Let us unite with love; surpass in forgiveness!

Vol. LXXVI No 261 11 July 2020 - Hamle 4, 2012 Price Birr 5.75

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Ethiopian reopens flight to some

destinations

Attorney General says apprehends assassin of Hachalu Hundessa

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Ministry to operate mobile application to alleviate

transport gaps, traffic jams

Demolishing infrastructures, public

properties could pull down economic growth, democratic

system: Scholars stress

Agro processing industrial parks to

modernize agriculture, increase export

NewsPAGE 2 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020

BY HAILE DEMEKE

ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopian airlines announced that it is ready to re-open flight after the outbreak coronavirus pandemic.

According to information obtained from the Airlines corporate communication unit that, the government of Ethiopia is ready and started flight to different countries

BY STAFF REPORTER

ADDIS ABABA-- Attorney General says it has apprehended assassin of the slain singer Hachalu Hundessa and one of its accomplices while a second accomplice remains at large.

Attorney General Adanech Abebe told the media yesterday that the assassins name is Tilahun Yami. She quoted Tilahun as saying that he received the mission from Shene, a faction of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF).

According to Tilahun while receiving the identification and plate number of the person to be slain; he was advised to take advantage of the governments weakness kill some individuals for the good of the people of Oromo, as well as to prosper himself and his family.

The government is shadowing Kebede Gemechu, who remains at large and urged the public to lend a hand to capture the culprit.

Similar assassination and attempts perpetrated during the last two Junes were efforts to seize power through violence, the Attorney General said.

She further warned those who fan unrest from abroad and their accomplices at home to refrain from their acts, or to face legal actions.

Ethiopian reopens flight to some destinations

Attorney General says apprehends

assassin of Hachalu Hundessa

BY ZELALEM GIRMA

Demolishing infrastructures and public properties cannot be considered as the improvement of democratic system that can only be built when there is respect for rule of law, not through anarchism or sabotage. Every political actors have to do their own homework to maintain peace and stability in the country, economist and politician stressed.

Ass. Professor Atlaw Alemu (Ph.D) tells The Ethiopian Herald that demolishing infrastructures and public properties could pull down not only the economy, but also the democratic system. Both economy and democracy can only be built when people respect rule of law, not through anarchism or sabotage, he stresses.

Of course, the kind of demolishing infrastructures and public resources wouldn’t be recognized as robbery; it is rather an expression of distracting others, not to live in the place they exist or invest. It is a message: “we don’t want you to live or exist here,” Atlaw believes.

“It is not symbol for the true manifestation of democratic system; it is rather can be called as terror that could happen through burning, demolishing, threatening, for their hidden political agenda. It is not also a kind of political struggle; in which a political struggle can be entertained through open

Demolishing infrastructures, public properties could pull down economic growth, democratic system: Scholars stress

discussion and peaceful negotiation.”

As to him, such actors of infrastructural destruction is old-style approach of coming to power. It is totally a mission of sabotage and demolition. The other reason is envy to pull down other capable energies.

The damage of infrastructures and properties could hurt not only the single possessor but also the local society who can get advantage or service, Atlaw explained.

If you are chasing investors from your environment, you are distracting other investors to come in your area. Once investors are pushed to leave the place, they could move with their resources to other places of their convenient.

“In developing countries like Ethiopia, the major problem for domestic investment is shortage of capital, poor infrastructure, and lack of raw material for manufacturing industries. Therefore, devastating such multi-million assets costs a bigger value, particularly for the society who are benefiting from it.”

“Thus, it is true to say that those who are destroying public properties and infrastructures are the one who got in to fighting with themselves,” he evokes.

Prof. Merera Gudina, Chairman to The Oromo Federalist Congress, tells this reporter that it is not uncommon to say

public anger may happen because of unscrupulous political system. Rule of law should not be used as a means to be rude against those who are assumed as enemies of government.

As to Prof. Merera, any political change that could fulfill the existence of good governance, civil greatest needs, and meaningful economic development is key to ensure peace and stability for long. The government should maintain stability in the country through recognizing people’s taste that could never provoke unwanted anger.

“One should ask himself about who is violating rule of law, but it is a kind of Budda politics, in my language, which means pointing out one’s finger over the other. Who is Budda; is it government or the opposition? The supremacy of rule of law requires open discussion and the need to reach consensus.”

Prof. Merera also says that the youths who are starving, and dissatisfied with the political system may not easily understand the value of tolerance; for example, many youths are exposed for physical lose in foreign countries, but no one cannot stop them since they are once discouraged by internal affairs.

Asked what should be done to soothe such unwanted and old-style expression of objection, Dr. Atlaw believes that the youths

have to be wise and uncooperative with those who are blindly engaged in sabotage and instability.

“The society have to stand together to protect themselves from such evil acts. Whereas the government needs to be pioneer to take serious and quick measures, and to handle the breakdown of rule of law,” Atlaw suggests.

According to Prof.Merera, every political actors have to do their own homework to maintain peace and stability in the country.

“National consensus should be made in major political agendas, particularly the government has to take the responsibility to create forum for widening the political landscape. It is rather commendable either to identify who is the Budda or moving to safeguard the nation.”

Competing political parties need to carry on the win-win political pathway so as to avoid the political polarization appeared among political actors in this country for several years, he says.

It is imperative to create conducive environment to maintain the needs of the youth, and give them hope to grow rich in their own country. Decreasing unemployment is also crucial along with tolerance and co-existence despite some inconvenience are observed, Prof. Merera suggests.

after the outbreak of the coronavirus. The airline already started flight to Dubai July 8 onwards, he indicated.

He said that the airlines will start flight to Djibouti next week. The airlines resumed flight to 40 countries including Djibouti, Kenya and Dubai. The government is planned to reopen flight to the rest of the world as destination countries open their

doors, Ashenafi says.

As the government of Ethiopia is stepping up readiness for the outbreak the coronavirus pandemic, the airline started flight following the directives given by each country to protect passengers from the pandemic. According to him the airline is equipped with all necessary materials so as to protect the passengers from the pandemic.

