#US Ambassador visits #Somaliland to encourage dialogue and regional security

U. S. ambassador to Somalia Richard H. Riley arrived in the capital of Somaliland, #Hargeisa, to encourage dialogue and regional security, the US embassy said in a statement. 

In a statement released by the U.S. Embassy, Ambassador Riley’s visit reaffirmed the United States’ longstanding commitment to supporting prosperity, democratic institutions, and stability in Somaliland. His discussions focused on enhancing regional cooperation and dialogue to address pressing diplomatic and security challenges.

“Amb Riley Reiterated the United States’ longstanding commitment to supporting prosperity and democratic institutions in the region, He encouraged regional cooperation and dialogue to solve diplomatic and security challenges and discussed with government officials the importance of adhering to election timelines.” the statement said

“Ambassador Riley met with private sector leaders to encourage further ties to the U.S. business community. He emphasized the importance of a vibrant civil society and a free and professional press.”

Meanwhile, The President Republic of Somaliland Muse Bihi Abdi received his office with the US Ambassador Richard H. Riley and the two sides discussed regional affairs, fostering cooperation.

“I was honored to receive U.S. Ambassador Richard H. Riley on his visit to the Republic of Somaliland. We discussed regional affairs, fostering cooperation in the Horn of Africa, upcoming elections, and strengthening relations between Somaliland and the United States of America.”

https://www.horndiplomat.com/2024/07/12/u-s-ambassador-visits-somaliland-to-encourage-dialogue-and-regional-security/

Horn Diplomat

U.S Ambassador Visits Somaliland to Encourage Dialogue and Regional Security - Horn Diplomat

By: Staff writer the US ambassador to Somalia Richard H. Riley arrived in the capital of Somaliland, Hargeisa, to encourage dialogue and regional security, the US embassy said in a statement.  In a statement released by the U.S. Embassy, Ambassador Riley’s…

#Kenya - Police boss IG Japhet Koome resigns
Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome has resigned.

The Deputy-Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service Douglas Kanja will take over from Koome as the acting IG.

"His Excellency Hon William Samoei Ruto, PhD, CGH, President and Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces, has on this 12th day of July, 2024, accepted the resignation of Eng. Japheth N. Koome, MGH, as the Inspector General of the National Police Service."

President William Ruto has appointed Eliud Langat as the Acting Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service.

Ruto has further appointed James Kamau as the Acting Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service.
Ruto nominated IG Koome in September 2022 to the position of Inspector General of Police.

He was vetted and both the National and Senate Assembly gave Koome a clean bill of health for the role.

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2024-07-12-police-boss-ig-japhet-koome-resigns/

The Star

Police boss IG Japhet Koome resigns

He will be replaced by Deputy-Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service Douglas Kanja.

#Ethiopia: Underlying proliferation of armed conflicts and worsening security crisis in Ethiopia

Ethiopia has experienced ongoing militarized conflict since 2019, a year after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed assumed office. This unrest involves government forces, sub-state, and non-state actors. Notable instances include the #Tigray war and ongoing conflicts in the #Oromia and #Amhara regions.

Experts attribute the proliferation of armed conflicts and the worsening security crisis in Ethiopia to multiple factors. Michael Woldemariam, a political scientist at the University of #Maryland, highlights the absence of a broadly accepted roadmap for the country’s post-2018 political transition as a key issue. He notes that without a consensus on the transition, political differences are likely to escalate into violence.

Kjetil Tronvoll, professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at #Oslo New University College, emphasizes that Ethiopia's security crisis is deeply rooted in historical and structural issues, compounded by competing ethno-nationalism and conflicting ideologies. He stresses that these core issues have exacerbated the security challenges.

