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☆ Social media restricted in Ethiopia after church rift turns violent
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NAIROBI, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Access to social media platforms has been restricted in Ethiopia, Internet watchdog NetBlocks said, following violent protests sparked by a rift within the country's Orthodox Church. The protests broke out in the Oromiya region when three church officials declared themselves archbishops last month and set up their own governing body. At least 30 people have been killed in protests since Feb. 4, the church said in a statement on Thursday. The Ethiopian state has traditionally maintained close ties to the Orthodox Church, to which more than 40% of the population adheres. The Orthodox Church vowed in its statement that Sunday's protest would go ahead.

☆ Ethiopian PM meets Tigray region leaders for first time since peace deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed attends his last campaign event ahead of Ethiopia's parliamentary and regional elections scheduled for June 21, in Jimma, Ethiopia, June 16, 2021. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri/File PhotoADDIS ABABA, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met senior leaders of the Tigray region forces on Friday for the first time since they signed a peace deal with the national government ending two years of war, the state-run broadcaster said. The Addis Ababa government and forces of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) signed agreements in November to permanently cease hostilities, ending fighting that killed tens thousands and displaced millions. Friday's meeting was Abiy's first with senior administrators of the northern Tigray region since the fighting broke out. Reporting by Dawit Endeshaw; writing by George Obulutsa; editing by Mark HeinrichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Ethio Telecom posts H1 growth in revenue, financial service subscribers
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Dawit Endeshaw | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Ethio Telecom employees serve a customer inside their call centre in the Bole neighborhood branch in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia July 29, 2022. REUTERS/Tiksa NegeriADDIS ABABA, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Ethiopia's state-owned Ethio Telecom on Thursday reported a 20% rise in half-year revenue to 33.8 billion birr ($633 million). Subscribers to its mobile phone-based financial service Telebirr, launched in May 2021, grew to 27.2 million out of its 70 million total subscribers, CEO Frehiwot Tamiru told a news conference. That was up from 21.8 million Telebirr subscribers in June 2022. Efforts to attract investment have been hampered, however, by a two-year war in the northern Tigray region, which has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions.

☆ Africa should not be arena for international competition, says Chinese foreign minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Dawit Endeshaw | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/6] China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang addresses delegates at the inauguration of the new Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters, which China is building and equipping in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, January 11, 2023. REUTERS/Tiksa NegeriADDIS ABABA, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Africa should not be an arena for competition between world powers, China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Wednesday, opening a new headquarters for a pan-African health body at the start of five-country Africa tour. "Africa should be a big stage for the international cooperation, not an arena for major countries competition," Qin said at a news conference with AU Commission chair Moussa Faki. A trusted aide of President Xi Jinping and former ambassador to the United States, Qin was appointed foreign minister last month. Paul Nantulya, a research associate at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, said the choice of countries reflected China's diversity of interests in Africa.

☆ WHO chief says his uncle was murdered in Ethiopia's Tigray
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

GENEVA, Dec 14 (Reuters) - The head of the World Health Organization said on Wednesday that Eritrean troops "murdered" his uncle in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel did not respond to requests for comment on the allegations. The Ethiopian government and regional forces from Tigray agreed in November to cease hostilities last month in a major breakthrough. However, troops from Eritrea, to the north, and forces from the neighbouring Ethiopian region of Amhara, to the south, who fought alongside Ethiopia's military in Tigray were not party to the ceasefire. That followed the killing of his cousin last year in Tigray when a church was blown up, he said, without giving further details.

☆ First international aid arrives in Ethiopia's Tigray since ceasefire
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Tommy Wilkes | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government and Tigrayan forces signed a ceasefire on Nov. 2 to end two years of fighting that have killed thousands, shattered infrastructure and uprooted millions from their homes. The ICRC described the delivery into the regional capital Mekelle as the first international aid into Tigray since a previous ceasefire broke in August. We have discussed, agreed and signed," Abiy told Ethiopia's national parliament in his first comments on the ceasefire since it came into force. Abiy said on Tuesday that a territorial dispute between forces in Tigray and the neighbouring Amhara region should be resolved legally and through discussion. Authorities in Amhara last week welcomed the ceasefire agreement but made no mention of the disputed territory.

