Growing Withdrawal of Opposition Parties from Ethiopia's National Dialogue
Clash Between Rebel Oromo Liberation Front and Regional Militia in Benshangul Gumuz
Growing Withdrawal of Opposition Parties from Ethiopia's National Dialogue
The number of opposition parties withdrawing from Ethiopia's upcoming national dialogue is growing, with the Sidama Federalist Party, a major opposition party in the Sidama region, being the latest to announce its withdrawal. The party claimed this week that the National Dialogue Commission is neither inclusive, neutral, nor independent of the influence of the ruling party, making it incapable of producing credible outcomes. The Sidama Federalist Party argued that the process had not included all actors involved in the conflict and lacked the essential features of a genuine dialogue. Additionally, the party accused the commission of complicity with suspended leaders in evicting its delegates from the agenda gathering session in August 2024. The party also cited continued harassment by security forces against its leaders and members as a reason for their decision.Clash Between Rebel Oromo Liberation Front and Regional Militia in Benshangul Gumuz
Gunmen, reportedly from the rebel Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), clashed with regional militia in Bulen town, Dibate district, Metekel zone, Benshangul Gumuz region, on Monday. The attack followed an attempt to loot the state-owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. About 200 gunmen stormed the town but were unsuccessful in their operation. The clash resulted in the death of one resident, while three members of the rebel group were reportedly killed in the exchange of gunfire. Several subdistricts in the district have been under the control of the rebel group, which gains access to lucrative traditional gold mines in the region.Volcanic Eruption and Earthquakes Displace Thousands in Afar Region
About 10,000 residents have been displaced from Sengeto subdistrict, located between Fentale and Dofan mountains in Afar region, in December due to volcanic eruptions following a series of earthquakes that reached 5.8 on the Richter scale. Local authorities have already relocated 54,000 people from the earthquake's epicenter in the region. The displaced people are being sheltered in temporary shelters outside Awash Arba town, but relief supplies remain inadequate. Last week, the National Disaster Risk Management Commission announced plans to relocate an additional 80,000 people from high-risk districts in both the Afar and Oromia regions.European Union Donates 40 Million Euros in Humanitarian Assistance to Ethiopia
The European Union (EU) Protection Unit has donated 40 million Euros as its first humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia in 2025. The financial aid will support the protection of vulnerable groups, as well as efforts in food, water, nutrition, disease prevention, and improving access to health and education. Specifically, the donation will assist Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees, including those from Sudan. Over the past five years, the EU has donated over $436 million in humanitarian aid to Ethiopia.Ethiopian Court Convicts Reverend Belay Mekonnen and Co-Defendants in Bank Fraud Case
Ethiopia’s federal court has found Reverend Belay Mekonnen, a senior clergy member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and three others guilty of bank fraud. Reverend Belay and his co-defendants were charged with attempting to withdraw over $6 million from the accounts of the African Union (AU) at the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, located in the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa. They provided falsified payment orders linked to purported “construction and water drilling works.” The sentencing is scheduled for later this month.
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