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An independent Ethiopia based online media focusing on current affairs. Original content+daily gist of media monitoring
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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/
#NewsAlert: #TPLF Central Committee picks Getachew Reda to lead #Tigray interim regional admin

The Central Committee of Tigray People’s Liberation front (TPLF) has, late this evening, picked Getachew Reda, member of the party’s Executive Committee, to lead the incoming interim administration of the regional state, three source close to the matter told Addis Standard.

The sources also say that Getachew received 18 votes out of the 41 members of the central Committee.

But whether he will get the green light from the federal government is yet to be seen.

Establishing an Interim Regional Administration (IRA) which will replace the Tigray regional state local government that was elected on 02 September 2020, was one of the key parts of the November 2, 2022 Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) signed in Pretoria.

https://addisstandard.com/newsalert-tplf-central-committee-picks-getachew-reda-to-lead-tigray-interim-regional-admin/
#Coffee Culture in #Israel: #Ethiopian Blends

"We relate to it as something to wake us up. But in Ethiopia, it’s not. It’s something that connects people. It’s something that gathers the family"

This is a story about authenticity, pride…. and coffee. The O.G., original coffee.

Elazar Tamano is a Tel Aviv-based chef and artist who has made it his life’s work to break down stigmas about Ethiopian culture and traditions.

“We drink it here in the morning, and we relate to it as something to wake us up. But in Ethiopia, it’s not. It’s something that connects people. It’s something that gathers the family around the table,” Tamano explains.

https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/culture/1678806013-coffee-culture-in-israel-ethiopian-blends
#Ethiopia: The drought is driving up cases of child hunger and malnutrition in #Borena.

In drought ravaged Borena, #Oromia Region, children suffering from severe acute malnutrition are being rushed to health centres by their parents.

These are their stories:

For the past three years, unrelenting drought has taken a devastating toll on children and their families in Borena Zone, Ethiopia. Lack of food and water has forced thousands of people to abandon their homes.

According to the zone’s multi-agency rapid assessment report, scarcity of livestock feed and water has caused the deaths of over 3.3 million livestock in Borena. The same report also indicates that, out of the 1.7 million population, more than half are in need of food assistance.

A proud pastoralist society, normally self-sufficient and able to feed others, are currently dependent on aid.

https://www.unicef.org/ethiopia/stories/drought-driving-cases-child-hunger-and-malnutrition-borena
Peace for #Ethiopia: What should follow #Blinken’s Visit?

A viable peace process must address humanitarian crisis, political conflict and atrocities all at once.

"A particular conundrum for U.S. and international policymakers is how to time, sequence and calibrate the restoration of economic assistance, including an Ethiopian return to the #AGOA trade opportunity, in tandem with the absolutely critical need to end and address human rights violations. Obviously, that problem becomes more acute when the atrocities have been so pronounced and widespread — and tragically, this has been the case in this war.

There is no simple answer here; there is a need for justice based on documentation, investigation, and fair processes. And there is a need for reconciliation that allows Ethiopians to find a way to live together in the future. It’s going to be a complex problem of management, which I think Secretary Blinken just signaled in his talks this week."

https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/03/peace-ethiopia-what-should-follow-blinkens-visit
#Ethiopia’s Jemal Yimer wins #LosAngeles Marathon

Jemal Yimer of Ethiopia won the men’s division of the Los Angeles Marathon on Sunday, while Stacy Ndiwa of Kenya took the women’s division.

Jemal Yimer completed the 26.2-mile (42.2-kilometer) course through city streets in 2 hours, 13 minutes, 13.58 seconds.

Yemane Tsegay of Ethiopia was second in 2:14:06.95. Barnaba Kipkoech of Kenya was third in 2:14:27.36 on a cloudy day with temperatures near 60 degrees (15 Celsius).

The top American men’s finisher was Hosava Kretzmann of Prescott, Arizona, who was sixth. He ran his first marathon in 2:19:55.77.

https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-marathon-f54e57c764f44d82d8a7b8e40ef3f002
#Ethiopia: #WHO Ethiopia donates medical equipment and supplies worth over 1.3 Million USD

The handover was made during a meeting convened to review the two-year performance of the WHO-DFATD project on “ensuring functional health service in the context of COVID-19 in Ethiopia”.

The medical equipment and supplies were handed over with a view of enhancing the service delivery of primary healthcare units in #Amhara, #Oromia, #Sidama, Southern Nations and Nationalities (#SNNPR) and #Southwest Ethiopia regions as well as #DireDawa Administration.

