#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/

News: #Eritrean leader says #Ethiopia peace made by #US to save #TPLF, third round joint offensive put aside “issue of sovereignty”

In a rare remark about the two years war in the Northern Tigray region of Ethiopia and the peace dead that ended it, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, said that the peace deal signed between Ethiopian government and Tigrayan authorities in Pretoria, South Africa in November last year to end the devastating war was made by the US to save the Tigrayan rebels from loosing in war fronts.

He said that Eritrea “entered into the third round war in unison with Ethiopia having experiences garnered during the first and second phase of the war… putting aside the issue of sovereignty.” Despite his mention of “sovereignty” only during the third round of the war which broke out on 24 August 2022, Eritrean troops are known to have fought alongside the Ethiopian Army and allied militias from the neighboring Amhara region against the Tigrayan forces since the start of the war. But their involvement was only officially admitted in March 2021, for the first time when PM Abiy Ahmed told Ethiopian parliament that, “any damage Eritrean army did to our people was unacceptable.”

https://addisstandard.com/news-eritrean-leader-says-ethiopia-peace-made-by-us-to-save-tplf-third-round-joint-offensive-put-aside-issue-of-sovereignty/

In #Ethiopia, we are leaving no girl behind

Access to education is limited in Ethiopia, especially for girls in remote rural areas. Numerous cultural, social, and economic barriers stand in the way of girls accessing education, and once in education, there is a high dropout rate among girls.

Amina (18) is a mother of three girls, living with her husband in the #Afar region of Ethiopia. She was one of 43 students who happily enrolled in classes when the CHANGE project established a learning centre in her village in March 2022. Amina is among the most talented students attending the Cohort-3 basic literacy and numeracy programme at Kebirtobolo Learning Centre. Despite her household responsibilities, she does her classwork and homework regularly. Amina also supports her classmates by explaining what she understands and encourages them to do their classwork and homework properly.

https://www.peopleinneed.net/in-ethiopia-we-are-leaving-no-girl-behind-10009gp

News: Families of ten youngsters abducted by #Eritrean forces near #Axum in distraught over their whereabouts

By Mihret G/kristos

The families of the 10 youths who were abducted by Eritrean troops from Gure Endagabir, a place around Axum city, in the Tigray regional state, on 18 January 2023 ,have expressed their deep distraught about the whereabouts of their sons.

Three family members who spoke with #AddisStandard in exclusive interviews said that following the abduction, they have traveled to a camp near Shire where the Eritrean troops were said to have been stationed in search of their loved ones but upon reaching there, they learnt that the troops have already left the camp and took the abducted youths with them.

Abeba Tesfay, the Administrator of Laelay Maychew district, which surrounds the city of Axum, has confirmed to Addis Standard that nine young men are abducted from Endabagabir village in Aksum were taken to unknown place by Eritrean troops.

https://addisstandard.com/news-families-of-ten-youngsters-abducted-by-eritrean-forces-near-axum-in-distraught-over-their-whereabouts/

Commentary: Why I believe #Ethiopia will soon be drained of its physicians

By Ephrem Kirub, MD

Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa with dire need of physicians. According to World Bank data, in 2018, there were 0.0769 physicians per 1000 people in Ethiopia. This number is significantly lower than the WHO’s recommendation of doctor to population ratio of at least 1:1000. This is mainly because of limited number of physicians who graduate every year.

To make matters worse, many physicians go abroad every year. According to a world bank 2011 report, 26% of Ethiopian physicians are practicing abroad. Although recent data is unavailable, I have personally witnessed more than 50 colleagues and senior physicians leaving abroad in the past two years. But, What is the reason? Why do so many physicians leave? Well, there are plenty of reasons.

Firstly, physicians in Ethiopia are one of the lowest-paid in the world. A family physician makes $250 per month, while a specialist physician makes $300. Don’t get me wrong. I will not compare it with a physician salary in the U.S, Canada, or even neighboring Kenya, which pays its doctors around $1500 per month.

https://addisstandard.com/commentary-why-i-believe-ethiopia-will-soon-be-drained-of-its-physicians/

#ASDailyScoop: Yemeni Airways launches biweekly flight from #Aden, #Yemen, to #AddisAbeba, #Ethiopia

Yemeni Airways announced the launch of twice a week flights to Addis Abeba from Aden starting today 15 February.

The last time flag carrier of the war torn Yemen flew to Addis Abeba from Aden was in 2015, according to the airways’ Ethiopia Area Manager, Fouad Attashi.

Fouad told #AddisStandard that the airways will operate its flights every Wednesday and Friday weekly, adding that, the resumption of Aden to Addis Ababa flight will help travelers to transit to the rest of the world.

https://addisstandard.com/asdailyscoop-yemeni-airways-launch-biweekly-flight-from-aden-to-addis-abeba/

#Ethiopia: #Ethiopians grim after two years of war

Highlights

*Two-thirds of Ethiopians report not having enough money for
food

*Ratings of life today drop to a new low

*41% reported experiencing worry yesterday, a new high

The war between Ethiopian and Tigrayan forces may have ended, but the struggle is far from over for most Ethiopians. Battered by two years of war, COVID-19 and rising food costs, Ethiopians surveyed at the tail end of the war in 2022 found themselves in the grimmest situation in more than a decade.

While unable to access the Tigray region because of the conflict, the latest Gallup study conducted throughout the rest of Ethiopia in the fall of 2022 found a record-high 65% of Ethiopians reporting they struggled to afford food in the past year.

***
When asked to rate their lives today on a scale of 0 to 10, Ethiopians' average rating dropped from 4.5 in 2020 to just 3.6 today, the lowest rating since Gallup began tracking this metric in Ethiopia in 2012. This is well below the 2021 average worldwide (5.3) as well as in sub-Saharan Africa (4.5).

https://news.gallup.com/poll/468992/ethiopians-grim-two-years-war.aspx

#Ethiopia: Security forces detain two journalists amidst crackdown following ongoing #Orthodox Church schism, ensuing unrest

Following the ongoing schism within the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) and the ensuing unrest, two media professionals, journalist and political analyst Tewodros Asfaw, and Deacon Yosef Ketema, a journalist for EOTC Afaan Oromoo broadcast service, have been detained by security forces this week.

Tewodros Asfaw, who is also the founder of a YouTube channel called Ethio Selam was taken from his home by security forces on Tuesday 14 February, around 2:00 PM local time, his brother Biniam Asfaw said in an interview on the channel.

He was picked up from his residence in Addis Abeba by two armed security forces together with four others in civilian clothes, according to his brother’s account, adding that they did not present any court order for his arrest.

Similarly, a journalist at the EOTC Broadcasting Service Agency (EOTC TV), deacon Yosef Ketema was detained on Monday, 13 February, by security forces, the church has announced.

https://addisstandard.com/news-security-forces-detain-two-journalists-amidst-crackdown-following-ongoing-orthodox-church-schism-ensuing-unrest/