Year: 2020
- Africa
News: Ethiopia denies reports that Cairo summons its envoy; says no official stance yet on Egypt’s alleged support to Sudan
MoFA spokesperson Ambassador Dina Mufti gave his last press briefing on Tuesday December 30 but the official statement from the Ministry did not include Egypt as his talking point By Siyanne Mekonnen @Siyaanne Addis Abeba, December 31/2020 – The office of the Spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied reports that are widely circulating saying that Egypt’s Foreign…
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In-depth Analysis: Schism threatens oldest Oromo political party, once again. Can latest electoral board decision right the wrong?
By Medihane Ekubamichael @Medihane Addis Abeba, December 29/2020 – Founded in 1973, Adda Bilisummaa Oromoo (ABO) – the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), is one of the oldest political parties in Ethiopia whose household name among the Oromo people is a synonym of their identity than a political party with a discernible presence. A party which spent a good part of its…
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News: Local official in Amhara region accused Sudan of invading large swaths of land, stealing & destroying more than $25 m worth property
On December 23 Sudanese official New Agency SUNA aired a clip showing heavily armed Sudanese military unities being mobilized to the border with Ethiopia. Picture: Screengrab By Siyanne Mekonnen @Siyaanne Addis Abeba, December 28/2020 – Dessalegn Tasew, the administrator of West Gondar Zone, Amhara regional state, has issued a statement yesterday regarding the ongoing border conflict between Ethiopia and Sudan.…
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News: Afar, Somali regions trade serious accusations after renewed violence leaves scores dead
Conflicts between Afar and Somali regional states are recurring but unlike in the past this time both regions threw serious accusations at each other By Bileh Jelan @Bilejelan Addis Abeba, December 28/2020 – Afar and Somali regional states traded serious accusations after renewed violence over the weekend left scores of civilians and security forces killed. In the last week of…
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Book review: Land to the Tiller an interview with Zegeye Asfaw
Land to the Tiller an interview with Zegeye Asfaw By Ann Oosthuizen Morfa Books 34 Rosamund Rd, Oxford, UK By Leenco Lata Addis Abeba, December 26/2020 – This book is an attempt to peer into the soul of a very remarkable man by relating the story of his passionate empathy with the landless peasant farmers of Ethiopia. The man is…
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News: Defendants in Eskinder Nega file enter not guilty plea, Court schedules witness hearing for April
By Mahlet Fasil @MahletFasil Addis Abeba, December 26/2020 – Five defendants in the file under Eskinder Nega, Founder of the opposition party Balederas for Genuine Democracy, have entered a plea of not guilty after prosecutors submitted revised charges at the Federal High Court, Lideta Branch, First Constitutional and Anti-Terrorism Bench. The federal judges however proceeded with ruling to commence witness hearing…
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News: 66 killed in recurring conflict in Konso; IDPs, victims require urgent attention: Rights Comission
Addis Standard has been reporting about the conflict in Konso. Addis Abeba, December 25/2020- The series of conflicts that recurred in Konso Zone (Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region – SNNPR) from November 10th to November 21st, 2020, and resulted in gruesome killings, injuries, displacement and property destruction, show that the human rights crisis in the area still awaits sustainable…
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News: Tigray region interim health bureau head admits civilian deaths in battle to capture Mekelle, looting of hospitals and university
On November 29, ICRC released a report saying “Hospitals in Mekelle struggling to care for wounded as medical supplies run out; Red Cross ambulances evacuate the injured.” Picture: ICRC Translation By Siyanne Mekonnen @Siyaanne Addis Abeba December 25/2020 – In a rare interview with the Voice of America (VOA), Dr. Fasika Amdesellaise, who was serving as a surgeon at Ayider…
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News Analysis: Following purge of political parties for “failing to meet requirements” and amid complains of opposition crackdown Electoral Board to unveil election draft timetable
Birtuka Mideksa, Chairwoman of NEBE. Picture credit: NEBE By Medihane Ekubamichael @Medihane Addis Abeba, December 24/2020 – The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) is holding a consultative meeting with political parties to unveil draft election timetable for Ethiopia’s 6th general election today. In addition to the timetable, election experts are expected to discuss issues related with candidate registration, election procedures and…
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