Kichuu

04/01/2025

Series of earthquakes hit Ethiopia after months of seismic activity, thousands evacuated

Thousands of people were being evacuated Saturday (January 4) in Ethiopia after a series of earthquakes, including a 5.8-magnitude tremor, struck the northern regions of the Horn of Africa nation.

The quakes, centered in the rural Afar, Oromia, and Amhara regions followed months of intense seismic activity. No casualties have been reported so far, but the earthquakes have damaged homes and threatened to trigger a volcanic eruption of the previously dormant Mount Dofan, near Segento in the northeast Afar region.

Ethiopia’s government Communication Service said approximately 80,000 people live in the affected areas. It reported that the most vulnerable residents were being relocated to temporary shelters, though it did not specify how many.

“The occurrences of the earthquakes are increasing in terms of magnitude and recurrences,” the agency said in a statement, adding that experts had been sent to assess the damage.

A senior official from the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission estimated that at least 2,000 people had been displaced so far.

The latest quake, a shallow 4.7-magnitude tremor, struck just before 12:40 pm (0940 GMT) about 33 kilometers (20 miles) north of Metehara in Oromia, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/series-of-earthquakes-hit-ethiopia-after-months-of-seismic-activity-thousands-evacuated-13849885.html

03/01/2025

Volcanic eruption strikes Ethiopia's Mount Dofan

A volcanic eruption has struck Ethiopia's central Mount Dofan, a region that has recently experienced frequent minor tremors.

The tremors in the Awash Fentale region, which is approximately 142 miles (230 kilometers) from Addis Ababa, have been felt as far as the capital city, raising concerns about a potential major disaster, News.az reports, citing foreign media.

In recent weeks, more than a dozen minor earthquakes have been recorded in the Awash Fentale area and surrounding regions, adding to residents' concerns about the seismic activity's impact.

Efforts are underway to prevent casualties by relocating at-risk residents to safer areas, the state-owned Fana Broadcasting Corporation reported, citing Regional Administrator Abdu Ali.

The tremors are continuing and becoming more powerful, with the most recent being felt in Addis Ababa overnight, Ali noted.
https://news.az/news/volcanic-eruption-strikes-ethiopia-s-mount-dofan

03/01/2025

Powerful vent opens at Dofan volcano as seismic crisis hits Afar region, Ethiopia

A new vent opened at Dofan volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region, releasing powerful jets of steam, rocks, and mud on January 3, 2025. The development comes during a series of earthquakes recorded in the region since December 22 and raised concerns about a potential volcanic eruption — which would be the first on record.

A powerful vent emerged at Dofan volcano, located in the Dulecha district of Ethiopia’s Afar region, on January 3, 2025. The vent is releasing a mix of gas, rocks, and mud, suggesting an escalation in the ongoing volcanic and seismic crisis in the area. This volcano is also known as Dofen.

The activity is believed to be linked to magma intrusion beneath the surface which is a phenomenon suspected to have caused the ongoing seismic swarm.

The new vent is emitting what appears to be hydrothermal or phreatic explosive activity where groundwater heated by magma rapidly turns to steam.

Videos captured at the site show jets of steam escaping from a crack in the ground. It remains unclear whether this vent existed before the vent or formed recently because of increased seismic activity.
https://watchers.news/2025/01/03/powerful-vent-opens-at-dofan-volcano-as-seismic-crisis-hits-afar-region-ethiopia/

03/01/2025

Ethiopia backs new peacekeeping force in Somalia

Ethiopia on Friday announced that it will collaborate with a new African Union force against Islamist Al-Shabaab insurgents in Somalia, which is set to deploy later this month.

Mogadishu previously indicated that Ethiopian troops would not take part due to strained relations between the two countries, after the government in Addis Ababa signed a maritime agreement with the breakaway region of Somaliland.

But after months of wrangling, the two countries last month agreed to end tensions in a compromise deal brokered by Turkey.

Ethiopian defence minister Aisha Mohammed led a high-level visit to Somalia on Thursday, meeting president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and delivered a message from prime minister Abiy Ahmed.

‘The discussions reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to work together to ensure peace and stability in Somalia and the region,’ a statement from the Ethiopian foreign ministry read.

‘The two countries agreed to collaborate on the AUSSOM mission and strengthen bilateral ties,’ it added, referring to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia.

The United Nations Security Council gave its green light late last year to the creation of a new AU mission in Somalia.

Fourteen out of 15 council members adopted a resolution, with only the United States abstaining due to concerns about financing.
https://www.newagebd.net/post/africa/254434/ethiopia-backs-new-peacekeeping-force-in-somalia

03/01/2025

Godina Arsii Bahaa Ona Shirkaa keessatti waraanni PP sakattaa WBOf bobba’e lubbuu namaa bal’eessuun manneen ummataa barbadeesse.

