News: #US announces allocating nearly $2 m to support independent investigations of human rights atrocities as #Blinken arrives in #AddisAbeba

The US State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) has announced the billing of 1.975 million USD to support independent investigations of human rights atrocities and justice and accountability processes for alleged atrocities “committed by all sides” in Ethiopia’s two years war.

The announcement followed United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s arrival in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia late at night on Tuesday.

Bilinken’s visit is the first high-ranking visit by a US official to Ethiopia since the outbreak of the war in November 2020, when the US-Ethiopian relationship began to deteriorate due mostly to ,the war’s atrocities against civilians in Tigray, Amhara, and Afar regions and the US’ repeated calls for early cessation of hostilities, which the Ethiopian government rejected for nearly two years.

But it is not clear if the US’ allocation of the fund to support independent investigations will be extended to support #ICHREE’s ongoing works.

https://addisstandard.com/news-us-announces-allocating-nearly-2-m-to-support-independent-investigations-of-human-rights-atrocities-as-blinken-arrives-in-addis-abeba/

#Blinken meets #Ethiopian leaders to repair ties damaged by war

#US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Ethiopia's foreign minister in Addis Abeba on Wednesday, as their two governments look to repair relations strained by the two-year civil war in the Tigray region.

Blinken, who began his talks with Demeke Mekonnen with a coffee ceremony, was also due to meet Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and leaders of the Tigray forces that battled the federal government in the war in the northern region.
"There is a lot to be done. Probably the most important thing is to deepen the peace that has taken hold in the north," Blinken told reporters.

***
#Eritrean troops remain in several border areas while militia from the Amhara region, which neighbours Tigray, occupy large areas of territory in ...western and southern #Tigray, humanitarian workers said.

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/blinken-meet-ethiopian-government-leaders-repair-ties-2023-03-15/

Advocates call on Blinken to demand accountability for atrocities in #Ethiopia

Sarah Yager, Washington director at Human Rights Watch [#HRW], said that Abiy is hoping to secure economic aid and a pledge of "normalized relations" from Blinken, although the country is still not at peace.

"There is a cessation of hostilities agreement, which has, in fact, brought some relief to the suffering of the people of Ethiopia. Particularly in the north, in the #Tigray region," Yager told VOA. "Some aid can get through, communications are flowing, fuel prices are down, food prices are down, all of this is very positive."

But despite gains made since the peace deal, human rights advocates say there's more work ahead.

"It is not all sunshine and roses," Yager added. "There are still abuses happening throughout, not just the Tigray region, but in other parts of the country."

Kate Hixon, Africa advocacy director at #Amnesty International USA, argued that Blinken should center all his engagements with the government of Ethiopia around human rights.

"There still needs to be improved access throughout the country for humanitarian actors and human rights monitors," Hixon said. "We also still need to see more commitment on justice and accountability and would really like for Secretary Blinken to push that."

"Ethiopia has been backsliding on democracy and freedoms across the country, and abuses are still continuing in some of those same places where the worst suffering has happened. So, we are seeing detentions, killings, sexual violence." https://www.voanews.com/a/advocates-call-on-blinken-to-demand-accountability-for-atrocities-in-ethiopia/7005879.html

Commentary- #Blinken needs to pressure both parties of the #Pretoria agreement

By Mersea Kidan

"The agreement of permanent cessation of hostilities signed in Pretoria by Abiy Ahmed’s administration and the #Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (#TPLF) ignited a glimmer of hope that the siege imposed on Tigray may end and peace may come to Tigray and to Ethiopia. Albeit meager improvements in access to food aid and basic services, Tigray remains to be under siege four months after the signing of the Pretoria agreement. More than three million IDPs cannot return home because their homes are occupied by Amhara militias and Eritrean troops, land transportation is blocked, air transport is limited, basic services like telecommunication and electrical power are intermittent. Even though the arresting of Tigrayans and ethnic profiling has declined, more than seventeen thousand officers of Tigrayan ethnicity are still languishing in concentration camps, many Tigrayans arrested because of their ethnicity remain in prisons."

https://addisstandard.com/commentary-blinken-needs-to-pressure-both-parties-of-the-pretoria-agreement/

#Ethiopia: Blinken expresses “concerns about situation in #Oromia”, need for resolution through dialogue; announces $331 m in new humanitarian assistance

In his first visit to Ethiopia, and subsequent meeting with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken “expressed concerns about the situation in Oromia and the need for a resolution through dialogue.”

