Somali Region police intervene as Jijiga protest, which was called to condemn mosque attack in Motta in Western Ethiopia, escalates to violence

borkena
December 25, 2019

Residents of Jijiga protested on Tuesday to condemn burning of mosques in Motta, Western Ethiopia. It took place in the city’s Stadium.

Protesters carried slogans that condemn the attacks on Mosques in Motta. Three Mosques  and about 18 stores were burned in the town last Friday after one ancient church was burned. The region’s police said that it has arrested suspects in connection with the attack. 

The protest in Jijiga did not end without security incident.  There was a violence towards the end of the protest as protesters clashed with security forces, DW Amharic reported citing government officials and eyewitnesses.

At least one person is killed during the clash, and several others were wounded.  “One person is dead towards the end of the protest, which was mostly attended by Youth group,” the region’s communication affairs consultant, Mohammed Olad, is quoted as saying. 

An eyewitness told DW Amharic on condition of anonymity, “Youth groups clashed with security forces. They throw rock and the security forces fired and killed a young lady and young man.” 

“The protest was peaceful. Some intruders wanted to transform it to violence but security forces nearby intervened to control the situation,” another eyewitnesses is quoted as saying. 

According to government authority’s narrative, the protest was mostly peaceful but what it called “certain forces” attempted to pervert it to violence. It was after that the government forces intervened to control the situation and it did so. 

The region’s government announced on Wednesday that over sixty suspected involved in the protest are detained. 

Mustafa Muhammed’s handling of what appears to be a planned attack against churches in Jijiga is praised by Ethiopians. According to some observers, the incident could have escalated to burning churches and attacking Christians had the regional government failed to act promptly. 

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The post Jijiga protest condemn mosque attack in Motta, One person reportedly killed appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Election Board passed decision to recognize Prosperity Party

borkena
December 25, 2019 

Ethiopia’s election board passed decision on Wednesday to issue Prosperity Party with certificate of recognition, State-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC) reported. 

According to the source, the board was discussing on Wednesday questions regarding political parties registration and has passed other decisions too. 

The decision is passed in light of political parties registration and election proclamation 1162/2011. The election board is among reformed institution after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed became Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in April 2018.  

Prosperity Party submitted application to election board earlier this month seeking for recognition.  The Board requested additional documents after receiving the application before passing decisions. 

The way parties ended their own existence, and the agreements they made to merge themselves to form Prosperity Party is in line with legislative requirements, and the board has decided to cancel their individual party status and recognize them as Prosperity Party, the board announced. 

Three members of the ruling coalition, Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Party (EPRDF), and five other ally parties reached an agreement to end their existence and form Prosperity party on December 1, 2019 – days before application for recognition was submitted. 

The parties that merged to form Prosperity Party as the following :  

Afar National Democratic Party (ANDP)
Benishangul-Gumuz Democratic Party (BDP)
Oromo Democratic Party (ODP)
Amhara Democratic Party (ADP)
Southern Ethiopian Peoples’ Democratic Movement (SEPDM)
Somali Democratic Party
Gambela Peoples Democratic Movement (GPDM)
Harari National League (HNL)

The party is required, as per legislation 1162/2011, to present audit report to the Election Board in six months time. 

Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) is the only member of what is soon to be former coalition party, EPRDF, that opposed the merger of the parties on alleged grounds it is legally and political wrong. 

TPLF’s position is that since the member parties of EPRDF won the last national election as EPRDF, those who opted for merging the party should resign as from government.

On the other hand, TPLF itself is mobilizing political forces to allegedly “rescue the constitution and the federal system.”  These political forces, which TPLF call “Federalists,” tend to see Prosperity Party as a move to end the Federal form of government which Prosperity Party say is a “baseless accusation.” 

Under existing circumstances, it seems the case that TPLF is running on its own in Tigray region in the next Federal election for which the Election Board has already started preparation. 

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“Nothing can separate the people of Amhara and Tigray, ” a key message from the Amhara-Tigray discussion forum.

borkena
December 26, 2019

No ethnic-based war between Tigray and Amhara is recorded in Ethiopian history. All that is known is the power struggle between feudal lords as was the case in different parts of Ethiopia. Because the power struggle in history, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries, was primarily based on regionalism. Just like there was a power struggle between Shoa and Gonder, Wollo and Shewa, between Shewa and Gojjam, there was a power struggle between Tigray and Gonder or Shoa and Tigray.

Since Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) started the struggle for power the narrative changed fundamentally. Political elites from the organizations painted a picture of the past where Tigreans, and other Ethiopians, were oppressed by Amhara – the Euphemism they used is Neftegna.

This propaganda was sustained throughout the 27 years rule of TPLF between 1991 and 2018.

When TPLF leaders lost power after the ruling coalition elected Abiy Ahmed as prime minister, all the key figures retreated to Tigray.

