Jerusalem, Undefined | AFP | Israel has welcomed a group of 64 Ethiopian migrants, the first group of a new wave of 9,000 to arrive over the next five years, an official said Monday. Their arrival follows the resolution of a political crisis that threatened Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, …
Read More »Ethiopia blames ‘foreign enemies’ for unrest
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | Ethiopia said Monday that “foreign enemies” like Egypt were behind an unprecedented wave of protests that has prompted the government to declare a six-month state of emergency. Ethiopia’s government is facing the biggest challenge of its 25 years in power, with anti-government protests spreading, …
Read More »Ethiopia protesters target foreign investments
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | Anti-government protesters in Ethiopia have turned their anger on foreigners, torching tourist resorts and foreign-owned factories in the restive Oromia region, local media reported Friday. At least 11 companies, including textile and plastic factories, were torched in recent days in the town of Sebeta …
Read More »American killed in Ethiopia as protests surge after stampede
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | An American woman was killed by a rock thrown in a town outside the Ethiopian capital, the US embassy said Wednesday, as anti-government anger sparked fresh protests after a deadly stampede. Protesters stoned the vehicle the woman was travelling in as demonstrations sprung up …
Read More »PROTEST: 52 dead in Ethiopia festival stampede
Bishoftu, Ethiopia | AFP | Fifty-two people died on Sunday at a religious festival in Ethiopia to celebrate the end of the rainy season after police fired tear gas at protesters triggering a stampede. Violence broke out at the gathering in the town of Bishoftu near the capital Addis Ababa …
Read More »US flower grower quits Ethiopia after arson attack
The Hague, Netherlands | AFP | A US-based company has pulled out of Ethiopia after anti-government protesters attacked its flower farm causing 10 million euros in damage, and triggering job losses in the country and The Netherlands, a spokesman said Tuesday. Flower growers and exporters Esmeralda Farms began operations in …
Read More »IGAD in historic one-day summit in Somalian capital Mogadishu
Mogadishu, Somalia | AFP | Somalia on Tuesday agreed to lift a week-old ban on imports of Kenyan khat after a storm of controversy from angry growers of the leafy narcotic in neighbouring Kenya. The decision was made on the margins of a historic one-day summit in the Somali capital, …
Read More »Olympics protest runner Lilesa fails to return to Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | Olympic marathon silver medallist Feyisa Lilesa failed to return to Ethiopia Monday night despite assurances he would not be punished for his Rio protest over political repression in his country. An AFP journalist at the airport in Addis Ababa said Lilesa was not onboard …
Read More »Ayana smashes 10,000m world record, Chekwel collapses
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | AFP | Ethiopia’s Almaz Ayana smashed one of the longest-held records in athletics here Friday to win the 10,000m and claim the first gold of the Olympic track and field competition. The 24-year-old pulled away from the field midway through the race and never let …
Read More »Sudan issues flood warning as Nile rises
Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | Sudanese authorities on Wednesday warned people living near the banks of the Nile to be wary of flooding, after two weeks of heavy rainfall killed dozens across the country. Authorities said water levels were rising on the Blue Nile along border with Ethiopia after continuous …
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