#Ethiopia: Police detain Sheger FM journalists over health professionals report, colleagues say court appearance scheduled today

Two journalists from the prominent #Sheger FM 102 radio station were detained by the police in Addis Abeba following the broadcast of a report on health professionals on August 30, 2025, sources told Addis Standard.

The journalists “are expected to appear in court this afternoon,” colleagues at the station said.
According to a station employee who spoke on condition of anonymity, the arrests occurred around 4:30 PM on Wednesday, 03 September. The journalists are Mintamir Tsegaye, the reporter who produced the report, and Tigist Zerihun, the editor.

Eshete Assefa, Head of News and Programs at Sheger FM 102, was also taken from the office with Mintamir Tsegaye on the same day. Tigist Zerihun was detained later at her residence near Ferenesay Mazoria, according to station sources. Eshete Assefa was released the same day after giving a statement.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52316

#Ethiopia’s #CBE, #UAE’s #Botim Sign MoU to boost legal remittance channels

The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Botim, a widely used financial and lifestyle platform based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to expand formal remittance options for Ethiopians abroad.

The agreement was signed during a CBE delegation visit to the UAE from 29 August to 3 September. CBE President Abe Sano described the partnership as “important and necessary,” emphasizing that Ethiopia’s recent foreign currency reform has shifted the exchange system to a market-driven model. “Options like Botim will play a crucial role in encouraging the public to send money through legal and official channels,” he said.

Botim Chief Executive Officer Tariq Bin Hendi said the MoU “lays the foundation for a collaborative partnership between the bank and Botim,”........

https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid0XPqiMpTXzaLAy9Y3YzoNCsLP5YxNHT1kGGwqiECVhXa9yvyAheqvQhm6en5JWVnzl

#Editorial: Enforced Disappearance -The hallmark of a decaying tyranny that must end

#Ethiopia is quietly sliding deeper into a dark and dangerous practice: enforced disappearance. Ordinary citizens, civil servants, journalists, and critics are vanishing without a trace. Families remain in torment, denied even the knowledge of whether their loved ones are alive, while newsrooms are inundated with desperate calls to break the silence.

This is not politics. It is a crime against humanity, eroding what remains of law, governance, and justice under Ethiopia’s own Constitution. Article 28 of the FDRE Constitution is explicit: crimes against humanity carry no statute of limitation. No pardon, amnesty, or silence can shield perpetrators. Enforced disappearance is also punishable under international law.

The Prosperity Party claims to have “learned from history.” Yet history, Ethiopia’s and the world’s, shows that repression and extrajudicial violence demand accountability. Ignore these lessons, and legitimacy will collapse under the weight of crimes. What is left of it, anyway.

This publication’s message is blunt: stop the disappearances, release the disappeared, and hold perpetrators accountable. Anything less is not leadership, nor is it politics.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52321

#South_Sudan denies agreement with #Israel to resettle #Palestinians

South Sudan on Thursday denied reports of an agreement with Israel to resettle Palestinians on its territory, stressing that it had not committed to the United States to receive more deported migrants.

Earlier, Israeli media reported on a plan to move residents of Gaza to South Sudan, a poor and unstable African state. The authorities in Juba quickly rejected the claim, but the reports sparked debate on social media and in the streets of the capital.

At a press conference in Juba on Thursday, Philip Jada Natana, Director General for Bilateral Relations in the Government of South Sudan, confirmed that a memorandum of understanding had been signed with Israel. However, he clarified that it was mainly aimed at “developing agricultural capacity, investment and mining”, and added: “There was no talk of resettling Palestinians in South Sudan.”


https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250905-south-sudan-denies-agreement-with-israel-to-resettle-palestinians/

Analysis: Residents decry exclusion as security forces push peace initiative amid #Oromia–Somali regions border clashes

Security forces have launched a peace initiative to resolve the border conflict that erupted in early July between East #Borana Zone in Oromia and neighboring districts in the #Somali region, local authorities told Addis Standard. However, residents say they have not been included in the process.

Malicha Galma, head of the East Borana Zone Administration and Security Bureau, told Addis Standard that the #Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), in coordination with regional security structures from both sides, have been working to restore peace. He said ENDF convened Somali regional officials from #Udet district for dialogue, where both parties agreed to halt gunfire.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52334

News: #Tigray Interim Administration says over 20 billion birr needed for unpaid salaries

#Mekelle - The Tigray Interim Administration (TIA) announced at a conference with education sector on Thursday that it requires more than 20 billion birr to clear the backlog of unpaid salaries owed to its employees, local media reports.

Deputy President Amanuel Assefa acknowledged the administration’s inability to meet that demand immediately, stating that while the question is justified, “It would be extremely difficult to allocate 20 billion birr to unpaid salaries.” Nonetheless, he added, “the administration plans to dedicate five percent of its upcoming budget to addressing the issue.”

Lieutenant General Tadesse, President of the TIA, who also attended the conference, emphasized that the administration had not dismissed teachers’ grievances. He said that the federal government’s stance is that “we will not pay when there was no work,” ....

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52337

#Somalia graduates first female military cadets in historic break from patriarchy

To instill professionalism in Somalia's military, the country graduated its first-ever female cadets, defying deeply entrenched patriarchy in the Horn of Africa nation, and perhaps showcasing a milestone in gender mainstreaming within the military.

The officers graduated from a #Turkish-run military academy in Somalia after three years of rigorous training, courage, and discipline. The officers join hundreds of male counterparts who have gone through Turkish and American academies in Somalia.

The 11 officers have now become the pioneer female cadets in Somalia's Navy, Air Force, and Army, a development seen as a powerful step forward for Somali women in uniform. One will serve in the Air Force, two in the Navy, and the remaining individuals will serve in the Army.

https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somalia-graduates-first-female-military-cadets-in-historic-break-from-patriarchy

#Ethiopia: Fed. Court postpones hearing for detained #Sheger FM journalists, CPJ calls for their release

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged Ethiopian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Sheger FM Radio reporter Mintamir Tsegaw and editor Tigist Zerihun after their court appearance was postponed from Friday to Monday, 8 September 2025.

Colleagues at Sheger FM said the Ethiopian Media #Authority (EMA) issued a letter accusing the station of “incitement to violence and bias” following a report on health professionals. The station later removed the report from its social media pages. CPJ confirmed in a statement released on 5 September 2025 that the content had been deleted.

Their hearing at the Lideta Branch of the Federal High Court, initially scheduled for 5 September, was delayed due to the court’s heavy workload.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52341

#Op_ed: #GERD Inauguration: #Egypt’s opportunity to rethink relations with #Ethiopia

The author of this op-ed emphasizes that the upcoming inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a historic achievement for Ethiopia, celebrated as “a symbol of national resilience,” while simultaneously presenting a “troubling development for Egypt.” He supports this argument by highlighting a recent joint communiqué from Egypt and #Sudan’s foreign and water ministers, which labels the dam a “unilateral project,” echoing decades of opposition.

The author notes that Egypt has long sought to undermine Ethiopia's development, fearing that a strong Ethiopia would threaten its regional dominance. He states, “It is no secret that successive Egyptian administrations have deliberated on ways to keep Ethiopia divided and weak.” The author cites historical evidence of Egypt’s efforts to weaken Ethiopia, including supporting separatist groups, getting involved in regional conflicts, and attempting to block international funding for the GERD. Despite these actions, the article highlights that Ethiopia completed the dam and suggests this “offers Egypt a chance to change course and pursue genuine cooperation.”

With the GERD's completion, the author underscores that now is a pivotal moment for change. The central question, he contends, is whether Egypt will abandon its destabilizing policies and embrace “good-faith negotiations” that could secure a shared, sustainable future for both nations.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52330

#Ethiopia: ‘We need to prepare our minds and ourselves”: Brg. Gen Bulto Tadesse, Ethiopian Defense College Chief, on possible military role in #Red_Sea bid

Brig. Gen. Bulti Tadesse, Chief of the Ethiopian Defense College, said that Ethiopia’s quest for Red Sea access is primarily about peace and national security rather than wealth.

The senior military general became one of a string of senior military and political leaders in Ethiopia to argue the need for Ethiopia to pursue access to the Red Sea; although he, too said the government is pursuing it “through diplomacy, peace, or understanding.”

In a statement issued through state-affiliated media, he cautioned that soldiers must also be ready if called upon: “This is why we need to prepare our minds and ourselves for how we can act if our government gives us authority or duty in the future.”

Watch

#Yemen’s #Houthis claim responsibility for drone attack on #Israeli airport

Yemen’s Houthi group has claimed responsibility for a drone strike against Israel’s Ramon Airport near the Red Sea city of Eilat that injured two people.

