#South_Sudan's President visits #UAE for investment talks, aims to strengthen bilateral ties

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir on Sunday departed #Juba for a three-day working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and attracting investment, his office said.

Speaking to the media following Kiir’s departure, presidential press secretary Lily Adhieu Martin Manyiel said the president would “hold talks with Emirati investors” interested in South Sudan’s agriculture, mining, and health sectors.

“The visit is in line with ongoing efforts to consolidate relations with Emirati investors, who have an interest in investing in South Sudan’s agricultural, mining and health sectors,” she said, adding that it “builds on the previous engagements between President Kiir and UAE investors” and seeks to define “the next steps for advancing these partnerships and projects.”

The UAE has in recent years shown increasing interest in South Sudan’s natural resources and development sectors. According to the presidency, the visit is expected to focus on “finalizing investment agreements and identifying new areas of cooperation” as Juba seeks to “diversify its economy away from oil dependence” through foreign investment.

https://www.sudanspost.com/kiir-departs-for-three-day-visit-to-uae/

#Ethiopia: Quake-hit evacuees in #Afar face new relocation as original shelters deemed ‘high-risk’

Households displaced by recent seismic activity in the Afar region are set to be relocated after experts determined that the original evacuation sites are in "high-risk areas." The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (#OCHA), in collaboration with IASC cluster coordinators and partners, stated that "experts from Semera University and Addis Ababa University" conducted an assessment that led to the sites being decommissioned. Evacuees will be transferred to a "safer site" in the Amibara district.

The Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) cluster has developed a response strategy “based on community profiles and available land,” OCHA reported. A team is being deployed for “an area-based response, which will identify suitable locations for essential services within the general area while prioritizing durable solutions from the outset.” Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (#WHO) confirmed that relocating displaced individuals from high-risk areas is in progress.

https://addisstandard.com/quake-hit-evacuees-in-afar-face-new-relocation-as-original-shelters-deemed-high-risk/

#Djibouti Defense Ministry claims drone strike conducted "within its territory," killing eight "terrorists" amid civilian casualties

Djibouti’s Ministry of Defense has confirmed carrying out a drone strike on 30 January in Addorta, a locality it described as being within Djibouti’s territory, about six kilometers from the #Ethiopian border. The ministry stated the strike killed “eight terrorists” and said the location had been “under surveillance for a week” as a “logistical and operational base” for the group. It acknowledged “collateral damage” involving civilians and stated that an investigation was underway while humanitarian assistance had been dispatched to those affected.

The statment follows reports from Ethiopia’s #Afar region, where residents told Addis Standard that drone attacks on the same night in Siyaru Kebele, Elidar district, near the Ethiopia-Djibouti border, resulted in at least eight deaths. A resident said the area was “hit multiple times during the night,” killing civilians, including a pregnant woman and two brothers. The Djiboutian League for Human Rights (LDDH) reported a higher death toll, stating that “14 people died, including four women,” and described the attack as a “war crime” that targeted civilians. The Ethiopian government has not yet commented on the incident

https://addisstandard.com/djibouti-defense-ministry-claims-drone-strike-conducted-within-its-territory-killing-eight-terrorists-amid-civilian-casualties/?noamp=mobile

Shelling at busy #Sudanese market 'fills mortuary with bodies'

A shelling attack on a crowded market in #Omdurman, near Sudan’s capital, killed and injured more than 100 people, filling a local mortuary with bodies, medical charity Doctors Without Borders (#MSF) said. MSF and Sudanese authorities accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (#RSF) of carrying out the attack on Saturday, a claim the RSF has denied. The Sudanese Doctors' Union stated that “the majority of those killed” were women and children.

The attack comes amid intensified clashes between the RSF and Sudan’s army, which have been locked in a civil war for 22 months. The Sudanese military has recently increased its offensive in Omdurman, aiming to regain full control of the city from RSF fighters. Witnesses told AFP that the shelling originated from western Omdurman, where the RSF holds ground.

