#US-trained #Danab troops push Al-Shabaab out of areas in #Jubaland

The US-trained Danab commandos with the help of the Jubaland Darwish have carried out planned operations in several areas of the Lower Jubba region.

The joint forces targeted Al-Shabaab-held areas in the West of the city of Kismayo, the capital of the Lower Jubba region, which has witnessed increased operations in the past.

Jubbaland is one of the areas where Al-Shabaab still has a strong presence and awaits an offensive by SNA who are now battling the militants in Galmudug and Hirshabelle states.

The government-led military operation against al-Shabaab in central Somalia has led to an influx of militants southwards towards Jubaland state, according to the security experts.


https://shabellemedia.com/us-trained-danab-troops-push-al-shabaab-out-of-areas-near-kismayo/

News: Rights body reveals “extrajudicial killings” by gov forces in #Amhara region; “widespread, arbitrary arrests” in #Oromia, #Amhara and #Addis_Abeba

Ethiopian Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) latest report on rights abuses againist civilians, especially in the Amhara region, in the context of the ongoing militarized conflict between federal forces and the non-state militia, Fano, revealed that the armed conflict has spread to different districts of the region causing immeasurable damages to civilians, which “continues to worsen.”

From mid-July to the first week of August widespread extrajudicial killings were conducted in several cities in Amhara region. Among the victims included “people who were arrested during a house-to-house search, unarmed people who were found on the streets during the conflict”, and “civilians caught violating curfews"

EHRC also revealed that apart from the detentions and the places of detentions officially announced by the State of Emergency Command Post, there are “widespread and arbitrary arrests by government security forces” especially in the Amhara region, Oromia region and Addis Abeba city.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=37806

Liquid opens tap on #Kenya and #Ethiopia fiber link

Cassava Technologies subsidiary announces two new cross-border fiber routes designed to allow for greater efficiency and reliable regional connectivity, both key to the economic development of key territories

Spanning over 1,000km, the fiber link between Kenya and Ethiopia is designed to offer businesses in Ethiopia access to datacenters and cloud in Nairobi, Kenya, ensuring that data doesn’t leave the continent. In addition, the link is further supported by the cross-border 711km link between Zambia and Malawi, providing a direct and reliable connection to content caches and datacenters in South Africa.

“Kenyan and Ethiopian businesses are rapidly adopting digital technologies, and this new link will enable trade and investment between these two great nations in our region,” said Adil El Youssefi, CEO Rest of Africa at Liquid Intelligent Technologies.

https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366552080/Liquid-opens-tap-on-Kenya-and-Ethiopia-fibre-link

#Ethiopian Facebook campaign for migrant workers enables human trafficking, forced labor in Saudi Arabia, advocates say

Fikirte, an Ethiopian domestic worker, shares her horrifying experience of abuse and exploitation in Saudi Arabia. After responding to a government advertisement on Facebook, she found herself trapped in a nightmare of hunger, exhaustion, and harassment by her employers.

Human rights researchers have condemned the dangerous working conditions and exploitation faced by migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, where migrant deaths average at 10,000 annually. Despite warnings, the Ethiopian government continues to promote the program as a means to alleviate its foreign currency shortage.

Through misleading Facebook posts, state agencies entice Ethiopian women with false promises of safe jobs. Facebook has pledged to review and remove any recruitment posts that violate its policies.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-ethiopia-domestic-work-saudi-arabia-facebook/

#Ethiopian migrants stuck in #Yemen as repatriation pauses

Hundreds of Ethiopian migrants are currently stranded in war-torn Yemen, unable to find better employment opportunities and lacking the means to return home. Each year, tens of thousands of Ethiopians seek work in Arabian Peninsula countries, often embarking on dangerous journeys that leave them trafficked and stranded.

Roman, an Ethiopian migrant who worked in #Saudi_Arabia, spoke of the challenging working conditions she faced. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) recently halted the return of migrants from Ethiopia's #Tigray and #Amhara regions due to security concerns. This decision sparked protests in Yemen, resulting in violence and casualties.