The attack on Sunday, which targeted the arrivals hall, had halted operations at the airport for around two hours.

“A drone targeted Ramon Airport, which, by Allah’s grace, directly hit the airport and caused the airport to shut down and halt air traffic,” Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a statement.

He added that the attack was part of a broader drone operation that also targeted other sites in southern Israel.

Saree vowed that the Houthis will “escalate” their attacks against Israel in support of Palestinians in Gaza.

“The Yemeni Armed Forces assure all air navigation companies that the airports inside occupied Palestine are unsafe and will be continuously targeted,” he said.

https://aje.io/863zjj

#Ethiopia: Police in #Tigray arrest human smugglers attempting to traffic 37 people

Police in Southeast Tigray Zone arrested suspects attempting to traffic 37 people, including 13 children, through 70 Enderta Woreda. Rising food insecurity and limited job opportunities are pushing many youths in Tigray to take dangerous migration routes via Djibouti and the Gulf of Aden. Regional authorities estimate that at least 32,000 young people leave Tigray illegally each year using both northern and eastern routes.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52349

#Puntland deploys troops to block voter registration in #Sool region

Puntland authorities have deployed troops to parts of the Sool region in an attempt to halt voter registration for one-person, one-vote elections launched by #Somalia’s federal government and the newly declared Northeastern administration.

Residents told HOL that Puntland forces moved into Boocame district and the nearby Falariyale area, where federal & Northeastern electoral commissions had begun registration.

Both areas are home to Puntland Vice Pres. Ilyas Osman, who has openly rejected voter registration there.

Local sources say the vice president is mobilizing his clan-based forces and has warned that they will resist any attempt to carry out registration. Lugatoor recently visited the contested districts, declaring them part of Puntland and laying foundation stones for development projects funded by his amdin.

https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2025/Sept/202843/puntland_deploys_troops_to_block_voter_registration_in_sool_region.aspx

#Commentary: #GERD: New reality in Nile Basin; #Africa’s emerging power dynamic

For more than a decade, #Egypt has sought to halt or disrupt the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). As the dam's official inauguration approaches, Memar Ayalew Demeke, the author of this commentary, emphasizes an undeniable truth: “Egypt must now confront the irreversible reality that GERD’s inauguration is no longer a possibility to prevent but a certainty to accept.” He adds, “The era of resistance has ended; the age of adaptation must begin.”

The author explains that Egypt’s admission that 12 years of negotiations “yielded no concrete outcomes” signifies the collapse of its historical dominance, which was rooted in colonial-era treaties. He notes the GERD’s completion marks the end of Egypt’s "hydro-hegemony," a position maintained for over a century by treaties that granted it veto power over upstream projects. As Memar writes, “The psychological shift is profound: Egypt must now request water security rather than demand it, negotiate as an equal rather than dictate terms.”

The article further highlights that for #Ethiopia, the GERD is a triumph of self-reliance. Financed primarily through domestic fundraising, it embodies “Africa’s capacity for self-determination in the face of international opposition.” Beyond its political implications, the dam's power output is poised to transform Ethiopia’s economy, provide electricity to millions, and establish the nation as a regional energy hub.

The author argues that the GERD’s inauguration marks “not just the completion of Africa’s largest hydroelectric project, but the definitive end of an era where downstream nations controlled the fate of the world’s longest river.” He states that the choice for Egypt and #Sudan is clear: "embrace cooperation and seek mutual benefits or persist in futile opposition while Ethiopia and other upstream nations forge ahead with their development agenda."

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52344

#CBE says it financed 91% of #GERD construction costs through loans

The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) has announced that it provided financing services for more than 91% of the construction cost of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), amounting to over 223 billion birr. The dam is scheduled to be inaugurated on Tuesday, 9 September 2025.

In addition to its financing role, the bank facilitated the collection of public contributions through bond sales and donations. CBE said it has “played an irreplaceable role” in supporting the project since its inception.

Construction of the GERD began in April 2011. The dam, which holds a 74 billion cubic meter (BCM) reservoir and has an installed capacity of 5,150 megawatts (MW), is set to become Africa’s largest hydropower facility once fully operational.

Despite ongoing objections from #Egypt, #Ethiopia maintains that the GERD stands as a symbol of African self-reliance and regional development.