue Stabilization Account and to the oil producing states/regions, fifty percent (50%) of net oil revenue derived from oil producing wells are allocated to the Government of Southern Sudan and the remaining fifty percent (50%) to the National Government and states in northern Sudan.
Sudan’s oil revenues of last October registered the highest rate since the beginning of petroleum production, where it registered 536 million dollars, 419.4 million dollars of which from exports return and 116.6 million dollars as the proceeds of the domestically used petroleum.
The increase of the revenues is attributed to the rise of the Dar Field production alongside receiving of three shipments of last August exports revenues.
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance and National Economy, al- Sheikh al-Mak pointed out that the share of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) of the oil revenues was 208.3 million dollars of which 172.4 million dollars of exports and 35.9 million dollars of the locally used oil, adding that GoSS received 178.3 million dollars represents the total of direct remittances from the centre.
He made these statements following a regular meeting of the Joint Committee for Oil Accounts, which includes the National Government and Government of Southern Sudan.
The committee reviewed production position, prices, domestic use and exports and sharing of the return in accordance with the provisions of wealth-sharing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
The committee also reviewed the Oil Revenues Stabilization Account (ORSA) which registered 153.8 million dollars in last October and the share of oil producing states which amounted to 9.56 million dollars; 3.45 million dollars for the Unity State, 4.04 million dollars for Upper Nile State and South Kordofan State 2.07 million dollars.
According to the national wealth sharing protocol, signed on 7 January 2004 by the government of the National Congress Party and the SPLM, at least 2.0 pct of the oil revenue is allocated to the oil-producing states in proportion to their output.
After the payment to Oil Revenue Stabilization Account and to the oil producing states/regions, fifty percent (50%) of net oil revenue derived from oil producing wells are allocated to the Government of Southern Sudan and the remaining fifty percent (50%) to the National Government and states in northern Sudan.
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