The Ethiopian Herald

Established in 1943Published daily except MondaysBy The Ethiopian Press Agency

Saturday’s Team

Website: www.press.et email: ethiopianherald@press.et

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Editorial

Opinion

PAGE 3 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020

Deputy- Editor-in- chiefZekarias Woldemariam (Tel. 011-1-26-42-01)Editors/ReportersZelalem GirmaHizkel HailuDargie Kahsay Meseret Behailu Haile Demeke Bethelhem Asfaw

Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald

General Manager Tel. 011-126-42-22

Fax. 251-011-156-98-62Advertisement and Dist.

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BY SOLOMON DIBABA

Ethiopia’s tree planting program, critical for sustainable development

As I was writing down my opinion on the current and past tree planting program in Ethiopia, I noticed that this program is in fact the hub of all public investment projects in the country. Tree planting would mean rehabilitation and retention of surface water, refurbishing the country’s fauna and flora resources, expansion of forest coverage, a viable tool for watershed management, promotion of food security and enhancement of air quality of the country, only to mention a few.

We could also mention the importance of tree planting in the process of reduction of carbon emission and green house effects and the regulation of atmospheric temperature.

By and large, in Ethiopia, tree planting is well perceived when and understood with its strategic link with Ethiopia’s Climate Resilient Green Economy Policy and generating of carbon free energy resources.

I spent most of my childhood in an area close to my hometown where there were more than seven springs watering the nearby forest rich with wild fruits which really supplemented my daily diets and that of my fellow kids in our community. It was also lovely to take bath in the small brooks gently flowing into the open forests. I had my own fruit trees at the front and backyard of our home, always gazing impatiently

for the fruits to ripe. Today, all is gone as extension rooms are built on them during my long years of absence.

Since my childhood, Ethiopia has lost an unfathomable amount of forest resources and top soil due to over grazing, and axing tress for firewood and household furniture. Huge level of alienation persisted between citizens and their natural habitat. Nationwide planting of trees would therefore help to reconcile Ethiopians in the rural and urban setting to reconcile with Mother Nature and secure more natural benefits from our forest resources.

Besides, planting trees across the country will eventually help to increase the volume of water resources in the 12 river basins of the country by ensuring regular and sustained precipitation that would also serve as a backup for increasing the amount of water that would flow into the tributes of the Blue Nile ensuring constant and reliable flow into hydropower dams including GERD.

Although Ethiopia is planting 5 billion trees in its sovereign territory, the country is also fulfilling its international obligations in committing itself to hundreds of international agreements like the Kyoto Protocol, Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (ECE Water Convention), Helsinki, 1992 and hundreds

of agreements relating to the protection of the global ecosystem.

Forest products from trees planted across the entire country have already proved to be potential sources of income generation for unemployed youth, mostly in the northern parts of the country not to mention fruit trees that have helped to bridge the gap between food stress periods and harvest seasons across the country.

The annual tree planting program needs to focus on promoting household woodlots that could include fruit trees above backyard vegetable gardening to support household food security programs which would also help to reduce micronutrient deficiencies among children in the rural areas of Ethiopia.

Planting trees can effectively arrest excessive run-off resulting in the erosion of top soil more particularly in the highland and lowland areas of the country. It would also help to reduce landslides that are particularly common during the rainy seasons.

Moreover large scale tree planting could also help to revive the population of wildlife resources of the country as the trees will provide a refuge for the animals which were deprived of their original habitat due to human intervention.

In Ethiopian cities and towns, tree planting could contribute to the reduction of environmental and air pollution which is at

least visually visible in major cities in the country.

In the semi-arid ecosystems of Ethiopia, planting perennial trees would help to reduce the effects of periodic drought by conserving moisture and reducing the effects of sand storms that could seriously threaten the livestock resources in these areas.

One could also think of a socio-psychological advantage in planting trees. One could axiomatically think that planting trees is planting hope and promoting positive expectations for the future. This in my opinion would mean that you do not plant trees simply for their physical advantages but also to roll back any level of depression or loss of hope in life that one may encounter.

Prime Minister Abiy has recently said the survival rate of the trees planted last year stood up to 84 per cent indicating a better nationwide care that was provided to the trees and a coordinated follow up enforced by all concerned bodies and the entire population. I think better results could be achieved through more coordinated care and nourishing to the trees throughout the coming year.

The government and the people of Ethiopia have continued with their endeavor of accelerating the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) by foiling all the futile attempts meant to detract their attention from the flag-ship project. As always, Ethiopia’s resolve is to engage in a peaceful resolution of the differences in the filling and operation of the dam.

Ever since the beginning of the construction of the GERD, Ethiopia has been striving to reach consensus to build the dam and manage the filling and operation. Accordingly, it has tirelessly been participating in various rounds of talks geared towards bringing about agreement on the use of the Nile waters.

For example through the unreserved diplomatic efforts, Ethiopia has worked hard for the formulation of the first basin-wide document, Cooperative Framework of Agreement on Nile (CFA), which was signed by seven riparian countries— which Egypt shied away from signing the document after taking part in the process.

Later on, Ethiopia’s earnest and strong spirit of cooperation has resulted in the signing of the Declaration of Principles (DoP) which is signed by Ethiopia, Egypt and the Sudan.

As per the DoP the riparian countries have undergone various rounds of talks concerning the technical issues of filling and operating the GERD.

While all this was progressing smoothly, Ethiopia’s effort is not reciprocated properly by Egypt. While engaging in the talks on one side, Egypt has also attempted to employ many other tactics that are aimed at frustrating the peaceful

endeavors and nullifying all the constructive progresses gained in the collaborative utilization of the waters of the Nile.

Among the discouraging tactics employed by Egypt include spreading false information about Ethiopia’s intention of building dam, withdrawing from dialogues and coming up with new demands.

By continuously sabotaging the dialogues, Egypt mostly resorts to gesturing the possibility of war if agreement is not reached on the use of Nile waters. Successive Egyptian regimes used threatening war as their strategy to rally the international community behind them taking it as a security issue.

