Addis Standard
Registering TPLF as a new party inherently nullifies the Pretoria Agreement: Debretsion Gebremichael
- Title
- Registering TPLF as a new party inherently nullifies the Pretoria Agreement: Debretsion Gebremichael
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Debretsion Gebremichael (PhD), chairman of the Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF), held a press briefing 11 August 2024, on current affairs. He addressed the issue of the registration process with the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), where he said registering the TPLF as a new party inherently nullifies the Pretoria Agreement, as it strips ownership away from the agreement, thus breaking the linkage between the party and the agreement.
This comes after the NEBE rejected the TPLF’s request to reinstate its pre-war legal status, instead granting it a certificate of legal personality as a new political party under special conditions.
On 29 July 2024, TPLF Chairman Debretsion disputed the amended bill, saying it only allows outlawed parties to re-register as legitimate organizations and does not meet the party’s expectations. “We will never register as a new party,” he told a regional outlet.
Today, the Federal Government Commu...
- Title
- Ethiopian Electric Utility blames theft for widespread power outages #ethiopia #electricity #outage
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- #ethiopia #electricity #outage
Shiferaw Telila, CEO of Ethiopian Electric Utility (#EEU), recently addressed the issue of frequent power disruptions plaguing the country, particularly in the capital city of #Addis_Abeba. In an interview with state media, Shiferaw attributed these outages primarily to the theft of electrical infrastructure.
Local media reports indicate that residents of Addis Abeba are growing increasingly frustrated with persistent, prolonged, and unscheduled electricity interruptions.
According to EEU, the theft of electricity infrastructure has resulted in substantial financial losses. For the 2023/24 fiscal year alone, the utility company estimates losses exceeding 64 million Birr due to these criminal activities.
The thefts are not limited to the capital. EEU reports that the #Amhara, #Oromia, Southwest Ethiopia, and #Tigray regions have also been significantly affected.
Watch!
- Title
- Daily News recap: August 09,2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Daily News recap: August 08,2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Daily News recap: August 07,2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Malaria infects five million people; state minister says it is not a countrywide outbreak #malaria
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- #ethiopia #malaria #infection
Dr. Dereje Duguma, the state minister of the Ministry of Health, recently stated that more than five million people have been infected with malaria in Ethiopia. According to Dr. Dereje, the increase in malaria cases can be attributed to factors such as climate change, conflict, and negligence.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (#UNOCHA) reports that malaria outbreaks have been documented in 1,397 districts across Ethiopia, marking the highest number of cases reported in 7 years.
While acknowledging the high number of infections, Dr. Dereje maintains that this does not constitute a countrywide outbreak. He noted, "In more than 200 districts, the cases have increased by more than 100% compared to previous years."
Watch!
- Title
- Daily News recap: August 06,2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Daily News recap: August 05,2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Ethiopia's economic reforms mobilize $27 billion—Eyob Tekalign #ethiopia #economy #dollar
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- #ethiopia #economy #dollar
Eyob Tekalign (PhD), State Minister of the Ministry of Finance, reported in a recent interview that Ethiopia has mobilized $27 billion following the macro-economic reforms introduced last week.
The government's new macroeconomic reform program includes a shift to a market-based exchange regime, which immediately led to a 40 percent depreciation of the birr.
Expert opinions on these changes vary. Henok Fasil (PhD), a macroeconomist and World Bank consultant in Ethiopia, acknowledges the theoretical merits of a market-based foreign currency regime while expressing concerns about its practical implementation in the Ethiopian context.
Despite potential challenges, Eyob maintains that the mobilized resources are sufficient for the Ethiopian economy. This includes an IMF-approved $3.4 billion funding program and World Bank contributions totaling $1.5 billion in grants and concessional credit.
Watch!
- Title
- Daily News recap: August 02,2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- PM Abiy claims continuous talks with armed groups, multiple provocation from Tigray forces
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- PM Abiy addressed concerns over the new foreign exchange regime and the macro-economic reform program.
The government announced a new macro-economic reform program. The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) announced a shift to a market-based exchange regime as part of a major revision of the country’s foreign exchange (FX) system the following day.
The prime minister stated many factors that contribute to the success of economic reform, with peace being a critical foundation. During his address, he accused forces in Tigray of provocation on multiple occasions, which were resolved through discussion to avoid conflict.
In a recent discussion with political parties, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated that if the Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) does not register with the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), it will not be eligible to participate in the upcoming 7th national election or form a government, which, according to him, may open the...
- Title
- Daily News recap: August 01,2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- The Ethiopian Meteorological Institute warns against flash floods, landslides
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- #Ethiopia #flood #landslide
The Ethiopian Meteorological Institute warns against flash floods and landslides. Experts say 49% of Ethiopia's land area is susceptible to landslides.
