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#Ethiopia: "Very disappointed to see Addis Ababa police raid Addis Standard. This is not an irresponsible scandal sheet but an objective publication. No government likes independent media - which holds those in power accountable - but democracies accept it."
Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Ambassador Tibor Nagy reacting to the news of the police raid on this publication and seizure of multiple electronics devises on 17 April.
Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Ambassador Tibor Nagy reacting to the news of the police raid on this publication and seizure of multiple electronics devises on 17 April.
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#Egypt-#Djibouti: President Sisi, Djiboutian counterpart reject threats to security, freedom of navigation in #Red_Sea
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and his Djiboutian counterpart Ismail Omar Guelleh have witnessed the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Wednesday.
This came during their meeting at the Djiboutian presidential palace, where an official reception ceremony was held for president Sisi, the presidency spokesperson said.
The two leaders held a tete-a-tete meeting, followed by an expanded session attended by the delegations of both countries. Then, the Djiboutian president held a luncheon in honor of President Sisi.
They witnessed the signing of several agreements and MoUs, and then held a press conference during which they reviewed the highlights of the discussions.
During the conference, President Sisi and his Djiboutian counterpart reiterated their rejection of threats to security and freedom of navigation in the international trade in the Red Sea, underlining the importance of adhering to the principles and foundations of regional security.
They agreed on the exclusive responsibility of the countries bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to govern and secure this important international maritime passageway.
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/139755/President-Sisi-Djiboutian-counterpart-reject-threats-to-security-freedom-of
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and his Djiboutian counterpart Ismail Omar Guelleh have witnessed the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Wednesday.
This came during their meeting at the Djiboutian presidential palace, where an official reception ceremony was held for president Sisi, the presidency spokesperson said.
The two leaders held a tete-a-tete meeting, followed by an expanded session attended by the delegations of both countries. Then, the Djiboutian president held a luncheon in honor of President Sisi.
They witnessed the signing of several agreements and MoUs, and then held a press conference during which they reviewed the highlights of the discussions.
During the conference, President Sisi and his Djiboutian counterpart reiterated their rejection of threats to security and freedom of navigation in the international trade in the Red Sea, underlining the importance of adhering to the principles and foundations of regional security.
They agreed on the exclusive responsibility of the countries bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to govern and secure this important international maritime passageway.
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/139755/President-Sisi-Djiboutian-counterpart-reject-threats-to-security-freedom-of
EgyptToday
President Sisi, Djiboutian counterpart reject threats to security, freedom of navigation in Red Sea
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and his Djiboutian counterpart Ismail Omar Guelleh have witnessed the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Wednesday.
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#Ethiopia: More than 100 people killed in drone strike in East #Gojjam zone, #Amhara region; eyewitnesses report civilian casualties
More than 100 people were reportedly killed in a drone strike on Thursday, 17 April, in Gedeb, a rural town in Enarj Enawga district of East Gojam Zone, Amhara region, according to residents and eyewitnesses who spoke to the BBC. The attack, which occurred near Gedeb Primary School, struck an area where locals had gathered for what they described as “development work,” including building a fence for the school. One resident, who said he was present at the time, described a scene of “screaming, commotion, and panic,” and added, “Everything turned black… there were no recognizable human forms in the entire area.” Another resident who sustained injuries said there was a “heavy explosion” and claimed that “many people were injured.”
Locals reported that between 115 and 120 bodies were buried at Gedeb St. Giorgis Church, with one man saying, “I think there might be more unaccounted for because we were in a state of panic.” Residents said that bodies were buried in a mass grave in about five graves. The incident, which occurred days before the Easter holiday, left the community in mourning, with one witness saying, “It didn’t feel like a holiday at all.” However, Enarj Enawga district administrator Mulu Gete told the BBC the drone strike targeted “extremist” #Fano militants and dismissed reports of civilian deaths as “enemy propaganda.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=49854
More than 100 people were reportedly killed in a drone strike on Thursday, 17 April, in Gedeb, a rural town in Enarj Enawga district of East Gojam Zone, Amhara region, according to residents and eyewitnesses who spoke to the BBC. The attack, which occurred near Gedeb Primary School, struck an area where locals had gathered for what they described as “development work,” including building a fence for the school. One resident, who said he was present at the time, described a scene of “screaming, commotion, and panic,” and added, “Everything turned black… there were no recognizable human forms in the entire area.” Another resident who sustained injuries said there was a “heavy explosion” and claimed that “many people were injured.”
