AllAfrica News: Ethiopia

• Clashes Between Orthodox Faithful, Police Claim Lives; Synod, Govt in War of Words
  [Addis Standard] Addis Ababa -- Clashes lash between followers of Orthodox Christianity and the local police in West Arsi zone, Shashemene city of the Oromia Region on Saturday 04 February "claimed the lives of many people", an eyewitness told Addis Standard. The clashes erupted at St. Michael Church during a reception ceremony for members clergy appointed by the new "Holy Synod of Oromia and Nations and Nationalities."
• Central Bank Sends Cash to Banks in Tigray As Liquidity Crisis Cripples Services
  [Addis Standard] Addis Abeba -- The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has begun distributing 5 billion Birr ($90 million) to banks in the Tigray region to enable them resume their much needed services amidst growing complaints from residents who despite re-opening of banks in the region were unable to get services due to shortage of cash.
• Political Party Condemns 'Violations of Press Freedom' After Media Ban in Somali Region
  [Addis Standard] Addis Abeba -- Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) has condemned what it described as "escalated suppression of media freedom in the Somali Region" which according to the party has "devastating impact on Journalism and the right to information."
• Gurage Zone Residents Stage Fresh Stay At Home Protests Over Unresolved Statehood Demand
  [Addis Standard] Addis Abeba -- Residents of Gurage zone including in the capital Wolkite, have staged a fourth round protests by boycotting routine civil service and business activities on the same day the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) is conducting a referendum in six zones and five special districts in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and People's (SNNP) regional state.
• Referendum Starts in Six Zones, Five Special Districts in Southern Ethiopia
  [ENA] Addis Ababa (ENA) -- The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) disclosed that voting of referendum started today in six zones and five special districts in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Region (SNNP).
• Premier Meets Tigrayan Negotiating Team, Promises to Speed Up Restoration of Services
  [Addis Standard] Addis Abeba -- The Peace negotiating teams of the federal government and the Tigray Region have met in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) for the first time and discussed the progress of the implementation of the peace agreement signed between the two in November last year.
• Measles, Cholera Outbreaks Pose Deadly Threat to Already Malnourished Children in Ethiopia
  [Addis Standard] Addis Ababa -- Children are facing a growing risk of disease as cholera and measles outbreaks tighten their grip on Ethiopia, raising fears for the many vulnerable children already suffering from malnutrition, Save the Children said.