Its recent attempt to give the GERD a picture of international security issue at the United Nations Security Council did not hit its target. The pan-African organization AU and its Bureau of Assembly of Heads of State and government patriotically argued as they have all the capabilities to deal with the issue. The trilateral talks have now continued and there is hope and optimism that it will produce meaningful results.

Development for Ethiopia is a matter of survival. And GERD is a development feat. Over 60 percent of our population lives in blackout. Private and public investments in Ethiopia have growing demand for energy. The millions of unemployed youths of Ethiopia should not migrate overseas in search of green pasture; we must create more jobs and contain our citizens at home. Despite attempts of sabotages from Ethiopia’s arch-foes, the development journey would not stop even for a second.

Ethiopia always sticks to dialogue to solve Nile disputes

NewsPAGE 4THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020

BY DARGIE KAHSAY

ADDIS ABABA- Ethiopian Pulses and Oilseeds Processors and Exporters Association say that as a prerequisite to develop value addition in agro-processing sector plus to support the already started agro-processing factories, it calls the government to establish Agro Processing Institute.Association General Manager, Assefa Yohannes told The Ethiopian Herald that although Ethiopia has a huge potential of pulses and oilseeds productivity with highly intensive in the international market, country’s productivity is too small and the export of the sector is limited only to raw products. In addition, he said, Ethiopia is importing finished agro-processed products by more than its export earnings from the sector.As to him to develop exporting pulses and oilseeds with value added products and to support the investors engaging to the agro-processing sector, the government should establish Agro-Processing Institution.For him currently Ethiopia gives due attention for the development of agro-processing factories and industrial parks

and private investors are also engaging in the sector. Hence, Assefa said the sector needs a self-support institution to follow, support, qualify, man power training, shared experience and other necessary supports timely and properly. Unless it is difficult to meet the target both in export and local demand production, he added.Meanwhile Assefa said that Ethiopia is exporting only raw products but by adding simple values like gridding the price would increase from 30 to 40 percent in the international market. Assefa added that to become internationally acceptable, any value added product should pass local Food Hygiene and Safety Procedure. But due to absence of agro-processing institution, it is impossible to be certified or qualified by any local institution. Not only that, the current started agro-processing factories needs trained man power and experience sharing, there should be a responsible facilitator organ in this case, he said. Assefa noted that by exporting raw pulses and oilseeds products during the past 11 months Ethiopia earned over 535 million USD.

Agro-processing plants vital to exploit sector’s

potential

BY MESERET BEHAILU

ADDIS ABABA -- The Ministry of Transport disclosed that it is finalizing the operation of mobile application system that will have significant contribution to ease traffic jams, and manage the demand and supply side of transportation services that was previously effected through manual system. General Manager at Ministry of Transport Commander Ahmed Mohammed told The Ethiopian Herald that the mobile application will provide considerable importance to the transport sector. As to him, the application will help facilitate the traffic jams, identify where an accident is happen, and check whether taxies are engaged on their regular work place or not. Commander Ahmed also briefed that an Inspection Team, which can supervise the activities of the entire transport flow, has been established. ‘Since the demand and supply side of transport service is unbalanced, many people became bored with loss of their precious working time, particularly in this summer rainy season. In addition, the increment of roadblocks along with the increasing number of population has been affecting the smooth

Ministry to operate mobile application to alleviate transport gaps, traffic jams

flow of transportation in the city.’’ According to the General Manger, though the Ministry has attempted to classify the deployment of taxies based on their number plates, it is now impossible to reduce traffic congestions with the manual system.

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, taxies are forced to carry people on half of its seats, intending to keep social distancing, as outlined in the temporary regulation issued by both Ministries of Transport and Health, he added.

Commander Ahmed also noted that the other mass transport service providers such as Sheger and Lion bus are other alternative means to reduce the burden of transport service providers in the city.

Photo: Dagne Abera

Some of the demolished public and private properties in Shashemenie destroyed by rioters during the recent unrest that followed the death of singer Hachalu Hundessa

PAGE 5 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020

PAGE 6 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020

Herald Digest

Ministry of trade and industry announced that agro processing industrial parks in Ethiopia are of paramount important for modernizing agriculture sector and generating high foreign exchange. Construction of four agro processing parks has reached 98 percent.

According to Ayalneh Abawa, Director of Agro Processing Industrial Parks and Industry Development Directorate under the Ministry, agro processing industrial parks are essential for increasing export and generating high foreign exchange through joining agriculture with industry. It also helps for reducing import.

Currently four industrial parks are under construction in Amhara, Oromia, South Nations, Nationalities and Tigrai States. The projects launched three years ago are ready to start operation. As to the director, the overall construction of the projects have now reached 98 percent adding that they have suitable infrastructure for investment.

As agro processing industrial parks have international backing, different international organizations including UN are supporting the projects. Ethiopia is among the four countries that are selected for constructing agro processing industrial parks.

Hence the government of Ethiopia is also taking its commitment to complete the projects. For this reason the government is fulfilling the infrastructure, electricity and water supply for each project. But still there is scarcity of electricity among

Following the death of singer Hachalu Hundesa some residents who took to the streets to express their anger have caused massive property damage and displacement of residents, says Deputy Mayor of Shashemnie town Administration, Shibiru Sulitan.

According to Shibiru, 89 hotels, 249 living houses, 79 vehicles, and 36 auto rickshaws were set on fire while 251 households were displaced and took shelter in other households and churches. Due to the town is the lovely and people they live in harmoniously, the accident is unexpected

the projects. Each project needs over 42 megawatt electric power. So they need their own substations.

Adding to the point he stated that these parks would reduce massive problems of the country including modernizing agriculture, creating job opportunities, increasing export market, generating foreign exchange and the like.

Accordingly the government is working with dedication for its completion. And national committee that includes Office of the Prime Minister is also formed for solving the infrastructure, electricity and water supply problems of the projects.

