#Ethiopia: Confidential documents appear to show how the Abiy government tried to discredit the global health leader with allegations of embezzlement and sexual misconduct.

They are two of the best-known African leaders on the planet. The 2019 Nobel Peace Prize winner Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia’s prime minster, and his compatriot Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who as head of the World Health Organization became the face of the global response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Yet the two are now on opposite sides of a bitter power play exposed by previously undisclosed Ethiopian government documents that appear to show how the Abiy administration tried to discredit the global health leader with allegations of embezzlement and sexual misconduct ahead of his reappointment at the WHO in 2022. Tedros, who has denied all the allegations and hasn’t been charged with any crimes, says he is reluctant to return to his native Ethiopia — Africa’s second-most populous nation — without assurances that he and his family will be safe.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-02/ethiopia-government-accused-of-smear-campaign-against-who-chief

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-02/ethiopia-government-accused-of-smear-campaign-against-who-chief

#Benishangul_Gumuz, #Ethiopia – Defying conflict and child marriage to champion girls’ education and rights in Ethiopia

“I was very scared when I first entered the safe house. I was lonely and wouldn’t leave my room for a month,” said Ms. Alemtsehay*, now 18.

When she was just 14, Ms. Alemtsehay was among tens of thousands of people forced from their homes in the Metekel Zone, in Ethiopia’s northwestern Benishangul Gumuz region, as fierce inter-communal fighting broke out. Before the conflict, her parents kept cattle and ran a successful farming business near Mandura City.

But when armed groups attacked their village the family fled, leaving everything they owned behind.
For Ms. Alemtsehay, this also meant abandoning her schooling. As a bright student who consistently ranked at the top of her class, she understood the value of education – and the cost of missing out on one. “If we are not educated, we can't change our lives,” she explained.
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The safe house is able to shelter up to 100 women and girls, all of whom are survivors of rape, intimate partner abuse, or fleeing forced marriages. In addition to providing a home and food, the safe house offers education, medical treatment, psychological therapy, and training in vocational skills to help the women rebuild their lives.

https://www.unfpa.org/news/defying-conflict-and-child-marriage-champion-girls%E2%80%99-education-and-rights-ethiopia

In-depth: Ethiopia's surprising admission into the #BRICS elite circle: Exploring the role of geopolitics, economics

The recent BRICS Summit held in #South_Africa made headlines as it unexpectedly welcomed six new nations into its ranks. Starting in January 2024, #Argentina, #Iran, #Saudi_Arabia, the #UAE, #Egypt, and #Ethiopia will officially join the bloc. While this surprising move has sparked intense discussions and debates among experts, it is Ethiopia's invitation that has left many questioning the criteria behind its selection.

Ethiopia's interest in joining BRICS has been relatively recent. The country made its debut at the 14th BRICS Summit in 2022 and subsequently submitted an official application to join in early 2023. Despite having the largest economy in East Africa, Ethiopia's selection was unexpected, especially considering the absence of #Nigeria, Algeria and Morocco from the selection process.

Experts believe that politics, rather than economics, played a significant role in the selection process. The establishment of BRICS is rooted more in geopolitics than economic benefits. However, some argue that the decision to include Ethiopia and Egypt is a calculated move to achieve equilibrium and promote harmony and impartiality within the bloc.

https://addisstandard.com/in-depth-ethiopias-surprising-admission-into-the-brics-elite-circle-exploring-the-role-of-geopolitics-economics/

#Ethiopia: "Discussions are underway on economic policies and reforms that could be potentially supported by an IMF program”: #IMF

In the latest engagement with the press held on 28 September, Julie Kozack, Director of Communications and Spokesperson for the International Monetary Fund, told journalists in Washington D.C. that discussions were underway on economic policies and reforms "that could be potentially supported by an IMF program."

“An IMF program would support the homegrown economic reform agenda to help address macroeconomic vulnerabilities and help unlock Ethiopia's considerable economic potential”, Ms Kozack said, but repeated IMF's requirement that "a new program would also require clear commitments from development partners and financing assurances from creditors under the G20 commons framework to ensure that it can meet its objectives."

