Ethiopia
The World Health Organization has reported that measles cases and deaths have soared globally since 2016, with the global death tally of 2019 reaching 207,500 - 50 percent higher than just three years earlier.
Ethiopia set up a vaccination campaign in June which reached 14.5 million children. Alarmingly, the numbers of "zero-dose" children - those who had received no vaccines whatsoever - are beginning to rise again, with middle-income countries, including Brazil, Mexico and the Philippines, accounting for 9.5 million, or 69 percent.
After a massacre carried out by rebels in western Ethiopia on Sunday, survivors have counted 54 bodies in a schoolyard, according to Amnesty International.
The attack deliberately targeted the ethnic Amhara minority. The prime minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, has denounced the attack and stated that security forces had been sent to the area and "started taking measures".
Under the leadership of the African Union the three in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) involved countries Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt have announced that they'll continue negotiations over the management of the dam.
The water and foreign ministers of the countries have agreed "to work on unifying the texts of the agreements submitted by the three countries" according to the water ministry of Sudan.
After over two weeks, the internet has been partially restored in Ethiopia on Wednesday. Internet was first only available at some offices and government buildings. Fixed and wi-fi lines are now back online, cellular networks remain offline. The internet was shut down after the murder of singer Haacaaluu Hundeessaa, who shot while driving on 29th June 2020, led to nationwide protests.
The Ethiopian Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy Dr. Seleshi Bekele has announced that the country has started filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. He later stated on his Twitter account that "The inflow into the reservoir due to heavy rain fall and runoff exceeded the outflow and created natural pooling.This continues until overflow is triggered soon".
Talks between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan had ended with no agreement as Ethiopia aims to become a large energy supplier for its' population and generate revenue by exporting the surplus, while Egypt fears that the Nile will provide too little water for the country.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said the murder of Oroma singer Haacaaluu Hundeessa was a "coordinated attempt" to cause unrest in Ethiopia. Ahmed promised to hold "those that are pulling the strings" accountable. Five people were arrested in connection with Hundeessa's murder.
Protests following the murder of Oromo musician Haacaaluu Hundeessaa continue for a second day. More than 80 people have been killed, 35 people have been arrested. Oromo politician Jawaar Mahaammad is one of the arrested. Reuters reports that the military was deployed in Addis Adaba.
Police say they have arrested two people in connection with Hundeessaa's murder.
Famous Oromo singer Haacaaluu Hundeessaa was shot while driving on 29 June 2020. He died at the hospital later. The singer's music helped promote freedom and rights for the Oromo ethnic group and led to the resignation of the former government. The Oromo uprising played a huge role in the coming to office of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2018.
Hundeessaa death was followed by massive protests in Adama, Addis Ababa and other Ethiopian cities. At least eight people were killed and dozens injured so far. Reports say that the internet and phone service were shutdown.
Ethiopia postponed its August elections due to the coronavirus. Parliament voted 114:1, approving PM Abiy Ahmed to stay in office until a new date is found. New elections are recommended to be held in 9-12 months "after the coronavirus is deemed not to be a public health concern".