Tiny Eritrea makes big footprint in Africa

31 May, 2008

By Andrew Cawthorne - Analysis

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Most nations erect grandiose monuments to their historical triumphs. Eritrea put up a pair of sandals. And despite its small territory and population of just 4.7 million people, Eritrea has, from independence until today, continued to make big footprints on east African politics. more >>

Stalemate Takes Toll on Eritreans and Ethiopians of Eritrean Origin

31 May, 2008

Despite strong historic and ethnic ties, relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia have rarely been smooth. As a result, and particularly over the past decade, nationality rights of residents of both countries have been at risk. more >>

UN to vote on Somali piracy resolution

31 May, 2008

UNITED NATIONS - A draft U.N. resolution finalized on Friday would allow foreign ships to enter Somali waters to capture and prevent acts of piracy and armed robbery. more >>

Government says 25 killed in Ethiopia flooding

31 May, 2008

HARAR, Ethiopia - A government spokesman says 25 people have died in flash floods in eastern Ethiopia. more >>

Ethiopian housemaid fell off the second floor balcony

30 May, 2008

Dubai: The Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) has come to the rescue of an Ethiopian housemaid who plunged from the second-floor balcony of her sponsor's villa while cleaning. more >>

Ethiopian refugees in South Africa

29 May, 2008

Ethiopian refugees and other foreign nationals displaced from their homes in South Africa in a recent wave of anti foreigners violence gather at a makeshift relief camp in Rosslyn, South Africa, 100 kms (60 miles) North of Johannesburg more >>

Ethiopia Puts Logo on Its Hottest Export

29 May, 2008

This month, the Ethiopian government is releasing the logos for three varieties of Ethiopian coffee beans that it hopes will eventually appear from the burlap sacks that are used to transport coffee beans to coffee cups in cafes. It is the first time the country has introduced a brand for its major export. more >>

Eritrea and Djibouti square off over wasteland at the Horn of Africa

By Jeffrey Gettleman - International Herald Tribune

28 May, 2008

ON THE DJIBOUTIAN-ERITREAN BORDER: The distance between the rival armies is shorter than the barrel of a gun. Hundreds of opposing troops are lined up on the border, staring each other down, from just inches away. more >>

Ethiopia bomb on Derg anniversary

28 May, 2008

A bomb explosion in Ethiopia has killed three people and injured five more at a hotel in the town of Ngele in the eastern Somali region. more >>

Mengistu to remain Zimbabwe's guest, govt says

27 May, 2008

HARARE (Reuters) - Ethiopia's former ruler Mengistu Haile Mariam, sentenced to death by his country's supreme court, will remain in Zimbabwe under the protection of President Robert Mugabe's government, a government minister said on Tuesday. more >>

MSF Begins Nutritional Intervention in Oromiya, Ethiopia

27 May, 2008

Two weeks ago, the medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) launched a nutritional intervention in some areas of the southern region of Oromiya in Ethiopia, following assessments that showed alarming levels of malnutrition among children under five. more >>

Ethiopian court sentences ex-dictator Mengistu to death

26 May, 2008

ADDIS ABABA (AFP) - Ethiopia's Supreme Court sentenced former dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam to death in his absence Monday, along with 17 senior officials of his regime, overturning a previous life term on appeal. more >>

U.N. eyes Ethiopian crop for rules on natural riches

26 May, 2008

BERLIN (Reuters) - A deal to market Ethiopia's staple cereal, teff, to health-conscious Westerners may provide a model for ensuring the benefits of biodiversity are shared between local people and firms exploiting natural resources. more >>

Ethiopia makes arrests over blast: report

26 May, 2008

ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopia has arrested suspects linked to last week's bomb blast near the foreign ministry in Addis Ababa that killed six people, including a US national, state media reported Sunday. more >>

South Africa migrant attacks spread to Cape Town

25 May, 2008

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa's security chief accused rightwingers linked to the former apartheid government on Friday of fanning anti-foreigner violence that has spread to Cape Town, the second largest city and tourist centre. more >>

Ethiopian Western Boundry Protection Force

25 May, 2008

TPLF's boss, Melese Zenawi, on his ten minutes sleepy parliament answer to question planted from one of his cadres (May 20) on the recent border crisis affirmed that he is working hand and glove with the Darfur butcher, Beshir, to add him a big chunk of land which has been under Ethiopia's control throughout history based on the the so called General/Major "Gwynn" agreement with Emperor Menelik in 1907. more >>

Cargo plane breaks in two at Brussels airport

25 May, 2008

BRUSSELS - An American Kalitta air cargo plane drove off the runway during take-off at Brussels's Zaventem airport on Sunday and broke in two but there were no casualties, airport and fire brigade officials said. more >>

Male circumcision gains as Kenya anti-AIDS weapon

25 May, 2008

KISUMU, Kenya - Sitting underneath the bright murals at a clinic, 22-year-old Elijah Ochanda gestures at his shorts and explains: "When they remove this thing, it makes you safer." more >>

Uganda, Ethiopia deny their troops arming Somali rebels

25 May, 2008

KAMPALA (AFP) - Uganda and Ethiopia denied Saturday that their troops in Somalia were selling arms to local insurgents fighting government and Ethiopian troops in the shattered north-east African country. more >>

Ethiopia to re-erect Axum obelisk in June

22 May, 2008

PARIS (AFP) — Ethiopia's famed Axum obelisk is to be reinstalled at its original site next month, 70 years after the 1,700-year-old treasure was removed by Italian troops, UNESCO said on Thursday. more >>

Kuma becomes 29th Addis Ababa City Mayor

21 May, 2008

Addis Ababa (ENA) - Inaugural conference of the Addis Ababa City Administrative Council on Tuesday elected Kuma Demekissa as Mayor, and Kefiyalew Azeze as Deputy Mayor of the metropolis. more >>

Explosion rocks Ethiopian capital, three dead: police

21 May, 2008

ADDIS ABABA - An explosion on a minibus shook central Addis Ababa on Tuesday, killing three people and wounding nine, Ethiopian police said. more >>

US: American killed in Ethiopia blast

21 May, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States says an American citizen was killed in a minibus explosion Tuesday in downtown Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. more >>

Ethiopia to stay in Somalia till "jihadists" beaten

21 May, 2008

ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said on Wednesday he would keep troops inside neighbouring Somalia until "jihadists" were defeated. more >>

Drought returns to haunt Ethiopia

19 May, 2008

SIRARO, Ethiopia (Reuters) - Ethiopian mother Ayantu Tamon has lost a child to hunger every year for the last four and now cradles her severely malnourished and weakened three-year-old son Hirbu in her arms. more >>

Ethiopian Airlines says profits may hit record high

19 May, 2008

ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopian Airlines net profits for the first nine months of 2007/08 reached 484 million birr ($55.67 million), the airline said in a statement. more >>

Eritrea will not compromise its sovereignty for the sake of a handful of aid: President

19 May, 2008

Asmara - President Isaias Afwerki said that Eritrea will not compromise its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security for the sake of a handful aid, more >>

Ethiopia ruling party wins polls opposition boycotted

18 May, 2008

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopia's ruling party swept local polls largely boycotted by opposition parties who accused the government of intimidating voters and blocking their candidates, results released on Sunday showed. more >>

Addis awaits its new mayor, cabinet

17 May, 2008

In three days time Addis Ababa's City Council will formally be constituted at a meeting that is planned to be held at City Hall. The inhabitants of the capital also expect to know their new mayor, his or her deputy, and the speaker. more >>

Ethiopia says ready to secure route to Djibouti port

15 May, 2008

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopia is prepared to secure its vital trade corridor with the Red Sea port of Djibouti in the event of any conflict between Djibouti and Eritrea, its Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said on Thursday. more >>

Somali surprise at Ethiopia aid

14 May, 2008

Ethiopian troops in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, have distributed food aid bought with their own salaries. About 400 bags of sorghum were handed out to about 500 people in southern Baynile district. more >>

TEXT-Key quotes from Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki

14 May, 2008

ASMARA (Reuters) - Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki gave a rare interview to Reuters on Tuesday to discuss politics and economics in the Horn of Africa and his country. more >>

INTERVIEW-Eritrea says U.N. scaremongering on war risk

13 May, 2008

ASMARA (Reuters) - U.N. fears that a pullout of peacekeepers on the Eritrea-Ethiopia border may lead to a new war are unfounded scaremongering and a "gimmick" to cover the world body's failings, Eritrea's leader said on Tuesday. more >>

Ethiopia confident of its Djibouti corridor: PM

13 May, 2008

ADDIS ABABA (AFP) - Ethiopia said Monday it has the means to secure its vital trade corridor with the Gulf of Aden in the event of conflict between Djibouti and Eritrea. more >>

Eritrean opposition elect new leader, vow to oust Asmara regime

12 May, 2008

ADDIS ABABA (AFP) - A coalition of Eritrean opposition groups elected a chairman over the weekend, ending a long-running leadership dispute that had crippled efforts to topple the Asmara regime, officials said Sunday. more >>

Ministry refutes hearsay “Ethiopian territory given to Sudan”

12 May, 2008

Addis Ababa (ENA) - The ministry of foreign affairs said some mass media and irresponsible bodies have been disseminating groundless information by saying that the government has given a part of Ethiopia’s territory to Sudan. more >>

Cash-strapped WFP cuts food aid in Ethiopia

12 May, 2008

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - A lack of funds has forced the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) to cut by more than half the number of districts in drought-hit Ethiopia it serves, the food agency said on Monday and appealed for $76.4 million in aid. more >>

Sudan announces end of "terrorist operation" of rebels in Khartoum, rebel leader killed

12 May, 2008

KHARTOUM - The Sudanese army said on Sunday it had killed a major rebel leader in Omdurman while fleeing following a failed attack on the city. more >>

Granted asylum: the Eritrean athletes ready to run for Scotland

11 May, 2008

Scotland has acquired a ready-made team of world-class athletes in a group of Eritreans who have been granted political asylum. more >>

Ministers announces continuation of electric power rationing program till June

11 May, 2008

Addis Ababa (ENA) - Power rationing would continue till June 2000 E.C, Water Resources and Mines and Energy Ministers announced. more >>

Sudan rebels say they entered Khartoum

10 May, 2008

KHARTOUM - A Darfur rebel commander said on Saturday his JEM group had entered Khartoum and was aiming to take power in Sudan. more >>

Somali peace talks delayed by 'one or two days': UN

10 May, 2008

DJIBOUTI (AFP) - Talks between Somali government officials and exiled Islamist leaders that were due to kick off Saturday have been delayed, a United Nations spokeswoman said. more >>

Ethiopia launches coffee branding drive after Starbucks row

09 May, 2008

ADDIS ABABA (AFP) - Ethiopia has launched a campaign to brand and market its coffee after ending a long trademark dispute with US coffee giant Starbucks last year, an official statement said Thursday. more >>

Ethiopian athletes out of Doha meet

08 May, 2008

Organisers of the Doha Super Grand Prix have announced that Ethiopian athletes pulled out of the meet because of political tension between the two countries. more >>

Queen of Sheba's Palace Discovered in Ethiopia, University Says

08 May, 2008

By Catherine Hickley

(Bloomberg) -- A team of archaeologists from the University of Hamburg said they discovered the Queen of Sheba's palace and an altar that may have once held the Ark of the Covenant in Axum, Ethiopia. more >>

Eritrean opposition forms alliance in Ethiopia

07 May, 2008

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Eritrean opposition groups meeting in Ethiopia on Wednesday said they had agreed to join forces and launch a popular uprising in their Red Sea state. more >>

Djibouti: Eritrea military buildup on border a provocation

By EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press Writer

07 May, 2008

UNITED NATIONS - The tiny port nation of Djibouti, a key U.S. ally in the Horn of Africa, has urged the U.N. Security Council to take immediate action to prevent a conflict with its northern neighbor Eritrea. more >>

Rebels fear Puntland, Ethiopia secret pact

07 May, 2008

afrol News - Authorities in Somalia's semi-autonomous state of Puntland have been warned to "bear sole responsibility for the consequences" of entering into a "secret agreement with the Ethiopian regime to transfer private citizens from Ogaden and any ONLF (Ogaden National Liberation Front) officials who enter Puntland to Ethiopian security officials." more >>

Somali president says pirates in French jail from his region

07 May, 2008

PARIS - Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed said Monday that six pirates in French custody for allegedly holding the crew of a yacht hostage are likely from his home region in the Horn of Africa country. more >>

MoFA says Ethiopia categorically rejects allegations by Amnesty International

06 May, 2008

Addis Ababa (ENA) - The Government of Ethiopia categorically rejects the allegations of Amnesty International that Ethiopian troops in Somalia have killed people by slitting their throats “like goats”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said. more >>

Ethiopia: A model of African food aid is now in trouble

05 May, 2008

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Farmers in Ethiopia are better off now than they were four years ago, in part due to better-than-average rains and rising grain prices globally. But there's another reason: Africa's largest beneficiary of foreign aid has shifted from food aid to cash assistance. more >>

Bekele struggles to retain African 5,000m title

04 May, 2008

ADDIS ABABA (AFP) - Ethiopia's world record holder Kenenisa Bekele was forced to fight all the way before retaining his African 5,000 metre title on Sunday at the African athletics championships. more >>

Gebrselassie receives honorary degree from Leeds Met

04 May, 2008

Ethiopian distance running legend Haile Gebrselassie has just received a honorary degree from Leeds Metropolitan University for his outstanding contribution to the sport. more >>

Egypt arrests 100 Eritreans headed for Israel

04 May, 2008

CAIRO - Egyptian security forces have arrested 100 Eritrean migrants near a southern coastal resort who said they were heading to Israel in search of work, a security official said on Wednesday. more >>

Bekele accepts to run at African championships

04 May, 2008

ADDIS ABABA (AFP) - Double world record holder Kenenisa Bekele has accepted to run in Sunday's 5,000 metres final at the African athletics championships, Ethiopian state media said on Saturday. more >>

Tirunesh Dibaba leads second Ethiopian clean sweep in women’s 10000m

03 May, 2008

Double world 10000m champion Tirunesh Dibaba today added an African title to her impressive collection to lead Ethiopia to its second clean sweep of all the medals in the women’s 10000m final at the 16th CAA African Athletics Championships. more >>

No further delay in Dreamliner deliveries: Boeing

03 May, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Leading US jet builder Boeing denied Saturday German media reports that deliveries of its next-generation B787 Dreamliner would be delayed by another nine weeks. more >>

Ethiopia: Banks face currency shortage

03 May, 2008

Commercial banks operating in the country were facing an acute shortage of foreign currency, it was learnt. more >>

Berhanu Nega calls for a 'by any means' struggle

03 May, 2008

Former mayor-elect of Addis Ababa and ex-member of the Supreme Council of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) Berhanu Nega, along with four others, has declared that he and his colleagues were determined to adopt whatever means is necessary to force the ruling party to the negotiating table or force it out completely within a short time. more >>

Ethiopia bans economic migrations to Lebanon

03 May, 2008

ADDIS ABABA (ST) — Celebrating Labor Day on Thursday, Ethiopia has officially banned all travels its citizens make to Beirut in search of job. The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs disclosed. more >>

Ethiopia: Meles Zenawi Knows What Citizens Want [opinion]

02 May, 2008

by Jerry Okungu, Kampala (New Vision/allAfrica.com)

Stranded at the Addis Ababa Airport for the second time in less than five months gave me time to think about Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia. more >>

Somali rebels defiant after al Qaeda chief killed

02 May, 2008

MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Somali Islamists vowed on Friday to fight on under new leadership after U.S. planes killed the man said to be al Qaeda's boss in the Horn of Africa nation. more >>

Somali militants vow revenge after killing of Islamist chief

02 May, 2008

MOGADISHU - Somali Islamist militants on Friday promised to avenge the killing of a man said to be Al-Qaeda's chief, warning citizens from countries they considered hostile to stay away from the war-torn country. more >>

Melkamu delivers mother of all shocks to defeat Defar in women’s 5000m

01 May, 2008

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Meselech Melkamu delivered the biggest surprise of the 16th CAA African Athletics Championships so far by defeating Olympic, world, All-African, and defending African 5000m champion Meseret Defar in the final of the women’s 5000m this evening. more >>

Ethiopian men sweep 10,000-meter race at African Athletics Championships

01 May, 2008

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) - Ethiopia swept the men's 10,000-meter race Wednesday on the opening day of the African Athletics Championships. more >>

World's longest sea bridge opens in east China

01 May, 2008

JIAXING/NINGBO, Zhejiang Province (Xinhua) -- China inaugurated the world's longest cross-sea bridge on Thursday as part of its effort to boost economic integration and development in the Yangtze River Delta. more >>

Beijing introduces anti-smoking rules for Olympics

01 May, 2008

BEIJING - Beijing introduced sweeping new rules against smoking in public places Thursday in an effort to create a "smoke-free Olympics," state press said. more >>

Ethiopia confirms US bombed Somali Islamists

01 May, 2008

MOGADISHU (AFP) — The United States carried out an air strike in Somalia on Thursday which killed at least 10 people, including Al-Qaeda's military leader in the war-torn country, Ethiopian officials and rebels said. more >>