This is the second time in as many weeks that Secretary Bliken made official call to end the ongoing military violence in Oromia. In late January this year, Blinken said he had “discussed the need to bring an end to ongoing instability in the Oromia region” during a phone call with PM Abiy.

It comes as several stakeholders continue attempting to push for a peaceful resolution to end the five years military violence in Oromia involving federal and regional forces on the one had, and members of the Oromo Liberation Army (#OLA), often referred to as “Shene” by the government, on the other hand.

https://addisstandard.com/news-blinken-expresses-concerns-about-situation-in-oromia-need-for-resolution-through-dialogue-announces-331-m-in-new-humanitarian-assistance/

#Ethiopia: Five #FinTech companies in #Ethiopia diversifying #Africa’s digital finance

The FinTech industry in Ethiopia has undergone some considerable changes in recent years due to new regulatory changes introduced by the Ethiopian government. In March 2020, the National Bank of Ethiopia issued a new Directive on issuers of payment services, allowing local non-banks, including mobile network operators to offer mobile money services.

While Ethiopia’s FinTech ecosystem is still quite small-scale, the government’s supportive reforms towards promoting a digital economy and favourable market conditions have led to growth in the sector. Here are five FinTech companies in Ethiopia to watch out for: https://ibsintelligence.com/ibsi-news/5-fintech-companies-in-ethiopia-diversifying-africas-digital-finance/

News: Blinken trades carefully on #Ethiopia war atrocities extent; optimistic on peace, drop in rights abuses

His emphasis was rather on his optimism that the Pretoria Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) was contributing to a decline in these atrocities, and further remarked that both parties to the agreement “acknowledged the atrocities committed and the devastating impact that they’ve had.”

Testifying before Congress in March 2021, Blinken became the first high ranking US official to acknowledge and condemn what happened in Western Tigray, which is still under the control of forces from neighboring Amhara region, constituted an act of “ethnic cleansing.” His remarks confirmed several other reports by international media and human rights organizations made before and after his testimony to the Congress, and were reaffirmed by the State Department itself a year later in April 2022 in which the State Department acknowledged ajoint report by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.

Fast forward, citing three U.S. officials “familiar with the matter”, Foreign Policy magazine published a report shortly before Blinken’s travel to Ethiopia that “the State Department drafted a declaration in 2021 that the Ethiopian government’s atrocities in Tigray constituted a genocide… but it never released the declaration.”

During his press engagement on Wednesday, #AddisStandard asked Secretary Blinken on why the report was shelved and if there was any plan to release it to the public.

https://addisstandard.com/news-blinken-trades-carefully-on-ethiopia-war-atrocities-extent-optimistic-on-peace-drop-in-rights-abuses/

#Nigeria's Federal Government to investigate Nigerian national’s death in Ethiopian prison

The Federal Government and the Nigerian Mission in Ethiopia will demand a full investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of a Nigerian, Chizoba Eze, in Ethiopian prison.

This was made known in a statement signed by the Spokesperson, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, on Wednesday.

Chizoba was said to have died in Kaliti prison, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia on March 12, 2023, following alleged physical aggression.

Balogun said the NIDCOM Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, consoled the family of the late Eze and expressed concern over the reported conditions of some Nigerians, serving various jail terms in Ethiopia, most of whom were drug-related.

The statement read, “The Nigerian Mission in Ethiopia has proposed an MOU from the Nigerian Correctional Service on the transfer of sentenced persons to Nigeria with the Ethiopian authorities to complete their respective jail terms in Nigeria, and are awaiting a response from Ethiopia.

