#Ethiopia: #Labor_Confederation urges private sector to follow govt’s lead on salary increases for #workers

Kassahun Follo, President of the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU), urged the private sector to follow the government’s lead in revising salaries to ease the rising cost of living. He called the government’s decision “a commendable response” to the economic hardships facing workers.

“The salary increase will provide relative relief for low-wage employees, and the private sector should demonstrate the same commitment,” Kassahun said, while also pressing authorities to accelerate the establishment of a national minimum wage floor.

The salary raise comes at a time when Ethiopia’s fixed income earners are grappling with persistent inflation, which many people fear will be exacerbated following the raise.

The latest revision also comes after the 2025 income tax reform, which raised the tax-free threshold for monthly employment income from 600 birr (≈US$4.6) to 2,000 birr (≈US$14.7) was approved by parliament despite CETU’s recommendations to exempt workers earning up to 8,300 birr (≈US$62) per month from income tax.

In a move to ease speculative price hikes, the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration (MoTRI) has warned that it will “take action” against traders who unjustifiably raise the prices of goods.

Minister Kassahun Gofe admitted that “money-obsessed traders” have previously exploited such measures by inflating prices, describing it as “a disgraceful act from the standpoint of business ethics” and warned the trade structure at all levels will work in coordination with justice and security bodies to take corrective measures against non-compliant traders.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51943

Senior #US diplomat joins calls for #Somaliland recognition

Momentum is building in Washington for the United States to recognize Somaliland as an independent nation, as influential former U.S. diplomat Herman J. Cohen joined Senator Ted Cruz in urging the White House to act.

Cohen, who served as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs between 1989 and 1993, said recognition would serve American national interests in the Horn of Africa and counter Beijing’s influence. “I recommend the State Department proceed with its policy review and formally accept the Republic of Somaliland as a nation,” Cohen wrote on X, quoting a Semafor report.

His remarks follow a letter last week by Senator Ted Cruz, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa, who pressed President Donald Trump to extend formal recognition. Cruz described Somaliland as “a critical security and diplomatic partner for the United States, helping America advance our national security interests in the Horn of Africa and beyond.”

Cruz warned that China was “using economic and diplomatic coercion to punish Somaliland for its support for Taiwan,” and said recognition would help shield the territory from Beijing’s pressure.

https://www.horndiplomat.com/2025/08/senior-u-s-diplomat-joins-calls-for-somaliland-recognition/

Fossils of human ancestors #Lucy and #Selam arrive in #Prague from #Ethiopia

A special Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa brought Lucy, the famous 3.2 million-year-old fossil of the Australopithecus afarensis species, to Prague's Václav Havel Airport. She was joined by Selam, a fossil of a small child of the same species, which is 100,000 years older. Both will be the main attractions of the National Museum in Prague's exhibition ennoscriptd People and their Ancestors.

https://english.radio.cz/fossils-human-ancestors-lucy-and-selam-arrive-prague-ethiopia-8860144

#Amnesty urges #Ethiopia to drop proposed #CSO law amendments, warns of ‘total closure’ of #civic_space

Amnesty International has called on Ethiopian authorities to immediately withdraw proposed amendments to the Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Proclamation, warning that the changes would reverse hard-won legal reforms and mark a “total closure of civic space” in the country.

In a statement issued on 18 August, Amnesty accused the Ministry of Justice of leading the amendment process in “strict secrecy,” with limited consultation restricted to government-aligned groups. The rights body warned that the proposals represent “a sharp rise in authoritarian practices” and urged Ethiopia’s development partners to press the government to halt the changes.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51970

#Commentary: Beyond Celebrating World Humanitarian Day: Protecting aid workers amid escalating attacks, mounting risks

On 19 August 2025, #World_Humanitarian_Day honors the dedication of aid workers, yet this year’s commemoration underscores a sobering reality: “Humanitarian work is becoming more dangerous than ever, with escalating attacks, deliberate targeting, and persistent gaps in protection,” writes Nigussie Tefera, the author of this commentary. He notes that despite robust legal frameworks, including International Humanitarian Law and #UN Security Council resolutions, aid personnel increasingly face physical violence, cyber harassment, and operational threats.

