"Power of Joy": new film on childbirth during #Ethiopia's civil war

A new documentary, Power of Joy, set for release on March 7, follows the story of Nigisty Gebregziabher, a woman from #Tigray who survived a life-threatening childbirth and now advocates for maternal health. The film explores the impact of Ethiopia’s civil war on maternal care, where conflict has worsened access to medical facilities.

Nigisty, married and pregnant at 15, endured obstructed labor at home for 12 hours. "The pain was unbearable," she recalls. She developed an obstetric fistula, a childbirth injury often linked to prolonged labor without medical help. According to the United Nations, 90% of fistula cases result in stillbirth. "I lost my baby and was treated like an outcast," she says. She later received treatment and now works to support other women.

Before the war, Healing Hands of Joy, a maternal health organization founded by filmmaker Allison Shigo, had reduced childbirth injuries in Ethiopia. "Cases had dropped to 50 per year," says country director Meselech Seyoum. The war, however, reversed progress. "Now, we see 50 cases per month," Shigo says. Health centers in Tigray were destroyed, forcing women to give birth in unsafe conditions. "We used stones to cut the umbilical cord," Nigisty recounts.

The war also led to widespread sexual violence, with reports of over 120,000 cases in Tigray. Miriam, a woman from #Afar, was kidnapped and assaulted for months. "They only took young women," she says. She developed fistula but lacked medical care for nearly two years. Healing Hands of Joy has resumed work in some areas, but insecurity continues to threaten maternal health. "When war reaches communities, women’s bodies become battlefields," says regional director Senait Tarekegn.

https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/power-joy-new-film-childbirth-during-ethiopias-civil-war

#Ethiopia: Six civil society groups in #Tigray demand action as Muslim students face 100 days of exclusion over hijab ban

Six civil society organizations in Tigray have urged authorities to enforce a court ruling allowing 159 Muslim students in #Axum to return to school after being barred for nearly 100 days over their hijab. Despite a decision by the Axum District Court on January 14 suspending the school’s hijab ban and warning of "irreversible rights violations," students have reportedly remained excluded, leading to demonstration in #Mekelle on January 21.

The organizations warned that the prolonged exclusion has caused "social and psychological harm" and accused school officials of defying legal orders. The Axum District Court issued a warrant on January 27 to detain officials who continued to deny students entry, stating that their actions "undermine the court’s authority." Civil society groups have called for immediate action to lift the ban, ensure accountability, and compensate students for their lost education.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48808

#Ethiopia: #IPI urges lawmakers to reject proposed media law amendments

The International Press Freedom (IPI) global network today joins journalists, media bodies, and civil society organizations in Ethiopia in condemning the grave risk to media freedom posed by amendments to the country’s media law. IPI strongly urged lawmakers to "reject the proposed amendments due to measures that weaken the independence of the media regulator", among other concerns.

“An independent regulatory body is indispensable to press freedom. Governments should therefore ensure the independence of media regulatory bodies, in line with their commitments to safeguard freedom of expression and media freedom as guaranteed under Article 19 of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,” Dr. Marystella Simiyu, IPI’s Africa Senior Legal Advocacy Officer, said.

https://ipi.media/ethiopia-ipi-urges-lawmakers-to-reject-proposed-media-law-amendments/

#Op_ed: A Pill Too Expensive: #Ethiopia’s struggle for accessible, affordable medicines

In this op-ed, Geabral Ashenafi Mulugeta, a critic with a deep interest in economics, examines the rising cost of medicines in Ethiopia and the broader challenges of pharmaceutical accessibility. The article highlights how the country's dependence on imports, supply chain inefficiencies, and economic policies contribute to escalating prices, making essential drugs increasingly unaffordable for many Ethiopians.

The piece notes that Ethiopia relies heavily on pharmaceutical imports from #India, #Turkey, and #China, with high logistics costs adding to medicine prices. According to the op-ed, "transport, customs duties, and supply chain delays increase the cost," making medicines more expensive for both wholesalers and consumers. The article further emphasizes the impact of Ethiopia’s poor infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, where "fuel price instability and transport bottlenecks lead to stockouts and price instability," limiting access to essential medicines.

Discussing government interventions, the writer acknowledges efforts to stabilize medicine prices, particularly through the Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals Supply Agency (EPSA), which provides subsidized medicines to public health centers. However, the op-ed points out that local pharmaceutical production remains in its infancy, facing "issues such as poor infrastructure, regulatory challenges, and low production capacity." While the government has prioritized domestic manufacturing, the article underscores that Ethiopia still depends largely on imports and must invest in efficient supply chains and public-private partnerships to ensure affordable medicine access for all.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48817

#Ethiopia PM Abiy to visit #Somalia On Thursday

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is set to visit Somalia on Thursday for discussions with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Somali presidential sources told AFP. The visit follows efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties after tensions over Ethiopia’s deal with #Somaliland.

