#Sudan accuses #UAE of 'complicity in genocide' at world court

The International Court of Justice (#ICJ) is hearing a case brought by Sudan accusing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of being “complicit in the genocide” during the current civil war.

Sudan alleges that the UAE has been arming the Rapid Support Forces (#RSF) “with the aim of wiping out the non-Arab Masalit population of West Darfur.” It argues that atrocities committed by the RSF were enabled by “extensive financial, military and political support from the UAE, including arms shipments, drone training and the recruitment of mercenaries.”

In court on Thursday, Sudan’s legal team argued that “there was a risk of plausible harm to the Masalit people” and requested the ICJ to issue urgent measures to “ensure no further genocidal acts are committed.” Sudan has asked the court to block the UAE from supplying the RSF and to require the UAE to report back on the implementation of these measures.

Responding to the accusations, the UAE’s ambassador to the Netherlands, Ameirah Alhefeiti, described the violence in Sudan as “heart-breaking” but said the case had been brought “to deflect from [Sudan’s] own actions” and that the government was using the court “as a stage to attack the UAE.” The UAE government said the ICJ was “not a stage for political theatrics, and it must not be weaponised for disinformation,” and denied providing arms to either warring party.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq8009pl4xjo.amp

#Ethiopia: New #Tigray Interim President holds first cabinet meeting; pledges to hold public conference for “urgent solutions,” vows to “fully implement #Pretoria agreement”

Lieutenant General Tadesse Werede, who took office as President of the Tigray Interim Administration earlier this week, chaired his first cabinet meeting on Thursday and pledged to address what his office described as “pressing challenges” through a public conference.

A statement from his office said the administration would soon convene “a public conference” to establish “urgent solutions to existing problems.” Lt. Gen. Tadesse also underscored the need for “an approach that enables all political organizations of the region and other sectors of society to work together” in the interest of what he referred to as Tigray’s national agenda.

He further stated that “the focus of all our work must be to fully implement the Pretoria Agreement,” referring to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed between the federal government and the TPLF in November 2022 to end the two-year war in the region. His office also quoted him as saying that “our time is very short,” urging government bodies to “review plans for the next three months” and outline goals for the year ahead.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49713

#Just_in: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appointed former #Tigray interim president Getachew Reda as his advisor on East African Affairs effective Friday April 11/2025, the Office of the Prime Minister said.

#Amnesty accuses #RSF of widespread sexual violence as war crime in #Sudan

Amnesty International has accused Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of using sexual violence “as a weapon of war,” acts the group said amount to “war crimes” and possible “crimes against humanity.”

In a report released Thursday, Amnesty said it documented 36 cases of rape or gang rape by RSF members across four states between April 2023 and October 2024. Survivors, including girls as young as 15, described incidents of “sexual slavery, torture, and assaults carried out to humiliate and displace communities.” Deprose Muchena, Amnesty’s Senior Director for Regional Human Rights Impact, said the RSF’s actions were “sickening, depraved and aimed at inflicting maximum humiliation.”

The report is based on interviews with 30 individuals, mostly survivors and their relatives now in Ugandan refugee camps. Amnesty said all those interviewed “identified RSF fighters as the perpetrators.” Describing the severity of attacks, the report cited the rape of a mother “after her breastfeeding baby was taken from her,” and a woman who was held in sexual slavery “for 30 days in Khartoum.” Some women, the report noted, were raped “after being unable to save wounded RSF soldiers they were forced to treat.”

https://sudantribune.com/article299552/

#Opinion: Breaking the Cycle: #Tigray leadership change sparks hope, demands vigilance

In this opinion piece, Prof. Mohamud A. Ahmed, columnist, political analyst, and researcher at Greenlight Advisors Group in the Somali Region State, reflects on the recent appointment of Lt. General Tadesse Werede as president of the Tigray Interim Administration and its implications for the region’s political trajectory.

The author observes that the appointment of Lt. General Tadesse Werede as president of the Tigray Interim Administration is “not merely a change in leadership,” but “a pivot in political gravity, an attempt to shift the calculus from confrontation to reconstruction.” The piece recounts that the leadership change followed fractures within the TPLF, especially after the 14th Congress in August 2024, which split the leadership between Debretsion Gebremichael and Getachew Reda. The author describes Getachew’s eventual departure from Mekelle to #Addis_Abeba and his appeal for federal arbitration as “not merely political—they were an admission that the house could no longer hold.” The federal government, according to the author, “neither imposed nor ignored; it waited,” allowing “a new consensus” to emerge “not through edicts, but through exhaustion; not through domination, but through discernment.”

The author highlights the symbolic importance of the “Inclusive interim administration of the Tigray region mission implementation agreement document,” which contains eight mandates. The piece notes that the document is “light in weight, [but] dense in promise,” and emphasizes Lt. Gen. Tadesse’s pledge “to uphold and diligently execute” his responsibilities “with integrity and dedication.” The author describes the current moment as one in which “a man of war [is] entrusted with peace,” calling Lt. Gen. Tadesse “a military strategist now drafted into political service.” The piece adds that his credibility stems from a career “forged on the battlefield and tempered in the negotiation rooms of Pretoria and Nairobi.”

The author cautions that this transition may only offer “a temporary equilibrium, not a permanent solution,” and points to the ideological divisions and mistrust that persist, particularly between the TPLF and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The piece remarks that “Prime Minister Abiy’s posture has remained remarkably serene,” adding, “some call it aloofness; others, strategic silence.” The author argues, “Those who chant that only war can resolve grievances, let history be a mirror, not a myth,” and warns that “selective memory is the enemy of justice.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49720

Trump team divided over future of #US counterterrorism operations in #Somalia

Recent battlefield gains by an Islamist insurgency in Somalia have prompted some State Department officials to propose "closing the U.S. embassy in #Mogadishu and withdrawing most American personnel as a security precaution," according to officials familiar with internal deliberations. Other Trump administration officials, particularly in the National Security Council, fear that shutting the embassy could "diminish confidence in Somalia’s central government and inadvertently incite a rapid collapse." Instead, they advocate for "doubling down on U.S. operations" in the country to counter Al Shabab, the militant group affiliated with Al Qaeda.

Sebastian Gorka, President Trump’s top counterterrorism adviser, convened an interagency meeting at the White House last week "to begin to grapple with" the administration’s strategy, officials briefed on its findings said. The meeting "ended without any clear resolution." Some within the administration, particularly those skeptical of continued U.S. military involvement abroad, believe that Somalia does not represent a vital American interest and oppose further entanglement in what they see as another "forever war."

A State Department spokesperson said on Wednesday that the embassy in Mogadishu "remains fully operational" and that the department "constantly monitors and evaluates threat information and adjusts our security and operating postures accordingly." Meanwhile, Maureen Farrell, the former top Pentagon Africa policy official in the Biden administration, stated that "there can be no purely military solution to Al Shabab."

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/us/politics/us-embassy-somalia-future-trump.html

#Sudan’s Burhan discusses conflict, ties with Eritrean president in Asmara, thanked #Eritrea for supporting Sudan’s unity

Sudan’s military leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, visited the Eritrean capital Asmara on Thursday for talks with President Isaias Afwerki focused on the ongoing conflict in Sudan and bilateral relations.

Sudan’s Sovereignty Council said in a statement the two leaders held talks at the presidential palace. The discussions addressed bilateral ties, joint cooperation, the situation in Sudan, peace efforts, and regional and international issues, the council added.

According to the Sudanese statement, Burhan said the visit aimed to brief the Eritrean leadership on developments in Sudan and thanked Eritrea for supporting Sudan’s unity.

Burhan also told the Eritrean News Agency his one-day working visit was “principally aimed at briefing the Eritrean leadership on recent developments of the conflict in . https://sudantribune.com/article299589/

#Ethiopia: #TPLF pledges to work with interim admin. while maintaining ‘institutional independence’ – Chairman

TPLF Chairman Debretsion Gebremichael (PhD) has pledged his party’s commitment to work “in a coordinated way” with the Interim Administration of Tigray under President Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede, while firmly asserting that the party will retain its “institutional independence.” In a Thursday meeting marking the leadership transition, Debretsion stated the TPLF “stands ready” to contribute to the administration’s mandates, adding, “We express our readiness to collaborate and support each other to achieve the interim administration’s missions in a short time.”

Reflecting on the past, Debretsion criticized the outgoing administration for having “failed to fulfill its missions” and in some cases “inflicted harm on the people of Tigray.” Emphasizing the need for swift restructuring, he said, “The main priority is for the Interim Administration to be reorganized in a way that swiftly fulfills the mandates expected by the people,” while stressing that TPLF's involvement will focus on restoring “our sovereignty” and building a government that reflects “the will of its people.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49724

#Just_in: #Somaliland condemns #Somalia PM’s planned visit to Las’anod as “provocative violation of sovereignty”

The Government of Somaliland has issued a strong condemnation of the Somali Prime Minister’s planned visit to Las’anod, calling it a “blatant violation” of Somaliland’s sovereignty and a threat to regional peace.

In a statement released Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation described the move as a “provocative act” that risks escalating tensions in the already fragile region.

“This provocative act constitutes a blatant violation of Somaliland’s sovereignty and poses a serious threat to regional peace and stability,” the statement read.

The Ministry warned that the visit undermines efforts to restore peace in the Sool region, where recent unrest has drawn international concern. It also placed direct responsibility on Mogadishu for any resulting instability.


Read more at: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1910681806510186920?s=46&t=ofAzVW8-64dDK-xsjodCGA

#Editorial: Justice Denied: One year since the assassination of Bate Urgessa, still No accountability. Time to break the silence and end impunity

One year has passed since the assassination of Bate Urgessa – a political officer of the opposition Oromo Liberation Front (#OLF), a fearless advocate for justice, and a man who, until his final breath, believed in the possibility of democratic change in Ethiopia. One year later, we are still waiting for accountability. We are still waiting for truth. We are still waiting for justice. Instead, we are met with silence, stonewalling, and state-sanctioned intimidation. This publication was the first to report that Bate was ruthlessly assassinated by government forces.

A month later, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (#EHRC) – a constitutionally mandated body, revealed it forced to abandon its investigation into Bate’s assassination in #Meki City after its experts were followed, obstructed, and its witnesses arrested. The implication is chilling: even a federal institution tasked with protecting human rights cannot operate safely under the shadow of #Oromia’s regional authorities. According to a damning letter obtained by Addis Standard, the EHRC had, within days of Bate’s killing, unearthed compelling testimony and evidence suggesting the involvement of state security forces. Eyewitnesses described vehicles matching those used by government troops, armed men in the notorious “Ranger” uniform with red bonnets, and Bate being abducted and later executed – his hands tied, body riddled with bullets. The Commission even pinpointed the time and manner of the crime. Yet instead of its investigation gained traction, the truth was buried under the unknown.

In this editorial, Addis Standard demands, once again, a full and independent investigation – not by those who benefit from silence, but by a neutral, international mechanism. But first, the EHRC must release its preliminary findings. The Oromia regional government must be held accountable for its obstruction. And Bate Urgessa’s killers – no matter their rank or uniform – must face justice. This is not a political demand. It is a human one.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49732

#Ethiopia: Second deadly ambush in #Oromia’s Horo Guduru #Wollega Zone claims seven lives; death toll rises to 27 in one week

At least seven people were killed on Wednesday, 09 April, in a “deadly ambush” targeting a public transport vehicle in Abe Dongoro district, located in the Horo Guduru Wollega zone of Oromia region, according to residents who spoke to Addis Standard. The attack, which occurred near a location known as Harangama, comes just a week after a similar assault in the same district claimed over 20 lives and resulted in the abduction of three others, raising the total death toll to 27 within a span of seven days.

A survivor of the latest incident alleged that the attack was carried out by “#Fano militia.” He recounted that “three armed men approached the vehicle and opened fire, while two others were shooting from a distance.” He added that, along with the seven killed, “four others were also shot and taken to Abe Dongoro Primary Hospital.” The survivor said his friend, Gemachuu Lamessa, was among those killed, and identified additional victims as Tanna Derajjee, Mari Garbi, and Dingo Garba, all civilians.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49741

#Ethiopia: #Addis_Abeba Light Rail will not be demolished, official says

Berhanu Abebawu, CEO of the Addis Abeba Light Rail Transport Service Enterprise, said there is “no plan to remove the rail,” addressing reports suggesting the city’s light rail infrastructure may be dismantled.

“There is no official information about removal; it’s just a rumor,” he told local media, in response to claims circulating about the demolition of the light rail system.

Berhanu said a joint study by local professionals and Chinese railway experts confirmed the feasibility of restoring the system to full capacity. He noted that “higher officials never endorsed demolition but instead recommended improvements,” which, he added, were “misinterpreted by the media.”

Ongoing efforts, according to Berhanu, include the construction of a new workshop and increasing the number of operational trains. “There’s no route we are going to demolish,” he said, explaining that the current focus is on easing pedestrian and vehicle movement.

#Op_ed: Axis of Agitation: Al-Shabaab, #Houthis stir new storm of violence across Horn of #Africa

In this op-ed, Abdinasir Ali Osman (Prof.), a senior researcher, consultant, and trainer based in Mogadishu, Somalia, with over 35 years of experience in the humanitarian, development, and institutional capacity-building sectors, examines what he describes as “a potentially dangerous evolution in the security landscape of the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.” The op-ed reflects on concerns raised by U.S. Africa Command (#AFRICOM) Commander General Michael Langley, and highlights what the author calls “this nascent axis of instability” between Somalia’s Al-Shabaab and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, warning that it “carries profound implications for regional and global counterterrorism strategies.”

According to the author, the reported interactions between Al-Shabaab and the Houthis “appear to be driven by pragmatic strategic interests rather than ideological alignment.” The op-ed explains that “both entities are engaged in protracted conflicts against internationally recognized governments and harbor anti-Western sentiments.” The author writes, “A key catalyst for this potential cooperation is the perception of shared adversaries—Saudi Arabia, the #UAE, and their Western allies—seen as hindering their regional objectives.” The op-ed further states that “reports suggest the Houthis may be facilitating the transfer of advanced weaponry, including drones and surface-to-air missiles, along with training, to Al-Shabaab,” while Al-Shabaab’s “extensive experience in asymmetric warfare and clandestine networks could offer valuable insights to the Houthis.”

The op-ed also addresses #Iran’s potential role, noting that “Iran’s consistent support for proxy forces, including the Houthis, across the Middle East forms a critical context for analyzing this potential cooperation.” The author writes, “While direct orchestration of a deep alliance remains unconfirmed, Iran may perceive strategic advantages in fostering interaction between the Houthis and Al-Shabaab.” The op-ed concludes that “a nuanced understanding of the drivers and a commitment to collaborative solutions are essential,” and calls for “a sustained and coordinated international effort” to address what the author sees as “a complex situation with significant regional and global implications.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49744

#Somalia PM visits LasAnod after more than four decades

Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Saturday arrived in LasAnod, the administrative capital of SSC Khatumo, in what federal officials said was the first visit by a sitting Somali premier to the city in over 40 years. Barre, who led a senior federal delegation, was received by regional authorities including SSC Khatumo President Abdikhadir Ahmed Aw-Ali, known as Fardiye, as well as residents.

Members of the delegation told Anadolu that Barre is expected to hold discussions with “regional officials, civil society and women’s organizations” on matters they described as related to “national unity and peace.” Somalia’s federal government spokesperson Farhan Jim’ale characterized the visit as a “national peace and unity trip.”

LasAnod, located 933 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, has been a flashpoint between SSC Khatumo—a unionist administration—and #Somaliland forces. In 2023, the city saw months of fighting that left hundreds dead and injured.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/somali-premier-pays-historic-visit-to-lasanod/3536707

Voter registration to kick off in #Mogadishu despite disagreements in #Somalia

Somalia electoral officials have announced that voter registration for local elections in Mogadishu will begin on April 15, ahead of council elections scheduled for June 30. The move marks what would be the first direct vote for local leaders in the capital in decades, and comes despite ongoing political tensions between the federal government and some regional states.

The registration process is part of a broader electoral roadmap endorsed by most federal and regional leaders in 2023. However, #Puntland and #Jubaland did not participate in the talks that led to the agreement. According to sources familiar with the planning, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and organizers of the upcoming National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting—set for May 2025—have extended invitations to all member states, including Puntland and Jubaland. Still, it remains unclear whether their leaders will take part.

In a previous meeting, Somalia's leaders postponed the timeline for national elections, pushing local elections to June 2025 and regional parliamentary polls to September. The delay, approved in the absence of Puntland and Jubaland representatives, was criticized by both states, which have accused the federal government of moving forward with a universal suffrage model “without adequate consultations.”

While the direct voting model has already been tested in Puntland through local council elections, Puntland officials maintain that “legal procedures” must be followed before implementing similar polls across the country.

https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/voter-registration-to-kick-off-in-mogadishu-despite-disagreements-in-somalia

#Ethiopia: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has appointed Professor Kindeya Gebrehiwot as Advisory Minister for the Ministry of Education, with the rank of State Minister, effective April 14, 2025, according to state media.

Before his appointment, Professor Kindeya served as the Head of the Cabinet Secretariat for the Transformation of Social Development under the Tigray Interim Administration.

#Ethiopia: Sowing Under Shadows of Violence: #Amhara farmers face bleak harvest as conflict deepens fertilizer shortages, drives up input prices

Farmers in Ethiopia’s Amhara region are facing acute shortages of chemical fertilizer, with prices reported to have more than doubled compared to last year, as conflict between federal forces and #Fano militants continues to disrupt supply routes. Despite the federal government’s procurement of 24 million quintals of fertilizer for the 2025 Belg and Meher seasons, farmers in areas such as East Gojjam and South Gondar say distribution began only in early April, well after the start of planting activities in February.

“The fertilizer supply was better last year,” said Liben Getaneh (name changed for security reasons), a farmer in the Fogera district. “Some farmers received up to four quintals. This year, many have not even received any soil fertilizer.” He recalled paying 2,300 birr for 45 kilograms last year, noting that the same amount now costs as much as 5,000 birr. Other farmers in the area reported similar price hikes, with some stating that one quintal now sells for up to 10,000 birr. Rising prices for pesticides and transportation challenges have further complicated farming activities. “Drivers are unable to take my products to the market,” one farmer said, citing insecurity along major roads.


Local officials also acknowledged the disruption. Nigussie Malede, head of the Central Gondar Zone Agriculture Office, said the lack of peace caused by what he described as “extremist elements” is preventing timely access to fertilizers. “We are forced to transport agricultural inputs under the escort of security forces,” he said, while noting that only 26% of the planned fertilizer supply for the zone had arrived as of early April.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49747

More than 200 civilians killed as #Sudan’s #RSF attacks #Darfur displacement camps

More than 200 civilians have been killed in what aid agencies and #UN officials described as coordinated attacks by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on displacement camps and areas around El Fasher, the last major city under army control in North Darfur. At least 56 people were reportedly killed in Um Kadadah, a town seized by RSF fighters east of El Fasher, in what rights groups say is one of the deadliest episodes in the region since the conflict between the army and RSF began nearly two years ago.

The UN said killings were ongoing in and around Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps, where tens of thousands of displaced civilians have taken shelter. RSF fighters were reported to have burned structures in several sections of Zamzam. According to the UN, all medical personnel working for Relief International—“the only remaining clinic inside Zamzam camp”—were killed. The organisation said it believes the attack was “a targeted assault on all health infrastructure in the region,” preventing displaced communities from accessing essential care.

The United States has accused the RSF of committing genocide in Darfur and condemned attacks on civilians by both sides. Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, said she was “appalled and gravely alarmed” by reports from the affected camps and El Fasher. Kate Ferguson, co-director of Protection Approaches, said the apparent simultaneous RSF assaults on Zamzam, Abu Shouk and El Fasher marked “a significant escalation” and warned the offensive “could represent the beginning of the assault we have all so long feared,” adding that it should prompt immediate international action.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/13/sudans-rsf-kills-civilians-in-attacks-on-darfur-refugee-camps

#Ethiopia: #TPLF accuses federal gov't of violating Pretoria agreement, cites concern over “unilateral decisions”

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has accused the federal government of “violating” the Pretoria Peace Agreement and making “unilateral decisions” that impact the people of Tigray. In a statement issued following a five-day Central Committee meeting, the party said federal authorities were enacting “proclamations, regulations, and directives” without consultation, and described the Pretoria Agreement as “the only link” currently existing between the two sides.

The statement follows recent political changes in the Tigray Interim Administration, including the appointment of Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede as president on 8 April. In an earlier meeting held to mark the transition, TPLF Chairman Debretsion Gebremichael (PhD) pledged to work with the new leadership, while underscoring the need to maintain the administration’s “institutional independence.” In its latest statement, the party said it had “reaffirmed its commitment to fulfill its historical responsibility” in the work of the interim administration and to support efforts aimed at addressing the region’s “fundamental public demands.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49753

War in #Ethiopia’s #Tigray region has left many disabled veterans without care

More than two years after the war in Ethiopia’s Tigray region ended, thousands of disabled veterans are struggling without access to proper medical care, as damaged health infrastructure and limited resources hamper recovery efforts.

Chandera Weldesenbet, a 41-year-old veteran, says he is “worried about dying before” receiving treatment for the metal shrapnel still in his body. Bedridden and unable to work, he described feeling “hopeless” about his future and his ability to support his child. Once employed in a hotel in Shire, Chandera is among many former fighters facing long-term physical and psychological hardship.

Hiluf Haile, who lost a leg in the war, managed to receive therapy in Mekele, where he was fitted with a prosthetic at the region’s only center offering such treatment. But he said most others have no access to similar care. Many, he noted, “survive by begging, laying bare the scar of the war,” as they navigate communities with little or no infrastructure to support them.

Temesgen Tilahun, head of the Ethiopian National Rehabilitation Commission, told the Associated Press there are “more than 43,000 Tigrayan former combatants” who need reintegration and support. But with health facilities destroyed during the war and only one functioning orthopedic center in the region, thousands remain without therapy or mobility assistance. “Tigray has too many individuals with disabilities who need support, especially medicine,” said Gebrehiwot Gebrezgiabher, head of the Tigray Disaster Risk Management Commission, adding that “the situation is extremely dire.”

https://apnews.com/article/ethiopia-tigray-war-disabled-fighters-ea4c4dc9b5f7748321f046650f41ec6a

#Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council condemns "illegal" Mosque fence demolition; Kirkos Sub-City says measure taken to uphold "rule of law"

The Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council has condemned the demolition of a fence belonging to Tebarek Mosque in Addis Abeba’s Kirkos Sub-City, District 10, calling the act “illegal” and claiming it was carried out “at night” and “outside government working hours.” In a statement issued on 13 April, the Council said the mosque “has been providing spiritual services for about 50 years since 1974” and alleged that the fence was demolished “under the cover of darkness,” in a manner that “violates the spirit of dialogue and legal procedure.”

In response, the Kirkos Sub-City Administration said the demolition was carried out to “prevent illegal land occupation” and to “uphold the rule of law.” It stated that the land was formerly a Federal Police camp and “was never under the mosque’s possession.” The administration accused unnamed individuals of “illegally installing a sign and door” in an attempt to present the area as part of the mosque’s compound—actions it said had “no legal basis.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=49760