#Ethiopia: Senior gov’t officials join military leaders in Dar es Salaam as ongoing talks with OLA progress positively

Positive progress has been made in the ongoing negotiations between the Ethiopian government and the Oromo Liberation Army (#OLA) in #Dar_es_Salaam, according to sources close to the mediation team. Redwan Hussein, the national security adviser to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and Gedion Timothewos, Minister of Justice, joined the talks yesterday, demonstrating confidence in both the negotiations and the mediation team.

Following days of engagement, the parties have now transitioned to addressing the substantive issues at hand. The talks, which began last week with top military leaders from both sides, were facilitated by a #US delegation led by Ambassador Mike Hammer and senior diplomats from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (#IGAD), #Kenya, and #Norway.

Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, the head of IGAD, is reportedly actively facilitating the talks. The executive secretary of IGAD expressed commitment to supporting member states in overcoming challenges. The talks aim to find a settlement to end the near five-year militarized conflict in the #Oromia regional state. While positive progress has been acknowledged, the previous dialogue held in May concluded without an agreement.

https://addisstandard.com/news-senior-govt-officials-join-military-leaders-in-dar-es-salaam-as-ongoing-talks-with-ola-progress-positively/

News Analysis: #Ethiopian #Khat exporters navigate strict pre-licensing requirements amidst call for oversight, increased revenue

In a bid to improve oversight and boost export earnings, Ethiopia has implemented new regulations for khat exporters. Exporters are now required to undergo a rigorous registration process, including entering into a mandatory agreement with the government. To ensure efficient tracking during transportation, exporters must use vehicles equipped with GPS trackers.

The Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration has introduced pre-license requirements for khat export businesses. New exporters must commit to shipping a minimum of 100 metric tons annually, while experienced exporters must provide documentation of past shipments or foreign currency earnings. However, exporters say reaching the $500,000 annual revenue target can be challenging due to economic conditions and government regulations.

The new regulations also require exporters to refrain from engaging in domestic khat business. Additionally, they must prove they are not delinquent and possess or lease a concrete warehouse of at least 100 square meters.

https://addisstandard.com/news-analysis-ethiopian-khat-exporters-navigate-strict-pre-licensing-requirements-amidst-call-for-oversight-increased-revenue/

#Ethiopia: Security guard kills four prisoners attempting to escape in #Tigray region

In a recent incident of prison unrest in the capital city of #Mekelle, Tigray, a security guard killed four prisoners out of a group of 125 who attempted to escape from the prison, state-owned Tigray Television reported.

According to Commander Amanuel Fissha, the city prison coordinator, on 11 October, 2023, the prisoners disregarded the law and made a violent attempt to flee, attacking 20 police guardians during a shift change. Consequently, 125 inmates were arrested, with four of them losing their lives in the process. The prisoners took advantage of the pandemonium to seize 12 knives and several mobile phones from the prison's food workers.

Read more at: https://twitter.com/addisstandard/status/1724061809835970732

#Ethiopia: Parliament to hold regular meeting with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addressing queries

The House of Peoples’ representatives is scheduled to convene its 4th regular meeting of the 3rd year of office tomorrow, in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Abiy is expected to elucidate and respond to inquiries raised by members of parliament concerning the inaugural address of the federal government's annual plan, delivered by President Sahle-Work Zewde on 28 September, 2023.

#NewsAlert: OLA issues first statement confirming ongoing "high-level peace talks" in #Tanzania

#Ethiopia: In the first official statement issued today since news of a second round peace talks between the Ethiopian government and the leadership of the #Oromo Liberation Army (#OLA) broke last week, the later has confirmed the presence of the talks, and that the delegation is "headed by the Commander in Chief, Jaal Marroo Dirribaa and his deputy Jaal Gammachuu Abboyyee,"; it confirmed the delegation "has arrived in Tanzania for high-level peace talks."

Addis Standard reported last week that Kumsa Diriba, a.k.a. Jaal Marroo, OLA Commander (pictured left), flew to Tanzania and was shortly joined by his deputy and OLA’s Southern Command Chief Gemechu Regassa a.k.a Jaal Gammachuu Abboyyee.

Read more at: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1724085232498839655?s=20

#Ethiopia: Malaria epidemic grips #Amhara region with 82.5% of districts affected

The Amhara Health Bureau revealed yesterday that a significant 82.5% of districts in the region are grappling with the rapid spread of malaria. In response, officials from the bureau joined forces with malaria prevention and control experts in #Bahir_Dar to strategize effective measures against the epidemic.

During the discussion, Meleseaw Chanyalew, Director at the bureau, highlighted the significant impact of malaria on the community in most areas of the region, leading to a high number of illnesses and fatalities. Health experts further revealed that due to security concerns, many health facilities remain closed, while the ones in operation face shortages of medicine and malaria test kits.

Read more at: https://twitter.com/addisstandard/status/1724316980126068794

Conflict, climatic shocks drive humanitarian needs in #Ethiopia: UNHCR

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (#UNHCR) has highlighted conflict and climatic shocks as the main catalysts behind humanitarian needs in Ethiopia, according to a recent report. In the past 10 months, the agency stated that insecurity, intercommunal conflict, and climatic shocks have continued to drive the pressing needs in the East African country.

