Ethiopia has reverted to chaos and violence. A bloody ethnic conflict has killed close to 250 people - mostly civilians. The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has used the unrest to 'jail political opponents'.

Gravitas: Ethiopia's Nobel peace laureate at war

Ethiopia recently lost one of its most popular singers - Haacaaluu Hundeessa. On June 29, Hundeessa was assassinated in the capital Addis Ababa. Since then, protests have been raging across the country.

He inspired a generation of Oromo - Ethiopia's largest, but marginalised ethnic group. His anthems became a rallying cry during protests that overthrew the previous government.

Members of the Oromo community blamed other ethnic groups for the killing. Ever since, the state of Oromo has been locked in a bloody ethnic conflict. Over 200 people are dead - mostly civilians.

Military's role?

Reports say that some of the killings were carried out by military wings with hardline political views. The consequence of the prime minister Abiy Ahmed's decision to send troops to stop the violence. Following the unrest - the government has arrested 3,500 people, including high-profile opposition leaders and members of his own ethnic group - the Oromo.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/arrests-follow-protests-that-killed-at-least-166-in-ethiopia-311068" hreflang="en">Arrests follow protests that killed at least 166 in Ethiopia</a>

Additionally, the internet has been cut off. Observers say - the crackdown was not just about ethnic clashes but also was a political cleansing to get rid of the opposition.

The Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed even appeared in military fatigues. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for ending a war and raising hopes of democratic change.

Violence and chaos

Now, Ethiopia is returning to violence and chaos. Ahmed was touted as a young, democratic leader.

Elected to office in 2018, he espoused an Ethiopian nationalism not defined by ethnicity. He said he will knit together the 80 nations within Ethiopia.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/ethiopia-protests-81-killed-in-violence-after-death-of-singer-military-deployed-310080" hreflang="en">Ethiopia protests: 81 killed in violence after death of singer; military deployed</a>

Under him, political prisoners were released, and those in exile were allowed to return. Additionally, freedom of the press was restored. However, some of the groups continue to inflict violence.&nbsp;Last year, Ahmed’s top advisor and the army chief were assassinated, warranting more military action.

According to human rights organisations, the military is still committing abuses.&nbsp;Many believe Ahmed may return to the strongman tactics so familiar in Ethiopia until his election.&nbsp;After his initial reforms, Ethiopia was hailed as the model democracy in Africa.

Since April 2018 - borders between Ethiopia's nine ethnic federal states have been the scene of deadly clashes. Over three million people have fled their homes.

This makes Ethiopia the country with the highest number of internally displaced people.

Ethiopia recently lost one of its most popular singers - Haacaaluu Hundeessa. On June 29, Hundeessa was assassinated in the capital Addis Ababa. Since then, protests have been raging across the country.

Ethiopia recently lost one of its most popular singers - Haacaaluu Hundeessa. On June 29, Hundeessa was assassinated in the capital Addis Ababa. Since then, protests have been raging across the country. He inspired a generation of Oromo - Ethiopia's largest, but marginalised ethnic group. His anthems became a rallying cry during protests that overthrew the previous government. Members of the Oromo community blamed other ethnic groups for the killing. Ever since, the state of Oromo has been locked in a bloody ethnic conflict. Over 200 people are dead - mostly civilians. Military's role? Reports say that some of the killings were carried out by military wings with hardline political views. The consequence of the prime minister Abiy Ahmed's decision to send troops to stop the violence. Following the unrest - the government has arrested 3,500 people, including high-profile opposition leaders and members of his own ethnic group - the Oromo. Also read: Arrests follow protests that killed at least 166 in Ethiopia Additionally, the internet has been cut off. Observers say - the crackdown was not just about ethnic clashes but also was a political cleansing to get rid of the opposition. The Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed even appeared in military fatigues. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for ending a war and raising hopes of democratic change. Violence and chaos Now, Ethiopia is returning to violence and chaos. Ahmed was touted as a young, democratic leader. Elected to office in 2018, he espoused an Ethiopian nationalism not defined by ethnicity. He said he will knit together the 80 nations within Ethiopia. Also read: Ethiopia protests: 81 killed in violence after death of singer; military deployed Under him, political prisoners were released, and those in exile were allowed to return. Additionally, freedom of the press was restored. However, some of the groups continue to inflict violence. Last year, Ahmed’s top advisor and the army chief were assassinated, warranting more military action. According to human rights organisations, the military is still committing abuses. Many believe Ahmed may return to the strongman tactics so familiar in Ethiopia until his election. After his initial reforms, Ethiopia was hailed as the model democracy in Africa. Since April 2018 - borders between Ethiopia's nine ethnic federal states have been the scene of deadly clashes. Over three million people have fled their homes. This makes Ethiopia the country with the highest number of internally displaced people.

Ethiopia returns to chaos and violence: Over 200 dead after popular singer's murder

A leading opposition party representing Ethiopia's Oromo ethnic group said Monday that five senior members had been detained following violence last week that claimed at least 166 lives. 
 
The political crackdown deepens fears of a large-scale roundup of government critics as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed seeks to maintain control and keep a lid on simmering ethnic tensions and resentments. 
 
The opposition politicians from the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) were seized by security forces in the capital, Addis Ababa, party chairman Dawud Ibsa told AFP. They include Chaltu Takkele and Gemmechu Ayana, senior political officers, and Kennesa Ayana, a member of the party's central committee. 
 
"We don't know why they were taken," Dawud said. "They were just simply sitting in their rooms and doing their jobs."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/ethiopia-protests-81-killed-in-violence-after-death-of-singer-military-deployed-310080" hreflang="en">Ethiopia protests: 81 killed in violence after death of singer; military deployed</a> 
 
Protests broke out in Addis Ababa and the surrounding Oromia region following the fatal shooting on June 29 of Hachalu Hundessa, a pop star whose songs channelled marginalisation among his Oromo ethnic group, Ethiopia's largest. 
 
An Oromia police official said late Saturday that 156 people had been killed across the region in the ensuing violence, including 11 members of the security forces. Ten additional deaths have been reported in Addis Ababa. 
 
Officials have attributed the deaths to a combination of lethal force by security officers and inter-ethnic violence. 
 
The situation in the capital has been calm since Friday, though a nationwide internet blackout remained in effect Monday for a seventh consecutive day. 
 
Abiy, who won last year's Nobel Peace Prize in part for opening up Ethiopia's political space, lifted a ban on the OLF shortly after he assumed office in 2018.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/at-least-52-killed-in-ethiopia-protests-over-singers-death-309893" hreflang="en">At least 52 killed in Ethiopia protests over singer's death</a> 
 
But the OLF's Dawud said some senior members of his party had been arrested numerous times since then and held for extended periods -- several months in some cases -- without ever seeing a courtroom, a tactic common under previous Ethiopian leaders. 
 
"It's the continuation of the past and we don't know why it's happening," he said. 
 
The OLF is not the only party to be targeted in recent days. During last week's unrest officials also detained Jawar Mohammed and Bekele Gerba from the Oromo Federalist Congress, as well as Eskinder Nega, a longtime government critic who has recently spoken out against government policies he argues favour Oromos. 
 
All three men appeared briefly in court last week. 
 
In addition, officials on Friday detained Yilkal Getnet, chairman of the opposition Ethiopian National Movement Party, for reasons that remain unclear, according to Girma Bekele, vice chairman of the Ethiopian Political Parties Joint Council, a consortium of more than 100 parties. 
 
"I for one do not think Yilkal has any involvement with recent unrest. He believes in a peaceful, legal struggle," Girma told AFP.

A leading opposition party representing Ethiopia's Oromo ethnic group said Monday that five senior members had been detained following violence last week that claimed at least 166 lives.

A leading opposition party representing Ethiopia's Oromo ethnic group said Monday that five senior members had been detained following violence last week that claimed at least 166 lives. The political crackdown deepens fears of a large-scale roundup of government critics as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed seeks to maintain control and keep a lid on simmering ethnic tensions and resentments. The opposition politicians from the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) were seized by security forces in the capital, Addis Ababa, party chairman Dawud Ibsa told AFP. They include Chaltu Takkele and Gemmechu Ayana, senior political officers, and Kennesa Ayana, a member of the party's central committee. "We don't know why they were taken," Dawud said. "They were just simply sitting in their rooms and doing their jobs." Also read: Ethiopia protests: 81 killed in violence after death of singer; military deployed Protests broke out in Addis Ababa and the surrounding Oromia region following the fatal shooting on June 29 of Hachalu Hundessa, a pop star whose songs channelled marginalisation among his Oromo ethnic group, Ethiopia's largest. An Oromia police official said late Saturday that 156 people had been killed across the region in the ensuing violence, including 11 members of the security forces. Ten additional deaths have been reported in Addis Ababa. Officials have attributed the deaths to a combination of lethal force by security officers and inter-ethnic violence. The situation in the capital has been calm since Friday, though a nationwide internet blackout remained in effect Monday for a seventh consecutive day. Abiy, who won last year's Nobel Peace Prize in part for opening up Ethiopia's political space, lifted a ban on the OLF shortly after he assumed office in 2018. Also read: At least 52 killed in Ethiopia protests over singer's death But the OLF's Dawud said some senior members of his party had been arrested numerous times since then and held for extended periods -- several months in some cases -- without ever seeing a courtroom, a tactic common under previous Ethiopian leaders. "It's the continuation of the past and we don't know why it's happening," he said. The OLF is not the only party to be targeted in recent days. During last week's unrest officials also detained Jawar Mohammed and Bekele Gerba from the Oromo Federalist Congress, as well as Eskinder Nega, a longtime government critic who has recently spoken out against government policies he argues favour Oromos. All three men appeared briefly in court last week. In addition, officials on Friday detained Yilkal Getnet, chairman of the opposition Ethiopian National Movement Party, for reasons that remain unclear, according to Girma Bekele, vice chairman of the Ethiopian Political Parties Joint Council, a consortium of more than 100 parties. "I for one do not think Yilkal has any involvement with recent unrest. He believes in a peaceful, legal struggle," Girma told AFP.

Arrests follow protests that killed at least 166 in Ethiopia

At least 50 people were killed in Ethiopia's Oromiya region in protests following the fatal shooting of a popular singer, a regional spokesman said on Wednesday, laying bare splits in the prime minister's political heartland ahead of next year's polls.&nbsp;

Musician Haacaaluu Hundeessaa was shot dead on Monday night in what police said was a targeted killing.&nbsp;

Protests reflecting anger at the killing of a popular figure and a sense of political marginalisation broke out the next morning in the capital and other towns and cities in the surrounding Oromiya region.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/egypt-sudan-ethiopia-wont-fill-disputed-dam-before-accord-308912" hreflang="en">Egypt, Sudan: Ethiopia won't fill disputed dam before accord</a>

The dead included protesters and members of the security forces, spokesman Getachew Balcha said. Some businesses had also been set on fire.

"We were not prepared for this," he said.

Police said late on Tuesday that a policeman was also killed in Addis Ababa, and three explosions there had killed and injured an unspecified number of people.&nbsp;

Prominent Oromo opposition leader Bekele Gerba and media mogul Jawar Mohammed were also arrested when Jawar's bodyguards refused to disarm during a stand-off with police.&nbsp;

Haacaaluu, whose funeral will be held Thursday, provided a soundtrack to a generation of young protesters. Their three years of bloody street demonstrations forced the unprecedented resignation of the previous prime minister and the appointment of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2018.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/egypt-is-committed-to-a-diplomatic-solution-to-ethiopias-dam-crisis-sisi-307352" hreflang="en">Egypt is committed to a diplomatic solution to Ethiopia's dam crisis: Sisi</a>

Abiy, Haacaaluu and Jawar are all Oromo, Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, which has long complained of being excluded from power.&nbsp;

Jawar was a prominent supporter of Abiy's appointment, but became more openly critical last year. Jawar's popular Oromo Media Network gives him the ability to mobilise support quickly across Oromiya and his power base could pose a significant challenge to Abiy's party in next year's elections.&nbsp;

Ethiopia's federal structure means power was traditionally derived by claiming the support of large ethnic voting blocs. Under the previous administration, voting was rarely free or fair and opposition activists were often jailed, torture or driven into exile.

Abiy has allowed much greater political freedoms and promised the next polls will be free and fair. But his new ruling party, based on a pan-Ethiopian vision, faces stiff competition from newly emboldened regional powerbrokers like Jawar determined to stake claims for their people after decades of repression.&nbsp;

At least 50 people were killed in Ethiopia's Oromiya region in protests following the fatal shooting of a popular singer, a regional spokesman said on Wednesday, laying bare splits in the prime minister's political heartland ahead of next year's polls.