The Ethiopian Meteorological Institute warns against flash floods and landslides. The institute says heavy rain is expected in many parts of Ethiopia, which could cause river overflow, flash floods, and landslides.
A landslide resulted in over 250 fatalities in Kencho Shacha Gozdi village in Gofa Zone, with eight still missing. Another landslide triggered by heavy rainfall in Decha District, Kafa Zone, on 25 July, 2024, resulted in three fatalities and displaced 24 residents. Meanwhile, a landslide caused by heavy rainfall in the central Sidama Zone of the Sidama region on 28 July 2024, resulted in six fatalities and six injuries.
On 30 July 2024, the administration of Dessie City in the South Wollo zone of the Amhara region reported heavy rain that caused a landslide ...
- Title
- Daily News recap: July 31, 2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- “...where is the dollar coming from?” MP Abebaw Desalew #ethiopia #dollar #news
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- #ethiopia #dollar #news
During today's Parliament emergency session convened to approve the World Bank's $1 B grant and $500 M concessional credit for Ethiopia, MP Abebaw Desalew of the National Movement of Amhara (NaMA) raised several concerns regarding the ongoing economic policy changes starting with questions on the executive branch's dominance in enacting financial laws, despite the parliament's legal procedure mandating Parliament to draft detailed legislation.
Moreover, MP Abebaw raised concerns about the prevailing lack of peace and security and the impacts on Ethiopia's capacity to service its piling debts. He also cast a shadow on whether devaluation is as advantageous to attract FDI as some media claim it to be, especially without the ability to attract foreign investors, under the prevailing circumstances where the existing investors are shutting down their factories and leaving, and the production capacities of functioning factories are significantly w...
- Title
- Daily News recap: July 30, 2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- The Interview: My Interview with Hachalu Hundessa: “The Other Is a Divine Creation”
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Ethiopia floats its currency #ethiopia #currency #exchange
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- #ethiopia #currency #exchange
Yesterday, the Ethiopian National Bank announced a reform to the foreign exchange regime that will be implemented immediately. The new exchange regime introduces market-based determination of the exchange rate.
Following the announcement, the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia released a new exchange rate, devaluing the birr by 30 percent against the dollar.
Last April, Reuters reported that Ethiopia may have to decide on a big currency devaluation sooner rather than later to secure a rescue loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
During the annual budget approval hearing in June, Finance Minister Ahmed Shide told lawmakers that the 2024/25 budget did not take devaluation into account.
As per the National Bank, Ethiopia's external partners, including the World Bank, IMF, and creditors, have offered a financing package of $10.7 billion to alleviate the transitional expenses and consequences of t...
- Title
- PM Abiy says war may break unless TPLF registers with NEBE #tplf #abiy #war
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- #tplf #abiy #war #ethiopia #tigray
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in a recent discussion with political parties, stated that if the Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) does not register with National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), it will not be eligible to participate in the upcoming 7th national election or form a government.
NEBE revoked TPLF's legal identity following the outbreak of the #Tigray war. NEBE cited the party's engagement in "armed violence against the government" as a reason. Subsequently, On 05 May, 2021, the House of People's Representatives classified the TPLF as a terrorist organization.
The two year war ended with the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement on 02 November, 2022. On 22 March, 2023, the Ethiopian Parliament removed the TPLF from its terrorist designation. Despite this change, TPLF has not yet registered with NEBE.
- Title
- Daily News recap: July 23, 2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Official reports 91percent of districts in Oromia region prone to malaria #Ethiopia #oromia #malaria
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- The Oromia region is currently experiencing significant malaria outbreaks. According to a recent report by Addis Standard, over 57,000 malaria cases were reported in a single week, and there have been 346 malaria-related fatalities within the first nine months of the year, based on data from the Oromia Health Bureau.
Addressing the Oromia Regional Council on Sunday, Dr. Mengistu Bekele, Head of the Oromia Health Bureau, stated that 91 percent of districts in the region are now susceptible to malaria. He attributed the increase to new mosquitoes that can reproduce on dry land and bite people outside of their homes, leading to more infections.
- Title
- #Ethiopia: The #Oromia regional government vows to continue the operation against the armed groups
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- #Ethiopia #Oromia #armedforces
For the past six years, the Oromia region has seen devastating armed warfare. After two rounds of negotiations, peace efforts failed, and the violence raged on.
Addressing the regional council, Chaffe, Shimelis Abdissa, the Oromia region president, stated that the government is willing to embrace those who choose peace and will continue to take action against those who embrace the path of devastation.
Watch!
- Title
- #Editorial: Security apparatus’s failure to stop kidnapping for ransom is a national crisis
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- #ethiopia #addisstandard #security
#Editorial: Security apparatus’s failure to stop kidnapping for ransom is a national crisis. The time for action is now!
Countless incidents of kidnapping for ransom have become all too common stories in today's #Ethiopia, forcing helpless civilians to live in fear of becoming the next victims.
One can discuss and theorize several factors contributing to the proliferation of this criminal act, including the multiple militarized hostilities in #Oromia and #Amhara, two of Ethiopia’s largest regional states. But at the heart of the problem is a lack of will by the country’s political and security leadership to recognize the state of the crisis, a reflection of deeper systemic security failures.
Grandstanding and rhetoric about the effectiveness of the security apparatus have replaced actionable policies and effective law enforcement strategies. Year after year, federal and regional officials ...
- Title
- Daily News recap: July 18, 2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Officials say almost all regions will experience flooding #Ethiopia #flood #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- #ethiopiannews #flood #addisababa
Ethiopia has witnessed flooding caused by heavy rain. In may it was revealed that Addis Abeba faces flood risk, over 36,000 residents in 218 areas identified as vulnerable ahead of rainy season.
Recently, Abraha Adugna (PhD), state minister of water resource management at the Ministry of Water and Energy, said all regions of Ethiopia along river basins are susceptible to flooding during the rainy season.
According to the state minister, Oromia, Afar, Somali, Tigray, Gambella, Benishangul, Amhara, the South Ethiopia region, as well as the capital Addis Abeba, are among the areas that are expected to experience flooding.
“The Omo River in the Dasenech area, following the Reb River in the Fogera and Dera areas, and following the Awash River, lower, middle, and upper Awash are identified as critical flooding areas.”
- Title
- Daily News recap: July 17, 2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- The Commission is running out of time amid conflict, continued opposition from political parties
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- The National Dialogue Commission is left with nine months to finalize the preliminary work for the national dialogue. However, the security situation in Tigray and the Amhara region prevented the commission from carrying out its activities.
The agenda-selection process held in Addis Abeba was heavily criticized, and Chief Commissioner Pro. Mesfin Araya attributed this to gaps in invitations.
Political parties have been critical of the process and recused themselves from taking part, creating a caucus of opposition parties that have scrutinized the process from the start.
The caucus of opposition parties is an umbrella of eleven opposition groups, including the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), and the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), among others.
In a recent statement, Professor Merera Gudina, the chairperson of the Oromo Federalist Congress, accused the national process of defying both international and local norms of...
- Title
- Daily News recap: July 16, 2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Daily News recap: July 15, 2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Daily News recap: July 12, 2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Daily News recap: July 11, 2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Daily News recap: July 10, 2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- The National Bank of Ethiopia announces a new monetary policy framework #ethiopia #bank #policy
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- #ethiopia #bank #policy
Mamo Mihretu, National Bank of Ethiopia, made a public declaration about a new monetary policy framework yesterday. According to the release, the goal of the policy framework is to foster price stability.
The policy introduced an interest rate of 15 percent and bi-weekly auctions. Additionally, The National Bank of Ethiopia has finalized preparations to create an electronic trading system that will enable an active interbank money market. When the money market uses this electronic trading mechanism, banks with surplus cash will be able to lend to banks experiencing liquidity shortages.
Watch the new policy framework
- Title
- Daily News recap: July 09, 2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Ethiopia-Somalia leaders in tit for tat #ethiopia #somalia #somaliland
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- #ethiopia #somalia #somaliland
Despite the foreign ministers of Ethiopia and Somalia issuing a joint statement and deciding to hold a second round of talks in Ankara on September 2, the leaders of both countries are in tit for tat.
The Ethiopian Prime Minister said, “Don’t waste money... It can be better spent on building a one-kilometer walkway or one school in Mogadishu; the people will benefit from that.”
The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheik Mohamud, posted a short video of his speech on X accusing Ethiopia, saying, “Ethiopia has never engaged with us regarding the illegal MoU. On the contrary, they are teetering around asking others for mediation.”
- Title
- Türkiye facilitated talks between Ethiopia and Somalia #ethiopia #somalia #türkiye
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- #ethiopia #somalia #türkiye
A joint statement issued yesterday stated that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia and his Somalia counterpart held talks with the facilitation of Türkiye.
The statement said, "The Ministers of Somalia and Ethiopia reiterated their commitment to the peaceful resolution of differences and expressed their appreciation to Türkiye for its facilitation as well as its constructive contributions."
Watch a short clip from the joint presser.
