#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

News: #Ethiopia Court jails man to seven years for “defaming gov’t, disseminating pro-Fano messages”

The Federal High Court has sentenced Wondimagegn Bergena to seven years of rigorous imprisonment after convicting him of “defaming the government” and “disseminating pro-Fano messages” on WhatsApp and TikTok.

The prosecution accused the defendant of “posting content that included photos of armed individuals and Fano leaders”, as well as messages “inciting the youth to join the group’s armed activities.”

Some of these posts were reportedly viewed by at least ten people on TikTok.

Evidence presented in court also included alleged messages by the accused to a known social media influencer claiming “government forces were demolishing homes in Arba Minch”, information the prosecution argued was “intended to inflame anti-government sentiment.”

The court concluded Wondimagegn had “failed to disprove” the charges under Ethiopia’s Criminal Code despite his not guilty plea.

The sentencing comes just weeks after PM Abiy Ahmed claimed “no one” is jailed by his government for expressing opinions. It also coincides with a deepening press crackdown and shrinking civic space; Ethiopia now ranks 145th on the 2025 RSF Press Freedom Index, marking its first inclusion in the “very serious” threat category.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=50959

“We may be from two countries but are one family”: #Ethiopian peacekeepers hand over medical supplies in Bor, #South_Sudan

Dr. Bol Chaw, medical director at Bor State Hospital in Jonglei, South Sudan, received a large shipment of vital supplies for the hospital—broad-spectrum antibiotics, anti-malarials, painkillers, drugs to tackle chronic illnesses such as hypertension, and surgical materials from #Ethiopia, serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

His concerns are shared by many across this country, where people living in remote areas often go without basic healthcare. “It’s increasingly difficult for us to provide essential medication to patients, whether in hospitals or smaller clinics,” reveals Dr. Chaw.

“Since we patrol consistently among communities, we are aware of the challenges they face, particularly with the ongoing economic crisis and consequent shortage of medical supplies. We felt that we must support them. We may be from two countries but are one family, and families share,” explains Lieutenant-Colonel Desalegn Sahile Gulilat, commanding officer of the Ethiopian troops.

https://unmiss.unmissions.org/%E2%80%9Cwe-may-be-two-countries-are-one-family%E2%80%9D-ethiopian-peacekeepers-hand-over-medical-supplies-bor

#Ethiopian Health Professionals’ Association suspended; president links move to support for health workers’ strike

The Ethiopian Health Professionals Association (EHPA) was suspended by the Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO) on June 12, with the association’s president linking the decision to EHPA’s public support for the ongoing nationwide strike by health workers.

Speaking to Addis Standard, EHPA president Yonatan Dagnaw said the authority’s letter cited claims that the association “did not hold a general assembly” and “did not submit financial reports.”

Yonatan stated, “We operated according to the guidelines and the laws of the country. We did nothing beyond that,” adding that EHPA believes “the suspension is primarily connected to the health professionals’ movement.”

https://addisstandard.com/ethiopian-health-professionals-association-suspended-president-links-move-to-support-for-health-workers-strike/

#US moves military assets, limits access to its largest base in #Middle_East

The US military has moved some aircraft and ships from bases in the Middle East that may be vulnerable to any potential Iranian attack, two US officials told Reuters on Wednesday.

The moves come as President Donald Trump kept the world guessing whether the United States would join Israel's bombardment of Iran's nuclear and missile sites, as residents fled its capital on the sixth day of the air assault.


Separately, the US embassy in Qatar issued an alert on Thursday temporarily restricting its personnel from accessing the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East, which is located in the desert outside Doha.

The embassy told personnel and US citizens in Qatar to step up vigilance in "an abundance of caution and in light of ongoing regional hostilities".

The two US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the move of aircraft and ships was a part of plans to protect US forces, but declined to say how many had been moved and where to.

One of the officials said aircraft that were not in hardened shelters had been moved from Al Udeid base and naval vessels had been moved from a port in Bahrain, where the military's 5th fleet is located.


https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/us-moves-military-assets-limits-access-to-its-largest-base-in-middle-east-125061900350_1.html