ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (APO) — The African Union and the United States government have worked together in significant ways to improve the lives of people in Africa. This collaboration, which can be found in diverse areas such as agriculture, HIV and AIDS, reducing hunger and poverty, As well as peace and security, ought to be strengthened and re- modeled to ensure that any future efforts will be aligned to the interests of Africa and other developing countries.
This was the gist of discussions which took place today at the African Union Commission, between the Commission’s Deputy Chairperson and the outgoing US Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mr. Donald Yamamoto, who came to formally bid farewell to the Commission after being Ambassador to Ethiopia since November 2006. Since January this year, he has also doubled as US Ambassador to the African Union.
Mr. Yamamoto disclosed that a new paradigm for development will be formulated and implemented by the new administration of President Obama. The new thinking, he said, questions whether aid is the best means to assist Africa and that, increasingly, there is the feeling that the focus should be on development, which is more sustainable.
In the context of a need to strike a balance between domestic and international policies for the US, the Deputy Chair suggested that the African Union can also assist the US government to adjust its national policies to suit global demands. He highlighted a need for a mechanism that allows both parties to listen and to talk to each other, so that development can progress smoothly, and that African perspectives are taken on board in the development of policy. He talked about the issue of climate change for example, where he said Africa, though a recipient of the effects of the climate change, can help in formulating adaptation strategies.
The two leaders also discussed current and future collaboration between the AU and the US government, such as linking the AU library to the Library of Congress, and an expected training programme to upgrade the Commission’s communication strategies and policies.
32 thoughts on “Ambassador Donald Yamamoto leaves Ethiopia”
The departure of Mr. Yamamoto is a good riddance to Africans. As far he is concerned he is associated with the destabilization of Somalia. As soon as he takes power he was the face of the Bush administration in invading Somalia using other African soldiers to the bidding. Donald Yamamoto did not do anything beneficial for Africa, all he did was help create a humanitarian disaster at the expense of Somali civilians. He should stand trial along with the Ethiopian dictator for the deaths of many innocent civilians of Somali heritages in Ethiopia and Somalia.
GO OBAMA!!!
I think he eats dog meat. Is that what woyanne offers him?
I couldn’t beleive my eyes when I read the article above, particularly, …..”United States government have worked together in significant ways to improve the lives of people in Africa. This collaboration, which can be found in diverse areas such as agriculture, HIV and AIDS, reducing hunger and poverty, As well as peace and security…..”
It reminds me of Orwell’s quote in his book, “1984”
“WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.”
yet he quoted it 60 odd years ago and they are still practicing it. Of course, they are used to it by now.
What a paradox!!
How long are we going to be trumped and dictated, yet they will look into our eyes and tell us that with a straight face while we shirk to avoid that eye contact with these bare-faced liars.
Amare
Grow-up in mind please!
Please be respectful. Yes he is republican. This is not there time. he tried to help wayane we all know about that. Please let us focuss on the cominig ambasader to work with our cases. Inselt is not a solution.
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As far as Ethiopia is concerned, the collaboration that Mr. Yamamato tries to spin, was actually geared to giving full support to the apartheid TPLF regime in the hope that it will turn to be a strong anchor state and police the Horn region on behalf of certain interest groups that also led America into destructive wars like Iraq.
The extent to which Mr. Yamamato was associated with such destructive policy is a secondary issue; nevertheless, it won’t absolve him from all the crimes that the TPLF regime has been carrying out with the tacit or direct support of the Bush adminstration.
The so called “border conflict” with Eritrea is also another issue which “America” has been involved not in solving it but in exasperating the crisis.
We hope the departure of Yamamato also signals a new change within the new Obama Adminstration, where the US plays a positive role and payback our troubled region with a fresh and constructive policy.
I hope he would be able to assess the Ethiopians plight while he was there and would help the Obama administration to change the course tplf is taking the country to chaos and bottomless pit of poverty. I hope he would leave no stones unturned once he took over his new position to take the cases of innocent men, women and children who are starving with man made drought and languishing in jail without justice like the case of Birtukan Mideksa.. a statue in every human being’s conscious, whose determination for justice and peace became a pain for the heartless woyanne regime and decided to punish her in a way not even serial killers would not get! I hope Mr Yamamuto will reap what he sows in Birtukan in his children and his generation to come – good or bad is his decision and we will see! As for woyanne’s children and their peaceless ending we are already seeing the beginning of their end!!!
He left the mess behind him. Millions people of the Horn in general and Somalia in particular have to live with the mess caused by former US Administration. Either for the national interest of big nation or by implementing wrong ideas and policy. We have to pay the price at the end of the day.
