#Ethiopia: #Tigray embraces Turkish partnership for the restoration of #Africa’s oldest mosque

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (#TIKA) has proposed to lead the restoration of the #Al_Nejashi_Mosque, one of Africa's oldest and most cherished Islamic sites, which was tragically damaged during the Tigray conflict.

Atsbha Gebreegziabher, head of Tigray's Tourism Bureau, has welcomed Turkey's hand of support with open arms, anticipating a collaborative effort to restore the mosque's former glory.

The pandemic interrupted TIKA's initial restoration plans, but there's renewed hope as discussions focus on preserving the mosque's authenticity and sustainability. This revered site in #Wukro, not far from #Mekelle, has borne witness to bombardment and looting, including the loss of irreplaceable manunoscripts and lives.

https://addisstandard.com/news-tigray-embraces-turkish-partnership-for-the-salvation-of-africas-oldest-mosque/

#Ethiopia: Over 1.8 Million People in #Amhara Region Affected by Drought

Over 1.8 million residents in nine zones of the Amhara region are currently in need of aid as a result of an ongoing drought, according to the Amhara Regional State's Disaster Prevention and Food Security Commission.

A forum was convened in Bahir Dar city to assess the impact and orchestrate the response, where it was announced that the regional government has earmarked over 400 million birr to aid efforts. Addressing the forum, Tesfaw Batable, Commissioner of the Amhara Disaster Prevention and Food Security Commission, called for continued support from all stakeholders to address the problem and respond to its scale.

Abdu Hussain, Vice President of the Amhara region, speaking at the forum, underscored the imperative of conducting impact assessments and extending support.

Read more at: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1743274756546211885?s=20

On 01 January, 2024, #Ethiopia formally became a member of the #BRICS bloc.

Ahmed Shide, Ethiopia's Minister of Finance, explored the possibilities of joining the expanded BRICS and outlined the country's aspirations in an interview with CGTN.

He expressed Ethiopia's ambition to emerge as the 'Beacon of Prosperity' in #Africa, serving as a pivotal point for economic integration and regional cooperation to enhance stability.

Watch!

#Sudan army chief rejects ceasefire proposal with paramilitary group

Sudan's army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has announced his refusal to accept a ceasefire proposal with the Rapid Support Forces (#RSF), signaling a continuation of the nine-month conflict despite ongoing peace efforts.

Earlier this week, RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo had conditionally accepted a ceasefire plan put forward by civilian groups, pending military approval. However, observers remained skeptical due to the RSF's history of not following through on previous commitments.

Both the Sudanese army and the RSF have been accused by the United States of committing war crimes. The RSF, in particular, has been implicated in crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing activities in the region of #Darfur.

In a statement to his forces, Al-Burhan cited the international community's recognition of the RSF's alleged war crimes as a reason to preclude any reconciliation or agreement with the group. He also expressed criticism of some African leaders for meeting with Dagalo recently and treating him as a statesman during visits to #Ethiopia, #South_Africa and #Kenya

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/sudans-burhan-says-no-reconciliation-with-paramilitary-rsf-2024-01-05/

#Ethiopia’s bond bust: A decade from darling to default

A decade since its noteworthy $1 billion Eurobond issuance, Ethiopia faces a sovereign default, marking a stark contrast to its initial success. The once-celebrated bond, issued with a 10-year maturity and a 6.625% coupon rate, has led to Ethiopia becoming the third African nation to default.

Triggered by a deviation from its traditional path of timely repayments, Ethiopia's recent default in December 2023 has raised crucial questions about the nature of this financial setback. Macro economist Henok Fasil sheds light on the distinction between technical default and contractual default, underlining the critical 30-day grace period that determines whether the situation will escalate further.

The economic challenges leading to Ethiopia's default are complex, with the COVID-19 pandemic and a prolonged civil war playing pivotal roles. Analysts point to stagflation, political upheaval, and security concerns in key regions like #Tigray and #Oromia as contributing factors, amplifying the economic fallout and hindering the nation's ability to meet its external debt obligations.