At least 50 people were killed in Ethiopia's Oromiya region in protests following the fatal shooting of a popular singer, a regional spokesman said on Wednesday, laying bare splits in the prime minister's political heartland ahead of next year's polls. Musician Haacaaluu Hundeessaa was shot dead on Monday night in what police said was a targeted killing. Protests reflecting anger at the killing of a popular figure and a sense of political marginalisation broke out the next morning in the capital and other towns and cities in the surrounding Oromiya region. Also read: Egypt, Sudan: Ethiopia won't fill disputed dam before accord The dead included protesters and members of the security forces, spokesman Getachew Balcha said. Some businesses had also been set on fire. "We were not prepared for this," he said. Police said late on Tuesday that a policeman was also killed in Addis Ababa, and three explosions there had killed and injured an unspecified number of people. Prominent Oromo opposition leader Bekele Gerba and media mogul Jawar Mohammed were also arrested when Jawar's bodyguards refused to disarm during a stand-off with police. Haacaaluu, whose funeral will be held Thursday, provided a soundtrack to a generation of young protesters. Their three years of bloody street demonstrations forced the unprecedented resignation of the previous prime minister and the appointment of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2018. Also read: Egypt is committed to a diplomatic solution to Ethiopia's dam crisis: Sisi Abiy, Haacaaluu and Jawar are all Oromo, Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, which has long complained of being excluded from power. Jawar was a prominent supporter of Abiy's appointment, but became more openly critical last year. Jawar's popular Oromo Media Network gives him the ability to mobilise support quickly across Oromiya and his power base could pose a significant challenge to Abiy's party in next year's elections. Ethiopia's federal structure means power was traditionally derived by claiming the support of large ethnic voting blocs. Under the previous administration, voting was rarely free or fair and opposition activists were often jailed, torture or driven into exile. Abiy has allowed much greater political freedoms and promised the next polls will be free and fair. But his new ruling party, based on a pan-Ethiopian vision, faces stiff competition from newly emboldened regional powerbrokers like Jawar determined to stake claims for their people after decades of repression.

At least 52 killed in Ethiopia protests over singer's death

The leaders of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia have agreed that Ethiopia will refrain from filling its new hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile next month and return to talks aimed at reaching an agreement among the three nations on use of the river's waters, according to statements from Egypt and Sudan.

The announcement was a modest reprieve from weeks of bellicose rhetoric and escalating tensions over the USD 4.6 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Ethiopia had vowed to start filling at the start of the rainy season in July.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-is-committed-to-a-diplomatic-solution-to-ethiopias-dam-crisis-sisi-307352">Also read|&nbsp;Egypt is committed to a diplomatic solution to Ethiopia's dam crisis: Sisi</a>

There was no immediate comment from Ethiopia on Friday's statement, beyond a tweet from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed that described an African Union summit discussion about the dam as "fruitful".

Ethiopia has hinged its development ambitions on the mega-project, describing the dam as a crucial lifeline to bring millions out of poverty.

Egypt, which relies on the Nile for more than 90% of its water supplies and already faces high water stress, fears a devastating impact on its booming population of 100 million.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/fragile-big-power-ties-add-to-uncertainty-in-the-middle-east-307021">Also read|&nbsp;Fragile big power ties add to uncertainty in the Middle East</a>

Sudan, which also depends on the Nile for water, has played a key role in bringing the two sides together after the collapse of US-mediated talks in February.

Just last week, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew declared that his country would start filling the dam's reservoir, after the latest round of talks with Egypt and Sudan failed to reach an accord governing how the dam will be filled and operated.

After the African Union video conference chaired by South Africa on Friday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi said that "all parties" had pledged not to take "any unilateral action" by filling the dam without a final agreement, said Bassam Radi, Egypt's presidency spokesman.

Sudan's state-run media also reported that the impasse between the Nile basin countries had eased, saying the countries had agreed to restart negotiations through a technical committee with the aim of reaching a deal in two weeks.

Sticking points in the talks have been how much water Ethiopia will release downstream from the dam if a multi-year drought occurs and how Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan will resolve any future disagreements.

Both Egypt and Sudan have appealed to the UN Security Council to intervene in the years-long dispute and help the Nile basin countries avert a crisis. The council is set to hold a public meeting on the issue Monday.

Filling the dam without an agreement could bring the stand-off to a critical juncture. Both Egypt and Ethiopia have hinted at military steps to protect their interests, and experts fear a breakdown in talks could lead to open conflict.

The leaders of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia have agreed that Ethiopia will refrain from filling its new hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile next month and return to talks aimed at reaching an agreement among the three nations on use of the river's waters, according to statements from Egypt and Sudan.

The leaders of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia have agreed that Ethiopia will refrain from filling its new hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile next month and return to talks aimed at reaching an agreement among the three nations on use of the river's waters, according to statements from Egypt and Sudan. The announcement was a modest reprieve from weeks of bellicose rhetoric and escalating tensions over the USD 4.6 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Ethiopia had vowed to start filling at the start of the rainy season in July. Also read| Egypt is committed to a diplomatic solution to Ethiopia's dam crisis: Sisi There was no immediate comment from Ethiopia on Friday's statement, beyond a tweet from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed that described an African Union summit discussion about the dam as "fruitful". Ethiopia has hinged its development ambitions on the mega-project, describing the dam as a crucial lifeline to bring millions out of poverty. Egypt, which relies on the Nile for more than 90% of its water supplies and already faces high water stress, fears a devastating impact on its booming population of 100 million. Also read| Fragile big power ties add to uncertainty in the Middle East Sudan, which also depends on the Nile for water, has played a key role in bringing the two sides together after the collapse of US-mediated talks in February. Just last week, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew declared that his country would start filling the dam's reservoir, after the latest round of talks with Egypt and Sudan failed to reach an accord governing how the dam will be filled and operated. After the African Union video conference chaired by South Africa on Friday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi said that "all parties" had pledged not to take "any unilateral action" by filling the dam without a final agreement, said Bassam Radi, Egypt's presidency spokesman. Sudan's state-run media also reported that the impasse between the Nile basin countries had eased, saying the countries had agreed to restart negotiations through a technical committee with the aim of reaching a deal in two weeks. Sticking points in the talks have been how much water Ethiopia will release downstream from the dam if a multi-year drought occurs and how Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan will resolve any future disagreements. Both Egypt and Sudan have appealed to the UN Security Council to intervene in the years-long dispute and help the Nile basin countries avert a crisis. The council is set to hold a public meeting on the issue Monday. Filling the dam without an agreement could bring the stand-off to a critical juncture. Both Egypt and Ethiopia have hinted at military steps to protect their interests, and experts fear a breakdown in talks could lead to open conflict.

Egypt, Sudan: Ethiopia won't fill disputed dam before accord

Egypt is committed to using diplomacy to resolve a crisis with Ethiopia over its construction of a giant hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Saturday, addressing stalled talks on the issue.

The talks were halted once again on Wednesday, this time only about a fortnight before the expected start-up of the $4 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which is being built near Ethiopia`s border with Sudan and is the centrepiece in its bid to become Africa’s biggest power exporter.

Cairo said on Friday it had called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene to restart the talks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/fragile-big-power-ties-add-to-uncertainty-in-the-middle-east-307021">Also read:&nbsp;Fragile big power ties add to uncertainty in the Middle East</a>

"When we moved to the Security Council... that was (because) we are always keen to take the diplomatic and political path until its end," Sisi said in a speech at an air force base.

"We need to move strongly towards concluding the negotiations and reach an agreement... and solutions that achieve the interest of all," he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-of-egypt-lgbt-activist-jailed-for-waving-rainbow-flag-mourned-306248">Also read:&nbsp;Death of Egypt LGBT+ activist jailed for waving rainbow flag mourned</a>

Egypt, which is almost entirely dependent on the Nile for its fresh water supplies, is anxious to secure a legally binding deal that would guarantee minimum flows and a mechanism for resolving disputes before the dam starts operating.

The latest talks, which had started on June 9 over video conference, followed a previous round of negotiations in Washington, which ended without agreement in February.

On Saturday, Sisi recalled that in a speech he gave to the Ethiopian parliament five years ago he said that while Egypt respects Ethiopians` need for development they also should respect its needs for "life".

Earlier on Saturday, Sisi ordered his army to be ready to carry out any mission inside or outside the country amid tensions over regional rival Turkey`s intervention in neighbouring Libya.

Egypt is committed to using diplomacy to resolve a crisis with Ethiopia over its construction of a giant hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Saturday, addressing stalled talks on the issue.

Egypt is committed to using diplomacy to resolve a crisis with Ethiopia over its construction of a giant hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Saturday, addressing stalled talks on the issue. The talks were halted once again on Wednesday, this time only about a fortnight before the expected start-up of the $4 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which is being built near Ethiopia`s border with Sudan and is the centrepiece in its bid to become Africa’s biggest power exporter. Cairo said on Friday it had called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene to restart the talks. Also read: Fragile big power ties add to uncertainty in the Middle East "When we moved to the Security Council... that was (because) we are always keen to take the diplomatic and political path until its end," Sisi said in a speech at an air force base. "We need to move strongly towards concluding the negotiations and reach an agreement... and solutions that achieve the interest of all," he said. Also read: Death of Egypt LGBT+ activist jailed for waving rainbow flag mourned Egypt, which is almost entirely dependent on the Nile for its fresh water supplies, is anxious to secure a legally binding deal that would guarantee minimum flows and a mechanism for resolving disputes before the dam starts operating. The latest talks, which had started on June 9 over video conference, followed a previous round of negotiations in Washington, which ended without agreement in February. On Saturday, Sisi recalled that in a speech he gave to the Ethiopian parliament five years ago he said that while Egypt respects Ethiopians` need for development they also should respect its needs for "life". Earlier on Saturday, Sisi ordered his army to be ready to carry out any mission inside or outside the country amid tensions over regional rival Turkey`s intervention in neighbouring Libya.

Egypt is committed to a diplomatic solution to Ethiopia's dam crisis: Sisi

Ethiopia plans to shutter a camp for Eritrean refugees and resettle thousands of its inhabitants in other camps that the UN considers already full, an official said, despite concerns this could make them more vulnerable to COVID-19.

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Hitsats camp is one of four in the northern Tigray region that together house nearly 100,000 people from Eritrea, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, out of more than 170,000 Eritrean refugees nationwide.&nbsp;

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In early March, Ethiopian officials informed UNHCR they intended to close Hitsats as part of a consolidation scheme, but it was delayed after Ethiopia confirmed its first <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-pandemic-could-have-considerable-impact-on-mental-health-experts-292899">COVID-19</a> cases in mid-March.

Yet preparations for the closure have continued, and Eyob Awoke, deputy director general of Ethiopia's Agency for Refugee and Returnee Affairs, told AFP this week that relocations could begin by the end of April.&nbsp;

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"We are ready to start. But we cannot start with a big number. We can start with a small number," Eyob said. "We can even start before the end of this month."

Hitsats residents will have the option of resettling in one of two other camps or being granted a permit to live and work independently in Ethiopia.

The decision to close Hitsats -- which the government says houses 13,022 refugees -- is partly linked to funding cuts from UNHCR, Eyob said.

The government also believes it can better serve refugees by consolidating the camps in Tigray, he said.&nbsp;

Ann Encontre, UNHCR's Ethiopia representative, told AFP that Ethiopia began the year with a 14-percent reduction in funding from the organisation but that this would not justify a camp closure.

Moving Hitsats residents to other camps would "definitely" make them more vulnerable to COVID-19, she said.&nbsp;

"The situation in the other two camps -- there's not enough water, there's not enough sanitation, there's not enough medical and health services," Encontre said.&nbsp;

"There's not enough facilities and shelter for an influx as big as that."

There are 1,600 unaccompanied children in the camp, according to UNHCR.&nbsp;

Ethiopia has so far reported 92 COVID-19 cases, but none in refugee camps.

Eritrea's system of compulsory national service has led to descriptions of the nation as an "open-air prison" akin to North Korea.

A border war erupted between Ethiopia and Eritrea in 1998, killing tens of thousands and leading to a two-decade stalemate. &nbsp;

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed struck a surprise peace deal in 2018, but there has been no sign of political reform within Eritrea since and asylum seekers continue to stream over the border into Ethiopia.

The decision to close Hitsats is the latest of several moves by Ethiopia that the UN and human rights groups fear could deprive Eritrean asylum seekers of needed protections.&nbsp;

In January, Ethiopia reversed a longstanding policy of automatically granting all Eritrean asylum seekers refugee status, instead evaluating cases individually.

The earlier policy frequently drew criticism from the Isaias regime.&nbsp;

Eyob said the change was necessary because some Eritreans were coming to Ethiopia even though they didn't have a reasonable fear of persecution back home.