The truce has raised hopes humanitarian aid can start moving back into a region where hundreds of thousands face famine. Representatives of Ethiopia's military and government and forces from Tigray are in the Kenyan capital Nairobi to discuss how to begin implementing the ceasefire, with the talks set to last three or four days. Getachew Reda, spokesman for the Tigray authorities, said the talks were to figure out implementation of the agreement. In a statement on Monday, the AU said it expected the outcomes of the talks to "include modalities for silencing the guns, humanitarian access and the restoration of services in the Tigray region". The ceasefire agreement says Ethiopia's army will safeguard the country against "foreign incursion" but analysts are worried about whether Eritrea - the TPLF's sworn enemy - will listen.

☆ Ethiopia: Warring parties agree to a truce in two-year civil war. Here's what to know
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Eliza Mackintosh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

CNN —When Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, he was lauded as a regional peacemaker. A year later, he launched a conflict that spiraled into a brutal civil war, spawning one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. In November 2020, Abiy ordered a military offensive in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region and promised that the clash would be resolved quickly. Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty ImagesThe Tigray conflict has its roots in tensions that go back generations in Ethiopia. For months at the start of the conflict, Abiy denied that civilians were being harmed or that soldiers from Eritrea had joined the fight.

☆ Ethiopian government and Tigray agree to end fighting after 2 years
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

Eritrea, which has fought alongside neighboring Ethiopia, was notably not part of the peace talks. Eritrean forces have been blamed for some of the conflict’s worst abuses, including gang-rapes, and witnesses have described killings and lootings by Eritrean forces even during the peace talks. Forces from Ethiopia’s neighboring Amhara region also have been fighting Tigray ones, but Amhara representatives are also not part of the peace talks. The conflict began in November 2020, less than a year after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for making peace with Eritrea, which borders the Tigray region. In a speech Wednesday before the peace talks’ announcement, Ethiopia’s prime minster said that “we need to replicate the victory we got on the battlefield in peace efforts, too.

[1/3] A destroyed tank is seen in a field in the aftermath of fighting between the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) forces in Kasagita town, in Afar region, Ethiopia, February 25, 2022. Earlier on Wednesday, the AU had invited media to what it described as a briefing by Obasanjo. It was only when the event began, about three hours behind schedule, that it became clear a truce was about to be signed. Implementation of the peace agreement signed today is critical for its success," said Obasanjo, adding that this would be supervised and monitored by a high-level AU panel. Neither Eritrea nor the regional forces participated in the talks in South Africa and there was no mention at Wednesday's ceremony of whether they would abide by the truce.

☆ Reaction to the agreement for a cessation of hostilities in Tigray
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NAIROBI, Nov 2 (Reuters) - The Ethiopian government and regional forces from Tigray agreed on Wednesday to cease hostilities, a surprise diplomatic breakthrough after nearly two years of war. "This moment is not the end of the peace process. Implementation of the peace agreement signed today is critical for its success." The lasting solution can only be dialogue." We must be true to the letter and to the spirit of this agreement."

☆ Ethiopia, Tigray: Warring parties agree on 'permanent cessation of hostilities'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Bethlehem Feleke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Ethiopia’s Tigray rebels will eventually be disarmed and demobilized, according to the statement. “This is not the end of the peace process but the beginning of it,” Obasanjo said. ‘Horrific’ tollThe peace process has been fitful until now. Renewed peace talks began on October 24, marking the first time the two warring parties had met publicly since the conflict erupted. In a separate statement, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also celebrated the conclusion of the talks saying, “our commitment to peace remains steadfast.

