#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.

News: More than 60 rights orgs appeal to UN members, observer states to reject #Ethiopia’s attempt to terminate mandate of #UN rights experts

“We write to urge your delegations to reject any resolution to prematurely terminate the mandate of #ICHREE, and to express your support for the mandate and work of the Commission,” the group’s appeal reads. “The independent mandate and work of ICHREE is crucial to preserve the opportunity for victims of grave international crimes to have access to justice, particularly because of the eroding environment for independent media and human rights monitoring of conflict-affected areas of Ethiopia.”

Calling Ethiopia’s attempt to end ICHREE’s mandate “unprecedented”, the group warned that Ethiopia’s move not only suggest that “states can politically maneuver to overturn the decisions of the Human Rights Council to avoid independent scrutiny and accountability, but it could also set a dangerous precedent regarding international scrutiny and impunity for rights abuses elsewhere.”

https://addisstandard.com/news-more-than-60-rights-orgs-appeal-to-un-members-observer-states-to-reject-ethiopias-attempt-to-terminate-mandate-of-un-rights-experts/

Analysis: IDPs in #Mekelle complain lack of adequate aid despite improved humanitarian access to #Tigray

“More than 4.5 million people or 83 percent of the total 5.4 million people in need of aid in the region were assisted with food as of 18 January in two rounds of distribution,” the report stated, adding that, “more than 162,000 of those assisted were IDPs.

However, IDPs in Mekelle say they haven’t received any aid in the past three consecutive months. Solomon Kiros 47, along with his eight-family members, was displaced from East zone, Adigoshu and now sheltered in Mekelle, Seba Kare makeshift camp.

He said the IDPs there didn’t receive any humanitarian aid except the 15-kilos of wheat they got some three months ago and they are currently in a severe hardship due to lack of both food and medicine.

“We don’t have proper shelters, neither do we have the necessary utensils; we are really in a bad situation. Most of the IDPs don’t want to be dependent on humanitarian aid, rather they want to help themselves economically and secure their own food if they are to be returned to their very villages”, he said, adding that “in line with the peace agreement, the government must take us back to our homes so that the sufferings ends”.

https://addisstandard.com/analysis-idps-in-mekelle-complain-lack-of-adequate-aid-irrespective-of-improved-humanitarian-access-to-tigray/

News Analysis: Despite alarming reports, #Oromia region claims drought in #Borana not out of hand, govt “responding appropriately”

Debela Itana, Director of Logistics for Response and Rehabilitation at the Oromia Busa Gonofa, regional commission in charge of humanitarian response, told #AddisStandard that the state government has been responding to the emergency by allocating over 200 million birr this year.

According to Debela, the number of people in need of assistance in the Borana zone due to the prolonged drought and food shortages has increased by more than 500 thousand in six months, from 375,000 in September to 867,140 now.

However, residents told Addis Standard in early February that people were dying due to water and food shortages. “Now we have given up on our cattle, we are now striving to save our lives,” said Bekalu Abera, a resident of Arero district of Borana zone.

Furthermore, Dinka Dadhi, a communications specialist in Arero district, told Addis Standard last month that the elderly and children were dying due to starvation, as they have low hunger tolerance. He also said that although some aid agencies are providing life-saving assistance, the assistance they provide is not adequate.

https://addisstandard.com/news-analysis-oromia-region-says-drought-in-borana-zone-not-out-of-hand-government-responding-appropriately/

News Analysis: Despite alarming reports, #Oromia region claims drought in #Borana not out of hand, govt “responding appropriately”

Debela Itana, Director of Logistics for Response and Rehabilitation at the Oromia Busa Gonofa, regional commission in charge of humanitarian response, told #AddisStandard that the state government has been responding to the emergency by allocating over 200 million birr this year.

According to Debela, the number of people in need of assistance in the Borana zone due to the prolonged drought and food shortages has increased by more than 500 thousand in six months, from 375,000 in September to 867,140 now.

However, residents told Addis Standard in early February that people were dying due to water and food shortages. “Now we have given up on our cattle, we are now striving to save our lives,” said Bekalu Abera, a resident of Arero district of Borana zone.

