#Kenya, #Ethiopia agree to build cross-border infrastructure

Kenya and Ethiopia have agreed to work on cross-border infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing bilateral trade.

At a meeting in Addis Abeba on June 5 as part of the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HOAGDP), the two countries agreed on transformative programs to improve the movement of goods, people, and digital services across the Ethiopian-Kenyan border.

Ethiopia and Kenya agreed to support the construction of two bridges across the River Dawa (Rhamu and Suftu), as a passage of hope that will not only carry vehicles but also convey the aspiration of underserved communities to access healthcare, education, and markets. “The main objectives are to enhance infrastructural connectivity, socio-economic development, trade facilitation, and cross-border development between Ethiopia and Kenya,” says the joint communique.

These measures are seen as a demonstration of Igad’s commitment to operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement through strengthening seamless trade between Ethiopia and Kenya by reducing border-crossing times, reducing transport costs and making regional goods more competitive in international markets.

Subsequently, Kenya and Ethiopia will finalize the draft bilateral agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance on Customs matters and other enabling legal frameworks at the earliest opportunity.

The two agreed on the location for a one-stop border post at Rhamu, a trade facilitation center at Suftu, access roads and bridges at Rhamu and Suftu, and optic fiber “meet me” points.
https://www.zawya.com/en/economy/africa/kenya-ethiopia-agree-to-build-cross-border-infrastructure-cikshyvu

#Ethiopia: #OLF regains access to its #Finfinne HQ after four-year forced closure

The #Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) has regained access to its headquarters in Finfinne (Addis Abeba) after more than four years of forced closure.

The handover was conducted in the presence of representatives from the Addis Abeba Branch of the Joint Council of Political Parties. OLF thanked the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) and the Joint Council for facilitating the return, calling it “a significant step forward.”

The party had been locked out of its headquarters since August 2020, following a police raid and the controversial removal of its leadership. This came amid a broader crackdown on OLF leaders, including the house arrest of Chairman Dawud Ibssa after the assassination of prominent Oromo artist Hachalu Hundessa. Several senior members of the party were also detained in defiance of court orders, leaving the party politically paralyzed at the time of their release last year.

OLF Public Relations Officer Lemmi Gemmechu to Addis Standard that while the office had been inaccessible, the party never relinquished its claim. Although the party regained access to its HQ, more than 200 of its offices nationwide remained closed.

“The reopening of our offices is tied to a fundamental democratic right, the right to assembly,” Lemmi said.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=50777

#Ethiopia refused to negotiate with Mubarak’s regime over water, believing no one could stop its projects on the #Nile – British Documents

#Ethiopia refused to negotiate with Hosni Mubarak’s regime over the Nile water issue, believing that no one could stop it from pursuing its projects on the river’s source, according to declassified British documents.

Documents obtained by MEMO from the National Archives show that the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) believed that, despite improvements in #Egypt-Ethiopia relations at the time, Egypt “had not been able to convince the Ethiopians to engage in dialogue” over Nile water issues.

During a meeting with Anthony Gregory Shapland, head of the FCO’s Middle East Research Department, experts from MacDonald & Partners Company explained that Ethiopian officials often claimed a lack of expertise to defend their interests. However, water and politics expert Terry Evans dismissed this claim, asserting that Ethiopia had access to capable and honest expertise. His dealings with Ethiopian counterparts led him to conclude that “they were too clever to be deceived.” According to Evans, Ethiopia saw no reason to engage in talks, believing that “there was nothing anyone could do to damage their hydrological interests or to prevent them from doing what they wanted on the Blue Nile”, the source of over 85 percent of the Nile’s water flow to Egypt.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250609-ethiopia-refused-to-negotiate-with-mubaraks-regime-over-water-believing-no-one-could-stop-its-projects-on-the-nile-british-documents/

#Etihad and #Ethiopian Airlines activate codeshare agreement

Etihad and Ethiopian Airlines have activated their codeshare agreement, strengthening connectivity between #Africa and #Asia, #Australia, and the Middle East.

The bilateral partnership enhances global travel opportunities for guests, with seats available to book now. Ethiopian will start services from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) to Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi (AUH) on 15 July, and Etihad Airways introducing daily flights to Addis Ababa starting 8 October.

This is the first step ahead of implementation of the groundbreaking Joint Venture agreed between Etihad and Ethiopian in March 2025 unlocking greater travel opportunities for passengers across both networks.

