#Ethiopia: Joint Security, Intelligence Task Force cautions against unauthorized rallies, threatens to take action as Orthodox Church Schism takes toll

The Ethiopian Joint Security and Intelligence Task Force cautioned both dissenting groups of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) to restrain from calling for unauthorized demonstration to be conducted in Addis Abeba, and elsewhere in the country, to deliberately “create unrest” among the faithful.

In a statement it released on Wednesday, the Task Force said that it has reviewed the recent situation in the EOTC and it strongly believes all efforts must be exerted to resolve the dispute through peaceful means.

The Joint Security and Intelligence Task Force that consists National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), the Federal Police Commission, and Information Network Security Agency (INSA), further blamed the social media activists for steering the situation and inciting violence.

The joint task force also warned the entire population to abstain from the “illegal demonstration and conflict-inciting activities” taking into consideration that there is no any kind of demonstration authorized by the concerned body.

https://addisstandard.com/news-joint-security-intelligence-task-force-cautions-against-unauthorized-rallies-threatens-to-take-action-calls-as-orthodox-church-schism-takes-toll/

Gudaf Tsegay triumphs with No.2 all-time indoor mile in #Torun

#Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay stormed to second on the world indoor mile all-time list, clocking 4:16.16 for a runaway victory at the ORLEN Copernicus Cup, this season’s third World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting, in Torun, Poland, on Wednesday (8).

The 26-year-old, who set the world indoor 1500m record of 3:53.09 at the World Indoor Tour Gold event in Lievin in 2021, went into the race in Torun targeting the record mile mark of 4:13.31 set by Genzebe Dibaba in 2016. Gudaf was second in that race, running 4:24.98 as an 18-year-old, and now, seven years and six global medals later, she also has the second-fastest women’s indoor mile in history to her name.

https://www.worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-indoor-tour/news/copernicus-cup-torun-tsegay-hodgkinson-tentoglou

#Ethiopia: Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) says it has resumed full banking services in many other parts of #Tigray in addition to #Mekelle.

The Bank also said customers with account book opened "in any part of the country" can bring their account book to get full services.

Citing its Mekelle District branch, CBE further said that if there are customers whose account books have been lost due to various reasons, they can use the bank's services in accordance with the procedure used by the bank in the past by bringing their valid IDs.

https://amharic.addisstandard.com/ዜና፡-የኢትዮጵያ-ንግድ-ባንክ-በትግራይ-በ/

News: Govt, Orthodox Synod in heightened war of words; Synod goes ahead with planned rally despite warning by joint task force

In a sign of deepening fracture between the government and the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church (EOTC) Holy Synod in Addis Abeba, both have released statements this afternoon in which the former claimed possession of intelligence on a group that wants to seize the the church’s schism as an “opportunity to shake the government with armed violence”, and which “has started recruiting young people” for that purpose.

The Holy Synod in its part said that regardless of yesterday's statement given by the Joint Security and Intelligence Task Force banning unauthorized rallies, its plan to conduct nationwide demonstrations will go ahead as scheduled. The Synod said the ban on the rallies by the Joint Task Force makes it "firmly believe" that the government is not solving the problem, but shows it was rather a "declaration to destroy the church once and for all."

https://addisstandard.com/news-govt-orthodox-synod-in-heightened-war-of-words-synod-goes-ahead-with-planned-rally-despite-warning-by-joint-task-force/

#Eritrean president sidesteps questions about troops in #Ethiopia

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki on Thursday sidestepped questions about whether his country's troops remain in neighbouring Ethiopia's Tigray region three months after the signing of a peace agreement that called for their withdrawal.

Eritrean troops fought alongside the Ethiopian military and allied militias during a two-year conflict against rebellious Tigray forces.

They have been accused by local residents and rights groups of widespread abuses, including killings and rapes - allegations Eritrean officials have denied. Residents and foreign diplomats say many Eritrean troops remain in Tigray despite having pulled back from several major towns. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/eritrea-president-says-rights-violations-by-eritrean-troops-ethiopia-fantasy-2023-02-09/

News: #Somali region says calling for unauthorized rally inappropriate, supports Joint Task Force decision on security, safety matters

The Somali region acknowledged “the unity and strengthening of religious institutions: positive contribution to bridge differences and ensure “national peace and development” adding that it “firmly believes that disputes arising in religious institutions are mainly resolved through the internal procedures of the institutions themselves.”

https://addisstandard.com/news-somali-region-says-calling-for-unauthorized-rally-inappropriate-supports-joint-task-force-decision-on-security-safety-matters/

“The problem that recently occurred in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church should also be resolved through internal rules based on the church’s canon,” it said.

However, the region said that it “has been confirmed with information and evidence that the problem in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is beyond the religious issue and many domestic and foreign political forces with evil intentions are working together to weaken Ethiopia,” and that the Somali regional government “strongly opposes any movement that may threaten the security of the country and people by using religion as a cover.”

