Day: May 21, 2023

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Ethiopia to Issue International Tender for Third Telecom License

Ethiopia has finalized its preparation to issue international tender in the coming June to license the third telecom operator soon, according to the Ethiopian Communication Authority (ECA).

Ethiopian Communication Authority (ECA) Director-General, Balcha Reba told ENA that the authority is finalizing its preparation to award license to the third telecom operator in Ethiopia.

Recall that the telecom sector has been open for competent international operators by the government of Ethiopia as part of the homegrown economic reform.

Based on the decision made to license two telecom service operators in the country, Ethiopia has awarded the Unified Telecommunications Operator License to a private consortium operating under the name Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia in 2022.

The introduction of Safaricom Ethiopia into the country’s telecom market creates competitions and inspires to have the third telecom operator in Ethiopia, he pointed out.

Noting that promotional activities have been done for investors to explore Ethiopia’s investment opportunities, Balcha said the desire from investors to invest in Ethiopia is increasing following the introduction of various incentives and the revision of investment law among others.

Stating that issuing the international tender for the third telecom license will take place next June, 2023, he said the license will be awarded via a competitive tender process with similar transparency which was done during the licensing process of Safaricom Ethiopia.

Increasing the number of telecom operators in Ethiopia to three would pave ways to expedite the ongoing efforts of digitalization in addition to strengthening the service,it was indicated.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

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Manchester City wins their 3rd consecutive Premier League

Manchester City have won their fifth Premier League title in six seasons after Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

The loss means the Gunners are four points behind City with only one game left to play.

Pep Guardiola’s men spent much of the campaign chasing Arsenal but dealt a telling blow when beating the Gunners 4-1 at the Etihad last month.

Norwegian sensation Erling Haaland’s record-breaking goal tally has fired the Citizens to the summit, with City also in contention for a maiden Treble.

Guardiola spoke of the support from the fans as a deciding factor in their triumph this season.

He said: ‘Our amazing fans have been with us every single step of the way. Without their amazing backing I don’t think there is any way we would have been able to achieve what we have done these past six seasons.

‘Their passion and support have been so important and inspirational for us all. Hopefully winning the Premier League title again is a fitting way for us to say thank you to our fans.’

Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan was a key figure during the run-in for his side and praised the entire team behind the push for a third consecutive title.

He said: ‘To have helped the Club win a third straight Premier League title is something very special.

‘The Premier League is without doubt the most demanding and competitive league in the world so that tells you everything about what an achievement this is.

‘I would also like to thank Pep, all the backroom staff and everyone who works across this football club. Every single day they help provide us as players with everything we need in order to try to be successful. There is no way we could have won this title without all their support.

‘To have won this trophy three times in a row and five times in six years is incredible. That quality and consistency helps sum up what Manchester City stand for and ensures the Club will continue to strive for success going forward.

Source: Somali National News Agency

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Jubaland State President meets EU Ambassador to Somalia

The President of Jubaland State of Somalia, H.E Ahmed Mohamed Islam met with the Ambassador of the European Union, Tiina Intelmann.

The meeting discussed the aid of the EU for rebuilding the country and other projects like security and environmental development.

Source: Somali National News Agency

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Qatar offers to act as hub for Somali exports: President

President of Somalia, H E Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has disclosed that Qatar has offered to act as a hub for Somali exports as the East African nation embarks on a journey of reconstruction and economic growth after a decade-long crisis because of terrorism and civil war.

During a business breakfast event organised by KON Group as part of his visit to Qatar, Mahmud extolled the depth of ties between Qatar and Somalia while saying his country is open to investment by Qatari businesspeople. He thanked Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for his support towards the Somali people.

‘Qatar is one of our strategic partners, and we have a lot of engagement with Qatar, including at the level where H H the Amir stands up and says, ‘I will advocate for Somalia.’ This is a rare gift available to the people of Somalia,’ Mohamud said.

‘Somalia is using the global influence of Qatar to expose Somalia to the rest of the world. The Amir is a very focal point for Somalia as he advocates for Somalia in the global arena in the multilateral and bilateral space. Qatar has offered us assistance until Somalia’s infrastructure is rebuilt. Qatar will act as a hub for the Somali exports in many areas, which will facilitate and make it easy for Somalia to access global trade,’ the Somali leader disclosed.

Mohamud said that both countries have signed significant agreements recently with partnerships focusing on strategic issues like security, investment, diplomacy and economic ties.

Last year, Somali government forces, aided by US air strikes and African Union troops, carried out major offensives against Al Shabab, retaking control of significant areas previously under the group’s control. According to Mohamud, Somalia is open for business. He cited the country’s coastal resource – the most extensive coastline in Africa (Red Sea to Indian Ocean), spreading over 3000km.

It is spread from the Gulf of Aden to the north, the Guardafui Channel to the northeast, and the Indian Ocean to the east. He reiterated the nation’s position as a breeding spot for tuna as an attractive investment opportunity and its ambition to be a logistical hub for Africa.

The president also disclosed that Somalia aims to join East African Community (EAC) by year-end to become the eighth member of the bloc. He said the country’s national development agenda, ‘Vision 2060’, is being finalised.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Massani, Co-founder and Chairman of KON Group, said Somalia is widely open to partnering and collaborating for a solid foundation to achieve economic goals and opportunities for innovation. He noted that despite all challenges, Somalia has enormous economic potential. Massani added that he’ll strongly advocate for more partnerships and collaboration that are mutually beneficial for Somalia.

Also, during the event, organisers announced the launch of the Somali Women Association Qatar and the Somali Cultural Centre Qatar.

