Category: General

A man in his late 40s was almost lynched by a mob in the Bonendale neighborhood in Douala on Friday, October 6, 2023, for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl.

The minor is said to be his friend’s daughter.

“Such an act is intolerable. A child cannot be spoiled in that manner. It is abominable”. One of the agitating locals said in a loud tone.

Gendarmes arrived at the scene just in time to save him from the angry population.

The accused said an evil spirit controls his life and at times pushes him to do insane things.

“It is the work of the devil. I can’t explain how it happens but sometimes I realize myself doing unimaginable things. After every 10 years, that evil spirit compels me to rape”. Explained the suspected rapist.

The head of the neighborhood has told inhabitants of Bonendale to watch out for such “lunatics”

“This has come as a sound warning. Everyone has to be extra careful now with their children. Insecurity in its totality is gaining grounds in Bonendale.” Warned the quarter head.

At the time of the incident, the 12-year-old girl was taken to a nearby clinic for examination and treatment. The suspected rapist in detention disclosed he gave some money for her to be taken to the hospital after begging the population to spare his life.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

There has been a decrease in the number of traffic lights damaged in vehicle accidents in Windhoek, with fewer than five incidents per month compared to last year, when three accidents would be reported per week.

City of Windhoek spokesperson, Lydia Amutenya, during an interview with Nampa on Friday said most accidents occur over weekends.

“The cost of repairing a damaged traffic light depends on several factors, including the number of signals on a single traffic pole,” Amutenya said.

Replacing a single traffic light can range anywhere from N.dollars 15 000 to N.dollars 50 000, excluding labour costs.

Amutenya said suspects involved in such offences are tracked down with the assistance of the City Police’s surveillance system. Additionally, when the vehicles involved in the accidents are discovered at the scene, the repair costs are charged to the suspect’s account.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Josef Erastus, 46, died instantly after he allegedly shot himself with his service pistol at Ondangwa on Wednesday.

The Namibian Police Force’s spokesperson for Oshana, Warrant Frieda Shikole, said the incident occurred at Omahenene location.

According to Shikole, the deceased was employed as a security guard at Falcon Security and the pistol he used belongs to his employer.

“The deceased allegedly shot twice in the air and the third time he shot himself in the head,” she said.

She added that two spent cartridges were found next to his body and the other cartridge was still in the chamber of the revolver used.

Police investigations continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Government of Ethiopia is committed to the preservation of Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affaires said in a statement today.

According to the statement, Ethiopian government has been working to ensure accountability, reconciliation, healing, and truth telling through a credible, nationally-owned and driven transitional justice mechanism that meets international standards.

“After robust, intensive and participatory process, the Transitional Justice Policy is in its final stage; and it will be endorsed by the Council of Ministers in a few weeks time,” the statement pointed out.

At this critical stage, the government is strongly committed to redouble its continued endeavors to fully implement transitional justice towards the consolidation of peace and stability, it added.

The government also reiterates its firm political determination to accelerate the implementation of the Pretoria peace agreement, National Dialogue process, Reconstruction and Recovery and Peace Consolidation to ensure accountability and sustainable peace across the country, the ministry underscored in its statement.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The joint session of the third year and sixth tenure of the House of Peoples’ Representatives of Ethiopia and the House of Federation will officially open on the coming Monday.

As per the constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the opening session of the two houses will be held during the last Monday of the first month of Ethiopia.

During the occasion, President Sahle-Work Zewde will deliver a speech to the joint session of the Houses.

The president is expected to highlight the government’s key plans during the 2016 Ethiopian fiscal year.

During the opening ceremony, ambassadors of various countries, representatives of international institutions, religious fathers, prominent personalities, and other invited guests will present.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Members of the Ethiopian diaspora community expressed their joy for being able to celebrate the wonderful Irreechaa festival at home with the Oromo people and the entire nations and nationalities.

Robera Yahya and Beka Yahya, who are brothers came from the USA to celebrate the Irreechaa festival for the first time with the Oromo community at home.

Speaking to ENA, Robera said “I am here from the US for this great celebration.”