- Title
- Daily News recap: July 01, 2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Ethiopia: Fuel shortage or distribution problem? #ethiopia #fuel #shortage
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- #ethiopia #fuel #shortage
A recent rise in wait times at gas stations in Addis Abeba has been observed, with motorists queuing for extended periods.
In an interview on local radio station Sheger, Esmelaleem Mehretu, Director General of the Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise, attributed the fuel scarcity to logistical challenges within the distribution network, emphasizing that there is no underlying supply shortage.
However, the Ethiopian Oil Distributors Association maintains a contrasting viewpoint, citing a lack of readily available fuel as the cause of the current situation.
- Title
- Will government universities be able to feed their students next year under the new budget?
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- This year, government universities in Ethiopia had to review their menus to cope with rising inflation. During a budget hearing session in May 2024, the Ministry of Finance instructed 25 universities to adjust their budget plans according to the budget ceiling.
Today, Dr. Lemi Guta, President of Adama Science and Technology University, expressed his concern about the ability of higher education institutions to adequately feed their students in the upcoming fiscal year.
He raised this issue during a parliamentary session organized by the Parliament’s Budget and Finance Affairs Standing Committee. The session sought clarification on the draft budget bill for the upcoming fiscal year from experts and officials, including State Minister Eyob Tekalign.
- Title
- Daily News recap: June 25, 2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Officials claim relative peace despite reports of increased attacks in the Oromia region #oromia
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- #Ethiopia: Officials claim relative peace despite reports of increased attacks in the #Oromia region
Awelu Abdi, vice president of the Oromia region, and Commissioner Kefalewu Tefera, justice and peace cluster coordinator, at the rank of vice president, gave a joint interview to EBC regarding the current state of affairs in the Oromia region.
Security was the first issue to be addressed, and both officials claimed there is relative peace in Oromia. Awelu Abdi discussed the organizational structure of peacekeeping, such as the controversial Gaachana Sirnaa, militia, and social mobilization.
The commissioner, on his part, blamed historical enemies for the conflict in the region.
Despite their claims, attacks on civilians have been reported. Just last week, four civilians were killed in a deadly attack in the North Shawa Zone of the Oromia region.
- Title
- We are not exclusively creating a capital market that will help a certain Elites #capital #market
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- #capital #market #ethiopia
Addis Standard has a sit-down with Brook Taye (PhD), the General Director of the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority. During the interview, the director discussed the plan for the inauguration of the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX), the significance of the capital market, and the fate of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in raising funds on the capital market platform. Furthermore, Brook explained how to protect the market from being exploited by the elites.
The director addressed issues such as the impact of macroeconomic stability, the experience of other African capital markets, the exacerbation of income inequality by the capital market, digital vulnerability, and many more.
- Title
- Daily News recap: June 21, 2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Daily News recap: June 20, 2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Daily News recap: June 19, 2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Daily News recap: June 18, 2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Daily News recap: June 17, 2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- OHCHR reveals surge in human rights violations in Ethiopia #unitednations #ethiopia #humanrights
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (#OHCHR) issued a damning report detailing a disturbing rise in human rights abuses in Ethiopia throughout 2023. The report documented a staggering 594 incidents impacting 8,253 victims, representing a significant 56% increase compared to the previous year.
State actors, including the Ethiopian National Defense Force (#ENDF) and regional police forces, are allegedly responsible for a shocking 70% of these violations, affecting over 7,100 victims.
The #Amhara region bore the brunt of these abuses, with a documented 740 civilian deaths, primarily attributed to government security forces. The report also highlights the role of the Fano militia group. “The Fano militia group and its allies killed at least 52 people,” reported Elizabeth Throssell, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office.
- Title
- Daily News recap: June 14, 2024 #daily #news #recap #ethiopia #addisstandard #addisababa
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Ethiopia: Is the devaluation of Birr on the horizon? #ethiopia #devaluation #news
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- #ethiopia #devaluation #news
The potential devaluation of the Ethiopian Birr has been a topic of ongoing discussion, particularly in light of the country's economic challenges and efforts to secure a loan from the International Monetary Fund (#IMF). In April, Reuters reported that Ethiopia might need to consider a currency devaluation as part of the IMF loan process.
This would not be the first time the Birr has been devalued. In 2017, the Ethiopian currency was devalued by 15% against the US dollar due to foreign currency shortages and other economic factors.
The devaluation issue resurfaced during the parliamentary hearing of the budget proposal for the 2024/25 fiscal year, which was presented to lawmakers on 11 June 2024. Finance Minister Ahmed Shide addressed the question, acknowledging that while devaluation remains an option, the government is carefully weighing the potential consequences and timing of such a decision.