Source: Somali National News Agency

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At least 9 dead in stampede at soccer stadium in El Salvador

At least nine people were killed and dozens more injured when stampeding soccer fans pushed through one of the access gates at a quarterfinal match in the Salvadoran league Saturday.

The National Civil Police said in a preliminary report via Twitter that nine dead were confirmed at the match between clubs Alianza and FAS at Monumental stadium in Cuscatlan, which is about 25 miles (41 kilometers) northeast of the capital.

At least two of the injured transported to hospitals were in critical condition, police said.

Carlos Fuentes, spokesman for the first aid group Rescue Commandos, also confirmed the deaths.

‘We can confirm nine dead – seven men and two women – and we attended to more than 500 people, and more than 100 were transported to hospitals, some of them were serious,’ Fuentes said.

Play was suspended about 16 minutes into the match, when fans in the stands waving frantically began getting the attention of those on the field and carrying the injured out of a tunnel and down to the pitch.

Local television transmitted live images of the aftermath of the stampede by Alianza fans. Dozens made it onto the field where they received medical treatment. Fans who escaped the crush stood on the field furiously waving shirts attempting to review people lying on the grass barely moving.

Pedro Hernández, president of El Salvador soccer’s first division, said the preliminary information he had was that the stampede occurred because fans managed to push through a gate into the stadium.

‘It was an avalanche of fans who overran the gate. Some were still under the metal in the tunnel. Others managed to make it to the stands and then to the field and were smothered,’ an unidentified volunteer with the Rescue Commandos first aid group told journalists.

National Civil Police Commissioner Mauricio Arriza Chicas, at the scene of the tragedy, said there would be a criminal investigation in conjunction with the Attorney General’s Office.

‘We are going to investigate from the ticket sales, the entries into the stadium, but especially the southern zone,’ where, he said, the gate was pushed open.

The Salvadoran Soccer Federation said in a statement that it regretted what had happened and voiced support for the victims’ families.

Source: Somali National News Agency

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Sudan: Temporary ceasefire reached as war enters sixth week

Warring forces in Sudan have agreed to a seven-day humanitarian truce and ceasefire, the United States and Saudi Arabia said in a joint statement.

Seven-day humanitarian truce and ceasefire will take effect in 48 hours, sources familiar with negotiations confirm

The ceasefire will take effect at 9:45 p.m. Khartoum time on Monday, the two sponsors of the talks said.

Saudi- and US-sponsored talks in the Saudi city of Jeddah have proved difficult, with the two warring sides accusing each other of violating multiple ceasefire agreements that were not honored.

Air strikes hit outer areas of the Sudanese capital Khartoum overnight and on Saturday morning, as fighting that has trapped civilians in a humanitarian crisis and displaced more than a million entered its sixth week.

The fighting has led to a collapse in law and order that the two sides blame the other for. Stocks of food, cash and essentials are rapidly dwindling, and mass looting has hit banks, embassies, factories and aid warehouses.

The conflict, which began on 15 April, has displaced almost 1.1 million people internally and into neighboring countries. Some 705 people have been killed and at least 5,287 injured, according to the World Health Organization.

Peace through dialogue

The war broke out in Khartoum after disputes over plans for the RSF to be integrated into the army and over the future chain of command under an internationally backed deal to shift Sudan towards democracy following decades of conflict-ridden autocracy.

On Friday, army leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan removed RSF chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo as his deputy on the ruling council they led. He replaced him with former rebel leader Malik Agar.

In a statement on Saturday, Agar said he had accepted the position to help secure peace and support for the upcoming agricultural season, whose failure would spell widespread hunger.

He said his message to the army was, ‘There is no alternative to peace but peace, and no way to peace other than dialogue.’

‘My message to the RSF is that there is no way for stability except with one united army,’ he added.

On Saturday, the US State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to Burhan about ongoing talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at reaching a ceasefire. ‘In this step-by-step process, the Secretary urged flexibility and leadership,’ spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced late on Friday more than $100m in aid to Sudan and countries receiving fleeing Sudanese, including much-needed food and medical assistance.

‘It’s hard to convey the extent of the suffering occurring right now in Sudan,’ said agency head Samantha Power.

Source: Somali National News Agency

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Floods displace more than 36,000 residents in northeast Italy

More than 36,000 people have been forced from their homes by deadly floods in northeast Italy, regional officials have said, as rising waters swallowed more houses and new landslides isolated hamlets.

Fourteen people were killed this week after streets in the cities and towns of the Emilia-Romagna region were transformed into rivers.

A helicopter involved in attempts to restore electricity crashed on Saturday near Lugo, injuring one of the four people on board, the fire service said.

The torrential floods caused more than 305 landslides and damaged or closed in excess of 500 roads in the region.

Video footage from the affected towns showed cars submerged in water and flooded homes, as some residents rode bicycles or paddled through the watery streets.

Bologna’s mayor Matteo Lepore said Saturday it would take ‘months, and in some places maybe years’ for roads and infrastructure to be repaired.

Al Jazeera’s Hoda Abdel-Hamid, reporting from the city of Faenza in the Emilia-Romagna region, said the damage was visible ‘everywhere’.

‘The city is covered with mud and the people are beginning to understand the extent of what’s gone – present and past,’ she said.

Faenza, which is known for its ceramics, was discovering the damage ‘minute by minute’. ‘People are doing their best to salvage pieces of art,’ Abdel-Hamid said.

The local library reported more than 10,000 books lost to the floods.

Source: Somali National News Agency