News: Despite several pleas, draft deadline to extend #UN rights experts’ #Ethiopia mandate expires
A well placed source with knowledge to the matter told Addis Standard that despite EU's decision to not submit the draft motion, Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs, wrote a letter to all EU member states that even if #ICHREE’s mandate was not renewed, its report should remind members states to give “a very clear signal to [the] Ethiopian government that we will continue to follow up on Human Rights situation in the country and importance of meaningful transitional justice system.”
ICHREE said on Tuesday that its latest detailed findings are based on an assessment of the risk factors for atrocity crimes, which are considered to be the most serious crimes against humankind. These crimes – including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity – are identified in the UN Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes. “The Commission’s report found that all eight of the common risk factors and the majority the specific risk factors are now present in Ethiopia.” https://addisstandard.com/?p=38251
A well placed source with knowledge to the matter told Addis Standard that despite EU's decision to not submit the draft motion, Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs, wrote a letter to all EU member states that even if #ICHREE’s mandate was not renewed, its report should remind members states to give “a very clear signal to [the] Ethiopian government that we will continue to follow up on Human Rights situation in the country and importance of meaningful transitional justice system.”
ICHREE said on Tuesday that its latest detailed findings are based on an assessment of the risk factors for atrocity crimes, which are considered to be the most serious crimes against humankind. These crimes – including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity – are identified in the UN Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes. “The Commission’s report found that all eight of the common risk factors and the majority the specific risk factors are now present in Ethiopia.” https://addisstandard.com/?p=38251
Addis Standard
News: Despite several pleas, draft deadline to extend UN rights experts' Ethiopia mandate expires - Addis Standard
News: Despite several pleas, draft deadline to extend UN rights experts' Ethiopia mandate expires Addis Standard Ethiopia -
#Ethiopia: Hailu Mergia: the spearhead of Ethiopia's musical revolution
Although pianist Girma Beyene was the band’s leader and principal arranger, keyboardist Hailu Mergia gave them a distinction among their peers. A keen experimental mind when it came to synthesiser technology, Hailu was one of the first Ethiopian musicians to use Moog synthesisers while becoming a master organist. “As soon as the organ came along I learned to play it,” Hailu later told journalist April Clare Welsh. “I had no choice, because I was playing in clubs and none of them had pianos. It’s just always been very comfortable for me to play the keyboard, and everyone loved the sound of the organ!”
Hailu was the band member who pushed for the group to emphasise funk instrumentals over original pop-adjacent songs. “When you sing or write lyrics you have to support the government, and if you don’t do that then you have a problem” …
https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/hailu-mergia-the-spearhead-of-ethiopias-musical-revolution/
Although pianist Girma Beyene was the band’s leader and principal arranger, keyboardist Hailu Mergia gave them a distinction among their peers. A keen experimental mind when it came to synthesiser technology, Hailu was one of the first Ethiopian musicians to use Moog synthesisers while becoming a master organist. “As soon as the organ came along I learned to play it,” Hailu later told journalist April Clare Welsh. “I had no choice, because I was playing in clubs and none of them had pianos. It’s just always been very comfortable for me to play the keyboard, and everyone loved the sound of the organ!”
Hailu was the band member who pushed for the group to emphasise funk instrumentals over original pop-adjacent songs. “When you sing or write lyrics you have to support the government, and if you don’t do that then you have a problem” …
https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/hailu-mergia-the-spearhead-of-ethiopias-musical-revolution/
#Ethiopia: Human Rights Council: #EU Fails Ethiopia’s Victims: Human Rights Watch (#HRW)
“European Union members abdicated their responsibility to ensure international scrutiny of grave abuses in Ethiopia by failing to renew the expert commission,” said Tirana Hassan, executive director of Human Rights Watch. “For the numerous victims of atrocities in Ethiopia who placed their hopes in the Commission, this is a devastating blow.”
