Researchers have verified 1,329 hunger deaths in Ethiopia’s Tigray region

Researchers say they have verified 1,329 deaths from hunger in #Ethiopia's #Tigray region since a two-year conflict ended in November. A study conducted by local health authorities and #Mekelle University revealed that hunger accounted for over 68% of deaths investigated.

The study was based on a household census conducted in nine sub districts and 53 displacement camps in Tigray. However, the region has a total of 88 sub districts and 643 displacement camps, suggesting that the actual number of hunger-related deaths is likely much higher.

The #US and the #UN suspended food aid in Tigray and later expanded the pause nationwide after uncovering a large-scale scheme to steal humanitarian grain. The Ethiopian government wants the suspension lifted, while the US and the UN want the government to surrender control of the food aid delivery system.

https://apnews.com/article/ethiopia-tigray-hunger-deaths-aid-6d5a15fa7cda213b86f41c87b1a185e7

#Ethiopia: Despite State of Emergency and leadership changes #Amhara region grapples with persistent conflict, violence

Tensions persist in Ethiopia's Amhara region as conflict continues between federal forces and non-state Fano militias.

To address the violence, the federal government declared a six-month state of emergency. While major cities in the region are returning to normalcy, new conflicts have emerged, leading to fatalities, injuries, and destruction.

Concerns over human rights conditions have been raised, with reports of civilian killings and looting. Recent clashes in #Lalibela and #Gondar have resulted in multiple casualties. Conflicting accounts surround the events, with the government claiming to repel an attack while the Fano group asserts their intent to free imprisoned members.

https://addisstandard.com/news-analysis-despite-state-of-emergency-and-leadership-changes-amhara-region-grapples-with-persistent-conflict-violence/

#Ethiopia: #TPLF Central Committee calls for #UN experts’ mandate extension, full implementation of Pretoria agreement; admits “internal weaknesses”

The Central Committee of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has released a statement requesting an extension of the term of office for the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHRRE).

This request comes following the latest report by #ICHRRE, which stated that despite the peace agreement in Ethiopia, there are still ongoing atrocities, war crimes, and crimes against humanity being committed in the country, with peace remaining elusive.

The Central Committee also called for the full implementation of the cessation of hostilities agreement signed in #Pretoria, South Africa on November 2022, between the Ethiopian federal government and the TPLF.

https://addisstandard.com/news-tplf-central-committee-calls-for-un-experts-mandate-extension-full-implementation-of-pretoria-agreement-admits-internal-weaknesses/

Analysis: ONLF’s caution on”dangers of unmet needs”, lack of open dialogue as peace agreement with #Ethiopia enters 5th year

Reflecting on progress and challenges, #ONLF warns of unmet needs in connection with the 5th year anniversary of the peace agreement with the Ethiopian government.

ONLF expected inclusive elections, rehabilitation of soldiers, and transitional justice mechanisms.

Frustrations remain as demands are ignored and peace remains on paper.

https://addisstandard.com/analysis-onlfs-caution-ondangers-of-unmet-needs-lack-of-open-dialogue-as-peace-agreement-with-ethiopia-enters-5th-year/

#Ethiopia: Severe tree locust infestation wreaks havoc, exacerbating food insecurity in #Tigray region

Devastating tree locust onslaught decimates trees and food crops, spreading across 15,000 hectares in the Tigray region.

Locust outbreak declared largest in the region, aggravating the food insecurity crisis.

Efforts hindered by lack of resources, logistical support, and #Eritrean troop presence.

https://addisstandard.com/news-severe-tree-locust-infestation-wreaks-havoc-exacerbating-food-insecurity-in-tigray-region/

#Ethiopia’s top priority #port diversification: Veteran diplomat

Veteran diplomat Ambassador Girum Abay told state daily Ethiopian Herald that uninterrupted access to the #Red_Sea is the matter of existence for Ethiopia and a lifeline for Africa’s second populous country.

Excerpts:
“The question today is how Ethiopia would ensure a guaranteed and uninterrupted access to the Red Sea. The mechanisms for landlocked nations to access the sea are more or less those which Ethiopia has been using for centuries.”
***
“The big powers believe Ethiopia has the right to secure an uninterrupted and secured access to the sea. The question is how we will convince our neighbors using the understanding of big powers. Holding a cordial negotiation with our neighbors is the tool that Ethiopia ensures reliable access to the Red Sea.”

For more: https://press.et/herald/?p=81949
Picture: Ethiopian Embassy in Brussels

#Ethiopia to manufacture #Russian Lada Cars for the African market

Ethiopia will launch the production of Russian #Lada cars on its territory for the African market, the countries Ambassador to Russia Cham Ugala Uriat has said. The move is significant as it illustrates why Ethiopia has joined #BRICS – its low manufacturing cost base can assist keep production costs down while also providing access to the growing African market.

“We’ll see Russian Lada cars in neighboring countries in the near future, because Avtovaz have already signed a deal with one of the Ethiopian companies” Uriat said, adding that those cars will be produced in Ethiopia. Lada make a range of SUV suitable for the African market.
https://www.russia-briefing.com/news/ethiopia-to-manufacture-lada-cars-for-the-african-market.html/

Quick-service restaurant giant #Americana to start poultry feed plant in #Ethiopia, chairman says

Americana, the largest quick-service restaurant operator in the Middle East and North Africa region, is set to establish poultry feed plant in Ethiopia to support its business. This move was announced by Americana's chairman, Mohamed Alabbar, during the Future Hospitality Summit in Abu Dhabi.