MSF general secretary Chris of the explosion as "utter carnage" at Al Nao hospital, which was overwhelmed with injured patients. The Sudanese Doctors' Union urged nearby medics to assist, citing an "acute shortage of medical staff" and stating that a shell landed "metres away" from the hospital. A survivor of the attack told AFP that shells hit "in the middle of the vegetable market," leading to high casualties. Both warring sides have been accused of targeting civilians and medical workers, with recent clashes forcing the closure of several health centres.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c39142l9nkyo

#Ethiopia: #Tigray Interim Admin establishes Advisory Council; diaspora, security bodies reportedly absent

The Tigray interim administration has announced the formation of an advisory council to “oversee and support the Interim Administration” while acting as a “consultative and decision-making body as required.” Chaired by Moges Tafere with Dejene Mezgebu (PhD) as deputy, the council includes representatives from “the administration, civil society organizations, political parties operating in the region, the Tigray diaspora, local experts, and security bodies.” However, Tigray Television reported that some groups, including “security bodies, Salsay Weyane, and members of the region’s diaspora,” were not part of the council’s formation.

Getachew Reda, President of the Tigray Interim Administration, speaking at the council’s inauguration, said, “The council will serve as a platform where diverse ideas can be discussed.” He emphasized that “we should not see our differences as a weakness but rather as a learning process.” A six-month plan was presented and approved “with eight votes and without opposition.” He stated that the administration’s priority is “facilitating the return of displaced persons,” which he noted “requires the support of all stakeholders.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48306

Musk says Trump agreed to shut down #USAID, calls it ‘beyond repair’

Elon Musk said President Donald Trump had agreed to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), describing the agency as “beyond repair.” Speaking during a live session on X Spaces early Monday, Musk said, “He agreed we should shut it down,” adding, “It became apparent that it’s not an apple with a worm in it… What we have is just a ball of worms.”

His remarks come amid tensions between Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (#DOGE) and USAID officials. Two top security officials at USAID were placed on leave after refusing to grant DOGE members access to classified materials, a current and a former U.S. official told the Associated Press. The officials, speaking anonymously, said DOGE personnel eventually accessed intelligence reports despite lacking the necessary security clearances.

Musk criticized the agency in a post on X, calling it a “criminal organization” and stating, “Time for it to die.” Kate Miller, a member of DOGE’s advisory board, defended the group’s actions, saying no classified material was accessed “without proper security clearances.” Meanwhile, USAID’s website went offline Saturday without explanation, further fueling speculation about its future.

https://shorturl.at/5P2Rw

#Ethiopia: PM Abiy says zero torture cases in Ethiopia over 6 years, blames veteran politicians for ongoing conflicts

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated that "no individual has been subjected to torture in Ethiopia over the past six years" and attributed the ongoing conflicts in #Amhara and #Oromia, as well as the two-year war in the #Tigray region, to veteran politicians during his opening speech at the Prosperity Party's second general assembly in #Addis_Abeba.

PM Abiy characterized recent years as a period of growth, adding, "Whether you believe it or not, not a single person has been subjected to torture in Ethiopia over the past six years. We take pride in it."


He further criticized veteran politicians, accusing them of mishandling politics in the past and fueling current conflicts. "Those brewing these conflicts are the same ones who mishandled politics in the past," he stated.

Watch!

#Egypt FM holds talks with #Sudanese, #Djiboutian counterparts on bilateral ties, regional issues

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held separate talks in Cairo on Sunday with his Djiboutian and Sudanese counterparts, focusing on Red Sea security, #Somalia’s stability, and bilateral ties. Discussions included “linking Egyptian ports with Djibouti” and expanding logistics cooperation, while also addressing shared security concerns in the region.

In talks with Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sadiq Ali, Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to “restoring stability and peace” in Sudan while emphasizing “respect for Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.” The discussions also covered Sudan’s return to the African Union and water security, highlighting “the shared interests of both nations as Nile River downstream countries.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48314

#Russia allows #Ethiopia, others to trade currencies in its market, expands access to #African banks

The Russian government has expanded the list of countries whose banks can participate in currency trading within Russia, now allowing financial institutions from Ethiopia, #Nigeria, and #Tunisia, among others. The move aims to facilitate direct currency exchanges and address liquidity challenges amid Western sanctions, #Moscow announced on Sunday.