The outbreak of conflicts in the #Amhara region has notably impacted access to essential aid for displaced and returning communities. Economic barriers, such as soaring prices and reduced purchasing power, have also prevented displacement-affected populations from obtaining necessary items and shelters.

https://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/ethiopia-emergency-shelter-and-nfi-cluster-monthly-response-monitoring-dashboard-31-october-2023

#Ethiopia: PM Abiy Ahmed is responding to several questions raised from law makers at the ongoing 3rd year 4th regular session of the House of People’s Representatives (HoPR).

MP Bartema candidly said that Ethiopians elected the current government with a dose of "trust and love" to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed due in large part to his promises to transition the country, among others, by curbing joblessness, tackling the rising cost of living, strengthening democratic institution building processes and curbing extreme nationalism to foster the culture democratic pluralism all aimed at improving the lives of Ethiopians.

MP Bartema goes on saying that despite promises of peace after the Pretoria agreement to end the war in Tigray, other conflicts are exacerbated in the country and even the Pretoria agreement itself is not delivering as expected.

Read more at: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1724336364286574816?s=46&t=ofAzVW8-64dDK-xsjodCGA

#Ethiopia: Fresh armed attack in #Bure, #Amhara region killed many, displaced thousands – residents

Residents in Bure District of the Amhara region report an organized attack by the Fano militia group in #Bako_Chabo and #Sontom_Mariam villages. The attack, which began on 8 November, has resulted in the deaths of at least 25 people, with some sources suggesting a death toll as high as 40. Many have been displaced, with over 3,000 individuals seeking refuge in the neighboring #Horro_Guduru_Wollega Zone of the #Oromia region.

According to witnesses, the Fano groups, stationed in #Haro village of the #Kiramu district and Bure district, coordinated in carrying out the assault. The attack specifically targeted ethnic Oromo residents who refused to cooperate with the militia group. Some victims reportedly drowned in River Abay while attempting to escape to Oromia.

Local officials have expressed concern about the growing number of displaced individuals, currently estimated at nearly 2,900, seeking assistance in the Horro Guduru Wollega Zone. This influx poses challenges for the district's capacity to provide essential supplies.

https://addisstandard.com/news-fresh-armed-attack-in-bure-amhara-region-killed-many-displaced-thousands-residents/

#Ethiopia fails to attract any bids for a third wireless license, sources say, amid concerns about #conflict in parts of the nation

Ethiopia failed to attract any bids for a third wireless license, according to people with knowledge of the matter, amid concerns about conflict in parts of the Horn of Africa nation.

The process to sell a permit is likely to be put on hold, said the people who asked not to be identified because the information isn’t public yet. Ethiopia sold its first license to a group led by Kenya’s Safaricom Plc in 2021, and subsequently rejected MTN Group Ltd.’s $600-million bid for a second permit.

Ethiopia’s plan to lure investors is being stymied by concerns about instability in several regions of the most-populated nation in Africa after Nigeria, a year after it emerged from a civil war.

Despite a cease-fire deal between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, a United Nations panel last month said the nation faces a high risk of further atrocities because of instability in several regions. https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-14/ethiopia-fails-to-attract-any-bids-for-third-telecom-license?utm_source=website&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=twitter

#Ethiopia: PM Abiy Ahmed urges armed groups to lay down weapons, pursue peaceful struggle amid surging impact of conflicts

During the parlaimentary session held this morning, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addressed conflicts in Ethiopia, stating that they are causing loss of life and destruction in various parts of the country, particularly in the #Oromia and #Amhara regions. He expressed that these conflicts are hindering the progress of the nation.

The Prime Minister responded to inquiries regarding peace, security, the cost of living, and corruption. He emphasized that the government's intention has always been peace and clarified that no war or conflict initiated by the government has occurred within the past five years. Instead, the government has been focused on defending itself against groups attempting to forcibly overthrow it.

The Prime Minister called on these armed groups to choose peace and negotiation as a means to achieve their political goals. His remarks came following the ongoing talks with the Oromo Liberation Army (#OLA) to bring an end to the conflict that has caused significant destruction and loss of life in the Oromia region. Addis Standard recently reported that progress has been made in these talks, and substantive issues are now being addressed.

https://addisstandard.com/news-pm-abiy-ahmed-urges-armed-groups-to-lay-down-weapons-pursue-peaceful-struggle-amid-surging-impact-of-conflicts/

News: #Ethiopia’s quest for sea outlet, own port neither new nor a threat to neighboring countries: PM Abiy

“What I want countries in the Horn of Africa, the world in the east and west alike and all others to understand in good faith is our genuine interest and our problems,” the Prime Minister said and went on reasoning Ethiopia’s quest to access sea outlet and own a port in the #Red_See coast, a topic that has gripped many and caused a stir ever since he first made public comments about it.

Criticizing those who say the agenda is new, the PM quipped saying: “I think they were absent when we built a #Navy or did not have YouTubes; when we built a Navy, it is clear that there is no other agenda, we meant we need a sea; the agenda is clear,” he said, referring Ethiopia’s less talked about preparations of a Naval force, and adding that it was not correct to misrepresent the agenda as something new.

Dismissing speculations of impending conflict in the Horn of Africa, the PM said “Ethiopia has no interest to shot a single bullet towards #Eritrea, #Somalia, #Djibouti, #Kenya or any other country in its neighborhood; nor do we have any question on the sovereignty of any country.” https://addisstandard.com/?p=39252