"Some of them are just coming to live in Ethiopia because they feel that living in Eritrea is somehow very difficult," he said.&nbsp;

Encontre said the policy had led to a drop in the number of Eritrean refugees being registered even before Ethiopia shut its land borders last month to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The changes in how Ethiopia treats Eritrean asylum seekers are "creating fear and confusion", said Laetitia Bader, a senior researcher for Human Rights Watch (HRW).

"The government needs to make sure that it publicly announces and explains any shifts in policy and properly consults with the affected refugee communities as well as with humanitarian actors," she said.

Ethiopia plans to shutter a camp for Eritrean refugees and resettle thousands of its inhabitants in other camps that the UN considers already full, an official said, despite concerns this could make them more vulnerable to COVID-19.

Ethiopia plans to shutter a camp for Eritrean refugees and resettle thousands of its inhabitants in other camps that the UN considers already full, an official said, despite concerns this could make them more vulnerable to COVID-19. Also read: Hundreds test positive to COVID-19 on French aircraft carrier Hitsats camp is one of four in the northern Tigray region that together house nearly 100,000 people from Eritrea, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, out of more than 170,000 Eritrean refugees nationwide. Also read: Germany and Italy begin to ease coronavirus lockdown rules, but move warily In early March, Ethiopian officials informed UNHCR they intended to close Hitsats as part of a consolidation scheme, but it was delayed after Ethiopia confirmed its first COVID-19 cases in mid-March. Yet preparations for the closure have continued, and Eyob Awoke, deputy director general of Ethiopia's Agency for Refugee and Returnee Affairs, told AFP this week that relocations could begin by the end of April. Also read: Europe remains in eye of the storm: WHO on coronavirus pandemic "We are ready to start. But we cannot start with a big number. We can start with a small number," Eyob said. "We can even start before the end of this month." Hitsats residents will have the option of resettling in one of two other camps or being granted a permit to live and work independently in Ethiopia. The decision to close Hitsats -- which the government says houses 13,022 refugees -- is partly linked to funding cuts from UNHCR, Eyob said. The government also believes it can better serve refugees by consolidating the camps in Tigray, he said. Ann Encontre, UNHCR's Ethiopia representative, told AFP that Ethiopia began the year with a 14-percent reduction in funding from the organisation but that this would not justify a camp closure. Moving Hitsats residents to other camps would "definitely" make them more vulnerable to COVID-19, she said. "The situation in the other two camps -- there's not enough water, there's not enough sanitation, there's not enough medical and health services," Encontre said. "There's not enough facilities and shelter for an influx as big as that." There are 1,600 unaccompanied children in the camp, according to UNHCR. Ethiopia has so far reported 92 COVID-19 cases, but none in refugee camps. Eritrea's system of compulsory national service has led to descriptions of the nation as an "open-air prison" akin to North Korea. A border war erupted between Ethiopia and Eritrea in 1998, killing tens of thousands and leading to a two-decade stalemate. Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed struck a surprise peace deal in 2018, but there has been no sign of political reform within Eritrea since and asylum seekers continue to stream over the border into Ethiopia. The decision to close Hitsats is the latest of several moves by Ethiopia that the UN and human rights groups fear could deprive Eritrean asylum seekers of needed protections. In January, Ethiopia reversed a longstanding policy of automatically granting all Eritrean asylum seekers refugee status, instead evaluating cases individually. The earlier policy frequently drew criticism from the Isaias regime. Eyob said the change was necessary because some Eritreans were coming to Ethiopia even though they didn't have a reasonable fear of persecution back home. "Some of them are just coming to live in Ethiopia because they feel that living in Eritrea is somehow very difficult," he said. Encontre said the policy had led to a drop in the number of Eritrean refugees being registered even before Ethiopia shut its land borders last month to curb the spread of COVID-19. The changes in how Ethiopia treats Eritrean asylum seekers are "creating fear and confusion", said Laetitia Bader, a senior researcher for Human Rights Watch (HRW). "The government needs to make sure that it publicly announces and explains any shifts in policy and properly consults with the affected refugee communities as well as with humanitarian actors," she said.

Coronavirus: Ethiopia moves to close Eritrean refugee camp despite virus fears

Countries spared by the COVID-19 inferno... so far!

Heads of state and government officials from across Africa have gathered in Ethiopia's capital for talks primarily focused on ways to end to regional violence, including the conflicts in South Sudan and Libya. The 33rd African Union (AU) summit, which opened on Sunday in Addis Ababa, is being held under the theme "Silencing the Guns: Creating conducive conditions for Africa's development".

WION Dispatch: AU leaders seek end to regional conflicts at 33rd African Union

Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan have come closer to aligning their views on filling the reservoir of and operating the giant hydroelectric <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-ethiopia-leaders-discuss-nile-dam-in-russia-257944">dam</a> that Ethiopia is building on the Blue Nile, the Sudanese irrigation minister said on Sunday.

"Proposals were submitted by the three countries regarding filling the reservoir and operating the dam and a convergence (of views) occurred," Sudanese Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Yasser Abbas told reporters after he met his Egyptian and Ethiopian counterparts in Khartoum.

In November, the foreign ministers of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan agreed to work towards resolving their dispute over the $4 billion dam by January&nbsp;15, 2020, after meeting US&nbsp;Treasury Secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-treasury-secretary-mnuchin-says-trade-deal-with-china-to-boost-global-economy-268327">Steven Mnuchin</a> and World Bank President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/david-malpass-named-as-13th-world-bank-president-208226">David Malpass</a> in Washington.

They met in Washington again this month and are due for the third meeting on January&nbsp;13, where they will try to finalise an agreement to resolve the dispute.

The US&nbsp;administration invited the three sides for talks after Egypt called for an external mediator on the issue, saying three-way talks had been exhausted. Addis Ababa had previously rejected the idea, accusing Egypt of trying to sidestep the process.

The three countries' irrigation ministers will have further discussions at a meeting in the Ethiopian capital on January&nbsp;9-10, the Egyptian irrigation ministry said in a statement after Sunday's meeting.

On Sunday, they also agreed to come up with a definition of droughts and how the dam would operate during droughts, Sudan's Abbas said.

"There is a convergence (of views) in general, and there are differences of views in some circumstances. Sudan proposed a specified time for filling the reservoir and added definitions for drought and continuous drought," Abbas said.

Egypt's irrigation ministry said it was seeking to reach agreement on filling and operating the dam that "achieves the interests of the three countries ... in a manner that preserves the sustainability of the river and the mutual benefit".

There was no immediate comment from Ethiopia.

Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan have come closer to aligning their views on filling the reservoir of and operating the giant hydroelectric dam that Ethiopia is building on the Blue Nile, the Sudanese irrigation minister said on Sunday.

Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan have come closer to aligning their views on filling the reservoir of and operating the giant hydroelectric dam that Ethiopia is building on the Blue Nile, the Sudanese irrigation minister said on Sunday. "Proposals were submitted by the three countries regarding filling the reservoir and operating the dam and a convergence (of views) occurred," Sudanese Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Yasser Abbas told reporters after he met his Egyptian and Ethiopian counterparts in Khartoum. In November, the foreign ministers of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan agreed to work towards resolving their dispute over the $4 billion dam by January 15, 2020, after meeting US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and World Bank President David Malpass in Washington. They met in Washington again this month and are due for the third meeting on January 13, where they will try to finalise an agreement to resolve the dispute. The US administration invited the three sides for talks after Egypt called for an external mediator on the issue, saying three-way talks had been exhausted. Addis Ababa had previously rejected the idea, accusing Egypt of trying to sidestep the process. The three countries' irrigation ministers will have further discussions at a meeting in the Ethiopian capital on January 9-10, the Egyptian irrigation ministry said in a statement after Sunday's meeting. On Sunday, they also agreed to come up with a definition of droughts and how the dam would operate during droughts, Sudan's Abbas said. "There is a convergence (of views) in general, and there are differences of views in some circumstances. Sudan proposed a specified time for filling the reservoir and added definitions for drought and continuous drought," Abbas said. Egypt's irrigation ministry said it was seeking to reach agreement on filling and operating the dam that "achieves the interests of the three countries ... in a manner that preserves the sustainability of the river and the mutual benefit". There was no immediate comment from Ethiopia.

Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan views closer on Nile dam: Sudanese minister

The Nobel committee today officially handed over the coveted peace prize to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-prime-minister-abiy-ahmed-ali-awarded-nobel-peace-prize-255217">Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed</a> at a glittering ceremony in Oslo.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, 43, received the Nobel Peace prize&nbsp;for ending years of Ethiopian-Eriteria conflict.

Abiy Ahmed Ali received the Nobel Peace Prize from Berit Reiss-Andersen, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

"I accept this award on behalf of Ethiopians and Eritreans, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of peace," Abiy said after the ceremony.

"Likewise, I accept this award on behalf of my partner, and comrade-in-peace, President Isaias Afwerki, whose goodwill, trust and commitment were vital in ending the two-decade deadlock between our countries," he added.

On July 9, 2018, after meeting in Eritrea's capital Asmara, Abiy and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki had announced the formal ending of the 20-year-old stalemate between their countries involved in a border conflict.

Every year the Nobel Prizes are presented on December 10, in memory of Alfred Nobel who passed away on this day in 1896.&nbsp;The Nobel Peace Prize consists of a diploma, a gold medal and a cheque of $945,000.

PM Abiy Ahmed is the youngest leader at 43 to recieve the Nobel Prize. However, Abiy Ahmed Ali refused to speak to the media cancelling this years Nobel Peace Prize press conference.

Ethiopia and Eritrea have disagreed over their lengthy border since 1993, the year Eritrea became an independent state, but the dispute turned violent on May 6, 1998 with each side accusing the other of invading.

The Nobel committee today officially handed over the coveted peace prize to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at a glittering ceremony in Oslo. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, 43, received the Nobel Peace prize for ending years of Ethiopian-Eriteria conflict.

The Nobel committee today officially handed over the coveted peace prize to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at a glittering ceremony in Oslo. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, 43, received the Nobel Peace prize for ending years of Ethiopian-Eriteria conflict. Abiy Ahmed Ali received the Nobel Peace Prize from Berit Reiss-Andersen, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. "I accept this award on behalf of Ethiopians and Eritreans, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of peace," Abiy said after the ceremony. "Likewise, I accept this award on behalf of my partner, and comrade-in-peace, President Isaias Afwerki, whose goodwill, trust and commitment were vital in ending the two-decade deadlock between our countries," he added. On July 9, 2018, after meeting in Eritrea's capital Asmara, Abiy and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki had announced the formal ending of the 20-year-old stalemate between their countries involved in a border conflict. Every year the Nobel Prizes are presented on December 10, in memory of Alfred Nobel who passed away on this day in 1896. The Nobel Peace Prize consists of a diploma, a gold medal and a cheque of $945,000. PM Abiy Ahmed is the youngest leader at 43 to recieve the Nobel Prize. However, Abiy Ahmed Ali refused to speak to the media cancelling this years Nobel Peace Prize press conference. Ethiopia and Eritrea have disagreed over their lengthy border since 1993, the year Eritrea became an independent state, but the dispute turned violent on May 6, 1998 with each side accusing the other of invading.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed receives Nobel Prize in Oslo

By Mallika Singh&nbsp;

Ethiopia’s minority Sidama community voted in favour of forming their own federal region last Wednesday after a referendum. 98.5 per cent of the voters choose an autonomous rule, the country’s electoral board declared. &nbsp;

With official results released on Saturday by Wubshet Ayele, Deputy Head of the National Electoral Board, the board showed a provisional voter turnout of 99.7 per cent.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopias-sidama-vote-on-autonomy-in-test-of-nationalist-passions-263392">Wednesday’s ballots</a> grant the Sidama community, who constitute 4 per cent of Ethiopia’s total population of 105 million, their own self-governing region, the tenth of its kind in the African country.

The region is going to grant the fifth largest ethnic group of the country control over local taxes, education, security and certain legislation. They have demanded to leave the diverse Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Region one of the nine regional states for years.

More than 80 ethnic groups of Ethiopia are granted the right to demand autonomy by its constitution. However, it was only under the leadership of Abiy Ahmed that the community’s request for a referendum was approved.

Soon after the polls opened for the referendum Prime Minister tweeted “The Sidama referendum is an expression of the democratisation path Ethiopia has set out on. As citizens go out to vote today, I call upon all to engage peacefully throughout the process.”

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The Sidama referendum is an expression of the democratization path Ethiopia has set out on. As citizens go out to vote today, I call upon all to engage peacefully throughout the process.
— Abiy Ahmed Ali (@AbiyAhmedAli) <a href="https://twitter.com/AbiyAhmedAli/status/1197022594224050176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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At least 17 people were killed in July due to clashes between security forces and Sidama activists as a result of the government’s decision to delay polls by five months.

