ADDIS ABABA -- Egypt Tuesday became the latest in a string of countries to deny accusations by UN experts of violating a 1992 arms embargo on Somalia by training gunmen loyal to a powerful Islamic movement.
Cairo slammed allegations that its military officers trained Islamic fighters as "fallacious and untenable" and expressed shock about the authors' ignorance of Egypt's policy toward Somalia.
In a statement released by its embassy in Addis Ababa, the foreign ministry spokesman "expressed his shock and strong dismay at the inclusion of such totally fallacious and untenable allegations in UN reports prepared by Western experts, whose political affiliations are unknown."
The report, prepared for the United Nations Security Council, "reflects the stark ignorance of those experts about the facts and the premises of Egypt's policy toward Somalia," the statement said.
The UN report paints a grim picture of illegal militarization in Somalia, where the Islamists and weak government are now on the brink of all-out war that many fear could engulf the Horn of Africa region in conflict.
In their 80-page report, the UN experts accuse Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah militia of supplying weapons to the Islamists, many with Eritrean assistance.
They said that Ethiopia, Uganda and Yemen are providing weapons and troops to the government and that the potential exists for Somalia to become a proxy battleground for arch-foes Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Of all the named countries, only Ethiopia has admitted sending military advisors to help the government but flatly denied sending thousands of troops to protect the feeble administration.
Asmara has dismissed the report's proxy war suggestion as a "fairytale" and said that its conclusions were part of a US-backed plot.
Cairo, which has already protested to the UN, said that it had "presented evidence on the neutrality of Egypt's policy toward Somalia, and on its eagerness to restoring security and stability to all the Somali territories as soon as possible."
Since they seized control of the capital, Mogadishu, in June, the Islamists have expanded their territory to include most of southern and central Somalia, where they have imposed strict Sharia law.
Somalia, a nation of about 10 million, has lacked a functioning central authority since the ousting in 1991 of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre. The transitional government, established in 2004, has proved incapable of restoring order.
Source: Middle East Times
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Ethiopian troops patrol in Somalia (Brocktown News)
By MOHAMED OLAD HASSAN, Associated Press Writer 5 minutes ago
MOGADISHU, Somalia - Hundreds of Ethiopian troops were patrolling a strategic road that leads to Somalia‘s government headquarters after a brief but intense firefight in the area this week, witnesses said Wednesday.
"At least 200 Ethiopian troops are carefully patrolling the road," said Yusuf Kheyre, a resident of Bardale district about 40 miles southwest of the southern town of Baidoa where the government is based.
Ethiopia acknowledges sending "military advisers" — not soldiers — to Somalia, although Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has threatened to send tens of thousands of troops across the border if the Council of Islamic Courts attacks.
Experts have warned Somalia has become a proxy battleground for Somalia‘s neighbors, Eritrea and Ethiopia. A confidential U.N. report obtained last month by the AP said 6,000 to 8,000 Ethiopian troops are in or near Somalia‘s border with Ethiopia, backing the interim government. The report also said 2,000 troops from Eritrea are inside Somalia supporting the Islamic movement.
The Islamic Courts, meanwhile, have steadily gained ground since taking over Mogadishu in June and now control much of southern Somalia.
The group‘s strict and often severe interpretation of Islam raises memories of Afghanistan ‘s Taliban, which was ousted by a U.S.-led campaign for harboring Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida fighters. The United States has accused Somalia‘s Islamic group of sheltering suspects in the 1998 al-Qaida bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
"The detainees were watching an Indian film dubbed into Somali language," said Abdi Shardi, a cinema owner.
"The flood problem in Somalia is more than we can fix alone," said Sheik Nor Barud, a spokesman for the Islamic courts‘ flood relief committee. He said his group will protect relief workers in areas under Islamic control.
Associated Press Writer Salad Duhul contributed to this report.
Source: Brocktown News
MOGADISHU, Somalia - Hundreds of Ethiopian troops were patrolling a strategic road that leads to Somalia‘s government headquarters after a brief but intense firefight in the area this week, witnesses said Wednesday.
"At least 200 Ethiopian troops are carefully patrolling the road," said Yusuf Kheyre, a resident of Bardale district about 40 miles southwest of the southern town of Baidoa where the government is based.
Ethiopia acknowledges sending "military advisers" — not soldiers — to Somalia, although Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has threatened to send tens of thousands of troops across the border if the Council of Islamic Courts attacks.
Experts have warned Somalia has become a proxy battleground for Somalia‘s neighbors, Eritrea and Ethiopia. A confidential U.N. report obtained last month by the AP said 6,000 to 8,000 Ethiopian troops are in or near Somalia‘s border with Ethiopia, backing the interim government. The report also said 2,000 troops from Eritrea are inside Somalia supporting the Islamic movement.
The Islamic Courts, meanwhile, have steadily gained ground since taking over Mogadishu in June and now control much of southern Somalia.
The group‘s strict and often severe interpretation of Islam raises memories of Afghanistan ‘s Taliban, which was ousted by a U.S.-led campaign for harboring Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida fighters. The United States has accused Somalia‘s Islamic group of sheltering suspects in the 1998 al-Qaida bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
"The detainees were watching an Indian film dubbed into Somali language," said Abdi Shardi, a cinema owner.
"The flood problem in Somalia is more than we can fix alone," said Sheik Nor Barud, a spokesman for the Islamic courts‘ flood relief committee. He said his group will protect relief workers in areas under Islamic control.
Associated Press Writer Salad Duhul contributed to this report.
Source: Brocktown News
Ethiopia issues new rules to monitor NGOs operations (Sudan Tribune)
Nov 22, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopian government is putting in place a new system to regulate the activities of the NGOs working in the country, in order to closely control and evaluate their activities.
According to the new regulation, the NGOs operating in the country have to deal with the relevant governmental institutions in order to monitor their activities.
The Ethiopian minister of Justice Asefa Kesito said there are more than 3,000 local and international NGOs operating in the country, out of which some have been breaching their declared objectives, the pro-government WIC reported Tuesday.
He said the NGOs used to secure licenses without first signing implementation agreements with the concerned authorities. He further said that licenses could now be issued, if NGOs only fulfil the requirements set by a committee established last September.
Though there was a system through which the NGOs can be evaluated by submitting an audit report, the monitoring and supervision system was very loose, according to the minister.
Asefa elaborated that it was also very difficult to find out the type of work, amount of capital and place where the NGOs were operating, while the new system enables the relevant federal and regional offices to follow up their activities.
The new system will inform ministries in each sector about the activities to be undertaken by the NGOs and open their door for the monitoring and evaluation works, he added.
The number of NGOs that operated in Ethiopia from 1951 to 2005 stood at 1,656, whereas 1,567 NGOs were registered during the last three years alone.
Out of the 3,737 NGOs currently operating in the country at present 1,681 are local,262 foreign development organizations and the rest being faith based, professional, civic and others organizations.
Source: Sudan Tribune
According to the new regulation, the NGOs operating in the country have to deal with the relevant governmental institutions in order to monitor their activities.
The Ethiopian minister of Justice Asefa Kesito said there are more than 3,000 local and international NGOs operating in the country, out of which some have been breaching their declared objectives, the pro-government WIC reported Tuesday.
He said the NGOs used to secure licenses without first signing implementation agreements with the concerned authorities. He further said that licenses could now be issued, if NGOs only fulfil the requirements set by a committee established last September.
Though there was a system through which the NGOs can be evaluated by submitting an audit report, the monitoring and supervision system was very loose, according to the minister.
Asefa elaborated that it was also very difficult to find out the type of work, amount of capital and place where the NGOs were operating, while the new system enables the relevant federal and regional offices to follow up their activities.
The new system will inform ministries in each sector about the activities to be undertaken by the NGOs and open their door for the monitoring and evaluation works, he added.
The number of NGOs that operated in Ethiopia from 1951 to 2005 stood at 1,656, whereas 1,567 NGOs were registered during the last three years alone.
Out of the 3,737 NGOs currently operating in the country at present 1,681 are local,262 foreign development organizations and the rest being faith based, professional, civic and others organizations.
Source: Sudan Tribune
Great Ethiopian Run, Athletics Federation sign 100,000 br deal
By Groum Abate
Organizers of the 2006 TOYOTA Great Ethiopian Run, one of Africa 's biggest road races, are to sign a technical support contract with the Ethiopian Athletics Federation.
Sources told Capital that Haile G/Sellasie and Bisrat Gashaw Tena of the Federation are scheduled to sign the agreement today, November 12 th 2006. The technical support the federation is to give the Great Ethiopian Run would cost 100,000 birr, according to our sources.
For sometime there have been talks that the Great Ethiopian Run may not take place due to disagreement with the Athletics Federation. The later, is said to have claimed 50% from the total income of the event, which the organizers refused, stating that they do not make that much profit from the event, according to sources. After negotiations the two parties agreed for the organizers to pay a technical support fee of 100,000 birr to the federation based on the latter's technical support proposal.
Organizers of the event claim that they spend almost 200,000 birr annually for organizing the event. They say that the money goes to race publicity material and organization, which costs 56 birr per competitor, 21 birr less than the fee charged to the participant. The balance is covered by sponsors. The profit at the end would be used for publicity and other race organizations, according to the sources. It was reported that Sonia O'Sullivan will compete in this year's Great Ethio pian Run. “I have watched the race on TV before, and I know it's getting bigger every year,” said O'Sullivan, who has dual Irish and Australian nationality. “Having competed against Et hiopia 's top athletes over the years, I'm lo oking forward to visiting the country for the first time and re newing friendships.”
Olympic champwions Hicham EI Guerrouj and Carolina Kluft will be in attendance, although not competing.
Twenty-five thousand participants have already registered for the l0 km race scheduled for 26 November.
Source: Capital
Organizers of the 2006 TOYOTA Great Ethiopian Run, one of Africa 's biggest road races, are to sign a technical support contract with the Ethiopian Athletics Federation.