The experts agree that addressing Ethiopia’s security crisis requires a comprehensive approach. They emphasize the need for a credible, inclusive national dialogue involving all stakeholders to address historical grievances, ensure accountability, and promote reconciliation. Implementing inclusive democratic policies is seen as essential to building trust among Ethiopia's ethnically diverse population and achieving lasting peace.

https://addisstandard.com/underlying-proliferation-of-armed-conflicts-and-worsening-security-crisis-in-ethiopia/

Addis Standard

Underlying proliferation of armed conflicts and worsening security crisis in Ethiopia - Addis Standard

Underlying proliferation of armed conflicts and worsening security crisis in Ethiopia Addis Standard -

#WHO deploys mobile health teams to aid crisis-affected communities in #Ethiopia

In response to the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia's #Amhara region, the World Health Organization (WHO) has deployed Mobile Health and Nutrition Teams (#MHNTs) to provide essential services to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and crisis-affected communities.

The health organization reports that the region has faced internal armed conflict, disease outbreaks, and the impacts of climate change, leading to nearly a million IDPs scattered across collective sites and host communities.

According to WHO, 19 MHNTs comprising 132 healthcare workers are now operating in areas with high concentrations of IDPs. These teams are active in zones including North Shewa, North #Wollo, and South Wollo, under the supervision of the regional Public Health Institute.

WHO states that since their deployment, the MHNTs have conducted over 124,000 medical consultations. Services provided include primary healthcare, mental health support, immunizations, and nutritional care. The organization cites the case of Meaza, a displaced mother from #Raya Alamata district, who received care for her newborn at a camp through an MHNT.

https://www.afro.who.int/countries/ethiopia/news/bridging-gaps-health-and-nutrition-services-idps-and-crisis-affected-communities-amhara-ethiopia

WHO | Regional Office for Africa

Bridging Gaps in Health and Nutrition Services for IDPs and Crisis-Affected Communities in Amhara, Ethiopia | WHO | Regional Office…

Since November 2021, in Amhara region of Ethiopia has faced a severe humanitarian crisis. This crisis is driven by internal armed conflict, multiple disease outbreaks, and the adverse effects of climate change, leading to both drought and floods. The situation…

#Ethiopia: Armed Group abducts at least 100 university students en route to #Addis_Abeba

At least 100 students were reportedly abducted by an unidentified armed group while traveling by bus from the #Amhara region to Addis Abeba on Wednesday, 03 July , 2024.

According to eyewitness accounts provided to the BBC, the students, mainly from #Debark University, were allegedly targeted near the town of Gerbe Guracha, located in the North Shewa zone of the #Oromia region.

Relatives of the detained students report that some managed to escape the incident. However, many remain in captivity, with kidnappers demanding ransom for their release.

A family member of one abducted student told the BBC they received a ransom demand of 700,000 birr, with a three-day ultimatum. The family expressed an inability to meet this demand, stating, "We can't pay the 700,000 birr."

Read more at: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1809477173985571090

#US special envoy to attend second review of #Ethiopia's Cessation of Hostilities Agreement

The U.S. State Department has announced that Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Ambassador Mike Hammer, will visit Ethiopia to attend the Second Strategic Review on the Implementation of the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (#CoHA).

This meeting follows the First Strategic Review held on March 11 in #Addis_Abeba. After that initial gathering, the federal government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (#TPLF) "restated their dedication to the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA)" and "decided to consult regularly and to convene in a similar format within the next few months."

Ahead of the first review, Hammer emphasized that the Ethiopian government and #Tigrayan authorities "must deliver on their commitments" of the Pretoria agreement, according to the U.S. Mission to the African Union.

Read more at: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1809462579988693272

Efforts are necessary to cultivate hope among the younger generation - Liyuneh Tamrat, Executive Director of Inspired Ethiopia Youth Association.

The Inspired Ethiopia Youth Association is passionate about improving the lives of young people by using a holistic approach to inspire youth. Addis Standard conducted an interview with the association's executive director Mr. Liyuneh Tamirat. In this difficult time, the association is doing amazing work to give hope to the youth. Check out the journey of the inspired youth!

