Year: 2021
- Africa
Analysis: Somali communities say bureaucratic hurdles, corruption preventing them from acquiring passports
Scenes from the protests. Picture: Guleed Mohammed By Bileh Jelan @BilehJelan Addis Abeba, April 21, 2021 – In a recent show of challenge to discriminatory practices applied against Ethio-Somalis applying for new passports, a number of new passport applicants held up signs protesting unjust treatment at the regional branch office of the immigration, nationality and vital events agency (INVEA). The…
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Analysis: Once hailed as peaceful Somali region embroiled in election fiasco, poor human rights handling of detainees
A tale of two stories. Right: A man seen registering to vote for elections in Somali region. Picture posted by Mustafa Omer. Left: voting cards allegedly stuffed away in a bag in Qabridahar. Pictures posted by OLNF supporters By Bileh Jelan @BilehJelan & Siyanne Mekonnen @Siyaanne Addis Abeba, April 20, 2021 – The Somali Regional State, which once was praised…
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News: Protests happening in multiple cities in Amhara region denouncing reports of targeted attacks against Amhara community
A sea of protesters in Debre Markos, the capital of Amhara regional state, this morning. Photo: social media Addis Abeba, April 20/2021 – Hundreds of thousands of the Amhara nation are rallying in various cities and towns in Amhara regional state as of yesterday to protest against recent reports of targeted killings, attacks and displacement of memebrs of the Amhara…
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News Alert: EU following the situation in Ethiopia before confirming election observation mission
EU High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell Addis Abeba, April 19/2021 – Barely a month and half before Ethiopia’s 6th national election scheduled on June 05 took place, the European Union’s High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell said the EU will “continue following closely the situation [in Ethiopia] in order to confirm our will to send an electoral observation mission in the country.” Speaking…
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Analysis: Amid renewed violence and conflicting accounts army places Oromo Special, South Wollo & North Shewa zones of Amhara region under command post
Scenes of destruction from Ataye. Picture: Enyew Bihonegn By Bileh Jelan @BilehJelan & Siyanne Mekonnen @Siyaanne Addis Abeba, April 19, 2021 – Despite previous eye witnesses and families of victims accounts and statements by the Oromia Regional state chapter of the ruling Prosperity Party, Oromia Prosperity Party (OPP) disputing the presence of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) often referred by…
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News: Journalists rearrested in Tigray; army claims they were preparing to broadcast “false propaganda”
Fitsume Berhane (left), Tamirat Yemane (right) Picture: Facebook By Medihane Ekuabamichael @Medihane Addis Abeba, April 17, 2021 – Journalists Fitsum Berhane and Tamirat Yemane were arrested in Mekelle by members of the Federal Defense Forces, the army said. In a statement released on the ENDF Facebook page on April 16, the army said that Fitsum Berhane is a journalist working…
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News: Eritrea admits presence and involvement of its forces in Tigray war, pledges to withdraw
PM Abiy and Presidet Isaias Afwerki on March 26 after a visit by PM Abiy to Asmara. Picture: Yemane G. Meskel Addis Standard staff Addis Abeba, April 17/2021– In a letter sent to Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, the current President of the U.N. Security Council, Eritrea’s Ambassador to the U.N. Sophia Tesfamariam said “Eritrea and Ethiopia have agreed – at…
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News Alert: EU Council to discuss “next steps of policy” to support peace, reflect on upcoming elections in Ethiopia
EU Foreign Affairs Ministers during a discussion on EU Global Strategy. Picture: EU/Archive 2019 Addis Abeba, April 16/2021– The European Union Foreign Affairs ministers will have a discussion on the situation in Ethiopia and the regional tensions on Monday April 19, the block said. The informal video conference will be chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and…
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News: Despite health caution from doctors, opposition politician Lidetu Ayalew denied travel again; his passport confiscated
Lidetu Ayalew. Picture: ARTS TV By Mahlet Fasil @MahletFasil Addis Abeba, April 16, 2021 – Founder and leader of the opposition Ethiopian Democratic Party Lidetu Ayalew was again banned from travelling to the United States. Yesterday, Lidetu was returned from the Ethiopian Airlines airport where he was told that the court orders banned from traveling. Earlier in March, Lidetu was…
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Breaking: Report received by the UN “just this morning” reveals 150 people died of hunger in Tigray; Eritrean forces, Amhara region authorities restricting humanitarian access
Tigrayan refugees fleeing the military violence in their region. Phor Credit-UNHCR-Hazim-Elhag Addis Abeba, April 15/2021 – Mark Lowcock, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, has today delivered a grim assessment on the humanitarian crisis in Tigray to members of the UN Security Council at a closed door meeting requested by the US under Any other Business (AOB).…
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