As Ethiopia seeks debt relief under the G20's Common Framework, negotiations with creditors gain significance. The country's engagement with China and government creditors, coupled with efforts to secure funds from developed countries, highlights the urgency to address economic turmoil. Experts emphasize comprehensive debt restructuring and strategic discussions for a path forward in uncertain economic times.

https://addisstandard.com/in-depth-ethiopias-bond-bust-a-decade-from-darling-to-default/

#Ethiopia sets sights on full self-sufficiency in key industries within three years

The Ministry of Industry has announced a plan to meet all national needs for food, beverages, textiles, and clothing through local manufacturing in just three years. Currently, local production accounts for 38% of national demand, but plans are in place to increase this to 60% over the next decade. A strategic list of 96 products has been selected to lead this charge towards self-reliance.

Despite challenges such as underutilized industrial capacity and economic hurdles, the government remains committed. A new manufacturing policy aims to revitalize the sector and increase its GDP contribution, which has seen a decline in recent years.

With $852.2 million worth of locally manufactured goods already substituting imports this fiscal year, Ethiopia is on the path to replacing $2.3 billion worth of imports with homegrown products.

https://addisstandard.com/news-ethiopia-sets-sights-on-full-self-sufficiency-in-key-industries-within-three-years/

TB Joshua: Megachurch leader raped and tortured worshippers, BBC finds

Evidence of widespread abuse and torture by the founder of one of the world's biggest Christian evangelical churches has been uncovered by the BBC.

Dozens of ex-Synagogue Church of all Nations members - five British - allege atrocities, including rape and forced abortions, by Nigeria's late TB Joshua. The allegations of abuse in a secretive Lagos compound span almost 20 years.

The Synagogue Church of All Nations did not respond to the allegations but said previous claims have been unfounded. TB Joshua, who died in 2021, was a charismatic and hugely successful preacher and televangelist who had an immense global following.

The BBC's findings over a two-year investigation include:

- Dozens of eyewitness accounts of physical violence or torture carried out by Joshua, including instances of child abuse and people being whipped and chained

- Numerous women who say they were sexually assaulted by Joshua, with a number claiming they were repeatedly raped for years inside the compound

- Multiple allegations of forced abortions inside the church following the alleged rapes by Joshua, including one woman who says she had five terminations

- Multiple first-hand accounts detailing how Joshua faked his "miracle healings", which were broadcast to millions of people around the world

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67749215

#NewsAlert: #Police names suspect of #Muslim imam’s murder in #Addis_Abeba, launches a hunt

The Addis Abeba Police disclosed an individual named Mohammed Shikur Abebaw as a suspect of the murder of Sheikh Abdu Yasin, who was the imam and khatib of Bedir Mosque located in Asko, Addis Sefer area in the capital.

Sheik Abdu Yasin was gunned down on Saturday, 06 January 2024, while he was returning to his home after performing the Isha prayer, according to the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council.

Police said the suspect, Mohammed Shikur Abebaw, who was raised by the deceased, is now on the run, and urged him to surrender, noting that an investigation team has been set up to track and arrest the individual. It called on anyone who knows the whereabouts of the suspect to cooperate.

Sheikh Haji Ibrahim Tufa, President of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council said it was “a very sad and shocking incident” and called on the police to take swift action to bring the perpetrator to justice. AS

#Ethiopia - #OLF “gravely concerned” over safety of Ethiopian nationals in #Somalia as tension over Ethiopia-Somaliland #MoU escalates

The opposition Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) has expressed "grave concern" over the safety of refugee and non-refugee Ethiopian nationals currently residing in Somalia as tensions rise between Ethiopia and Somalia following #Ethiopia-#Somaliland MoU.

This comes amid escalating social media agitations and calls for the expulsion of Ethiopian nationals, particularly the Oromo, PM #Abiy_Ahmed's ethnic base, from Somalia.

“It’s crucial to recognize that refugees fleeing Ethiopia, whether Oromos or others, bear no ill intentions toward Somalia. Many, both refugees and non-refugees residing in the proximity, have coexisted, and are closely engaged in trade, farming, grazing, and worship,” OLF conveyed.

https://addisstandard.com/news-olf-gravely-concerned-over-safety-of-ethiopian-refugees-in-somalia-as-tension-over-ethiopia-somaliland-mou-escalates/

#Kenya says first ‘visa-free’ tourists arrive in country

Kenya said on Friday it had welcomed the first batch of foreign tourists who arrived under a simplified entry system it hopes will encourage more visitors.

The “maiden visa-free arrivals” landed in Nairobi from Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa and more were expected to touch down in coming days.

Immigration and Citizen Services principal secretary Julius Bitok said visa requirements would be waived for all travelers to Kenya regardless of nationality.
Under the new system, travelers apply online for an electronic travel authorization (ETA)and pay a $30 (R560) “processing” fee.

