#Ethiopia: #Tigray Deputy President accuses federal gov’t of exploiting Pretoria deal to advance ‘wartime goals ’; warns of ‘demographic change’ at IDP rally

The Deputy President of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration, Amanuel Assefa, has accused the federal government of “using the #Pretoria Peace Agreement to achieve the goals it could not accomplish through war” and warned that the deal is being “exploited” to “fragment Tigray” and “change the region’s demographic composition.”

Amanuel made the comments on 20 June during the closing rally of a three-day peaceful demonstration held at Romanat Square in Mekelle. The protest, which began on 18 June, was organized under the slogan “Let’s not spend the fifth rainy season in tents” by Tsilal Western Tigray Civil Society, and called for the full implementation of the Pretoria Agreement and the immediate return of displaced persons. Delivering a message on behalf of the Interim President, Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede, Amanuel claimed the federal government is “exploiting the agreement to make Tigray exist in a fragmented state and to change the demographic composition of the area.”

“Beyond silencing the guns,” he said, “it has so far failed to ensure the security of the Tigray people,” adding that displaced residents are “living in difficulty and suffering, having been stripped of their sovereign territory, displaced from their homes, and driven from their residences.” He stated that the administration would “make every effort to ensure all of Tigray’s interests through peaceful means,” but warned that “if that path fails, it should not be assumed that Tigray’s dignity will remain violated or its sovereignty broken.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=50984

#Ethiopia, #Denmark sign 238.4 million USD bilateral development agreement

The Government of Ethiopia and the Royal Danish Government yesterday formalized a significant bilateral development agreement, the Danish–Ethiopian Bilateral Development Programme for the period 2025 to 2029.

The signing ceremony, held at the Ministry of Finance, signifies a deepening partnership and enduring commitment between the two nations. This ambitious five-year program, backed by a substantial contribution of USD 238.4 million, stands out as one of Denmark's largest global development aid programs.

Ambassador Sune Krogstrup of the Royal Danish Embassy to Ethiopia highlighted this, stating, "This is a testament to the strong bilateral relationship between Ethiopia and Denmark and the excellent partnership that we have enjoyed throughout the years".

https://www.mofed.gov.et/blog/ethiopia-and-denmark-sign-2384-million-usd-bilateral-development-agreement-reinforcing-a-longstanding-partnership/

#Kenya acquires advanced cyber tools sparking privacy concerns

The Kenyan government's move to acquire advanced cybersecurity tools, funded by the World Bank, has sparked a heated debate, with human rights advocates raising alarms about potential mass surveillance capabilities.

While officially aimed at bolstering national digital infrastructure against cyber threats, concerns are mounting over how these "military-grade" firewalls could be used to monitor citizens' online activities.

Through a tender issued on Tuesday, June 17, by the Information and Communications Technology Authority (ICTA), Kenya is seeking to purchase high-performance internet gateway perimeter firewalls, internal network protections, and a central management system.

These tools, part of the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project, are described as capable of deep packet inspection, allowing them to track browsing history, inspect communications, and collect data on online behaviour.

Critics argue that the timing of this acquisition is particularly concerning given recent reports of hacking, monitoring, and even abductions in the country. "Without clear legal frameworks and independent oversight, such technologies could be misused to conduct mass surveillance or suppress dissent," stated experts.

The tender documentation itself highlights the power of these enterprise-grade firewalls, noting their potential for national-scale surveillance if configured for that purpose.

https://eastleighvoice.co.ke/technology/167866/kenya-acquires-advanced-cyber-tools-sparking-privacy-concerns

#US bombs #Iranian nuclear sites as Trump says #Tehran must 'make peace

US President Donald Trump says American warplanes have bombed three nuclear sites in Iran, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing war between Iran and Israel.

“Remember, there are many targets left. Tonight was the most difficult of them all by far, and perhaps the most lethal,” Trump said in a brief televised address to the American people. “But if peace doesn’t come quickly we will go to those other targets with precision, speed and skill.”

The US said the strikes targeted facilities at Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. The Fordo uranium enrichment site, located deep in a mountainside south of Tehran, is considered a central component of Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Due to its depth—reportedly 80 to 90 meters underground—only the US is believed to have munitions capable of potentially reaching it. US officials confirmed to CBS News that GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators were used, with two bombs reportedly deployed per site.

Iranian state broadcaster official Hassan Abedini said the sites had been evacuated “a while ago,” and that Iran “didn't suffer a major blow because the materials had already been taken out.” However, President Trump claimed the “nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.” Former US Assistant Secretary of State Mark Kimmitt told the BBC, “There’s no way to suggest that it has been destroyed for all time.” It remains unclear what level of damage was inflicted, or whether there were any casualties.

