#UNICEF pens deal to support #Ethiopia’s digital ID registration for children

Ethiopia's National ID Program (NIDP) is gaining traction in promoting its digital ID system through various partnership deals. The latest agreement has been made with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) country office in Ethiopia.

The UNICEF country director and the executive director of NIDP have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the registration of all residents in the country for the digital ID scheme. According to UNICEF Ethiopia's Facebook page, this partnership aims to provide a unique digital identity to vulnerable beneficiaries, including children, enabling them to access essential services.

This collaboration with UNICEF follows another recent MoU between NIDP, the Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS), and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (#UNHCR). Under this agreement, NIDP will issue the national digital ID card (Fayda) to refugees and returnees in Ethiopia, as the country currently hosts over 900,000 refugees.

https://www.biometricupdate.com/202310/unicef-pens-deal-to-support-ethiopias-digital-id-registration-for-children

#China-#Ethiopia - Chinese premier holds talks with Ethiopian PM

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday held talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who is in #Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and pay an official visit to the country.

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China will import more quality products from Ethiopia, support Chinese enterprises in investing and starting businesses in Ethiopia, and explore cooperation in green development, digital economy, artificial intelligence and other emerging fields, Li said.

China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Ethiopia within such multilateral frameworks as the #BRICS mechanism to practice multilateralism, oppose power politics and bullying, and safeguard the common interests of China and Africa as well as international equity and justice, the premier said.

https://english.news.cn/20231016/76588355788a457eb8a4bef8809e1b6f/c.html

From #ubuntu to #gacaca: traditional justice could benefit #Ethiopia’s transition

Ethiopia has a wealth of traditional dispute-resolution mechanisms that help achieve reconciliation, mend fractured relationships and preserve communal harmony. Some are inter-ethnic in nature. Even in urban settings such as Addis Ababa’s Merkato, Ethiopia’s largest market, elders use traditional values and procedures to help resolve commercial disputes.

While there is limited acknowledgement in the constitution of their potential use to resolve family and personal disputes, the criminal justice system has, in practice, disregarded these traditional mechanisms altogether. This stems from the 1950s and ’60s when European experts overseeing the codification of Ethiopian laws purportedly omitted the traditions as incongruent with the modern legal system.

https://issafrica.org/iss-today/from-ubuntu-to-gacaca-traditional-justice-could-benefit-ethiopias-transition

#ASDailyScoop: #Ethiopia, #China announces ‘all-weather strategic cooperation partnership’

Ethiopia and China have upgraded their bilateral ties to an "all-weather strategic cooperation partnership."

China's President Xi Jinping made the announcement during his meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Beijing.

The partnership aims to promote development, cooperation, and international equity.

https://addisstandard.com/asdailyscoop-ethiopia-china-announces-all-weather-strategic-cooperation-partnership/

#Ethiopia: Deadly conflict in Gurage Zone leaves four dead, dozens injured

A violent dispute over administrative disagreements between #Wolkite town and Kebena special woreda has led to four deaths and multiple injuries. The conflict began on 13 October, 2023, when two residents were assaulted, escalating into armed factions launching attacks on the outskirts of Wolkite.

Widespread looting and property damage have been reported. The #Gurage_Zone command post has acknowledged the casualties and property damage, highlighting efforts to stabilize the situation.

A curfew from 5:00 am to 7:00 am has been imposed. This follows earlier demonstrations against insufficient access to clean water, which turned tragic in February 2023.

https://addisstandard.com/news-deadly-conflict-in-gurage-zone-leaves-four-dead-dozens-injured/

#WHO urges Ethiopian gov’t, partners to collaborate in managing prolonged cholera outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged the Ethiopian government and its partners to maintain collaborative efforts in managing the long-lasting cholera outbreak in the country. The WHO's recent bulletin on outbreaks and emergencies in #Africa highlighted that #Ethiopia is currently facing one of its most prolonged cholera outbreaks on record. The outbreak began in August 2022 and has since spread to different regions, becoming a growing concern since its peak in July 2023.