Advocacy groups argue that the Ethiopian government's policy discriminates against migrants with Amhara and Tigrayan ethnic backgrounds. The conflict in Tigray ended in November 2021, but a new conflict arose in the Amhara region this year.

https://www.voanews.com/a/ethiopian-migrants-stuck-in-yemen-as-repatriation-pauses-/7270573.html

#Ethiopia: Armed men assault on civilians in Western #Oromia leaves several dead, injured

A devastating assault targeting unarmed civilians by assailants identified by local official residents and an official as members of Fano militia left many dead and injured.

The attack took place on 15 September in the village of Dincho, in #Gidda_Ayana and has resulted in several fatalities including three members of one family, while the survivors sustained sever injuries.

Speaking to Addis Standard about the assault, Wakgari Gudaya, head of the communication office of Gidda Ayana district, accused the Fano militia of what he described as “acts of terrorism, including beatings, looting and property damage.”

A medical professional at the Gida Ayana hospital who spoke to Addis Standard on conditions of anonymity, said eleven people were admitted to the hospital, and five of them died as the result of their injuries. The victims are identified as Bilashitti Jiboo, Babu Haji, and brothers Amin Nuru, Taji Nuru, and Tola Nuru. Six survivors are currently receiving medical treatment at Gidda Ayana Hospital.

https://addisstandard.com/news-armed-men-assault-on-civilians-in-western-oromia-leaves-several-dead-injured/

#Ethiopia: #Oromia gov. says reports of detention facilities “false information”

A similar report of denial was issued by the State of Emergency Command Post on Wednesday 13 September refuting reports of detention facilities in Oromia region. The Command post asserted and there were five detention facilities under its supervision where only 764 detainees are held in connection with the state of emergency. It named the locations as Kombolcha, Gonder, Bahir Dar, Shewa Robit and Awash Arba.

But the report EHRC further exposed the presence of additional detentions than were officially admitted by the State of Emergency Command Post. The Commission said that there are “widespread and arbitrary arrests by government security forces” especially in the #Amhara region, #Oromia region and #Addis_Abeba city.


https://addisstandard.com/?p=37816

#Ethiopia: #Moody's downgrades Ethiopia's foreign currency rating on default risks

Moody's on Friday downgraded Ethiopia's foreign currency rating by a notch to 'Caa3' from 'Caa2', citing a high likelihood of default on foreign currency-denominated private sector debt.

Africa's second-most populous country had requested a debt restructuring under the G20 Common Framework process in early 2021, but progress was delayed by the civil war that broke out in November 2020.

#China had recently allowed Ethiopia to suspend payments on debts maturing in 2023/2024 fiscal year under a framework set up by the G20.

https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/moodys-downgrades-ethiopias-foreign-currency-rating-on-default-risks-0

Al-Shabab ambushes #Ethiopian convoy in #Somalia; casualty figures still unclear

Yesterday, #Al_Shabab militants attacked two convoys carrying Ethiopian soldiers in the Bakool region of Somalia. The convoys were travelling from the towns of #Yeed and #El_Barde to #Wajid and #Huddur. Local forces accompanying the convoy to Huddur were able to repulse the attack, according to Somali officials.

The fighting lasted for hours, and the mayor of Huddur claimed that the militants lost as many as 50 fighters. However, Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the ambush, stating that they killed 167 Ethiopian soldiers and seized weapons and ammunition.

Ethiopian officials dismissed the claims as "propaganda," stating that their forces are well-equipped and organized. Casualty figures have not been independently verified.

https://www.voanews.com/a/al-shabab-attacks-ethiopian-military-convoys-in-somalia-/7271962.html

#Ethiopia's Gudaf Tsegay sets world records as the #Diamond_League final concluded in Eugene, #Oregon on Sunday.

World 10,000m champion Gudaf shattered the women's 5,000m record as she won in a time of 14 minutes 00.21 seconds.