As to him, selecting investors is one of the prior tasks to start the operation of the projects after their completion. For instance, five foreign investors are getting ready to start the production in SNNPRs. Salvaldo and Hebron coffee are among the fabrics found in the region. While the former has a capacity to produce and export Avocado oil, the late will produce and export Ethiopian coffee.

Furthermore, while 12 fabrics are under construction in Bure Industrial park at Amhara state, about 35 local and foreign investors are also getting ready in Tigrai Region to produce different oil for the market.

As the investment policy of Ethiopia gives 80 percent opportunity for local and 20 foreign investors, the director calls investors to invest on the agro processing industrial parks. It was learnt that Ethiopia has borrowed 15 million USD from Africa Development Bank for the projects.

The week in Review

BY HIZKEL HAILU

BY MESERET BEHAILU

Agro processing industrial parks to modernize agriculture, increase export

Killing humans, massive property damage, in Shashemenie town

Yonas Tsehaye, waitor at Haile Resort in the town said that the resort was completely damaged on 31 June and he is worried about his future.

According to Yonas, not only his future but also other similar employees I am also bothering. Particularly, ‘’my livelihood depends on pension fee. After serving as a soldier I am working as … in the resort and have no other alternative. What I can see is a grim future.’’ He is also worried about the large sum of money to pay his monthly house rent, children school fee and medication. On the other hand, the destruction of the resort causes severe damage on the employees.

An elder of town resident, Aman Gemedo on his part said, in the starting of phenomenon, the event is like providing condolences but immediately changes to killing humans and damaging the property. Such type of activity is an unprecedented one in the town as the local people used to live together helping one another.

The perpetrators are teenagers from other areas who aim to stir conflict among nations and nationalists helped by anti-peace forces who have hidden agenda. Therefore, the activities are never acceptable and people need to fight such type of action working hand in hand with government to ensure rule of law.

and sorrow. However, the administration has been seriously engaging to ensure rule of law. Following this, more than 200 suspected persons are arrested. Depending on the public indication it will be continue the ongoing action on rule of law while the house will be reestablish.

Chaltu Robba, town resident on her part said that youth from other areas immediately started killing humans and destroying property. However, the residents are living harmoniously and managed to save some houses from damage. Therefore, government and people should be working jointly against such type of activities, she added.

Life Style

THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020PAGE 7

People in Dire Dawa practice rich culture of reconciliationBY HIZKEL HAILU

A culture is a system of shared knowledge, values, norms, customs and rituals acquired by social learning. No universal culture exists, so the environment of a transnational corporation includes a variety of cultures, each with differing people, languages, religions and values.

According to some documents, Ethiopia has more than 800 cultural values of which about 300 of them are dealing about the culture of conflict resolution mechanisms. Additionally, its citizens have a culture of living together through breaking some religious, cultural, gender and other societal differences.

The reconciliation culture of people in the city of Dire Dawa is among many of Ethiopian culture of traditional reconciliation mechanisms. Murad Bedwi, Head of Culture and Tourism Bureau of Dire Dawa City Administration says disputes and disagreements that break out among the community would be solved by ‘Traditional Governing Document’.

Since this legal document is strong and binding, it has the mandate of solving all disputes. He also mentioned that the traditional legal document was ratified in north eastern part of Dire Dawa, a place commonly known as ‘Sity’ and everyone who complains of harassment and physical abuse would be judged by Xeer.

According to him, the document has four chapters and 365 articles. These are called Xeer Dhiigga, Xeer Dhaqaaqal, Xeer Dheer and Xeer Dhiblee. Xeer Dhiigga is a legal system which addresses murder crimes and reimbursement paid for the family of the deceased. It has its own special processes. Murder is a serious crime in the community.

The murderer pays compensation (domestic animals like camel, sheep, ox etc.) for the victim’s family. If the reparation is sheep, the tribe of the murderer is ordered to give 12 sheep, which is believed to be the proportional value of one camel. Not only that, the number of camels paid for the victim’s family is determined by the sex of the victim. To pacify things, the village elders need to be informed first about the murder. Slaughtering of say a camel would be undertaken at the grave of the deceased.

‘‘In proceed; a committee which comprises 12 elders would be established to settle the dispute. The verdict would be passed within 15 days. Those who judge disputes that don’t include murder could be solved by three to six judges. If one of the elderly judges is absent, decision will not be passed,’’ Murad stated. If disagreement breaks out among the elders, it would be taken to the clan leader known as Ugaz and he settles the problem.

The court process will be practiced around lakes, rivers and trees because it is believed that people could assemble there. Hence, crimes such as murder, theft and others

will be settled in these places. Finally, compensation handover ceremony is going to be undertaken and genuine reconciliation process is performed.

Xeer Dhaqaaqal sees cases-related with property. The community do not get quarrel each other due to land because they believe land is the property of all community. The main cause of dispute in the clan is water well locally known as Ella. Since each clan has its own water well, it is not allowed to use another tribe’s well without any permission or consent of the owner.

As the majority of the community in the surrounding areas is pastoralist, conflict could flare up due to grazing lands. In addition to this, animal theft such as camel, goat, sheep, ox and others could be the cause of conflict. This would be resolved by 12 judges like the Xeer Dhiigga. The case would not take long due to other reconciliation methods.

According to him, the third type of conflict-resolution mechanism is called Xeer Dheer. This conflict resolution method concerns women’s issue. The dispute could be caused when a member of one sub-clan rapes another clan’s woman. This includes a case when one member of a certain clan rapes a woman who lost her husband. The widow should wait four months and ten days to marry another man.

When this rule is violated, serious conflict would be prompted. The brother of the deceased or his immediate relative has a chance to remarry the widow so as to take care of the family. Any physical and verbal abuse being committed against the woman will not be tolerated by the community since women have high social respect.

Murad further insists that if a physical

violation is committed against the woman, the offender will be ordered to cover her medical expenses. Though women are not allowed to be judges, they could be eye witnesses.

