Addis Standard
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An independent Ethiopia based online media focusing on current affairs. Original content+daily gist of media monitoring
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#Ethiopia receives a €31.5mln backing from #EU to improve lives of children, women

Ethiopia has received a €31.5 million backing from the European Union (EU) to enable the restart of interrupted health services in conflict-affected areas in Ethiopia.
EU provided the assistance to enable the launching and capacity building activities by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (#UNICEF).

It is said that the backing is aimed at improving the lives of children and women, helping them to recover from the damage caused by the conflict, and to restart health services in areas affected by conflicts.

https://t.co/h0y1GsOg1V
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/
News: More airstrikes kill dozens in #Mendi, West #Wollega; mounting civilian causalities draw outcry

Yet another airstrike on Wednesday 09 November by the federal forces has killed dozens of civilians in the town of Mendi, in Mana Sibu district of West Wollega zone in #Oromia regional state. The town of Mendi, which is approximately located 571km from the capital Addis Abeba, has been reportedly under the control of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) since last week.

The area and its surroundings are experiencing severe communication blackout, but those who manged to speak to media say the latest air strike took place on Wednesday between 7:00 – 8:00 pm local time. The repeated drone strikes targeted a vehicle belonging to the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), which the government refers to as “OLF/Shene”, but most of the deaths were civilians, according to eye witnesses.

https://addisstandard.com/news-more-airstrikes-kill-dozens-in-mendi-west-wallaga-mounting-civilian-causalities-draw-outcry/
#Ethiopia: Safaricom Ethiopia expands to 26 cities in #Ethiopia

Safaricom has expanded to 26 cities in Ethiopia, barely a month since the commercial launch.

***
Although the firm's entry in Ethiopia dented its bottom line, shrinking net profits by 10 per cent to Sh33.5 billion, Ndegwa is hopeful of better results going forward once M-Pesa services begin.

“We have invested $598 million in Ethiopia. We are happy that the Abiy's administration has allowed M-Pesa services which are expected to boost commercial efforts, with a greater focus on driving financial inclusion and digital acceleration for the people,” Ndegwa said.

https://www.the-star.co.ke/business/2022-11-11-safaricom-expands-to-26-cities-in-ethiopia/
#Ethiopia: More than a dozen civilians killed following latest clashes between #Afar, #Somali regions militias near border areas

At least 18 civilians were killed, several others were injured in fresh clashes in areas bordering the Somali and Afar regional states on 09 November, according to a source from the Somali region who spoke with Addis Standard.

Some 28 civilians who were injured in the clashes were taken to a nearby Biki hospital in the Somali region. A medical staff at the hospital who wanted to remain anonymous confirmed to Addis Standard that the injured were admitted to the hospital.

https://addisstandard.com/news-civilians-casualties-following-latest-clashes-between-afar-somali-regions-militias-near-border-areas/
Coming up: Announcement on outcome of #federal, #Tigray top military commanders meeting in #Nairobi

What to expect

The Nairobi meeting is expected “to discuss and workout detailed modalities on the implementation including, disarmament issues, taking into account the security situation on the ground” as is mentioned in the statement below, as well as “provide a roadmap for immediate humanitarian access and restoration of services in the Tigray region.”

Sticking point

The issue of the withdrawal of foreign forces from the sovereign territory of Ethiopia in the Tigray region is expected to be the sticking point in the outcome of the meeting between the two sides. Although #Eritrean forces are fully engaged in the war since the beginning, the text of the cessation of hostilities does not acknowledge Eritrea by name, but mentions instead “foreign forces.”

https://addisstandard.com/coming-up-announcement-on-outcome-of-federal-tigray-top-military-commanders-meeting-in-nairobi/
#Ethiopia: Commercial Bank restores banking services in seven branches in western #Tigray

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia announced that it has restored banking services in seven branches in Western Tigray which is currently under the occupation of the Amhara Region, where services were disconnected due to the war that has been going on for two years.

The seven branches of the bank namely: Maikadra, Humera, Kafta, Aurora, Dansha, Adi Remits and Ketema Nigus which were operated under Shire banking district before the war, have now started services under the CBE’s Gonder banking district, Alsan Asefa, Corporate Communications Director of the bank, #AddisStandard.

https://addisstandard.com/news-commercial-bank-restores-banking-services-in-seven-branches-in-western-tigray/
#Ethiopia: Council of Ministers approve draft establishing Commission tasked to oversee peaceful disarmament, reintegration into society of armed groups

Among the three drafts the Council of Ministers approved is a draft proclamation providing the formation of a “National Reform Commission”, which will be responsible to oversee the disarmament and reintegration into society of armed groups operating in Ethiopia.

“Since it is necessary to find a peaceful solution to the conflicts that have been taking place in all areas of the country, it is necessary to establish a National Reform Commission to allow the forces that were armed in organized forces to disarm and join the society in a sustainable way, to lead a peaceful life, to participate in the process of development, peace and democracy in the country, a draft regulation was prepared and presented to the Council", the statement said.

https://addisstandard.com/news-council-of-ministers-approve-draft-establishing-commission-tasked-to-oversee-peaceful-disarmament-reintegration-into-society-of-armed-groups/
Happening now: Press announcement on the outcome of the federal army and Tigray region top military leaders meeting in Nairobi.

Please follow the live feed on Journalist Elias Meseret 's Facebook page here

https://fb.watch/gLtKrgbdJs/
#Ethiopia: Federal, #Tigray military commanders to form joint committee to elaborate DDR, agree to facilitate unhindered humanitarian access, movement of humanitarian aid workers

The issue of the withdrawal of foreign forces remained unaddressed openly both in the speeches by the top commanders and the readout of the press statement that followed.

