#France among six more countries to formally recognise #Palestinian statehood

#France, #Andorra, #Belgium, #Luxembourg, #Malta, #Monaco join diplomatic push as #Israel unleashes fierce attacks on #Gaza.

The leaders of six countries, including France, have moved to recognise Palestinian statehood at a high-level summit ahead of the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York.

The additional countries recognising Palestine now join some 147 of the 193 UN member states that had already formally recognised Palestinian statehood as of April this year.

With more than 80 percent of the international community now recognising the state of Palestine, diplomatic pressure has ramped up on Israel as it continues its genocidal war on Gaza, where more than 65,300 Palestinians have been killed and the has been enclave turned into rubble.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/22/france-recognises-palestinian-state-ahead-of-the-unga-meeting

#Sudan: #EU extends sanctions regime by one year

The Council has agreed today to extend for another year the EU restrictive measures against those responsible for destabilising Sudan and obstructing its political transition.

As a consequence, the sanctions regime in view of the situation in Sudan will remain in force until 10 October 2026, covering ten individuals and eight entities. Those listed are subject to an EU-wide travel ban, the freezing of assets, and a prohibition on making funds or economic resources available to them, either directly or indirectly.

For the past two years, the war in Sudan has brutally impacted the lives of millions of civilians, with responsibility resting on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and their respective affiliated militias.

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/09/22/sudan-eu-extends-sanctions-regime-by-one-year/

#Ethiopian coffee sets a new auction record at US$1,739 per kilogram

A coffee produced by Alo Coffee has set a new record for Ethiopian beans at auction, selling for AU$2,635 (US$1,739) per kilogram at the Echoes of the Peak event hosted by M-Cultivo. The record surpassed the previous high of AU$2,431 per kilogram, achieved earlier this year by a #Sidama Keramo Super Natural lot purchased by Black Gold Coffee. The winning lot, weighing five kilograms, will be shared between Coffee Camps Limited and H Proper.

Harley Keith of H Proper described the purchase as a deserved recognition of Alo Coffee’s quality and the commitment of its producers. “Working closely with a producer who is so responsive to your demands is quite a rare thing, especially with Tamiru’s [Alo Coffee representative Tamiru Tadessa Tesema] calibre in the specialty coffee scene,” he said,

https://www.beanscenemag.com.au/ethiopian-coffee-breaks-auction-record/

News: #Benishangul Gumuz–#Oromia road closure deepens hardships, MP says

Addis Abeba - A member of the House of Peoples' Representatives, Menahl Imiran, has stated that the closure of the road connecting the Benishangul-Gumuz and Oromia regions due to security issues has exposed residents to significant social and economic hardships.

During a discussion with residents of District Two in Assosa town, which she represents, Menahl noted that the road has been closed for years, causing various social and economic problems for the city's inhabitants.

In addition to the road issue, the MP announced that "due to the lack of a referral hospital in the region, residents are traveling to neighboring regions and as far as Addis Ababa, incurring high costs." Based on this, she requested that a referral hospital be built at the regional level.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52534

#Commentary: Reform in Reverse: #Ethiopia’s #CSO law amendments undercut basic freedoms, shrink democratic space

After a brief period of reform, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Ethiopia once again face serious threats from proposed draft amendments to the 2019 law that would “reassert state control,” writes Wakjira Tesfaye, the author of this commentary. He argues that, if enacted, these changes would give federal authorities sweeping powers to “deny registration, suspend, or dissolve organizations” on vague “national security” grounds.

The proposed amendments, Wakjira notes, would also prohibit foreign-funded CSOs from engaging in “political advocacy, civic and voter education, election observation, or any election-related work.” Such restrictions, he contends, would effectively criminalize independent civil society and “shrink civic space precisely when independent scrutiny is most needed” ahead of the 2026 national elections.

The article highlights that the draft law has been widely condemned by human rights groups as a “grave rollback” that contravenes Ethiopia’s constitution and international human rights commitments. It further stresses that these proposals mirror the repressive measures of the 2009 Charities and Societies Proclamation and risk erasing the limited democratic progress achieved in recent years. Wakjira cautions, “The proposed law would mean only state-approved organizations can speak about politics,” depriving citizens of independent information and undermining civic oversight.

The author underscores that Ethiopia must abandon these “repressive” proposed amendments. He emphasizes, "Retaining the 2019 framework, improving transparency, narrowly defining risks, and consulting civil society would preserve scrutiny, safeguard democratic gains, and maintain international credibility."

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52530

#Somaliland president meets #US military officials to strengthen security ties

The President of the Republic of Somaliland, Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro), held a strategic meeting on Monday with senior U.S. military officials for security in East Africa.

During the meeting, President Irro thanked the officers for visiting Somaliland and discussed ways to enhance regional security, cooperation, and partnership between Somaliland and the United States.

He emphasized Somaliland’s strategic importance in the Horn of Africa and highlighted the territory’s long-standing role in promoting peace, stability, democracy, and social development for over three decades.

Irro also expressed gratitude to U.S. legislative bodies for supporting Somaliland’s international recognition and the positive developments in U.S. foreign policy concerning Somaliland and Somalia.

https://www.horndiplomat.com/2025/09/somaliland-president-meets-u-s-military-officials-to-strengthen-security-ties/

Convicted #Ethiopian asylum seeker sentenced to 12 months, requests deportation

An Ethiopian asylum seeker, Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 41, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman and a 14-year-old girl. The assaults occurred while he was staying at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex. Following the incident, protests took place outside the hotel for several weeks.

Kebatu was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault, attempted sexual assault, inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, and harassment without violence.

During his sentencing at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court, his lawyer, Molly Dyas, stated that Kebatu's "firm wish" was to be deported. She added that this was a view he had held "before the trial."

https://news.sky.com/story/epping-hotel-asylum-seeker-jailed-after-sexually-assaulting-woman-and-14-year-old-girl-13419197

‘The Silent Weapon’ on wartime sexual violence in #Tigray wins top prize at 2025 Hinzpeter Awards

Marianne Getti and Agnes Nabat’s documentary The Silent Weapon has won the grand prize at the 2025 Hinzpeter Awards for its reporting on wartime sexual violence in #Ethiopia. The award, noscriptd World at a Crossroads, was announced during a press conference at the May Recollection Archive Hall in Gwangju, #South_Korea.

The documentary, produced after the two journalists covertly entered the Tigray region in northern Ethiopia, documents acts of sexual violence committed during the conflict and highlights the efforts of those providing support to survivors.

The work was commended for its exceptional courage in the face of what organizers described as the Ethiopian government’s “war without witnesses,” a conflict that has claimed an estimated 600,000 lives......

https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/1220220.html

News: Hijab ruling brings relief to Muslim students in #Axum, but enforcement remains uncertain

A ruling by the #Tigray Supreme Court has affirmed Muslim students’ right to wear the #hijab in schools, condemning restrictions that had barred students from classrooms and even excluded some from sitting for national exams. While the decision has brought relief to many, questions linger over its enforcement on the ground.

One student, who asked not to be named and aspires to study medicine, said the ban nearly crushed her confidence. “Before this incident my school life was very good, and I was full of hope. But when they forbade us to wear the hijab, we were very sad. It felt like they left us behind our peers and played with our morale and our time,” she told Addis Standard.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52538

#Turkish #Drones Are Fueling a #Somali Shadow War

Ankara’s stealth takeover suits its geopolitical interests but has ruined many civilian lives.

As 50-year-old Mohamed Ahmed Nur departed his home in the town of Quracley in Somalia’s Hiiraan region on Jan. 30, 2023, he recalled seeing drones hovering overhead but didn’t think much of it. Drones had become a common sight in the al- Shabab-controlled town.