"A high-profile delegation from Ethiopia led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is expected in Mogadishu tomorrow," a source in the Somali presidential palace said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The visit is "part of a broader effort to complete and implement the Ankara agreement," the source added, referring to the peace deal mediated by Turkey.

Tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia escalated after #Addis_Abeba signed a deal with Somaliland in January 2024, which Somaliland claimed would result in Ethiopia recognizing its independence in exchange for sea access.

https://www.barrons.com/news/ethiopia-pm-abiy-to-visit-somalia-on-thursday-f249336e?refsec=topics_afp-news

Death toll in #Sudan military plane crash rises to 46

The death toll from a Sudanese military plane crash in Omdurman, on the outskirts of the capital #Khartoum, has risen to at least 46, officials said on Wednesday. The Antonov aircraft crashed late Tuesday during takeoff from Wadi Seidna military airport in northern Omdurman. The crash, which sources attributed to "technical reasons," comes as the military makes gains in central Sudan and the capital against the Rapid Support Forces (#RSF).

The Khartoum Media Office said 10 others were injured, while the health ministry, which initially reported 19 deaths, stated that the aircraft "crashed over a civilian house" in the Karrari district. Major-General Bahr Ahmed, a senior commander in Khartoum, was reportedly among the dead. The military, confirming the deaths of both personnel and civilians, said firefighting teams had contained the blaze but did not specify the cause. However, military sources told Reuters that it was "most likely due to technical reasons."

The crash follows growing tensions in the war between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which began in April 2023. A day earlier, the RSF claimed responsibility for downing a Russian-made Ilyushin plane in Nyala, South Darfur. Meanwhile, #UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of "further escalation" after the RSF and its allies declared plans to form a parallel government in areas under their control.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/26/several-feared-killed-as-sudan-army-plane-crashes-near-capital-khartoum

#Ethiopia: #TPLF rejects claims of "secret talks" with #Eritrea, calls accusations “fabricated falsehoods”

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has rejected claims that its members and Tigray military forces engaged in “secret contact with the Eritrean government,” calling the allegations “completely untrue” and lacking “any supporting evidence.” The party accused Africa Intelligence, Oromia Media Network (#OMN), and unnamed Ethiopian government officials of spreading “fabricated falsehoods” aimed at undermining the Pretoria Agreement.

TPLF stated that “the people of Tigray, the Tigray military forces, and TPLF have no hidden desires beyond fully implementing the Pretoria Agreement” and accused unnamed actors of attempting to “confuse the public and the international community” instead of prioritizing the peace deal. The party also claimed that “the forces and people of Tigray have endured all kinds of injustices” since the agreement was signed but remain committed to peace despite “internal and external conspiracies.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48827

#Kenya sells $1.5 billion bond, extends debt maturity

Kenya sold $1.5 billion of 11-year notes as part of a debt swap aimed at extending its maturity profile. The 9.5% note was priced at 97.2 cents on the dollar and will yield 9.95%, according to a person familiar with the matter. Demand reached about $5 billion.

Proceeds will go toward funding a tender offer launched Monday involving a $900 million 7% note due 2027. The transaction is being handled by Citigroup Inc. and Standard Bank Group Ltd. Kenya has been restructuring its debt portfolio after coming under financial pressure last year. The country’s National Treasury has said it needs about $26 billion over the next decade to repay maturing foreign debt and another $1.5 billion annually for external interest payments.

This week’s bond sale and tender offer “was largely unexpected, especially given that the 2027 bonds were amortizing over three years and seen as a safer bet,” BancTrust & Co. said in a research note. “The decision to issue a new bond now would make sense particularly if the authorities are considering stepping away from a funded IMF program when the current comes to an end, which could lead to spread widening.”

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-26/kenya-offers-investors-10-5-yield-to-swap-to-longer-dated-debt

#Ethiopia: Kessem Sugar Factory announces mass layoffs affecting over 1,100 employees, sparking protests among workers already struggling with displacement due to earthquake

Kessem Sugar Factory has announced the termination of over 1,100 employees, citing significant damage caused by recent earthquakes in the Afar region. The factory’s management initially issued a notice on 18 February 2025 stating that contracts had been terminated but later revised the decision, informing workers they would receive a notice period of one to three months depending on their length of service. Workers, many of whom have been displaced by the seismic activities, expressed deep concern over the layoffs, stating that they were unprepared for the sudden decision.