Sidama activists had submitted their request for a referendum last year when Abiy Ahmed took office, which according to the constitution should have been held within a year of the request, with July 18 being the deadline.

However, large scale violence was avoided as opposition groups conceded to the government’s demand for a five-month delay.&nbsp;

Ever since Abiy Ahmed took office in one of Africa’s most repressive states, Ethiopia has been making rapid changes to create a more encompassing society, while also leading a peace process with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopia-and-eritrea-decades-of-discord-then-detente-255294">Eritrea</a>, efforts for which won the prime minister a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-prime-minister-abiy-ahmed-ali-awarded-nobel-peace-prize-255217">Nobel Peace Prize</a> this year.&nbsp;

However, greater freedoms have led in the eruption of long-repressed discontent among ethnic communities, leading to more than a dozen other communities debating whether to demand similar autonomy under Ahmed’s reforms.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to the United Nations and other monitoring groups, more than two million were displaced and hundreds killed in 2018 as a result of these rising tensions.&nbsp;

The closely watched referendum which was declared the achievement of a lifetime after decades-long struggle for autonomy by Sidama voters was stated to be peaceful with no major irregularities by Ethiopia’s Human Rights Commissioner Daniel Bekele.&nbsp;

The referendum and its implementation are being seen as a test to whether ethnic violence in the country can be resolved peacefully and also for its electoral process as general elections are scheduled for May next year.

By Mallika Singh Ethiopia’s minority Sidama community voted in favour of forming their own federal region last Wednesday after a referendum. 98.5 per cent of the voters choose an autonomous rule, the country’s electoral board declared.

By Mallika Singh Ethiopia’s minority Sidama community voted in favour of forming their own federal region last Wednesday after a referendum. 98.5 per cent of the voters choose an autonomous rule, the country’s electoral board declared. With official results released on Saturday by Wubshet Ayele, Deputy Head of the National Electoral Board, the board showed a provisional voter turnout of 99.7 per cent. Wednesday’s ballots grant the Sidama community, who constitute 4 per cent of Ethiopia’s total population of 105 million, their own self-governing region, the tenth of its kind in the African country. The region is going to grant the fifth largest ethnic group of the country control over local taxes, education, security and certain legislation. They have demanded to leave the diverse Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Region one of the nine regional states for years. More than 80 ethnic groups of Ethiopia are granted the right to demand autonomy by its constitution. However, it was only under the leadership of Abiy Ahmed that the community’s request for a referendum was approved. Soon after the polls opened for the referendum Prime Minister tweeted “The Sidama referendum is an expression of the democratisation path Ethiopia has set out on. As citizens go out to vote today, I call upon all to engage peacefully throughout the process.” The Sidama referendum is an expression of the democratization path Ethiopia has set out on. As citizens go out to vote today, I call upon all to engage peacefully throughout the process. — Abiy Ahmed Ali (@AbiyAhmedAli) November 20, 2019 × At least 17 people were killed in July due to clashes between security forces and Sidama activists as a result of the government’s decision to delay polls by five months. Sidama activists had submitted their request for a referendum last year when Abiy Ahmed took office, which according to the constitution should have been held within a year of the request, with July 18 being the deadline. However, large scale violence was avoided as opposition groups conceded to the government’s demand for a five-month delay. Ever since Abiy Ahmed took office in one of Africa’s most repressive states, Ethiopia has been making rapid changes to create a more encompassing society, while also leading a peace process with Eritrea, efforts for which won the prime minister a Nobel Peace Prize this year. However, greater freedoms have led in the eruption of long-repressed discontent among ethnic communities, leading to more than a dozen other communities debating whether to demand similar autonomy under Ahmed’s reforms. According to the United Nations and other monitoring groups, more than two million were displaced and hundreds killed in 2018 as a result of these rising tensions. The closely watched referendum which was declared the achievement of a lifetime after decades-long struggle for autonomy by Sidama voters was stated to be peaceful with no major irregularities by Ethiopia’s Human Rights Commissioner Daniel Bekele. The referendum and its implementation are being seen as a test to whether ethnic violence in the country can be resolved peacefully and also for its electoral process as general elections are scheduled for May next year.

Ethiopia Referendum: Sidama community unanimously votes in favour of establishing federal region

A place on Earth with no life

Members of Ethiopia's Sidama minority lined up before dawn to vote in a self-determination referendum on Wednesday, a test of Ethiopia's ability to peacefully manage ethnic demands and political change after more than a year of sweeping reform.

Sidama voters described the referendum as the achievement of a lifetime and culmination of decades of struggle for autonomy.

"I consider witnessing this day as if I were born again," said Yerusalem Kawiso, 48, who stood in a queue in Hawassa, the lakeside provincial city the Sidama hope to make their capital, waiting to vote in a pink dressing gown.

"We lived our whole life under oppression. As a child I remember chopped heads of Sidama people displayed at the market. I will never forget the head of my brother in law," she said.

Ethiopia's constitution grants the right to seek autonomy to its more than 80 ethnic groups. More than a dozen groups are debating whether to demand such powers, amid reforms to create a more open society under <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-prime-minister-abiy-ahmed-ali-awarded-nobel-peace-prize-255217">Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed</a>, who took office last year and won the Nobel Peace Prize last month.

Shortly after polls opened, the prime minister tweeted: "The Sidama referendum is an expression of the democratization path Ethiopia has set out on. As citizens go out to vote today, I call upon all to engage peacefully throughout the process."

The vote would carve an autonomous region for the Sidama, who comprise about 4 per cent&nbsp;of Ethiopia's 105 million people, out of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples region, the most ethnically diverse part of Ethiopia. Other groups who share the region now are wary of disenfranchisement or violence.

At least 17 people died in clashes in July between security forces and Sidama activists after the government delayed the poll by five months.&nbsp;

At a polling station in the Hiteta neighbourhood in Hawassa, women carried babies to vote. Elders queued up wrapped in white, handwoven blankets called gabis, and young men wore traditional Sidama scarves tied around their heads.

Many waved their voting cards in celebration as they waited to cast their ballots when polling stations opened at 6 a.m. (0300 GMT).

"I arrived early to vote as I want my own region," said Emnet Telahun, 22, holding her one-year-old daughter Mirtinesh.

If the referendum passes as expected, the Sidama will control local taxes, education, security and laws in what would become Ethiopia's tenth region.

Since Abiy took office in one of Africa's most tightly controlled states, changes have brought a more open society and a weaker ruling coalition, emboldening politicians advocating for more rights for their ethnic groups.

The 43-year-old prime minister has also moved to open up one of Africa's fastest growing economies, and to make peace with neighbouring Eritrea.

However, the openness has also brought a surge of long-repressed rivalries between ethnic groups, forcing more than 2 million people out of their homes and killing hundreds, according to the United Nations and monitoring groups.

Dukale Lamiso, head of the Sidama Liberation Front, an activist group, said if the voting were unfair or the referendum should fail to bring autonomy, "that would be a danger for Ethiopia itself because of course there will be violence."

About 2.3 million voters are registered at nearly 1,700 polling stations, the national electoral board said. Polling stations close at 6 p.m. (1500 GMT). Preliminary results are due on Thursday.

The vote will also be closely watched for its tone in the run-up to a general election next year, which Abiy has promised will be free and fair. Previous elections going back to 2005 were marred by irregularities and violence.

Members of Ethiopia's Sidama minority lined up before dawn to vote in a self-determination referendum on Wednesday, a test of Ethiopia's ability to peacefully manage ethnic demands and political change after more than a year of sweeping reform.

Members of Ethiopia's Sidama minority lined up before dawn to vote in a self-determination referendum on Wednesday, a test of Ethiopia's ability to peacefully manage ethnic demands and political change after more than a year of sweeping reform. Sidama voters described the referendum as the achievement of a lifetime and culmination of decades of struggle for autonomy. "I consider witnessing this day as if I were born again," said Yerusalem Kawiso, 48, who stood in a queue in Hawassa, the lakeside provincial city the Sidama hope to make their capital, waiting to vote in a pink dressing gown. "We lived our whole life under oppression. As a child I remember chopped heads of Sidama people displayed at the market. I will never forget the head of my brother in law," she said. Ethiopia's constitution grants the right to seek autonomy to its more than 80 ethnic groups. More than a dozen groups are debating whether to demand such powers, amid reforms to create a more open society under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who took office last year and won the Nobel Peace Prize last month. Shortly after polls opened, the prime minister tweeted: "The Sidama referendum is an expression of the democratization path Ethiopia has set out on. As citizens go out to vote today, I call upon all to engage peacefully throughout the process." The vote would carve an autonomous region for the Sidama, who comprise about 4 per cent of Ethiopia's 105 million people, out of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples region, the most ethnically diverse part of Ethiopia. Other groups who share the region now are wary of disenfranchisement or violence. At least 17 people died in clashes in July between security forces and Sidama activists after the government delayed the poll by five months. At a polling station in the Hiteta neighbourhood in Hawassa, women carried babies to vote. Elders queued up wrapped in white, handwoven blankets called gabis, and young men wore traditional Sidama scarves tied around their heads. Many waved their voting cards in celebration as they waited to cast their ballots when polling stations opened at 6 a.m. (0300 GMT). "I arrived early to vote as I want my own region," said Emnet Telahun, 22, holding her one-year-old daughter Mirtinesh. If the referendum passes as expected, the Sidama will control local taxes, education, security and laws in what would become Ethiopia's tenth region. Since Abiy took office in one of Africa's most tightly controlled states, changes have brought a more open society and a weaker ruling coalition, emboldening politicians advocating for more rights for their ethnic groups. The 43-year-old prime minister has also moved to open up one of Africa's fastest growing economies, and to make peace with neighbouring Eritrea. However, the openness has also brought a surge of long-repressed rivalries between ethnic groups, forcing more than 2 million people out of their homes and killing hundreds, according to the United Nations and monitoring groups. Dukale Lamiso, head of the Sidama Liberation Front, an activist group, said if the voting were unfair or the referendum should fail to bring autonomy, "that would be a danger for Ethiopia itself because of course there will be violence." About 2.3 million voters are registered at nearly 1,700 polling stations, the national electoral board said. Polling stations close at 6 p.m. (1500 GMT). Preliminary results are due on Thursday. The vote will also be closely watched for its tone in the run-up to a general election next year, which Abiy has promised will be free and fair. Previous elections going back to 2005 were marred by irregularities and violence.

Ethiopia's Sidama vote on autonomy in test of nationalist passions

At least 16 people have been killed in violence in Ethiopia this week that began with protests against Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Abiy Ahmed, an Amnesty International researcher said Friday.

"Up to now we have confirmed 16 people dead, but the number must be more than that because new reports are emerging which we have not confirmed," Fisseha Tekle told AFP.

He said the violence had included instances of security forces opening fire on protesters but was increasingly taking the form of ethnic and religious clashes.&nbsp;

"Some people have lost their lives with sticks, with machetes, some houses have been burned. People have been using even bullets and light arms to kill each other, to fight each other," he said.&nbsp;

"I don't have the latest on what happened during the night but there was no sign of decrease."&nbsp;

The violence erupted in Addis Ababa, the capital, and in much of Ethiopia's Oromia region after a high-profile activist accused security forces of trying to orchestrate an attack against him.

The activist, Jawar Mohammed, is a former Abiy ally and member of the prime minister's Oromo ethnic group, the country's largest, who has recently become critical of some of Abiy's policies.&nbsp;

The unrest highlights divisions within the ethnic Oromo support base that swept Abiy to power last year, divisions that could undermine his position ahead of elections planned for May 2020.

At a press conference Thursday, Jawar called for calm while accusing the authorities of stoking instability.

At least six people were killed in the town of Ambo, west of Addis, after security forces opened fire on protesters, Fisseha said.&nbsp;

Ethnic and religious violence has been reported in the towns and cities of Dodola, Harar, Balerobe and Adama.

Ethiopian officials have provided scant information on casualties but did confirm two deaths in Adama earlier this week.

Property belonging to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which some associate with the Amhara ethnic group, has been targeted in multiple locations, Fisseha said.

"Up to now it is people going after the Orthodox Church and that creates a standoff and violence because the followers of the Orthodox defend themselves," Fisseha said.&nbsp;

On Thursday, the Orthodox Church issued a call for calm while saying the violence has "resulted in the loss of lives as well as caused damages to properties and mass displacements," according to the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate.&nbsp;

Amnesty called on security forces to use restraint as they work to get the situation under control.&nbsp;

"The fact that protests are not commonly peaceful does not mean they have to use lethal force," Fisseha said.&nbsp;

"It's only as a last resort that lethal force can be used and only to protect the lives of security forces and protect the lives of other people."

