#Ethiopia: His Holiness Abune Mathias I, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, called for peace, reconciliation, and an end to ongoing suffering during the opening of the Holy Synod Assembly.

“In these times, when our people are gravely suffering due to the absence of peace, we must work through prayer, teaching, and counsel so they may attain peace and justice,” the Patriarch said in his opening remarks.

He stated that the Ethiopian people have endured significant hardship and suggested that while "external actors" may have some influence, much of the suffering is caused by “their own children.” He added, “It is truly heartbreaking to see a mother tormented by her own children.”

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#NewsAlert: #Ethiopia's Ministry of Health warns striking healthcare workers to return to work, threatens government's patience ‘has its limits’

The Ministry of Health has issued a strong warning to striking healthcare workers, declaring that “strikes in the health sector are legally prohibited”

The Ministry warned healthcare professionals to “return to work” immediately, accusing some of being misled by “false information” and others of acting with “malicious intentions.” Legal action will be taken against those “who create unrest,” the statement warned, adding that “the government’s patience in resolving the issue with an open mind has its limits.”

However, the Ministry acknowledged “disruptions” in some institutions, blaming the absence of healthcare workers on “false information circulating on social media” and “a few” individuals with “malicious intentions.”

“We have received information that some professionals in a few teaching health colleges/institutions have not been present at their regular workstations,” the Ministry said. “This act, beyond harming one’s own family, relatives, and the entire community, is unacceptable from a professional ethics and humanitarian perspective.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=50212

#Tigray: Life under #Eritrean ‘occupation’ in Northern #Ethiopia

From his home in the far north of Ethiopia, Hagos can see Eritrean soldiers positioned on the other side of his town, Alitena, and says all his neighbours fear a full occupation.

"The Eritrean army can raid us anytime they choose," said Hagos, resident of the tiny town of around 3,000 people.

Like other locals interviewed for this story, he asked that his name be changed for fear of reprisals.

Hagos regularly talks to people on the other side of town who already live "under occupation" by Eritrean forces.

They endure "sexual violence, abductions, forced labour, lootings, curfews, threats of harsh mandatory military service and other abuses," he said.

"There is nobody lending an ear to my people's plight," he added. "The world is preoccupied with other crises."

https://www.barrons.com/news/life-under-eritrean-occupation-in-northern-ethiopia-ada2fe91

News: #DHL #Ethiopia workers end labor strike after agreement on 35% salary raise

DHL Ethiopia workers ended their labor strike on Wednesday, 14 May 2025, after securing a 35 percent salary increase. The strike began on 8 May following unresolved demands related to salary adjustments amid the rising cost of living. Tilahun Tadesse, chairman of the DHL Workers’ Union, told Addis Standard, “Although the work stopped, negotiations with the company were ongoing side by side.”

The breakthrough came after the intervention of the Bole Sub-city Labor and Skills Office and the Transport and Communication Workers’ Unions Industry Federation. “Even though it is not as much as we asked for, we believe it is good,” Tilahun said of the final agreement.

Abateyhun Takele, president of the Transport and Communication Workers’ Unions Industry Federation, said that workers initially demanded a 120 percent raise due to inflation and currency depreciation, while the company only offered 2 percent. “In the spirit of good faith bargaining... the company reached 12 percent,” he said, but workers rejected the offer and went on strike.

Abateyhun also cited concerns over work overload and the imposition of international standards not suited to local conditions, stating, “The question was that this international standard should take into account our country’s situation and respect the country’s laws.” He criticized the behavior of foreign companies operating in Ethiopia, saying, “They come because they think there is cheap labor... I think the workers' feelings are being hurt because of that.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=50225

#TikTok charged with breaching #EU online content rules

Social media app TikTok was charged by EU tech regulators on Thursday with breaching EU online content rules, putting its owner ByteDance at risk of a fine of as much as 6% of its global turnover.

The European Commission said it had sent its preliminary findings to TikTok following an investigation launched in February last year.

The EU executive said TikTok has failed to comply with the Digital Services Act's obligation to publish an advertisement repository which allows researchers and users to detect scam advertisements.

The DSA requires online platforms to do more to tackle illegal and harmful content as well as provide information on advertisements.

The Commission said the company does not provide the necessary information about the content of advertisements, the targeted users and who paid for the advertisements.

"Transparency in online advertising - who pays and how audiences are targeted - is essential to safeguarding the public interest," EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said in a statement.

TikTok, which also faces a second DSA investigation into its management of risks related to elections, pushed back against the Commission's findings.

