#Ethiopia: #Egypt 'scrambling to create obstacles' ahead of #GERD inauguration: Electric Power CEO

Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) CEO Eng. Ashebir Balcha has accused Egypt of “scrambling to create obstacles” following Ethiopia’s announcement that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) will soon be inaugurated.

Speaking at a press briefing in Addis Abeba on 07 August, Eng. Ashebir described GERD as a “second Adwa” and “a done and finished deal,” noting that the dam alone generated 9,798 gigawatt-hours, 33.2% of electricity produced in the 2024/2025 FY.

His comments come amid intensified Egyptian diplomatic lobby in the Nile Basin states, including a high-level visit to Uganda where Cairo stated its claims over what it calls Ethiopia’s “unilateral actions” on the Nile and “water security.”

EEP reported that it generated 29,480 gigawatt-hours of electricity during the 2024/2025 fiscal year, 16% above its target and 43% higher than the previous year’s output. The increase was driven by partial GERD operations, the commissioning of the Assela wind farm, and improved maintenance capacity.

Responding to Addis Standard on concerns over prioritizing of power exports before domestic supplies, Deputy CEO Eng. Andualem Sia said that no electricity is sold abroad without meeting domestic demand, though he acknowledged infrastructure limitations in some regions.

Among the challenges during the year included theft of power infrastructure, with 43 transmission towers collapsing, and ongoing security concerns in different parts of the country.

The CEO also confirmed the first electricity tariff review in a decade, and said that it considers “shielding” low-income households.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51719

#Somalia: #Jubaland forces arrive on outskirts of Beled-Hawo amid rising tensions in #Gedo region

Hundreds of Jubaland state forces, accompanied by heavily armed military vehicles, arrived Thursday on the outskirts of Beled-Hawo, a strategic town in Somalia's Gedo region currently controlled by troops aligned with the federal government.

The deployment marks a significant escalation in the simmering tensions between the Somali federal government and Jubaland administration, which have long contested authority over key areas in the southern part of the country.

The troop movement comes just days after Ethiopia reportedly issued a 72-hour ultimatum to federal forces led by Gedo intelligence chief Abdirashid Janan to withdraw from Beled-Hawo and hand over control to Jubaland troops. The reported demand has not been officially confirmed by either Ethiopia's or Somalia's federal government, but local sources say Ethiopian officials are attempting to mediate the growing standoff.

Residents in Beled-Hawo say the arrival of Jubaland troops has heightened fears of renewed clashes in a town that has seen repeated episodes of armed conflict in recent years. "The situation is tense, and many civilians are worried about what could happen next," said Hassan Abdullahi, a local trader who fled the area Thursday morning with his family.

https://garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/jubaland-forces-arrive-on-outskirts-of-beled-hawo-amid-rising-tensions-in-gedo-region

#Egypt, #Sudan reject #Ethiopia’s ‘unilateral’ Nile policy

Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris and his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly on Thursday rejected Ethiopia’s “unilateral approach” on the Blue Nile, as Cairo pledged full support for Sudan’s new government during Idris’s first trip abroad.

Idris arrived in the Egyptian capital with a high-level delegation on his first foreign trip since being appointed Prime Minister last May.

“The two sides reiterated their rejection of the unilateral Ethiopian approach on the Blue Nile, which is inconsistent with the relevant principles of international law and the spirit of cooperation,” a joint statement said after the talks.

The leaders affirmed their coordination through the Joint Permanent Technical Commission for Nile Water, the body responsible for unifying their positions on Nile-related issues, as outlined in a 1959 agreement.
https://sudantribune.com/article303685/

Air Quality Spotlight: #Addis_Abeba, most #polluted major city

As of August 6, 2025, the air quality in Addis Abeba, #Ethiopia, is classified as unhealthy for sensitive groups, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 147 and a PM2.5 concentration of 54.2 µg/m³.

This level exceeds the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline value of 15 µg/m³ for 24-hour exposure, indicating a health concern for sensitive populations, such as those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.

Addis Abeba is among the most polluted major city in the world, ranking in the top four globally on August 6, 2025. The air quality poses risks particularly during peak pollution hours, often observed in the evening due to specific local activities.

Air pollution in Addis Abeba is driven by vehicle emissions, biomass burning, dust from construction and unpaved roads, and open waste burning.


https://www.iqair.com/newsroom/air-quality-spotlight-addis-ababa-ethiopia-most-polluted-major-city

#Israeli military plans to occupy #Gaza City in major escalation of war

Israel’s security cabinet has approved a plan by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the military occupation of Gaza City, located in the north of the Palestinian enclave.

“The [Israeli military] will prepare to take control of Gaza City while providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement early on Friday announcing the takeover plan.

Two Israeli government sources told the Reuters news agency that any resolution by the security cabinet would now need to be approved by the full government cabinet, which may not meet until Sunday.

Occupying Gaza City marks a major escalation by Israel in its war on the Palestinian territory and will likely result in the forced displacement of tens of thousands of exhausted and starving residents who are experiencing famine conditions as Israel continues to block humanitarian aid from entering the territory.

“A siege will be imposed on the Hamas militants who remain in Gaza City, and at the same time, a ground offensive will be carried out in Gaza City,” Ravid wrote on X, citing the official.

On Thursday, in advance of the security cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said Israel would “take control of all Gaza”.


https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/8/israeli-security-cabinet-approves-plan-to-occupy-gaza-city-report

#Colombian President pledges action against #mercenaries allegedly training child soldiers in #Sudan

Growing evidence of mercenary involvement in the Sudan war has prompted Colombian President Gustavo Petro to seek action against the “spectres of death” from his country who are allegedly training child soldiers in Darfur.

Mr. Petro swiftly ordered an investigation and called for the urgent passage of legislation to ban mercenaries. “They are spectres of death,” the Colombian leader said in a social media post on Wednesday night.

“The bosses who send young men to kill and be killed for nothing are murderers,” he said.

Mr. Petro said the report of 40 deaths is unconfirmed. He said he has asked Colombia’s ambassador in Egypt to investigate the number of deaths and to see whether the remains of any Colombians could be returned to their home country.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-colombia-mercenaries-sudan-child-soldiers-gustavo-petro/

Stephen Miller claims #Washington D.C. crime more violent than “parts of #Ethiopia”

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller compared Washington D.C.’s violence levels to “Baghdad” and “parts of Ethiopia,” following President Donald Trump’s latest threat to federalise the city.

Speaking to NewsNation media on Thursday, Stephen claimed the U.S. capital is “more violent than Baghdad. It is more violent than parts of Ethiopia, parts of many of the most dangerous places in the world,” adding that the president “will do what’s necessary” to make the city “safe for all Americans.”

#Op_ed: From Heritage to Hostage: How #Amhara’s iconic tourism sites crumble amid conflict, gov’t neglect

Ethiopia’s Amhara region, once a thriving hub for cultural tourism and home to sites like #Lalibela, #Gondar, and the #Simien_Mountains, "now stand quiet, their pathways empty," writes Amanuel Agajjie Wasihun, the author of this op-ed. He attributes this collapse to a confluence of factors: the initial blow from the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the war in #Tigray, and the more recent militarized conflict within Amhara. This has "shattered the local economy," with hotels closing and thousands of tourism professionals, including skilled guides, losing their livelihoods.

Beyond these compounding crises, the author draws attention to a more profound issue: "a systematic effort by the federal government to overshadow the region’s cultural and historical heritage." He claims that iconic and historical sites located in the northern part of the country, in particular, in Amhara, are being “deliberately omitted” from official tourism campaigns in favor of government-led initiatives. As evidence, Amanuel points to the Ministry of Tourism’s Land of Origins Facebook page, which he states “now gives considerable attention to newly launched, government-led tourism projects,” while the region’s historical sites remain “significantly underrepresented.” This trend, he notes, was also evident at international tourism events such as #ITB_Berlin, where iconic Amhara sites "were given no dedicated space in the promotional materials."

Moreover, the article highlights the stark disparity between official claims of a "booming recovery" the reality on the ground, where the tourism sector in Amhara region remains on the “verge of collapse.” It further details how continued road closures, flight disruptions, and international travel advisories have further isolated the region, accelerating the decline of its once-thriving tourism economy.

"This is not merely a regional issue," the author emphasizes, noting that "the collapse of tourism in the Amhara region represents a national crisis." Reviving the industry, he argues, necessitates more than “superficial” marketing efforts; it demands "a holistic and inclusive strategy" anchored in "political will, sustained peace, and a genuine commitment to justice," alongside the "rehabilitation of essential infrastructure" and "unrestricted promotion of Amhara’s heritage sites."

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51723

Ruling party blames ‘historical #enemies’, ‘internal #traitors’ for renewed plot to destabilize #Ethiopia

The ruling Prosperity Party has accused what it calls “historical enemies” and “internal traitors” of launching a coordinated campaign to derail Ethiopia’s progress. In a statement issued at the end of its Council meeting this week, the party claimed unnamed hostile forces have shifted tactics following the Pretoria Peace Agreement, allegedly turning to “incitement”, “disinformation”, and “economic sabotage” to sow instability and division across the country.

According to the party, these unnamed actors are deploying six key strategies, including manipulating local conflicts, exploiting governance grievances. “They are using media as a tool for incitement,” the statement continued, adding that digital platforms have become central to spreading what it calls “a vengeful, destructive narrative.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51727

#AS #Editorial: #Ethiopia’s youth are dying to leave: Time to end the illusion of prosperity and face reality

The tragic sinking of an overcrowded boat off Yemen’s coast on 03 August, claiming the lives of many of the 145 Ethiopian migrants on board, is not an accident. It is the latest, most painful chapter in a national crisis long in the making. These young people were not chasing riches; they were fleeing choicelessness. While the government clings to hollow narratives of “miracle” thousands of Ethiopian youth continue to risk (and lose) their lives to escape a country that offers neither stability nor a future.

For over a decade, Addis Standard has documented this exodus, from the drownings, to the organ trafficking and torture, to the inhuman deportations. These are not isolated tragedies. They are the predictable, preventable outcome of a system that has stripped an entire generation of options.

The government’s silence and its obsession with grand image building cannot cover the stench of national neglect. These deaths are not misfortunes, they are indictments.

It is time to bridge the gaping divide between official narratives of “prosperity” and “remarkable transformation” and the quiet desperation playing out across the country. No number of glittering projects, summit speeches, or foreign dignitaries on red carpet can disguise the fact that thousands of Ethiopians are risking everything to escape the place they once called home.

Unless we confront this reality with honesty and urgency, we will continue to lose not only lives, but the very soul of what we all call home. Real change demands a reckoning, with truth - with justice, and with the voices we have long chosen to ignore.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51778

News: #Ethiopia freezes bank accounts of 138 suspects over ‘illegal foreign currency’ activities

The Financial Intelligence Service (FIS) announced that the bank accounts of 138 individuals suspected of engaging in “illegal foreign currency crimes” have been frozen as part of a crackdown on parallel market transactions.

According to a statement issued to state media, the suspects were identified through “ongoing surveillance efforts” and are accused of operating “outside the country’s formal financial system, bypassing legal banking channels”.

The Service said the action aims to address persistent violations despite repeated government warnings. However, it provided no details of the 138 alleged suspects.

The announcement came in the heels of a statement on Wednesday by the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) warning the business community and members of the diaspora to avoid informal exchange channels, stressing that enforcement measures - including asset seizure and international cooperation against unlicensed foreign-based money transfer services - would be pursued.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51785

#Opinion: Why war in northern #Ethiopia and #Eritrea is unlikely - for now

Recent speculation regarding a potential resurgence of conflict in Northern Ethiopia and Eritrea has become widespread, leading many to believe a large-scale confrontation is inevitable. However, René Lefort, the author of this opinion piece, contends that "While future escalation cannot be ruled out entirely, a full-blown war in the immediate term remains unlikely."

One key factor, he notes, is the Ethiopian government’s “lack of the military bandwidth” to “simply… open another front in the north,” given that “the Ethiopian National Defense Force (#ENDF) is already stretched thin in #Amhara and #Oromia.” The author writes, "Launching an additional campaign to capture #Assab - or and even going further into Eritrea to try to topple Issayas, which would afterwards need to sustain an armed occupation of at least part of Eritrea - would be militarily thoughtless."

