In-depth: Ethiopia’s quest for alternative ports: Negotiations or force on the table?

Rumors are swirling about Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's efforts to secure a crucial port for #Ethiopia. The Prime Minister highlighted the high costs associated with depending on neighboring countries' ports and stated that Ethiopia will secure direct access to a port either peacefully or, if necessary, by force.

However, the idea of using force seems unlikely given Ethiopia's previous attempts to utilize #Eritrean ports. Recently, an Ethiopian delegation visited #Kenya and #Somaliland to explore alternative port options.

Experts warn that if negotiations fail, war could be a destructive alternative. The motives behind the alleged use of force include restoring support and testing Western support for the regime.

https://addisstandard.com/in-depth-ethiopias-quest-for-alternative-ports-negotiations-or-force-on-the-table/

#Ethiopia: Interim leader imparts grave political, security crisis in #Tigray amid mounting tension over disallowed protest rally

Interim President of the Tigray Regional State, Getachew Reda, has warned of grave political and security crises in the region following the two-year war. He stated that the security situation has become extremely dangerous and going outside has become a luxury.

Tensions have also risen in the capital, #Mekelle, over a protest rally that was disallowed by the authorities. Several opposition party leaders and supporters have been arrested. Getachew acknowledged the security threats in the region and efforts are being made to address them, including discussions with protest leaders to change the time and venue.

He also mentioned political challenges faced by the interim administration and measures being taken to address them. Getachew also highlighted efforts to investigate and apprehend those involved in human rights violations, including kidnappings for ransom.

https://addisstandard.com/news-interim-leader-imparts-grave-political-security-crisis-in-tigray-amid-mounting-tension-over-disallowed-protest-rally/

#Ethiopia - A Facebook post "killed" my father and younger brother

Social media platforms have been facing allegations of exacerbating violence in Ethiopia. Facebook, in particular, is facing a lawsuit in Kenya by Abrham Meareg, the son of an Ethiopian academic who was tragically killed following calls made for harm against him on the platform.

Freweyni Hetsay, too, experienced the devastating loss of her father and brother due to the propagation of hate speech and the incitement of violence on this social media platform.

https://youtu.be/fjmI9uySms4?si=2LewKNy86Wl7N_Lz via @YouTube

News: More than 60 organizations urge #UN to extend mandate of experts probing rights violations in #Ethiopia

The rights groups sounded alarm over ongoing atrocities including rape, denial of humanitarian access, and ethnic cleansing of #Tigrayans despite the formal end of hostilities. Abuses linked to government forces and militia groups have also engulfed the #Amhara and #Oromia regions in recent months, the added.

“The mandate, independence and impartial work of #ICHREE remains critical at this juncture to ensure evidence gathering continues unimpeded and accountability efforts move forward,” the letter quoted Laetitia Bader, Horn of Africa Director at Human Rights Watch as saying.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=37654

#Argentina is ready to cooperate with #Ethiopia in framework of BRICS

Argentina's ambassador to Ethiopia, Gustavo Teodoro Grippo, expressed his readiness to collaborate with Ethiopia and leverage the opportunities presented by the #BRICS countries.

Grippo commended Ethiopia for becoming a member of the economic group, alongside Argentina, #Egypt, #UAE, Iran, and #Saudi_Arabia, effective from 1 January, 2024.

Highlighting the significance of communication and cooperation in today's complex world, he emphasized the potential benefits for Ethiopia and Argentina as part of the countries that make up 40% of the global population and contribute 25% of the global GDP.

https://www.plenglish.com/news/2023/09/06/argentina-is-ready-to-cooperate-with-ethiopia-in-framework-of-brics/

#NewsAlert: Biden renews national emergency executive order imposing sanctions on #Ethiopia

*Renewing the EO for second time on Thursday, the White House said Ethiopia “continues to pose an #unusual and #extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States."

*The national emergency declared in Executive Order 14046 imposes sanctions on certain persons with respect to the humanitarian and human rights crisis in Ethiopia.

*Among the conditions outlined in the full text of the EO in 2021 was the US’s support for a negotiated ceasefire and political resolution to the war in #Tigray, the withdrawal of #Eritrean forces from Ethiopia, and to promote the unity, territorial integrity, and stability of Ethiopia. https://addisstandard.com/?p=37658

#Ethiopia: Cognitive Scientist Abeba Birhane among #TIME100AI list of most influential people

A cognitive scientist by training, Abeba Birhane started on the path toward AI research when she noticed a vital task that almost nobody was doing. AI models were being trained on larger and larger datasets - collections of text and images - gathered from the internet, including from its darkest corners. But Abeba realized that as those datasets were ballooning from millions to billions of individual pieces of data, few people were systematically checking them for harmful material, which can result in AIs becoming structurally racist, sexist, and otherwise biased. https://time.com/collection/time100-ai/6308999/abeba-birhane-ai/

#Ethiopian troops accused of mass killings of civilians in #Amhara region

Ethiopian soldiers killed more than 70 civilians and looted properties in a town in Amhara, multiple witnesses have claimed.

