Uganda to send more than 3,200 troops to Somalia - 07/30/2012

The Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) graduated 3,237 soldiers on Friday (July 27th) to replace other soldiers fighting under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Uganda's New Vision reported. The troops completed four months of training at Singo Military Centre, and will depart for Mogadishu after one month of leave. After a ceremony in which graduates demonstrated their new skills, UPDF reserve force commander Major General Levy Karuhanga commended the troops' readiness. "The skills demonstrated imply you are ready to take up the mandate," he said. "It is a manifestation of the maturity needed to pursue terrorists and restore calm among the Somalis, which had been denied to them by al-Shabaab." "You will be joining AMISOM after Somalia's general elections, a situation that will...

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Ethiopia: 20,000 flee Moyale clashes - 07/29/2012

Ethnic clashes in southern Ethiopia are reported to have left at least 18 people dead and 12 others injured. More than 20,000 people have crossed into Kenya to escape the fighting, the Kenyan Red Cross says. A spokesman told the BBC that people were continuing to cross the border although Ethiopian government forces had intervened to stop the fighting. The clashes, in the Moyale area, are thought to have been sparked by a simmering dispute over land rights. Fighting involving the Borana and Garri communities is said to have started mid-week, and to have continued until Friday. Local reports speak of armed militias taking up positions in outlying villages on Wednesday, with the fighting spreading to Moyale town, on the Ethiopia-Kenya border, on Thursday. Many of those who fled across the border...

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Three Eritrean men have been stabbed in Tel Aviv, in what police are treating as a racially motivated attack - 07/31/2012

An attacker stabbed three Eritrean men in a south Tel Aviv video store on Tuesday in what police said they were initially treating as a racist attack. "All three people that were stabbed were taken to hospital with light to moderate injuries," police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told AFP. "A suspect who was in the video shop at the time fled the scene. Police are searching for him." He did not give a physical description of the suspect, adding that police were currently examining CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses. An eyewitness told an AFP photographer that the assailant was of Israeli appearance. Rosenfeld said that while not ruling out other motives the main police avenue of investigation was that it was a hate crime. "That's the main direction, as all three of them were stabbed," he...

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Eritrea and Czech Republic take honours in Slovenia – WMRA GP - 07/30/2012

(IAAF) Kamnik, SloveniaA record number of 268 runners from 16 countries gathered on the start line of the 14th Grintovec race for the WMRA Grand Prix in a beautiful valley of Kamniska Bistrica 25km north from Ljubljana. The weather forecast was promising sunny hot day with lots of humidity and light west wind above 2000m – not too bad conditions for the top runners who had plans to attack women’s and men’s course records from 2006. The three Eritreans and Ahmet Arslan from Turkey started at a high pace even though nobody knew the how difficult 10km course was with almost 2000m elevation, and after the middle part of the course the leading runners...

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Audio: Interview with Wari lead singer Ruth Abraha – VOA - 07/23/2012

ቂሐ-ጽልሚ ምስ መንእሰይ ሩታ ኣብርሃ ካብ ኣስመራ ByTewelde Weldegebriel ...

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Natnael Berhane The Eritrean Cyclist of the World Center of Cycling will be training with Vendée U this end of season

The Eritrean Natnael Berhane, 21, will do an internship this end of season with Vendee U, subject to the professional team Europcar, announced the World Cycling Centre, which Berhane is a member since 2 seasons.  Berhane, Champion Africa last November, has shown particularly in France, winning the Tour of Chablais.  Last year, he was placed on a stage in the Tropical Amissa Bongo, the riders Europcar have the habit of running . This internship in the Vendée U could allow Berhane the plunge of professionalism. The Europcar team already has an African in its workforce with the Tunisian Rafaa Chtioui. In a statement, Jean-Jacques...

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Eritrean Golgol Mebrahtu’s move from Gold Coast United to Melbourne Heart - 07/23/2012

Golgol Mebrahtu By SoccerAnchor Despite the Gold Coast's struggles last season, there was many talented youngsters plying their trade for the senior and youth sides. When it was announced that the Gold Coast was folding, A-League clubs scrambled to secure the best youth prospects that were available on free transfers. The list included Mitch Cooper, Ben Harold, Jake Barker-Daish, Ben Halloran, Daniel Bowles, Zac Anderson and Golgol Mebrahtu.The Eritrean-born Mebrahtu emigrated to Australia in the mid-90's and began a youth career in Queensland with Brisbane Northern Districts and Brisbane Olympic.Mebrahtu came to the attention of Gold...

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Teklehaymanot prepares for London 2012 in Eritrea - 06/22/2012

By: Barry Ryan June 22, 2012Orica-GreenEdge rider on his debut WorldTour campaign Daniel Teklehaymanot’s graduation to WorldTour level at Orica-GreenEdge this season has been a significant stride in Eritrean cycling’s progress at international level and he will continue in that pioneering fashion at the London 2012 Olympics on July 28. “It’s going to be the first time that Eritrea has been represented in cycling at the Olympics, so I’m very happy,” Teklehaymanot told Cyclingnews. “I’m looking forward to riding for Eritrea in the national jersey at the Olympics in London. It will be special.” Like Colombia before it, Eritrea’s rich...

