#Ethiopia: University students to teach for one year before graduation as part of new initiative, education minister says

University students will be required to teach for one year before graduation as part of a new initiative, Education Minister Birhanu Nega (PhD) has announced. "A program named 'Ethiopian University Service' has been prepared," he said, adding that it will allow students to "serve the community in their field of study before graduation."

Speaking on April 02, 2025, at the House of People's Representatives' Standing Committee on Human Resource Development, Employment and Technology Affairs, Birhanu linked the program to the country's teacher shortage. "There is a shortage of over 100,000 teachers," he said, noting that the initiative is among several efforts to "address the severe shortage of qualified teachers widely observed in the country." He explained that students "will be paid for their basic expenses and required to teach for one year" before entering their fourth year.

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#Ethiopia: From Training Grounds to Battlefields: Is #Amhara conflict shifting amid mass deployment of anti-riot militias, regular police?

The militarized conflict in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, which has been primarily fought between the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (#ENDF) and the non-state #Fano militia, is witnessing a shift as thousands of regional anti-riot militias and regular police forces are deployed across conflict-affected areas. Analysts suggest the move marks a new phase in the confrontation, raising concerns over its long-term implications.

On 27 March 2025, the Amhara Regional State Police Commission graduated over 10,000 anti-riot militia members and regular police officers from the Bir Sheleko Basic Paramilitary Training Center. Desalegn Tasew, head of the Amhara Peace and Security Bureau, stated that the training aimed to equip personnel with the skills necessary for "maintaining regional stability." He emphasized that their role would extend to "securing lasting peace, overcoming challenges, and safeguarding national security."

The deployment follows statements by Lieutenant General Alemshet Degife, Military Advisor to the Chief of Staff of the ENDF, who outlined a plan for the army to reduce its presence in policing duties. He noted that continuous military deployment was unsustainable, stating, "The military should return to its camp and focus on training." However, experts question whether regional forces can effectively stabilize the situation.

Sisay Assemrie, assistant professor of political philosophy at the University of Gondar, argues that the deployment of militias and police forces is a premature decision that does not address the root causes of the conflict. "Unless the conflict is resolved through negotiation and dialogue, shifting the dynamics only means replacing those who are dying," he said. Legal expert Addisu Getaneh also questioned whether the military's withdrawal would lead to stability, stressing that "debating whether militias or the military should continue fighting will not resolve the issue. What is needed is a political solution."

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49584

Amnesty welcomes #Kenya court ruling allowing $2.4B lawsuit against #Meta for fueling violence, killings amid war in #Tigray

Amnesty International has welcomed a ruling by Kenya’s High Court affirming its jurisdiction to hear a lawsuit against Meta, Facebook’s parent company, over its alleged role in spreading “ethnic violence and killings” during the war in #Ethiopia’s Tigray region. Describing the decision as “a positive step” that “paves the way for justice,” Amnesty said it challenges what it described as “an era of impunity” for large technology companies accused of enabling human rights abuses.

The case, filed by Ethiopians Abrham Meareg and Fisseha Tekle alongside Kenya’s Katiba Institute, seeks $2.4 billion in restitution. Petitioners claim Meta’s algorithm “amplified inciteful, hateful, and dangerous content,” contributing to serious harm, including the killing of Meareg’s father after “inciteful posts” circulated on Facebook. The Court stated it had jurisdiction because the case involves determining “whether a right has been violated” and requires interpreting the constitution, raising “substantial questions of law.” Meta has contested the ruling, asserting its “terms of service restrict claims against the company” to U.S. courts, and has sought permission to appeal.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49607

#Somalia’s President appoints new naval commander

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Wednesday appointed Brigadier General Abdiwahab Abdullahi Omar as the new Commander of the Somali Navy, signaling a renewed effort to increase maritime security and reclaim control over the country’s vast coastline.

In a presidential decree, President Mohamud emphasized the critical importance of a strong naval force for safeguarding Somalia’s territorial waters and upholding national sovereignty.

“The government is working to strengthen the Somali Navy so that it can take over the security and defense of our maritime borders, which are essential for our nationhood and unity,” the President stated.

The appointment comes amid a broader government campaign to rebuild the Somalia Navy, which was decimated by decades of conflict. Since 2023, hundreds of Somalia naval personnel trained in countries like #Eritrea have returned home, forming the foundation of a new maritime security architecture.

https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2025/Apr/200966/president_mohamud_appoints_new_somali_navy_commander.aspx

#Op_ed: Reassessing Al-Shabaab's Influence: How exaggerated threats hinder #Somalia’s progress

In this op-ed, Abdinasir Ali Osman (Prof.), a senior researcher and consultant based in Mogadishu, responds to Adam Daud Ahmed’s recent article on Al-Shabaab’s influence in Somalia. The author argues that Ahmed’s portrayal of an imminent “power grab” by the militant group is overstated and risks undermining confidence in the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS). “Alarmist framing risks inadvertently bolstering Al-Shabaab’s perceived invincibility,” the author writes, cautioning against narratives that exaggerate the group's strength while overlooking the government’s military and governance gains.

The piece highlights key counterterrorism advancements, including Operation Black Lion, which significantly disrupted Al-Shabaab’s logistical operations. The author challenges Ahmed’s assertion that military victories are merely “temporary,” arguing that while setbacks occur, they should not “overshadow the progress achieved through coordinated military efforts.” He points to Somalia’s security sector reforms, backed by #Turkey, the #UAE, and the #US., as evidence of long-term stabilization efforts. Additionally, he refutes the claim that Somalia’s leadership is distracted by diplomatic issues like Somaliland, calling this an “overly simplistic” interpretation that ignores the complexity of governance.

The writer also examines the role of strategic communication in shaping security narratives, warning that “exaggerated threat assessments can serve as recruitment tools for Al-Shabaab, granting them undue credibility.” He emphasizes that the government’s approach is not denial but a measured effort to manage public perception responsibly.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49611

Advocacy group raises alarm over #Ethiopian refugee tortured in #Libya, family urges action amid $10,000 ransom demand

Refugees in Libya, a grassroots advocacy group, has raised alarm over the case of Tesfay Hagos Alemayehu, a 31-year-old Ethiopian currently detained and reportedly tortured daily in #Kufra, southeastern Libya. Tesfay, who fled Ethiopia’s war-torn #Tigray region, is being held for a $10,000 ransom by traffickers alleged to be part of a transnational network involving Libyan, Ethiopian, and #Eritrean actors.

“He was not searching for riches… he fled Ethiopia because the land from which he emerged was bleeding,” the group said in a statement, describing Tesfay as “a man stripped of dignity and caged in Kufra, where his Black skin is a currency in the economy of human trafficking.”

Tesfay’s family has twice reported his disappearance to local police in Ethiopia, but according to the group, the response was dismissive. The officers allegedly told the family, “There is nothing we can do. Every day people are trafficked to Libya.” No official documentation or report was filed, making it difficult to activate international protocols such as Interpol alerts.

Footage reviewed by Refugees in Libya reportedly shows Tesfay being beaten and humiliated by men speaking Arabic. “The videos sent to his family are not threats; they are proof of cruelty so normalized it now functions as a business model,” the group stated. In one video, Tesfay appears “bound, shirtless, bruised, shaved bald and bleeding.”

Despite repeated attempts to alert both Ethiopian and Libyan authorities, no action has been taken, according to the group. “We have flagged this case… we have sent communications, reached out to partners, and sounded the alarm. But no action has been taken,” they said, adding that Tesfay’s case is not isolated. “At least 450 others are detained with him—Black men, women, and children—all waiting for ransom or risking death.”

https://www.refugeesinlibya.org/post/they-beat-him-daily-no-one-has-moved-his-life-cost-10-000-in-cash-tesfay-hagos-alemayehu

Official creditors grant #Ethiopia more time to pay debt, no write-down

Ethiopia’s official creditors expect to finalize within months a debt restructuring agreement that extends payment deadlines but does not include a write-down, according to William Roos, co-chair of the Official Creditor Committee (OCC).

Ethiopia, which defaulted in December 2023, reached a preliminary deal in March with its OCC to restructure $8.4 billion in debt—an important step toward resolving its sovereign default. The agreement provides approximately $2.5 billion in debt service relief until 2028, aligned with the country’s International Monetary Fund (#IMF) program.

“We reduce the stock of debt through an extension of maturities,” Roos said, adding that the deal also “reduces specifically the payments during the IMF programme period.” While bondholders argue Ethiopia’s financial troubles are due to a “liquidity” issue rather than insolvency, Roos stated that the country’s situation involves both liquidity constraints and “a need to reduce the stock of debt.”

The restructuring is being conducted under the G20 Common Framework, though Ethiopia remains in a dispute with holders of its $1 billion Eurobond. Bondholders have rejected the proposed 18% haircut, contending that the IMF’s debt sustainability analysis contains flaws, including an “artificial” undervaluation of gold and coffee exports.

Roos emphasized that cooperation among OCC co-chairs, France and China, had been “very constructive.” He also noted that three creditors—the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Poland—had opted to renegotiate separately.

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/official-creditors-grant-ethiopia-more-time-pay-debt-no-write-down-2025-04-04/

Starvation threatens #Sudan’s El Fasher as #RSF siege cuts supplies

The humanitarian situation in El Fasher, the capital of Sudan’s North Darfur state, has deteriorated sharply amid severe food shortages, residents and aid workers said. This has prompted activists to call for emergency airdrops to save a population facing starvation.

El Fasher has been under a tightening siege by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2024. The RSF began ground attacks on the city in May 2024 using heavy weapons including artillery, drones and missiles, killing hundreds of civilians and displacing nearly one million people, according to humanitarian groups and local accounts.

Mohamed Khamis Douda, a spokesperson for the vast Zamzam camp housing displaced people near El Fasher, said all markets there had shut.

He told Sudan Tribune that shortages of basic goods and residents’ inability to afford those still available forced the closures. Community kitchens known as takaya and Red Cross distribution points providing meals to thousands have also stopped operating due to the lack of supplies, Douda said.

https://sudantribune.com/article299340/

#UN appalled by 'credible reports' of civilian killings in #Sudan

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said he was “appalled” by what he described as “credible reports” of extrajudicial killings of civilians by the Sudanese Armed Forces in Khartoum, following the army’s recapture of the capital. In a statement issued this week, Türk called for a full investigation into the incidents and urged military commanders to halt such violations.

Türk expressed concern over “numerous incidents of summary executions” allegedly carried out “on apparent suspicions” that civilians were collaborating with the Rapid Support Forces (#RSF). His office said it had reviewed “multiple horrific videos showing armed men” executing civilians, in what he described as “cold blood, often in public settings.” Some of the footage, according to Türk, appeared to show perpetrators claiming they were punishing RSF supporters.

The Sudanese army has been fighting the RSF for nearly two years, in a conflict that has triggered what the UN describes as the world’s worsth humanitarian crisis. While the army has previously condemned “individual” violations, human rights groups have documented repeated abuses in areas retaken from the RSF.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpdzn99zl7qo

#Ethiopia: From Training Grounds to Battlefields: Is #Amhara conflict shifting amid mass deployment of anti-riot militias, regular police?

The Amhara regional state has recently deployed over 10,000 newly graduated anti-riot and regular police officers to conflict-hit areas, signaling what observers say could be a shift in the military dynamics of the ongoing militarized conflict between government forces and the non-state #Fano militias. The deployment follows the completion of training at the Bir Sheleko Basic Paramilitary Training Center and was attended by senior federal and regional officials, including #ENDF representatives.

Desalegn Tasew, Head of the Amhara Peace and Security Bureau and Cluster Coordinator for Administrative Affairs, told graduates during the 27 March ceremony that their training was aimed at enhancing “understanding of their role in maintaining regional stability.” He “briefed the trainees on the objectives, significance, and goals of their training” and emphasized their responsibility to “take on significant responsibilities in securing lasting peace, overcoming challenges, and contributing not only to the region’s peace, security, and development but also to safeguarding national security.”

This development comes two months after Lieutenant General Alemshet Degife, Military Advisor to the Chief of Staff of the ENDF and Chief of the Fire Command, said it is “not sustainable for the national defense force to be deployed in every village, woreda, kebele, and city.” In a January interview with ENDF media, he said the army is planning to “return the military to its camp and start training,” adding, “We believe we will succeed, and our military will have the opportunity to rest.” He said “police and militias should coordinate with the community to protect neighborhoods and control roads.”

