#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
*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
the Guardian
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
#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/
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/
Addis Standard
News: PM Abiy endures tough questions from MPs including on whether he would consider to resign - Addis Standard
Addis Abeba – 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…
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/
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/
Addis Standard
News: Premier hints at ongoing efforts to resolve conflict in Oromia; responds to lawmakers’ tough asks on security, political…
Addis Abeba – 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…
News: Severe shortage of humanitarian needs amid surging number of IDPs in #DebreBerhan, #Amhara region
Over 30,000 Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the Amhara regional state, Debre Berhan city, who were uprooted from their neighborhoods in #WestShewa, #East, and #WestWollega, etc, are facing severe and chronic food, shelter, and other humanitarian shortages, according to IDPs and local officials.
People have been arriving in Debre Berhan after being banished from their villages for the past three years from the particular places, yet, there is a severe lack of resources to meet basic humanitarian requirements, Berhanu Zewdu, director of Disaster pre-warning and response Agency of Amhara region told Addis Standard.
Being a victim and survivor of an alleged attack against Amhara minorities in the area by the Oromo Liberation Army (Commonly referred to by the government as “OLF/Shene’) that occurred a year ago, Nigussie Wubetu, 38, father of a daughter, has seen many abducted, killed, and looted by the army including himself.
“I used to produce good back in my neighborhood, I had a stable house and income. I left all that,” said Nigussie. “We do not get enough support here.”
https://addisstandard.com/news-severe-shortage-of-humanitarian-needs-amid-surging-number-of-idps-in-debre-berhan-amhara-region-2/
Over 30,000 Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the Amhara regional state, Debre Berhan city, who were uprooted from their neighborhoods in #WestShewa, #East, and #WestWollega, etc, are facing severe and chronic food, shelter, and other humanitarian shortages, according to IDPs and local officials.
People have been arriving in Debre Berhan after being banished from their villages for the past three years from the particular places, yet, there is a severe lack of resources to meet basic humanitarian requirements, Berhanu Zewdu, director of Disaster pre-warning and response Agency of Amhara region told Addis Standard.
Being a victim and survivor of an alleged attack against Amhara minorities in the area by the Oromo Liberation Army (Commonly referred to by the government as “OLF/Shene’) that occurred a year ago, Nigussie Wubetu, 38, father of a daughter, has seen many abducted, killed, and looted by the army including himself.
“I used to produce good back in my neighborhood, I had a stable house and income. I left all that,” said Nigussie. “We do not get enough support here.”
https://addisstandard.com/news-severe-shortage-of-humanitarian-needs-amid-surging-number-of-idps-in-debre-berhan-amhara-region-2/
Addis Standard
News: Severe shortage of humanitarian needs amid surging number of IDPs in Debre Berhan, Amhara region
Internally displaced civilians sheltered in Debre Birhan city, in Amhara Region. Photo: Debre Birhan Communication Addis Abeba – Over 30,000 Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the Amhara regional state, Debre Berhan city, who were displced from their neighborhoods…
#Ethiopia: #MSF cautions people cut off from healthcare in #Omo valley at high risk after outbreak of kala azar, a fatal tropical disease
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) team in Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (#SNNPR) said that in late 2022, its team received an alert about an unusually high number of deaths in the south Omo Valley among an isolated group of people from the Mursi community, living in what is now a national park.
The Mursi are a small community numbering approximately 7,000 people who live among more than a dozen isolated indigenous groups in Ethiopia’s Lower Omo Valley. They are largely pastoralists, hunter gatherers, and flood-retreat cultivators.
According the MSF, a visceral leishmaniasis, also known as kala azar, is affecting many of the Mursi and other indigenous peoples in the area.
“Patients come with a huge swelling of their spleen and liver, with fever, malnutrition and sometimes even bleeding because their bone marrow is affected,” says Hewot Melak, MSF doctor. https://addisstandard.com/news-msf-cautions-people-cut-off-from-healthcare-in-omo-valley-at-high-risk-after-outbreak-of-kala-azar-a-fatal-tropical-disease/
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) team in Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (#SNNPR) said that in late 2022, its team received an alert about an unusually high number of deaths in the south Omo Valley among an isolated group of people from the Mursi community, living in what is now a national park.
The Mursi are a small community numbering approximately 7,000 people who live among more than a dozen isolated indigenous groups in Ethiopia’s Lower Omo Valley. They are largely pastoralists, hunter gatherers, and flood-retreat cultivators.
