#Ethiopia: Ministry of Trade cracks down on substandard factories

The Ministry of Trade has recently announced its proactive involvement in suspending production operations in substandard factories and implementing necessary corrective measures. During the inspections, substandard products were identified in certain factories, including edible crude oil and reinforcing steel.

Over the past three months, the ministry has conducted comprehensive inspections and stringent regulatory procedures at 109 factories.

These evaluations were carried out through physical inspections as well as laboratory testing. In the last quarter, 41 representative samples were taken from 25 of the factories under inspection. Out of all the establishments examined, only three factories were discovered to meet the required quality standards.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0hmyYf5Hs2RXUCEyroUx9APdNiGfgocKfRRu7tCex6H8AvNDSqbUjvmR8brL8MJXkl&id=100076055062908

49 #Ethiopian nationals nabbed in #Nairobi while being smuggled to South Africa

A group of 49 Ethiopian nationals was recently apprehended in two estates in Nairobi as they attempted to be smuggled to #South_Africa. The first group of 31 individuals was discovered in a house in #Komarock while waiting for their smuggler to transport them. Security agencies express concern about the increasing number of Ethiopians being caught in various parts of the country while en route to other destinations. Most of those arrested lack proper immigration documents, causing some stations to hold them for extended periods.

Officials are calling for urgent action to address this issue, as many immigrants are defrauded and subjected to appalling living conditions as they await transportation. The latest group, consisting of individuals aged between 14 and 45, was apprehended in two separate locations. They are currently being held at Kayole police station.

These recent arrests are part of an ongoing trend involving Ethiopian migrants. Many of them use the #Moyale route to enter #Kenya and then attempt to travel to South Africa or the Middle East.

https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/nairobi/2023-11-05-49-ethiopians-arrested-in-nairobi-heading-to-s-africa/

#Update: Universities in restive #Amhara region delay new academic year amid ongoing conflict

Universities in #Ethiopia's Amhara region will not resume normal academic activities for the foreseeable future due to ongoing conflict in the area, according to a statement by the Amhara University Presidents' Forum on Friday.

Dr. Asmare Dejen, the forum's main secretary, told Voice of America's Amharic service that the region's 10 universities unanimously agreed not to call students back until security in the region improves.

Asmare explained the decision was based on several factors, including unsafe roads due to fluctuating violence, the inability of universities to guarantee students' safety on campuses if conflicts break out, and announcements by local food suppliers and other resource providers that they cannot transport goods and services due to the instability.

The forum indicated it is uncertain when universities may be able to resume normal operations due to the fluctuating conflict in the region. This is despite the announcement by government spokesperson Legesse Tulu on 04 November, that peace and normalcy has been restored in most parts of the region.

On 24 October, Addis Standard reported that university students have expressed increasing worries over the prolonged closures and lack of information from administrators on plans to continue studies.

https://addisstandard.com/news-students-raise-concern-over-prolonged-university-closure-in-amhara-region/

#Ethiopia - Federal gov’t pledges to redouble efforts to fully implement #Pretoria peace deal, criticizes disarmament delays

In a statement on the occasion of the agreement’s first anniversary, the Federal government of Ethiopia has expressed its resolve to maintain its responsibilities under the Pretoria peace pact, with the objective of solidifying peace in the region.

It outlined the numerous steps taken by the federal government including halting military operations against the TPLF, expediting humanitarian assistance, setting up a Rehabilitation Commission for demobilizing ex-TPLF combatants etc.

However, it criticized the delay in disarming ex-combatants. "Keeping combatants that could have served their people in different public roles remains a challenge".

https://addisstandard.com/news-federal-govt-pledges-to-redouble-efforts-to-fully-implement-pretoria-peace-deal-criticizes-disarmament-delays/

Fighting intensifies in #Ethiopia's #Amhara region amid blackout

Heavy fighting is reported to be continuing between Ethiopian troops and local militias across large parts of the Amhara region.

Residents say heavy weaponry is being used. There are also fears that civilians are trapped.

The authorities had claimed they'd contained the conflict, but fighters from the #Fano militia group say they've thwarted government attacks and seized towns.

Communications blackouts have been imposed, making it difficult to confirm the details of the violence.

The Ethiopian government announced a state of emergency in August, when the Fano militia refused to hand over its weapons.

Last week, Western countries including Britain and the US called for a ceasefire.

Source: BBC Africa

#Floods have devastated #Ethiopia's #Somali region, causing the death of 20 and displacement of more than 12,000 people.

Roads and bridges have been destroyed hampering the regional government’s emergency relief responses.

#Kenya says #Electricity imports from #Ethiopia halve on drought

Kenya is importing just half of the contracted electricity capacity from Ethiopia due to a biting drought that has reduced dam water levels in the Horn of Africa country.

Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir revealed on Monday Kenya has been tapping 100 megawatts of electricity from Ethiopia, which is only half the capacity of 200 megawatts that the two countries inked last year.

