#Ethiopia: Rights commission reveals disturbing sexual violence in #Amhara conflict, more than 200 cases of rape exposed

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (#EHRC) has released a troubling report revealing widespread sexual violence and human rights violations in the Amhara region. Since July 2021, over 200 cases of rape have been registered at health facilities, involving displaced women and health workers.

The report also highlights civilian deaths and various human rights abuses throughout the ongoing conflict in Amhara. The EHRC calls for an immediate end to these deplorable violations by all parties involved. The conflict, which began in July 2023, has resulted in civilian casualties caused by heavy artillery and aerial bombings across the region. Control over cities and towns in Amhara has continuously shifted between government forces and the non-state militia known as Fano.

The report also highlights the displacement of thousands of residents, inadequate humanitarian assistance, extrajudicial killings by government security forces, and damage to civilian property and infrastructure. The EHRC emphasizes the need for accountability, protection of civilians, and timely humanitarian assistance.

https://addisstandard.com/news-rights-commission-reveals-disturbing-sexual-violence-in-amhara-conflict-more-than-200-cases-of-rape-exposed/

'War Brings Only Horror and...': WHO chief recalls painful childhood amid Israel-Hamas war

The World Health Organization (#WHO) Chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, made a heartfelt plea for peace and unity as he recalled his own painful experiences of war during his upbringing in #Ethiopia. In light of the ongoing conflict between #Israel and #Hamas, the WHO has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to ensure the safe delivery of vital aid, including food and medical supplies, into the #Gaza_Strip.

Tedros emphasized on X, formerly Twitter, the devastating consequences of war, stating that it only brings destruction and horror. He expressed deep empathy for those affected by the conflict and urged global leaders to rise above divisions and unite for peace. Israel has heavily bombarded Gaza since the Hamas attack on 7 October, resulting in the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians, including many children.

Having experienced war as a child himself, Tedros shared his hope that peace will prevail and prevent anyone else from experiencing the horrors of conflict.

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/10/30/WHO-chief-recalls-own-war-child-past-in-Ethiopia-in-peace-plea

#Kenya to abolish visa requirements for all #Africans - Ruto


This was annoucned by President William Ruto on Saturday while making a keynote address at the Three Basins Climate Change Conference in Brazzaville, Congo 
"By the end of this year, no African will need a visa to enter Kenya.

The time has come to understand the importance of doing trade between us," he said.

President Ruto stated that the low rate of intra-African trade and urged to reduce customs tariffs within the African continent to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

"It is time we realize the importance of trading among ourselves and allowing goods, services, people and ideas to move freely across the continent," he explained.

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2023-10-29-kenya-to-abolish-visa-requirements-for-all-africans-ruto/

#US Ambassador to #Ethiopia meets with Ethiopian defense force chief to discuss partnership, internal security

On Monday, the US Embassy in #Addis_Abeba announced that Ervin Massinga, the United States Ambassador to Ethiopia, had a meeting with Field Marshal Berhanu Jula, the Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian Defense Force, in the Ethiopian capital. The discussion centered on the partnership between the two countries, the internal security crisis in Ethiopia, and the significance of the political process in addressing internal security challenges.

In a tweet, the embassy stated that "Today, United States Ambassador to Ethiopia Ervin Massinga and Ethiopian National Defense Force Chief of Staff, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, discussed how to strengthen their continued partnership and the importance of political processes and dialogue to address Ethiopia's internal security challenges."

https://twitter.com/USEmbassyAddis/status/1718944058775581049

#Amhara revenue bureau falls short of target, collects only 34% of projected revenue in first quarter

The ambitious plan of the Amhara Revenue Bureau to collect 71.6 billion birr during the current Ethiopian fiscal year has encountered a significant setback. Official reports indicate that the Bureau has fallen considerably short of its target for the first quarter, managing to collect a mere 6.3 billion birr, which accounts for only 34% of the projected revenue.