Sources told Capital that Haile G/Sellasie and Bisrat Gashaw Tena of the Federation are scheduled to sign the agreement today, November 12 th 2006. The technical support the federation is to give the Great Ethiopian Run would cost 100,000 birr, according to our sources.
For sometime there have been talks that the Great Ethiopian Run may not take place due to disagreement with the Athletics Federation. The later, is said to have claimed 50% from the total income of the event, which the organizers refused, stating that they do not make that much profit from the event, according to sources. After negotiations the two parties agreed for the organizers to pay a technical support fee of 100,000 birr to the federation based on the latter's technical support proposal.
Organizers of the event claim that they spend almost 200,000 birr annually for organizing the event. They say that the money goes to race publicity material and organization, which costs 56 birr per competitor, 21 birr less than the fee charged to the participant. The balance is covered by sponsors. The profit at the end would be used for publicity and other race organizations, according to the sources. It was reported that Sonia O'Sullivan will compete in this year's Great Ethio pian Run. “I have watched the race on TV before, and I know it's getting bigger every year,” said O'Sullivan, who has dual Irish and Australian nationality. “Having competed against Et hiopia 's top athletes over the years, I'm lo oking forward to visiting the country for the first time and re newing friendships.”
Olympic champwions Hicham EI Guerrouj and Carolina Kluft will be in attendance, although not competing.
Twenty-five thousand participants have already registered for the l0 km race scheduled for 26 November.
Source: Capital
EEPCo to recycle toxic chemical
By Groum Abate
Experco International, a Canadian firm has been selected to decontaminate toxic chemical leaks of Chromated Cooper Arsenate destined for the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) in January 2002, still lying at the Port of Djibouti .
Sources told Capital that a meeting was held on November 6 at EEPCo's headquarters between the two parties led by Kidane Gizaw from EEPCo and Aboubaker Douale Waiss from Djibouti where it was agreed that Experco International executes the project at a cost of 522,887 dollars.
According to our sources, the meeting was concluded agreeing on the terms and conditions the selected company would commission and supervise the decontamination. EEPCo is expected to finalize negotiations with Experco International shortly to commence the project.
Two-hundred tonnes of Copper Chromate Arsenate (CCA) arrived from Britain in late January 2002 at the port of Djibouti , bound for EEPCo when the incident happened. EEPCo had imported the chemical for protecting wooden electric poles against termites and decay. The cargo was immediately blocked by port authorities because the chemicals were beginning to seep out of their containers, said to be in poor condition. A total of fifteen sea containers were found leaking and subsequently removed to a secure site. In September 2005, the joint Ethio-Djibouti Intergovernmental Technical Committee agreed on the decontamination of the port and the damping in Ethiopia of the whole content of the aforementioned compartment.
Several attempts by Capital to contact EEPCo officials were unsuccessful.
A UN expert sent to investigate the hazardous cargo in 2002 warned that CCA is a "carcinogenic product and dangerous for the environment," and asked the international community to help decontaminate the affected zone in the port.
The report also called for the cargo to be sent back to Britain . Some countries have banned CCA, which is used as a pesticide, primarily to impregnate wood to protect it from termites.
The cargo is currently stocked in an area of the port's docks, "sealed off" with cement. The leaked CCA is feared that it could contaminate the port's water. A Swiss ecotoxicologist from the Canton of Geneva has established a detoxing zone to accommodate contaminated waste and soil in 2002.
According to figures by WHO, at the time of the leak, as many as 350 persons have claimed to have been exposed. So far, there has been at least one death, though a direct link to chemical exposure was not established.
The components of CCA, an acid-based product containing chromium, copper, and arsenic are highly toxic, corrosive and may cause cancer. Experco International, member of Teknika HBA, a Canadian based firm was established in 1962. The firm has been involved in different projects in many African countries including Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Côte D'Ivoire, Cameroon, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, DRC, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo, and Tunisia.
Source: Capital
Experco International, a Canadian firm has been selected to decontaminate toxic chemical leaks of Chromated Cooper Arsenate destined for the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) in January 2002, still lying at the Port of Djibouti .
Sources told Capital that a meeting was held on November 6 at EEPCo's headquarters between the two parties led by Kidane Gizaw from EEPCo and Aboubaker Douale Waiss from Djibouti where it was agreed that Experco International executes the project at a cost of 522,887 dollars.
According to our sources, the meeting was concluded agreeing on the terms and conditions the selected company would commission and supervise the decontamination. EEPCo is expected to finalize negotiations with Experco International shortly to commence the project.
Two-hundred tonnes of Copper Chromate Arsenate (CCA) arrived from Britain in late January 2002 at the port of Djibouti , bound for EEPCo when the incident happened. EEPCo had imported the chemical for protecting wooden electric poles against termites and decay. The cargo was immediately blocked by port authorities because the chemicals were beginning to seep out of their containers, said to be in poor condition. A total of fifteen sea containers were found leaking and subsequently removed to a secure site. In September 2005, the joint Ethio-Djibouti Intergovernmental Technical Committee agreed on the decontamination of the port and the damping in Ethiopia of the whole content of the aforementioned compartment.
Several attempts by Capital to contact EEPCo officials were unsuccessful.
A UN expert sent to investigate the hazardous cargo in 2002 warned that CCA is a "carcinogenic product and dangerous for the environment," and asked the international community to help decontaminate the affected zone in the port.
The report also called for the cargo to be sent back to Britain . Some countries have banned CCA, which is used as a pesticide, primarily to impregnate wood to protect it from termites.
The cargo is currently stocked in an area of the port's docks, "sealed off" with cement. The leaked CCA is feared that it could contaminate the port's water. A Swiss ecotoxicologist from the Canton of Geneva has established a detoxing zone to accommodate contaminated waste and soil in 2002.
According to figures by WHO, at the time of the leak, as many as 350 persons have claimed to have been exposed. So far, there has been at least one death, though a direct link to chemical exposure was not established.
The components of CCA, an acid-based product containing chromium, copper, and arsenic are highly toxic, corrosive and may cause cancer. Experco International, member of Teknika HBA, a Canadian based firm was established in 1962. The firm has been involved in different projects in many African countries including Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Côte D'Ivoire, Cameroon, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, DRC, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo, and Tunisia.
Source: Capital
ERA to execute road projects with 1.5 billion birr in Somali, Gambella States
Addis Ababa, November 17, 2006 (WIC) - Preliminary works are underway to launch four road projects in Somali and Gambella states with 1.5 billion birr this budget year,the Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) disclosed.
Authority Public Relations and Information Main Section Head, Samson Wondimu,told WIC today that the roads to be constructed include 220kms Degahabur-Kebridahar,105kms Kebridahar-Shilabo and 165kms Gode-Kebridahar roads in Somali State and 120kms Adura-Berbe-Akobo roads in Gambella State.
The road projects to be executed in the Somali State include asphalting of damaged gravel roads,while the roads to be built in Gambella are new gravel roads in areas with no road facilities, according to the head.
Samson further added that the Authority has purchased various construction machineries at a cost of 613 million birr to efficiently carry out the work and finalize the projects according to the timetable.
The construction of the roads would improve the social and economic benefits of the community, Samson said, adding that they would also significantly contribute toward harnessing natural resources in the regions and boost the overall economic growth of the country.
The fund for the execution of the roads and procurement of the machineries has been earmarked by the government, the head concluded.
Source: Walta Information Center
Authority Public Relations and Information Main Section Head, Samson Wondimu,told WIC today that the roads to be constructed include 220kms Degahabur-Kebridahar,105kms Kebridahar-Shilabo and 165kms Gode-Kebridahar roads in Somali State and 120kms Adura-Berbe-Akobo roads in Gambella State.
The road projects to be executed in the Somali State include asphalting of damaged gravel roads,while the roads to be built in Gambella are new gravel roads in areas with no road facilities, according to the head.
Samson further added that the Authority has purchased various construction machineries at a cost of 613 million birr to efficiently carry out the work and finalize the projects according to the timetable.
The construction of the roads would improve the social and economic benefits of the community, Samson said, adding that they would also significantly contribute toward harnessing natural resources in the regions and boost the overall economic growth of the country.
The fund for the execution of the roads and procurement of the machineries has been earmarked by the government, the head concluded.
Source: Walta Information Center
Ethiopian coup plot defendants claim mistreatment (AFP)
KALITI, Ethiopia -- Two defendants in the trial of Ethiopian opposition figures accused of plotting a coup after disputed elections last year complained Monday of mistreatment in custody.
The pair, aid workers Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie, said that they were neither "physically nor psychologically" prepared to go on with the trial because of the conditions that they are being held in.
Speaking for the two, Bekele told a court in Kaliti, Ethiopia, just south of Addis Ababa that they had been separated from the rest of the defendants Friday and that he was placed in a shipping container before being moved to an overcrowded cell.
"Because of all that, I'm psychologically tormented," he said. "I can hardly sleep and I'm not ready for the cross-examination of the witnesses. We request to the court to return to the place where we were before Friday."
"We are not physically, nor psychologically ready," Bekele said. "We have the right to a fair trial. Defendants have to be treated fairly and shouldn't be exposed to adverse measures."
"We are appealing to the court to observe our rights," added Demissie.
Judge Adil Ahmed then asked prosecutors to ensure that the pair are put back in conditions similar to those that they were being held in before and adjourned the trial, which is hearing from prosecution witnesses, until Thursday.
Bekele and Demissie are among 111 defendants, including nearly all of the leadership of the main opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), being tried on various charges, including treason, genocide, and conspiracy.
The case has drawn deep concern from donors and criticism from rights groups that maintain that the government is trying to stifle dissent in the wake of unrest following the May 2005 election that the CUD claims was rigged.
Opposition protests against alleged massive electoral fraud erupted into two explosions of violence in Addis Ababa and other cities in June and November last year in which 193 civilians and six police were killed.
Authorities say that the CUD was attempting to overthrow the government through nationwide protests and prosecutors have presented documents and witnesses that they say corroborate a coup plot.
