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An independent Ethiopia based online media focusing on current affairs. Original content+daily gist of media monitoring
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#Ethiopia - #Saudi_Arabia: A delegation led by Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, together with leaders of businesses and companies working in logistics, visited the Ethiopian #Modjo Dry Port and Terminal and Indode #Ethio-#Djibouti Railway Station today.

The high level delegation arrived in Addis Abeba on Monday night.

During the visit to Modjo Dry Port and Terminal, Ethiopia's largest, the Saudi delegation was accompanied by Dr. Alemu Sime, Ethiopia's Minister of Transport and Logistics, and his deputy, State Minister Ber'o Hassan.

The two sides discussed increasing cooperation in transport and logistics areas. Others present during the visit include senior officials of the Ethiopian #Maritime Authority and Ethio-Djibouti Railway office.

It is to be recalled that on 10 of November, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman where he secured an agreement for debt restructuring. AS
#Ethiopia: Drought induced hunger claims dozens of lives, left millions at risk in #Tigray and #Amhara regions

Tragic consequences have unfolded in #Tanqua_Abergele, Tigray, where a relentless drought has led to hunger and despair. Reports reveal at least 46 individuals have succumbed to starvation, with 90,000 people caught in distress without lifesaving assistance.

The drought has decimated crops, putting over 90,000 people at risk without humanitarian aid. The impact extends beyond Tanqua Abergele, affecting 20% of Tigray's farmland, compounding the region's existing challenges due to conflict.

Neighboring Amhara region is also affected, with 40 reported deaths related to hunger. Water scarcity and lack of medicine have led to livestock fatalities. The ongoing drought has affected 1.8 million people in Amhara, adding to the loss of animals.

https://addisstandard.com/drought-induced-hunger-claims-dozens-of-lives-left-millions-at-risk-in-tigray-and-amhara-regions/
#Ethiopia Secures Over $350 Million for National #Digital_ID Program

Ethiopia's Fayda digital ID initiative has obtained over $350 million in supplementary donor funds, a #World_Bank planning document reveals. The biometrics-based national ID system will utilize the contributions across key components, augmenting domestic investment.

Allocations include $16 million from the World Bank's International Development Association plus $5 million more to cultivate institutional capacity and public trust. Further funds target technical infrastructure, inclusive enrollment of citizens, upgraded service delivery, and administrative needs.

By 2025, Ethiopia aims to issue digital IDs to all residents, with around 70 m projected to be registered thus far. Potential adoption barriers involve low awareness of the technologies used. Over 100 staff and numerous partner officers will support rollout.

https://www.biometricupdate.com/202311/world-bank-document-reveals-350m-in-donor-funding-for-ethiopias-national-digital-id
#NewsAlert: Gov’t, #OLA second round talks in Tanzania end without agreement, again

After two weeks of talks that began with promises of ending the five-year militarized conflict in #Oromia region between government forces and forces of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), the talks have formally ended without agreement for the second time.

The federal government made the official announcement late tonight that the talks that were taking palace in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania ended without agreement. It came after days of on and off reports of stalemate over key substantive issues in the peace talks, which kicked off in off with senior military officials of the two sides. https://addisstandard.com/?p=39494

Developing story….
#Ethiopia - Updated News: Gov’t, #OLA second round talks in #Tanzania end without agreement, again

According to well placed diplomatic sources who spoke to
#Addis_Standard today, the two sides failed to pass a stalemate that intensified since yesterday “over matters of significance.”

The OLF side tabled proposals to negotiate “a substantial shift in governance”, including demands for arrangements of “inclusive governance and embrace of all political parties in Oromia”, whereas the government’s side focused on arrangements with OLA alone, similar in substance to the #Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed between the government and the TPLF in November last year, the sources further said. https://addisstandard.com/?p=39494
Updated: “A historical opportunity to take a leap in the right direction has been lost because of Ethiopian government [failure] to course correct": #OLA

https://addisstandard.com/newsalert-govt-ola-second-talks-in-tanzania-end-without-agreement-again/

The OLA in its part confirmed that the talks have collapsed and blamed “the Ethiopian government was only interested in co-optation of the leadership of the OLA rather than beginning to address the fundamental problems that underlie the county’s seemingly insurmountable security and political challenges.”