‘‘To solve this conflict, 15 camels will be given to the woman as compensation. However, the compensation being given for a woman who is raped while herding goats will be 16 camels. When the woman remains adamant not to remarry after completing four months and ten days, she will be distanced from the clan,’’ he points out.

The fourth and last conflict resolution mechanism is called Xeer Dhiblee. It helps to see to resolving border conflicts among clans. Elders from the two major clans will be selected to express their views in a democratic way. Then, the judges will give a verdict based on the views being reflected by clan elders. Any party who is not happy with the verdict will have a right to appeal against it. But no one will reject it totally. Those who reject the verdict would face sanction and expulsion from the clan.

‘‘Those who aren’t happy by the verdict have the right to appeal 12 times. Hence, they would be directed to other elders. Some of the judges who have been handling the case will go to the elders to give detail information about what had happened. Thus, the Ugaz give final and binding decision that will be accepted by all sides,’’ according to him.

Such traditional tribunals have a massive role in saving time, money and energy. In addition to this, they are important to create lasting peace, stability, friendship and harmony among the tribes.

Xeer Dhiigga, Xeer Dhaqaaqal, Xeer Dheer

and Xeer Dhiblee. Xeer Dhiigga is a legal system which addresses

murder crimes and reimbursement paid for the family of the deceased. It has its

own special processes. Murder is a serious crime

in the community

THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020 PAGE 8

Saturday Exclusive

- Edao Abdi, Owner General Manager of Edao Int’l Trading

“Exporters should prioritize quality certification for their export items,’’

BY HAILE DEMEKE

After embarking upon the export sector about a decade ago, Edao Abdi has been working with due attention to maximize the benefit from the export of pulses and oil seeds. What makes his effort unique is that instead of collecting quick revenue from the cheap export destinations, he chose to meet the tough requirement of European and American markets as they can generate better revenue both for the exporters, famers and the country at large. Accordingly, he has passed through all the necessary audits and secured quality certifications of HAACP and ISO 22000 -2005.

He advises all other exporters of the country’s agricultural commodities to work towards securing better revenue by accessing European and American markets. He had a stay with The Ethiopian Herald and explained how:

Herald: How do you explain Ethiopia’s potential for the export of pulses and oil seeds?

Edao: Ethiopia has huge potential for export and agriculture is among the sector at the frontlines. Agricultural products like coffee, sesame, chickpea and others. Ethiopia produced over 100 tons of sesame annually, out of which only 50 percent is exported. The remaining is neither locally consumed nor exported and transferred to the next season of production.

The country and the sector need professional exporter, lack of promotion locally and outside either via embassy of other ways, problem in identifying the destination of the products properly. So, this will contribute in declining the market access in the rest of the world. Considering the revenue of the products, now we are ready to boost both export and revenue gained from the products by adding value to the product and producing quality products using technology, skilled man power and others.

So as to boost the export sector the government is following food safety management system so as to produce quality products and increase revenue. The products are produced following International Organization for Standardization to meet the need of the consumers. Ethiopian products sent to Europe and Asia is better and has showed variance ranged from 10 to 15 percent.

This shows that the products are produced in quality conscious. By considering this the government is striving to fulfill needed international criteria. While we are using the needed criteria which are used by the rest countries the acceptance of our product at the same time will be increased. This year starting from June 2020, onward the government is certified for food safety management system according to International Organization for Standardization. By fulfilling the needed criteria now the government is ready to export products to Europe and Asian markets.

Much effort still remains in order to stay at the international market consistently starting from producing quality products, shipment, packing and others.

Herald: What kind of benefit can an exporter gain by getting certified its export items?

Edao: The certification of the products has multidimensional benefit. Lots of changes happened after the certification of the products. The first thing is that the certification of the

products has its own contribution in modernizing the production and export sector of the country. This will benefit both the country’s industry and producers. If the produces gain international acceptance the farmers will gain better income in producing and selling their produces. Beyond that promoting local produces to the rest of the world has its own contribution in building the image, increasing foreign currency of the country and also best alternative in accessing better market. At the same time, both producer and the retailer will gain better income.

Herald: How do you see the interest of other companies to be certified in exporting products and working together? What is expected from them?

Edao: Companies in Europe and America need reliable supply, quality facility, shipping products timely, above all the time they need safety food. They are to pay for this. Most of the time, our products are exported to cheap market destinations like South East Asia. That is why most of the time European market is looking for another option than coming to Ethiopian market and also we are not fulfilling the required criteria

for quality. I think our company will be a model for the rest companies operated in the country. I hope in the coming few years most of the local companies will be certified.

Herald: What kind of lesson can other local exporters learn from your experience to grow and get the required benefit from the European market?

Edao: The export sector must take it as a trade consistently rather than seeking for temporary benefit. They have to develop sustainable attitude and sustaining in foreign market. So as to produce quality produces they have to work together from providing training for the producers to the final destination.

Herald: Is your company working with the producers?

Edao: Our company is working with two agents. The first one is with the farmers which are primary market and buying products from. At the same time, we start providing different technical assistance for them and we will develop it in the future. Illegal dealers are mixing new crop with old products which is bad for country’s image.

The secondary market is the products we buy from Ethiopian commodity exchange, which is challenging in identifying the quality of the products. The produces we buy from the Ethiopian commodity exchange is mandatory. At the same time we also buy products from cooperatives.

Herald: While you buy products from farmers how do you prevent challenges related to quality and price?

Edao: When you buy products from primary market there is no problem because we know them. They produce their products in quality to gain good price. The problem is the interference of illegal brokers which resulted for both price fluctuation and also for substandard products. We are not buying from the brokers.

Herald: Is the government discharging its responsibility on this regard?

Edao: The government is discharging its responsibility in providing land, duty, tax, and others. Still much effort remains to be addressed. We are recommending reviewing the system so as to ease the challenges. In the long run we will join commercial farms.

Herald: What kinds of problem should be alleviated by the ECX side?