Story Picture: Abike Dabiri-Erewa

https://punchng.com/fg-to-investigate-nigerians-death-in-ethiopia/

In-depth Analysis: Addis Mayor’s latest remark reveals widening divergence between #Amhara, #Oromo ruling class of Prosperity Party. What is at stake?

Two ruling parties held together by a common enemy than shared values struggle to hold the Ethiopian state together.

“What held the two parties together under the umbrella of the #EPRDF was its disciplinarian party principles, it was never the concept of common values…”

“Other than the desire for the dividends of political power these two parties share zero common agenda and shared values needed to establish a stable political order such as what defines citizenship, the concepts of state society relationship, or how should the state distribute rent and state power not just among their respective national groups but to all national groups, or what should the shape and identity of the Ethiopian state look like,”

This is a must read analysis.

https://addisstandard.com/in-depth-analysis-addis-mayors-latest-remark-reveals-widening-divergence-between-amhara-oromo-ruling-class-of-prosperity-party-what-is-at-stake/

#Ethiopia: Alarmed Electoral Board condemns rising government, security restrictions on assembly, undue pressure on opposition political parties

The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has condemned the government and security forces for restricting the freedom of opposition political parties to hold their general assembly, inquired ministry of justice to make accountable those who arrested and harassed their members.

In its latest statement, NEBE said that the opposition Enat Party, Balderas For True Democracy and Gurage Unity and Justice Party (GOGOT) were among the political parties that have received undue pressure from the government and denied of their rights to hold their general assembly.

https://addisstandard.com/news-alarmed-electoral-board-condemns-rising-government-security-restrictions-on-assembly-undue-pressure-on-opposition-political-parties/

News: #WHO steps up health response to support #Somali refugees arriving in #Ethiopia

Since the beginning of February 2023, approximately 100 000 refugees, mostly women, children, unaccompanied minors, and people who are wounded or sick have reportedly arrived in Ethiopia from Somalia and are in dire need of humanitarian assistance

#Dollo Zone, where the refugees are being hosted, is currently affected by the worst drought in over 40 years in the greater Horn of Africa following five consecutive failed rainy seasons. The severe health impact of the drought has left thousands of households’ food insecure, an increase in children with acute malnutrition, high population movement and displacement of the pastoralists in search of water, and a heightened risk of disease outbreaks.

An ongoing #measles outbreak in #Danond district of Dollo Zone further increases the risk of spread to vulnerable populations including the refugees. The cholera outbreak has also been ongoing in #Liban, a zone that hosts another group of Somali refugees.

https://addisstandard.com/news-who-steps-up-health-response-to-support-somali-refugees-arriving-in-ethiopia/

#Ethiopia: As drought catastrophe looms, many succumbing to death in #Somali region; official admits, cites “beyond capacity” but refutes death toll

By Medihane Ekubamichael & Biruk Alemu

#Moyale - Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) from various woredas of Dawa zone, one of the severely hit zones by drought in the Somali region, who are sheltering in two IDP camps in Moyale woreda, told Addis Standard that more than eighteen people have died due to the drought in recent days. Disturbing stories are emerging about people forced to feed on unusual items. Officials of the woreda admitted the severity of that the situation and said it is “beyond their capacity.”

During #AddisStandard’s visit at #Harbor IDP camp in #Meleb kebele near Moyale, victims of the drought keenly rush to visitors, hoping to meet with volunteers who brought in aid, but end up desperately pleading for help to arrive.

This is their story from the ground.

https://addisstandard.com/analysis-as-catastrophe-looms-many-succumbing-to-death-in-somali-region-official-admits-cites-beyond-capacity-but-refutes-death-toll/

News: #Ethiopian rights commission hails #US support for ongoing “nationally owned, led transitional justice initiative”

United States’ secretary of state Antony Blinken, during his visit to #Ethiopia, has met with Daniel Bekele, Chief Commissioner for Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), and discussed advancement in implementation of Pretoria Peace Agreement’s procedures, particularly with regard to transitional justice.

The public recognition and support from the US government for the ongoing “nationally owned and led transitional justice initiative" send a positive message that also resonates with the people and voices the Commission, its partners, and stakeholders represents, said Daniel.

