african trumpet edition 14_AFRITRUMPET NEW UK 1/27/2011 10:58 AM Page 7


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Special Spotlight AFRICAN EMBASSY NEWS New Ethiopian


Ambassador Presents Credentials


Ambassador Girma Birru, Special Envoy, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the United States of America presented his credentials at an official ceremony held at the State Department today Thursday January 6, 2011. Ambassador Girma Birru, pre- sented his letter of appointment as Ethiopia's Special Envoy to America to His Excellency MR .James B. Steinberg, Deputy Secretary of State. With this for- mality, Ambassador Girma Birru has officially begun his duties as


Ethiopia's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the U.S..


During the occasion Mr. James B. Steinberg expressed his appre- ciation for the intensity of the Ethio-US partnership. The Deputy State Secretary, underscored the significance of bilateral partner- ship of the two friendly countries in combating international terror- ism and in the maintenance of peace and security in the Greater Horn of Africa Region.. Mr. James B. Steinberg further underlined the positive role that Ethiopia is currently playing to safeguard peace and stability in dif- ferent parts of the African continent by deploying its peace keeping forces..


While submitting his letter of accreditation, Ambassador Girma Birru, on his part apprised the Deputy State Secretary of the bold and deep going Growth and Transformation Strategy that Ethiopia has at present decisively anchored on and expressed his belief that America will continue to support Ethiopia in its resolve to miti- gate poverty and backwardness. The Special Envoy emphasized the close cooperation of both countries in the areas of peace and security and reiterated his strong belief that Ethiopia will continue to strive to further consoli- date, enhance and bolster the mutually beneficial bilateral ties to a yet higher level and wider scope of partnership. Before his appointment to Washington, Ambassador Girma, had served his country in various high level and multi-faceted areas of government positions; the latest portfolio being as the Minister of Trade and Industry of Ethiopia.


GHANA MISSION REGISTERS GHANAIANS IN AMERICA


The Ghana Mission in Washington DC is compiling a database of Ghanaian residents in the United States with the objective of promoting and protecting their welfare and ensuring active participation in national development efforts.


In this regard, the Mission is seeking the assistance of


the various Ghanaian Associations across the U.S.in calling on their mem- bers to register with the Washington DC Mission.


Registration forms may be accessed at the embassy's website: www.ghanaembassy.org under "Registration of Ghanaian Citizens Abroad."


KENYA VISA FEES UPDATE FOR 2011/ PASSPORT NEWS


The Kenyan embassy announces the following visa fees update for 2011. The visa fees are as follows:


a)Single entry Visa $50.00 b)Multiple entry Visa $100.00 c)Transit Visa $ 20.00 d)Administrative fee for referred visa $10.00 Diplomatic, Official, Service and Courtesy visas will con- tinue to be issued Gratis.


Please submit your applica- tion with the correct fee as stated above depending on your travel plans to avoid delay in processing your Visa.


The embassy also


announces to all Kenyans in the Diaspora that the Embassy of Kenya in


CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY! Saturday, December 18th, 12.00 - 4.00pm


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*Lower Rates Than Most Cards* *No More Misplaced Cards* *No Trips To The Store*


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Washington D.C is no longer issuing “B” series (48 Page) and “C” series (64 Page) Passports. Anyone who wishes to obtain a new Kenyan passport should therefore apply for "A" series ( 32 Page) passport the cost of which is US $75. We do also wish to inform Kenyans in the Diaspora that the Embassy has now stopped renewing 5 year passports (to comply with current immigration regula- tions in Kenya). Anyone whose passport is expired should therefore make arrangements to apply for a new passport.


Anyone who wishes to do a name change either through marriage,divorce or deed poll should apply for a new pass- port.


Africantrumpet-The voice of Africans EDITORIAL


GBAGBO SHOULD LEAVE NOW


It is unfortunate that after all the political progress the continent of Africa has made in the past decade or so, Cote D’Ivoire for many years the beckon of hope and prosperity in West Africa should titter on disas- ter, just because once again a strong man with a penchant for power and his ruling class are clinging on to power even after losing a election.


Meanwhile, the winner of the election by a solid mar- gin, 54.1 to 45.9 percent of the November 28th elec- tions Alasane Quatarra is holed up in the Golf hotel in Abidjan under the protec- tion of United Nations troops.


The story is not good for Cote D’Ivoire. The new force group, remnants of the 2002 civil war combat- ants have regrouped in the northern parts of the coun- try and are waiting to see what happens.


Say a prayer for Cote D’Ivoire.


The Ivory Coast has not been stable since the death in 1993 of its post colonial president, Felix Houphouet- Boigny, who himself ruled for 33 years. In 2000 after Alasane Quatarra had


resigned from his job at the international monetary fund to stand for president, he was disqualified when the same ruling party realized he could win that election. The civil war of 2002 was therefore an implosion that culminated as a result of the injustice his supporters and kinsmen felt had been done to him. Whilst the rest of Africa was going through political crises, Cote D’Ivore was the example of peace and stability in the region. Many other nationals from the region flocked into Abidjan to make a living and even now, the work force of Cote D’Ivore is made of about 27% immigrants. It is the world’s leading producer of cocoa, produces oil and has the world’s largest cathedral outside of Rome. We welcome the efforts African nations are making to get Gbagbo to relinquish power. The threat to use force is in the right direc- tion.


African democracy has matured and the days lead- ers forced themselves on the people and ruled with impunity are long gone.


Gbagbo should leave now.


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