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Check FAQAbout Fred
Fred Harter is the Ethiopia correspondent for The Times of London. He also writes for The Independent and the Africa Report, and appears regularly on Times Radio and the BBC World Service. He is available available for print stories, radio phoners, research and corporate work.
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Portfolio
Inside the Darfur Camp Where a Child Dies Every Two Hours
The Zamzam camp in Sudan's Darfur region faces severe malnutrition and disease, with a child dying every two hours. The camp, overwhelmed by new arrivals fleeing conflict, lacks clean water, food, and medical treatment. Médecins Sans Frontières and Relief International are the only aid groups still active, but they are struggling to meet the needs. The international community has been criticized for not prioritizing Sudan, and bureaucratic impediments have hindered aid delivery. The ongoing conflict has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, with predictions of widespread famine if the situation does not improve.
‘It’s rude not to offer three cups’: the lengthy, beloved coffee rituals binding Ethiopians together
In Ethiopia, coffee rituals are an integral part of daily life, especially in Kafa, the heartland of Ethiopian coffee. The process involves roasting, grinding, and brewing coffee beans in a traditional clay pot called a jebena. These rituals, which often include serving three cups of coffee, are central to social interactions and community bonding. Despite the time-consuming nature of these rituals, they are cherished for their cultural significance. However, modern lifestyles, particularly in urban areas, are leading to a shift towards quicker, Western-style coffee consumption. The article highlights the economic importance of coffee farming in Ethiopia, which employs a significant portion of the population and is a major export product.
‘We would not survive without coffee’: how rules made in Europe put Ethiopian farmers at risk
Ethiopian coffee farmers in the Kafa region face challenges due to the upcoming EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR), which requires proof that coffee is not grown on deforested land. While the regulation aims to reduce deforestation, Ethiopian farmers, who largely rely on small plots and traditional farming methods, struggle to meet the compliance requirements. The regulation threatens Ethiopia's coffee exports to the EU, which is a significant market, and could impact the livelihoods of millions of smallholders and workers. Local farmers and officials argue that their coffee farming methods are sustainable and less damaging compared to other major producers. However, the cost and complexity of compliance pose significant risks to the industry.
The hyenas of Harar: how a city fell in love with its bone-crunching carnivores
In Harar, a city in eastern Ethiopia, the presence of hyenas is not only accepted but encouraged due to a history of peaceful coexistence. The city has adapted to accommodate the animals, which serve as a natural garbage disposal system. Abbas Yusuf, a 'hyena man,' has formed a deep connection with the hyenas, feeding them and charging tourists to participate. Local beliefs hold that hyenas protect against mischievous spirits, and they are considered mediums to communicate with the dead. However, Harar's development threatens this unique relationship as urban expansion limits the hyenas' access to the city. Efforts to boost tourism, including a planned 'eco-park,' may further impact the coexistence.
Mongolia dragged its wild horses back from extinction – can it save the rest of its wildlife?
The article discusses the successful reintroduction of Przewalski’s horses, a breed never domesticated, in Mongolia's Hustai National Park. Nearly 1,000 of these horses now live across Mongolia, China, and Kazakhstan, with the largest population in Hustai, descended from animals brought from European zoos in the 1990s. The park attracts many visitors and is a conservation success story. However, Mongolia's wildlife faces broader challenges due to hunting, climate change, and overgrazing, which have led to significant declines in various species and degradation of grasslands. The government has initiated conservation efforts, but these are limited by funding and the absence of pastureland regulation. Hustai National Park serves as a model for conservation, with its effective management, international partnerships, and scientific research contributing to its success.
Women in Sudan facing a ‘tragedy’ of sexual violence as rape cases rise
The article discusses the widespread sexual violence occurring in Sudan amidst the ongoing conflict. Sulima Ishaq, head of the country's unit for combating violence against women and children, has been documenting cases of sexual violence, which have become systematic. The fighting has killed thousands and displaced millions, with most violence concentrated in Darfur and Khartoum. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are identified as the main perpetrators, using sexual violence as a strategy to humiliate and degrade, as well as to force evacuations. Campaign groups and organizations like the World Health Organization, Darfur Women Action Group, SIHA, and Save the Children have documented numerous cases and expressed concerns about the scale of the issue. The article also touches on the historical context of the RSF's origins from the Janjaweed militias and the role of women in the revolution against former dictator Omar al-Bashir. UN experts have reported on the use of sexual violence by the RSF as a tool of terror, and there is fear that the violence will escalate if the conflict spreads.
Somalia warns of war over Ethiopia-Somaliland port deal
Somalia has expressed its readiness to go to war over a deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway territory of Somaliland, which involves Ethiopia developing a naval base on Somaliland's coast. The agreement, signed on January 1, has escalated tensions in the Horn of Africa. Somalia, which claims Somaliland as part of its territory, has declared the deal void and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has urged Somalis to defend their homeland. Somaliland, a former British colony, declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but is not internationally recognized. The deal with Ethiopia is seen by Somaliland as a step towards legitimizing its self-determination. However, there is ambiguity over the deal's content, with Ethiopia denying any agreement to recognize Somaliland in exchange for the lease of coastline. The situation is complicated by regional dynamics, with Somalia's president seeking support from Ethiopia's rivals, Eritrea and Egypt.
Refugees being helped to board Al-Jubail, a Saudi corvette, after fleeing fighting in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum
Refugees fleeing the conflict in Khartoum, Sudan, were assisted by Saudi commandos as they boarded a tugboat at Port Sudan's dockside. They were transported to a Saudi warship, which would take them to Jeddah and safety. The refugees shared stories of their perilous journey, escaping a city embroiled in violent clashes between the Rapid Support Force (RSF) paramilitary group and the national army. The fighting in Khartoum has been ongoing for over two weeks, forcing residents to navigate through a landscape of burning cars, checkpoints, and looters. The article highlights the dire situation in Khartoum and the efforts to evacuate civilians to safety.
Diners tuck into a platter of uncooked beef, coarse minced meat and chilli sauce at the Yilma butchery in Addis Ababa
The article discusses the cultural practice of eating raw meat in Ethiopia, focusing on the Yilma butchery in Addis Ababa, which serves this delicacy to a growing middle-class clientele. The journalist, who has been living in Ethiopia for two years, shares personal experiences of trying the dish and becoming ill. The article also touches on the historical aspect of this tradition, mentioning how an American journalist observed guests eating raw meat at the coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie in 1930. It is noted that traditionally, most Ethiopians could only afford to eat raw meat on special occasions like Easter.
‘If I go out, I’ll be a target’: fear stalks Uganda over brutal anti-gay laws
The article details the increased harassment and violence faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Uganda following the enactment of a new anti-gay bill in May, which includes the death penalty for 'aggravated homosexuality' and other severe punishments. It highlights the story of Arianna, a transgender woman who was attacked and left in a coma, and other individuals who have suffered due to the bill. The bill has led to evictions, attacks, and a lack of access to healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals. The article also discusses the influence of American evangelical Christian groups in promoting anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment in Africa and the legal challenges being mounted against the Ugandan law by civil rights groups like Chapter Four and HRAPF.
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