ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia rolled out the red carpet for Eritrea’s top diplomat on Tuesday as the two nations took the next step in a historic initiative aimed at ending decades of conflict and hostility.
The thaw between the foes who fought a bitter border war 20 years ago comes after an olive branch was dramatically offered by new Ethiopian prime minister, Abiy Ahmed.
As Eritrea’s top diplomat Osman Saleh and presidential adviser Yemane Gebreab landed at Addis Ababa’s airport, Abiy was there to greet them, leading the pair along a red carpet past traditional dancers, local celebrities and a brass band.
The welcome included Ethiopian culture and sports personalities, among them legendary long-distance runner Haile Gebrselassie.
“The relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea is about more than the border. When we make peace, it will benefit all of east Africa,” Ethiopia’s foreign affairs spokesman Meles Alem said at the airport.
The meeting comes just three days after a blast at a rally attended by Abiy — a sign, analysts say, of the risks the 42-year-old prime minister has taken with a program that embraces the biggest reforms, at home and abroad, in a generation.
Earlier this month, Abiy said he would abide by a 2002 ruling, issued by a United Nations-backed commission, and withdraw from contested territory, including Badme, a town claimed by both sides.
Last week, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki responded, saying he would dispatch a delegation “to gauge current developments directly and in depth as well as to chart out a plan for continuous future action.”
He stopped short of calling it a peace delegation but an official visit alone marks a dramatic shift in relations long mired in suspicion and bloody hostility.
The last time Ethiopian and Eritrean troops fought head-on was just two years ago, with each side claiming victory in response to what they said was the other’s aggression.
A former province, Eritrea voted for separation from its much larger southern neighbor in 1993 following a three-decade independence war.
But just five years later, a new border war erupted between the two countries, killing around 80,000 people before it ended in a stalemate in 2000.
Ethiopia ignored a subsequent ruling that it should withdraw from territory awarded to Eritrea.
Since then, a tense standoff has persisted with both maintaining a war footing, shots occasionally fired and with each side backing the other’s rebels.
The apparent detente in recent weeks has raised hopes of a normalization of relations that might boost regional trade and ease tensions.
Their long cold war has stymied economic development, frozen political relations and helped justify domestic repression.
But on Tuesday, signs of an abrupt mood change were evident, with Eritrean and Ethiopian flags lining the main road to the airport alongside banners reading “Welcome” in Amharic and Tigrinya, the languages of the two countries.
Abiy was to host a dinner in honor of the Eritreans on Tuesday.
For both Abiy and Isaias, the potential reconciliation contains risks.
A grenade exploded at a rally addressed by Abiy on Saturday, a rare event in tightly-controlled Ethiopia.
The motive for the attack remains unknown but the pace of Abiy’s reforms — including the border concession to Eritrea — is a likely source of anger among some hard-liners in the ruling class and security services, say observers.
“The key thing to watch out for is Abiy’s ability to rise over the inevitable disappointment or sense of betrayal, to put it strongest, over the Eritrea decision,” Christopher Clapham of Britain’s Cambridge University said earlier this month, after Abiy’s surprise overture.
For his part, Isaias has long justified his restrictive rule, punishing military conscription and the jailing of dissidents as necessary to defend Eritrea against Ethiopian aggression.
His authoritarian leadership has left his country diplomatically isolated and burdened by sanctions, triggering an exodus of Eritreans, many of them taking the dangerous route to Europe.
However, his own strong-man position is largely unchallenged.
bur/ri/hmw
Eritrea’s top diplomat in Ethiopia for historic talks
Eritrea’s top diplomat in Ethiopia for historic talks
MODON inks $453m in private sector deals to expand Saudi industrial cities
JEDDAH: Saudi industrial cities are set for further growth as the sector's authority revealed it has signed 23 development contracts with the private sector, valued at over SR1.7 billion ($453 million).
The agreements, announced by the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, or MODON, encompass a wide range of projects aimed at boosting industrial capabilities.
These include the expansion of industrial cities, the construction of ready-made factories, the enhancement of MODON’s safety and security systems, and initiatives aligned with the National Industry Strategy.
Additionally, the projects will address water and irrigation needs, improve water treatment facilities, upgrade electricity services, and expand road networks.
MODON’s latest contracts highlight the growing role of the private sector in supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 goals, which emphasize economic diversification, local production, and the creation of an attractive environment for both domestic and foreign investment.
The projects are expected to enhance the competitiveness of Saudi industrial cities, foster greater investment, and improve operational efficiency for businesses.
The agreements will also contribute to regional development, improve environmental sustainability, and promote vegetation growth, MODON stated in a post on its X account.
The development of these projects is in line with Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to build a dynamic and innovative economy.
This move follows a previous round of agreements in July, when MODON signed nine contracts valued at SR1 billion to enhance infrastructure and service facilities across various industrial hubs. Key initiatives from that round included the development of infrastructure in Makkah’s and Jeddah’s industrial cities and the installation of 132-kilovolt overhead power lines in Tabuk’s industrial city.
