Commissioner, held discussion with Mission Director of USAID Ethiopia and USAID Djibouti!
Commissioner H.E. Ambassador Teshome Toga, held a discussion with Mr. Scott D. Hocklander, Mission Director of USAID Ethiopia and USAID Djibouti and his team members Mr. Tim Stein, Deputy Mission Director and Ms. Caroline Buddenhagen, Deputy Political/Economic Counselor and Political Chief at U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa, on Friday 22nd September, 2023 at his good office. In his opening remarks, H.E. Ambassador Teshome Toga explained about the Commission mandate and the DDR program, which is sensitive, complex and urgent. Meanwhile, His Excellency, addressed the commission’s activities since its establishment and challenges as well as the status of partnership and cooperation both at local and international level. His Excellency further discussed the current national and regional situations. Regarding the first phase of the demobilization plan, the change of the target group from 75,000 to 50,000 due to resource limitations and all to be from the Tigray region, may upset, feel threatened and create disappointment on the side of the rest of the affected regions. On his part, Mr. Hocklander raised some skepticism from the U.S. congress regarding the potential of UNDP in executing the DDR resources to the intended beneficiaries and emphasized the regular monitoring and evaluation, for which His Excellency, noted for good Ethiopian experience in executing big projects, unless and otherwise resources are matters. His Excellency, thus, made clear the support expected from the United States and confirmed that so long as the necessary resources are there, the first phase of demobilization will be launched.