According the MSF, a visceral leishmaniasis, also known as kala azar, is affecting many of the Mursi and other indigenous peoples in the area.
“Patients come with a huge swelling of their spleen and liver, with fever, malnutrition and sometimes even bleeding because their bone marrow is affected,” says Hewot Melak, MSF doctor. https://addisstandard.com/news-msf-cautions-people-cut-off-from-healthcare-in-omo-valley-at-high-risk-after-outbreak-of-kala-azar-a-fatal-tropical-disease/
Addis Standard
News: MSF cautions people cut off from healthcare in Omo valley at high risk after outbreak of kala azar, a fatal tropical disease
Kalkidan Behailu Adere takes the temperature of a young child. As well as kala azar, the teams are seeing malnutrition, malaria and anaemia. Photo: MSF Addis Abeba - Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) team in Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region…
#IMF team in #Ethiopia for talks on new funding program
"A potential program would support the authorities’ Homegrown Economic Reform program and help Ethiopia stabilize its economy so that it can meet its economic, humanitarian, and social challenges, create jobs, and reduce poverty," the spokesperson said.
The IMF said it welcomed Ethiopia's strong progress towards restoring lasting peace and stability through the “cessation of hostilities agreement” and said implementation had progressed well, including through restoration of humanitarian assistance and basic services to Tigray.
Progress on the IMF program and Ethiopia's request for debt relief under the Group of 20 Common Framework had been stalled due in part to the conflict in #Tigray.
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/imf-team-ethiopia-talks-new-funding-programme-bloomberg-news-2023-03-27/#:~:text=The%20IMF%20said,conflict%20in%20Tigray.
"A potential program would support the authorities’ Homegrown Economic Reform program and help Ethiopia stabilize its economy so that it can meet its economic, humanitarian, and social challenges, create jobs, and reduce poverty," the spokesperson said.
The IMF said it welcomed Ethiopia's strong progress towards restoring lasting peace and stability through the “cessation of hostilities agreement” and said implementation had progressed well, including through restoration of humanitarian assistance and basic services to Tigray.
Progress on the IMF program and Ethiopia's request for debt relief under the Group of 20 Common Framework had been stalled due in part to the conflict in #Tigray.
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/imf-team-ethiopia-talks-new-funding-programme-bloomberg-news-2023-03-27/#:~:text=The%20IMF%20said,conflict%20in%20Tigray.
Reuters
IMF team in Ethiopia for talks on new funding programme -Bloomberg News
International Monetary Fund officials are in Ethiopia this week doing technical work to prepare for a potential IMF-supported program for the East African country, an IMF spokesperson said on Monday.
#AU expresses ‘deep concern’ over violence in #Kenya during protests
The #African_Union is calling for calm and restraint in Kenya following deadly protests by the opposition groups that saw deaths and rival gangs loot and destroy property.
AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed “deep concern” at violence that led to deaths and what he called interruption of certain economic activities in Nairobi and other cities in the country where supporters of opposition Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition led by their leader Raila Odinga were protesting.
“The Chairperson urges all stakeholders to exercise calm and engage in dialogue to address any differences that may exist in the supreme interest of national unity and reconciliation,” Moussa Faki said. https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/au-calls-for-calm-restraint-in-kenya-4175774
The #African_Union is calling for calm and restraint in Kenya following deadly protests by the opposition groups that saw deaths and rival gangs loot and destroy property.
AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed “deep concern” at violence that led to deaths and what he called interruption of certain economic activities in Nairobi and other cities in the country where supporters of opposition Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition led by their leader Raila Odinga were protesting.
“The Chairperson urges all stakeholders to exercise calm and engage in dialogue to address any differences that may exist in the supreme interest of national unity and reconciliation,” Moussa Faki said. https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/au-calls-for-calm-restraint-in-kenya-4175774
The East African
AU expresses ‘deep concern’ over violence in Kenya during protests
AU Commission boss calls for dialogue but also expresses total support for Kenyan government.
#Ethiopia: UNICEF, WHO and the Regional Health Bureau have launched yesterday the integrated measles campaign in #Tigray, targeting over 800,000 children aged 6-59 months.
The integrated campaign includes measles vaccination and catch-up for unvaccinated children, nutrition screening and treatment of acute malnutrition, vitamin A drops and deworming against intestinal parasites.