"The number of friendly and neutral countries whose credit institutions and brokers will be allowed to trade on the Russian foreign exchange market and the derivatives market has increased to 40," the government said in a statement. Newly added countries include "Argentina, Cambodia, Laos, Mexico, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Ethiopia."

Previously, only Russian residents could trade in the domestic foreign exchange market. However, limited access to national currencies reduced transaction volumes and affected the ruble’s exchange rate. The government said expanding participation would help "improve the efficiency of direct currency conversion" and facilitate payments in national currencies.

https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250202/russia-allows-more-african-banks-to-participate-in-currency-trading-in-russia-russian-government-1070461796.html

#Op_ed: A Tale of Two Militaries: Lessons from #USA for #Tigray’s Constitutional Crisis

In this op-ed, Bisrat Tessema examines the complex dynamics between civilian leadership and military power in Tigray, drawing parallels with the U.S. military’s response to political crises and the historical struggles within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (#TPLF). The author highlights the response of the United States Armed Forces to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, when the Joint Chiefs of Staff condemned the attack as “inconsistent with the rule of law” and “a direct assault on the U.S. Congress, the Capitol building, and our Constitutional process.” This, the op-ed notes, reaffirmed the military’s non-partisan nature, contrasting it with the role of the Tigray Security Forces (#TSF), formerly the Tigray Defense Forces (#TDF), which remain central to the region’s post-war political landscape.

The author argues that the legal framework in Tigray places security forces under the executive branch, but the Pretoria Agreement’s establishment of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration (TIRA) has created a “new political landscape” with no sovereign representative body overseeing state affairs. The TSF, emerging from what many Tigrayans view as a “genocidal war” waged by Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Amhara forces, holds significant influence. While rooted in popular support, this influence presents “challenges for establishing clear lines of civilian control” and risks “blurring the boundaries between civilian and military spheres of influence.”

The op-ed asserts that Tigray’s ongoing crisis is “at its core, a struggle for control of state power.” Internal divisions within the TPLF, particularly after the federal government refused to appoint the party’s chairman as TIRA president, have deepened political uncertainty. The author warns that such fragmentation could be “exploited to weaken Tigray’s leadership and compromise its autonomy.” Drawing from historical parallels, the op-ed recalls the factional struggle between Meles Zenawi and Seye Abraha within the TPLF, arguing that “without control of state power, a party faction risks political irrelevance.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=46515

#Ethiopia: Deadly clash in #Amhara’s West Gojjam Zone kills four; residents report 14-year-old boy, monk among victims

A violent clash between government forces and #Fano militants on 31 January 2025 in Jimat Enkokma Kebele, near Jiga town in Amhara’s West #Gojjam Zone, left four people dead, including a 14-year-old boy and a monk. Residents told Addis Standard that the violence erupted following “unusual movements by government security forces,” with one source claiming the military was “patrolling the area… inspecting stored grains and household food supplies under the pretext of a security operation.” The situation escalated when Fano militants “launched an attack,” leading to heavy fighting involving mortars.

Witnesses reported that the boy and the monk were killed by stray bullets, while “two other young men were taken from their homes and killed by government security forces.” The clashes also caused extensive damage to farmlands, with a resident stating, “mortar shelling caused widespread fires… fully grown teff crops and a significant portion of the maize harvest have been completely wiped out.” Several young men were reportedly detained following the incident, with Jiga town now under military control, while surrounding areas remain under the presence of Fano militants.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48322

Senior #ISIS terrorist surrenders to #Somalia’s #Puntland security forces

A senior member of the #ISIS (Daesh) group, Abdirahman Shirwac, also known as Lahoor, surrendered to security forces in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland state during an ongoing military operation, local authorities said Monday.

The Puntland security forces have been conducting operations against the group for over a month, securing areas in the Al Miskaad Mountains in the Barri region, according to officials.

Shirwac is "wanted for his involvement" in attacks in Bosaso, the provincial capital of the Bari region, local media reported. The Puntland Counterterrorism Operations, in a statement on X, described him as “a senior member of ISIS” who had “surrendered to Puntland Counter-Terrorism Operations Forces.”

