#EU says over 1,000 fleeing #South_Sudan enter #Ethiopia daily; more than 35,000 received since April
More than 1,000 people fleeing violence in South Sudan are crossing into Ethiopia’s Gambella region each day, with over 35,000 arrivals recorded since April, according to the European Union in Ethiopia.
The EU said it is responding with humanitarian assistance, including “food, shelter, healthcare, clean water, protection, and access to education,” in collaboration with partners such as Plan International Ethiopia.
The recent wave of displacement follows intensified fighting in South Sudan between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and factions aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar, who was placed under house arrest in March, accused of “plotting a rebellion” against Kiir.
https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1937436073216315650?t=NIZJH12pi30OFKJtaGzVhA&s=19
More than 1,000 people fleeing violence in South Sudan are crossing into Ethiopia’s Gambella region each day, with over 35,000 arrivals recorded since April, according to the European Union in Ethiopia.
The EU said it is responding with humanitarian assistance, including “food, shelter, healthcare, clean water, protection, and access to education,” in collaboration with partners such as Plan International Ethiopia.
The recent wave of displacement follows intensified fighting in South Sudan between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and factions aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar, who was placed under house arrest in March, accused of “plotting a rebellion” against Kiir.
https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1937436073216315650?t=NIZJH12pi30OFKJtaGzVhA&s=19
#Commentary: Sovereignty and its enemies in the #Ethiopia region
In this commentary, originally published in The Addis Standard Quarterly Journal (ASQJ), Issue #2, Professor Medhane Tadesse argues that Ethiopia’s sovereignty—both at the state and societal level—is under serious threat. He contends that these foundational principles “fell into disuse in recent times in part because the post-2018 government made them ‘expendable,’” as the state has “permitted external interference” and “failed to protect its own citizens.”
The author traces this shift by highlighting Ethiopia’s historical foreign policy stance, which traditionally upheld the “principle of non-interference in neighboring countries unless they pose a clear danger to their security.” This “realist” approach, he notes, sought to preserve the “status quo and balance of power”—a consistent feature across successive regimes, given the complex challenge of uniting diverse ethnic groups in a highly volatile region.
However, according to Professor Medhane, this principle has eroded under the current administration, which has “abandon[ed] its responsibility to ensure the sovereignty of the country,” notably by enabling and encouraging “the unwarranted involvement of neighbors and nearby powers,” such as Eritrea, in Ethiopia’s internal affairs—including military operations in #Tigray. He characterizes this foreign interference as “disastrous,” asserting that it has “fatally interrupted the advancement and adjustment of social and political systems” and turned the “Ethiopian state [into] a major threat to its own population’s existence, rights, and welfare.”
The author further critiques the government for forging “unprincipled alliances” to wage war not only in Tigray but also in #Oromia and #Amhara. He goes on to argue that Ethiopia’s “policy sovereignty has been compromised,” as external actors—particularly Western powers—are exploiting the country’s fragile state to “further push for jumbled economic reforms” and to exert undue influence over its internal affairs. In Professor Medhane’s assessment, “There has never been a case where a [Ethiopian] government would carelessly hand over its sensitive security and economic affairs to another power.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51031
In this commentary, originally published in The Addis Standard Quarterly Journal (ASQJ), Issue #2, Professor Medhane Tadesse argues that Ethiopia’s sovereignty—both at the state and societal level—is under serious threat. He contends that these foundational principles “fell into disuse in recent times in part because the post-2018 government made them ‘expendable,’” as the state has “permitted external interference” and “failed to protect its own citizens.”
The author traces this shift by highlighting Ethiopia’s historical foreign policy stance, which traditionally upheld the “principle of non-interference in neighboring countries unless they pose a clear danger to their security.” This “realist” approach, he notes, sought to preserve the “status quo and balance of power”—a consistent feature across successive regimes, given the complex challenge of uniting diverse ethnic groups in a highly volatile region.
However, according to Professor Medhane, this principle has eroded under the current administration, which has “abandon[ed] its responsibility to ensure the sovereignty of the country,” notably by enabling and encouraging “the unwarranted involvement of neighbors and nearby powers,” such as Eritrea, in Ethiopia’s internal affairs—including military operations in #Tigray. He characterizes this foreign interference as “disastrous,” asserting that it has “fatally interrupted the advancement and adjustment of social and political systems” and turned the “Ethiopian state [into] a major threat to its own population’s existence, rights, and welfare.”
The author further critiques the government for forging “unprincipled alliances” to wage war not only in Tigray but also in #Oromia and #Amhara. He goes on to argue that Ethiopia’s “policy sovereignty has been compromised,” as external actors—particularly Western powers—are exploiting the country’s fragile state to “further push for jumbled economic reforms” and to exert undue influence over its internal affairs. In Professor Medhane’s assessment, “There has never been a case where a [Ethiopian] government would carelessly hand over its sensitive security and economic affairs to another power.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51031
Addis Standard
Sovereignty and its enemies in the Ethiopia region - Addis Standard
Sovereignty and its enemies in the Ethiopia region Addis Standard Commentary -
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#Ethiopian Restaurant Named Best Eatery Near Oxford Station
A popular Ethiopian restaurant has been named the best place to eat near #Oxford's train station by a well-known national food review website.