Alabbar expressed excitement about starting the plant in Addis Abeba, citing a shortage of chicken feed in the Arab world. He revealed that 65% of the cost of chicken is attributed to feed, which the region currently does not produce due to a lack of key ingredients like soya and corn.

Founded in 1964 in Kuwait, Americana operates popular chains such as Pizza Hut and KFC, making it the largest dining operator in the Middle East and North Africa region.

https://www.intellinews.com/mena-quick-service-restaurant-giant-americana-to-start-poultry-feed-plant-in-ethiopia-chairman-says-294481/

Is Ethiopia facing a fresh wave of conflict?

Barely a year after the #Tigray war came to an end with a peace agreement, there is now intense militia fighting in the #Amhara region. Experts are sounding the alarm, warning that this could potentially trigger a new war.

The overall situation in #Ethiopia is growing increasingly perilous, as stated by Yared Hailemariam, the director of the Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders Center, when asked to assess the current conditions on the ground.

The northern Amhara region is particularly volatile, with Hailemariam expressing that many of us hoped the peace agreement reached in early November 2022 would bring about a resolution for the political tensions and conflict in Tigray. He further asserts that mistakes were made by the Ethiopian government, led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, during the negotiation process.

https://www.dw.com/en/ethiopia-war-has-the-tigray-peace-agreement-failed/a-66943103

#UN Security Council Receives Letter of Support for Delayed #Somalia Troop Drawdown

The foreign ministers of the five African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troop contributing countries (#Burundi, #Djibouti, #Ethiopia, #Kenya, and #Uganda) have sent a joint letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Security Council President Ferit Hoxha expressing “strong support” for Somalia’s request to delay the drawdown of ATMIS troops by 3 months.

The letter calls for a “technical pause” in the planned drawdown of 3,000 ATMIS personnel, which Somalia formally requested in a recent letter to the Security Council. It argues the delay is necessary to address critical security challenges highlighted in a recent Joint Technical Assessment (JTA) report before proceeding to the next phase of drawdown.

https://horseedmedia.net/un-security-council-receives-letter-of-support-for-delayed-somalia-troop-drawdown-383106

“The city beautification effort jeopardizes my livelihood.”

Irregular dealing is a common sight in Addis Abeba.

Get the inside scoop on their story by watching this video post.

#Ethiopia: #Tigray interim admin requests immediate start of political dialogue with federal gov’t

In the joint statement the two sides released following the Pretoria talks, they have agreed to take “transitional measures that include the restoration of Constitutional order in the Tigray region, a framework for the settlement of political differences, and a Transitional Justice Policy framework to ensure accountability, truth, reconciliation, and healing.”

Amanuel said that as of now, the people of Tigray do not have access to “full budget” support and other constitutional rights that can only be solved by kick starting the political dialogue immediately. It is also important to sustain the peace and to enable the people of Tigray solve and cope with the countless problems they are forced to endure.

https://addisstandard.com/news-tigray-interim-admin-requests-immediate-start-of-political-dialogue-with-federal-govt/

#Ethiopia: Delays in school attendance, salary payments cause concern in newly established East Borana Zone

Thousands of students in #Gooroo_Doolaa, part of the newly established #East_Borana_Zone in #Oromia, are unable to start school this academic year. Civil servants in the area are also not receiving salaries for over three months.

The lack of registration and relocation of registration centers have caused difficulties for parents and students.

Government employees have voiced their concerns about the delay in salary payments and the lack of services in healthcare facilities.

https://addisstandard.com/news-delays-in-school-attendance-salary-payments-cause-concern-in-newly-established-east-borana-zone/

#Ethiopia: Blinken once again tells PM Abiy need for peaceful resolution to end #Oromia, #Amhara crises

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concerns about the security crisis in the Amhara and Oromia regions during a phone call with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The Amhara conflict, which began in April, continues with reports of violence and human rights violations.

Blinken emphasized the need for peaceful resolution and protection of human rights.

They also discussed security challenges in the Horn of Africa and the resumption of food assistance.

https://addisstandard.com/news-blinken-once-again-tells-pm-abiy-need-for-peaceful-resolution-to-end-oromia-amhara-crises/

#Ethiopia: Combatting biopiracy: Ethiopian entrepreneur revives #teff farming for ancestral heritage

“Our vision is to make sure that teff helps Ethiopia in its fight against poverty”, says Yonas Alemu, CEO of Love Grass.

Teff is the star ingredient of Ethiopian cuisine, yet this grain is also a victim of biopiracy- the unethical exploitation of indigenous knowledge and biological resources. Yonas Alemu is committed to inverting this trend by modernizing teff production.

The fact that we are being left behind. And that Ethiopia, its farmers and the community are not benefiting at all from teff is something we should not accept. And personally, I cannot accept”. Yonas Alemu is an Ethiopian entrepreneur with a commitment: helping Ethiopian farmers benefit from the commercialisation of teff, the world’s smallest grain, native to the Horn of Africa.

In this episode, we travelled to Ethiopia to meet Yonas and learn more about how his teff-processing business, Lovegrass, is fighting against biopiracy - the practice of exploiting indigenous knowledge without proper authorisation.

https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/09/29/combatting-biopiracy-ethiopian-entrepreneur-revives-teff-farming-for-ancestral-heritage