However, experts have expressed concern that replacing the army with regional forces does not address the underlying causes of the militarized conflict. Sisay Assemrie, assistant professor of political philosophy at the University of Gondar, said the deployment of local forces reflects a premature shift, warning, “Unless you stop the conflict through negotiation and dialogue, a shift in the dynamics of the confrontation can only mean replacing those who are dying.” He added, “Operating in an unfamiliar environment and under intense stress, the army is suffering casualties on the battlefield, losing its members, and witnessing destruction firsthand.”

Addisu Getaneh, a defense attorney and legal expert, questioned whether the reported military withdrawal was based on a formal decision. “If a decision for withdrawal has indeed been made, it must be determined which authority made it and whether it is legitimate,” he said. “The conflict began when the military entered the region and when the federal government attempted to disarm armed groups within the region,” he added, arguing, “Debating whether militias or the military should continue fighting will not fundamentally resolve the issue. What is needed is a political solution.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49584

#US revokes all visas for #South_Sudanese over deportation row

The United States has revoked all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders, citing the country’s refusal to accept deported nationals. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the decision is “effective immediately” and was taken due to the transitional government's failure to receive its repatriated citizens “in a timely manner.” He also accused South Sudan of “taking advantage of the United States,” and added, “We will be prepared to review these actions when South Sudan is in full cooperation.”

In addition to cancelling existing visas, Rubio said the U.S. would “prevent further issuance to prevent entry into the United States by South Sudanese passport holders.” The U.S. has warned that countries not cooperating on deportations could face consequences, including visa sanctions or tariffs.

The announcement comes amid renewed instability in South Sudan. In late March, opposition leader Riek Machar was placed under house arrest following clashes between government forces and the White Army — an armed group with which he has been linked. His supporters described the arrests of Machar and senior allies as a “grave violation” of the 2018 peace agreement. President Salva Kiir’s government, however, accuses Machar of stirring unrest.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the situation could push South Sudan “over the abyss,” and African Union mediators arrived in Juba last week to help de-escalate tensions.

https://news.sky.com/story/us-revokes-all-visas-for-south-sudanese-over-deportation-row-13343143

#US Deputy Secretary responds to call to "cut off" #Somalia funding, deepen ties with #Somaliland

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said he is “looking into this situation very closely” after a social media user urged Washington to “cut off all funding from” Somalia and deepen its partnership with Somaliland. The remark, made in response to a post on X (formerly Twitter), comes amid renewed calls for the U.S. to reassess its engagement in the region.

The original message, posted by a self-identified Somalilander, praised Landau’s work and called on the U.S. to “cut off all funding from the failed terrorist hub called Somalia.” The user added that “Somaliland is ready to host our great U.S. allies in Berbera to counter China.” In response, Landau offered a brief reply: “I have been looking into this situation very closely.”

The brief exchange follows ongoing calls for Washington to re-evaluate its policy in the Horn of Africa. While Somaliland remains unrecognized, it has governed itself since 1991 and is often described by supporters as a “stable democracy” that upholds “peace and rule of law.” Advocates argue that Somaliland offers “a reliable partner in a volatile region,” contrasting it with Somalia’s prolonged instability.

Officials in the Trump administration hinted at possible recognition, with growing voices in Congress framing Somaliland as “strategically important.” In recent months, U.S. lawmakers have emphasized its “geopolitical value,” particularly the port of Berbera, which is seen as a key location to “counter China’s growing influence” in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

https://www.horndiplomat.com/2025/04/breaking-u-s-deputy-secretary-of-state-responds-to-somalilands-call-for-stronger-ties/

#Ethiopia: Al-Shabaab launches mortar attack near #Mogadishu airport; flights disrupted

Al-Shabaab militants launched mortar attacks near Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu on Sunday morning, disrupting flights and targeting the nearby Halane compound, according to security sources who spoke to AFP.

A security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said “two to three mortar shells struck an open area of the airport” early in the morning. The mortars were reportedly fired from the outskirts of the city. An airport employee confirmed that a #Turkish Airlines flight was rerouted to #Djibouti and said they were informed that EgyptAir had also cancelled its flight for the day.