Locals reported that between 115 and 120 bodies were buried at Gedeb St. Giorgis Church, with one man saying, “I think there might be more unaccounted for because we were in a state of panic.” Residents said that bodies were buried in a mass grave in about five graves. The incident, which occurred days before the Easter holiday, left the community in mourning, with one witness saying, “It didn’t feel like a holiday at all.” However, Enarj Enawga district administrator Mulu Gete told the BBC the drone strike targeted “extremist” #Fano militants and dismissed reports of civilian deaths as “enemy propaganda.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=49854
Addis Standard
More than 100 people killed in drone strike in East Gojjam zone, Amhara region; eyewitnesses report civilian casualties - Addis…
More than 100 people killed in drone strike in East Gojjam zone, Amhara region; eyewitnesses report civilian casualties Addis Standard News -
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#Ethiopia: “Going to #Saudi-Arabia, or to my grave”; despair drives #Oromia youth to risk deadly migration
Negesu Tabse, an elderly farmer in Kofele, a district of the Arsi Zone in central Oromia, remembers the day his 17-year-old son disappeared from their home. “Sometimes Abdelfattah would say, ‘This life is not good; maybe I need to go somewhere else,’” he recalled. Weeks later, the family received a phone call from Las Anod, a contested Somali town between breakaway #Somaliland and Puntland. Abdelfattah, who had left with the help of a dalala (smuggler), said he had been “beaten” and forced “to call for money or be killed.” Negesu sent 30,000 birr to the traffickers. “Please come back, my son, I will share everything I have with you,” he pleaded. “He didn’t accept,” said Negesu. “He said he needed to work and change his life.”
In Oromia, where protests led by the #Qeerroo youth movement erupted in 2014, frustration has increasingly given way to despair. The movement, once a powerful symbol of resistance to unemployment, displacement, and repression, is now eclipsed by a sense of resignation. “In the small towns, there is just no work,” said Terje Østebø, professor at the University of Florida and an expert on Oromia. “Corruption is completely out of control, and prisons across Oromia are filled with people.” Government forces, he added, “can accuse anyone of being #OLA… if you don’t pay, you’ll be put in prison.”
According to local officials, tens of thousands are now leaving Oromia each year, most via the so-called Eastern Route that passes through Somaliland and Puntland before attempting a crossing to Yemen and onward to Saudi Arabia. In 2024 alone, nearly 185,000 Ethiopians were recorded by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as taking this route — a one-third increase from the previous year. Aid workers and local authorities say a significant proportion of them are Oromo. “They feel they have no choice but to go abroad and change their lives,” said Bushra Ibrahim, a Qeerroo representative in Ashoka, a small town in Kofele.
The risks are grave. Boats crossing the Gulf of Aden frequently capsize, and violence by smugglers is rampant. “Musa said: ‘Don’t follow me. The road and the situation is very difficult,’” recalled Bonsai Said, whose eldest son eventually reached Saudi Arabia after paying a ransom. But her younger son, Ramato, followed just weeks later. He too called to request money. “We are very worried,” she said. The family has not heard from him since February.
Despite the dangers, more young men continue to leave. As a popular local saying now goes: “Gala Suudii, yookin gala luudii” — “I am going to Saudi Arabia, or to my grave.”
https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature/2025/04/23/ethiopia-frustrated-youth-south-south-migration-africa
Negesu Tabse, an elderly farmer in Kofele, a district of the Arsi Zone in central Oromia, remembers the day his 17-year-old son disappeared from their home. “Sometimes Abdelfattah would say, ‘This life is not good; maybe I need to go somewhere else,’” he recalled. Weeks later, the family received a phone call from Las Anod, a contested Somali town between breakaway #Somaliland and Puntland. Abdelfattah, who had left with the help of a dalala (smuggler), said he had been “beaten” and forced “to call for money or be killed.” Negesu sent 30,000 birr to the traffickers. “Please come back, my son, I will share everything I have with you,” he pleaded. “He didn’t accept,” said Negesu. “He said he needed to work and change his life.”
In Oromia, where protests led by the #Qeerroo youth movement erupted in 2014, frustration has increasingly given way to despair. The movement, once a powerful symbol of resistance to unemployment, displacement, and repression, is now eclipsed by a sense of resignation. “In the small towns, there is just no work,” said Terje Østebø, professor at the University of Florida and an expert on Oromia. “Corruption is completely out of control, and prisons across Oromia are filled with people.” Government forces, he added, “can accuse anyone of being #OLA… if you don’t pay, you’ll be put in prison.”
According to local officials, tens of thousands are now leaving Oromia each year, most via the so-called Eastern Route that passes through Somaliland and Puntland before attempting a crossing to Yemen and onward to Saudi Arabia. In 2024 alone, nearly 185,000 Ethiopians were recorded by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as taking this route — a one-third increase from the previous year. Aid workers and local authorities say a significant proportion of them are Oromo. “They feel they have no choice but to go abroad and change their lives,” said Bushra Ibrahim, a Qeerroo representative in Ashoka, a small town in Kofele.