UNICEF further said that during the campaign, pregnant and lactating women presenting at health facilities are also screened for malnutrition and can be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The integrated campaign includes measles vaccination and catch-up for unvaccinated children, nutrition screening and treatment of acute malnutrition, vitamin A drops and deworming against intestinal parasites.
UNICEF further said that during the campaign, pregnant and lactating women presenting at health facilities are also screened for malnutrition and can be vaccinated against COVID-19.
#Ethiopia: The difficult choice between water and school
Mohammed is a teacher at a school in #Borena Zone, #Oromia Region of Ethiopia. The last few years have seen the number of children attending his class diminish nearly daily.
“Many of these children leave because their families choose to seek water, pastures and assistance, which gives them more chances of surviving this drought than going to school. I cannot blame them,” he says.
In some cases, children in this area will only be able to attend school once a week, spending most of their days fetching and carrying water on foot wherever it is available.
***
“The reality is that even if the children go to school, it is either they are exhausted from their walks trying to get water, or they simply cannot concentrate in class because of the constant worry of not having water or food once they’re back home after school,” Mohammed adds.
https://storyteller.iom.int/stories/ethiopia-difficult-choice-between-water-and-school
Mohammed is a teacher at a school in #Borena Zone, #Oromia Region of Ethiopia. The last few years have seen the number of children attending his class diminish nearly daily.
“Many of these children leave because their families choose to seek water, pastures and assistance, which gives them more chances of surviving this drought than going to school. I cannot blame them,” he says.
In some cases, children in this area will only be able to attend school once a week, spending most of their days fetching and carrying water on foot wherever it is available.
***
“The reality is that even if the children go to school, it is either they are exhausted from their walks trying to get water, or they simply cannot concentrate in class because of the constant worry of not having water or food once they’re back home after school,” Mohammed adds.
https://storyteller.iom.int/stories/ethiopia-difficult-choice-between-water-and-school
#Ethiopia: Ethiopian machines for Ethiopian farmers
*Locally produced seed cleaners are making a big difference in Ethiopia and inspiring innovation in #Benin
In 2022, GIC Ethiopia partnered with Techno-Nejat Industries in #Adama, Ethiopia, to design and produce a first run of mobile seed cleaners for use by smallholding farmers across the country. Techno-Nejat has an established track record in agricultural fabrication and was eager to take on the new collaboration.
In early March, the company completed the initial delivery of eight seed cleaners. The machines process chickpea, soy, wheat, and barley seed with a maximum capacity of 1.5 tons per hour. With wheels and a compact, efficient design, they are also easy to move from one farmer’s property to another. At a cost of US $7,500 and a production time of 55 days, the machines have potential both for expansion within Ethiopia and scaling up for export.
https://www.cimmyt.org/news/ethiopian-machines-for-ethiopian-farmers/
*Locally produced seed cleaners are making a big difference in Ethiopia and inspiring innovation in #Benin
In 2022, GIC Ethiopia partnered with Techno-Nejat Industries in #Adama, Ethiopia, to design and produce a first run of mobile seed cleaners for use by smallholding farmers across the country. Techno-Nejat has an established track record in agricultural fabrication and was eager to take on the new collaboration.
In early March, the company completed the initial delivery of eight seed cleaners. The machines process chickpea, soy, wheat, and barley seed with a maximum capacity of 1.5 tons per hour. With wheels and a compact, efficient design, they are also easy to move from one farmer’s property to another. At a cost of US $7,500 and a production time of 55 days, the machines have potential both for expansion within Ethiopia and scaling up for export.
https://www.cimmyt.org/news/ethiopian-machines-for-ethiopian-farmers/
#Ethiopia: Army kills three civilians, severely injures six following protests in #Sitti zone, #Somali region: local official
A local official said three people were killed and six others were severely injured after members of the defense forces fired on a crowd during a protest held in Ayisha district, Sitti Zone of the Somali regional state on Monday, 27 March 2023.
A senior government official from the district who asked to be anonymous told #Addis_Standard that residents of the district who felt that the national army was implicitly supporting security forces from the Afar region in the ongoing border disputes between the two regions were protesting on Sunday and Monday.
The official added that the #Ethio-#Djibouti highway was closed as a result of the protests and members of the army who arrived in the area on Monday demanded for the highway to be opened.
