Analysis: #Tigray Court hands life sentences in public killing of Zewdu Haftu, but justice system faces continued scrutiny

Nearly two years after the killing of 32-year-old Zewdu Haftu in Mekelle, two men — Yared Gebresellase and Angesom Hailemariam — have been sentenced to life in prison without parole by the $Mekelle High Court. The court cited “extreme cruelty” in the August 2023 attack, during which Zewdu was dragged and fatally crushed under a vehicle after resisting an apparent sexual assault.

The case, which sparked public outrage and a grassroots movement against gender-based violence in Tigray, faced repeated delays and allegations of interference by powerful political and security actors. Zewdu’s sister, Birtukan Haftu, told Addis Standard, “The ruling may be legally correct, but… they dragged her and crushed her to death. We have no power—only our prayers.”

Women’s rights groups welcomed the verdict but say the justice system must change. “Zewdu’s death was the death of all of us women,” said Meseret Hadush of Hiywet Charity. Rights groups are calling for accountability beyond convictions, including investigations into those who allegedly obstructed justice.

https://addisstandard.com/analysis-tigray-court-hands-life-sentences-in-public-killing-of-zewdu-haftu-but-justice-system-faces-continued-scrutiny/

#Tigray: “…no longer who we were yesterday…” Bir. Gen. Haileslassie Girmay

In what appears to be a pointed response to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s recent remarks on the potential for renewed conflict in the Tigray region, Brigadier General Haileslassie Girmay, a senior commander of Tigrayan forces, said that Tigray is no longer what it once was.

Speaking at a celebration organized by Core 423 in Adwa city, Central Tigray, over the weekend, the commander said that the people of Tigray have undergone a transformation since the war that is marked by the emergence of youth who “fought to ensure the survival of what is theirs,” and a renewed determination to defend the region against future aggression.

The General also hinted at a shift in political dynamics. “Those who fought against us yesterday may stand beside us today. If not allies, they are no longer our enemies.”

#Ethiopia: Six-month-old, six members of one family among 16 killed in latest attack in #West_Shewa; residents blame 'Fano' militants

Sixteen civilians, including a six-month-old infant and an elderly man, were killed in a deadly attack by armed assailants in Kondala locality, Nono district of West Shewa Zone, #Oromia region, on Thursday, 11 July. Residents who spoke to Addis Standard blamed militants identifying themselves as “Fano” for the assault, which began around 7:30 p.m.

A resident who lost a relative in the attack said, “It was carried out by Fano militants who came from the south. While we were at home, we heard gunshots. My family member, Abdo Aliyi, ran out to help but was shot and killed at the gate.”

According to multiple witnesses, 14 people were killed on the spot, including members of three families and six members of a single household. Five others who were wounded were taken to Waliso Hospital, and two later died from their injuries, raising the death toll to 16.

“Fourteen people were killed on the spot, including a six-month-old infant and an elderly person estimated to be between 60 and 65 years old,” a second resident told Addis Standard, adding that the attackers, estimated at around 70, were heavily armed and originated near the border of Nono district and the Central Ethiopia region.

Inspector Mohammed Aba Meca, head of police in Nono district, confirmed the attack and said the perpetrators came from the neighboring Gurage Zone. “At the time of the attack, security forces had been deployed elsewhere,” he said, adding that the suspects fled to Abishege district and have not yet been apprehended.

The assault marks the latest in similar attacks in the area, including a 2024 killing during a wedding and a 2022 assault that killed four members of one family.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51405

M-PESA #Ethiopia and #Awash_Bank unveil mobile overdraft to boost financial inclusion

In a move aimed at expanding access to credit and accelerating financial inclusion, M-PESA Ethiopia, the mobile money platform operated by Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia, has partnered with Awash Bank to launch a new mobile overdraft service named “Errif be M-PESA.”

The new service allows eligible M-PESA users, those active on the platform for at least 90 days, to access overdraft credit directly via their mobile phones. Customers will be able to complete essential transactions such as airtime purchases, bill payments, and merchant services even when their M-PESA wallet balance is insufficient.

The partnership brings together two key players in Ethiopia’s financial and telecommunications sectors. Awash Bank,one of the country’s oldest private banks, is contributing its experience in digital banking to the initiative, while Safaricom Ethiopia, which launched M-PESA in 2023, continues to broaden its mobile money services as it seeks to build a comprehensive digital financial ecosystem.

In a joint statement, M-PESA Ethiopia described the initiative as a strategic collaboration aligned with both institutions' vision to deliver “accessible, secure, and inclusive financial services” across the country.
https://techafricanews.com/2025/07/14/m-pesa-ethiopia-and-awash-bank-unveil-mobile-overdraft-to-boost-financial-inclusion/

Fact: The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (#GERD) is entirely funded by the people of #Ethiopia through public contributions and domestic resources. It poses no threat to #Egypt’s water security.

Despite this, U.S. President Donald Trump has once again made misleading claims about the dam. During a meeting at the White House with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on 14 July, President Trump falsely stated that he thinks the “U.S. funded the dam” and described it as a threat to Egypt’s water supply.

This follows similar remarks made in June, where the President wrongly asserted the U.S. financed the dam and that it “substantially” reduces the flow of water into the Nile.

Addis Standard believes that, if left unchallenged, such repeated claims risk fueling unnecessary regional tensions. We call on the Ethiopian government to intensify its diplomatic engagement with the United States to address and correct these misleading narratives. AS

News: Murder of three aid workers in #Tigray was “deliberate and targeted”: #MSF finding

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has concluded that the killing of its three staff members, María Hernández Matas, Tedros Gebremariam Gebremichael, and Yohannes Halefom Reda, in central Tigray on 24 June 2021 was a “deliberate and targeted attack,” confirming the presence of an Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) convoy in the area at the time of the killing.

In a report released today following a lengthy internal review, MSF Spain President Paula Gil stated, “This was not the result of crossfire, nor was it a tragic mistake. Our colleagues were killed in what can only be described as a deliberate attack.”

The three humanitarian workers were travelling in a clearly marked MSF vehicle near Abi Adi when they were intercepted and shot multiple times at close range. Their bodies were later found up to 400 meters from their bullet-riddled and burned vehicle.

https://addisstandard.com/murder-of-three-aid-workers-in-tigray-by-ethiopian-army-was-deliberate-and-targeted-msf-finding/

#Opinion: Between Past and Future: Professor Birhanu’s candid interview exposes cracks in #Ethiopia’s education reform

In this opinion piece, Mohamad Abdullahi reflects on a recent interview aired by the state-owned broadcaster, in which Education Minister Professor Birhanu Nega offered a rare and “candid” assessment of Ethiopia’s education system. During the discussion, the minister addressed enduring challenges within the sector and provided an assessment of the impact of education reforms implemented over the past four years.

One of the more controversial topics discussed was the national university exit exam. Questions were raised about the fairness of the assessment, particularly in light of the fact that more than 2.3 million students have failed the exam in the past three years. The debate also extended to the issue of accountability—specifically, who should be held responsible for the significant public resources expended and what has been described as the “moral bankruptcy” of students who failed. In his response, Professor Birhanu firmly stated that the previous education system "had failed in its fundamental goals in enriching university students," specifically criticizing universities for "unregulated academic progression, exam fraud, and unreliable assessment practices."

The author finds some of Professor Birhanu’s remarks toward the academic community as “dismissive and unduly accusatory,” criticizing that “such statements not only undermine the credibility of existing institutions but also have the potential to demoralize dedicated professionals working under already challenging conditions.”

He also reflects on Professor Birhanu’s admission that ongoing education reforms have yet to yield significant results, quoting the minister as saying, “The reform process requires at least six more years to bear fruit.” This acknowledgment, Mohamad argues, raises an important question: “What were the original objectives and benchmarks if four years have produced no measurable progress?” He contends that reforms are too often implemented “without a clear understanding of the systemic issues they are meant to address,” emphasizing that “the Ministry has yet to publicly present a well-defined diagnosis of the deep-rooted problems that continue to undermine the effectiveness of Ethiopia’s education system.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51408

#Ethiopia: #UN cautions half a million displaced civilians sheltered in #Amhara region face ‘acute shortage’ of humanitarian supplies

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) says over 500,000 displaced civilians in Amhara region are facing “acute shortages” of food, shelter, water, healthcare, and protection. Most live within host communities, while makeshift camps like Debre Berhan and Jara shelter over 30,000 people combined under worsening conditions.

More than 88,000 people have been displaced from western Oromia alone since 2021. Many now live in overcrowded sites like China camp, where 900 people have been confined to a warehouse for over three years. Aid deliveries remain erratic and insufficient. “Food distributions are irregular,” the UN cautions, with some IDPs receiving aid only every few months.

Addis Standard’s repeatedly reported the appalling conditions in various IDP sites in Amhara region, including in Debre Berhan and Jara, where residents described “sleeping on tarpaulins” and receiving just 15kg of flour after months of delay. Despite government-led announcements of efforts of resettlement, many IDPs have remained trapped to camps.
The UN now cautions that the prolonged crisis, coupled with underfunded response, risks triggering deeper humanitarian crisis.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51417

40 Years After Live Aid, It’s Still Personal for Bob Geldof

On Oct. 23, 1984, Bob Geldof, the lead singer of the Irish rock band the Boomtown Rats, sat down at home in London to watch the evening news. It changed his life — and saved the lives of millions more.

The BBC ran a report on what it called a “biblical famine” in Ethiopia caused by drought and exacerbated by civil war. Searing images of emaciated and naked children were beamed for the first time into homes across Britain, and then around the world.

Geldof was incensed and horrified. How could this be happening in the 20th century? And what could he — an angry pop star — do about it?
On Sunday, it’s 40 years since Live Aid, two epic concerts held in London and Philadelphia that he helped organize in response to that question. They were arguably the most successful charity events in history, and have a claim to be among the best gigs ever, too.

Geldof persuaded many of the world’s most top artists at the time to play for free, including Queen, David Bowie, Madonna, the Who, Elton John, Tina Turner and Paul McCartney. The shows were seen by about 1.5 billion people in more than 150 countries and would go on to raise more than $140 million.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/13/arts/music/live-aid-bob-geldof-anniversary.html

News: #Ethiopia-based anti-#Eritrea political, insurgent group holds public meeting in #Semera, calls for self-determination of #Afar people

The Red Sea Afar Democratic Organization (RSADO), an Ethiopian-based political and insurgent group opposing Eritrea’s ruling regime, held a public conference in Semera-Logia city, the capital city of Afar Region, on 13 July.

The “Red Sea Afar People’s General Conference,” organized with support from affiliated youth, women, and civic associations, concluded with RSADO renewing its commitment to what it described as a “political and military struggle” against the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) regime in Eritrea. The group vowed to continue its efforts until the Red Sea Afar people’s right to self-determination, including the option of secession, is secured.

The event took place amid heightened tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, with RSADO warning that current escalations risk turning Afar-inhabited border areas into active conflict zones, displacing civilians and worsening an already fragile humanitarian situation.

In 2023 Addis Standard reported that the Eritrean Afar National Congress urged the Ethiopia government to support their territorial claims. The was shortly after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed floated the idea of gaining access to the Red Sea.

The role of Afar people, who straddle the borders of Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti, is since being widely discussed.


https://addisstandard.com/?p=51421

What’s behind the mass arrests of #Ethiopian doctors?

An underground, online collective of doctors known as the Ethiopian Health Professionals Movement (EHPM) launched the strike following the Ethiopian government’s refusal to address a list of twelve grievances related to poor pay, exploitative working conditions, and safety concerns by a May 19 deadline.

Doctors were hauled to court on trumped-up charges that included collaborating with foreign forces to “wreak havoc” in Ethiopia.

Dr. Daniel was the 149th arrest of a medical professional in Ethiopia since May, according to an online database set up by the EHPM. Among those charged is Dr. Mahlet Guesh, a pathologist. She was detained on May 19, days after giving an interview to the BBC, in which she explained that the monthly salary of pathologists in the breakaway region of Somaliland equalled the combined wages of twenty Ethiopian MDs. She spent just over three weeks behind bars.

Throughout the strike, the EHPM’s social media pages posted updates and documented police intimidation for hundreds of thousands of followers.

Dr. Emebet (a pseudonym for safety reasons), a movement coordinator, told Global Voices that the labor strike was a spontaneous uprising.

https://globalvoices.org/2025/07/15/whats-behind-the-mass-arrests-of-ethiopian-doctors/

#Egypt praises Donald Trump's offer to solve #Ethiopia Nile row, fears quid pro quo

Egyptian observers have welcomed remarks made by #US President Donald Trump about his desire to broker a negotiated settlement of the dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia over the latter's construction of a massive dam on the Blue Nile, the main tributary of the Nile River, Egypt's principal source of freshwater.

Speaking during a meeting at the White House with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday, the US president emphasised the importance of the Nile River's water for Egypt.

"I think if I am Egypt, I want to have water in the Nile, and we are working on that," President Trump said.

In late June, he claimed that previous administrations had financed the Ethiopian dam project, criticising it for blocking the flow of the Nile River's waters to Egypt.

https://www.newarab.com/news/egypt-praises-trump-ethiopia-nile-row-offer-fears-quid-pro-quo

'Soldiers found us and told us to undress': In #Ethiopia, silence surrounds #Tigray war's mass rapes

During the war in Tigray, in Ethiopia, 120,000 women were victims of rape. More than two and a half years since the end of the conflict, many survivors are still trying to overcome their trauma, with justice yet to be served.

Nigist pulled out three beige linen patterns from a black plastic bag. Smiling broadly, she settled in front of a sewing machine. Her foot pressed the pedal, driving the needle to trace a white thread. "This is a skirt for a child. Just a few more hours of work, and it will be finished," she said, never taking her eyes off the small metal tip. The 17-year-old hails from western Tigray, a region of Ethiopia that rebelled against the central government. One morning in June 2023, she passed through the black gate of the Hiwyet center, whose name means "healing" in Tigrinya. "I had been on the road for months," she recounted with difficulty. "When I arrived, I was almost unable to speak, because of what happened to me along the way."

When armed men invaded her village in the Kafta Humera area of eastern Tigray, Nigist fled with other teenage girls. "We hid in a small wood, but soldiers found us. They told us to undress, but I resisted, I didn't want to. That's when they started hitting me, tearing off my clothes. I was raped by several of them. Then I fainted."
A few hours later, villagers took care of Nigist. "I washed myself in the river and they gave me clothes, because I had nothing left," she explained. "Then I fled to Mekele, and it was in the camp for displaced people that I heard about the Hiwyet center."

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/le-monde-africa/article/2025/07/16/soldiers-found-us-and-told-us-to-undress-in-ethiopia-silence-surrounds-tigray-war-s-mass-rapes_6743416_124.html

Analysis: #IMF cautions #Ethiopia’s economic reform faces headwinds amid falling aid and security risks

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cautioned that Ethiopia’s $3.4 billion reform program is under increasing threat due to declining foreign aid, fragile security conditions, and renewed pressures in the parallel currency market.

Despite commending the government for tough reforms, including subsidy cuts, tax restructuring, and tighter monetary policy, the IMF stressed that “downside risks remain elevated,” citing weak exports, stalled privatization, and falling foreign direct investment.

“The outlook remains subject to downside risks given security challenges and declining donor support,” said Deputy Managing Director Nigel Clarke.

The IMF flagged serious humanitarian implications tied to shrinking donor assistance, noting foreign aid has dropped from 12% of GDP a decade ago to below 4%.
With one in five Ethiopians expected to need humanitarian assistance in 2025 and the UN response plan underfunded, the IMF called for stronger shock-response systems.

On macroeconomic stability, the IMF pointed to persistent distortions in the foreign exchange market and a weak export base as key vulnerabilities. It also raised concerns about debt sustainability, warning that “policy slippages or delays in reform implementation in response to social pressures” could derail recovery efforts.

While Ethiopian officials remain optimistic, projecting 8.4% growth in 2024/25 and improved performance in key sectors, the IMF urged continued reforms and targeted safety nets to protect vulnerable populations and stabilize the economy.
https://addisstandard.com/imf-cautions-ethiopias-economic-reform-faces-headwinds-amid-falling-aid-security-risks/

#Ethiopian Militias Raid #Sudan Border Villages: Farmers,Activists

Sudanese farmers and activists said Monday that Ethiopian militias had conducted cross-border raids on agricultural villages, disrupting the sowing season in a country already at war and suffering a dire hunger crisis.

For decades, both Ethiopia and its neighbor, Sudan, have claimed the fertile border region of Al-Fashaga, and in recent days, several villages in the contested area have come under attack.

Farmers told AFP that militias entered villages along the border, opened fire with automatic weapons, and looted livestock and farming equipment before retreating back into Ethiopian territory.

“They attacked us yesterday (Sunday) while we were working in the fields,” said a 29-year-old farmer from Wad Kouli, a village about 11 kilometers (7 miles) from the Ethiopian border.

https://thedefensepost.com/2025/07/16/ethiopian-militias-sudan-border/