- Ethiopia's High Court upholds bail for EPRP terrorism defendants, ordering their release.
- Eritrean troops are reported in northern Ethiopia, near the Eritrean border.
- The UN reports looting of aid warehouses and a military hospital in Tigray.
- World Bank data show oil prices up 40% and coffee down 8%, squeezing Ethiopia's trade.
- Visa and ETTA plan to deploy 148,000 contactless payment devices across the country.
Politics
Ethiopian High Court upholds bail for EPRP members accused of terrorism
On Meskerem 27, 2019 E.C., Ethiopia's Federal High Court confirmed bail for EPRP members Yishaq Wolday, Abebe Akalu and lawyer Abera Nigus, each granted 50,000 birr but detained after a police appeal. Their lawyer says the court ordered their release.
Fact · Sheger FM · according to the party's lawyer, reported by Sheger FM · link
Ethiopia renames Ministry of Plan and Development
Ethiopia's House of Peoples' Representatives unanimously approved Proclamation No. 1440/2019, renaming the Ministry of Plan and Development the Ministry of National Strategy, with duties covering development plans, policy studies and project evaluation.
Fact · Ministry of Planning and Development (Telegram) · official figure: House of Peoples' Representatives of Ethiopia · link
Ethiopia Proposes Bureaucratic Overhaul, Keeps 22 Ministries
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed proposes a draft proclamation, approved by the Council of Ministers on September 28, realigning executive mandates while keeping 22 ministry-level institutions. Four ministries change, and at least four ministerial posts remain vacant.
Fact · The Reporter Ethiopia · official figure: Council of Ministers / reported by The Reporter; not on government's own channels · link
Security
Witnesses report Eritrean troops in northern Ethiopia
Witnesses tell Reuters they saw dozens of Eritrean soldiers in off-white camouflage driving through Adigrat, 25km from the Eritrean border, days after Ethiopia and Eritrea severed ties. Eritrea's information minister did not deny troops crossed.
Fact · Al Jazeera · according to witnesses, reported by Reuters · link
Eritrean troops reported in northern Ethiopian town
Witnesses tell Reuters that Eritrean troops have driven through a town in northern Ethiopia. The report gives no details on the number of troops, the town's name, the date or the reason, amid conflict between federal and Tigrayan forces.
Fact · Reuters (Ethiopia, via Google News) · according to witnesses, reported by Reuters · link
US embassy warns citizens in Ethiopia of possible attacks on military sites
The U.S. Embassy in Addis Abeba issued a security alert on Wednesday evening telling U.S. citizens to exercise caution after reports of possible long-range attacks on Ethiopian military installations in October, days after explosions in the capital.
Fact · Addis Standard (@addisstandard) · link
Meseret Media reports on TPLF forces' actions at Alula Abanega Airport
Meseret Media reports new events in Tigray, particularly Shire and Mekelle, with infrastructure damage. Detainees in Shire have been fully released, and TPLF forces committed a controversial act at Alula Abanega Airport before evacuating Mekelle; further details are behind a paywall.
Fact · Meseret Media · reported by Meseret Media; not on any independent or official channel · link
Ethiopia's rehabilitation commission calls on Tigray fighters to report to Mekelle demobilization center
Ethiopia's National Rehabilitation Commission has called on members of armed groups in Tigray to report to a newly designated rehabilitation facility in the Mekelle area for the DDR program. Deputy Commissioner Brigadier General Derbe Mekuriaw says fighters may report to nearby defense force posts.
Fact · Borkena · official figure: National Rehabilitation Commission of Ethiopia · link
UN reports looting of aid depots in Tigray
The UN says a UN agency warehouse and facilities of local and international NGOs were looted in Tigray, with food, seeds, fertilizers and water pumps lost. Farhan Haq reports deep concern over civilian casualties as fighting strains the November 2022 peace agreement.
Fact · The Reporter Ethiopia · announced by UN official; The Reporter's own report · link
Tigray military referral hospital reported damaged and looted
Addis Standard reports that Awash Military Referral Hospital in Tigray, which treats former fighters with chronic orthopedic and trauma injuries, was heavily damaged and looted. Medical supplies, equipment, mattresses, wheelchairs and stretchers were taken; ex-fighters call for urgent humanitarian assistance.