This figure also reflects a decline of 2.1 billion birr compared to the same period in the previous year. The underperformance raises concerns about the Bureau's ability to achieve its fiscal goals. The head of the bureau, Fikremariam Dejene, attributes the decline in revenue to the ongoing regional instability, which has hindered economic activities.

https://www.facebook.com/AmharaCommunications/posts/pfbid08VnxvUdQ9TEukK3tDUzxf2EQGeprrjP7r663dGguuuVuJbQ988DpqAY5HgV76rGzl

#Somalia welcomes first foreign bank branch in over half-century

A leading #Turkish bank, #Ziraat_Katilim, has opened a branch in Mogadishu, becoming the first foreign bank to operate in Somalia in over a half-century, officials said.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Sunday in Mogadishu, where officials hailed the inauguration as a “historic moment.”

“This marks more than 50 years [since] the first international bank that comes to the country,” the governor of Somalia's central bank, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, told VOA Somali in an interview.

All foreign banks closed down in 1970 when the Somali government nationalized the banking system.

“We welcome the investment and the establishment of Ziraat Bank,” Abdullahi said. “It will boost our financial sector, it will create jobs, it will attract or facilitate investment.” https://www.voanews.com/a/somalia-welcomes-first-foreign-bank-branch-in-over-half-century-/7333169.html

#Ethiopia: Drought, conflict lead to high school dropout rates in #Amhara region

Education officials in the Amhara region report a significant drop in student attendance due to the persistent drought. Over 1,600 students have been forced to drop out in the drought-stricken #Sehala district of the #Wagihimra zone, adding to the already staggering figure of three million students unable to register.

The ongoing conflict and lack of rain have devastated the region, depleting water resources and impacting crop and livestock production. Families have migrated, causing a severe lack of educational materials and high dropout rates. Schools are struggling to operate in harsh conditions.

Urgent assistance is needed to provide educational materials and support programs for displaced students and families. Additionally, hunger-related deaths have been registered, emphasizing the dire situation.

https://addisstandard.com/news-drought-conflict-lead-to-high-school-dropout-rates-in-amhara-region/

World heritage site listing for Ethiopian park leads to eviction of farming community

Bale Mountains National Park in #Ethiopia has been designated as a #UNESCO World Heritage site, but this comes with a cost. Park officials have announced that more than 20,000 people living inside the park will be evicted. The park is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, but illegal human settlements have been on the rise, posing a threat to natural resources and the habitat of rare species.

The planned relocation has received mixed reactions from the community, with some opposing it due to attachment to the land and concerns about their livelihoods, while others are requesting fair compensation.

The relocation strategy is still in its early stages and has not been officially shared with the communities. UNESCO and Ethiopian officials emphasize the importance of consulting the locals and supporting their livelihoods.

https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/world-heritage-site-listing-for-ethiopian-park-leads-to-eviction-of-farming-community/#:~:text=On%20Sept.%2018%2C%20Bale%20Mountains,residents%20living%20in%20the%20park.

News: Amnesty International exposes Facebook’s role in human rights abuses in #Ethiopia

#Amnesty_International has implicated #Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of #Facebook, in exacerbating human rights abuses during the armed conflict in northern Ethiopia. A report by Amnesty reveals that Meta's algorithmic systems and business practices may have contributed to violence against people from #Tigray.

The investigation shows that Facebook's algorithms and business models amplified dehumanizing and ethnically targeted content. The report highlights specific cases, including the killing of university professor #Meareg_Amare.

Amnesty is calling for urgent reforms and regulation of big tech companies to protect human rights and ensure accountability. The report also features the case of #Freweyni_Hetsay, who lost family members due to hate speech on social media.

https://addisstandard.com/news-amnesty-international-exposes-facebooks-role-in-human-rights-abuses-in-ethiopia/

#KEFI on track as conditions improve in #Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia

KEFI Gold and Copper PLC said it is on track to have all three of its projects up and running by 2026. The first project, #Tulu_Kapi in Ethiopia, is set to begin operations in 2025, followed by Jibal Qutman and Hawiah in #Saudi_Arabia in 2026.

According to Harry Adams, KEFI's CEO, the mining industry conditions in both countries are improving, leading the company to increase its exploration efforts. KEFI is currently finalizing the details for a $320 million financing package, which will pave the way for construction to begin later this year.

