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
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
👎1
#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
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
Addis Standard
Editorial: Ethiopia’s youth are dying to leave: Time to end the illusion of prosperity and face reality - Addis Standard
Editorial: Ethiopia’s youth are dying to leave: Time to end the illusion of prosperity and face reality Addis Standard Editorial -
💯4❤3
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
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
Addis Standard
Ethiopia freezes bank accounts of 138 suspects over ‘illegal foreign currency’ activities - Addis Standard
Ethiopia freezes bank accounts of 138 suspects over ‘illegal foreign currency’ activities Addis Standard News -
❤3👎2
#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
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
Addis Standard
Opinion: Why war in northern Ethiopia and Eritrea is unlikely - for now - Addis Standard
Opinion: Why war in northern Ethiopia and Eritrea is unlikely - for now Addis Standard Opinion -
❤1👍1
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
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
❤3
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/
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/
👍2❤1
#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
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
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
France 24
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…
❤1
#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
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
❤2
#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
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
❤6
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
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
Le Monde.fr
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.
❤2
#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/
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/
Gidib River bridge on Debre #Markos–#Bahir_Dar road washed away by #floods, disrupting traffic
The Ethiopian Roads Administration (ERA) said urgent work is underway to reinstate the Gidib River bridge, which was swept away by flash floods over the weekend, halting traffic along the busy Debre Markos–Bahir Dar road.
In a statement posted on its social media page, ERA said the bridge, which had served for many years, was rendered completely out of service after heavy flooding triggered by intense rainfall in the Chokie area on the night of 09 August 2025.
The authority said it is working to install a temporary bridge to restore the route in the short term, while plans to permanently rebuild the original structure are underway.
ERA called on road users to remain patient and extend their usual cooperation until the bridge is reconstructed and reopened to traffic.
The Ethiopian Roads Administration (ERA) said urgent work is underway to reinstate the Gidib River bridge, which was swept away by flash floods over the weekend, halting traffic along the busy Debre Markos–Bahir Dar road.
In a statement posted on its social media page, ERA said the bridge, which had served for many years, was rendered completely out of service after heavy flooding triggered by intense rainfall in the Chokie area on the night of 09 August 2025.
The authority said it is working to install a temporary bridge to restore the route in the short term, while plans to permanently rebuild the original structure are underway.
ERA called on road users to remain patient and extend their usual cooperation until the bridge is reconstructed and reopened to traffic.
❤1
#Somaliland President reverses planned internet price hike, averts mass protests
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Cirro has overturned a decision by telecom giants Telesom and Somtel to double internet service prices, a move that had sparked public outrage and prompted plans for large-scale protests on Sunday.
“As the President of the Republic of Somaliland, I inform my people that the Government and the telecommunications companies in the country have agreed to suspend the recent decision to increase the price of internet services and mobile phone calls,” Cirro announced in a statement posted on Facebook. “The prices of services will remain the same until further notice, and the Government will urgently hold discussions with the companies.”
Somtel was the first to comply, releasing a statement saying: “We, as a public company, have accepted the suspension.”
The reversal drew widespread praise for both President Cirro and lawyer Guuleed Dafac, who had helped mobilize public opposition.
The decision comes just two days after Somalia officially joined the list of African countries with access to Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet. Starlink, developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, went live nationwide on Monday after regulatory approval in April.
https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2025/Aug/202522/somaliland_president_reverses_planned_internet_price_hike_averts_mass_protests.aspx
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Cirro has overturned a decision by telecom giants Telesom and Somtel to double internet service prices, a move that had sparked public outrage and prompted plans for large-scale protests on Sunday.
“As the President of the Republic of Somaliland, I inform my people that the Government and the telecommunications companies in the country have agreed to suspend the recent decision to increase the price of internet services and mobile phone calls,” Cirro announced in a statement posted on Facebook. “The prices of services will remain the same until further notice, and the Government will urgently hold discussions with the companies.”
Somtel was the first to comply, releasing a statement saying: “We, as a public company, have accepted the suspension.”
The reversal drew widespread praise for both President Cirro and lawyer Guuleed Dafac, who had helped mobilize public opposition.
The decision comes just two days after Somalia officially joined the list of African countries with access to Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet. Starlink, developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, went live nationwide on Monday after regulatory approval in April.
https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2025/Aug/202522/somaliland_president_reverses_planned_internet_price_hike_averts_mass_protests.aspx
Hiiraan Online
Somaliland President reverses planned internet price hike, averts mass protests - Hiiraan Online
Hargeisa (HOL) – Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Cirro has overturned a decision by telecom giants Telesom and Somtel to double internet service prices, a move that had sparked public outrage and prompted plans for large-scale protests on…
❤3
#Ethiopia’s Sovereign Fund makes first international investment in #Akobo minerals
Akobo Minerals, the Scandinavian-based Ethiopian gold exploration and boutique mining company, Ethiopia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), has made its first-ever international investment, acquiring a 7.4% stake in Scandinavian-based Ethiopian gold producer Akobo Minerals, according to Akobo.
The investment, valued at USD 3 million, was executed through a private placement of 15,000,000 new shares at USD 0.20 per share, Akobo Minerals said on Monday in a statement sent to Addis Standard.
The capital will be used to construct a new vertical shaft expected to increase monthly gold production from the current 5–10 kilograms to between 50–80 kilograms.
Brook Taye (PhD), CEO of EIH, described the deal as a “historic and strategic breakthrough” for Ethiopia’s economic expansion.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51817
Akobo Minerals, the Scandinavian-based Ethiopian gold exploration and boutique mining company, Ethiopia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), has made its first-ever international investment, acquiring a 7.4% stake in Scandinavian-based Ethiopian gold producer Akobo Minerals, according to Akobo.
The investment, valued at USD 3 million, was executed through a private placement of 15,000,000 new shares at USD 0.20 per share, Akobo Minerals said on Monday in a statement sent to Addis Standard.
The capital will be used to construct a new vertical shaft expected to increase monthly gold production from the current 5–10 kilograms to between 50–80 kilograms.
Brook Taye (PhD), CEO of EIH, described the deal as a “historic and strategic breakthrough” for Ethiopia’s economic expansion.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51817
👏2❤1
#UAE reaffirms support for efforts to end war in #Sudan, protect civilians
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday reiterated its support for efforts aimed at achieving peace in Sudan and protecting civilians.
“The United Arab Emirates stands with the Sudanese people in their pursuit of peace, stability, and a dignified future,” the Foreign Ministry said in a readout.
The ministry affirmed the country’s “unwavering commitment to working closely with partners to foster dialogue, mobilize international support, and contribute to initiatives that address the humanitarian crisis and lay the groundwork for sustainable peace.”
The ministry accused the Sudanese government of raising “unfounded accusations and deliberate propaganda” against the UAE.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/uae-reaffirms-support-for-efforts-to-end-war-in-sudan-protect-civilians/3655872
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday reiterated its support for efforts aimed at achieving peace in Sudan and protecting civilians.
“The United Arab Emirates stands with the Sudanese people in their pursuit of peace, stability, and a dignified future,” the Foreign Ministry said in a readout.
The ministry affirmed the country’s “unwavering commitment to working closely with partners to foster dialogue, mobilize international support, and contribute to initiatives that address the humanitarian crisis and lay the groundwork for sustainable peace.”
The ministry accused the Sudanese government of raising “unfounded accusations and deliberate propaganda” against the UAE.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/uae-reaffirms-support-for-efforts-to-end-war-in-sudan-protect-civilians/3655872
❤1
#AfDB signs agreement to mobilize $8B for construction of #Africa’s largest airport in #Ethiopia
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has signed an agreement with Ethiopian Airlines Group to mobilize $8 billion for the construction of Bishoftu International Airport, which is set to become Africa’s largest airport upon completion.
A ceremonial signing to formalize the arrangement was held in Addis Abeba today, attended by Lemma Yadecha, Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Commercial Officer, and AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina, senior Ethiopian Airlines executives, and other dignitaries.
According to a statement released by AfDB last week, the airport will be located in Abusera, 40 km south of Addis Ababa, with an initial capacity to handle 60 million passengers annually, expanding to 110 million at full capacity. This would far exceed the passenger volumes of Africa’s busiest airports, which currently serve between 18 and 29 million passengers per year.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51822
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has signed an agreement with Ethiopian Airlines Group to mobilize $8 billion for the construction of Bishoftu International Airport, which is set to become Africa’s largest airport upon completion.
A ceremonial signing to formalize the arrangement was held in Addis Abeba today, attended by Lemma Yadecha, Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Commercial Officer, and AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina, senior Ethiopian Airlines executives, and other dignitaries.
According to a statement released by AfDB last week, the airport will be located in Abusera, 40 km south of Addis Ababa, with an initial capacity to handle 60 million passengers annually, expanding to 110 million at full capacity. This would far exceed the passenger volumes of Africa’s busiest airports, which currently serve between 18 and 29 million passengers per year.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51822
👍1
#Somaliland Foreign Minister confirms President’s planed #US visit for recognition talks
Somaliland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdirahman Dahir Adam, confirmed to local media that Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro is set to embark on an official visit to the United States in the coming days, as diplomatic momentum builds around the territory’s bid for international recognition.
President Irro will hold high-level meetings in Washington, D.C., engaging with senior U.S. government officials, members of Congress, policy experts, and representatives from leading think tanks.
According to the foreign affairs minister, the discussions will focus on strengthening bilateral relations, boosting economic cooperation, and addressing regional security challenges in the Horn of Africa.
https://www.horndiplomat.com/2025/08/somaliland-president-plans-us-visit-for-recognition-talks/
Somaliland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdirahman Dahir Adam, confirmed to local media that Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro is set to embark on an official visit to the United States in the coming days, as diplomatic momentum builds around the territory’s bid for international recognition.
President Irro will hold high-level meetings in Washington, D.C., engaging with senior U.S. government officials, members of Congress, policy experts, and representatives from leading think tanks.
According to the foreign affairs minister, the discussions will focus on strengthening bilateral relations, boosting economic cooperation, and addressing regional security challenges in the Horn of Africa.
https://www.horndiplomat.com/2025/08/somaliland-president-plans-us-visit-for-recognition-talks/
❤1
#TPLF warns forced return of displaced including to Western #Tigray deepens existing crisis
Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) chairman Debretsion Gebremichael (PhD), cautioned on Friday that pushing displaced persons to return home without addressing security and justice concerns risks creating a “dangerous situation” in the region.
Speaking on Friday after the party’s recent Central Committee meeting, Debretsion said conditions for a safe and sustainable return of displaced Tigrayans as outlined by the Pretoria agreement remain unmet.
Among the major challenges include the absence of withdrawal of “invading forces and settlers from occupied areas,” lack of accountability of those responsible for “genocide and atrocities in Western Tigray”, and dismantling of the state-backed administration in the areas.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51827
Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) chairman Debretsion Gebremichael (PhD), cautioned on Friday that pushing displaced persons to return home without addressing security and justice concerns risks creating a “dangerous situation” in the region.
Speaking on Friday after the party’s recent Central Committee meeting, Debretsion said conditions for a safe and sustainable return of displaced Tigrayans as outlined by the Pretoria agreement remain unmet.
Among the major challenges include the absence of withdrawal of “invading forces and settlers from occupied areas,” lack of accountability of those responsible for “genocide and atrocities in Western Tigray”, and dismantling of the state-backed administration in the areas.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51827
#Ethiopia: Angelina Jolie visits St. Peter’s Hospital, pledges support for MDR-TB treatment
Renowned American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian #Angelina_Jolie visited St. Peter's Specialized Hospital in Addis Abeba Sunday, focusing on the institution’s work in combating Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB).
During her visit, she toured the hospital’s TB and MDR-TB treatment wards and laboratory, and met with patients. She recalled a previous visit to the facility years ago and expressed delight at the “multifaceted changes” achieved since then. She noted that with adequate support, the hospital is well-positioned to further enhance the quality of its services.
The actress “praised the progress” made in TB treatment at St. Peter’s as “highly commendable and reliable,” pledging future assistance through the Global Health Committee (GHC), according to the Hospital.
Read more: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1954927268641247340
Renowned American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian #Angelina_Jolie visited St. Peter's Specialized Hospital in Addis Abeba Sunday, focusing on the institution’s work in combating Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB).
During her visit, she toured the hospital’s TB and MDR-TB treatment wards and laboratory, and met with patients. She recalled a previous visit to the facility years ago and expressed delight at the “multifaceted changes” achieved since then. She noted that with adequate support, the hospital is well-positioned to further enhance the quality of its services.
The actress “praised the progress” made in TB treatment at St. Peter’s as “highly commendable and reliable,” pledging future assistance through the Global Health Committee (GHC), according to the Hospital.
Read more: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1954927268641247340
❤4