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Official Reply From Permanent Mission Of Eritrea To The UN On The Recent Human Rights Allegations

The permanent mission of Eritrea to the United Nations complains to the Secretariat of the United Nations (office of the United Nations of the High Commissioner for Human Rights) and, in reference to .......

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South Sudan Solicits Eritrea to Advise Bashir

BY MARTIN JADA GABRIEL, NEWS AGENCY OF SOUTH SUDAN, 17 JUNE 2012 South Sudan government has urged the government of the Republic of Eritrea to advise President Bashir on the importance of the ongoing talks in Addis Ababa. The minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin made this appeal last week while briefing the Eritrean delegation on the current situation of the country. He told the Eritrean delegation that Khartoum government is not genuine in negotiation despite South Sudan's commitment to peace process. Advisor to Eritrean President, Yemane Ghebreab said Eritrean solidarity to South Sudan will never change until...

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U.N. Human Rights Chief Accuses Eritrea Of Torture, Killings

United Nations human rights chief Navi Pillay United Nations human rights chief Navi Pillay accused on Monday gold-rich Eritrea, which holds a strategic stretch of the Red Sea coast, of carrying out torture and summary executions. Pillay told the U.N. Human Rights Council there were between 5,000 and 10,000 political prisoners in the secretive African nation of some 6 million people which has been ruled by a single party and president since independence from Ethiopia in 1993. “The human rights situation in Eritrea is a matter of deep concern,” said Pillay, a South African former senior judge on the International Criminal Court in The Hague,...

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Monitoring Group is anti-peace: President Sharif - 07/18/2012

Somalia's President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed The president of Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has accused the U.N. Monitoring Group and its coordinator Mr. Matt Bryden of being “against peace in Somalia” . President Sharif spent half of his one-hour speech to discuss the recently leaked report by the Somalia Eritrea Monitoring Group, and he launched a clear attack against Monitoring Group Coordinator Matt Bryden. “Matt Bryden is not ashamed to suppor the division of Somalia into two countries. Matt Bryden has a track record of being against the restoration of peace in Somalia,” said President Sharif...

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Ethiopia rocked by massive Muslim protests - 07/18/2012

Hundreds of thousands of irate Ethiopian Muslims took to the streets of Addis Ababa this weekend – Africa’s biggest protests since Tahrir Square. They want the government to stop meddling in their religious affairs, and acknowledge that Muslims can’t remain a marginalized minority. Ethiopia’s Christian-led government better make some concessions quickly, or risk finding out exactly how many irate Muslims there really are.  By SIMON ALLISON. You would be forgiven for thinking that the tense, dramatic African Union elections were the most exciting thing to happen in Addis Ababa this weekend – but you would be wrong. While the diplomats...

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Ethiopia Dictator Meles Zenawi in a "critical" state - Sources -07/18/2012

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in Los Cabos, Mexico, June 17, 2012. Photo Xinhua Ethiopia's longtime dictator Meles Zenawi is fighting for his life in a Brussels clinic according to several sources. France 24, the state-run English news channel said the Ethiopian Prime Minister is in a Brussels clinic and is in a "critical" state, citing several diplomatic sources, who spoke to the news agency AFP. One diplomat who asked not be named also said, the diminutive dictator is in a "critical state". Some Ethiopian opposition websites had earlier reported that the 57-year old dictator is already...

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Ethiopian Regime Crumbles: Enter CIA - 07/17/2012

by THOMAS C. MOUNTAINWith its foundations irreparably cracked and its edifices of power crumbling the Ethiopian regime headed by Meles Zenawi is turning more and more to the CIA to make the critical decisions in the ministries of power in the capital Addis Ababa. Faced with growing nationalist insurgencies, an ongoing economic crisis and calls for regime change from the heights of the religious community, the isolation surrounding Meles Zenawi grows almost by the day. Addis Ababa has become home to an ever shrinking inner circle of regime insiders allowed to share in the spoils of power but with no one able to replace Meles himself as head of state. When the Egyptian people finally exploded President Mubarak quickly became expendable for the USA had a “Plan B” in the Egyptian military. But...

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Dawn Explosions Rock Ethiopian Troops in Beledweyne Town - 07/17/2012

Deadly multiple blasts are reportedly rocked on Tuesday Ethiopian troops in Somalia's central town of Beledweyne, a town which is under the control of Somali government soldiers and its allied Ethiopian troops, reports said. Eyewitnesses confirmed to Shabelle Media that roadside bombs targeted Ethiopian forces as they were walking east of Beledweyne, but could not verify the exact number of casualties to the Ethiopian military. Following the blasts Ethiopian forces momentarily halted business and public transportation operations, opening fire at nearby crowds indiscriminately, but No deaths reported. No Ethiopian military spokesman has briefed the media on the incident. Beledweyne, 350 kilometers north of Mogadishu, and a trading hub near the Ethiopian border, has witnessed a string of attacks...

