The results of the national school leaving examination results announced this week by the Ministry of Education have once again shaken Ethiopians to the core. Experts in the field have contended that Ethiopia’s education policy, which has been in force since 1994, is one of the major factors behind the nation’s poor education quality, pointing that the focus on expanding access to education at the price of quality. As controversial as the national school leaving exam results understandably are, the solution is not and cannot be to ascribe blame solely to previous governments. Should all the actors that have a stake in the education sector are truly desirous to overcoming the fundamental reasons explaining the plethora of challenges that account for this year’s horrendous showing and put their heads together, they can make a headway into fixing Ethiopia’s poor education quality. It’s only then that an enduring solution which helps usher in a new era of quality education can become a reality.

Ethiopia: Victims ‘Left In Limbo’ As Rights Probe Mandate EndsThe UN-mandated Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia on Friday released a harrowing report on the “staggering” level of human rights violations and mass killings that have plagued the east African nation since the Tigray conflict erupted in 2020. The independent rights investigators’ final report comes as their mandate ended on Friday, coinciding with the end of the UN Human Rights Council’s 54th session, leaving victims in limbo. Steven Rather, an expert on the Commission, described the termination of the mandate as a “great blow” to victims seeking justice. This includes mass killings, widespread and systematic rape, sexual violence - including sexual slavery, deliberate starvation, forced displacement, and large-scale arbitrary detentions, all of which constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. Some Tigray forces are also culpable for war crimes, including killings, widespread rape and sexual violence, destruction of property, and looting.

In such a peace, Ethiopians accept as their own the needs and interests of the rulers. This is the “peace of the grave.” Peace is reduced to the mere absence of physical violence. The Amhara, indeed all Ethiopians, will never accept the “peace of the grave.” Peace is possible only and only when the Abiy/PP regime recognizes the “peace of the living” as the only kind of peace that the Amhara will accept. It is imperative that those who want to mediate in order to bring peace and unity to Ethiopia keep in mind the difference between the “peace of the living” and the “peace of the grave.” The peace and unity of the grave is neither peace nor unity of the living. All Ethiopians desire fervently the “peace of the living” but categorically reject the “peace of the grave.” The answer to the introductory question then is: peace is possible in Ethiopia as long as it is the “peace of the living.”

The independent rights investigators' final report comes as their mandate ended on Friday, coinciding with the end of the UN Human Rights Council's 54th session, leaving victims in limbo. Established by the Council in December 2021, their brief from the Council was to conduct through and impartial investigations into alleged human rights violations in Ethiopia, perpetrated by all parties to the conflict since 3 November 2020. Steven Rather, an expert on the Commission, described the termination of the mandate as a "great blow" to victims seeking justice. This includes mass killings, widespread and systematic rape, sexual violence - including sexual slavery, deliberate starvation, forced displacement, and large-scale arbitrary detentions, all of which constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. Some Tigray forces are also culpable for war crimes, including killings, widespread rape and sexual violence, destruction of property, and looting.

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The Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital of the Bahir Dar University has been compelled to halt its operations due to the ongoing conflict in the region, BBC Amharic reported. The BBC, citing both hospital staff and the university president, reported that the hospital has ceased its regular operations. One hospital worker told the media outlet that the fire was opened on security forces who were operating in the area, leading them to enter the hospital in response. Security forces were entering the hospital and detaining patients, accusing them of being affiliated with Fano, according to multiple sources. One health worker was shot and is currently receiving treatment at a clinic.”Tibebe Ghion stands as one of the key specialized hospitals in Bahir Dar, operating alongside Felege Hiwot comprehensive specialized hospital.

It also appealed for support to close the remaining gaps and to ensure that children and their caregivers receive lifesaving support in 2023 and beyond. On Thursday, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said that a funding shortfall is hampering its humanitarian response amid mounting humanitarian needs across Ethiopia. The UNICEF said in its latest Ethiopia humanitarian situation report that its 674.3 million U.S. dollars Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) 2023 Appeal for Ethiopia remains 72 percent unfunded, as humanitarian needs persist among vulnerable populations across the East African country, particularly those in hard-to-reach locations. It also appealed for support to close the remaining gaps and to ensure that children and their caregivers receive lifesaving support in 2023 and beyond. pic.twitter.com/dMz3aPMrjH — UNICEF Ethiopia (@UNICEFEthiopia) October 12, 2023Amid mounting humanitarian needs in Ethiopia, as of Sept. 30, a total of 24,929 confirmed cholera cases had been reported in Ethiopia's longest cholera outbreak on record, said the UNICEF, adding that 327 people had died across 10 regions.

Islamabad:The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and Pakistan have agreed on the formation of a Joint Working Group (JWG) in order to pursue and coordinate collaboration between the two countries in the education sector. During the meeting, both dignitaries discussed matters of mutual interest including bilateral cooperation in the education sector especially in areas of higher education and vocational training. On the occasion, the Minister said that a Joint Working Group would be formulated which could pave the way for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries. Ambassador Jemal Beker Abdula welcomed the idea of the formation of a Joint Working Group and stressed the need for exchanging experts’ delegations for advancing the cooperation in the education sector. He said his country was keen to boost bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the education sector and would make all-out efforts in this regard.