At least 16 people have been killed in violence in Ethiopia this week that began with protests against Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Abiy Ahmed, an Amnesty International researcher said Friday.

At least 16 people have been killed in violence in Ethiopia this week that began with protests against Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Abiy Ahmed, an Amnesty International researcher said Friday. "Up to now we have confirmed 16 people dead, but the number must be more than that because new reports are emerging which we have not confirmed," Fisseha Tekle told AFP. He said the violence had included instances of security forces opening fire on protesters but was increasingly taking the form of ethnic and religious clashes. "Some people have lost their lives with sticks, with machetes, some houses have been burned. People have been using even bullets and light arms to kill each other, to fight each other," he said. "I don't have the latest on what happened during the night but there was no sign of decrease." The violence erupted in Addis Ababa, the capital, and in much of Ethiopia's Oromia region after a high-profile activist accused security forces of trying to orchestrate an attack against him. The activist, Jawar Mohammed, is a former Abiy ally and member of the prime minister's Oromo ethnic group, the country's largest, who has recently become critical of some of Abiy's policies. The unrest highlights divisions within the ethnic Oromo support base that swept Abiy to power last year, divisions that could undermine his position ahead of elections planned for May 2020. At a press conference Thursday, Jawar called for calm while accusing the authorities of stoking instability. At least six people were killed in the town of Ambo, west of Addis, after security forces opened fire on protesters, Fisseha said. Ethnic and religious violence has been reported in the towns and cities of Dodola, Harar, Balerobe and Adama. Ethiopian officials have provided scant information on casualties but did confirm two deaths in Adama earlier this week. Property belonging to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which some associate with the Amhara ethnic group, has been targeted in multiple locations, Fisseha said. "Up to now it is people going after the Orthodox Church and that creates a standoff and violence because the followers of the Orthodox defend themselves," Fisseha said. On Thursday, the Orthodox Church issued a call for calm while saying the violence has "resulted in the loss of lives as well as caused damages to properties and mass displacements," according to the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate. Amnesty called on security forces to use restraint as they work to get the situation under control. "The fact that protests are not commonly peaceful does not mean they have to use lethal force," Fisseha said. "It's only as a last resort that lethal force can be used and only to protect the lives of security forces and protect the lives of other people."

At least 16 dead in anti-Abiy protests in Ethiopia: Amnesty

The leaders of Ethiopia and Egypt met on the sidelines of Russia's Africa summit on Thursday to discuss a disputed Nile dam that has seen tensions flare, a diplomatic source told AFP.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi "delivered a message" to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed about Addis Ababa's soon-to-be-finished dam on the Blue Nile, the Egyptian diplomatic source said.

The meeting lasted around 45 minutes and took place "in a positive atmosphere," the source added, without providing details.&nbsp;

Egypt fears that the building of the dam, a $4 billion project begun in 2012, will reduce the flow of the Nile, on which it depends for 90 per cent of its water supply.

Discussions between the two countries and with Sudan, through which the river also passes, have been blocked for nine years.

Russia, which is hosting a two-day Africa Summit in its Black Sea resort of Sochi in an attempt to revive its Soviet-era influence on the continent, has said it is ready to play a role in resolving the conflict.

"The dam... was discussed during (Russian President Vladimir Putin's) meeting with the President of Egypt, and during a meeting with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Putin told the two leaders they should take advantage of their presence in Sochi to "directly discuss (their) concerns" and that he also offered "his assistance", Peskov said.

In early October, negotiations in Khartoum resulted in a "stalemate", according to Cairo, which has since sought international mediation.&nbsp;

Ethiopia has rejected the claim, calling it "an unwarranted denial of the progress" made during the negotiations.

Analysts fear the three Nile basin countries could be drawn into conflict if the dispute is not resolved before the dam goes into operation late next year. 
&nbsp;

The leaders of Ethiopia and Egypt met on the sidelines of Russia's Africa summit on Thursday to discuss a disputed Nile dam that has seen tensions flare, a diplomatic source told AFP.

The leaders of Ethiopia and Egypt met on the sidelines of Russia's Africa summit on Thursday to discuss a disputed Nile dam that has seen tensions flare, a diplomatic source told AFP. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi "delivered a message" to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed about Addis Ababa's soon-to-be-finished dam on the Blue Nile, the Egyptian diplomatic source said. The meeting lasted around 45 minutes and took place "in a positive atmosphere," the source added, without providing details. Egypt fears that the building of the dam, a $4 billion project begun in 2012, will reduce the flow of the Nile, on which it depends for 90 per cent of its water supply. Discussions between the two countries and with Sudan, through which the river also passes, have been blocked for nine years. Russia, which is hosting a two-day Africa Summit in its Black Sea resort of Sochi in an attempt to revive its Soviet-era influence on the continent, has said it is ready to play a role in resolving the conflict. "The dam... was discussed during (Russian President Vladimir Putin's) meeting with the President of Egypt, and during a meeting with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Putin told the two leaders they should take advantage of their presence in Sochi to "directly discuss (their) concerns" and that he also offered "his assistance", Peskov said. In early October, negotiations in Khartoum resulted in a "stalemate", according to Cairo, which has since sought international mediation. Ethiopia has rejected the claim, calling it "an unwarranted denial of the progress" made during the negotiations. Analysts fear the three Nile basin countries could be drawn into conflict if the dispute is not resolved before the dam goes into operation late next year.

Egypt, Ethiopia leaders discuss Nile dam in Russia

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office said Friday the nation of Ethiopia was proud of his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-prime-minister-abiy-ahmed-ali-awarded-nobel-peace-prize-255217">Nobel Peace Prize win</a>, hailing it as testimony to efforts to reform the country and seek peace with Eritrea.

"We are proud as a nation," his office wrote on Twitter after the announcement of Abiy's win.

In a statement, his office further praised the decision as "timeless testimony to the... ideals of unity, cooperation and mutual co-existence that the Prime Minister has been consistently championing".

"Since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed assumed political leadership in April 2018 he has made peace, forgiveness and reconciliation key policy components of his administration," the statement said.

"At a national level, the release of tens of thousands of political prisoners, granting of amnesty for media entities and political parties charged under the anti-terrorism law to return from exile and engage peacefully, widening the space for political parties... are some notable milestones.

"At the regional level, ending the two-decade stalemate between Ethiopia and Eritrea has opened up a new dimension of possibilities for co-operation between the two countries."

The statement also pointed to Abiy's attempts to reconcile differences regionally, among countries across the Horn of Africa.

However, despite Abiy's moves for peace, the Eritrea deal has been undermined by a lack of tangible progress on critical issues like border demarcation.

Hopes that it may lead to an opening up of one of the world's most isolated countries, and the ending of forced military conscription have also yet to bear fruit.

Eritrea's ambassador to Japan, Estifanos Afwerki, on Twitter hailed the decision, saying the people of Eritrea and Ethiopia "with blood, sweat (and) tears have won again over evil."

African Union chief Moussa Faki on Twitter congratulated Abiy on the win "for his historic peacebuilding efforts that have given the world hope at a time it needs servant leadership more than ever."

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office said Friday the nation of Ethiopia was proud of his Nobel Peace Prize win, hailing it as testimony to efforts to reform the country and seek peace with Eritrea.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office said Friday the nation of Ethiopia was proud of his Nobel Peace Prize win, hailing it as testimony to efforts to reform the country and seek peace with Eritrea. "We are proud as a nation," his office wrote on Twitter after the announcement of Abiy's win. In a statement, his office further praised the decision as "timeless testimony to the... ideals of unity, cooperation and mutual co-existence that the Prime Minister has been consistently championing". "Since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed assumed political leadership in April 2018 he has made peace, forgiveness and reconciliation key policy components of his administration," the statement said. "At a national level, the release of tens of thousands of political prisoners, granting of amnesty for media entities and political parties charged under the anti-terrorism law to return from exile and engage peacefully, widening the space for political parties... are some notable milestones. "At the regional level, ending the two-decade stalemate between Ethiopia and Eritrea has opened up a new dimension of possibilities for co-operation between the two countries." The statement also pointed to Abiy's attempts to reconcile differences regionally, among countries across the Horn of Africa. However, despite Abiy's moves for peace, the Eritrea deal has been undermined by a lack of tangible progress on critical issues like border demarcation. Hopes that it may lead to an opening up of one of the world's most isolated countries, and the ending of forced military conscription have also yet to bear fruit. Eritrea's ambassador to Japan, Estifanos Afwerki, on Twitter hailed the decision, saying the people of Eritrea and Ethiopia "with blood, sweat (and) tears have won again over evil." African Union chief Moussa Faki on Twitter congratulated Abiy on the win "for his historic peacebuilding efforts that have given the world hope at a time it needs servant leadership more than ever."

Ethiopia 'proud as a nation' of Abiy Nobel win: PM's office

Eritrea and Ethiopia ended decades of tensions in 2018 after a whirlwind peace process for which Ethiopian Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-prime-minister-abiy-ahmed-ali-awarded-nobel-peace-prize-255217">Abiy Ahmed received the Nobel Peace Prize</a> Friday.

Here is a recap of the tensions and reconciliation between the Horn of Africa neighbours.

In 1962 Ethiopia proclaims the annexation of Eritrea, abolishing its autonomous status and effectively making it a province.

Eritrea launches a war for independence that lasts nearly 30 years.

In 1991 Eritrean rebels, who help overthrow the military-Marxist Ethiopian regime of Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam, seize the Eritrean capital Asmara.

They install a government and gain full independence in 1993, a secession blessed by Addis Ababa.

However, the 620-mile&nbsp;border between the neighbours is not properly defined and the move deprives Ethiopia of its only entry point to the Red Sea.

In May 1998 skirmishes erupt after Eritrean forces enter the area around Badme, claiming the town under borders drawn during Italian colonial rule.

Fighting spreads and in June the warring sides carry out airstrikes.

The ensuing conflict is marked by trench warfare and large-scale pitched battles, alternating with long periods of calm.

Fighting flares anew in May 2000. Between 1998 and 2000 the conflict claims nearly 80,000 lives.

In June 2000 the two sides reach an initial peace accord that allows for the deployment of a U.N. peacekeeping force in a border buffer zone.

An official peace pact signed in December 2000 establishes a Boundary Commission, which sits at the International Court of Arbitration in The Hague, to officially demarcate the disputed frontier.

In 2002 the commission attributes to Eritrea chunks of land along the border, including the contested town of Badme.

But Ethiopia rejects the ruling and requests an "interpretation, correction". The commission refuses.

Ethiopian forces continue to occupy Badme. The standoff delays the physical demarcation of the border as ruled by the commission.

Tensions rise with gunfire, landmines and troop movements near the border.

In May 2006, amid fears of a new all-out war, talks in London fail to end the standoff.

In June Ethiopia claims to have killed more than 110 rebels. Eritrea denies involvement.

There are regular attacks in border regions.

In June 2018, Abiy -- who had become prime minister in April -- announces Ethiopia will abide by the 2002 ruling requiring it to cede territory, including Badme, and withdraw its forces.

His concession launches a whirlwind peace process.

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki hosts Abiy in Asmara on July 8 and cheering crowds line the streets to welcome him.

Direct telephone communications are restored for the first time in two decades.

On July 9 the two leaders sign a joint declaration declaring that the "state of war that existed between the two countries has come to an end".

Afwerki re-opens Eritrea's embassy in Addis Ababa on July 16.

Two days later an Ethiopian Airlines plane departs for Addis Ababa as commercial flights between the capitals resume.

Ethiopia reopens its embassy in the Eritrean capital on September 6.

Five days later two land border crossings are opened for the first time in 20 years.

And on September 16 the countries sign a peace agreement at a summit in Saudi Arabia.

Eritrea and Ethiopia ended decades of tensions in 2018 after a whirlwind peace process for which Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received the Nobel Peace Prize Friday.