In a statement it just released, the group further said “the OLF-OLA involved its highest leadership in this round of the talks. To pave the path for addressing the main demands of our people, the OLF-OLA tabled a series of inclusive proposals from Zanzibar to Dares Salaam to negotiate a space for a meaningful change in the governance of the Oromia region.”
#Ethiopia: #IGAD chief appeals to gov’t, #OLA to uphold commitment to peace process; optimistic both parties will initiate new round of talks

The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, appealed “to all involved parties to uphold their commitment to the peace process in the best interest of the people of Ethiopia.”

Dr Workneh made the appeal in a statement issued after the news that the second round peace talks between the Ethiopian government and Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) ended Tuesday night without agreement.

IGAD played a key role in facilitating the peace talks that were taking place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Read more at: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1727201520989479206?s=46&t=ofAzVW8-64dDK-xsjodCGA
#Gaza truce agreed; #Palestinian prisoners to be freed

#Israel and #Hamas agree on #Qatar-mediated deal for a four-day truce in Gaza and release of 50 captives held in the enclave. About 150 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli jails to be freed as part of the deal.

PM Netanyahu says agreement does not mean war will stop, vows Israeli military will press on after the pause in fighting.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has commended the efforts of Qatar and #Egypt in helping secure the pause in fighting, while renewing calls for a “comprehensive cessation of the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people”.

More than 14,100 people killed in Gaza since 7 October. In Israel, the official death toll from Hamas’s attacks stands at about 1,200.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/11/22/israel-hamas-war-live-israeli-government-to-vote-on-gaza-truce-deal
#Ethiopia-#France: Delegation of French companies to arrive in Ethiopia

Twenty French companies will begin pre-investment screening visits to Ethiopia today. 

The world’s most populous landlocked country has long enjoyed an economic partnership with France. Between 1996-2020 French companies invested USD 84 million there, creating over 4000 jobs. Today’s visits follow those from French Chamber of Commerce officials in June. 

Ethiopia consistently posts strong economic growth rates and boasts a young population eager to work. The country, however, is sliding towards authoritarianism and shifting away from the West. This visit from French CEO’s directly follows Ethiopia’s formal acceptance into the BRICS. 

The BRICS now contain 46% of world population. The group increasingly alters trading patterns and threatens Western-led geopolitical order. 

https://www.foreignbrief.com/delegation-of-french-companies-to-arrive-in-ethiopia/
#Kenya partners with #UNDP and #World_Bank to attract $10bn in #FDI

“To unlock FDI and position Kenya as a competitive investment destination, the National Investment Council, through its Secretariat, the Kenya Investment Authority, has developed an Investment Facilitation Framework to create a transparent, predictable, efficient and trusted mechanism,” Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary of Investment, Trade and Industry, said.

Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic, the government in Nairobi has struggled to attract business people from abroad, with FDI inflows going down from $1.1bn in 2019 to just $463m in 2021 before making a shy comeback in 2022 ($759m).

In June 2023, the country’s President William Ruto signed the 2023 Finance Act, which includes a series of tax and regulatory changes aimed at improving the FDI climate. According to the US Department of State, however, US businesses in Kenya continue to face bureaucratic processes and delays in accessing business licenses that allow them to operate in the country. https://www.investmentmonitor.ai/news/kenya-partners-with-undp-world-bank-to-attract-ten-billion-dollars-in-fdi/?cf-view&Top-Article-Share-Button-clicked:%20Share%20on%20X
#Ethiopia: Municipality to outsource services of 46 government institutions

Following a recent decision made by the #Addis_Abeba City Cabinet, the city administration has announced its intention to delegate the services of 46 government institutions to a third party. This includes the issuing, registering, and renewing of business licenses.

Hikma Keyredin, head of the Civil Service and Human Resource Development Bureau, confirmed this decision to the BBC and disclosed that five offices and hospitals under the city administration will be outsourcing some of their services to private institutions. These include trade, transportation, housing development, and management bureaus, as well as the Construction Licensing and Inspection Authority and the Motor Vehicle Licensing and Inspection Authority. Yekatit 12 and Ras Desta Damtew Memorial hospitals are also set to outsource certain services.

Read more at: https://twitter.com/addisstandard/status/1727245494429053290
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#Innovation: #Raxio launches new flagship data center in #Ethiopia

“The launch of our flagship facility in #Addis_Abeba represents a major milestone in our journey at Raxio, and for our country,” said Bewket Taffere, general manager of Raxio Data Center in Ethiopia.

***
The facility offers secure colocation space for up to 800 racks delivering up to 3MW of IT power, providing a robust, fully redundant environment for housing mission-critical IT infrastructure with 24/7 availability.

