Eyes are on the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia expected to announce next week before the House of the Federation official results of a controversial referendum to determine the administrative jurisdiction of the Kimant community in the Amhara Regional State.
The poll, that took place in eight kebeles on Sunday, September 17, 2017, would decide whether the Kimant community stay with the Amhara region or secure self-administration.
Of the eight kebeles where the plebiscite was held, seven voted to remain in the Amhara Regional Administration, The Reporter has learnt.
In Quaber Lomye kebele of north Gondar zone, where the Kimant live intermingled with the Amhara, there were minor disputes among some members of the community who were ready to vote but in other localities the polling was conducted peacefully, a source told The Reporter. (Compiled by Zemenu Tenagne)
Russia to join anti-terror campaign in Somalia
Russia plans to assist Somalia in its fight against terrorism, Somalia’s Garowe news site reported.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Somalia’s Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly yesterday.
The two officials discussed the need to continue efforts to ensure the stability of Somalia’s federal government and bolster international efforts to establish peace in the country.
“The Russian side expressed support to anti-terrorism efforts of Somalia’s federal authorities and the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Russia and Somalia seek to develop greater bilateral cooperation in the spheres of economy, politics and trade.
Somalia has been in the grip of a civil war since 2009. Intent at instituting a system of government applying a strict interpretation of Islamic law, the Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab group has been battling the Somali government. In 2013, Al-Shabaab pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda, inviting occasional raids and airstrikes by the United States. (MEM)
St. Paul’s Millennium Medical College inaugurates cardiac center
A cardiac center built in the premises of St. Paul’s Hospital at a cost of 120 million birr (over USD 5.1 million) was inaugurated Monday.
Fitted with modern medical equipment, the soon-to-be-operational center has a total of 24 rooms, including those of radiology, recovery as well as operating theaters.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Minister of Health Yifru Berhane (Prof) said the center would have the capacity to treat up to 30 patients in four to five days.
The center will help ease the burden on Mekelle Aider and Black Lion Specialized Hospitals, the only two medical facilities that offer cardiac treatment, he added.
According to the minister, there are half a million people in Ethiopia in need of cardiac care. The center had already enlisted more than 15 Ethiopian and expatriate medical professionals to start the service.
In addition to providing health care services, the center will also train professionals in the medical field. (FBC)
Addis to host regional confab on integration
The 10th Session of the Committee on Regional Cooperation and Integration (CRCI10) will be held in Addis Ababa from October 31 to November 2, 2017 with the theme, “Implementation of the Continental Free Trade Area and Shared Gains”.
The ECA said the meeting would be held back-to-back with expert group meetings that will review and discuss a number of crucial publications on various themes, including policy options for boosting intra-African investment through regional harmonization of investment policies and treaties; how the promotion of Africa’s industrialization can be strengthened through infrastructure development and smart industrialization.
The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) agriculture agreement and trade liberalization in the post-Bali and Nairobi era will also be discussed, with the main question being, “What’s in it for Africa’s developmental and integration imperatives?”
Brexit and Africa-UK trade is another area of interest at the workshops, and it will be reviewed from an African perspective. (Press Release)
