South Sudan road ambush leaves 20 dead, scores injured
More than 10 people were killed and dozens wounded when unknown gunmen attacked vehicles travelling on the Juba-Nimule highway Thursday.
The police spokesman, Brigadier Daniel Justin confirmed the incident, which occurred near Moli village in Eastern Equatoria state.
The attackers, according to the police spokesman, overpowered the military escort, resulting in the death of three government soldiers while three others were wounded as they escorted buses.
“What happened was a barbaric act, it is a banditry activity. And so it is unfortunate that 14 people have lost their lives, 10 have been injured and the cars in which they were travelling have been burnt,” Justin said. “The police and other organized forces have stepped up measures to restore law and order”.
The attack highlights a rise in insecurity and casts doubt on the sustainability of a unilateral ceasefire President Salva Kiir declared.
The 192 km Juba-Nimule highway is the only paved road in South Sudan and is vital for supply of goods from neighboring countries. (Sudan Tribune)
Al Shabaab fighters kill dozens, including children
Al Shabaab militants killed dozens of people — soldiers and civilians, including children — when they stormed a military base on Thursday in northeastern Somalia, officials said.
Reports about the number of people killed in the attack in the semiautonomous Puntland region varied widely. A spokesman for Al Shabaab, extremists who regularly carry out attacks against the government, said fighters had killed more than 60 soldiers and made off with the military’s equipment. Somali officials said far fewer people had been killed.
The Al Qaeda affiliated Al Shabaab often claim to have killed more people in their attacks than the government will acknowledge.
President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed of Somalia expressed his sadness for the slain soldiers in a statement on Thursday. “They fought hard and bravely for their country, to keep their people safe during this holy month of Ramadan,” he said.
The attack underscored the militants’ continued potency, even though they have lost territory and now control only a small part of the country. (The New York Times)
Agreement signed for construction of Bahir Dar Industrial Park
The Ethiopian Industrial Parks Development Corporation and the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd (CCECC) signed an agreement for the construction of Bahir Dar Industrial Park in Amhara Regional State at a cost of USD 60 million.
According to the agreement, eight factory sheds will be built within the industrial park that will rest on 75 hectares of land.
According to ENA, the construction of the park, including related infrastructures, will be finalized within nine months.
Sisay Gemechu, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Industrial Parks Development Corporation, said the park will be built based on the goals and strategies stipulated nationally.
He added the labor-intensify Bahir Dar industrial park will focus on export of value-added agricultural products.
Director General of CCECC for Ethiopia, Allen Lee, for his part said his company will finalize the construction of the park as per schedule.
Once completed, the Bahir Dar industrial park will create employment opportunities for more than 20,000 people, it was noted. (Ethiopian News Agency)
Ethiopian to open new cargo terminal
Ethiopian Airlines said it will inaugurate a state-of-the-art cargo terminal-II this month.
According to Ethiopian, the new terminal will be inaugurated during the three-day ICAO Global Air Cargo Development Forum, scheduled to take place from June 27-29.
Covering a total area of 150,000 square meter, the new hub includes facilities such as dry cargo terminal warehouse, perishable cargo terminal with cool chain storage, fully automated with latest technology ETV, G+2 office building, apron area which accommodates 5 additional big freighter aircraft, sufficient truck parking apron.
It is also fitted with different climate chambers for storage and handling of temperature sensitive products such as fresh agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, life Science products.
Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde Gebremariam, remarked: “Infrastructure development being one of the four pillars of our fast, profitable and sustainable growth strategic roadmap, vision 2025, we have been making massive investments in infrastructure projects to modernize and expand our cargo facilities at a total cost of 150 million US dollars.” (Press Release)