#Ethiopia: PM Abiy says zero torture cases in Ethiopia over 6 years, blames veteran politicians for ongoing conflicts

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated that "no individual has been subjected to torture in Ethiopia over the past six years" and attributed the ongoing conflicts in #Amhara and #Oromia, as well as the two-year war in the #Tigray region, to veteran politicians during his opening speech at the Prosperity Party's second general assembly in #Addis_Abeba.

PM Abiy characterized recent years as a period of growth, adding, "Whether you believe it or not, not a single person has been subjected to torture in Ethiopia over the past six years. We take pride in it."


He further criticized veteran politicians, accusing them of mishandling politics in the past and fueling current conflicts. "Those brewing these conflicts are the same ones who mishandled politics in the past," he stated.

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#Egypt FM holds talks with #Sudanese, #Djiboutian counterparts on bilateral ties, regional issues

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held separate talks in Cairo on Sunday with his Djiboutian and Sudanese counterparts, focusing on Red Sea security, #Somalia’s stability, and bilateral ties. Discussions included “linking Egyptian ports with Djibouti” and expanding logistics cooperation, while also addressing shared security concerns in the region.

In talks with Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sadiq Ali, Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to “restoring stability and peace” in Sudan while emphasizing “respect for Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.” The discussions also covered Sudan’s return to the African Union and water security, highlighting “the shared interests of both nations as Nile River downstream countries.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48314

#Russia allows #Ethiopia, others to trade currencies in its market, expands access to #African banks

The Russian government has expanded the list of countries whose banks can participate in currency trading within Russia, now allowing financial institutions from Ethiopia, #Nigeria, and #Tunisia, among others. The move aims to facilitate direct currency exchanges and address liquidity challenges amid Western sanctions, #Moscow announced on Sunday.

"The number of friendly and neutral countries whose credit institutions and brokers will be allowed to trade on the Russian foreign exchange market and the derivatives market has increased to 40," the government said in a statement. Newly added countries include "Argentina, Cambodia, Laos, Mexico, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Ethiopia."

Previously, only Russian residents could trade in the domestic foreign exchange market. However, limited access to national currencies reduced transaction volumes and affected the ruble’s exchange rate. The government said expanding participation would help "improve the efficiency of direct currency conversion" and facilitate payments in national currencies.

https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250202/russia-allows-more-african-banks-to-participate-in-currency-trading-in-russia-russian-government-1070461796.html

#Op_ed: A Tale of Two Militaries: Lessons from #USA for #Tigray’s Constitutional Crisis

In this op-ed, Bisrat Tessema examines the complex dynamics between civilian leadership and military power in Tigray, drawing parallels with the U.S. military’s response to political crises and the historical struggles within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (#TPLF). The author highlights the response of the United States Armed Forces to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, when the Joint Chiefs of Staff condemned the attack as “inconsistent with the rule of law” and “a direct assault on the U.S. Congress, the Capitol building, and our Constitutional process.” This, the op-ed notes, reaffirmed the military’s non-partisan nature, contrasting it with the role of the Tigray Security Forces (#TSF), formerly the Tigray Defense Forces (#TDF), which remain central to the region’s post-war political landscape.

The author argues that the legal framework in Tigray places security forces under the executive branch, but the Pretoria Agreement’s establishment of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration (TIRA) has created a “new political landscape” with no sovereign representative body overseeing state affairs. The TSF, emerging from what many Tigrayans view as a “genocidal war” waged by Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Amhara forces, holds significant influence. While rooted in popular support, this influence presents “challenges for establishing clear lines of civilian control” and risks “blurring the boundaries between civilian and military spheres of influence.”

The op-ed asserts that Tigray’s ongoing crisis is “at its core, a struggle for control of state power.” Internal divisions within the TPLF, particularly after the federal government refused to appoint the party’s chairman as TIRA president, have deepened political uncertainty. The author warns that such fragmentation could be “exploited to weaken Tigray’s leadership and compromise its autonomy.” Drawing from historical parallels, the op-ed recalls the factional struggle between Meles Zenawi and Seye Abraha within the TPLF, arguing that “without control of state power, a party faction risks political irrelevance.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=46515

#Ethiopia: Deadly clash in #Amhara’s West Gojjam Zone kills four; residents report 14-year-old boy, monk among victims

A violent clash between government forces and #Fano militants on 31 January 2025 in Jimat Enkokma Kebele, near Jiga town in Amhara’s West #Gojjam Zone, left four people dead, including a 14-year-old boy and a monk. Residents told Addis Standard that the violence erupted following “unusual movements by government security forces,” with one source claiming the military was “patrolling the area… inspecting stored grains and household food supplies under the pretext of a security operation.” The situation escalated when Fano militants “launched an attack,” leading to heavy fighting involving mortars.

Witnesses reported that the boy and the monk were killed by stray bullets, while “two other young men were taken from their homes and killed by government security forces.” The clashes also caused extensive damage to farmlands, with a resident stating, “mortar shelling caused widespread fires… fully grown teff crops and a significant portion of the maize harvest have been completely wiped out.” Several young men were reportedly detained following the incident, with Jiga town now under military control, while surrounding areas remain under the presence of Fano militants.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48322

Senior #ISIS terrorist surrenders to #Somalia’s #Puntland security forces

A senior member of the #ISIS (Daesh) group, Abdirahman Shirwac, also known as Lahoor, surrendered to security forces in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland state during an ongoing military operation, local authorities said Monday.

The Puntland security forces have been conducting operations against the group for over a month, securing areas in the Al Miskaad Mountains in the Barri region, according to officials.

Shirwac is "wanted for his involvement" in attacks in Bosaso, the provincial capital of the Bari region, local media reported. The Puntland Counterterrorism Operations, in a statement on X, described him as “a senior member of ISIS” who had “surrendered to Puntland Counter-Terrorism Operations Forces.”

His surrender follows recent US Africa Command (#AFRICOM) airstrikes in coordination with the Somali government. AFRICOM said the strikes targeted ISIS operatives in Somalia, resulting in multiple casualties.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/senior-isis-terrorist-surrenders-to-somalia-s-puntland-security-forces/3470638

#Ethiopia: PM Abiy calls on #Tigrayan elites to resolve differences peacefully, says “no gain from war”

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has called on Tigrayan elites to resolve their differences peacefully, stressing the importance of “peace, dialogue, and understanding” to ensure “the unity of the Tigrayan people.” He warned that continued political tensions risk prolonging the hardships faced by the region’s population, stating that Tigrayans are still “living in war rhetoric, fear, and terror,” which hinders their ability to “pursue their livelihoods and prosper.”

Amid escalating divisions within the Tigray People's Liberation Front (#TPLF), the Prime Minister urged Tigrayan elites to “declare that the price the people have paid so far is enough and that there is no gain from war.” His remarks come as tensions rise between factions led by Debretsion Gebremichael and Interim Administration President Getachew Reda, with recent developments seeing elements of the Tigray military forces aligning with one side, heightening concerns of further instability.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48326

#Kenya launches security operation targeting #OLA 'hideouts'; armed group denies criminal links

The National Police Service (NPS) of Kenya has launched ‘Operation Ondoa Jangili’ to "flush out hideouts" allegedly used by the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) in Marsabit and Isiolo counties. The operation aims to target "criminals conducting illegal operations," including "arms, drug and human trafficking, illegal mining," and "instigating tribal conflicts and kidnapping for ransom" in Sololo, Moyale, North Horr, and Merti sub-counties, according to a February 3 statement by the NPS.

OLA denied involvement in criminal activities, stating that it "fully respects Kenya’s sovereignty and territorial integrity." The group claimed that "over 95% of our Southern Command forces operate deep within Oromia" and that it is committed to "the safety and security of the Borana and other brotherly Kenyan communities." It also accused "high-ranking members of the Ethiopian government army and intelligence services" of facilitating illegal activities in the region and cautioned Kenyan authorities "not to be misled by Ethiopian officials."

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48331

#Switzerland ends aid to #Eritrea, cites asylum return refusal

Switzerland has decided to stop its development aid to Eritrea, citing frustrations over the African nation’s refusal to accept rejected asylum seekers, Swiss public broadcaster SRF reported. The decision follows an external evaluation that found "too little progress" in migration-related cooperation, a spokesperson for the Swiss foreign ministry said.

Michael Steiner, spokesperson for the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), stated that while "relations between Switzerland and Eritrea have improved" and vocational training programs have been strengthened, "no major progress had been made in the area of migration." Swiss authorities have been working to return rejected asylum seekers, but Eritrea "is not prepared to accept them," he added.

The aid, scheduled to be discontinued by the end of May, was cut independently of broader Swiss cost-cutting measures, SRF noted. The decision follows an external evaluation that found insufficient progress in migration-related agreements, a foreign ministry spokesperson told the broadcaster.

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-affairs/swiss-development-aid-for-eritrea-is-stopped/88816811

Ministry halts #US funded health staff payments; Civil Society Authority bars asset transfers by #USAID recipients

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has ordered health bureaus to stop all activities and payments related to employees hired under U.S. government budget support, following the termination of funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (#CDC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In a notice dated 31 January 2025, MoH stated that “any work or payment” under U.S. budget support “should cease” as of 24 January. The directive, sent to health bureaus in #Addis_Abeba and several regional states, applies to employees hired through agreements with U.S. funding agencies and supported by the Ministry.

This decision comes amid a broader freeze on U.S. foreign assistance under the Trump administration and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, affecting USAID’s humanitarian, development. The Authority for Civil Society Organizations (#ACSO) separately stated on 4 February that USAID had instructed partner organizations not to “transfer, dispose of, or sell property” outside of “regular or project work” without permission, warning of “appropriate action” against violations. ACSO added that it is “closely monitoring the situation” and will provide “necessary support and follow-up” based on developments.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48343

#Uganda starts clinical trial to combat #Sudan strain of #Ebola

Uganda has begun a clinical trial for a vaccine against the Sudan strain of Ebola, days after confirming an outbreak that resulted in the death of a nurse in the capital, Kampala. The World Health Organization (#WHO) announced that the trial, which started on February 3, prioritizes healthcare workers and others at high risk of exposure.

“This vaccination trial was initiated with record speed,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on X. The outbreak, the sixth of its kind in Uganda, has already seen two additional cases in relatives of the first victim. Unlike other Ebola strains, the Sudan variant has no approved vaccine, though a system for candidate vaccines was set up after a 2022 outbreak in the country.

The trial follows a “ring” vaccination approach, where doses are first administered to contacts of confirmed Ebola patients and their contacts. The WHO noted that “the first ring defined Monday involved 40 direct contacts” of the deceased health worker. Ebola spreads through human-to-human transmission via body fluids, causing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, bleeding, and diarrhea.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/4/uganda-starts-clinical-trial-to-combat-sudan-strain-of-ebola

#Ethiopia: Gold Rush Gone Toxic: Illegal mining in #Tigray endangers lives, environment as authorities turn a blind eye to cyanide and mercury use

Illegal gold mining in Tigray’s Northwestern Zone has led to widespread environmental damage and health risks, as miners increasingly use toxic chemicals such as mercury and cyanide. Residents of Asgede district, one of the most affected areas, say contaminated water sources have harmed livestock and posed serious risks to human health, while authorities have failed to intervene.

A farmer from Asgede told Addis Standard that "the land is being permanently rendered infertile" due to chemical contamination, with livestock deaths and illnesses affecting the community. He also claimed that local administrators and security forces have responded to concerns with repression, saying, "When we request authorities to ban the use of harmful chemicals, they warn us and sometimes arrest us."

Tadele Mengistu, a cabinet member of the Tigray Interim Administration, confirmed that mercury use in mining has resulted in "widespread contamination," with rivers polluted and livestock dying. He further noted that despite an order from the regional cabinet to halt mining activities, enforcement has been ineffective due to political instability. "These operations persist, primarily due to political instability, which has obstructed enforcement efforts," he stated.

https://addisstandard.com/gold-rush-gone-toxic-illegal-mining-in-tigray-endangers-lives-environment-as-authorities-turn-a-blind-eye-to-cyanide-and-mercury-use/

#Lucy’s remains to be displayed in #Europe for the first time, #Prague museum to host exhibition

The fossilized remains of Lucy, the 3.18-million-year-old Australopithecus afarensis discovered in Ethiopia, will be displayed in Europe for the first time at Prague’s National Museum, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on Tuesday. “Lucy’s skeletal remains will be displayed in Europe for the first time ever,” Fiala stated, confirming Ethiopia’s decision to loan the remains for the two-month “Human Origins and Fossils” exhibition starting August 25.

Ethiopia’s National Museum has rarely allowed Lucy’s remains to leave the country, with the last international tour taking place between 2007 and 2013 in the United States. The remains, which include “fossilized dental remains, skull fragments, parts of the pelvis and femur,” will be presented alongside Selam, the fossilized remains of a baby Australopithecus found in Ethiopia 100,000 years before Lucy.

Ethiopian Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa described the display as a “historic exhibition” that would provide “tourists and researchers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these priceless fossils first-hand.” Lucy’s discovery in 1974 was considered groundbreaking, significantly enhancing the understanding of early human evolution. However, later findings—including the 1994 discovery of Ardi, a 4.5-million-year-old Ardipithecus ramidus—have reshaped theories about humanity’s oldest ancestors.

https://phys.org/news/2025-02-prague-museum-host-european-display.html#google_vignette

#Ethiopia: A series of earthquakes have affected Ethiopia's #Afar, #Amhara, and #Oromia regions, impacting 90,000 people, the World Health Organization (#WHO) Ethiopia said. According to the report, while no fatalities have been recorded, two people sustained injuries.

Authorities have evacuated over 75,000 people from high-risk areas, with 55,000 relocated in Afar and 20,000 in Oromia, the report added. The ongoing seismic activity has also damaged nine health facilities, and humanitarian efforts are underway.

Since September, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has recorded around 261 earthquakes, mainly concentrated in the Fantale area, part of the Main Ethiopian Rift Valley. The tremors have led to the collapse of homes, displacing thousands of residents.

#NISS says #Kenya’s security operation coordinated with #Ethiopia, targets “#OLA camps”

Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) said Kenya’s security operation against the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) is being conducted in coordination with Ethiopian forces, targeting what it described as “OLA camps” along their shared border. The agency stated that the operation follows discussions between senior security officials, including its Director General, Ambassador Redwan Hussein, and Kenya’s National Intelligence Service Director General, Noordin Mohamed Haji, aimed at strengthening “regional security and intelligence cooperation.”

Kenya’s National Police Service (NPS) launched the operation, dubbed ‘Operation Ondoa Jangili,’ on February 3, targeting what it called “criminals conducting illegal operations” in Marsabit and Isiolo counties. OLA, however, denied involvement in criminal activities, asserting that it “fully respects Kenya’s sovereignty” and that “over 95% of our Southern Command forces operate deep within Oromia.” NISS, in contrast, described OLA as a “national security threat,” accusing the group of engaging in “illegal weapons trade, human and mineral trafficking,” and “inciting ethnic violence.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48354

#Ethiopia: Is #Tigray on the brink of a fresh conflict?

Rising political tensions within the Tigray People's Liberation Front (#TPLF) are fueling fears of renewed conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region as the region recovers from a two-year war, residents say. The power struggle between TPLF’s leadership and the Tigray Interim Regional Administration (#TIRA) has intensified, raising concerns about security and stability.

"There’s great fear here in Tigray," said Meresa Giday, a resident of Mekelle. Another resident, who requested anonymity, added, "The political conflicts here are not helping us, they are putting us all at risk." The crisis has also exacerbated economic hardships, with fuel shortages and soaring food prices worsening living conditions.

The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has set a February 9 deadline for the TPLF to hold a formal party congress. Failure to comply could strip the party of its legal status, potentially deepening the political divide. Gerrit Kurtz, a researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, observed, "The power struggle within the TPLF is gaining momentum… it is becoming increasingly likely that violence will be used."

Observers suggest Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government may benefit from the division within Tigray, with some accusing federal authorities of employing a "divide and rule" strategy. Political scientist Jona Thiel cautioned that tensions could spill over regionally, stating, "A renewed escalation cannot be ruled out, possibly even involving external actors such as Eritrea or Sudan."

https://www.dw.com/en/ethiopia-is-tigray-on-the-brink-of-a-fresh-conflict/a-71510152

U.S. aid suspension jeopardizes #Ethiopia’s fight against HIV, putting over a quarter-million beneficiaries at risk, warns #UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has warned that the suspension of U.S. foreign assistance to Ethiopia’s HIV response will have “particularly severe” consequences for over 270,000 beneficiaries in Oromia, Gambella, and Addis Abeba. The funding freeze affects community programs and drop-in centers serving high-risk groups, leaving “tens of thousands” without access to critical services such as HIV testing, antiretroviral treatment, and screenings for tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections. UNAIDS also highlighted that the closure of drop-in centers and the termination of outreach workers and peer educators will “effectively shut off support to vulnerable groups.”

The aid suspension follows a 90-day freeze on foreign aid disbursements ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump on 20 January 2025, with a stop-work order halting existing grants and contracts. Although Secretary of State Marco Rubio later issued an emergency waiver for “life-saving humanitarian assistance,” UNAIDS stated that Ethiopia’s Health Information System has been “severely” affected by the termination of 10,000 data clerks, compromising HIV patient tracking. The Ministry of Health has since directed regional health bureaus to suspend all U.S.-funded activities, impacting nearly 5,000 workers and delaying the supply of essential HIV services.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48361

#Puntland forces seize boat carrying illegal weapons

Security forces in Somalia's Puntland State say they have intercepted a boat transporting "military uniforms and equipment," days after a U.S. airstrike targeted ISIS hideouts in the region.

According to Puntland authorities, the vessel was seized Monday night off the coast of the Qaw area in Bari region, about 1,600km northeast of Mogadishu. The Puntland Counter-Terrorism Task Force stated that "the boat and the sailors are now under investigation regarding the intended recipients of the military supplies." Officials said the boat was manned by Somali nationals, but the destination of the supplies remains unclear.

The seizure follows intensified operations against IS-affiliated militants in Puntland, particularly in the Golis mountains. Puntland forces, known locally as the Dervish, have been engaged in ongoing ground operations, with the recent U.S. airstrike described as "part of a coordinated effort to degrade IS capacity in the area."

https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/puntland-forces-seize-boat-carrying-illegal-weapons-4913972

#Ethiopia: #TPLF affirms peace as "foremost choice" of #Tigray following PM Abiy's remarks

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has reiterated that “the foremost choice of the people of Tigray and its leadership is peace,” following Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s recent remarks urging Tigrayan elites to resolve their differences through “peace, dialogue, and understanding.” The TPLF emphasized that past conflicts involving the people of Tigray were fought “to ensure their survival and not to give in to oppression,” asserting that their struggles were for “sovereignty, freedom, and dignity.” However, the party insisted that this does not mean the people of Tigray “have a culture of war.”

The TPLF reaffirmed its commitment to the Pretoria Peace Agreement, which it said “stopped the genocidal war” against Tigray, but criticized its lack of implementation, stating that “the Pretoria Peace Agreement has not been implemented, it has not been implemented on the ground.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48367

#Washington using #Nile dam dispute to pressure #Egypt into accepting #Gaza expulsion plan

A senior Trump administration official met with Egyptian leaders in Cairo last week to discuss a plan for the "relocation of Palestinians from Gaza," with the United States reportedly using Egypt’s "water security crisis as leverage" to push for the proposal, according to The New Arab's Arabic language edition Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

During the visit, the U.S. official held separate meetings with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and General Intelligence Chief Hassan Rashad, discussing both the "controversial displacement plan" and the ongoing dispute over Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam (#GERD). Sources cited by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed indicated that "U.S. involvement in resolving the dam crisis" was suggested as being conditional on "Egypt's cooperation" with the relocation proposal.

Egyptian officials reportedly "firmly rejected" U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Gaza should be "cleaned out," with its population moved to neighboring countries. Officials expressed concerns over the "significant challenges and consequences" of the plan while emphasizing its "difficulty of implementation." The U.S. envoy also engaged with political figures to assess whether public protests against the plan reflected "broader anti-U.S. sentiment" or were focused solely on the displacement issue.

A senior Egyptian diplomatic source said Cairo’s ability to "counter Trump's plan" would be difficult without "broader Arab support." While Egyptian officials reiterated openness to "alternative solutions" that ensure Israel's security without "forcible displacement."

https://www.newarab.com/news/exclusive-us-uses-egypt-dam-dispute-push-gaza-expulsion-plan

#Ethiopia: #Bahir_Dar University renames surgical ward in memory of slain surgeon, calls for justice

Bahir Dar University’s senate has renamed the surgical ward at Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital after Dr. Andualem Dagne, a 37-year-old surgeon who was shot and killed on February 1, 2025. The university described him as “an exemplary professional” who “selflessly used his talents” to train healthcare workers and treat patients. It noted that he had “declined many international job offers” to serve in Ethiopia and performed the first surgery at Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital while working to improve its surgical department.

Dr. Andualem, who was the Director of Surgery at Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital, was shot by armed individuals while traveling home from work. Commander Walelign Bimrew, head of the Bahir Dar City Police Department, told Voice of America that the attack occurred in the “Koshe” area of Sebatamit neighborhood as he was heading to his residence within the hospital compound. The university urged authorities to “conduct proper and thorough investigations” and “bring those responsible to justice promptly.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48372