His surrender follows recent US Africa Command (#AFRICOM) airstrikes in coordination with the Somali government. AFRICOM said the strikes targeted ISIS operatives in Somalia, resulting in multiple casualties.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/senior-isis-terrorist-surrenders-to-somalia-s-puntland-security-forces/3470638

#Ethiopia: PM Abiy calls on #Tigrayan elites to resolve differences peacefully, says “no gain from war”

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has called on Tigrayan elites to resolve their differences peacefully, stressing the importance of “peace, dialogue, and understanding” to ensure “the unity of the Tigrayan people.” He warned that continued political tensions risk prolonging the hardships faced by the region’s population, stating that Tigrayans are still “living in war rhetoric, fear, and terror,” which hinders their ability to “pursue their livelihoods and prosper.”

Amid escalating divisions within the Tigray People's Liberation Front (#TPLF), the Prime Minister urged Tigrayan elites to “declare that the price the people have paid so far is enough and that there is no gain from war.” His remarks come as tensions rise between factions led by Debretsion Gebremichael and Interim Administration President Getachew Reda, with recent developments seeing elements of the Tigray military forces aligning with one side, heightening concerns of further instability.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48326

#Kenya launches security operation targeting #OLA 'hideouts'; armed group denies criminal links

The National Police Service (NPS) of Kenya has launched ‘Operation Ondoa Jangili’ to "flush out hideouts" allegedly used by the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) in Marsabit and Isiolo counties. The operation aims to target "criminals conducting illegal operations," including "arms, drug and human trafficking, illegal mining," and "instigating tribal conflicts and kidnapping for ransom" in Sololo, Moyale, North Horr, and Merti sub-counties, according to a February 3 statement by the NPS.

OLA denied involvement in criminal activities, stating that it "fully respects Kenya’s sovereignty and territorial integrity." The group claimed that "over 95% of our Southern Command forces operate deep within Oromia" and that it is committed to "the safety and security of the Borana and other brotherly Kenyan communities." It also accused "high-ranking members of the Ethiopian government army and intelligence services" of facilitating illegal activities in the region and cautioned Kenyan authorities "not to be misled by Ethiopian officials."

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48331

#Switzerland ends aid to #Eritrea, cites asylum return refusal

Switzerland has decided to stop its development aid to Eritrea, citing frustrations over the African nation’s refusal to accept rejected asylum seekers, Swiss public broadcaster SRF reported. The decision follows an external evaluation that found "too little progress" in migration-related cooperation, a spokesperson for the Swiss foreign ministry said.

Michael Steiner, spokesperson for the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), stated that while "relations between Switzerland and Eritrea have improved" and vocational training programs have been strengthened, "no major progress had been made in the area of migration." Swiss authorities have been working to return rejected asylum seekers, but Eritrea "is not prepared to accept them," he added.

The aid, scheduled to be discontinued by the end of May, was cut independently of broader Swiss cost-cutting measures, SRF noted. The decision follows an external evaluation that found insufficient progress in migration-related agreements, a foreign ministry spokesperson told the broadcaster.

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-affairs/swiss-development-aid-for-eritrea-is-stopped/88816811

Ministry halts #US funded health staff payments; Civil Society Authority bars asset transfers by #USAID recipients

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has ordered health bureaus to stop all activities and payments related to employees hired under U.S. government budget support, following the termination of funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (#CDC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In a notice dated 31 January 2025, MoH stated that “any work or payment” under U.S. budget support “should cease” as of 24 January. The directive, sent to health bureaus in #Addis_Abeba and several regional states, applies to employees hired through agreements with U.S. funding agencies and supported by the Ministry.

This decision comes amid a broader freeze on U.S. foreign assistance under the Trump administration and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, affecting USAID’s humanitarian, development. The Authority for Civil Society Organizations (#ACSO) separately stated on 4 February that USAID had instructed partner organizations not to “transfer, dispose of, or sell property” outside of “regular or project work” without permission, warning of “appropriate action” against violations. ACSO added that it is “closely monitoring the situation” and will provide “necessary support and follow-up” based on developments.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48343

#Uganda starts clinical trial to combat #Sudan strain of #Ebola

Uganda has begun a clinical trial for a vaccine against the Sudan strain of Ebola, days after confirming an outbreak that resulted in the death of a nurse in the capital, Kampala. The World Health Organization (#WHO) announced that the trial, which started on February 3, prioritizes healthcare workers and others at high risk of exposure.

