Posts

Ethiopia: Candidate Killed, Opposition Claims ‘Politically Motivated’

Image
The opposition Blue Party (Semayawi) reported the killing of a candidate in the last parliament elections in the city of Debre Markos, in north-west Ethiopia. According to party officials, two unidentified persons fatally attacked Samuel Awoke with knives and clubs on his way home after an evening with friends. “We are conducting an investigation into the identity of the attackers and motives, which appears politically motivated”, said Samuel Tesfaye, Blue party spokesman. Local authorities announced the arrest of a suspect, indicating that the motive may have been “a legal dispute”. The victim already during the election campaign had reported threats and attempted assaults. The May 24 elections were won by a landslide by the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), and allies that won all 442 federal seats on 547 announced so far by the electoral commission. To read more

Caven Etomi Introduces Vibrant Ethiopian-Inspired Floral Headdresses

Image
Caven Etomi  has shared a new summer collection of hair accessories inspired by the traditional headdresses worn by Suri children of Ethiopia’s Omo Valley. The vibrant offerings from the Lagos-based luxury streetwear brand include  citrus headdresses  and  hair clips  (available in orange, lemon, and lime) in addition to floral crowns woven from  chrysanthemums ,  spider daisies  and  African violets . “The Suri people engage in body paintings, elaborate head dresses and inserted lip plates as a way to enhance their beauty,” Caven Etomi said in an e-mail. “We have reinterpreted this traditional head dress, giving it a modern spin by creating unique crowns, embellished with floral and fruit combinations, to celebrate and embody the spirit of this striking cultural group.” What do you think?  See more at: http://www.okayafrica.com/news/caven-etomi-ethiopian-inspired-floral-headdresses/#slide1

STARS SET FOR CHAN: Coach Williamson plots to fell hosts Ethiopia this Sunday

Image
The Harambee Stars' Stephene Wakanya, left, and Kevin Kimani during team training at City Stadium on Wednesday before leaving for Ethopia on Friday, June 17th, 2015. PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO.  For many years, the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) has always been touted as one of the best competitions on the continent. However, national team Harambee Stars coach Bobby Williamson believes this will be tested when the side takes on Ethiopia in Sunday’s Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) match away. The competition is reserved for players who feature in domestic leagues. “We have heard many times that the KPL ranks probably second to the South African league, but the time to prove this will be on Sunday when we play Ethiopia,” said the coach on his first day of training for the fixture at City Stadium, yesterday.  RESPECTS ETHIOPIANS Williamson further said that he greatly respects the Ethiopians, who are known to pass the ball around well. Stars, he says, will be out to deny them posses

Challenges and opportunities of backyard poultry production in Arbegona Woreda, Sidama zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract The study was conducted to identify the challenges and opportunities of backyard poultry production in Arbegona Woreda, Sidama Zone. Both primary data via structured questionnaire and secondary data from different relevant offices, published and unpublished sources were gathered using 120 statistically selected households. To enrich the data, field observations and group discussions were also made. The result of the study indicated that the dominant flock structure in the study area is laying hens (42.4%) followed by pullets (19.1%). Hatching egg naturally at home (50%) and purchasing from market (45%) are the main flock sources of poultry as responded by the households. The result also indicated that 95% of the breeds in the study area are local breeds indicating use of hybrid and exotic breeds is less common probably because of lack of awareness. The main purpose of keeping poultry and egg is for selling (50% & 40% respectively) followed by egg for incubation (31.7%)

Asian investors, regional allies and European admirers: why the world overlooks Ethiopia's rigged elections

Image
Addis Ababa is too important a place to sideline over a small matter like democracy On 24 May, Ethiopia went to the polls – a fact that might have escaped your attention. Hardly surprising since there was next to no coverage in the British press. Even the BBC no longer has a correspondent in Addis Ababa. But perhaps there is another reason why the election in what is one of Africa’s most important countries received so little attention: it was a foregone conclusion. The last time Ethiopians were given the opportunity to vote, the ruling party and its allies won hands down. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and its affiliated parties took 545 of 547 seats. The opposition was reduced to just two MPs. There was, apparently, some concern among those close to Prime Minister Meles that an election could be quite so blatantly rigged. The US State Department  reported  that the few international election observers a