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

#Ethiopia agrees debt-service suspension with official creditors

Ethiopia has reached an agreement in principle with its official bilateral creditors on an interim debt-service suspension on its official bilateral debt, its finance ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

Ethiopia requested the debt-service suspension while carrying out program discussions with the International Monetary Fund (#IMF) and seeking to conclude debt restructuring negotiations with official bilateral creditors under the G20's Common Framework, the finance ministry added.

"Ethiopia is currently holding discussions with the IMF with the objective of reaching an agreement on a set of policies and reforms that could underpin the adoption by the IMF Executive Board of a new program for Ethiopia," it said.

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopia-agrees-debt-service-suspension-with-official-creditors-2023-11-15/

News: #USAID to resume vital food assistance in #Ethiopia following reforms to prevent aid diversion

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has just announced that it will resume vital food assistance in Ethiopia next month. This decision comes after significant reforms were implemented by the Ethiopian government and humanitarian partners.

Six months ago, USAID had to suspend all food aid due to evidence of widespread diversion, which was depriving vulnerable communities in #Tigray of much-needed relief. Additionally, the World Food Program (#WFP) also halted humanitarian assistance in May 2023 due to alleged reports of aid diversion.

A thorough investigation carried out by USAID's Inspector General exposed the diversion and sale of food supplies that were meant for famine-affected populations in Tigray. Consequently, all assistance to the region was stopped until rigorous oversight mechanisms could be established.

https://addisstandard.com/news-usaid-to-resume-vital-food-assistance-in-ethiopia-following-reforms-to-prevent-aid-diversion/

#Rwanda asylum plan unlawful, #UK Supreme Court

The British Government's plan to deport migrants to Rwanda is unlawful, the Supreme Court has ruled.
The plan is designed to deter people crossing in small boats across the Channel.

Once in Rwanda, people could claim asylum there, return home, or seek asylum in a third country - not the UK.

But since being announced, the plan has been thwarted by legal challenges - the High Court ruled it lawful, before the Court of Appeal overturned the decision

The Supreme Court has now confirmed the Court of Appeal's decision. https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-67418363?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=65549a931ec331355f9630ef%26Government%27s%20Rwanda%20plan%20ruled%20unlawful%262023-11-15T10%3A17%3A35.392Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:04a5a8e5-58c7-471a-880c-26fdc032d66c&pinned_post_asset_id=65549a931ec331355f9630ef&pinned_post_type=share

#Ethiopia: Death toll from malaria outbreak in Western #Oromia “significantly higher” – OPA

The Oromia Physicians Association (#OPA) is sending doctors to provide emergency healthcare services in #Western_Oromia, where there is a severe malaria outbreak. The situation in the #West_Wollega and #Kellem_Wollega zones is worse than previously reported, with over 156,599 and 92,376 confirmed cases of malaria in the past three months respectively.

The OPA believes that the numbers reported underestimate the true extent of the outbreak and its impact on communities due to damaged or non-functional health facilities. The association has received support from stakeholders, including the diaspora, to procure medical supplies for affected areas.

According to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (#OCHA), a total of 774,519 malaria cases with 180 deaths have been reported in Oromia since January 2023, with the majority of cases coming from Western Oromia, particularly the West Wollega and Kellem Wollega zones.

https://addisstandard.com/news-death-toll-from-malaria-outbreak-in-western-oromia-significantly-higher-opa/

#Ethiopia: Glass half-full or half-empty? Exploring the #Pretoria Peace Agreement’s achievements, failures

The #Tigray war ended a year ago after lasting for two tumultuous years, resulting in over half a million lives lost. The cessation of hostilities took place in Pretoria, #South_Africa, with the signing of a peace agreement by the federal government and Tigray forces. Although the accord received acclaim for bringing relief and hope, the implementation of critical elements has been delayed. Intellectuals and analysts from the Tigray region are reflecting on their initial expectations, successes achieved so far, and the challenges ahead.

Expectations included immediate humanitarian access and the return of displaced people, withdrawal of forces, and peaceful reintegration of ex-fighters. Progress has fallen short, but there have been modest achievements like partial resumption of schooling and basic health services. Observers say the major achievement of the agreement has been the cessation of hostilities, shifting the focus from war to peaceful dialogue.

However, there are shortcomings. Unrestricted access to aid and medicine has not been ensured, impacting the population. Displaced individuals have not been able to return home as anticipated. Concerns remain over ongoing violence and repression by occupying forces.

https://addisstandard.com/glass-half-full-or-half-empty-exploring-the-pretoria-peace-agreements-achievements-failures/

#Ethiopia: Conflict in #Amhara region disrupts delivery of food aid, transportation of fertilizers

The ongoing conflict in Amhara region is causing road closures, severely hampering the delivery of food aid to drought-affected communities in the #Waghimra zone. The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (#ERCS) disclosed that a truck carrying essential supplies, dispatched two weeks ago, remains stranded in #Bahir_Dar city due to the fighting.

This has prevented access to the intended destinations, hindering the delivery of vital assistance. The ERCS communication director for humanitarian diplomacy, Mesfin Dereje, highlighted past instances where conflict led to road closures and hindered aid access in the region.

In addition, the conflict has disrupted the transportation of soil fertilizer, crucial for farming, as extremist forces have been looting supplies. The Amhara Bureau of Agriculture has appealed for community cooperation to ensure timely provision of inputs necessary for farmers.

https://addisstandard.com/news-conflict-in-amhara-region-disrupts-delivery-of-food-aid-transportation-of-fertilizers/