***
“Ethiopia’s partners have allowed Ethiopia to drop off the Human Rights Council’s agenda despite the resumption of violence and the complete failure to address accountability,” Tirana said. “The EU’s inaction and lack of leadership for victims of serious crimes in Ethiopia will undercut its credibility as a proponent for justice around the world.”
https://hrw.org/news/2023/10/04/human-rights-council-eu-fails-ethiopias-victims
“European Union members abdicated their responsibility to ensure international scrutiny of grave abuses in Ethiopia by failing to renew the expert commission,” said Tirana Hassan, executive director of Human Rights Watch. “For the numerous victims of atrocities in Ethiopia who placed their hopes in the Commission, this is a devastating blow.”
***
“Ethiopia’s partners have allowed Ethiopia to drop off the Human Rights Council’s agenda despite the resumption of violence and the complete failure to address accountability,” Tirana said. “The EU’s inaction and lack of leadership for victims of serious crimes in Ethiopia will undercut its credibility as a proponent for justice around the world.”
https://hrw.org/news/2023/10/04/human-rights-council-eu-fails-ethiopias-victims
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Council: EU Fails Ethiopia’s Victims
The European Union and its members have backtracked on their support for continued international scrutiny of the human rights situation in Ethiopia at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
#ASDailyScoop: #Ethiopian Air Force Academy Military Training School is graduating army recruits who have been attending basic military training for the past six months, Ethiopian National Defense Forces (#ENDF) said.
Commander of the Federal Air Force, Lt. Gen. Yilma Merdasa, senior members of the Air Force, and high level guests invited by the senior leadership of the federal army are attending the graduation ceremony, which will include recognition and award programs for trainees who performed successfully in their training.
Commander of the Federal Air Force, Lt. Gen. Yilma Merdasa, senior members of the Air Force, and high level guests invited by the senior leadership of the federal army are attending the graduation ceremony, which will include recognition and award programs for trainees who performed successfully in their training.
#Ethiopia: #UNOPS, #Italian Agency for Development Cooperation sign a €7.6 mln project agreement to support health systems in Ethiopia.
The three-year project will improve the uptake and quality of healthcare service delivery for more than 62,000 beneficiaries. The project will also improve the quality and uptake of education in primary schools through improved nutrition and hygiene services benefiting around 2,000 children.
The multi-sectoral intervention project will be implemented in #Chifra, in the #Afar region, and in #Hamer woreda in #South_Omo zone of the newly restructured Southern Ethiopia Regional State.
https://ethiopia.un.org/en/246236-unops-italian-agency-development-cooperation-sign-%E2%82%AC76-mln-project-agreement-improve-health
The three-year project will improve the uptake and quality of healthcare service delivery for more than 62,000 beneficiaries. The project will also improve the quality and uptake of education in primary schools through improved nutrition and hygiene services benefiting around 2,000 children.
The multi-sectoral intervention project will be implemented in #Chifra, in the #Afar region, and in #Hamer woreda in #South_Omo zone of the newly restructured Southern Ethiopia Regional State.
https://ethiopia.un.org/en/246236-unops-italian-agency-development-cooperation-sign-%E2%82%AC76-mln-project-agreement-improve-health
#Ethiopia: "They demand cash and intimated us with threats of confiscating our goods"
Watch the full video report on the daily ordeals of irregular street vendors to survive. https://youtu.be/v5pcejKyYfI?si=3Ml3pz1ef0mzYmRk
Although they supply affordable commodities for their customers who can't afford to buy products from shop owners, life for irregular vendors in the streets of #Addis_Abeba has increasingly became near unbearable due largely to constant harassment from law enforcement bodies, which includes confiscations of their items and physical abuses.
Watch the full video report on the daily ordeals of irregular street vendors to survive. https://youtu.be/v5pcejKyYfI?si=3Ml3pz1ef0mzYmRk
Although they supply affordable commodities for their customers who can't afford to buy products from shop owners, life for irregular vendors in the streets of #Addis_Abeba has increasingly became near unbearable due largely to constant harassment from law enforcement bodies, which includes confiscations of their items and physical abuses.
YouTube
"They demand cash and intimated us with threats of confiscating our goods"
Although, they supply affordable commodities for their customers who can't afford to buy products from shop owners, life for irregular vendors in the streets of #Addis_Abeba has increasingly became near unbearable due largely to constant harassment from law…
#Ethiopia, #Djibouti to join #EAC
The East African Community (EAC) is set to become a market size of 800 million people, with the introduction of more countries to the regional economic community on the cards.
EAC Secretary General Dr Peter Mathuki hinted here on Tuesday evening, that both, Djibouti and Ethiopia would also join the Regional Economic Community.
“The vision of our leaders is to have a market of 800 million people. And that will be possible if we integrate all the countries in the horn of Africa and make one huge market,” projected Dr Mathuki, shortly before launching the EU-EAC Market Access Upgrade Program (MARKUP II).
Dr Mathuki’s revelations come in the wake of negotiations between the EAC and the Federal Republic of Somalia for the entry of Somalia into the bloc. https://dailynews.co.tz/ethiopia-djibouti-to-join-eac/
The East African Community (EAC) is set to become a market size of 800 million people, with the introduction of more countries to the regional economic community on the cards.
EAC Secretary General Dr Peter Mathuki hinted here on Tuesday evening, that both, Djibouti and Ethiopia would also join the Regional Economic Community.
“The vision of our leaders is to have a market of 800 million people. And that will be possible if we integrate all the countries in the horn of Africa and make one huge market,” projected Dr Mathuki, shortly before launching the EU-EAC Market Access Upgrade Program (MARKUP II).
Dr Mathuki’s revelations come in the wake of negotiations between the EAC and the Federal Republic of Somalia for the entry of Somalia into the bloc. https://dailynews.co.tz/ethiopia-djibouti-to-join-eac/
#Ethiopia: Two-year war leaves 86% of Tigray’s healthcare facilities devastated: new report
Devastating effects on healthcare facilities and resources in #Tigray during a two-year war ending in November 2022 are revealed in a new report by WHO, which reveals 86% of health service units in Tigray experienced structural damage, with 71% of medical equipment partially nonfunctional.
Hospitals like Abi Adi General Hospital suffered extensive damage, depleting skilled staff and reducing capacity.
Nearly 92% of health facilities in Tigray remain partially functional due to a lack of supplies and funding.
https://addisstandard.com/news-two-year-war-leaves-86-of-tigrays-healthcare-facilities-devastated-new-report/
Devastating effects on healthcare facilities and resources in #Tigray during a two-year war ending in November 2022 are revealed in a new report by WHO, which reveals 86% of health service units in Tigray experienced structural damage, with 71% of medical equipment partially nonfunctional.
Hospitals like Abi Adi General Hospital suffered extensive damage, depleting skilled staff and reducing capacity.
Nearly 92% of health facilities in Tigray remain partially functional due to a lack of supplies and funding.
https://addisstandard.com/news-two-year-war-leaves-86-of-tigrays-healthcare-facilities-devastated-new-report/
Addis Standard
News: Two-year war leaves 86% of Tigray's healthcare facilities devastated: new report - Addis Standard
News: Two-year war leaves 86% of Tigray's healthcare facilities devastated: new report Addis Standard News -
#Ethiopia: Hunger, homelessness plague internally displaced people in Western Oromia
Forced to leave their shelters, internally displaced people (IDPs) in western #Oromia, Ethiopia, are now facing severe vulnerability with food shortages and shelter.
Many have resorted to living on the streets or seeking refuge with few relatives, exacerbating the food shortage problem.
IDPs in four zones urgently need assistance, with a total of 1.4 million IDPs in the Oromia region.
https://addisstandard.com/news-hunger-homelessness-plague-internally-displaced-people-in-western-oromia/
Forced to leave their shelters, internally displaced people (IDPs) in western #Oromia, Ethiopia, are now facing severe vulnerability with food shortages and shelter.
Many have resorted to living on the streets or seeking refuge with few relatives, exacerbating the food shortage problem.
