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

#Ethiopia: Unresolved IDP crisis, alarming lack of basic healthcare causing suffering in conflict affected parts of #Oromia

The Oromia region of Ethiopia is experiencing one of the worst internally displaced person (IDP) crises in decades, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis. Armed groups from Oromia and neighboring regions, as well as measures taken by the federal and regional forces, have all contributed to this crisis. Natural disasters linked to the climate crisis, like the recent draught, have had a devastating impact on vulnerable communities in Borana zone and surrounding area.

The statistics are alarming. The conflict-induced displacement in the region has reached more than 1.5 million IDPs and 285,865 households distributed across 11 Zones and 96 Woredas. There are more than 142 IDP sites located in the region. The western and southeastern parts of the region are the most heavily affected, with Guji Zone hosting the highest number of IDP sites (31 sites), and East Wollega Zone hosting the highest number of IDPs (282,245).

https://addisstandard.com/commentary-unresolved-idp-crisis-alarming-lack-of-basic-healthcare-causing-suffering-in-conflict-affected-parts-of-oromia-opa/

#ASDailyScoop: Journalist Tewodros Asfaw released on bail after nine days of imprisonment

Journalist Tewodros Asfaw has been released from prison on Wednesday night after federal supreme court upheld federal high court’s ruling of his release on 30,000 birr bail.

On 17 February, Federal High Court had ruled Tewedros’s release on bail of 30,000 birr but police appealed to the supreme court forcing him to stay in prison.

Binyam Asfaw, Tewodros’s brother, confirmed to #AddisStandard that Tewodros was released on Wednesday night after nine days of imprisonment. He was taken from his home by security forces on Tuesday 14 February, following schism within the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC), which has now been resolved.

https://addisstandard.com/asdailyscoop-journalist-tewodros-asfaw-released-on-bail-after-nine-days-of-imprisonment/

News: #Ethiopian Rights Commission says restrictions on free movement of people, trade impede recovery efforts of IDP returnees in #Afar region

EHRC said that “IDPs and returnees are not being provided with adequate, timely and accessible humanitarian assistance including food, water, shelter, health, education and other social services”.

According to the statement undue economic pressure the IDP returnees are experiencing due to restrictions on free movement of people and business activities have become serious impediment in creating enabling conditions for the permanent establishment of returnees.

The ban on the entry of various basic consumer goods, including fuel, which were transported to #Tigray region through Afar regions’ zone two and zone four has not been lifted, the statement said.

Furthermore, the work of cleaning the areas which were war zones like the Fokisa kebele, Gulina district from mines and explosives has not been done properly, and has created a security threat for the returnees the statement underscored.

https://addisstandard.com/news-ethiopian-rights-commission-says-restrictions-on-free-movement-of-people-trade-impede-recovery-efforts-of-idp-returnees-in-afar-region/

News: Activities resume in #Wolkite after week long strike over security forces’ crackdown on water shortage protesters

The residents of Wolkite City, in restive #Gurage zone in Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples (#SNNP) region have resumed regular activities after series of discussions with the city administration and reaching consensus that the SNNP special forces would withdraw the city.

Residents told Addis Standard that public and business activities were halted for a week in protest against security forces’ crackdown on civilians who were demonstrating peacefully demanding solutions for scarce potable water in the city last week.

Hayider Murad, who participated in the city administrations’ discussion held on Wednesday with elders, religious leaders and residents of the city said, the mayor of the city has promised residents to discuss with pertinent bodies to carry out the issue of deployment of the SNNP special forces out of the city.

