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An independent Ethiopia based online media focusing on current affairs. Original content+daily gist of media monitoring
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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/
#Kenya-#US: Austin praises Kenya's Commitment to Regional Peace

The defense counterparts underscored their countries' ties, signing a five-year framework for defense cooperation and enhancing interoperability between the two militaries.

"Signing the framework for defense cooperation between our two countries today reinforces the importance of our strategic partnership with Kenya, and it will help guide our bilateral defense relationship for the next five years," Austin said following the meeting.

Austin specifically noted Kenya's partnership with the U.S. in countering al-Shabab, an Islamist militant group based in neighboring Somalia.

https://defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3536799/austin-praises-kenyas-commitment-to-regional-peace/
#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
#Ethiopia: #Berlin_Marathon record holder Tgist Assefa receives a hero's welcome in #Addis_Abeba

Athlete #Tgist_Assefa, who broke the world record at the 49th Berlin Marathon, received a hero's welcome at Bole International Airport in Addis Abeba this morning.

Darartu Tulu, President of the Ethiopian Athletics Federation, and senior officials from Ministry of Culture and Sports welcomed Athlete Tgist upon her arrival.

On 24 Sep. Athlete Tigist broke a new world record at the Berlin Marathon by finishing the race at 2:11:53. Tgist broke the world record of 2:13:04 which was held by Kenyan Brigid Kosgei’s at the Chicago Marathon in 2019.

Pictures: ENA
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“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
KEFI Gold and Copper to open Tulu Kapi mine this year

Kefi Gold and Copper PLC, a mining exploration and development company, announced that it is working towards the launch of its open-pit mine at the Tulu Kapi project in #Ethiopia by 2023, with production expected to begin in 2025. This milestone is seen as a crucial turning point for the London-listed firm, marking the first in a series of steps for the company.

The company plans to initiate the Jibal Qutman gold open-pit in #Saudi_Arabia in 2024, targeting production by 2025 as well. Kefi has successfully secured $320 million in debt and equity development capital, along with the necessary permits and a $70 million mining fleet from its mining contractor for its project in Ethiopia. As a result, the project is now fully funded and awaiting board approval. However, the company has faced challenges with its exploration licenses (ELs) in the surrounding area of the Tulu Kapi mining license.

Despite these setbacks, the company remains optimistic about resolving the situation and has applied for additional exploration licenses in Ethiopia. In Saudi Arabia, Kefi's subsidiary, GMCo, has made significant discoveries at Jibal Qutman and Hawiah. These projects are in advanced stages and have received positive regulatory support.

https://www.proactiveinvestors.com/companies/news/1028176/kefi-gold-and-copper-to-open-tulu-kapi-mine-this-year-1028176.html
#Ethiopia: Dozens die of #malaria in conflict-ridden west #Wollega zone, #Oromia as #hunger takes toll on civilians

At least 36 people over the last two months alone in #Begi and #Kondala districts of the conflict-ridden West Wollega zone, in Oromia regional state, local officials confirmed.

Residents say that on average two to three are dying everyday. In addition to the malaria outbreak, pictures of severely malnourished children and mothers are widely circulating on social media.

“Across West, East and Kellem Wollega zones, an estimated 272,400 people are reportedly affected, and at least 45% of health centers and 63% of total health posts across West, East, Horo Gudru, and Kellem, Wollega zones are non-functional,” the UN warned as far back as July.

https://addisstandard.com/news-dozens-die-of-malaria-in-conflict-ridden-west-wollega-zone-oromia-as-hunger-takes-toll-on-civilians/
Tragic accident claims lives of #Ethiopian migrants in #Tanzania

At least seven Ethiopian migrants lost their lives in the #Njombe region of Tanzania. The incident occurred on 14 September, 2023, when a truck carrying 29 Ethiopian migrants was traveling towards the border town of #Tunduma, adjacent to #Zambia. Regrettably, seven migrants were fatalities in the accident, while nine others sustained injuries.

Additionally, 13 individuals remain unaccounted for, according to the International Organization for Migration (#IOM).

The IOM emphasized that this devastating incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the complex challenges faced by migrants along the perilous "southern route" from the Horn of #Africa to #South_Africa.

https://eastandhornofafrica.iom.int/news/migrants-killed-tanzania-road-accident