State Minister of Health Dr. Dereje Dhuguma, and Acting Representative to WHO-Ethiopia, Dr. Nonhlanhla Dlamini handed over the donation certificates to senior officials of the respective health bureaus. The donated equipment and supplies include neonatal resuscitators, oxygen concentrators, pulse oximeters, autoclaves, centrifuges, freezers, adult and paediatric weighing scales, stadiometers and sphygmomanometers, infrared thermometers, and several kits, including reproductive health, obstetric, surgical and midwifery kits.

https://www.afro.who.int/countries/ethiopia/news/who-ethiopia-donates-medical-equipment-and-supplies-worth-over-13million-usd
Business: #Akobo Minerals announces start of core drilling at Gindibab, a new target in #Ethiopia

Akobo Minerals, the Scandinavian-based Ethiopian gold exploration and boutique mining company, today announced the start of core drilling on a new target at Gindibab, the mining company told #AddisStandard.

The core drilling at the Gingibil quartz vein swarm in the Gindibab area lies approximately six kms southeast of Akobo Minerals’ Segele gold mine, which will soon be producing the company’s first gold.

In December last year, AKobo Minerals announced that it has made a new gold discovery at Segele, in the Gambella region, along the Akobo River in south-western Ethiopia, which was “the third distinct style of gold mineralization in the area.”

According to the latest announcement of the core drilling at Gindibab by the company, early indications point to it being “the most exciting target so far within Akobo Minerals’ license area.

https://addisstandard.com/business-akobo-minerals-announces-start-of-core-drilling-at-gindibab-a-new-target-in-ethiopia/
#Kenya: Tear gas, arrests as Kenya opposition stages protests

Kenyan riot police fired tear gas Monday to disperse demonstrators gathered in Nairobi for a day of action called by the opposition to protest the country's punishing cost of living crisis, AFP correspondents said.

The government of President William Ruto has vowed to take a tough stance over the demonstrations, which opposition leader Raila Odinga vowed would go ahead despite not receiving police authorization.

Demonstrators also hurled rocks at anti-riot police outside government offices in the capital, while about two dozen people were arrested, including two opposition MPs, correspondents at the scene said.

"We will be here until they run out of tear gas," said one protester, Markings Nyamweya, 27.

https://www.voanews.com/a/tear-gas-arrests-as-kenya-opposition-stages-protests/7012658.html
News: Congress for #Somali Cause firmly urges PM Abiy Ahmed to recant his statement on “Karamara Victory”

The Congress for Somali Cause (CSC) has urged Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to recant his statement in which he mentioned “Karamara Victory” during the launching ceremony of his third book ‘Generation Medemer’ on March 18, 2023.

The statement by the congress claims that Karamara is not a place of victory over Somalis or a site of celebration, instead, it is remembered as the “tragic execution” of Somali notables in #Jigjiga, including Sultan Dheeg Heebaan, Sultan Ali Hussein, Sultan Odowaa, Ugaas Rooble Doodi, Mohmed Yusuf Qiiq, and 80 others.

The Congress has fiercely censured the statement and insisted that PM Abiy should apologize for any offense he may have caused labeling his statement as offending and insensitive as it ignores the “tragic history” of Karamara and attempts to further denigrate and humiliate Somalis in Ethiopia.

https://addisstandard.com/news-congress-for-somali-cause-firmly-urge-pm-abiy-ahmed-to-recant-his-statement-on-karamara-victory/
News: #Tigray asks federal govt to enforce withdrawal of #Amhara forces after rally in occupied Southern Tigray

Authorities in Tigray have asked the federal government of Ethiopia to work on and enforce the withdrawal of the Amhara armed forces from the Tigray Regional State territories, after a pro-Amhara ownership demonstration was held on Sunday 18 March in Alamata town, in Southern Tigray, which is under the occupation of Amhara forces.

In a statement released through its communication bureau the regional government asked for Amhara forces to withdraw as soon as possible, and called on the African Union (AU) and the international community to take meaningful action against atrocities committed in those areas on civilians.

“Yesterday 19 March 2023, an unacceptable demonstration was held in Alamata town by transporting a large number of people from various parts of Amhara Region, especially from Guba-Lafto, Woldiya and Raya Kobo districts,” the statement underlined. https://addisstandard.com/news-tigray-asks-federal-govt-to-enforce-withdrawal-of-amhara-forces-after-rally-in-occupied-southern-tigray/
News: #konso Zone in need of urgent assistance as drought devastates thousands

Urgent attention to the people of Konso who are exposed to severe damage due to drought, requested Solomon Soka, member of the House of Representatives for Konso Nation and director general of Information Network Security Administration (INSA).

Residents in the area are subjected to severe and devastating drought and displacement caused by a natural disaster, resulting in a lack of rain, which challenged their hard work and livelihood, according to Konso Zone government communication directorate.

The area has not received sufficient precipitation for over four consecutive years.

The lack of food and fodder is killing people and animals on daily basis. The issue continues to be concerning despite the assistance being provided by the zonal safety-net development program and other partners. A month ago, regional authorities in Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s (#SNNP) regional state warned that the persistent drought in the Konso zone has threatened the lives of many.

https://addisstandard.com/news-konso-zone-in-need-of-urgent-drought-assistance-as-residents-reach-devastating-condition/