In a statement subsequent to his discussion with Blinken on 15 March, the commissioner said he is encouraged by the recognition that the commission’s efforts received. He also tweeted, “good to get the support of international partners for transitional justice in Ethiopia which is one of EHRC and UNHCHR’s key recommendations.

Earlier, several leaders of opposition political parties who were invited to take part in the ongoing nationwide consultations on transitional justice policy options walked out of a meeting on Friday 10 February, urging the government to give priority to peace and national political dialogue.

https://addisstandard.com/news-ethiopian-rights-commission-hails-us-support-for-ongoing-nationally-owned-led-transitional-justice-initiative/

Viewpoint: Of physicians’ migration problem in #Ethiopia

By Dr. Sultan Ababulgu

Over the years, Ethiopian doctors voiced their dissatisfaction through all available venues. Professional associations provide the most important forum to vent their grievances. Recent times, this has grown to level of public demonstrations and threatening of strikes. The outflow of doctors also continues.

What does the response look like? At one time, the government thought the proper response to shortage of doctors and their demand for better pay and standard of living was the so called “flood and retain” strategy. The number of doctors produced yearly increased dramatically. The sudden surge in numbers raised questions on the quality of medical training. An article that dealt with this strategy reported that not much was done on the side retention.

https://addisstandard.com/viewpoint-of-physicians-migration-problem-in-ethiopia/

News: Fresh clashes near #Oromia, #Somali regions border claim lives, Oromia gov’t dismisses allegations

The resident claims that the clashes erupted after #Makanis village which he says was located in the #TuluGuled district of #Fafan zone of the Somali region was incorporated into the Makanis Oromo district, which was established after the #Chinaksan district was split into two under the recent restructuring of cities, districts and zones by the Oromia regional government.

Hailu Adugna, head of the Oromia Communication Bureau, however dismissed both allegations of the incorporation of a Somali village into Oromia region and the involvement of the regional government’s security forces in the clashes.

“No area was taken from the Somali region and incorporated into Oromia under the new restructuring” Hailu told #AddisStandard, adding that, “no armed attack was launched on the Somali communities by the Oromia regional government security forces”.

https://addisstandard.com/news-fresh-clashes-near-oromia-somali-regions-border-claim-lives-oromia-govt-dismisses-allegation-of-security-forces-involvement/

#AddisAbeba Transport Authorities lift ban on popular #Bajaj vehicles

ransport authorities in Addis Abeba have lifted a week-long ban on the widely-used three-wheeled vehicles, known as 'Bajaj', permitting their return to the streets under revised arrangements.

The authorities have introduced a transportation tariff of five Birr for Bajaj services covering distances of up to 2.5Km, with 138 designated routes across the city. Mitiku Asmare, head of Addis Ababa's Transport Bureau, disclosed that 9,550 three-wheeled vehicles have been registered under 23 associations.

Nevertheless, these vehicles will not qualify for fuel subsidies. The ban was initially imposed to tackle the abuse of the system by specific associations, which, according to Mitiku, were networked from the same background.

https://addisfortune.news/news-alert/addis-abeba-transport-authorities-lift-ban-on-popular-bajaj-vehicles/

News: Ruling Party Executive admits #Ethiopia at “a crucial stage”, warns “inability to manage freedom” should be reversed

After two-days of meeting by the Executive Committee of the ruling Prosperity Party, led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, admitted by Ethiopia is “at a crucial stage” and listed five challenges confronting the country, its people and the party’s leadership.

The executive lamented the “inability to manage freedom” as the second problem facing Ethiopia. “Freedom is not free. And it does not continue for free,” it said, adding that it takes “sacrifice to get it”. The freedom to “local administration, to organize, to express ideas, to oppose the government, to establish and use the media, to worship faith without government intervention,” are freedoms “our people have gained in the struggle.”

However, the party warned that as “a system of responsibility without freedom leads to oppression, a liberal system without responsibility also leads to anarchy.”

https://addisstandard.com/news-ruling-party-executive-admits-ethiopia-at-a-crucial-stage-warns-inability-to-manage-freedom-should-be-reversed/