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The humanitarian situation in Sidama Zone

Ethiopia - Humanitarian situation Thu, 11/06/2015 - 01:03 The humanitarian situation in Ethiopia is quickly deteriorating due to an expanding drought following poor belg/gu/ganna/sugum raining season. Increasing water and pasture shortages were reported in parts of the country, leading to deteriorated livestock production and productivity, deepening food security and raising levels of malnutrition. Areas of particular concern are Afar; Waghimra zones of Amhara region; Arsi, West Arsi, Bale, East and West Hararge zones of Oromia region; Gurage, Hadiya, Halaba, Kembata Tembaro, Siltie, Sidama and Wolayeta zones of Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR); and Harshin woreda in Fafan zone and Site zone of Somali region. Large number of drought displaced families moved to areas that received rain. This will cause over-grazing of the areas, which may damage the resiliency and the coping mechanisms of the host communities during the next dry season and can dim

Why Christians Are Fleeing One of Africa's Oldest and Largest Christian Homelands

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Image: Marc Veraart / Flickr April was a terrible month for Ethiopian migrants. Tescma Marcus and his brother Alex were  burned alive  during xenophobic attacks in South Africa. One week later, Eyasu Yekuno-Amlak and his brother Balcha were  dramatically executed  in Libya by ISIS, along with 26 others. One reason Ethiopians were involved in high-profile tragedies at opposite ends of the continent: Their nation is the second-most populous in Africa as well as the second-poorest in the world (87 percent of Ethiopia's 94 million people are impoverished ). Roughly  two-thirds  of Ethiopians are Christians. The majority of these belong to the ancient Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church; the rest primarily to Protestant denominations such as the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Makane Yesus (which recently  broke ties  with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America over theological concerns). The Orthodox and Protestants have long had in common the search for a better life. Incr

Ethiopia: Candidate Killed, Opposition Claims ‘Politically Motivated’

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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

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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

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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