Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has declared the implementation of the Nile Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) a historic milestone, marking the end of a long journey toward the fair and equitable use of the Nile's water resources. In a statement posted on his social media, Prime Minister Ahmed said that it strengthens bonds as a family of Nile nations and ensures that the management and utilisation of shared water resources will benefit all for the good of everyone. The prime minister’s remarks followed an announcement by Ethiopia’s Minister of Water and Energy, Habtamu Itefa Geleta, who confirmed that the agreement officially came into force. He emphasised that the CFA's implementation would lead to the establishment of the Nile River Basin Commission, which will be responsible for the management and protection of the river's resources for the benefit of all Nile Basin countries, serving as a cornerstone of cooperation. Itefa reminded that the convention provides a common legal framework for the riparian states, reflecting their shared commitment to equitable resource use.

The level of the geopolitical conflict in East Africa between the two regional powers, Egypt and Ethiopia, is rising ever higher. The entry into force of the CFA comes after six Nile River basin countries – Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda – ratified the agreement at a meeting in Bujumbura, Burundi, earlier this year. Egypt and Sudan have long argued that the CFA violates the 1929 and 1959 agreements on the Nile River. The most important of these initiatives was born in 2010 and was called the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI). Egypt gets XNUMX percent of its water supply from the Nile, which is already less than its needs.

Known as the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA), the treaty aims to ensure equitable utilization and sustainable management of the world's longest river. Several upstream countries have long argued that the downstream states of Egypt and Sudan had been unfairly allocated greater rights over the river Nile by colonial-era agreements. This agreement represents hope for the future, where each country can grow and prosper without depriving others of the same opportunity,” the NBI statement read. The Nile River has long been a focal point of geopolitical tension in eastern Africa, particularly between Egypt and Ethiopia. The friction rose when Addis Ababa built a large hydro power project on the Blue Nile, which Cairo said would hurt its water security.

Join us for an exciting meet and greet with Ethiopian artist Bekele Mekonnen on Monday, October 14th at 6:00 PM! This is a wonderful opportunity to hear Bekele's inspiring story and explore his incredible artwork. The event will take place in Cross C Den, and we can't wait to share this experience with you. Don’t miss out, see you there! Hosted by: East African AllianceAdditional Information can be found at: https://ou.campuslabs.com/engage/event/10609728

ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopians across the country on Monday marked the National Flag Day, underscoring the importance of the country's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. A series of events celebrated the day to reinforce the East African country's commitment to peace and development. HoPR Speaker Tagesse Chafo underscored the significance of the Ethiopian national flag as a symbol of unity, pride and shared identity for the Ethiopian people. He also emphasized the importance of upholding the values represented by the flag, particularly during this time of national progress and development. This year's event, which marked the 17th National Flag Day celebration, was held under the theme "Our flag for our national unity, sovereignty, and the height of Ethiopia."

TOYO Solar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) to invest USD 60 million in establishing its first solar cell manufacturing plant in Ethiopia. In addition to the MoU, TOYO Solar secured an investment permit, allowing it to set up its factory on more than three hectares of land within the industrial park. The plant is expected to have a production capacity of 15.5 million solar cells per month, positioning Ethiopia as a player in the global solar energy market. The project is expected to contribute to skills development in the solar energy sector, generate foreign currency, and create approximately 1,000 jobs. It is also expected to play a pivotal role in advancing Ethiopia's renewable energy ambitions and boosting the local economy.

National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says Gauteng police flagged a 29-year-old woman who travelled to Brazil and allegedly returned to South Africa via several countries. "The woman indeed travelled to Brazil from OR Tambo International Airport during the first week of October," said Mathe. "According to the drug trafficker’s itinerary, she was supposed to travel from Brazil via Addis Ababa via Sudan and back to South Africa. Hot on her heels, SAPS intelligence immediately notified the Ethiopian Federal Police about her movements. We are intensifying our fight against transnational organised crime and the trafficking of drugs,” said Masemola.

More than 300 remote health care facilities across Ethiopia will be powered with solar energy, benefiting an estimated 6.7 million people. According to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance 300 health care facilities have been prioritised for solar expansion across all regions in Ethiopia, focusing on facilities that are far from the main power grid. The deployment of solar energy will significantly improve health care outcomes for the estimated 6.7 million people living in the catchment areas of the health facilities. Ethiopia: Rural towns connected to energy supply via solar mini-grids“It also aims to strengthen healthcare services by providing decentralised solar energy, contributing to climate-resilient health facilities while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions. “The connection between energy and health is clear in both homes and health care facilities in Ethiopia.

