On November 5, the Ethiopian military declared war with separatists in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. The world now faces the prospect of another country descending into conflict.
The implications of full-blown war in Ethiopia would be of huge significance. It would have the potential to displace 9 million people, according to reports. This would be a figure even greater than the number of people displaced in Syria’s ongoing civil war.
The chief victims, of course, would be Ethiopians, who last suffered the tragedy of war 20 years ago. But risks also extend to the wider Horn of Africa, a region with huge potential that could be rocked by instability.
The "great man theory" of history, coined by the Scottish philosopher Thomas Carlyle, argues that individuals have the ability to alter the course of major events. This, many hope, is true for Ethiopia's Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed. Even with his impressive political career – he has won the Nobel Peace Prize and the UAE Order of Zayed, and is credited with impressive economic and environmental achievements in his country – his task ahead will require the leadership and compassion of a great statesman.
Tribal and ethnic divisions have long existed in Ethiopia. For many years, politics in the country was dominated by former prime minister Meles Zenawi. Mr Meles was from the semi-autonomous Tigray region, homeland of the Tigrayan ethnic group, who comprise six per cent of Ethiopia’s population of 110 million.
After Mr Abiy – who is a member of the Oromo, one of the largest ethnic groups in the country – rose to power, Tigrayan leaders claimed he was launching a campaign to reduce their influence in the country.
Tensions in Tigray boiled over when, ostensibly due to the pandemic, Mr Abiy postponed national elections. This prompted the TPLF, the ruling party in Tigray, to hold its own elections, which the national government deemed illegal.
Since then, fighting has broken out, putting at risk the end of the country's fragile peace. Illustrating the seriousness of the situation, The National reported last Saturday that Mr Abiy had told civilians in Tigray to stay indoors to avoid "collateral damage" from government airstrikes.
The UN and many in the international community have called for de-escalation. But with news yesterday of Ethiopian forces seizing a Tigrayan airport and reports of refugees fleeing to neighbouring Sudan, many worry the situation is worsening.
There are also concerns that ethnic factions in the Ethiopian military could splinter, endangering internal security. A potential conflict threatens to reverse recent economic achievements and reforms. Last year, investment in Ethiopia reached 38 per cent of GDP.
Ethiopia bears the unique distinction in Africa of having retained its independence throughout the colonial era. It also possesses an ancient heritage tied to each of the three great Abrahamic faiths. Despite its challenges, there has been a historic coherence and continuity to Ethiopian identity that provides a model for strength in diversity.
The prospect of war must not jeopardise the wellbeing of one of Africa’s great nations and turn a success story into a tragedy. Mr Abiy, with the support of the international community, must guide his country through this difficult episode. The future of Ethiopia and its people rests on it.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESally%20El-Hosaini%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENathalie%20Issa%2C%20Manal%20Issa%2C%20Ahmed%20Malek%20and%20Ali%20Suliman%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The Way It Was: My Life with Frank Sinatra by Eliot Weisman and Jennifer Valoppi
Hachette Books
List of alleged parties
May 12, 2020: PM and his wife Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at least 17 staff
May 20, 2020: They attend 'bring your own booze party'
Nov 27, 2020: PM gives speech at leaving party for his staff
Dec 10, 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson
Dec 13, 2020: PM and his wife throw a party
Dec 14, 2020: London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff event at Conservative Party headquarters
Dec 15, 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
Dec 18, 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
How to help
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
2252 - Dh50
6025 - Dh20
6027 - Dh100
6026 - Dh200
Manchester United's summer dealings
In
Victor Lindelof (Benfica) £30.7 million
Romelu Lukaku (Everton) £75 million
Nemanja Matic (Chelsea) £40 million
Out
Zlatan Ibrahimovic Released
Wayne Rooney (Everton) Free transfer
Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad) £9.8 million
Scoreline
Arsenal 0 Manchester City 3
- Agüero 18'
- Kompany 58'
- Silva 65'
MATCH INFO
Everton 2 Southampton 1
Everton: Walcott (15'), Richarlison (31' )
Southampton: Ings (54')
Man of the match: Theo Walcott (Everton)
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
