Yaméogo Soumayda Takes Helm as Bittou’s Basic Education District HeadEthiopia and Kenya Commit to Strengthen Bilateral Relations and Address Regional ChallengesEthiopia, China, and UNIDO Sign Agreement to Establish Centers of Excellence

BITTOU — In a significant appointment within the educational sector, Inspector Yaméogo Soumayda was officially inaugurated as the head of the Basic Education District (CCEB) of Bittou on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. The ceremony took place in the Bittou town hall, marking a new chapter for the region’s basic education leadership.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the installation ceremony was presided over by the Prefect of Bittou, Lamine Mohamed Diabate, who also serves as the president of the special delegation of the commune of Bittou. The event saw the presence of Pierre Sylga, the Regional Director of Preschool, Primary, and Non-Formal Education of the Center-East region; Naba Kib korgho, the local traditional leader; along with teachers, heads of administrative services, and members of the community.

During the ceremony, the newly appointed head of CCEB, Soumayda Yaméogo, expressed his commitment to the role and called for the support and assistance of all educational stakeholders in the region to overcome existing challenges. His call for unity and collaboration underscored the importance of collective effort in advancing the quality and accessibility of basic education in Bittou.

The first provincial education official of Boulgou expressed confidence in Yaméogo’s capabilities, despite the ongoing security concerns in the region. The official’s remarks highlighted the belief in the new CCEB head’s ability to navigate the challenges and drive forward the educational agenda for the betterment of Bittou’s young learners.

Yaméogo Soumayda’s installation as the head of the Basic Education District of Bittou represents a pivotal moment for the educational community in the region, with high expectations for progress and development in the face of adversity.

ADDIS ABABA — At the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meeting held in Addis Ababa on February 19, 2024, Ethiopia and Kenya underscored the importance of deepening the ties between the two nations. This effort aims to enhance political, economic, and social interactions and address mutual challenges such as terrorism and human trafficking.

According Ethiopian News Agency, Ambassador Fiseha Shawel, African Affairs Director General at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the significance of the JMC meeting in bolstering the bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Kenya. Shawel emphasized the need to address situations along the borders and within the volatile region promptly while acknowledging the challenges both countries face, including terrorism, human trafficking, illegal trade, and cross-border diseases.

Ambassador Shawel pointed out the deep-rooted connections between Ethiopia and Kenya, including geographical, cultural, and linguistic ties, which form the foundation for further strengthening their cooperative relationship. He reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to working with Kenya on peace, security, and development initiatives for the betterment of both populations.

From the Kenyan delegation, Ambassador Moi Lemoshira, Director General of Foreign Service, Political and Diplomatic Affairs, echoed the sentiment of strong historical relations and people-to-people interactions between the two countries. Lemoshira stressed the need for regular engagement due to changes in the regional and global environment, aiming to build a partnership that spans bilateral, regional, continental, and international levels.

The JMC’s main objective is to review the status of bilateral relations, evaluate the implementation of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) already signed, and define a future path to enhance relations for the benefit of both peoples. It was revealed that new MOUs are expected to be signed in areas of common interest at the ministerial level.

ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopia has embarked on a significant development initiative with the signing of a tripartite agreement with the Government of China and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to establish Centers of Excellence in key sectors. The agreement, which was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, aims to foster development in agriculture, agro-industries, renewable energy, and digitization.



According Ethiopian News Agency, the Joint Declaration for Tripartite Cooperation underscores a strategic collaboration that seeks to leverage the strengths of Ethiopia, China, and UNIDO in promoting sustainable development and innovation. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hailed the agreement as a “unique opportunity” for Ethiopia to improve the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities through the innovative solutions that will emerge from these centers of excellence.



The prime minister expressed his gratitude towards the Government of China and UNIDO for their crucial roles in bringing this initiative to fruition. He also extended a special thanks to UNIDO’s Director General, Gerd Muller, for his ongoing commitment to Ethiopia’s development agenda.



This partnership represents a concerted effort to address some of the most pressing challenges facing Ethiopia, including the need for sustainable agricultural practices, the expansion of renewable energy, and the harnessing of digital technologies for economic growth. The establishment of these centers is expected to play a pivotal role in Ethiopia’s development trajectory, providing state-of-the-art solutions and fostering innovation across critical sectors of the economy.