Gudaf, 26, knocked almost five seconds off the previous women's 5,000m record of 14:05.20 set by Kenyan star Faith Kipyegon, also on 9 June in Paris. Kenya's Beatrice Chebet was just outside the previous mark as she finished second in 14:05.92.

Credit: BBC Sport/Wanda Diamond League

From Nigeria Airways to Nigeria Air, the Dwindling Fortunes of National Carriers in 52 Years

The #Nigerian government has suspended the #Nigeria Air project, the country's latest national carrier. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, announced the suspension and cited the need for an honest assessment before continuing the project.

The ownership structure of the proposed airline was supposed to be 49% held by #Ethiopian_Airlines, 46% by Nigerian private investors, and 5% by the federal government. The unveiling of the national carrier had been controversial, with Hadi Sirika, the former aviation minister, claiming that N3 billion had been spent over seven years without achieving operational status. This suspension leaves the project's future uncertain

Nigeria has faced challenges in the past with national carriers, including the closure of Nigeria Airways with debts of $528 million and the collapse of Nigerian Eagle Airlines due to financial mismanagement and debts of N35 billion.

https://fij.ng/article/from-nigeria-airways-to-nigeria-air-the-dwindling-fortunes-of-national-carriers-in-52-years/

Addis Abeba's warming may trigger year-round malaria, study warns

Ethiopian residents of Addis Abeba are at risk of year-round malaria transmission if average daily temperatures continue to rise, warned an Ethiopian post-doctoral student living in the #UnitedStates. #Climatechange would result in a rise in the frequency, duration, and intensity of heat waves, leading to increased risks to public health, ecosystems, infrastructure, livelihoods, and food supplies. The rise in temperatures would also lead to increased malaria transmission.

Currently, malaria transmission in #Ethiopia is seasonal, but if temperatures continue to increase, it could become a year-round issue. To address these challenges, the researcher suggested implementing sustained policy measures, establishing a climate adaptation and resilience office, developing a water management strategy, investing in green infrastructure, and launching public awareness campaigns and school education programs about climate change impacts.

Increased flooding from climate change could also pose challenges to the population, particularly those living in flood-prone areas and informal settlements along rivers.

https://www.jpost.com/environment-and-climate-change/article-759417

Feature: Abused and deceived: The distressing reality of domestic workers in #Ethiopia

Let's take a moment to shed light on the plight of young domestic workers in Ethiopia. Meet Alemnesh Daniel (name changed for safety concerns), a 15-year-old girl who works tirelessly for a middle-class family in Addis Abeba. She carries out household chores, prepares meals, and takes care of the children. Sadly, Alemnesh is not enrolled in school, as her days are consumed by labor.

And she is not alone – there are at least 248,600 women employed as domestic workers in Ethiopian cities, with disturbing reports of human rights violations. A recent study revealed that child domestic workers work up to 70 hours a week, endure physical and emotional abuse, and earn a measly $24 a month.

Such conditions violate international labor standards. Sadly, recent incidents of harm caused by some domestic workers have resulted in public outrage and stereotypes.

https://addisstandard.com/feature-abused-and-deceived-the-distressing-reality-of-domestic-workers-in-ethiopia/

#NewsAlert: #UN experts warn nearly a year after ceasefire, atrocities, including war crimes and crimes against humanity, continue in #Ethiopia

“Violent confrontations are now at a near-national scale, with alarming reports of violations against civilians in the #Amhara region and on-going atrocities in #Tigray,” Othman said. “The situation in #Oromia, #Amhara and other parts of the country – including ongoing patterns of violations, entrenched impunity, and increasing securitization of the state – bear hallmarked risks of further atrocities and crimes.”

***

“The need for a credible, inclusive, and meaningful process of truth, justice, reconciliation and healing has never been more urgent,” Coomaraswamy added.