According to the WHO, as of 21 September, 2023, there were 23,652 reported cholera cases and 299 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 1.3 percent. The ongoing outbreak has affected 250 districts across 10 regions in Ethiopia, with 116 districts currently reporting cholera cases.

http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2023-10/17/content_116750849.htm

News: #Ethiopia to make available draft transitional justice policy for public review in a month

The Ethiopian Ministry of Justice announced that the draft transitional justice policy will be available for public review in November 2023. A team of 14 experts, under the ministry's guidance, has recently concluded public consultations across the country.

The team is now focused on preparing a summary report of the consultations and formulating the draft national transitional justice policy.

Both the report and the draft policy will be made accessible to the public, and engagements regarding the draft policy will be held in November 2023.

https://addisstandard.com/news-ethiopia-to-make-available-draft-transitional-justice-policy-for-public-review-in-a-month/

Over 85,400 people enter #Ethiopia from conflict-hit #Sudan: #UN

The number of people arriving in Ethiopia owing to the conflict in Sudan has surpassed 85,400, according to the UN migration agency.

As of Oct. 15, more than 85,496 returnees, refugees and asylum seekers have arrived in Ethiopia through border crossing points in Metema and Kurmuk from conflict-affected Sudan, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said in its latest update issued late Monday.

Of the total number of crossings, 38,560 are Ethiopian nationals, 31,115 are Sudanese nationals, and the remaining 15,821 are third-country nationals, the IOM said.
According to the latest data from the UN migration agency, some 35,440 of the total arrivals are said to be female, while the remaining 50,056 are male.

http://www.china.org.cn/world/2023-10/18/content_116754878.htm

Video: Over the course of the last few days, major state run and party owned media outlets in #Ethiopia have upped the discussion on the need for Ethiopia’s direct access to sea outlet.

One of these broadcasts was aired on 16 October on the state owned EBC English program discussing how “the lack of direct coastal access to sea outlet stands out as a notable hindrance” for Ethiopia’s sustainable economic growth and its ambitions to become “a middle income country”, as well as develop its military, “specifically its navy force and exert influence in the region.”

The host explains efforts being undertaken under the leadership
of the incumbent to “rectify historical injustices and reclaim lost rights.”

The short program runs to a wrap with the host highlighting “the quest for an alternative sea outlet for Ethiopia becomes an unquestionable necessity, and not an option.” AS.

As Nations Mark #WorldFoodDay, Catholic Bishop In #Ethiopia Highlights Persistent Hunger

On 16 October, the globe rallied to mark the World Food Day, an annual awareness and action day against hunger and malnutrition, reminding of the importance of food security and access to nutritious food for all. It also addresses the importance of sustainable agriculture and food production.

Launched to celebrate the founding of the U.N’s food agency, the Food and Agricultural Organization, its main focus is that “no one should go to bed hungry.”
This year’s theme was “Water is Life. Water is food. Leave no one behind.”

This rings true in Tigray region in northern Ethiopia that is recovering from a deadly two years’ war. The conflict killed thousands and displaced millions into camps — making it impossible for farmers to produce food.

Bishop Tesfasellassie Medhin of Adigrat in Tigray said he wanted the world to know the situation in the region was still critical, and deaths were occurring due to serious food shortages and malnutrition.