“After some confrontations local government officials managed to convince the protesters to open the highway but members of the army suddenly opened fire killing three and injuring six others,” he said.
https://addisstandard.com/news-army-kills-three-civilians-severely-injures-six-following-protests-in-sitti-zone-somali-region/
A local official said three people were killed and six others were severely injured after members of the defense forces fired on a crowd during a protest held in Ayisha district, Sitti Zone of the Somali regional state on Monday, 27 March 2023.
A senior government official from the district who asked to be anonymous told #Addis_Standard that residents of the district who felt that the national army was implicitly supporting security forces from the Afar region in the ongoing border disputes between the two regions were protesting on Sunday and Monday.
The official added that the #Ethio-#Djibouti highway was closed as a result of the protests and members of the army who arrived in the area on Monday demanded for the highway to be opened.
“After some confrontations local government officials managed to convince the protesters to open the highway but members of the army suddenly opened fire killing three and injuring six others,” he said.
https://addisstandard.com/news-army-kills-three-civilians-severely-injures-six-following-protests-in-sitti-zone-somali-region/
Addis Standard
News: Army kills three civilians, severely injures six following protests in Sitti zone, Somali region: local official
Addis Abeba - A local official said three people were killed and six others were severely injured after members of the defense forces fired on a crowd during a protest held in Ayisha district, Sitti Zone of the Somali regional state on Monday, 27 March […]
News: Rising cases of #Cholera in Ethiopia as death toll reaches 50, 3.3 million people at high-risk
The spread of Cholera outbreak to East #Bale, #Guji and #Borena zones of #Oromia and #Dawa Zone of #Somali regions has resulted in the deaths so far of 50 people with 2,276 total cholera cases registered as of 23 March, the latest UN report said.
According to the report the total cholera caseload has doubled since the end of January 2023, and close to 3.3 million people are now at high-risk in those affected areas.
In January the Cholera outbreak was reported in 66 kebeles of 8 woredas across Bale, Guji and West Arsi zones of Oromia and 2 woredas of Liban zone of Somali regions with a total number of 1,055 cases reported as of 30 January 2023. Currently, the outbreak has spread to 177 kebeles across 22 woredas (of whom 18 in Oromia). Moyale woreda both from Oromia and Somali sides is the latest to report the outbreak.
According to the UN, between 12 and 18 March, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) reported 363 new cholera cases, the highest numbers reported since the beginning of the outbreak in Harana Buluk woreda of Bale Zone of Oromia on 27 August 2022.
https://addisstandard.com/news-un-alarms-rising-cases-of-cholera-in-ethiopia-as-death-toll-reaches-50-3-3-million-people-at-high-risk/
The spread of Cholera outbreak to East #Bale, #Guji and #Borena zones of #Oromia and #Dawa Zone of #Somali regions has resulted in the deaths so far of 50 people with 2,276 total cholera cases registered as of 23 March, the latest UN report said.
According to the report the total cholera caseload has doubled since the end of January 2023, and close to 3.3 million people are now at high-risk in those affected areas.
In January the Cholera outbreak was reported in 66 kebeles of 8 woredas across Bale, Guji and West Arsi zones of Oromia and 2 woredas of Liban zone of Somali regions with a total number of 1,055 cases reported as of 30 January 2023. Currently, the outbreak has spread to 177 kebeles across 22 woredas (of whom 18 in Oromia). Moyale woreda both from Oromia and Somali sides is the latest to report the outbreak.
According to the UN, between 12 and 18 March, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) reported 363 new cholera cases, the highest numbers reported since the beginning of the outbreak in Harana Buluk woreda of Bale Zone of Oromia on 27 August 2022.
https://addisstandard.com/news-un-alarms-rising-cases-of-cholera-in-ethiopia-as-death-toll-reaches-50-3-3-million-people-at-high-risk/
Addis Standard
News: UN alarms rising cases of Cholera in Ethiopia as death toll reaches 50, 3.3 million people at high-risk
WHO team in Harena Buluk and Berbere woredas of the Bale zone in Southern Oromia, November, 2022 (Photo: WHO) Addis Abeba - The spread of Cholera outbreak to East Bale, Guji and Borena zones of Oromia and Daawa Zone of Somali regions has resulted in […]
Analysis: #Ethiopian rights defenders’ call for independent investigations into war-related crimes deterred, as gov’t pushes for transitional justice
By Million Beyene
The Ethiopian government has been relentlessly opposing and even working to terminate the UN’s International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE), an office mandated by the UN to investigate violations committed during Ethiopia's two-years devastating war that started in the Tigray region and spread to Afar and Amhara regions, covering what's now commonly referred to as "the northern part of Ethiopia."
