#Tigray political parties oppose leadership reshuffle in Southern zone; dozen of #civil society groups voice concern over security forces’ involvement


Political parties and civil society groups in Tigray are pushing back against recent sweeping leadership changes in the region’s Southern zone, accusing the Interim Administration of consolidating power within a single faction. In a joint statement, opposition coalition Covenant of Tigray for National Salvation said, “This administration, which operates from the TPLF office, is driving Tigray toward further destruction and division,” calling for a transitional government formed through inclusive dialogue.

Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede, President of the Interim Administration, announced a new leadership committee on Wednesday. He confirmed to Addis Standard that he reappointed Asmelash Reda to head it, but Asmelash rejected the post. “I neither knew nor believed in the appointment,” he told Addis Standard.

Outgoing Zonal Chief Haftu Kiros, who was reassigned to head the Bureau of Social Affairs, also declined the role, saying, “I cannot accept a responsibility that lacks proper consultation, disregards legitimate public concerns, and fails to address pressing public demands.”

The Alliance of Civil Society Organizations of Tigray (ACSOT), representing 124 groups, condemned the involvement of security forces in the reshuffle. It warned that recent operations under the guise of “ensuring security” have caused community distress and undermined peace. Tensions have been growing since March, with protests erupting in Maichew in May following remarks by TPLF chairman Debretsion Gebremichael signaling “leadership adjustments.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51552

Macron says #France will recognise #Palestinian state in September

President Emmanuel Macron says France will formally recognise the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly.

France will recognise Palestine as a state, President Emmanuel Macron has said.

Macron said in a post on X on Thursday that he will formalise the decision at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

“In keeping with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine,” Macron wrote.

At least 142 countries out of the 193 members of the UN currently recognise or plan to recognise a Palestinian state, but several powerful Western countries have refused to do so. They include the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/24/macron-says-france-will-recognise-palestinian-state-in-september

DR #Congo, #Rwanda, UNHCR agree to accelerate voluntary refugee returns in tripartite talks in #Ethiopia

Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani, Rwandan Ambassador Charles Karamba, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations Raouf Mazou sign joint communique on voluntary repatriation of refugees

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) held a high-level tripartite ministerial meeting in Ethiopia on Thursday to discuss the voluntary return of refugees, according to a joint statement.

The parties adopted the 2025-2026 Tripartite Technical Working Group Road Map on Voluntary Repatriation and Reintegration, outlining key milestones, responsibilities, and timelines, following preparatory work from the group’s meeting in Addis Abeba on July 22-23.

The three parties pledged to expedite the repatriation of 600 Rwandan refugees in Goma, strengthen community consultation, explore engagement to resume returns under the July 2025 Doha Declaration, and commit to inclusive reintegration plans.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/dr-congo-rwanda-unhcr-agree-to-accelerate-voluntary-refugee-returns-in-tripartite-talks-in-ethiopia/3641086#

#Federal Police to launch crackdown on ‘destabilizing’ social media posts, vows to conduct sweeping citywide checks

The #Ethiopian Federal Police has announced sweeping operations targeting individuals and groups it accused of using social media to incite unrest and “turn the country into a center of chaos and disorder”, and vowed to intensify efforts to bring alleged “anti-peace forces” to justice, both inside Ethiopia and abroad.

As part of the operation, the federal police also said searches and inspections will be conducted in Addis Abeba and surrounding areas, including at all entry and exit checkpoints.

The announcement followed a high-level meeting chaired by Commissioner General Demelash G/Michael, where senior security and intelligence officials discussed a joint security plan to safeguard major international, continental, and national events scheduled from July to September 2025.

Read more at:
https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1948656458335146110

#Somalia: Al-Shabaab seizes key villages in Hiiraan days after capturing areas near the capital

The militant group Al-Shabaab has captured multiple strategic locations in central and southern Somalia, including Birta Mudan village in Hiiraan and Sabiid and Anoole near Mogadishu, raising alarms over growing insecurity and the apparent absence of a federal response.

On Wednesday morning, Al-Shabaab fighters overran Birta Mudan, located approximately 26 kilometers from Maxaas town in the Hiiraan region.

Residents who fled the area confirmed to Kaab TV that heavily armed militants entered the village on foot. Local Macawisley militia fighters, who had been present in the area, reportedly withdrew before the group advanced.

Dozens of displaced civilians, fearing reprisals from the group, have since arrived in Maxaas. There are mounting fears that Maxaas itself could soon be targeted, as it remains one of the few towns in Hiiraan not yet under Al-Shabaab control.

https://horseedmedia.net/somalia-al-shabaab-seizes-key-villages-in-hiiraan-days-after-capturing-areas-near-the-capital/409543/

#Addis Abeba identifies 247 flood-prone sites as city grapples with seasonal #flood risks

City authorities have identified 247 locations at high risk of flooding as seasonal rains continue to disrupt life in the capital. The disclosure comes amid heightened efforts by the Addis Abeba City Administration to address the growing impact of recurrent urban flooding.

Wendimu Seta, Chief Executive Officer of Addis Ababa City with the rank of Deputy Mayor, told local media that “moderate flooding” is expected in parts of the city this week, according to meteorological forecasts.

He cited the recent flooding in Giyon Hotel area near the Meskel Square as having revealed “major shortcomings in the city’s flood control infrastructure,” while noting that newly constructed drainage in Bethel was blocked by ice, causing overflow. Emergency crews were deployed and managed to clear the blockage and restore water flow, he said.


https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1948684102460150214

#Commentary: Party politics and experience in #Ethiopia

In this article, written and presented at a workshop organized by the pro-democracy advocacy group ABUGIDA in November 1994—during the ratification of the current FDRE Constitution—Professor Merera Gudina argues that Ethiopia’s history is profoundly shaped by warfare and relentless power struggles. This historical trajectory, he states, has cultivated a persistent "culture of war" that continues to afflict the nation’s political environment. Even with the advent of multiparty democracy, he emphasizes, “the activities of political parties show no fundamental change,” leading the country down a regrettable path.

Professor Merera traced the origins of Ethiopia’s contemporary political challenges to the early 20th century, when an emerging educated class began advocating for reform. He noted that while these intellectuals championed change, subsequent regimes—including Haile Selassie’s monarchy and the #Derg—manipulated constitutional processes to solidify their authority. The author recalls that the transition to #EPRDF leadership in the 1990s came with promises of multiparty democracy and the right to self-determination for nations and nationalities. However, he argues that the 1992 elections and the 1994 Constitution, both largely shaped by the EPRDF, reflected a consolidation of power rather than democratic progress. As he puts it, “The EPRDF was both referee and player,” thereby compromising the legitimacy of the electoral process.

According to the article, efforts at democratization have faltered due to the absence of genuine political liberalization, independent institutions, and a nonpartisan military. Professor Merera notes, “Our much-talked-about democratic journey has not only failed to reach a reliable stage of political liberalization but has also been marked by discouraging events.” He calls on Ethiopia’s leaders and political actors to break from this historical pattern, stating that “Although Ethiopia is a land of many heroes, it is our entrenched culture of war... that has contributed to our status as one of the world’s poorest countries.”

The author advocates for a fundamental shift from bullet-based politics to ballot-based democracy, emphasizing that “Galloping alone in elections to declare victory for oneself brings little benefit beyond making a mockery of democracy.” He concludes with a strong call to action: “Only a collective, inclusive, and reflective political movement can steer Ethiopia out of its deepening political crisis.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51556

Over 50 homes damaged by flash #floods in #Gambella City following heavy overnight rainfall

More than 50 homes have been damaged in Gambella city following heavy rainfall that fell overnight on Thursday, triggering flash floods in several neighborhoods, residents told Addis Standard.

Dubol Yang, a resident of the city, said the rain began late at night and continued into the early hours of Friday, causing widespread flooding in the Newland area. He confirmed that over 50 houses were affected, forcing several residents to evacuate, although no injuries have been reported so far.

While noting that similar incidents have occurred in past rainy seasons, Dubol described this week’s flood as "unusually severe."

Speaking to Addis Standard, Gambella City Mayor Simon Mun(PhD) confirmed that the flooding, which began around 10 p.m., severely impacted homes located in low-lying and flood-prone areas, particularly in Kebele 05 and Kebele 01.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51560

#Opposition party EPRP calls on government to end #military responses to #political dissent

The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (EPRP) has urged the federal government to cease using military force to address political demands and called for an immediate end to the targeting of civilians under the guise of warfare.

The statement was issued following EPRP’s general assembly held from 21–22 July 2025 in Hawassa, Sidama Region, under the theme “Resilience Until Victory.”

In its communiqué, the party expressed concern over ongoing armed conflicts in various parts of the country, which it said are being used to entrench the current ruling party. “Conflicts and instability aimed at protecting the ruling party have continued for the past seven years across all regional states,” the statement read.

Citing the war in Tigray as an example, EPRP accused the government of enabling a foreign military intervention that resulted in large-scale civilian casualties. It alleged that similar atrocities have occurred in Amhara and Oromia, where mass killings and intercommunal violence have led to widespread displacement.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51563

#Eritrea’s President accuses #UAE, #Israel of fueling #Sudan crisis; names key foreign backers of #Ethiopia’s ruling party

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel of playing a central role in fueling the ongoing conflict in Sudan, while also identifying them, alongside the United States and France, as key foreign supporters of Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party.

In a 90-minute interview aired on Eritrean State Television, President Isaias devoted more than 30 minutes to the Sudan crisis, alleging that the UAE is “driving regional instability” as part of what he described as an ambition to control all port infrastructure in the region.

Insight: #Sudan's #Islamists plot post-war comeback by supporting army

The Islamist movement toppled in #Sudan's uprising in 2019 could support an extended period of army rule as it eyes a political comeback after deploying fighters in the country's war, according to some of its leading members.

In his first media interview in years, Ahmed Haroun, chairman of the former ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and one of four Sudanese wanted by the International Criminal Court, told Reuters that he foresaw the army staying in politics after the war, and that elections could provide a route back to power for his party and the Islamist movement connected to it.

While the RSF remains entrenched in its western stronghold of Darfur and parts of the south and there is no sign of a stop to the fighting, the army has made major advances in recent months, gains that Islamist operatives say they helped bring about.

Army leaders and former regime loyalists have played down their relationship, wary of the unpopularity of ousted ex-leader Omar al-Bashir and his NCP allies. But the army's recent advances have allowed the Islamist movement to entertain a return to a national role, according to accounts from seven of the movement's members and six military and government sources.


The NCP is rooted in Sudan's Islamist movement, which was dominant in the early Bashir era during the 1990s when the country hosted Osama bin Laden, but has long abandoned hardline ideology in favour of amassing power and wealth.

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/sudans-islamists-plot-post-war-comeback-by-supporting-army-2025-07-25/

#Ethiopia: #Afar police admits losing control of old #Facebook page after account ‘hijacked by rogue ex-employee’; opens new page

The Afar Regional State Police Commission has opened a new official Facebook page following the “unauthorized” use of its former account by what it described a “rogue ex-employee” who the police accused of “spreading false information.”

Commissioner Bil’e Ahmed told state broadcaster Friday that the individual responsible is Jam’a Adem, a former Deputy Director of Communications within the commission who is now “wanted for criminal offenses.”

According to the Commissioner, Jam’a has been using the commission’s previous Facebook page to “disseminate misleading information that does not reflect the institution’s views or actions.”


https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1948998321105760591?t=p5ERi8MCY80htFYagaD-ZA&s=19

#US approves $4.67B Sale of air defense system to #Egypt

The United States on Thursday announced the approval of a $4.67 billion sale of the NASAMS air defense system and related support to Egypt.

NASAMS - the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System - has seen recent use on the battlefield after being provided to Ukraine by Kyiv’s supporters as part of efforts to bolster the country’s air defenses against Russian attacks.

“The proposed sale will improve Egypt’s capabilityto meet current and future threats by improving its ability to detect various air threats,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement.

The deal also “will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major non-NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” DSCA said.

https://thedefensepost.com/2025/07/25/us-air-defense-egypt/

#Saudi, #Ethiopian foreign ministers discuss bilateral ties, regional developments

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, held a phone call on Friday with Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timothewos (PhD), according to a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the call, the two ministers reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on recent regional developments, including efforts being made to address ongoing challenges in the region.

#African armies turn to #drones with devastating civilian impact

#Ethiopia and many other African nations are increasingly turning to drones as a low-cost means of waging war, often with mixed military results but devastating consequences for civilian populations.

Last year, Ethiopia carried out a total of 54 drone strikes, compared to 62 attacks in Mali, 82 in Burkina Faso and 266 in Sudan, according to data collected by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a US-based monitor.

According to one of two Gedeb residents contacted by AFP, the strike killed "at least" 50 people, and according to the second, more than 100 -- a figure corroborated by several local media outlets.

It is one of the deadliest in a series of drone attacks since the conflict began in August 2023, pitting the Ethiopian army against the Fano, the traditional "self-defence" militias of the Amhara ethnic group.

A shoe seller at the scene, whose nephew was killed instantly, also blamed an armed drone that continued to "hover in the air" some 20 minutes after the strike.
"The sight was horrific: there were heads, torsos and limbs flying everywhere and seriously injured people screaming in pain," he recalled.

Ethiopian authorities have not released any information about this attack in Amhara, where the security situation makes some areas very difficult to access and communications are subject to significant restrictions.

The Ethiopian army's use of drones, which began during the bloody Tigray War (2020-2022), has since spread to the Amhara and Oromia regions amid multiple insurgencies.

In the Amhara region alone, now the hardest-hit, at least 669 people have been killed in more than 70 drone strikes since 2023, according to ACLED data analysed by AFP.

https://www.rfi.fr/en/international-news/20250725-african-armies-turn-to-drones-with-devastating-civilian-impact

#AU Commission Chair welcomes #France’s announcement to recognize State of Palestine

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, has welcomed the announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron expressing his intention to recognize the State of Palestine.

In a statement released today, the Chairperson said the declaration aligns with the long-held position of the African Union, most recently reaffirmed during the Thirty-Eighth Ordinary Session of the Assembly held on 15–16 February 2025 in Addis Abeba. The session reiterated the continent’s collective commitment to the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and statehood.

The statement follows an announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, confirming that France will formally recognize the State of Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly scheduled for September.

https://addisstandard.com/au-commission-chair-welcomes-frances-announcement-to-recognize-state-of-palestine/?amp=1

Exclusive: #USAID analysis found no evidence of massive #Hamas theft of #Gaza aid

An internal U.S. government analysis found no evidence of systematic theft by the Palestinian militant group Hamas of U.S.-funded humanitarian supplies, challenging the main rationale that Israel and the U.S. give for backing a new armed private aid operation.

The analysis, which has not been previously reported, was conducted by a bureau within the U.S. Agency for International Development and completed in late June. It examined 156 incidents of theft or loss of U.S.-funded supplies reported by U.S. aid partner organizations between October 2023 and this May.

It found “no reports alleging Hamas” benefited from U.S.-funded supplies, according to a slide presentation of the findings seen by Reuters.

A State Department spokesperson disputed the findings, saying there is video evidence of Hamas looting aid, but provided no such videos. The spokesperson also accused traditional humanitarian groups of covering up "aid corruption."

A White House spokesperson, Anna Kelly, questioned the existence of the analysis, saying no State Department official had seen it and that it "was likely produced by a deep state operative" seeking to discredit President Donald Trump's "humanitarian agenda."

The findings were shared with the USAID's inspector general's office and State Department officials involved in Middle East policy, said two sources familiar with the matter, and come as dire food shortages deepen in the devastated enclave.

Israel says it is committed to allowing in aid but must control it to prevent it from being stolen by Hamas, which it blames for the crisis.

The U.N. World Food Program says nearly a quarter of Gaza’s 2.1 million Palestinians face famine-like conditions, thousands are suffering acute malnutrition, and the World Health Organization and doctors in the enclave report starvation deaths of children and others.

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/usaid-analysis-found-no-evidence-massive-hamas-theft-gaza-aid-2025-07-25/