IDPs in four zones urgently need assistance, with a total of 1.4 million IDPs in the Oromia region.
https://addisstandard.com/news-hunger-homelessness-plague-internally-displaced-people-in-western-oromia/
Addis Standard
News: Hunger, homelessness plague internally displaced people in Western Oromia - Addis Standard
News: Hunger, homelessness plague internally displaced people in Western Oromia Addis Standard News -
#Ethiopia: #Sidama regional government counters SFP allegations, accuses party of spreading discord
The Sidama regional government denies allegations by the Sidama Federalist Party (SFP) that its members were arrested without court orders.
The head of the regional peace and security bureau clarified that arrests were made after thorough investigations and following due process.
On the other hand, leaders of the SFP say illegal detentions are still ongoing, with an additional four members detained yesterday in different parts of the region.
https://addisstandard.com/news-sidama-regional-government-counters-sfp-allegations-accuses-party-of-spreading-discord/
The Sidama regional government denies allegations by the Sidama Federalist Party (SFP) that its members were arrested without court orders.
The head of the regional peace and security bureau clarified that arrests were made after thorough investigations and following due process.
On the other hand, leaders of the SFP say illegal detentions are still ongoing, with an additional four members detained yesterday in different parts of the region.
https://addisstandard.com/news-sidama-regional-government-counters-sfp-allegations-accuses-party-of-spreading-discord/
Addis Standard
News: Sidama regional government counters SFP allegations, accuses party of spreading discord - Addis Standard
Alemayew Timothios, head of Sidama Regional Peace and Security Bureau Addis Abeba – The Sidama Regional Government has strongly denied allegations made by the Sidama Federalist Party (SFP) that its members were arrested without court orders. Alemayew Timothios…
#Ethiopia: Ethiopian Entrepreneur Awarded for App That Helps Refugees Find Work
Eden was given the award for her digital app #Invicta, which connects refugees seeking jobs with employers. Invicta is credited with helping 2,500 refugees find employment, most of them in #Africa and the #Middle_East.
Through the app, 7,000 refugees have been able to continue their education by completing online courses.
Mohammad Jamalaldeen, who left his hometown of #Khartoum following the outbreak of war in #Sudan, used Invicta to find work with a company in his profession of software and web development.
"She told me that I could look into working as a software engineer and has been actively searching for opportunities for me," Jamalaldeen said. "Every member of Invicta has been so friendly towards me.”
https://www.voanews.com/a/ethiopian-entrepreneur-awarded-for-app-helping-refugees-find-work/7298868.html
Eden was given the award for her digital app #Invicta, which connects refugees seeking jobs with employers. Invicta is credited with helping 2,500 refugees find employment, most of them in #Africa and the #Middle_East.
Through the app, 7,000 refugees have been able to continue their education by completing online courses.
Mohammad Jamalaldeen, who left his hometown of #Khartoum following the outbreak of war in #Sudan, used Invicta to find work with a company in his profession of software and web development.
"She told me that I could look into working as a software engineer and has been actively searching for opportunities for me," Jamalaldeen said. "Every member of Invicta has been so friendly towards me.”
https://www.voanews.com/a/ethiopian-entrepreneur-awarded-for-app-helping-refugees-find-work/7298868.html
#US to resume #Ethiopia food aid but only to #refugees
But broader aid inside Ethiopia, which is recovering from a brutal two-year war in Tigray, will remain on hold as the United States implements more measures to prevent diversion.
"Our assistance for other food insecure populations across Ethiopia remains paused until we have assurance it will reach its intended beneficiaries," said Jessica Jennings, spokeswoman for the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
"USAID's priority is to resume food assistance for those in need as soon as possible in all regions, and we stand ready to do so as soon as necessary remaining reforms are implemented," she said.
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/us-resume-ethiopia-food-aid-153333072.html
But broader aid inside Ethiopia, which is recovering from a brutal two-year war in Tigray, will remain on hold as the United States implements more measures to prevent diversion.
"Our assistance for other food insecure populations across Ethiopia remains paused until we have assurance it will reach its intended beneficiaries," said Jessica Jennings, spokeswoman for the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
"USAID's priority is to resume food assistance for those in need as soon as possible in all regions, and we stand ready to do so as soon as necessary remaining reforms are implemented," she said.
