#Ethiopia: 45 believers killed in two separate attacks in Arsi and Kellem Wollega zones, #Oromia region

Forty Five people were killed in two separate violent attacks in the Oromia region last week. In #Shirka district of #Arsi zone, 36 people, including children and elderly women, were killed by unidentified armed men targeting Orthodox Christians. The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) has been accused of the attacks, but they deny involvement. In #Gidami district of #Kellem_Wollega zone, nine people were killed while partaking in an overnight prayer at a church.

The perpetrators have not been identified, and unverified pictures of the deceased have been shared on social media. The collapse of talks between OLA and the Ethiopian government has led to escalating hostilities, with civilians often caught in the crossfire.

This comes after reports of civilians being killed in fighting between government forces and the armed group in #Sulula#Fincha district and in a government drone strike in #Chawaka district. The situation remains tense, and the government and OLA continue to trade accusations.

https://addisstandard.com/news-45-believers-killed-in-two-separate-attacks-in-arsi-and-kellem-wollega-zones-oromia-region/

Ambassador Mike Hammer briefed the #US House Committee on Foreign Affairs on #Ethiopia.

Watch his remarks on the recent talks between the Oromo Liberation Army (#OLA) and the Ethiopian government.

#Ethiopia: Grief knocks on every door in rural west #Oromia as malaria continues to claim lives

A devastating malaria outbreak in Western Oromia, particularly in the #West_Wollega and #Kellem_Wollega zones, has had a severe impact on the local population. Due to ongoing conflict, drought, and a lack of access to healthcare and essential medication, many families have suffered tragic losses. This includes Tolasa, who lost his 14-year-old son and nephew to the disease, while Tamane mourns the loss of his pregnant wife.

The #UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported 774,519 malaria cases with 180 deaths in the Oromia region, with over 70% of cases reported from Western Oromia. However, medical professionals on the ground believe that the actual severity of the issue is much higher than reported. Immediate action is required to prevent further loss of life in the affected communities.

A medical doctor on the ground warns of a significant gap between reported and actual cases, calling for immediate action to prevent further loss of life. The combination of conflict, drought, and the malaria outbreak has created a humanitarian catastrophe, and families like Tolasa's and Tamane's are in desperate need of assistance.

https://addisstandard.com/feature-grief-knocks-on-every-door-in-rural-west-oromia-as-malaria-continues-to-claim-lives/

#Ethiopia: In historic show of unity, Ethiopian churches commit to establishing national council

With a historic show of unity, Ethiopian churches meeting at the Ecumenical Institute at #Bossey made the decision to establish a council of churches in their country.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) served as a convener and facilitator of the process. The meeting was supported by the German Federal Foreign Office.

The Ethiopian church leaders shared extensively about the dire humanitarian situation in their nation. Currently around 20 million people require food aid, many millions are internally displaced, various parts of the country face severe droughts or floods, and recent malaria outbreaks have worsened the situation. A desire for ecumenical collaboration in advocacy for human rights was also expressed. https://www.oikoumene.org/news/in-historic-show-of-unity-ethiopian-churches-commit-to-establishing-national-council

#Ethiopia: Rights groups criticize draft directive limiting maternity leave for female students

A coalition of 10 rights groups, including the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (#EWLA), have condemned a recent Ministry of Education draft policy restricting maternity leave for female primary and secondary students to 15 days before suspension.

The coalition asserts the clause severely violates women's right to equality in spheres like education. They believe the draft goes against Ethiopia's constitution and laws protecting women's health and freedom from discrimination during pregnancy and childbirth.

Representatives of human rights organizations emphasized that the constitution explicitly states that individuals requiring special treatment should be given actions suitable for their circumstances. The groups highlight that denying adequate leave places an unfair burden on women trying to balance education and motherhood.

To address the issue, the coalition called upon the Ministry of Education to engage in consultation with civil society and reconsider the contentious aspects of the draft directive. They also urged other government bodies to advocate for the issue.

https://addisstandard.com/news-rights-groups-criticize-draft-directive-limiting-maternity-leave-for-female-students/

#Ethiopia debt service pause contingent on #IMF deal by end-March -Paris Club

Ethiopia could lose its recent agreement to suspend debt payments until 2025 if it doesn't secure an IMF loan by 31 March, 2024. The debt standstill for 2023 and 2024 will save Ethiopia $1.5 billion and applies to loans agreed before 10 November. The Paris Club, a group of developed creditor nations, says suspended payments will be repaid from 2027 to 2029.

