31/05/2006 23:27
Asmara - Eritrea has tightened in-country travel restrictions on foreigners, requiring permits for diplomats, aid workers and visitors to move about the Horn of Africa nation, officials said Wednesday.
The new measure, which expands an earlier permit requirement for travel to and from certain towns, takes effect on Thursday and covers the entire country, according to a government decree sent to foreign residents. more >>
May 31, 2006
Addis Ababa - Ethiopian Ambassador to Italy, Girum Abay called on the Ethiopian Diaspora to play a role towards the realization of the five-year development plan designed by the Ethiopian government in a bid to improve the livelihood of compatriots. more >>
May 30, 2006
A charity football game will be held this coming Thursday between former Italian master national team players and Ethiopian national team in Addis Ababa stadium.
The objectives of the game are to raise funds for poor children, women and elderly people in Ethiopia as well as to strengthen the friendship and solidarity of the two countries, organizers said. more >>
May 30, 2006
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said Monday the multidimensional cooperation between Ethiopia and the United States has been steadily growing.
During talks with U.S. Senator James M. Inhof at his office, Meles said cooperation between the two governments in development and other sectors is in good shape. more >>
Monday, 29 May 2006
Ethiopian Airlines will on June 4 resume direct flights from Entebbe to Nairobi.
East African Business Week
By David Mugabe
KAMPALA — Ethiopian Airlines will on June 4 resume direct flights from Entebbe to Nairobi.
Ethiopian abandoned the route last October due to what management called “internal re-organisation.”
The addition of the Entebbe route will bring to 48, the number of direct routes operated by Ethiopian.
The airline recently celebrated 60 years of operations in Africa. more >>
Addis Ababa, May 29, 2006 (WIC) - Ethiopia is moving as desired in the right direction, Bereket Simon said.
In an exclusive interview with the Ethiopian Press Agency Friday, May 26, 2006, Bereket, Public Relations Advisor to the Prime Minister with the Rank of Minister in the premier’s Office said that the economic growth over the last three successive years was the outcome of sound policies and strategies. more >>
29 May 2006
Ambassador's visit follows positive Tripartite meeting in Kigali, Rwanda
By Jim Fisher-Thompson
Washington File Staff Writer
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia -- During a May 27-29 visit, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Donald Yamamoto continued his quiet but effective brand of diplomacy by helping Ethiopians resolve domestic political differences following the nation’s orderly but disputed May 2005 elections.
Yamamoto also offered advice on the border conflict between Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea. more >>
May 29, 2006
ADDIS ABABA -- At least 42 people were injured when three blasts rocked a town in southern Ethiopia at the weekend in the latest of a series of mystery explosions to have hit the country, police said on Monday.
The simultaneous blasts hit a hotel and two restaurants in Jijiga, about 720 kilometers (450 miles) southeast of Addis Ababa around 7:00 pm (1600 GMT) on Saturday, causing significant property damage and the injuries, they said. more >>
27/05/2006
Addis Ababa, May 27, 2006 (WIC)- The Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) announced its readiness to do whatever possible to ensure the sustainability of the economic growth registered and the on-going democratization process.
The party also disclosed that it will exert efforts to further uphold the activities underway to resolve the post-election temporary problems through negotiations based on “give-and-take” principle. more >>
27/05/2006
Addis Ababa - Capacity Building Minister Tefera Waluwa said expanding ICTs-assisted education and training system is indispensable for countries like Ethiopia to alleviate poverty and become competitive in the international arena.
Tefera said Ethiopia has been utilizing ICTs for the purpose of integrated education system and bring rapid economic development. more >>
Date: 26 May 2006
Addis Ababa - The Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) says it advances its goals on the basis of the constitution and only through peaceful means. The party says it recognizes that any movement contrary to this would pose danger on the nation’s existence and the wellbeing of its people. more >>
Fri May 26, 2006
By Tsegaye Tadesse
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Britain and the World Bank announced new aid of $446.8 million to Ethiopia on Friday, but said the cash would again circumvent the federal government because of concerns about human rights and governance. more >>
ADDIS ABABA, 25 May 2006 (IRIN) - Global media watchdogs have called on Ethiopian authorities to unblock websites that have been inaccessible since 19 May and voiced concern over censorship in the Horn of Africa country.
The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said in a statement on Wednesday that it had received reports that Ethiopian authorities were blocking several ‘blogs’, or Internet journals, containing content that was critical of the government.
Information Minister Berhanu Hailu, however, told CPJ no websites had been blocked within Ethiopia. more >>
WASHINGTON, May 25, 2006 –The World Bank Group Board approved an interim country assistance strategy for Ethiopia, emphasizing improved governance and growth. The plan includes an immediate program to preserve the delivery of basic services to the population through grants to local governments. more >>
25/05/2006
ACI Worldwide (Nasdaq: TSAI), a leading international provider of enterprise e-payment solutions, today announced it has enabled the deployment of VISA-certified, EMV-compliant debit and credit cards on behalf of Dashen Bank, the largest private bank in Ethiopia. The initial rollout of Point of Sales (POS) and ATMs will mark an industry first in the east African countries. The rollout will be supported by ACI software including BASE24®, ACI Card Management System™ and ACI Smart Chip Manager™. more >>
Date: 24 May 2006
ASMARA, May 24, 2006 (AFP) - Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki on Wednesday blamed the United States for the continuing stalemate over his country's tense border with arch-rival Ethiopia.
Isaias accused Washington of allowing Addis Ababa to ignore its legal obligation to accept a binding border revision as called for in the 2000 peace deal that ended the two countries' bloody two-year frontier war. more >>
Français: De nombreux sites et blogs d'opposition inaccessibles dans le
pays: censure ou problème technique, s'interroge RSF
Country/Topic: Ethiopia
Date: 24 May 2006
Source: Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
Person(s):
Target(s): Internet/website(s)
Type(s) of violation(s): closed
Urgency: Threat
(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has called on Ethiopia's information
and culture minister, Hailu Berhan, to explain why several websites critical
of the government have been inaccessible in the country since 17 May 2006. more >>
23 May 2006
Abraham Fisseha | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
An Ethiopian court on Tuesday postponed its verdict in the marathon genocide trial of former dictator Mengistu Haile Miriam until next year, saying it had to consider new defence evidence.
After 12 years of hearing testimony and evidence, the head of the three-judge panel trying the case at Ethiopia's Federal High Court, Medhin Kiros, said the long-awaited ruling would be delayed until January 23 2007. more >>
May 21, 2006, 2:27 GMT
Addis Ababa - Ethiopia's longest-running trial is to finally come to an end on Tuesday May 23 with verdicts to be pronounced on members of the former ruling military council or Derg, who have been on trial since late 1994.
The defendants, including exiled former dictator Mengistu Haile- Mariam, have been charged with genocide and widespread human rights violations during the regime's 17-year rule, from 1974 to 1987. more >>
19 May 2006
The United Nations plans to halve its peacekeeping force on the tense border between Ethiopia and Eritrea after talks this week failed to break a deadlock between the arch-foes, diplomats have said.
The move to reduce the number of troops in the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) from 3,000 to 1,500 comes after the two east African countries refused to back down at two days of discussions in London, they said. more >>
Friday May 19, 2006
By Benson Kathuri
Ethiopia and Kenya are jointly seeking Sh72 million from the African Development Bank to interconnect power systems in the two countries.
The Development Bank of Southern Africa is also expected to provide additional funding that would also facilitate a feasibility study for the power project. more >>
18 May 2006
VA Tech Hydro has signed a US$89.5M supply contract for Beles hydro power plant in Ethiopia.
The order was placed by Salini Costruttori, which is the turnkey supplier of the 460MW plant. Owned by Ethiopian Electric Power corporation (EEPCO), the plant will be installed in a cavern located in the north west of Ethiopia, near to lake Tana. more >>
The Ethiopian Herald (Addis Ababa)
May 18, 2006
Makalle - More than 290 Eritreans have entered Ethiopia via Zalambessa in Tigray State in protest against the regime in Asmara, the Gulo-Mekheda Woreda Police in Eastern Tigray Zone said.
Zonal Police Chief, Inspector Tigabu Gebre-Selassie told ENA yesterday that the escapees that entered the country since November this year include soldiers, university and high school students as well as farmers. more >>
WASHINGTON, May 18, 2006 (PRNewswire) - On May 15, His Excellency Dr. Samuel Assefa, the newly appointed Ethiopian Ambassador to the United States, presented his credentials to President George W. Bush in a White House ceremony.
Ambassador Assefa has most recently served as vice-president of Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia's leading institution of higher education. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, Dr. Assefa earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy and economics from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. After earning his doctorate in political science at Princeton University, Dr. Assefa taught at Princeton, Williams College, and Rutgers University. more >>
Addis Ababa, May 17, 2006 - The Ambassadors' Donors Group (ADG) on Wednesday condemned bomb explosions which killed four people and injured more than 40 others in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa last Friday.
In a statement signed by French Ambassador Stéphane Gompertz, the ADG expressed sympathy to the victims, their relatives and friends, warning that violence bred more violence and despair. more >>
Addis Ababa, May 17, 2006 - The Ethiopian Democratic Unity Party-Medhin (EDUP-Medhin) denounced terrorist acts that took place on public transport vehicles, at recreation centres as well as public places.
In a release sent to ENA yesterday, EDUP-Medhin executive committee expressed its deep concern over deliberate and planned acts of terrorism targeted at innocent civilians. more >>
By Ashenafi Abedje
Washington, DC
16 May 2006
Thousands of Ethiopians from around the United States are demonstrating here in Washington – marking the first anniversary of their country’s controversial parliamentary elections. The demonstrations come as the political stalemate in Ethiopia continues. Virtually the entire leadership of the main opposition party – the Coalition for Unity and Democracy -- is in jail. The leaders – along with journalists and political activists --- are being tried on treason charges that carry a possible death penalty. Today’s rally was organized by the CUD representative’s office in North America. more >>
Addis Ababa, May 16, 2006 (WIC) - A call for riots made by the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) went unheeded yesterday as service rendering institutions in the capital city conducted their businesses as usual.
Leaflets distributed three weeks ago and terrorizing announcements posted on the website of the banned CUD party warned workers not to go to their jobs yesterday and ordered public and private transportation to halt and commemorate May 15 because the city,it said, was to be rocked with havoc and violence. more >>
By Ashenafi Abedje
Washington, DC
16 May 2006
Yesterday marked the first anniversary of the controversial parliamentary elections in Ethiopia, won by incumbent Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. International observers called the elections seriously flawed, and the opposition says it was robbed of victory. The government says the elections were the freest in history and that the official results were legitimate. Here in Washington, Ethiopian expatriates are holding two days of demonstrations to mark the anniversary. more >>
By James Butty
Washington, DC
15 May 2006
A year ago today, Ethiopia held legislative elections, and the results sent the country into a political uproar. The first anniversary is marked by opposition groups observing this day with mixed feelings about the state of democracy in Ethiopia. Mesfin Tefera is a member of the opposition party, the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces. From Washington he told English to Africa reporter James Butty about the opposition’s view of the anniversary. more >>
The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia sincerely appreciates the invitation by the European parliamentary committees to participate in the forum organized under the title "Ethiopia - One year after the Election" to be held in Strasburg - France on 15 May 2006.
The Government of Ethiopia firmly believes in dialogue and constructive discussions, at all venues, that would advance and facilitate exchange of ideas, views and experiences intended to enrich and contribute to the democratization process and economic development endeavors in the country. more >>
EthioMedia
May 15, 2006
"On the occasion of the anniversary of the May 15 election, I want to send you a message of solidarity, sympathy and hope. A message to all those Ethiopian men and women, young and old, prominent leaders and anonymous citizens who have fallen and continued to fall victims to extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests, harassment and intimidation in the aftermath of the May elections in the hands of the current Ethiopian government."
As you all know, I went to your country as chief of the European Union Election Observation Mission. I was fascinated by the law-abiding nature of the people of Ethiopia. And I admire their democratic ferver. Like most Ethiopians in Diaspora, I'm now not allowed to set foot in Ethiopia for saying the truth and fulfilling my duty as Chief Observer. more >>
Mekele, May 13, 2006 (WIC) - A delegation of European Union MPs reportedly visited various institutions in Mekele and Wukro towns of Tigray state in the middle of the week.
The two-day visit of the MPs led by Tjon-A-TEN was aimed at getting first hand information on activities carried out in health, population and women affairs,according to the Public Relations and Audiovisual Department Head of the state administration.The delegation paid the visit from May 10 to 11. more >>
Assosa, May 13, 2006 (WIC) - The Benshangul-Gumuz state Credit and Savings Institute announced that it has launched a web site and computer network system which enables it to offer efficient service to its customers.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Kemal Worku, General Manager of the Hussena Computer, which established the network system and website, said the network connects the institution with three sub-branches and two branch offices thus helping it to provide efficient and timely services. more >>
Friday, 12 May 2006
On the eve of first anniversary of the May 2005 legislative elections that plunged Ethiopia into a crisis and swept away part of the independent press, Reporters Without Borders today wrote to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi asking him to amnesty all of the prisoners of conscience, including the 21 journalists currently detained in Ethiopia, some of whom are facing the death penalty.
The letter called for a “national reconciliation conference” with the aim of “reestablishing a dialogue between the government and journalists, listing problems in accessing and treating information, devising mechanisms to regulate the media and drawing up a common code of conduct for both state- and privately-owned press and the authorities.” Reporters Without Borders said it stood ready to “actively participate” in such a conference. more >>
Friday, 12 May 2006, 10:46 GMT 11:46 UK
At least two people have been killed and 20 injured in a series of explosions in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, police say.
The deaths occurred in a blast at a cafe in the north-west Mercato district, the city's largest market.
There were two other blasts in the commercial district, while the fourth went off on a bus in a western suburb. more >>
May 11, 2006
BY EVELYN McDONNELL
emcdonnell@MiamiHerald.com
Twenty-five years ago today, at 11:45 a.m., the heart of Nesta Robert Marley -- aka Bob Marley -- stopped beating at Miami's Cedars of Lebanon Hospital. The body of the 36-year-old pioneering music star gave in to cancer in the city that was his American home, where he came frequently to visit his mother and other family members.
Marley, true to his Rasta faith, didn't believe in death. In the quarter-century since his passing, the snowballing impact of his work has fulfilled the religion's vision of ''ever living'' life. more >>
11 May 2006 – Ethiopia is holding opposition figures under laws that may violate its constitution, Somalia urgently needs international attention, and despite assertions by Sudan’s Government, displaced women in that country’s Darfur region are still being raped on a large scale, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour said today. more >>
ADDIS ABABA, 10 May 2006 (IRIN) - Members of Ethiopia's main opposition party walked out of parliament on Tuesday to protest the nomination of a caretaker authority to run the capital, Addis Ababa, despite the opposition's victory in the city during elections in May 2005.
Sixty legislators from the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) walked out after Prime Minister Meles Zenawi named an interim mayor and a nine-member, politically neutral panel to administer Addis Ababa for the next year. more >>
Tuesday May 9, 2006
By Mikias Makonnen
NIB International Bank has been swindled out of 36 million Ethiopian birr by an individual named Asmelash (his second name is not known) sources told Capital.
The individual allegedly offered the bank many quintals of coffee as collateral to get a loan of 36 million birr. The collateral was found to be not equivalent with the amount of the money he borrowed. The individual, who is believed to be an Eritrean citizen, left the country immediately after receiving the money. more >>
Addis Ababa, May 9, 2006 (WIC) - Ethiopia would rank as the second of third biggest exporter of cut flowers in the world in the next two to three years, a feature article dispatched by Reuters said.
The country earns about 20 million US dollars annually from flowers currently as the industry shows a promising trend to become a major foreign currency earner in the future, the article by Linda Muriuki and Arnold Temple said. more >>
Addis Ababa, May 9, 2006 (WIC) - Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin said the relations between Ethiopia and Somalia has been gaining momentum from time to time.
During talks with his Somalian counterpart yesterday, Foreign Minister Seyoum said a number of measures have been taken to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries. more >>
Mon May 8, 2006 6:11 PM GMT
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopian opposition leaders charged with plotting to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi were accused on Monday of emulating east European pro-democracy demonstrators.
In a trial that has outraged rights groups, 75 opposition leaders, journalists and civil society activists stand accused of treason, inciting violence and attempting to commit genocide. more >>
05/06/2006
Thirty-nine countries worldwide face food crises, the majority in southern
and eastern Africa, a U.N. food agency said Friday
The Food and Agriculture Organization mentioned drought, conflict and economic crises as the main reasons for the grave food situation in Africa, where a total of 24 countries were in need of assistance. more >>
Press Statement
Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC
May 3, 2006
The United States is concerned by the increasing harassment and intimidation
of opposition politicians and their supporters in Ethiopia. Opposition extremists
as well as ruling party cadres and government officials have been responsible
for these unacceptable actions.
The United States calls on all parties within and outside Ethiopia to respect the rights of their fellow citizens to express peacefully their opinions and to participate in the democratic process. more >>