Edao: The primary objective of the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange was easing trade and stabilizing market. Most countries are successful in export because they shorten chain among producers and the recipient which is very important. As the chain is shorter you will timely ship and deliver produces, at the same time you will export quality products, timely retail and earn foreign currency. ECX is buying products from illegal brokers not from the producers which is dangerous both for the quality of the products and image of the country.

Herald: How the absence of export strategy affecting the sector?

Edao: Most of the local exporters do not know the export strategy. Ethiopia does not have export strategy. Ethiopia is a producer with no export strategy. This will affect the sector, exporter and the government as well. As soon as possible we need to have export strategy to benefit.

Herald: How are challenges related to finance addressed?

Edao: As a sector, the export sector is a front liner in getting finance. There is no requirement to be exporter because of absence of export strategy. So everyone will be exporter and they can easily access finance and this will directly erode the finance sector. They are not specializing.

Herald: How do you see the tendency of participating in different exhibition as a country?

Edao: Most of the time Ethiopia is not represented in exhibition due to different problems. Ministry of Trade relates the problem with budget deficit. We have a potential and having huge products without promoting the products to the rest of the world. The government is unable to rent market place for our products, expecting huge income. On the other hand adding value to them is crucial.

Herald: Thank you for your time.

Edao: You’re welcome.

BY MESERET BEHAILU

CultureTHE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020 PAGE 9

Practicing earliest greeting style to prevent communicable disease, cultivate obedient citizens

Out of the many features in Ethiopian community, the ancient greeting style is differed from place to place and from community to community. This cultural value changes to other greeting style through gradual process due to the occurrence of various factors.

Folklore Researcher at Bahir Dar University, Solomon Teshome (Ph.D.) says that depending on a given society, greeting is differed from community to community. For example, in the central Ethiopia, people offer greetings through stoop or bending to the front for relatives, friends, the royals, and the like simply called a bow. However, most people agreed that bending to the front for royal families has two purposes, one for offering greetings and adoration.

On the other hand, they show respect to the royals. Likewise, peoples in Guragie zone, the SNNP Regional state, offer greeting through kissing lips; but greeting in the Muslim community is through hand shaking and kissing.

According to Solomon, the culture of bending down for greeting was terminated during the invasion of Italy; instead the people started practicing the habit of hand shaking, kissing, and getting in touch shoulder-to-shoulder. Lately, the people could understand that the act of looking down in front of foreign citizens reflects inferiority; other than respect and obedience.

In this regard, the famous Wolde Giorgis Wolde Yohanis and Kebede Mikaiel provoked people to stop bowing down in times of greeting with the Italian citizens.

‘’Of course, the current generation did not properly recognize the ancient greeting system; instead, they could develop the habit of hand shaking, gesturing, and kissing. However, following to the outbreak of the pandemic, COVID-19, people forced to stop such greeting style and started practicing the pervious ways of greetings so as to reduce or protect the spread of coronavirus,’’ he added.

On the other hand, real message should be provided to the people on time. In this regard, some messages are cramped to people, rather than educated. For example, ‘’don’t teach for your face is the one method of combating coronavirus but a research shows that teaching face is starting from an infant in the embryo of mother’s stomach.’’ Due to culture is interrelated by nature, it will be changing the greeting style weather stoop flanking or other system, Solomon noted.

Lecturer with Folklore Research at Debre Markos University, Mesfin Fekadie (Ph.D.) agrees that the modern ways of greetings such as handshaking, shoulder touch, hugging, and kissing are some of the exotic culture introduced to Ethiopia during the five year invasion of Italy. However, it does not mean that all foreign cultures are bad; but we need to create balance or promote interconnectedness with one the other.

Due to the existence of external and internal factors, our culture could lose its own features. For example, a maiden never kiss

Currently COVID-19, the pandemic, has not only put negative impact, it has also become a positive means to remember our earliest culture, that could now help us in protecting ourselves from communicable or infectious disease, like coronavirus

the opposite sex in the ancient period; she rather afraid and bow from the neck.

Research shows that the starting of modern education has been playing negative role to undermine domestic culture; it also contributes to the loss pf our greatest values, customs, behaviors, and ethics.

According to Mesfin, the salute of the ancient Ethiopian greeting system is bowing rather than touching shoulder-to-shoulder, handshaking, kissing, and the like.

In this regard, the greeting style of a given country differs from one to the other

depending on the life style of the community, values, culture and life philosophy.

However, greeting in Ethiopia directly interacted with glory and reverence to God, which means that everything is protected by the God. Until now, salutation through bowing down and putting hats off is common among elders.

On the other hand, some parts of Ethiopia especially rural areas, greeting through bowing is still continuing. Not only this, carrying child on the back, the community has own features. It means that a woman carrying the child on the back is protecting child from distractive action when the mother exposes to drag and failed. This shows that a mother has given high value for her child beyond her life.

Mesfin further added that, currently COVID-19, the pandemic, has not only put negative impact, it has also become a positive means to remember our earliest culture, that could now help us in protecting ourselves from communicable or infectious disease, like coronavirus.

A formal cultural education system should be formulated starting from the kindergarten level to higher institution in a manner that could develop indigenous knowledge and culture. Likewise, film makers, media practitioners, researchers, and higher educational institutions as well as other concerned bodies should give serious attention to cultivate productive, healthy, and creative citizens, Mesfin elaborated.

Heritages PAGE 10 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020

Ten unique Ethiopian traditional instrumentsBY HIZKEL HAILU

Ethiopia’s traditional musical instruments are highly interconnected with the life of people in the rural parts of the country. Because mostly, they employed it to motivate themselves in the daily activities of farming, weeding, weaving, praying, extending love for someone and … etc.

And here are some of the lists of Ethiopian traditional musical instruments on which each one of them has their own unique feature.

In the highlands, traditional string instruments of chordophones include the masenqo (also known as masinko), a one-string bowed lute; the kirar (also known as kirar), a six-string lyre; and the begena, a large ten-string lyre.

