#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.

Watch!

#Somalia weighs Indian Ocean port access for neighboring #Ethiopia

Somalia may grant landlocked Ethiopia access to a port on the Indian Ocean, as both nations seek to resolve a dispute over #Addis_Abeba’s push for a direct trade route to the sea.

The two countries are holding talks and aim to finalize a framework agreement by June, Somalia’s state minister for foreign affairs, Ali Mohamed Omar, told Universal TV in an interview on Thursday. “That framework will determine which type of port to offer, the exact area in the Indian Ocean, and the overall cost of it,” Omar said. His remarks followed discussions between Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in #Mogadishu.

The talks come as both sides seek to ease tensions that escalated in January 2024, when Abiy announced plans for an agreement with #Somaliland—territory over which Somalia claims sovereignty—for port access and a military base in exchange for an unspecified stake in Ethiopian Airlines.

Pm Abiy and Mohamud previously agreed to resolve their dispute following mediation led by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in December.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-28/somalia-weighs-indian-ocean-port-access-for-neighboring-ethiopia

#Ethiopia: #Axum court dismisses case against schools over hijab ban; students and advocates decry rights violations, citing lack of legal recourse

The Axum District Court has closed the case against schools accused of barring Muslim female students from wearing hijabs, ruling that it should be resolved through “mediation or administrative proceedings” and stating it has “no authority” to escalate the matter. The #Tigray Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, which brought the case to court, said the decision followed the removal of a judge who had previously suspended the hijab ban. “The judge who issued the directive allowing students to wear their hijabs was replaced,” said Haji Mohammed Kahsay, Secretary of The Tigray Islamic Affairs Supreme Council.

Despite the court’s earlier decision suspending the ban, students report that they remain “unable to attend classes,” while community members and civil society organizations in Tigray say their calls for enforcement have been ignored. A student preparing for national exams said, “Despite the decision to allow our return to school, no one has enforced the rule here in Axum.” Some students also reported arrests and mistreatment, with one stating that police detained “around 20 female students” who attempted to enter school premises and that those taken into custody were “physically assaulted at the police station.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48894

#Ethiopia: New cholera outbreak in #Amhara’s #Qwara district claims five lives in two months; 270 cases reported since January

A cholera outbreak in Qwara district, West Gondar Zone of Ethiopia’s Amhara region, has claimed five lives in two months, with 270 cases reported since early January, according to the International Medical Corps. The organization noted that the district has faced “recurrent cholera outbreaks,” with the first recorded case in July 2023 at the Bermil St. George Holy Water site. The latest outbreak, which began on 03 January 2025, led to 181 cases being recorded at the Bermil cholera treatment center within the first week of the year.

Belay Bezabih, Director General of the Amhara Public Health Institute, confirmed the resurgence of the outbreak and described it as a “significant concern.” He warned that poor sanitation, a lack of clean drinking water, and the movement of people into the region “could further exacerbate the spread” of the disease. The International Medical Corps stated that it is working with local authorities and zonal health offices to provide “health and WASH interventions” at two cholera treatment centers in Qwara.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48886

#Ethiopia: Minister admits presence of #Eritrean forces in #Tigray, accuses Tigray authorities of leaving areas unguarded

Abraham Belay (PhD), Minister of Irrigation and Lowlands, acknowledged the presence of Eritrean forces in Tigray, stating, "I agree that Shabia should withdraw from our borders 100 percent." He emphasized that the Pretoria Agreement mandated the removal of all external forces except for Ethiopia's National Defense Forces.

However, he accused Tigray authorities of failing to secure the border. "They left the border areas open. The Shabia forces come and go because the border is open, not because they control it," he stated.

Abraham reiterated that local security should be handled by Tigray’s own forces until federal troops return.

Watch

#Egypt rejects attempts to form ‘parallel government’ in #Sudan

Egypt has rejected efforts to establish a "parallel government" in Sudan, warning that such moves could undermine the country’s sovereignty and worsen the ongoing crisis. In a statement on Sunday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry expressed its opposition to "any attempts that threaten the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Sudan," including political initiatives aimed at forming an alternative administration.

The statement further cautioned that such efforts "complicate the situation in Sudan, hinder ongoing attempts to unify Sudanese political forces, and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis." Cairo also called on all Sudanese factions to "prioritize the country’s national interest and engage positively in launching an inclusive political process without exclusion or external interference."

The remarks follow a Feb. 22 agreement in Nairobi, #Kenya, where the Rapid Support Forces (#RSF), along with Sudanese political and armed groups, signed a political charter to form a rival government. Sudan’s government condemned Kenya’s role, recalling its ambassador in protest. Kenya, however, defended its involvement, stating it was working with the UN and the African Union to help resolve the war, which has killed over 20,000 people and displaced millions since April 2023.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/egypt-rejects-attempts-to-form-parallel-government-in-sudan/3497501

#Opinion: Ethics of Performative Charity: Giving with dignity, not spectacle

In this opinion piece, Demessie Girma, a technologist and writer, examines what he describes as the ethical concerns surrounding "performative charity"—a growing trend where acts of giving are turned into social media spectacles. The writer argues that while charitable acts are commendable, the increasing monetization of such gestures, often at the expense of the recipient’s dignity, raises important moral questions. “Performative charity often reduces acts of kindness to mere content, where the suffering of the needy is showcased for personal gain,” he writes, adding that this turns “what should be acts of compassion into digital spectacles designed to harvest engagement.”

The piece explores how social media platforms, particularly #TikTok, have enabled individuals to build personal brands through content centered on public displays of generosity. According to the piece, some social media personalities selectively provide financial aid to vulnerable individuals, recording their emotional reactions for online engagement. The writer contends that such acts not only create a power imbalance but also shift focus from systemic solutions to poverty toward individual acts of publicized giving. “Instead of addressing the root causes of poverty, these publicized gestures imply that individual generosity—rather than structural reforms—is the solution,” he argues.

Citing specific examples, the article discusses cases ranging from an international TikToker hiding money in old sneakers to Ethiopian influencers presenting cash-filled briefcases to those in need—often under conditions that reinforce dependency rather than empowerment. “True generosity does not seek an audience,” the writer asserts, emphasizing that ethical giving should prioritize “the dignity of recipients over personal recognition.” The piece underscores the importance of anonymous giving, systemic support, and respect for recipients’ privacy, concluding that “real charity does not seek applause; it seeks impact.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48902

#Puntland forces seize #ISIS headquarters in mountains

Puntland security forces have taken control of what they describe as a key base of ISIS-affiliated militants in Somalia, the counterterrorism centre said in a statement. The centre called the operation part of broader efforts to weaken the group's presence in the region.

For three months, Puntland forces have conducted operations independently of federal authorities, though they have at times received airstrike support from the US Africa Command and the United Arab Emirates. The operations reportedly led to the death of Ahmed Maeleninine, whom Puntland officials identified as a "key ISIS recruiter, financier, and external operations leader" linked to activities beyond Somalia.

According to Puntland forces, they discovered "concrete-built houses" in Buqa-Caleed, Cal-Miskaad mountains, which they said served as a "major headquarters" for the group. The site included "offices and meeting rooms," as well as "two burnt vehicles and other equipment," the counterterrorism centre reported. Puntland officials say they are advancing into remaining militant-held areas, emphasizing that operations will continue "with or without Mogadishu's support."

https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somalia-puntland-forces-seize-isis-headquarters-in-mountains

#Ethiopian Electric Utility reports over 50 million Birr loss due to theft, damages; 22 employees penalized

The Ethiopian Electric Utility (#EEU) reported a loss of 50.2 million Birr over the past seven months due to theft and infrastructure damage. The institution stated that power and transformer theft, electric line damage, and cable looting were among the primary causes. It also claimed that in some instances, “employees were prevented from carrying out their duties.” EEU recorded 163 cases of power and infrastructure theft, with 11 cases leading to court verdicts. Thirteen defendants received prison sentences ranging from two months to 10 years, along with fines of up to 50,000 Birr.

EEU further reported that over 80 kilometers of conductor wire cable and 25.7 kilometers of optical fiber line were looted within ten days along the Metehara–Train Traction Station One route. Meanwhile, the institution stated that it had taken “administrative action” against 22 employees, including three who received written warnings and 19 who faced salary deductions, following corruption and malpractice reports submitted by customers.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48915