The defendants adamantly deny the charges but most have refused to enter pleas, claiming that the trial is a political tool to destroy the opposition.
Source: Middle East Times
The pair, aid workers Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie, said that they were neither "physically nor psychologically" prepared to go on with the trial because of the conditions that they are being held in.
Speaking for the two, Bekele told a court in Kaliti, Ethiopia, just south of Addis Ababa that they had been separated from the rest of the defendants Friday and that he was placed in a shipping container before being moved to an overcrowded cell.
"Because of all that, I'm psychologically tormented," he said. "I can hardly sleep and I'm not ready for the cross-examination of the witnesses. We request to the court to return to the place where we were before Friday."
"We are not physically, nor psychologically ready," Bekele said. "We have the right to a fair trial. Defendants have to be treated fairly and shouldn't be exposed to adverse measures."
"We are appealing to the court to observe our rights," added Demissie.
Judge Adil Ahmed then asked prosecutors to ensure that the pair are put back in conditions similar to those that they were being held in before and adjourned the trial, which is hearing from prosecution witnesses, until Thursday.
Bekele and Demissie are among 111 defendants, including nearly all of the leadership of the main opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), being tried on various charges, including treason, genocide, and conspiracy.
The case has drawn deep concern from donors and criticism from rights groups that maintain that the government is trying to stifle dissent in the wake of unrest following the May 2005 election that the CUD claims was rigged.
Opposition protests against alleged massive electoral fraud erupted into two explosions of violence in Addis Ababa and other cities in June and November last year in which 193 civilians and six police were killed.
Authorities say that the CUD was attempting to overthrow the government through nationwide protests and prosecutors have presented documents and witnesses that they say corroborate a coup plot.
The defendants adamantly deny the charges but most have refused to enter pleas, claiming that the trial is a political tool to destroy the opposition.
Source: Middle East Times
Father jailed for the genital mutilation of his daughter
A man has been sentenced to 10 years in jail for the genital mutilation of his two-year-old daughter, in what is said to be first such case in the US.
Khalid Adem, an Ethiopian immigrant, was found guilty of aggravated battery and cruelty to children by the court in the state of Georgia.
Prosecutors said he used scissors to remove his daughter’s clitoris in 2001. A US women’s rights group described the verdict as a victory against female genital mutilation worldwide.
Girl’s testimony
Adem, 30, wept loudly as the jury’s verdict was read in the town of Lawrenceville.
During the trial, he denied the charges and said he found the practice to be reprehensible.
The girl, who is now seven, had testified on videotape that her father “cut me on my private part”.
The daughter’s mother had said she did not discover that the child was mutilated until nearly two years later.
“This was a violation of her rights as a child, her rights as a woman, and most of all her rights as a human being, she will never be the same,” Fortunate Adem said in the courtroom, according to a tape recording broadcast by local radio station WSB.
Equality Now, a US women’s rights group, said it was the first recorded case of female genital mutilation in the country.
A recent report by the World Health Organization condemned genital mutilation, saying it caused infection, appalling pain and serious long-term injury.
The practice is part of tradition in a number of African countries.
Some communities there believe it helps to preserve a girl’s honour.
Source: l'express
Khalid Adem, an Ethiopian immigrant, was found guilty of aggravated battery and cruelty to children by the court in the state of Georgia.
Prosecutors said he used scissors to remove his daughter’s clitoris in 2001. A US women’s rights group described the verdict as a victory against female genital mutilation worldwide.
Girl’s testimony
Adem, 30, wept loudly as the jury’s verdict was read in the town of Lawrenceville.
During the trial, he denied the charges and said he found the practice to be reprehensible.
The girl, who is now seven, had testified on videotape that her father “cut me on my private part”.
The daughter’s mother had said she did not discover that the child was mutilated until nearly two years later.
“This was a violation of her rights as a child, her rights as a woman, and most of all her rights as a human being, she will never be the same,” Fortunate Adem said in the courtroom, according to a tape recording broadcast by local radio station WSB.
Equality Now, a US women’s rights group, said it was the first recorded case of female genital mutilation in the country.
A recent report by the World Health Organization condemned genital mutilation, saying it caused infection, appalling pain and serious long-term injury.
The practice is part of tradition in a number of African countries.
Some communities there believe it helps to preserve a girl’s honour.
Source: l'express
Chinese volunteer team arrives (Walta)
Addis Ababa, November 02, 2006 - China has sent a 50-member volunteers’ team to Ethiopia to render a one-year service. The team arrived here at Bole International Airport yesterday.
Capacity Building Ministry Public Relations Acting Head Yilma Tibebu said that the volunteers would serve at various ministries and offices.
The volunteers came here in fulfilment of the Chinese government pledge to provide capacity building assistance to Ethiopia, he added.
Yilma also noted that the Chinese volunteers are believed to have made significant contribution in the capacity building sector.
The volunteers would be assigned to seven Federal Ministries, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State and the Information Communication Technology Development Agency, he said.
The volunteers are trained in Information Communication Technology (ICT), agriculture, pedagogy, mines and other fields.
(ENA)
Capacity Building Ministry Public Relations Acting Head Yilma Tibebu said that the volunteers would serve at various ministries and offices.
The volunteers came here in fulfilment of the Chinese government pledge to provide capacity building assistance to Ethiopia, he added.
Yilma also noted that the Chinese volunteers are believed to have made significant contribution in the capacity building sector.
The volunteers would be assigned to seven Federal Ministries, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State and the Information Communication Technology Development Agency, he said.
The volunteers are trained in Information Communication Technology (ICT), agriculture, pedagogy, mines and other fields.
(ENA)
NEBE calls on CUD to hold general assembly, election
Addis Ababa, November 03, 2006 (WIC) - The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) urged the leadership of Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) split into two to urgently hold a general assembly and submit the list of its elected leaders and members of the assembly.
Office Deputy Executive of NEBE,Tesfaye Mengesha, told WIC today that though the provisional coordinating committee of the party was told to call a general assembly and notify the Board its elected leaders before eight months,it has failed to do so as the leadership have been blaming one another.
According to him,chairman of CUD’s provisional coordinating committee,Temesgen Zewde, and his deputy Ayele Chameso have been suspended each other from the party and added that NEBE has not accepted the plea of both as they have no mandate to suspend each another but temporarily coordinate the party.
Tesfaye said though the deputy chairman Ayele Chameso recently called a general assembly which elected permanent leaders, four of the elected members, in a letter they wrote to the Board, have rejected the election claiming that it was conducted in their absence and that the assembly was illegal.
Therefore, NEBE will not accept the separate activities of the two bodies because the mandate of the 22 member of the provisional coordinating committee of the party and the six leaders is to call a general assembly and organize the various bodies of the party,according to the statute of the CUD.
He finally underlined that any decision made in the name of the party would not be acceptable unless agreed upon by the 22 committee members, including the chairperson and his deputy.
Source: Walta Information
Office Deputy Executive of NEBE,Tesfaye Mengesha, told WIC today that though the provisional coordinating committee of the party was told to call a general assembly and notify the Board its elected leaders before eight months,it has failed to do so as the leadership have been blaming one another.
According to him,chairman of CUD’s provisional coordinating committee,Temesgen Zewde, and his deputy Ayele Chameso have been suspended each other from the party and added that NEBE has not accepted the plea of both as they have no mandate to suspend each another but temporarily coordinate the party.
Tesfaye said though the deputy chairman Ayele Chameso recently called a general assembly which elected permanent leaders, four of the elected members, in a letter they wrote to the Board, have rejected the election claiming that it was conducted in their absence and that the assembly was illegal.
Therefore, NEBE will not accept the separate activities of the two bodies because the mandate of the 22 member of the provisional coordinating committee of the party and the six leaders is to call a general assembly and organize the various bodies of the party,according to the statute of the CUD.
He finally underlined that any decision made in the name of the party would not be acceptable unless agreed upon by the 22 committee members, including the chairperson and his deputy.
Source: Walta Information
Israel to train Ethiopian medical doctors, nurses (Walta)
Addis Ababa, October 24, 2006 - Israel is to train Ethiopian medical doctors and nurses on treatment of AIDS patients as per the emergency plan initiated by US President George W. Bush, ynetnews.com reported.
In Ethiopia, out of the four million people living with the virus, only about 10 thousand of them receive treatment for the virus, it said.
As part of an emergency plan initiated by President Bush, 100 million US dollars would be transferred to Ethiopia annually for the purchase of medicines, it added.
A major problem was that Ethiopia has shortage of medical doctors who are knowledgeable about the drugs and how to treat HIV patients, it said. Israel decided to give a hand in the struggle against the deadly epidemic in training Ethiopian medical doctors on the subject.
The report said the first envoy of 11 Ethiopian medical doctors arrived in Israel this week from Addis Ababa. They were expected to undergo training in the AIDS clinics at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Centre, Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem, and the Central Virology Laboratory at the Sheba Medical Centre in Tel-Hashomer.
(ENA)
Rare bird sighted in Ethiopia for first time since 1970s (BBC)
Bird charities are ecstatic after identifying the winter home of the northern bald ibis, a critically endangered species.
Three birds have now been followed by satellite tags from their summer grounds in Syria to Ethiopia.
Britain's Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) describes the find as a "major breakthrough". It says the ibis is the rarest bird in the Middle East; exact numbers are unknown but could be under 1,000. Read more..
Three birds have now been followed by satellite tags from their summer grounds in Syria to Ethiopia.
Britain's Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) describes the find as a "major breakthrough". It says the ibis is the rarest bird in the Middle East; exact numbers are unknown but could be under 1,000. Read more..
Scores killed as fundametalists set church on fire (EthioMedia)
JIMMA, Southern Ethiopia - An unknown number of people have been killed and others wounded when a group of Islamic fundamentalists set a church on fire, and butchered the faithful to death with matchetes and knives, according to email messages that reached Ethiomedia on Sunday. Following are the messages that earnestly call on leaders of the two great religions (Islam and Christianity) to resolve the crisis immediately before the situation gets out of hand, and wreaks further havoc on communities that have lived harmoniously for generations. Read more..
