#Ethiopia: Benishangul-Gumuz regional gov’t denies "political motives" in constitutional amendment, calls opposition claims “misplaced”

The #Benishangul_Gumuz regional government has rejected claims that its recent constitutional amendment was politically motivated, stating that it aimed to make the constitution “multi-ethnic and inclusive” and had “nothing to do with polling stations or electoral districts.” Mohamed Hamid, head of the regional Justice Bureau, said the revision expanded parliamentary seats from 100 to 165 based on “social and economic needs” and was approved after discussions with two competing political parties.

The amendment has faced opposition from the Boro Democratic Party (#BDP), which petitioned Ethiopia’s Council of Constitutional Inquiry, arguing that the seat expansion was not based on population size and that changes to electoral districts exceeded the council’s mandate. The dispute escalated following the arrest of three BDP members, including Yohannes Tesema, a regional council representative. On 15 March, the regional council lifted Yohannes’ parliamentary immunity, with Mohamed accusing him of “disseminating information that incites conflict” and having “connections with elements attempting to overthrow the government by force.” He also warned against inflammatory content online, stating that the opposition stemmed from “the political elite rather than the people.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49251

#Op_ed: From Truce to Threat: New path to insurgency looms over #Somali region amid unmet peace deal promises with #ONLF

In this op-ed, Muktar Ismail Issack, a regional analyst and former humanitarian and development advisor to the President of the Somali region, warns that the specter of armed conflict “looms ominously” over #Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State as the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) issues its “strongest warning yet” about the potential collapse of the 2018 peace agreement. According to Muktar, ONLF Chairman Abdirahman Sheikh Mahdi (Maaday) has stated that the group is assessing “all options,” including a possible return to insurgency, citing what he describes as the federal government’s failure to uphold its commitments under the Asmara Peace Deal. “Less than 10% of ex-combatants were reintegrated, with most left destitute without sustainable livelihoods,” Issack claims, arguing that federal policies have “resurrected the ONLF’s founding grievances—marginalization and denial of self-determination.”

The author asserts that Ethiopia’s approach to the Somali region reflects a broader pattern of “co-optation and coercion” in its dealings with opposition groups, similar to tactics used in Tigray and Oromia. He claims that the Somali regional administration, led by Mustafa Omar, has been accused of “corruption and repression he once denounced.” Issack further states that “1.4 billionn birr ($25 million) was embezzled from a critical lifeline water project in a region where 68% of households lack clean water,” contending that such allegations highlight the government’s failure to invest in local development. He argues that the Prosperity Party’s governance has “hollowed the pact, reflecting prior failed agreements.”

Muktar warns that Ethiopia’s “reliance on coercive tactics rather than addressing fundamental grievances poses a significant risk of entrenching instability.” He claims that the ONLF’s warnings about renewed conflict echo previous patterns of violence in the region. “We are out of patience,” Muktar quotes Maaday as saying, emphasizing that the ONLF views the federal government’s actions as a betrayal of the 2018 peace deal. The author concludes that unless #Addis_Abeba takes concrete steps to address ONLF’s concerns—such as implementing the Asmara accord and ensuring regional autonomy—Ethiopia risks reigniting the very insurgency it sought to end.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49249

#Ethiopia: Bajaj drivers in #Afar struggle as fuel shortages force them to rely on black market, paying 300 birr per liter

Bajaj drivers in Afar region say they have been unable to purchase fuel from official stations for nearly a year, forcing them to rely on the black market, where prices have surged to 300 birr per liter. A driver in Amibara district, who requested anonymity, told Addis Standard that “official stations are not an option” as fuel rarely arrives. “It came only once in a year,” he said, adding that when they attempt to refuel, they are told, “There’s no gasoline.”

