Wazema Daily News: Thursday January 4
Once in a day, stories from Wazema newsroom and other sources.
1) Four civilians were killed in armed clashes between government troops and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) in Gumi Eldelo woreda, East Borana zone, Oromia State, on Tuesday, Wazema has learnt. Sources said the clash, which they described as “fierce”, took place at a place called Boba, adding that the main highway from Negelle Borana to Moyale was closed until noon on Thursday. According to the sources, there were also an unknown number of casualties from both sides. Wazema learnt that the government troops were fighting to retake areas that were under the control of the rebel group.
2) The movement of vehicles has been restricted on several roads in Oromia State since Wednesday night due to insecurity, Wazema has learnt from different sources. Sources said the roads from Addis Ababa to Ambo town in West Shewa zone, Ambo to Nekemite city in East Wollega zone, the one to Mendi, Nejo and Kiltu Kara towns in West Wollega zone, the road to Dembi Dollo town in Qellem Wollega zone, and from Dire Dawa to Harar city, among others, were partially or completely closed. Wazema has learned that the road from Addis Ababa to Ada’a Berga, Wolkite and Abuna Gendeberet towns in West Shewa zone and from Addis Ababa to Woliso town in Southwest Shewa zone, were closed at the time of filing the report. The road closures came following alleged calls by the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) for transportation strikes in Oromia State.
3) The Interfaith Religious Council of Ethiopia has accused some clergy of preaching sermons that were political, destructive and inflammatory. In a statement, the Council said the sermons and messages of some preachers were against the fundamental mission and purpose of religious institutions. The Council also stated that sermons and speeches by some religious leaders were intended to support or criticise politicians. The fact that sermons and speeches by religious preachers incite groups was a matter of great concern, the Council stressed. The Council urged religious institutions to call out the clergy who make speeches and sermons that were detrimental to peace, mutual respect and solidarity. The Council neither named the suspect clergy, nor identify the religious institutions where the sermons and speeches were made.
4) Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said the new draft bill on Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges was deliberated on Thursday. In a speech at the discussion, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Mesganu Arega said the ministry drafted the bill to help the diplomatic community in Ethiopia to carry out their duties properly, while respecting the country’s laws as well as enabling Ethiopian stakeholders become aware of the issues critical to the implementation, Misganu said during the deliberation. The ministry said senior government officials participated in today’s deliberations. According to the ministry, the draft bill will be submitted to the Council of Ministers after the necessary inputs are incorporated.
5) The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Thursday urged Ethiopia and Somalia to “refrain from any action that unintentionally may lead to a deterioration of the good relations” between them. In a statement, Mahamat stressed “the imperative to respect the unity, territorial integrity and full sovereignty” of all African Union member states. Mahamat also underscored the importance of adhering to the norms of good neighbourliness to consolidate peace, security and stability in the region. Mahamat’s statement came following tensions between the two countries over the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on giving Ethiopia access to the Red Sea.
6) The US has urged all stakeholders in the Horn of Africa to resort to “diplomatic dialogue” to de-escalate recent tensions. In a press briefing on Wednesday, the State Department’s spokesperson, Matthew Miller, expressed the US’s “serious concern” about the spike in tension in the region after Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on access to the Red Sea. Miller also affirmed that the US recognised the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Somalia “within its 1960 borders”.