#Ethiopia: Ezema asserts chairman’s arrest is not connected to his party leadership role

The Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice (#Ezema) party stated that the recent arrest of their chairman, Dr. Chane Kebede, is unrelated to his leadership role.

The party said it has conducted an investigation and revealed that Chane was detained by the command post implementing the state of emergency declared in connection with the conflict in #Amhara region.

EZEMA warned its members against violating peaceful struggle and emphasized accountability for all individuals within the party.

https://addisstandard.com/news-ezema-asserts-chairmans-arrest-is-not-connected-to-his-party-leadership-role/

#Ethiopia: At least 18 people die of drought-related hunger in two districts in #Wag_Hemra zone, #Amhara region

The residents on their parts said that unless they don’t receive immediate food aid, they along with their children won’t survive the dire situation.

Mehret Melaku, head of the disaster prevention and food security office of the district, disclosed that nothing has been offered by the government so far other than promises from various humanitarian organizations. “Despite the report sent to the Regional Disaster Prevention and Food Security Office about the seriousness of the problem, we haven’t yet received any response,” Mehret underscored.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=38181

#Ethiopia: Sidama Federalist Party calls for investigations, accountability in younger region

The Sidama Federalist Party (SFP) has issued a statement highlighting political and social issues in Ethiopia's #Sidama region. It alleges mismanagement, corruption, injustice, and ethnic divisions, leading to broader challenges.

The party accuses the regional security bureau of creating an "informal military force" and express concern about the federal government's inaction.

SFP calls for independent investigations, international monitoring, media coverage, and support from human rights organizations and Ethiopian citizens to address the ongoing situation in Sidama.

https://addisstandard.com/news-sidama-federalist-party-calls-for-investigations-accountability-in-younger-region/

#Ethiopia, International Civil Aviation Organization formalize new capacity development and implementation support agreement.

The new agreement was signed by the Secretary General of #ICAO, Juan Carlos Salazar, and the Director General of the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (#ECAA), Getachew Mengiste.

Ethiopiah as formalized a new implementation support agreement with ICAO that will provide support to the safe, secure, and sustainable development of the State’s aviation sector by heightening its application of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).

Undertaken in coordination with the ICAO Eastern and Southern African Regional Office, the signing of the Management Services Agreement (MSA) paves the way for deepened cooperation between ICAO and Ethiopia on critical aviation projects.

Read more at: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1709087005022244886?s=20

#Ethiopia: Rights body confirms six people killed, several injured in recent clashes between #Oromia, #Somali security forces

Eye witnesses from the Somali region told Addis Standard that #Oromia regional state forces launched an attack in Qoloji camp for IDPs which hosts more than 20,000 Somalis displaced from Oromia during the 2017 border conflict between the two regions that killed hundreds and displaced more than a million civilians.

Subsequent local reports indicated that the clashes were ignited over disagreement on checkpoints for taxes of Khat products in the area after Somali region local forces moved their Khat tax checkpoint located in the Karamara area of Somali region to the Babile district, and Oromia region local forces did the same by moving checkpoints closer to the border where both sides ended setting up checkpoints at central locations for both regions.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=38196

#Ethiopia: #Solar-powered pump charges water changes in Ethiopian village

When Amina Mohamed Abdi needs water for tea, she can now just walk across the street of her town, Gol’Anod, [in #Somali region], turn behind a small sheet-metal building, and fill a container from a set of taps. In a few moments, she is back at her shop, transferring some of the water to a small kettle, and putting it on the fire.

She says she appreciates how easy it is to get water now, compared to just six months ago. “I used to get water from another place, it took four hours,” she says. Sometimes she would return carrying water on her back, as she did not always have a donkey or a camel available to carry it for her.

“Now,” Abdi says, “it’s no distance at all.”

https://oxfamamerica.org/explore/stories/solar-powered-pump-charges-water-changes-in-ethiopian-village/

#EU executive approves deal for #Kenya duty-free access

“The EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) has today taken a step towards approval, with the Commission sending to the Council proposals for its signature and conclusion,” said the Commission in a statement released over the weekend.

