#Ethiopia: Mpox cases confirmed in #Addis_Abeba, six regions: IMC reports

Confirmed cases of Mpox have been reported in Addis Abeba and six other regions of Ethiopia, according to a June 13 situation update by the International Medical Corps (IMC). As of June 10, 18 cases had been verified across the country, with one reported fatality—bringing the case fatality rate to 5.6%, the update said. The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), in coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO), has activated the Public Health Emergency Operations Center “to coordinate the national response,” IMC noted, adding that an “incident action plan has been finalized” and technical officers have been deployed to support local task forces.

IMC stated it is “actively supporting the national response” alongside EPHI and national and regional health clusters. A comprehensive preparedness and response plan has been developed and rolled out, with Mpox-related materials distributed to 13 health facilities and two IDP sites. In northwest and west Tigray, 47 health professionals have been trained on Mpox protocols. The Ministry of Health, in its June 15 update, confirmed the total number of cases had reached 19, with no additional deaths and six active cases. It added that 175 laboratory tests had been conducted and no severe cases had been recorded.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=50902

#Opinion: Silent Ghosts, Loud Paranoia: What haunts #Somali region leadership?

The ruling Prosperity Party (PP) stands today not as a random coalition but as a deliberate alliance built on compromise and shared vision, writes Mohamud A. Ahmed, author of this opinion piece. Within its ranks, he notes, two figures stand out: Adem Farah, Vice President of the PP, and Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance, both hail from the Somali region. He says they share a quiet belief: "A party is not a platform to shout from but a vessel to row together." In contrast, the author argues that Somali Region President Mustafe Muhumed Omar “appears entangled in a political paradox—a ghost-chasing spiral of self-manufactured crises,” adding that “where others see space for growth, he sees shadows of sabotage.”

Mohamud points out that Mustafe’s leadership has been consistently shadowed by “allegations of repression, silencing of freedom of speech, and corruption.” He questions why figures like Adem and Ahmed remain silent, stating that “There is a growing perception that both men, despite their regional roots and senior federal ranks, have chosen institutional camouflage over corrective intervention.”

“At the heart of the broader puzzle sits Prime Minister Abiy, a leader known for his panoramic grasp of Ethiopian politics,” he writes. “For a man who has often intervened to deescalate far more complex crises in Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia, his detachment from the Somali region’s political mismanagement is either a calculated tolerance or a dangerous blind spot.”

The author emphasizes, "Politics is not a place for perfection. But it is no longer a playground for paranoia either." He warns that "the Prosperity Party, for all its structural imperfections, cannot carry leaders who plant fires only to later play firefighter."

https://addisstandard.com/?p=50909

#China Bound: Beyond the brew: free trade helps #Ethiopia's coffee farmers

In the southern city of #Changsha, the ongoing China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo is opening new doors for African businesses especially now that China has dropped tariffs on imports from all 53 African countries it has diplomatic ties with.

For exporters like Ethiopia's coffee producers, that means access to the world's second-largest consumer market with fewer barriers.

Bernabas Kidane, Coffee exporter from Ethiopia says: "This is our typical coffee ceremony. Sometimes three times a day like this. It's a wonderful opportunity because we can now export our products to China with zero tariffs, which means we will be taxed less and maybe get more profits."

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-06-14/VHJhbnNjcmlwdDg0OTI3/index.html

#Ethiopia: #Tigray interim leader urges thorough documentation of ‘genocide committed against the people of Tigray’, calls for justice and accountability

Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede, President of the Tigray Interim Administration, has called for the urgent documentation of atrocities committed during the two-year war in Tigray.

Speaking at a forum on 16 June organized by the Tigray Genocide Inquiry Commission, he emphasized the need to preserve evidence and ensure that justice and accountability are not delayed.

“The genocide committed against the people of Tigray must be documented so that it is neither forgotten nor repeated,” said General Tadesse. He urged greater efforts to “collect and safeguard material evidence”, warning that the passage of time risks erasing crucial proof of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

While commending the commission for its work and encouraging it to intensify its efforts, President Tadesse reiterated that accountability and prevention must be central to the region’s healing and rebuilding process.

Commissioner of the Tigray Genocide Inquiry Commission Yemane Zeray (PhD) reported that despite significant internal and external pressures, the commission has managed to collect material evidence over the past years.

Consultative forums have been held across multiple zones in Tigray and, he said, and urged Tigrayans – both within the region and in the diaspora – to support the Commission’s efforts. “We must ensure that the genocide is neither forgotten nor repeated,” he said.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=50912

#Kenya denies role in fueling #Sudan war

Kenya has dismissed claims that it is playing a role in fueling the ongoing conflict in Sudan, with Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura asserting the country’s position as a neutral peace broker.

Addressing the media on Monday, Mwaura said Kenya’s involvement is “strictly diplomatic,” and that its efforts are focused on “mediation and peacebuilding between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).” He stated, “Kenya is not an architect of the Sudan war. We are committed to fostering dialogue through the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (#IGAD) process, chaired by President William Ruto.”

Mwaura said Kenya has a “long-standing history of facilitating peace in the region,” citing the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and “continued support for Sudan’s democratic transition since 2019.” He added that President Ruto “has been actively engaged in regional diplomacy,” leading the IGAD quartet and hosting both General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) “in pursuit of a ceasefire.”

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001521879/kenya-denies-role-in-fueling-sudan-war

#Ethiopia: #Africa CDC reports daily cholera cases decline in #Amhara, attributes progress to joint response

Daily cholera cases in the Amhara region have shown a decline in recent weeks, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), which attributed the trend to what it called a “coordinated response” undertaken in collaboration with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) and the Amhara Public Health Institute (APHI).

Africa CDC said its technical experts were deployed to the region in late April 2025 to support several “critical response pillars,” including case management, surveillance, infection prevention and control (IPC), risk communication and community engagement (RCCE), as well as strengthening the region’s operational capacity under its Incident Management System (IMS). Dr. Aniekeme Aniefiok Uwah, the agency’s Senior Country Representative to Ethiopia, said the key result of the intervention was “a significant reduction in the daily number of cholera cases reported,” which followed “more effective coordination of the response” and “capacity building of IMS members at various levels.”

The outbreak, which began in January 2025, has resulted in more than 2,281 confirmed cases and 15 deaths, according to Africa CDC. The agency said the spread was “exacerbated by the influx of pilgrims and fragile water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure at these sacred sites,” specifically mentioning Andassa Holy Water—described as “one of the most active religious sites in the region.” The site, located some 20 km from Bahir Dar, receives “an estimated 20,280 visitors annually,” many of whom seek spiritual or physical healing.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=50922

Clashes injure 11 as #Kenyans protest death of blogger in police custody

At least 11 people were injured during protests in Kenya on Tuesday, sparked by the death of 31-year-old blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody. The demonstrations escalated after a police officer shot an unarmed man, described as a bystander, in the head at close range in Nairobi, prompting widespread public outrage and renewed calls for police accountability.

According to witness accounts, the unarmed man, believed to be a vendor, was caught in a confrontation with two officers while standing on a Nairobi sidewalk. A police officer with his face concealed allegedly shot him in the head with what appeared to be a shotgun. Kenya’s largest referral hospital confirmed he was being treated for gunshot wounds. Police later said the officer had been arrested.

At least 10 others were injured during the protest after men on motorbikes, some carrying whips and clubs, attacked demonstrators in downtown Nairobi. “They cornered us and beat us with whips, and the police were just watching them do it,” said Hanifa Adan, a protester who also took part in last year’s Gen Z-led rallies. Local broadcaster NTV shared footage of the attackers shouting “No protest!” as they dispersed demonstrators.

The protests follow the death of Albert Ojwang, who died two days after his arrest in Homa Bay. Police initially claimed he fatally injured himself by banging his head against a cell wall, but an autopsy found his injuries, including blunt force trauma, were “unlikely to be self-inflicted.” President William Ruto admitted Ojwang died “at the hands of the police,” calling his death “heartbreaking and unacceptable.” Two senior police officers and a civilian have been arrested, and Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat, whom Ojwang had reportedly criticised before his arrest, announced he would temporarily step down.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/17/one-killed-in-clashes-as-kenyans-protest-death-of-blogger-in-police-custody

New agreement sees another milestone in #Ethiopia, #Morocco defense cooperation

Ethiopia and Morocco have signed a new defense cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing military ties through joint training, scientific research, military health, and exercises.

The agreement, signed on 17 June in Rabat by Ethiopia’s Defense Minister Aysha Mohammed and Morocco’s Defense Minister Abdeltif Loudyi, also establishes a joint military commission to oversee its implementation.

It reflects the growing ties in Ethiopia-Morocco defense relations, following several high-level visits. In April, General Berrid led a Moroccan delegation to Ethiopia for a four-day visit, where discussions with Field Marshal Birhanu Jula and inspections of military installations reveal expanding collaboration to new areas including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and defense industry development.

These engagements build on Field Marshal Birhanu Jula’s August 2024 visit to Morocco, which signaled the early stages of a deeper strategic partnership.

Morocco’s Defense Administration said the latest agreement as part of broader South-South cooperation initiatives led by King Mohammed VI, aiming to promote regional integration and continental stability.

This latest development shows the growing ties between Addis Abeba and Rabat as reflected in their defense and security interests.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=50931

#Eritreans face 'systemic' rights violations: #UN expert

Eritreans face “systemic” human rights violations under the three-decade rule of President Isaias Afwerki, according to Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Eritrea.

Presenting his findings at a summit in Geneva on Monday, Babiker said the abuses include indefinite national service, arbitrary detention, and forced labour. “Violations are systemic, and the need for accountability is urgent,” he told the forum, adding that “to those detained without charges or trial, who have not been heard from in decades, your names will continue to be spoken.”

The UN rapporteur accused the government of violently suppressing dissent and imprisoning opponents “without trial for decades in horrific conditions.” He was denied entry into the country while preparing his report.

https://www.barrons.com/news/eritreans-face-systemic-rights-violations-un-expert-f7352e14

#Somaliland’s rising strategic role in #US oil and military policy

Oil bulls have finally found some relief as crude prices rallied to multi-month highs, driven by escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, which continue to trade attacks in one of the region's most volatile periods in recent years. As of Tuesday morning, Brent crude for August delivery had surged $9 from a week earlier to reach $75 per barrel, with WTI following suit.

Prices, which had remained under pressure much of the year due to concerns over oversupply and flagging demand, are now being buoyed by the specter of widening geopolitical instability, even in the absence of major supply disruptions.

Amid these uncertainties, a lesser-known but strategically vital player has begun to attract growing attention: Somaliland.

https://oilprice.com/Geopolitics/Africa/Somalilands-Rising-Strategic-Role-in-US-Oil-and-Military-Policy.html

#Ethiopia: #NRC reports over 45,000 ex-combatants demobilized in #Tigray, up from 17,000 in April

More than 45,000 former combatants from the Tigray region have been demobilized and reintegrated into their communities, the National Rehabilitation Commission (NRC) said, less than two months after it reported that only 17,000 had completed the process.

According to the state-run Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), the updated figures were shared during a Program Implementation Review Meeting held on 17 June with the DDR Partners Task Force. The NRC said that “over 56,000 ex-combatants have been demobilized across four regions,” with the majority — “more than 45,000” — from Tigray.

The Commission said the DDR program is “a key component of the country’s peace process,” aiming to assist the “transition of ex-combatants back into civilian life” through various forms of support including medical, psychosocial, and financial aid. NRC Commissioner Temesgen Tilahun, in a social media post cited by ENA, described the development as “a major milestone” in the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA), and a “critical step” toward “lasting peace and stability.” He added that, with continued partnership, the first phase of the program in Tigray is expected to conclude “within the next two months.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=50936

#UN fact-finding mission says #Sudan conflict escalating, aid weaponised

The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan has warned that both sides in the country’s civil war have escalated the use of heavy weaponry in populated areas while weaponising humanitarian relief, amid devastating consequences for civilians.

