Land of ‘thirteen months of sunshine’ was the motto of the tourism sector. But after a while it was decided that given that the country is land of Lucy the most ancient human remains discovered, it was considered to be the ‘cradle of mankind’ and the new motto for the tourism sector became ‘land of […]
How clean water ignites a renaissance in rural Ethiopia. Deep in the heart of Southern Ethiopia, approximately 350 kilometers south of the bustling capital, a humble primary school stands as a testament to resilience. For 37 years, the Dege Enchoche Primary School has weathered the tides of time, its foundations firmly rooted in the era […]
Amharic has been the official working language of Ethiopia, the language of the courts, the language of trade and everyday communications and of the military since the late 12th century. The language serves as the official working language of the Ethiopian federal government and is also the official or working language of several of Ethiopia’s […]
Debating Ideas reflects the values and editorial ethos of the African Arguments book series, publishing engaged, often radical, scholarship, original and activist writing from within the African continent and beyond. It offers debates and engagements, contexts and controversies, and reviews and responses flowing from the African Arguments books. It is edited and managed by the […]
Addis Ababa — The federal government has announced last night that it has started taking “practical activities” to dissolve the controversial regional state special forces following a decision that put “direction to build a strong centralized army that can protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Accordingly, the federal government said it has started to […]
Women and children in Tigray are still subject to sexual violence despite a peace agreement signed in November 2022, according to a new report. Survivors accuse both Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers of rape. “The situation that Tigrayan women are experiencing through sexual violence is deeply distressing,” social worker Birhan Gebrekirstos told DW. Her quiet voice […]
The Red Sea region in recent years has encountered a growing level of intricacy and unpredictability which has presented significant obstacles in maintaining security and stability. This knowledge is widely recognized in various contexts as the region grapples with a multitude of concerns that have further complicated the security environment. Among these challenges are the […]
Nekemte, Oromia — Internally Displaced People (IDP) in Western Oromia, particularly the East Wollega, West Wollega, Kellem Wollega, and Horo Guduru Wollega zones have endured dire humanitarian crisis for years in an area where relief operations are constrained by continued security threats. Government sponsored forced returns have exacerbated the crisis pushing IDPs to street begging. […]
Ethiopia, a country nestled in the Horn of Africa, holds significant geopolitical importance due to its strategic location and rich cultural heritage. In recent times, there has been a growing interest in revitalizing diplomatic ties between Ethiopia and the United States. One crucial step towards fostering this relationship is Ethiopia’s pursuit of reclaiming its membership […]
Addis Abeba — A decade ago, Ethiopia’s debut on the international bond stage sparked a frenzy among investors with its inaugural $1 billion Eurobond issuance–a daring move with a 10-year maturity and an enticing 6.625% coupon rate. The bond, set to mature in December 2024, was met with a ravenous appetite as bids soared to […]
The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission was established with 11 Commissioners by the House of People’s Representatives on December 29, 2021 to lead an independent, inclusive, and transparent national dialogue across the country. The main objective of the Commission is to facilitate consultations among various segments of the society on fundamental issues of the country by […]
Bule Hora City, Ethiopia — Ayantu* was 14 when she was betrayed by someone society had taught her to trust. One night in February 2021, the teenager from the town of Bule Hora in southern Ethiopia, left her home following a heated argument with her family. Seeking out a relative at a local government office […]
Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) extrajudicially executed civilians in Bahir Dar, the capital of Amhara regional state, and in some cases denied family members the right to bury their loved ones, Amnesty International said in a new briefing today. The briefing, titled “We Thought They Would Fight With Those They Came To Fight, – Extra-judicial […]
Addis Abeba — Following the recent clashes between militias from the Afar and Somali regions near border areas last week, there has been a gradual decrease in tensions. Abo Awel, a resident of the Gabi Rasu Zone in the Afar region, informed Addis Standard that while gunfire was audible in the area until Saturday, there […]
The suspension of humanitarian aid to Tigray region by major humanitarian partners continued despite reports both by regional officials and residents of hunger and hunger-related deaths in the regional state. At least six individuals have reportedly perished only in one week due to hunger-related health complications, while 421 households are facing risks in the Amdi […]
Addis Abeba — Ever since Abiy Ahmed became prime minister of Ethiopia in 2018, there have been attempts to depict his political beliefs, rules, program, and party as tools of Oromoness (hereafter Oromummaa). As a result, some have already reached the extreme of comparing Oromummaa with Nazification. I will argue in this article that all […]
Addis Abeba — After years of monopoly by the state owned Ethio telecom, the Ethiopian telecom sector has finally opened up to liberalization with Safaricom Ethiopia becoming the first firm now offering telecom services within the nation. However, amidst this promising venture, the company has faced formidable challenges, particularly in the realms of staff recruitment […]
Addis Abeba — Death toll from what is suspected to be a drone attack in Finote Selam town, East Gojam Zone of Amhara region, has reached at least 30, with more than 55 others injured in the attack currently receiving treatments at the town’s main hospital. Head of the Finote Selam General hospital Manaye Tenaw […]