Furthermore, Dinka Dadhi, a communications specialist in Arero district, told Addis Standard last month that the elderly and children were dying due to starvation, as they have low hunger tolerance. He also said that although some aid agencies are providing life-saving assistance, the assistance they provide is not adequate. https://addisstandard.com/news-analysis-oromia-region-says-drought-in-borana-zone-not-out-of-hand-government-responding-appropriately/

News: A whopping near $4 billion required to help more than 20 million #Ethiopians in need of humanitarian assistance in 2023

Among the targeted people includes an estimated 4.6 million internally displaced people (IDPs). Although internal displacement is not a new phenomenon in Ethiopia, “among the displaced people there is a high number in protracted displacement,” according to the report. This includes 886,000 IDPs who had been displaced for under one year; one million IDPs who had been displaced for 1-4 years; and as many as 745,000 IDPs who had been displaced for more than five years as of September 2022.

“We are appealing for $US 3.99 billion to assist over 20 million people across the country with food assistance. Of those, 4.4 million people are targeted for multi-sector non-food assistance, of which two thirds are women and children,” said Ambassador Shiferaw Teklemariam, Commissioner for the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission of Ethiopia (#EDRMC).

https://addisstandard.com/news-a-whopping-near-4-bn-required-to-help-more-than-20-m-ethiopians-in-need-of-humanitarian-assistance-in-2023/

News: Amidst loose relationship with #Tigray Church, Orthodox Patriarch arrives in #Mekelle for first time since war

By Medihane Ekubamichael

It came only a week after the #Tigray Orthodox Church Council of Bishops rejected the Synod’s earlier letters sent to five Archbishops in the Tigray regional state requesting for talks of “reconciliation.”

Liqe Tiguhan Eskinder Gebrekiristos, Public Communication Directorate Head of the Holy Synod, told #AddisStandard that His Holiness has traveled to Mekelle for a daylong trip, in accordance to a decision by the Holy Synod. And the only purpose of his travel is to attend the farewell ceremony of the late His Holiness Abune Yohannes II and comfort those who are grieving.

Liqe Tiguhan further said that the Patriarch is to return to his seat this afternoon and he will not be privately discussing on the matter as that was addressed to the Holy Synod. He also refuted rumors speculating the Patriarch’s visit to Tigray with talks over the rift between the EOTC Synod and the Tigray Orthodox Church.

His Holiness has been accompanied by members of delegations including Archbishops His Holiness Abune Tomas and His Holiness Abune Entons, according to the Synod’s Communication.

https://addisstandard.com/news-amidst-loosened-relation-with-tigray-church-orthodox-patriarch-arrives-in-mekelle-for-first-time-since-war/

News: #BenishangulGumuz, #BlueNile States hold peace and security conference in Ad-Damazin city

A peace and development conference between senior officials of Ethiopia’s Benishangul Gumuz region and Sudan’s Blue Nile state has started today in Ad-Damazin city, the capital city of Sudan’s Blue Nile state.

The conference is being attended by high level officials including the Presidents of Benishangul Gumuz region Ashadli Hassan and of the Blue Nile state, General Muhammad Al-Omda.

Being held under the theme “peace, development and good neighborliness”, the conference will discuss issued of peace, security and development activities carried out jointly in the past between the two states.

https://addisstandard.com/news-benishangul-gumuz-blue-nile-states-hold-peace-and-security-conference-in-ad-damazin-city/

#Somalia's Neighbors to Send Additional Troops to Fight Al-Shabab

The three neighboring countries of Somalia are to send new troops to support Somali forces against al-Shabab in the next phase of military operations, the national security adviser for the Somali president said.

In an interview with VOA's Somali Service on Wednesday, Hussein Sheikh-Ali said #Djibouti, #Ethiopia and #Kenya will be sending troops in addition to the soldiers they already have serving as part of the African Transitional Mission in Somalia, or ATMIS. He said the new troops will not be part of the ATMIS mission.

"It is their plan to be coming inside Somalia within eight weeks," he said.

Ali declined to give specific number of the incoming troops, citing "operational purposes."