Ethiopian authorities said in August that China was allowing Ethiopia to suspend debt payments for the fiscal year running until July 7, 2024. "The Chinese authorities have already provided debt relief to Ethiopia and we understand that they're in the process of requesting a similar treatment from other creditors. "There is a debt service suspension with China, which is providing substantial relief," she said, adding that this was the agreement announced in August. A visit by IMF staff to Ethiopia from Sept. 25 to Oct. 3 ended without a loan agreement. Ethiopia regularly suffers from foreign exchange shortages and a wide gap between the official and black market currency exchange rates.

Invest in global cooperation, economic foundations – IMFBy Andualem Sisay Gessesse (Marrakech, Morocco) – The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Ms. Kristalina Georgieva today calls for the need to invest in global cooperation and economic foundations in order to address the pressing issues of the world. She made the remark speaking at the plenary session of the annual meetings of the IMF/World Bank in Marrakech, Morocco this morning. The recent Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable established by Indian G-20 Presidency, the IMF and the World Bank is brining all relevant creditors and debtors together. It is showing results and promise for the future,” she said mentioning as an example of what can be done through global cooperation. In relation to investment in economic foundations, she mentioned the example of Morocco’s government investment in economic foundations that has managed to cope up with the recent earthquake in Marrakech where the annual meetings IMF/WB taking place.

The independent rights investigators’ final report comes as their mandate ended on Friday, coinciding with the end of the UN Human Rights Council’s 54th session, leaving victims in limbo. Steven Rather, an expert on the Commission, described the termination of the mandate as a “great blow” to victims seeking justice. This includes mass killings, widespread and systematic rape, sexual violence - including sexual slavery, deliberate starvation, forced displacement, and large-scale arbitrary detentions, all of which constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. Some Tigray forces are also culpable for war crimes, including killings, widespread rape and sexual violence, destruction of property, and looting. He called on the international community, including regional actors, to not forget the victims of the brutal conflict.

By Jonathan LoisThe House of Representatives on Thursday resolved to invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar and the Chairman of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, to explain measures being taken to address detention and maltreatment of Nigerians in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Chinda, while moving the motion alleged that one Paul Ezike in a “save our soul message” circulated a message at the instance of a Nigerian allegedly arrested and put in Ethiopia prison. According to him, Nigerians in Addis Ababa and all over the world should be protected and accorded the same protection Nigeria gives to foreigners who live in Nigeria. He explained that these Nigerians were not only poorly treated but were also subjected to very agonizing conditions, poor feeding and without medication. The House while adopting the motion mandated the committees on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs to invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the NIDCOM chairman to brief them on the preventive measures taken to protect Nigerians and air travelers to Addis Ababa and report back within three weeks for further legislative action.

The festive season is poised to begin in India with Navratri, one of the most important Hindu festivals of the year. An artisan gives final touches to a clay idol of the Hindu deity Durga at a workshop ahead of Navratri, in Allahabad. Celebrated in honour of the deity Durga, festivities take place across nine days. A woman picks up an idol representing deities and characters from Hindu mythology, used as a decoration ahead of the Navratri festival, in Chennai. The Navratri set menu is available at the restaurant's Abu Dhabi and Dubai branches.

Press Release •October 17 AEPAC Briefing Will Address the Pressing Crisis in Ethiopia and Its Ramifications for America and the WorldThe American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee (AEPAC) will host a Congressional briefing to address the pressing crisis in Ethiopia and its far-reaching implications. The briefing will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at 12 p.m. (ET) in Room 2045 of the Rayburn House Office Building and live-streamed on social media and Facebook. The briefing will address several aspects of the current crisis in Ethiopia. The briefing will feature a coalition of experts and advocates, including:Richard Ghazal: Executive Director of In Defense of ChristiansMesfin Tegenu: Chair of the American Ethiopian Public Affairs CommitteeAEPAC Leaders and Ethiopian American Human Rights Activists: Betty Tekeste, Wassy Tesfa, Tigist Engdaw, Jemal Countess, Youm Fesseha, and Nebiyu Asfaw. Members of the press are invited to attend the American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at 12 p.m. (ET) in Room 2045 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

It accused Tigrayan forces of “killings, widespread rape and sexual violence, destruction of property and looting amounting to war crimes”. Commission expert Radhika Coomaraswamy said hopes for domestic accountability are “extremely remote,” leaving victims desperate for regional and international action. With alarming risks of further crimes if left unchecked, the commission said its final report must not be the final word. The draft motion to extend the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia was not renewed and passed its deadline on October 4th,despite repeated appeals from leading human rights organizations worldwide calling for its extension. International human rights groups underscored the vital need for the UN Human Rights Council to utilize its mandate to help prevent rights violations and respond to emergencies such as those thoroughly documented in the Commission’s latest report.