Nation secures 1 bln. USD from Agricultural exports (Walta)
October 17, 2006 - The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said Ethiopia has managed to get 1 billion USD from export of agricultural products.
Speaking on the celebration of World Food Day and FAO’s 60th year anniversary held in Awash Fentale woreda Sunday, State Minister Ahmed Nasser said Ethiopia has secured the stated sum in export revenue owing to the sound policies and strategies the government pursues.
Ahmed said efforts would also be strengthened in developing the sector carried out by investors, farmers and the government to further enhance qualities of agricultural exports.
He said the celebration entitled by “Investing Agriculture for Food Security” would go in line with policies and strategies of the country and support the development activities carried out in the sector. Read more..
Speaking on the celebration of World Food Day and FAO’s 60th year anniversary held in Awash Fentale woreda Sunday, State Minister Ahmed Nasser said Ethiopia has secured the stated sum in export revenue owing to the sound policies and strategies the government pursues.
Ahmed said efforts would also be strengthened in developing the sector carried out by investors, farmers and the government to further enhance qualities of agricultural exports.
He said the celebration entitled by “Investing Agriculture for Food Security” would go in line with policies and strategies of the country and support the development activities carried out in the sector. Read more..
Ethiopia to install telescope centre (Walta)
Addis Ababa, October 16, 2006 - The Ethiopian Space Society announced plans to establish a telescope centre that would link Ethiopia with other international space centres.
The society also said it would begin providing information on events taking place in the space for its members in Addis Ababa and some other places.
Tolu Biresa, Manager of the Society told ENA that the telescope centre, due to be established on Entoto Mountain, would conduct various research and studies in the Space Society and exchange research findings from similar centres in other countries. Read more..
The society also said it would begin providing information on events taking place in the space for its members in Addis Ababa and some other places.
Tolu Biresa, Manager of the Society told ENA that the telescope centre, due to be established on Entoto Mountain, would conduct various research and studies in the Space Society and exchange research findings from similar centres in other countries. Read more..
FRANCE: UNFPA to move Africa bureau to Ethiopia
Paris, 09/22 - The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has decided to move its Africa Bureau based in New York to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a reliable source disclosed here Thursday
The Ethiopian capital was also selected to host the UNFPA East Africa sub-regional Bureau that will cover Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan and Tanzania.
This transfer is part of UNFPA new global strategy, which provides for the decentralisation of its activities as well as the setting up of Bureau for each of the five African regions - North, West, East, Central and Southern Africa.
UNFPA provides countries with assistance in population-related activities, notably in the area of reproductive health.
Source: Angola Press
Eritrea Says US Sides With Ethiopia, Has Narrow Interests (EasyBourse)
UNITED NATIONS (AP)--An Eritrean government minister accused the United States of pursuing its "perceived narrow interests" and siding with rival Ethiopia at the expense of peace in the Horn of Africa region. In a speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Monday, Eritrea's Health Minister Saleh Meky said years of failure to resolve a border dispute with Ethiopia were a result of the West's condoning Ethiopia's violations of a peace settlement. "To single out Ethiopia as the primary and only culprit would be missing the forest for the woods," Meky said. "The fact is Ethiopia has neither the power not the political skill to defy international law for a single day, let along for four long years." Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year guerrilla war, but their border was never settled. In April 2002, following another, 2 1/2-year, border war, an international boundary commission awarded the key town of Badme to Eritrea - but Ethiopia has refused to implement the deal. Angered at the international community's failure to ensure that the ruling is obeyed, Eritrea banned U.N. helicopter flights and vehicle movements at night on its side of the buffer zone and ordered Western peacekeepers to leave the U.N. force in December. [For full story click here]
SpectrumData wins Ethiopian exploration data contract (WA Business News)
Bentley-based data recovery specialist SpectrumData Recovery has signed a four year contract with the Ethiopian Government to recover volumes of exploration data from collections of deteriorating magnetic reel tapes.
The full text of a company announcement is pasted belowSaving a large proportion of Ethiopia's exploration data archive will be a rescue mission performed by WA-based data recovery and storage company SpectrumData following the signing of a unique four-year contract.
Under the contract with the Ethiopian Government, SpectrumData will recover and reformat large volumes of exploration data from deteriorating magnetic reel tapes using specialist data recovery software and processes developed by the company through 20 years' experience in seismic data recovery.
The data, made up of over one million files and recovered from over 3000 highly deteriorated and at risk tapes, covers over 5,000 linear kilometres of seismic data within Ethiopia's Ogaden Basin. [For full story Read Here]
The full text of a company announcement is pasted belowSaving a large proportion of Ethiopia's exploration data archive will be a rescue mission performed by WA-based data recovery and storage company SpectrumData following the signing of a unique four-year contract.
Under the contract with the Ethiopian Government, SpectrumData will recover and reformat large volumes of exploration data from deteriorating magnetic reel tapes using specialist data recovery software and processes developed by the company through 20 years' experience in seismic data recovery.
The data, made up of over one million files and recovered from over 3000 highly deteriorated and at risk tapes, covers over 5,000 linear kilometres of seismic data within Ethiopia's Ogaden Basin. [For full story Read Here]
Firms seek positive brand for Ethiopia (Business in Africa)
Anaclet Rwegayura Posted Tue, 26 Sep 2006
Addis Ababa – Around 30 Ethiopian firms were actively seeking a common approach to market their country abroad.
The key issue that industries and the government were addressing in the marketing drive was to improve the image of Ethiopia as a location where business could thrive.
Ethiopian entrepreneurs had little to show thus far, but their effort was indicative of their determination to succeed.
The hope of the Ethiopian industries to make an impact on regional and overseas markets lies with the abundance of raw materials, such as coffee, livestock, leather and minerals as well as the new technologies being introduced into the country.
In their enthusiasm to create a new image of Ethiopia, though, both the government and the local entrepreneurs were up against the challenges of competition that include communications, market intelligence gathering, packaging and branding their products.
"There is a knowledge gap of how to sell goods in the global market and stick with it," said Stephan Willms, a German product branding and marketing expert, after conducting a training session for Ethiopian industrialists in Addis Ababa.
"There are very successful companies in Ethiopia, very well-led too in different areas, but their products are not known by consumers outside the country."
Through its capacity building ministry, the Ethiopian government was working to improve the competitiveness of local industries at national and international levels.
In this endeavour, Germany was providing essential support through its Development Co-operation Agency (GTZ) by training managers of Ethiopian industries to develop their own product branding strategies. [For full story Click Here]
Addis Ababa – Around 30 Ethiopian firms were actively seeking a common approach to market their country abroad.
The key issue that industries and the government were addressing in the marketing drive was to improve the image of Ethiopia as a location where business could thrive.
Ethiopian entrepreneurs had little to show thus far, but their effort was indicative of their determination to succeed.
The hope of the Ethiopian industries to make an impact on regional and overseas markets lies with the abundance of raw materials, such as coffee, livestock, leather and minerals as well as the new technologies being introduced into the country.
In their enthusiasm to create a new image of Ethiopia, though, both the government and the local entrepreneurs were up against the challenges of competition that include communications, market intelligence gathering, packaging and branding their products.
"There is a knowledge gap of how to sell goods in the global market and stick with it," said Stephan Willms, a German product branding and marketing expert, after conducting a training session for Ethiopian industrialists in Addis Ababa.
"There are very successful companies in Ethiopia, very well-led too in different areas, but their products are not known by consumers outside the country."
Through its capacity building ministry, the Ethiopian government was working to improve the competitiveness of local industries at national and international levels.
In this endeavour, Germany was providing essential support through its Development Co-operation Agency (GTZ) by training managers of Ethiopian industries to develop their own product branding strategies. [For full story Click Here]
Ethiopian Airlines is Africa's best
ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopian Airlines has won the African Airline of the Year 2006 Award, the company`s management announced here Wednesday.
US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs in the Department of Transport, Susan Mcdemoff, handed the award plaque on Monday to Ethiopian Airlines chief Girma Wake in Cape Town, South Africa at the end of the 15th Annual Air Finance for Africa Conference.
The Africa Aviation Journal introduced the award in 1999 to give international recognition to individuals, companies and organisations that make significant contribution to aviation development in Africa.
US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs in the Department of Transport, Susan Mcdemoff, handed the award plaque on Monday to Ethiopian Airlines chief Girma Wake in Cape Town, South Africa at the end of the 15th Annual Air Finance for Africa Conference.
The Africa Aviation Journal introduced the award in 1999 to give international recognition to individuals, companies and organisations that make significant contribution to aviation development in Africa.
Ethiopian Airlines was commended for its financial performance and overall profitability, passenger growth, route network expansion, fleet modernisation, in-flight services and customer care, the Journal said.
"It is a special privilege for Ethiopian (Airlines) to have been awarded African Airline of the Year 2006. The award inspires the airline to enhance its commitment to provide quality services to its esteemed customers," said Girma.
Since its launch 5 December 1945, with a maiden flight from Addis Ababa to Cairo (Egypt) 8 April 1946, Ethiopian Airlines has steadily grown to become a reputable carrier.
From its Addis Ababa hub, it provides flight connections to 47 destinations in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and North America.
With the motto: "Bringing Africa Together and Closer to the World" Ethiopian Airlines boasts the largest network in the continent, both in passenger and cargo services, earning it the nickname of "Africa`s World Class Airline" by loyal clients.
Source: Ethiomedia
Ethiopians are divided into two camps on Aseb’s port issue
By Magn Nyang
September 20, 2006 — A final limitation on the role of the public is its relatively low level of political information. Some citizens pay close attention to politics, but most do not, and some people pay hardly any attention at all. As a result, most people are poorly informed about politics. How many Ethiopians can name all fourteen regions correctly?
Although people with lower education levels are more likely to be uninformed, many college-educated people also lack basic information. However, public’s lack of information is not as significant a factor as might seem the case. Citizens do not necessarily have to be well informed about a situation to have a reasonable opinion about it.
There is a debate going on among Ethiopians concerning the future of Aseb’s port. Ethiopia is a multi-national state and all are entitled to their opinions on Aseb’s issue.
Opponents of another war between Ethiopia and Eritrea argued that war will further damage the prospect of economic growth for Ethiopia. They also argued that Eritrea’s sovereignty must be respected by all nations, including Ethiopia.
Supporters of war responded by asserting that the last arbiter of conflicts has always been power. They argued that a more powerful country like Ethiopia should not be stopped from having a port of its own by a tinny neighbor like Eritrea. They dismissed the notion of Eritrea’s sovereignty. They argued that what sovereignty means is that nations live under international anarchy. And this international anarchy can be easily broken when needed. They argued that any powerful nation can always violate the sovereignty of a weaker or a smaller country with out fearing the international community. They pointed to former Soviet Union nations such as Georgia and Ukraine. These nations, they said, were sovereign before annexation by the Soviet Union. Therefore, they said, Ethiopia should attack Eritrea to get Aseb’s port back.
Some readers may want to know which camp I (the author) belong to. My camp is with those who want nothing but peace between Eritrea and Ethiopia. I do believe that war will destroy both countries economically. Remember the war between these two countries between 1998 and 2000? That war cost one million dollars for each country per day, according to UN observers. Do you know what a million dollar a day means for Ethiopia or Eritrea in economic term? It is too much of a waste for two poor countries.
Personally, I do believe in international rules and regulations. Therefore, I do strongly believe in respecting the sovereignty of all countries. Just because you are stronger and more powerful does not mean that you go around breaking international rules by violating the sovereignty of weaker and smaller countries.
Lesson needs to be learnt from what is now happening to the most powerful country on the face of the earth, the United States. The United States brook the international laws and violated the sovereignty of a weaker and a smaller country, Iraq. Now it is paying for it politically and economically.
For me the argument that Ethiopia needs a port to grow economically does not hold water. There are landlocked countries in Europe with very powerful economies. Educated manpower and economically oriented leadership are enough to make a country grow economically.
Some Ethiopians also go as far as wanting to get the whole Eritrea back by use of force. This is not a realistic goal. Eritrea is a sovereign country recognized by the world community. No country would annex Eritrea by force without loosing face with the world community.
If there must be a reunification between Ethiopia and Eritrea, Eritreans are the only one who will make it happen. They can have a referendum to vote themselves back to Ethiopia. There fore, the thought of war with Eritrea to force her back is just a day dream.
I know that some Ethiopians pride themselves on being warriors and heroes and they may question my lack of heroism. However, I want them to know that heroism has no room in today’s world. You no longer need to be a warrior or a hero to win wars or to earn respect. The best wars are now fought around tables with pens, not with live ammunitions. It is not about being a warrior any more. It is about how you present and sell yourself to the world community that earn you respect and get what you want.
Ethiopia needs a period of peace and prosperity. Any attempt toward regaining the port of Aseb must be through negotiations.
* The author is a son of Gambella and lives in the United States and can be reached by writing to magnnyang@yahoo.com
Source: Sudan Tribune
September 20, 2006 — A final limitation on the role of the public is its relatively low level of political information. Some citizens pay close attention to politics, but most do not, and some people pay hardly any attention at all. As a result, most people are poorly informed about politics. How many Ethiopians can name all fourteen regions correctly?
Although people with lower education levels are more likely to be uninformed, many college-educated people also lack basic information. However, public’s lack of information is not as significant a factor as might seem the case. Citizens do not necessarily have to be well informed about a situation to have a reasonable opinion about it.
There is a debate going on among Ethiopians concerning the future of Aseb’s port. Ethiopia is a multi-national state and all are entitled to their opinions on Aseb’s issue.
Opponents of another war between Ethiopia and Eritrea argued that war will further damage the prospect of economic growth for Ethiopia. They also argued that Eritrea’s sovereignty must be respected by all nations, including Ethiopia.
Supporters of war responded by asserting that the last arbiter of conflicts has always been power. They argued that a more powerful country like Ethiopia should not be stopped from having a port of its own by a tinny neighbor like Eritrea. They dismissed the notion of Eritrea’s sovereignty. They argued that what sovereignty means is that nations live under international anarchy. And this international anarchy can be easily broken when needed. They argued that any powerful nation can always violate the sovereignty of a weaker or a smaller country with out fearing the international community. They pointed to former Soviet Union nations such as Georgia and Ukraine. These nations, they said, were sovereign before annexation by the Soviet Union. Therefore, they said, Ethiopia should attack Eritrea to get Aseb’s port back.
Some readers may want to know which camp I (the author) belong to. My camp is with those who want nothing but peace between Eritrea and Ethiopia. I do believe that war will destroy both countries economically. Remember the war between these two countries between 1998 and 2000? That war cost one million dollars for each country per day, according to UN observers. Do you know what a million dollar a day means for Ethiopia or Eritrea in economic term? It is too much of a waste for two poor countries.
Personally, I do believe in international rules and regulations. Therefore, I do strongly believe in respecting the sovereignty of all countries. Just because you are stronger and more powerful does not mean that you go around breaking international rules by violating the sovereignty of weaker and smaller countries.
Lesson needs to be learnt from what is now happening to the most powerful country on the face of the earth, the United States. The United States brook the international laws and violated the sovereignty of a weaker and a smaller country, Iraq. Now it is paying for it politically and economically.
For me the argument that Ethiopia needs a port to grow economically does not hold water. There are landlocked countries in Europe with very powerful economies. Educated manpower and economically oriented leadership are enough to make a country grow economically.
Some Ethiopians also go as far as wanting to get the whole Eritrea back by use of force. This is not a realistic goal. Eritrea is a sovereign country recognized by the world community. No country would annex Eritrea by force without loosing face with the world community.
If there must be a reunification between Ethiopia and Eritrea, Eritreans are the only one who will make it happen. They can have a referendum to vote themselves back to Ethiopia. There fore, the thought of war with Eritrea to force her back is just a day dream.
I know that some Ethiopians pride themselves on being warriors and heroes and they may question my lack of heroism. However, I want them to know that heroism has no room in today’s world. You no longer need to be a warrior or a hero to win wars or to earn respect. The best wars are now fought around tables with pens, not with live ammunitions. It is not about being a warrior any more. It is about how you present and sell yourself to the world community that earn you respect and get what you want.
Ethiopia needs a period of peace and prosperity. Any attempt toward regaining the port of Aseb must be through negotiations.
* The author is a son of Gambella and lives in the United States and can be reached by writing to magnnyang@yahoo.com
Source: Sudan Tribune
Ethiopia's pride in 'Lucy' find (BBC)
By Pallab Ghosh Science correspondent, BBC News, Addis Ababa
Zeresenay Alemseged and the skull of "Lucy's baby"A tropical storm beats against the national museum in Addis Ababa. The violent thunder and lashing rain contrasts with the serene activity within.
Inside a solitary figure is cleaning up a 3.3-million-year-old skull.
Dr Zeresenay Alemseged has spent five years removing sandstone, grain by grain, from his precious find.
Illuminated by a single focussed beam of light, this is intricate, delicate work: one mistake and crucial scientific detail could be lost forever.
Alemseged showed me that what has emerged are the delicate features of a creature that was part ape and part human.
"What you have here is the backbone and the thoracic and all the ribs, the shoulder blades the collar bones. But in addition, what you have here is a compete face and the sandstone impression of the brain of a 3.3-million-year-old infant." Full Story..
Zeresenay Alemseged and the skull of "Lucy's baby"A tropical storm beats against the national museum in Addis Ababa. The violent thunder and lashing rain contrasts with the serene activity within.
Inside a solitary figure is cleaning up a 3.3-million-year-old skull.
Dr Zeresenay Alemseged has spent five years removing sandstone, grain by grain, from his precious find.
Illuminated by a single focussed beam of light, this is intricate, delicate work: one mistake and crucial scientific detail could be lost forever.
Alemseged showed me that what has emerged are the delicate features of a creature that was part ape and part human.
"What you have here is the backbone and the thoracic and all the ribs, the shoulder blades the collar bones. But in addition, what you have here is a compete face and the sandstone impression of the brain of a 3.3-million-year-old infant." Full Story..
'Lucy's baby' rattles human evolution (Cosmos)
by Kate Arneman
Cosmos Online
SYDNEY: The discovery of an infant human ancestor, dubbed 'Lucy’s baby', will shake up our understanding of human evolution, according to its finders in Dikika, Ethiopia.
Two articles published today in the British journal Nature identified the fossil remains - the oldest and most complete infant skeleton found to date - as those of a three-year-old girl who lived 3.3 million years ago. She belongs to the species Australopithecus afarensis, of which the iconic adult skeleton, nicknamed 'Lucy', is also a member.
“The Dikika girl stands as one of the major discoveries in the history of palaeoanthropology,” research team leader Zeresenay Alemseged said, citing the remarkably well-preserved condition of the bones, the geological age and completeness of the specimen.
“It’s impossible to overstate the importance of the specimen,” said Charles Lockwood, an anthropologist at University College London. “There is a remarkable amount of new information here.”
Researchers think that the child’s more or less intact body was covered by sandstone sediments in flood waters shortly after death, thus preserving the skeleton.
Infant bones are more fragile than those of adults, and prior to this find, the only remains of young children of this geological age were insubstantial: a partial skull, a piece of jaw or some isolated teeth.
The Dikika discovery, in contrast, includes a complete skull, a sandstone impression of the brain, the entire torso and parts of the upper and lower limbs, making it “a veritable mine of information about a crucial stage in human evolutionary history,” according to Bernard Wood, of the Department of Anthropology at George Washington University.
“The discoverers of the Dikika fossil have only just begun the task of capturing all the data contained in the specimen,” said Wood. As the bones are cleaned, prepared and reconstructed as a skeleton, researchers hope to uncover new information about the growth and development of the individual and the species, and settle an old debate – how A. afarensis moved. [For more..Click Here]
Cosmos Online
SYDNEY: The discovery of an infant human ancestor, dubbed 'Lucy’s baby', will shake up our understanding of human evolution, according to its finders in Dikika, Ethiopia.
Two articles published today in the British journal Nature identified the fossil remains - the oldest and most complete infant skeleton found to date - as those of a three-year-old girl who lived 3.3 million years ago. She belongs to the species Australopithecus afarensis, of which the iconic adult skeleton, nicknamed 'Lucy', is also a member.
“The Dikika girl stands as one of the major discoveries in the history of palaeoanthropology,” research team leader Zeresenay Alemseged said, citing the remarkably well-preserved condition of the bones, the geological age and completeness of the specimen.
“It’s impossible to overstate the importance of the specimen,” said Charles Lockwood, an anthropologist at University College London. “There is a remarkable amount of new information here.”
Researchers think that the child’s more or less intact body was covered by sandstone sediments in flood waters shortly after death, thus preserving the skeleton.
Infant bones are more fragile than those of adults, and prior to this find, the only remains of young children of this geological age were insubstantial: a partial skull, a piece of jaw or some isolated teeth.
The Dikika discovery, in contrast, includes a complete skull, a sandstone impression of the brain, the entire torso and parts of the upper and lower limbs, making it “a veritable mine of information about a crucial stage in human evolutionary history,” according to Bernard Wood, of the Department of Anthropology at George Washington University.
“The discoverers of the Dikika fossil have only just begun the task of capturing all the data contained in the specimen,” said Wood. As the bones are cleaned, prepared and reconstructed as a skeleton, researchers hope to uncover new information about the growth and development of the individual and the species, and settle an old debate – how A. afarensis moved. [For more..Click Here]
Ireland asks Ethiopia for help with Darfur (Sudan Tribune)
Sept 18, 2006 (DEBLIN) — Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern has asked Ethiopia to intercede with Sudan to allow the deployment of a UN force to Darfur.
In a letter sent on Friday to Ethiopian prime minister Meles Zenawi, Ahern said Ireland was "gravely concerned by the continuing political and humanitarian crisis in Darfur". He urged the Ethiopian authorities, who have good relations with the Sudanese government, to encourage it to change its mind and accept the introduction of a UN force in Darfur.
Ahern also warned that continuing conflict in Darfur could provoke tensions between north African and sub-Saharan states.
A global day of action took place around the world yesterday to press for an end to the conflict in Darfur. Around 40 people, including many from the region, demonstrated outside the GPO in Dublin for the introduction of a UN force. An African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur (AMIS) is due to finish at the end of the month. However, the Sudanese government has rejected plans to have UN peacekeepers replace the force. [For more..Click Here]
In a letter sent on Friday to Ethiopian prime minister Meles Zenawi, Ahern said Ireland was "gravely concerned by the continuing political and humanitarian crisis in Darfur". He urged the Ethiopian authorities, who have good relations with the Sudanese government, to encourage it to change its mind and accept the introduction of a UN force in Darfur.
Ahern also warned that continuing conflict in Darfur could provoke tensions between north African and sub-Saharan states.
A global day of action took place around the world yesterday to press for an end to the conflict in Darfur. Around 40 people, including many from the region, demonstrated outside the GPO in Dublin for the introduction of a UN force. An African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur (AMIS) is due to finish at the end of the month. However, the Sudanese government has rejected plans to have UN peacekeepers replace the force. [For more..Click Here]
Ethio-India keen to sharing experience in parliamentary procedures (Walta)
Addis Ababa, September 19, 2006 - Ethiopia and India are desirous of strengthening experience sharing in parliamentary procedures.
Chairperson of Budget and Finance Affairs Standing Committee, Wana Wake as well as Vice-Chairperson of Culture and Information Affairs Standing Committee with the House of Peoples’ Representatives, Ahmed Mohammed expressed the interest while holding talks with the Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir State Legislative Council in India, Abdul Rashid Dar here yesterday.
The MPs said the Houses have been working to achieve the national interest of the country through diplomacy and exchange of experience with similar democratic countries among which India is one.
They said India is a country from which the working procedures and code of conduct of the House has been adopted.
They also said it is a country to which Ethiopian Parliamentary Delegation has gone to exchange views, draw experiences and learn good practices recently.
Ethiopia, through the Federal arrangement of government and with three organs of governments has shown a very good momentum of developing though there is still a long way to go.
Ahmed said the present discussion would enable to strengthen existing friendship between the two countries.
Abdul Rashid Dar on his part said India would like to strengthen the long standing relations with Ethiopia, a country, which has an ancient history.
He said there are two councils in India, most of whose works are similar to that of the Ethiopian Parliament.
He said the two countries have a keen desire to enhance their relationship in culture, education, economy and other fields.
(ENA)
Ethiopia garners US$134mln tourism sector (People's Daily)
Ethiopia said Monday about 134 million U.S. dollars were obtained from the tourism sector last year due to the government's commitment to enhance the sector 's role in the country's economy.
The income, obtained during the year 2005, exceeded by 20.2 million dollars over the previous year, it said.
In a press conference he gave in connection with the World Tourism Day, due to be celebrated on Sept. 27, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mohammoud Dirir told journalists that over 227,000 tourists visited Ethiopia in 2005.
He attributed the increase to the attention given by the government, the considerable increase in public and private investment and development of the infrastructure.
However, Mohammoud bemoaned tourism constitutes only 2 percent of the country's GDP.
He added the government has given due attention to change this and put the country among the top 10 African tourist destinations by the year 2020.
The registration of Jegol (the walled city in east Ethiopia's Harari state) by UNESCO in the world heritage list would increase the tourism inflow into the country, he said.
Encouraging results were registered in the expansion of investment and provision of facilities vital for the sector like hotel, transport and tour operators, Mohammoud said.
This year's World Tourism Day would be celebrated in Ethiopia under the theme "Tourism Enriches." A symposium, sports events, food and beverage contest and music festival, among others, would be held to commemorate the day, he said.
In Ethiopia, the main tourist destination at the moment is the northern historic route encompassing Bahir Dar, Gondar, Axum, Makalle and Lalibela. Addis Ababa, the principal gateway to Ethiopia being a business center and a conference venue as well, is in its own right a major destination.
The other destinations chiefly include the wildlife centers along the Great Rift Valley and the south-west, and the eastern historic area of Harari.
The total number of international tourist arrivals in Ethiopia, although growing, is by no means commensurate with the potentials of the country's attractions. The present constraints to growth are identified largely as shortage of tourist facilities and limited promotion.
Source: Xinhua
The income, obtained during the year 2005, exceeded by 20.2 million dollars over the previous year, it said.
In a press conference he gave in connection with the World Tourism Day, due to be celebrated on Sept. 27, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mohammoud Dirir told journalists that over 227,000 tourists visited Ethiopia in 2005.
He attributed the increase to the attention given by the government, the considerable increase in public and private investment and development of the infrastructure.
However, Mohammoud bemoaned tourism constitutes only 2 percent of the country's GDP.
He added the government has given due attention to change this and put the country among the top 10 African tourist destinations by the year 2020.
The registration of Jegol (the walled city in east Ethiopia's Harari state) by UNESCO in the world heritage list would increase the tourism inflow into the country, he said.
Encouraging results were registered in the expansion of investment and provision of facilities vital for the sector like hotel, transport and tour operators, Mohammoud said.
This year's World Tourism Day would be celebrated in Ethiopia under the theme "Tourism Enriches." A symposium, sports events, food and beverage contest and music festival, among others, would be held to commemorate the day, he said.
In Ethiopia, the main tourist destination at the moment is the northern historic route encompassing Bahir Dar, Gondar, Axum, Makalle and Lalibela. Addis Ababa, the principal gateway to Ethiopia being a business center and a conference venue as well, is in its own right a major destination.
The other destinations chiefly include the wildlife centers along the Great Rift Valley and the south-west, and the eastern historic area of Harari.
The total number of international tourist arrivals in Ethiopia, although growing, is by no means commensurate with the potentials of the country's attractions. The present constraints to growth are identified largely as shortage of tourist facilities and limited promotion.
Source: Xinhua
ETC to issue a million new mobile lines every year
ETC to issue a million new mobile lines every year
By Groum Abate
The Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) aims to sell one million mobile lines annually for the next ten years starting from the Ethiopian millennium (September 2007).
An official of the corporation told Capital that the corporation's plans would greatly increase the company's revenue. ETC, the state-owned telecommunications operator, announced that the country's fixed telephone exchange capacity reached 974,193 in the last fiscal year against 857,347 in the 2004-5 fiscal year, a 20% increase, while the number of subscribers rose from 610,347 to 740,250 in the same period, an increase of 21%.
The project, planned since 2004, hopes to expand the basic telephone services, particularly in rural parts of the country.
Accordingly, the capacity of mobile networks has grown to 1,500,000 against 1,360,000 in the previous budget year, a 10% increment during the 1998 budget year. The mobile network installation, with a capacity of 130,000 lines in 84 towns, has been replaced by ETC and ZTE mobile network equipments with Awass a, Shashemene, Dessie, Combolcha, Jimma and Nekemt towns boasting specially improved services as part of the effort to enhance mobile network quality in those towns. Nokia's installation of a mobile network with a capacity of 200, 000 lines was finalized at 20 stations in Addis Ababa while Ericsson undertook a 200,000 network capacity mobile expansion project at 15 additional stations of the city.
Source: Capital Ethiopia
By Groum Abate
The Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) aims to sell one million mobile lines annually for the next ten years starting from the Ethiopian millennium (September 2007).
An official of the corporation told Capital that the corporation's plans would greatly increase the company's revenue. ETC, the state-owned telecommunications operator, announced that the country's fixed telephone exchange capacity reached 974,193 in the last fiscal year against 857,347 in the 2004-5 fiscal year, a 20% increase, while the number of subscribers rose from 610,347 to 740,250 in the same period, an increase of 21%.
The project, planned since 2004, hopes to expand the basic telephone services, particularly in rural parts of the country.
Accordingly, the capacity of mobile networks has grown to 1,500,000 against 1,360,000 in the previous budget year, a 10% increment during the 1998 budget year. The mobile network installation, with a capacity of 130,000 lines in 84 towns, has been replaced by ETC and ZTE mobile network equipments with Awass a, Shashemene, Dessie, Combolcha, Jimma and Nekemt towns boasting specially improved services as part of the effort to enhance mobile network quality in those towns. Nokia's installation of a mobile network with a capacity of 200, 000 lines was finalized at 20 stations in Addis Ababa while Ericsson undertook a 200,000 network capacity mobile expansion project at 15 additional stations of the city.
Source: Capital Ethiopia
Company signs agreement with ministry to extract peridot/olivine
Addis Ababa, September 14, 2006 (WIC) - Romso Minerals Plc.,a Swiss- Ethiopian share company, concluded today over 7. 6 million birr agreement that would enable it extract peridot/olivine with the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
According to the agreement, the company would extract peridot/olivine from Romso kebele of Dire Woreda in Oromia state.
The licensing authority has granted an exclusive right enabling the company to mine an area covering 3.15 square kilometers over the next ten years,it further elaborated.
Speaking during the signing of the agreement, Alemaeyhu Tegenu from the ministry said there are numerous minerals that could contribute to the economic development of the country and urged investors to engage in the sector.
Manager of the company, Tewodros Sintayehu, said on his part appreciated the support of the ministry and promised to begin mining in a short period of time.
The company is expected to generate 17. 3 million USD revenue in ten years.
The agreement also stipulates that preference would be given to domestic goods and services where they are readily available at competitive price and comparable quality.
On going operational, the company would create 100 jobs, it was learnt.
Source: Walta Information
According to the agreement, the company would extract peridot/olivine from Romso kebele of Dire Woreda in Oromia state.
The licensing authority has granted an exclusive right enabling the company to mine an area covering 3.15 square kilometers over the next ten years,it further elaborated.
Speaking during the signing of the agreement, Alemaeyhu Tegenu from the ministry said there are numerous minerals that could contribute to the economic development of the country and urged investors to engage in the sector.
Manager of the company, Tewodros Sintayehu, said on his part appreciated the support of the ministry and promised to begin mining in a short period of time.
The company is expected to generate 17. 3 million USD revenue in ten years.
The agreement also stipulates that preference would be given to domestic goods and services where they are readily available at competitive price and comparable quality.
On going operational, the company would create 100 jobs, it was learnt.
Source: Walta Information
More than 13,000 compatriots secure jobs in Middle East last fiscal year (Walta)
Addis Ababa, September 14, 2006 (WIC) - The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs disclosed that over 13,000 legally hired citizens left for the Middle East last budget year.
Manpower Department Head with the ministry, Daniel Lemma, told WIC recently that 7,543 people went to the countries through 20 employment agencies in the fiscal year,and the remaining 6,000 people managed to get employed privately.
He said 12,960 of those who went to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Syria, Lebanon, Dubai, Yemen, Qatar ,Bahrain were women.The number of people traveling abroad to work has shown a big jump compared to the previous budget year,it was pointed out.
Daniel said the ministry has been communicating with parents, employing agencies, consulates and embassies to solve the problems faced by compatriots employed abroad.
Meanwhile, the ministry has issued work permits to 2,867 foreign nationals working in government, private,missionary and humanitarian organizations,the head said.
It also renewed work permits for 2,500 people and cleared 903 people,he stated.
Source: Walta Information
Manpower Department Head with the ministry, Daniel Lemma, told WIC recently that 7,543 people went to the countries through 20 employment agencies in the fiscal year,and the remaining 6,000 people managed to get employed privately.
He said 12,960 of those who went to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Syria, Lebanon, Dubai, Yemen, Qatar ,Bahrain were women.The number of people traveling abroad to work has shown a big jump compared to the previous budget year,it was pointed out.
Daniel said the ministry has been communicating with parents, employing agencies, consulates and embassies to solve the problems faced by compatriots employed abroad.
Meanwhile, the ministry has issued work permits to 2,867 foreign nationals working in government, private,missionary and humanitarian organizations,the head said.
It also renewed work permits for 2,500 people and cleared 903 people,he stated.
Source: Walta Information
Nation obtains 1.8 bln. USD from export trade (Walta)
Addis Ababa, September 07, 2006 - Ethiopia obtained 1.80 billion USD from the export sector during the ending budget year, the Ministry of Trade and Industry said. The revenue exceeded by 189.6 million USD compared to the preceding budget year. [More..]
From Steel to Cement, Investors Address High Demand (Addis Fortune)
Abyssinia Steel Integrated Plc received seven hectares of land six weeks ago in Chancho, in the Oromia Region, on which to build a cement factory, paying 0.1 Br per square meter.
The seven hectares are located three kilometres from Chancho town on the road leading to Derba.
The factory is expected to start production in December 2006. In its first phase it will manufacture 300tn per day, increasing to 1,300tn per day when it reaches full production, in August 2007. [More..]
The seven hectares are located three kilometres from Chancho town on the road leading to Derba.
The factory is expected to start production in December 2006. In its first phase it will manufacture 300tn per day, increasing to 1,300tn per day when it reaches full production, in August 2007. [More..]
Ethiopian Delegates Impressed (Mmegi)
An Ethiopian health delegation who were here for a week will proceed to Zambia after what they have termed a successful trip to Botswana. Dr Petros Olango the head of Civil Service Reform Office at the Federal Ministry of Health in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia said last Friday that they would be taking away lessons learnt in Botswana, which they will bench mark for the benefit of their people. The team was on a visit to the Botswana Ministry of Health and learnt about health care delivery system and different departments within the ministry. [More..]
'Ethiopia top coffee exporter' (Business in Africa)
Posted Mon, 04 Sep 2006
Addis Abba – Ethiopia had overtaken Côte d'Ivoire to become the leading African coffee supplier, said Ethiopia's minister of agriculture and rural development.
Abera Deressa said that the Quality Coffee Project had helped to put Ethiopia on top, in terms of quantity and quality. The project was aimed at increasing access to forex.
Deressa, said, however, that the country should not stop now, but should continue to increase quantity and quality.
He added that coffee made up more than 50 percent of the East Africa country’s export volumes. -BiA Online
Source: Business in Africa
Addis Abba – Ethiopia had overtaken Côte d'Ivoire to become the leading African coffee supplier, said Ethiopia's minister of agriculture and rural development.
Abera Deressa said that the Quality Coffee Project had helped to put Ethiopia on top, in terms of quantity and quality. The project was aimed at increasing access to forex.
Deressa, said, however, that the country should not stop now, but should continue to increase quantity and quality.
He added that coffee made up more than 50 percent of the East Africa country’s export volumes. -BiA Online
Source: Business in Africa
Somali govt signs deal with Islamists on joint military (Swissinfo)
KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Somalia's interim government and its rival Islamist administration said on Monday they had agreed in principle to create joint military forces, and to meet again for more talks on power-sharing in the anarchic country.Details of how armed forces might be combined will be hammered out only if a broader political solution is reached. [More..]
Ethiopia to recruit 600 Nigerian Profs (Vanguard)
ADDIS ABABA—ETHIOPIA has asked the Nigerian government to allow it engage the services of 600 professors, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Olusegun Akinsanya has said. Akinsanya told newsmen yesterday in Addis Ababa that the Ethiopian government wanted to recruit the professors to teach in the 12 new universities established in the country. [More..]
Grenade attack kills one, injures seven in Jijjiga town (Walta)
Jijjiga, September 03, 2006 (WIC) - One person was killed and seven others wounded following a mysterious grenade attack on a recreation center here yesterday, Jijjiga zone police said. Full Story..
Ethiopian And Ugandan Military Officers Train Government Forces in Daynunay, Southern Somalia (Shabelle)
Somali president Abdulahi Yusuf Ahmed has joined an opening a ceremony held in Daynunay military camp, suburb of Baidoa, a temporary headquarter for the Somali largely tenuous federal government. Full Story..
ERA begins asphalting Kombollcha-Woldiya Road with 361 million birr (Walta)
Addis Ababa August, 31, 2006 (WIC) - Asphalting of the 151 kilometers long Kombolcha-Woldiya Road has been launched with an outlay of 361 million birr, the Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) said. Full story..
Eritrea ’s Unstable Politics (ENA)
"... Eritrea is not only one of the few countries which has one dictatorial party system, but it has also been suffered by a one man rule (autocratic) system. If the mind of this man is sick, then the whole nation is at risk. Mr. Issayas is ruling the country without any rule of law. No constitution and no parliamentary system. There is no freedom of speech, press, assembly and belief. Mass arrest, because of their political meaning and belief is common in the country. Eritrean youngsters who get the chance to escape from this iron rule, are leaving their country in mass. The thirty years war waged perspective Eritrea has become desperate. " Detail here
Amnesty Int'l reports widespread detentions in Oromia (EthioMedia)
Several high school students and at least two elderly people over the age of 70 as well as a member of parliament for the opposition Oromo National Congress have been detained and were at risk of torture or ill-treatment, a human rights watchdog reported on Wednesday. Full Story ...
Eritreans, human rights advocates appeal for release of over 40,000 political prisoners (Walta)
Addis Ababa, August 30, 2006 (WIC) - Eritreans and human rights advocates in Europe and America appealed for the respect of human rights in Eritrea and the release of more than 40,000 political prisoners detained in unspecified places by the dictatorial regime. Full Story..
UNICEF appeals for over 18mln USD for people affected by floods in Ethiopia (Walta)
Addis Ababa, August 30, 2006 (WIC) - The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF ) today launched an emergency appeal of 18.3 million USD to help save the lives of tens of thousands of people affected by flash-flooding in Ethiopia. Full Story..
AAU making preparations to launch distance education program at postgraduate level (Walta)
The Addis Ababa University (AAU) has reportedly been making preparations to launch distance education program at postgraduate level. Full Story...
Ethiopia raises domestic oil prices (Sudan Tribune)
Aug 28, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) - Ethiopia has increased the price of domestic oil and oil products in line with rising prices on the international market, the Ministry of Trade and Industry announced on Monday. Full Story..
Ethiopia takes lessons from Indian parliament (Indian Muslims)
New Delhi, Aug 29 (IANS) The Ethiopian parliament is all set to adopt Indian parliamentary practices following an official delegation's visit here last week. Full Story..
Ministry, Petronas to confer on gas project (Reporter)
The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) and the Malaysian oil and gas company, Petronas will next week confer on the Calub and Hilala gasfield development project. Petronas has won the gasfield development tender put up by the MME. Alemayehu Tegenu, Minister of Mines and Energy, told The Reporter that the delegation of Petronas and officials of the ministry will hold a meeting from August 28 to 31. Alemayehu said the two parties will discuss the conditions that would enable them to sign the petroleum development agreement. Full Story..
Caf rejects Ethiopia's bid (BBC)
The Confederation of African Football has turned down a bid by Ethiopia to reverse their Nations Cup fixtures with Libya. Full Story..
Ethiopia to punish investors failing to construct on land acquired (People's Daily)
Ethiopia's Addis Ababa Investment Bureau said Sunday it is about to take measures against investors who had taken land for investment but had not started construction yet. Full Story..
Ethiopia says coffee not affected by floods (IOL)
Addis Ababa - Floods that have ravaged Ethiopia's lowlands, killing nearly 1 000 people this month and displacing tens of thousands more, have not affected the country's highland coffee crops, an official said on Sunday. Full story...
Puntland leader addresses Somalia Islamists, warlords and Ethiopia (Garowe)
The president of the semiautonomous State of Puntland in northern Somalia disclosed on Thursday that Ethiopian troops are inside Puntland regions. Full Story..
Fresh floods push up death toll in Ethiopia (IOL)
Addis Ababa - Rescue teams on Thursday rushed to western Ethiopia where new flash floods claimed at least two lives, raising the nationwide death toll from three weeks of devastating flooding, officials said. Full Story..
Ethiopia Accepts Italian Gov't Initiative On Vaccines (The Daily Monitor -Addis Ababa)
The Ethiopian government on Monday accepted a new initiative on vaccines promoted by the Italian government, the embassy disclosed in a statement yesterday. Full Story..
Somali Islamists tell Ethiopia: Leave or face full-scale war (Mail & Guardian)
Islamists controlling much of southern Somalia warned Ethiopia on Thursday of "full-scale war" unless it withdraws troops allegedly sent to defend the country's weak transitional government. Full Story..
Deputy Prime Minister Addisu Legesse's San Jose Meeting boycotted (EthioMedia)
SAN JOSE, California – Addisu Legesse, deputy prime minister in Ethiopia’s beleaguered government, Tuesday attracted only 21 people to his Amhara segregationist meeting in San Jose, a city in the Bay Area where nearly 60,000 Ethiopians live. Full Story..
Egyptian Aircraft Carrying Consignment of Humanitarian Assistance Arrives (Ethiopian Herald)
An Egyptian aircraft carrying a consignment of humanitarian assistance arrived here yesterday night at Bole International Airport. Full Story..
Japan grants 34.5 mln birr emergency relief aid (Walta)
Addis Ababa, August 23, 2006 (WIC) - The government of Japan signed here today a 34.5 million birr grant agreement to help support compatriots facing food shortage. Full Story..
ETHIOPIA FLOODS: DISEASE FEARS (SBS)
Heavy rain, swirling waters and mud are hampering frantic efforts to rescue thousands of villagers marooned by deadly flash floods in southern Ethiopia. Full Story..
Responding to Ethiopia's deadly floods (ReliefWeb)
Mercy Corps is responding to Ethiopia's deadly flooding by helping those marooned in villages along the Omo River in the southwest corner of the country, near its borders with Sudan and Kenya. Full Story..
Ethiopia prepares to attack Somali Islamists - Eritrea (Sudan Tribune)
Aug 21, 2006 (ASMARA) — Eritrea accused today the Ethiopian government of planning to attack Somali Islamists with the support of the United States. Ethiopia aims to prevent the unification of the neighbouring country, an Eritrean report said. Full Story..
Storm-weary Ethiopians struggle with disease (Rueters)
Addis Ababa - Diarrhoea has killed 150 people and infected nearly 12 000 in flood-ravaged Ethiopia, the United Nations said on Monday, as aid agencies and governments struggled to deliver food and supplies to tens of thousands left homeless. Full Story..
Diarrhoea kills 150 in flood-hit Ethiopia (Reuters)
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Diarrhoea has killed 150 people and infected nearly 12,000 in flood-ravaged Ethiopia, the U.N. said on Monday, as aid agencies and governments struggled to deliver food and supplies to tens of thousands left homeless. Full Story..
Ethiopia's flood misery deepens as rains threaten dams (EthioMedia)
ADDIS ABABA (AFP) - Ethiopia braced for more damage from deadly nationwide flash floods as the government warned that unusually heavy seasonal rains could force the release of water from dangerously swollen dams. Full Story..
Ethiopian troops cross Somali border (China Post)
Ethiopian troops, allied to Somalia's weak transitional government, entered Somalia early Sunday and reached the southern town where the government is based, officials and witnesses said.
The move was expected to raise tensions with the Islamic militiamen, who oppose Ethiopia and control the capital, Mogadishu, and much of the south. Full Story..
The move was expected to raise tensions with the Islamic militiamen, who oppose Ethiopia and control the capital, Mogadishu, and much of the south. Full Story..
Rescue workers in rush to help victims of Ethiopian floods (Taipei Times)
Emergency workers in southwest Ethiopia scrambled yesterday to rescue thousands marooned by the latest in a series of deadly flash floods across the nation feared to have killed nearly 900 people. Full Story..
Fears of cholera outbreak in wake of heavy flooding (The Mercury)
ADDIS ABABA: Rescuers feared a cholera outbreak among survivors of floods in Ethiopia that had killed more than 450 people this month, officials said this week. Full Story..
Fears of more floods in Ethiopia (Guardian Unlimited)
After 12 days of heavy rains that have left 626 people dead in Ethiopia, the authorities yesterday urged villagers to move to higher ground because of fears of further flooding. Rivers in the south, north and east of the country have burst their banks, prompting a disaster threatening to overwhelm rescue efforts. Full Story..
Hunt for Ethiopia flood survivors (BBC)
Search and rescue teams are scouring flood waters in southern Ethiopia as bad weather continues to hamper a round-the-clock hunt for survivors. Full Story...
Number of people confirmed dead in Omo River delude reaches 364 (ENA)
The number of confirmed deaths in the floods caused by the overflow of Omo River in Dasenech and Gnangatom Woredas of South Omo zone is reported to have reached 364.
The people confirmed dead in the delude reached the stated number until 2:00 PM Tuesday after members of the national army deployed to the area to help the ongoing emergency operations and dwellers searched out 170 more bodies in Dasenech woreda, zonal public mobilization and social affairs department disclosed.
An additional 2,790 cattle and 760 silos full of grains were reported to have been lost to the floods, department head Daniel Dagne told ENA later on the day.
He said nutritious food, mosquito nets and other consignments were being transported to the disaster areas as dispatched by the Federal Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency in support of the survivors.
The people confirmed dead in the delude reached the stated number until 2:00 PM Tuesday after members of the national army deployed to the area to help the ongoing emergency operations and dwellers searched out 170 more bodies in Dasenech woreda, zonal public mobilization and social affairs department disclosed.
An additional 2,790 cattle and 760 silos full of grains were reported to have been lost to the floods, department head Daniel Dagne told ENA later on the day.
He said nutritious food, mosquito nets and other consignments were being transported to the disaster areas as dispatched by the Federal Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency in support of the survivors.
Ethiopian floods feared to have killed 700 (Reuters)
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (Reuters) -- The death toll from the latest in a series of devastating floods in Ethiopia rose to 194 on Wednesday, lifting to around 700 the total feared dead from heavy rains ...Read More
Ethiopian flood toll soars (News24)
Addis Ababa - The death toll from devastating floods in Ethiopia soared to 364 on Wednesday, said police, bringing to almost 900 the number of people feared in raging waters nationwide this month. Read More..
Two Ethiopian army captains defect to Eritrea (Sudan Tribune)
Aug 16 2006 (ASMARA) — Ten Ethiopian army soldiers including two captains and middle rank commanders recently have arrived in Eritrea. Read more..
Suspected Ethiopian militia arrested (The Standard)
Kenyan security forces have arrested 43 suspected Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) militiamen in Moyale and Marsabit districts. In an interview with The Standard, Police spokesperson Gideon Kibunja said 998 stolen animals had been recovered in the ongoing security operation in clash-torn districts. Full Story..
Ethiopian floods feared to have killed 700 (Reuters)
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - The death toll from the latest in a series of devastating floods in Ethiopia has risen to 194, state TV said on Wednesday, lifting to around 700 the total feared dead from heavy rains this month. Full Story..
Over 125 Die From Omo River Flooding (Daily Monitor)
Over 125 people have died as a result of floods from the Omo River in the remote southern Ethiopia, which over flew its banks, officials said on Monday. Full Story...
Ethiopia plans to fly in Indian investment (Business in Africa)
Addis Ababa - Ethiopia was keen to attract Indian investment in energy and other sectors and was considering a direct Ethiopian Airlines flight to connect Kolkata with the East African nation. More..
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