“The launch of a new facility is always culmination of a long and, at times arduous, journey – a journey of dedication, hard work and bringing all our collective expertise at Raxio to bear,” added Robert Mullins, CEO of Raxio Group.

“We are extremely proud to deliver such unique, first-of-its kind vital infrastructure to Ethiopia and are convinced that it will support Ethiopia’s ambitious goals...” https://www.capacitymedia.com/article/2chemq7xk56t732afpon4/news/raxio-launches-new-flagship-data-centre-in-ethiopia
#Ethiopia: Three institutions sign agreement to publish first ever officially authorized legal dictionary in #Afaan_Oromoo

The Federal Justice and Law Institute, Addis Abeba University and Justice for All Ethiopia signed an agreement today that will enable them prepare the first ever officially authorized legal dictionary in Afaan Oromoo, state media reported.

The Afaan Oromoo legal dictionary will be prepared at a cost of 10 million birr and is expected to be completed within the next three years, organizers said.

Ambassador Degife Bula, Director General of the Federal Justice and Law Institute, said the Afaan Oromoo legal dictionary was necessitated to avoid misrepresentation of legal words and phrases that occur during the interpretation and understanding of the terms among experts in the field of justice.

Read more at: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1727295112852418914?s=20
#Ethiopia: Tourism industry, local economy faces major setback with the destruction of #Aksum Airport during the #Tigray war

The Aksum Airport, once a vital hub for tourists, has been reduced to ruins due to the devastating Tigray war, causing distress among locals and impacting the tourism sector. The closure and destruction of the airport have left the city's residents without a crucial link to the outside world, leading to economic crises for individuals and businesses.

The absence of tourists has affected the livelihoods of many, including those selling souvenirs, providing taxi services, and working at hotels and restaurants. The war has also caused damage to infrastructure and services, including telecom and internet connectivity. Stakeholders have voiced concerns about the airport's future and the need for government intervention to revive the tourism industry.

The absence of reliable transportation services has hindered the flow of both local and international tourists to the historic town of Tigray. The impact of the airport's non-operational state has led to social, economic, and psychological problems among residents. The restoration of the airport and tourism industry is crucial for the city to thrive once again.

https://addisstandard.com/in-depth-analysis-tourism-industry-local-economy-faces-major-setback-with-the-destruction-of-aksum-airport-during-the-tigray-war/
#Ethiopia: Four civilians killed in clashes between government forces and #OLA in Sulula Fincha district of #Oromia region

Four civilians tragically lost their lives during clashes between government forces and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) in the #Sulula_Fincha district.

A senior manager and employee of Fincha Sugar Factory, located in the conflict area, confirmed the civilian casualties. However, they say normalcy is gradually returning in the area.

The conflict erupted during negotiations aimed at ending the five-year militarized conflict in the Oromia region. Despite hopes for peace, talks have failed for the second time. The federal government and OLA blame each other for the collapse of the negotiations.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=39543&preview=true&_thumbnail_id=39544
#Ethiopia: Clashes disrupt vital medical supplies in #Amhara region, leaving hospitals in distress

Ongoing clashes in the Amhara region have caused severe disruptions in the healthcare sector, leading to acute shortages of medical supplies in hospitals. Health officials have expressed concerns about the scarcity of crucial medicines for chronic illnesses such as diabetes and laboratory diagnostic reagents.

Road closures caused by fighting have prevented the delivery of sufficient resupplies from the federal and regional governments, leaving hospitals in distress. The lack of adequate supplies has also impacted women and children reliant on medically prescribed supplementary feeding programs.

The Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service Agency confirmed the crisis, stating that insecurity has blocked road transport from central warehouses. Conflict-related delays continue to hinder humanitarian access to Amhara cities and towns.

https://addisstandard.com/news-clashes-disrupt-vital-medical-supplies-in-amhara-region-leaving-hospitals-in-distress/
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The Indomitable women: a tale of false promise, suffering, and resilience

Many #Ethiopians have traveled to the #Middle_East in search of a better life. Once they reach their destination, they face unimaginable pain and suffering.

This video features the bravery of Ethiopian former domestic workers who endured great ordeals in the Middle East and have never given up to take on another challenge.

Watch as the former domestic workers who graduated after six months of vocational training organized by Egna Le Egna, a multi-national NGO founded by former domestic workers in #Lebanon, dive into their experience of false promises, suffering, and now rejuvenation of hope.

Follow the YouTube link to watch the full video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWe-O6gaDbU