Lefort further argues that #Tigray’s leadership, often portrayed as a potential instigator, is “neither positioned nor incentivized to start a new war,” emphasizing that “while some elite profit from regional instability, a full-blown war would disrupt their economic gains.” According to the author, the Tigray Defense Forces are now significantly smaller, and there is “no evidence they are still willing to fight.” More importantly, public appetite for renewed conflict in Tigray is “nearly non-existent.”

The only leader who might stand to benefit from war, according to the article, is Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, for whom Ethiopia’s fragmentation has long been an “obsession.” Yet even this possibility is constrained by a powerful external reality: “the absolute need for international support.” As Lefort states, “All three key actors—Abiy, Debretsion, and Isaias—are under significant scrutiny from global stakeholders, including the #US, #EU, and Gulf powers,” all of whom recognize that renewed conflict “would destabilize the entire #Red_Sea corridor.”

The author concludes that “the most plausible scenario, then, is not renewed full-scale conflict” but a reluctant return to the “no war, no peace” status quo with Eritrea. While “it is an unsatisfying and fragile peace,” he emphasizes, “it is still preferable to the catastrophic alternative.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51788

Trafficking posing ‘financial, security threat’ to #Ethiopia, minister warns; social #media used to ‘lure migrants’

State Minister for the Ministry of Justice, Tesfaye Daba, has warned that human trafficking and migrant smuggling are not only devastating individual lives but are also posing “a growing threat to the country’s security and financial system.”

Speaking at the annual review meeting of the Federal and Regional Law Enforcement Task Force, that kicked off Friday in Bishoftu, Tesfaye said: “In the process of irregular migration, our citizens are not only falling victim to traffickers and smugglers; these crimes are eroding our national security and draining our financial resources.”

The Ministry of Justice quoted him as saying that criminal groups, often operating remotely through social media platforms, are luring Ethiopians “with false promises, deception, and coercion,” leaving them vulnerable to “severe human rights violations and financial losses.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51798

President Trump acknowledges #Somaliland’s bid for recognition, signals ongoing discussions

In a surprising development during a press conference with leaders from Azerbaijan and Armenia, U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the long-standing issue of Somaliland’s quest for international recognition.

When questioned about Somaliland’s proposal, Trump responded, “Good question, we are looking into it right now,” indicating that the U.S. is actively considering the matter.

Somaliland, since reclaiming its independence from Somalia in 1991, has been seeking formal recognition from the international community, despite its relative stability and democratic governance compared to Somalia.

Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi has expressed optimism, stating at the 2025 World Government Summit that recognition is “on the horizon,” with the U.S. likely to lead.

https://horntribune.com/2025/08/08/president-trump-acknowledges-somalilands-bid-for-recognition-signals-ongoing-discussions/

#WB to connect six million #Ethiopians to clean energy as 71 million remain without reliable #power

The World Bank has approved a $400 million credit and a $24 million grant from Denmark to fund Ethiopia’s Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) program, which aims to connect nearly six million people to clean and reliable electricity.

The program will be implemented by the Ministry of Water and Energy and the Ethiopian Electric Utility over the next five years.

Ethiopian Electric Power said this week that the country has generated 29,480 gigawatt-hours of electricity, exceeding its annual target of 25,423 GWh by 16%, or 4,056 GWh.

Preliminary findings from the 2025 World Bank Multi-Tier Framework Survey indicate that Ethiopia’s Tier 1+ electricity access rate stands at just 44 percent — leaving close to 71 million people, mostly in rural and peri-urban areas, without adequate power.


https://addisstandard.com/?p=51801

#UAE rejects #Sudan claim it destroyed #Emirati plane full of mercenaries

The United Arab Emirates rejected on Thursday an announcement from Sudan's armed forces saying they had destroyed an Emirati plane ferrying Colombian mercenaries into the country to back paramilitary rivals.

Sudan has been locked in a war between its army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 2023, with the military long accusing Abu Dhabi of supporting the RSF -- an allegation it denies.

On Wednesday, army-aligned state TV said Sudan's air force struck an Emirati plane as it landed at an RSF-controlled airport in the war-torn Darfur region, killing 40 Colombian soldiers for hire.

A UAE official told AFP that the "unfounded allegations" were "entirely false" and not supported by any evidence.

The official dismissed the latest claims as part of Sudan's "ongoing campaign of disinformation and deflection".

A Sudanese military source, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, had said the plane "was bombed and completely destroyed" at Darfur's Nyala airport.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said his government was trying to find out how many Colombians died in the attack, adding: "We will see if we can bring their bodies back."

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250807-uae-rejects-sudan-claim-it-destroyed-emirati-plane-full-of-mercenaries

#Awash River #flooding displaces thousands in West and Southwest Shewa

Flooding caused by the overflow of the Awash River has displaced thousands of people across West and Southwest Shewa zones, destroying crops, killing livestock, and leaving displaced residents in urgent need of aid.

In Ilu district, Southwest Shewa Zone, a 25-year-old man, Gerasu Lata, died after being swept away while attempting to retrieve household items from his flooded village. His body was recovered the following day and buried at Medhanialem Orthodox Church in Taji.

Local media reported that the flooding has also spread to West Shewa Zone, displacing more than 1,700 households in Ejere, Ejersa Lafoo, and Walmera districts. The Southwest Shewa Zone Agriculture Office said a task force has been formed to assess the damage and will release its findings soon.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51807

#Somalia: #Ugandan #AU forces suffer heavy losses in battle to retake Barire from al- Shabaab

Ugandan troops serving under the African Union (AU) mission in Somalia suffered significant casualties during an operation to recapture the strategic town of Barire from al- Shabaab militants, security sources said on Friday.

At least 17 soldiers from the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) were killed in the offensive, including six who died earlier this week following a suicide car bomb (VBIED) attack. Despite the losses, AU forces regained full control of Barire in a major blow to the al-Qaeda-linked group.

Barire, which lies about 50 km southwest of the capital, Mogadishu, had been under al- Shabaab control for months. Its capture comes just weeks after the group seized Mahas town in the Hiran region, the third town to fall into their hands since April 2025…

https://garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/ugandan-au-forces-suffer-heavy-losses-in-battle-to-retake-barire-from-al-shabaab

More and more #Ethiopians are risking their lives at sea in attempts to reach #Yemen

On August 3, at least 90 migrants died when their boat sank in the Gulf of Aden. All of them hailed from Ethiopia's Tigray region, which has been plagued by ongoing political instability after two years of civil war.

Sinkings along this route, one of the "one of the world's most dangerous migration corridors," according to the IOM, are not uncommon. In March, four migrant boats sank in the area, resulting in a grim toll of 180 missing individuals. Moreover, these figures do not include other damage they can suffer at sea: On Wednesday, at least seven Ethiopians died from thirst and hunger, and several others went missing after a boat traveling from Somalia to Yemen broke down in the open sea.

Every year, tens of thousands of Ethiopian, Somalian and Eritrean nationals seeking to reach the wealthy Gulf states try to cross over to Yemen. In its March report, the IOM recorded more than 446,000 movements (which refer to any identified travel along this route, meaning that an individual can be counted twice, both when departing and when returning) on this axis in 2024, a 13% increase over the previous year.

The vast majority of migrants taking this route were from Ethiopia. In 2024, they accounted for 96% of those identified by the IOM. From Ethiopia, migrants travel to one of three main departure points on the coast: one in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland; another in Djibouti; and a third in Puntland, an autonomous region of Somalia. They then attempt to cross the sea and head to Yemen.

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/le-monde-africa/article/2025/08/11/more-and-more-ethiopians-are-risking-their-lives-at-sea-in-attempts-to-reach-yemen_6744250_124.html

#Ethiopia freezes new power permits for #Crypto Miners amid grid constraints

Ethiopia is halting new electric power permits for data mining companies, effectively freezing the expansion of crypto-mining operations due to limited capacity.

The decision follows a surge in interest, with 25 bitcoin mining firms already operating and nearly 20 more awaiting approval, drawn by Ethiopia’s cheap tariffs and abundant hydropower. EEP had marketed power sales to miners—paid in foreign currency—as a way to monetize excess energy, but experts warn actual consumption may be higher than reported, potentially affecting local access.

Crypto miners were major contributors to Ethiopia’s $338 million in power export revenue last year, a 141% increase. Despite operating 20 power stations and exporting electricity to neighbors like Kenya and Djibouti, only about half of Ethiopians are connected to the grid.

https://news.bitcoin.com/ethiopia-freezes-new-power-permits-for-crypto-miners-amid-grid-constraints/