by Engidu Woldie ESAT News (August 31, 2018) Ethiopia’s mainstream Oromo political parties are reportedly mulling over the possibility of merger as constituents continue pressuring for the formation of a united Oromo political party. Ibsa Negeo of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) said at a press conference yesterday that his party has been in discussions with the Oromo Federalist Congress ...

ESAT News (August 30, 2018) The former police chief for the Somali region in eastern Ethiopia was arrested and brought to a court in Addis Ababa today. Ferhan Tahir was accused of organizing and directing an armed youth group known as Heego that has allegedly killed several people and burnt churches and properties in recent weeks in Jijiga, the region’s ...

by Engidu Woldie ESAT News (August 30, 2018) A light military aircraft crashed in central Ethiopia today killing 18 people including 3 civilians. The aircraft was travelling from the eastern city of Dire Dawa to the Ethiopian Air Force base in Debrezeit. A brief statement by the Ministry of Defense sent to media says the aircraft crashed in an area ...

ESAT News (August 29, 2018) Former president of Ethiopia’s Somali region, Abdi Mohamoud Omar (Abdi Illey) has been brought to a court in Addis Ababa and charged with using armed groups that attacked and killed several innocent citizens and burnt churches. Illey was also charged with instigating violence that caused the displacement of thousands of people. Abdi Illey, who is ...

by Engidu Woldie ESAT News (August 29, 2018) Workers at Ethiopia’s renaissance mega electric dam continued their strike for the fifth day demanding pay increases and an end to workplace abuses. Construction at the dam, also known as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, has been going on for eight years despite initial plans to complete the project in five years. ...

ESAT News (August 29, 2018) Five people were killed in a renewed ethnic attack in Tepi town, 360 miles southwest of Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa. A resident who spoke to ESAT on the phone from the town said three people were killed last week and another two were killed yesterday in what he said was an attack by the Shekacho ...

ESAT News (August 28, 2018) Authorities in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa shutdown illegal forex exchange shops and arrested 37 people who were allegedly involved in the illegal practice. Police also found 57,000 U.S. dollars, over 2,000 euros, over 4,000 British pounds and over 5 million birr, the Ethiopian currency. Authorities say more currencies could be seized when further searches would ...

ESAT News (August 28, 2018) Six more officials of the Somali region of Ethiopia have been arrested after yesterday’s arrest of the ex-president of the region, Abdi Illey. The arrests were made after the regional council has lifted legislative immunities of seven officials on Sunday. The Federal police say the officials would be brought to justice and defend the allegations. ...

by Engidu Woldie ESAT News (August 28, 2018) The Tigray People’s Democratic Movement (TPDM), an armed opposition group based in Eritrea, has agreed to continue its struggle through peaceful means. Chairman of TPDM Mekonen Tesfai and General Adem Mohammed, Director of the Ethiopian National Intelligence and Security Agency have reached the agreement in Eritrea’s capital Asmara today, according to the ...