#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.

News Alert: Journalist Temesgen Desalegn released on 30,000 birr bail

However, until this afternoon, the Kilinto Prison has refused to release Temesgen Desaleng in violation of court verdict, his families and defense attorney told Addis Standard.

The Federal High Court, Lideta Division, First Anti-Terrorism and Constitutional Affairs Criminal bench has passed a verdict on Tuesday 15 November.

Journalist Temesgen was acquitted of two of the three simultaneous charges brought against him and defend himself against the remaining case from outside of prison.

His lawyer Henok Aklilu, told Addis Standard that the federal high court ruled on Tuesday that he should be released on 30,000 Birr bail, and confirmed that the order has been delivered to Kilinto prison, on which the prison refused to act on timely.

He was arrested on May 26 on suspicion of “inciting riots and creating public mistrust on the Ethiopian National Defense Forces and the government.”

https://addisstandard.com/news-alert-journalist-temesgen-desaleng-released-on-30000-birr-bail/

News: Up-and-coming #Oromo singer goes missing from police custody, family accuses Oromia region police of extrajudicial killing

Oromo singer Damiso Mosissa has gone missing after spending more than a year in police custody, a family member told Addis Standard, adding that his families were unofficially informed by a member of Oromia police that the singer was killed. They accuse Oromia security forces of extrajudicially killing him, the family member added.

Oromia police arrested Damiso on 06 June 2021, shortly after he attended the launching ceremony of his friend’s book in #Nekemte city, in East #Wollega Zone of the Oromia Regional State. Family members of the singer were unable to visit the detainee since his detention due to police’s refusal to disclose his whereabouts, according to the family member who spoke on conditions of anonymity.

https://addisstandard.com/news-up-and-coming-oromo-singer-goes-missing-from-police-custody-family-accuses-oromia-region-police-of-extrajudicial-killing/

#Ethiopia: Gov’t invites int’l bidders to denationalize 40% share of Ethio telecom

The Ethiopian Ministry of Finance has invited international telecom bidder companies, as it looks to implement the policy to denationalize 40% share of Ethio telecom.

Minister of Finance, Ahmed Shide, and Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Eyob Tekalign, delivered a statement regarding the partial privatization of Ethio Telecom.

In their statement, the officials revealed that a tender has been issued from Wednesday 16 November to identify the international company engaged in the telecom sector.

They also stated that a tender will be issued to transfer 40 percent of Ethio Telecom to the private sector and to give a license to a third telecommunication company in Ethiopia.

https://t.co/hmvqC355tF

Innovation: DigiTruck #Ethiopia launched, aims to enable rural, remote students benefit from digital technology

The DigiTruck Ethiopia project aims to bridge the digital divide by establishing a framework for kids and young adults to be introduced to computers, programming, the internet of things (IoT), and other emerging technologies at an early age, given the large number of students attending schools across Ethiopia and the need to equip them with the skills required to join a society where technology-related competencies are becoming increasingly important.

Huawei Ethiopia has collaborated with the Ethiopian Ministry of Education and iCOG ACC, East Africa’s first private AI and robotics research and development company, to implement the pilot project and roll out the training program across the country.

https://addisstandard.com/innovation-digitruck-ethiopia-launched-aims-to-enable-rural-remote-students-benefit-from-digital-technology/

#Ethiopian woman among seven executed in #Kuwait

Kuwait has carried out its first executions in five years, hanging seven people including two women despite pleas for clemency from international rights campaigners.

According to the public prosecution service, those put to death are a woman from Ethiopia and another from Kuwait, a Syrian and a Pakistani man, and three Kuwaiti men.

Kuwait has executed nearly 80 people since the 1960's, mostly on murder or drugs cases.

Amnesty International has urged the Gulf country to impose a moratorium on executions.

Source: BBC Africa

News: Premier establishes National Committee to lead anti-corruption campaign

This comes following the PM’s remark in the parliament where he criticized government officials including Judges to be main actors in a widespread corruption.

In a statement announcing the establishment of the committee, Prime Minister Abiy said, “corruption is a pest that eats a country from the inside and depletes its resources by consuming it day and night. When corrupted authorities, greedy brokers and investors come together having large number of citizens lined up behind them, corruption becomes an epidemic to a country.”

The statement said a study is being carried out investigating government officials, public servants, bribers and recipients. However given the fact that corruption is sometimes carried out in a sophisticated manner using technologies and under the guise of legality, extra action is needed according to the statement. https://addisstandard.com/news-premier-establishes-national-committee-to-lead-anti-corruption-campaign/

Analysis: Excitement, expectation drives Safaricom Ethiopiato nearly a million subscribers

By Assefa Molla

Expectation of better services in terms of quality and pricing as well as the excitement of having an alternative telecom provider is driving people to Safaricom.

CEO of Safaricom Ethiopia Anwar Soussa told The Reporter that “people are excited” and about 20,000 people daily subscribing to the telco’s network.

Safaricom Ethiopia subscribers who spoke to #AddisStandard say they were eagerly waiting for the launch of the “07” network, since the news of opening up of the telecom sector was first announced in 2019.

“I choose Safaricom for its fast internet and for the fact that it works outside of Ethiopia as an international company. On top of that, I hope that the company would serve me with due respect and fulfil my needs,” Safaricom’s mobile subscriber, Addis Derbew said. https://addisstandard.com/analysis-excitement-expectation-drives-safaricom-ethiopia-to-nearly-a-million-subscribers/