This week’s news recap covers major developments across Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa — from regional security cooperation and shifting foreign military engagement to aviation updates, election developments, and human rights concerns.
Stay informed with the key stories that shaped the week.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKqUJNivGMg
Stay informed with the key stories that shaped the week.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKqUJNivGMg
YouTube
Ethiopia–Kenya Security Pact, Abiy on GERD Funds, Egypt’s Shadow War & US Military Shift in Somalia
This week’s recap covers major developments across the Ethiopia and Horn of Africa:
Ethiopia and Kenya strengthen security cooperation through their first joint defense committee meeting, focusing on counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, and regional…
Ethiopia and Kenya strengthen security cooperation through their first joint defense committee meeting, focusing on counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, and regional…
News: #Ethiopia accuses #Eritrea of territorial incursion, backing armed groups, demands troop withdrawal
Ethiopia has formally accused Eritrea of escalating military aggression by deploying troops deeper into Ethiopian territory and collaborating with armed groups operating along its borders, demanding the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean forces and an end to all support for rebel groups.
In a letter dated 7 February and addressed to Eritrean Foreign Minister #Osman_Saleh Mohammed, Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, #Gedion_Timothewos Hessebon, said Eritrean forces have, “for quite a considerable period,” occupied Ethiopian territory and provided material support to militant groups operating inside the country.
Gedion said repeated calls by Ethiopia to address what it describes as violations of its sovereignty and territorial integrity have gone unanswered.
According to the letter, recent developments signal a “further escalation,” including what....
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=55084
Ethiopia has formally accused Eritrea of escalating military aggression by deploying troops deeper into Ethiopian territory and collaborating with armed groups operating along its borders, demanding the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean forces and an end to all support for rebel groups.
In a letter dated 7 February and addressed to Eritrean Foreign Minister #Osman_Saleh Mohammed, Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, #Gedion_Timothewos Hessebon, said Eritrean forces have, “for quite a considerable period,” occupied Ethiopian territory and provided material support to militant groups operating inside the country.
Gedion said repeated calls by Ethiopia to address what it describes as violations of its sovereignty and territorial integrity have gone unanswered.
According to the letter, recent developments signal a “further escalation,” including what....
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=55084
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#UAE says welcomes #US-backed peace plan for #Sudan
The United Arab Emirates on Sunday said it welcomed a US-backed peace plan for the war in Sudan, where the Gulf country has repeatedly faced accusations of fuelling the devastating conflict.
Abu Dhabi "has welcomed the Comprehensive Peace Plan for Sudan announced by US senior advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos" the UAE's foreign ministry spokesperson wrote on X.
The Emirates asserted a commitment "to supporting regional and international efforts aimed at securing an immediate ceasefire" and "to working with the Quad", a grouping of the US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE that is mediating in Sudan.
On Tuesday, Boulos, who is the father-in-law of US President Donald Trump's daughter as well as a senior adviser, voiced "cautious optimism" on reaching a broader peace plan.
Speaking at a donors' conference for Sudan in Washington Boulos said the initiative would focus on five points, starting with a humanitarian truce and followed by the protection and return of civilians, a permanent ceasefire, a political transition and then reconstruction.
https://www.newarab.com/news/uae-says-welcomes-us-backed-peace-plan-sudan
The United Arab Emirates on Sunday said it welcomed a US-backed peace plan for the war in Sudan, where the Gulf country has repeatedly faced accusations of fuelling the devastating conflict.
Abu Dhabi "has welcomed the Comprehensive Peace Plan for Sudan announced by US senior advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos" the UAE's foreign ministry spokesperson wrote on X.
The Emirates asserted a commitment "to supporting regional and international efforts aimed at securing an immediate ceasefire" and "to working with the Quad", a grouping of the US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE that is mediating in Sudan.
On Tuesday, Boulos, who is the father-in-law of US President Donald Trump's daughter as well as a senior adviser, voiced "cautious optimism" on reaching a broader peace plan.
Speaking at a donors' conference for Sudan in Washington Boulos said the initiative would focus on five points, starting with a humanitarian truce and followed by the protection and return of civilians, a permanent ceasefire, a political transition and then reconstruction.
https://www.newarab.com/news/uae-says-welcomes-us-backed-peace-plan-sudan
The New Arab
UAE says welcomes US-backed peace plan for Sudan
The UAE welcomed a US-backed Sudan peace plan, pledging support for ceasefire efforts despite ongoing accusations it has fuelled the war.
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'Our children are next' fear #Kenyans as #drought wipes out livestock
In drought-hit northeastern Kenya, villagers have been forced to drag their dead livestock to distant fields for burning to keep the stench of death and scavenging hyenas away from their homes.
Mandera county along Kenya's borders with Ethiopia and Somalia has seen no rain since May and is now on the point of a full-blown water emergency.
"I have lost all my cows and goats, and burned them here," Bishar Maalim Mohammed, 60, a resident of Tawakal village, told AFP.
In his village, where most are pastoralists relying heavily on their animals, the only remaining bull can no longer stand. He has lain in the same spot for nearly a week, severely dehydrated with bones protruding through his skin, as his owner watches helplessly.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=55089
In drought-hit northeastern Kenya, villagers have been forced to drag their dead livestock to distant fields for burning to keep the stench of death and scavenging hyenas away from their homes.
Mandera county along Kenya's borders with Ethiopia and Somalia has seen no rain since May and is now on the point of a full-blown water emergency.
"I have lost all my cows and goats, and burned them here," Bishar Maalim Mohammed, 60, a resident of Tawakal village, told AFP.
In his village, where most are pastoralists relying heavily on their animals, the only remaining bull can no longer stand. He has lain in the same spot for nearly a week, severely dehydrated with bones protruding through his skin, as his owner watches helplessly.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=55089
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Residents report #phone, #internet #outages in #North_Shewa Zone, leaving families struggling to stay connected
Residents in several districts of North Shewa Zone of the #Oromia region say recent disruptions to mobile phone and internet services have left families unable to communicate, heightening concerns among civilians and students struggling to reach relatives in affected areas.
Residents who spoke to Addis Standard said the communication disruption began weeks ago and has made it difficult to obtain information about the safety and well-being of family members.
This is not the first time communication blackouts have affected the North Shewa Zone. In 2024, residents also reported data outages and network disruptions across parts of the zone in the Oromia region, with some saying the communication blackout persisted for nearly two months amid ongoing insurgency-related security concerns.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=55093
Residents in several districts of North Shewa Zone of the #Oromia region say recent disruptions to mobile phone and internet services have left families unable to communicate, heightening concerns among civilians and students struggling to reach relatives in affected areas.
Residents who spoke to Addis Standard said the communication disruption began weeks ago and has made it difficult to obtain information about the safety and well-being of family members.
This is not the first time communication blackouts have affected the North Shewa Zone. In 2024, residents also reported data outages and network disruptions across parts of the zone in the Oromia region, with some saying the communication blackout persisted for nearly two months amid ongoing insurgency-related security concerns.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=55093
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#Tribute: Professor Asmarom Legesse: Pioneer Scholar Who Illuminated the #Gadaa System to the World
Professor Asmarom Legesse, the Eritrean-born anthropologist who redefined African democratic discourse, passed away on January 31, 2026, aged 94. In this tribute, Teferi Tafa notes the Harvard-trained scholar "spent over half a century documenting the #Oromo Gadaa system, dismantling colonial myths that dismissed indigenous #African governance as primitive."
The author explains that Asmarom’s works revealed "a sophisticated constitutional order" featuring rotational leadership and term limits. He proved that Gadaa was "a highly developed system of checks and balances... that had governed Oromo society for centuries."
Tafa emphasizes that Asmarom’s legacy of "intellectual decolonization" establishes him as a hero to the Oromo and a titan of global anthropology.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=55081
Professor Asmarom Legesse, the Eritrean-born anthropologist who redefined African democratic discourse, passed away on January 31, 2026, aged 94. In this tribute, Teferi Tafa notes the Harvard-trained scholar "spent over half a century documenting the #Oromo Gadaa system, dismantling colonial myths that dismissed indigenous #African governance as primitive."
The author explains that Asmarom’s works revealed "a sophisticated constitutional order" featuring rotational leadership and term limits. He proved that Gadaa was "a highly developed system of checks and balances... that had governed Oromo society for centuries."
Tafa emphasizes that Asmarom’s legacy of "intellectual decolonization" establishes him as a hero to the Oromo and a titan of global anthropology.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=55081
#Eritrea rejects #Ethiopia’s accusations as “false and fabricated” amid rising diplomatic tensions
Eritrea has dismissed recent accusations by Ethiopia as “patently false and fabricated,” rejecting claims made by Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister and describing them as part of what it called a prolonged pattern of hostility toward Asmara.
In a statement issued Monday, 09 February 2026 Eritrea’s Ministry of Information said the accusations were “astounding in tone and substance” and questioned what it described as the underlying motivations behind the claims.
The statement characterized the allegations as “yet another deplorable act in a pattern and spiral of hostile campaigns against Eritrea for more than two years now.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=55101
Eritrea has dismissed recent accusations by Ethiopia as “patently false and fabricated,” rejecting claims made by Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister and describing them as part of what it called a prolonged pattern of hostility toward Asmara.
In a statement issued Monday, 09 February 2026 Eritrea’s Ministry of Information said the accusations were “astounding in tone and substance” and questioned what it described as the underlying motivations behind the claims.
The statement characterized the allegations as “yet another deplorable act in a pattern and spiral of hostile campaigns against Eritrea for more than two years now.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=55101
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#IGAD welcomes #Sudan’s return to regional bloc after two-year suspension
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has welcomed Sudan’s decision to resume full participation in the regional organization, describing the move as a step toward strengthening regional unity and cooperation.
In a statement issued today, IGAD said Sudan’s return reaffirms the bloc’s commitment to peace, stability, and collective action across the Horn of Africa and neighboring regions.
Sudan suspended its participation in IGAD in mid-January 2024, objecting to the bloc’s handling of its internal conflict.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=55103
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has welcomed Sudan’s decision to resume full participation in the regional organization, describing the move as a step toward strengthening regional unity and cooperation.
In a statement issued today, IGAD said Sudan’s return reaffirms the bloc’s commitment to peace, stability, and collective action across the Horn of Africa and neighboring regions.
Sudan suspended its participation in IGAD in mid-January 2024, objecting to the bloc’s handling of its internal conflict.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=55103
Residents allege hardship after #uncompensated displacement linked to #Bishoftu airport project; city administration #denies claims
Residents of Abu Sera say they are facing hardship after being displaced without compensation in connection with the Bishoftu International Airport construction project, claims rejected by the Bishoftu City Administration.
Residents who spoke to Addis Standard said they were displaced from the Abu Lugna area after their land was taken for the airport project but alleged they received neither compensation nor replacement housing they were told would be provided. The city administration, however, said it had not received such complaints.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=55097
Residents of Abu Sera say they are facing hardship after being displaced without compensation in connection with the Bishoftu International Airport construction project, claims rejected by the Bishoftu City Administration.
Residents who spoke to Addis Standard said they were displaced from the Abu Lugna area after their land was taken for the airport project but alleged they received neither compensation nor replacement housing they were told would be provided. The city administration, however, said it had not received such complaints.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=55097
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Religious leaders, civil society, #Tigray security bureau urge dialogue following reported clashes in southern Tigray
Religious leaders and community leaders from across Tigray, the Alliance of Civil Society Organizations of Tigray (ACSOT), and the Tigray Bureau of Peace and Security have renewed calls for dialogue and peaceful resolution as internal tensions among Tigrayan forces intensify.
Religious leaders representing multiple faiths and community leaders said they traveled to the Tigray–Afar border areas to meet leaders of an armed group operating in “Free Land,” aiming to mediate what they described as growing misunderstandings among Tigrayans through dialogue and mutual understanding. Speaking to a local broadcaster, the leaders said, although there was willingness for dialogue from all sides, planned discussions did not take place at the scheduled time and location.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=55115
Religious leaders and community leaders from across Tigray, the Alliance of Civil Society Organizations of Tigray (ACSOT), and the Tigray Bureau of Peace and Security have renewed calls for dialogue and peaceful resolution as internal tensions among Tigrayan forces intensify.
Religious leaders representing multiple faiths and community leaders said they traveled to the Tigray–Afar border areas to meet leaders of an armed group operating in “Free Land,” aiming to mediate what they described as growing misunderstandings among Tigrayans through dialogue and mutual understanding. Speaking to a local broadcaster, the leaders said, although there was willingness for dialogue from all sides, planned discussions did not take place at the scheduled time and location.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=55115