obituary

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obituary

Feb 10 , 2024

Compassionate Warrior During Ethiopia's Darkest Hours, Dies at 89

In the unforgiving terrains of Wollo and Afar regions, where famine has etched its scars deep into the land and its people, Hailemariam Seifu's calling was forged. It was here, amid the desperation...

Jun 17 , 2023

Zemui Teklu: The Indomitable Spirit Behind Shoa Bakery Dies Age 94

The pioneering spirit behind Shoa Bakery, a name that has become synonymous with bread across Addis Abeba and beyond, had a life marked by personal loss, adaptation, and entrepreneurial brilliance. It...

Apr 3 , 2023

TewoldeBerhan GebreEgziabher, Defender of Nature, Passes Away, Aged 83

In the small village nestled among the foothills of Adwa town in Tigray Regional State, TewoldeBerhan GebreEgziabher (PhD) was born to a farmer's family, destined to follow in the footsteps of his for...

Jan 28 , 2023

Life of the Party: Lemmawossen Sebhatu Dies Age 73

Weighing the profit margin and analysing risks while contemplating a business idea is forte of a savvy businessperson. Lemmawossen Sebhatu was a pro when it came to that. His children admired his abil...

Jan 7 , 2023

The Brand of Habesha Fashion: Emama Tsion

For many, the 100-year-old Tsion Michael Andom is known as the first fashion designer who introduced the Habesha traditional wear to the international markets. To the hospitality and tourism advisor F...

Nov 19 , 2022

An Icon, Maven Ali Birra Dies at 75

For many of his fans, Ali Birra might have been a legendary musician with an expansive catalogue. He was gracious to his closest friends and mentees - a friend to all who loved animals. The public...

May 21 , 2022

Fisseha Desta, More Honest VP from Dark Times

Nothing says “end of an era” about the Dergue like the successive passing of its senior officials. In 2019, it was Legesse Asfaw, a major military figure, and in 2020, it was Fikreselassie Wogde...

Mar 26 , 2022

Girma Zewdie, AU Career Officer, Serves His Last

Girma Zewdie (Col.) had never seen the need to be anything less than active, even in his mid-80s. He remained nimble into old age as best as he could. There was never a better demonstration than the f...

Feb 19 , 2022

Prudent Finance Guru, Leulseged Teferi, Passes

Leulseged Teferi had a saying that informed his understanding of various matters. He would listen to an explanation of an issue. He would then hold his palm out and say, “now look at the other side...

Printing Guru Bezuayehu Tesfaye Leaves Behind Footprint

Several years ago, Tsegaye Asfaw, head of the over a century-old Chamber Printing House, had his eyes on some Solna printing machine models. He mulled going through his usual supplier, Mosbez, an agen...

Sep 10 , 2021

Alemayehu Eshete Has Left the Building

Tsegaye Birhane, actor, met Alemayehu Eshete in the most unorthodox of ways. It was not at an event or work. Neither did they run into each other. It was the passing of Alex's, as Tesgaye calls him, f...

Jul 11 , 2021

Mother that Built House Full of Children Passes

The children who grew up with Abebech Gobena called her “Eddaye,” a term of endearment of their creation. It is not clear when it started or how, but for Abebech, it was close in meaning to Aderay...

Apr 3 , 2021

Tech Savvy Importer, Yazew Bekele, Makes His Last Sale

Alemayehu Ketsela was a young employee of Ethiopian Trade Contacts (ET-CON), an import company, when he joined Yazew Bekele for dinner with business partners at the Sheraton Addis. There he would run...

Mar 13 , 2021

Prominent Health Personality Dons His Last Kabba

Just a sneak peek of Tibebe Yemanebirhan (PhD) in one of his appearances on television speaks to his status. A dermatologist, research scientist, diplomat that has represented the country on the inter...

Jan 23 , 2021

Pioneer Retailer, 'Bambis,' Makes Last Sale

When he was young, Panos Tewodros could sometimes be “hot-blooded.” Working as an import manager with Charalambos Tsimas, better known as Bambis, a contraction of his first name, for the supermark...

Jan 16 , 2021

Instinctually Humanitarian, Yohannes Kifle Breathes His Last

Bonfires are set, and children go house to house singing Hoya Hoyeduring the holiday of Buhe, which is observed annually in August by followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. The song is o...

Columns

Commentaries | Oct 18,2025

Official Narratives Preach Recovery. People Don't Feel It

The political establishment, notably the ruling party and its top brass, has become preocc...

Editorial | Oct 18 , 2025

TRADITION THRIVES AS COSTS CLIMB

As dawn broke over Addis Abeba last week, the city's arteries pulsed not with the usual we...

Featured | Oct 5 , 2025 . By REDIET YARED

Traders Count the Cost as Officials Sweep Through Mercato

Last Tuesday, long before dawn, Mercato was awake but not to haggle. Around Mierab Hotel,...

Agenda | Oct 18 , 2025 . By YITBAREK GETACHEW

Addis Abeba Raises Health Insurance Fees as Fiscal Pressures Mount

In a sweeping reform that upends nearly a decade of uniform health insurance contributions...

Fortune News | Oct 18 , 2025 . By NAHOM AYELE