Residents inquired that they should be held accountable and even if any serious security problem happens, no special force should intervene but the national defense army, he added.

https://addisstandard.com/news-activities-resume-in-wolkite-after-week-long-strike-over-security-forces-crackdown-on-water-shortage-protesters/

From our archive: Published in June 2022

Editorial: #Drought in #Ethiopia: Call it by what it is – a national disaster

“The federal government should not only follow suit in admitting to the severity of the drought, but declare it as a national disaster in order to mobilize the level of response it deserves.”

https://addisstandard.com/editorial-drought-in-ethiopia-call-it-by-what-it-is-a-national-disaster/

Exclusive: Some investors offering #Ethiopia maturity extension on 2024 bond - sources

An informal group of international bondholders has proposed to Ethiopia's government to extend the maturity of the country's $1 billion eurobond issue coming due in 2024, three sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The proposal involves the debt maturity being extended to 2029 or 2030 as well as an amortising structure to avoid a big lump-sum payment at the end, with the last five years seeing repayments of $200 million a year, said one of the sources, who like the others asked not to be named because talks are private. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/some-investors-offering-ethiopia-maturity-extension-2024-bond-sources-2023-02-23/

News: Four high-ranking officials of opposition #OLF including EC member Kennasa Ayana critically ill inside prison, denied treatment

Kennasa Ayana, member of the executive committee of the opposition Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and three other senior officials of the party who are also the party’s central committee members have been critically ill and denied urgent treatment, spokesperson of OLF Lemmi Gemechu told #AddisStandard.

Kennasa Ayansa, Dawit Abdeta, Gadaa Oljirra (PhD) and Gadaa Gebissa who are currently detained at Burayu police station have all developed chronic diseases according to Lemmi.

In May last year, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) released a report following an investigation into the detention of Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) leaders in various detention centers in Oromia. The report confirmed that many OLF leaders and members are “illegally detained” and subjected to abuse.

https://addisstandard.com/news-four-high-ranking-officials-of-opposition-olf-including-ec-member-kennasa-ayana-critically-ill-inside-prison-denied-treatment/

#ASDailyScoop: Coca Cola announces subsidy for 30 plastic collection centers, pledges up to 10 million birr

Coca Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) signed an agreement with 30 plastic bottle collection centers in Addis Abeba, to give a subsidy of up to 10 million birr aiming to boost polyethylene terephthalate plastic (PET) bottle collection rates.

The company planned to subsidize 1,000 birr for every 1,000KG PET collected within a month in a pilot project set to be implemented for one year in two phases.

“We are committed to investing in our planet to help make the world packaging problem a thing of the past. This will provide a huge advantage for the recycling company and create job opportunities,” Daryl Wilson, managing director of CCBA in Ethiopia, said during the launch event on Thursday. https://addisstandard.com/asdailyscoop-coca-cola-announces-subsidy-for-30-plastic-collection-centers-pledges-up-to-10-million-birr/

News: More than 7,800 students dropout of school as impact of prolonged drought takes toll in #Borana, #Oromia region refutes drought related death

This is despite the regional government’s efforts of introducing dormitory and school feeding services to mitigate the impact of the drought by allocating 45 million birr.

Borana zone is one of the places harshly hit by the worst drought that has ravaged East Africa in 40 years, leaving more than 800,000 residents of the zone in need of immediate food assistance, according to local officials.

According to zonal administration, following consecutive failure of rainfall for five rainy seasons, more than 3.3 million cattles have died.

Oromia region communications bureau refuted a report of the death due to starvation of seven people in Taltale district of Borena zone, saying that “no one has died so far neither in Taltale district nor in the entire Borena zone in relation to the drought”.

https://addisstandard.com/news-more-than-7800-students-dropout-of-school-as-impact-of-prolonged-drought-takes-toll-in-borana-oromia-region-refutes-drought-related-death/

#Business: Key stakeholders discuss regulatory, legal issues ahead of launching #Ethiopia’s first industrial #gold mining project

Major local and international stakeholders of the #TuluKapi Gold Mining Project, Ethiopia’s first modern mining development, have met in Addis Abeba on 23 February to discuss and resolve regulatory and legal issues which is believed to pave the way to commence activities on the ground.

The project is “Ethiopia’s only ‘ready-to-start’ industrial mining project, making it the country’s first large-scale mining project for some 30 years and is designed to the highest international standards”.

