#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/

#Ethiopia: #Egypt vacates the seat at GERD negotiations, what is next?

After a decade-long dialogue, Egypt has officially withdrawn from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (#GERD) negotiations, marking a pivotal moment in the tripartite talks involving Ethiopia, #Sudan, and Egypt. The move follows a stalemate in talks with Ethiopia, who insists on its right to use the Nile for its national development, countering Egypt's position that emphasizes historical water rights and security concerns.


The stalemate has been characterized by Ethiopia's assertion of its right to use Nile waters for equitable and reasonable utilization, clashing with Egypt's stance on maintaining historical water rights. This has led to a deepening rift, with Ethiopia accusing Egypt of adhering to a colonial-era mentality that hinders progress towards a fair agreement.

Experts like Tirusew Assefa, a hydrology expert at the University of South Florida, observed, "There has been minimal alteration in the respective positions of Ethiopia and Egypt]." Tirusrw's commentary underscores the enduring deadlock, with Ethiopia's developmental rights to the Nile's waters at the core of its stance. Gashaw Ayferam, a hydro-politics expert, added that the negotiations are hampered by "the geopolitical instrumentalization and securitization of the dam project," which limits the scope for negotiation flexibility.

The path forward is complex. Some analysts propose third-party mediation to break the impasse, while others foresee the potential for international forums to play a role. The coming period is crucial for the Nile Basin countries to explore new strategies for cooperation or risk deepening regional tensions.

https://addisstandard.com/analysis-egypt-vacates-the-seat-at-gerd-negotiations-what-is-next/

#Ethiopia: #Tigray region appeals for aid to support students during drought catastrophe

The Tigray Education Bureau is sounding the alarm on a severe hunger crisis threatening the future of over 2.4 million students, with only 40% currently able to attend school. The #drought_stricken region is facing a dramatic increase in #school_dropouts, prompting urgent pleas for the establishment of student feeding programs to sustain education.

Kiros Guesh, the bureau's head, warns that without immediate action, thousands of students may abandon their studies. A recent assessment reveals that drought has affected 36 districts, 213 villages, and 625 schools, impacting the lives and education of 222,940 students. The #ongoing_drought exacerbates the crisis, with many students missing critical national exams due to hunger. With the next harvest nearly a year away, the bureau fears the worst and is calling for global humanitarian assistance.

In response, a dedicated unit has been formed to coordinate the implementation of school feeding programs. Alem Abrha, head of the #Irob district, reports that the drought has already claimed 77 lives in his area alone.

https://addisstandard.com/news-tigray-region-appeals-for-aid-to-support-students-during-drought-catastrophe/

#Ethiopia: Internet shutdown costs Ethiopia nearly $2 billion in economic upheaval

In a striking 2023 report by #Top10VPN, Ethiopia has been identified as the country with the second highest economic losses due to government-imposed internet shutdowns, with a staggering $1.9 billion toll. This surpasses #Iran's losses and is second only to #Russia's $4.02 billion. The shutdowns, which included major platforms like Facebook and YouTube, were part of efforts to quell religious tensions, but they also led to a massive 3,651% spike in VPN usage as citizens sought access.

The blackout, which lasted thousands of hours, also extended to the #Amhara region amid political strife, though some services have since resumed. Sub-Saharan #Africa felt the brunt of these disruptions, with losses reaching $1.74 billion and affecting millions of users, marking it as the second most impacted region worldwide.

The reasons for these outages are varied, with the report citing school exams and protests as common causes. #Kenya, for instance, faced a $27 million loss from a week-long Telegram block due to exam leak concerns. The ripple effects of such internet restrictions are felt across the continent, with nations like #Senegal, #Algeria, and #Guinea facing their own economic challenges due to similar shutdowns.

https://addisstandard.com/news-internet-shutdown-costs-ethiopia-nearly-2-billion-in-economic-upheaval/

#Ethiopia: Over 40% of city employees pass competency assessment

The #Addis_Abeba City Administration has just unveiled the results of a thorough competency assessment for public service employees. Out of 15,151 who took the test, 6,517 have passed with flying colors.

This assessment is key to understanding the skill levels of the city's workforce. Tassew Gebre, the head of Public Service and Human Resource Development Bureau, broke down the numbers: Only 34% of leadership staff hit the mark, while 50% of the general staff made the grade.

Though 15,592 signed up, a few hiccups meant not everyone could be tested. It was reported that 681 employee tests were invalidated due to various procedural issues, and another 441 staff did not attend the examination as planned.

https://addisstandard.com/news-over-40-of-city-employees-pass-competency-assessment/

#Ethiopia: #Malaria infections soar by 300,000 in one month; 1.8 million affected over six months

Ethiopia is facing a significant and concerning increase in malaria cases, as evidenced by a recent spike of 300,000 new infections in the previous month alone.

This alarming rise is highlighted by reports that disclose that, of the 5.3 million individuals tested due to suspected malaria in the past six months, a staggering 1.8 million have been confirmed to be infected with the disease.

Dr. Hiwot Solomon, Disease Prevention and Control Lead Executive Officer at the Ministry of Health, informed the Ethiopian News Agency that the federal government has allocated over 438 million birr to regional health institutions for the containment and prevention of malaria.

Read more at: https://twitter.com/addisstandard/status/1744956061868495211

Conflict in #Sudan Threatens Famine, Agriculture in Crisis

Sudan's Al-Jazira state faces a looming famine as ongoing clashes between the army and paramilitary forces devastate the region's agriculture. The United Nations (#UN) reports over half a million people have sought refuge in the area, which until recently was a peaceful hub for farming.

Local farmer Ahmed al-Amin laments his inability to tend to his wheat due to the conflict, which has also forced hundreds of thousands to flee. The #RSF's occupation of land has left vital crops unattended, raising the specter of widespread hunger in a country where most food is imported.

The World Food Programme (#WFP) warns that nearly 18 million Sudanese are experiencing acute hunger, with the situation escalating towards "emergency levels." Despite no official declaration, experts like William Carter of the Norwegian Refugee Council predict an impending famine unless peace is restored.

The fighting has already claimed more than 12,190 lives, with additional casualties likely from the breakdown of essential services. The RSF's actions, including looting and land seizures, have disrupted local markets and agricultural operations, further endangering the country's food security.

https://www.theafricareport.com/332463/famine-threatens-sudan-after-war-claims-harvest/

#Ethiopia: Four million Ethiopians on the brink as food crises escalate

The Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission (#DRMC) and the #UN have issued a joint statement addressing a severe humanitarian crisis impacting around four million people in drought-stricken areas. Over the past year, repeated droughts have devastated agriculture and food accessibility in regions like# Afar, #Amhara, #Tigray, #Oromia, #Southern, and #Southwest Ethiopia.

The prolonged absence of rainfall has led to crop and livestock loss, exacerbating acute food insecurity. Malnutrition rates have surged due to a lack of nutritious food, and critical water shortages pose a threat of waterborne diseases like #malaria, #measles, and #cholera.

Despite government efforts and aid distributions, the crisis persists. From July to December 2023, 7.3 million received aid, with additional assistance reaching 6.5 million since mid-December. However, the DRMC and UN warn that without increased relief and donor support, the situation may worsen.

Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) predicts a dramatic rise in food insecurity, with four million at risk by mid-2024 without intervention. The interim administration of Tigray has urgently pleaded for aid, citing a humanitarian disaster from war and drought, evoking memories of the devastating 1984/85 famine.

https://addisstandard.com/news-four-million-ethiopians-on-the-brink-as-food-crises-escalate/