

Phone Monopoly Is Big Prize in Ethiopia Sell-Off
ADDIS ABABA/JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - In the weeks since Ethiopia announced sweeping privatization plans after decades of state control, foreign businessmen have been beating a path to Belachew Mekuria's office. "Everyone is here. MTN is here, Safaricom. I mean everyone is coming," the new head of the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) said of the stiff competition to enter the previously off-limits telecoms sector. "A lot of them. Including U.S., by the way," Belachew, an


GERD chief engineer Simegnew Bekele found dead
GERD chief engineer Simegnew Bekele found dead in his car around Meskel square in Addis Abeba this morning July 26, 2018. Engineer Simegnew Bekele was the Project Manager of The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam – GERD. Since the start of contraction in Guba district, Benishangul-Gumuz Regional state of Ethiopia, Engineer Simegnew Bekele was right there.


Ethiopia obtains 1.3 bln. USD loan as foreign debt reaches 24 bln.
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia has obtained 1.3 billion USD foreign loans over the first six months of the 2017/18 fiscal year. During the medium term performance evaluation of the second five year Growth and Transformation Plan, National Plan Commission has revealed while the country has obtained 1.3 billion USD foreign loans in the current fiscal year, the total national foreign debt has also reached 24.7 billion USD, of which the federal government and public development instituti


The Diaspora,enduring democracy
For long, the Ethiopian Diaspora has had significant influence on the politics at home. Members of the Diaspora have been actively participating in Ethiopian political discourse through activism, providing support to various political groups at home and organizing and leading their own political parties. As the winds of change are blowing in the country, politicians are advising that the Diaspora should advance its constructive role and discharge its huge responsibilities in


What should be done to ease ethnic conflicts?
The government should identify the factors which trigger ethnic conflicts and set up their possible remedies, scholars say. What are the causes which have been posing serious threat for the home of more than 80 nations, nationalities and people’s country? What should the government do to resolve ethnic conflicts? How effective is the federal system to accommodate differences?
Conflicts associated with unemployment, land grabbing, contraband trade, lack of good governance and

Ethiopia has 'no option' but multiparty democracy, PM says
JOHANNESBURG – Ethiopia has "no option" but to pursue multi-party democracy, the country's reformist new prime minister said Sunday, again shaking up Africa's second most populous nation that for decades has been ruled by a single coalition. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's chief of staff announced the remarks on Twitter, saying they were made during a meeting with leaders of more than 50 national and regional parties, including ones from overseas, who demanded reforms in electio


Telecom CEO replaced by erstwhile deputy of ETC
Andualem Admassie (PhD), the long-serving CEO of Ethio Telecom, has been replaced by the erstwhile deputy of Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporations Frehiwot Tamiru, The Reporter has learnt. A month ago, the telecom monopoly’s Chief Operation Officer, Esayas Dagnew, has also been removed from his position and replaced by Ethio Telecom’s Chief Technology Officer Amare Assefa. Ethio telecom is often referred to as “cash cow” because of the huge profit it makes out of the ser


Ethiopia’s Somali region frees all political prisoners from Ogaden jail
President of Ethiopia’s Somali regional state has reportedly ordered the release of all political prisoners held in the region’s notorious jail facility. According to Harun Maruf, a Voice Of America journalist who extensively covers the Horn of Africa region said Abdi Mohamud Omar, known as Abdi Illey released detainees including opponents and former security officials. Other journalists stressed that relatives of the inmates had queued at the premises of Jail Ogaden official


Supporters, opponents of Ethio-Somali region admin clash in Addis
While at a gathering at Friendship Hotel in Addis Ababa in two different halls, the supporters and opponents of the administration of the Ethio-Somali Regional State engaged in a clash at the Hotel. Both groups gathered at Friendship Hotel to hold meetings in two different halls, despite ending in a clash. As witnessed by The Reporter both groups had entered into their rooms on the first and second floors. But, because of the allegation from the supporters that the opponents


PM Abiy’s leadership pulling Ethiopia, East Africa out of political stress
ADDIS ABABA—Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s leadership has brought meaningful success both at home and regionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
It was also indicated that the Premier’s leadership is changing the geopolitical setting of the Eastern Africa region during his last 100 days since assuming office.
Ministry Spokesperson Meles Alem told a press conference yesterday that among the major regional success stories during this period was the recently signed ‘A