Authorities in Togo must end their escalating crackdown on human rights including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly amid political tension around the adoption of changes to the constitution, as Togolese vote in parliamentary and regional elections today, Amnesty International said.

Authorities banned demonstrations planned by political parties and civil society organizations on April 11, 12 and 13 to protest the amendments to the constitution that are likely according to them to allow President Gnassingbe to extend his 19-year rule. Citing “corroborating and reliable information,” the government accused protest organizers of violent intentions to justify the bans.

“In Togo, it has been difficult, if not impossible, to contribute freely to the debate on the new constitution.” Samira Daoud, Amnesty International’s regional director for West and Central Africa

On 23 April, the Ministry of Territorial Administration sent a letter to two representatives of the opposition coalition, Dynamique Monseigneur Kpodzro (DMK), banning a peaceful sit-in planned for 25 April in front of the Constitutional Court, on the pretext that the request had been “signed by two people instead of three”. 

“In Togo, dissenting voices can no longer enjoy their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. It has been difficult, if not impossible, to contribute freely to the debate on the new constitution without fear of reprisals including arbitrary detention, despite repeated commitments by the authorities to guarantee human rights”, said Samira Daoud, Amnesty International’s regional director for West and Central Africa.

“The way in which the Togolese authorities have trampled upon the rights of those opposed to constitutional changes is appalling. The crackdown on human rights must end.”

Arbitrary arrests and detention

On 3 April nine members of the DMK were arbitrarily arrested on charges of “aggravated disturbance of public order”. Four of them were about to carry out a public awareness action to denounce the constitutional change. The other five were at the home of a DMK activist, where a political meeting was being held. They were all released on 9 April by a Lomé court. The prosecutor has announced his intention to appeal.

On 27 March, at least three press conferences and meetings bringing together political parties and/or civil society organizations wishing to express their disagreement with the constitutional change were banned in Lomé and Tsévié and dispersed by the security forces.

“The authorities must respect, protect, promote, and fulfil the human rights of everyone in the country, including those who disagree with them.” Samira Daoud, Amnesty International’s regional director for West and Central Africa

The right to freedom of expression and press freedom have also been widely violated in recent weeks. On 15 April, the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication announced it would temporarily suspend accreditations to journalists, citing “problems” linked to the arrival of a French journalist, and “serious shortcomings in the coverage of political news on Togo by [French media] RFI and France 24”. The journalist was arrested on 15 April and deported the following day, after receiving a six-month suspended prison sentence for “illegal entry”.

Meanwhile, Apollinaire Mewenemesse, editor of the newspaper La Dépêche, was detained from 26 March to 9 April after publishing an article raising questions about the murder of an army officer in 2020. Placed under judicial surveillance, he is being prosecuted for allegedly spreading false news, undermining the honour of the President of the Republic, committing contempt of courts and tribunals, and forgery and use of forgeries, his lawyer told Amnesty International.

“The continued harassment and intimidation of those with dissenting voices, including through arbitrary arrests and banning of public gatherings and protests, is an affront to the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. The authorities must respect, protect, promote, and fulfil the human rights of everyone in the country, including those who disagree with them,” Samira Daoud said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.

As we recognize World Malaria Day on April 25, we reflect on the relentless battle against malaria, a life-threatening disease transmitted by female malaria-carrying mosquitoes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2022, there were 5.1 million people affected by malaria in Ethiopia, and about 75 million people were at risk of contracting the disease. In addition to its public health impact, malaria imposes a large financial burden on households. Malaria is estimated to cost Ethiopia about USD 200 million annually and hence, reducing the malaria disease burden has the potential to improve socioeconomic development.

The United States President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), the U.S. government’s largest program leading the fight against malaria, has been a cornerstone in the global fight against this disease since its inception in 2006. With a strategic focus on 30 countries, including Ethiopia since 2008, PMI’s efforts have yielded remarkable outcomes, dramatically slashing malaria cases and enhancing national and regional health infrastructure. Further, the US government is the largest donor to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, comprising one-third of all resources.

US efforts in Ethiopia: A decade of progress and innovation

PMI’s partnership with Ethiopia has been instrumental in the national effort to control and eventually eliminate malaria. Since 2008, by distributing over 53 million mosquito nets, over 15 million malaria treatments, and over nine million diagnostic kits, the initiative has substantially decreased the prevalence of the disease. PMI has also procured 27 million antimalarial medicines and more than two million injectable antimalarial medicines for treatment of severe malaria.

Furthermore, PMI has supported the Federal Ministry of Health to spray over 700,000 houses with mosquito killing insecticides to protect over two million people from malaria every year. PMI also invests in Ethiopia’s efforts to strengthen its health system, including by training and supporting health workers to respond to malaria outbreaks.

One innovative approach in Ethiopia has been the fight against the invasive Anopheles stephensi mosquito, which poses a new challenge due to its unique breeding habits and resistance to conventional control measures. PMI’s introduction of larval source management appears to be an effective way to control An. stephensi killing mosquitoes before they reach adulthood. This control measure has been piloted in eight towns.