The risks are grave. Boats crossing the Gulf of Aden frequently capsize, and violence by smugglers is rampant. “Musa said: ‘Don’t follow me. The road and the situation is very difficult,’” recalled Bonsai Said, whose eldest son eventually reached Saudi Arabia after paying a ransom. But her younger son, Ramato, followed just weeks later. He too called to request money. “We are very worried,” she said. The family has not heard from him since February.
Despite the dangers, more young men continue to leave. As a popular local saying now goes: “Gala Suudii, yookin gala luudii” — “I am going to Saudi Arabia, or to my grave.”
https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature/2025/04/23/ethiopia-frustrated-youth-south-south-migration-africa
The New Humanitarian
“I am going to Saudi Arabia, or my grave”: The exodus of Ethiopia’s frustrated youth
Young Oromos are leaving the region in droves, risking torture and death to cross the Red Sea in search of a better life.
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Why #Somalia’s oil deal with #Turkiye is facing growing backlash
Billed as a win-win for development, the pact has ignited sharp criticism, with opponents arguing it grants Ankara outsized control and chips away at Mogadishu’s sovereignty.
Turkiye’s ambitions in the Horn of Africa have taken a significant leap with a hydrocarbons agreement granting Ankara extensive control over Somalia’s oil and gas exploration. While Somali and Turkish officials tout the deal as a landmark step towards energy development, critics warn it marks a troubling erosion of Somalia’s resource sovereignty.
The hydrocarbon exploration and production agreement was signed on 7 March 2024 in Istanbul by the energy ministers of Somalia and Turkiye, against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Somalia and #Ethiopia over the latter’s controversial maritime deal with #Somaliland.
https://www.theafricareport.com/382210/why-somalias-oil-deal-with-turkiye-is-facing-growing-backlash/
Billed as a win-win for development, the pact has ignited sharp criticism, with opponents arguing it grants Ankara outsized control and chips away at Mogadishu’s sovereignty.
Turkiye’s ambitions in the Horn of Africa have taken a significant leap with a hydrocarbons agreement granting Ankara extensive control over Somalia’s oil and gas exploration. While Somali and Turkish officials tout the deal as a landmark step towards energy development, critics warn it marks a troubling erosion of Somalia’s resource sovereignty.
The hydrocarbon exploration and production agreement was signed on 7 March 2024 in Istanbul by the energy ministers of Somalia and Turkiye, against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Somalia and #Ethiopia over the latter’s controversial maritime deal with #Somaliland.
https://www.theafricareport.com/382210/why-somalias-oil-deal-with-turkiye-is-facing-growing-backlash/
The Africa Report
Why Somalia’s oil deal with Turkiye is facing growing backlash
Billed as a win-win for development, the pact has ignited sharp criticism, with opponents arguing it grants Ankara outsized control and chips away at Mogadishu’s sovereignty.
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#Ethiopia: Three opposition parties in #Tigray reject new interim cabinet; cite “dominance by one group,” “lack of inclusivity”
Three opposition parties in Tigray—Arena, the Tigray Independence Party, and Baytona—have rejected the legitimacy of the newly formed cabinet under the Interim Administration led by Lt. Gen. Tadese Werede, citing a “lack of inclusivity” and what they described as “dominance by one group.” In a joint statement released on 23 April, the parties, which operate under the “Covenant for Tigray National Security,” claimed the administration “came to power by force” following the expiry of the previous administration’s mandate and criticized the cabinet for being “not inclusive and participatory.”
Dr. Dejen Mezgebe, Chairperson of the Tigray Independence Party, said the cabinet “only involves one group” and lacks recognition from the Tigray Interim Council. Amdom G/Selassie, Chairperson of Arena, argued that decisions by the new cabinet should be subject to council approval, a step he claimed “has been overlooked.” Yosef Berhe, Deputy Chairperson of Baytona, criticized the administration’s actions, stating that at a time when “Tigray is fragmented” and “displaced citizens in tents are dying from hunger,” the government has focused on forming a cabinet “that represents only one group” with the primary aim of “controlling the region’s resources.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=49861
Three opposition parties in Tigray—Arena, the Tigray Independence Party, and Baytona—have rejected the legitimacy of the newly formed cabinet under the Interim Administration led by Lt. Gen. Tadese Werede, citing a “lack of inclusivity” and what they described as “dominance by one group.” In a joint statement released on 23 April, the parties, which operate under the “Covenant for Tigray National Security,” claimed the administration “came to power by force” following the expiry of the previous administration’s mandate and criticized the cabinet for being “not inclusive and participatory.”