Ethiopia’s latest attempt to discredit the ICHREE however, faced opposition by a group of 63 worldwide human rights organizations including Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International (AI) who have appealed to the permanent representatives of member and observer states of the United Nations Human Rights Council to reject any resolution forwarded by Ethiopia on the mandate of the UN’s International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE).
Unlike the strong support and push for UN mandated independent investigation into rights violations committed during the war from international human rights groups, there has been systematic pressure to deter local rights defenders operating in Ethiopia from making similar calls.
Yared H/Mariam, a legal expert and head of the Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders Center told #Addis_Standard that local rights groups failed to be vocal for independent investigation fearing its consequences as “the position of the government on the issue is political”.
“I believe they choose to remain silent fearing for their existence,” Yared noted. https://addisstandard.com/analysis-ethiopian-rights-defenders-call-for-independent-investigations-into-war-related-crimes-deterred-as-govt-pushes-for-transitional-justice/
By Million Beyene
The Ethiopian government has been relentlessly opposing and even working to terminate the UN’s International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE), an office mandated by the UN to investigate violations committed during Ethiopia's two-years devastating war that started in the Tigray region and spread to Afar and Amhara regions, covering what's now commonly referred to as "the northern part of Ethiopia."
Ethiopia’s latest attempt to discredit the ICHREE however, faced opposition by a group of 63 worldwide human rights organizations including Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International (AI) who have appealed to the permanent representatives of member and observer states of the United Nations Human Rights Council to reject any resolution forwarded by Ethiopia on the mandate of the UN’s International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE).
Unlike the strong support and push for UN mandated independent investigation into rights violations committed during the war from international human rights groups, there has been systematic pressure to deter local rights defenders operating in Ethiopia from making similar calls.
Yared H/Mariam, a legal expert and head of the Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders Center told #Addis_Standard that local rights groups failed to be vocal for independent investigation fearing its consequences as “the position of the government on the issue is political”.
“I believe they choose to remain silent fearing for their existence,” Yared noted. https://addisstandard.com/analysis-ethiopian-rights-defenders-call-for-independent-investigations-into-war-related-crimes-deterred-as-govt-pushes-for-transitional-justice/
Addis Standard
Analysis: Ethiopian rights defenders’ call for independent investigations into war-related crimes deterred, as gov’t pushes for…
A child in the Tigray region receiving medical treatment for injuries after after an aerial bombardment. Picture DW news portal. By Million Beyene @MillionBeyene Addis Abeba – The Ethiopian government has been relentlessly opposing and even working to terminate…
#Ethiopia: #OLA calls PM Abiy’s remarks on peace talks “ill-timed and misleading”, yet notes “positive signs” for negotiations
The #Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) has said that prime minister Abiy Ahmed’s claim that more than ten attempts were made to negotiate with the group is “inaccurate” and depicted that the attempts were “not sincere efforts to engage with OLA leadership.”
In a statement released subsequent to the premier’s remarks. OLA pointed out that “the regime deployed several local mediation committees to persuade individual OLA officers to surrender, which ultimately resulted in failure.”
Responding to PM Abiy’s claim that his government faced challenges to negotiate with the rebels accusing them of not being “a united force”, OLA said “the regime should not be attempting to develop a new propaganda narrative suggesting that the OLA is too decentralized to negotiate with” further noting that, “the OLA’s leadership is the High Command.”
https://addisstandard.com/news-ola-calls-pm-abiys-remarks-on-peace-talks-ill-timed-and-misleading-yet-notes-positive-signs-for-negotiations/
The #Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) has said that prime minister Abiy Ahmed’s claim that more than ten attempts were made to negotiate with the group is “inaccurate” and depicted that the attempts were “not sincere efforts to engage with OLA leadership.”
In a statement released subsequent to the premier’s remarks. OLA pointed out that “the regime deployed several local mediation committees to persuade individual OLA officers to surrender, which ultimately resulted in failure.”