"Their role is to jointly plan and jointly operate under the command of the Somali security forces," he said. "So, they will be fighting against al-Shabab alongside Somali forces. That is the plan." https://www.voanews.com/a/somalia-s-neighbors-to-send-additional-troops-to-fight-al-shabab-/6986748.html

Business: #Mastercard Foundation, #Gebeya announce $48 m partnership to equip #Ethiopia’s next generation entrepreneurs

Mastercard Foundation and Gebeya Inc. have announced Mesirat (“to work”), a five-year program that will equip 100 entrepreneurs in Ethiopia with their own multi-sided gig marketplaces.

Powered by a $48 million partnership, the two organizations and several other consortium partners will leverage their combined experience and expertise to co-create and replicate Gebeya’s model 100 times in tourism and hospitality, agriculture, education, construction, healthcare, commerce, manufacturing, Information Technology (IT), professional services, transport, the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and entertainment sectors.

Mesirat will also empower entrepreneurs—especially young men and women—to launch and fully run their own gig marketplaces successfully across Ethiopia. This innovative partnership will equip two million young people with market-facing skills and enable one million of them (70 percent women) to find work.

https://addisstandard.com/business-mastercard-foundation-gebeya-announce-48-m-partnership-to-equip-ethiopias-next-generation-entrepreneurs/

Crisis in #Ethiopia: Drought and conflict put 28 million in need

For the second year in a row, Ethiopia ranks as number two on #Watchlist – making it one of the top countries most at risk of worsening humanitarian need in 2023.

Prolonged drought in the southeast of the country, continued economic stresses, and the impact of conflict in northern Ethiopia, Oromia and elsewhere, are all exacerbating needs for millions of people. Here's what you need to know about the ongoing emergency.

Ethiopia is heading toward its sixth consecutive failed rainy season, which threatens to prolong a drought already affecting over 30 million people.

https://www.rescue.org/article/crisis-ethiopia-drought-and-conflict-put-28-million-need

News: Ethiopian Rights Commission says one killed during 127th Adwa victory celebrations, #EOTC accuses police of forcefully disrupting spiritual services

By Medihane Ekubamichael

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said, security forces have “overreacted” and needlessly beaten people, used tear gas, plastic and lethal bullets, and other excessive measures including on older persons and children resulting in at least one death, several bodily injuries and distress on people gathered around Menelik Square for the 127th year celebrations of the victory of Adwa on Thursday.

EHRC’s statement said, a traditional, popular and peaceful gathering of people around Menelik Square and a religious congregation in nearby Saint George Church was violently disrupted by the unnecessary and excessive actions of the security forces.

The Addis Abeba Diocese of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) also disclosed that many faithfuls were injured and spiritual ceremony was discontinued due to a tear gas thrown at the church following a measure taken by government forces to disperse a crowd during the celebration at the city’s Menilik II Square held yesterday.

https://addisstandard.com/news-ethiopian-rights-commission-says-one-killed-during-127th-adwa-victory-celebrations-eotc-accuses-police-of-forcefully-disrupting-spiritual-services/

News: Residents say at least three killed in #Guji zone, #Oromia following protests over decision to incorporate Negelle town into newly formed East #Borana zone

By Natnael Fite

At least three civilians were killed, two were injured and several others were arrested in ongoing protests in the Guji zone, Southern Oromia, following the establishment of the new zone of ‘East Borana’, comprising 10 districts from Borana, Bale and Guji zones, residents told Addis Standard.

The Caffee Oromia, on Monday, February 27, 2023, announced that, East Borana zone will be formed as the 21st zone of Oromia, and the former zonal capital of Guji zone Nagelle would be the seat of the administration of the newly formed East Borana zone, while the administration of the Guji zone moves to Adola Rede.

The decision which the regional parliament said was made “to respond to the long-standing demands of development, security and good governance of the people” was outright rejected by residents of the Guji zone leading to massive demonstrations in several cities and towns of the zone.

Boru Meshi, a native of Guji and a journalist who is closely following the issue, told Addis Standard that the reason for the protests was the announcement of the incorporation of three districts including Negelle, the capital of Guji zone, to the newly established ‘East Borana’ zone.

“Negelle is a town with a great history among the Guji people and it is a town that the people and intellectuals have paid a high price for. It is unacceptable to simply move it to another zone without consulting the people,” Boru said.

https://addisstandard.com/news-residents-say-at-least-three-killed-in-guji-zone-following-protests-over-decision-to-incorporate-negelle-town-into-newly-formed-east-borana-zone/