The codeshare lets guests simplify their journeys by making a single booking with one check-in process at the start and the added convenience of having their baggage transferred to their final destination.

https://www.timesaerospace.aero/news/air-transport/etihad-and-ethiopian-airlines-activate-codeshare-agreement

#Fertilizer Price #Hike Sparks Concern Among Farmers in Amhara Region

Farmers in Ethiopia’s Amhara region have voiced concerns that a sharp increase in fertilizer prices could lead to reduced agricultural production in the upcoming farming season, according to a report by Deutsche Welle. The regional agriculture bureau acknowledged the global price surge and noted that the government has introduced subsidies to help ease the burden.

According to the report, farmers fear that the rising cost of fertilizer will negatively impact the cultivation of major food crops. One farmer from the Achefer district in the North Gojjam Zone told DW that while he used to purchase up to eight quintals of fertilizer, he can now only afford two quintals, leaving much of his farmland uncultivated.

https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1932364127206342826?t=Hp1Q6Z47YF8BqIFvzH37uA&s=19

#Ethiopia: Protests planned to demand return of displaced #Tigrayans before fifth rainy season in tents

Protests are planned to take place in Mekelle and Geneva next week, from June 18-20, 2025, under the rallying cry "Enough of Spending Rainy Seasons in Tents."

Spearheaded by the Tsilal Western Tigray Civil Society, the protest demonstrations are expected to center their messages to demand the urgent return of hundreds of thousands displaced Tigrayans who remained scattered as IDPs and refugees for a fifth rainy season in temporary shelters. Organizers said the goal is to pressure both signatories and brokers of the Pretoria Agreement, including the Ethiopian federal government and the international community, to facilitate their safe return before winter.

The planned protests build on a similar demonstration held in January across various Tigrayan cities and towns, where participants chanted slogans like "Return us to our homes" and highlighted the dire conditions faced by displaced persons, including hunger, lack of medical care, and inadequate aid. Despite pledges from the Tigray interim administration to prioritize IDP return, including President Tadesse's acknowledgement of the crisis and failure of previous return efforts due to poor security, displaced Tigrayans remain in 99 makeshift camps.

The humanitarian situation is particularly severe in camps located in Adwa, Adigrat, Shire, and Axum, with reports of rising hunger-related deaths, especially among vulnerable groups. Wolay Berhe, IDP coordinator in Shire, reported nearly 300 deaths in one center over three months due to hunger and lack of medical care.

While a small group of IDPs were returned to Tselemti in July last year, subsequent reports by Addis Standard revealed many were re-displaced due to a lack of promised support.

This ongoing crisis is particularly severe in Western Tigray where crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing have been documented during the two-year brutal war in the region.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=50786

Aid cuts put vital work to protect millions in #Ethiopia from #climate crisis at risk

Anticipatory Action is a programme of activities that is designed to foster resilience and help communities deal with the financial “shock” of extreme climate events, by supporting people before disaster strikes, and avoiding the need to provide emergency humanitarian aid at a later point.

The threat to funding comes as the effects of the climate crisis becomes ever more severely-felt in Ethiopia. Rainfall is becoming more erratic, and droughts more severe, with the 2020 to 2023 Horn of Africa drought leading to 20 million people experiencing acute food insecurity, and 13m livestock dying across Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia.

However, due to aid cuts, agencies in charge of distributing money are having to focus on emergency humanitarian aid over programmes like Anticipatory Action or other activities that prioritise longer-term climate resilience.

https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/aid-trump-us-uk-ethiopia-climate-weather-b2751865.html

#Ethiopia: Police detain prominent Ethiopian journalist, #Tesfalem_Waldyes, again; accuse him of ‘disseminating false information’

Tesfalem Waldyes, a prominent journalist and editor-in-chief of "Ethiopia Insider," was arrested by plainclothes security forces on Sunday, June 8th, in Addis Abeba. The police accused of "disseminating false information."

He was detained at the Gion Hotel and spent the night in a police station before being transferred on Monday and appearing in court today. The court granted him release on 15,000-birr bail, but as of reporting, he remains in custody, as police verbally contested the bail and have not formally appealed or signed his release letter despite all fees being paid by Hak Media and Communication.

This is not Tesfalem's first encounter with authorities; he was previously detained in October 2021 after covering the Irreecha Hora Finfinnee festival and posting a video of Oromo youth protests.

