Germany commits €10.1mln to support peace building efforts in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, October 12, 2023 (FBC) – The Government of Germany and UNDP-Ethiopia have signed a financing agreement for ten million and one hundred thousand Euros to be used for peace support and stabilisation programmes in Afar, Amhara and Tigray regions.

The purpose of these programmes is to deliver a peace dividend quickly to conflict-impacted populations in these three regions, to help them return to normal life and, by so doing, support peacebuilding, the official press release from UNDP indicates.

The agreement was signed on Thursday, 12 October 2023, by Stephan Auer, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Mr Turhan Saleh, UNDP Resident Representative in Ethiopia.

“It is particularly urgent to demonstrate to those who have suffered from conflict that peace is not an abstract concept but brings genuine relief and vital benefits, for them, their families and their communities. I am delighted that Germany has recognised this clearly and stepped forward as the first country to fund peace support/stabilisation in Ethiopia,’’ noted Mr Turhan Saleh.

“Germany is committed to our longstanding relations with Ethiopia and stands with the Ethiopian people during this time of hardship. We are pleased to see efforts to implement the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement to end the conflict in the north and call upon all parties to redouble their implementation. Only dialogue and mutual trust can contribute to overcoming division and conflict. Important steps in this regard have been taken, further steps have to follow. We therefore encourage and support Ethiopia and her people in pursuing the path towards national healing with courage and foresight,” said German Ambassador Stephan Auer.

The UNDP peace support/stabilisation programme is nestled within Ethiopia’s wider Resilient Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF) and focuses on action over the next 24 months, to restore local governance and the rule of law, reinforce social cohesion, revive local economic activity and service delivery, and find development solutions for those who have been displaced, among other things.

It is learned that Germany’s support will go towards financing activities focused on rebuilding the capacity of local governance, strengthening support for human rights and social cohesion, improving the delivery of basic social services, and reviving local economies.