Opinion:The new era of transformation in #Ethiopia & the Elephant in the room addisstandard.com/opinion-the-ne… With PM #AbiyAhmed,the age of freedom has begun in earnest,but no decent analysis of Ethiopian politics is complete without the talk of the Elephant in the room-Identity politics #Ethiopia: "Identity politics is, I submit, a secular variation to the religious notion of worshiping the wrong idols. It usually emerges from the place of arrogance, deceit and resentment and is fundamentally driven by a toxic sense of victimhood." Kebadu Mekonnen, (PhD)

#Ethiopia-#Eritrea:PM #AbiyAhmed makes unannounced visit to Port #Massawa & #Assab today, ETV & FanaBc said. It follows last night's announcement that an Ethiopian commercial ship was scheduled to dock in in port Massawa after 20 yrs. PM Abiy was welcomed by Pres. Isaias Afwerki. Update: PM #AbiyAhmed visited port #Assab & the 71km long road which stretches from #Ethiopian border to the port. He is also expected to visit port of Massawa this afternoon

⏩Ethiopian commercial ship will dock today at #Massawa Port from #SaudiArabia fanabc.com/english/2018/0…

Breaking: 18 people, (15 military & 3 civilians) were killed when a military helicopter crashed. The helicopter was flying from Dire Dawa to Bishoftu. It clashed near Lumee Ejereetti wereda in east shewa zone, @addisu_arega said. Addisu didn't mention the cause of the accident Update: The helicopter belonged to the Ethiopian Air Force and the 15 military personnel were members of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), according to FanaBC. Please see map for location of the crash.

#Ethiopia: "Former Chief Administrator of #Ethiopia-n Somali Regional State, Abdi Mohamed Omer, has been arrested." government affiliated @fanatelevision reported. Update: The federal attorney general's office said Abdi Iley is arrested on suspicion of gross human rights violations as well as instigating ethnic & religious violence, the state broadcaster ETV says. The police is also arresting other individuals suspected of links with him

Gerd Müller, #German Minister for Economic Cooperation & Dev't will be meeting Amira Elfadil, Acting Chairperson of the #AUC & Commissioner of Social Affairs on issues, among others, German support to #Agenda2063 with a focus on regional integration, employment,& peace & security Update: Gerd Müller is also expected to meet with Abraham Tekeste, Minister of Finance & Economic Cooperation, tomorrow afternoon & discuss on issues, among others, business environment, fostering econ development & job creation for Ethiopia's burgeoning youth #Germany #Ethiopia

#Ethiopia: The ongoing meeting in #AddisAbeba by executive & council members of #ESPDP, as well as leaders of various clans have unanimously decided to assign Mustafa Muhumed Omer to be the incoming acting president of the #Somali regional state until elections are held in 2020. Update: It is expected that the meeting's unanimous decision to assign Mustafa will be a final decision that will see him assume the position as acting presidnet, which is currently held by Ahmed Abdi Mohammed (pic) after the resignation of the embattled ex president Abdi Illey

Breaking: In a statement it sent to local media, #Ethiopia's state monopoly Ethiotelecom announced a major discount on its multiple services. As per the new discount: the monopoly reduced 54% on broadband internet; 43% on mobile data & SMS services; & 40% on telephone voice calls Update: The decision was taken by the newly appointed CEO, Frehiwot Tamiru.

https://twitter.com/addisstandard/status/1022053149165670400

#Ethiopia:#AddisAbaba City Council to hold extraordinary session tomrw to approve city's cabinet.The current cabinet has finished its mandate in April, but elections were postponed. An extraordinary meeting by the council picked Takele Uma (pic) as new Mayor with a rank of deputy Background News: #AddisAbeba city council appoints a new mayor - addisstandard.com/news-addis-abe… Takele will have the official title of a deputy mayor because he is not a member of the city’s council. However he will have the full responsibilities of a mayor.

Breaking: The embattled #Somali region president Abdi Illey and key military leaders of the Liyu Police have been placed "under the federal army and police custody which were sent in to #Jigjiga yesterday. AS learned that they are being flown to #AddisAbeba at the moment. #ContextMatters!
On Sat. attempt to detain Abdi Illey failed in what is described as ill preparation by Fed. defense forces, who surrounded his "Presidential palace" addisstandard.com/breaking-feder… Read our source quoted as saying: "Abdi Illey will be placed under federal custody. “

#Ethiopia:The fed defense forcea moving into #Jigjiga city, the capital of the Ethiopian #Somali regional state, after attempts to summon the region's Pres., Abdi Illey, to #AddisAbeba failed & reports that he ordered thousands of Liyu Police to move to the city. 📷 @oladmohamed Update:This came after Abdi sent members of Liyu police to disrupt ongoing meeting by hundreds of Ethio #Somalis in #DireDawa city. As partial result of the threat the city declared a military command post on Thursday. The gathering in Dire Dawa is called to denounce Abdi Illey.