The killings took place in Majete, a rural town in north-eastern Ethiopia, after two weeks of heavy fighting between federal soldiers and the Fano, an Amhara militia.

The alleged atrocities occurred after Ethiopian troops occupied the town on 3 September. Survivors who spoke to the Guardian said the victims were unarmed farmers.

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/sep/08/ethiopian-troops-accused-mass-killings-amhara-civilians-region-fano-militia

#Ethiopia: #Simprints wants second pair of eyes on its biometrics plans in Ethiopia

The Ministry of Health-related assessment involves the Electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS). The eCHIS system was designed to improve client tracking and referrals as well as to report data that could help decision-makers improve health care.

The project has already resulted in a suite of mobile applications which are currently being used by community health service providers in over 4,000 locations.

https://biometricupdate.com/202309/simprints-wants-second-pair-of-eyes-on-its-biometrics-plans-in-ethiopia

Commentary: Unearthing #Somali region’s food security: The buried treasure in #Shabelle basin

Africa's dependence on foreign food supplies has been highlighted by the ongoing #Russia_Ukraine conflict, sparking the question of why #Africa can't produce its own food. The key factors to consider are access to water, arable land, and irrigation systems. #Ethiopia, known as Africa's 'water tower', has the potential to meet food production requirements with its extensive river network, writes Ali Regah.

However, the writer argues that challenges like climbing fuel prices and limited energy availability hinder progress. “The chance to evolve and prosper lies within Shabelle and Gode, as they can become nourishing powerhouses for Ethiopia and potentially for the whole of Africa.”

https://addisstandard.com/commentary-unearthing-somali-regions-food-security-the-buried-treasure-in-shabelle-basin/

#Ethiopia: #Ethiopost, #Dodai Manufacturing partner to ensure sustainable delivery solutions

Dodai’s e-motorbikes, which stand central to this partnership, are powered by a 3.6kWh capacity lithium battery, delivering up to 120-150 km range on a single charge.

Hanna Arayaselassie, CEO of Ethiopost, said, “at Ethiopost, our century-long journey has always been about adapting and innovating. Partnering with Dodai signifies our commitment to a cleaner future and our ambition to incorporate cutting-edge technologies into our delivery solutions.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=37675

#Ethiopia-#Somalia: Somali Cabinet approves key agreements with Ethiopia & Turkey

These newly ratified pacts aim to elevate Somalia’s standing in the region and strengthen its domestic security apparatus. They also come as the government is intensifying its efforts to quash the militant group #Al_Shabaab.

The agreements outline a multi-faceted approach to cooperation. Trade discussions pave the way for greater market access for Somali goods and services in both Ethiopia and Turkey, potentially boosting the Somali economy.

https://halqabsi.com/2023/09/somali-cabinet-approves-key-agreements-with-ethiopia-turkey/

Timnit Gebru, founder and executive director of the Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR) m, is among #TIME100AI list of most influential people

Timnit Gebru lost her job in 2020 as the co-lead of Google’s ethical-AI team after she refused a demand to remove her name from the independently published paper. (Timnit says she was fired; Google says she resigned.)

Since those events, Timnit has become a torchbearer in the world of responsible AI. As founder and executive director of the Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR), she has built a space for a kind of interdisciplinary AI research that is rare to see at Big Tech companies. DAIR’s hybrid model of research and community building has so far focused on two parallel tracks.

https://time.com/collection/time100-ai/6308988/timnit-gebru-ai/

#Ethiopia - Normalcy returns to Godere district, #Gambella region after deadly attack claims six lives

Tensions were high this week in Godere district of Majang zone in Gambella region following consecutive attacks that occurred on Monday evening, 04 September, and the next morning, killing six farmers.

Properties were damaged and many have been displaced from their homes in Goshne and Akash kebeles/villages following the attack orchestrated by unidentified armed groups.

Residents now report gradual return of normalcy as a zonal security task force pledges to hold the perpetrators accountable.

https://addisstandard.com/news-normalcy-returns-to-godere-district-gambella-region-after-deadly-attack-claims-six-lives/

#ASDailyScoop: A traveler from #AddisAbeba with suspected cocaine worth $700,000 arrested at #HongKong airport

Customs officers at the Hong Kong International Airport seized about 900 grams of suspected cocaine worth $700,000 from a 48-year-old male passenger who arrived in Hong Kong from Addis Ababa.

The passenger arrived in Hong Kong on 05 September, and was arrested when retrieving his delayed travel bag at the airport on 07 September.

https://addisstandard.com/asdailyscoop-a-traveler-from-addis-abeba-with-suspected-cocaine-worth-700000-arrested-at-hong-kong-airport/