“This vaccination trial was initiated with record speed,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on X. The outbreak, the sixth of its kind in Uganda, has already seen two additional cases in relatives of the first victim. Unlike other Ebola strains, the Sudan variant has no approved vaccine, though a system for candidate vaccines was set up after a 2022 outbreak in the country.

The trial follows a “ring” vaccination approach, where doses are first administered to contacts of confirmed Ebola patients and their contacts. The WHO noted that “the first ring defined Monday involved 40 direct contacts” of the deceased health worker. Ebola spreads through human-to-human transmission via body fluids, causing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, bleeding, and diarrhea.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/4/uganda-starts-clinical-trial-to-combat-sudan-strain-of-ebola

#Ethiopia: Gold Rush Gone Toxic: Illegal mining in #Tigray endangers lives, environment as authorities turn a blind eye to cyanide and mercury use

Illegal gold mining in Tigray’s Northwestern Zone has led to widespread environmental damage and health risks, as miners increasingly use toxic chemicals such as mercury and cyanide. Residents of Asgede district, one of the most affected areas, say contaminated water sources have harmed livestock and posed serious risks to human health, while authorities have failed to intervene.

A farmer from Asgede told Addis Standard that "the land is being permanently rendered infertile" due to chemical contamination, with livestock deaths and illnesses affecting the community. He also claimed that local administrators and security forces have responded to concerns with repression, saying, "When we request authorities to ban the use of harmful chemicals, they warn us and sometimes arrest us."

Tadele Mengistu, a cabinet member of the Tigray Interim Administration, confirmed that mercury use in mining has resulted in "widespread contamination," with rivers polluted and livestock dying. He further noted that despite an order from the regional cabinet to halt mining activities, enforcement has been ineffective due to political instability. "These operations persist, primarily due to political instability, which has obstructed enforcement efforts," he stated.

https://addisstandard.com/gold-rush-gone-toxic-illegal-mining-in-tigray-endangers-lives-environment-as-authorities-turn-a-blind-eye-to-cyanide-and-mercury-use/

#Lucy’s remains to be displayed in #Europe for the first time, #Prague museum to host exhibition

The fossilized remains of Lucy, the 3.18-million-year-old Australopithecus afarensis discovered in Ethiopia, will be displayed in Europe for the first time at Prague’s National Museum, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on Tuesday. “Lucy’s skeletal remains will be displayed in Europe for the first time ever,” Fiala stated, confirming Ethiopia’s decision to loan the remains for the two-month “Human Origins and Fossils” exhibition starting August 25.

Ethiopia’s National Museum has rarely allowed Lucy’s remains to leave the country, with the last international tour taking place between 2007 and 2013 in the United States. The remains, which include “fossilized dental remains, skull fragments, parts of the pelvis and femur,” will be presented alongside Selam, the fossilized remains of a baby Australopithecus found in Ethiopia 100,000 years before Lucy.

Ethiopian Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa described the display as a “historic exhibition” that would provide “tourists and researchers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these priceless fossils first-hand.” Lucy’s discovery in 1974 was considered groundbreaking, significantly enhancing the understanding of early human evolution. However, later findings—including the 1994 discovery of Ardi, a 4.5-million-year-old Ardipithecus ramidus—have reshaped theories about humanity’s oldest ancestors.

https://phys.org/news/2025-02-prague-museum-host-european-display.html#google_vignette

#Ethiopia: A series of earthquakes have affected Ethiopia's #Afar, #Amhara, and #Oromia regions, impacting 90,000 people, the World Health Organization (#WHO) Ethiopia said. According to the report, while no fatalities have been recorded, two people sustained injuries.

Authorities have evacuated over 75,000 people from high-risk areas, with 55,000 relocated in Afar and 20,000 in Oromia, the report added. The ongoing seismic activity has also damaged nine health facilities, and humanitarian efforts are underway.

Since September, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has recorded around 261 earthquakes, mainly concentrated in the Fantale area, part of the Main Ethiopian Rift Valley. The tremors have led to the collapse of homes, displacing thousands of residents.