I co- signed with #1 .if you agree please co-sign
Good riddance!
ያ እማ! ሞቶ (ያማሞቶ)
ስሙ ብቻ እኮ ይናገራል አልገባ ብሎን ነው እንጂ!
ቭኪ (የበፊትዋ) ተጫወተችብን ስንል የሞተውን ልከውልን ቁጭ አሉ!
አቦ ኦባማዬ ምነው ደህናውን ቢልክልን?!
ሲ.አይ.ኤን. ፈርቼ ነው እንጂ የሁለቱንም የድህረ ገጽ መልእክት መለዋወጫ አድራሻ በሰጠሁአችሁ ነበር
I read some of the comments above in disgust and contempt. Some of us are still in the same blame game that did not take the country and the whole continent to no where. To some of you, America is still to blame for all the evils that anchored our people at the same spot they were 1400 years ago. To some of you, USA should not have any interest to fight or strive for. “Just give us the money and it won’t be your business how we are going to use it. And above all you won’t get anything back for your grant.” Stop scratching where it does not itch and above all stop barking at the wrong tree all day, year and for decades. Enough already!!! You sound like this ‘spiritual supreme’ in Iran blaming United Kingdom for the protest that is tightening the noose on his dictatorship. Mr. Yamamoto was doing what he was hired to do. If you are united, strong and pursuing a plausible struggle for a plausible cause, I am sure he will talk to you. This country has been giving you a chance to many Ethiopian and even those stinking narrow-nationalist organizations to operate openly and freely. That is right. Even to some smelly and murderous narrow nationalist so-called fronts. It is doing that because it feels such bad groups will change ways from their narrow instincts and therefore ruthless behavior. You don’t have to look over your shoulder anymore. And you still blame Mr. Yamamoto? You must have sick minds. Heal!!!! Heal!!! Heal!!!!! In stead, you should go after the Diablo from Aduwa and his cohorts. Or just watch what is going on in Iran right now. You may get a valuable lesson if you know how to pay attention.
Good Riddance indeed!
Donald Yamamoto is the first western ambassador ever has an honest and right attachment with the Ethiopian people. I’m not talking about his relationship with the govt. This is a political matter and he has to implement the USA policy.
But as a human being, he is a good person for Ethiopia. He travelled all over the country to motivate the people to become active, hard working and knowledgeable in order to win over poverty and their day-to-day difficulties.
I think unlike others, he would contribute in the future something positive in the highest level that could bring drastically change in Ethiopia. We know, he has heart for the Ethiopian people and he will always be part of them no matter where he lives and works.
People: don’t be short and one-sided seeing everything with black and negative. Anything has at least two sides. The nation matter has many sides. If you are quarrelling with everything, you must be in war with yourself always, too. Be smart and if it is delivering something good you are looking for, even be friend with your enemy. Your attitude against anything, is pushing/forcing others to stay with your enemy. It seems you have no friend, but enemies.
I only hope Yamamoto should not be involve in any African issue ever again if he does africa should say no to this unfit deplomate
I am very Glad to hear the departur of Yamanto.He has been
serving against the benefits African & American people at all.He was a disaster.I hope the departure of Woyane will
come soon too.Then the people of the Horn inparticular
Eritreans & Ethiopians will live in peac & Harmony.
I have nothing 2 blame to Us Goverment or Yamamoto
the leaders of the continent is to blame for the Hunger and the War
thank God! he was an obstacle and did not do much to help solve the border issue along with the useless jendayi.I have a lot of respect for J.Carson as a seasoned diplomat unlike J.F. and will open the door for peaceful settlement of the border issue-implementing the Algier’s agreement.There is light at the end of the tunnel with J.C.and i am sure he will do a great job in the horn.Help him God!
Yamamoto’s contribution to the horn of Africa created misery more misery. Countless of widows, orphans and chaos.
Good ridance.
Yamamotto has spent the time since 2006 without motto.
Neither he assisted nor promoted the ideal of democracy to Ethiopia as well as Eastern Africa.
It is mazing, to have comments like Gebra’s. I don’t see any thing wrong people expressing their mind againt or for the ambassador. Just to remind Gebra there was 2005 election in Ethiopia where the Weyanne regime was totally defeated As a sesult Weyanne gunned down over 193 civilian protestors and arrested ten thousands. The main western media including CNN and BBC reported almost nothing. We all remember that. Now There was election last week in Iran. It was already more than one week old. However western medias are having as we speak beaking news minutes after minutes showing the truth behind. My question to “Gebra” is why didn’t it happen in Ethiopia’s case?
