News: Over three million people expected to vote in referendum to form #Ethiopia’s 12th regional state

NEBE said on Thursday that it has been granted 410.1 million birr out of total budget of 541.3 million birr requested to organize the referendum. Adding that registration for the election will last for 15 days.

https://addisstandard.com/news-over-three-million-people-expected-to-vote-in-referendum-to-form-ethiopias-12th-regional-state/

News: Ethiopian Airlines refutes reference of “Airline police station” in charges of rape, corruption and abuse of power against police officers

Ethiopian Airlines said that a reference to the presence of “Airline police Station” in the prosecutor’s recent charges against members of law enforcement and their accomplices who are charged with crimes rape, grave corruption and abuse of power is erroneous.

Part of the crime described in the prosecutor’s charge stated a scene as airline police station where, on 05 August, the defendants took the victim from a police station where she was detained at threatened her to charge her with terrorism unless she complied with their demands.

https://addisstandard.com/news-ethiopian-airlines-refutes-reference-of-airline-police-station-in-charges-of-rape-corruption-and-abuse-of-power-against-police-officers/

News: #EU says it “stands by” #UN Secretary General's statement as #Ethiopia plans nationwide rally to denounce “interference by some western powers”

Ahead of the planned UN Security Council meeting on Ethiopia later today, Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice-President of the European Commission, said “the EU stands by the statement” of UN Secretary-General António Guterres “in this moment of dramatic escalation of violence in Ethiopia.”

Ethiopia is preparing for nationwide rally under the motto: “I will stand for Ethiopia and raise my voice”.

https://addisstandard.com/news-eu-says-it-stands-by-unsg-statement-as-ethiopia-plans-nationwide-rally-to-denounce-interference-by-some-western-powers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=news-eu-says-it-stands-by-unsg-statement-as-ethiopia-plans-nationwide-rally-to-denounce-interference-by-some-western-powers

#Ethiopia: At least 30 people killed in an attacks blamed on “Fano militants” in East #Wollega zone of #Oromia region: local official

Addis Standard contacted the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) for further details about the attack. The Commission said that although it had received information on the matter it was difficulty in verifying and obtaining accurate information due to the lack of network in the area.

Fikadu referred to the perpetrators as,“Fano militants” who were organized in the name of Amhara community in the area; some of whom lived there and some of whom came from Horro Guduru zone, he said, adding that the victims include an elderly as old as 75 years old. The perpetrators used “illegal and unauthorized weapons” in the attacks in four villages: “Gudina Jiregna, Cheffe Soruma, Burka Soruma and Nachino villages in Kiramu district. A total of 30 people, 29 men and one woman, were killed in the attack,” the local official said.

https://addisstandard.com/news-at-least-30-people-killed-in-an-attacks-blamed-on-fano-militants-in-east-wollega-zone-of-oromia-region-local-official-2/

#Ethiopia: #Tigray peace talk delegation arrive in #SouthAfrica, Blinken speaks with President Ruto, SA Foreign Minister Pandor

The pace talk delegation composed of officials from Tigray regional state arrived in South Africa ahead of today’s AU-led peace talk between Tigray and federal government officials.

As of the publishing of this news, there is no announcement from the federal government on the composition of the team representing it in the planned talks, nor if the team has arrived at the scene.

But sources close to the matter told Addis Standard on conditions of anonymity that the delegation is composed of...

https://addisstandard.com/news-tigray-peace-talk-delegation-arrive-in-south-africa-blinken-speaks-with-president-ruto-sa-foreign-minister-pandor/

ዜና፡ ጋዜጠኛ ተመስገን ደሳለኝ ከቀረቡበት ሶስት ተደራራቢ ክሶች ዉስጥ ከሁለቱ ነፃ ነው ሲል ፍርድ ቤት ብይን ሰጠ

በብሩክ አለሙ

የፌደራል ከፍተኛ ፍርድ ቤት ዓቃቢ ህግ በጋዜጠኛ ተመስገን ደሳለኝ ላይ ካቀረበበት ሶስት ተደራራቢ ክሶች ውስጥ 1ኛ እና 2ኛ ክስን በተመለከተ ያቀረበው ማስረጃ ወንጀሉን የሚያስረዳ ሆኖ ስላላገኘው ክሱን ውድቅ እንደረገውና 3ኛውን ክስ ብቻ እንዲከላከል ብይን መስጠቱን ጠበቃው አቶ ሄኖክ አክሊሉ ቕዳሜ ጥቅምት 12 ለአዲስ ስታንዳርድ ተናገሩ፡፡