The author explains that 2024 marked the deadliest year on record, with 344 aid workers killed across 20 countries, up from 280 in 2023. Violence continued into 2025, including 134 killed and 73 kidnapped. Certain conflict zones, such as #Gaza, proved particularly lethal, while #Ethiopia and #Sudan experienced multiple fatalities among both international and national staff. Nigussie emphasizes that despite strong legal frameworks, "implementation and enforcement of humanitarian protection remain inadequate," leaving aid workers, especially "national staff and community volunteers," vulnerable.

The article identifies key challenges, including a lack of detailed data on attacks, insufficient digital security, and weak accountability mechanisms. Although operational tools are available, they are "unevenly applied across contexts." The article points to lessons from Ethiopia, where local conflict dynamics and governance issues intensify these risks, despite existing reporting tools.

The author contends that World Humanitarian Day 2025 must go beyond ceremonial tributes. He argues that "recognition without protection fails the very people we celebrate" and urges the international community to "translate recognition into action" by strengthening the enforcement of international norms, creating more robust accountability pathways, and prioritizing the safety of local responders.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51966

#Ethiopian government vows strict action against unjustified price #hikes following civil service #salary adjustment

The Ethiopian government has warned that it will take strict action against businesses that unjustifiably raise prices following the recent civil servant salary adjustment announcement.

Mekuria Haile (PhD), Commissioner of the Civil Service Commission, emphasized that, since the adjusted salaries will not be paid until October, any premature price increases are unwarranted and will be closely monitored.

He added that a government directive has been issued to the Ministry of Trade to take punitive action against offenders. “A directive has been issued… to take measures against those who unreasonably increase prices, to serve as a lesson for the future,” Mekuria said.

#Africa must plug $580B leak to curb debt, AfDB chief says

African governments must end corruption and illicit capital flows that cost the continent more than $580 billion annually if they’re to deal with a debt pile that’s approaching $2 trillion, according to the head of the African Development Bank.

While nations also need access to more concessional financing — and debt-restructuring where necessary — curbing outflows is crucial, Akinwumi Adesina, the lender’s president, said in an interview last week.

“It doesn’t matter how much water you pour into a bucket if the bucket is leaking,” he said in Maputo, Mozambique’s capital. “If you’re able to reduce the leakages to illicit capital, also corruption and all of these things, Africa will be able to keep a lot of these resources and meet the amount of infrastructure it needs.”

The AfDB estimated in May that Africa loses about $1.6 billion daily to what it termed “financial leakages.” That figure includes the loss of $90 billion a year to illicit financial flows, with $275 billion “siphoned away” by multinational corporations shifting profits, and $148 billion going astray because of corruption.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-19/africa-must-plug-580-billion-leak-to-curb-debt-afdb-chief-says

#South_Sudan VP Bol Mel secures deals from #UAE’s trip

South Sudan’s Vice President for Economic Cluster, Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, jetted to Juba on Sunday after a three-day working visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he secured deals in oil, agriculture, trade, banking, and finance, as well as infrastructure.

During his visit, VP Bol Mel met with his counterpart, Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, along with a number of other UAE officials.

Addressing journalists upon arrival at Juba International Airport on Sunday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. Monday Semaya K. Kumba stated that the visit undertaken under directive of President Salva Kiir aimed to follow up on the outcomes of his last visit to the UAE in June.

“Secondly, to enhance the economic cooperation between the Republic of Sudan and the UAE in different fields, with a main focus on areas such as the oil industry, agriculture, banking and finance, and trade, investment, and infrastructure development, among others,” Kumba said.

https://www.sudanspost.com/south-sudan-vp-bol-mel-secures-deals-from-uaes-trip/

Five wounded in #Mekoni, Southern #Tigray, as arrest attempt on local #security official triggers clashes, protests

At least five civilians were injured on Monday after soldiers attempted to arrest the deputy head of the district security office in Mekoni town, Southern Tigray, local officials.

Meselle Ashebir, mayor of Mekoni town, told Addis Standard that the incident occurred in the morning when soldiers attempted to detain Colonel Halefom Mehari, deputy head of the district security office. “When they tried to take him from Mekoni town, the public gathered. It was around 11 a.m., and that’s when the shooting started,” Meselle said.

Mellesse said two of the wounded, one shot in the neck and another in the leg, were transferred to Ayder Hospital in Mekelle, while the other three were treated at Mekoni Hospital.

Dr. Daniel Berhe, a physician at Mekoni Hospital, confirmed the number of victims to Addis Standard. “Five people were admitted to our hospital.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51973

#Landslide kills three in #Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

A landslide triggered by heavy rainfall claimed the lives of three people yesterday afternoon in Kindo Koysha woreda of Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia region, local officials confirmed.

According to the zonal administration, the victims were cutting grass near the Finchewa waterfall, located between Borkoshe and Sere Finchewa kebeles, when the landslide struck.

Assistant Professor Samuel Tessema, Chief Administrator of Wolaita Zone, expressed condolences over the incident, describing it as a “sudden tragedy.” He confirmed that the body of one woman has been recovered, while the search continues for the missing mother and her son.

Kindo Koysha and surrounding areas have witnessed similar disasters in recent years. In August last year, two people were killed in a landslide in Kindo Koysha, while another in the neighboring Kawo Koyisha district claimed 11 lives.

https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1958088836975657319

#Kenya’s second-largest bank eyes #Ethiopia entry with local bank buy

KCB Group, Kenya’s second-largest lender by market capitalisation, is considering entry into Ethiopia through the acquisition of a local bank, a move that would extend its footprint into one of Africa’s most closely watched financial markets.

During an interview with The African Report on Monday, Paul Russo, CEO of the Nairobi-listed lender, said the bank is weighing an application for exemption from Ethiopia’s foreign ownership rules, which cap overseas stakes at 49%. “Whenever a market like that opens, getting an exemption is not difficult.”

He added that KCB is still seeking a willing partner before approaching the National Bank of Ethiopia. “We have to work it out, and, if it is going for an exemption, there must be a party ready to walk with us,” Russo said, noting that diplomatic backing from Nairobi could be sought if required.

With more than 120 million people, Ethiopia is Africa’s second-most populous nation and represents a sizeable untapped market for retail and corporate banking.

The government has long protected the sector from foreign competition, but reforms introduced in December last year opened the door for international players to set up subsidiaries, branches, or minority stakes in local banks.

https://financeinafrica.com/news/kenya-second-largest-bank-ethiopia-entry/

#Ethiopian Embassy in #Kenya issues apology over inaccurate statement on #Somali region's controversial restructuring

The Ethiopian Embassy in Nairobi has issued an apology and clarification after publishing, and later deleting, a statement on its official page regarding the establishment of a new administrative structure in the Somali Regional State. The post sparked online controversy among netizens.

In its initial message, the embassy said a welcoming ceremony was held in Nairobi to mark the creation of the Gurra–Dhaamole Zone and Hagar Moqor District. The event was reportedly attended by Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Kenya, Demeke Atnafu, alongside Somali regional diaspora representatives and Kenyan officials. Ambassador Demeke was quoted as describing the restructuring as a symbol of empowerment and inclusive governance, linking it to ongoing political reforms under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51979

#Eritrea has imprisoned 7 church leaders for decades without charges

In the nearly 21 years since two Orthodox priests were arbitrarily imprisoned in Eritrea, their wives have died.

Neither the Rev. Gebremedhin Gebregiorgis nor Dr. Futsum Gebrenegus have been charged with a crime since their arrest on Nov. 19, 2004, nor has a third Orthodox priest seized at that time, the Rev. Tekleab Menghisteab, received due process. All three were active in a renewal movement within the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church that the regime of President Isaias Afwerki, in power since 1993, persecuted — though the Orthodox church is one of four religious bodies legal in Eritrea.

The Orthodox priests based in Medhane Alem Church are three of six Christians imprisoned in horrific conditions since 2004, along with another arrested in 2005 — all without charges, trial or access to an attorney, rights advocates say. The seven Christian leaders are reportedly being held incommunicado at Wengel Mermera Criminal Investigation Centre, a maximum-security prison in Asmara that the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) describes as one of Eritrea’s “atrocious” prisons.

Gebrenegus’ wife and father died in the years following his incarceration. Pastor Gebregiorgis’ wife, Tsegeweyni Mekonnen Haile, died of cancer in June 2022, leaving behind her husband and three children.

https://www.christianpost.com/news/eritrea-has-imprisoned-church-leaders-for-decades-without-charges.html

Ruto Talks With #US  Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Agree on New #UN plan for #Haiti

President William Ruto held talks with U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio in a phone call hours after the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi issued a travel alert on Kenya.

The talks, according to Ruto, centred around several issues, especially how the U.S. and Kenya can collaborate to support the Haiti peacekeeping mission, which remains unpredictable as of August 2025.                     

"I had a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues," Ruto revealed in his statement.

According to the Head of State, the two agreed on the importance and need of establishing a United Nations support office for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti to aid efforts to help stabilise Haiti.

https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/115427-ruto-haiti

Salsay Weyane #Tigray withdraws from interim advisory council over mandate failures

Salsay Weyane Tigray (SaWeT) has withdrawn from the Interim Advisory Council of Tigray, accusing the body of failing to uphold its mandate and questioning its legitimacy.

In a statement issued on Monday following a two-day leadership meeting, SaWeT said political engagement in Tigray has increasingly relied on coercion, undermining dialogue and democratic competition. The party also cited rising killings, kidnappings, theft, and other unlawful acts as factors behind its decision.

Explaining the withdrawal, Birhane Atsbeha, SaWeT’s communication head, told Addis Standard that the party joined the council only after clarifying its mandate, duties, and duration. “But after Lt. Gen. Tadesse Woreda came to power, the council abandoned its responsibilities, and its institutional existence was put in jeopardy. We found it effectively closed to political struggle,” he said.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51983

#Ethiopia: #Boro_Democratic_Party condemns ‘political’ verdict as council member sentenced to nearly six years rigorous imprisonment

BDP condemned the sentencing of Yohannes Tessema, an elected member of the #Benishangul_Gumuz Regional State Council, to five years and 10 months of rigorous imprisonment and a 15,000 birr fine. The Assosa City High Court’s verdict on 9 August 2025 was based on a five-year-old land lease case that had previously been discontinued, the party told Addis Standard.

Yohannes was arrested on 9 March 2025, shortly after BDP petitioned Ethiopia’s Council of Constitutional Inquiry over amendments to the regional constitution and council seat allocations.

“The police and prosecutor’s office lacked evidence for the terrorism charge, so they decided to reinstate the previously discontinued land lease case against Yohannes,” a BDP official said, calling the verdict “inappropriate” and describing the regional justice system as “politicized.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51987

#US-led mediators ‘appalled’ by worsening #humanitarian crisis in #Sudan

A US-led coalition of mediators on Wednesday said it was “appalled by the continuous deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Sudan” and urged warring parties to take steps to protect civilians and allow aid access.

The Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan (ALPS) Group -- comprising the US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the African Union and the UN -- cited “the growing number of people in situations of severe malnutrition and famine, and the wide range of access impediments that are delaying or blocking the response in key areas.”

“Civilians continue to pay the highest price for this war,” it said in a statement, stressing that humanitarian needs have reached “critical levels.”

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/us-led-mediators-appalled-by-worsening-humanitarian-crisis-in-sudan/3664888