[SBO - AMAJJII 03, 2025] Waraanni PP dhuma torban darbee kana Godina Arsii Bahaa Ona Shirkaa gandoota Waajii Raphasaa, Biduu Baalaa, Soolee Nageellee, Worqituu, Heellaa Amajaa, Heellaa Xareetaa, Galabee Amajaa, Galabee Huluul, Macituu, Mallee Walanaa fi kanneen biroo keessatti maqaa WBO sakatta’uu jedhuun manneen ummataa qabeenya waliin gubeera. Maanguddoo ganna 60 Obbo Aloo Abbaa Gurraachaa jedhaman ammoo ganda Biduu Baalaa jedhamutti ni ajjeesan jedhu maddeen keenya.

Namoota manneen duraa gubate keessaa kan maqaan isaanii nu dhaqqabe:-
1) Obbo Amiin H/Muusaa
2) Kadir H/Muusaa
3) Ashish H/Muusaa
4) Qaadiroo H/Waaqee
5) Adam Kadir Tufaa
6) Hasoo Huseenaa fi
7) Kadir Tufaa kanneen jedhaman keessatti argamu.

03/01/2025

03/01/2025

03/01/2025

Ethiopia’s financial reforms may trigger new era of modern gold mining

Backing from Canada’s Wheaton Precious Metals for the Kurmuk project bodes well for the future of Ethiopian gold mining, executives say.
Ethiopia is moving closer to fulfilling its potential as a major gold mining jurisdiction, KEFI Gold and Copper executive chairman Harry Anagnostaras-Adams tells The Africa Report.

https://www.theafricareport.com/372779/ethiopias-financial-reforms-may-trigger-new-era-of-modern-gold-mining/

02/01/2025

UNICEF Ethiopia Humanitarian Situation Report No. 9, October - November 2024

Highlights:

According to the Education Cluster, over 9 million children are currently out of school across the country due to conflict, violence, natural disasters, and displacement; more than 6,000 schools, have closed and approximately 10,000 schools were damaged due to climate shocks and conflict.

As of the end of November 2024, over 9 million malaria cases including 1,267 deaths were reported from Oromia (40.9%), followed by Amhara (23.5%), South Ethiopia (9.1%), and Southwest (7.5%) regions.

In the reporting period, UNICEF has provided lifesaving treatment to more than 107,000 acutely malnourished children under five years of age across the country.

Access to safe drinking water was provided to over 571,000 people through rehabilitation of existing non-functional water schemes and provided critical water and hygiene supplies to approximately 92,000 people.

UNICEF requires US$ 535 million to support the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance, including supplies, cash, essential services and technical assistance to refugee children, adolescents, and families. As of the end of September 2024, US$127 million is available, leaving 76 per cent funding gap.

Situation Overview and Humanitarian Needs

The ongoing conflict in Ethiopia, particularly in Amhara and Oromia regions, is severely impacting the public health situation. Since January 2024, a total of 26,790 cases1 and 263 deaths, resulting in a case fatality rate of 0.98 per cent.
https://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/unicef-ethiopia-humanitarian-situation-report-no-9-october-november-2024

02/01/2025

Ignoring Ethiopian Concerns, Egypt Supplies Troops for African Union Mission in Somalia

Egyptian Troops Participate in African Union Force: Egypt is sending troops to Somalia as a part of the new African Union (AU) mission authorized by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) at a meeting on December 27, 2024. Reportedly, Egypt already has several thousand troops stationed in Somalia, though it remains unclear whether these troops will be integrated into the deployment for the new mission. The African Union Stabilization and Support Mission (AUSSOM) replaces the previous AU mission in the country and will focus on fighting al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-affiliated terror group, and supporting the Somali government.
Somalia-Ethiopia Tensions: Tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia peaked in January 2024 when landlocked Ethiopia reportedly struck a deal with the breakaway region of Somaliland to lease a port and military base in exchange for recognition. While Ethiopia never confirmed the agreement, Somalia regarded the deal as a violation of its sovereignty. Somalia rejected Ethiopia’s offer to renew its participation in the new mission but is now reportedly considering reversing that decision. In December, Turkey mediated an agreement that ostensibly grants Ethiopia “reliable, safe and sustainable” sea access under Somali sovereignty.
Somalia-Egypt Relations: Amid Ethiopia’s ongoing tensions with Somalia, Egypt has sought to strengthen its ties with Somalia to solidify its presence in the Horn of Africa following tensions between Cairo and Addis Ababa over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which diverts water from the Nile River. Speaking at the December 27, 2024, UNSC meeting, Tesfaye Yilma, Ethiopia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, issued a veiled warning against Egyptian involvement, saying, “Extra-regional actors that have no constructive role in the region, and in fighting terrorism in Somalia, should be advised to abandon their reckless pursuit.”
FDD Expert Response
“Washington’s priorities should focus on managing tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia and utilize the troop contributions of both nations to help the African Union Mission in Somalia prevent al-Shabaab from expanding its areas of control. Addis Abba and Cairo’s experiences in countering terrorism are needed equally.” — Haisam Hassanein, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“Egypt’s decision to join the new African Union mission in Somalia is in line with its strategic objectives in the Horn of Africa. By deepening its commitment to Somalia through military presence, Cairo aims to counterbalance and exert pressure on Ethiopia. Additionally, Cairo appears to be testing the agreement between Ethiopia and Somalia that Turkey mediated last month. The lingering question is whether this approach risks overstretching Egypt’s resources and regional standing.” — Mariam Wahba, FDD Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis
“Egypt Deploys Troops, Weapons in Somalia, Raising
https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2025/01/02/ignoring-ethiopian-concerns-egypt-supplies-troops-for-african-union-mission-in-somalia/

02/01/2025

Turkey-Brokered Deal Spurs Thaw in Somalia, Ethiopia Relations

Ethiopian Defense Minister Aisha Mohammed M***a traveled to the Somali capital, Mogadishu, for talks on Thursday about her country’s participation in the mission, Somali Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ali Balcad said by phone.