Responding to PM Abiy’s claim that his government faced challenges to negotiate with the rebels accusing them of not being “a united force”, OLA said “the regime should not be attempting to develop a new propaganda narrative suggesting that the OLA is too decentralized to negotiate with” further noting that, “the OLA’s leadership is the High Command.”
https://addisstandard.com/news-ola-calls-pm-abiys-remarks-on-peace-talks-ill-timed-and-misleading-yet-notes-positive-signs-for-negotiations/
Addis Standard
News: OLA calls PM Abiy’s remarks on peace talks “ill-timed and misleading”, yet notes “positive signs” for negotiations
OLA is led by Kumsa Diriba a.k.a Jaal Marroo. Picture: Screenshot/AS Addis Abeba - The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) has said that prime minister Abiy Ahmed’s claim that more than ten attempts were made to negotiate with the group is “inaccurate" and depicted…
#Ethiopia: #OmoValley #Emergency
#MSF responds to kala azar emergency response in Ethiopia’s Omo Valley
#Kala_azar, a parasitic disease transmitted by the bite of infected sand flies, is not only one of the most neglected tropical diseases but also one of deadliest. It has become endemic in many parts of Ethiopia after it was first documented in 1942. More than 3.2 million people across the country are at risk.
“Patients come with a huge swelling of their spleen and liver, a fever, malnutrition and sometimes even bleeding because their bone marrow is affected,” said MSF doctor Hiwot Melak. “It's among the neglected tropical diseases that can cause a 95 percent fatality [rate] if left untreated. So, you can understand the urgency of finding these cases and putting them on treatment.”
One elderly man named Samakaoulu Kumuhuli Data shared that he had lost two wives and five children because of the disease.
https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/msf-responds-kala-azar-emergency-response-ethiopias-omo-valley
#MSF responds to kala azar emergency response in Ethiopia’s Omo Valley
#Kala_azar, a parasitic disease transmitted by the bite of infected sand flies, is not only one of the most neglected tropical diseases but also one of deadliest. It has become endemic in many parts of Ethiopia after it was first documented in 1942. More than 3.2 million people across the country are at risk.
“Patients come with a huge swelling of their spleen and liver, a fever, malnutrition and sometimes even bleeding because their bone marrow is affected,” said MSF doctor Hiwot Melak. “It's among the neglected tropical diseases that can cause a 95 percent fatality [rate] if left untreated. So, you can understand the urgency of finding these cases and putting them on treatment.”
One elderly man named Samakaoulu Kumuhuli Data shared that he had lost two wives and five children because of the disease.
https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/msf-responds-kala-azar-emergency-response-ethiopias-omo-valley
Doctors Without Borders - USA
MSF responds to kala azar emergency response in Ethiopia’s Omo Valley
In late 2022, a Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) team in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR) of Ethiopia received an alert about an unusually high number of deaths caused by visceral leishmaniasis, also known…
News: #Ethiopian lawmakers approve Digital IT bill into law
The bill was presented by the Chairwoman of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice, MP Etsgenet Mengistu, who said that it is important to establish a “comprehensive, consistent and reliable system for the registration of the citizens” in the country and to have a legal basis for the use of the digital ID system by keeping the information of the registrants.
She also stated that the Digital ID law will create “favorable conditions for establishing a system of transparency and accountability” in the services provided using the ID and for a streamlined service delivery system.
The Parliament cited unnamed MPs who proposed that individuals and institutions who provide the digital ID fraudulently to be be considered to have committed the “crime of treason” and face severe punishment, according to the statement from the Parliament.
https://addisstandard.com/news-ethiopian-lawmakers-approve-digital-it-bill-into-law/
The bill was presented by the Chairwoman of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice, MP Etsgenet Mengistu, who said that it is important to establish a “comprehensive, consistent and reliable system for the registration of the citizens” in the country and to have a legal basis for the use of the digital ID system by keeping the information of the registrants.
She also stated that the Digital ID law will create “favorable conditions for establishing a system of transparency and accountability” in the services provided using the ID and for a streamlined service delivery system.
The Parliament cited unnamed MPs who proposed that individuals and institutions who provide the digital ID fraudulently to be be considered to have committed the “crime of treason” and face severe punishment, according to the statement from the Parliament.
https://addisstandard.com/news-ethiopian-lawmakers-approve-digital-it-bill-into-law/
Addis Standard
News: Ethiopian lawmakers approve Digital IT bill into law
Tagesse Chafo, Speaker of the House, presiding over the session today. Photo: HoPR Addis Abeba - Members of the House of People's Representatives (HoPR) this morning approved into law the proposed Ethiopian Digital Identity Proclamation by a majority vote…