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/us-resume-ethiopia-food-aid-153333072.html
Three #Eritrean nationals arrested for plans to attack political critic
Three Eritrean citizens were arrested in #Ashdod over the last two days for involvement in a conspiracy for a politically-motivated attack on another foreign national, the Israel Police said on Thursday morning.
The men, ranging in age from 30-50, corresponded in WhatsApp groups about a plan to attack another Eritrean man, even sharing a picture of the alleged target.
Police uncovered the chat, and brought the suspects in for questioning on conspiracy to commit a crime.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-761782
Three Eritrean citizens were arrested in #Ashdod over the last two days for involvement in a conspiracy for a politically-motivated attack on another foreign national, the Israel Police said on Thursday morning.
The men, ranging in age from 30-50, corresponded in WhatsApp groups about a plan to attack another Eritrean man, even sharing a picture of the alleged target.
Police uncovered the chat, and brought the suspects in for questioning on conspiracy to commit a crime.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-761782
#Ethiopia: In pictures
Residents of #Moyale, the border city between #Ethiopia and #Kenya, warmly welcomed the Kenyan #Orma community yesterday who are en route to celebrate the #Oromo festival of #Irreechaa this weekend.
The deputy Administrator of Moyale district, Guyo Huqqa, has welcomed the guests together with local communities.
The #Borena zone, Moyale district in Oromia region said the guests came from different parts of Kenya including the capital #Nairobi, #Isiolo, #Marsabet and #Moyale city in the Kenyan side.
They will participate in the Irreechaa festival, which will take place at #Hora_Finfinfine in #Addis_Abeba, and #Hora_Harsadi in #Bishoftu this Saturday and Sunday, respectively. AS
Residents of #Moyale, the border city between #Ethiopia and #Kenya, warmly welcomed the Kenyan #Orma community yesterday who are en route to celebrate the #Oromo festival of #Irreechaa this weekend.
The deputy Administrator of Moyale district, Guyo Huqqa, has welcomed the guests together with local communities.
The #Borena zone, Moyale district in Oromia region said the guests came from different parts of Kenya including the capital #Nairobi, #Isiolo, #Marsabet and #Moyale city in the Kenyan side.
They will participate in the Irreechaa festival, which will take place at #Hora_Finfinfine in #Addis_Abeba, and #Hora_Harsadi in #Bishoftu this Saturday and Sunday, respectively. AS
#Ethiopia: Tigray women struggle to heal in the wake of systematic sexual assault
Invading forces used mass sexual assault against women and girls of the region as a weapon of psychological warfare. Read more coverage about this issue from MNN here.
Eric Foley of the Voice of the Martyrs Korea works with Christians in Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea. He says even as the nation declared a three-day mourning period to honor the combatants who lost their lives during the two-year violent war that ended in November 2022, life for survivors can be difficult.
He tells of one woman who was sexually assaulted in a hospital. “She contracted AIDS. So she has to go to a clinic for HIV medication. But every time she goes, she wraps herself with a shawl so that our face is hidden [and her] identity is concealed. She hasn’t even told her daughters that she has HIV.”
https://www.mnnonline.org/news/tigray-women-struggle-to-heal-in-the-wake-of-systematic-sexual-assault/ z
Invading forces used mass sexual assault against women and girls of the region as a weapon of psychological warfare. Read more coverage about this issue from MNN here.
Eric Foley of the Voice of the Martyrs Korea works with Christians in Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea. He says even as the nation declared a three-day mourning period to honor the combatants who lost their lives during the two-year violent war that ended in November 2022, life for survivors can be difficult.
He tells of one woman who was sexually assaulted in a hospital. “She contracted AIDS. So she has to go to a clinic for HIV medication. But every time she goes, she wraps herself with a shawl so that our face is hidden [and her] identity is concealed. She hasn’t even told her daughters that she has HIV.”
https://www.mnnonline.org/news/tigray-women-struggle-to-heal-in-the-wake-of-systematic-sexual-assault/ z