የፌደራል ከፍተኛው ፍርድ ቤት ልደታ ምድብ 1ኛ የህግ መንግስት እና የሽብር ጉዳዮች ወንጀል ችሎት የፍትሕ መጽሔት ባለቤትና ማኔጂንግ ዳይሬክተር ጋዜጠኛ ተመስገን ደሳለኝ ከቀረበበት ሶስት ክሶች ውስጥ ከሁለቱ ክሶች ነፃ ነው ሲል ብይን የሰጠው አርብ ጥቅምት 11 በዋለው ችሎት መሆኑን ጠበቃው አቶ ሄኖክ ጨምረው አብራርተዋል፡፡
https://amharic.addisstandard.com/%e1%8b%9c%e1%8a%93%e1%8d%a1-%e1%8c%8b%e1%8b%9c%e1%8c%a0%e1%8a%9b-%e1%89%b0%e1%88%98%e1%88%b5%e1%8c%88%e1%8a%95-%e1%8b%b0%e1%88%b3%e1%88%88%e1%8a%9d-%e1%8a%a8%e1%89%80%e1%88%a8%e1%89%a1%e1%89%a0/

#Ethiopia: Verbatim

"I follow the persistent situation of conflict in Ethiopia with trepidation. May the efforts of the parties for dialogue lead to a genuine path of reconciliation. May our prayers, our solidarity and the necessary humanitarian aid not fail our Ethiopian brothers and sisters," His Holiness Pope Francis.

Updated News: Tigray peace talk delegation arrive in South Africa, Blinken speaks with President Ruto, SA Foreign Minister Pandor

In a statement released a short while ago, the federal government said it “will be participating in the AU convened peace talks to be held in South Africa.”

“The Government of #Ethiopia views the talks as an opportunity to peacefully resolve the conflict and consolidate the improvement of the situation on the ground brought about through the sacrifices of the ENDF” the statement said, and confirmed that “the delegation has left for South Africa this morning.”

https://addisstandard.com/news-tigray-peace-talk-delegation-arrive-in-south-africa-blinken-speaks-with-president-ruto-sa-foreign-minister-pandor/

#Ethiopia: #US grants Temporary Protected Status to Ethiopians fleeing conflict

The U.S. government on Friday granted Temporary Protected Status for 18 months for Ethiopians currently residing in the United States, the Department of Homeland Security said.

"The United States recognizes the ongoing armed conflict and the extraordinary and temporary conditions engulfing Ethiopia, and DHS is committed to providing temporary protection to those in need," Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement announcing the designation.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us-grants-temporary-protected-status-ethiopian-immigrants-2022-10-21/

#Sudan: At least 220 killed in fighting

At least 220 people were killed in two days of fighting in Sudan's southern #BlueNile province. The provincial government declared a 30-day state of emergency and banned gatherings.

Fighting in Blue Nile province, which borders #Ethiopia and #SouthSudan, reignited earlier this month over a land dispute. It pits the Hausa tribe, with origins across West Africa, against the Berta people.

The tensions escalated Wednesday and Thursday in the town of Wad el-Mahi on the border with Ethiopia.

https://www.dw.com/en/sudan-at-least-220-killed-in-tribal-fighting-in-blue-nile-province/a-63532506?maca=en-Twitter-sharing

#Ethiopia: PM Abiy calls for decisive, swift measures against product sabotage, illegal foreign exchange and land grabbing

Economic sabotage, theft and hiding of products “have become our main challenges.”

“Hiding of products that should have been exported, illegal foreign exchange and land grabbing are the obstacles to prosperity that we need to take decisive and swift action against” PM Abiy said.

https://addisstandard.com/news-pm-abiy-calls-for-decisive-swift-measures-against-product-sabotage-illegal-foreign-exchange-and-land-grabbing/

News: Senate bipartisan group urge for cessation of hostilities, withdrawal of Eritrean forces and unfettered humanitarian access

In the backdrop of the AU-led pace talks that is expected to take place in South Africa between the representatives of the federal government and the Tigray regional state authorities, a bipartisan group of the U.S. Senate wrote a letter to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed pleading with his government and all parties involved to end the war “that has ravaged northern Ethiopia for two years.” The letter urged for immediate cessation of hostilities, withdrawal of Eritrean forces and the provision of unfettered humanitarian access. https://addisstandard.com/news-senate-bipartisan-group-urge-for-cessation-of-hostilities-withdrawal-of-eritrean-forces-and-unfettered-humanitarian-access/

#Ethiopia: Flood in #Gambella region displaces more than 185, 000 people

The data shows a significant increase from the number of affected people released by Gatbel Mun, disaster risk management bureau head of the Gembella regional state, who said in August that more than 74,000 civilians have been displaced due to floods in eight districts of the regional state.

Flooding had caused severe damages in the region between April-July 2021, which had displaced some 11,749 residents.

https://addisstandard.com/news-flood-in-gambella-region-displaces-more-than-185-000-people/

News: At least 40 people extrajudicially killed by #Eritrean forces in #Sheraro – Amnesty International

A report by the #AmnestyInternational (AI) says Eritrean forces extrajudicially killed at least 40 people in Sheraro town, in North Western Zone of the Tigray Regional state between 06 and 12 September 2022. The victims include Eritrean refugees.

