#Ethiopia: Rising abductions for ransom threaten human security in conflict hit areas, #Oromia region

Over the past five years, the Oromia region has been gripped by an ongoing conflict between the Oromo Liberation Army (#OLA) and government security forces. This conflict has escalated significantly in the past two years, resulting in a high number of casualties, alleged human rights abuses, and widespread disruption to communities in Oromia. As a result of this instability, incidents of kidnappings for ransom have surged, with civilians being targeted and abducted.

One such victim, businessman Tola Tesfaye, was abducted along with his truck driver in May 2023 while traveling from Addis Abeba to Shambu in western Oromia. He was held captive for a day until a ransom of 1.3 million birr was paid for their release. Similarly, in July 2023, Tadele Lomba and his colleagues were kidnapped and endured seven days of captivity, including sexual assault and torture, until a ransom of 1.3 million birr was paid.

The violence is not only targeting ordinary residents but also public figures, like #Saden_Sodo district governor Bekele Kacha, who was abducted and tragically found dead two days later. Foreign workers, including Chinese nationals, have also fallen victim to these kidnappings. The acts of abduction have increased, affecting various individuals including construction workers, employees of state-owned enterprises, and even farmers.

https://addisstandard.com/analysis-rising-abductions-for-ransom-threaten-human-security-in-conflict-hit-areas-oromia-region/

Don't forget us, pleads Catholic bishop in war-torn #Tigray region

Catholic Bishop in #Ethiopia's war-torn Tigray region, Tesfaselassie Medhin, is urging the international community not to overlook the dire humanitarian situation in his diocese due to the ongoing three-year conflict.

In a statement, Bishop Tesfaselassie of #Adigrat expressed grave concern for the state of the world and emphasized the need for a serious transformation. While attention is currently focused on the crisis in the Middle East, he pleads for Tigray not to be forgotten. He highlighted the severe consequences of the war, including millions of children suffering from malnutrition, widespread starvation, illness, and displacement.

Despite a peace agreement signed in November 2022, blockades and limited access to vital resources persist in Tigray. Bishop Tesfaselassie emphasized that the dire situation continues with ongoing violence, displacement, political impasses, drought exacerbated by climate change, and restricted access to water and irrigation systems. He criticized the global silence and stated that the suffering population desperately needs peace, food, basic services, and justice.

https://international.la-croix.com/news/world/dont-forget-us-pleads-catholic-bishop-in-war-torn-tigray-region/18579

#EU urges #Eritrea to fully withdraw troops from Ethiopian territory, address human rights concerns

During the 78th session of the #UN General Assembly, the European Union (EU) has urged the government of Eritrea to promptly and completely withdraw any remaining troops from #Ethiopian territory, as mandated by the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission.

In a statement released yesterday, the EU highlighted the importance of conducting independent investigations into alleged violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law by armed forces against civilians. According to the statement, these investigations are essential for delivering justice to the victims of the conflict in northern Ethiopia, both within and outside the Tigray region.

https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-new-york/eu-statement-%E2%80%93-un-general-assembly-3rd-committee-interactive-dialogue-human-rights-eritrea_en

Anti-war activists convoke conference in wake of intra-Sudanese #Ethiopia talks

The Civil Front to Stop the War in #Sudan concluded its preparatory meeting and reached a preliminary agreement. They plan to hold the founding conference for the Civil Front in three weeks. The meeting, which took place in #Addis_Abeba, aimed to establish a broad civil anti-war coalition in Sudan. The African Union had previously announced that it would organize a preparatory meeting for a Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue.

The aims of the preliminary meeting were to discuss representation in the dialogue, the invited parties, agenda, structure, location, date, funding, and the role of the international community.

https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/anti-war-activists-convoke-conference-in-wake-of-intra-sudanese-ethiopia-talks

#Ethiopia, #Korea open textile research center in #Addis_Abeba

The subject of a memorandum of understanding signed back in May 2016, the park was built in the #Bole_Lemi Industry Zone in southeastern Addis Abeba.

It has laboratories, classrooms, and workshops.

