#Ethiopia - verbatim

“Let’s involve women”

“The Ethiopian peace process has restored services in Tigray and silenced the guns. We are not yet there; more is still needed. Thank you President Obasanjo for leading us in this process. Let’s keep working, let’s involve women.”

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former South African deputy president and member of the negotiation team for peace talks between federal government and the TPLF.

Authorities in #Ethiopia’s #Somali region suspend 15 media outlets, revoke media association’s license

"The recent suspensions of 15 media outlets the ban on a media association in Ethiopia’s Somali Regional States have eroded reporting in the region, and paint a picture of a government unwilling to make room for dissenting voices,” said CPJ Sub-Saharan Africa Representative Muthoki Mumo. “Authorities should allow journalists from these outlets to resume their jobs, ensure that enforcement of licensing regulations is not used to muzzle the media.”

https://cpj.org/2023/02/authorities-in-ethiopias-somali-region-suspend-15-media-outlets-revoke-media-associations-license/

#EthiopiaDrought

Commentary: After all livestock are dead, now what is left for #Borana pastoralists? Unveiling devastating impacts of prolonged drought

By Galgalo Dika (PhD)

Dr Galgalo writes about the devastating consequences of the ongoing drought on Borana pastoralists with previously unseen, alarming data.

Excerpts

“Above 2.3 million heads of livestock have died due to the prolonged drought, which left more than 67,000 households with no livestock, according to the Rapid Assessment report. This is a complete loss due to drought.”

https://addisstandard.com/commentary-after-all-livestock-are-dead-now-what-is-left-for-borana-pastoralists-unveiling-devastating-impacts-of-prolonged-drought/

#Kenya’s Safaricom on The Verge of Launching Mobile Money Services in #Ethiopia

“We are finalizing our commercial and technical readiness, and we expect to launch operations within the upcoming financial year," Safaricom’s CEO Aanwar Soussa said.

https://www.tekedia.com/kenyas-safaricom-on-the-verge-of-launching-mobile-money-services-in-ethiopia/

#Ethiopia Proposing $150 Million License Fee For M-Pesa and Other Mobile Operators

The National Bank of Ethiopia, the country’s industry regulator is proposing a $150 million license fee from M-Pesa and other mobile operators who want to set up shop in the country.

In a draft proposal signed by Solomon Damtew, the Payment and Settlement System Director at the National Bank of Ethiopia, the regulator is referring to the $150 million fee as an investment protection fee. This fee is described as the amount paid by foreign nationals who invest in businesses exclusively reserved for domestic investors or the government.

https://technovagh.com/ethiopia-proposing-150-million-license-fee-for-m-pesa-and-other-mobile-operators/

#Ethiopia: $40m agreement to reduce carbon emissions through land preservation

The Emission Reductions Purchase Agreement unlocks up to $40m that will help communities, gov't & stakeholders to reduce carbon emissions & increase carbon sequestration through forest preservation and other environment-friendly land uses.

https://www.esi-africa.com/east-africa/ethiopia-40m-agreement-to-reduce-carbon-emissions-through-land-preservation/

News: #NEBE reports majority vote in favor of new region in recent referendum, irregularities in #Wolaita zone

The referendum was held in six zones and five special districts, but NEBE said it is pending a decision on the results of the election in Wolaita Zone due to massive irregularities pre and during election process and complaints of vote fraud.

According the NEBE, it has verified and approved the results of the referendum held in five zones (Konso, South Omo, Gamo, Gedeo and Gofa) and five special districts (Burji, Basketo, Ale, Amaro, Derashe) where the majority voted in favor of coming together in cluster to form Ethiopia’s newest regional state.

Notable rejection of the new regional state was seen in #Gedeo zone where 46,749 people voted against the establishment of the new region out of 241, 695 valid votes.

However, the board announced that, “activities considered as serious operational violations” were committed in several polling stations in Wolaita Zone where there has been long lasting quest for statehood.

https://addisstandard.com/news-nebe-reports-majority-vote-in-favor-of-new-region-in-recent-referendum-irregularities-in-wolaita-zone/

Analysis: #Tigray Orthodox Church declines call by Synod to normalize relations, blames Synod for endorsing “war of genocide” on people of Tigray. What next?

By Medihane Ekubamichael

On 09 February, the Tigray Orthodox Church Council of Bishops held a joint meeting in which they have issued rejection to an earlier call made by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church (EOTC) Holy Synod’s Secretariat requesting for talks of reconciliation and normalization of relations between the Synod in Addis Abeba and Tigray Orthodox Church.

In a detailed account that highlighted the outcomes of the devastating two years atrocious war in the Tigray region, the Council of Bishops pulled no punches when blaming the Holy Synod for endorsing the “war of genocide” that was declared on the people of Tigray and explaining why they find it difficult to mend relations with it.

What is next?

https://addisstandard.com/analysis-tigray-orthodox-church-declines-call-by-synod-to-normalize-relations-blames-synod-for-endorsing-war-of-genocide-on-people-of-tigray-what-next/

The Interview: “Government’s lack of clear political agenda exacerbated the war in Oromia”: Colonel Gemechu Ayana

A must read interview to understand why the OLF-gov. 2018 peace talks collapsed, leading to the current complex war in #Oromia.

Interview by Beka Atoma Boru

Excerpts:

AS: When you returned from Asmara, you were persuaded to embrace peaceful struggle. Is it because the agreement you made was breached that the armed struggle continued, or was there a conviction that there still was a cause to fight for?

