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/

News: Journalists at #TPLF owned Dimtsi Woyane media in #Tigray resign en masse protesting lack of editorial freedom, bad leadership

By Mihret G/Kristos

Several journalists at the TPLF owned #DimtsiWoyane Television and Radio (DW) headquartered in Mekelle, Tigray region, have resigned from their jobs in protest against lack of editorial freedom and bad media leadership.

#AddisStandard spoke to at least five journalists who have already resigned from their roles, and learned that over two dozen other journalists are in a process of submitting their resignations.

Haftom Hayle, a journalist, who is among those who have already submitted their resignations, told Addis Standard that he resigned because the media only entertains ideology of one group, and that he couldn’t practice his profession freely.

He said: “Tigray people’s agenda is not the priority of the media, and journalists are promoted based on party membership despite their knowledge and experiences”.

https://addisstandard.com/news-journalists-at-tplf-owned-dimtsi-woyane-media-in-tigray-resign-en-masse-protesting-lack-of-editorial-freedom-bad-leadership/

#Ethiopia: Rights Groups Alarmed by Ethiopian Efforts Against War Crimes Probe

Rights groups say they are concerned after a report this week said Ethiopia wants to terminate a U.N.-backed investigation into abuses committed during the two-year #Tigray war.

Human Rights Watch this week published a letter signed by 63 rights groups to the U.N. Human Rights Council, expressing concern about Ethiopia’s plans to introduce a motion to end the commission probing the war in Tigray region.

Amnesty International, one of the groups to sign the letter, says terminating the mandate of the commission would have serious consequences.

Amnesty’s Horn of Africa campaigner Suad Nur says it would only serve what she calls Ethiopia’s deeply embedded culture of impunity

“It will also deny justice for victims and survivors of gross human rights violations," Nur said. "This is including sexual violence from a highly atrocious conflict.”

https://www.voaafrica.com/a/rights-groups-alarmed-by-ethiopian-efforts-against-war-crimes-probe/6988505.html

News: Security forces arrest several senior gov’t officials, youth, activists in #Gurage zone following intensified crackdown on dissent

By Biruk Alemu

Residents of the restive Gurage zone in Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR) told #AddisStandard that security forces have intensified arrests including on senior government officials, the youth and activists since Tuesday.

Menur Reshid, member of Gurage Zone Council, Taje Demeke, former chairwoman of the Zone’s Council, Asrat Tadele, Head of Urban Trade and Enterprise, Sefa Jamal, Head of Revenue Office of Wolkite City, Mulugeta Fikade, Head of Security of Addis Sub-city of Wolkite City, Fikre Azata, head of the regional industrial center, and Tesfaye Minuta, the director of Wolkite University’s registrar directorate are among government officials who were arrested in Wolkite by the #SNNPR special forces and the federal police, a resident of Wolkite who did not wish to be named, told Addis Standard.

In addition, leadership of the Gurage Media Network Beyene Wondemu and Zermaw Yitbarek and lawyer and legal advisor Jember Abdo have also been arrested in Addis Abeba.

The resident said that more than 15 community leaders and youths are in prison, adding that “they were arrested because they peacefully struggled for the rights of the Gurage people”.

https://addisstandard.com/news-security-forces-arrest-several-senior-govt-officials-youth-activists-in-gurage-zone-following-intensified-crackdown-on-dissent/

News: Amidst rejection from opposition groups, #Tigray concludes establishment of IRA, awaiting negotiated deal with federal gov’t

The Tigray region has announced that it has finished preparations to establish Interim Regional Administration (IRA) pursuant to the Pretoria peace agreement reached between the Ethiopian government and the TPLF in November last year, and is awaiting to strike a negotiated deal with the federal government on the IRA.

“The process of establishing an interim government has been concluded from Tigray’s side, the next step is to negotiate with the federal government,” deputy chairperson of the IRA establishing committee Muluwork Kidanemariam told #AddisStandard.

According to Muluwork, after conducting various tasks, the committee of nine members set up to oversee the establishment of the IRA held a two day conference since 02 March, and 400 representatives from across the region have taken part in the formation of the IRA.

Muluwork said, “everything including who will hold what position has been sorted out” adding that, power sharing among the ruling TPLF, the military, opposition groups and scholars have been agreed upon.

https://addisstandard.com/news-amidst-rejection-from-opposition-groups-tigray-concludes-establishment-of-ira-awaiting-negotiated-deal-with-federal-govt/