“The other major constraints were the lack of financial and human resources. The department had to fight for its share of the meager national resources as well as utilizing all the means at its disposal for raising its own revenue. The department’s revenues had to be transferred to the Ministry of Finance, which was the main organ for allocating the budgetary provisions to the various ministries and departments, after approval by the cabinet of ministers.
An additional weakness that had a significant financial consequence was the fact that most procurements for the department such as telecommunications equipment, order of new postage stamps…etc.”
– an excerpt from the book
ARPress is honored to publish My Journey with the United Nations and Quest for the Horn of Africa’s Unity and Justice for Ethiopia by Kidane Alemayehu. This book is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the ARPress website.
The book My Journey with the United Nations and Quest for the Horn of Africa’s Unity and Justice for Ethiopia chronicles the author’s experiences as a representative of the United Nations across various countries and his later dedication to confronting historical injustices against Ethiopia. It provides valuable insights into East African history, the United Arab Emirates, and Ethiopia’s pursuit of justice for crimes committed during the Fascist era.
This book comprises three phases of the author’s life’s major activities: his service with the United Nations, his initiative to achieve peace and development in the Horn of Africa (Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia), and his struggle for justice owed to the Ethiopian people as a result of the grave Fascist war crimes committed with the complicit support of the Vatican. Part I, which covers his tenure with the United Nations, is based on 28 years of service in ten countries across Africa and the Middle East. Parts II and III detail his 14-year struggle for peace and unity in the Horn of Africa, as well as the justice long denied to Ethiopia for the Fascist Italian crimes committed between 1935 and 1941.
Kidane Alemayehu’s journey with the United Nations took him through Lesotho, Tanzania, Uganda, and the United Arab Emirates. His first assignment was in Lesotho in 1972, where he served as Director of Posts, Telecommunications, and Civil Aviation, focusing on training local Basotho professionals to replace expatriates. In 1979, he moved to Tanzania, where he contributed to the development of the country’s new capital, Dodoma, representing the United Nations in the Ministry of Capital Development. In 1981, Kidane was transferred to the UN Center for Human Settlements (UN-Habitat) in Nairobi, Kenya, where he served as an Inter-Regional Consultant and traveled extensively across Africa.
In 1982, Kidane was invited to assist the Ministry of Public Works and Housing in the United Arab Emirates. His consultancy evolved into a two-year term, during which he presented recommendations to address the Ministry’s critical challenges. Leading a team to implement his proposals, he oversaw significant developments that contributed to Dubai’s transformation into a global hub for commerce, tourism, and industry.
After retiring from the United Nations, Kidane turned his focus to the Horn of Africa, dedicating three chapters of his book to the region. Despite its challenges, he expressed hope for its future, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts from internal and external stakeholders to foster socio-economic and political development.
Kidane’s book also highlights his efforts to seek justice for the Ethiopian people regarding crimes committed by Fascist Italy during its 1935–41 invasion, with the Vatican’s complicity. In 2005, he initiated his campaign by writing to Pope Benedict XVI, urging the Vatican to issue an apology to the Ethiopian people. To further this mission, Kidane founded the Global Alliance for Justice: The Ethiopian Cause, advocating for reparations, the return of looted artifacts, and formal recognition of Ethiopia’s suffering.
The book addresses vital issues related to institutional development in various countries, particularly human settlements, and underscores the importance of cooperation and mutual support among Horn of Africa nations. It also stresses Ethiopia’s long-overdue pursuit of justice for the atrocities perpetrated by Fascist Italy with the Vatican’s tacit endorsement.
My Journey with the United Nations and Quest for the Horn of Africa’s Unity and Justice for Ethiopia is regarded as a significant contribution to Ethiopian literature and history, emphasizing the need for justice and reconciliation. It serves as a testament to the United Nations’ role in institutional development across Africa and the Middle East through agencies such as UNDP, ITU, and UN-Habitat.
“My Journey with the United Nations and Quest for the Horn of Africa’s Unity and Justice for Ethiopia” by Kidane Alemayehu is now available for purchase via ARPress Bookstore: