#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

#Saudi border forces accused of killing ‘hundreds of #Ethiopian migrants’

Saudi Arabian border forces have been accused of killing “hundreds” of Ethiopian migrants attempting to cross from Yemen between 2019 and 2024, according to testimonies gathered by The Guardian and findings from Human Rights Watch (HRW). Witnesses described being fired upon with machine guns and explosive weapons, while others recounted cases of sexual violence and physical assault.

An Ethiopian migrant who attempted the journey in 2022 said he saw three people die next to him. “One of my legs was blown away by the Saudi fire,” he said. “There were body parts of the injured and the dead all around me.” Another migrant described seeing decomposing bodies along the border in January 2023, stating that some had been eaten by animals. HRW’s August 2023 report concluded that Saudi forces killed “hundreds” of Ethiopian migrants and asylum seekers between March 2022 and June 2023 in what it described as a “widespread and systematic” pattern. The organization stated that these killings may amount to crimes against humanity.

Saudi Arabia, which hosts about 750,000 Ethiopian migrants, has intensified security operations in recent years to detain and deport undocumented migrants. Many of those attempting the dangerous journey are fleeing poverty, conflict, and climate-related crises in Ethiopia. The UN reported a 32% increase in the number of Ethiopians taking this route in 2022-2023, reaching 96,670. In December 2024, one migrant described Saudi border forces using machine guns and artillery to push him and ten others back into Yemen, wounding one.

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/feb/28/saudi-border-forces-accused-of-killing-hundreds-of-ethiopian-migrants

#Op_ed: #Wollega Under Siege: Unraveling layers of violence, displacement in Western #Oromia

In this op-ed, Asebe Regassa, a senior research fellow at the University of Zurich, and Gemechu Abeshu, a research fellow at York University, examine the ongoing violence in Western Oromia, particularly in the East Wollega and Horo Guduru Wollega zones. The writers argue that “both the Ethiopian government and its auxiliaries have collectively punished the people of East and Horo Guduru Wollega over the past five years.” The piece frames the crisis through the concepts of “necropolitics” and “generalized violence.” Necropolitics, they explain, refers to how “governments (dictatorial regimes) and armed groups allied with them decide selectively who lives and who dies, using force to maintain control,” while generalized violence is described as “the use of force to punish entire communities.”

The article traces the history of Amhara settlement in Wollega, linking the current violence to resettlement waves that began during the reign of Emperor Menelik II and continued through successive regimes. The writers state that although “the inter-group relations between Amhara settlers and native Oromo inhabitants have been peaceful to a larger extent, Amhara settlers eventually resorted to violence against the host community as a means of territorial expansion and to achieve political goals.” The piece describes Fano’s expansion into Western Oromia as being driven by an “ideology of establishing ‘Greater Amhara’—an expansionist belief that claims parts of Wollega as historically Amhara land.” It further asserts that the government initially “supported (and armed) Fano during the war in Tigray and also to fight the OLA” but that the relationship has since deteriorated, leading to Fano’s independent operations in the region.

The op-ed calls for urgent intervention from the federal and Oromia regional governments to curb the escalating violence and protect civilians. The writers urge Oromo political organizations and movements to “unite in their efforts to defend Oromia’s territorial integrity and protect its population.” They also call for the disarmament of Amhara militias and the removal of Fano forces from the region, warning that “unless the situation is curbed through a meaningful security mechanism that would ensure future peace in the region, there is no doubt that high-level inter-group violence will break out with broader ramifications.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48909

#Ethiopia: #EHRC announces lifting of suspension on four rights groups, cites “successful” advocacy efforts

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said the Authority for Civil Society Organizations (#ACSO) has lifted the suspension of four civil society organizations (CSOs), following what it described as “successful” advocacy efforts. EHRC stated that it had “continued to engage ACSO, relevant government authorities, and the four CSOs” to push for the decision, while commending all parties involved for their “commitment to dialogue.”

The suspensions, initially imposed in November 2024 over allegations of acting against the “national interest” and lacking “political neutrality,” had affected the Center for the Advancement of Rights and Democracy (#CARD), the Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (#AHRE), and Lawyers for Human Rights (#LHR). Although ACSO lifted them the following month, it later suspended CARD and LHR again in December, alongside the Ethiopian Human Rights Council (#EHRCO) and the Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders Center (#EHRDC), citing concerns that they had “deviated from their founding objectives.” EHRC, under its new Chief Commissioner Berhanu Adello, welcomed the resolution and called for prioritizing “dialogue” in addressing such matters.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48923

#Ethiopia: "It is only a matter of time before we become a member of Red Sea Community"—Field Marshal Berhanu Jula

Field Marshal Berhanu Jula, Chief of General Staff of the Ethiopian Armed Forces, said Ethiopia’s lack of access to the sea is “unjust” and that the demand for access is now “recognized as a just question in the international community.” Speaking at the 129th anniversary of the #Adwa Victory celebration on 2 March 2025 in #Addis_Abeba, he stated, "It is only a matter of time before we become a member of the #Red_Sea community."

Field Marshal Berhanu also highlighted the military’s ongoing modernization. "We are not preparing for minor disturbances; we are preparing to defend against external aggression," he said. He reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to securing its national interests through peaceful means, adding, "We are building an army that not only defends against aggression but also deters the enemy."

Watch!

#Ethiopia’s IDPs at 3.3 million, conflict remains main driver

Ethiopia has over 3.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), with conflict cited as the primary cause, recent data shows.

Displacement has remained high over the years, peaking at 4.5 million in 2021 amid intensified wars in #Tigray, #Amhara, and #Afar regions. The number dropped to 3.1 million in 2022 but rose again to 4.4 million in 2023 before declining slightly to 3.3 million in 2024.

As of May 2024, the #Somali Region had the highest number of IDPs at 1,093,745, followed by #Oromia (881,984), Tigray (878,325), Amhara (174,608), and Afar (81,791).

Conflict remains the leading cause of displacement, accounting for 69% of cases, while drought contributed 16%, social tensions 8%, and climate-related factors 6%.

#Ethiopia: Ambush on sesame-laden trucks traveling from #Gondar to #Bahir_Dar leaves one dead, several vehicles destroyed

An ambush targeting trucks transporting sesame from Gondar to Bahir Dar in crisis-hit #Amhara regional state last week resulted in the death of one driver and the burning of more than six vehicles, residents told Addis Standard. The attack occurred in the Tara Gedam area of the South Gondar Zone at around 3:00 AM on Friday, 28 February, 2025, according to a resident who requested anonymity for security reasons.

“The sesame-laden trucks, which were traveling under military escort, were caught in the crossfire between government security forces and #Fano militants,” the resident said. Another resident confirmed the attack, stating that “the trucks carrying sesame were the ones that were set on fire.” In a 03 March press briefing, Desalegn Tassew, head of the Amhara Peace and Security Bureau, attributed the attack to “extremists” and said six trucks were destroyed, though security forces intervened to prevent further damage.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48935

More than 200 children, some as young as one, raped in #Sudan, #UNICEF says

More than 200 children, including infants, have been raped in Sudan since early 2024, according to a report by the United Nations children’s agency (UNICEF). The report, released on Tuesday, states that at least 221 children, including boys, were victims of rape by armed men, based on data from gender-based violence service providers.

The report indicates that “rape is being used as a tactic of war,” violating international law and protections for children. UNICEF documented additional cases of sexual violence, including attempted rape, bringing the total number of reported assaults against children to nearly 300. The cases were recorded in multiple states, including #Khartoum, South Kordofan, North Darfur, and West Darfur.

“In a culture of really serious social stigma and at a time when access to services has been severely hampered, the fact that this group came forward tells us that it is only a small sample,” said UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram, adding that the known cases likely represent just “the tip of the iceberg.” Many survivors, she said, face severe physical and psychological trauma, with some attempting suicide.

UNICEF urged Sudan’s warring parties to uphold their obligations under international law to protect civilians, particularly children. “Children as young as one being raped by armed men should shock anyone to their core and compel immediate action,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/4/more-than-200-children-some-as-young-as-one-raped-in-sudan-unicef-says

#Ethiopia: #Somali Federalist Party calls for accountability, cites “widespread corruption”, unfinished projects in Somali region

The Somali Federalist Party has called for accountability in the Somali region, citing “widespread corruption” and governance failures that have left infrastructure projects unfinished, basic services inaccessible, and the cost of living soaring. In a statement, the party claimed that “large sums allocated for development initiatives are either misused or left unaccounted for,” involving officials at multiple levels, from “bureau heads and finance officers to high-ranking leaders.” It alleged that public funds have been lost through “non-competitive contract awards, inflated costs, and outright embezzlement.”

The party pointed to several stalled projects, stating that despite a 520-million-birr allocation for a water project in Kebri Dehar, the project “remains unimplemented.” It further alleged that contractors received “full payment” for gravel roads in Shinile, Korahe, and Jarar zones, yet the roads remain either “partially constructed or entirely unbuilt.” Additionally, a bridge project in Qubi district was abandoned despite payments being made, leading to its destruction by flooding, forcing the local community to “rebuild the bridge through personal contributions.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=48962