Ethiopia's economy is under pressure from double-digit inflation and foreign currency shortages. The government requested a debt rework in early 2021, but progress was initially delayed by a civil war.

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopia-debt-service-pause-contingent-imf-deal-by-march-31-2024-paris-club-2023-12-01/

#Ethiopia: Actions being taken against Oromo Liberation Army, says #Oromia regional government

The regional government of Oromia said it has “intensified efforts to combat” the Oromo Liberation Army (#OLA), citing its persistence “in terrorist activities and refusal to explore peaceful alternatives”.

The regional government maintains that they “remain open to peaceful negotiations” if the armed group refrains from “engaging in further acts of terrorism.”

According to state media, Hailu Adugna, head of the Oromia regional government communications office, accused the OLA of “disregarding” the open political environment and resorting to armed struggle, resulting in significant harm to human life and property over the years.

Read more at: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1730867441524175044?s=46&t=ofAzVW8-64dDK-xsjodCGA

#Ethiopia: Rights group demands the immediate release of individuals of #Tigray origin allegedly detained unlawfully in the #Amhara region

Human Rights First Ethiopia is urging authorities in Ethiopia to release individuals of ethnic Tigray origin who are being held unlawfully in the Amhara region. According to the organization, over 110 individuals have been taken from western Tigray and surrounding areas of Gondar city in connection with the Tigray war, with most remaining in custody without formal charges.

The group said the detainees face charges related to the conflict in Tigray, such as conducting espionage activities on behalf of the TPLF. Human Rights First Ethiopia is calling for the dropping of charges and the release of those in custody, specifically individuals who are being detained without trial or formal accusations.

It is also advocating for the pardon and release of individuals who have been convicted in related cases but are still incarcerated under exceptional circumstances.

https://addisstandard.com/news-rights-group-demands-the-immediate-release-of-individuals-of-tigray-origin-allegedly-detained-unlawfully-in-the-amhara-region/

#UN Security Council lifts arms embargo on #Somalia after 31 years

The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution lifting the long lasting arms embargo on Somalia which was first imposed on the country in 1992.

Somalia's representative to the UN, Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman said the lifting of the arms embargo enables the country to confront security threats including those posed by Al-Shabaab.

#Ethiopia and #IGAD have been supporting Somalia’s request to lift the arms embargo.

https://addisstandard.com/news-un-security-council-lifts-arms-embargo-on-somalia-after-31-years/

#Ethiopia: House committee orders independent investigation into environmental impact of flower farming

The standing committee on government expenditure management and control of the House of People's Representatives has instructed the Ministry of Agriculture to conduct an independent investigation into the environmental effects of flower farming development. In a meeting last week, the committee discussed the findings of the previous fiscal year's operational audit, which examined the effectiveness of the Ministry's flower farm development and environmental management system.

The deputy chairperson of the Standing Committee, Arare Mosisa, highlighted that floriculture is the country's second-highest income-generating sector, next to coffee. However, she pointed out that there are no specific operational guidelines for the flower industry.

Read more at: https://twitter.com/addisstandard/status/1731582471341314290

#Ethiopia: #AU peacekeeping forces resume second phase of drawdown from #Somalia

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (#ATMIS) has announced that it will withdraw 3,000 more troops from Somalia and hand over ten Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) to the Somali security forces by the end of this year. This is the second phase of the drawdown process mandated by #UN Security Council Resolution 2710, which aims to gradually transfer security responsibilities from ATMIS to the government of Somalia by December 2024.

The drawdown was paused in September following a request by the government of Somalia for a technical review. Two FOBs, #Biocadale and #Ragaceel, had already been handed over in September and October, respectively. The government of Somalia has reaffirmed its commitment to respect the set timelines and assured that the Somali security forces are ready to take over the remaining eight FOBs.