To that end, the region says it cautions beforehand that “it will fulfill its responsibility to enforce the law by preventing and controlling any illegal activities based on the constitution and the decision of the Joint Task Force on security and safety” matters.

#NewsAlert: PM Abiy in meeting with #Orthodox Patriarch

In an urgent statement issued by the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (#EOTC) in Addis Abeba, the Synod said that a delegation of the Church including Patriarch of EOTC, and Synod members are currently in a meeting with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the PM’s office.

The Synod said the meeting comes after its statement yesterday in which it stated that the Church’s door was open to discuss the current matter with the government “in a manner that does not violate the canon and administrative rules” of the Church. “In this regard, Prime Minister Abiy “has called for discussion based on this call of the church.”

https://addisstandard.com/newsalert-pm-abiy-in-meeting-with-orthodox-patriarch/

News: #Oromia, #Harari and #SouthWest regional states endorse Joint Task Force decision to ban rallies, Oromia says out of “patience”

Oromia, Harari and South West #Ethiopia People’s regional state have all issued statement in the last hour supporting the decision on Wednesday by the Ethiopian Joint Security and Intelligence Task Force banning unauthorized rallies.

In addition, the Oromia regional government said “our people” and the regional government have “run out of patience” at a “campaign of hatred and slander launched against the leadership and the Oromo people” by a group it accused who see “equality as injustice” and declared that it “will take the necessary legal measures to save the constitutional order.” Furthermore, it accused groups that it didn’t call by name of “moving to fulfill their evil political goals” using division between the religious fathers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC).

“The fanatical groups of the old system, who wear the mask of religion, are conducting a campaign of hatred against the general public, especially the Oromo people, in a way that is against the constitutional order,” it said.

https://addisstandard.com/news-oromia-harari-and-south-west-regional-states-endorse-joint-task-force-decision-to-ban-rallies-oromia-says-out-of-patience/

#NewsAlert: PM Abiy in meeting with #Orthodox Patriarch

In an urgent statement issued by the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (#EOTC) in Addis Abeba, the Synod said that a delegation of the Church including Patriarch of EOTC, and Synod members are currently in a meeting with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the PM’s office.

The Synod said the meeting comes after its statement yesterday in which it stated that the Church’s door was open to discuss the current matter with the government “in a manner that does not violate the canon and administrative rules” of the Church. “In this regard, Prime Minister Abiy “has called for discussion based on this call of the church.”

https://addisstandard.com/newsalert-pm-abiy-in-meeting-with-orthodox-patriarch/

News: #AddisAbeba City Admin closes schools amidst growing security concern following govt, Synod standoff

Schools in Addis Abeba are closed on Friday, 10 February, following text messages were abruptly sent to parents announcing the closure on Thursday afternoon.

Some parents told #AddisStandard that despite being noticed about the schools closure, they haven’t been told the reason. A government school student, who prefer to remain anonymous, however said, students were told that there will be teachers meeting.

Addis Abeba Mayor’s Office in a statement released on Thursday in connection to growing instability in the city, said there are various attempts to spread the conflicts related to the ongoing church schism to schools.

https://addisstandard.com/news-addis-abeba-city-admin-closes-schools-amidst-growing-security-concern-following-govt-synod-standoff/

#Ethiopia: Synod Secretariat sends letters to five #Tigray Archbishops seeking “reconciliation”, blames “political conspiracy” for rift

#AddisStandard also confirmed that a copy of the letter sent to Abune Merihakirstos, Archbishop of Adigrat Diocese, which was widely shared on social media, is authentic. The letter, which has the headlietter of the Holy Synod’s Secretariat, also bears the seal and signature of a remark by His Holiness Abune Mathias I, Patriarch of the Church.

The letter stated that as a result of the “unnecessary war” among brothers, which was caused by political problem, heavy loss of life and destruction of properties have occurred and it is known to the world. But it adds that despite being saddened by the problem during the time, the Synod failed to express its grief and condemn the act “due to political conspiracy.”

But a source from within the Tigray Orthodox Church who wants to remain anonymous told Addis Standard the fact that the Synod’s letters were addressed individually to the Archbishops, instead of the newly established “See of Selama Kessate Birhan, Patriarchate of the Tigray Orthodox Tewahedo Church”, has created a discomfort among the Archbishops in Tigray on the account of the Synod’s “unwillingness to acknowledge the institution.”

https://addisstandard.com/newsorthodox-synod-secretariat-sends-letters-to-five-tigray-archbishops-seeking-reconciliation-blames-political-conspiracy-for-rift/

News: #Ethiopian rights commission says eight people killed in #Shashemene, security forces applied “excessive use of force”

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (#EHRC) said in a report that eight people were killed following “excessive use of force” by government security forces during clashes with followers of Orthodox Christianity in West Arsi zone, Shashemene City of the Oromia Region on Saturday 04 February.

