Last week I found myself at the lowest point in Africa with some Embassy colleagues. Lac Assal in Djibouti is 155 metres below sea level – Mirage pilots stationed nearly like to skim the surface, so they can say they have flown under the sea. The lake itself is heavily salted and you have to walk or drive against massive salt flats to reach it – at the edge there … Read more »Ambassador reaches new depths
Ethiopia: women matter
Lynne Featherstone MP Guest blog by Lynne Featherstone MP My name is Lynne Featherstone MP. I am the Minister for Equality and Criminal Information, and I am a senior member of the British Government responsible for promoting gender empowerment and equality. I am also the British Government’s champion for protecting women from violence, both in the UK and globally. I have just finished a visit to Ethiopia (22 – 24 … Read more »Ethiopia: women matter
Linked by a red cross
Today, 23rd April, the Flag of St George is flying over the British Embassy in Addis Ababa. And it’s a timely reminder of yet another historical link between Britain (in this case, specifically England) and Ethiopia – the fact that we share a patron saint. We don’t know much about St George. He was soldier of noble birth, from Cappadocia, in modern Turkey. He lived in the 3rd century AD … Read more »Linked by a red cross
Ambo in Ambo
“Ambo” is slang for Ambassador. So as soon as I knew of the existence of a town by that name in Ethiopia, I was keen to visit – I’ll go a long way for a good blog title. So I visited Ambo last Friday, not least so I could learn more about development outside of Addis Ababa. The town is about 100km west of the capital, on the main road … Read more »Ambo in Ambo
Art for development
The EVERY ONE Campaign Tour exhibition showcases the artistic journey which is creating widespread awareness about maternal and child mortality in Ethiopia. I visited it yesterday, with my colleague Betty. The EVERY ONE campaign, initiated by Save the Children UK, aims to help Ethiopia achieve the global Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 (reducing child mortality and improving maternal health). EVERY ONE and Music May Day Ethiopia (a youth … Read more »Art for development
Political space
Last week was a very busy week. There was a horrific attack on a bus in Gambella which left at least 14 dead. We heard rumours of His Excellency President Girma being ill. Ethiopian defence forces launched an attack on targets inside Eritrea. I called on several Ethiopian Government Ministers. And we prepared for a visit this week by the senior Foreign Office official who overseas all British human rights … Read more »Political space
Inspiring internationally
Last week we had head teachers and teachers from 12 UK schools here in Ethiopia to meet partner schools – I met them on Saturday. 30 counterparts from Ethiopian schools will be in the UK on a reciprocal visit at the end of March. This was all within the framework of the International Inspiration Programme – the details of which can be found at the British Council website. This visit … Read more »Inspiring internationally
Girl Power
Today is International Women’s Day, with the theme of “Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures”. The focus is on events that involve, educate and inspire girls to reach their full potential and enjoy equal and empowered futures. Many British diplomatic colleagues around the world will be blogging about this subject from different angles, not least the economic contribution women and girls make. Today I want to touch on development and sport, primarily … Read more »Girl Power
“Those little things….”
Observant drivers and pedestrians on Comoros Street outside the British Embassy (possibly a contradiction in terms) today will notice the Welsh flag fluttering in the breeze from our flagpole – the famous red dragon on a green and white background. And anyone who comes into contact with me will see that I am wearing a red dragon lapel badge. 1 March is the anniversary of the death of St David … Read more »“Those little things….”
Ethiopia and Britain – an emerging commercial partnership
A year ago today, the British Government published an important White Paper on Trade and Investment (a White Paper in this context is a document presenting Governmental policy preferences, sometimes before legislation is introduced). Trade and investment are critical elements in the British Government’s strategy to promote growth in the UK and move us out of the economic doldrums. This is not a zero sum game. As one of Africa’s … Read more »Ethiopia and Britain – an emerging commercial partnership