The stakeholders meeting was intended to resolve regulatory approvals, legal documents, security protection and preparation of the community among other things, according to Harry Anagnostaras-Adams, Chairman of Tulu Kapi Gold Mines S.C and its UK parent Company KEFI Gold and Copper PLC.

https://addisstandard.com/business-key-stakeholders-discuss-regulatory-legal-issues-ahead-of-launching-ethiopias-first-industrial-gold-mining-project/

#Ethiopia - Verbatim

“Ethiopian Human Rights Commission calls for the lifting of restrictions on some SM platforms including #Facebook & #YouTube in #Ethiopia since 10 Feb. Restrictions on the right to seek, receive & impart information & ideas through any media should be an exception, legitimate, necessary & proportional,” Daniel Bekele (PhD), EHRC Chief Commissioner

#Ethiopia: #Windhoek engages Ethiopian Airlines to revive Air #Namibia

Namibian President Hage Geingob has met with Ethiopian Airlines top executives to explore how the carrier could assist the Namibian government in reviving its defunct national airline, Air Namibia (Windhoek International), reports The Namibian newspaper.

According to Geingob's spokesman Alfredo Hengari, the Namibian leader met with Ethiopian Airlines' chairman, Girma Wake, and Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew in Addis Ababa on the sidelines of the 36th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government held on February 18 and 19.

Hengari said the meeting had been “prospective”. Geingob had highlighted a roadmap to revive the airline.

During his address at the AU summit, Geingob also reiterated the sentiment of the ruling South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) that Namibia needed a national airline. He said a clear plan would be tabled at Cabinet-level for decision-making and operationalisation.

Air Namibia was liquidated in 2021 following years of incurring losses running into billions through mismanagement.

Hengari said: “The relevant ministries will lead the process. Ethiopian Airlines expressed an interest in cooperating with Namibia in that endeavour, but it does not imply that a decision has been taken to work with Ethiopian Airlines.”

https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/124760-windhoek-engages-ethiopian-airlines-to-revive-air-namibia

#Ethiopia #Cholera outbreak latest update

Active cholera outbreak is ongoing in 12 woredas in #Oromia, 10 woredas of Harena Buluk, Berbere, Gura Damole, Meda wolabo, Goro Bale Zone, Girja Guji zone, Nensebo West Arsi, Dawa Kachen and Ginir East Bale.

In Somali regions 2 woredas of Kersadula and Guradamole. Somali in Liben zone, 120 kebeles are cholera outbreak affected as of reporting 14th February 2023. Cholera outbreak was also reported from Internal Displaced Population (IDP): 191 reported so far, no new case from IDP. Overall, more than 1 million people are now at risk in the 2 regions, Oromia being the most vulnerable as of now.

https://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/ethiopia-cholera-outbreak-operational-update-mdret028

Editorial: No peace without justice and accountability; and neither justice, nor accountability without truth first

Whether through diplomatic bullying or diplomatic lobbying – from threatening to deny the commissioners from setting foot in #Ethiopia, to lobbying to end the Commission’s mandate, the Ethiopian government has mobilized its state resources all with the intention to cripple the commission’s works.

As an extension of that effort, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonon made a last ditch effort to rally African countries to support Ethiopia’s attempts to block the Commission with a loaded accusation that “the group hinders the agreement reached in Pretoria and prevents its implementation.” Demeke made it very clear that Ethiopia will “not allow the independent investigative team to enter and work in the country.”

As the UN Human Rights Council 52nd Session kicked off today in the presence of UN’s Secretary General, the UN General Assembly President, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, among other high level dignitaries, the world should unequivocally show support for the works of both ICHREE and ACHPR in conducting independent and comprehensive investigations into the grisly crimes committed against civilians during this tragic war. Ethiopia should not be let to get away with blocking the truth from coming to light.

There should be no room for doubts left that there will be no peace without justice and accountability, just as there will be neither justice, nor accountability without the truth coming to light first.

https://addisstandard.com/editorial-no-peace-without-justice-and-accountability-and-neither-justice-nor-accountability-without-truth-first/

News Analysis: Drought hit pastoralists of Afder zone in #Somali region linger between life and death, urge immediate food aid

By Mihret G Kristos

Pastoralist communities in Afder zone, one of the three drought stricken zones in Somali Regional State, say they are lingering between life and death without food and water after losing almost all of their livestock to the drought. They urged both the federal and the regional governments to lend them hands in providing them emergency aid.

Abdifatah Garane, 60, resident of Afder zone, is a father of 18 children from his three spouses. He owned 500 goats, 31 camels, and a few donkeys which he used to earn additional income transporting water for his villagers.

He now has remained with 80 goats and two camels after all his livestock have died due to the drought. He said, “we need food and water immediately to stay alive and we are urging our government to help as soon as possible”.

Gedi Gorane, a father of eight children, is another pastoralist in Bare district of the zone He currently lives in a makeshift camp after he and his families flee their home after losing 84 of his 100 cattle and 340 goats, barely left with nothing to eat.

He said, “despite the severe drought we faced, neither the government nor other non-governmental organizations have provided us with aid.”

According to Gedi, some of his brothers have already crossed the border to neighboring Somalia, after they had lost their livestock.

The severe drought has impacted the lives of more than three million people in the Somali Regional State, especially in the Afder, Liben, and Dawa zones according to Bashir Arab, early warning coordinator at the regional Disaster and Risk Management Bureau.

https://addisstandard.com/news-analysis-drought-hit-pastoralists-of-afder-zone-in-somali-region-linger-between-life-and-death-urge-immediate-food-aid/

Exclusive: #Ethiopia seeks to end #UN-ordered probe into #Tigray war abuses

Ethiopia is courting support for a motion to cut short a U.N.-mandated inquiry into atrocities in the Tigray war, five diplomats said, in a move that could divide African and Western nations.

The Ethiopian government's two-year conflict with forces in the northern Tigray region ended last November with thousands dead and millions uprooted. Both sides blamed each other for widely-documented atrocities, including massacres, rape and detentions without trial.

Though the Geneva-based U.N. Human Rights Council has never ended a probe before its mandate, Addis Ababa has circulated a draft version of a resolution calling for the Tigray inquiry to stop some six months early. That would also block publication of findings and a final debate at the council.

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopia-seeks-end-un-ordered-probe-into-tigray-war-abuses-2023-02-27/

News: More than 95, 000 new refugees arrive in #Ethiopia fleeing recent clashes in #LaasCaanood; immediate humanitarian assistance needed

The refugees are fleeing hostilities in Laas Caanood, in the breakaway #Somaliland, where local reports indicate that at least 112 people are killed since the clashes erupted early this month. The EU warned “more arrivals can be expected as active clashes continue.”

In mid February, the US said that the families arriving in Somali constitute mainly women and children and have temporarily settled across more than 13 locations in the towns of Bookh, Galhamur and Danot Woredasiin in the Doolo zone.

The EU further cautioned that the refugees are sheltering in areas that are “already drought-prone and chronically food insecure. Being so remotely located, there are scarce human and material resources and limited coping capacity.”

https://addisstandard.com/news-more-than-95-000-new-refugees-arrive-in-ethiopia-fleeing-recent-clashes-in-laas-caanood-immediate-humanitarian-assistance-needed/

News: #Oromia region announces restructuring of major cities, creation of new zonal & district administrative units

Accordingly #Bishoftu city would be merged with neighboring Dukem, Hidi, Ude Dhankaka and Dirre towns and restructured into three sub-cities and 10 city-districts. #Shashemene would be merged with Bishan Guracha and restructured into four sub-cities and 12 city-districts. #Adama would be merged with Wonji and restructured into six sub-cities and 19 city-districts.

https://addisstandard.com/news-oromia-region-announce-restructuring-of-major-cities-creation-of-new-zonal-and-district-administrative-units/


Robe would be merged with Goba and restructured into three sub-cities and 12 city-districts. #Haramaya, Awedayand Adelle cities would be merged under a name Maya city and restructured into three sub-cities and 12 city-districts. #Batu and Adami Tullu cities would be merged and restructured into 7 Kebeles.

Apart from the restructuring, Adama, Shashemene and Bishoftu cities were upgraded to #regiopolis, Robe and Maya cities were upgraded to major cities, whereas nine cities namely Metu, Agaro, Bule Hora, Najjo, Sandafa Bakke, Dodola, Shano, Moyale and Shakiso were upgraded to higher cities and made to be administered directly under the auspices of the regional government.