The Good Food Guide has named Lula's Ethiopian Restaurant in Frideswide Square as the best place to eat near Oxford train station in its definitive guide to eateries for rail travellers in Britain.
The restaurant opened in 2021 in the central location run by community interest company Makespace Oxford after serving delicious food for years at Gloucester Green Market and has won glowing reviews ever since.
The family-run business owned and founded by Lula Kinnaird offers a range of fresh cooked Ethiopian and Eritrean dishes with a wide selection of vegan vegetarian and gluten-free options.
https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/25262162.oxford-train-stations-best-food-named-good-food-guide/
A popular Ethiopian restaurant has been named the best place to eat near #Oxford's train station by a well-known national food review website.
The Good Food Guide has named Lula's Ethiopian Restaurant in Frideswide Square as the best place to eat near Oxford train station in its definitive guide to eateries for rail travellers in Britain.
The restaurant opened in 2021 in the central location run by community interest company Makespace Oxford after serving delicious food for years at Gloucester Green Market and has won glowing reviews ever since.
The family-run business owned and founded by Lula Kinnaird offers a range of fresh cooked Ethiopian and Eritrean dishes with a wide selection of vegan vegetarian and gluten-free options.
https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/25262162.oxford-train-stations-best-food-named-good-food-guide/
Oxford Mail
Oxford restaurant near station praised in Good Food Guide
An Ethiopian restaurant has been named the best place to eat near Oxford train station by Good Food Guide, and its a familiar favourite in the city.
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#US Embassy acknowledges President Taye’s call for US firms “to consider investing in #Ethiopia,” backs “reform path”
The U.S. Embassy in #Addis_Abeba said it “acknowledges Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie’s call” at the U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Luanda, Angola, for American companies “to consider investing in Ethiopia,” and encouraged the country “to continue on its reform path” aimed at building “a welcoming, private-sector led economy.”
The embassy stated, “We agree the potential is there,” adding that “an open, business-friendly Ethiopia will push it and the region forward.”
President Taye, speaking at a panel noscriptd Strengthening U.S.-Africa Collaboration in the Agri-food Sectors, said Africa “has the potential to emerge as the U.S.’s preferred investment hub,” but underlined that this requires “adequate arable land, a vibrant workforce, and appropriate policies.”
https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1937502455366865040
The U.S. Embassy in #Addis_Abeba said it “acknowledges Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie’s call” at the U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Luanda, Angola, for American companies “to consider investing in Ethiopia,” and encouraged the country “to continue on its reform path” aimed at building “a welcoming, private-sector led economy.”
The embassy stated, “We agree the potential is there,” adding that “an open, business-friendly Ethiopia will push it and the region forward.”
President Taye, speaking at a panel noscriptd Strengthening U.S.-Africa Collaboration in the Agri-food Sectors, said Africa “has the potential to emerge as the U.S.’s preferred investment hub,” but underlined that this requires “adequate arable land, a vibrant workforce, and appropriate policies.”
https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1937502455366865040
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#Ethiopia: Displaced #Zalambessa residents revisit hometown after five years; informal cross-border movement resumes between #Ethiopia, #Eritrea
Internally displaced people (IDPs) from Zalambessa town in eastern #Tigray say they have visited their homes for the first time in five years, following the resumption of informal cross-border movement between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which has remained largely closed since the outbreak of the Tigray war in November 2020.
The visit, which took place on Sunday, 21 June, was organized by local activists and community members, according to individuals who took part. Though not officially sanctioned, some described the initiative as having the “tacit blessings” of officials on both the Eritrean and Tigray sides. Abraham Hagos (PhD), head of the Eastern Tigray Zone Administration, said the initiative was “not carried out through a government plan.” He added, “It’s the elders of the community who are doing this themselves,” with the aim to “strengthen people-to-people connections and create peace.” Abraham stated that while the administration supports such efforts, “this issue is being led not by the district and zonal administrations, but by the people themselves and the elders they have chosen.”
Among those who visited was Zaid Hadgu, a mother displaced to Adigrat since 2020, who said, “We didn’t go back to stay. We went to see and study the situation there.” Describing her emotional response, she said, “When I saw my house, I felt something I can’t explain. Your house is your house. It knows your troubles,” adding, “even your death is better in your own house.” She said her family continues to face “hunger, instability, and uncertainty” in displacement.
Similarly, Priest Alem Tesfay, now living in Fatsi town, said his home in Zalambessa was found “destroyed” and claimed that his property was “taken by Eritrean forces.” He noted the lack of “water, electricity, or medical care,” but added that he supports peace efforts. “There is nothing greater than peace,” he said, urging officials to “work toward reconciliation” and calling on international organizations to assist in “restor[ing] services and support[ing] rebuilding efforts.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51040
Internally displaced people (IDPs) from Zalambessa town in eastern #Tigray say they have visited their homes for the first time in five years, following the resumption of informal cross-border movement between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which has remained largely closed since the outbreak of the Tigray war in November 2020.