1. Masenqo

The masenqo (mesenko, mesinqo, mesinko, or chira-wata in Tigrinya) is commonly found throughout Ethiopia and Eritrea and is a favorite of minstrels or “azmaris”. It is single stringed spiked bowed lute with a square or diamond shaped resonator.

Four small wooden boards are glued together then covered with raw hide or parchment. The string is usually made from horse hair. Since the instrument is always used to the accompaniment of the singers voice, a tuning peg is used to fit the range of the singer’s voice.

2. Kirar (lyre)

The Kirar, also known as the Kirar, is a 5 or 6 stringed lyre that has bowl shape. It is a chordophone which is traditionally tuned to a pentatonic scale, while modern kirars can be amplified like electric guitars, etc.

Plucking the kirar will create a soft tone, while strumming it will produce a pulsed beat. Much like the masenqo, the kirar is a favorite of minstrels or “azmaris” who often sing love and secular songs.

3. Begena (harp)

By oral Ethiopian tradition, the begena was an instrument used in Ancient Israel by David to help King Saul with his sleeplessness. This traditional and religious instrument was later brought to Ethiopia by Menelik I.

The begena is considered as an instrument for the upper-class and used by both male and female. Commonly it is used during prayers and meditations. The pointing finger plucks the strings that are number 3 and 4, while the rest of the fingers control one string each.

The remainder of the string are employed as finger stops, allowing the plucked strings

to pulsate.

4. Washint (flute)

This end blown flute of wooden, bamboo or cane composition known as the washint is traditionally used in Ethiopia as a way musicians would convey oral history. The washint usually has 4 finger holes which enables the player to compose pentatonic scaled sounds.

The washint is a bamboo flute that is common in the highlands. Trumpet-like instruments include the ceremonial malakat used in some regions, and the holdudwa (animal horn; compare shofar) found mainly in the south.

Flute is also played by cowboys and farm attendants who atop a wooden tower and watch birds from eating crops in addition to Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s religious song singers and traditional music singers.

5. Embilta

Embilta flutes have no finger holes, and

produce only two tones, the fundamental and a fourth or fifth interval. These may be metal (generally found in the north) or bamboo (in the south). The Konso and other people in the south play fanta, or pan flutes.

6. Senasel

In the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, liturgical music employs the senasel, a sistrum. Additionally, the clergy will use prayer staffs, or maqwamiya, to maintain rhythm. Rural churches historically used a dewel to call the faithful to prayer.

They are made from stone slabs or pieces of wood. The Bete Israel use a small gong called a qachel as liturgical accompaniment, though qachel may also refer to a small bell. Despite their difference in their rhythm, all the three (senasel, qachel and dawal) are idiophones which are mostly used in EOC.

7. Toom

The toom, a lamellophone, is used among the Nuer, Anuak, Majangir, Surma, and other

Nilotic groups. Metal leg rattles are common throughout the south.

8. Kebero

The kebero is a large hand drum used in the Orthodox Christian liturgy. Smaller kebero drums may be used in secular celebrations.

9. Nagarit

The nagarit, played with a curved stick, is usually found in a secular context such as royal functions or the announcement of proclamations, though it has a liturgical function among the Bete Israel.

10. Atamo

The Gurage and certain other populations in the lowlands commonly play the atamo, a small hand drum sometimes made of clay. It usually helps for motivating traditional wedding ceremonies.

The begena is considered as an instrument for the upper-class and used by both male and female

Masenqo

Embilta

A man playing begena

PAGE 11 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020

Fast Forward

BY DARGIE KAHSAY

Ethiopia has a huge potential to produce pulses and oilseeds products across the country with special colors and favors and Ethiopian products are among the top products wanted in the international market.

According to Ethiopian Pulses and Oilseeds Processors and Exporters Association, Ethiopia is exporting over 17 pulses items to the international market, but the amount of the export is less than 25 percent of the total product. According to the association even the country is producing less than one-fourth of its potential.

Association’s General Manager, Assefa Yohannes told The Ethiopian Herald that since pulses and oilseeds are interesting products to the health, appropriate in price to all income level households, the market is growing from time to time and Ethiopian products are among the top products.

As to him, due to this reason even during the outbreak of COVID-19, pulses and oilseeds productivity has not significantly reduced in the international market. As to him even the demand of some products increases following the COVID-19 outbreak. For this reason, Ethiopian Pulses and Oilseeds export did not show significant decline.

Assefa said that during the last 11 months, from July 2019 to May 2020, Ethiopia exported over 320,790 tons and earned over 2.5 million USD by exporting 17 different pulses items.

On the other hand, by exporting 224,676 tone oilseeds, Ethiopia earned near 330 million USD during the last 11 months, the sesame takes the 315 million USD, he added. The total foreign currency earned from this sector during the last 11 months was over 535 million USD.

According to Assefa, although all Ethiopian pulses and oilseeds products are wanted highly in the international market, the amount which Ethiopia is exporting is too small and all products are exporting only raw products.

During 2018/19, Ethiopia earned 388 million USD by exporting 260, 190 tone oilseeds and over 265 million USD by exporting 456, 631 tone pulses, according to association’s data.

According to this data, Assefa stated that, the 2019/20 export performance did not show significant decline both interims of exported volume and earned currency. The 2019/20 performance of the 11 months was over 535 million, which did not include June months export. But, 2018/19 total performance of the year was around 655 million USD.

When we compare this, Assefa said, amid COVID-19, the pulses and oilseeds export performance was not significantly decline

even during this critical time where many international companies, market and factories were shutdown. As to Assefa, if the sector got attention, the productivity and export would double in few years.

The main challenge after the outbreak of COVID-19 was contraband, although it is a headache to the sector all the time. Contraband became worse after the outbreak of coronavirus.

The average country’s foreign currency earnings from the sector during the past years was from 700 to 850 million USD. But now, since productivity is decreasing, Ethiopia’s export became decreasing. Not only that, Ethiopia’s pulses products consumption is high domestically and even the export of pulses is recently increased to 20 percent.