A well-known independent journalist, he was also arrested and charged with terrorism in 2014 and was later acquitted, leading to a life in exile before he returned to Ethiopia in 2020 where he co-founded “Ethiopia Insider”.

Tesfalem's repeated detention comes amid a concerning decline in press freedom in Ethiopia. The 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Ethiopia 145th out of 180 countries, placing it in the "very serious" category for the first time. This downward trend highlights the growing challenge to media freedom in Ethiopia.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=50794

#Sudan accuses #Libyan force of border attack, blames #UAE for 'sponsoring aggression'

Sudan’s government has accused forces loyal to Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar of joining the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in a cross-border assault, calling it a “flagrant aggression” allegedly “sponsored by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).”

In separate statements, the Sudanese army and Foreign Ministry condemned what they described as a coordinated assault in the tri-border area between Sudan, Libya, and Egypt. The army claimed RSF fighters, “supported by Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan forces,” attempted to “seize the area,” calling the involvement of the Libyan faction an “unprecedented” violation of international law and part of a broader “international and regional conspiracy.”

The Foreign Ministry called the incident a “dangerous escalation” and said it was backed by “the Abu Dhabi regime.” It alleged the border with Libya had become a “main crossing for weapons and mercenaries… with UAE funding and coordination from Haftar’s forces.” It also criticised what it described as the “leniency of the Security Council and Western powers,” saying it had encouraged further regional involvement in the war.

https://sudantribune.com/article301781/

#Ethiopia: Landlocked African nation set to complete major naval facility with #Russian support

Ethiopia is set to complete construction of its new Navy Headquarters in the capital, Addis Abeba, marking a step in its ambitions to reestablish a national naval force, despite being landlocked for over three decades.

The 3-hectare site boasts a four-story complex that will house administrative offices, a medical clinic, meeting halls, sports facilities, and other support infrastructure, with the project on track for completion as scheduled.
This development is part of Ethiopia's broader strategy to reassert itself as a regional power in the Horn of Africa.

Despite being landlocked since Eritrea's independence in 1993, Ethiopian authorities argue that maritime capabilities are crucial for safeguarding trade routes, responding to global maritime threats, and ensuring access to international waters via allied ports in Djibouti and Sudan.

In March 2025, Ethiopia signed a cooperation agreement with the Russian government to support naval development and training.

This deal follows the collapse of a previous naval partnership with France, which was initiated in 2018 after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced plans to revive the country's naval forces.

The Russo-Ethiopian partnership was forged during a high-level visit by Russian Deputy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Vladimir Vorobyev to Ethiopian naval facilities and a training center in Bishoftu, where he pledged Moscow's support for training personnel and enhancing Ethiopia's naval capabilities.

This development unfolds against the backdrop of growing Russian military engagement across Africa. Beyond Ethiopia, Moscow has been expanding its presence in countries like Mali, supplying heavy armored vehicles and reportedly building up military infrastructure.

https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/lifestyle/landlocked-african-nation-set-to-complete-major-naval-facility-with-russian-support/16jphby

#Ethiopia: #CPJ urges release of journalist Tesfalem Waldyes; says continued detention reflects ‘disregard’ for court order, press freedom

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged Ethiopian authorities to “immediately release” Tesfalem Waldyes, founder and editor-in-chief of the online media outlet Ethiopia Insider, saying his continued detention despite a court-ordered release “underscores the Ethiopian government’s disregard for judicial processes and press freedom.”

“Authorities must immediately release Tesfalem unconditionally,” CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Muthoki Mumo said in a statement on Tuesday. “The detention of Tesfalem Waldyes, even after a court ordered his release, underscores the Ethiopian government’s disregard for judicial processes and press freedom.”

Tesfalem was arrested on 8 June by plainclothes officers at Ghion Hotel in Addis Abeba and “spent the night on a chair” at a police station in the Estifanos area before being transferred to another station in Qera, according to Haq Media and Communication, which manages Ethiopia Insider. He was later brought before the Addis Abeba City First Instance Court, Kirkos Division, on 10 June, where police accused him of “spreading false information,” CPJ said, citing court documents and Tesfalem’s lawyer, Betemariam Alemayehu.