☆ Ethiopian government accused of deadly air strikes on Oromiya region
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Summary Oromo groups say hundreds killed in air strikesNo comment from government and army spokespersonsAlleged strikes come as Tigray peace talks startNAIROBI, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Two organisations from Ethiopia's Oromiya region have accused the army of conducting air strikes there in recent days which they said had killed hundreds of civilians, just as peace talks on the separate Tigray conflict were about to start. read moreIn statements sent to Reuters by text message and email and in posts on Twitter, the OLF and the OLA listed locations in Oromiya where they said a series of deadly air strikes had taken place between Thursday of last week and Tuesday this week. We've been going to funerals this whole time," he said, adding that another air strike had hit a nearby school on Monday, but no one had been killed as it was empty at the time. On Thursday morning, Reuters asked Ethiopian government spokesman Legesse Tulu, military spokesman Colonet Getnet Adane, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's spokeswoman Billene Seyoum and Oromiya regional government spokesman Hailu Adugna for comment on the alleged air strikes. OLA spokesman Odaa Tarbii posted a video on Twitter on Tuesday that purported to show the aftermath of an air strike in West Shewa.

☆ Ethiopia government, Tigray forces to meet for first peace talks since conflict began
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri/File PhotoNAIROBI, Oct 24 (Reuters) - An Ethiopian government delegation and rival Tigray forces were due to meet in South Africa for the first formal peace talks since war broke out two years ago. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterThe conflict has killed thousands, displaced millions and left hundreds of thousands on the brink of famine. Kindeya Gebrehiwot, a spokesman for the Tigray forces, said the Tigrayan delegation had already arrived. Both sides had committed to the talks in South Africa earlier this month, but they were delayed for logistical reasons. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Nairobi Newsroom Editing by Alexander WinningOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ African Union chair calls for unconditional ceasefire, peace talks in Ethiopia
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NAIROBI, Oct 16 (Reuters) - The chair of the African Union on Sunday called on those involved in the two-year-old conflict in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region to implement an immediate, unconditional ceasefire and agree to direct peace talks. AU chair Moussa Faki said he was following reports of escalating violence in Tigray with grave concern. "The chairperson strongly calls for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire and the resumption of humanitarian services," the AU said in a statement. Getachew Reda, a spokesperson for the Tigray forces, did not respond to requests for comment. African Union-led peace talks proposed for earlier this month were delayed for logistical reasons.

☆ Aid worker killed in air strike in Ethiopia's Tigray region, IRC says
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NAIROBI, Oct 15 (Reuters) - An aid worker was among three people killed during an air strike on the town of Shire in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, the International Rescue Committee said on Saturday. The aid worker, who worked for IRC's health and nutrition team, died of injuries sustained while delivering assistance to women and children on Friday, IRC said in a statement. Another IRC staff member was injured in the attack, while two other civilians were killed and three wounded, the statement said. Ethiopian government spokesperson Legesse Tulu, military spokesperson Colonel Getnet Adane and the prime minister's spokesperson Billene Seyoum did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Friday's incident. Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel and Getachew Reda, a spokesman for the Tigray forces, also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

☆ Război civil în Etiopia: Premierul anunță că a fost capturată capitala rebelilor
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-29 | by ( Publika.Md - Aici Sunt Știrile | ) www.publika.md time to read: +1 min

Detalii cu privire la acest conflict sunt puține și greu de confirmat, în contextul în care comunicațiile, prin telefon sau internet, au fost tăiate în regiunea Tigray de când au început ostilitățile. Într-o declarație pentru Reuters, citată și de BBC, liderul separatiștilor a spus că „va lupta până la sfârșit”. Premierul etiopian a lansat operațiunea militară împotriva grupării după ce i-a acuzat că au atacat o bază militară, o acuzație negată de separatiști. Luptele și conflictul din zonă au forțat cel puțin 17.000 de civili să părăsească zona, trecând granița în Sudan, conform Organizației Națiunilor Unite. Tensiunile dintre această grupare și guvernul etiopian au escaladat în confruntări militare directe pe parcursul ultimei luni, scrie digi24.ro.