Another driver from Awash Arba, Ali Siraj, said they have no choice but to rely on the black market, where prices have reached “250 birr per liter.” He explained that due to high costs, “short trips” are no longer viable unless “contract-based.” He noted that the shortage has forced many drivers to stop working and caused fares to rise significantly. “A trip that used to cost 30 birr now costs 100 birr,” he said.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49267

#Ethiopia: #EHRC reports four injured as “#TPLF representatives” attempt to seize gov’t offices in Adi Gudom town, #Tigray

At least four people were injured on March 11 in Adi Gudom town, Tigray region, during “unrest” that followed attempts by “those identifying as representatives of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF)” to “take control of government institutions,” the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) reported. The commission stated that it is “investigating information” regarding the incident, which took place amid tensions between the Tigray Interim Administration and individuals claiming to represent the TPLF. The EHRC also noted that “four people, including the mayor,” were detained for several days before being released.

The EHRC further confirmed the detention of “the security head and another individual who is a member of the Tigray Independence Party” in Saharti Samre district on March 11, though both were later released. It attributed growing community concerns to administrative changes in Mekelle and Adigrat, which have “exacerbated the disagreement.” These tensions come amid a power struggle within the TPLF, with factions led by Debretsion Gebremichael and Getachew Reda, which has escalated since last week following the Interim Administration’s decision to suspend three senior military commanders, a move rejected by the region’s Peace and Security Bureau.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49274

21 killed in #South_Sudan aerial bombing, fighting intensifies near #Ethiopian border

At least 21 people were killed in an air strike on a village in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, South Sudan, near the Ethiopian border, on Sunday night. The attack follows recent clashes between government forces and the White Army, an ethnic militia, in the region.

Nasir County Commissioner Gatluak Lew confirmed the deaths, stating that “17 people died on the spot after the bombing, and five were injured. However, only one of the injured is still alive, bringing the death toll to 21.” Among the victims was the local paramount chief, Paul Bol.

The aerial bombing comes less than two weeks after government forces withdrew from the area following intense fighting. Witnesses accused the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) of carrying out the attack, alleging it targeted residential areas and destroyed homes. Ugandan troops had recently warned the local militia in Nasir to surrender or face military action.

The clashes in Nasir, a region bordering Ethiopia, have raised concerns of renewed conflict, echoing the civil war that lasted from 2013 to 2018. The government accuses the party of First Vice President Riek Machar of collaborating with the White Army, which fought alongside his forces during the civil war. Machar's party has denied any involvement.

https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/21-killed-in-south-sudan-aerial-bombing-4969148

#Ethiopia: Benishangul-Gumuz regional council member, opposition leader, appears in court after immunity lifted; remanded for 14-day investigation

Yohannes Tessema, a Central Committee member of the opposition Boro Democratic Party (#BDP) and a member of the Benishangul-Gumuz Regional Council, appeared before the #Assosa Zone First Instance Court on Monday, 17 March 2025, following the lifting of his parliamentary immunity during an emergency session on Saturday. The court granted police a 14-day investigation period, his wife and a party source told the BBC.

His arrest follows a controversial constitutional amendment that increased parliamentary seats in Benishangul-Gumuz from 100 to 165. While regional authorities say the changes ensure “multi-ethnic and inclusive” representation, opposition group argue they “exceed the council’s constitutional mandate.” Yohannes and two other BDP members had petitioned Ethiopia’s Council of Constitutional Inquiry to challenge the amendment’s legality before their arrests. During Monday’s hearing, police accused Yohannes of “working to overthrow the regional constitution,” “establishing connections with foreign forces,” and “insulting high-ranking regional leaders.” Yohannes denied the allegations, stating that claims of attempting to overthrow the regional constitution require “proof of an organized military force,” which he and his party “do not have.” The court adjourned the case to 31 March 2025.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49279

#RSF shelling kills six in #Omdurman, #Sudan army advances toward #Khartoum

Shelling by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) killed six civilians, including two children, in Omdurman, a doctor at Al-Nao hospital told AFP on Monday. "Sunday's attack also wounded 36 civilians," the doctor said, noting that "half of them were children."

The bombardment struck residential areas, with the Khartoum regional government's media office stating that civilians were hit "inside their homes" and children were wounded while "playing on a football field."

