News: #US donates 126 Tuberculosis testing machines worth $3 million to #Ethiopia

The new machines will reduce the time it takes to diagnose TB from two days to two hours and from two months to two hours for MDR-TB the statement added.

Ethiopia is among the 30 countries worldwide with the highest burden of tuberculosis and TB/HIV co-infection and having 19,000 registered TB caused deaths in 2021 alone.

https://addisstandard.com/news-us-donates-126-tuberculosis-testing-machines-worth-3-million-to-ethiopia/

#Ethiopia conflict: Looking for clues in video of forgotten massacre

The Ethiopian government has denied deliberately targeting non-combatants in a conflict that has led to many thousands of civilian deaths. BBC Reality Check look at a video showing a massacre of unarmed men and investigate who might have carried it out.

Warning: Contains distressing images of death and violence throughout.

Note: #AddisStandard first reported about this massacre in February this year.

Link to Addis Standard's report:

Analysis: Massacre in plain sight; behind silent killings in Oromo special zone, Amhara region

Like to BBC Reality Check:

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/63515162

Analysis: Experts, an addict urge Tramadol users to “stop” as Drug Authority fastens control over medicine

By Biruk Alemu

As the surge in the abuse of #Tramadol, an #opioid medicine used for the short-term relief, grips the young & the old in #Ethiopia, a recovering addict, a care giving nurse & a medical doctor speak to #AddisStandard on the impact of the crisis.

The trend has recently forced Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority to issue an unusual announcement that it was set to implement a strict control and has directed pharmacies in Ethiopia.

https://addisstandard.com/analysis-experts-an-addict-urge-tramadol-users-to-stop-as-drug-authority-fasten-control-over-medicine/

News: WHO #Ethiopia joins emergency response to contain Cholera outbreak in #Bale zone, #Oromia region

The World Health Organization (#WHO) #Ethiopia joined Ethiopia’s health officials in their emergency response to a #Cholera outbreak in Harena Buluk and Berbera woredas of the Bale zone in Southern Oromia.

At least nine people have died following the latest outbreak across five districts in Oromia and Somali regional states, with over 330 cases reported as of 31 October.

The outbreak was first reported in Harana Buluk woreda of Bale zone on 27 August this year. On 18 September, Berbere woreda became the second woreda reporting cholera cases, soon after followed by Delo Mena woreda where suspected cases were reported in Burka IDPs site on 03 October. https://addisstandard.com/news-who-ethiopia-joins-emergency-response-to-contain-cholera-outbreak-in-bale-zone-oromia-region/

News: Legendary artist Ali Birra laid to rest in his birth city Dire Dawa

His body was brought to Friendship square, in the capital on Tuesday morning from his residence in #Bishoftu town, where he has been paid a farewell at the presence of his families, senior government officials, religious leaders, fellow artists and thousands of fans.

Speaking on the ceremony his wife Lily Marcus said “love, harmony and peace for all” were Ali’s legacies.

“As we all cry, mourn and weep while we send him to his final resting place, I am pretty sure that you all have a beautiful memory of him or with him. Keep that memory because it should live on. Let’s continue to celebrate his life through his beautiful legacy,” she said.

https://addisstandard.com/news-legendary-artist-ali-birra-laid-to-rest-in-his-birth-city-dire-dawa/

Analysis: #Tigrayan families disconnected for over a year cautiously optimistic about peace agreement

By Mihret G/Kiristos

The Tigray regional state in northern Ethiopia where war has been raging for two years has been under a communications blackout since the Tigrayan forces took control of regional capital Mekelle in June 2021.

Some families from central and other parts of Tigray who could manage to travel to Alamata, paying unacceptably expensive prices for transport and accommodation, have been able to connect with their relatives using almost non-existent cell network from bordering areas.

Now, there is a flicker of hope....

https://addisstandard.com/analysis-tigrayan-families-disconnected-for-over-a-year-cautiously-optimistic-about-peace-agreement/

#Ethiopia: Civilians killed following intense fighting between rebel group, government forces in #Nekemte, western #Oromia region

By Getahun Legesse

“They [members of #OLA] entered the city [Nekemte] at around 6.30 AM [local time] via a route from the western direction. They broke into a prison located in kebele 05 and set prisoners free. They also seized [Oromia] special force’s campsite located in Kumsa Moroda [museum] and confiscated weapons. Meanwhile, the government forces located in different sites in the town also started offensive and there was a heavy fighting between the two. The fighting continued until after 12: 00 PM,” the first resident said.

https://addisstandard.com/news-civilians-killed-following-intense-fighting-between-rebel-group-government-forces-in-nekemte-western-oromia-region/

#Ethiopia Seeks #IMF Loan to Fend Off Hunger for 20 Million People

Ethiopia is seeking International Monetary Fund financing to provide food for its people after the worst drought in four decades and a civil war curbed farm production.

“Ethiopian authorities have indicated an interest in accessing the IMF’s food shock window,” the fund said in an emailed response to queries, without providing more details.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-09/ethiopia-seeks-imf-loan-to-fend-off-hunger-for-20-million-people?utm_content=africa&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&cmpid%3D=socialflow-twitter-africa&leadSource=uverify%20wall

News: Authority preparing media guideline to report on #Ethiopia cessation of hostilities agreement

Accordingly, media guidelines are being prepared by the authority that will outline how all media outlets should make reports related to the peace agreement, which will create capacity for the institutions and can be used as a reference.