“Drought has had a major effect on the cost of electricity. Even Ethiopia, which we contracted 200 megawatts has only been supplying 100 megawatts because of the drought that they have been experiencing,” he said.

Kenya in January started importing cheaper hydroelectric power from Ethiopia, with the capacity to be stepped up to 400MW in three years.

https://businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/electricity-imports-from-ethiopia-halve-on-drought--4425380

#Editorial: Fixation on exam results is leaving a trail of disarray in Ethiopia’s education. Look beyond!
#Ethiopia

*A country that remains besieged by an unacceptable illiteracy rate and a declining state investment in education, including meagre pay for teachers

*Where a wanton destruction by wars and militarized violence for the last five years saw nearly 9, 000 schools destroyed; teaching materials, including books and laboratory equipment, deliberately liquidated

*Where there is no comprehensive assessment on the impacts that closure of schools, mass displacements, and disruption of regular classes bring about on students’ ability to learn both physically and psychologically…

These and more topics discussed is why #Addis_Standard believes the Ministry of Education’s fixation on exam results to measure quality education is leaving a trail of disarray in Ethiopia’s education system.

“Fixation on scrutinizing exams cheating while avoiding the more pertinent and pressing factors will not ensure quality education, it endangers access to education for all, and breeds illiterate generations by making education accessible for a select few.” https://addisstandard.com/?p=38986

#Ethiopia establishes a committee to recruit #Election_Board chairperson

Prime Minister #Abiy_Ahmed has designated a committee to nominate a chairperson for the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE).

The eight-member committee is tasked with the recruitment of candidates to replace Birtukan Mideksa, who resigned from her position in June citing personal need for “a long-term rest to maintain my health.”

The committee will soon begin receiving proposed nominees.

https://addisstandard.com/asdailyscoop-ethiopia-establishes-a-committee-to-recruit-election-board-chairperson/

#South_Africa recalls all diplomats from #Israel

Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor told a press conference that South Africa was withdrawing its diplomats, saying: "We are... extremely concerned at the continued killing of children and innocent civilians in the Palestinian territories and we believe the nature of response by Israel has become one of collective punishment.

"We felt it important that we do signal the concern of South Africa while continuing to call for a comprehensive cessation [of hostilities]."
***
The recall of the diplomats was "normal practice", Foreign Minister Pandor said, adding that the envoys would give a "full briefing" to the government. After this, the government will decide whether it can be of assistance or if a "continued relationship is actually able to be sustained", Ms Pandor said.

South Africa's cabinet also accused Israeli ambassador Eliav Belotsercovsky of making derogatory remarks about South Africans, including members of government, who had criticized Israel's government.

"The disparaging remarks against those speaking up against the atrocities and the country's leaders make ambassador Belotsercovsky position more and more untenable," the cabinet statement said. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67334698

#Ethiopia - Clashes between militiamen and armed residents left at least 18 killed in #Oromo special zone, #Amhara region

More than 18 people were killed during recent clashes between the Fano militia and armed residents of Artuma Fursi district in the Oromo Special Zone of the Amhara region, according to witnesses.

More than 30 others were wounded in the day-long fighting on Sunday, 05 November 2023. Unarmed residents including an elderly man were reported to be among the dead.

“Three days earlier [on 02 November] they [the Fano militiamen] came and killed our man. On Sunday, they attacked again and the people started to fight back,” one resident told Addis Standard.

https://addisstandard.com/news-clashes-between-militiamen-and-armed-residents-left-at-least-18-killed-in-oromo-special-zone-amhara-region/

#Tigray: "The constitution is clear", Getachew Reda, President of Tigray Regional State Interim Administration.

Getachew explained Ethiopia's constitutional procedure on holding a referendum in an interview with the local Tigray TV in response to the federal government's statement yesterday asserting that an agreement was reached for the "final determination on the fate of these areas through a referendum to be held in the localities."

The "referendum" the federal government said is in reference to the occupied Western Tigray zone, which remains under the control of #Amhara forces.

Clashes in #Ethiopia's #Amhara region raise concern for historic churches

Fresh fighting between the Ethiopian army and a local militia in the northern #Amhara region has raised concerns among residents for the safety of historic rock-hewn churches in the holy town of #Lalibela.

Fano militiamen over-ran Lalibela and #Gondar, the second-biggest city in the Amhara region, for several days in August in Ethiopia's most serious security crisis since a two-year civil war in neighbouring Tigray ended a year ago.

Fano fighters battled alongside the army during the war in Tigray, but relations between the two sides have soured, particularly after the federal government moved in April to integrate security forces operated by each region into the police and army.

On Sunday, Ethiopian soldiers fired heavy weapons 11 times from locations near the churches, a deacon said, sending damaging shockwaves through one of the subterranean monuments, which date back to the 12th and 13th Centuries.

"The vibrations are affecting the churches," the deacon said, requesting anonymity for fears of reprisals.

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-11-07/clashes-in-ethiopias-amhara-region-raise-concern-for-historic-churches