Persons: Abiy Ahmed, Reuters Organizations: Etiopiei, Abiy, BBC, separatiști, Organizației Națiunilor Unite Locations: Mekelle, Tigray, Eritreea, Addis Abeba, Sudan

☆ Etiopia: Cel puţin 600 de civili au fost ucişi în masacrul din Tigray
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-24 | by ( Publika.Md - Aici Sunt Știrile | ) www.publika.md time to read: +3 min

Cel puţin 600 de persoane au fost ucise în cursul unui "masacru atroce" comis de membri ai miliţiilor din regiunea Tigray pe 9 noiembrie în localitatea Mai Kadra, la începutul conflictului din această regiune disidentă din nordul Etiopiei, a anunţat marţi o instituţie publică etiopiană, relatează AFP.Comisia etiopiană a drepturilor omului (EHRC), independentă din punct de vedere administrativ dar al cărui director, Daniel Bekele, a fost numit de prim-ministrul Abiy Ahmed, acuză într-un raport preliminar o miliţie informală a tinerilor din Tigray şi forţele de securitate loiale autorităţilor locale că sunt autoarele unui "masacru" care i-a vizat pe sezonierii din afara regiunii.Amnesty International a informat deja că "probabil sute" de civili au fost înjunghiaţi sau ucişi cu topoare pe 9 noiembrie la Mai Kadra, atrocitatea cea mai sângeroasă de la începutul - pe 4 noiembrie - operaţiunii militare lansate de guvernul federal împotriva autorităţilor regionale ale Frontului de eliberare a poporului din Tigray (TPLF).În raportul său, EHRC acuză o miliţie informală a tinerilor din Tigray, numită "Samri", sprijinită de forţele de securitate locale loiale TPLF, că, "înainte de a se retrage din faţa armatei federale", a atacat ţărani sezonieri "identificaţi că ar fi de etnie amhara şi wolkait", care lucrau în exploatări de susan sau de sorg. "De-a lungul întregii nopţi", autorii au ucis cu lovituri de bâte, cuţite, macete şi topoare sau "strangulând cu corzi", dedându-se la jafuri şi distrugere, menţionează EHRC, care estimează că aceste fapte "sunt susceptibile să constituie crime împotriva umanităţii şi crime de război".Bazându-se pe martori şi pe membri ai comitetului înfiinţat pentru îngroparea victimelor, "EHRC estimează că cel puţin 600 de civili au fost ucişi", dar "bilanţul ar putea fi mai ridicat, unele persoane fiind în continuare date dispărute la momentul vizitei EHRC", în timp ce unele cadavre ar fi fost ascunse pe câmpurile din jurul Mai Kadra. "Îngroparea victimelor a durat trei zile din cauza disparităţii între numărul ridicat de corpuri şi capacitatea de înhumare", potrivit raportului.ONU a făcut apel la o anchetă independentă pentru a stabili ce s-a întâmplat la Mai Kadra, în condiţiile în care Tigray este supusă unei întreruperi a alimentării cu electricitate iar deplasările jurnaliştilor sunt sever limitate.Fără a se pronunţa asupra autorilor "masacrului", Amnesty a citat mărturii care atribuie astfel de acte forţelor pro-TPLF.Totuşi, locuitorii din Mai Kadra care au fugit din calea luptelor alături de alţi 40.000 de etiopieni spre Sudan au acuzat forţele guvernamentale că au comis atrocităţi în localitate, teatrul unor lupte intense la începutul conflictului şi ajunsă ulterior în mâinile forţelor guvernamentale, scrie agerpres.ro.

Persons: Daniel Bekele, Ahmed Organizations: International, Frontului, Amnesty Locations: Tigray, Etiopiei, etiopieni, Sudan

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