The Sudanese army, which has been retaking territory in and around Khartoum in recent months, said its forces were now positioned "less than a kilometre" from the presidential palace. RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, in a video address shared on Telegram, vowed that his forces "will not leave the Republican Palace." AFP journalists reported seeing "thick plumes of smoke" over central Khartoum, while gunfire and explosions were heard in several areas.

https://www.newarab.com/news/rsf-shelling-kills-six-sudan-army-close-retaking-khartoum

#Commentary: The politics of drought and pastoralism in #Ethiopia

In this commentary, the #Karrayyu Advocacy Groups highlight the severe challenges faced by pastoralist communities in Ethiopia, particularly in the #Oromia region, where drought and seismic activity have worsened an already dire humanitarian crisis. The piece underscores how pastoralism, a centuries-old livelihood, has been systematically marginalized by government policies that prioritize agriculture and large-scale development projects. The authors note that “pastoralism has never been acknowledged (politically or legally) as a viable livelihood,” leaving communities vulnerable to environmental shocks without adequate support.

The article details the devastating impact of prolonged drought and recurrent earthquakes on the Karrayyu Oromo, a population of 130,000 in the #Fantalle District. The commentary states, “Since November 2024, the region has experienced a series of gradual yet intensifying earthquakes,” which have disrupted traditional pastoralist ways of life, destroyed villages, and rendered grazing lands unusable. The authors emphasize that “urgent intervention is required to address the mounting humanitarian needs,” as displacement and resource scarcity threaten the survival of these communities.

The commentary also critiques the Ethiopian government’s response, accusing it of neglecting pastoralist communities while promoting an image of progress. The authors argue that the government has “entirely ignored the region’s worsening crises,” focusing instead on propaganda that portrays development and stability. This omission, they claim, is a “calculated effort” to mask the suffering of pastoralists, who have lost access to ancestral lands and face existential threats to their way of life.

The piece calls attention to the broader structural injustices pastoralist communities face, including land dispossession and economic marginalization. The authors warn that without meaningful intervention, the unique cultural heritage and ecological knowledge of these communities could be lost. As the commentary concludes, “drought is no longer just a natural phenomenon; it has been weaponized as a means of eradicating pastoral livelihoods and, with them, centuries of indigenous knowledge and cultural identity.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49282

Suspected pirates hijack #Yemeni-flagged vessel off #Somalia coast

Suspected pirates hijacked a Yemeni-flagged dhow off Somalia’s eastern coast, marking the second such incident in a month.

“Up to seven hijackers remain on board,” the European Union Naval Force (EU Navfor) said, adding that “the dhow has a crew of eight Somali nationals.”

EU Navfor’s Operation Atalanta, which counters maritime threats in the absence of a Somali navy, said it was “monitoring the event” and coordinating with Yemeni authorities.

The attack occurred near Eyl, a coastal town in #Puntland once known as a pirate hub. The International Maritime Bureau, a Kuala Lumpur-based monitoring body, reported a “resurgence in Somali piracy” last year.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-18/suspected-pirates-hijack-yemeni-flagged-vessel-off-somalia-coast

M-Pesa, LakiPay to enhance digital payments in #Ethiopia

M-Pesa, the popular mobile money service owned by East African telecoms operator #Safaricom, has partnered with Ethiopian fintech startup #LakiPay Financial Technologies to enhance digital payment services in Ethiopia.

As part of the partnership, M-Pesa will integrate with LakiPay's payment gateway, enabling LakiPay merchants to accept M-Pesa payments.

Safaricom said M-Pesa's integration with LakiPay will allow more businesses to leverage mobile money, reducing reliance on cash and enhancing customer experience.

Moreover, by expanding payment acceptance points, Safaricom said M-Pesa aims to accelerate the adoption of digital financial services and support Ethiopia's national digital economy ambitions.