Looking ahead, MODON plans further expansion with projects that will improve electrical services, such as the construction of 115-kV overhead power lines in Hafr Al-Batin’s industrial city. The authority is also focusing on enhancing infrastructure networks for the first and second phases of Dammam’s Third Industrial City.
Since its establishment in 2001, MODON has overseen the development of 36 industrial cities and is responsible for managing both operational and under-construction industrial lands across the Kingdom.
In the first quarter of 2024, MODON attracted SR3.4 billion in private sector investments, signed 142 new industrial contracts, and registered a total of 6,758 factories.
As part of its commitment to sustainable growth, MODON also planted over 576,000 trees and finalized 335 logistics contracts, underscoring its broader environmental and economic development objectives.
Digital clinic to open new horizons for autism care in Saudi Arabia
- Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz: ‘This is just the beginning of our plans’
RIYADH: Following the success of the Taif Aziz Caravan for people with autism, the Society of Autism Families is gearing up for the launch of the Kingdom’s first digital clinic powered by a team of experts, doctors, and specialists.
The Taif Aziz Caravan was the first of its kind to travel across Saudi Arabia. Launched by the Society of Autism Families in June 2023, it offered integrated healthcare services to those with autism spectrum disorder and their families, as well as specialized medical consultations and free services.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Taif Aziz Caravan raised awareness about early detection of autism spectrum disorder.
The convoy lasted nearly four months, covering about 12,000 km and visiting 53 cities in the Kingdom. The initiative earned the Society of Autism Families the International Excellence Award in Corporate Social Responsibility in London recently.
Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz, chairman of the organization, told Arab News: “This award holds immense importance for social work worldwide. Winning it for our innovative Taif Aziz Caravan project is a well-deserved recognition of the association's exceptional community contributions.”
Introducing the digital clinic project, he said: “Our work is ongoing and boundless, driven by a passionate commitment to serve.”
He went on to say that the Digital Autism Clinic will provide rehabilitative, medical, and therapeutic services to people with autism across the Kingdom. “This is just the beginning of our plans for greater advancements in this field, God willing.”
The organization’s digital platform allows beneficiaries to easily register and access all available services.
“No pioneering project is without its challenges. However, we tackle these obstacles with well-established strategies and meticulous planning,” Prince Saud said, noting that despite challenges, the convoy achieved its goal within a short timeframe, ensuring the necessary support, and conducting comprehensive social and psychological assessments.
“Awareness empowers society to embrace diversity and enhances the quality of life for everyone. Community understanding is fundamental to supporting individuals with autism effectively,” he added.
The association actively promotes awareness through various initiatives and projects, “as we recognize the significant impact of community awareness about autism spectrum disorder and its profound effect on various areas of life,” the chairman said.
Noting the collaborative efforts taking place in the Kingdom to uplift communities, Prince Saud said: “In Saudi Arabia, collaboration between institutions from all sectors — governmental, private, and nonprofit — is a hallmark of our approach to achieving collective progress.
“I take this opportunity to thank our partners across these sectors for their unwavering support. Together, we achieve both impact and development.”
The Society of Autism Families raises awareness through various initiatives, including high-quality media productions such as the play “Sala 4” in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the world’s first 3D series on autism, under the supervision of a team of specialists, as well as the production of the first song in the world featuring people with autism, among other initiatives.
“Continuous presence and active participation in major events, exhibitions, and conferences, along with social media platforms, are key mechanisms for highlighting inspiring real-life stories and advocating for change,” Prince Saud added.
According to the association's website, autism spectrum disorder refers to a collection of conditions marked by difficulties in social skills, repetitive behaviors, and non-verbal communication, alongside unique strengths and differences.
The site explains that autism is not a single condition but a spectrum of diverse types, shaped by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, which influence each individual in a distinct way.
The term “spectrum” highlights the vast diversity in the challenges and strengths each child with this disorder may exhibit. While the most noticeable traits typically emerge between the ages of two and three, in some instances, early diagnosis can occur as young as 18 months.
The WHO reported that one in every 160 children worldwide is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Kashmir’s ‘bee queen’ sets out to empower women, inspire youth
- Sania Zehra manages about 600 bee colonies, sells products across India
- She created an empowerment group to help aspiring women entrepreneurs
NEW DELHI: For the past four years, beekeeping has become central to Sania Zehra’s life. Every morning, she wakes at about 6 a.m. to tend to her colonies, before spending the rest of the day building the enterprise that turned her into the “bee queen” of Kashmir.
Her beekeeping journey began as a 16-year-old, watching her father hard at work at the family farm in Balhama in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
“I first saw my grandfather working with the bees, and then I saw my father doing the same business. When I saw my father working hard, I decided to also contribute and support him,” Zehra told Arab News.
She overcame her initial fear of bee stings and got to work immediately, applying for a government scheme that allowed her to expand the business.