The deal, once signed, will be a major boost to Kenya as it will enable the country’s exports to enter the EU duty-free and without quotas. The EU is Kenya’s second-largest trading partner and its most important export market. https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/business/eu-executive-approves-deal-for-kenya-duty-free-access-4387964

#Ethiopia-#Somaliland: Berbera Port and its potential benefits for Ethiopia

In this viewpoint, Abdirashid Ibrahim, Director-General of the Ministry of Trade & Tourism of #Somaliland, writes about the befits of #Berbera_Port for Ethiopia.

Excerpts:
"The strategic port of Berbera is ready to serve as Ethiopia’s primary gateway for importing and exporting products to the rest of the world. It provides a quicker and more effective route for transporting Ethiopian commodities compared to other ports, which in turn reduces the time and money needed for shipping. As part of the continuous development of the Berbera Corridor, roads are being expanded from Berbera Port to the Ethiopian border, expanding trade opportunities." https://addisstandard.com/?p=38203

#Eritrean man stabbed to death in #Netanya, in latest brawl between migrants

Violence between supporters and opponents of regime has been on the rise; deadly incident follows overnight clashes in #Telaviv

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Police suspect that the man who was murdered opposed the regime in Eritrea and was stabbed by the government’s supporters.

Police said they arrested ten people who had armed themselves with clubs and stones and were planning to target other members of the community.

On Friday night, a brawl between Eritreans in south Tel Aviv sent two people to the hospital in serious condition. Earlier in the week, another Eritrean asylum seeker was stabbed to death under similar circumstances.

Earlier this month, a massive brawl broke out outside the Eritrean embassy in Tel Aviv between supporters and opponents of the regime, leaving nearly 200 people injured.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/eritrean-man-stabbed-to-death-in-latest-brawl-between-migrants-in-netanya/

#Ethiopia: #Tigray Interim Admin declares three-day mourning period to honor veterans lost in war; official announcements of combatants’ deaths to be made

The Tigray interim administration has declared a three-day mourning period starting on 13 October, 2023, to honor combatants who lost their lives during the violent war that ended in November 2022.

General Tadesse Werede announced this during a briefing, emphasizing the importance of waiting for official government announcements.

A committee has been established to monitor the mourning period.

https://addisstandard.com/news-tigray-interim-admin-declares-three-day-mourning-period-to-honor-veterans-lost-in-war-official-announcements-of-combatants-deaths-to-be-made/

#Ethiopia faces a “high risk” of further atrocities because of instability in several regions and a peace deal between the government and the #Tigray region, according to a United Nations panel.

An analysis by the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia, whose mandate is up for renewal this week, found recent evidence of atrocity crimes in the country’s #Tigray, #Amhara, #Afar and #Oromia regions, the panel said in a report published on Monday.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-03/un-panel-warns-of-high-risk-of-further-atrocities-in-ethiopia?leadSource=uverify%20wall

#Ethiopia: Unidentified armed group kills eight, injures many in brutal attack in East Gurage Zone

Unidentified armed group kills eight individuals while injuring others in the East Gurage Zone’s #East_Meskan_Woreda.

Residents report the attack occurred on 2 October, 2023, targeting #Mareko residents.

Authorities investigating possible links to #Meskan Zonal Administration.

https://addisstandard.com/news-unidentified-armed-group-kills-eight-injures-many-in-brutal-attack-in-east-gurage-zone/

#Ethiopia: Ethiopian Securities Exchange unveils inaugural board ahead of launch

In a seminal move poised to shift the terrain of Ethiopia's economic landscape, the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) has unveiled its inaugural board of directors, with preparations set to finalize within the ensuing three months.

At the helm, former Zemen Bank VP, Hilaway Tadesse, will steer the institution as a chairman, joined by an assemblage of eminent professionals, including Eleni Gebremedhin (PhD), the progenitor of the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX), and Fikadu Petros, a distinguished legal expert. The announcement made by executives of Ethiopian Investment Holdings marks a step towards the inception of the ESX.

https://addisfortune.news/news-alert/ethiopian-securities-exchange-unveils-inaugural-board-ahead-of-launch/