#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/

#RSF paramilitary-led coalition forms parallel government in war-torn #Sudan

As violence and rights abuses rage on, the coalition pledges to pursue a ‘secular, democratic’ and decentralised Sudan.

A Sudanese coalition led by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group has announced it is establishing an alternative government in a challenge to the military-led authorities in the capital Khartoum, with the northeastern African country’s brutal civil war in its third year.

The group, which calls itself the Leadership Council of the Sudan Founding Alliance (TASIS), said RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo will chair the 15-member presidential council of the government, which includes regional governors.

Sudanese politician Mohammed Hassan Osman al-Ta’ishi will serve as prime minister, TASIS said.

“On the occasion of this historic achievement, the leadership council extends its greetings and congratulations to the Sudanese people who have endured the flames of devastating wars for decades,” the coalition said in a statement.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/26/rsf-paramilitary-led-coalition-forms-parallel-government-in-war-torn-sudan

#Somalia: Al-Shabaab militants recapture Somali town vacated by #Ethiopian forces, #Puntland urges united response

Al-Shabaab has captured the strategic town of Mahaas in Somalia’s Hiiraan region following heavy clashes with government forces and allied militias. The fall of the town, located around 300 km from Mogadishu, comes a year after Ethiopian troops stationed there withdrew as part of the ATMIS drawdown. Somali National Army officials have described their retreat as “tactical,” while the Ministry of Defense confirmed the killing of several Al-Shabaab militants during the fighting.

The capture has sparked strong reactions, with Puntland’s regional government condemning the takeover and urging a unified national response. In a statement, Puntland warned that Al-Shabaab is retaking previously liberated areas and seizing new strategic locations, calling for greater cooperation among Federal Member States and increased international support to counter the group’s resurgence.

Former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed also issued a sharp rebuke of the federal government, describing the loss of Mahaas as a “serious lapse in leadership” that endangers national security. He called for immediate and coordinated efforts to prevent further territorial losses and reverse Al-Shabaab’s growing momentum.

addisstandard.com/?p=51572

#Adama police investigating death of #Indian national

The Adama City Police Commission says it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of an Indian national who died in the city last Saturday.

Commissioner Shawayye Dachaasa, head of the Adama City Police Department, confirmed to Addis Standard that the death of the foreign national did occur and said an inquiry has been launched to determine the cause and context of the incident.

“This death did indeed happen. We have established an investigation team to look into when, how, and under what circumstances it occurred. We will disclose the findings once the investigation is completed,” Commissioner Shawayye said.

The Indian Embassy in Ethiopia announced on Saturday the death of the national, identified as Mr. N. V. Subba Rao, in Adama. His body was recovered by the Adama City Police, the embassy added.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51578

#Israel committing #genocide in #Gaza, say Israel-based human rights groups

Two leading human rights organisations based in Israel, B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights, say Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and the country’s western allies have a legal and moral duty to stop it.

In reports published on Monday, the two groups said Israel had targeted civilians in Gaza only because of their identity as Palestinians over nearly two years of war, causing severe and in some cases irreparable damage to Palestinian society.

Multiple international and Palestinian groups have already described the war as genocidal, but reports from two of Israel-Palestine’s most respected human rights organisations, who have for decades documented systemic abuses, is likely to add to pressure for action.

The reports detailed crimes including the killing of tens of thousands of women, children and elderly people, mass forced displacement and starvation, and the destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure that have deprived Palestinians of healthcare, education and other basic rights.

“What we see is a clear, intentional attack on civilians in order to destroy a group,” said Yuli Novak, the director of B’Tselem, calling for urgent action. “I think every human being has to ask himself: what do you do in the face of genocide?”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/28/israel-committing-genocide-in-gaza-say-israel-based-human-rights-groups

#Op_ed: #UN Food Systems Summit: Golden opportunity to transform lives in #Ethiopia

As global leaders gather in Addis Abeba for the Second UN Food Systems Summit (#UNFSS), Zlatan Milišić, the World Food Programme (#WFP) Representative and Country Director for Ethiopia, states that the event offers a "golden opportunity" to confront the escalating global hunger crisis, exacerbated by conflicts, climate change, and diminishing aid. He emphasizes that "This moment also presents an opportunity—for Ethiopia and for the world—to chart a new course from crisis to resilience."

Milišić explains that Ethiopia is working toward establishing a food system that is “climate-smart, nutrition-sensitive, and rooted in both innovation and indigenous knowledge” by 2030. He underlines that "the WFP supports this vision," actively "engaged in strengthening systems that enable Ethiopians to become food-secure on their own terms." This commitment, according to the article, includes assisting over 1.5 million Ethiopians in enhancing food production, gaining market access, and securing insurance. Furthermore, it involves proactive measures such as providing early warnings and support to mitigate the impact of impending crises.

With food systems now a national and global priority, Milišić urges partners to commit to sustainable investments. At the summit, WFP will champion two critical objectives: "transforming food systems in fragile and conflict-affected areas" and "unlocking sustainable investment in homegrown school meals." He underscores that "The transformation we seek will not be achieved through short-term projects—it requires systems thinking, political will, and investment in people."

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51570