Assefa said that due to low productivity of sesame, oilseeds export is becoming decreasing even compared from the past years. In the oilseeds export, sesame takes over 90 percent share. But, due to the declining of productivity per hectare in sesame, the amount of production and export is not satisfactory.

To exploit this sector potential, Assefa said that it needs two interventions, boosting productivity and exporting value added products to the international market.

To boost productivity of the sector, there are comparative advantages even without other additional mechanizations. For example, Assefa said Ethiopia can produce up to one million tons of sesame product by exploiting the available comparative advantages only.

Assefa said that to boost productivity of sesame, boosting productivity per hectare using modern agricultural inputs like fertilizer, expanding the investment in the areas which currently is producing with limited land like Assosa, Wolega and SNNPR and the third one is developing new lowland areas to produce sesame with irrigation in Somali and other lowland areas.

According to Assefa 70 to 80 percent of Ethiopian sesame is producing in Amhara and Tigray States while the reimaging 20 per cent on Wollega, Assosa and SNNPR areas. He added that but there is huge potential in these areas and Somali State has also a huge potential of sesame product, if it got attention.

In these areas, expanding and developing commercialized sesame farming would help the country to exploit the potential within few years. Currently, agro-processing factories and companies are expanding in Ethiopia with high input intensive. So, to properly feed the local companies and to earn foreign currency from the sector, Ethiopia should urgently invest in the sector.

To boost country’s export earning, exporting value added products is also a key timely issue, Assefa said. For example, Ethiopian products are sold by adding from 30 to 40 percent the original price by easily value addition like gridding by companies in the international market.

According to Assefa to develop the value addition in the agro-processing sector, Ethiopia should establish Agro-Processing Institution.

Exploiting pulses, oilseeds productivity, export potential

To boost country’s export earning, exporting

value added products is also a key timely issue,

Assefa said. For example, Ethiopian products are

sold by adding from 30 to 40 percent the original

price by easily value addition like gridding

by companies in the international market

Photo: Dagne Abera

PAGE 12 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020 Some of the demolished public and private properties in Shashemenie destroyed by rioters

during the recent unrest that followed the death of singer Hachalu Hundessa

Life Style THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020 PAGE 16

BERHANENA SELAM PRINTING ENTERPRISE

Improving traditional handicraft, developing cultural values key to ensure holistic advantage

BY MESERET BEHAILU

Depending on the raw materials, knowledge of the societies, and ability of creativity works, and handmade materials are vary from community to community and place to place. Clay, Kuna, sifter, winnowing, Mesob, weaving, joinery, and jewelry are mostly known in Ethiopia as permanent handmade works. In this regard, particularly, the rural parts of the country, many women and men are engaged in handicraft weather in domestic consumption, gifts or selling purpose.

Gelilla Worku, General Manager on her small enterprise called Enho Tibebe, here in Addis Ababa city, works for the past two decades. With her high passion to arts of traditional clothes, design, color, and literature, then Gelilla attracted to open her traditional weaving enterprise with her husband to produce traditional clothes like trousers, dress, Gabi and the like.

“Due to lack of awareness creation among the societies, tailoring traditional cloths is the reject filed during the past many years. In this regard, she does not able to obtained employees even she searched during the opening enterprise. Following this, she has taken the training from school in order to facilitate the pattern or embodiment of the clothes.”

According to Gelilla, traditional clothes are one of the identities of the country’s culture to introduce the ability of arts towards the globe while the field is playing positive role for job seekers.

Currently, the enterprise has more than 60 regular employees and over 30 additional

temporal employees. Depending on their performances, the monthly salaries of employees were differing from each other’s. It means that, the greatest performer able to obtain high bounty from others.

In this regard, particularly, on January the high performer has obtained 12,000 Birr in a week. However, it does not mean that the performer always get the high amount of salary, depends on seasonal matter. It means that a man or women has obtained 3,000 Birr in a week, when the market becomes decline even he or she was high performer.

On the other hand, employees who are engaged in clearers were earning a monthly net income of 2,500 Birr; while the enterprise provides training for those employees that adopt additional endeavor that would bring additional incomes, she added.

The enterprise has a meeting schedule once a month with employees in order to identifying the challenges and setting the solution. She also believed that employees are the backbone of the enterprise.

Now, Chicago, Atlanta and South Africa are the most destination areas of the clothes; while Europe and Germany have small destinations compared to the previous places.

Promotion, stockholder’s integration, and adequate research will have been playing pivotal role in order to secure the benefit of Art in general and traditional cloths in particular, Gelilla noted.

Handicraft Enrichment and Market Development Director General at Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Negash Asefa on his part said that, handicraft is the cultural symbol and the image of the given society. Depending on the materials they used and

the level of creativity, the instruments are differing from place to place and community to community. For example, in Hareri and Axum the material and decoration of the handicraft of winnowing is deferred from each other’s.

According to the General Director, some years ago research shows that 15.6 percent of the total population of the country has handicraft expertise, when the total number of population not exceeds 80,000,000 people. It means that close to 11,000,000 people have been engaged in handmade; and some farmers are doing weaving in addition to farming. In the same way, USA, Europe, and Israel are destinations of Ethiopian handicraft.

To increase the value of the handmade, the Ministry has been working jointly with China and India to create the bamboo decoration and the traditional cloths to become modernized while Japan for clay works. Particularly, Ethiopia has rich in natural materials but lack of ability in terms of design. Therefore, working jointly has playing significant role in the field.

The Director further added that, there are four teams in the Ministry that are seriously working on culture enrichment, providing training, research, and promotion. It also works on ways how to modernize and increasing productivities of the handmade with related to ensure social benefit.

Particularly, the handmade sector is one of the ten items that has obtained serious attention by the current government, which has playing vital role to the ongoing activities that become institutionalized. It has also significant role in sharing the country’s GDP for a positive manner in the near future.

“Due to lack of awareness creation among the societies, tailoring traditional cloths is the reject filed during the past many years. In this regard, she does not able to obtained employees even she searched during the opening enterprise. Following this, she has taken the training from school in order to facilitate the pattern or embodiment of the clothes.”

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