"While we support the goals of the regulation and continue to improve our ad transparency tools, we disagree with some of the Commission's interpretations and note that guidance is being delivered via preliminary findings rather than clear, public guidelines," a TikTok spokesperson said.

"A level playing field and consistent enforcement are essential."
https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/tiktok-charged-with-breaching-eu-online-content-rules-2025-05-15/

News Analysis: #Tigray Peace and Security bureau accuses Fed. Gov’t of ‘Provocations’ as #TPLF appeals to #AU over Pretoria Agreement ‘violations’

Tigray’s Peace and Security Bureau has accused #Ethiopia’s federal government of “undermining” the Pretoria Peace Agreement through “repeated violations” and the alleged manipulation of former regional president Getachew Reda. “This approach is reckless,” the Bureau warned, “and threatens to reverse the progress made toward peace.”

The accusation follows a two-part interview aired this week on state-owned and ruling party-affiliated media, in which Getachew accused senior Tigray security officials of involvement in “illegal gold mining, embezzlement of public funds, and human trafficking.”

In a sharp rebuttal, the Bureau said today that Getachew is being used to fuel internal discord, stating: “we have remained silent to avoid escalation... but the line has now been crossed.”

The developments came just a day after TPLF Chairman Dr. Debretsion Gebremichael appealed to the African Union, calling the National Election Board of Ethiopia’s revocation this week of the party’s legal status a “fundamental violation” of the 2022 Pretoria Agreement. He warned that the move reframes a political issue as a technical one and risks unraveling the hard-won peace.

The federal government has not responded to either accusation at the time of publication.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=50229

#Oromia Agriculture Bureau reveals over 2M hectares in the region affected by soil acidity

The Oromia Regional Agriculture Bureau has revealed that more than two million hectares of land in the region have been affected by soil acidity. The bureau says it is undertaking various soil treatment efforts, including the use of lime.

Eshetu Legesse, Director of the Soil Development and Improvement Sector at the Oromia Agriculture Bureau, told local media that acidic soil is a major factor reducing agricultural output and extensive work needed to rehabilitate affected lands and improve yields.

As part of these efforts, the Guder Lime Factory has produced and distributed over 193,000 quintals of lime to farmers across the region, he said.

In November 2024, Agriculture Minister Girma Amente (PhD) told lawmakers that government efforts to treat over three million hectares of acidic soil in Ethiopia were falling short due to a lack of lime supply from cement factories.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16TnTzMi9D/

#UN rights expert calls on #Somalia to accelerate reforms amid conflict and uncertainty

A UN expert on human rights in Somalia urged the Somali government on Thursday to accelerate important reforms and strengthen protections for its people amid persistent conflict and political uncertainty. The expert’s statement came at the conclusion of her fourth official visit to the country.

Isha Dyfan, the UN independent expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia, strongly condemned the terrorist group Al-Shabaab and its violent attacks that harm civilians, including children, and keep Somalia in a state of ongoing insecurity. She also expressed concern about violent clashes between Somalia’s federal forces and regional groups such as those in Jubaland state, which have caused deaths, displacement, sexual violence, and the recruitment of children into armed groups.

Regarding the constitutional review process, Dyfan urged the government to ensure that all key stakeholders, including political leaders, civil society organizations,minority groups, and women’s representatives, are meaningfully involved.

https://www.jurist.org/news/2025/05/un-rights-expert-calls-on-somalia-to-accelerate-reforms-amid-conflict-and-uncertainty/

#Op_ed: Lessons from #Turkmenistan's Health Tragedy: How to avoid #Ethiopia's looming healthcare crisis

The author of this op-ed, Shimels Hussien (PhD), an associate professor of public health based in Addis Abeba, warns that “Ethiopia’s healthcare system is on the brink of collapse.” He highlights the dire conditions faced by medical professionals—the backbone of the nation’s health infrastructure—who continue to work under what he describes as “slavery-like conditions,” earning as little as $100 per month for medical doctors and just $40 for nurses. He adds, “With only 3.5% of GDP allocated for the health sector, hospitals lack basics like meds and equipment while over 60% of med students plan to flee,” underscoring the chronic underfunding and the looming exodus of trained professionals.

Dr. Shimels draws a sobering parallel to Turkmenistan’s healthcare collapse in 2004 under Saparmurat Niyazov, who dismissed the value of medical expertise, fired 15,000 healthcare workers, and replaced them with untrained military connoscripts. “Over the past seven years, systemic neglect and rigid responses under the administration of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed have placed the nation’s healthcare system on the brink of collapse,” he asserts.