Fact · Addis Standard (@addisstandard) · reported by Addis Standard; not on the institution's own channels · link
Economy
Ethiopian Chamber President Congratulates Abiy Ahmed on Reappointment as Prime Minister
Sebsib Abafira Abajobir, President of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, sent a congratulatory message to Abiy Ahmed on his reappointment as Prime Minister, praising economic reforms and reaffirming the Chamber's readiness to partner with government.
Fact · Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce · announced, not measured · link
Ethiopia's central bank defends July 2024 monetary reform
Central Bank officials present the July 2024 monetary policy reform as a decisive break from a managed exchange rate, chronic shortages and a parallel-market premium above 100pc, according to Addis Fortune, which links to further coverage of the monetary policy, the IMF and the National Bank.
Fact · Addis Fortune (@addis_fortune) · link
Oil up 40%, coffee down 8%: Ethiopia's commodity squeeze
World Bank data released on 2 October show Brent crude averaging 116.8 US dollars a barrel in September, up from 83.4 US dollars in July, while the Arabica coffee benchmark fell to 7.26 US dollars a kilogram from 7.91. Wheat, maize, sugar and DAP fertiliser prices also rose.
Fact · Birr Metrics · official figure: World Bank · link
Business
Ethiopia to enforce six-month registration rule for company shareholders
Ethiopian Reporter reports that a rule requiring shareholders and investors behind companies to register within six months is set to be implemented. The source gives no further details on the rule's scope or the authority enforcing it.
Fact · Ethiopian Reporter (@EthioReporter) · announced, not measured · link
Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics reports equity of 24.1 billion Br
The Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics company's total equity stands at 24.1 billion Br, according to Addis Fortune. Its assets rose by 26.9 percent to 81.6 billion Br. The post gives no further figures, dates or explanation of what drove the changes.
Fact · Addis Fortune (@addis_fortune) · announced, not measured · link
Banks and fintech
Visa and ETTA to roll out 148,000 contactless payment devices in Ethiopia
ETTA Solutions PLC and Visa have signed a framework agreement to deploy 148,000 contactless acceptance devices across Ethiopia, targeting small and micro-enterprises beyond Addis Ababa. The devices connect to ZooryaPay, licensed by the National Bank of Ethiopia, and are certified as cash register machines.
Fact · Capital Ethiopia · ETTA and Visa's own announcement; announced, not measured · link
Visa and Etha Solutions Launch Zuriya Payment Device and Merchant Lending Platform
On Meskerem 27, 2019, Visa and Etha Solutions launched a platform allowing merchants to obtain loans based on transaction history, alongside a new digital payment acceptance device called Zuriya. They aim to reach 148,000 merchants nationwide, with electronic receipts.
Fact · Sheger FM · announced, not measured · link
Society
Budget support launched for university students who cannot cover education expenses
Ethiopian Reporter reports the launch of a budget support scheme for university students who are unable to cover their education expenses. The source gives no further details on the amount, the number of beneficiaries or the administering body.
Fact · Ethiopian Reporter (@EthioReporter) · announced, not measured · link
Ethiopia sets new block-grant rules for self-governing universities
Ethiopia's Council of Ministers issued Regulation No. 594/2018 governing block grants to self-governing universities. Budgets follow input, output and equity criteria, are revised every two years, and may cover needy students, research, community service and free medical services at teaching hospitals.
Fact · Tikvah Ethiopia (Telegram) · announced, not measured · link
UN reports 20,000 Ethiopians leave for Yemen in three weeks
According to the UN, more than 20,000 migrants left Ethiopia for Yemen in three weeks, while over 3,700 refugees crossed from Yemen to Djibouti and 539 Ethiopian migrants returned home. Ethiopians make up roughly 91% to 97% of tracked migrants on the Eastern Route.
Fact · Addis Standard (@addisstandard) · official figure: UN · link
Opinions and analysis
Ethiopian experts question teacher promotion rule tied to student pass rates
Ethiopia's Education Ministry issued General Education Teachers' Promotion Performance Directive No. 1148/2018, requiring teachers to have at least 75 percent of students score 50 percent or above to be promoted. Experts and teachers told Addis Maleda the criterion could push teachers to pass students without teaching them.
Opinion · Addis Maleda (Telegram) · link
Record Dry Season Threatens East African Harvests and Food Prices
An exceptionally dry June-to-September rainy season, combined with high temperatures, has hit grain-producing areas of South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia. Kenya's western maize yields could fall by up to 36 percent below average, and food prices remain above historical averages.
Analysis · Birr Metrics · author has a stake: outlet's own analysis, no named external source · link
Sent by the Observatory.