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/ckg3rzj8emjt

#US calls on #China to prevent #Iran from closing Strait of Hormuz and disrupting global oil flows

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday called for China to prevent Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important trade routes for crude oil in the world.

"I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to call them about that, because they heavily depend on the Straits of Hormuz for their oil," Rubio said in an interview on Fox News. China is Iran's most important oil customer and maintains friendly relations with the Islamic Republic.

Iran's foreign minister warned earlier Sunday that the Islamic Republic "reserves all options to defend its sovereignty," after the U.S. bombed three key nuclear sites over the weekend.

Iranian state-owned media, meanwhile, reported that Iran's parliament backed closing the Strait of Hormuz, citing a senior lawmaker. However, the final decision to close the strait lies with Iran's national security council, according to the report.

An attempt to block the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman could have profound consequences for the global economy. Some 20 million barrels per day of crude oil, or 20% of global consumption, flowed through the strait in 2024, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Oil prices could shoot above $100 per barrel if the strait is closed for a prolonged period, according to Goldman Sachs and consulting firm Rapidan Energy. JPMorgan analysts view the risk of Iran closing Hormuz as low because the U.S. would view such a move as a declaration of war.

Rubio said it would be "economic suicide" for Iran to close the strait because the Islamic Republic's oil also passes through the waterway. Iran is the third-largest oil producer in OPEC, pumping 3.3 million barrels per day. It exports at least 1.6 million bpd, with nearly 80% sold to China, according to the EIA.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/22/us-calls-on-china-to-prevent-iran-from-closing-strait-of-hormuz.html

#Ethiopia, #Somaliland deepen diplomatic ties in high-level foreign ministers’ meeting

Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Dr. Gedion Timotheos met and discussed with Somaliland delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdirahman Daahir Adan, who was on a working visit to Ethiopia over the weekend.

The Minister’s visit to Addis Abeba lasted for four days, from 19–22 June 2025.

The purpose of the Foreign Minister’s trip was related to “strengthening diplomatic relations and strategic cooperation between Somaliland and Ethiopia,” Somaliland said.

During his stay in Addis Abeba, the two Foreign Ministers “discussed enhancing the partnership and neighborly relations between the two countries.”

Read more at: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1937021165240807815?s=46&t=ofAzVW8-64dDK-xsjodCGA

LG supports #Korean War #veterans in #Ethiopia, #US, #Thailand

LG Electronics said Monday it had provided food, daily necessities and financial support to 54 surviving Korean War veterans in Ethiopia, the only African nation that dispatched ground troops to the 1950-53 war.

Since 2013, the Korean tech giant has provided scholarship for 230 descendants of Korean War veterans in Ethiopia. It has been also operating the LG-KOICA Hope Technical and Vocational Education and Training College in the country’s capital, Addis Ababa, with the Korea International Cooperation Agency.

“Through social responsibility efforts that combine technology and compassion, we will remember and thank the noble sacrifices and dedications of Korean War veterans,” said Yoon Dae-sik, senior vice president of external relations at LG Electronics.


https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10515633

#Ethiopia: #ONLF accuses #Somali region officials of holding senior members “incommunicado” for weeks after office raid in Nogob zone

The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) has accused officials in the Somali Regional State of detaining two of its senior members “without warrant, charge, or any semblance of due process” and holding them “incommunicado” for over three weeks following a raid on its office in Elweyne, Nogob Zone. In a statement issued on June 20, ONLF identified the detainees as Ayaanle Yaasiin Budul, Chair of its Nogob Zone chapter, and Bashiir Cismaan Budul, Head of the Elweyne District chapter. The party alleged the two were apprehended after “armed personnel stormed the ONLF office,” during which they were “assaulted” and taken to “an undisclosed detention facility.”

The party claimed the raid resulted in the destruction of its flag and the temporary detention of an elderly woman described as “the mother of a former ONLF fighter” on what it called “a baseless accusation” of renting property to the party. It blamed the regional administration, including Somali Region President Mustafa Muhumed Omar, for “ordering and supervising” the incident, describing it as part of “a broader campaign of harassment” following ONLF’s criticism of the federal government’s “failure to honour the 2018 peace agreement” and alleged attempts to “install a surrogate party.” ONLF demanded the “immediate and unconditional release” of its members, the reopening of its office, and an “independent investigation,” while urging domestic and international actors to ensure the detainees’ welfare and legal rights.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51006