“Right now ... all countries around the world including Africa, Asia, America, Australia, and all over the world, are able to come in visa-free,” he said at the launch of the scheme at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/economy/kenya-says-first-visa-free-tourists-arrive-in-country-6d434b33-c07c-44e3-9bff-e65490678afe

#Op-Ed: #Ethiopia-#Eritrea Tensions and Likely Scenarios

The Ethiopia-Eritrea relations started worsening after the peace agreement between Addis Abeba and the #Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in November 2022. Addis Abeba and Asmara have very different positions on how the war they both waged against the TPLF ended and the role of Washington and the West in the peace arrangements, according to the Emirates Policy Center (#EPC).

Eritrea has been accused of trying to torpedo these arrangements because it refused to withdraw all its forces from Tigray. Asmara’s influence in Ethiopia has been growing, and its presumed support of Amhara rebels who rejected the federal government’s plans to dissolve and disarm their forces to integrate and unify Ethiopian armies caused tensions.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s campaign to secure access to a seaport announced on October 13, 2023, has further fueled tensions. Ahmed’s plan has brought the two countries to the edge of a military confrontation with consequences for the Ethiopian and Eritrean people and the regional and international actors and stakeholders, especially with more signs that the two sides are preparing for such a confrontation.

In this paper, the EPC highlights the main reasons behind the gradual split between the two previous allies, Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, and how the two countries are inching toward war. The paper also explores likely scenarios for future Ethiopia-Eritrea relations.

https://addisstandard.com/op-ed-ethiopia-eritrea-tensions-and-likely-scenarios/

#Somaliland’s defense minister resigns over deal to give #Ethiopia access to the region’s coastline

Somaliland's Defense Minister Abdiqani Mohamud Ateye has resigned in protest against an agreement granting Ethiopia access to Somaliland's coastline. Ateye, in a local television interview, labeled Ethiopia as "our number one enemy" and voiced concerns over the stationing of Ethiopian troops in Somaliland.

The deal, which has not received an immediate response from either government, allows Ethiopia to lease a portion of Somaliland's coast, sparking division among Somaliland citizens. While some anticipate economic gains, others fear a loss of sovereignty. This agreement is significant as Ethiopia, the world's most populous landlocked nation, seeks a maritime outlet since losing its coastline to #Eritrea in 1993.

The deal's long-term implications could impact regional dynamics, with potential concerns from #Djibouti and #Egypt over their commercial and strategic interests. Experts predict increased political and diplomatic tensions in the region as a result.

https://apnews.com/article/somaliland-ethiopia-coast-deal-defense-minister-resigns-d8606e7221681e7adcd4a8219dae92c3

#Ethiopia: Debre Markos University prepares to welcome 11,000 students

#Debre_Markos University has announced comprehensive preparations to welcome approximately 11,000 students for the current academic year. In a statement to the Ethiopian Press Agency, the university's vice president of academic affairs, Yiheis Aregu (PhD), confirmed that the institution is gearing up to accommodate the student influx starting in January.

Yiheis highlighted that the university has engaged in productive discussions with community elders, religious leaders, and local individuals to ensure a smooth transition for the incoming students.

At the start of this week, announcements were made by three universities in the #Amhara region, including #Bahir_Dar, Debre Markos, and #Debre_Tabor, regarding the initiation of the registration period for their student bodies.

Why are the #Zimbabwe dollar, #Nigerian naira, #Ethiopian birr tanking?

The Ethiopian birr faced a significant downturn in 2023, mirroring the struggles of many #African currencies which hit record lows. Amidst a dollar shortage and waning foreign investment, the birr's value plummeted, with the USD/ETB exchange rate soaring to an unprecedented high of 56, marking a 99% decline since 2018.

Despite the end of Ethiopia's prolonged conflict, the nation has encountered challenges in revitalizing foreign capital influx. The economic strain led to a default on $33 million in foreign debt, prompting Ethiopia to seek debt restructuring similar to efforts by #Zambia and #Ghana.

However, such measures offer no guaranteed relief, as seen with the persistent depreciation of the Zambian kwacha and the Ghanaian cedi. Ethiopia's financial woes reflect a broader trend of currency devaluation across the continent and beyond, signaling a turbulent economic landscape for the year.

https://invezz.com/news/2024/01/09/why-are-the-zimbabwe-dollar-nigerian-naira-ethiopian-birr-tanking/