Ethio Telecom becomes the first company to list on Ethiopia’s new stock exchangeThis week, Ethio Telecom will become the first company to list on Ethiopia's newly established stock exchange : Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX), with the government selling a 10% stake in the state-owned telecom provider. The creation of the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) is a key part of these economic reforms. The sale of a 10% stake in Ethio Telecom also signals the government's intention to divest an additional 45% of the telecom company to investors. Ethio Telecom held a monopoly until 2022, when a consortium led by Kenya's Safaricom won the country’s first private telecom license. Brook Taye, CEO of Ethiopia Investment Holdings, also mentioned the possibility of issuing a second private telecom license in the future.

The first listing will be operator Ethio Telecom, the country’s largest telco, which will sell a 10% stake this week. The government has also announced plans to divest a further 45% stake in Ethio Telecom to investors in the future. With over 70 million subscribers, Ethio Telecom is a key player in Ethiopia’s digital transformation. The company was awarded a license in 2021 for $850 million, allowing it to compete directly with Ethio Telecom. The competition from Safaricom has already led to better pricing and expanded services, pushing Ethio Telecom to improve its offerings.

Al-Shabaab taking advantage of Somalia-Ethiopia conflict, says USWASHINGTON - Senior US officials are weary of the conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia over access to the Red Sea, which has preoccupied Mogadishu for the last nine months after Addis Ababa made its occupation intentions public. Before this conflict, the government of Somalia had declared total war against al-Shabaab militants. Within two years, significant progress was recorded in central and southern regions, where the group lost traditional bases after military operations. Somalia has reduced operations against Al-Shabaab, with the US now saying the conflict with Ethiopia is partly to blame. For instance, the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab in southern regions was halted under unknown circumstances despite earlier plans.

Addis Ababa, October 14, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopians celebrated the National Flag Day nationwide with a commitment to maintain the unity, sovereignty and territorial integraty and foster peace and development endeavors. The Office of the Prime Minister, the House of Peoples Representatives, the Ministry of Defense, Offices of regional government administrations, among others have celebrated the flag day resonating the message themed “National Flag for our Unity, Sovereignty and Elevation of Ethiopia.”In his remarks on the occasion of the day, President Taye emphasized the flag as a powerful symbol of the nation’s unity and harmony, achieved through the sacrifices of past generations. He highlighted the flag’s representation of national solidarity, patriotism, and social cohesion, stating, “The national flag is an emblem of our sacrifices, freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”Reflecting on Ethiopia’s historical context, the President noted how the nation preserved its sovereignty and freedom, united under the flag against foreign adversaries. He urged current generations to commit to the ongoing peace, development, and prosperity of Ethiopia, drawing inspiration from their ancestors’ dedication. The 17th Flag Day has also been celebrated by Ethiopian embassies and consulates in various countries.

"The Administration is making an 11th hour attempt to put the situation on a better footing, not least because the humanitarian situation is so desperate," Cameron Hudson told Fox News Digital. She was unable to breastfeed her infant who was visibly hungry because she didn’t have enough nutrition to produce breastmilk." But the CSIS’s Hudson claims that though these were strong words, Biden had been silent publicly on Sudan for well over a year. He told Fox News Digital "that plea came more than 15 months after the last time he referenced the conflict publicly, hardly a demonstration of consistent engagement with the world’s largest conflict." Conflict parties must stop attacking aid workers, civilians, and vital infrastructure, and allow humanitarian staff to deliver lifesaving aid across the country."

Ruth Chepngetich, from Kenya, set a new world record at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, finishing in an impressive 2:09:56, nearly two minutes ahead of the previous record. I am proud of myself and I thank God for the victory and the world record. I fight a lot thinking a lot about world record and I have fullfilled. Chepngetich became the first woman to run a marathon in under 2:10. Korir and Chepngetich participated in the race to pay tribute to the late Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya, who set the men's world record at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

A South African drug mule has been arrested in Addis Ababa, by a joint operation between the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Ethiopian Federal Police. Mathe says, “A team from SAPS counter narcotics intelligence flagged the 29- year old South African woman, through Interpol on suspicion that the woman was traveling to Brazil, to collect drugs. According to the drug trafficker’s itinerary, she was supposed to travel from Brazil, via Addis Ababa, via Sudan, and back to South Africa.”She says, “SAPS intelligence immediately notified the Ethiopian federal police about her movements. On arrival at Addis Ababa, on the 12- of October, she was flagged, and her luggage was checked, which confirmed that she was carrying 13- kilograms of cocaine. She was immediately apprehended, and is expected to be charged and to appear in court in Ethiopia.”#sapsHQ The National Commissioner of the SAPS, Gen Fannie Masemola has commended the joint collaboration between SAPS Gauteng counter narcotics intelligence and the Ethiopian Federal Police after a female South African drug trafficker was arrested in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.