Ethiopia has been one of the main contributors to the United Nations-backed force that’s been fighting al-Qaeda-linked militants in neighboring Somalia for almost two decades. Mogadishu objected to Addis Ababa’s future participation in the mission after a yearlong dispute over Ethiopia’s offer to recognize Somaliland — a breakaway territory in northern Somalia — in return for access to a port in the semi-autonomous region.

Last month, Ethiopia and Somalia agreed to resolve their differences after talks brokered by Turkey in Ankara. That accord opens the way for Ethiopia’s inclusion in the so-called African Union Support and Stabilization Mission, Balcad said.

“Given that the contentious issues between Somalia and Ethiopia have been resolved through the Ankara Declaration, Somalia is ready to reconsider the inclusion of the Ethiopian National Defense Force in the upcoming AUSSOM mission,” he said.

Diplomats had warned that Ethiopia’s exclusion from the force risked escalating into conflict between the two nations — Addis Ababa has been a target of attacks by al-Shabaab militants and has sought to extend its longstanding participation in the mission.
https://www.livemint.com/politics/turkeybrokered-deal-spurs-thaw-in-somalia-ethiopia-relations-11735804302519.html

02/01/2025

Ethiopia opens first stock market since Emperor Haile Selassie

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https://www.ft.com/content/e18d17d9-7143-4651-b078-01d036a77f36

On the newly minted trading floor of a high-rise building in Addis Ababa’s financial district, a bell stands ready for the launch this month of the first securities market in Ethiopia since the last days of emperor Haile Selassie.

“This isn’t just a milestone, it marks a new Ethiopia,” said Tilahun Kassahun, chief executive of the new Ethiopian Securities Exchange.

Outside is a 50-metre tall pillar with a red star on top, built during the Marxist Derg regime that toppled the emperor and ushered in decades of state-led economic policies that are only now being dismantled.

The new stock market is part of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s efforts — interrupted by a ghastly two-year civil war that killed at least 600,000 people before ending in late 2022 — to open up the economy of Africa’s second-most populous nation.

The most important reform, investors and lenders say, has been the liberalisation of the foreign exchange regime, a precondition of a $3.4bn IMF bailout — the Washington-based lender’s largest ever concessional programme — which was approved by its board in July.

“Despite the noise, we persisted in implementing reforms,” said Eyob Tolina, the state minister for finance, adding that the government had achieved most of what it had set out to do. “It might just be easier to tell you what has not changed.”
https://www.ft.com/content/e18d17d9-7143-4651-b078-01d036a77f36

02/01/2025

Ethiopia defence minister visits Somalia, in sign of detente
By Reuters

NAIROBI, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Ethiopia's defence minister travelled to Somalia on Thursday, a senior official in Mogadishu said, the first bilateral visit since relations nosedived a year ago over an Ethiopian plan to build a naval base in a breakaway Somali region.
Somalia's state minister for foreign affairs, Ali Omar, confirmed Ethiopian defence minister Aisha Mohammed M***a's visit in a message to Reuters but did not say what she was there to discuss. Ethiopia's government spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
Ethiopia has up to 10,000 troops in Somalia to fight Islamist militants from al Shabaab, but Mogadishu has threatened to expel them if Addis Ababa did not renounce an agreement it reached a year ago with the breakaway Somaliland region.
The preliminary deal called for Somaliland to lease a stretch of coastline for an Ethiopian naval base and commercial port in exchange for possible recognition of Somaliland's independence.
Somaliland has had effective autonomy since 1991 but its independence has not been recognised by any other country. Mogadishu considers it an integral part of its territory and called its deal with Ethiopia an act of aggression.
After months of escalating rhetoric and inconclusive international mediation efforts, Somalia and Ethiopia agreed on Dec. 11, after talks in Turkey, to work together to resolve the dispute and begin technical negotiations by the end of February.
The Ethiopian troops in Somalia are there as part of an African Union peacekeeping mission and on a bilateral basis. Regional powers fear their withdrawal would severely weaken the fight against al Shabaab, an al Qaeda affiliate that has been waging an insurgency since 2007.
The dispute has also raised concerns about wider instability in the Horn of Africa, with Somalia responding to the Somaliland deal by drawing closer to Ethiopia's traditional rivals Egypt and Eritrea.
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopia-defence-minister-visits-somalia-sign-detente-2025-01-02/