Mohammed further said that false information and hateful speech are counterproductive to the ideas of peace and should be prevented. The guideline is prepared based on the obliging provisions set in the agreement. As such, the media authority will regularly monitor and support all media outlets to respect their moral, professional and legal obligations and direct them on the right track.

https://addisstandard.com/news-authority-preparing-media-guideline-to-report-on-ethiopia-cessation-of-hostilities-agreement/

#Ethiopia: #WHO Urges 'Immediate' Food, Medical Aid For Tigray
WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan welcomed the notion of a humanitarian corridor into Tigray, but said experience in other crises showed it was vital that the corridor remained both open "and unrestricted".
"The people in Tigray need immediate, massive, overwhelming assistance now," he said, including not just food and healthcare but also goods, commodities, plus the free movement of staff to deliver the aid.
Ryan said a "drip-drip" flow of aid, or help being turned on and off "is not going to work".

https://www.barrons.com/news/who-chief-urges-immediate-food-medical-aid-for-tigray-01668008407

#Kenya and #SouthAfrica agree on visa-free entry

Kenya and South Africa have agreed to a reciprocal visa-free entry deal which will be rolled out from January next year.

Applicants will get a maximum of 90 days annually.

Currently, Kenyan nationals pay up to $40 (£35) and have to show proof of "sufficient" funds as well as wait an average of three weeks for a 90-day South African visa.

Only travellers staying less than 30 days enjoyed a free pass, but that too attracted a processing fee of about $40.

In contrast, South Africans do not require pre-departure visas to travel to Kenya.


https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-africa-62845587?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=636bc582f15ea55905e416f4%26Kenya%20and%20South%20Africa%20agree%20on%20visa-free%20entry%262022-11-09T16%3A37%3A24.283Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:a6af5fbb-1858-428c-aeba-107dee15d8c1&pinned_post_asset_id=636bc582f15ea55905e416f4&pinned_post_type=share

News: #Mekelle sees food item prices slow down following #Ethiopia cessation of hostilities agreement

According to message received by #AddisStandard from a resident of Mekelle city, basic food items such as Teff grain from which the staple Ethiopian food Enjera is made, wheat and wheat flour showed sudden price discounts.

The resident said businesses feel that food supply may increase and prices might slow down as a result, and “they are selling everything they have in store”.

https://addisstandard.com/news-mekelle-sees-food-item-prices-slow-down-following-ethiopia-cessation-of-hostilities-agreement/

News: Supreme Court upholds ruling to release journalist Gobeze Sisay on bail

By Biruk Alemu

Addisu told #AddisStandard that the Federal Higher Court ruled on 13 October to release Gobeze on 20,000 ETB bail, which the federal prosecutor appealed against at the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court’s judges, after examining the law and the arguments put out by both the prosecutor and the defendant concluded that there was no justification for rejecting the federal higher court’s ruling and decided that his right to bail should be upheld and that he should pursue his case from outside, according to Addisu Algawu.

The Judges, however, raised the amount of bail money from 20,000ETB to 100,000ETB given the nature of the seriousness of the crime with which he was charged.

https://addisstandard.com/news-supreme-court-upholds-ruling-to-release-journalist-gobeze-sisay-on-bail/

#Ethiopia-#Somalia: #NISA chief tours Ethiopia’s #IMEDA in #AddisAbeba

During his tour at the IMEDA’s headquarters he checked the technology research and development work being done by the administration through ensuring the security of information infrastructure and the Ethiopian cyber talent development center.

According to the sources close to the venue, the parts have expressed their commitment on working jointly about various aspects including; information exchange to prevent terrorism, capacity building areas and joint measures to ensure the continued peace and security of the region.

The IMEDEA is working on a wide range of work by getting rid of dependence on technology abroad and ensuring national technology ownership.

https://sonna.so/en/2022/11/10/nisa-chief-tours-ethiopias-imeda-in-addis-ababa/

News: #Ethiopia disputes reports on continued blockade of humanitarian supply to #Tigray, claims aid flowing “like no other times”

Following a statement by the #US State Department Bureau of African Affairs on the need for urgent “actions to respect and implement” provisions of unhindered humanitarian aid flow “as agreed in Pretoria”, Ambassador Redwan Hussein, National security advisor of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who is also head of the Ethiopian delegation for the AU-led peace talks, said that, “aid is flowing like no other times, even to the areas not yet held by ENDF,” and announced that 70% of Tigray is now under the control of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF).

Article 11 on “Monitoring, Verification, and Compliance” of the cessation of hostilities agreement states that the two parties agreed “to institute a monitoring, verification, and compliance mechanism for the effective implementation of the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities. For this purpose, the Parties agree to establish a Joint Committee comprising a representative from each parties, a representative from IGAD and chaired by the African Union through the High-Level Panel.”

However, there is no report so far on the status of the formation of such panel or the the deployment thereof.

https://addisstandard.com/news-ethiopia-disputes-reports-on-continued-blockade-of-humanitarian-supply-to-tigray-claims-aid-flowing-like-no-other-times/