***
The report notes the Government of Ethiopia has failed to effectively prevent or investigate violations and has instead initiated a flawed transitional justice consultation process where victims remain overlooked. Earlier this year, the Federal Government released its draft “Ethiopia Policy Options for Transitional Justice,” launching a series of consultations on a potential domestic transitional justice process. The Commission, however, found that the process has been rushed to meet an arbitrary deadline set by the Government, and has not sufficiently engaged victims in many areas, including Ethiopian refugees living in neighboring countries.

https://addisstandard.com/newsalert-un-experts-warn-nearly-a-year-after-ceasefire-atrocities-including-war-crimes-and-crimes-against-humanity-continue-in-ethiopia/

#NewsAlert- #Ethiopia

“While the signing of the agreement may have mostly silenced the guns, it has not resolved the conflict in the north of the country, in particular in #Tigray, nor has it brought about any comprehensive peace,” International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia Chair Mohamed Chande Othman said. “The situation in #Ethiopia remains extremely grave.”

“Violent confrontations are now at a near-national scale, with alarming reports of violations against civilians in the #Amhara region and on-going atrocities in #Tigray,” Othman said. “The situation in #Oromia, Amhara and other parts of the country – including ongoing patterns of violations, entrenched impunity, and increasing securitization of the state – bear hallmarked risks of further atrocities and crimes.”

Video: The International Commission of Human Rights Experts on #Ethiopia

Comments by Commission member Radhika Coomaraswamy and Commission Chair Mohamed Chande Othman on:

*The dangers of #atrocity crimes recurrence in Ethiopia

*#Impunity being directly related to the recurrence of atrocity crimes and of the primary drivers of the conflicts; and

*A warning to the international community on why they "should be wary" of the concept of quasi-voluntary compliance, to investigate atrocities because “nothing is really occurring at the domestic level” and therefore the risk factor for atrocity crimes to reoccur.

#Ethiopia - #UNESCO grants world heritage status to Bale Mountains National Park, Gedeo Cultural Landscape

Bale Mountains National Park has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site today, becoming the second Ethiopian natural heritage site to receive the designation following the Semien Mountains National Park.

Earlier, the innoscription of the Gedeo Cultural Landscape to the World Heritage list was announced at the ongoing session of the World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Ethiopia has now 11 UNESCO World Heritage sites, 9 cultural and two natural.

https://addisstandard.com/asdailyscoop-unesco-grants-world-heritage-status-to-bale-mountains-national-park-gedeo-cultural-landscape/

#Ethiopia: European Investment Bank gives #WHO €1 million to assist primary healthcare system in Ethiopia

Earlier this year, President of the European Investment Bank Werner Hoyer, joined Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of WHO alongside the European Commission and fellow heads of multilateral development banks to launch a new health impact platform to improve health system resilience with a focus on primary healthcare in Sub-Saharan African countries.

Leyla Traoré, the Head of the EIB Representative Office in Ethiopia said that access to quality healthcare is very important to a fast-growing economy like Ethiopia’s because it reduces the disease burden and improves health outcomes. This in turn leads to increased productivity and economic growth of the nation.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=37863

EEP confirms 25 MW at Aluto Langano geothermal project in #Ethiopia

State-owned Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) has announced the successful completion of drilling and testing on six out of ten planned wells at the #Aluto_Langano geothermal project. According to officials, the remaining four wells will be tested by December 2023. Additionally, a deal has been made with the World Bank to dig four more wells, and the entire project is expected to be fully completed by September 2024.

The project has faced some delays since drilling commenced in 2021. Ethiopian Electric Power has confirmed the production of approximately 25 MW of power from the six wells that have been drilled and tested thus far. The estimated overall investment for this project is $143 million, with $24 million of funding provided through grants and loans from the World Bank.

The Aluto Langano site was previously a geothermal power plant that has been non-operational for several years. However, this new project aims to generate 70 MW of electricity in two phases. The first phase is currently in development and the second phase is set to commence later.

https://www.thinkgeoenergy.com/eep-confirms-25-mw-at-aluto-langano-geothermal-project-in-ethiopia/