PASTEL PLUMES


PASTEL PLUMES

  The iconic 70 Dereja stairs around Ras Mekonen Bridge are undergoing thorough renovations along with the neighbourhood—a structure built by Armenian architects during Emperor Menelik's reign. Ras Mekonen, then governor of Harar, commissioned the construction of the eponymous landmark that has survived a century. As the City Administration ramps up efforts to finish the ambitious corridor project before winter rains, a new aesthetic has started to bloom, marked by a polished, sleek—cosmopolitan veneer.


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PHANTOM PUMPS

While modern fuel stations with glass partitions are appearing in Addis Abeba, a contrasting reality that suspends fuel supply to new stations unfolds, citing national policy to reduce fuel imports and promote electric vehicle adoption. According to Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise (EPSE), this comes as the country intends to decrease fuel import expenditure by four percent this year, and transition to electric vehicles. The policy, which includes a ban on petroleum vehicle imports and redu...


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ORPHANED PAWS

A group of street dogs rests in the Kazanchis area, a distinct reminder of the displacement caused by urban redevelopment. As homes and buildings around the neighbourhood were demolished, many pets were left behind, adding to the estimated 250,000 stray dogs in Addis Abeba. Volunteers try to step in, feeding these dogs daily with funds raised primarily through TikTok and Telegram campaigns under the monekir Animals Need Attention. On average, these efforts provide meals with about 80 Br for each...


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EMERALD BITES

It is chickpea pod season in Addis Abeba, a time when residents enjoy "Eshet," a favorite green nibble with roots in local households. Available from November to January, market-oriented production of these nutritious pods (rich in protein, antioxidants, and fiber) is a recent development. As a major chickpea producer (contributing about 17pc globally), Ethiopia benefits from this dual-purpose crop, used both for food and for improving soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, reducing the need...