by Engidu Woldie ESAT News (January 8, 2019) A command post set up to monitor security in western Ethiopia says 171 individuals have been arrested in connection with deadly violence and displacement in Benishangul and west Wellega. The report by the Ethiopian television said illegal weapons and cash have also been seized. About 100 suspects were arrested in the Oromo ...

by Engidu Woldie ESAT News (January 8, 2019) Residents of the town of Shire in Tigray blocked movement of troops deployed to the area. It is the second time for the movement of the national army to be hindered in Tigray. Last week, the army faced a similar hindrance in Zalambessa town, where residents blocked a convoy of soldiers withdrawing ...

by Engidu Woldie ESAT News (January 7, 2019) A ‘peace week’ has been declared in the troubled west Guji zone in southern Ethiopia in a bid to bring reconciliation and normalcy in a region beset by deadly violence in recent months. Over a dozen people were killed in the last two weeks while the violence has so far left at ...

by Engidu Woldie ESAT News (January 7, 2019) Leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea today opened their western border crossing and celebrated Orthodox Christmas together, a sign of fast improving relations between the two Horn of Africa neighbors. The western border, Humera in Ethiopia and Oum Hajer in the Eritrean side, has been closed for the last twenty years following a ...

ESAT News (January 4, 2019) The Oromo regional government says the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), a separatist opposition party, has failed to fully implement the peace accord signed in Asmara, Eritrea. The regional government said in statement that as a result of failure by the OLF in implementing the peace agreement, there is no peace in the region as violence ...

by Engidu Woldie ESAT News (January 4, 2019) The Ethiopian Diaspora Agency says it has finalized structural and legal frameworks to launch its project which would facilitate the participation of Diaspora Ethiopians in development endeavors of the country, while also ensuring that their rights are protected in their country of origin. Local media reports quoted Agency’s Director, Selamawit Dawit as ...

by Engidu Woldie ESAT News (January 3, 2019) This year’s Ethiopian Christmas, to be celebrated on Monday January 7th, brought a special gift to some 500 prisoners. They were pardoned ahead of the celebrations to be with their families. Ethiopia’s Attorney General said yesterday that the 530 pardons were mainly given to those who were jailed with children, the seriously ...

by Engidu Woldie ESAT News (January 3, 2019) The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) said while it is eager to take part in peaceful electoral politics, priority should be given to working for the peace and stability of the country before rushing into elections. Speaking to ESAT, spokesperson and foreign affairs head for ONLF, Hassan Abdulahi said the Front is ...