Responding to a question on presence of the Eritrean forces, former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, said the delegation was “not here to talk about any particular country this way or that way, we are here to talk about the peace of Ethiopia.”

However, under “Disarmament of Tigray armed combatants,” of the Declaration point 2.1/D, it is stated that “disarmament of heavy weapons will be done concurrently with the withdrawal of foreign and non-ENDF forces from the region.”

https://addisstandard.com/news-federal-tigray-military-commanders-to-form-joint-committee-to-elaborate-ddr-agree-to-facilitate-unhindered-humanitarian-access-movement-of-humanitarian-aid-workers/
#Ethiopia: #UN Secretary General calls on parties in Ethiopia peace agreement to move ahead as "matter of urgency in translating this agreement into concrete improvements for civilians"

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on the Ethiopian federal government and officials of Tigray regional state who are parties to the permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) "to move ahead as a matter of urgency in translating this agreement into concrete improvements for civilians on the ground, including accelerating the facilitation of humanitarian access and the restoration of essential services."

https://t.co/Xfle38PF4T
#Ethiopia News: Conflict, drought inflict heavy humanitarian crises in Southern and Western #Oromia Region: #UN

The scale and scope of hostilities in western Oromia has intensified in 2022 and spread to new areas such as Horo Guduru Wollega and Ilu Aba Bora Zones, as well as North, East and South-west Shewa (Central Oromia),” the statement added.

Around 70 health facilities and 91 schools have become dysfunctional due to damage and looting in Guji Zone alone in 2022 and the people have no access to basic services like health, education, potable water and sanitation following the destruction of essential infrastructure.

https://addisstandard.com/news-conflict-drought-inflict-heavy-humanitarian-crises-in-southern-and-western-oromia-region-un/
#SouthAfrica's #Vodacom hit by #Ethiopia network roll-out

Vodacom, majority-owned by Britain's Vodafone VOD.L, said headline earnings per share, the main profit measure in South Africa, fell to 457 cents in the six months ended Sept. 30 from 505 cents a year earlier.

Vodacom said it implemented a new simplified dividend policy, which is set at least 75% of Vodacom Group headline earnings, and declared an interim dividend of 340 cents per share. https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/south-africas-vodacom-hit-by-ethiopia-network-roll-out
#Ethiopia: Chinese Company, DMC Trading PLC ink deal to build 5 star hotel with worth 14.2bln Birr in #AddisAbeba
China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and DMC Trading PLC have signed an agreement for the construction of Five Star Hotel, Mall and Apartment in the heart of Addis Abeba with a cost of 14.2 billion Birr.
CCECC General Manager in Ethiopia, Guo Chongfeng and DMC Trading PLC CEO, Dereje Habtamu signed the agreement on Saturday, according to ENA.
Speaking on the occasion, Chongfeng said as Addis Abeba is known as the “Political Capital of Africa,” its growing number of business travelers, multinational organizations and foreign investors are driving the demand for quality accommodation.

https://t.co/zKh4TukhRK
#IDPs In numbers: There are 2.72 million internally displaced people (522,138 households) across 2,120 sites in #Ethiopia, and an estimated 2 million returning IDPs (456,120 households) across 1,662 villages

The severe drought, increase in conflict, and high food prices have had a cumulative devastating humanitarian impact across the country and represented major drivers of displacement that have exacerbated an already complex and protracted humanitarian crisis. The latest DTM report indicates that through the 30th round.

Site Assessment in June and July 2022, 2.72 million IDPs (522,138 households) were internally displaced across 2,120 sites in Ethiopia, and there were an estimated 2 million returning IDPs (456,120
households) across 1,662 villages in Ethiopia1 due to the ongoing conflict and drought. https://t.co/GsURLewX1k
News: #Evangelical Church condemns killing of dozens of its worshipers in East, West #Wollega, expresses dismay on government

The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus has condemned what it said was indiscriminate killing by armed group of its members at Muleta Gela congregation, in Galo kebele of East Wollega Zone in Oromia Regional state.

More than a dozen members of the church including leaders and servants were also killed by a drone strike in Medni town, West Wollega.

Furthermore, the church has expressed its dismay on government security forces who it accused of neither preventing the tragedy nor investigating it to bring the culprits to justice.

https://addisstandard.com/news-evangelical-church-condemns-killing-of-dozens-of-its-worshipers-in-east-west-wollega-expresses-dismay-on-government/
News: Law designating #TPLF as “terrorist” doesn’t prohibit negotiations: PM Abiy

In his address responding to questions raised by the House of Peoples’ Representatives (HoPR) at the ongoing 4th regular session, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told lawmakers that the law they passed designating the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) as a “terrorist organization” does not prohibit negotiations with “terrorist organization.”

“The bill you passed doesn’t say ‘don’t negotiation with terrorists'” PM Abiy said addressing one of the long-running controversies after the federal government announced to engage in peace talks with the TPLF, the party administering the Tigray regional state.

It was on 01 May 2021 that the Council of Ministers issued a resolution categorizing “Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and Shene as terrorist organizations.”

https://addisstandard.com/news-law-designating-tplf-as-terrorist-doesnt-prohibit-negotiations-pm-abiy/
#Malawi: Immigration authorities arrest 18 Ethiopians for illegal entry

This comes barely a month after 40 Ethiopians were found dead in in #Mzimba.

Police say they have since arrested a Malawian who was driving a vehicle which was ferrying the suspected immigrants.

https://www.nyasatimes.com/immigration-authorities-arrest-18-ethiopians-for-illegal-entry/