Addis Standard

National Dialogue Commission reaffirms commitment to inclusiveness, welcomes discussions with Orthodox Church https://addisstandard.com/national-dialogue-commission-reaffirms-commitment-to-inclusiveness-welcomes-discussions-with-orthodox-church/ Chief Commissioner Mesfin Araya (Photo: Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission) Addis Abeba – The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission has issued a formal statement announcing its openness to engaging in discussions with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC). This follows concerns raised by the EOTC’s Holy Synod regarding its involvement in the current national dialogue process. The Commission’s statement, …

Two local gov’t officials killed in a series of assassinations in Amhara region this week https://addisstandard.com/two-local-govt-officials-killed-in-a-series-of-assassinations-in-amhara-region-this-week/ The late Milishu Bekele, the head of Kowet district administration in the North Shewa Zone (Photo: Social Media) Addis Abeba – Two local government officials in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, specifically within the North Shewa Zone, have reportedly been killed this week. On June 6, 2024, the Kewot district administration announced that Milishu Bekele, the head of the …

Holy Synod criticizes National Dialogue Commission for exclusion, calls for Church’s ‘formal’ participation https://addisstandard.com/holy-synod-criticizes-national-dialogue-commission-for-exclusion-calls-for-churchs-formal-participation/ The bi-annual Holy Synod Plenary Session, which commenced on 29 May, 2024, concluded today (Photo: EOTC TV) Addis Abeba – The Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) has expressed reservations regarding the recent conduct of the National Dialogue Commission.  The Synod noted that the Commission has advanced its efforts without “formally inviting” the Church …

Former Ezema leader Yeshiwas Assefa detained without court appearance for over 48 hours https://addisstandard.com/former-ezema-leader-yeshiwas-assefa-detained-without-court-appearance-for-over-48-hours/ Yeshiwas Assefa was arrested on 31 May, 2024, on suspicion of “inciting violence,” according to his wife, Mulu Berhan (Photo: Social Media) Addis Abeba – Yeshiwas Assefa, former chairman of the Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice (Ezema) party, has been detained for over 48 hours without appearing in court. In an interview with Addis Standard, his wife, …

Human Rights Commission urges release of detainees following end of State of Emergency in Amhara region https://addisstandard.com/human-rights-commission-urges-release-of-detainees-following-end-of-state-of-emergency-in-amhara-region/ MP Christian Tadele, Concilmen Yohannes Buayalew, and Kassa Teshager (PhD) were among those detained under the state of emergency (Photo: Social Media) Addis Abeba – Following the expiration of the state of emergency in the Amhara region, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has called for the “continued release of individuals” imprisoned under the decree. Reports indicate …

UN humanitarian response during Tigray war “amount to a system failure” – report https://addisstandard.com/un-humanitarian-response-during-tigray-war-amount-to-a-system-failure-report/ WFP registering families in urgent need of food assistance in Dessie, Amhara region, November 2021 (Photo: WFP/X) Addis Abeba – UN’s independent, inter-agency evaluation revealed that the collective response to the humanitarian catastrophe that engulfed three northern regions of Ethiopia; Afar, Amhara and Tigray, between November 2020 and April 2023, following the outbreak of the …

Memories for the future: Ending violent conflict and empowering youth in Ethiopia https://addisstandard.com/memories-for-the-future-ending-violent-conflict-and-empowering-youth-in-ethiopia/ Tigrayan fighters survey the wreckage of an Ethiopian Air Force plane downed in Mekelle, Ethiopia, June 23, 2021. (Finbarr O’Reilly/The New York Times) By Girma Gadissa Introduction It is not uncommon to see people in public spaces of Addis Ababa, schools or common seating areas or cafes, engaged in heated discussions on the causes and …

Commission wraps up Addis Abeba consultations amid growing criticisms, calls for inclusivity https://addisstandard.com/commission-wraps-up-addis-abeba-consultations-amid-growing-criticisms-calls-for-inclusivity/ Professor Mesfin Araya, Chief Commissioner, Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (Photo: Ethiopian Press Agency) Addis Abeba – The National Dialogue Commission has reported the successful completion of a week-long agenda gathering and consultation meetings in the capital Addis Abeba.  On Tuesday, the commission said participants representing various community sections, government bodies, political parties, associations and institutions …

Head of Efratana Gidem district in Amhara region killed in attack by ‘extremist militants’ https://addisstandard.com/head-of-efratana-gidem-district-in-amhara-region-killed-in-attack-by-extremist-militants/ The late Alebes Adefrash, head of Efratana Gidem district (Photo: Efratana Gidem district/Facebook) Addis Abeba – Alebes Adefrash, head of Efratana Gidem district in the Amhara region’s  North Shewa Zone, was killed in a late-night attack on Saturday by an “extremist militant,” according to a district administration condolence message. The message specifies that Alebes was “killed by …

EU Council’s temporary suspension of ‘certain elements’ of visa law for Ethiopian nationals hinges on gov’t cooperation, a diplomatic source reveals https://addisstandard.com/eu-councils-temporary-suspension-of-certain-elements-of-visa-law-for-ethiopian-nationals-hinges-on-govt-cooperation-a-diplomatic-source-reveals/ (Photo: European Union (EU) Council) Addis Abeba – The European Union (EU) Council’s recent decision “to temporarily suspend certain elements of the EU law that regulates the issuing of visas to Ethiopian nationals” may be rescinded if the Ethiopian government agrees to cooperate, according to a diplomatic source who spoke to Addis Standard.  The new measures by …