#Obituary: Tewelde Berhan Gebre Egzeabher: A scientist larger than life

Friends, colleagues, & family members shared their tributes with #AddisStandard's #Molla_Mitiku

“Tewelde Berhan was a compassionate academician, innovative researcher and an extraordinary scientist of biodiversity”: #Sebsibe_Demissew

“[Some] 60 unfortunate children who had financial problems were brought up, educated by him until they managed their life independently”: #Zenebe_Wolla

“[Tewelde Berhan] persuaded the international debates that resulted in the endorsement of three basic conventions: the conventions of Biological Diversity and the Food and Agriculture Organization, community rights as well as trade related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights”: #Teshome_Hunduma (PhD)

“world-class mind, an extraordinary scientist, charismatic leader, extremely human and innovative environmentalist who contributed a lot to his country, continent and the world”: #Kindeya_Gebrehiwot (Prof.)
https://addisstandard.com/obituary-tewelde-berhan-gebre-egzeabher-a-scientist-larger-than-life/

A volunteer trip to #Ethiopia was a ‘life-changing’ experience for this Northeastern computer science student

Patient procedure reports were being stored initially in a Word document, forcing health care workers to re-enter the information in an Excel spreadsheet.

“To share the file they would upload it to their personal Google Drives,” says Waters, noting that such a practice would violate privacy laws in the #US in addition to making the data vulnerable. “I asked for data from previous years of patients, and they said it was accidentally all deleted.”

Waters created a simple form that health workers have been filling out in Microsoft Access, making the patient reports instantly available for data analysis.

“It involved a lot of research and making sure that everyone is happy and can actually use it,” says Waters, who created a simple manual to help ensure that the health care workers could manage the database after she was gone.

https://news.northeastern.edu/2023/03/23/ethiopia-volunteer-trip/

News: New cross-border #Cholera outbreak kills five in #Moyale town, vicinity areas

By Medihane Ekubamichael

A new cholera outbreak since the last two weeks has so far claimed the lives of five people in Moyale town, in the Ethio-#Kenyan border.

Borena Zone, Moyale town Health Office Head, Boru Huka confirmed to #AddisStandard the death of the five people from the outbreak so far; two of them died in the Cholera Treatment Center (CTC) at Moyale town, while the three others were reported to have died dead before reaching the CTC.

According to Boru, the case has been rising with up 15 cases per day. The number of confirmed cases has now reached of 50 and the patients are receiving isolated treatment at the CTC.

Abdireshid Ibrahim Aden, #Dawa zone disaster risk management coordinator from the #Somali region side, however told #Addis_Standard that they are waiting for the confirmation of the cases from samples sent to Hawassa, and that there was death report yet. The zone shares Moyale town as administrative seat with #Oromia region’s Borena zone.

https://addisstandard.com/news-new-cross-boundary-cholera-outbreak-kills-five-in-moyale-border-town-vicinity-areas/

News: #Orthodox #Synod pushes back against “new illegal regional structure” in #Tigray; asks interim admin, religious leaders to play role to keep Church’s “institutional unity”

The Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church (#EOTC) in #AddisAbeba has said religious leaders in the Tigray region created “a new illegal regional structure called ‘Menber Selama Tigray Archdiocese office” in a way that violates “the institutional unity and existing structural organization of our church.”

The Synod also said that religious leaders in Tigray appointed bishops for dioceses abroad against what is “clearly stipulated in the church’s constitution”, which dictates bishops can be appointed in all dioceses by the decision of the plenary session of the Holy Synod and the signature of His Holiness the Patriarch.

The Synod’s complaint came after the news that the See of Selama Kessate Beharan Archdiocese, Tigray Orthodox Tewahdo Church, a newly organized structure in the Tigray region, appointed Archbishops to overseas dioceses organized under the Tigray Orthodox Tewahdo Church.

https://addisstandard.com/news-orthodox-synod-pushes-back-against-new-illegal-regional-structure-in-tigray-asks-interim-admin-religious-leaders-to-play-role-to-keep-churchs-institutional/

#Ethiopia: Op-Ed: Health equity for priority populations: Putting women first

By Dr. Aimee Rurangwa

On March 8, we celebrated International Women’s Day 2023, and throughout the month of March we recognize the contributions of women in history. At the same time, we reaffirm our deep commitment to eliminating biases and barriers that stand in the way of reaching gender equality and equity and achieving sustained HIV epidemic control in Ethiopia.

Inequality is a major factor increasing women and girls’ vulnerability to HIV. The gender health gap is particularly acute for those living with #HIV_AIDS and is further complicated by issues of poverty, culture, and unequal access to and quality of healthcare. Women are disproportionately affected by HIV, accounting for 58 percent of all adults living with the virus in Africa. Moreover, despite immense progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, research consistently indicates that women have greater difficulty accessing treatment than men.

https://addisstandard.com/op-ed-health-equity-for-priority-populations-putting-women-first-2/

News: Veteran #Oromo politician, scholar says govt must lift terrorist designation from #OLA to enable dialogue

The OLA was designated as a terrorist organization by members of the #Ethiopian parliament on May 05 2021 along with the TPLF after a decision on May 01 by the Council of Ministers that approved the resolution to designate the groups as terrorist organizations. The TPLF was de-listed from the list on 22 March.

