We stand in solidarity with all Ethiopian intellectuals in-country who want to speak out against the war but feel unable to do so due to fear of retaliation.

https://addisstandard.com/letter-an-open-call-by-african-intellectuals-for-urgent-action-on-ethiopia/?preview=true&_thumbnail_id=21906

Across much of Ethiopia, 2021 assistance needs are at their highest levels since 2016. The country has faced multiple hazards in sequence in the last two years, due to conflicts, civil unrest, desert locust infestation, floods, and drought, which has contributed to a deterioration in food insecurity.

According to IPC Analysis of Acute Food Insecurity Situation May - June 2021 and Projection for July - September 2021 it is estimated that 5.5 million people are facing acute food insecurity in Tigray and the neighbouring regions of Afar and Amhara in Ethiopia, with 353,000 people in Catastrophic situation (IPC Phase 5), which is the highest number of people in this category since the 2011 Somalia famine. Furthermore, there are 2.1 million people in Emergency (IPC Phase 4), and 3.1 million High potential exists for the situation to worsen given causal aggravating factors remain prevalent, and unaddressed

https://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/emergency-plan-action-epoa-ethiopia-food-security-dref-mdret026

The Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) strongly criticized the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission(EHRC) and accused it of omitting the atrocities it said were committed by the Amhara militias and government forces on Oromo civilians and selectively highlighting the Amhara victims in its report.

https://addisstandard.com/news-olf-slams-rights-commissions-report-on-recent-east-wollega-conflict-calls-for-independent-investigation/

As a result of the conflict spill over to Amhara and Afar regions, OCHA said that more than 300,000 people are believed to be displaced.

https://addisstandard.com/news-ocha-says-un-is-unable-to-bring-any-trucks-into-tigray-since-august-20-over-300000-people-displaced-in-afar-amhara-regions/?preview=true&_thumbnail_id=21939&fbclid=IwAR1W5wvXzHHtopyLq1TmsvmAnKS84BeenYLLUR8qLYKcWEFs2SyyhF2bvlc

“Peace cannot be made with apolitical movement that has been labeled as a terrorist group. Parliament should prepare to lift this designation to allow for direct contact and negotiation with armed actors opposing the government,” Ambassador Kimani said.

https://addisstandard.com/news-unsc-a-31-ask-ethiopian-lawmakers-to-lift-terrorist-designation-from-armed-actors-to-allow-direct-contact-negotiation/

Ethiopia's economy battered by Tigray war

Official statistics show the cost of basic consumer goods has indeed gone up in Ethiopia -they were on average around a quarter more expensive in July than a year earlier.

Ethiopia's overall economic growth for this year is forecast to slow significantly from 6% in 2020 to just 2% in 2021 - the lowest level in almost two decades, according to the IMF.

Also worrying economic observers is Ethiopia's national debt, which some expect to reach $60bn this year, or nearly 70% of GDP.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-58319977

American Ambassador to Ethiopia Pasi joined a virtual roundtable with over 20 members of the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) to discuss Ethiopia's business outlook. The Ambassador encouraged the U.S. companies to continue to engage their Ethiopian counterparts in keeping economic reform and growth on track

Source: U.S. Embassy Addis

The conflict that has spread across five woredas (districts) of the North Shewa Zone of the Amhara region in March displaced 246,000 people, according to the Zone Disaster Prevention and Food Security Programme Coordination Office. So far, 210,000 people have returned to their homes, while the rest are still staying in shelters and with host communities. https://addisstandard.com/analysis-how-social-workers-help-displaced-families-in-amhara-state-to-cope-recover-from-trauma/

The Spokesperson for the Inter Religious Council of Ethiopia (IRCE), Fasika Tesfaye told Addis Standard, “The council is preparing to issue its call on Thursday and each religious institution has the mandate to issue a call to its followers so there is no conflict of interest.” The spokesperson explained that the call will ask followers of different religions to pray for peace in the country and will last from September 06 to September 10, 2021. https://addisstandard.com/news-analysis-amid-suspension-of-catholic-church-aid-activities-in-tigray-the-inter-religious-council-of-ethiopia-to-issue-a-nationwide-call-to-prayer/

In a statement issued last night, the Amhara Regional State has called on middle and high school students, students of preparatory, technical and vocational training institutions, university students, graduates, teachers as well as all youth who are physically capable to organize in their respective areas and respond to the call to “bury the enemy.”https://addisstandard.com/news-amhara-state-calls-on-high-school-technical-vocational-university-students-and-teachers-to-join-the-fight-against-tigrayan-armed-forces/

Safaricom Reiterates Commitment To Commence Operation As Per Licensing Agreement

Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance of Ethiopia and Dr. Eyob Tekalign, State Minister of Finance, held fruitful discussions with a delegation from Safaricom PLC and Safaricom Ethiopia PLC, led by Peter Ndegwa, the Chief Executive Officer Safaricom PLC.
The meeting focused on discussing progress updates and the next steps for Safaricom Ethiopia PLC investments in Ethiopia, according to the Ministry of Finance.
During the meeting, Ndegwa reiterated the commitment of his company to commence its operation as per the licensing agreement for commercial launch in 2022.
He also explained about the various preparations being undertaken to realize this target. Ndegwa, also affirmed the commitment of Safaricom Ethiopia PLC to work with local companies and ethio telecom to quickly roll out its services.
Minister Ahmed Shide reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of Ethiopia to support Safaricom Ethiopia PLC to deliver result in improvements in telecommunication service quality, coverage and innovation.
The Minister also said the Government renews its pledge to support increased investment in the telecommunications sector in the country.
Safaricom Ethiopia PLC’s investment in Ethiopia is anticipated to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs as the company kicks off its operations an start offering communications services.

Source: FBC

Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency #Regional office conducted a maize field day in the presence of Sidama region President H.E Ato Desta Ledamo, & other officials. It created good opportunity for the visitors to understand #ACC Initiative, its benefits & challenges and the way forward #Ethiopia

In the 2020/21 cropping season more than 297K hectares of land were planted with four selected commodities (Sesame, Maize, Wheat, and Tef) in 66 ACC woredas by engaging more than 644 thousand farmers and harvesting 11.2 million quintals in #SNNP Region

Source: Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency