Over eight killed, including three children, in 'brutal attack' allegedly carried out by Fano militants in Central Gondar

More than eight people, including three children, were killed, and six others were abducted in an attack allegedly carried out by “Fano militants.” According to residents and officials from the Chilga district, the attack took place on Monday, July 14, in Godo Kebele, Chilga district, Central Gondar Zone of the Amhara Region. Several homes were reportedly set on fire by the attackers.

A resident, who asked not to be named for their safety, told Addis Standard that the attack took place Monday, starting around 6:00 AM and continuing until about 10:00 AM. The resident blamed “Fano militants” for the attack, stating that eight people were killed. The resident said the attackers came from the neighboring Sharda Kebele and described the incident as “horrific.”

The Chilga District Administration Council issued a statement Monday confirming the incident and attributing the attack to “extremist groups organized under the guise of Fano, who do not represent the Amhara people.” The district council stated that the assailants carried out “brutal killings of innocent farmers, vulnerable elderly, and children, as well as looting of property.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51435

#News_Analysis: First major sign of #ISIS in #Ethiopia as intelligence claims capturing 82 alleged operatives trained in #Puntland

Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) says it has arrested 82 individuals accused of being affiliated with ISIS, marking the country’s most significant admission yet of the extremist group’s presence within its borders.

The suspects, many allegedly trained in Puntland, Somalia, were detained in a sweeping security operation across several cities and towns in various regional states including #Oromia, #Amhara, #Somali, and the capital #Addis_Abeba.

NISS claims the individuals were working to establish sleeper cells, coordinate attacks, and disseminate extremist propaganda, with some linked to ISIS’s global media and financing networks.

In April, Army Chief of Staff Field Marshal Birhanu Jula told members of parliament that Ethiopian “traitors” were collaborating with terrorist groups like ISIS and al-Shabaab but declined to provide further details.

NISS’s announcement yesterday coincided with the designation by the U.S.-led Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC) of three ISIS facilitators operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Somalia, and South Africa.

If confirmed, NISS’s latest claims, combined with past Al-Shabaab incursions and convictions of dozens of operatives in Ethiopia, signal a new phase in its internal security dynamics.

While ISIS activity had largely been considered external, the NISS announcement suggests an expanded and potentially entrenched network on Ethiopian soil, raising concerns about border vulnerabilities, and the dual threat posed by both ISIS and Al-Shabaab to national and regional stability.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51450

#Israel attacks #Syria’s #Damascus amid fighting in Suwayda

The Israeli military has launched airstrikes targeting the Syrian Defense Ministry in Damascus, as well as an area near the presidential palace.

According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, which cited the Health Ministry, the attacks killed one person and wounded 18 others.

The strikes came just hours after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned the Syrian government to withdraw from Suwayda, where intense fighting has recently broken out with members of Syria’s Druze minority.

Following the strikes, Katz shared a video of a Syrian news presenter taking cover after a massive explosion erupted behind her, captioning it, “The heavy blows have started.”

Ammar Kahf, executive director of Omran Center for Strategic Studies, says Israel is seeking to cause “havoc and chaos” in Syria to destabilize the new government after its major bombardment.

https://aje.io/oy4iku

News: Six IDPs die of cholera in Fentale, Oromia, as humanitarian crisis deepens; zonal health official denies fatalities

Six internally displaced people (IDPs) have died of cholera in the Banti and Ilala kebeles of the Fentale district, East Shewa Zone of the Oromia region, amid a growing humanitarian crisis. The district official blamed the deaths on a critical shortage of clean drinking water and warned of a sharp decline in humanitarian assistance reaching the area. However, zonal officials refuted the casualties while confirming the cholera outbreak in the area with 150 recorded cases.

Mohammed Asabot, Deputy District Administrator and Head of the Agriculture Office in Fentale, told Addis Standard that the six deceased had been residing in Banti and Ilala kebeles after being displaced by a series of earth tremors. He said they fell ill after consuming rainwater collected during the recent rainy season, due to the absence of clean drinking water. Three of the victims were from Banti Kebele, while the remaining three were from Ilala Kebele.

Jima Fentale, one of the displaced persons currently living in Ilala Kebele, said he and others who fled from the slopes of Mount Fentale are now sheltering along the asphalt road between Metehara and Addis Abeba. He said they are exposed to the scorching sun and nighttime cold, while livestock have died from ashes rising from the mountain. Jima confirmed to Addis Standard that he is aware of the death of two people in his area due to cholera.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51457

A look at #Eritrea's role as new #Tigray war looms in #Ethiopia

Reports of troop movements and sporadic clashes in northern Ethiopia have emerged in recent months, feeding concern that a fragile calm could soon collapse. The region is still reeling from the brutal two-year civil war between the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and federal government forces — a conflict that claimed an estimated 600,000 lives before it ended with the Pretoria peace agreement in November 2022.

"We can't plan anything at the moment," a woman in Mekele, the capital of Ethiopia's Tigray region, told DW. "We're just trying to survive. A new war could break out tomorrow." She described a climate of fear that has gripped many residents. "Life has become incredibly expensive. We need a peaceful solution so we can return to work and rebuild our lives."

During that war, Eritrean troops supported Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's campaign against the TPLF. But critics warned at the time that peace would remain fragile without Eritrea at the negotiating table. President Isaias Afwerki, who has ruled Eritrea for decades, was notably absent from the talks in the South African's administrative capital, Pretoria.

Now, growing fears of renewed violence point towards Eritrea's involvement.

https://www.dw.com/en/a-look-at-eritreas-role-as-new-tigray-war-looms-in-ethiopia/a-73283778

From #AS_Archives:

#Ethiopia’s Currency Market: A fragile convergence and the path to stability

“Structural flaws, not just speculation, are driving Ethiopia’s parallel currency market,” cautioned economist Abraham Abebe Asfaw (PhD), writing for Addis Standard in September 2024.

His analysis from a year ago echoes warnings issued by the IMF on 15 July, which flagged “a resurgent parallel currency market” as a threat to Ethiopia’s economic reform efforts.

Abraham explained that despite sourcing foreign currency from exporters and remitters at official rates, banks “are failing to meet demand,” often imposing burdensome conditions or refusing to sell altogether, fueling the public’s reliance on the parallel market.

He looked in to the scale and structure of the parallel market, particularly the remittance sector, where an estimated $5 billion annually bypasses the official system. “Remitters are price takers in a competitive, fragmented market dominated by diaspora intermediaries,” he noted, contrasting this with the profit-seeking, oligopolistic behavior of banks. However, entrenched habits and convenience mean that many remitters stick with unofficial channels, even if official rates become more attractive, a behavioral inertia the government has yet to overcome.

To tackle this, the writer urged the National Bank of Ethiopia to move beyond ineffective crackdowns and weak patriotic appeals. He proposes two solutions: first, invest in diaspora-focused tech and incentive schemes to reroute remittances officially; second, lower the $500,000 capital threshold so smaller diaspora intermediaries can enter the formal forex market.

“Bringing these actors into the official system will break the banks’ pricing power, expand supply, and help stabilize the birr,” Abraham concluded, reinforcing the IMF’s message that currency market reform was urgent and essential.

https://addisstandard.com/ethiopias-currency-market-a-fragile-convergence-and-the-path-to-stability

Sudden eruption produces dense ash plume at #Erta_Ale volcano, #Ethiopia

A sudden eruptive event at Erta Ale volcano in Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression released a short-lived ash plume early on July 15, breaking a months-long pattern of quiet lava activity.

The event was captured on video by Idris Hummed, a local observer, who filmed a dark column of ash rising from the summit crater.

Field volcanologist Luca Lupi, author of a geological guide to the Danakil region, offered a technical explanation. Commenting on the video, he said the event likely resulted from a collapse of the solidified crust covering the summit lava lake, triggered by either the opening of a lateral vent or the formation of a subsurface dike.

This behavior aligns with previous transitions between effusive and ash-producing phases at Erta Ale, where structural changes in the vent system lead to sudden degassing and surface disruption. The Global Volcanism Program currently lists Erta Ale’s ongoing eruption as involving both effusive and ash-emitting phases.

https://watchers.news/2025/07/15/erta-ale-volcano-eruption-dense-ash-emission-ethiopia-july-2025/

#Opinion: Ethiopia–Eritrea Informal Border Opening: Step toward peace or geopolitical trap?

Last month marked the resumption of informal cross-border movement between #Ethiopia and #Eritrea, sparking hope among communities along the frontier. In towns such as #Zalambessa, residents celebrated reunions after five years of separation. While acknowledging the symbolic value of this grassroots peacebuilding effort, Zerihun Hailu, the author of this opinion piece, raises concerns about its timing. He notes that the reopening—part of a campaign known as “Engagement” or “Tsmido”—is troubling because “it coincides with heightened diplomatic hostility between Ethiopia and Eritrea.”

The author points to the recent escalation of tensions between the two countries, underscored by inflammatory rhetoric and mutual accusations. He recalls that at the United Nations, Eritrea accused Ethiopia of “repeated provocations,” while Ethiopia alleged that Eritrea is “coordinating with [a] TPLF faction and other armed groups to launch attacks.” Compounding these bilateral tensions, Zerihun highlights a notable geopolitical shift “where a #TPLF faction now advocates for peace with the government of Eritrea, despite past grievances.” He argues that this shift, coupled with the Eritrean government’s historical pattern of exploiting regional instability, suggests that the border opening “may be a tactical maneuver,” one that could potentially “position Ethiopia within a geopolitical trap.”

The article also notes Eritrea’s longstanding alliance with #Egypt in opposing Ethiopia, particularly regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (#GERD). This complex geopolitical context, the author states, is further complicated by reports of illicit gold smuggling from #Tigray through Eritrea to Dubai. Despite these developments, he emphasizes that the Ethiopian federal government “appears to have relinquished control of the border area, prompting alarm over national security.”

Zerihun concludes that “at a time when national borders require strict surveillance and control, a border opening led by activists outside the purview of state authority is deeply problematic for any sovereign nation,” adding that “failure to act decisively could threaten not only the peace process but also Ethiopia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51461

#Ethiopian Airlines reports runway skidding incident at #Mekelle airport; two crew members sustained moderate injuries

Ethiopian Airlines has confirmed that one of its scheduled passenger flights experienced a moderate skid on the runway after landing at Mekelle’s Alula Aba Nega Airport on Wednesday, resulting in injuries to two crew members.

In a statement released yesterday evening, the airline said flight ET-298, which departed from Addis Abeba, experienced the incident while taxiing on the runway under rainy weather conditions. The aircraft had completed its descent and landed when the skid occurred, the statement added.

According to the airline, no passengers sustained injuries, and all were safely evacuated from the aircraft. The two injured crew members were taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment and were later discharged to their hotel.

https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1945791506616398262

#Sudan war fuels flow of advanced arms to #South_Sudan, #UN says

The conflict in Sudan is fueling a flow of sophisticated, looted weapons into neighboring South Sudan, violating a U.N. arms embargo and threatening the fragile peace in the world’s youngest nation, a report by United Nations experts said.

The report, submitted to Security Council members on July 1, 2025, said South Sudanese security services began seizing modern, Turkish-made rifles with scopes from civilians and cattle keepers in late 2024, a significant escalation from the typical arms in the region.

Investigators traced the weapons - including BRG 55, HUSAN Arms MKA 556, and UTAS Defence rifles - to stockpiles looted by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum.

These arms are smuggled across the porous border from RSF-held territory into South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el-Ghazal state and the contested Abyei region, the report said. The trade is part of a two-way illicit economy where “individuals with military or political connections” exchange arms and looted goods for fuel and food, effectively sustaining the Sudanese conflict.

The arms trafficking contrasts sharply with official relations between the two nations, whose leaders have maintained cooperation driven by a mutual dependency on oil revenues. South Sudan’s oil is exported via a pipeline through Sudan.

Sudan’s leader, General Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, visited Juba twice in late 2024 for talks on oil, trade, and security. Khartoum also helped broker a peace deal between Juba and an opposition leader in February 2025 and negotiated a humanitarian corridor.

https://sudantribune.com/article302960/

KEFI begins resettlement program ahead of Tulu Kapi gold project launch

KEFI Gold and Copper PLC has begun the community resettlement process for its Tulu Kapi gold project in Ethiopia, marking a key milestone in preparations to move into full-scale development.

The AIM-listed mine developer said it would start paying compensation this month for the first phase of its action plan, with funds drawn from existing cash reserves following a recent capital raise.

The company expects to recover the outlay once it draws down on the broader project financing package.

The relocation of local residents is a precondition to construction at the Tulu Kapi site and is being carried out jointly with the Ethiopian government.

It is also guided by environmental and social standards set by the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank Group.

According to KEFI, this stage of the resettlement program is slightly ahead of schedule and reflects the company’s intent to accelerate the project timeline.

Gold production at Tulu Kapi is targeted for the second half of 2027.

In an update on progress, chairman Harry Anagnostaras-Adams told investors, "Project finance continues to come together at the subsidiary level in preparation for all the parties to sign detailed definitive documentation, targeted for end-August 2025."

https://www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/1074817/kefi-begins-resettlement-programme-ahead-of-tulu-kapi-gold-project-launch-1074817.html

#Ethiopia: Deputy Chief Commissioner among two EHRC officials resigning before end of term

Deputy Chief Commissioner of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), Rakeb Melese, and Commissioner for Women, Children, Persons with Disabilities, and Older Persons, Rigbe Gebrehawaria, have formally submitted their letters of resignation, according to a report by BBC.

According to the report, the commissioners submitted their resignation letters to the House of Peoples’ Representatives last week, along with the required three-month notice.

Sources within the Commission told the BBC that the senior commissioners were “pushed” to resign due to the Chief Commissioner’s “leadership style.”

The resignation comes a month after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed accused the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) of issuing biased reports in recent years. In the fourth part of an interview series with Ethiopian Television, Prime Minister Abiy stated that the EHRC had been issuing reports against the Ethiopian government “in a distorted manner” over the past three to four years. He added that his government had “silently overlooked” the commission’s “biased” reports for the sake of institutional building.

https://addisstandard.com/deputy-chief-commissioner-among-two-ehrc-officials-resigning-before-end-of-term/?amp=1

#Ethiopia: Despite unions’ call for tax exemption for workers earning up to 8,324 birr, government sets income tax threshold at 2,000 birr

The House of People’s Representatives has passed the draft proclamation on salary income tax, setting the tax-exempt threshold at 2,000 birr, despite sustained calls from the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions to raise it significantly to 8,324 birr.

The newly amended proclamation reviewed by Addis Standard raises the tax-exempt salary threshold from the previous 600 birr to 2,000 birr. It also increases the income level at which the 35% tax rate applies—from 10,900 birr to 14,000 birr. Additionally, the minimum income tax rate on employees’ salaries has been raised from 10 to 15 percent.

Kasahun Follo, president of the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU), criticized the amended proclamation during an interview with state media, stating, “You don’t collect taxes from someone who cannot survive and goes to bed hungry.”

“As a country, taxes must be collected, and development must continue,” the president said, adding, “But human life must also continue; people cannot work and be productive while starving.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51472

The dark side of #Ethiopia’s liberalisation

The fruits of promising reforms are under threat from waste, graft and conflict

For the past couple of years much of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, was reduced to rubble by demolitions. Now luxury apartments, parks and cycle lanes are rising from the ruins. Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia’s prime minister, believes the old city must make way for a cleaner, shinier one.

Mr Abiy is transforming not just Addis, but Ethiopia. Long one of Africa’s most state-controlled economies, the east African country of 135m people has recently begun to liberalise. A year ago it floated its currency, the birr, and entered an IMF programme worth $3.4bn (3% of GDP). A raft of reforms will radically alter its economic system. “What they are trying to do is comparable to the transition economies after the fall of the Soviet Union,” says Stefan Dercon of Oxford University, who has advised several Ethiopian governments on economic policy. Ethiopia hopes to follow the path of countries such as Poland and become an economic power. Yet it may end up looking more like Russia, its transition derailed by corruption, conflict and chaos.

Following decades of communist dictatorship, the government began to allow some space for free markets in the 1990s. But it retained tight restrictions on private enterprise, growing through debt-fuelled state investment in infrastructure. Yet since a sovereign default in 2023, following a devastating civil war, forced Ethiopia to ask the IMF for a bailout, it has opened up banking, retail and other sectors to foreign competition, and relaxed restrictions on repatriating profits. On July 1st parliament approved a law allowing foreigners to own property. The country plans to privatise some state-owned firms. In January it opened a stock exchange.

Economic performance has been encouraging, according to official data. Despite a sharp depreciation of the birr, which has lost more than half its value against the dollar over the past year, Ethiopia’s central bank says it brought annual inflation down to 14.4% in May, compared with 23% the previous year. The fiscal deficit has shrunk to 1.5% of GDP, the IMF reckons, down from 4.2% in 2022. The cheaper birr has boosted exports, particularly of coffee and gold, helping to alleviate dollar shortages. On July 2nd Ethiopia reached a deal with external creditors, including China, to restructure some $3.5bn of debt, 11% of the total. On July 3rd the World Bank agreed to give the country $1bn worth of grants and concessional loans. The IMF estimates that the economy grew by 7.2% in the year to July.

This rosy picture may not be the whole story. The IMF relies on government data for its estimates, but has repeatedly complained about “the quality and availability of economic statistics” in Ethiopia.

The World Bank said this month that it could not estimate Ethiopia’s national income for the current fiscal year. It said it needed more time to take the sudden depreciation of the birr into account. Proxy measures such as electricity demand indicate the economy is growing—but probably not as fast as official figures suggest.

https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2025/07/17/the-dark-side-of-ethiopias-liberalisation

#Sudan: #UN rights chief condemns recent killing of scores of civilians in #Sudan

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has deplored deadly attacks in Sudan’s Kordofan region this week, his office said in a statement on Thursday.

Since 10 July, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, has verified that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have killed at least 60 civilians in North Kordofan’s Bara locality, while civil society groups have reported that up to 300 were killed.

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) also hit two villages in West Kordofan from 10 to 14 July, killing at least 23 civilians and causing more than 30 injuries. Most recently, on Thursday, an SAF airstrike in Bara killed at least 11 civilians who were all members of a single family.

The statement stressed that the High Commissioner “deplored the killing of dozens of civilians by both parties. It is distressing that more than two years since the conflict began, parties to the conflict in Sudan continue to demonstrate callous disregard for civilians’ lives and safety,” he said.

“An escalation of hostilities in North Darfur and Kordofan will only further aggravate the already severe risks to civilians and the dire humanitarian situation in a conflict that has already wrought untold suffering on the Sudanese people,” he added.

https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/07/1165420

#Ethiopia: Over 41 million birr reportedly looted from three banks in Tarmaber District, North Shewa

The Peace and Security Office of Tarmaber District, located in the North Shewa Zone of the Amhara region, has reported that more than 41 million birr was looted in an overnight robbery targeting three banks in the Mezezo sub-district.

According to a statement issued by the office on Wednesday, the robbery took place in the early hours of 16 July, 2025, and was carried out by what officials described as “armed extremist forces.”

Wondmu Chernet, head of the district’s Peace and Security Office, said 11.55 million birr was stolen from Bunna Bank, 1.028 million birr from Tsehay Bank, and 29.365 million birr from Abay Bank—bringing the total amount looted to 41.943 million birr. He stated that the incident occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m.

Wondmu further accused the group of deliberately targeting public institutions. “Looting and destruction of public property has become their routine practice,” he said, warning that as peaceful alternatives continue to be ignored, law enforcement operations against those involved will intensify.

It is not the first such incident reported in the zone. In June 2024, more than 2 million birr was looted from a branch of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in Midaweremo District. At the time, local officials attributed the attack to “unlawful armed groups” operating in the area.

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether any suspects have been apprehended in connection with the latest incident.

https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1946124306741629169

#Commentary: #Ethiopia's Strategic Triple Play: How assertive diplomacy on #GERD, Somaliland MoU, BRICS membership reshapes Horn of Africa power dynamics

The Horn of Africa is experiencing a significant diplomatic shift, with Ethiopia emerging as a key player in redefining the region’s geopolitical dynamics, writes Gulaid Yusuf Idaan, the author of this commentary. He argues that, through a multifaceted strategy, #Addis_Abeba is asserting its influence in ways that challenge longstanding power structures and regional norms. Ethiopia’s increasingly assertive foreign policy, he notes, is anchored in three strategic pillars: “managing the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), securing maritime access via a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with #Somaliland, and recalibrating its global alignment through #BRICS membership.”

Regarding the GERD, the author explains that Ethiopia has rejected any legally binding conditions on the filling or operation of the dam, instead asserting its sovereign right to utilize the #Nile’s resources. Rather than pursuing confrontational measures, the country has embraced legal minimalism and cites the 2015 Declaration of Principles as an adequate framework for cooperation. Consequently, Idaan posits that the dam has evolved into a “geopolitical symbol of post-colonial self-determination,” effectively challenging outdated colonial-era treaties and upholding the rights of upstream states.

The article further explains that the January 2024 MoU with Somaliland represents a more audacious turn in Ethiopia’s foreign policy. While the agreement has drawn criticism from #Egypt, #Somalia, and the #Arab_League, it reflects Ethiopia’s shift toward a “realpolitik-driven diplomacy,” placing “strategic interests above multilateral consensus.” In addition, the author highlights Ethiopia’s “delicate balancing act” on the global stage, characterized by its accession to BRICS while meticulously preserving strong ties with Western donors. This dual-track approach, according to Idaan, has enabled Ethiopia to broaden its economic partnerships without alienating crucial supporters such as the United States, thereby demonstrating “sophisticated diplomatic compartmentalization.”

In his conclusion, the author underscores that Ethiopia is actively reshaping the regional order through “proactive and pragmatic alliances,” emphasizing that “the future of the region will likely be shaped less by traditional legal agreements and more by the strategic positioning and diplomatic agility of its key actors, with Ethiopia currently at the forefront.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51478

#Ethiopia: Tigray civil society stakeholders hold high-level talks with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

A delegation of civil society representatives from Tigray held a high-level meeting with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as part of a broader public diplomacy initiative aimed at fostering national dialogue and supporting the region’s post-conflict recovery.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister, the discussions were described as “in-depth and forward-looking,” addressing critical issues including the situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs), the political landscape in Tigray, and pathways toward sustainable economic revitalization.

The statement from the Prime Minister said the civil society representatives highlighted inclusive national dialogue and the establishment of open platforms through which the voices of the Tigrayan people can be genuinely heard. They also expressed concern over implementation gaps in the Pretoria Peace Agreement, calling on the government to address issues related to misinterpretation, misuse of language, and actions that could undermine the spirit of the agreement.

In response, the Prime Minister reiterated the federal government’s commitment to supporting Tigray’s transition from conflict to recovery, emphasizing continued collaboration with the Interim Regional Administration, civil society organizations, and the wider Tigrayan community.

“We reaffirm, as the federal government, our commitment to working closely with the people of Tigray, the Interim Regional Administration, and other relevant stakeholders. Through coordinated efforts in politics, security, and economic recovery, we aim to restore Tigray to a state of stability and prosperity,” the statement read.

The meeting comes a week after Tigray Orthodox Church leaders criticized the prime minister’s assessment of the situation as “disconnected from the lived experiences of the people.”

In a statement released on Wednesday, 09 July 2025, the church leaders said that “the Prime Minister’s assessment of the situation in Tigray is disconnected from the lived experiences of the people” and warned that such a disconnect risks exacerbating the existing humanitarian crisis. They cited the lack of progress in returning displaced persons to their homes as a critical failure requiring urgent attention.

To address this perceived disconnect, the Church announced it will dispatch a delegation of elders to meet directly with the Prime Minister. The purpose of the meeting, they said, is to convey the concerns of the Tigrayan people and to advocate for a more responsive and effective approach to the peace process. “We have full faith that the Prime Minister of Ethiopia will respect and receive the sent elders,” the statement read.

https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1946167041972396140

Askari Metals uncovers high-grade copper mineralization at the Nejo Gold Project, #Ethiopia

Askari Metals Ltd has announced a significant discovery at its Nejo Gold Project in #Ethiopia, revealing high-grade copper mineralization at the Katta Target. Historical drilling results have demonstrated substantial copper intercepts, highlighting the project's potential as a dual copper and gold exploration asset.

The company’s historical exploration data compilation program revealed the Katta Target, located within the 1,174-square-kilometer Nejo Gold Project, has yielded promising intersections, adding to the growing portfolio of copper and gold resources within the project and setting the stage for modern exploration to fully unlock its value.

In addition to these high-grade intersections, historic exploration has uncovered six copper-bearing gossans at the Katta 2 Target. One of these gossans has a strike length of more than 600 meters, remains open along the strike and at depth, and is up to 30 meters wide. Askari is now planning follow-up drilling, leveraging modern techniques to expand upon these initial results.

The Nejo Gold Project, located in the highly prospective Arabian-Nubian Shield, remains largely underexplored despite a rich history of exploration. Prior work by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other agencies identified high-priority targets, but limited follow-up has prevented the full potential of the project from being realized. "Validating our acquisition strategy by analyzing and digitizing the historical exploration data has been our first priority at Nejo,” Askari executive director Gino D’Anna said.

“The copper and base metal mineralization data from our Katta Target, located on the northernmost license, includes historical diamond drilling completed by UNDP between 1967 and 1973,” he explained. “Despite these high-grade intercepts across wide thicknesses, there is an absence of systematic exploration, and this is a key opportunity for Askari Metals to unlock the potential of these targets through modern, systematic, and focused exploration."

https://www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/1074973/askari-metals-uncovers-high-grade-copper-mineralisation-at-nejo-gold-project-ethiopia-1074973.html

#Ethiopia: Parliament approves amendment granting #NEBE power to bar political parties for up to five years; parties voice concern over potential weaponization

The House of Peoples' Representatives has passed an amendment to the Electoral, Political Parties Registration, and Election Code of Conduct Proclamation, granting the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) the authority to suspend political parties for up to five years before formally revoking their registration. However, political parties have expressed concern that the amendment could be weaponized, further weakening the already fragile multiparty system.

Under the amendment, NEBE can suspend the party for up to five years before revoking its registration. The decision to suspend will consider the nature and severity of the violation and other relevant circumstances.

According to the amendment, a suspended political party is prohibited from engaging in any political activities, participating in elections at any level, or taking part in the joint council throughout the suspension period. Additionally, the party will be ineligible to receive government support during this time.

Sultan Kassim, Head of Public Relations for the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), expressed serious concerns to Addis Standard regarding the amendment, particularly the provision allowing for the suspension of political parties. He criticized the clause permitting a suspension period of up to five years, describing it as excessively punitive and tantamount to a “death sentence” for affected parties.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51483

Tigrayan refugees in #Sudan hold peaceful protest, call for urgent humanitarian assistance

Tigrayan refugees residing in Tenedba camp, eastern Sudan, staged a peaceful demonstration on Thursday, 17 July, calling for urgent international intervention in response to rapidly deteriorating humanitarian conditions.

According to a report by local media in Tigray, the refugees, many of whom fled from Western Tigray, said they are enduring increasingly dire conditions in the official camps. Protesters voiced concern over the significant decline in humanitarian assistance in recent months, citing severe shortages of food and medicine. Protesters warned that, without immediate assistance, lives are at risk on a daily basis.

A day earlier, on 16 July 2025, Lt. General Tadesse Werede, President of the Tigray Interim Administration, stated that “the return of all displaced persons to their homes is not a political matter, but a humanitarian one.”
He made the remarks during a meeting with Andrew Mbogori, Country Director of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Ethiopia. Lt. Gen. Tadesse emphasized the urgent need to facilitate the safe return of displaced Tigrayans, warning that many continue to face hunger, lack of shelter, and increased vulnerability with the onset of the rainy season.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51486