Eritrea and Ethiopia ended decades of tensions in 2018 after a whirlwind peace process for which Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received the Nobel Peace Prize Friday. Here is a recap of the tensions and reconciliation between the Horn of Africa neighbours. In 1962 Ethiopia proclaims the annexation of Eritrea, abolishing its autonomous status and effectively making it a province. Eritrea launches a war for independence that lasts nearly 30 years. In 1991 Eritrean rebels, who help overthrow the military-Marxist Ethiopian regime of Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam, seize the Eritrean capital Asmara. They install a government and gain full independence in 1993, a secession blessed by Addis Ababa. However, the 620-mile border between the neighbours is not properly defined and the move deprives Ethiopia of its only entry point to the Red Sea. In May 1998 skirmishes erupt after Eritrean forces enter the area around Badme, claiming the town under borders drawn during Italian colonial rule. Fighting spreads and in June the warring sides carry out airstrikes. The ensuing conflict is marked by trench warfare and large-scale pitched battles, alternating with long periods of calm. Fighting flares anew in May 2000. Between 1998 and 2000 the conflict claims nearly 80,000 lives. In June 2000 the two sides reach an initial peace accord that allows for the deployment of a U.N. peacekeeping force in a border buffer zone. An official peace pact signed in December 2000 establishes a Boundary Commission, which sits at the International Court of Arbitration in The Hague, to officially demarcate the disputed frontier. In 2002 the commission attributes to Eritrea chunks of land along the border, including the contested town of Badme. But Ethiopia rejects the ruling and requests an "interpretation, correction". The commission refuses. Ethiopian forces continue to occupy Badme. The standoff delays the physical demarcation of the border as ruled by the commission. Tensions rise with gunfire, landmines and troop movements near the border. In May 2006, amid fears of a new all-out war, talks in London fail to end the standoff. In June Ethiopia claims to have killed more than 110 rebels. Eritrea denies involvement. There are regular attacks in border regions. In June 2018, Abiy -- who had become prime minister in April -- announces Ethiopia will abide by the 2002 ruling requiring it to cede territory, including Badme, and withdraw its forces. His concession launches a whirlwind peace process. Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki hosts Abiy in Asmara on July 8 and cheering crowds line the streets to welcome him. Direct telephone communications are restored for the first time in two decades. On July 9 the two leaders sign a joint declaration declaring that the "state of war that existed between the two countries has come to an end". Afwerki re-opens Eritrea's embassy in Addis Ababa on July 16. Two days later an Ethiopian Airlines plane departs for Addis Ababa as commercial flights between the capitals resume. Ethiopia reopens its embassy in the Eritrean capital on September 6. Five days later two land border crossings are opened for the first time in 20 years. And on September 16 the countries sign a peace agreement at a summit in Saudi Arabia.

Ethiopia and Eritrea: decades of discord, then detente

Egypt has urged international mediation over what it called "deadlock" in talks in Sudan over a massive dam under construction on the Nile River, sparking fresh tensions with Ethiopia.

Negotiations between the three countries have been at a stalemate for years after Ethiopia began constructing the Grand Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile in 2012.&nbsp;

Ethiopia says the project is needed to provide electricity.

But Egypt is concerned the huge dam will severely reduce its water supplies and says it has "historic rights" to the river guaranteed by decades-old treaties.

Egypt "called for the involvement of an international party in the Renaissance Dam negotiations to mediate between the three countries," the irrigation ministry said in a statement late Saturday after a new round of talks ended in Khartoum.

An impasse was reached after Ethiopia "rejected all the proposals that take Egypt's water interests into account," the ministry added.

It said Ethiopia presented a proposal that "lacked guarantees" of the minimum water flow as well as how to deal with possible droughts.

The Ethiopian foreign ministry rejected Egypt's call for international mediation as "an unwarranted denial of the progress" of talks.&nbsp;

"It also goes against the consent and wishes of Ethiopia," it added.

The Egyptian presidency called on the United States to play "an active role" in the issue, invoking the need for an international party to "overcome the deadlock".&nbsp;

The White House had on Friday expressed "support" for the negotiations, urging all sides "to put forth good faith efforts to reach an agreement".

Ethiopia, however, dismissed Cairo's assessment of the latest negotiations.

"The allegation that talks ended in a deadlock is completely false," Ethiopian Minister for Water and Energy Selishi Bekele told reporters on Saturday.

He said that "some progress has been made" but acknowledged that there were "pending issues".

Ethiopia's foreign ministry said Egypt's approach in the talks was "another instance of a disruptive tactic it applied to halt the hydrology, environmental and social impact assessment" of the dam.

The Nile, which runs through 10 countries, is Africa's longest river and a crucial artery for water supplies and electricity for all the countries.

Its main tributaries -- the White Nile and the Blue Nile -- converge in Khartoum before it flows through Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea.

Ethiopia has said the $4 billion dam will begin generating power&nbsp;by the end of 2020 and will be fully operational by 2022.

Analysts fear that the three Nile basin countries could be drawn into a conflict if the dispute is not resolved before the dam begins operating.

Egypt has urged international mediation over what it called "deadlock" in talks in Sudan over a massive dam under construction on the Nile River, sparking fresh tensions with Ethiopia.

Egypt has urged international mediation over what it called "deadlock" in talks in Sudan over a massive dam under construction on the Nile River, sparking fresh tensions with Ethiopia. Negotiations between the three countries have been at a stalemate for years after Ethiopia began constructing the Grand Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile in 2012. Ethiopia says the project is needed to provide electricity. But Egypt is concerned the huge dam will severely reduce its water supplies and says it has "historic rights" to the river guaranteed by decades-old treaties. Egypt "called for the involvement of an international party in the Renaissance Dam negotiations to mediate between the three countries," the irrigation ministry said in a statement late Saturday after a new round of talks ended in Khartoum. An impasse was reached after Ethiopia "rejected all the proposals that take Egypt's water interests into account," the ministry added. It said Ethiopia presented a proposal that "lacked guarantees" of the minimum water flow as well as how to deal with possible droughts. The Ethiopian foreign ministry rejected Egypt's call for international mediation as "an unwarranted denial of the progress" of talks. "It also goes against the consent and wishes of Ethiopia," it added. The Egyptian presidency called on the United States to play "an active role" in the issue, invoking the need for an international party to "overcome the deadlock". The White House had on Friday expressed "support" for the negotiations, urging all sides "to put forth good faith efforts to reach an agreement". Ethiopia, however, dismissed Cairo's assessment of the latest negotiations. "The allegation that talks ended in a deadlock is completely false," Ethiopian Minister for Water and Energy Selishi Bekele told reporters on Saturday. He said that "some progress has been made" but acknowledged that there were "pending issues". Ethiopia's foreign ministry said Egypt's approach in the talks was "another instance of a disruptive tactic it applied to halt the hydrology, environmental and social impact assessment" of the dam. The Nile, which runs through 10 countries, is Africa's longest river and a crucial artery for water supplies and electricity for all the countries. Its main tributaries -- the White Nile and the Blue Nile -- converge in Khartoum before it flows through Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea. Ethiopia has said the $4 billion dam will begin generating power by the end of 2020 and will be fully operational by 2022. Analysts fear that the three Nile basin countries could be drawn into a conflict if the dispute is not resolved before the dam begins operating.

Egypt urges mediation in 'deadlocked' Nile dam talks

Boeing&nbsp;Co engineers working on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/aviation-watchdog-may-ask-boeing-to-set-up-737-max-simulators-in-india-250645">737&nbsp;MAX</a>&nbsp;passenger plane's flight-control system&nbsp;omitted&nbsp;safeguards&nbsp;included in an earlier version of the system&nbsp;used&nbsp;on a&nbsp;military&nbsp;tanker&nbsp;jet, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The engineers who created the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) flight-control system more than a decade ago for the&nbsp;military&nbsp;refuelling plane designed the system to rely on inputs from multiple sensors and with limited power to move aircraft's nose, the Journal said.

The newspaper cited one person familiar with the design saying this approach was taken in order to guard against the system acting erroneously or causing a pilot to lose control.

In contrast, the version of MCAS on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/phased-ungrounding-of-boeing-737-max-possible-ceo-muilenburg-249083">737&nbsp;MAX</a>&nbsp;passenger plane relied on input from just one of two sensors which measure the angle at which the plane's nose is flying, the newspaper said.

Boeing's expected software fix for its&nbsp;737&nbsp;MAX&nbsp;planes will make its MCAS more like the one&nbsp;used&nbsp;on the tanker&nbsp;jet, the Journal said.

Boeing&nbsp;did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment outside regular business hours.

Boeing&nbsp;has previously said that erroneous sensor data fed to the MCAS system was a common link in a chain of events leading to the fatal crashes of a Lion Air&nbsp;737&nbsp;MAX&nbsp;airliner in Indonesia on October 2018 and an Ethiopian Airlines&nbsp;737&nbsp;MAX&nbsp;in March 2019 which killed all 346 people aboard the two aircraft.

Boeing Co engineers working on the 737 MAX passenger plane's flight-control system omitted safeguards included in an earlier version of the system used on a military tanker jet, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Boeing Co engineers working on the 737 MAX passenger plane's flight-control system omitted safeguards included in an earlier version of the system used on a military tanker jet, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter. The engineers who created the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) flight-control system more than a decade ago for the military refuelling plane designed the system to rely on inputs from multiple sensors and with limited power to move aircraft's nose, the Journal said. The newspaper cited one person familiar with the design saying this approach was taken in order to guard against the system acting erroneously or causing a pilot to lose control. In contrast, the version of MCAS on the 737 MAX passenger plane relied on input from just one of two sensors which measure the angle at which the plane's nose is flying, the newspaper said. Boeing's expected software fix for its 737 MAX planes will make its MCAS more like the one used on the tanker jet, the Journal said. Boeing did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment outside regular business hours. Boeing has previously said that erroneous sensor data fed to the MCAS system was a common link in a chain of events leading to the fatal crashes of a Lion Air 737 MAX airliner in Indonesia on October 2018 and an Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX in March 2019 which killed all 346 people aboard the two aircraft.

Boeing omitted safeguards on 737 MAX that were used on military jet: WSJ

Ethiopia said on Saturday it had arrested an unspecified number of Islamist militant members of the Somali group al Shabaab and Islamic State who were planning to carry out attacks in the country on various targets including hotels.

Some of those arrested were carrying out intelligence work including photographing potential targets, the National Intelligence Security Services (NISS) said in a statement read out on state-affiliated broadcaster Fana.

"The group was preparing to attack hotels, religious festivities gathering places and public areas in Addis Ababa," NISS said.

Ethiopian intelligence coordinated with neighbouring Djibouti to detain the suspects including their leader, Muhammed Abdulahi, NISS said.

Those detained, NISS said, were arrested in the capital Addis Ababa, Oromia and Ethiopia's Somali region.

Al Shabaab has been fighting for years to topple Somalia's central government, which the African Union-mandated peacekeeping force AMISOM helps to defend.

The militants have carried out numerous attacks in Somalia on military and civilian targets, and it has also conducted attacks abroad including in Kenya.

Ethiopia said on Saturday it had arrested an unspecified number of Islamist militant members of the Somali group al Shabaab and Islamic State who were planning to carry out attacks in the country on various targets including hotels.

Ethiopia said on Saturday it had arrested an unspecified number of Islamist militant members of the Somali group al Shabaab and Islamic State who were planning to carry out attacks in the country on various targets including hotels. Some of those arrested were carrying out intelligence work including photographing potential targets, the National Intelligence Security Services (NISS) said in a statement read out on state-affiliated broadcaster Fana. "The group was preparing to attack hotels, religious festivities gathering places and public areas in Addis Ababa," NISS said. Ethiopian intelligence coordinated with neighbouring Djibouti to detain the suspects including their leader, Muhammed Abdulahi, NISS said. Those detained, NISS said, were arrested in the capital Addis Ababa, Oromia and Ethiopia's Somali region. Al Shabaab has been fighting for years to topple Somalia's central government, which the African Union-mandated peacekeeping force AMISOM helps to defend. The militants have carried out numerous attacks in Somalia on military and civilian targets, and it has also conducted attacks abroad including in Kenya.

Ethiopia arrests suspected Islamist militants

Watch WION Playlist, 29th August 2019. To know more watch the video...

Watch WION Playlist, 29th August 2019

Human ancestor discovered in Ethiopia with ape and human-like characteristics

Scientists on Wednesday (August 28) announced the landmark discovery in Ethiopia of a nearly complete skull of an early human ancestor that lived 3.8 million years ago, a species that possessed an intriguing mixture of ape-like and human-like characteristics. Watch this video to know more.

Your Story: Fossil discovery reveals face of human ancestor

For most of his life as a Samburu warrior, Lesaiton Lengoloni thought nothing of hunting giraffes, the graceful giants so common a feature of the Kenyan plains where he roamed.

