#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/

News: Peace talk in South Africa not about which side “#Wolkait” should go to: PM Abiy

According to Article 10/4 of the Pretoria #CoHA, the two parties “commit to resolving issues of contested areas in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia”. The agreement, however, avoided directly raising the occupation of Western Tigray, which has seen one of the worst violence in the aftermath of the November 2020, described by the US as acts of “ethnic cleansing.” A joint report by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International has also documented “Crimes against Humanity and Ethnic Cleansing in Ethiopia’s Western Tigray Zone.”

In his responses today, the Prime Minister, too, has avoided the reference to Western Tigray and instead mentioned only Wolkait. He told lawmakers that “unless the people of Wolkait get the opportunity to self-determination, there won’t be a lasting peace. It is only if we open the room for the people to decide on their own issues that justice could prevail.”

https://addisstandard.com/news-peace-talk-in-south-africa-not-about-which-side-wolkait-should-go-to-pm-abiy/

#Kenyan traders buy #Ethiopian miraa for #Somalia market on high costs

The exporters are also paying $5 (Sh609) as airfreight and handling charges per kilo once the consignment is delivered to Mogadishu.

Nyambene Miraa Trade Association (Nyamita) chairman Kimathi Munjuri said it has become untenable for traders to continue sourcing the stimulant locally.

“At least seven percent of the total allocated quota to the Somali market by Kenyan traders is being procured in Ethiopia as our business people avoid the high cost of doing business locally,” he said.

https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/markets/commodities/kenyan-traders-buy-ethiopian-miraa-for-somalia-high-costs-4020022

News: #Ethiopia, #Kenya ink agreement to jointly prevent organized crimes, terrorism

During the signing ceremony, Temesgen Tiruneh said that Ethiopia has signed a cooperation agreement with most African countries to prevent terrorism and related security issues and that it is therefore possible to ensure peace and security on the Horn by strengthening the cooperation of these countries.

Saif Salem Suleman (Ph.D.), head of the Kenyan national intelligence service delegation, also said that terrorism, illegal weapons, illegal money transfer, human trafficking, and organised crimes are threats to east Africa, so it is necessary to work with Ethiopia to combat these security problems in the region.

https://addisstandard.com/news-ethiopia-kenya-ink-agreement-to-jointly-prevent-organized-crimes-terrorism/

Saving lives before anything else!

Our first convoy of aid supplies has arrived in Mekelle. Two trucks delivered medicines, emergency and first aid kits to support health facilities in #Tigray to treat patients with conditions that need urgent care.

More aid in the days ahead.

Source: ICRC

#Ethiopia's Deputy Chief Justice appointed as half-time judge of the United Nations Dispute Tribunal

Solomon Areda Waktolla, Deputy Chief Justice of the Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia has been appointed as a half-time judge of the United Nations Dispute Tribunal for the term 2023-2030 by the United Nations General Assembly’s 34th plenary meeting at the elections held on the 15th of November 2022 in New York, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"The United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) is the court of first instance in the internal justice system of the United Nations and is composed of three full-time Judges and six half-time Judges all of whom have a seven-year term,," MoFA said,adding that Deputy Chief Justice Solomn is an "accomplished judge and jurist with over twenty five (25) years of legal and judicial work experience both at national and international levels."

Picture: peoplepill.com

News Analysis: #US says withdrawal of #Eritrean, #Amhara, #Afar forces from #Tigray part of peace agreement; threatens sanctions if agreement not heeded

The presence of Eritrean forces on the ground has been accompanied by acts of atrocities they committed against Tigrayan civilians, which has long been documented by human rights organizations, including the state backed Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), highlighting “grave human rights violations and an attack against civilians in Axum city, Tigray region.

Regardless of the evidence, however, the texts of the CoH agreement signed in Pretoria and the subsequent Declaration of Executive plan signed in Nairobi both failed to directly mention the invasion of Eritrean forces.

Similarly, both texts failed to mention the forceful occupation of Western Tigray by forces from the neighboring Amhara regional state. Although Article 10/4 of the Pretoria agreement stated that the two parties “commit to resolving issues of contested areas in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia”, the absence of direct mention of the withdrawal of Amhara regional state forces from western Tigray Region has subjected the agreement to different interpretations among various political actors.

https://addisstandard.com/news-analysis-us-says-withdrawal-of-eritrean-amhara-afar-forces-from-tigray-part-of-peace-agreement-threatens-sanctions-if-agreement-not-heeded/

#NewsAlert: #ICRC test-flight lands in #Shire, #Tigray today

A test-flight by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) landed in Shire today. It is the first humanitarian flight in two years since the war erupted in November 2020, ICRC said.

"The resuming of airlifts to #Tigray will help carry urgent humanitarian aid to the region more quickly, to alleviate the suffering of thousands needing immediate support," ICRC further said.

This comes a day after two trucks full of vital medical supplies arrived in Mekelle on Tuesday in the first aid delivery since fighting resumed on 24 August and the Pretoria and Nairobi agreements were signed.