“The situation is very bad. Many parts of the region experienced failed harvests due to drought, and food aid distribution had also stopped,” Bishop Medhin told OSV News in an interview ahead of World Food Day, observed annually.

https://www.osvnews.com/2023/10/17/as-nations-mark-world-food-day-catholic-bishop-in-ethiopia-highlights-persistent-hunger/?fbclid=IwAR1usCOlbLe_04p1vWAV78Llk53xr_qUHbhJbR-mQjd7z9r4MddB974k1e4

#Somalia Rebuffs #Ethiopia’s Bid to Gain Direct Access to Red Sea Port

*Ethiopia has called for talks with neighbors on harbor access

*Somalia to retain control of strategic assets, minister says

Somalia rejected an appeal from Ethiopia to enter into negotiations with a view to granting it access to a Red Sea port.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed last week warned that his country’s lack of access to a harbor is a potential source of future conflict and called for efforts to address the issue in order to safeguard regional stability. Ethiopia lost its direct access to the sea in 1993 when Eritrea gained independence after a three-decade war.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-17/somalia-rebuffs-ethiopia-s-bid-to-gain-access-to-red-sea

#Kenya names dozens of wanted terror suspects

The Kenyan gov has released the names and photos of 35 terror suspects believed to be behind recent militant attacks in the coastal #Lamu county.

Among them are #Tanzanians, #Somalis, a #German, a #British national, a #Bangladeshi citizen, with the majority being Kenyans.

The suspects are linked to the planting of improvised explosive devices on various roads and the killing of civilians along the Lamu-Witu-Garsen highway.

They are also linked to the attack on the American military base at Manda Bay, in Lamu, in 2020.

The Ministry of Interior said the "armed and dangerous" suspects were part of the "al-Shabab terror network responsible for planning and orchestrating deadly attacks in Lamu county and the larger Boni Enclave".

Authorities say a "substantial reward" will be offered to anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of any of the suspects.

Read more at: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1714588295793975693?s=46&t=ofAzVW8-64dDK-xsjodCGA

Viewpoint: Victims ‘left in limbo’ as #Ethiopia rights probe mandate ends

The #UN human rights experts released a shocking report on the widespread human rights violations and mass killings in Ethiopia since the #Tigray conflict began in 2020.

The commission's mandate has ended, leaving victims without justice. The report highlights war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by all parties involved.

The commission emphasized the need for ongoing investigations to uncover all relevant information and stressed the importance of the international community prioritizing human rights in Ethiopia.

https://addisstandard.com/viewpoint-victims-left-in-limbo-as-ethiopia-rights-probe-mandate-ends/

#Ethiopia: Malaria wreaking havoc in conflict hit Western Oromia, at least 45 people died in West Wollega zone

An ongoing malaria outbreak in conflict-ravaged western #Oromia has had a devastating impact on the local population, including children. According to sources, the outbreak has caused significant harm for months, but only gained attention last week when a social media relief campaign was launched.

Since January 2023, a total of 774,519 malaria cases and 180 deaths have been reported in the Oromia region. Over 70% of these cases come from the western Oromia areas of #West_Wollega and #Kellem_Wollega. The outbreak has also exacerbated existing health issues, such as malnutrition and anemia.

Health facilities in the affected areas are strained, and lack critical supplies and shelter. The ongoing conflict has destroyed medical facilities, making it challenging for people to access necessary treatment.

https://addisstandard.com/news-analysis-malaria-wreaking-havoc-in-conflict-hit-western-oromia-at-least-45-people-died-in-west-wollega-zone/

#Ethiopia: Government employees in Hadiya Zone on strike over unpaid salaries, resulting in shutdown of public services

Government employees in #East_Badawacho District of #Hadiya_Zone have been on a work stoppage for three months due to unpaid salaries, resulting in the closure of hospitals, schools, and government offices.

Workers are struggling to meet basic needs and some have resorted to manual labor for sustenance.

The ongoing wage issue has also affected education and healthcare. Efforts to address the problem have received limited response.

https://addisstandard.com/news-government-employees-in-hadiya-zone-on-strike-over-unpaid-salaries-resulting-in-shutdown-of-public-services/

Meet Fedasa Shuma, an ambitious innovator who struggled with life and unfavorable conditions to bring his ideas to life.

He worked in a bakery and put his siblings through school while sacrificing his own education.

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