Political machinations aside, I found the gentelman had nothing but good hopes for Ethiopia. He was also very aware of the shortcomings of the Meles regime and was conducting what one would consider quiet diplomacy.
I am sure he would be the first to confirm that he was not very succcessful in his attempt to have Meles see the reality that most everybody except the ruling party sees and act accordingly.
At least, Mr. Yamamotos observations of the lack of transparency in the political, commercial and banking industries has helped many an Ethiopian American from losing his nesteggs.
Good luck, His Excellency.
Ambassdor Donald Yamamoto has been bad for Ethiopia and African Union. Eversince he came to the Horn there has been war and destruction. First he came to the Horn in 1996 under the Clinton administration, soon after his arrival trouble began between Weyane and Eritrea. Then the Eritreans kicked his ars to the curb and went to Ethiopia, soon after he became US’ Abassador to Ethiopia, Weyane invaded Somalia. If you carefully analyse this guy’s presence in the Horn of Africa it is only damage, war, destruction and more bloodshed and CORRUPTION.
Good Riddance!
#6 Dear God, thank you he is leaving. When are these backward mercenary mafias groups leaving? Please expedite.
Gebra,
What’s wrong with people expressing their dissatisafction with Yamamoto’s performance as US Ambassador to Addis? I personally give him “F” in all areas of his tasks as an Ambassador. And, don’t give me that lame excuse that he was just following orders from Washington. It was through his approval and recommendations that Weyane enjoyed financial and military aid at a time when the said regime was committing heinous crime both inside and outside Ethiopia. The atrocities in Ogaden, the massacre of protesters on the street of Addis in 2005 by the Agazi, the invasion of Somalia using terrorism as a pretext are but to name few crimes the Weyane regime carried out with the blessing of Yamamoto and the likes. This same US official was also working hand and glove with Jendaye Frazier in helping Weyane’s attempt to reverse the EEBC ruling which awarded Badme to its rightful owner-Eritrea. Eritreans will never forgive these two shameless individuals without conscious for ganging up with the evil weyane regime to harm Eritrea.
Indeed, it’s good riddance and a step forward to a better and more peaceful Horne of Africa.
The departure of Mr. Yamamoto from Addis Ababa will probably good sign for change. Yamamota has basically done everything bloodthirsty Meles has asked without thorough assessment. What both Ethiopia and US needs is the appointment of new Ambassador that will work at what is good for both nation, not blindly support a dictator that was voted out of office four years ago. Meles used all the support from Yamamota to abuse the human rights of the Ethiopians, except his tribe, and also used the US funds to promote his tribal agends and develop his region of origin.
BURAKA, Africa will not say no to YAMAMOTO becouse he stand with dictators, OBAMA must send this damn chines ass out of US, YAMAMOTO has been suporting TPLF in all his terms in Ethiopia. He is the same cruel as Bush so he must not be with Obamas administration.
ANONYMOUS 5. I will suport your comment, the only posetive thing is wait to see the next ambassadors work. Look at Iran when their botes where stolen, they all continou every day protesting with the oposition strongly what we ETHIOPIAN MUST START TO DO IT, we must start to take inflameble fire and some other things to make real manifestation.
god bless us all.
Yamamoto was a mounth piece of wayane. He equally responsible for the distruction and crime of weyanne. Woyane would not do any thing if he at leat oppose the evil act. History will tell!!!!
This false diplomat, Yamamoto should have been sacked long time ago. He was serving the Dick Cheney chain of command which is lie, torture and kill. I think he should be brought to justice with his boss. Thank GOD Yamamoto Cheney, Bush etc are unemployed. I have one idea for Yamamoto. why do not you apply for a job with Zenawi’s Ministry of Foreigh Affairs since you are a skilled liar?
I hope he is going to take meles and the swine flue back with him to usa.
Is there any truth that ethiopia is a very wealthy nation with a high percentage of poverty. Sounds like corruption at the top.When will africans stop stealing the future of their own.
How can you all sit back and pass judgment on a man who had no other intentions other than trying to improve the lives of the Ethiopian people. All of your arguments are based entirely off of here say, conjecture and interpretations of bias opinions. Not a single fact was stated in these responses. In fact some of you are blatantly wrong: he is an independent, not a republican. Research your arguments next time before you make fools of yourselves in public. I am not going to waste my time with you and discuss politics. I will only simply say that it is truly sad how the stem of Ethiopia’s problems seem to originate, in your minds, from one man and not the root of the source: the pre-existing corruption in the higher politicians of Ethiopia. You have no right to pass judgment on others when you sit back and comment on the current political climate without actively participating.