For most of his life as a Samburu warrior, Lesaiton Lengoloni thought nothing of hunting giraffes, the graceful giants so common a feature of the Kenyan plains where he roamed. "There was no particular pride in killing a giraffe, not like a lion... (But) a single giraffe could feed the village for more than a week," the community elder told AFP, leaning on a walking stick and gazing out to the broad plateau of Laikipia. But fewer amble across his path these days: in Kenya, as across Africa, populations of the world's tallest mammals are quietly, yet sharply, in decline. Giraffe numbers across the continent fell 40 per cent between 1985 and 2015, to just under 100,000 animals, according to the best figures available to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). But unlike the clarion calls sounded over the catastrophic collapse of elephant, lion and rhino populations, less attention was paid to the giraffe's private crisis. "The giraffe is a big animal, and you can see it pretty easily in parks and reserves. This may have created a false impression that the species was doing well," said Julian Fennessy, co-chair of the IUCN's specialist group for giraffes and okapis. The rate of decline is much higher in central and eastern regions, with poaching, habitat destruction and conflict the main drivers blamed for thinning herds of these gentle creatures. In Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia, reticulated giraffe numbers fell 60 per cent in the roughly three decades to 2018, the IUCN says. The Nubian giraffe meanwhile has suffered a tragic decline of 97 per cent, pushing this rarer variety toward total extinction. Further afield in Central Africa, the Kordofan giraffe, another of the multitude subspecies, has witnessed an 85 per cent decrease. In 2010, giraffes were a species of "least concern" on the IUCN red list. But six years later they leapt to "vulnerable", one step down from critical, catching many by surprise. "This is why for the giraffe we speak of the threat of a silent extinction," said Jenna Stacy-Dawes, research coordinator at the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. Mysterious giants Despite this, an international effort underway to put giraffes squarely on the global conservation agenda has divided professional opinion. Six African nations are pushing to regulate the international trade in giraffes under the UN Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which meets from August 17 to 28 in Geneva. Those advocating for the change, including Kenya, want the giraffe classified as "a species that, although not necessarily currently threatened with extinction, could become so if trade in their specimens were not closely controlled". Critics, however, say there is little evidence the international wildlife trade is responsible for dwindling giraffe numbers. A lack of reliable data has long hindered efforts to protect them. "Compared to other charismatic species like elephants, lions, and rhinos, we know very little about giraffes," said Symon Masiaine, a coordinator in the Twiga Walinzi giraffe study and protection programme, which began in Kenya in 2016. "Nowadays, we are still far behind, but we are making progress." Almost nothing is reliably known about giraffe populations in Somalia, South Sudan and eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where collecting such information is perilously difficult. But even research outside conflict zones has been patchy. Arthur Muneza, from the Giraffe Preservation Foundation, said the first long-term study of giraffes was not carried out until 2004. Data on giraffes are often gathered as an afterthought by researchers focussing on other wildlife, he added. "Without reliable data, it is more difficult to take appropriate conservation measures," Muneza said. It was not until 2018 that the IUCN had enough statistics to be able to differentiate the threat levels facing many giraffe subspecies. The reticulated and Masai giraffes, for example, were classified as "endangered" while the Nubian and Kordofan were "critically endangered". Trophy hunting Under the proposal before CITES, the legal trade in giraffe parts, including those obtained by trophy hunters on Africa's legal game reserves, would be globally regulated. Member countries would be required to record the export of giraffe parts or artifacts, something only the United States currently does, and permits would be required for their trade. But observers say the limited information available suggests most of this trade originates from places where giraffe numbers are rebounding, like South Africa and Namibia, where game hunting is legal. Muneza says there isn't a clear enough picture that the legal trade is linked to declining giraffe numbers. "The first step should be to conduct a study to find out the extent of international trade and its influence on giraffe populations," he said. Those supporting the proposal before Geneva talk of a "precautionary principle" doing something now before it is too late. For Masiaine, the Kenyan giraffe researcher, any publicity is good publicity for these poorly-understood long-necked herbivores. "It means that people are talking about the giraffe," he said. "And the species needs that."

Gentle giraffes threatened with 'silent extinction'

Four people have died of gunshot wounds in the southern Ethiopian city of Hawassa, where protesters have been demanding the establishment of a breakaway state, a hospital executive said Friday.

"There are four people dead, three men and one woman," said Zinaw Serniso, general manager of the Hawassa Referral Hospital.

One of the victims had been shot in the head while another was shot in the stomach.

The four were admitted on Thursday, three of whom died the same day, while the fourth, a woman, died on Friday.

The Sidama ethnic group, the largest in the southern region, has been agitating for its semi-autonomous state.

Expectations were high they would declare their region unilaterally on Thursday.

The Sidama Liberation Movement, which has been leading calls for the new state, accepted government demands for a delay pending a referendum before the end of the year.

But other parties were unhappy and protests erupted Thursday.

Regional police commissioner Tewodros Woldemichael told state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate that police were arresting people who had participated in the violence.&nbsp;

He acknowledged that unrest had spread outside the city.&nbsp;

"Efforts are underway to put under control the violence which started in Hawassa and later spread to the neighboring Sidama woredas (district)," he said.

Four people have died of gunshot wounds in the southern Ethiopian city of Hawassa, where protesters have been demanding the establishment of a breakaway state, a hospital executive said Friday.

Four people have died of gunshot wounds in the southern Ethiopian city of Hawassa, where protesters have been demanding the establishment of a breakaway state, a hospital executive said Friday. "There are four people dead, three men and one woman," said Zinaw Serniso, general manager of the Hawassa Referral Hospital. One of the victims had been shot in the head while another was shot in the stomach. The four were admitted on Thursday, three of whom died the same day, while the fourth, a woman, died on Friday. The Sidama ethnic group, the largest in the southern region, has been agitating for its semi-autonomous state. Expectations were high they would declare their region unilaterally on Thursday. The Sidama Liberation Movement, which has been leading calls for the new state, accepted government demands for a delay pending a referendum before the end of the year. But other parties were unhappy and protests erupted Thursday. Regional police commissioner Tewodros Woldemichael told state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate that police were arresting people who had participated in the violence. He acknowledged that unrest had spread outside the city. "Efforts are underway to put under control the violence which started in Hawassa and later spread to the neighboring Sidama woredas (district)," he said.

Four killed in protests in southern Ethiopian city

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-seven-dead-in-sudans-massive-protest-over-civilian-rule-231869">Sudan's protesters</a> and ruling generals Wednesday inked a deal that aims to install a civilian administration, a key demand of demonstrators since <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ousted-sudan-president-omar-al-bashir-to-be-sent-for-trial-soon-prosecutor-says-227709">president Omar al-Bashir</a> was deposed in a coup three months ago.

The move loosens a deadlock that has gripped the country, following nationwide mass protests that began against Bashir in December but then continued after a military council ousted him on April 11.

The deputy chief of the military council General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo who initialled the deal on behalf of the generals on Wednesday told AFP the agreement was a "historic moment" for Sudan.

It has "opened a new and promising era of partnership between the armed forces, RSF (Rapid Support Forces) and leaders of the glorious Sudanese revolution," Dagalo said after he had put pen to paper.

Dagalo also heads the RSF, a feared paramilitary organization that has its origins in the Janjaweed militias unleashed against African rebels during the early 2000s in Darfur.&nbsp;

Ibrahim al-Amin, a key protest leader, confirmed&nbsp;"Today, we completed the political declaration."

Intense talks took place through the night over details of the political declaration at a luxury hotel on the bank of the Nile river in the capital, an AFP correspondent reported.

As the generals stepped out of the hall after the inking of the deal, a small crowd including women waving the national flag chanted "civilian rule, civilian rule."

The landmark power-sharing deal, which was agreed in principle on July 5, has been brokered by African Union and Ethiopian mediators after weeks of stop-start negotiations between the protest umbrella group and ruling generals.

"The Transitional Military Council and the Alliance for Freedom and Change have reached a very important agreement that constitutes a crucial step towards a comprehensive reconciliation," said African Union mediator Mohamed El Hacen Lebatt.

Watch:&nbsp;Power-sharing deal between military &amp; opposition in Sudan

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Immunity for generals

The accord stipulates that a new transitional civilian-military ruling body be established, in a bid to end the country's months-long political crisis.

This governing body will be comprised of six civilians and five military representatives.&nbsp;

The civilian representation will include five from the Alliance for Freedom and Change, according to the declaration.

A general will head the ruling body during the first 21 months of a transition, followed by a civilian for the remaining 18 months, according to the framework agreement.

The governing council is to oversee the formation of a transitional civilian administration that will operate for just over three years, after which elections would be held.

Amin said Wednesday that wider power-sharing details would be fleshed out in a "constitutional document" and that talks would "resume... on Friday".

These talks are expected to address whether to grant "absolute immunity" to generals for violence against protesters.

Prior to entering the latest talks on Tuesday evening, protest leaders had rejected any such offer of immunity to the generals.

"We totally reject it," protest leader Ahmed al-Rabie, who initialed Wednesday's accord along with Dagalo, told AFP on Tuesday.

But military council spokesman General Shamseddine Kabbashi sought to talk down any friction over proposed immunity.

"There is no dispute about immunity," he told AFP on Wednesday.

Other issues still to be ironed out include the creation of a transitional parliament and a potential RSF withdrawal from Khartoum -- the latter an increasingly vocal demand of citizens on the streets.&nbsp;

Tensions climaxed on June 3 when armed men in military fatigues stormed a longstanding protest camp in Khartoum, shooting and beating crowds of demonstrators in a pre-dawn raid.

Dozens were killed and hundreds wounded, triggering international outrage and allegations that the RSF was behind the killings although the generals insisted they did not order the violent dispersal of protesters.

The RSF has faced further fury after the protest movement accused its members of being responsible for the deaths of six civilians since Saturday, including one allegedly shot dead and another who was allegedly tortured.

Dagalo has insisted that accusations against his paramilitary force represent an attempt to distort its image.

Talks to progress the details of the overall power-sharing deal had been postponed several times since July 5 at the request of protest leaders.

Sudan's protesters and ruling generals Wednesday inked a deal that aims to install a civilian administration, a key demand of demonstrators since president Omar al-Bashir was deposed in a coup three months ago.

Sudan's protesters and ruling generals Wednesday inked a deal that aims to install a civilian administration, a key demand of demonstrators since president Omar al-Bashir was deposed in a coup three months ago. The move loosens a deadlock that has gripped the country, following nationwide mass protests that began against Bashir in December but then continued after a military council ousted him on April 11. The deputy chief of the military council General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo who initialled the deal on behalf of the generals on Wednesday told AFP the agreement was a "historic moment" for Sudan. It has "opened a new and promising era of partnership between the armed forces, RSF (Rapid Support Forces) and leaders of the glorious Sudanese revolution," Dagalo said after he had put pen to paper. Dagalo also heads the RSF, a feared paramilitary organization that has its origins in the Janjaweed militias unleashed against African rebels during the early 2000s in Darfur. Ibrahim al-Amin, a key protest leader, confirmed "Today, we completed the political declaration." Intense talks took place through the night over details of the political declaration at a luxury hotel on the bank of the Nile river in the capital, an AFP correspondent reported. As the generals stepped out of the hall after the inking of the deal, a small crowd including women waving the national flag chanted "civilian rule, civilian rule." The landmark power-sharing deal, which was agreed in principle on July 5, has been brokered by African Union and Ethiopian mediators after weeks of stop-start negotiations between the protest umbrella group and ruling generals. "The Transitional Military Council and the Alliance for Freedom and Change have reached a very important agreement that constitutes a crucial step towards a comprehensive reconciliation," said African Union mediator Mohamed El Hacen Lebatt. Watch: Power-sharing deal between military & opposition in Sudan × Immunity for generals The accord stipulates that a new transitional civilian-military ruling body be established, in a bid to end the country's months-long political crisis. This governing body will be comprised of six civilians and five military representatives. The civilian representation will include five from the Alliance for Freedom and Change, according to the declaration. A general will head the ruling body during the first 21 months of a transition, followed by a civilian for the remaining 18 months, according to the framework agreement. The governing council is to oversee the formation of a transitional civilian administration that will operate for just over three years, after which elections would be held. Amin said Wednesday that wider power-sharing details would be fleshed out in a "constitutional document" and that talks would "resume... on Friday". These talks are expected to address whether to grant "absolute immunity" to generals for violence against protesters. Prior to entering the latest talks on Tuesday evening, protest leaders had rejected any such offer of immunity to the generals. "We totally reject it," protest leader Ahmed al-Rabie, who initialed Wednesday's accord along with Dagalo, told AFP on Tuesday. But military council spokesman General Shamseddine Kabbashi sought to talk down any friction over proposed immunity. "There is no dispute about immunity," he told AFP on Wednesday. Other issues still to be ironed out include the creation of a transitional parliament and a potential RSF withdrawal from Khartoum -- the latter an increasingly vocal demand of citizens on the streets. Tensions climaxed on June 3 when armed men in military fatigues stormed a longstanding protest camp in Khartoum, shooting and beating crowds of demonstrators in a pre-dawn raid. Dozens were killed and hundreds wounded, triggering international outrage and allegations that the RSF was behind the killings although the generals insisted they did not order the violent dispersal of protesters. The RSF has faced further fury after the protest movement accused its members of being responsible for the deaths of six civilians since Saturday, including one allegedly shot dead and another who was allegedly tortured. Dagalo has insisted that accusations against his paramilitary force represent an attempt to distort its image. Talks to progress the details of the overall power-sharing deal had been postponed several times since July 5 at the request of protest leaders.