“This is a very good opportunity for someone like me to come back home after so many years of being out in the US and other countries to come back and actually have the opportunity to celebrate this wonderful festival with my people. I am very excited about this,” he said.

Comparing the celebration of the Irreechaa festival overseas and at home, he described the difference is not comparable when you celebrate it at home as you feel the energy, love and everything accompanying it.

“You just feel like you are part of the land and Irreechaa celebration is such a pure celebration that has been going from forefathers for many years, like to actually experience it here and it is a huge blessing for me,” he said.

This festival is not of the Oromo alone, but of the entire Ethiopia’s culture, which promotes peace and unity among nations and nationalities of the country, Robera said.

This celebration of peace and coming together is a very peaceful holiday as everything of its manifestation has been promoting peace and unity, he said.

Moreover, he urged the diaspora community to participate in this important festival.

“Irreechaa is just becoming more visible right now because obviously we can celebrate in the capital city right now. So what I can say to the diaspora community around the world is come and celebrate this beautiful celebration of people here. Once you come here you will know,” he said.

Beka Yahya shared his brother’s joy over Irreechaa celebration at home.

“I’m extremely excited to be here. Irreechaa is a beautiful celebration. Everybody is happy to celebrate and come together, this is what I have been experiencing so far,” he said.

“I recommend just for everybody to come and see for themselves. It’s beautiful. It’s an experience that everybody should see. It is something unlike anything, this is your country, your land and your water. I definitely recommend (everybody) to come, see and experience Irreechaa,”he urged.

This is a time for us to start the new season, he said, adding “it’s really important to come together in unity and enjoy.

Another Ethiopian diaspora who came from the USA, Tigist Duressa expressed her happiness to celebrate the Irreechaa festival in her homeland.

“It is my pleasure to be here. I just flew from Maryland, Washington DC to celebrate the Irreechaa festival with my people. I’m so happy; with beautiful people and culture, Irreechaa is emblem of peace and unity.”

This is when the Oromo people come together and celebrate to say thank you to waqaa ‘God’, she said.

It is celebrated for all things that Waqaa ‘God’ has done for people like bringing rain, peace, health, fertility, abundance and for the beautiful weather they have cherished.

Preparation has finalized to celebrate the festival under the theme “Irreecha: a Symbol of Unity and Brotherhood”at Hora Finfinne and Hora Arsadi in Bishoftu town on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

The grand public festival brings together millions of people from all corners of Oromia region, other parts of the country as well as diaspora communities across the globe.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Kenyans, who came to participate in this year’s Irrecha festival, said the event is a symbol of unity among people and a boost to tourism.

The Kenyan Yussuf Tusse told ENA that his country shares this culture and Irrecha is celebrated in 3 counties and communities.

According to him, Irrecha is celebrated not only in Ethiopia. “It has become a regional, African, and global event.”

We can we further this by marketing it as a tourism attraction, he noted, adding that “because if we think in that line, definitely, this can propel the tourist inflow from global village into Ethiopia.”

Tusse stated that Ethiopia can be a good ambassador for Africa, not only for itself, because there are so many communities with diverse culture in Ethiopia and one of the most populated countries in Africa.

That tells there is a huge potential here, the Kenyan said, adding that I think in terms of conservation, wildlife, trade, and tourism; and this country has a lot to offer to the world.

“I want to challenge the leadership and also the community that Ethiopia has not marketed itself enough. For whatever reason, this is the time that Ethiopia speaks louder than itself so that the world can hear and see the green, the scenery, and the beauty it has.”

He further underscored that Ethiopia has to speak and show to the world what it has in terms of diverse culture, food, and tourism attraction so as to market them to the world.

The Kenyan also noted that his country and Ethiopia share historical relationship all the way down from Haile Sellasie and the relationship has been going on for generations; and we would request this relationship to be strengthened even more for prosperity of our countries, nation and nationalities.

Fellow Kenyan Tuqa Jirmo on his part said that he is very happy to join brothers and sisters in celebrating Irrecha.

This tradition is very important in unifying people, celebrating the festival, he said, adding that the whole world can come and learn from this important event.

Jirmo stressed that we need to expand this festival and promote it further to reach out to more people so that people come and celebrate.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency