News: State department takes over bilateral aid, core #USAID programs in #Ethiopia
The U.S. Embassy in Addis Abeba announced that, as of 01 July 2025, the U.S. Department of State has taken over key functions of USAID in Ethiopia, including oversight of bilateral assistance agreements with the Ethiopian government. Core programs - such as humanitarian aid, global health, and food security- will now operate under restructured frameworks within the State Department.
Last month, Ambassador Ervin J. Massinga said the change reflects a policy shift aimed at streamlining aid delivery and focusing on core life-saving initiatives and U.S. strategic interests.
The Ambassador said that 89% of previously programmed humanitarian aid will resume, while 77% of total development and humanitarian assistance funds remain available.
The suspension of USAID operations had triggered warnings from humanitarian groups, citing rising malnutrition - especially among children and lactating women - and widespread NGO layoffs.
The ambassador also indicated a strategic pivot toward supporting Ethiopia’s private sector as the main engine of long-term growth, mirroring U.S. economic policy priorities.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51317
The U.S. Embassy in Addis Abeba announced that, as of 01 July 2025, the U.S. Department of State has taken over key functions of USAID in Ethiopia, including oversight of bilateral assistance agreements with the Ethiopian government. Core programs - such as humanitarian aid, global health, and food security- will now operate under restructured frameworks within the State Department.
Last month, Ambassador Ervin J. Massinga said the change reflects a policy shift aimed at streamlining aid delivery and focusing on core life-saving initiatives and U.S. strategic interests.
The Ambassador said that 89% of previously programmed humanitarian aid will resume, while 77% of total development and humanitarian assistance funds remain available.
The suspension of USAID operations had triggered warnings from humanitarian groups, citing rising malnutrition - especially among children and lactating women - and widespread NGO layoffs.
The ambassador also indicated a strategic pivot toward supporting Ethiopia’s private sector as the main engine of long-term growth, mirroring U.S. economic policy priorities.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51317
Addis Standard
State department takes over bilateral aid, core USAID programs in Ethiopia - Addis Standard
State department takes over bilateral aid, core USAID programs in Ethiopia Addis Standard News -
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#China approves #Ethiopian soymeal imports to diversify supply
China has approved the import of soybean meal from Ethiopia, a Chinese customs statement showed, as part of efforts to broaden its protein sources amid a trade war between Beijing and Washington.
Effective July 3, Ethiopian soymeal that meets China's phytosanitary standards and is free of pests will be allowed into the country, the statement said.
"This is part of a broader strategy to diversify supply sources and reduce reliance on imported soybeans. The volume is not expected to be large," said Rosa Wang, an analyst at Shanghai-based agro-consultancy JCI.
The approval follows Chinese feedmakers securing the first soymeal shipment from Argentina since imports were approved in 2019, an effort to mitigate potential disruptions from the U.S.-China trade war.
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/china-approves-ethiopian-soymeal-imports-diversify-supply-2025-07-07/
China has approved the import of soybean meal from Ethiopia, a Chinese customs statement showed, as part of efforts to broaden its protein sources amid a trade war between Beijing and Washington.
Effective July 3, Ethiopian soymeal that meets China's phytosanitary standards and is free of pests will be allowed into the country, the statement said.
"This is part of a broader strategy to diversify supply sources and reduce reliance on imported soybeans. The volume is not expected to be large," said Rosa Wang, an analyst at Shanghai-based agro-consultancy JCI.
The approval follows Chinese feedmakers securing the first soymeal shipment from Argentina since imports were approved in 2019, an effort to mitigate potential disruptions from the U.S.-China trade war.
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/china-approves-ethiopian-soymeal-imports-diversify-supply-2025-07-07/
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#Sudan: #UN warns of worsening humanitarian crisis in #Sudan as displacement, hunger and disease escalate
UN humanitarians on Monday sounded the alarm over the worsening conditions in Sudan, as violence continues, and food and water remain at critically low levels.
The situation is particularly dire in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur province, which has witnessed some of the worst episodes of the ongoing conflict between rival militaries.
Those remaining in El Fasher are facing “extreme shortages” of food and clean water, with markets repeatedly disrupted, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists at the regular news briefing in New York.
Across the city, nearly 40 per cent of children under five are suffering from acute malnutrition, including 11 per cent with severe acute malnutrition.
Most of the surrounding water infrastructure has also been destroyed or rendered non-functional due to minimal maintenance and fuel shortages, Mr. Dujarric added.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/07/1165340
UN humanitarians on Monday sounded the alarm over the worsening conditions in Sudan, as violence continues, and food and water remain at critically low levels.
The situation is particularly dire in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur province, which has witnessed some of the worst episodes of the ongoing conflict between rival militaries.
Those remaining in El Fasher are facing “extreme shortages” of food and clean water, with markets repeatedly disrupted, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists at the regular news briefing in New York.
Across the city, nearly 40 per cent of children under five are suffering from acute malnutrition, including 11 per cent with severe acute malnutrition.
Most of the surrounding water infrastructure has also been destroyed or rendered non-functional due to minimal maintenance and fuel shortages, Mr. Dujarric added.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/07/1165340
UN News
UN warns of worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan as displacement, hunger and disease escalate
UN humanitarians on Monday sounded the alarm over the worsening conditions in Sudan, as violence continues, and food and water remain at critically low levels.
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#Commentary: Language vs. Identity: Why introducing Ge’ez in #Amhara schools undermines diversity; Afaan Oromoo offers broader inclusivity
In recent years, there has been a growing push to introduce and expand the teaching of #Ge’ez as a language subject in primary schools throughout the Amhara Regional State. While the official rationale for this move is framed as an effort to “preserve and foster Amhara heritage and identity” and to promote “indigenous knowledge,” the author of this commentary, Shimels Hussien Mohammed, questions the underlying reasoning and broader implications of the policy. He describes the initiative as “misguided and rooted in nostalgia” and argues that it reflects “deeper political motives to impose a single religious identity on a culturally diverse region.”
The author traces the origins of the language, emphasizing that “there is no conclusive evidence supporting the sole attribution of Ge'ez to the Amhara people.” He further contends, “If linguistic ownership were to be assigned, it would more logically extend to the #Tigray region or #Eritrea, or more broadly, to the Orthodox Church.” Shimels also highlights that the Amhara region is home to diverse ethnic and religious groups whose histories are frequently excluded or marginalized in Ge’ez literature. The introduction and expansion of Ge’ez in Amhara schools, he warns, risks “deepening divisions rather than promoting unity.”
The commentary further recalls how past imperial policies enforced linguistic and religious assimilation in the Amhara region, eroding indigenous languages and identities. In light of this history, the author finds it “perplexing” that current efforts seek to “rebirth” Ge’ez, a defunct language with limited practical relevance today. Instead, Shimels advocates for the introduction of #Afaan_Oromoo into the curriculum, arguing that it “better reflects reality,” given that many in the Amhara region have Oromo roots and that Afaan Oromoo is a major federal language. He emphasizes that embracing Afaan Oromoo represents a “wise and pragmatic approach” for the region’s future, enhancing “social integration and mobility,” particularly as a significant number of Amharas reside in the #Oromia region.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51326
In recent years, there has been a growing push to introduce and expand the teaching of #Ge’ez as a language subject in primary schools throughout the Amhara Regional State. While the official rationale for this move is framed as an effort to “preserve and foster Amhara heritage and identity” and to promote “indigenous knowledge,” the author of this commentary, Shimels Hussien Mohammed, questions the underlying reasoning and broader implications of the policy. He describes the initiative as “misguided and rooted in nostalgia” and argues that it reflects “deeper political motives to impose a single religious identity on a culturally diverse region.”
The author traces the origins of the language, emphasizing that “there is no conclusive evidence supporting the sole attribution of Ge'ez to the Amhara people.” He further contends, “If linguistic ownership were to be assigned, it would more logically extend to the #Tigray region or #Eritrea, or more broadly, to the Orthodox Church.” Shimels also highlights that the Amhara region is home to diverse ethnic and religious groups whose histories are frequently excluded or marginalized in Ge’ez literature. The introduction and expansion of Ge’ez in Amhara schools, he warns, risks “deepening divisions rather than promoting unity.”
The commentary further recalls how past imperial policies enforced linguistic and religious assimilation in the Amhara region, eroding indigenous languages and identities. In light of this history, the author finds it “perplexing” that current efforts seek to “rebirth” Ge’ez, a defunct language with limited practical relevance today. Instead, Shimels advocates for the introduction of #Afaan_Oromoo into the curriculum, arguing that it “better reflects reality,” given that many in the Amhara region have Oromo roots and that Afaan Oromoo is a major federal language. He emphasizes that embracing Afaan Oromoo represents a “wise and pragmatic approach” for the region’s future, enhancing “social integration and mobility,” particularly as a significant number of Amharas reside in the #Oromia region.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51326
Addis Standard
Language vs. Identity: Why introducing Ge’ez in Amhara schools undermines diversity; Afaan Oromoo offers broader inclusivity -…
Language vs. Identity: Why introducing Ge’ez in Amhara schools undermines diversity; Afaan Oromoo offers broader inclusivity Addis Standard Commentary -
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#Kenya: At least 11 killed, dozens injured during Kenya's 'Saba Saba Day' protests
Police in Kenya clashed with demonstrators Monday during the latest anti-government protests, killing 10 people, according to the state-funded human rights commission. Authorities blocked major roads leading into the capital, Nairobi, and most businesses closed amid the strictest measures yet to contain the unrest.
Protesters lit bonfires and threw stones at police. Police fired and hurled tear gas canisters, injuring demonstrators. Young men carried another man, his shirt drenched in blood, saying he had been shot.
More than 500 people were arrested during the protests, the national police service (NPS) said.
Spokesperson Michael Muchiri said that during the demonstrations "certain individuals remained determined to engage in acts of lawlessness that involved multiple criminal acts", including looting and attacks on officers, with the force announcing a total of 567 arrests.
He did not provide further details, but added that each reported incident would be subjected to "further investigation".
The protests were reported in 17 of 47 counties.
https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20250707-at-least-10-killed-dozens-injured-during-kenya-s-saba-saba-day-protests
Police in Kenya clashed with demonstrators Monday during the latest anti-government protests, killing 10 people, according to the state-funded human rights commission. Authorities blocked major roads leading into the capital, Nairobi, and most businesses closed amid the strictest measures yet to contain the unrest.
Protesters lit bonfires and threw stones at police. Police fired and hurled tear gas canisters, injuring demonstrators. Young men carried another man, his shirt drenched in blood, saying he had been shot.
More than 500 people were arrested during the protests, the national police service (NPS) said.
Spokesperson Michael Muchiri said that during the demonstrations "certain individuals remained determined to engage in acts of lawlessness that involved multiple criminal acts", including looting and attacks on officers, with the force announcing a total of 567 arrests.
He did not provide further details, but added that each reported incident would be subjected to "further investigation".
The protests were reported in 17 of 47 counties.
https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20250707-at-least-10-killed-dozens-injured-during-kenya-s-saba-saba-day-protests
France 24
At least 11 killed, dozens injured during Kenya's 'Saba Saba Day' protests
Police in Kenya clashed with demonstrators during anti-government protests on July 7, known as "Saba Saba Day", resulting in the deaths of at least 11 people. More than 500 people were arrested, according…
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#Ethiopia: #Healthcare professionals question PM #Abiy’s credibility over unmet promises
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s recent remarks in Parliament concerning the demands of healthcare professionals that led to widespread strikes have sparked discontent and doubt among healthcare practitioners, many of whom now question whether promises made to them will ever be fulfilled.
“Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s speech in Parliament regarding the demands of healthcare professionals has raised questions about his credibility – whether the issues previously promised to us will be fulfilled,” healthcare professionals who spoke with Addis Standard stated.
Another healthcare worker who spoke with Addis Standard under the conditions of anonymity criticized the Prime Minister’s suggestion in Parliament that “we agreed that we must sacrifice and transcend the country,” calling the claim “far from the truth.” The health worker noted, “He spoke contradictorily in Parliament,” adding, “We demand an immediate answer to our existential questions.”
The worker warned that if the government fails to provide “appropriate and tangible answers” within two months, they will launch a “major social awareness and rights advocacy campaign” in August, with a work stoppage planned for September.
https://addisstandard.com/healthcare-professionals-question-pm-abiys-credibility-over-unmet-promises/?amp=1
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s recent remarks in Parliament concerning the demands of healthcare professionals that led to widespread strikes have sparked discontent and doubt among healthcare practitioners, many of whom now question whether promises made to them will ever be fulfilled.
“Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s speech in Parliament regarding the demands of healthcare professionals has raised questions about his credibility – whether the issues previously promised to us will be fulfilled,” healthcare professionals who spoke with Addis Standard stated.
Another healthcare worker who spoke with Addis Standard under the conditions of anonymity criticized the Prime Minister’s suggestion in Parliament that “we agreed that we must sacrifice and transcend the country,” calling the claim “far from the truth.” The health worker noted, “He spoke contradictorily in Parliament,” adding, “We demand an immediate answer to our existential questions.”
The worker warned that if the government fails to provide “appropriate and tangible answers” within two months, they will launch a “major social awareness and rights advocacy campaign” in August, with a work stoppage planned for September.
https://addisstandard.com/healthcare-professionals-question-pm-abiys-credibility-over-unmet-promises/?amp=1
Addis Standard
Healthcare professionals question PM Abiy’s credibility over unmet promises - Addis Standard
Healthcare professionals question PM Abiy’s credibility over unmet promises Addis Standard News -
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News Analysis: #Egypt once again targets ‘#Red_Sea security’, vows stronger military relations with #Somalia
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has renewed his repeated remarks about ensuring the “Red Sea security” and “stability” while pledging to deepen military cooperation with Somalia.
The comments came after talks on Monday with Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in El Alamein, in what many see as part of a growing diplomatic shift and regional alignments sparked by Ethiopia’s push for direct sea access.
El-Sisi also used the opportunity to reiterate Egypt’s newfound opposition to any moves that threaten “Somali sovereignty”, a position Egypt has since expanded with a defense pact, and the deployment of Egyptian troops as part of the AU stabilization mission.
Despite these regional developments, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed says he continues to push the pursuit of sea access for Ethiopia “peacefully” and based on “mutual benefit.”
“We want access to sea based on the principle of mutual benefit, not by force” Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed recently told lawmakers, adding that “Ethiopia is a sovereign country, and for this to be complete, our neighbors must respond positively for Ethiopia to get access to a sea.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51342
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has renewed his repeated remarks about ensuring the “Red Sea security” and “stability” while pledging to deepen military cooperation with Somalia.
The comments came after talks on Monday with Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in El Alamein, in what many see as part of a growing diplomatic shift and regional alignments sparked by Ethiopia’s push for direct sea access.
El-Sisi also used the opportunity to reiterate Egypt’s newfound opposition to any moves that threaten “Somali sovereignty”, a position Egypt has since expanded with a defense pact, and the deployment of Egyptian troops as part of the AU stabilization mission.
Despite these regional developments, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed says he continues to push the pursuit of sea access for Ethiopia “peacefully” and based on “mutual benefit.”
“We want access to sea based on the principle of mutual benefit, not by force” Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed recently told lawmakers, adding that “Ethiopia is a sovereign country, and for this to be complete, our neighbors must respond positively for Ethiopia to get access to a sea.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51342
Addis Standard
Egypt once again targets ‘Red Sea security’, vows stronger military relations with Somalia - Addis Standard
Egypt once again targets ‘Red Sea security’, vows stronger military relations with Somalia Addis Standard Uncategorized -
#Saudi_Arabia executing ‘horrifying’ number of foreigners for drug crimes
Saudi Arabia has carried out a “horrifying” number of executions for drug crimes over the past decade, most of which were of foreign nationals, according to Amnesty International.
Almost 600 people have been executed over the past decade for drug-related offences, Amnesty International has found, three-quarters of whom were foreign nationals from countries including Pakistan, Syria, Yemen, Nigeria and Egypt.
It highlighted the case of seven Ethiopians and a Somali man now on death row accused of trafficking 153kg of cannabis estimated to be worth about $3.8m (£2.79m). According to the men’s testimony in court documents, they were recruited with the promise of a “meagre $267 per person”.
Dana Ahmed, Amnesty International’s Middle East researcher, said: “We are witnessing a truly horrifying trend, with foreign nationals being put to death at a startling rate for crimes that should never carry the death penalty.
“Convincing states to call out and condemn Saudi rights abuses was never easy, given its deep pockets and geopolitical heft. With ongoing conflicts in the Middle East … scrutiny has dwindled even further,” she said.
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/jul/08/saudi-arabia-capital-punishment-executions-foreigners-drug-offences-crime-600-people-amnesty-international
Saudi Arabia has carried out a “horrifying” number of executions for drug crimes over the past decade, most of which were of foreign nationals, according to Amnesty International.
Almost 600 people have been executed over the past decade for drug-related offences, Amnesty International has found, three-quarters of whom were foreign nationals from countries including Pakistan, Syria, Yemen, Nigeria and Egypt.
It highlighted the case of seven Ethiopians and a Somali man now on death row accused of trafficking 153kg of cannabis estimated to be worth about $3.8m (£2.79m). According to the men’s testimony in court documents, they were recruited with the promise of a “meagre $267 per person”.
Dana Ahmed, Amnesty International’s Middle East researcher, said: “We are witnessing a truly horrifying trend, with foreign nationals being put to death at a startling rate for crimes that should never carry the death penalty.
“Convincing states to call out and condemn Saudi rights abuses was never easy, given its deep pockets and geopolitical heft. With ongoing conflicts in the Middle East … scrutiny has dwindled even further,” she said.
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/jul/08/saudi-arabia-capital-punishment-executions-foreigners-drug-offences-crime-600-people-amnesty-international
the Guardian
Saudi Arabia executing ‘horrifying’ number of foreigners for drug crimes
Hundreds put to death for non-violent drug offences over past decade, with little scrutiny of Saudis, says Amnesty
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#Tigray still chooses peace even amid occupation and suffering: Interim President
Tigray's interim President Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede once again reiterated Tigray’s commitment to peace, rejecting war as a path forward despite ongoing occupation of Tigray’s territory and widespread suffering among its displaced communities.
Tigray will not initiate hostilities, President Tadesse said, in response to the recent spike in rhetoric about renewed conflicts; and cautioned against external “miscalculations that could provoke renewed conflict”.
The President’s speech was made over the weekend during the official commemoration ceremony of the 2021 Operation Alula Military Campaign by Tigrayan forces, which toppled the federally-appointed interim government from the region.
Watch
Tigray's interim President Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede once again reiterated Tigray’s commitment to peace, rejecting war as a path forward despite ongoing occupation of Tigray’s territory and widespread suffering among its displaced communities.
Tigray will not initiate hostilities, President Tadesse said, in response to the recent spike in rhetoric about renewed conflicts; and cautioned against external “miscalculations that could provoke renewed conflict”.
The President’s speech was made over the weekend during the official commemoration ceremony of the 2021 Operation Alula Military Campaign by Tigrayan forces, which toppled the federally-appointed interim government from the region.
Watch
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#Ethiopian, #Nigerian Air Forces explore joint development of #UAVs
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Ethiopian Air Force are exploring joint development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and deepening their defence partnership following a high-level visit by a NAF delegation to Ethiopia from 1-3 July 2025.
Nigerian local media reported that the visit, led by NAF’s Director of Training, Air Commodore Ali Hussaini Idris, focused on enhancing cooperation in aerospace technology, joint training, and the co-production of indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) - part of a broader push to advance intra-African military collaboration.
The delegation toured key military installations, including the Ethiopian Air Force Headquarters, Aviation Depot Maintenance Centre (ADMC), Dejen Aviation Engineering Industry (DAVI), and the Air Force Academy, during Ethiopia’s preparations to mark 90 years of military aviation
For more: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1942825589427081685?s=46&t=ofAzVW8-64dDK-xsjodCGA
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Ethiopian Air Force are exploring joint development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and deepening their defence partnership following a high-level visit by a NAF delegation to Ethiopia from 1-3 July 2025.
Nigerian local media reported that the visit, led by NAF’s Director of Training, Air Commodore Ali Hussaini Idris, focused on enhancing cooperation in aerospace technology, joint training, and the co-production of indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) - part of a broader push to advance intra-African military collaboration.
The delegation toured key military installations, including the Ethiopian Air Force Headquarters, Aviation Depot Maintenance Centre (ADMC), Dejen Aviation Engineering Industry (DAVI), and the Air Force Academy, during Ethiopia’s preparations to mark 90 years of military aviation
For more: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1942825589427081685?s=46&t=ofAzVW8-64dDK-xsjodCGA
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Death toll from #Kenya’s latest anti-government protest surges to 31
The death toll from Kenya’s anti-government protests on Monday has surged to 31, marking the highest single-day toll since the demonstrations began earlier this year, the state-funded human rights commission said Tuesday.
It said another 107 people were injured and more than 500 were arrested amid widespread destruction of property, including supermarkets. The arrest figure largely tracked with the one issued by police. The death toll did not say whether any security forces were included.
For weeks, youth and other citizens have taken to the streets to protest against police brutality and poor governance and to demand President William Ruto’s resignation over alleged corruption and the rising cost of living.
Ruto has not commented on Monday’s protest or its toll.
The U.N. high commissioner for human rights, Volker Türk, on Tuesday urged that the grievances leading to the protests are addressed. Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said he “renews his call for calm and restraint, and full respect for the freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly.”
https://apnews.com/article/kenya-protests-death-toll-saba-saba-ruto-ca186b6c54e92852161a61b3d3f4c508
The death toll from Kenya’s anti-government protests on Monday has surged to 31, marking the highest single-day toll since the demonstrations began earlier this year, the state-funded human rights commission said Tuesday.
It said another 107 people were injured and more than 500 were arrested amid widespread destruction of property, including supermarkets. The arrest figure largely tracked with the one issued by police. The death toll did not say whether any security forces were included.
For weeks, youth and other citizens have taken to the streets to protest against police brutality and poor governance and to demand President William Ruto’s resignation over alleged corruption and the rising cost of living.
Ruto has not commented on Monday’s protest or its toll.
The U.N. high commissioner for human rights, Volker Türk, on Tuesday urged that the grievances leading to the protests are addressed. Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said he “renews his call for calm and restraint, and full respect for the freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly.”
https://apnews.com/article/kenya-protests-death-toll-saba-saba-ruto-ca186b6c54e92852161a61b3d3f4c508
AP News
Death toll from Kenya’s latest anti-government protest surges to 31
The death toll from Kenya’s latest anti-government protest has surged to 31, according to the state-funded human rights commission.
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#Kenya to install high-capacity fiber optic cable along #Isiolo–#Mandera Corridor, boost cross-border connectivity with #Ethiopia and #Somalia
The Kenyan government has announced plans to install a high-capacity fiber optic cable along the Isiolo–Mandera corridor as part of its broader effort to enhance digital connectivity in northern Kenya and establish cross-border links with Ethiopia and Somalia.
The project falls under the World Bank-funded Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP) and is being implemented through Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, alongside the ICT Authority. As part of the preparatory phase, the ICT Authority has launched an Early Market Engagement (EME) to consult with key players in the ICT infrastructure and connectivity sector.
Read more: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1942877175159386260
The Kenyan government has announced plans to install a high-capacity fiber optic cable along the Isiolo–Mandera corridor as part of its broader effort to enhance digital connectivity in northern Kenya and establish cross-border links with Ethiopia and Somalia.
The project falls under the World Bank-funded Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP) and is being implemented through Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, alongside the ICT Authority. As part of the preparatory phase, the ICT Authority has launched an Early Market Engagement (EME) to consult with key players in the ICT infrastructure and connectivity sector.
Read more: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1942877175159386260
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#Ethiopia: Cut off from care: Insecurity, movement restrictions leave patients in #Amhara region struggle for lifesaving treatment
Ongoing insecurity and movement restrictions in Amhara region are severely impacting access to lifesaving healthcare, particularly for patients suffering from snakebites and kala-azar. MSF reports patients arriving late with severe complications due to blocked roads and unaffordable transport.
“Some pay up to 5,000 birr for a ride that should cost 200 birr,” said Moses CM Malual, MSF’s project coordinator in Abdurafi. “That makes it nearly impossible for those who can’t afford such high prices to access care.”
Dawit Hailu, a 30-year-old farmer, was bitten by a snake and had to be carried on a bed for 11 kilometers before reaching help. “My friends carried me because we had no other choice,” he said. Kala-azar patient Semere Sisay added, “I’ve been sick six times since 2023. MSF is the only provider of the medicine I need. My wife and children fled to Sudan, and I’ve been going through all this alone.”
Mobile outreach services, which once played a key role in reaching remote patients with kala-azar, have been scaled back or suspended due to security concerns.
MSF warns that health facilities are overwhelmed, supplies are low, and mobile outreach services have been suspended due to security concerns. “Without urgent action, preventable deaths from treatable conditions will continue to rise,” said Ana Banda, MSF’s deputy medical coordinator. Between January and May 2025, MSF treated 61 kala-azar patients and 363 snakebite cases in Abdurafi alone.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51346
Ongoing insecurity and movement restrictions in Amhara region are severely impacting access to lifesaving healthcare, particularly for patients suffering from snakebites and kala-azar. MSF reports patients arriving late with severe complications due to blocked roads and unaffordable transport.
“Some pay up to 5,000 birr for a ride that should cost 200 birr,” said Moses CM Malual, MSF’s project coordinator in Abdurafi. “That makes it nearly impossible for those who can’t afford such high prices to access care.”
Dawit Hailu, a 30-year-old farmer, was bitten by a snake and had to be carried on a bed for 11 kilometers before reaching help. “My friends carried me because we had no other choice,” he said. Kala-azar patient Semere Sisay added, “I’ve been sick six times since 2023. MSF is the only provider of the medicine I need. My wife and children fled to Sudan, and I’ve been going through all this alone.”
Mobile outreach services, which once played a key role in reaching remote patients with kala-azar, have been scaled back or suspended due to security concerns.
MSF warns that health facilities are overwhelmed, supplies are low, and mobile outreach services have been suspended due to security concerns. “Without urgent action, preventable deaths from treatable conditions will continue to rise,” said Ana Banda, MSF’s deputy medical coordinator. Between January and May 2025, MSF treated 61 kala-azar patients and 363 snakebite cases in Abdurafi alone.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51346
Addis Standard
Cut off from care: Insecurity, movement restrictions leave patients in Amhara region struggle for lifesaving treatment - Addis…
Cut off from care: Insecurity, movement restrictions leave patients in Amhara region struggle for lifesaving treatment Addis Standard Feature -
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#Ethiopia: Askari Metals expands African footprint with #Nejo #Gold acquisition
The tightly held Askari Metals Ltd has taken a significant step in its African growth strategy with the acquisition of the advanced-stage Nejo Gold Project in central-western Ethiopia.
The company has secured 100% of the issued capital of Xingxu Mining International Investment Co Ltd, a Hong Kong-based entity that owns the Nejo Project, through a binding share purchase agreement with Xingguang Group Ltd.
The acquisition gives Askari full ownership of the 1,174-square-kilometre tenement on the underexplored but highly prospective Arabian-Nubian Shield, which is a highly prospective geological region known for its significant gold endowment, hosting large-scale multi-million-ounce discoveries across Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
The Nejo Project is located in a globally significant gold and copper mineral province and lies within the same greenstone belt as...
https://tinyurl.com/yuotrkmo
The tightly held Askari Metals Ltd has taken a significant step in its African growth strategy with the acquisition of the advanced-stage Nejo Gold Project in central-western Ethiopia.
The company has secured 100% of the issued capital of Xingxu Mining International Investment Co Ltd, a Hong Kong-based entity that owns the Nejo Project, through a binding share purchase agreement with Xingguang Group Ltd.
The acquisition gives Askari full ownership of the 1,174-square-kilometre tenement on the underexplored but highly prospective Arabian-Nubian Shield, which is a highly prospective geological region known for its significant gold endowment, hosting large-scale multi-million-ounce discoveries across Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
The Nejo Project is located in a globally significant gold and copper mineral province and lies within the same greenstone belt as...
https://tinyurl.com/yuotrkmo
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#Eritrea posed ‘extraordinary’ situation that compelled Ethiopia ‘to adopt an exceptional position’
In a rare move that signals a sharp departure in tone and policy since Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki forged an alliance in the summer of 2018, Ethiopia has voted in favor of renewing the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Eritrea.
“…the situation is extraordinary and compels us to adopt an exceptional position,” Ambassador Tsegab Kebebew, Ethiopia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, said.
Citing national security threats, continued occupation of Ethiopia’s sovereign territory, and “gross human rights violations particularly in the border areas”, Ambassador Tsegab said “the current context marked by persistent non-cooperation and escalating threats demands robust international attention.”
The vote took place during the 30th meeting of the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council last week Friday. AS
In a rare move that signals a sharp departure in tone and policy since Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki forged an alliance in the summer of 2018, Ethiopia has voted in favor of renewing the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Eritrea.
“…the situation is extraordinary and compels us to adopt an exceptional position,” Ambassador Tsegab Kebebew, Ethiopia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, said.
Citing national security threats, continued occupation of Ethiopia’s sovereign territory, and “gross human rights violations particularly in the border areas”, Ambassador Tsegab said “the current context marked by persistent non-cooperation and escalating threats demands robust international attention.”
The vote took place during the 30th meeting of the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council last week Friday. AS
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#In_Depth_Analysis: Trapped between federal leverage and local fractures: Can #Tigray’s Interim Admin. reclaim legitimacy and deliver on a mandate not fully its own?
Four months since it was formed by a federally choregraphed ceremony in Addis Abeba, Tigray’s Interim Administration faces mounting pressure from all sides amid a deepening humanitarian and political crisis.
Trapped between federal leverage and local fragmentation, the administration of Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede is struggling to return nearly a million internally displaced people (IDPs) and restore territorial integrity. “This is a matter of life and death,” said Yohannes Tekle (PhD) of Mekelle University, underscoring the urgency of returning IDPs - particularly from Western Tigray - the fifth rainy season hits. It may well be the making and breaking of the interim administration, which was given barley one year and a litany of to-do lists.
The return of displaced communities remains paralyzed by overlapping federal inaction and internal power struggles.“The issue has become a political gamble,” said Berhanu Astebeha of Salsay Woyane, pointing to divisions within the TPLF and a federal government accused of using delay tactics.
For a historian interviewed for this in-depth “The federal government remains both the biggest challenge and the key to any solution,” stressing its role in withholding budget, blocking roads, and failing to enforce the Pretoria Agreement.
Despite these challenges, some observers see potential in the new leadership under Lt. Gen. Tadesse. His background in the security sector and relative credibility with both Mekelle and Addis Abeba could be an opportunity to unify factions and restore public trust.
“The greatest hope is that this administration is not yet entangled in internal power struggles,” one historian noted. But as time runs out, the question remains: Can the administration reclaim legitimacy and deliver on its federally choreographed mandate?
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51349
Four months since it was formed by a federally choregraphed ceremony in Addis Abeba, Tigray’s Interim Administration faces mounting pressure from all sides amid a deepening humanitarian and political crisis.
Trapped between federal leverage and local fragmentation, the administration of Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede is struggling to return nearly a million internally displaced people (IDPs) and restore territorial integrity. “This is a matter of life and death,” said Yohannes Tekle (PhD) of Mekelle University, underscoring the urgency of returning IDPs - particularly from Western Tigray - the fifth rainy season hits. It may well be the making and breaking of the interim administration, which was given barley one year and a litany of to-do lists.
The return of displaced communities remains paralyzed by overlapping federal inaction and internal power struggles.“The issue has become a political gamble,” said Berhanu Astebeha of Salsay Woyane, pointing to divisions within the TPLF and a federal government accused of using delay tactics.
For a historian interviewed for this in-depth “The federal government remains both the biggest challenge and the key to any solution,” stressing its role in withholding budget, blocking roads, and failing to enforce the Pretoria Agreement.
Despite these challenges, some observers see potential in the new leadership under Lt. Gen. Tadesse. His background in the security sector and relative credibility with both Mekelle and Addis Abeba could be an opportunity to unify factions and restore public trust.
“The greatest hope is that this administration is not yet entangled in internal power struggles,” one historian noted. But as time runs out, the question remains: Can the administration reclaim legitimacy and deliver on its federally choreographed mandate?
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51349
Addis Standard
In-Depth Analysis: Trapped between federal leverage and local fractures: Can Tigray’s Interim Admin. reclaim legitimacy and deliver…
In-Depth Analysis: Trapped between federal leverage and local fractures: Can Tigray’s Interim Admin. reclaim legitimacy and deliver on a mandate not fully its own? Addis Standard In-Depth Analysis -
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'Shoot in the 'leg'—#Kenyan leader orders police to curb violent protests
Kenya's President William Ruto has ordered police to shoot protesters targeting businesses in the legs, ensuring they are incapacitated but not killed.
The UN and human rights groups have accused the police of using excessive force in the recent wave of anti-government protests - 31 people were killed on Monday, according to a state-run body.
"Anyone caught burning another person's business or property should be shot in the leg, hospitalised, and later taken to court. Don't kill them, but ensure their legs are broken," the president said.
He further warned his political rivals against sponsoring and using violent protests and "unlawful" means to forcibly remove him from power.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9dgv5e6447o.amp
Kenya's President William Ruto has ordered police to shoot protesters targeting businesses in the legs, ensuring they are incapacitated but not killed.
The UN and human rights groups have accused the police of using excessive force in the recent wave of anti-government protests - 31 people were killed on Monday, according to a state-run body.
"Anyone caught burning another person's business or property should be shot in the leg, hospitalised, and later taken to court. Don't kill them, but ensure their legs are broken," the president said.
He further warned his political rivals against sponsoring and using violent protests and "unlawful" means to forcibly remove him from power.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9dgv5e6447o.amp
Bbc
'Shoot in the leg' - Kenyan leader orders police to curb violent protests
Government will not stand by and watch businesses and lives destroyed by sponsored rioters, Ruto says.
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#Op_ed: Unfulfilled Promises, Unstable Peace: Unresolved Western #Tigray crisis fuels regional tensions, threatens #Ethiopia’s stability
More than two years after the Pretoria Peace Agreement brought an end to Ethiopia’s devastating civil war, peace remains tenuous—primarily due to the unresolved status of Western Tigray, writes Mulat Gebreslassie, the author of this op-ed. He explains that although Western Tigray was constitutionally part of the Tigray region prior to the war, it remains under the control of #Amhara forces, preventing the return of hundreds of thousands of displaced Tigrayans.
The author contends that the federal government’s inaction has significantly exacerbated this crisis. He posits that this inaction is primarily motivated by efforts to “avoid confrontation with Amhara forces,” warning that “this approach—a dangerous gambit premised on the assumption that time and fatigue will eventually compel Tigray to concede—is ultimately unsustainable.” Furthermore, he emphasizes that the unresolved status of Western Tigray has simultaneously become the principal grievance leveraged by the #TPLF to “reignite nationalist sentiment.” The TPLF, Mulat notes, portrays federal inaction as “betrayal and neglect,” thus granting itself “a lifeline beyond its natural expiration.”
The op-ed also identifies both external and internal obstacles undermining the full implementation of the peace accord. Chief among the external challenges is #Eritrea, a non-signatory to the #Pretoria Agreement, whose continued troop presence in Tigray’s border areas “violates Ethiopia’s sovereignty and obstructs IDP returns.” Internally, the prevailing narrative in the Amhara region that Western Tigray is “reclaimed ancestral land” poses a direct challenge to constitutional authority and undermines reconciliation efforts.
The author underscores that “altered realities stemming from the 2020 war are unsustainable” and asserts that identity-based claims “must be addressed strictly through constitutional mechanisms.” He further contends that the achievement of lasting peace will necessitate the “full and uncompromising” implementation of the peace agreement, which encompasses “the safe and dignified return of all #IDPs, resolving Western Tigray’s status constitutionally, and the withdrawal of non-ENDF forces.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51361
More than two years after the Pretoria Peace Agreement brought an end to Ethiopia’s devastating civil war, peace remains tenuous—primarily due to the unresolved status of Western Tigray, writes Mulat Gebreslassie, the author of this op-ed. He explains that although Western Tigray was constitutionally part of the Tigray region prior to the war, it remains under the control of #Amhara forces, preventing the return of hundreds of thousands of displaced Tigrayans.
The author contends that the federal government’s inaction has significantly exacerbated this crisis. He posits that this inaction is primarily motivated by efforts to “avoid confrontation with Amhara forces,” warning that “this approach—a dangerous gambit premised on the assumption that time and fatigue will eventually compel Tigray to concede—is ultimately unsustainable.” Furthermore, he emphasizes that the unresolved status of Western Tigray has simultaneously become the principal grievance leveraged by the #TPLF to “reignite nationalist sentiment.” The TPLF, Mulat notes, portrays federal inaction as “betrayal and neglect,” thus granting itself “a lifeline beyond its natural expiration.”
The op-ed also identifies both external and internal obstacles undermining the full implementation of the peace accord. Chief among the external challenges is #Eritrea, a non-signatory to the #Pretoria Agreement, whose continued troop presence in Tigray’s border areas “violates Ethiopia’s sovereignty and obstructs IDP returns.” Internally, the prevailing narrative in the Amhara region that Western Tigray is “reclaimed ancestral land” poses a direct challenge to constitutional authority and undermines reconciliation efforts.
The author underscores that “altered realities stemming from the 2020 war are unsustainable” and asserts that identity-based claims “must be addressed strictly through constitutional mechanisms.” He further contends that the achievement of lasting peace will necessitate the “full and uncompromising” implementation of the peace agreement, which encompasses “the safe and dignified return of all #IDPs, resolving Western Tigray’s status constitutionally, and the withdrawal of non-ENDF forces.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51361
Addis Standard
Unfulfilled Promises, Unstable Peace: Unresolved Western Tigray crisis fuels regional tensions, threatens Ethiopia’s stability…
Unfulfilled Promises, Unstable Peace: Unresolved Western Tigray crisis fuels regional tensions, threatens Ethiopia’s stability Addis Standard Op/Ed -
Six rescued, 15 missing after #Houthi attack on cargo ship in #Red_Sea
Six crew members have been rescued from a Liberian-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea, according to a European Union naval force, after an attack claimed by #Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The assault, which sank the Greek-owned vessel on Wednesday, also killed at least four sailors and left 15 others missing, the Reuters news agency reported, citing maritime officials.
The Houthis said the attack on the Eternity C had been conducted on Monday using an unmanned boat and missiles, and was carried out in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, to pressure the Israeli military to end its assault on the besieged enclave.
The group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said that the Eternity C had been headed towards Israel, and that the Houthis had also “responded to rescue a number of the ship’s crew, provide them with medical care, and transport them to a safe location”.
The rebels released a video they said depicted their attack on Eternity C. It included a call for the crew to evacuate and showed explosions on the ship before it sank.
The United States Mission in Yemen accused the Houthis of kidnapping many surviving crew members from Eternity C and called for their immediate and unconditional safe release.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center (UKMTO), run by the British military, had said on Tuesday that the ship sustained “significant damage” and “lost all propulsion”.
https://aje.io/dl4nmi
Six crew members have been rescued from a Liberian-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea, according to a European Union naval force, after an attack claimed by #Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The assault, which sank the Greek-owned vessel on Wednesday, also killed at least four sailors and left 15 others missing, the Reuters news agency reported, citing maritime officials.
The Houthis said the attack on the Eternity C had been conducted on Monday using an unmanned boat and missiles, and was carried out in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, to pressure the Israeli military to end its assault on the besieged enclave.
The group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said that the Eternity C had been headed towards Israel, and that the Houthis had also “responded to rescue a number of the ship’s crew, provide them with medical care, and transport them to a safe location”.
The rebels released a video they said depicted their attack on Eternity C. It included a call for the crew to evacuate and showed explosions on the ship before it sank.
The United States Mission in Yemen accused the Houthis of kidnapping many surviving crew members from Eternity C and called for their immediate and unconditional safe release.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center (UKMTO), run by the British military, had said on Tuesday that the ship sustained “significant damage” and “lost all propulsion”.
https://aje.io/dl4nmi
Al Jazeera
Six rescued, 15 missing after Houthi attack on cargo ship in Red Sea
Surge in Red Sea attacks after months of calm potentially signals revival of Houthis’ campaign over Gaza war.
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#US slashes #Ethiopian visa validity, entry limit
Starting 8 July 2025, the U.S. has revised its visa rules for Ethiopian citizens, limiting “most nonimmigrant visas” to single-entry and a 3-month validity, the State Department announced.
Visas issued before this date will remain unaffected by the change, according to the announcement made through the U.S. Embassy in Addis Abeba.
Starting 8 July 2025, the U.S. has revised its visa rules for Ethiopian citizens, limiting “most nonimmigrant visas” to single-entry and a 3-month validity, the State Department announced.
Visas issued before this date will remain unaffected by the change, according to the announcement made through the U.S. Embassy in Addis Abeba.
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