Employees criticized the factory’s handling of the layoffs, arguing that alternative solutions should have been explored. Getahun Arsiicho, chairman of the Kessem Sugar Factory Workers’ Union, noted that other sugar factories facing operational challenges had implemented measures to support workers, while Kessem employees were given no such options. He emphasized that with access to "20,000 hectares of land, sufficient water, and a favorable climate," short-term farming opportunities could have been provided to sustain workers until operations resumed. The union has since reached out to relevant authorities, urging intervention to address the situation.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48821

#Ethiopia: War-torn #Amhara region officials seek $10 billion recovery funding amid ongoing crisis

High-level regional officials from Ethiopia’s war-torn Amhara regional state are seeking $10 billion in recovery funding as the region continued to grapple with the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict between government forces and the various factions of the #Fano armed groups, drought, and disease outbreaks. This was disclosed at a high-level meeting involving regional leaders and international partners aimed at assessing humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts in the region, according to the regional state communication bureau.

The regional state media quoted Dr. Tilahun Mehari, head of the regional finance bureau, as saying that “over $10 billion USD is required to restore critical infrastructure, which cannot be covered by the current federal budget allocation.” The forum is expected to produce detailed reports on the region’s current status and outline action plans to address both immediate and long-term recovery needs.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48836

#Ethiopia, #Somalia hail military agreement as "critical step" toward regional stability after PM Abiy's visit to #Mogadishu

Ethiopia and Somalia have welcomed a recent military understanding between their forces, calling it a “critical step” toward “enhancing security cooperation” and fostering regional stability. In a joint communiqué released after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Mogadishu, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and PM Abiy described the visit as reinforcing the “normalization of bilateral relations” and underscored their commitment to “building trust” through “stronger diplomatic, economic, and social cooperation.”

The renewed engagement follows months of diplomatic tensions, particularly over Ethiopia’s MoU with #Somaliland, which Somalia denounced as a “violation of its sovereignty.” However, relations improved after the #Ankara Declaration, mediated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, leading to Somalia’s approval of Ethiopia’s participation in the AU-led peacekeeping mission. The two sides also welcomed the launch of “technical talks in Ankara” and outlined plans for “strategic infrastructure projects” aimed at “economic integration, sustainable development, and stronger people-to-people ties.” On security, they reaffirmed their determination to “bolster cooperation” against “extremist militant groups” and advance regional stability.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48840

#Ethiopia to use Lamu Port in deal with #Kenya

The Port of Lamu is set for more activity following an agreement between Kenya and Ethiopia to facilitate cargo movement through the facility, President William Ruto has said. He noted that the deal would “create more jobs” and strengthen economic growth in the region.

“We have agreed with the Government of Ethiopia,” Ruto said, “to start using Lamu Port so that we can create more jobs and grow the economy of this region.” Speaking on Ndau Island, Lamu East Constituency, on Thursday, he emphasized that regional trade partnerships were key to fully utilizing the port.

The President added that he would soon host “regional leaders at the Port of Lamu,” which he described as “Kenya’s second-largest” after the Port of Mombasa. The port is a key component of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (#LAPSSET) Corridor, which has been under development since 2012. He also announced that “the first three modern berths” were now complete and ready for use. Additionally, he said the government had allocated KSh1.7 billion to compensate fisherfolk affected by the port’s construction.

https://www.kbc.co.ke/ethiopia-to-use-lamu-port-in-deal-with-kenya/

#Op_ed:Bridging Divides: Dual reality of progress, setback in #Ethiopia’s #Somali region

In his op-ed, Mukhtar Kariye, a financial planning analyst at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (MN DEED), reflects on his recent two-month visit to Ethiopia’s Somali region, where he observed “a complex tapestry of progress intertwined with persistent setbacks.” While infrastructure projects have expanded, he notes that economic hardship, governance issues, and humanitarian concerns continue to challenge sustainable development.

The article highlights the construction of roads linking previously isolated areas, such as the routes from Dhagaxle through Dhagax-madaw, Garbo, and Ceel-weyne. “New roads now connect cities that previously had no access,” Mukhtar writes, but he adds that these developments represent “only a small fraction of the broader landscape of needs.” Despite new schools and hospitals, he notes that “many are under-equipped and unable to serve the communities they were designed to help.” Water shortages remain severe, with most residents still relying on tanker deliveries despite the construction of wells and reservoirs.

Governance, Mukhtar argues, remains a critical issue. “Effective governance and accountability mechanisms are essential,” he writes, yet local administrations “often struggle with capacity and resources.” Clan-based politics further complicate the situation, sometimes overshadowing broader development efforts. As Ethiopia navigates its wider political and economic challenges, the op-ed underscores that “the Somali region’s story is one of resilience, struggle, and the urgent need for strategic intervention.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48851

#UN condemns #RSF's parallel government in #Sudan as 'hellscape' emerges

Members of the UN Security Council have condemned the formation of a parallel government by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allies in Sudan. A UN envoy told the council that "relentless conflicts" have turned the country into a "hellscape." The RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo (Hemeti), controls most of Darfur and parts of the south, while its ally, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), governs areas in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.

The United States representative, John Kelley, warned that establishing a government in RSF-controlled areas “risks a de facto partition of the country.” British Ambassador Barbara Woodward cautioned that "deepened divisions" could further destabilize Sudan and the region. Meanwhile, China's envoy, Fu Cong, stated that the move "increases the risks of Sudan’s fragmentation," while Algeria’s representative, Toufik Laid Koudri, called it “a dangerous step.”

The Security Council also emphasized the “imperative” need to preserve Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity. The Sudanese government accused Kenya of backing RSF and recalled its ambassador from Nairobi in protest.

https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20250227-un-condemns-rsf-s-parallel-government-in-sudan-as-hellscape-emerges

#UN warns of #Eritrean troops’ continued abuses in #Tigray amid impunity, cites “lack of political will” on rights violations in Eritrea

The United Nations has raised concerns over the continued presence of Eritrean troops in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, stating that they remain responsible for human rights abuses despite the 2022 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, which mandated their withdrawal. The UN also criticized the Eritrean government for its “lack of political will” to address past and ongoing rights violations.

Speaking at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council on 27 February, Ilze Brands-Kehris, Assistant Secretary-General at the UN Human Rights Office, said, “Our Office has credible information that the Eritrean Defence Forces remain in Tigray,” and continue to commit violations, including “abductions, rape, property looting, and arbitrary arrests.” She added that impunity persists in Eritrea, where authorities have not taken “credible steps to reform” the justice system or address concerns over “indefinite military service, enforced disappearances, and restrictions on freedoms.”

https://addisstandard.com/un-official-reports-lack-of-political-will-on-human-rights-violations-in-eritrea-cites-continued-abuses-by-eritrean-forces-in-tigray/

#Op_ed: Looming #Ethiopia-#Eritrea Tension: Is new cycle of armed conflict imminent?

In this op-ed, Negera Gudeta, a researcher specializing in security and migration in the Horn of Africa, examines the evolving dynamics between Ethiopia and Eritrea, assessing whether recent developments signal a return to armed confrontation. The piece contextualizes the historical fluctuations in #Addis_Abeba-#Asmara relations, highlighting both the cooperative moments and the persistent underlying tensions. While full-scale war remains unlikely for now, he warns that “we cannot rule out a minor skirmish around the border” given the rising hostility, diplomatic rifts, and geopolitical realignments.

The article discusses how the 2018 peace agreement, initially lauded as a breakthrough, was undermined by its exclusionary nature and lack of institutional backing. The author notes that the pact was “a highly personalized agreement driven by the two countries’ leaders without the involvement of key stakeholders,” making it fragile from the outset. The piece further argues that Eritrea’s role in the Tigray war, driven by long-standing grievances against the #TPLF, “exacerbated center-periphery tensions in Ethiopia” and fueled instability rather than fostering lasting peace. The author also highlights Eritrea’s growing alignment with Ethiopia’s regional adversaries, stating that “Asmara’s hosting of Somali and Egyptian leaders in October 2024 marked a complete reversal of the modest gains made by the 2018 truce.”

The article further explores the broader implications of Ethiopia-Eritrea tensions for the Horn of Africa, a region already grappling with multiple security crises. Negera warns that “the rising Addis Abeba-Asmara tension risks drawing in extra-regional actors, further complicating an already volatile landscape.” He suggests that Egypt, influenced by its GERD dispute with Ethiopia, “could throw its weight behind Eritrea” to counter Ethiopia’s push for port access, potentially escalating regional rivalries. The piece argues that proactive diplomatic engagement is critical to preventing further deterioration, emphasizing that “the international community must take all possible measures to contain escalation and avert another round of bloodshed.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48882

#Ethiopia: Minister says federal gov't aware of some #Tigray authorities’ “interactions with external forces,” calls it an act of “treason”

Abraham Belay (PhD), Minister of Irrigation and Lowlands, stated that the federal government is aware of all activities in the Tigray region, including "their interactions with external forces, their interests, intentions, and the ways they interact."

Speaking in an interview with state media, the minister said that regional authorities are not permitted to engage in diplomacy, negotiate agreements, or interact with foreign entities. "There is no greater crime than this, and it is considered an act of treason," he remarked.

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