According to the EHRC, the incident occurred when “bishops who announced establishing a new Synod” went to Shashemene’s St. Michael Church, and the police took unrestrained measures to disperse those gathered to prevent the takeover.

https://addisstandard.com/news-ethiopian-rights-commission-says-eight-people-killed-in-shashemene-security-forces-applied-excessive-use-of-force/

#Ethiopia raises size of planned Ethio Telecom stake sale

Ethiopia has raised the size of its planned Ethio Telecom stake sale to up to 45% of the state-owned company from 40% previously, the finance ministry said.

The government last November revived the previously postponed privatisation process, saying it would sell a 40% stake. It also resumed a separate plan to issue a full telecoms licence for a third operator in the East African country.

A finance ministry statement on Thursday said the plan had been revised and that as much as 45% of the company would be sold.

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopia-raises-size-planned-ethio-telecom-stake-sale-2023-02-10/

News: Opposition #Sidama Federalist Party decry alarming maladministration, corruption, rights abuse in region

The Sidama Federalist Party (SFP) decried the prevalence of alarming administrative failures in the Sidama Region, including behaviors and rhetoric of the incumbent high officials that dishonor the people of the region, non-consensual salary cuts from civil servants, excessive unemployment crisis, intensified corruption and organized theft, which the party said have become the feature of the regional state.

The party also accused the regional administration of restricting its political rights including the closure of its branch offices and detention of its to halt its activities.

https://addisstandard.com/news-opposition-sidama-federalist-party-decry-alarming-maladministration-corruption-rights-abuse-in-region/

#Ethiopia- #Pakistan: Ethiopian Airlines to begin #Karachi flights next month

Ethiopian Airlines is set on a path of growth, with the addition of a new destination in its already vast network of more than 150 destinations. Karachi, Pakistan, will welcome the Ethiopian national carrier on March 26th. The direct flight between Ethiopia and Karachi will enable the two countries to strengthen their already-deep socio-economic relations, with the airline acting as a bridge between Pakistan, Africa, and the rest of the world.

https://simpleflying.com/ethiopian-airlines-karachi-flights-march/

Analysis: Victims of violence in East #Wollega endure dire situations, hesitant to return home citing lingering insecurity despite officials urge otherwise

By Getahun Legesse

Internally Displaced People (IDPs) who are stranded in Gida town of Gida Ayana district, in East Wollega zone of Oromia regional state, said they are forced to endure dreadful situations without enough food, water and medical services for months.

They are the victims of deadly attacks in Kiremu and Gida Ayana districts which took place in November last year and have since been living in IDP shelters in the small Gida town.

“The majority of us are living on the streets. We are spending nights under verandahs,” an IDP said.

“We are calling on the IDPs to go back to their district. It is impossible for us to rent houses for all the 22,000 IDPs from Kiremu. The only option is to return them back to Kiremu and dispense assistance through the zone’s administration,” Ijigu Gudeta, told #AddisStandard.

https://addisstandard.com/analysis-victims-of-violence-in-east-wollega-endure-dire-situations-hesitant-to-return-home-citing-lingering-insecurity-despite-officials-urge-otherwise/

#Ethiopia peace deal restores hope for displaced

Just seven days after the birth of her son, 32-year-old Mashwa Hailu was forced to flee her home when conflict erupted. “Our home was destroyed, and I fled with my children and parents on foot to safety,” says the mother of two who has been displaced in #Tigray’s capital, #Mekelle, since fighting broke out in November 2020.

The signing of a peace deal last November has meant an end to two years of conflict and the return of hope for Mashwa and others who dream of returning home after years of fear and uncertainty. “I hope that this peace process will bring all things back to normal,” she says. “I hope that all people will go back to their places of origin to restart their lives.”

The conflict in northern Ethiopia uprooted hundreds of thousands and severely disrupted the provision of life-saving humanitarian assistance, plunging people like Mashwa into still more dire conditions. Among the displaced are Ethiopians as well as refugees from other countries who had sought safety in Ethiopia before the conflict began.

https://www.unhcr.org/news/stories/2023/2/63e3aa3a4/northern-ethiopia-peace-deal-restores-hope-displaced.html

News: #AU joint committee to monitor #Ethiopia peace implementation held inaugural meeting, urges parties to start political dialogue

During the meeting, the committee commended the positive dividends of the peace process between the parties and urged both to commence political dialogue to resolve outstanding issues.

It also commended the progresses made by both parties in terms of implementing the peace agreement, “most notably the restoration of essential services, including banking, telecommunications, medical and humanitarian support in #Tigray”.

However, it urged the parties to facilitate unimpeded road access and land transport, and also expedite the reopening of #schools and other educational facilities in the region.

https://addisstandard.com/news-au-joint-committee-to-monitor-ethiopia-peace-implementation-held-inaugural-meeting-urges-parties-to-start-political-dialogue/