Nur was at a funeral in a nearby district when news of the strike reached him later that day. He rushed back to a scene of horror.
“I saw charred remains of my children and other youth smoldering,” Nur told Foreign Policy in March.

“Their remains were scattered around the tree.”

A few al-Shabab fighters were present when he arrived, Nur said. They looked to be trying to confirm the identities of those killed in the strike. Once it became clear that the victims were not fellow combatants but young boys, they left.

Nur then called for help to collect the remains.
“A total of 12 people arrived, and then they helped me pick up the body parts, one by one. Then we placed them in sacks,” he said. “I couldn’t even wash my children’s bodies according to the Islamic rulings when dealing with the deceased, because the bodies of my children were ripped to pieces.”


Seven young people were killed in the drone strike; five of those victims were minors. The deceased included three of Nur’s sons: 20-year-old Ahmed Mohamed Nur, 18-year-old Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, and 8-year-old Qays Mohamed Nur. Mohamed’s 17-year-old nephew as well as a 13-year-old, 14-year-old, and 11-year-old also died in the drone strike.

Turkey is waging a drone war against al-Shabab in Somalia from a joint command with Somalia’s intelligence agency. (The United States and United Arab Emirates are also involved in Somalia’s drone operations.) It carries out drone strikes at the behest of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), with Somalia’s NISA feeding Turkey intelligence on targets, and Turkey then carrying out the strikes.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/24/turkish-drones-somali-shadow-war/

#Kenyan aviation workers give seven-day notice for strike

Kenya Aviation Workers Union on Tuesday gave seven days notice for strike action, demanding the resignation of the Kenya Airports Authority board in response to labour disputes and the fallout from a cancelled airport leasing deal.

The planned industrial action could disrupt operations at Kenya's main international airport, one of Africa's busiest aviation hubs.

KAWU Secretary General Moses Ndiema declined to specify when the strike would begin, saying it could start at any time after the notice period had expired.

Workers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport held a day-long strike a year ago over concerns about a plan to lease the airport to the Adani Group, an Indian company led by one of Asia's richest people, billionaire Gautam Adani.

https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/kenyan-aviation-workers-give-seven-day-notice-strike-2025-09-23/

Key questions from Pretoria Agreement remain unresolved, #Tigray admin working to avert war – President Tadesse Worede

Addis Abeba – President of the Tigray Interim Administration, Lieutenant General Tadesse Worede, said his administration is working to consolidate peace and prevent a return to war, despite unresolved questions in the aftermath of the Pretoria Agreement.

He made the remarks on 23 September 2025 during a meeting with Abibatou Wone, Chief of Mission at IOM Ethiopia.

Addressing concerns raised by the federal government that Tigray is preparing for war, President Tadesse stressed that his administration “is working diligently to avoid war for any reason” and that “there will be no war started by the Tigray side.”

Just last week, President Tadesse warned of a “visible cloud of war” amid mounting tensions, urging the federal government to honor key provisions of the Pretoria Peace Agreement.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52549

#Somalia Salvation Forum to sue President Hassan Sheikh over corruption and rights abuses

The Somalia Salvation Forum and lawmakers from both houses of parliament said Tuesday they will file lawsuits against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, his government, and senior officials, accusing them of constitutional violations, corruption, and human rights abuses, including forced evictions of poor families.

The lawsuits are expected to be filed in Somali courts and international jurisdictions. The group alleged the government unlawfully amended the 2012 federal constitution, delayed state elections, weakened operations against Al-Shabaab, and carried out illegal land sales that displaced vulnerable citizens.

“The Federal Republic of Somalia is facing a sensitive political and constitutional crisis that threatens state-building, security, and the country’s political trajectory,” the forum said in a joint statement.

The Forum said the government has eroded public trust by pushing through controversial amendments first adopted in March 2024, which expanded presidential powers and strained ties with federal states. A deal reached last month between Villa Somalia and part of the opposition walked back some of those changes, restoring parliament’s authority to confirm or dismiss a prime minister and granting national party status to any political group securing at least 10 percent of parliamentary seats.

https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2025/Sept/203035/somalia_salvation_forum_to_sue_president_hassan_sheikh_over_corruption_and_rights_abuses.aspx

#Op_ed: Who bears blame for consecutive low national exam pass rates in #Ethiopia?

Recently, the Ministry of Education, through Minister Professor Berhanu Nega, reported that only 8.4% of students—48,929 out of 585,882—achieved the minimum passing score required for university enrollment. Mohammedawel Hagos, the author of this op-ed, argues that for a country where a university degree has long symbolized hope, Ethiopia’s latest national exam results cast a grim shadow. He notes, “While slightly higher than previous years, these figures reveal a profound systemic failure that extends far beyond classrooms.”

The author contends that this failure is not the result of “a crackdown on widespread exam cheating” but rather “a fundamentally broken system.” He states that the ministry’s focus on preventing cheating, while necessary, has become a “scapegoat for a broken system” that has failed to adequately prepare students. One of the most damning statistics, according to Mohammedawel, is that “1,249 schools failed to have a single student pass,” illustrating that the blame lies with the system, not the students.

A significant contributor to this crisis, the article notes, is the stark urban-rural divide. While cities such as #Addis_Abeba and #Harari report pass rates above 20%, many rural regions have no successful university candidates. This “tale of two Ethiopias” is exacerbated by insufficient resources, dilapidated infrastructure, and a severe shortage of qualified teachers in rural areas. Additionally, the chronic shortage of textbooks remains a critical challenge, with many students lacking even basic learning materials. The teaching profession itself is also under strain, suffering from low pay and diminished societal esteem.

The author emphasizes that this educational breakdown could lead to “hopelessness, crime, and informal migration” if not addressed urgently. “The future of Ethiopia depends on its ability to provide quality education for all, not just a privileged few,” he writes, adding that “Without decisive action, the country risks perpetuating a cycle of educational failure.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52543

#Ethiopia: Over 300 #cholera cases reported in #Tigray, many linked to gold mining areas

The European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) has confirmed that more than 300 cholera cases have been reported in the Tigray region as of 18 September 2025, with many infections traced to gold mining areas.

According to local stakeholders cited by ECHO, cases have been identified across six woredas: Selewa, Samre, Seyemti Adyabo, Maekel Adyabo, Adi Daero, and Zana. The outbreak has recorded a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 3.1 percent, exceeding the emergency threshold. Most patients are men, particularly those involved in mining activities.

ECHO further noted that new cholera outbreaks have also been detected in the Amhara and Benishangul Gumuz regions, although consolidated and up-to-date figures remain unavailable.

https://erccportal.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ECHO-Products/Echo-Flash#/echo-flash-items/29711

#Ethiopia: Federal #Supreme Court #upholds lower court’s ruling granting bail to #Sheger_FM journalists

The Federal Supreme Court has upheld a ruling by the Federal High Court Lideta Criminal Bench granting the release on bail of Sheger FM journalists, who have been detained for more than two weeks on allegations of incitement-related crimes.


The court confirmed the decision allowing editor Tigist Zerihun and reporter Mintamer Tsegaw to be released on bail of 50,000 birr each. An objection filed by the Federal Police Criminal Investigation Bureau, which claimed the journalists might destroy evidence if released, was rejected.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52558

Hyena attack kills child in #Mekelle IDP shelter, sparks outrage

A hyena carried away and killed a young boy from an internally displaced persons (#IDP) shelter in Mekelle, displaced residents told local television on Thursday. The incident occurred in the early hours of September 23, when 1-year-and-4-month-old Naod Haileselassie was taken from his family’s residence in the 70 Square IDP center. His parents, displaced from Western #Tigray, have lived in the camp for nearly five years.

#Welkait Civil Society called the killing “a tragic consequence of displacement and stalled peace implementation,” urging the government to fully enact the Pretoria Agreement. Tsilal Civil Society of Western Tigray said the attack reflects a humanitarian crisis “ignored for too long,” appealing for immediate aid, real camp security, and lasting solutions.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52562

News: #Ethiopia, #Kenya sign 2nd Defense Cooperation Agreement in history covering intelligence sharing, joint exercises

Ethiopia and Kenya have signed a new Defense Cooperation Agreement (#DCA), more than six decades after the first such pact was concluded in 1963, the year Kenya gained independence.

Key timeline:

The signing of the DCA today follows a series of military engagements between the two countries in the past one year and half.

In Feb. 2024: the two top generals met in Nairobi, pledging to tackle cross-border security challenges including contraband, drugs & human trafficking.

In Nov 2024: Kenyan delegation visited Addis Abeba, agreeing to expand joint training & security ops.

In February 2025: Kenya launched Operation Ondoa Jangili in Marsabit & Isiolo to “crack down on alleged “OLA-linked hideouts.” However, OLA, denied involvement in the listed criminal activities.

Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=52570

#Somalia says no to #Egyptian and #Ethiopian peacekeepers clashing on its soil

There will be no "proxy war" between Egypt and Ethiopia on Somali soil, according to the country's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has said there is no possibility of Egyptian and Ethiopian peacekeepers clashing in his country, amid a bitter rivalry between the two regional heavyweights.

Egyptian troops are set to arrive in the nation soon as part of the African Union Somalia peacekeeping mission (AUSSOM), which also includes Ethiopian soldiers.

Egypt's participation in the new mission has angered Ethiopia, with the two countries locked in a long-running diplomatic dispute over the control of the Nile River waters.

Mohamud told the BBC that there will be no "proxy war" between Egypt and Ethiopia on Somali soil.

"Since the two countries' armies are not close to each other in Somalia, there is no chance of conflict," he said in an interview, adding that their troops would be stationed hundreds of kilometres apart.

"I see no reason why Egypt wants to disturb Ethiopia. I also see no reason why Ethiopia wants to disturb the Egyptian peacekeeping forces in Somalia," he added.

https://www.euronews.com/2025/09/24/somalia-says-no-to-egypt-ethiopia-peacekeeper-proxy-war-on-its-soil

Ruto’s presence at #Ethiopia dam launch sparks #Egypt’s frustration

Egypt has expressed frustration after President William Ruto attended the high-level launch of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), citing concerns that the event undermined ongoing negotiations over the Nile Basin waters.

Ambassador Hatem Yousri Hosni, Egypt’s envoy to Kenya, on Wednesday, September 24, said the construction of the dam violates international law and does not respect established legal frameworks.

While noting that Egypt respects the right of every Nile Basin country to benefit from the waters through electricity generation, he expressed disappointment that Kenya participated in the launch.

“We were frustrated that Kenya was represented at that event. No other country from the Basin was present only Kenya. Djibouti and Somalia are not part of the Nile Basin,” he said.

https://thekenyatimes.com/latest-kenya-times-news/egypt-ruto/

#Ethiopia: Sheger FM journalists released after more than 20 days in detention

Addis Abeba – #Sheger FM Radio announced that its journalists, editor Tigist Zerihun and reporter Mintamer Tsegaw, were released on 24 September 2025 after spending more than 20 days in detention.

Their release followed a ruling by the Federal Supreme Court’s Second Criminal Bench, which upheld an earlier decision of the Federal High Court, Lideta Division, granting the journalists bail set at 50,000 birr each. The court also dismissed an appeal by the Federal Police Crime Investigation Bureau that claimed the pair could tamper with evidence if freed.

According to Sheger FM, the two journalists were released in the afternoon of 24 September. They had been detained since 29 August, four days after broadcasting a report citing a Ministry of Health circular and featuring healthcare professionals’ demands for improved pay and benefits.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52584