The Hague, Netherlands | AFP | A US-based company has pulled out of Ethiopia after anti-government protesters attacked its flower farm causing 10 million euros in damage, and triggering job losses in the country and The Netherlands, a spokesman said Tuesday. Flower growers and exporters Esmeralda Farms began operations in …
Read More »IGAD in historic one-day summit in Somalian capital Mogadishu
Mogadishu, Somalia | AFP | Somalia on Tuesday agreed to lift a week-old ban on imports of Kenyan khat after a storm of controversy from angry growers of the leafy narcotic in neighbouring Kenya. The decision was made on the margins of a historic one-day summit in the Somali capital, …
Read More »Olympics protest runner Lilesa fails to return to Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | Olympic marathon silver medallist Feyisa Lilesa failed to return to Ethiopia Monday night despite assurances he would not be punished for his Rio protest over political repression in his country. An AFP journalist at the airport in Addis Ababa said Lilesa was not onboard …
Read More »Ayana smashes 10,000m world record, Chekwel collapses
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | AFP | Ethiopia’s Almaz Ayana smashed one of the longest-held records in athletics here Friday to win the 10,000m and claim the first gold of the Olympic track and field competition. The 24-year-old pulled away from the field midway through the race and never let …
Read More »Sudan issues flood warning as Nile rises
Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | Sudanese authorities on Wednesday warned people living near the banks of the Nile to be wary of flooding, after two weeks of heavy rainfall killed dozens across the country. Authorities said water levels were rising on the Blue Nile along border with Ethiopia after continuous …
Read More »East Africa leaders to press for regional force in S. Sudan
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | East African leaders will gather in Ethiopia on Friday to discuss a regional intervention force to back up UN troops in South Sudan, an initiative vehemently opposed by President Salva Kiir. Regional bloc IGAD has raised the possibility of deploying an “intervention brigade” with …
Read More »Ethiopia ready to send more peacekeepers to S.Sudan
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP Ethiopia said Friday it was ready to send more soldiers to strengthen the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. “We’re more than willing to take on our part of responsibility in restoring calm in South Sudan,” said government spokesman Getachew Reda. “We hope and expect …
Read More »Ethiopia blocks social media ahead of exams
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | Ethiopia has blocked social media sites for the next few days, after questions from end-of-year exams were posted online last month, sparking a national scandal and leading to their annulment. A government spokesman said the ban was aimed at stopping students taking university entrance …
Read More »Bolivia, Ethiopia, Sweden, Kazakhstan win UN council seats
United Nations, United States | AFP | Bolivia, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan and Sweden were elected on Tuesday to serve a two-year stint on the UN Security Council, with the Netherlands and Italy locked in a tight race for a remaining spot. Five non-permanent seats were up for grabs in the vote …
Read More »Ethiopia warns Eritrea after border clash
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | Arch-rivals Ethiopia and Eritrea traded blame Tuesday for one of the fiercest border clashes since a 1998-2000 war, with Addis Ababa warning any further conflict is “up to Asmara.” The neighbours are bitter enemies, with tens of thousands of troops dug into trenches eyeing …
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