Elsa Muzzolini, CEO of Safaricom M-Pesa Mobile Financial Services, said the company is committed to empowering businesses and individuals with secure and convenient digital payment solutions.

https://www.connectingafrica.com/fintech/m-pesa-lakipay-to-enhance-digital-payments-in-ethiopia

#Opinion: Shadows of Power: Corruption, nepotism, and push for reform in #Ethiopia’s #Somali region

In this opinion piece, Mohamud A. Ahmed, a columnist and political analyst at Greenlight Advisors Group, examines governance challenges in Ethiopia’s Somali region, focusing on corruption, nepotism, and the prospects for reform.

The article argues that “true leadership demands the courage to prioritize principles over power,” yet in the Somali region, dissent is often met with hostility rather than engagement. Mohamud draws on Bertrand Russell’s observation that “the most intense disputes are fueled not by facts but by beliefs held without sufficient evidence,” likening the region’s political culture to a system where loyalty is mistaken for legitimacy. According to the author, the reluctance to accept criticism not only stifles governance but also deepens societal divisions, hindering meaningful reform.

At the same time, the piece highlights a significant shift—greater openness to public discourse. Mohamud notes that “for the first time in decades, voices of discontent rise openly,” indicating progress toward a more transparent governance model. However, the article cautions that this progress remains fragile, urging leaders to ensure that setbacks, such as the arrest of critics, do not overshadow broader democratic gains. “A society that can express its grievances is one that can begin to heal them,” the author contends, but only if leaders embrace free expression as a tool for growth rather than a threat to authority.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49300

#Ethiopia: More than 230 livestock dead in #Gofa zone as unknown epidemic spreads in South Ethiopia region

More than 230 livestock have died in Uba Debretsehay district, Gofa Zone, #South_Ethiopia Region, due to an epidemic that began on 14 March, pastoralists and animal health professionals told Addis Standard. The outbreak has also affected Zala district and Sawula town. Enkele Belachew, a pastoralist from Shala Kebele, described the disease as having “reached every pastoralist’s home” and spreading rapidly. He noted that “first, the urination doesn’t stop, a white fluid like foam comes out, and there’s coughing.” While the cause remains unknown, he said professionals have arrived to examine the affected animals.

Dr. Chernet Lebene, a veterinarian in Gofa Zone, said the epidemic has affected Uba Debretsehay and Zala districts as well as Sawula town since 14 March, resulting in “more than 246” livestock deaths. “We are conducting laboratory tests to determine the exact cause,” he said, adding that experts suspect “bovine pasteurellosis, a lung disease linked to sudden climate changes.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49304

#Somalia militants attack presidential convoy, president unharmed

Al Shabaab militants targeted Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's motorcade in a bomb attack in #Mogadishu on Tuesday, the Islamist group said. Two senior government and military officials told Reuters that the president was safe, while his adviser, Zakariye Hussein, stated on X that Mohamud was “good and well on his way to the front lines.”

Soldiers and local residents who witnessed the attack confirmed that the convoy had been hit. A Reuters journalist at the scene reported seeing the bodies of four people near the presidential palace. Al Shabaab, in a statement on its Telegram channel, claimed responsibility, saying its “fighters targeted a convoy of vehicles carrying Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.”

While al Shabaab frequently carries out attacks in Somalia, Tuesday’s incident was the first direct attempt on Mohamud since 2014, when a hotel where he was speaking was bombed. Hours later, state media broadcast images of the president in Adan Yabal, a district where government forces are engaged in a three-week battle against the group.

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/somali-militants-target-presidential-convoy-bomb-attack-president-safe-2025-03-18/

Trump, Putin agree to broader talks ― but limited ceasefire in #Ukraine

#Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed Tuesday to "halt strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure" after a lengthy conversation with #US President Donald Trump. The move, described as a "first step" toward de-escalation, falls short of the "fuller ceasefire" Trump had championed and Ukraine had endorsed.

The limited agreement highlights the challenges Trump may face in fulfilling his campaign promise to end the war in Ukraine within "24 hours." Nonetheless, the Kremlin welcomed the broader talks with Trump, viewing them as a sign that Russia is being "welcomed back into the club of global superpowers" despite its controversial foreign policies.

Russia’s actions in Ukraine, along with its efforts to "undermine democratic elections" and strengthen ties with adversaries in Beijing, Tehran, and Pyongyang, have led to international isolation. However, Moscow sees the dialogue with Trump as an opportunity to reassert its global influence.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/03/18/trump-putin-agree-partial-ceasefire-ukraine-plan-needs-kyiv-sign-off/

#Ethiopian trade delegation seeks expanded market access in key talks with #US, #EU amid push for #WTO accession

Ethiopia’s trade delegation, led by Minister of Trade and Regional Integration Kassahun Gofe (PhD), conducted bilateral negotiations with a U.S. delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, focusing on “market opportunities in services, agriculture, and other products.” Kassahun stated that “appropriate explanations and answers were provided” to questions raised by the U.S., adding that a “common understanding was reached on how to strengthen trade relations” between the two countries. The delegation also met with European Union representatives for discussions on trade matters, according to state media.

The meeting comes as Ethiopia continues efforts to rejoin the African Growth and Opportunity Act (#AGOA), from which it was excluded due to the conflict in Tigray. Before its removal, Ethiopia exported goods worth $400 million annually under AGOA. Despite repeated attempts, Ethiopia has not yet regained eligibility. Kassahun previously stated that Ethiopia is “creating a roadmap to enable” its WTO accession by 2026, with preparations underway for the “fifth accession meeting.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49310

#Eritrea slams #Ethiopia's maritime ambitions as "misguided and outdated," calls for international pressure

Eritrea has dismissed Ethiopia’s push for maritime access as “misguided and outdated,” urging the international community to ensure Ethiopia respects “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbors.” Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh made the remarks during a briefing in Asmara, addressing concerns over Ethiopia’s efforts to secure a naval base “through diplomacy or military force” and what he called “false accusations” regarding Eritrea’s alleged military activities.

The briefing, shared by Eritrea’s Minister of Information Yemane Gebremeskel on X, also touched on the Pretoria Agreement and rising tensions between the two countries. Osman reiterated that Eritrean forces had “redeployed to Eritrea’s internationally recognized borders” following the end of the “two-year war in Tigray in November 2022” and dismissed claims of involvement in Ethiopia’s internal affairs. The statement comes amid growing diplomatic friction, with former President Mulatu Teshome accusing Eritrea of trying to “exploit divisions within the TPLF” and Tigray Interim Administration President Getachew Reda asserting that Asmara is among those “who think they can benefit from turmoil” in Tigray.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49316

#South_Sudan Machar’s party pulls out of peace process

The South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) has announced its withdrawal from security arrangements under the 2018 peace deal, citing the detention of its senior leaders and the presence of Ugandan troops in the country. The move signals further tensions within the coalition government led by President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar.

In a letter dated March 17, SPLM-IO deputy chairman Oyet Nathaniel Pierino stated: “All participation by the members of the security and political mechanisms is hereby frozen with immediate effect” until its “political detainees are unconditionally released.” The withdrawal affects the Joint Defence Board, the High-Level Political Committee, the Joint Military Ceasefire Committee, and the Joint Transitional Security Committee, weakening coordination efforts. Pierino also criticized the deployment of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), saying it “complicates the geopolitical situation of South Sudan” and amounts to a “declaration of war on the peace partners and the people of South Sudan.”

The political standoff follows recent clashes in Nasir, near the #Ethiopian border, where South Sudanese forces engaged with local White Army militias. Security forces arrested several SPLM-IO officials earlier this month, including Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and General Gabriel Duop Lam. Government spokesman Michael Makuei announced on Monday that the State had “revoked the immunity of the detained opposition officials,” “declared war on the White Army” and urged civilians to “evacuate Nasir.”

https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/south-sudan-machar-party-pulls-out-of-peace-process-4970290