Addis Abeba – A coalition comprising 23 Oromo community organizations in the United States has issued an open letter, urging the recommencement of halted peace talks between the federal government and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA). The objective is to bring an end to the protracted conflict in the Oromia region, which has inflicted considerable suffering over the course of nearly five years. The coalition comprises the Oromo Legacy Leadership & Advocacy Association, the Oromo Professionals Group, and the Oromo Support Group, among others. The letter conveys a “deep-seated lon ..read more

Addis Abeba — The severe drought has resulted in the deaths of 190 people in two districts: Abergelle Yechila in the Central Tigray Zone and Atsbi in the Eastern Zone of Tigray. Getachew Tafese, acting head of health at Abergelle Yechila district, in an interview with Addis Standard, conveyed the urgency of the situation, highlighting the outcomes of a critical survey conducted by professionals and a committee established by the district. Getachew reported a distressing toll, indicating the loss of 83 lives and an additional 297 individuals in critical conditions, teetering on the brink of s ..read more

Nairobi — Ethiopian authorities should unconditionally release Belay Manaye, chief editor of Ethio News, who has been detained without explanation for three weeks, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Monday. On November 13, a group of uniformed police officers and other security personnel in civilian clothes arrested Belay in the capital, Addis Ababa, near the offices of Ethio News, a private YouTube-based news outlet, Belay’s wife Belaynesh Nigatu and Ethio News co-founder Belete Kassa told CPJ. The officers took Belay to the Federal Police Crime Investigation Center, where he rema ..read more

Addis Abeba — At just 18 years old, Desalegn Mekuria’s (name changed) journey encapsulates the profound impact of the ongoing conflict in the Amhara region. Born into a destitute farming family in the remote reaches of East Gojjam, his parents made sacrifices to provide him with a chance at education. Renting a modest dwelling in the neighboring town of Gancha district, they aimed to spare him the two-hour daily trek to school, allowing him to channel his energy into his studies. Fueled by a burning determination to excel in this year’s pivotal national exams, Desalegn harbored ambitious asp ..read more

Addis Abeba — A group of 10 rights and advocacy organizations, including the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA) and the Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA), have released a statement condemning a recent Ministry of Education draft directive that restricts maternity leave for primary and secondary female students to 15 days after giving birth before they are suspended from their academic program. The organizations argue that this limit violates women’s constitutional rights to education and equality. The controversial draft directive, which is part of a new set of guideli ..read more

Ethio News chief editor Belay Manaye (Photo: CPJ) Addis Abeba – The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is urging Ethiopian authorities to release Belay Manaye, the chief editor of the private news outlet Ethio News, who has been detained without explanation for more than three weeks. According to Belay’s wife and Ethio News co-founder, the journalist was arrested on 13 November by police officers near the Ethio News office. In contravention of domestic and international legal standards, he has not been formally charged or brought before a court to contest his detention, the CPJ ..read more

Addis Abeba — In a remote rural village in Kondala district of West Wollega zone, Oromia region, lives Tolasa, who recently faced a devastating loss of his 14-year-old son, Gemechis, due to an active malaria outbreak in the area. “My son exhibited symptoms of fatigue, diarrhea, bouts of fever, chills, and flu from 14 October 2023, until his passing on 05 November 2023,” Tolosa, who asked to be identified by his first name only, told Addis Standard. The lack of health services and access to essential medication in his vicinity, which has been ravaged by the conflict between Oromo Liberation A ..read more

Addis Abeba — Human Rights First Ethiopia, a human rights organization, is urging regional and federal authorities to take swift action and release multiple individuals of ethnic Tigrayan origin who allegedly remain behind bars unlawfully in the Amhara region. Over the past three years, over 110 individuals have been taken from western Tigray and surrounding areas of Gondar city in connection with the Tigray war, according to the group. Most of these individuals remain under custody in Gondar, Amhara region. Some of the detainees were held without formal charges, while others are undergoing ..read more

Addis Abeba — The African Union has proposed extending the term limits of the AU Monitoring, Verification, and Compliance Mission (AU-MVCM) by a year. This proposal was made during the 3rd Joint Committee Meeting of the MVCM of the Ethiopian peace process on 01 December, 2023. The meeting aimed to review progress, challenges, and opportunities in implementing the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA), which was signed on November 2, 2022. The committee concluded its meeting “with both parties reaffirming their commitment to the full implementation of the agreement, the need to ..read more

Addis Abeba — Last week, multiple districts in Amhara region were struck by renewed heavy artillery shelling and drone strike, resulting in the tragic loss of civilian lives and the destruction of vital infrastructures. Witnesses speaking to Addis Standard reported that the indiscriminate attacks caused widespread devastation to homes and infrastructure in the region. One incident occurred on Thursday evening at approximately 5:00 p.m. in the town of Wegeltena, located in the Delanta district of the South Wollo zone. A local resident of Wegeltena, whose brother tragically lost his life durin ..read more