The visit, which took place on Sunday, 21 June, was organized by local activists and community members, according to individuals who took part. Though not officially sanctioned, some described the initiative as having the “tacit blessings” of officials on both the Eritrean and Tigray sides. Abraham Hagos (PhD), head of the Eastern Tigray Zone Administration, said the initiative was “not carried out through a government plan.” He added, “It’s the elders of the community who are doing this themselves,” with the aim to “strengthen people-to-people connections and create peace.” Abraham stated that while the administration supports such efforts, “this issue is being led not by the district and zonal administrations, but by the people themselves and the elders they have chosen.”
Among those who visited was Zaid Hadgu, a mother displaced to Adigrat since 2020, who said, “We didn’t go back to stay. We went to see and study the situation there.” Describing her emotional response, she said, “When I saw my house, I felt something I can’t explain. Your house is your house. It knows your troubles,” adding, “even your death is better in your own house.” She said her family continues to face “hunger, instability, and uncertainty” in displacement.
Similarly, Priest Alem Tesfay, now living in Fatsi town, said his home in Zalambessa was found “destroyed” and claimed that his property was “taken by Eritrean forces.” He noted the lack of “water, electricity, or medical care,” but added that he supports peace efforts. “There is nothing greater than peace,” he said, urging officials to “work toward reconciliation” and calling on international organizations to assist in “restor[ing] services and support[ing] rebuilding efforts.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51040
Addis Standard
Displaced Zalambessa residents revisit hometown after five years; informal cross-border movement resumes between Ethiopia, Eritrea…
Displaced Zalambessa residents revisit hometown after five years; informal cross-border movement resumes between Ethiopia, Eritrea Addis Standard News -
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The time is now: #UK Parliament group pushes for #Somaliland recognition
A cross-party group of UK parliamentarians is urging the British Government to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent nation, marking a pivotal shift in London’s potential foreign policy in the Horn of Africa. The call comes ahead of the launch of a landmark report noscriptd “Roadmap to Recognition”, scheduled for June 26 at the House of Commons, coinciding with the 65th anniversary of Somaliland’s independence from Britain in 1960.
According to the APPG, Somaliland’s record of peacebuilding, democratic governance, and de facto sovereignty sets it apart in a region long plagued by instability and conflict. The report presents a compelling case for the UK to take the lead in recognizing Somaliland, emphasizing the country’s economic potential, strategic value, and the moral imperative to support functioning democracies.
“In a world that is becoming more unpredictable and unstable, the United Kingdom needs all the friends and allies it can get,” said Sir Gavin Williamson. “Somaliland has built a stable and democratic society against all the odds, and is a bastion of good governance in an otherwise volatile region.”
The APPG argues that formal recognition would enhance the UK’s strategic influence in East Africa, open new commercial markets, and affirm Britain’s commitment to democratic values on the global stage. It also calls attention to the UK’s historical ties to Somaliland, the significant Somaliland diaspora in Britain, and London’s role as the UN penholder for Somalia — positioning the UK as uniquely suited to champion Somaliland’s cause.
The report is the latest initiative by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Somaliland, chaired by former UK Defence Secretary Rt. Hon. Sir Gavin Williamson CBE MP. Alongside him, Kim Johnson MP serves as co-chair, with Abtisam Mohamed MP as vice-chair and Lord Udny-Lister as an officer.
“Somaliland deserved recognition when it re-established its independence in 1991,” Williamson added. “The next best time to recognize Somaliland is now.”
https://www.horndiplomat.com/2025/06/the-time-is-now-uk-parliament-group-pushes-for-somaliland-recognition/
A cross-party group of UK parliamentarians is urging the British Government to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent nation, marking a pivotal shift in London’s potential foreign policy in the Horn of Africa. The call comes ahead of the launch of a landmark report noscriptd “Roadmap to Recognition”, scheduled for June 26 at the House of Commons, coinciding with the 65th anniversary of Somaliland’s independence from Britain in 1960.
According to the APPG, Somaliland’s record of peacebuilding, democratic governance, and de facto sovereignty sets it apart in a region long plagued by instability and conflict. The report presents a compelling case for the UK to take the lead in recognizing Somaliland, emphasizing the country’s economic potential, strategic value, and the moral imperative to support functioning democracies.
“In a world that is becoming more unpredictable and unstable, the United Kingdom needs all the friends and allies it can get,” said Sir Gavin Williamson. “Somaliland has built a stable and democratic society against all the odds, and is a bastion of good governance in an otherwise volatile region.”
The APPG argues that formal recognition would enhance the UK’s strategic influence in East Africa, open new commercial markets, and affirm Britain’s commitment to democratic values on the global stage. It also calls attention to the UK’s historical ties to Somaliland, the significant Somaliland diaspora in Britain, and London’s role as the UN penholder for Somalia — positioning the UK as uniquely suited to champion Somaliland’s cause.
The report is the latest initiative by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Somaliland, chaired by former UK Defence Secretary Rt. Hon. Sir Gavin Williamson CBE MP. Alongside him, Kim Johnson MP serves as co-chair, with Abtisam Mohamed MP as vice-chair and Lord Udny-Lister as an officer.
“Somaliland deserved recognition when it re-established its independence in 1991,” Williamson added. “The next best time to recognize Somaliland is now.”
https://www.horndiplomat.com/2025/06/the-time-is-now-uk-parliament-group-pushes-for-somaliland-recognition/
Horn Diplomat
The Time Is Now: UK Parliament Group Pushes for Somaliland Recognition
A cross-party group of UK parliamentarians is urging the British Government to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent nation
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#US strikes on #Iran’s nuclear sites only set back program by months, Pentagon report says
Findings by Defense Intelligence Agency suggest Trump’s declaration that sites were ‘obliterated’ may be overstated
An initial classified US assessment of Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities over the weekend says they did not destroy two of the sites and likely only set back the nuclear program by a few months, according to two people familiar with the report.
The report produced by the Defense Intelligence Agency – the intelligence arm of the Pentagon – concluded key components of the nuclear program, including centrifuges, were capable of being restarted within months.
The report also found that much of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium that could be put to use for a possible nuclear weapon was moved before the strikes and may have been moved to other secret nuclear sites maintained by Iran.
The findings by the DIA, which were based on a preliminary battle damage assessment conducted by US Central Command, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, suggests Trump’s declaration about the sites being “obliterated” may have been overstated.
Trump said in his televised address on Saturday night immediately after the operation that the US had completely destroyed Iran’s enrichment sites at Natanz and Fordow, the facility buried deep underground, and at Isfahan, where enrichment was being stored.
“The strikes were a spectacular military success. Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace,” Trump said in his address from the White House.
While the DIA report was only an initial assessment, one of the people said if the intelligence on the ground was already finding within days that Fordow in particular was not destroyed, later assessments could suggest even less damage might have been inflicted.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/24/iran-strikes-nuclear-sites-report
Findings by Defense Intelligence Agency suggest Trump’s declaration that sites were ‘obliterated’ may be overstated
An initial classified US assessment of Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities over the weekend says they did not destroy two of the sites and likely only set back the nuclear program by a few months, according to two people familiar with the report.
The report produced by the Defense Intelligence Agency – the intelligence arm of the Pentagon – concluded key components of the nuclear program, including centrifuges, were capable of being restarted within months.
The report also found that much of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium that could be put to use for a possible nuclear weapon was moved before the strikes and may have been moved to other secret nuclear sites maintained by Iran.
The findings by the DIA, which were based on a preliminary battle damage assessment conducted by US Central Command, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, suggests Trump’s declaration about the sites being “obliterated” may have been overstated.
Trump said in his televised address on Saturday night immediately after the operation that the US had completely destroyed Iran’s enrichment sites at Natanz and Fordow, the facility buried deep underground, and at Isfahan, where enrichment was being stored.
“The strikes were a spectacular military success. Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace,” Trump said in his address from the White House.
While the DIA report was only an initial assessment, one of the people said if the intelligence on the ground was already finding within days that Fordow in particular was not destroyed, later assessments could suggest even less damage might have been inflicted.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/24/iran-strikes-nuclear-sites-report
the Guardian
US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites only set program back by months, Pentagon report says
Findings by Defense Intelligence Agency suggest Trump’s declaration that sites were ‘obliterated’ may be overstated
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#Uganda surpasses #Ethiopia to become #Africa’s top coffee exporter, earns over $243 million in May alone
Uganda has become Africa’s leading coffee exporter after surpassing Ethiopia in monthly export volume, according to a statement issued by the Ugandan Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries on 24 June.
The Ministry said that in May 2025, Uganda exported “a record 47,606.7 tons of coffee” to the international market, exceeding Ethiopia’s 43,481 tons for the same month. The statement described the development as a “historic milestone” that signals “a decisive shift in the continent’s coffee trade dynamics.”
Uganda earned 243 million USD from its May exports alone, and recorded more than 2.09 billion USD in revenue between June 2024 and May 2025.
Read more: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1937800372921290895
Uganda has become Africa’s leading coffee exporter after surpassing Ethiopia in monthly export volume, according to a statement issued by the Ugandan Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries on 24 June.
The Ministry said that in May 2025, Uganda exported “a record 47,606.7 tons of coffee” to the international market, exceeding Ethiopia’s 43,481 tons for the same month. The statement described the development as a “historic milestone” that signals “a decisive shift in the continent’s coffee trade dynamics.”
Uganda earned 243 million USD from its May exports alone, and recorded more than 2.09 billion USD in revenue between June 2024 and May 2025.
Read more: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1937800372921290895
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#Ethiopia: Mount #Ziquala monastery attack sparks conflicting claims as #OLA denies involvement, blames gov’t strategy to rekindle tensions
Monks at the historic Zequala Abune Gebre Menfes Kidus Monastery in East Shewa Zone, Oromia, have accused members of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), referred to by the government as “Shene,” of carrying out a deadly attack that killed a senior monk and intensified fear among the clergy.
According to a department head at the monastery, who spoke on condition of anonymity, “fighters affiliated with OLA Shene” killed Father Haile Michael on 20 June around 5 a.m. The monk, who had spent more than ten years in religious seclusion in the monastery’s sacred “Holy City,” was reportedly “physically assaulted, shot, and his body thrown from a cliff.” His body was retrieved and buried on 24 June with assistance from Oromia Special Forces.
In response, a senior OLA official who took part in both rounds of peace talks with the federal government denied the allegations and claimed that OLA fighters were “nowhere near the monastery.” He described the accusation as part of a “coordinated effort to reverse the growing understanding between armed groups,” which he said are “beginning to transcend ethnic divisions.” The official further accused the government of using such incidents as a strategy “to reignite intercommunal conflict” and “trigger communal violence.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51058
Monks at the historic Zequala Abune Gebre Menfes Kidus Monastery in East Shewa Zone, Oromia, have accused members of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), referred to by the government as “Shene,” of carrying out a deadly attack that killed a senior monk and intensified fear among the clergy.
According to a department head at the monastery, who spoke on condition of anonymity, “fighters affiliated with OLA Shene” killed Father Haile Michael on 20 June around 5 a.m. The monk, who had spent more than ten years in religious seclusion in the monastery’s sacred “Holy City,” was reportedly “physically assaulted, shot, and his body thrown from a cliff.” His body was retrieved and buried on 24 June with assistance from Oromia Special Forces.
In response, a senior OLA official who took part in both rounds of peace talks with the federal government denied the allegations and claimed that OLA fighters were “nowhere near the monastery.” He described the accusation as part of a “coordinated effort to reverse the growing understanding between armed groups,” which he said are “beginning to transcend ethnic divisions.” The official further accused the government of using such incidents as a strategy “to reignite intercommunal conflict” and “trigger communal violence.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51058
#Ethiopia Investment Holdings signs MoU with #American IFP; over $200 million targeted for hotel, tourism sector
Ethiopia Investment Holdings (EIH), the country’s sovereign wealth fund, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the U.S. International Finance Partners (IFP) to jointly work in Ethiopia’s hotel and tourism industry, state media reported.
According to the report, the MoU was signed during the ongoing Africa-America Business Summit in Luanda, Angola, and is expected to pave the way for IFP to enter Ethiopia’s tourism sector with a capital investment “of over 200 million dollars.”
The agreement was signed by Dr. Brook Taye, CEO of Ethiopia Investment Holdings, and Garrett Gish, President and Executive of the U.S. IFP, in the presence of President Taye Atske Selassie.
https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1937846493508976732?t=e1d4iRNZYSCs1YxjFWcDGQ&s=19
Ethiopia Investment Holdings (EIH), the country’s sovereign wealth fund, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the U.S. International Finance Partners (IFP) to jointly work in Ethiopia’s hotel and tourism industry, state media reported.
According to the report, the MoU was signed during the ongoing Africa-America Business Summit in Luanda, Angola, and is expected to pave the way for IFP to enter Ethiopia’s tourism sector with a capital investment “of over 200 million dollars.”
The agreement was signed by Dr. Brook Taye, CEO of Ethiopia Investment Holdings, and Garrett Gish, President and Executive of the U.S. IFP, in the presence of President Taye Atske Selassie.
https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1937846493508976732?t=e1d4iRNZYSCs1YxjFWcDGQ&s=19
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#Editorial - From admission to legal impunity: A call for accountability and independent review of #Ethiopia’s new law
When Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stood before Parliament in 2018 and admitted that the very state he led had tortured its own citizens under the 2009 Anti-Terrorism Proclamation, it was seen as a rare reckoning and a promise of change.
Today, that promise lies shattered, betrayed by a new law that not only revives but entrenches the systematic tools of repression, signaling that the window for change is all but closed.
On 17 June 2025, Parliament passed the Prevention and Suppression of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Proclamation – a law that not only revives but expands the very machinery of state-repression the Prime Minister denounced.
Cloaked in technocratic language and framed as a “national security” necessity, the proclamation grants sweeping powers to security forces while stripping away meaningful judicial safeguards.
In this editorial, Addis Standard rejects the dangerous premise that the new proclamation is either inevitable or beyond challenge. It calls for an immediate independent review to bring the law into alignment with the Ethiopian Constitution and international human rights standards. Torture admitted is not justice. Torture legalized is not reform.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51065
When Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stood before Parliament in 2018 and admitted that the very state he led had tortured its own citizens under the 2009 Anti-Terrorism Proclamation, it was seen as a rare reckoning and a promise of change.
Today, that promise lies shattered, betrayed by a new law that not only revives but entrenches the systematic tools of repression, signaling that the window for change is all but closed.
On 17 June 2025, Parliament passed the Prevention and Suppression of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Proclamation – a law that not only revives but expands the very machinery of state-repression the Prime Minister denounced.
Cloaked in technocratic language and framed as a “national security” necessity, the proclamation grants sweeping powers to security forces while stripping away meaningful judicial safeguards.
In this editorial, Addis Standard rejects the dangerous premise that the new proclamation is either inevitable or beyond challenge. It calls for an immediate independent review to bring the law into alignment with the Ethiopian Constitution and international human rights standards. Torture admitted is not justice. Torture legalized is not reform.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51065
Addis Standard
From admission to legal impunity: A call for accountability and independent review of Ethiopia’s new law - Addis Standard
From admission to legal impunity: A call for accountability and independent review of Ethiopia’s new law Addis Standard Editorial -
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#Ethiopia: Dr. Daniel Fentaneh, active figure in Ethiopia’s health professionals’ movement, detained in #Bahir_Dar
Dr. Daniel Fentaneh, an active figure in the Ethiopian Health Professionals Movement and a gynecology and obstetrics resident at Bahir Dar University, was detained on Wednesday in Bahir Dar city, Amhara region, sources told Addis Standard.
According to a source familiar with the matter, Dr. Daniel was apprehended “around 1:30 p.m.” by security forces and is “currently under custody at the 13th Police Station in Bahir Dar.” The source added, “as people there told us, they could take him to Addis [Abeba] anytime.”
Dr. Daniel is widely known among healthcare professionals and the public through the Facebook page Dr Debol, where he played a central role in the nationwide strike by healthcare professionals that began on 13 May. The strike, organized under the Ethiopian Health Professionals Movement, demands improved pay, better working conditions, and protection of their rights, and has been marked by arrests and allegations of intimidation.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51076
Dr. Daniel Fentaneh, an active figure in the Ethiopian Health Professionals Movement and a gynecology and obstetrics resident at Bahir Dar University, was detained on Wednesday in Bahir Dar city, Amhara region, sources told Addis Standard.
According to a source familiar with the matter, Dr. Daniel was apprehended “around 1:30 p.m.” by security forces and is “currently under custody at the 13th Police Station in Bahir Dar.” The source added, “as people there told us, they could take him to Addis [Abeba] anytime.”
Dr. Daniel is widely known among healthcare professionals and the public through the Facebook page Dr Debol, where he played a central role in the nationwide strike by healthcare professionals that began on 13 May. The strike, organized under the Ethiopian Health Professionals Movement, demands improved pay, better working conditions, and protection of their rights, and has been marked by arrests and allegations of intimidation.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51076
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#Kenya: Sixteen killed, hundreds injured, in antigovernment Kenyan protests
At least 16 people have been killed in nationwide rallies against police brutality and government corruption in Kenya, according to Amnesty International and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.
Another 400 people were injured on Wednesday, including protesters, police and journalists. The casualties included people hit by live fire and others who were wounded by rubber bullets, or were beaten, and were primarily in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
Demonstrators had clashed with police, who hurled tear gas canisters and wielded batons. The protests mark one year since people stormed parliament at the peak of antigovernment demonstrations.
Thousands took to the streets to commemorate last year’s youth-led demonstrations against tax rises, during which at least 60 people were killed by security forces, according to rights groups.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/25/thousands-rally-in-kenya-to-mark-anniversary-of-antitax-demonstrations
At least 16 people have been killed in nationwide rallies against police brutality and government corruption in Kenya, according to Amnesty International and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.
Another 400 people were injured on Wednesday, including protesters, police and journalists. The casualties included people hit by live fire and others who were wounded by rubber bullets, or were beaten, and were primarily in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
Demonstrators had clashed with police, who hurled tear gas canisters and wielded batons. The protests mark one year since people stormed parliament at the peak of antigovernment demonstrations.
Thousands took to the streets to commemorate last year’s youth-led demonstrations against tax rises, during which at least 60 people were killed by security forces, according to rights groups.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/25/thousands-rally-in-kenya-to-mark-anniversary-of-antitax-demonstrations
Al Jazeera
Sixteen killed, hundreds injured, in antigovernment Kenyan protests
Demonstrators rally against police brutality and government corruption to commemorate last year's youth-led protests.
#Ethiopia: #WFP to close #Shire office, home to largest IDP population in #Tigray; cites budget, operational restructuring
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is set to close its field office in Shire, northwestern Tigray, by the end of June. The town, which hosts the largest population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the region, has been a key hub for humanitarian operations. The closure, WFP says, comes amid budget constraints and what it described as an “operational restructuring.”
Levan Tchatchua, Head of WFP’s Area Office for Tigray, told Addis Standard that “we are closing the Shire office,” but added that “we will continue managing our operations in the northwest zone from Mekelle.” He said responsibilities for food distribution in the area are being transferred to the Joint Emergency Operation (JEOP), a U.S.-funded consortium of NGOs, while WFP will remain engaged in “nutrition, school feeding, and resilience projects.”
Claire Nevill, Spokesperson for WFP Ethiopia, said the decision is part of a phased transition “launched in late 2024, in agreement with the Ethiopian Government and donors,” to hand back food relief operations in Tigray, Amhara, and Afar to JEOP. She noted that “before [war] hit Northern Ethiopia in 2020, JEOP… were the main food operator,” and said WFP took over in 2021 due to its “logistical capacity and emergency expertise.” The handover, she added, “will be completed by June 2025.”