Speaking to state media publication in Afaan Oromoo, Lencho said that the issue requires dialogue not only with Oromia but also with the federal government. There must be a “ceasefire for the success of the talks,” he said.

Lencho’s message adds up to increasing calls from various stakeholders to resolve the war in Oromia that has been going on for almost five years between the OLA and the Ethiopian government. On 20 March Ethiopian members of the national parliament who are elected from Oromia regional state, sent a letter to the African Union suggesting the continental body to “intervene and negotiate to reach an agreement”.

Earlier, during 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.”

https://addisstandard.com/news-veteran-oromo-politician-scholar-says-govt-must-lift-terrorist-designation-from-ola-to-enable-dialogue/

News: #Tigray interim president sets out regional territorial integrity, #justice, #IDPs as priorities in maiden speech as interim administration assume power

Getachew said several areas of Tigray are still under the occupation of the Eritrean and Amhara forces, and emphasized that completing the withdrawal from the region of the #Eritrean army and #Amhara militants, and stopping the ongoing crimes being committed on civilians in the occupied areas is the responsibility of the federal government.

“West Tigray, South Tigray, North-West Tigray should be restored and if there is a question, it should be resolved only through the constitution,” Getachew said, adding that, “I would like to entrust the security forces of the Amhara region to understand this and refrain from activities that hinder the peace process that”.

He noted that “despite its many flaws”, the peace that has been negotiated between the federal government and the Tigrayan authorities “must not be reversed, stopped or hindered”.

He also underlined that the IDPs displaced from areas still under the occupation of Eritrean and Amhara forces must return to their homes immediately, and that there is still much work that needs to be done in that regard.

https://addisstandard.com/news-tigray-interim-president-sets-out-regional-territorial-integrity-justice-idps-as-priorities-as-interim-administration-assume-power/

#Ethiopia-#Nigeria: New carrier Nigeria Air to begin flights by May

Nigeria’s new carrier, the Nigeria Air, will commence operations after years of attempts to float a national brand after the collapse of the Nigeria Airways 20 years ago.

“The new carrier which [will] commence local and international flights before May 2023, is a product of partnership with the Ethiopia Airways,” Nigeria’s Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika said on Thursday at the ongoing National Aviation Stakeholders Forum 2023 in Abuja.

Sirika has been working to revive the country’s carrier for almost eight years.

“Local and international flights will commence soon by May 29. Negotiations between the Ethiopian Airlines Group Consortium and the Nigerian government are ongoing. The next step is for the country’s Federal Executive Council to approve of the full business case,” Sirika said.

https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/business/new-carrier-of-nigeria-to-begin-operations-4170878

#Ethiopia: Only one body recovered after boat carrying eight people capsized in Lake Chamo, #SNNP; search for remaining victims continue

Only one body is recovered so far after a boat carrying eight people capsized in #Lake_Chamo, near #ArbaMinch in SNNP region, on Sunday. A local official told #AddisStandard the search from the remaining victims continued.

According to Amare Aklilu, communications head of Amaro district, from where the boat departed, the boat was en-route to Arba Minch city from a place called Alfacho. When it capsized, it was carrying the eight people who are believed to have died, and additional 70 quintals of teff.

https://addisstandard.com/news-only-one-body-recovered-after-boat-carrying-eight-people-capsized-in-lake-chamo-snnp-search-for-remaining-victims-continue/

#Ethiopia: Heavy flood kills seven in drought ravaged #Dawa zone, #Somali region, displaces #IDPs already reeling from drought

By Medihane Ekubamichael

Another disaster has claimed the lives of seven people after a long-awaited rain in the drought hit districts of Dawa zone, Somali region caused a devastating flood. A heavy rain between March 20 to 23 in all the four districts of the zone turned into heavy flooding that affected more than 4500 people and forced half of them to be displaced from their settlements, a local official told #Addis_Standard.

Hassan Mohamod, Hudet District Disaster Risk Management (DRM) coordinator from the very scene, told #AddisStandard that the death toll has reached 7 so far while thousands are forced to be displaced even from the former drought response IDP camps. According to Hassan four are dead in Booji and one in Hilaal kebeles of Kadaduma district, while one in El Gof kebele of Moyale woreda and another one in Hudet district 03 kebele.

The heavy flood that has seriously impacted the communities who have already been reeling from the prolonged drought that killed 4215 livestock, destroyed more than 2000 quintals of different food items, 660 houses, toilets, and kebele and zonal administration office in different districts, while 33 ponds have been over flooded in #Kadaduma district alone.

https://addisstandard.com/news-heavy-flood-kills-seven-in-drought-ravaged-dawa-zone-somali-region-displace-idps-reeling-from-drought/

News: Security forces detain journalist Getnet Ashgare

Journalist Getnat Ashagre, editor-in-chief of Amhara Voice Media, has been detained by security forces yesterday, March 26. He was taken away from his residence in Addis Abeba, Emebet Tadesse, sister, told Addis Standard.

