by Engidu Woldie ESAT News (May 15, 2018) An Ethiopian born Swedish cardiologist and sixty other political prisoners were freed today after years in jail on trumped up terrorism and graft charges. Prosecutors in Addis Ababa last week dropped terrorism charges against Dr. Fikru Maru and 61 other political prisoners. “Five years of his life have been taken away despite ...

By Engidu Woldie ESAT News (May 14, 2018) The Oromo Democratic Front (ODF), an Ethiopian opposition party based in the Diaspora, announced yesterday that it had begun talks with the government in Addis Ababa. Patriotic Ginbot 7 (PG7) decried talks saying political conditions in the country should be made suitable first. The ODF said in a statement on Sunday that ...

ESAT News (May 14, 2018) The government of South Sudan today accused neighboring Ethiopia of allowing rebels use its territory as a “launching pad.” The report by Nyamilepedia quoted Col. Dickson Gatluak Joak, the military spokesman of the forces loyal to the country’s first vice president Taban Deng Gai, as saying that the rebels are using Ethiopian territory as a ...

ESAT News (May 11, 2018) The state news agency reported that federal prosecutors dropped charges against Dr. Fikru Maru, an Ethiopian born Swedish cardiologist and 61 others who have been detained for years on trumped up terrorism and other charges. Prosecutors on Wednesday downgraded terrorism charges against Dr. Maru et al to organizing revolt at the Qilinto prison. Thirty eight ...

ESAT News (May 11, 2018) Towns in the Somali region of Eastern Ethiopia continued protest against the regional administration led by Abdi Illey, as his forces, the Liyou Police hung and killed a woman in Kebri Dahar. Taysir Mohammed was an activist and a representative of Women in Kabri Dahar. His uncle is one of the hundred elders who were ...

by Engidu Woldie ESAT News (May 9, 2018) Over 150 people have reportedly been detained in the Somali region of Ethiopia as protest against the regional administration intensified all across the region. The detainees include two Sultans, who are revered in the community. Residents of the Somali region in Eastern Ethiopia have been protesting the administration of regional president Abdi ...

By Engidu Woldie ESAT News (May 9, 2018) Authorities suspended the license for MIDROC Gold, a company locals accused of posing health hazards to residents near its site in Southern Ethiopia. A two week protests against the ten year extension of a mining contract to the company resulted in the death of at least four people in the last two ...

ESAT News (May 8, 2018) Security forces have shot and killed three people in Togwochalle town in Eastern Ethiopia while two others were injured in Shinille Zone in clashes with the local police. Protests in the Somali region began two weeks ago when the regional president Abdi Illey dissolved his cabinet and appointed his relatives an clan members in all ...

ESAT News (May 8, 2018) As protest against a gold mine in Southern Ethiopia continues, security forces shot and killed two protesters today in Adola town. Three people have been taken to hospital for gunshot wounds, according to a source who spoke on the phone with ESAT from the town. Protests in eight towns near the MIDROC Gold mine in ...

ESAT News (May 7, 2018) Several people are feared dead after the Somali Liyou police exchanged fire with the Oromo police force in Southern Ethiopia. The renewed clashes in the town has also triggered further displacement of people who crossed into Kenya. Clashes between the Garre tribe on the Somali side and the Oromo communities in Southern Ethiopia has been ...