As the government continues to suppress protests and detain healthcare workers across the country following a partial nationwide strike, Dr. Shimels argues that “The Ethiopian government’s response has mirrored Niyazov’s authoritarian playbook.” He expresses grave concern over “the deployment of unqualified personnel for critical tasks,” which, he cautioned, endangers patient safety, “echoing Turkmenistan’s reliance on untrained connoscripts.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=50233

#Ethiopia: #NEBE launches second phase of digital polling station registration for 7th national election

The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has launched the second phase of its digital polling station registration, covering over 9,600 stations across four regional states and the Jimma Zone in Oromia, as part of preparations for the 7th national election. The Board said the process aims to make the election “more efficient and modern,” and involves mapping stations based on “distance, geographical location, and accessibility to voters” using an “‘XY Coordinate’” system.

The announcement comes days after four opposition parties warned that the current political and security context “threatens the credibility” of the upcoming election. In a joint statement, the parties said there has been “no word from the government or the legally mandated National Election Board” about the election, despite only one year remaining until the constitutional deadline. They stressed that a “free, fair, and credible election” requires a “naturally peaceful arena,” which they said “does not reflect the current situation.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=50237

#UN scales back aid goals in #Yemen and #Somalia

The United Nations announced Friday it is scaling back its humanitarian aid goals in Yemen and Somalia in the latest fallout from a drastic drop in funding from member states.

It said the cuts are putting millions of lives at risk around the world.

In January, the UN launched an appeal for $2.4 billion to help 10.5 million people in war-torn Yemen this year, far below the 19.5 million people it deems as being in need of assistance.

But with funding down, the global body and its humanitarian aid partners established new priorities so as to be able to help at least the neediest people there.

The UN announced similar changes in strategy in Ukraine and the Democratic Republic of Congo in recent weeks.

Now, the focus in Yemen will be on 8.8 million people with a forecast budget of $1.4 billion, said Stephanie Tremblay, a spokeswoman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

In violent and unstable Somalia, an initial $1.4 billion plan to help 4.6 million people has also been trimmed back to $367 million for 1.3 million people, she said.

"This does not mean that there's been a reduction in overall humanitarian needs and requirements," Tremblay said.
https://www.newarab.com/news/un-scales-back-aid-goals-yemen-and-somalia

#Ethiopia detains 7 journalists in April alone as gov’t amends controversial media law: #CPJ

At least seven journalists were arrested in Ethiopia in April as the government passed an amendment to the 2021 media law that “increases government control” over the Ethiopian Media Authority (#EMA), according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Among those detained is Ahmed Awga, who was arrested after interviewing a father alleging his 16-year-old son died from a police beating. Others include Muhyidin Abdullahi Omar, charged with “defamation” and “disseminating disinformation,” and Fanuel Kinfu, who was questioned over commentary videos and released on bail. CPJ also confirmed that The Reporter journalist Abebe Fikir was briefly detained. three Addis Standard staff members were also briefly detained during a raid on the outlet’s newsroom and released later the same day.

The arrests coincided with Ethiopia’s parliament passing an amendment to the 2021 media law, which CPJ says “increases government control” over the Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA). The amendment eliminates public and civil society representation on the EMA board, removes a ban on board members belonging to political parties, and transfers the power to nominate the EMA’s director general from the board to the Prime Minister.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=50243

#Ethiopia: Health professionals on strike continue to vacate hospitals despite Health Ministry’s claim of holding talks

Health professionals across Ethiopia are continuing to vacate hospitals as a partial nationwide strike over pay, working conditions, and professional protections enters its fifth day. Walkouts have been reported at several major institutions, including Wolkite University Specialized Hospital, University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, and Hawassa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences. Despite the escalation, the Ministry of Health maintains it is addressing concerns through dialogue with professional associations.

At #Wolkite University Specialized Hospital, a medical professional told Addis Standard that staff left on Friday evening after receiving instructions from the university and hospital administration. “10 interns and 8 residents” were ordered to “vacate the campus and dormitory” and return equipment. “All interns and residents left immediately,” the source said, adding, “We were not given time to collect our belongings” and had to leave “without fully collecting our instruments due to intimidation.” Similarly, a health worker from the University of #Gondar said professionals began departing on Saturday after “days of arrests, intimidation, and mounting pressure.” He noted that by Thursday night, “approximately 25 professionals had been detained,” including “senior physicians, specialists, and sub-specialists.”