Getnet was picked up yesterday by security forces as he was returning home saying he is needed for an investigation, said Emebet. All of his working belongings that were at home had also been loaded away by the security forces.

Getnet has been covering reports on the massacre and displacement of the #Amhara people residing in #Wollega, as well as the demolition of houses of Amhara by officials in the newly established #Shegercity of the #Oromia regional state, on the outskirts of #AddisAbaba, where some of the residents accuse the officials of ethnic prejudice during the demolishing campaign.

Earlier, two media personalities, Tewodros Asfaw, journalist and political analyst and Deacon Yosef Ketema, a journalist for EOTC Afaan Oromoo broadcast service, have been detained by security forces last month in relation to the schism within the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) and the ensuing unrest. They were later released on bail.

https://addisstandard.com/news-security-forces-detains-journalist-getnet-ashgare/

Analysis: #EFFORT says four factories completely destroyed during war, as industries in #Tigray gear up to resume production

By Mihret G/Kristos

A senior member of the management for EFFORT who asked not to be named told #AddisStandard that #Almeda Textile PLC, #Saba Stone, #Ezana Mining Development PLC, and #Sheba Leather Industry PLC have been fully destroyed, adding that For the factories to be back to operations, complete reconstruction is required.

“All the machinery was robbed and buildings burned down. It requires a huge amount of budget to rebuild these factories,” he noted.

Aregawi Girmay, operations manager at Almeda textiles, told Addis Standard that thousands of employees’ futures have been put in jeopardy since the re-establishment of the factory will require huge investment.

He saw the factory bombed after the second-round war resumed in August 2022. The factory was first bombed in October 2021. The federal government claimed it was targeted for “manufacturing military uniforms resembling Ethiopian and Eritrean military uniforms.”

“Machinery and other materials have been robbed and the rest destroyed,” he said, noting that “the whereabouts of some of the employees are also unknown.”

https://addisstandard.com/analysis-effort-says-four-factories-completely-demolished-during-war-as-industries-in-tigray-gear-up-to-resume-production/

#Ethiopia: Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou, Ethiopian nun and pianist, dies at 99

*The musician, who spent nearly the last 40 years of her life living in a monastery in #Jerusalem, has died

Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou released her first album in 1967, donating proceeds to those in need, and continued to use money made from her music to help raise aid for Ethiopian children orphaned by war. The Emahoy Tsege Mariam Music Foundation was also established to help children in need to study music.

After her mother’s death in 1984, Guèbrou moved to the Ethiopian Monastery in Jerusalem.

Her music has been used in the #Oscar-nominated 2020 documentary Time and in Rebecca Hall’s Netflix drama #Passing. Over her life, Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam composed more than 150 original works of music for piano, organ, opera and chamber ensembles. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/mar/27/emahoy-tsegue-maryam-guebrou-ethiopian-nun-and-pianist-dies-at-99

#Ethiopia: PM Abiy endures tough questions from MPs including on whether he would consider to resign

Members of parliament are forwarding tough questions to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed who is at the House to present the government’s six-month report for the current fiscal year to the House of Peoples’ Representatives (HoPR) at the 11th regular session of the House.

Parliamentarians have so far asked critical questions, including, but not limited to, lack of peace and security throughout the country, the rising cost of living, lack of safety and and security of civilians, the country’s sovereignty, lack of good governance and development.

Christian Tadelle, an MP representing the opposition National Movement of Amhara (NAMA), has asked the PM on whether he is considering to resign in the face of what the MP said was presiding over a government accused of gross human rights violations. “How ready are you to be held accountable for crimes against humanity and identity-based crimes of genocide, ethnic cleansing and identity theft?” MP Christian said.

Earlier at the start of the questions session, MP Abdulsemed Hussein has asked the PM on whether or the government has any plans to resolve the ongoing militarized conflict in Oromia regional state after recent calls to end the conflict through peaceful resolution.

https://addisstandard.com/news-pm-abiy-endures-tough-questions-from-mps-including-on-whether-he-would-consider-to-resign/

News: Premier hints at ongoing efforts to resolve conflict in #Oromia; responds to lawmakers’ tough asks on security, political instability

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who is at the House of People’s Representatives (HoPR) to present the government’s six-month report for the current fiscal year today, found himself defending his government’s track record against tough questions raised from the floor by several members of parliament (MPs) on, among others, the rising cost of living, increasing insecurity and lack of freedom of mobility, and perhaps for the first time, a daring call from an opposition MP for the PM to consider resigning.

Although the Prime Minister appeared to repeat his previous stance when accusing the rebels of not being “a united force”, he admitted that recent the call for peace from the Oromia regional state was decided at a party level with a formation of a committee. “The call is a continuation of that” he said, adding that “more than ten [rounds of] talks were conducted in the past.”

According to him, the approaches to resolve conflicts through talks have results in engagements with the Kemant and Agewo, Benishangul Gumuz and Gambella armed groups.

https://addisstandard.com/news-premier-hints-at-ongoing-efforts-to-resolve-conflict-in-oromia-responds-to-lawmakers-tough-asks-on-security-political-instability/