The court granted bail at 15,000 birr and issued a release order upon payment, but CPJ and Haq Media reported that Tesfalem remained in custody as of Tuesday evening. Despite confirming it had “paid all required fees” and “submitted the court’s release letter” to the Kirkos Sub-City Police Department, the outlet said the letter “has not been signed by the relevant police officer.” It added that police “verbally contested the decision” and mentioned a plan to appeal but had “not yet formally appealed to the court.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=50810

#Commentary: #Ethiopia’s 2026 Election: Democracy’s last stand or authoritarian coronation?

As Ethiopia approaches the 2026 national election, the country stands at a pivotal moment that could either restore democratic credibility or further entrench authoritarian rule, writes Muktar Ismail Issack, the author of this commentary. He underscores the central question: “Whether this election will genuinely capture the voices of the Ethiopian populace or merely serve as a symbolic exercise to reinforce the grip of the ruling elite.”

The author reflects on Ethiopia’s troubled electoral history, which he describes as marked by “fleeting hopes and persistent disappointments.” He points to the 2005 election as a prime example, where opposition parties managed to secure around 32% of parliamentary seats. However, this promising moment was "short-lived," as the government quickly moved to "suppress dissent by arresting opposition leaders, quelling protests resulting in nearly 200 deaths." He continues, “Subsequent elections further exposed the erosion of democratic principles,” arguing that the 2021 elections were similarly “manipulated,” with the ruling Prosperity Party (PP) winning 96.8% of the seats. He emphasizes, “These results were not the outcome of fair competition but rather a result of manipulated districts, voter suppression, and the exclusion of opposition candidates.”

Looking ahead, Muktar argues that the upcoming elections are unfolding against a backdrop of serious challenges, including “government crackdowns, political repression, and limited space for opposition parties,” compounded by “ongoing conflicts in #Oromia and #Amhara.” He warns, “Historically, the government has used these conflicts as a pretext to postpone elections or suppress dissent,” suggesting that similar tactics might be employed in 2026.

In preparation for the seventh national election, the author proposes crucial reforms, including overhauling the electoral system, inviting international observers, and guaranteeing the independence of electoral bodies. He further stresses, “Prioritizing conflict resolution through dialogue, releasing political prisoners, and restoring press freedoms are also essential,” adding that “An independent judiciary is also vital for resolving constitutional and legal disputes.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=50805

#Ethiopia: #GSTS, civic groups accuse #OCHA of “misrepresentation” of Western #Tigray, warn it “legitimizes displacement” and threatens territorial integrity

The Global Society of Tigray Scholars and Professionals (GSTS), along with 15 civic and research organizations, has accused the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) of what it described as “persistent misrepresentation and artificial designations” regarding Western Tigray. In a joint letter dated 10 June, the signatories warned that such portrayals “provide tacit legitimacy” to the ongoing displacement of Tigrayans and pose a risk of “undermining Tigray’s territorial integrity.”

The letter referenced past OCHA reports—including those from 29 April 2022 and 3 June 2025—which, according to the signatories, either incorporate Western Tigray into the Amhara region or describe it as a “contested area.” These denoscriptions, the signatories argued, amount to “a perilous attempt to erase Tigray’s historical identity,” and despite “multiple appeals,” they said OCHA has “persisted in producing reports, maps, and public statements” using “misleading geographic denoscriptors.”

GSTS and its partners further stated that OCHA’s reporting has “effectively legitimized” the continued displacement of over 1.5 million people, while also “obscuring the scale” of human rights violations such as “mass killings, conflict-related sexual violence, slavery,” and “the destruction of Tigrayan identity.” The statement also warned that “such meddling in internal affairs” violates OCHA’s mandate and “sets a dangerous precedent” that could encourage “illegal annexation” and trigger “further violence and instability.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=50821

#WFP warns of famine risk in #Sudan; $500M funding gap threatens humanitarian response

The World Food Program (WFP) on Tuesday called on the international community to urgently boost support for Sudan, where a civil war continues since 2023, warning that famine is looming in several areas and basic humanitarian operations are on the brink due to severe funding shortfalls.

Speaking at a #UN press briefing in Geneva, Laurent Bukera, WFP's Sudan representative and country director, said, "this is the moment to stand with the Sudanese people as they rebuild their lives, communities, and hope after two years of devastating conflict." Bukera, who recently returned from Khartoum, said the WFP has opened a new office in Omdurman to re-establish its presence near affected communities. "The needs are immense," he said, describing widespread destruction, a cholera outbreak, and areas that now resemble a "ghost city."