Read more at: https://twitter.com/addisstandard/status/1731595679607185634

News: #AU proposes extension of ceasefire monitoring experts’ term limits to expedite peace process in #Ethiopia

The African Union has proposed extending the term limits of the AU Monitoring, Verification, and Compliance Mission (#MVCM) by a year. This proposal was made during the 3rd Joint Committee Meeting of the MVCM of the Ethiopian peace process on 01 December, 2023.

The committee concluded its meeting “with both parties reaffirming their commitment to the full implementation of the agreement, the need to expedite the #DDR and the resettlement of #IDPs.

The 3rd Joint Committee Meeting was attended by representatives of the government of Ethiopia, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (#TPLF), and the AU High-Level Panel. To further progress, the AU has planned a strategic reflection session involving the AU High-Level Panel within the next two months.

https://addisstandard.com/news-au-proposes-extension-of-ceasefire-monitoring-experts-term-limits-to-expedite-peace-process-in-ethiopia/

The final meeting of the #BRICS Sherpas, Sous-Sherpas Year was held in South Africa

The final meeting of this year's BRICS Sherpas and Sous Sherpas took place in #Durban, #South_Africa from 30 November to 3 December. The meeting focused on the development and strengthening of strategic partnership within the BRICS framework, with discussions on the forthcoming expansion of the association.

The South African side presented a report on the results of its presidency, covering political, economic, financial, cultural, and humanitarian aspects of the partnership. The #Russian delegation presented the BRICS work plans for 2024, with a focus on the inclusion of new participants in multipolar cooperation and the development of modalities for a new category of "partner states" of the association.

The meeting also emphasized the importance of strengthening foreign policy coordination, combating terrorism and money laundering, and increasing the role of the BRICS countries in the global financial system. Representatives from South Africa, #China, #Ethiopia, #India, the #UAE, and #Saudi_Arabia expressed their readiness for practical cooperation and strengthening the position of the association in the international arena.

https://tvbrics.com/en/news/the-final-meeting-of-the-brics-sherpas-and-sous-sherpas-year-was-held-in-south-africa/

#Ethiopia: Drone strikes in #Amhara region result in loss of civilian lives, infrastructure damage

Renewed heavy artillery shelling and drone strikes have resulted in the tragic loss of civilian lives and the destruction of vital infrastructure in multiple districts of the Amhara region. One incident in #Wegeltena resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including a pharmaceutical practitioner, due to a drone strike targeting an ambulance carrying medical supplies.

Another artillery strike in #Lasta district caused multiple civilian casualties. The ongoing conflict between the federal government and the non-state militia group, Fano, has also damaged the #Angasa bridge, disrupting transportation and affecting the local economy.

The United Nations Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (#OHCHR) has raised concerns about human rights abuses in the region. The UN agency says the clashes in Amhara continue to have devastating consequences for the local population, including the deaths of at least 20 civilians last month.

https://addisstandard.com/news-drone-strikes-in-amhara-region-result-in-loss-of-civilian-life-infrastructure-damage/

#Ethiopia: Gov’t implements mandatory vitamin fortification for wheat flour, edible oil imports

The Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration has announced new regulations for traders importing wheat flour and edible oil products into the country. Under these regulations, all imported wheat flour and edible oil must be enriched with vitamins before entering the country and being distributed to the market.

The decision to introduce these fortification standards was made by the Council of Standards a year ago, and importers were given a one-year grace period to comply. However, as of July 2023, this grace period has expired.

According to recent inspections conducted by the ministry, a significant portion of imported wheat flour and edible oil products failed to meet the mandatory fortification standards that were introduced more than a year ago.

Read more at: https://twitter.com/addisstandard/status/1731912244856795224

#Ethiopia: Municipality to introduce uniform, grooming standards for hospitality professionals

The #Addis_Abeba Culture, Arts, and Tourism Bureau is in the final stages of introducing regulations that will establish standards for the use of uniforms, jewelry, and cosmetics among professionals working in hotels and related services. This move aims to enhance professionalism and standards within the hospitality sector, ensuring a consistent and high-quality experience for customers.

According to the Ethiopian Press Agency, officials from the bureau convened a consultative meeting with stakeholders yesterday to discuss the content of the draft regulation. The proposed regulations are expected to apply to 28 different institutions, including hotels. Institutions failing to adhere to these standards may face penalties.

Read more at: https://twitter.com/addisstandard/status/1731933214938120612