Eritrea Bans Ethiopian Airlines Flights to Asmara
Wazema Daily, July 24
Eritrea Bans Ethiopian Airlines Flights to Asmara
Ethiopian Airlines is seeking clarifications from Eritrea's Civil Aviation Authority for banning its flights to Asmara. The airline acknowledged receiving a letter from Eritrea's Civil Aviation Authority on July 21 stating that its flights would be banned after September 30 but was not informed about the reason. The airline expressed commitment to resolving any issues amicably and promptly. Earlier, the Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority cited systematic abuses by the airline, theft of luggage, frequent delays in flights and luggage delivery, and unreasonable hikes in ticket prices as grounds for banning the flights.
Mudslide in Geze Gofa Woreda "very concerning"- EHRC
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) reported "very concerning" damage to people's lives and livelihoods caused by the mudslide in Geze Gofa woreda, Gofa zone, South Ethiopia. The EHRC called on the Federal Government institutions and national and international organisations to urgently help the victims. The support should consider the vulnerability of women, children, the elderly, and the disabled. Urgent aid must be provided to those displaced from their homes and sheltered in temporary camps. The mudslide on Sunday and Monday killed over 230 people, and the search for survivors was ongoing at the time of reporting.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on TPLF's Re-registration
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed cast doubts on the fate of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) by saying he did not see any path for the party other than re-registering with the national poll body, as reported by Sheger radio. At a meeting with opposition leaders on Monday, Abiy said the Political Parties Registration Bill was recently revised to give legality back to TPLF and other similar parties. The Ministry of Justice has asked the poll body to re-register TPLF according to the revised bill. However, TPLF has repeatedly rejected re-registration, demanding the unconditional reinstitution of its legal status that was revoked during the 2020-2022 war.
Amhara Regional Government Accuses Fano Militia
The Amhara regional government accused the Fano militia of killing several civilians, including religious leaders, elders, and women, in South Mecha woreda of North Gojjam zone. The militia allegedly killed the individuals, who were returning to their villages from the regional capital Bahir Dar, accusing them of participating in the "nonpartisan" regional peace council. Thirteen other people are still in the custody of the militia. The regional government did not disclose the exact number of those killed.
Conviction of Former Gambella Regional Police Commanders
Ethiopia's Federal Court convicted 12 former commanders of the Gambella regional police and special force to 14-22 years in jail for the killing of civilians in Gambella two years ago. Those convicted include the former regional deputy police commissioner and the former commander and deputy commander of the regional special force. Security forces killed dozens of civilians in Gambella on suspicion of collaborating with the Oromo Liberation Army and the Gambela Liberation Party after the two groups jointly attacked the regional capital.
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