Over the past six months, the WFP has reached nearly 1 million people in Khartoum with food and nutrition aid, he said. However, Bukera warned that "several areas in the south of the city are at high risk of famine," and the momentum must be maintained.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/wfp-urges-international-community-to-step-up-support-as-famine-looms-in-sudan/3593086

News: #Amnesty says journalist Tesfalem’s arrest a ‘troubling new reality’in #Ethiopia, calls for his release

Amnesty International has condemned the arbitrary arrest of Tesfalem Waldyes, Editor-in-Chief of “Ethiopia Insider”, calling the incident emblematic of a "troubling new reality" in the country.

Amnesty described his arrest as part of an escalating pattern of state surveillance and repression targeting individuals for their private views and journalistic work.

“This incident reflects a troubling new reality in Ethiopia, where authorities are now monitoring people’s private lives and opinions,” the organization said in a statement. “His arbitrary arrest and detention also highlight the rapidly escalating nature of authoritarian practices in the country.”

The rights group also criticized the international community, stating that Ethiopia’s development partners have failed to take meaningful steps to uphold freedom of expression and hold the government accountable.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=50834

#Op_ed: Collateral No More: #Amhara civilians face relentless drone strikes; global inaction enables atrocities

Villages in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, once alive with the sounds of schoolchildren, now echo with sirens and grief, writes Alene Yenew Kassa, the author of this op-ed. He notes that since the federal government declared a state of emergency in August 2023, civilians have become the primary victims of a “brutal” military campaign, with “drone strikes emerging as the government’s preferred method of warfare.” This, he stresses, is happening while “the world remains largely silent.”

The author cites a UN report documenting around 100 drone strikes in Amhara between August 2023 and January 2024, which resulted in at least 479 civilian deaths. He also recalls one of the deadliest incidents, which occurred in April 2025, when a drone strike killed more than 100 civilians—mostly teachers and students—who were cleaning a school compound in Gedeb, East Gojjam Zone. Drone strikes, he argues, are “not precise, surgical operations.” Rather, they serve as “indiscriminate tools of collective punishment,” targeting “schoolyards, marketplaces, churches, and farms—not military installations.”

Despite "real-world tragedies" and "generational trauma," the author stresses that “the international response remains muted.” He points out that the UN and Amnesty International have expressed "concern... more often in whispers than in action." While Human Rights Watch has collected testimonies, Alene notes that there has been "no independent investigation, no sanctions, and no meaningful pressure" on the Ethiopian government.

He argues that superpowers—especially the United States—must take concrete action: they should “publicly condemn the use of drone strikes in civilian areas,” “suspend military assistance,” “fund and support an international inquiry,” and “ensure the meaningful inclusion of Amhara civic leaders and victims in any peace negotiations.” “The people of Amhara are not collateral damage... They are victims of state violence,” the author concludes, stressing that the international community must make a choice: “silence or justice, complicity or compassion.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=50837

#Sudan’s paramilitary #RSF say they seized key zone bordering #Egypt, #Libya

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Wednesday said their fighters had seized a strategic zone on the border with Egypt and Libya, while the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) announced its withdrawal from the area, saying the move was part of its “defensive arrangements.”

“As part of its defensive arrangements to repel aggression, our forces today evacuated the triangle area overlooking the borders between Sudan, Egypt and Libya,” SAF spokesperson Nabil Abdallah said in a statement. The RSF, in a separate statement, said its fighters had “liberated the strategic triangle area,” adding that army forces had retreated southward “after suffering heavy losses.”

The developments came a day after SAF accused forces loyal to eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar of launching a cross-border attack alongside the RSF, calling it “a blatant aggression against Sudan.” Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also accused the United Arab Emirates of backing the assault, describing it as a “dangerous escalation” and a “flagrant violation of international law.” It described the latest clash as part of a broader “foreign-backed conspiracy.”

https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2025/6/11/sudans-paramilitary-rsf-say-they-seized-key-zone-bordering-egypt-libya

There are forces plotting to block #Ethiopia’s path to the sea: Army Chief

Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, Chief of Staff of Ethiopian National Defenses Forces (ENDF), told the Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs Standing Committee of the Parliament on Wednesday that there are forces plotting to block Ethiopia’s path to the sea.

“There are forces who are working to prevent Ethiopia from getting close to the sea,” Field Marshal Birhanu said. “Sometimes they form alliances with deliberate plans to ensure that Ethiopia gets nowhere near the sea” he said, adding that such efforts lack “any real justification.”