Colonel Gemechu: The main reason was the failure on the government’s side to uphold the agreement. The government declared war on our fighters in Wollegga. Some of those who returned from Eritrea and were stationed in Arsi were shot dead only fro asking minor questions. They poisoned those who returned heeding a call by Jawar, Bekele Gerba and Abba Gada Beyene Senbeto. The government didn’t have the interest to obey the agreement and that’s what necessitated the armed struggle. It is not because the OLF fighters back then didn’t embrace the peaceful struggle but because the government made it clear that it was impossible.

AS: Over the past four years the war in Oromia has transpired significantly and became more complex. What is your reading? How do you describe what is going on today?

Colonel Gemechu: The OLA’s position is clear. It is fighting in the belief that anyone who stands against the freedom of the Oromo, is the enemy of the Oromo. This belief does not change because who controls the government power has changed. The OLA fought the Dergue, it fought the EPRDF and it still is fighting. It is not about who took power, it fights for its demands. There are people who give up when they become ministers, those who abandon their demands when they enter the parliament. We have seen such people including from within the OLF, but the OLA believes that anyone who stands against the freedom of the Oromo is its enemy, whether a national group or an organization. But anyone who believes in the right of self-determination whether they are Amhara or Guraghe or Tegaru, is a friend of the OLA, this is clear.

https://addisstandard.com/the-interview-governments-lack-of-clear-political-agenda-exacerbated-the-war-in-oromia-colonel-gemechu-ayana/

Business: #China offers zero-tariff treatment to Ethiopia

China will grant zero-tariff treatment to 98 percent of taxable items originating from Ethiopia, Burundi and Niger from March 1, 2023, according to a statement released by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.

The new step is conducive to materializing the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation, helping the least developed countries accelerate their development, and building an open global economy, the commission said.

China will move further to gradually expand such treatment to all the least developed countries that have established diplomatic ties with China, it added.

“I am confident that this preferential treatment will help boost Ethiopian exports to China, bring more benefits to Ethiopian people and further strengthen the friendship between our two peoples”, said Zhao Zhiyuan, Ambassador of China to Ethiopia,

FBC

#Israel’s #Africa dilemma

“Israel has long sought strong ties with Africa, but the recent expulsion of Israel's ambassador to #Ethiopia from the #AfricanUnion summit could potentially harm its efforts to improve relations.”

***
Israel aims to normalize its relations with many countries with the great support of the U.S. in the international arena. Since the African continent is of great importance in terms of Israeli foreign policy, the issue of developing relations with the continental countries has been one of the priority agendas of the Tel Aviv Administration for a long time. The Abraham Accords, in effect since Sept. 15, 2020, include normalization declarations between Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain. They also gave a great impetus to Tel Aviv's normalization efforts with African countries.

sabahdai.ly/_1jq8

#Analysis: Prospective graduates fret over time constraints as ministry of education set to launch exit exam to tackle deteriorating competency

By Molla Mitiku

The education system has left students in more disarray as the assessment mechanism has fallen under sabotage, professor Tirusew Tefera, an expert in Education, who served as a Professor and Laureate in Special Needs Education at Addis Abeba University said.

“Due to the fact that the system has jettisoned quality issues and as cheating become rife, there is urgency for the ministry to administer various mechanisms like exit exam,” he told #AddisStandard.

Although prospective graduates do not protest against taking the exit exam, they complain for the cramming of schedule with their final term tasks.

Finote Demeke, a prospective graduate at St. Mary University, said, in spite of the university’s efforts in assisting the students to be ready for the exit exam, they are swamped with frustration on time constraints.

They worry about tight schedule they do in the coming four months that they have course that ranges 15 to 20 credit hours in the semester and they have to work on their senior essay.

“We need to complete final semester courses, do senior essay and take the exit exam that create a dismay on the prospective graduates. There should be enough intervals for the exit exam,” Finot told Addis Standard.

https://addisstandard.com/analysis-prospective-graduates-fret-over-time-constraints-as-ministry-of-education-set-to-launch-exit-exam-to-tackle-deteriorating-competency/

#ASDailyScoop: #Japan grants $1.14 million to improve health, protection needs of women and girls in #BenishangulGumuz, #Amhara regions

Japan and #UNFPA, the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency jointly launched on 20 February a project with 1.14 million USD that aimed to improve health and address the protection needs of women and girls in Benishangul Gumuz and Amhara regions.

According to a press release the Embassy of Japan in Addis Abeba to Addis Standard, the project which was ennoscriptd as “Addressing Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Gender Based Violence (GBV)’’ will be implemented in selected emergency-affected woredas in both Amhara and Benishangul-Gumuz Regions.

Eight districts are selected from #NorthShewa, #WestGojjam, #Awi, and #Oromo Special zones from the Amhara region, and two districts from the #Metekel zone of Benishangul Gumuz region for the implementation of the project.

https://addisstandard.com/asdailyscoop-japan-grants-1-14-million-to-improve-health-protection-needs-of-women-and-girls-in-benishangul-gumuz-amhara-regions/

Salesians provide aid to more than 100,000 people since start of #Tigray conflict

Although a peace deal was signed and many services restored, such as flights from #AddisAbeba to #Mekele, people are still in need. Banks are open but people still do not have access to their accounts, according to the Salesians.

“The access to send humanitarian aid to Tigray has become easier and we continue to assist people that have been impacted,” explained Father Abba Hailemariam Medhin, provincial of the AET vice-province. “People are still in need of food and non-food items. Psychological assistance for those impacted and educational centers are starting back up, but first, people need to have some food and they have to take care of their health.”

https://missionnewswire.org/ethiopia-salesians-provide-aid-to-more-than-100000-people-since-start-of-tigray-conflict/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ethiopia-salesians-provide-aid-to-more-than-100000-people-since-start-of-tigray-conflict