The Halane compound — a heavily fortified zone that hosts the United Nations, foreign missions, and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (#ATMIS) — was also hit, ATMIS spokesperson Lt. Col. Said Mwachinalo told AFP. “There has been shelling,” he said, adding that their team was “on the ground making assessment.” No casualties have been reported so far, and some airport operations continue, the security official added.

https://thedefensepost.com/2025/04/06/al-shabaab-attacks-somalias-airport/amp/

#Ethiopia: PM Abiy bids farewell to outgoing Tigray Interim Admin. President, recognizes achievement

#Ethiopia: PM Abiy bids farewell to outgoing #Tigray Interim Admin. President, recognizes achievement

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed bids a farewell to Getachew Reda, the outgoing President of the Tigray regional state interim administration.

In his farewell message posted in Tigrigna language, PM Abiy said that the federal government also “recognizes” the interim administration that has been in place for the past two years, and appreciates “the great caution and leadership” of the outgoing President in maintaining peace following the Pretoria Peace Agreement.

On 26 March, PM Abiy confirmed the departure of Getachew from his position as the interim president of Tigray regional state, a position he held after he was appointed two years ago in March 2023.

Read more at: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1909266883938754778

#ENDF reports killing #OLA figure involved in Dar es Salaam peace talks

The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) announced that it "killed" a man identified as Shode, whom it described as "a close associate" of Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) leader Kumsa Diriba, also known as Jaal Marroo, and a participant in the Dar es Salaam peace talks. The ENDF said Shode was "killed in action" on 06 April in East Wollega Zone while "traveling in hiding on a motorcycle." The operation, it stated, was carried out "based on information obtained by security forces."

The ENDF claimed Shode had "come out of the jungle" to attend the Dar es Salaam negotiations and was later "appointed by Jaal Marroo as the commander of all Wollega Zones." However, an OLA representative who participated in the talks told Addis Standard that Shode "participated as head of Jaal Marroo's security detail." The representative, speaking anonymously, said the government has been "making mockery of any effort at peace."

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49631

#Israeli Ambassador to #Ethiopia removed from Rwandan genocide conference in #Addis_Abeba

Israeli Ambassador to Ethiopia, Avraham Neguise, was removed from an African Union (#AU) conference in Addis Abeba on Monday after some member states reportedly declined to participate in the event alongside him, according to Israel’s Foreign Ministry. The conference, held at the AU headquarters in Nelson Mandela Hall, marked the annual commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in #Rwanda.

In a statement shared with The Times of Israel, the Foreign Ministry condemned the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Youssouf of Djibouti, stating it was “outrageous” that at a memorial “to which the Israeli ambassador in Addis Abeba was invited,” Youssouf “chose to introduce anti-Israel political elements.” The Ministry further said this conduct “first and foremost dishonors the memory of the victims” and reflects “a fundamental misunderstanding of the histories of both the Rwandan and Jewish peoples.”

Neguise, a former Likud lawmaker who has served as ambassador since August 2024, attended the conference under the theme “Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda.” The Foreign Ministry said it “will take the necessary diplomatic steps with the relevant parties to clarify the seriousness with which we view this incident.” Youssouf, prior to his current role, held various diplomatic posts including as Djibouti’s Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/israeli-ambassador-to-ethiopia-expelled-from-conference-on-rwandan-genocide/

#Ethiopia: Participants in the National Dialogue Commission’s agenda-gathering forum in the war-affected #Amhara region have urged the government to “abandon violent approaches” and commit to inclusive dialogue to address the country’s overlapping crises.

Their remarks come as the Commission continues its forum in #Bahir_Dar, launched on April 5 and scheduled to run through April 12, despite ongoing criticism over its legitimacy and representativeness.

“The government should get rid of thinking that is fixated on flexing muscles,” one participant said. Another participant, emphasizing the importance of peaceful resolution, said, “We are here because we believe in dialogue, not force.”

The participants highlighted issues in the Amhara region, urging both the government and armed actors to come to the table. “Those who went to the jungle did so because they felt unheard,” a participant noted, calling for them to return and present their grievances peacefully.