She further stated that the Shire office closure is “a necessary step to align our workforce with the current size and scope of our operations,” while emphasizing that “these decisions are taken with the utmost consideration for maintaining the quality of our humanitarian assistance.” She said WFP “continues its operations in Tigray, supporting over 280,000 children, mothers and smallholder farmers,” and that “ongoing operations in Tigray will be managed from our Mekelle office, which will remain open.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51083
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is set to close its field office in Shire, northwestern Tigray, by the end of June. The town, which hosts the largest population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the region, has been a key hub for humanitarian operations. The closure, WFP says, comes amid budget constraints and what it described as an “operational restructuring.”
Levan Tchatchua, Head of WFP’s Area Office for Tigray, told Addis Standard that “we are closing the Shire office,” but added that “we will continue managing our operations in the northwest zone from Mekelle.” He said responsibilities for food distribution in the area are being transferred to the Joint Emergency Operation (JEOP), a U.S.-funded consortium of NGOs, while WFP will remain engaged in “nutrition, school feeding, and resilience projects.”
Claire Nevill, Spokesperson for WFP Ethiopia, said the decision is part of a phased transition “launched in late 2024, in agreement with the Ethiopian Government and donors,” to hand back food relief operations in Tigray, Amhara, and Afar to JEOP. She noted that “before [war] hit Northern Ethiopia in 2020, JEOP… were the main food operator,” and said WFP took over in 2021 due to its “logistical capacity and emergency expertise.” The handover, she added, “will be completed by June 2025.”
She further stated that the Shire office closure is “a necessary step to align our workforce with the current size and scope of our operations,” while emphasizing that “these decisions are taken with the utmost consideration for maintaining the quality of our humanitarian assistance.” She said WFP “continues its operations in Tigray, supporting over 280,000 children, mothers and smallholder farmers,” and that “ongoing operations in Tigray will be managed from our Mekelle office, which will remain open.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51083
Addis Standard
WFP to close Shire office, home to largest IDP population in Tigray; cites budget, operational restructuring - Addis Standard
WFP to close Shire office, home to largest IDP population in Tigray; cites budget, operational restructuring Addis Standard News -
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#Opinion: Beyond Algorithm: Why deepest human needs remain unfulfilled by #AI
In an era where Artificial Intelligence (AI) composes poetry and engages in conversations with remarkable human-like fidelity, a fundamental question arises: Can it fulfill the deepest needs of the human soul? According to Geabral Ashenafi Mulugeta, author of this opinion piece, the answer is a firm no. He asserts that “As impressive as AI may be, it cannot fulfill the deepest longings of the human soul.”
The author traces the evolution of AI from its origins at the 1956 Dartmouth Summer Research Project to today’s advanced models, such as OpenAI’s GPT, DeepMind’s Gemini, and China’s DeepSeek. He underscores the intensifying global race for AI supremacy, led by the #US and #China, while noting that nations like #Ethiopia are beginning to leverage AI’s potential—integrating it into daily life “often without even realizing it.”
However, Geabral advises against perceiving AI as a solution for all human challenges. He stresses that “It's important to recognize—and remember—that AI learns from us. It learns what we want, not necessarily what we need. Its responses are affirmations of what it is that we want, strengthening our assumptions. AI is thus a mirror, not a window.” He further warns, “When we surround ourselves with devices that affirm without qualification, we cultivate self-appreciation at the cost of losing our capacity for self-reflection.”
The author concludes with a personal reflection: "Beneath every search for facts lies a deeper yearning: to be known, to be loved, and to live as our true selves," reiterating that “while AI can support, educate, and even imitate us, it will never satisfy our most profound emotional and existential needs."
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51072
In an era where Artificial Intelligence (AI) composes poetry and engages in conversations with remarkable human-like fidelity, a fundamental question arises: Can it fulfill the deepest needs of the human soul? According to Geabral Ashenafi Mulugeta, author of this opinion piece, the answer is a firm no. He asserts that “As impressive as AI may be, it cannot fulfill the deepest longings of the human soul.”
The author traces the evolution of AI from its origins at the 1956 Dartmouth Summer Research Project to today’s advanced models, such as OpenAI’s GPT, DeepMind’s Gemini, and China’s DeepSeek. He underscores the intensifying global race for AI supremacy, led by the #US and #China, while noting that nations like #Ethiopia are beginning to leverage AI’s potential—integrating it into daily life “often without even realizing it.”
However, Geabral advises against perceiving AI as a solution for all human challenges. He stresses that “It's important to recognize—and remember—that AI learns from us. It learns what we want, not necessarily what we need. Its responses are affirmations of what it is that we want, strengthening our assumptions. AI is thus a mirror, not a window.” He further warns, “When we surround ourselves with devices that affirm without qualification, we cultivate self-appreciation at the cost of losing our capacity for self-reflection.”
The author concludes with a personal reflection: "Beneath every search for facts lies a deeper yearning: to be known, to be loved, and to live as our true selves," reiterating that “while AI can support, educate, and even imitate us, it will never satisfy our most profound emotional and existential needs."