https://youtu.be/XGl4raHkeGE?feature=shared

YouTube

ወጣቶች ተስፍኛ እንዲሆኑ መሰራት አለበት-ልዩነህ ታምራት #ወጣቶች #ተስፍ #ኢትዮጵያ

#ወጣቶች #ተስፍ #ኢትዮጵያ ዘ-ኢንስፓየርድ ኢትዮጲያ ዩዝ አሶስዬሽን ወጣቶችን በማነሳሳት ሁለንተናዊ አቀራረብን በመጠቀም የወጣቶችን ህይወት ለማሻሻል ከፍተኛ ፍላጎት አለው። አዲስ ስታንዳርድ ከአሶስዬሽኑ ስራ አስፈፃሚ አቶ ልዩነህ ታምራትጋር ቃለ ምልልስ አድርጓል። በዚህ አስቸጋሪ ወቅት ወጣቱ ተስፋ እንዲያደርግ ማህበሩ አስደናቂ ስራዎችን እየሰራ ይገኛል። የተነሳሱ የወጣቶችን ጉዞ ይመልከቱ!

#Khartoum says #South_Sudan will resume oil exports in two months
Sudan announced on Friday that the export of South Sudan's crude oil through the Jabalyn pipeline via Port #Sudan will resume within two months. Malik Agar, Vice President of Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council, highlighted significant efforts to restart oil exports in an interview with the #US-sponsored Eye Radio.

According to a high-ranking source at the Ministry of Petroleum, initiatives are underway to resume production and exports via the Jabalyn pipeline. A South Sudanese diplomat with insight into the matter implicated American companies, suggesting their involvement in seeking international markets for crude oil sales.

While Agar did not specify the actions being taken to facilitate the resumption of exports, observers with security and diplomatic expertise have referenced a deal between companies and the governments of South Sudan and Sudan. This deal aims to allow technicians access to repair and maintain facilities disrupted by recent conflicts.

South Sudan relies heavily on oil exports through Sudan, but instability has persisted since internal conflicts erupted in April 2023. Efforts by regional and international actors to mediate and resolve the conflict have been sluggish, exacerbating the challenges faced by both nations.

https://sudantribune.com/article284900/

Sudan Tribune

Khartoum says South Sudan will resume oil exports in two months

April 26, 2024 (JUBA) – Sudan on Friday said export of South Sudan’s crude oil using the Jabalyn pipeline through Port Sudan will resume in two months. The Vice President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of Sudan, Malik Agar said major efforts were being…

#Ethiopia: Following cholera outbreak in #Bati district, #Amhara health authorities take action to contain the spread of the disease
Health authorities are swiftly responding to reports of a cholera outbreak in the Bati district of the #Oromia special zone within the Amhara region. Belay Bezabhi, Director General of the Amhara Public Health Institute, emphasized concerted efforts to contain the outbreak in a recent briefing, coordinating with stakeholders to minimize its impact.

The last #cholera_outbreak in Ethiopia occurred nearly two years ago in the West Gondar Zone in July 2023. Media reports indicate that over 70 individuals in the Amhara region succumbed to the disease during the last fiscal year, with approximately 3,800 people infected.

As of 04 April, 2016, 162 cholera patients were hospitalized in Bati town and Bati district. Efforts are underway to prevent further spread to nearby internally displaced persons (#IDP) camps, with a dedicated team deployed to contain the outbreak.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=43645

Addis Standard

Following cholera outbreak in Bati district, Amhara health authorities take action to contain the spread of the disease - Addis…

Following cholera outbreak in Bati district, Amhara health authorities take action to contain the spread of the disease Addis Standard -

#Ethiopia: A co-opted national dialogue will not address Ethiopia's fundamental political problems -Sultan Kasim, OFC

Ethiopia is set to conduct a national dialogue to reach a consensus on the country's future. However, the process has faced criticism with several parties, including the Oromo Federalist Congress (#OFC), recusing themselves from the dialogue. The OFC, a long-time advocate for national dialogue, has expressed concerns about the current process. Sultan Kasim, an OFC executive committee member, discussed the organization's position with Addis Standard, stating that a co-opted national dialogue will not address fundamental political problems.

Watch!

https://youtu.be/UIMFR08ci4M

YouTube

A co-opted national dialogue will not address fundamental political problems - Sultan Kasim #OFC

#Ethiopia #Nationaldialogue #politics #OFC Ethiopia is about to conduct a national dialogue to reach a consensus on the future of the country; however, the process of national dialogue has been criticized. Several parties have recused themselves from the…