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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#US suspends food rations to elite #Somali forces over corruption scandal

The United States has suspended food rations to #Danab, Somalia's elite special forces unit, due to a corruption scandal involving the misappropriation and resale of aid. This decision follows revelations of corruption within the unit, and the #Somalia government has acknowledged the diversion of rations intended for Danab forces.

The suspension of American assistance deals a significant blow to Danab's operations against the #Al_Shabab militant group. The Somali government has committed to assuming responsibility for providing rations to Danab as part of a gradual transition to ensure long-term sustainability.

This corruption scandal represents a setback in Somalia's efforts to combat Al-Shabab, against which Danab has been at the forefront, trained and equipped by the U.S.

https://horseedmedia.net/u-s-suspends-food-rations-to-elite-somali-forces-danab-over-corruption-scandal-389299
The #Turkish-#Somali Agreement: A calculated adventure or a step into the unknown?

Turkey’s decision to sign a military agreement with Somalia may be viewed as a calculated risk in its relationship with #Addis_Abeba and with other countries supporting #Somaliland, such as the #UK.

While the expanded military agreement between Ankara and Mogadishu may hinder Addis Abeba’s plans for #Red_Sea access, Turkey believes that #Ethiopia prefers not to sacrifice its good relations with Ankara in light of its ongoing dispute with Egypt. Even if the Turkish-Somali agreement leads to the decline of Ankara’s relations with Addis Abeba, Turkey is willing to prioritize its ties with Somalia over its relationship with Ethiopia for several reasons, notably: Somalia’s geographic and strategic position is more important to Ankara than Ethiopia’s position in the Horn of Africa. Somalia has a 3,000-kilometers coastline near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait. https://addisstandard.com/?p=43630
#Somali military strikes with #Turkish drones kill 23 civilians, including 14 children– Amnesty International

A recent investigation by Amnesty International has revealed that two drone strikes carried out by Somali military forces, with support from Turkish drones, killed 23 civilians in the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia on March 18, 2024.

The strikes hit the Jaffey farm near Bagdad village, following heavy ground fighting between the armed group Al-Shabaab and Somali security forces in the area earlier that day. Fourteen children, five women, and four men from the marginalized Gorgaarte clan were killed in the attacks.

Eyewitnesses and victims reported that the drone strikes targeted civilians who had sought refuge on the farm after an initial attack on a mosque in Bagdad. Amnesty International's investigation confirmed that the strikes were conducted with Turkish-made drones and munitions.

Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International's Regional Director for East and Southern #Africa, stated that the indiscriminate attacks may amount to war crimes. He called on the Somali and Turkish governments to investigate the deadly strikes and put an end to reckless attacks on civilians, adding, "The devastated survivors and their families deserve truth, justice, and reparations."

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/05/somalia-death-of-23-civilians-in-military-strikes-with-turkish-drones-may-amount-to-war-crimes-new-investigation/
#Ethiopia: Thousands displaced amid clashes between communities in #Afar, #Somali regions

Over 38,000 individuals have been displaced across three districts of the Afar region as a result of recent clashes with the neighboring Somali region. The Standing Committee on Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs of the House of Representatives confirmed the significant displacement following discussions on the conflict situation in Afar, based on reports received from regional authorities.

The committee brought together regional officials, disaster management authorities, and security leaders to gather information on the clashes, evaluate the humanitarian impact, and coordinate response efforts. Dr. Fathi Mahdi, Vice Chairman of the parliamentary committee, stressed the importance of relevant authorities collaborating to achieve a lasting resolution to the recurring conflicts in Afar. He also urged the displaced individuals to consider returning to their villages once sustainable peace is established.

Recent clashes between militias from the Afar and Somali regions have been reported by Addis Standard, particularly along the border areas. The conflicts, which occurred in locations bordering the #Gabi_Rasu Zone in Afar and the #Sitti Zone in the Somali region, resulted in casualties and injuries on both sides.

For more details, please follow the link to access the full article.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=43064
Six suspected #Somali pirates to face trial in #Seychelles

The #European Union's counter-piracy naval force, Operation ATALANTA, has transferred six suspected Somali pirates to Seychelles for trial. The suspects are accused of attacking the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Chrystal Arctic in the Gulf of Aden on May 10. The ship's security team successfully repelled the attack by returning fire.

Operation ATALANTA confirmed the transfer on Wednesday, and the suspects are now in custody awaiting trial. Before the handover, a delegation of Seychellois officials and representatives from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) were briefed on board the ATALANTA frigate. The European delegation to Mauritius assisted in coordinating with Seychelles authorities.

Operation ATALANTA has legal agreements with various nations in its Area of Operations, including Seychelles, to facilitate the prosecution of suspected pirates apprehended by participating warships. This legal process, known as the "Legal Finish", includes deterrence, arrest, detention, and prosecution in accordance with international law.

https://gcaptain.com/suspected-somali-pirates-to-stand-trial-in-seychelles/
#Ethiopian meteorologists warn of heavy rainfall impact on health, agriculture

The Ethiopian Meteorology Institute (#EMI) forecasts above-normal rainfall this Kiremt season (June to September), particularly in central and south #Tigray, Afar, East #Amhara, northern #Somali, and eastern regions. Authorities are urged to stay vigilant against potential flooding and disruptions in agriculture, healthcare, water supply, and livestock.

During the National Climate Outlook Forum in #Adama, EMI experts highlighted record rainfall over the past decade. They predict heavy rains in western Tigray, west Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz, west #Oromia, #Gambella, and southwestern regions.

Desalegn Tarekegn from EMI warned that heavy rainfall will heighten malaria transmission risk, especially in southern Afar and southwest Ethiopia. Cholera and dengue fever outbreaks are also potential threats due to extreme weather. Health challenges related to heat are expected in #Afar, Southern Somali, and South Ethiopia. Heavy rains may cause floods, soil erosion, and landslides, impacting farming operations and infrastructure.

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/africa/ethiopian-meteorologists-warn-of-heavy-rainfall-impact-on-health-agriculture-96252
#Turkey to build $6m #Somali embassy in #Ankara

Turkey is set to construct and donate an embassy building and a plot of land to Somalia at a cost estimated to reach over $6m, according to a deal submitted to the Turkish parliament on Monday.

As per the agreement signed between Turkey and Somalia in 2022, Ankara will make this contribution in exchange for a plot of land that the Somali government donated to Turkey in 2015.

The diplomatic mission Turkey built on that plot in Mogadishu was its largest worldwide, covering an area of more than 61,000 sqm at a cost of $65m.

In return, Somalia is getting 4,918 sqm of land in the Incek diplomatic site in Ankara. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-build-somalia-embassy-ankara
Cargo ship Basilisk reportedly hijacked by #Somali pirates

A cargo ship named Basilisk registered/flagged in #Liberia has allegedly been captured by Somali pirates, according to reports from maritime security officials

The #UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) stated that an unidentified group boarded the commercial vessel approximately 420 nautical miles southeast of Somalia’s Marka district in the Lower Shabelle region, east of #Mogadishu.

The hijacking was carried out by individuals aboard two small boats who gained access to the Basilisk. The pirates have taken full control of the ship’s operations room, leaving 17 crew members trapped in the vessel’s safe room with all communications blocked.

The Basilisk, a cargo ship, was en route to the port of Jebel Ali in Dubai after departing from Rotterdam, Netherlands with a stop in Porto Grande, Cape Verde. This incident comes after Somali pirates received a $5 million ransom payment for the release of the hijacked MV Abdullah ship in March 2024.

https://horseedmedia.net/cargo-ship-basilisk-reportedly-hijacked-by-somali-pirates-390117
#UNHCR and #Ethiopia collaborate to address water supply challenges in #Somali region refugee settlements

Ethiopia's Somali Region, which hosts hundreds of thousands of Somali refugees, is grappling with increasing pressure on its water supply and irrigation systems due to overcrowded settlements.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been investing in the development of water systems in these settlements. However, as global humanitarian funding declines, the UNHCR is collaborating with the Ethiopian government to transfer responsibility for water systems to local authorities through the Melkadida Refugee Compact (MRC).