The pilot project – which began in July 2022 in Dire Dawa and seven other locations in Afar, Oromia, and Somali Regions – reduced An. stephensi larval numbers by over 95 percent on average. However, additional research and data are required to verify the impact of larval source management on malaria cases within the population.

Challenges and the road ahead

Despite the successes, the fight against malaria in Ethiopia faces significant challenges, including the emergence of insecticide resistance, changing weather patterns and severe weather events, and ongoing conflicts that disrupt malaria prevention and treatment campaigns. The recent global increase in malaria cases reported by the WHO underscores the need for continued innovation and collaboration among international partners, local governments, and communities.

Alongside the Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia and other stakeholders, PMI and the US government remain dedicated to the goal of eliminating malaria by 2030. However, getting back on track towards malaria elimination will require additional resources both domestically and globally and ensuring that all partners work together to implement quality, comprehensive, accessible and timely interventions.

As we mark World Malaria Day, all stakeholders must reinforce our commitment and adapt to the evolving challenges of malaria control to achieve a malaria-free Ethiopia. This goal, and the journey to achieve it, is not just about combating a disease but also about increasing economic stability and improving the quality of life for millions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia.

Sri Lankan nationals who are living and working in Ethiopia, in collaboration with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Addis Ababa organized a Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival on 21 April 2024 in the Hawassa Industrial Park. This year’s festival was particularly organized by the Sri Lankans in Hawassa with the support of the Sri Lankans living in other parts of Ethiopia.

The event commenced with the welcoming of the invited guests at a splendidly created Sri Lankan traditional village in the Industrial Park. The ceremony  also included hoisting of the national flags followed by singing of the national anthems of Sri Lanka and Ethiopia and lighting of the traditional oil lamp.

During his remarks, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia and Permanent Representative to the African Union (AU)&the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), K.K. Theshantha Kumarasiri, who graced the event said that the true value of traditional ceremonies can never be under – estimated and that the value of our togetherness continues to act as a bond between Sri Lanka and Ethiopia. “Culture is amongst the most important aspects of human life and behavior, and Sri Lanka recognizes that culture is an essential component of human development and an important factor in social inclusion”, the Ambassador further added. Ambassador Kumarasiri also said that the New Year festival provides us with joy and happiness. Therefore, we Sri Lankans, as a nation with a rich cultural heritage are so lucky and proud to celebrate  the New Year in Hawassa together with colleagues and friends.

A number of Avurudu games  such as mini marathon, bursting of balloons, obstacle running, finding the hidden person, breaking pots, eating buns, lime and spoon race, placing the eye on the elephant, thread and needle, passing the egg, pillow fighting, folk songs, musical chairs and tug of war were enjoyed by both local and foreign participants. All participants were treated to delectable Sri Lankan traditional cuisine including milk rice, kavum, kokis, young jackfruit curry, cashew curry, and appetizing hathmaluwa.

This grand event was attended by distinguished members of the government of Ethiopia, representatives of the Hawassa Industrial Park, representatives of the City Administration, members of the diplomatic corps, top management of the Ethiopian Commercial Bank, members of the Sri Lankan community in Ethiopia, friends of Sri Lanka and the staff of the Embassy of Sri Lanka, and their family members.

The winners of the games received beautiful wooden trophies designed by the Sri Lankan citizens in Hawassa city. A souvenir mug  depicting the culture of Sri Lanka was also presented to each participating guest.

The visit to Hawassa by the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Ethiopia  also included a tour to  Sri Lankan manufacturing companies at the Hawassa Industrial Park, notably Indochine Apparel PLC, Sumbiri Hela Intimate PLC, Hela Indocine PLC and Hirdaramani Apparel. During the visit, the top management of those factories with Sri Lankan expertise explained the process of manufacturing and their contribution to the apparel industry in Ethiopia. The Ambassador and the Embassy staff witnessed the outstanding contribution of Sri Lankan professionals in the apparel industry to the economy of Ethiopia.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Sri Lanka.

Today, the Council decided to temporarily suspend certain elements of the EU law that regulates the issuing of visas to Ethiopian nationals. In particular, it will no longer be possible for member states:

to waive requirements with regard to the evidence to be submitted by Ethiopian visa applicants
to issue multiple entry visas
to waive the visa fee for holders of diplomatic and service passports

Furthermore, the standard visa-processing period now becomes 45 calendar days instead of 15.

This decision follows an assessment by the Commission, which concludes that cooperation by Ethiopia in the field of readmission of its nationals illegally staying in the EU is insufficient. There is a lack of response from the Ethiopian authorities with regard to readmission requests and difficulties persist with the issuance of emergency travel documents and with the organisation of both voluntary and non-voluntary return operations.

The suspension decision is temporary but does not come with a specific end date. The Commission will continue to assess any progress made on readmission cooperation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Council of the European Union.