Something else happened too. The ruling coalition that TPLF crafted as a tool to maintain power, EPRDF, abandoned TPLF born political ideology, and merged itself to form a single party called Prosperity Party. TPLF not only rejected the new party but also it is creating an image as if an imminent danger is hovering on the people of Tigray.

There have been concerns that there could even be a war between Tigray and Amhara region as TPLF appeared to prepare for war and agitate people it Tigray for it. For that reason, there have been forums organized to discuss these concerns.

In November of this year, among others, intellectuals from Amhara and Tigray region organized a meeting to discuss various topics about ways of strengthening the relationship of people from these regions. There were peace forum in Mekelle in 2018,too.

Today , Amhara-Tigray Discussion Forum, is organized in Addis Ababa; this time a government ministry is involved as an organizing actor.

The forum was organized with the objective “Let’s resolve internal problems through dialogue so as to strengthen our multinational unity.”

It was organized by the Ministry of Peace, a ministry with a powerful mandate and legal authority in the country, in cooperation with Prison Fellowship Ethiopia.

Elders, senior government officials and community members from all walks of life have participated in the discussion, as reported by Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC).

Among dominant issues that emerged during the discussion is that Amhara-Tigray people have a lot of things that bind them together than those who separate them.

State Minister in the Ministry of Peace, Almaz Mekonen, said not only people from the two regions are interrelated culturally, linguistically and religiously, they also have a history of unity from the point of view of building the Ethiopian nation and protecting it. Nothing can separate Amhara-Tigray people, she said.

She also pointed out that there is no problem between the people from the two regions of Ethiopia at this point.

However, it was noted in the discussion that the problem is between opportunist politicians and activists from the two regions.

Part of the reason that necessitated the discussion forum is not to give those problems between politicians and activists a chance to negatively affect the relationship between people in Tigray and Amhara regions.

Seen from that trajectory, the discussion also seems to have an objective to resolve problems even among politicians and activists.

The Council of Elders, which includes notable figures like Haile Gebreselassie, among others, expressed the view that Amhara and Tigray people have lived together in peace and love, and have contributed immensely to the unity of the country.

Elders also called on mass media, intellectuals, and activists to refrain from practices that aggravate differences and rather work on common values.

Last week, a similar forum was organized in Addis Ababa with the aim to tackle ethnic-based clashes between Amhara and Oromo. But this one was a forum between political parties operating in these regions.

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The post Amhara-Tigray discussion forum sees people from two regions as one with shared history appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

A warning statement is issued calling authorities in Amhara region of Ethiopia to address five demands over burned Mosques in Motta or face a nationwide protest. However, Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council has dismissed that it does not recognize the demonstration called for December 27, 2019. 

Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council has issued a warning on Thursday calling for Amhara regional state to address demands of the Muslim by January 1, 2010, or The Federal Muslim council will call a nationwide demonstration, according to a report by DW Amharic service.

The Council also extended appreciation to entities that acted to contain the problem and condemned the act of burning of Mosques in Motta Town, Gojjam, in western Ethiopia.

Amhara region Islamic Affairs Council has expressed support to the ultimatum of Ethiopia’s Islamic Affairs Council

Sheik Saed Mohammed Omar, President of Amhara Region Islamic Affairs, on his part said that he has disclosed to the government that damage has been caused to Mosques in Motta because of failure to take necessary caution, and that he fully supports the statement from Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Council, as reported by DW Amharic Service

Demands of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council are:

1) The government to provide all necessary support to the Committee established to investigate the origin of the problem and the damage caused as a result of it.

2) To capture individuals and/or groups who were chanting and ranting in an outlandish manner after burning places of worship, and hold them legally responsible so that they get appropriate retribution

3) Indemnity be paid to individuals and organization who suffered damage to private property or in other forms

4) To rebuild all burned Mosques quickly so as to enable them to offer their daily services

5) To establish a committee capable of investigating problems Muslims in the region face and resolve them, and start acting soon.

Amhara regional government has disclosed that so far it has arrested about 33 suspects in connection with the incident in Motta.

On December 20, 2019, several Mosques were attacked in the town (at least three of them burned completely) after an ancient church in the town was burned.

As well, Muslim owned businesses were targeted during the attacks. At least 18 are reportedly destroyed. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has issued a statement immediately condemning the attack and expressing readiness to help the effort to bring perpetrators to justice.

There have been protests, in Jijiga for example, calling for perpetrators of the attack to be held responsible.

The Ethiopian government says that those who are engaged in the act of burning places of worship (dozens of churches have also been burned in this past year) are groups with political agenda of their own and their intention is to trigger religious-based clashes in the country.

Meanwhile, Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council said that the demonstration called for  December 27, 2019 does not have a recognition, as reported by Fana Broadcasting Corporation.

Secretary of the Council, Haji Sheck Kassim Tajudin, said in a statement on Thursday that the demonstration called for Friday does not have a recognition from the Council and advised members of the muslim community to focus on their Friday prayers. 

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The post Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council issues warning appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Eritrean President Isaias Afeworki vowed to “bolster cooperation” with Ethiopia in a ceremony organized to lay cornerstone for Eritrean Embassy Construction near Siddist Kilo area of Addis Ababa.

borkena
December 26, 2019

On his second day of visit to Ethiopia, Eritrean President Isaias Afeworki, joined by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, laid the cornerstone for the construction of a new Eritrean Embassy in Addis Ababa.

The new location is close to Hamle 19 recreation park in the Sidist Kilo area of the city.  The current Eritrean embassy is located near Meskel Square.

Eritrean Ministry of Information quoted Abiy Ahmed as saying “Christmas gift to the people and Government of the people of Ethiopia to the people and Government of Eritrea” during the ceremony.

“The construction of the embassy will help strengthen the diplomatic relations of the two countries,” Abiy added during his speech after cornerstone laying ceremony. 

Ethiopian Foreign Minister, Gedu Andargachew, and Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh, among other dignitaries of Ethiopian and Eritrean officials, attended the ceremony.

Eritrean President Isaias Afeworki took a moment to express his gratitude for the hospitality accorded to his delegation.

He also expressed his country’s “resolute decision to work with requisite vigor to recoup lost opportunities by three generation to bolster new chapter of cooperation between the two countries,” as reported by Eritrean Ministry of Information.

Although this is his third trip to Ethiopia since the two countries ended two decades of hostile relations in 2018, it is his first trip since Abiy Ahmed was declared as “winner” of the 2019 Nobel peace prize.

In a related development, the Eritrean delegation under President Isaias has visited Industrial Park in Adama (Nazret) and other industrial projects in Bishoftu (Debrezeit) and Dukem.

The president and delegation also attended “Let’s celebrate shared historical chapter,” event organized at the National Palace. 

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The post Eritrean Embassy construction cornerstone laid in Addis Ababa appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
December 27, 2019

Ethiopia charged on Friday Azeb Asnake, former head of state-owned Electric Power Generation firm, Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation.

State-owned Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) said she was charged in connection with the Deforestation project which was part of the preparation work for Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD).

She is charged with fifty other people including deputy director of METEC, state-owned Metals and Engineering Corporation (METEC), Colonel Mulu Wolde-Gabriel.

She was terminated as Executive Director of Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation in August of 2018 without explanations.  But at the time, it was rumored that she was removed from her position in connection with corruption.

About a year before her termination, she was named as “the 2017 Power Generation Woman of the Year” POWER-GEN International event for “advancing power generation in Ethiopia.”  Under her watch, Ethiopia’s power generation capacity was transformed from 2,430 MW to 4,500 MW according to the report.

In her role as CEO of EEPC, she managed the construction and operation of transmission lines including the export of electricity to neighboring countries like Djibouti, Sudan, and Kenya.

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The post Ethiopia charged Azebe Asnake 2017 POWER-GEN Woman of the Year over corruption appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Eritrean President speaks as if he was impressed with his latest visit to Ethiopia

borkena
December 27, 2019

Eritrean President Isaias Afeworki has arrived in Asmara on Friday Morning after concluding three days off an official working visit to Ethiopia.

He was seen off by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa.

His visit was packed with events – ceremonial ones as well as serious ones like meeting with Prime Abiy Ahmed, apparently it was a closed meeting. They reportedly discussed ways of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

He has also visited industrial sites within 100 kilometers range of Ethiopia’s capital. Adama Industrial Park, Industrial projects in Dukem and Bishoftu (Debrezeit) are some of the projects he and his delegation visited during the second day of the visit on Thursday.

In the afternoon, he has to lay the foundation stone for the construction of a new Eritrean Embassy building near Hamle 19 recreation park in sidist kilo area of the city.  He was joined by Abiy Ahmed who said: “it is a Christmas gift for the people and the government of Eritrea.”

The day was wrapped up with a dinner invitation for the Eritrean delegation at the National Palace. The dinner event was labeled as “Let’s celebrate shared historical chapter.”  President Sahle-Work Zewdie and Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonen, among other senior-level Ethiopian government officials, attended it.

“My two days of visit felt like two months; it was filled with several surprise events, “state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC) cited president Isaias as saying. It is unclear if he was being sarcastic about it.

Yet, viewed from the business of his visit which was to bolster ties between the two countries, it seems it has achieved its purpose. In a new update published on Friday, The Ministry of Information of Eritrea said: “President Isaias and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed underlined that both Governments are working to redouble efforts to achieve peace and develop strong bilateral cooperation in several sectors.” He is also cited by Ethiopian media as saying the three generations of time is lost between the two countries.

President Isaias Afeworki has visited Ethiopia at least four times since Ethiopia and Eritrea signed friendship and peace agreement in July of 2018.

A considerable number of Ethiopians see his visit in a positive light. Others, especially those who are indifferent to politics, see his visit with indifference.

Still others tend to see his visit with anger and hate. A prominent pro-TPLF digital news portal, Tigrai Online , wrote on December 27 : “The real reason for Isaias Afwerki’s visit is to reassure the masters of the Middle East and the Western world there is no crack between Isaias and Abiyot Ahmed.”

The article itself is given the title “The destructive symbiotic relation of Isaias Afwerki and Abiyot Ahmed.” 

While it described Abiy Ahmed as “low-level security officer…who was spying for foreign governments came to power in Ethiopia,” Eritrean President is labeled as “leader of the African North Korea” 

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The post Eritrean President : “it was like a two months long visit” appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
December 27, 2019

Ethiopia’s Minister for Health, Amir Aman, confirmed this week that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has accepted his resignation.  He did not, however, disclose why he decided to resign.

In a Facebook update that he wrote on December 25, he said looking back in the nine years he spent in the ministry including in the role of Minister, he said what he has got is greater than his contribution.

He also said that he will support his country Ethiopia and the Ministry in everything he could.  As well, he thanked Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for “the opportunity he gave him to serve as minister of health, for the support, he gave me and for accepting my resignation,” he said.

He held the Ministerial role for one year and eight months.  His resignation has been rumored for several months now.

There are rumors that he is heading to Washington D.C. , United States, to join the “charitable organization”- Big Win Philanthropy.

Ethiopia’s former Minister of Health, Kesetebirhan Admasu, is leading the Organization as CEO.  

Kesetebirhan tweeted ” Thanks a lot Amiro for wonderfully serving our country. Your exceptional leadership, hardwork, and perseverance will be missed. A job well done, my friend @amirabiy#Ethiopia” in reaction to Amir’s tweet about his resignation.

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The post Ethiopia’s Minister for health Amir Aman confirmed his resignation appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
December 28, 2019

Eritrean President Isaias Afeworki has concluded his latest working visit to Ethiopia on Friday. The two leaders vowed that the year 2020 will witness enhanced cooperation between the two counties.

What does his visit mean from the point of view of Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) politics? The interview below, by Andafta Media, is an attempt to delve into it.

Video : embedded from Andafta Youtube channel
Cover photo : screenshot from video

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The post Eritrean President’s visit from the trajectory of TPLF politics appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Dire Dawa University says it will not provide any form of service starting this coming Sunday. Classes suspended.

borkena
December 29, 2019

Dire Dawa University announced on Saturday that it is closing indefinitely starting December 30, 2019. 

“Due to a temporary problem, the university understood that the situation in the university does not allow to continue classes,” said a brief statement posted on the social media page of the University. 

It also said that it will announce readmission dates in the future. 

The decision came after a student was thrown to his death from the 3rd floor of students dormitory. The heinous attack happened in broad daylight. According to information from the university, the student was killed around 12 p.m. local time.

The victim is identified as Alemayehu Kumera and he was a third year student of Banking and Finance. However, the University did not specify if the perpetrators of the attack are in custody.

According to the statement from the University, the students will not get any form of service – apparently before readmission. 

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education announced last week curfew times for students due to security challenges in universities. As per the new regulation, students are required to be in their dormitories after 10:00 p.m.

Also, it requires students not to be outside of campus premises before 6 a.m. and after 7 p.m. local time. The regulation is problematic for students with a habit of going to church for prayers early in the morning.  

Dire Dawa University communicated with students about the new regulation on its FaceBook page on December 27, 2019. 

During his speech at the Millenium Hall on December 20, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said “a strong security is organized in all Universities in Ethiopia.”  The arrangement was made to end tragic killings of students, among other security issues, but it does not seem to be capable of ending the killing of students. 

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The post Dire Dawa University closes after student thrown to his death from the 3rd floor appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

As TPLF concludes public conference in Mekelle in north Ethiopia, it vows to take measure against what it calls “internal forces” working to disrupt the “peace and unity of Tigray”

borkena
December 30, 2019

Tigray People’s Liberation Front has concluded two days long public conference in Mekelle. The conference was closed for journalists.

Participants of the conference have condemned the process that led to the end of the ruling coalition ruled Ethiopia for more than 28 years, Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), as illegal – as reported by DW Amharic service.

TPLF’s public conference was attended by people from all walks of life in the region – both party members and non-members alike.

And participants vowed that they will struggle against the new party, Prosperity Party.

It was created after three former members’ parties of EPRDF and five other support political organizations agreed to merge to form a single political entity. As well, the new party has announced that it has abandoned revolutionary democracy ideology – which was promulgated by TPLF during its heyday as an architect and master of EPRDF.

TPLF chairman and acting president of the region vowed that his organization will take measures against those he described as “internal forces [apparently in Tigray] who are operating to disrupt peace and the unity of Tigray.”

The organization is now employing a dual approach and running the Tigray region of Ethiopia more like a de facto state.

On the one hand, it is engaged in a national mobilization against the newly formed political entity, Prosperity Party, by trying to form a political block which it calls “Federalist Forces.”

On the other hand, it is running Tigray virtually as an independent state and has repeatedly demonstrated that it is in a collision course with the Federal government. 

Sometime last week, an undisclosed high ranking government official reportedly prohibited a business delegation from Shanxi province of China from traveling to Mekelle region as relevant authorities in the region were waiting at Alula Aba Nega Airport in Mekelle to receive the delegates.   Dr. Abraham Tekesete, the region’s trade and investment office head, had to fly to Addis Ababa to meet with the delegation and sign an agreement. A top official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs admitted that it happened but painted it as a sort of mistake within the airport security.

TPLF accused top EPRDF officials of betrayal for ending the existence of the coalition to form a new united party. The organization’s political elites argue what is now former EPRDF leadership did not have the political or legal right to end the coalition and merge it to form a single party for it run for power as EPRDF coalition during the last national election.   It also says the new party threatens the constitution and the federal order.

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borkena
December 30, 2019

At least ten students are reportedly wounded after a clash with security forces in Awaro Campus of Ambo University, VOA Amharic service reported on Monday in the evening.

They were admitted to the University referral hospital. Their condition is not life-threatening. Three security forces are also wounded.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education learning said 15 of the 22 universities that experienced security crisis are back to normalcy. And it has called communities in the town where the universities are located to help the effort to restore normalcy in the universities.

Two days ago, Yihun Alemayehu, a third-year Accounting and Finance, was found dead in the University campus. Dire Dawa Dile-Chora hospital Hospital sources said, on an anonymous basis, his body bears signs of death thrown from heights.  His body is sent to his parents in West Wollega, Guliso town, and is laid to rest.

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The post Ten students, three security forces wounded after clashes at Ambo University appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
December 31, 2019

Ethiopia has arrested zone level authorities in connection with the attacks of mosques and a church in Motta town in East Gojjam Zone of Amhara regional state.

A report by Amhara Mass Media Agency (AMMA) on Tuesday, December 31st, 2019, said the town’s head of police administration office, crime prevention head, head of the militia office and head of militia deployment are arrested.

East Gojjam zone police department head, chief inspector Ayalneh Tesfaye, told AMMA that the officials are arrested on alleged grounds that they failed to meet their responsibility – seemingly in terms of reversing the attack and also protecting individuals and their personal properties.

The region’s authority claimed that those officials who are now under arrest could have deployed forces to reverse the attack and control the situation.

On December 20, 2019, a church and several mosques were attacked in Motta. Over 18 stores belonging to individuals were also burned.

Amhara regional state has announced that it has arrested 33 suspects linked to the incident.

Burning places of worship have become one of the challenges that Ethiopia is facing which is partly linked to the security problems in the country. A few months ago, several churches were burned and priests were killed in southern Ethiopia.

A considerable number of Ethiopians seem to believe that there are political entities working to incite religious clashes in Ethiopia

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The post Ethiopia arrested authorities in connection with attacks on worship places appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Ethiopian government invites interested professionals to form Independent Council of Economic Advisers. But much of the economic reform agenda has been completed

borkena
December 31, 2019

The Office of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia announced on Tuesday that it is working to form a national body labeled as “Independent Council of Economic Advisers.”  The statement from the office said this national body is going to be a “neutral” one.

Getting input from natural professionals could ensure policy inclusivity, and could also help understand the complex social problem that the country is living, and to examine multi-faceted policy alternatives and get suggested solutions, says a statement from the government.

The initiative is also intended to enhance the acceptance of government policies among the people and non-governmental institutions. 

While Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed claims that “Independent Council of Economic Advisers” is natural, it seeks to have “consultation” with the government from time to time.

This national body will have fifteen members and is open for Ethiopians, and people of Ethiopian origin (apparently Ethiopian Diaspora)

In terms of criteria for membership, the statement cites, among others, reputation and experience in the area (economics), gender and other diversity with a deeper understanding of the country’s economy and social reality.

The customary practice is diversifying an entity mostly focuses on ethnic diversity as Ethiopia is still a country a constitutionally based ethnic politics and administrative structure that has been drawing criticism for decades now.

Also, from experience in the recent past, a formation of an entity like this is usually something that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed gets it done. Apparently, he has avoided being on the frontline this time around. 

His government wants the selection process to be “inclusive and transparent”, and has announced an email address (policyunit@pmo.gov.et) to accept documents from interested individuals. Those interested are required to submit applications within 15 days.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed introduced an aggressive privatization scheme as part of his economic reform measures.  His government has already decided (perhaps with some back door negotiation with state and non-state actors that have managed to create a sphere of influence over Ethiopia) to privatize most reputable national assets including Ethio-Telecom and Ethiopian Airlines.

This month, his government got nearly $10 billion dollars in loans from the Bretton Woods Institutions like The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and The World Bank Group (WB). Part of the requirement on the part of the Ethiopian government was to further devalue the Ethiopian currency.

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The post Ethiopian gov’t to form “Independent Council of Economic Advisers” appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
January 1, 2019

The Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund Board of Directors announced on Tuesday that it has approved funding for numerous projects in Ethiopia.

The Board of Directors sent a press release. You may read full contents of it below :

PRESS RELEASE

ETHIOPIAN DIASPORA TRUST FUND (EDTF) BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES SHORTLISTED PROJECT PROPOSALS
Addis Ababa: 31 December 2019

The Board of Directors of the Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund (BoD-EDTF) is pleased to announce the completion of project proposal reviews. The Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund Secretariat (EDTF-Sec) coordinated the project review process following receipt of over 300 project proposals in mid-September 2019.

The 22 shortlisted projects identified below will undergo a final implementation capacity assessment and budget review focusing on organizational resources, management and effectiveness to deliver on proposed project outcomes.

Project proposals were reviewed by volunteer Ethiopian experts in a variety of fields recruited from Ethiopia and the global Ethiopian Diaspora community. These experts were organized in  26  Project  Review  Teams  (PRTs), each team consisting of panels of 3 members. The PRTs reviewed and ranked each proposal according to criteria set for proposal submissions. After the PRTs performed a full review of 242 proposals, 68 were found to meet the established criteria, out of which the Secretariat presented 22 projects to the Board of Directors for their consideration and approval.

 Among the key proposal evaluation criteria included is the sustainability of the proposed project, potential impact, relevance, scalability, innovation and creativity, cost efficiency (value for money), accountability, transparency and communication. Regional equity was also taken into consideration in deciding the short-listed applicants.

Ato Zafu Eyesuswork Zafu, Chairman of EDTF Board of Directors said, “Thanks to the relentless effort of the     Board of Directors, Advisory Council, Volunteers, and the Secretariat, the initial project review process has been completed successfully and qualified projects that meet  EDTF’s publicly announced project selection criteria and scoring system have been shortlisted. These approved projects will be advanced for an assessment by an independent consultant for their Organizational Capacity and Budget Proposal before the final grantees are identified”.

Ato Zafu affirmed, “It is with full confidence that I confirm to all stakeholders that all the donated funds will be fairly allocated among projects selected through a transparent and comprehensive review process for its critical need, project design, the practicality of implementation and financial soundness”.  The 22 shortlisted projects in no chronological order are:

• Korah Great Hope Charity Organization (KGHCO) on Water and Sanitation

Hygiene and sanitation promotion at Woreda 01 of Kolfe Keraniyo  

• Hiwot Integrated Development Organization (HIDO) on Education

Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Services for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)

• Organization for Women in Self Employment (WISE) on Women Employment

Enhancing the employ-ability and competitiveness of underprivileged young and adult women in Addis Ababa

• Federation of Ethiopian National Associations of Persons with Disabilities – FENAPD on Women & Youth & Rehabilitation

Improving the livelihood of women and youth with disability, Addis Ababa, Oromia, SNNPR, Amhara, and Tigray

• Beza Posterity Development Organization on Child Protection

Collaborative and Indigenous Action to Prevent Child Marriage and FGM (CIAPCm) in the Afar Region

• Pro Development Network on Water Sanitation and Hygiene

Promotion of safe Water Supply, Hygiene and Sanitation for Hard- to -reach Communities Using renewable energy in Afar and Tigray Region

• Organization for Rehabilitation and Development in Amhara (ORDA) on Water and Sanitation

Yilmana Densa WASH Project

• Help for Persons with Disabilities-Organization (HPD-O) on Education

Build the fulfilling capacity of special needs education units in selected primary schools for the provision of specialized services for neglected children with disabilities to be effectively and meaningfully integrated with the regular school system

• Network of Charitable Association of HIV Positive for Health and Development (NAPHAD) on Sanitation

Come on Clean (COC); Action Against Open Defecation and Waste Dumping

• Ethiopian Red Cross Society on  Water  and  Sanitation  for  Internally  Displaced  People

Integrated WASH and Livelihood Recovery Project for Conflict Displaced Population in Central Gondar Zone

• Shayashone Trading PLC on Food, Income and Nutrition Security / Youth  Employment

Promoting Hermetic Storage Technologies (PICS Bags) for Household food-income-Nutrition Security and Job Opportunity for youth in Amhara, SNNPR and Oromia regions

• Boro-Shinasha Development Association (Boro-SDA) on Agriculture

Youthful Agribusiness Development Project in Benishangul Gumuz Region in Benishangul Gumuz Region

• Dire Dawa Agriculture, Water Mine and Energy Bureau on Irrigation and Water Supply

Hasenliso irrigation development and potable water supply project

• Mathiwos Wondu – YeEthiopia Cancer Society on Health, Cervical Cancer

Strengthening access for Cervical Cancer Screening in Gambella, Afar, Benishangul-Gumuz Regions of Ethiopia in Gambell, Afar, Benshangule Gumuz

• Haramaya University on Solid Waste Management/Income Generation

Waste-to-Wealth: Eco-friendly Approaches for Sustainable Solid Waste Management in Harar City, Ethiopia in Harar

• Siiqqee Women’s Development Association (SWDA) on Agri-Business Development for Internally Displaced People

Reestablishment of livelihoods for Internal Displaced people in Oromia Regional State, Oromia Regional State

• Oromo Self Reliance Association (OSRA) on Health and Education

Clean water supply, improved sanitation facilities and hygiene promotion for rural communities and schools located in four woredas of Oromia Region

• Bole Bible Baptist church Child Care and Community Development (BBBC) on Education

Enlightenment Through Education (ETE) Project in Oromia

• Gurmuu Development Association (Gurmuu) on Education

Enhancing educational provision in four primary schools through improving children learning environment in Oromia Regional State

• Hadiya Development Association (HAD) on Education

Daneto Secondary School Upgrading Project, Soro Woreda, Hadiya Zone, SNNPRS   

• Tigrai Development Association (TDA) on Education

Help the Child for Lifelong Learning (HCLL Project)

• Association Develop Horn (AD-Horn) – Rehabilitation of Disabled People

Empowering  the  Differently  Able  and  Work  Towards  the  Hidden  Reality  II:  Support  peoples  with hearing impairment(deaf) and autistic children in Jijiga city administration, Ethiopia Somali Regional State.

A total of 4,000,000 USD is allocated to finance projects in the first round of funding. The minimum and maximum amount that will be granted per project is approximately  ETB 6,400,000 (USD $200,000) and  ETB 11,200,000 (USD $350,000) respectively.
Final project awards will be announced following the signing of project implementation contracts with grantees on the 30th of January 2020.

For more information about the press release, check out Diaspora Trust Fund Website

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The post Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund approves various projects appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security service prepares ahead of religious and other international events

borkena
January 1, 2019

Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service Department said that it has trained about 532 professionals to work as an anti-terror force.

They were drawn from the department and other security agencies in the country, Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC) reported on Wednesday.

In addition to those drawn from the national intelligence department, individuals selected from Ethiopian Defense Force, Federal Police, Addis Ababa Police Commission took part in the training.

The source said that the training covered topics ranging from tactics and threats of terrorism at the international level to the current situation in the country.

It was also intended as a sort of preparation for the security situation in the country for the upcoming religious holidays in Ethiopia, including Epiphany (Timkat) and Christmas (Gena) as well as the continental event of the African Union Summit which will happen sometime in February of this year.

National Intelligence and Security Service has called on community members to cooperate with security forces by sharing information about suspicious activities that could potentially lead to security problems.

Terrorism is still a challenge in the region.  Last week, at least 78 people were killed when a car bomb detonated at a busy checkpoint in a busy location in Somali’s capital, Mogadishu, and at least 90 others were injured, according to a report by the BBC.

Al-Shabab has made an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate former US president Barack Obama, this story was revealed much later by former US national security advisor Susan Rice, during his visit to Ethiopia in 2015.

There was also a more recent coordinated planned attack by ISIS and Al-Shabab. In September 2019, Ethiopian Intelligence claimed that they foiled a planned attack, and made arrests

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The post Ethiopia’s intelligence dept says hundreds of anti-terror force trained ahead of events appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Militant Oromo Liberation front operating in Wollega has been targeting officials from Oromo regional state and Benishangul Gumuz region state

borkena
January 2, 2019

The security situation Oromo region of Ethiopia continues to be a nightmare for Ethiopian government, not just citizens. And behind it is a militant ethnic nationalist group, the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF -Shane) which is believed to clandestine connections with government officials in the regional governance structure.

Benishangul Gumuz Regional State Communications Affairs bureau disclosed on Thursday that gunmen killed the region’s economic sector standing committee chairperson, Abdulahi Sojar.

According to Mesele Beyene, who is Communications Affairs head of the region, he was killed while traveling from Assosa to Neqemte, a town in the western Oromo region of Ethiopia. He was traveling for unspecified government work.

The attack happened around 7: 30 a.m. local time in Bengua locality of West Wollega region.  He was apparently shot inside the car he was traveling in.

Two other people, a man, and a woman, unidentified by name were also attacked, according to a report by BBC Amharic service.  They were inside the same car along with the assassinated official and they are currently in hospital.

This is the second killing of Benishangul Gumuz region authorities in recent times. A senior police head was killed as he was heading to the Oromo region for a meeting.

Mesele Ayele said the road between the Benishangul Gumuz region and the Oromo region has become a challenge from a security point of view.

The Militant wing of Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) which calls itself Shane is virtually operating freely in the Western Oromo region including Wollega, among other places.

In less than one year, the armed group has killed about eight government officials in the region.

The nationalist group that is considered to be the political wing of, Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), has repeatedly distanced itself from the militant group saying that it does not have any armed group.

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The post Militant Oromo nationalists still a challenge,top gov’t official killed appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party had a city wide forum to explain the programs and regulations of the party residents in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa

borkena
January 2, 2019

Although there does not seem to be certainty whether  Ethiopia’s next election will take place as planned as many opposition parties are considering it as undesirable under the existing circumstances in the country, the election board is sending signals that it will.

On the other hand, Prosperity Party, an offspring of former ruling coalition Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) but with a little attribute of the organization/s it evolved from, seems to be kicking off a sort of an informal campaign. Addis Ababa – a city that would never vote, according to some opposition parties, to the rebranded political party has become a focus for the party.

Party program and regulations of Prosperity Party, have been discussed across all sub-cities in the capital, and the closing forum was organized on Thursday at the Millennium Hall in the capital.

Over ten thousand youths from the city have attended it, according to the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC) report on Thursday.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, supposedly the leader of the new party, has attended it too. The city’s acting mayor, Takele Uma, was also in attendance.

Abiy said a popular phrase that is common during election times about his new party “Prosperity party works for a generation, not for an election.”

He seized his appearance as an opportunity to paint a picture of what his party stands for and also to paint a dark image of potential challengers in the city. 

In his speech, he hinted at the possibility of losing the election but he spoke differently about the invincibility of his party. “It is very difficult to beat the thoughts and practices of Prosperity Party in the next 50 or 60 years; whoever defeats me will find it difficult to administer Ethiopia even for a month without ‘prosperity thought’,” he said.

He spoke even with more precision to make a point about the veracity and definitiveness of the Prosperity Party. “The only way that works in Ethiopia hereafter is not accusing Prosperity [party] but by learning from it and improving it.”

Without naming names he insinuated that there are entities who intend to hold power by inciting killings, and that, he added, will not benefit Ethiopia, and the youth has to be aware of it. 

“If you like Prosperity Party [biltsigna in Amharic], vote for it. If you do not like it punish it with your votes but you will never give your life to anyone,” Abiy Ahmed told youths from the city gathered at the millennium hall.

The new party claims that it intends to build a strong and lasting institution, strike a balance between ethnic and national identity, and create a strong united political economy.

Based on the existing political landscape, two parties are believed to challenge Prosperity Party (PP) in the capital Addis Ababa. One is Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice (EZEMA), whose leader is Berhanu Nega, – a party that expressed the conviction that the city needs to be administered by elected mayors not appointed one.

The other potential challenger in Addis Ababa is Eskinder Nega’s, formerly prominent Human Rights activist and prisoners of conscience, Baladera Council which is morphing into a political party.

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The post Ethiopia’s Prosperity Party kicks off unofficial election campaign appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Tigray a difficult place in Ethiopia for opposition parties to operate. Opposition leaders talk about unprecedented repression in the region.

borkena
January 2, 2019

Tigray Democratic Party (TDP) says it is unable to present alternative political views to the public in the region.  The reason is that the organization that runs the region is not allowing that to happen, according to officials of TDP.

In a discussion organized by Ethiopian News Agency in the capital Addis Ababa, TDP leaders claimed that the People of Tigray is in unprecedented repression.

Mulubirhan Haile and Gidana Medhin, both among senior leaders of TDP, a party that Dr. Aregawi Berhe is leading, say that their party has reached the point where it can no longer present ideas to people in Tigray, as reported by Ethiopian News Agency (ENA).

Members of the party are labeled with all sorts of adjectives that lure hate mongering and shaming, the leaders said.  And the party is unable to explain itself to the public to refute the allegation because they are denied a chance to organize meetings freely.

Gidana said, “At this time, there is repression in Tigray…members of Arena party is still being arrested.” He called upon people in the region, especially the youth group, to stand up for their rights.

Mulubirhan Haile believes that the Federal government of Ethiopia should stand on the side of the people of Tigray in the struggle for democratic rights. Explaining it further, he said that the Federal government has to find a way to have a consultation with people in Tigray regarding what he called “false propaganda” by Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

Ethiopian News Agency said that an invitation was sent out to TPLF to take part in the discussion but it declined to attend it.

TPLF had organized two-days of public consultation in Mekelle last week. Chairman of the organization and acting president of Tigray region vowed that his administration will take measures against what it called “internal forces [apparently in Tigray] that are operating to disrupt peace and the unity of Tigray.”

He meant to make a reference to political forces operating in the Tigray region but different political views.

TPLF has announced that it will meet this week to make a final decision regarding the Prosperity Party, which was formed by three former members of EPRDF coalition and five other ally parties.

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The post Ethiopia: Tigray Democratic Party facing repression not to reach out to people in the region appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
January 3, 2020

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed attended the last day of what looked like unofficial election campaign organized to engage Addis Ababa youth. His party was recognized by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia only a few weeks ago.

In his speech on Wednesday at the Millennium Hall, he said the thoughts and practices of Prosperity Party are unbeatable in Ethiopia for the coming 40 or 50 years.

Watch his speech below ( in Amharic)

Video : embedded from Fana Broadcasting Corporation YouTube channel
Cover photo : screenshot from video

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The post Abiy Ahmed’s speech to Addis Ababa youth about his Prosperity Party appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.