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51072
Addis Standard
Beyond Algorithm: Why deepest human needs remain unfulfilled by AI - Addis Standard
Beyond Algorithm: Why deepest human needs remain unfulfilled by AI Addis Standard Opinion -
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#Ethiopia: Expert warns heavy rainfall may cause flooding in Eastern Ethiopia
The National Meteorological Institute has announced that severe rainfall conditions, capable of causing significant damage, are expected in the coming months of the rainy season in the eastern regions of Ethiopia.
The institute has forecast the possibility of flood disasters similar to those experienced in previous years in Dire Dawa and other flood-prone areas, emphasizing the need for urgent precautionary and preparatory measures.
“This year’s rainy season is expected to resemble the conditions of 2008 and 2018, which were marked by heavy rainfall and severe flooding,” said Ashenafi Muluneh, Head of the Meteorological Forecast and Early Warning Desk for the Somali Region and surrounding areas, in an interview with Deutsche Welle.
https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1938202072085627187?t=r7-OcOxXztCfLYt-WL1VyA&s=19
The National Meteorological Institute has announced that severe rainfall conditions, capable of causing significant damage, are expected in the coming months of the rainy season in the eastern regions of Ethiopia.
The institute has forecast the possibility of flood disasters similar to those experienced in previous years in Dire Dawa and other flood-prone areas, emphasizing the need for urgent precautionary and preparatory measures.
“This year’s rainy season is expected to resemble the conditions of 2008 and 2018, which were marked by heavy rainfall and severe flooding,” said Ashenafi Muluneh, Head of the Meteorological Forecast and Early Warning Desk for the Somali Region and surrounding areas, in an interview with Deutsche Welle.
https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1938202072085627187?t=r7-OcOxXztCfLYt-WL1VyA&s=19
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#HRW urges reinstatement of #Ethiopian Health Professionals Association; denounces ‘repressive tactics’, arrests of health workers
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Ethiopian authorities to “immediately rescind” the suspension of the Ethiopian Health Professionals Association (EHPA) and to “meaningfully address public healthcare workers’ outstanding grievances,” following what it described as a government response marked by “repressive tactics” against striking health workers.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Laetitia Bader, deputy Africa director at HRW, said that “since May, the Ethiopian authorities have resorted to repressive tactics instead of addressing healthcare workers’ concerns about their livelihoods and safety.” She urged the government to “immediately lift the suspension of the Ethiopian Health Professionals Association and stop harassing healthcare workers.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51094
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Ethiopian authorities to “immediately rescind” the suspension of the Ethiopian Health Professionals Association (EHPA) and to “meaningfully address public healthcare workers’ outstanding grievances,” following what it described as a government response marked by “repressive tactics” against striking health workers.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Laetitia Bader, deputy Africa director at HRW, said that “since May, the Ethiopian authorities have resorted to repressive tactics instead of addressing healthcare workers’ concerns about their livelihoods and safety.” She urged the government to “immediately lift the suspension of the Ethiopian Health Professionals Association and stop harassing healthcare workers.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51094
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#Iran's Ayatollah says Iran secured 'victory' over #Israel as Hegseth prepares 'major' update
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, will speak within the next few minutes in a video message, marking his first message since the US announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
the ayatollah has posted on X to congratulate the Iranian people for the "victory" over Israel.”
The message comes hours before US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is due to hold a news conference, where he'll give an update on the impact of US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities over the weekend.
US President Donald Trump, writing on Truth Social, says the "major" update will be delivered from the Pentagon at 08:00 EST (13:00 BST), when Hegseth will be joined by military representatives.
"The News Conference will prove both interesting and
irrefutable," Trump adds.
Source: BBC
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, will speak within the next few minutes in a video message, marking his first message since the US announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
the ayatollah has posted on X to congratulate the Iranian people for the "victory" over Israel.”
The message comes hours before US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is due to hold a news conference, where he'll give an update on the impact of US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities over the weekend.
US President Donald Trump, writing on Truth Social, says the "major" update will be delivered from the Pentagon at 08:00 EST (13:00 BST), when Hegseth will be joined by military representatives.
"The News Conference will prove both interesting and
irrefutable," Trump adds.
Source: BBC
#Ethiopia: #NBE issues final directive for foreign bank entry; opens application window
The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has announced the issuance of a new directive enabling foreign participation in the country’s banking sector, describing it as the “final regulatory milestone” in opening the financial sector to foreign investors.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, 25 June, the central bank said the new directive, formally noscriptd “Requirements for Licensing and Renewal of Banking Business and Representative Office Directive No. SBB/94/2025”, permits for the first time “the participation of foreign investors – including banks or other strategic investors – in the Ethiopian banking system.”
https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1938239067801432456
The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has announced the issuance of a new directive enabling foreign participation in the country’s banking sector, describing it as the “final regulatory milestone” in opening the financial sector to foreign investors.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, 25 June, the central bank said the new directive, formally noscriptd “Requirements for Licensing and Renewal of Banking Business and Representative Office Directive No. SBB/94/2025”, permits for the first time “the participation of foreign investors – including banks or other strategic investors – in the Ethiopian banking system.”
https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1938239067801432456
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