The army is “diligently working to ensure lasting peace and security in East Africa,” and ensure Ethiopia’s “unwavering commitment to gaining access to the sea, fostering regional cooperation and achieving shared prosperity.”

"Plans to secure sea access and establish a capable navy” and build a military “strong enough to defend the nation against threats both on land and at sea,”are already in motion.

#Ethiopia: IDPs from Western #Tigray protest at Interim President’s Office demanding return to their homes; denounce stalled promises by authorities

Hundreds of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Western Tigray staged a protest on Wednesday at the Office of the President of the Tigray Interim Administration in Mekelle, demanding their immediate return to areas they say remain under the control of forces affiliated with the Amhara region. The demonstrators, many of whom have lived in camps since the start of the Tigray war, marched from several neighborhoods in Mekelle before entering the compound, accusing officials of failing to act on earlier commitments.

“We are dying here; we will die if we go. It is better for us to die in our land,” said Mehari Abadi, an IDP from Korarit in Wolkayit, currently living in the 70 Kare camp. He explained that a 60-member committee — including Tigrayan refugees in Sudan — was formed in 2025 to engage authorities, but “whenever we explained our desperate situation — torn tents, shortage of food, no water — they would say, ‘It will be fixed soon,’” he said. Still, according to Mehari, the community has seen “no change.”

Another protester, Yirga MuluBirhan, who fled Setit Humera in November 2020 and later returned to Mekelle from Sudan, said their demand has remained constant. “We have no other request,” he said, “than to return us to our homes.” Yirga, who also serves on the protest coordination committee, said they reached out to several authorities and political actors, including opposition groups.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=50840

#Ethiopia: Lake #Dembel under threat, locals warn of disappearing fish stocks amid over-pumping, pesticide use

The depth of Lake Dembel, one of Ethiopia’s major freshwater lakes, has halved since 1990, a decline attributed to continuous water extraction and heavy pesticide use, according to Wetlands International and local residents.

The lake, located about 120 kilometres south of #Addis_Abeba and roughly four times the size of Manhattan, supports agriculture and fishing for hundreds of thousands. Wetlands International said the lake’s depth has dropped from four metres to two over the last three decades. “If things continue like this, the lake could disappear,” said Desalegn Regassa, a project manager at the NGO.

Farmers and industrial users operate thousands of pumps around the clock to irrigate surrounding land, with over 6,000 pumps counted around the lake last year alone, the organization noted. Fishermen say stocks have dropped sharply. Belachew Derib, who has fished the lake since the 1980s, told AFP: “Previously, we could catch 20 to 30 fish a day. Nowadays, young fishermen are lucky to catch two or three.”

Heavy use of pesticides is also affecting the lake’s ecosystem. “The fertilisers and pesticides we use degrade the soil,” said Habib Bobasso, a local farmer. “We spend too much money on fertilisers and chemicals for a low yield,” he added, acknowledging the impact on both land and water. A report by the Stockholm International Water Institute blamed “lacklustre policy frameworks” for the degradation of several Ethiopian water bodies, including Dembel.

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250612-ethiopia-s-vast-lake-being-pumped-dry

#Ethiopia: City Cassation Court upholds third time bail for Journalist Tesfalem; he remains in police custody

The Addis Abeba City Administration Cassation Court has upheld bail for journalist Tesfalem Waldyes for the third time, rejecting a police appeal that challenged earlier rulings by two lower courts.

The court found the police's legal basis for the appeal flawed and reaffirmed that the 15,000 birr bail granted by the First Instance Court and upheld by the Appeals Court was valid and lawful.

Tesfalem’s defense lawyer told Addis Standard that his arrest stems from police allegations that he “incited unrest” during a football match on Sunday by making a politically charged statement to a crowd. His lawyer, however, maintains that Tesfalem was not present at the scene and denies the accusation, adding that even if the claim were true, it would not justify extended detention or denial of bail.

Despite the court's clear directive for his release, Tesfalem remains in police custody. Rights groups including Amnesty International and the Committee to Protect Journalists have condemned his detention, calling it arbitrary and indicative of increasing authoritarianism in Ethiopia. Amnesty said Tesfalem’s arrest “reflects a troubling new reality in Ethiopia, where authorities are now monitoring people’s private lives and opinions,”

Haq Media and Communication, publisher of Ethiopia Insider, continues to demand his immediate release.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=50849