Independent reports indicate that the Somali Region's water supply faces numerous challenges, including infrastructure breakdowns, drought, flooding, and tensions between host and refugee communities. The reports emphasize the importance of protecting the region's water systems to address these challenges and facilitate long-term climate change adaptation.

The reports recommend several measures to improve water security in the region, such as implementing anticipatory action, establishing long-term climate change adaptation strategies, and building economic resilience.

https://www.cgiar.org/news-events/news/how-can-water-security-empower-refugee-and-host-communities/
News: Over 3 M displaced in #Ethiopia, more than half due to conflict: New report

The Report shows that the majority – 69% – of those displaced were a direct result of conflict, whereas drought and other climate induced events such as floods, landslides and fires on the other hand contributed to 17%, and 9% respectively.

#Tigray region in the north hosts the highest number of Internally Displaced Persons (#IDPs), primarily due to war whereas the #Somali region in the east hosts the highest number of those internally displaced by drought. https://addisstandard.com/?p=44036
#AfDB and Ethiopian government launch $94M climate resilient wheat project

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the #Ethiopian government have partnered with other entities to launch a $94 million project aimed at boosting the country's wheat production and achieving self-sufficiency. The Climate Resilient Wheat Value Chain Development (CREW) Project will support 500,000 smallholder farmer households across four regional states to increase wheat productivity.

The project funding comes from a $54 million grant by the AfDB's African Development Fund and a $10 million contribution from the Ethiopian government. Additional financing of $20 million is provided by the #Netherlands, $10 million from fertilizer company OCP-Africa, and $300,000 from the Global Center on Adaptation.

The initiative targets increasing wheat yields from three to four tons per hectare in the #Afar, #Amhara, #Oromia, and #Somali states.

Read more at: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1801129194912374904
#Ethiopia: Fresh conflict erupts in border areas of #Afar and #Somali regions; rights group expresses concern about civilian harm, suffering

On Wednesday, a deadly conflict erupted in the Adda Ado district of the Afar region, resulting in numerous deaths, displacements, and kidnappings. Local residents reported that at 4:00 PM, militias from the Sitti zone of the neighboring Somali region attacked civilians, causing over 30 fatalities.

Conflicts have surged in areas bordering the Afar and Somali regions, with both sides alleging incursions. A Somali resident reported militants from Afar pushing 50 kilometers into Somali territory in Asbuli.

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (#EHRC) expressed deep concern over the renewed clashes, civilian casualties, and displacement since 06 June, 2024.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=44328
#Ethiopia: Muhyadin Abdullahi, a journalist in #Harari region, remains imprisoned despite court-ordered release

Journalist #Muhyadin_Abdullahi, who works for the state-owned Harari Mass Media Agency, was imprisoned on Saturday for criticizing the regional president's water shortage plan on social media. Despite a court order granting him bail on 17 June, his wife reports he remains detained.

Authorities claim they haven't received the order, while an unnamed official allegedly blocked his release due to political pressure. This isn't Muhyadin's first run-in with trouble. In 2022, he faced threats for his reporting.

Muhyadin Abdullahi is not alone. Another journalist in the #Somali region, Muhiyadin Mohamed Abdullahi, was sentenced to prison in May 2024 for social media posts critical of the government. Ethiopia ranked as the third-worst jailer of journalists in #Africa last year.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=44347
#Ethiopia leads East Africa in Foreign Direct Investment

Ethiopia emerged as the top destination for foreign direct investment (#FDI) in East #Africa in 2023, securing $3.3 billion, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (#UNCTAD). This surpasses #Kenya’s $1.5 billion and #Uganda’s $2.9 billion in FDI.

Key drivers of Ethiopia's FDI success include public-private partnerships (PPP) and direct negotiations with foreign firms. Notably, #UAE’s AMEA Power is set to develop a $600 million, 300 MW onshore wind project in the #Somali Regional State.

Ethiopia's new policies allowing foreign investment in digital payment systems also bolstered FDI. #Safaricom M-PESA Mobile Financial Services PLC received a license to provide mobile financial services last year, growing its user base to 3.1 million in just four months.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=44463