It was not always smooth sailing — she struggled to make a profit in the first couple of years and had to juggle maintaining the hectic routine of beekeeping and selling her products.
But as her hard work of managing hundreds of colonies garnered her the “bee queen” title, today her products are being sold across the country.
“I am selling my product across India (and) I am getting orders from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Dubai, South Africa, Qatar and all,” Zehra said.
Beekeeping is a multi-pronged passion for the 20-year-old, who sees it as a way to protect the environment and preserve her family legacy.
She joins an increasing number of women in Kashmir who are running their own businesses, many of whom access government programs aimed at training and supporting women entrepreneurs.
Despite the social barriers that persist to this day, Zehra found support from her family, especially her mother.
“My mother supports me wholeheartedly. She says ‘I have sons but you have gone ahead of the boys and there is nothing that can stop a woman if she wants to,’” she said.
“For me, it’s a passion as well as a desire to carry the family legacy … I have been fascinated by bees’ social structure and the importance of bees in our ecosystem. I want to contribute to their conversation and produce natural honey and connect with nature. They are an inspiration for me.”
As time went by, she found that beekeeping was not only therapeutic for her mental health but also a way to support the entrepreneurial landscape in Kashmir.
To fuel that mission, Zehra created an empowerment group whose members comprise talented women who lack access to resources.
“My main focus is that I should act as a catalyst for many and help others to grow too,” she said.
With 40 members so far, Zehra is aiming to take it to 100 and help them gain access to the government initiatives that once helped her.
“I want to give employment to all,” Zehra said. “I have a future plan to address the unemployment issue in Kashmir and make Kashmir a wonderful place. I want to inspire young people.”
Syria authorities say 1 million captagon pills torched
- Forces pour fuel over and set fire to a cache of cannabis, the painkiller tramadol and around 50 bags of pink captagon pills in the capital’s security compound.
DAMASCUS: Syria’s new authorities torched a large stockpile of drugs on Wednesday, two security officials told AFP, including one million pills of the amphetamine-like stimulant captagon, whose industrial-scale production flourished under ousted president Bashar Assad.
“We found a large quantity of captagon, around one million pills,” said a member of the security forces, who asked to be identified only by his first name, Osama. An AFP journalist saw forces pour fuel over and set fire to a cache of cannabis, the painkiller tramadol and around 50 bags of pink captagon pills in the capital’s security compound.
Taliban officials say Pakistan airstrikes in Afghanistan kill 46
- Afghan defense ministry condemns the latest strikes as “barbaric, clear act of aggression”
- Media reports say Pakistan had hit militant hideouts, no official comment from Islamabad
KARACHI: At least 46 people including women and children were killed in Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s eastern border province of Paktika, Afghan officials said on Wednesday, while there was no comment from Islamabad on the latest attack.
Pakistani security forces targeted multiple suspected hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban, also known as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), inside neighboring Afghanistan on Tuesday, dismantling a training facility and killing several insurgents, the Associated Press reported, citing Pakistani security officials.
Suhail Shaheen, head of the Afghan Taliban’s political office in Doha, confirmed the strikes.
“Around 46 innocent people have been killed and several others injured, which we strongly condemn,” he told Arab News.
Border tensions between the two countries have escalated since the Taliban government seized power in 2021, with Pakistan battling a resurgence of militant violence in its western border regions.
Islamabad has accused Kabul’s Taliban authorities of harboring militant fighters, allowing them to strike on Pakistani soil with impunity. Kabul has denied the allegations.
The Afghan defense ministry also issued a statement late on Tuesday condemning the latest strikes, calling them “barbaric” and “a clear act of aggression.”
“Mostly civilians, who are Waziristani refugees, were targeted, and a number of civilians including children were martyred and injured as a result of the bombings,” the statement read.
“The Pakistani side should know that such arbitrary actions are not the solution to the problems,” the statement added, vowing that the Taliban government would not let the “act of cowardice” go unanswered.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch did not respond to requests seeking comment and the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), declined to confirm the airstrikes.
The banned TTP group said in a statement the strikes had hit “the homes of defenseless refugees” on Tuesday evening, killing at least 50 civilians, including 27 women and children.
Deadly air strikes by Pakistan’s military in the border regions of Afghanistan in March that the Taliban authorities said killed eight civilians had prompted skirmishes on the frontier.
The latest strikes coincided with a visit to Kabul by Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, to discuss bilateral trade and regional ties. Sadiq met Sirajuddin Haqqani, Afghanistan’s acting interior minister, to offer condolences over the Dec. 11 killing of his uncle, Khalil Haqqani, the minister for refugees and repatriation, in a suicide bombing claimed by the regional affiliate of the Daesh group.
In a post on X, Sadiq said he also met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and held “wide-ranging discussions,” with both sides agreeing “to work together to further strengthen bilateral cooperation as well as for peace and progress in the region.”