“Let us be clear: the conflict in Sudan is far from over,” said Mohamed Chande Othman, chair of the Fact-Finding Mission, which presented its latest findings to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday. “The scale of human suffering continues to deepen. The fragmentation of governance, the militarisation of society, and the involvement of foreign actors are fuelling an ever-deadlier crisis.”

The brutal conflict, now in its third year, erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and has killed tens of thousands of civilians and displaced more than 13 million Sudanese, according to United Nations data. The UN has previously said that Sudan is experiencing the world’s “worst humanitarian crisis”.

The mission found that both sides escalated the use of heavy weaponry in populated areas. In May, an RSF drone strike on Obeid International Hospital in North Kordofan killed six civilians, while earlier this month, an SAF bombing in Al Koma killed at least 15 civilians. Aid was also being weaponised by the SAF, which imposed bureaucratic restrictions, as well as by the RSF, which looted convoys and blocked aid, the group said.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/17/un-fact-finding-mission-says-sudan-conflict-escalating-aid-weaponised

#Ethiopia: Ethiopian Airlines orders twin Otter 300-Gs to reach remote destinations

Ethiopian Airlines has placed an order for two De Havilland Canada Twin Otter 300-G aircraft, unveiled at the Paris Airshow on Wednesday, as part of its strategy to expand regional connectivity across Ethiopia and Africa.

The Twin Otter 300-G, known for its short take-off and landing capabilities, will be equipped with amphibious gear to access lakeside and remote airstrips. The aircraft will also support multi-purpose missions including air ambulance and airport calibration services.

“The addition of the Twin Otter 300-G to our fleet reflects our strategy to expand domestic connectivity and support socio-economic growth in Ethiopia and across Africa,” Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines was quoted by UK Aviation News as saying.

Read more at: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1935320532662050904

#Putin makes #Iran-#Israeli mediation pitch in call with #UAE president

The leaders of Russia and the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday warned of “extremely negative consequences” from the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, as President Vladimir Putin pushed himself as a possible mediator.

In a phone call with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Putin “confirmed Russia’s readiness to provide mediation assistance to promote dialogue between the parties to the conflict,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

The two leaders “expressed deep concern over the continuing escalation of the Iranian-Israeli conflict, which could have extremely negative consequences for the entire region,” Moscow added.

Israel launched a massive bombing campaign on Friday that prompted Iran to respond with its own missile and drone strikes.
Russia is close to Iran, having boosted military ties amid its offensive on Ukraine.

Russia is close to Iran, having boosted military ties amid its offensive on Ukraine.

But Moscow also strives for good relations with Israel.

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2025/06/18/putin-uae-president-urge-end-to-israeliran-conflict-in-phone-call-kremlin-says

#Ethiopia: Parliament passes revised anti-money laundering law despite concerns over immunity clause for covert agents

The House of Peoples’ Representatives has passed a revised anti-money laundering and terrorism financing law, despite objections over a clause that grants immunity to covert agents for all crimes except murder.

The proclamation, officially noscriptd Prevention and Suppression of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, was approved during the House’s 37th regular session on Tuesday. It revises Proclamation No. 780/2013 and introduces new provisions such as broader definitions of criminal assets, expanded regulatory powers for the Financial Intelligence Service, and coverage of virtual assets including digital currencies.

During the session, Desalegn Chane (PhD), a member of the National Movement of Amhara (#NaMA), criticized the bill, calling several of its provisions “very surprising” and “draconian.” He warned that the clause on covert agents would allow them to be “immune from prosecution” for crimes other than murder, and cautioned that this could permit acts like “torture or inhumane treatment” without accountability. Desalegn also questioned provisions permitting surveillance for “90 to 120 days” and the freezing of “suspicious” transactions for up to seven days “without a court order,” stating these measures could result in “abuse and corruption.”

In response, Isa Boru, Deputy Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Legal and Justice Affairs, said the revised law “holds accountable any citizen or group” financing terrorism or criminal activities and emphasized that it does not “target opposition political parties, journalists, or businesspeople.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=50946