In #Hawassa, Deutsche Welle reported that intern doctors and residents at Hawassa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences left the campus following a notice stating, “If you are not at your work post by 2:00 p.m. tomorrow [Saturday], leave the campus.” The Ministry of Health, in a statement released on 16 May, claimed it held a second round of talks with association leaders to ensure continued service delivery “without interruption” and in line with “professional ethics.” However, an active representative of the strike refuted the claim, telling Addis Standard, “The Ministry didn’t have any discussion with our representatives” and “didn’t make an official call for negotiations.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=50250

#Ethiopian Medical Association urges release of detained professionals, calls for swift response as health workers warn of full strike

The Ethiopian Medical Association (#EMA), Ethiopia’s largest professional body of physicians, has called for the immediate release of detained health professionals and urged authorities to respond promptly to their demands, as health workers warn that the ongoing partial strike could escalate into a full work stoppage by Monday. In a statement issued on 18 May, the Association said it has been “coordinating discussions” with professional associations and the Ministry of Health to seek “attention and urgent solutions,” while acknowledging that “health services in some institutions are being partially disrupted.”

The partial strike, which began on 13 May, was preceded by protests and a social media campaign calling for improved pay, working conditions and protection of professional rights. Since the strike began, some health professionals have reported facing “arrests and intimidation,” a development Amnesty International described as a “crackdown” in which workers were “arbitrarily rounded up.” While the Ministry of Health responded by declaring such strikes “legally prohibited” and accused some participants of acting with “malicious intentions,” the EMA warned that disruptions to services and education “could severely harm the community” and called for “urgent national discussions” to resolve the issue. “We have heard that our doctors and health professionals have been arrested in various locations,” the EMA said, urging that it would be “better if these professionals were released” to continue their work.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=50264

At least 13 reported killed in suicide bomb blast in #Somalia’s #Mogadishu

At least 13 people were killed in a suicide bombing outside the Damanyo military base in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, on Sunday, as dozens of young recruits queued for registration, according to witnesses cited by the Associated Press and Reuters.

Abdulkadir Hassan Mohamed, a tuk-tuk driver who witnessed the explosion, told AP there was “a loud explosion” after which “people began running in all directions,” adding that “bodies were everywhere.” A military officer identified as Captain Suleiman said the remains of the attacker and dozens of shoes were scattered at the site.

Abdisalan Mohamed, another witness, described the scene to Reuters, saying there were “hundreds of teenagers at the gate” before “a deafening blast occurred” and “the area was covered by dense smoke,” making it difficult to see casualties. Medical staff at a nearby military hospital reported receiving 30 injured individuals, six of whom were declared dead upon arrival. Separately, an official told the Anadolu news agency that the attack had killed at least 11 people.

https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2025/5/18/at-least-10-reported-killed-in-suicide-bomb-blast-in-somalias-mogadishu

#Somaliland president sends recognition appeal to 130+ countries

On the occasion marking the 34th anniversary of its restored independence, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro made an appeal to the international community, calling for formal recognition of Somaliland.

Speaking during the official National Day celebrations, President Irro revealed he had dispatched a series of presidential letters to over 130 countries around the world - including presidents, prime ministers, kings, and emirs - urging them to recognize the Republic of Somaliland.

https://www.horndiplomat.com/2025/05/somaliland-president-sends-recognition-appeal-to-130-countries/

#Op_ed: #Somalia’s Path to Peace: Why three-state solution offers most realistic future

For decades, the international community has held on to the idea of a unified Somalia. But Adam Daud Ahmed, the author of this op-ed, argues that “this vision no longer reflects the reality on the ground.” He writes, “Somalia today functions as three distinct regions: #Somaliland, Puntland, and South/Central Somalia—each with its governance, security, and political path.”

The author notes that Somaliland has maintained a stable and democratic system since 1991 while “meeting international statehood criteria”—yet it remains unrecognized. He adds that “Puntland is widely considered an autonomous territory of Somalia” and has played a key role in regional security. By contrast, Ahmed states that “South/Central Somalia remains mired in conflict and fragile governance.”

The writer contends it is time to “move past the ideal of unity.” He argues that “A better, peaceful path would be to recognize Somaliland as an independent republic… Puntland as an autonomous state… and South/Central Somalia as a UN-supervised trusteeship, allowing time for peacebuilding and political reform.” To support his argument, the author references “successful” state separations such as those of Eritrea and South Sudan.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=50278