Adams expressed his satisfaction with the progress made during the third quarter, stating that the team has been diligently working on meeting the necessary requirements for the launch of the Tulu Kapi project in Ethiopia, as well as developing plans for the Jibal Qutman and Hawiah projects in Saudi Arabia.

https://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/1031471/kefi-on-track-as-conditions-improve-in-ethiopia-and-saudi-arabia-1031471.html

#Ethiopia: A year after #Pretoria peace agreement, challenges persist in rehabilitation of #Tigray’s ex-fighters

One year after the signing of the #Pretoria_Peace_Agreement, progress on the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (#DDR) program in Ethiopia's Tigray region has been slow. While over 50,000 former combatants have been demobilized, thousands are still awaiting their certificates, including disabled fighters.

Addis Standard recently visited military camps in #Mekelle and highlighted the deficiencies in medical treatment, hygiene conditions, and the food system. Freweyni Abrha, a disabled ex-fighter, shared her experiences of inadequate medical attention and the need for psychotherapy to heal her inner wounds.

At the federal level, the National Rehabilitation Commission (#NRC) has identified ten camps in the Tigray region to facilitate the rehabilitation program for ex-combatants. However, the program has been delayed due to a lack of sufficient resources. The commission estimates that $800 million is needed for the program, with 85% of the funding being covered by international organizations like the #World_Bank and the remaining portion by the federal government.

https://addisstandard.com/feature-a-year-after-pretoria-peace-agreement-challenges-persist-in-rehabilitation-of-tigrays-ex-fighters/

#US to remove #Uganda and three other #African countries from #Agoa trade deal

US President Joe Biden has revealed plans to expel #Uganda, #Gabon, #Niger and the Central African Republic (#CAR) from a special US-Africa trade program.

The countries were either involved in "gross violations" of human rights or not making progress towards democratic rule, the president said. The US introduced the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) in 2000.

It gives eligible sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the US for more than 1,800 products.

"Despite intensive engagement between the United States and the Central African Republic, Gabon, Niger, and Uganda, these countries have failed to address United States concerns about their non-compliance with the Agoa eligibility criteria," President Biden said on Monday, in a letter addressed to the speaker of the US House of Representatives.

The four countries are yet to react to the announcement, which comes just before South Africa is due to host the 20th Agoa forum from Thursday this week. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67236251

Over 5 million people impacted by drought in #Amhara, #Tigray regions, UN report shows

According to the latest report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over five million people are facing severe drought-like conditions in the Amhara and Tigray regions. The report reveals that approximately 3.5 million individuals are affected by these conditions in Amhara region, which are caused by crop failure, exacerbated food insecurity, a lack of agricultural resources, disease outbreaks, pest infestations, and farming disruptions caused by ongoing conflicts.

Despite the hope that the Meher harvest, expected between October 2023 and January 2024, will bring some relief in terms of food availability and access in parts of Tigray, it is anticipated that the production will still be below average, leading to early depletion of available food stocks.

https://reports.unocha.org/en/country/ethiopia

#Ethiopia: #IDPs in Western #Oromia suffer from lack of aid, forced returns amid volatile security

For years, internally displaced people (IDPs) in Western Oromia, particularly in the #East_Wollega, #West_Wollega, #Kellem_Wollega, and #Horo_Guduru_Wollega zones, have been enduring dire conditions. However, relief operations are constrained due to security threats, exacerbating the crisis.

The majority of IDPs were uprooted from their villages due to the ongoing conflict between the Oromo Liberation Army (#OLA) and government forces, as well as recurrent attacks by the non-state armed militia called #Fano. Districts bordering the #Amhara region have been the epicenters of these displacements. According to recent assessments, there are an estimated 1.4 million IDPs residing in 141 camps spread over 11 zones and 96 districts in the Oromia region. Out of these, 753,674 displaced persons are in the four zones of Western Oromia alone.

One such heartbreaking story is that of Halima Ahmed, 29, who has been displaced twice within six years. In 2017, she was expelled from the Somali region due to political unrest and conflicts. After seeking refuge in Western Oromia, she managed to rebuild her life through farming. However, a cross-border attack in September 2022 uprooted her once again, causing trauma and leaving her and her two children homeless.

https://addisstandard.com/in-depth-idps-in-western-oromia-suffer-from-lack-of-aid-forced-returns-amid-volatile-security/