2008 in Ethiopia

The following is a list of events predicted and scheduled to take place in the year 2008 in Ethiopia.

← 2007 2006 2005 2008 in Ethiopia → 2009 2010 2011
Decades:	1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
See also:	Other events of 2008 Timeline of Ethiopian history

Incumbents

• President: Girma Wolde-Giorgis
• Prime Minister: Meles Zenawi

Events

Ongoing

• War in Somalia
  • 2007–2008 Ethiopian crackdown in Ogaden

April

• 13–20 April – Nationwide by-election is held in local offices in the kebele and woreda assemblies.^[1]

May

• 28 May –
  • Two bombings are coordinated at two hotels in the town of Negele Boran in the Oromia Region, killing 3 people and injured 5 others.^[2]
  • Six passengers are killed and 7 other injured by explosion detonated in minibus in Addis Ababa. The Ethiopian government accuses Eritrea and OLF of orchestrating the bombing, claiming they are carrying out a "terrorist act".^[3]

August

• 8–24 August – Ethiopia participates at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
• 29 August – The Ethiopian government grants clearance on NGOs to expand operation in Somali Region.^[4]

Deaths

• 24 December – Menelik Wossenachew, 68, singer, pneumonia.^[5]

References

1. Aalen, Lovise; Tronvoll, Kjetil (2009). "Briefing: The 2008 Ethiopian Local Elections: The Return of Electoral Authoritarianism". African Affairs. 108 (430): 111–120. ISSN 0001-9909.
2. "US warns of possible terror attack in Ethiopia". Monitor. 2021-11-23. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
3. SudanTribune (2008-05-29). "Ethiopia blames Eritrea, rebels over minibus bombing". Sudan Tribune. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
4. "Situation report: Drought/Food Crisis in Ethiopia - 29 Aug 2008 | OCHA". www.unocha.org. 2008-08-29. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
5. Kifle, Elias (2008-12-25). "Menelik Wosenachew dies at 69". Ethiopian Review. Retrieved 2025-08-19.