The statement further says that in August and September alone multiple air strikes in Mekelle and Adi Daero “killed hundreds of civilians including children”. The rights group says there are fears of fresh atrocities looming in Tigray as conflict intensifies and called on warring parties to protect civilians.

https://addisstandard.com/news-at-least-40-people-extrajudicially-killed-by-eritrean-forces-in-sheraro-amnesty-international/

#Ethiopia: Residents say drone strike killed dozens of civilians in West Shewa, #Oromia region; #OLF, #OFC condemn relentless airstrikes across Oromia

A resident of the area, who did not want to be named for security reasons, told #AddisStandard that several civilians were killed in a sudden drone strike in Kale area around 11:00 am local on Sunday. “Even though I couldn’t mention the exact figure, many people have died. Many are injured. Many of our district residents died,” he said.

Another resident of Chobi district, confirmed the attack to Addis Standard adding that at least 68 people were confirmed dead and over 100 people are wounded as of Monday morning in Sunday’s drone strike.

https://addisstandard.com/news-residents-say-drone-strike-killed-dozens-of-civilians-in-west-shewa-oromia-region-olf-ofc-condemn-relentless-airstrikes-across-oromia/

Ethiopia: AU-led peace talks begin in #SouthAfrica
The AU-led peace talks between the federal government & Tigrayan authorities "convened to find a peaceful & sustainable solution to the devastating conflict in the #Tigray region" started today 25 October and will end on Sunday on the 30th of October, according to Vincent Magwenya, spokesman for spokesman for South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa said.
The talks were initially scheduled to begin yesterday.

#NewsAlert: #Somali region MP shot dead inside #Jigjiga airport

Juweria Subcis, a member of the Somali regional state parliament, was shot by a member of federal police officer inside Jigjiga Airport in the region’s capital. Juweria died immediately due to her injuries, according to her close friend Dr. Juweria Ali.

Details are sketchy, and there is no official statement from the regional state security, but speaking to Addis Standard, Dr. Juweria said she was informed that there was an altercation between a traveler and the police officer which “led to him opening fire. Juweria was nearby and a bullet hit her,” Dr. Juweria said

https://addisstandard.com/newsalert-somali-region-mp-shot-dead-inside-jigjiga-airport/

Update: Prosperity Party (PP) confirmed the death of Juweria "in Jigjiga Airport after being shot by a member of the security forces."

Juweria was a member of the #Somali Region Parliament & the Central Committee of the ruling PP. "The case is under legal investigation," the party said.

Source: Prosperity Party

News: #Ethiopia ranks 123 out of 140 in Rule of Law Index, a decline from last year

The 2022 World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index, which was released on 25 October, revealed that Ethiopia’s overall rule of law score has decreased 3.6% in this year’s Index. Ethiopia ranks 123rd out of 140 countries worldwide, falling one position since last year.

Significant trends for Ethiopia included “a deterioration in the factor measuring Order and Security,” WJP said.

https://addisstandard.com/news-ethiopia-ranks-123-out-of-140-in-rule-of-law-index-a-decline-from-last-year/

#Ethiopia: Southern region police apprehend officer suspected of trafficking 48 #Eritrean nationals to #Kenya

Of the 48 Eritreans, 23 are men, 20 women and five children. The truck driver and an assistant, along with the police officer, were intercepted by the zonal police and the regional special forces on 18 October at around 10:00 PM local time.

The Deputy Commander said that the regional police commission will hand over the Eritrean victims of trafficking to the federal police and will launch an investigation into the police officer and two individuals who were apprehended with the officer.

https://addisstandard.com/news-southern-region-police-apprehend-officer-suspected-of-trafficking-48-eritrean-nationals-to-kenya/

#Ethiopia: #US says immediate cessation of hostilities priority to end “this destabilizing conflict” as #AU announces launch of peace talks in #SouthAfrica

Secretary of state Antony Blinken said “as a first priority, it is essential to achieve an immediate cessation of hostilities.” The US also repeated its call on the delegations to agree on unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to all those in need, measures to protect civilians, and Eritrea’s withdrawal from northern Ethiopia.”

***

Speaking to France 24, Dr. Aklilu Hailemichael, TPLF’s official representative for Europe, said that Tigray expects result from the peace talks in four areas: unconditional and immediate cessation of hostilities, unfettered humanitarian access to the people of Tigray including in areas controlled by the allied forces and the the Tigray government, access to international human rights institutions as well as media to Tigray and the withdrawal of Eritrean forces from Tigray.

https://addisstandard.com/news-us-says-immediate-cessation-of-hostilities-priority-to-end-this-destabilizing-conflict-as-au-announces-launch-of-peace-talks-in-south-africa/