#Ethiopia: #Tigray Interim Administration launches region-wide #dialogue; opposition parties #reject process as illegitimate, symbolic

The Tigray Interim Regional Administration (IRA) has unveiled a region-wide dialogue initiative, portraying it as a step toward reconciliation and inclusive governance. Yet major opposition parties have rejected the move, questioning its legitimacy, inclusiveness, and intent.

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https://addisstandard.com/?p=52210

#Somaliland, #Ethiopia Central Bank Chiefs Meet to Boost Financial Cooperation

The central banks of Somaliland and Ethiopia on saturday held talks in Addis Ababa aimed at strengthening financial and economic cooperation, including cross-border trade and banking ties, officials said.

Somaliland’s central bank governor, Abdinasir Ahmed Hersi, and Ethiopia’s central bank chief, Mamo E. Mihretu, met at the National Bank of Ethiopia headquarters to discuss collaboration on payments and settlement systems, foreign exchange and trade financing, anti-money laundering measures, FinTech licensing and forex operations.

The two sides agreed to set up a joint technical working group to follow up on the initiatives.

Governor Hersi underscored the importance of Somaliland’s Berbera Port and trade corridor for Ethiopia’s regional commerce, urging swift progress on banking and insurance protocols to accelerate port-use agreements. Governor Mihretu welcomed the initiative, committing to raise the matter with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The meeting also discussed strengthening financial flows, khat trade across the border, and the potential opening of a branch of Ethiopia’s state-owned Commercial Bank in Somaliland.

https://www.horndiplomat.com/2025/08/somaliland-ethiopia-central-bank-chiefs-meet-to-boost-financial-cooperation/

#Commentary: Backsliding on Reform: #Ethiopia’s draft #CSO law threatens hard-won gains on civic freedom

When Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed assumed office in 2018, he pledged to expand Ethiopia’s democratic space. A central step was the Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Proclamation of 2019, which lifted the harsh restrictions of a 2009 law that had “silenced advocacy groups by imposing a 10% foreign-funding cap.” Yet, Belete A. Yemata, the author of this commentary, argues, six years later, “that promise is under threat” as proposed amendments to the 2019 law risk reversing those gains.

He explains that the draft amendments would reduce the Authority for Civil Society Organization’s board from 11 to seven members, with six being government appointees, "leaving civil society with only one seat at the table." The amendments would also mandate that CSOs obtain project-by-project approval from government agencies, which "would allow officials to veto or delay programs and pressure CSOs to align with government preferences." Additionally, the proposed changes would grant the government the authority to suspend CSOs based solely on suspicion and prohibit them from receiving foreign funds for activities related to elections. Belete states that if implemented, these changes could "undo hard-won gains, depoliticize Ethiopia’s civic sphere, and return the sector to the fear and isolation that characterized the post-2005 period."

The article highlights that the proposed amendments “threaten the credibility of the 2026 national elections” and could “deepen the financial crisis already confronting many CSOs.” It also adds that in a country navigating conflict and political transition, an independent civil society is essential. Yet the proposed amendments risk “silencing critical voices” and weakening the sector’s capacity to deliver vital services and monitor human rights abuses.

The author emphasizes that Ethiopia “does not need to choose between national security and civic freedom.” Rather than constraining civil society, he argues, “the government should strengthen accountability mechanisms, empower the CSO Council, and treat civic actors as partners in building stability and democracy—not adversaries.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52205

#EU chief von der Leyen's plane hit by suspected #Russian GPS jamming

The navigation system of a plane carrying Ursula von der Leyen was disrupted due to suspected Russian interference, the European Commission said.

A spokesperson said the "GPS jamming" happened while the Commission president was about to arrive in Bulgaria on Sunday, but she still landed safely.

They added: "We have received information from the Bulgarian authorities that they suspect that this was due to blatant interference by Russia."

The Financial Times, citing unnamed officials, reported that von der Leyen had to land at Plovdiv Airport using paper maps.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9d07z1439zo

#Israel committing #genocide in #Gaza, world’s top scholars on the crime say

An overwhelming majority of members of the world’s leading genocide scholars’ association have backed a resolution stating that Israel’s actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of the crime.

Eighty-six per cent of those who voted in the 500-member International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) supported the motion. The resolution states that “Israel’s policies and actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide in article II of the United Nations convention for the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide (1948).”

The three-page resolution passed by the body calls on Israel to “immediately cease all acts that constitute genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestinians in Gaza, including deliberate attacks against and killing of civilians including children; starvation; deprivation of humanitarian aid, water, fuel, and other items essential to the survival of the population; sexual and reproductive violence; and forced displacement of the population.”


The resolution said the IAGS recognised that “since the horrific Hamas-led attack of 7 October 2023, which itself constitutes international crimes”, the government of Israel had engaged in systematic and widespread crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide, including indiscriminate and deliberate attacks against the civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, homes and commercial buildings, of Gaza.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/01/israel-committing-genocide-in-gaza-worlds-top-scholars-on-the-say

#Egyptian military delegation in #Mogadishu ahead of troop deployment to AUSSOM

A 16-member Egyptian Armed Forces delegation arrived in Mogadishu on Monday for a reconnaissance mission ahead of Cairo’s planned deployment under the African Union Support Mission in #Somalia (AUSSOM).

The delegation, led by Major General Islam Radwan, was received by officers from AUSSOM and the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF). They later held discussions with AUSSOM leadership, including Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) and Head of Mission, Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, and attended a security briefing at AUSSOM Force Headquarters.


https://addisstandard.com/?p=52214

#Ethiopia: #Tigray Security Bureau condemns Grenade attack in #Maichew, warns of destabilization attempts

In a statement issued yesterday, the bureau accused forces seeking power through “illegal means” under the guise of regionalism and localism of undermining peace. “These rogue elements, who once claimed to be peacekeepers, have now begun to act on their malicious intentions, exploiting the trust given to them by the people,” it said.

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https://addisstandard.com/?p=52220

#Ethiopian senior defense official cites ‘history’, ‘national survival’, and ‘security’ to justify need for #Red_Sea presence

Major General Teshome Gemechu, Director-General of International Relations and Military Cooperation at the Ministry of Defense, has reiterated Ethiopia’s resolve to secure access to the Red Sea, particularly Assab, describing it as a historical right and a matter of national survival.

He outlined four justifications: Ethiopia’s historic ties to Assab, international law provisions for landlocked states, existential survival needs, and growing security threats. “The Red Sea was once part of us. Assab was part of our territory,” he said, questioning the legitimacy of the transitional government in the early 1990s that allowed Eritrea’s secession.

Citing “security concerns”, Maj. Gen. Teshome warned that Ethiopia’s cities, including Addis Abeba, could face “missile threats” from the sea, making military presence essential to safeguard national interests.

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#Somaliland President orders protection of #Ethiopians as security forces make arrests

President Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro spoke of Somaliland’s long-standing tradition of welcoming foreigners and its deep historical ties with Ethiopia, following the circulation of a video showing locals threatening and harassing an Ethiopian young migrant in #Hargeisa.

“Our relationship with Ethiopia is special and rooted in history. It is absolutely unacceptable for Ethiopians or any foreigners to be targeted with words, actions, or any form of harassment.”

Shortly after the president’s directive, Somaliland security services arrested Abdirisaaq Nuuse Muse, a TikToker accused of organizing recent actions targeting members of the Oromo community living in Hargeisa. Other youths were also detained on Monday on suspicion of harassing Oromo residents.

https://www.horndiplomat.com/2025/09/somaliland-president-orders-protection-of-ethiopians-as-security-forces-make-arrests/

#Sudan: 'Massive' #Sudan landslide kills over 1,000 in #Darfur, says armed group

A rebel group said Monday that a "devastating" landslide had engulfed a village in war-torn Sudan's Darfur region, killing "all village residents"—over one thousand people— except one person, and appealed for the "urgent" intervention of international aid organizations.

A "massive" landslide in Sudan's western Darfur region has flattened an entire mountain village and killed more than 1,000 people, a rebel group that controls the area said late Monday, adding there was just one survivor.

The disaster struck Sunday after days of heavy rain, devastating the village of Tarasin in the Marra mountains, the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) said in a statement.

"Initial information indicates the death of all village residents, estimated to be more than one thousand individuals, with only one survivor," the group said.

https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20250902-massive-sudan-landslide-kills-over-1-000-in-darfur-says-armed-group

News: #Tigray Interim Admin opposes Orthodox Synod’s decision on new diocese in Southern Tigray

The Tigray Interim Administration has strongly opposed a decision by the Synod of the #Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) to establish a new self-governing diocese for six districts in Southern Tigray that were previously under the Maichew Diocese.

President of the Interim Administration, Lieutenant General Tadesse Worede, described the Synod’s decision to place the districts under the North Wollo Diocese as a “political decision outside of religious function.” He voiced the administration’s stance while addressing the annual Einwari Festival in Axum on 30 August 2025, where he was a guest of honor.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52228

#Jubbaland accuses federal government of abandoning key agendas, backs opposition forum

Jubbaland’s regional administration has accused #Somalia’s federal government of abandoning core national priorities, including the fight against al-Shabaab and efforts to maintain the country’s unity.

administration has accused Somalia’s federal government of abandoning core national priorities, including the fight against al-Shabaab and efforts to maintain the country’s unity.

In a strongly worded statement issued Monday, Jubbaland said the federal leadership has failed to deliver on security and governance, instead focusing on “short-term political interests” that, it warned, are eroding public trust.

“The salvation of this country lies in national unity and leadership that takes responsibility for Somalia’s future,” the statement read.

The regional government expressed support for the Somali Salvation Forum, a coalition of opposition figures led by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, which concluded a two-day meeting in Mogadishu on Sunday. Jubbaland said it welcomed the Forum’s decisions, describing them as crucial for steering the country away from political turmoil.

https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2025/Sept/202758/jubbaland_accuses_federal_government_of_abandoning_key_agendas_backs_opposition_forum.aspx

#Ethiopia’s Abay River carried away soil and gold for centuries: PM Abiy

Addis Abeba – Prime Minister #Abiy Ahmed said Ethiopia’s Abay River, the Blue Nile, which supplies up to 86% of the Nile’s waters, has for centuries carried away not only the country’s fertile soil but also its gold, leaving Ethiopia unrewarded for its sacrifice.

In a televised address on Monday night, days ahead of the anticipated inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (#GERD), Abiy disclosed that dredging at the dam had unearthed “traces of gold in the accumulated sediment,” a discovery he framed as symbolic of Ethiopia’s long-exploited wealth carried away by the Blue Nile.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52233

#Ethiopia: Despite rising #death toll, Eastern route sees sharp rise in #migrant movements

According to IOM report between January and June 2025, outgoing movements increased by one-third (+34%), reaching 238,000 compared to 178,300 in the same period in 2024. At least 348 migrants were reported dead or missing during the same period, up from 310 in 2024. The second quarter alone accounted for 78 fatalities and disappearances, most occurring in Djibouti’s Obock desert, where extreme heat and forced disembarkations at sea took a heavy toll. Additional incidents included drownings, shootings by smugglers in Yemen, and robberies in northern Somalia.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52240

#Op_ed: From Survivors to Leaders: #Ethiopian women returnees redefining migration narrative

In early August 2025, a tragic event unfolded off the coast of #Yemen when a boat carrying migrants capsized. Of the 154 passengers, 68 were killed, all of whom were reportedly Ethiopian nationals. Halifet Ayemohammed Yusuf, the author of this op-ed, notes that this incident highlights the immense desperation fueling irregular migration, particularly among Ethiopian women, who now account for nearly half of those traveling the Eastern Route. However, she emphasizes that a movement of resilience is emerging, as many female migrants who have returned to Ethiopia are now leading survivor-led organizations.

The author explains that, despite widespread exploitation, many returnee women are channeling their experiences into advocacy. Their survivor-led organizations “actively challenge stigma and create sustainable alternatives to irregular migration by educating prospective migrants, facilitating the reintegration of returnees, and fostering community-driven development and support systems.” Halifet points to organizations such as Yehiwot Menged Lewut, Biruh Addis, and Egna Legna Besidet, which “challenge stigma, promote safe migration, and help returnees rebuild lives with dignity.”

The article highlights persisting challenges: returnees often face stigma, broken family ties, or misuse of their earnings. Furthermore, reintegration policies rarely account for gender-specific trauma. In this gap, survivor-led associations provide “recognition, solidarity, and practical support that formal programs overlook.”

While the Ethiopian government has adopted policies to improve migrant safety, the author argues that “success of these measures depends on grassroots efforts.” She contends that the work of survivor-led groups, which "address what many formal reintegration programs and policies often overlook in reality: the social and emotional impacts of migration," is essential. Halifet calls for official recognition of migrants’ contributions, more inclusive policymaking, and financial mechanisms that channel remittances into productive investments.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52225

#Kenya to offer 10 oil exploration blocks in first licensing round in six years

Kenya will open bidding for 10 oil exploration blocks this month, marking its first licensing round since enacting new petroleum legislation six years ago.

The country holds 50 blocks across four sedimentary basins, with 10 now ready for marketing, said Mohamed Liban, principal secretary for petroleum.

According to Petroleum Commissioner Joseph Otieno, the blocks on offer are located in the Anza and Lamu basins.

The 10 blocks were chosen based on geoscientific data to ensure a transparent allocation process, with the government providing detailed seismic surveys, geological reports, and well data.

The offering follows a restructuring of Kenya’s petroleum exploration blocks to meet global standards, featuring flexible Production Sharing Contract terms and a package of tax incentives.

https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/markets/kenya-to-offer-10-oil-exploration-blocks-in-first-licensing-round-in-six-years/7ggpf4b

#Ethiopia tightens grip on media ahead of 2026 vote

Ethiopia’s record of detaining journalists and restricting media freedoms has raised concern as the country heads toward a high-stakes general election scheduled for June 2026, according to a report by DW. Rights groups warn that recent gains in press freedom risk being reversed as authorities seek to control the public narrative.

“Dissenting voices are still tracked, and surveillance is also carried out on journalists entering Ethiopia. That trend will not be stopped,” said Sadibou Marong of Reporters Without Borders (RSF). He described the situation for journalists and those connected to them as “quite awful and problematic.” Arbitrary arrests and holding journalists incommunicado, he said, “Show how far Ethiopian authorities might go in the repression against journalists.”

The government has taken steps in recent years to ease restrictions, including simplifying the process for acquiring broadcasting licenses, decriminalizing defamation, and introducing measures to protect journalistic sources. Privately owned media outlets were also granted greater space to operate.

However, DW’s report highlighted that government pressure has extended beyond Ethiopia’s borders. Media personalities based abroad have been targeted, with authorities reportedly lobbying #European Union member states to assist in the extradition of Ethiopian journalists accused of being critical of the government. Similar attempts were also reported in South #Africa, #Kenya, and #Uganda.

https://www.dw.com/en/ethiopia-tightens-grip-on-media-ahead-of-2026-vote/a-73780742

#Just_In - #Ethiopia: President appoints Legesse Tulu as Ambassador

President Taye Atske-Selassie has appointed Dr. Legesse Tulu, Minister of Government Communication Service, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, the Office of the President announced via state media on Tuesday.

Earlier the same morning, Legesse was addressing state media journalists in his ministerial capacity, unveiling the government’s five-day program for the Month of Puwagume, Ethiopia’s “13th month.”

The announcement did not disclose the country or mission to which he has been assigned.

PM Abiy: Completion of #GERD ends #Ethiopia’s ‘thousand-year’ challenge

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has declared the completion and full operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as the end of Ethiopia’s “greatest historical challenge.”

In a televised statement, Abiy described the Abay River [Blue Nile] as the “mother of all problems” Ethiopia had faced for centuries, arguing that its harnessing through the GERD marks the end of a "thousand-year struggle."

He contrasted the achievement with other challenges Ethiopia is facing, including lack of access to the #Red_Sea, which he said will be “corrected tomorrow", poverty, and resource scarcity, which are minor compared to the challenges Ethiopia faced to complete the GERD.

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‘I felt helpless’: #Ethiopian doctors held, harassed for seeking better pay

Among the lowest-paid medics in East Africa, Ethiopia’s doctors face state crackdown in strike for better working conditions.

In a hospital in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, in mid-May, Tewodros* was at work treating patients when two police officers barged into the emergency room. Earlier that same month, the doctor had participated in a public sector health workers’ strike, protesting poor working conditions and low pay.

The emergency room where Tewodros was working was one of the places where that played out.

The officers said they were taking him in for questioning but gave no reason, Tewodros says. They grabbed him and pulled him out of the ward. His colleagues tried to intervene, but the police ignored them and took him to a nearby station, where he was held for more than three weeks.

“That was the moment I felt helpless. That was the moment I was ashamed of my country,” Tewodros told Al Jazeera, recounting the incident.

https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2025/9/2/i-felt-helpless-ethiopian-doctors-held-harassed-for-seeking-better-pay

#World_Bank says urban development program in #Ethiopia created over one million jobs

The World Bank (WB) has reported that Ethiopia’s Urban Institutional and Infrastructure Development Program (UIIDP) created 1.15 million jobs between 2018 and 2024, including 915,000 temporary and 237,000 permanent positions.

In its latest report, the bank noted that Ethiopia’s urban population is projected to nearly triple, from 15 million in 2012 to over 42 million, posing challenges for infrastructure, services, and employment (WB). The UIIDP was implemented in 117 urban local governments across the country to strengthen institutions and promote job creation through infrastructure development.

According to WB, the program focused on building the institutional capacities of urban local governments.

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2025/09/02/ethiopia-urban-institutional-and-infrastructure-development-program