With 123 million people, Ethiopia is the second most populous nation in Africa after Nigeria, and one of the fastest-growing economies in the region, the World Bank says.

The 353ha #Bole_Lemi park is a base for textile factories, as well as agricultural processing and pharmaceuticals.

Ethiopia is copying the Chinese model of using special economic zones to attract foreign investment, acquire technology and human capital, and use exports to build up foreign exchange reserves – one of the main weaknesses of the Ethiopian economy.

According to the Industrial Park Development Corporation, the body that oversees the policy, there are now 12 parks in the country with a total revenue of $1bn.

As well as a business venture, the park is expected to strengthen Ethiopia’s relations with Korea in education and culture.

Last month, South Korea began work on a similar venture in Uzbekistan. That facility will be created on the territory of the Tashkent Institute of Textile and Light Industry and will be financed by Korean development aid. https://www.globalconstructionreview.com/ethiopia-korea-open-textile-research-centre-in-addis-ababa/

News: #UN rights experts call for continued monitoring of human rights violations in #Ethiopia

The International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (#ICHREE) has called for continued international monitoring of the human rights situation in the country.

Its final report presented to the UN General Assembly outlined evidence of widespread crimes against humanity and war crimes in the #Tigray, #Amhara, and #Afar regions. The Ethiopian government was accused of evading international scrutiny, undermining victims' rights, and posing a threat to the global human rights system.

The commission emphasized the need for comprehensive services to address the deep traumas inflicted by the conflict and urged for international engagement to ensure justice, prevent further violations, and establish lasting peace.

https://addisstandard.com/news-ichree-calls-for-continued-monitoring-of-human-rights-situation-in-ethiopia/

News: #US official reveals #Ethiopia’s request for #AGOA eligibility ‘still pending’, decision unlikely at upcoming forum

“Those decisions are still pending,” Ms Hamilton told journalists from the continent, and that “there probably will not be an announcement at the time that we get to the AGOA Forum,” she said referring to the upcoming AGOA forum.

President Joe Biden signed an executive order in November 2021 removing Ethiopia from AGOA following the escalation of the war, which started a year earlier in the Tigray region, and witnessed “gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.”

The Ethiopian government condemned the decision, describing it as “misguided and failing to consider the wellbeing of ordinary citizens.” https://addisstandard.com/?p=38741

News: Rights commission engages #Tigray interim gov’t over misleading report on #IDPs status

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (#EHRC) has responded to concerns raised by the Tigray regional interim administration regarding its recent report on internally displaced persons (IDPs) in #Ethiopia.

The Tigray administration criticized the report, claiming it inaccurately stated that many displaced residents had returned home. The EHRC clarified that the report covered IDPs from other regions and pledged to engage with Tigray officials to resolve the misunderstanding.

A separate report on the human rights situation in Tigray will be released later. The EHRC reiterated its commitment to investigating and monitoring human rights despite challenges.

https://addisstandard.com/news-rights-commission-engages-tigray-interim-govt-over-concerns-related-to-recent-idp-report/

#Ethiopia: #Tigray interim leader removes top zonal officials for neglect of responsibilities, wastage of public resources

The Tigray interim administration removes six top officials for neglecting their responsibilities, resulting in the misuse of public resources.

The administration plans to address the issue with the relevant leadership and fill the vacant positions.

https://addisstandard.com/news-tigray-interim-admin-removes-top-zonal-leaders-for-neglect-of-responsibilities-wastage-of-public-resources/

#AS_Jabaa: Young, talented, passionate and creative!

Meet Poet Aboma Merga, who brings in Haiku, the Japanese poetic form that consists of three lines with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third lines into his #Afaan_Oromoo poems.

Aboma's writing style of Afaan Oromoo poetry not only brings Haiku's unique style to his works, but contributes to the growth and sophistication of Oromo literature in Quubee letters. "The three verse poem is very beautiful," Aboma told team AS Jabaa.

He also produces poems in English. His inspiration taps into #Ethiopian literary giants of yesteryear, including Laureate Tsegaye Gebremedihn and the prolific author Solomon Deressa.