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Somalia: Al Shabaab Bombing Assassinates Former Cabinet Minister - 07/16/2012

Mogadishu, Somalia — Former Minister of Commerce was killed in a car bomb in Hamarweyne district in Mogadishu, Garowe Online reports.The victim, Mr. Mohamud Abdi (Garweyne), is a former official of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), the parent organization of today's Al Shabaab terrorist militia. Mr. Garweyne was later appointed by President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, himself former ICU chief, as a Cabinet minister for humanitarian affairs and was a current Member of Parliament.Mr. Garweyne was killed in Mogadishu Monday afternoon, in what police officials speculate was an explosive planted on his vehicle.One woman died from her injuries another and two people who were on board Garweyne's vehicle were injured totaling the injuries to six persons in Monday's blast.Deputy security chief for Banadir region,...

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Eritrean President holds talks with EU Special Envoy on Horn of Africa affairs

Asmara, 7 June, 2012 – Eritrean president Issaias Afewerki today held talks with Mr. Alexandros Rondos, Special Envoy of the European Union on Horn of Africa affairs. In the meeting at the State House, the two sides exchanged views as regards creating a conducive atmosphere for the prevalence of peace and stability in the Horn region. The president pointed out that Eritrea approves the EU’s timely and serious concern on the Horn of Africa, and that an overall handling is vital in the process as the cases of the region are entangled. Indicating that the EU is working attentively with the objective situation in the Horn region, Mr. Alexandros underlined...

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Somalia challenges Kenya over oil blocks 07/06/2012

By Kelly Gilblom Somalia's government accused Kenya on Friday of awarding offshore oil and gas exploration blocks illegally to multinationals Total and Eni because the concessions lie in waters claimed by Somalia. The spat between Kenya and its war-ruined neighbour could complicate the hunt for resources along a part of the East African coastline, rapidly emerging as one of the world's hottest oil exploration prospects. Somalia's deputy energy minister, Abdullahi Dool, said contracts awarded for four blocks in deep waters were invalid and the government planned to complain to the United Nations, which oversees maritime border laws. "We are concerned about the lease of blocks," Dool told Reuters. "I am sure we will lodge complaints." The blocks are among seven awarded by Kenya last week,...

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Ogaden National Liberation Front [ONLF] Army mounted several targeted operations against Woyane Troops

According the military communique released by ONLF, the ONLF fighters has conducted several operations to punish the woyane troops who were sent to commit atrocities against the civilians in the area. The communique also released that  the death toll on the Woyane Army side during those operations was 168 dead. They also captured heavy weapons, food, medicine and item looted from the civilian population while freeing 50 conscripts from the local area, who were forcefully being trained to kill their own people. Full communique follows The Ogaden national Liberation Army mounted several targeted operations against Ethiopian...

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Mekseb Debesay claims stage victory at the final stage [5] of Tour of Eritrea [VIDEO]

Tour of Eritrea 2012 ended today in Asmara at the 5th stage. At the end of the race Mekseb Debesay stood 1st, Freqalsi Debesay 2nd, and Tesfay Abraha from MTN-Qhubeka 3rd. Jacques Janse van Rensburg (MTN-Qhubeka) was the overall winner beating Freqalsi Debesay by just 00:01:09 at the end of the 5 stage event. MTN-Qhubeka Team Manager Kevin Campbell said " the rest of the team worked tirelessly throughout the final stage to ensure that the lead did not slip from their grasp." Jacques Janse van Rensburg has now become the first non-Eritrean to win the race since it started in 2001. Freqalsi Debesay from the Eritrean National Cycling team 2nd...

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Another stage [4] win for MTN-Qhubeka's Jani Tewelde at Tour of Eritrea 2012 [VIDEO]

By MTN - QhubekaStage 4 of the Tour of Eritrea saw riders climbing along the 94km route from Keren to Asmara. MTN-Qhubeka’s Jani Tewelde claimed his second stage victory of this year’s tour in front of his ecstatic Eritrean countrymen as he outsprinted a group of four breakaway riders to claim his team’s third win of the tour. Jacques Janse Van Rensburg retained his overall race lead and is making good progress towards claiming his maiden Tour of Eritrea title. Four riders escaped early on the day’s stage and as the peloton recognised that none of the leaders were a serious threat to the overall positions, the gap quickly grew to 2, then 3 then...

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Tesfom Okbamariam of Red Sea camels ERI Wins Stage 3 of Tour of Eritrea 2012 [VIDEO]

Tour of Eritrea 2012 - Stage 3 #Rider's NameTimeCountry 1Tesfom OkbamariamERI 2Mekseb DebesayERI 3Daniel TeklayERI 4Freqalsi DebesayERI 5Meron AmanuelERI 6Tesfay AbrahaERI-MTN 7Solomon HabteERI 8Azedin --ALG 9Jani TeweldeERI-MTN 10Bereket YemaneERI Tour of Eritrea 2012 - General Classification @ Stage 3 #Rider's NameTimeCountry 1Jacques Janse Van RensburgMTN-Qhubeka 2Azzedine Lagab @55”Algeria 3Frekalsi Debesay @1m46”Eritrean National Cycling Team 4 5...

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