In early 2013, National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek began an epic walk, following the path of the first human migration out of Africa about 60,000 years ago. Host Marco Werman speaks with Salopek, who's now two-thirds of the way along his global journey. Today, he talks about his first steps at the beginning of the walk in the Great Rift Valley in Ethiopia.
A peace deal signed on Wednesday between Ethiopia's federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) brings hopes that the country's devastating civil war might finally come to an end.
The conflict in northern Ethiopia has been marked by what the United Nations calls “extreme brutality,” especially toward women. The UN and human rights organizations have been concerned about “widespread” sexual- and gender-based violence there.
Last year, control over the holy city of Lalibela went back and forth between the warring parties until federal forces retook it in December. To date, the city still lacks electricity and running water as residents attempt to return to daily life.
Ethiopia’s federal government has mobilized FANO, an Amhara militia group,glad since the fighting broke out in November 2020 in Tigray.
While fighting has lulled in Amhara since December after federal forces pushed out the TPLF, the region is still struggling to recover. To date, many areas still don’t have electricity, running water, or adequate food.
The Ethiopian government continues to push back against Tigrayan forces in the ongoing civil war that began in November of 2020. Both sides have been accused of human rights violations.
The EU accuses Belarus of trying to create a new migrant crisis in Europe. Also, Ethiopian authorities detain more than 70 drivers working for the United Nations by delivering aid. And, nearly 200 nations compose a draft of the Glasgow agreement at the COP26 climate conference.
Pfizer announces its Paxlovid pill as highly effective at preventing severe illness from COVID-19 among at-risk people. Also, the US approves its first major arms sale under the Biden administration to Saudi Arabia. And, nine groups in Ethiopia form an alliance — including Tigray forces and the Oromo Liberation Army — against Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to seek a political transition, as rebel forces near the capital.
As part of The World's regular series of conversations on the pandemic with Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with a panel of experts about the difficulties of vaccinating populations in conflict areas.
An investigation into the Ethiopian conflict reveals that all sides have violated human rights. Also, Nicaragua gets ready for for presidential elections. And, Eswatini comes to an agreement with South Africa for national dialogue to bring an end to unrest in the country.