Sudan protesters, army rulers ink power sharing deal

Ethiopian army chief and regional president were killed in an attack. Ethopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Ethiopia's army chief of staff was shot while trying to thwart an attempted coup on Saturday(June 23). Watch this video to know more.

Ethiopian army chief, regional leader killed in attack

Ethiopia's army chief of staff was shot while trying to thwart an attempted coup on Saturday (June 23) in a federal state north of the capital Addis Ababa, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said.

Ethiopia's PM says army chief of staff shot thwarting coup

Ethiopia`s prime minister on Friday urged Sudan`s military rulers and civilian opposition to exercise "bravery" in trying to agree on a transition to democracy after the worst bloodshed since the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who flew to Khartoum from Addis Ababa to try to mediate the country`s crisis, held separate talks with the country`s ruling military council and leaders of the Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces, an alliance of protesters and opposition parties.

The visit came days after forces stormed a protest camp outside the Defence Ministry in central Khartoum where demonstrators were demanding civilian rule. Dozens of people have been killed since Monday.

Khaled Omar, a leader of the opposition alliance, said Abiy proposed setting up a transitional council comprised of eight civilians and seven military officers with a rotating presidency.

The opposition demanded that the military rulers take responsibility for the bloodshed, allow an international investigation into the violence and free political prisoners, Omar added.

But instead of releasing prisoners, security forces arrested Mohammad Esmat, a member of the opposition delegation shortly after he met with Abiy, sources from his party said.&nbsp;

The military council could not immediately be reached for comment.

"This amounts to a practical response from the military council that effectively rejects the Ethiopian prime minister`s mediation effort," Omar told Reuters, adding that the Sudanese opposition would not agree to any deal before all of its conditions are met.

The military council said it was ready to negotiate at any time, state news agency SUNA reported.

Although no breakthrough was announced at the end of the one-day visit, an adviser to the Ethiopian prime minister said the talks went well and that Abiy would be returning to Sudan soon.

The military council and opposition had been in talks for weeks over who should lead Sudan`s transition to democracy.&nbsp;

But negotiations collapsed after Monday`s violence. The opposition said it could not talk to untrustworthy rulers. Opposition medics say 113 people were killed in the storming of the camp and subsequent crackdown.&nbsp;

The government, however, has put the week`s death toll at 61, including three security personnel.

Abiy made his visit the day after the Ethiopia-headquartered African Union bloc suspended Sudan, backing the opposition`s demand for civilian rule.

He was welcomed by Lieutenant General Shams El Din Kabbashi, spokesman for the Transitional Military Council. Abiy later hosted a meeting with the opposition alliance.&nbsp;

"The military and the people and the political forces need to act with bravery and responsibility in taking quick steps to a democratic, reconciliatory transitional period in the country," he said in a statement.&nbsp;

Abiy, a reformer who took office last year, has won wide praise for his diplomatic skills, including brokering peace with Eritrea, Ethiopia`s neighbour and long-time foe.&nbsp;

Attacks on hospitals

Stability in Sudan is crucial for a volatile region struggling against Islamist insurgencies from the Horn of Africa to Egypt and Libya. Various powers, including Russia and the Gulf Arab states, are trying to influence its path.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which have close ties with the military council, have said they are watching developments with concern and support a renewal of dialogue.

Russia said on Thursday it opposed foreign intervention in Sudan and the authorities in Khartoum must subdue what it described as "extremists," a Russian news agency reported.

Sudan was placed on a US&nbsp;list of sponsors of terrorism under Bashir, an Islamist former general accused of war crimes in the western Darfur region.

A doctors` group linked to the protest movement said hospitals were now overcrowded with people injured in this week`s crackdown. Worsening the situation, five hospitals had been shut down by the feared paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which grew out of Darfur militia, it said.

"There is a great shortage in medical staff, mainly caused by the military militias targeting doctors and preventing them from reaching hospitals and clinics to perform their duty," it said. "For all these reasons, more and more lives are being lost every day."

The World Health Organization said some medical staff and patients had been injured during raids into hospitals, and emergency services were being shut down.

Mobile tent clinics set up to treat injured protesters had been set on fire and destroyed while medical equipment had been looted and some women health workers were reportedly raped, it said.&nbsp;

"These actions represent a total and unacceptable violation of international human rights law and must stop," said Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean.

Rights group Amnesty International and the opposition have blamed the RSF for the violence.

The military council counters that infiltrators are putting on RSF uniforms. It says Monday`s raid was targeting criminals in an area next to the camp, but got out of hand.

Ethiopia`s prime minister on Friday urged Sudan`s military rulers and civilian opposition to exercise "bravery" in trying to agree on a transition to democracy after the worst bloodshed since the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir.

Ethiopia`s prime minister on Friday urged Sudan`s military rulers and civilian opposition to exercise "bravery" in trying to agree on a transition to democracy after the worst bloodshed since the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who flew to Khartoum from Addis Ababa to try to mediate the country`s crisis, held separate talks with the country`s ruling military council and leaders of the Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces, an alliance of protesters and opposition parties. The visit came days after forces stormed a protest camp outside the Defence Ministry in central Khartoum where demonstrators were demanding civilian rule. Dozens of people have been killed since Monday. Khaled Omar, a leader of the opposition alliance, said Abiy proposed setting up a transitional council comprised of eight civilians and seven military officers with a rotating presidency. The opposition demanded that the military rulers take responsibility for the bloodshed, allow an international investigation into the violence and free political prisoners, Omar added. But instead of releasing prisoners, security forces arrested Mohammad Esmat, a member of the opposition delegation shortly after he met with Abiy, sources from his party said. The military council could not immediately be reached for comment. "This amounts to a practical response from the military council that effectively rejects the Ethiopian prime minister`s mediation effort," Omar told Reuters, adding that the Sudanese opposition would not agree to any deal before all of its conditions are met. The military council said it was ready to negotiate at any time, state news agency SUNA reported. Although no breakthrough was announced at the end of the one-day visit, an adviser to the Ethiopian prime minister said the talks went well and that Abiy would be returning to Sudan soon. The military council and opposition had been in talks for weeks over who should lead Sudan`s transition to democracy. But negotiations collapsed after Monday`s violence. The opposition said it could not talk to untrustworthy rulers. Opposition medics say 113 people were killed in the storming of the camp and subsequent crackdown. The government, however, has put the week`s death toll at 61, including three security personnel. Abiy made his visit the day after the Ethiopia-headquartered African Union bloc suspended Sudan, backing the opposition`s demand for civilian rule. He was welcomed by Lieutenant General Shams El Din Kabbashi, spokesman for the Transitional Military Council. Abiy later hosted a meeting with the opposition alliance. "The military and the people and the political forces need to act with bravery and responsibility in taking quick steps to a democratic, reconciliatory transitional period in the country," he said in a statement. Abiy, a reformer who took office last year, has won wide praise for his diplomatic skills, including brokering peace with Eritrea, Ethiopia`s neighbour and long-time foe. Attacks on hospitals Stability in Sudan is crucial for a volatile region struggling against Islamist insurgencies from the Horn of Africa to Egypt and Libya. Various powers, including Russia and the Gulf Arab states, are trying to influence its path. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which have close ties with the military council, have said they are watching developments with concern and support a renewal of dialogue. Russia said on Thursday it opposed foreign intervention in Sudan and the authorities in Khartoum must subdue what it described as "extremists," a Russian news agency reported. Sudan was placed on a US list of sponsors of terrorism under Bashir, an Islamist former general accused of war crimes in the western Darfur region. A doctors` group linked to the protest movement said hospitals were now overcrowded with people injured in this week`s crackdown. Worsening the situation, five hospitals had been shut down by the feared paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which grew out of Darfur militia, it said. "There is a great shortage in medical staff, mainly caused by the military militias targeting doctors and preventing them from reaching hospitals and clinics to perform their duty," it said. "For all these reasons, more and more lives are being lost every day." The World Health Organization said some medical staff and patients had been injured during raids into hospitals, and emergency services were being shut down. Mobile tent clinics set up to treat injured protesters had been set on fire and destroyed while medical equipment had been looted and some women health workers were reportedly raped, it said. "These actions represent a total and unacceptable violation of international human rights law and must stop," said Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean. Rights group Amnesty International and the opposition have blamed the RSF for the violence. The military council counters that infiltrators are putting on RSF uniforms. It says Monday`s raid was targeting criminals in an area next to the camp, but got out of hand.

Ethiopia attempts to mediate Sudan crisis after bloodshed

Ivanka Trump, daughter of the United States President Donald Trump, on Sunday touched down in Ethiopia as part of a government-organized trip to promote the empowerment of women, especially in the ambit of employment and business.&nbsp;

"Just landed in Addis Ababa, the diplomatic capital of Africa and the continent's highest city," Trump, who is also an advisor to her father, in a message shared on her Twitter account.&nbsp;

She later joined US Agency for International Development representatives at the Ethiopian Coffee Association (USAID).&nbsp;

"With USAID support, they are overcoming a lack of access to capital and growing their businesses," she said.&nbsp;

The first daughter was welcomed to Addis Ababa by the US representative to the African Union, Mary Beth Leonard, and the US ambassador to Ethiopia, Michael Raynor.&nbsp;

Trump met with female coffee entrepreneurs at the Dumoro café in the capital to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing women in the industry.&nbsp;

During the meeting, Trump said she supported initiatives to boost opportunities for women looking to start up business in Ethiopia and announced that a loan of $260,000 would be granted to help the company Azalech Coffee Roasting expand.&nbsp;

Trumps's entourage took part in a traditional coffee ceremony – the African nation is world-renowned for its quality coffee production.&nbsp;

The US State Department said the presidential advisor would visit both Ethiopia and the Ivory Coast between April&nbsp;14-17, along with the director of USAID, Mark Green.&nbsp;

The visit comes as part of Trump's Women's Global Development and Prosperity initiative which aims to help over 50 million women in developing countries improve their economic prospects by 2025.&nbsp;

The program aims to promote new projects, offer training, facilitate financial support and promote reforms to break down gender inequality faced by women, especially in developing nations.&nbsp;

It is to be financed with public and private funds, with an initial budget of around $50 million allocated by USAID, which came under fire when some interpreted the budget as being the equivalent of just $1 per woman the plan hopes to help.&nbsp;

Trump's visit to the Ivory Coast is set to focus on women in the cocoa industry.&nbsp;

Ivanka Trump, daughter of the United States President Donald Trump, on Sunday touched down in Ethiopia as part of a government-organized trip to promote the empowerment of women, especially in the ambit of employment and business.

Ivanka Trump, daughter of the United States President Donald Trump, on Sunday touched down in Ethiopia as part of a government-organized trip to promote the empowerment of women, especially in the ambit of employment and business. "Just landed in Addis Ababa, the diplomatic capital of Africa and the continent's highest city," Trump, who is also an advisor to her father, in a message shared on her Twitter account. She later joined US Agency for International Development representatives at the Ethiopian Coffee Association (USAID). "With USAID support, they are overcoming a lack of access to capital and growing their businesses," she said. The first daughter was welcomed to Addis Ababa by the US representative to the African Union, Mary Beth Leonard, and the US ambassador to Ethiopia, Michael Raynor. Trump met with female coffee entrepreneurs at the Dumoro café in the capital to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing women in the industry. During the meeting, Trump said she supported initiatives to boost opportunities for women looking to start up business in Ethiopia and announced that a loan of $260,000 would be granted to help the company Azalech Coffee Roasting expand. Trumps's entourage took part in a traditional coffee ceremony – the African nation is world-renowned for its quality coffee production. The US State Department said the presidential advisor would visit both Ethiopia and the Ivory Coast between April 14-17, along with the director of USAID, Mark Green. The visit comes as part of Trump's Women's Global Development and Prosperity initiative which aims to help over 50 million women in developing countries improve their economic prospects by 2025. The program aims to promote new projects, offer training, facilitate financial support and promote reforms to break down gender inequality faced by women, especially in developing nations. It is to be financed with public and private funds, with an initial budget of around $50 million allocated by USAID, which came under fire when some interpreted the budget as being the equivalent of just $1 per woman the plan hopes to help. Trump's visit to the Ivory Coast is set to focus on women in the cocoa industry.

Ivanka Trump touches down in Ethiopia for women entrepreneur initiative

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