Dr. Dejen Mezgebe, Chairperson of the Tigray Independence Party, said the cabinet “only involves one group” and lacks recognition from the Tigray Interim Council. Amdom G/Selassie, Chairperson of Arena, argued that decisions by the new cabinet should be subject to council approval, a step he claimed “has been overlooked.” Yosef Berhe, Deputy Chairperson of Baytona, criticized the administration’s actions, stating that at a time when “Tigray is fragmented” and “displaced citizens in tents are dying from hunger,” the government has focused on forming a cabinet “that represents only one group” with the primary aim of “controlling the region’s resources.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=49861
Addis Standard
Three opposition parties in Tigray reject new interim cabinet; cite “dominance by one group,” “lack of inclusivity” - Addis Standard
Three opposition parties in Tigray reject new interim cabinet; cite “dominance by one group,” “lack of inclusivity” Addis Standard News -
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#Commentary: Roadblocked in a landlocked nation: #Gindabarat’s 75-year plea for connection
In this commentary, Teshome Hunduma (PhD), Senior Advisor for Biodiversity and Sustainable Food Systems at the Norwegian Forum for Development and Environment (ForUM), highlights Gindabarat’s decades-long struggle with geographic and infrastructural isolation. Located in the west-central highlands of #Ethiopia, approximately 193 kilometers from #Addis_Abeba, the district remains, in the author's words, “as physically close to the capital as it is politically and economically isolated.” Through a personal lens and development expertise, the piece draws attention to what he describes as “a 75-year plea for connection” — a reference to the persistent lack of an all-weather road linking the district to the rest of Ethiopia.
The article underlines how deep gorges, escarpments, and unreliable roads have left over 300,000 residents effectively cut off from essential services, markets, and national development agendas. The commentary recalls a string of unfulfilled promises by successive governments since the 1960s, including an asphalt road project re-tendered in 2024 but, according to residents, “abruptly closed without explanation or result.” Reflecting on these delays, the author recounts walking 103 kilometers barefoot in 1994 to take a passport-sized photo required for school exams — a story shared, he notes, by many in the area who continue to face what he calls “not merely administrative” but “profoundly personal” consequences.
The piece further details Gindabarat’s untapped economic potential — from diverse crop production and oilseed exports to natural gas indications and ecotourism sites like the Yaddii hot spring. Yet, as the commentary underscores, this potential remains unrealized due to “inadequate infrastructure and institutional support,” particularly the absence of reliable roads. Citing development economist Paul Collier, Teshome argues that “connectivity is foundational” to growth and warns that Ethiopia’s development rhetoric may ring hollow without rural infrastructure investments. In the words of local advocate Guddataa Taaddasaa Bantii, whose public plea is cited in the article, Gindabarat has become “an island” — not for lack of effort, but because “the road remains unbuilt.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=49869
In this commentary, Teshome Hunduma (PhD), Senior Advisor for Biodiversity and Sustainable Food Systems at the Norwegian Forum for Development and Environment (ForUM), highlights Gindabarat’s decades-long struggle with geographic and infrastructural isolation. Located in the west-central highlands of #Ethiopia, approximately 193 kilometers from #Addis_Abeba, the district remains, in the author's words, “as physically close to the capital as it is politically and economically isolated.” Through a personal lens and development expertise, the piece draws attention to what he describes as “a 75-year plea for connection” — a reference to the persistent lack of an all-weather road linking the district to the rest of Ethiopia.
The article underlines how deep gorges, escarpments, and unreliable roads have left over 300,000 residents effectively cut off from essential services, markets, and national development agendas. The commentary recalls a string of unfulfilled promises by successive governments since the 1960s, including an asphalt road project re-tendered in 2024 but, according to residents, “abruptly closed without explanation or result.” Reflecting on these delays, the author recounts walking 103 kilometers barefoot in 1994 to take a passport-sized photo required for school exams — a story shared, he notes, by many in the area who continue to face what he calls “not merely administrative” but “profoundly personal” consequences.
The piece further details Gindabarat’s untapped economic potential — from diverse crop production and oilseed exports to natural gas indications and ecotourism sites like the Yaddii hot spring. Yet, as the commentary underscores, this potential remains unrealized due to “inadequate infrastructure and institutional support,” particularly the absence of reliable roads. Citing development economist Paul Collier, Teshome argues that “connectivity is foundational” to growth and warns that Ethiopia’s development rhetoric may ring hollow without rural infrastructure investments. In the words of local advocate Guddataa Taaddasaa Bantii, whose public plea is cited in the article, Gindabarat has become “an island” — not for lack of effort, but because “the road remains unbuilt.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=49869
Addis Standard
Roadblocked in a landlocked nation: Gindabarat’s 75-year plea for connection - Addis Standard
Roadblocked in a landlocked nation: Gindabarat’s 75-year plea for connection Addis Standard Commentary -
#Ethiopia: Police detain journalist Abebe Fikir of The Reporter Newspaper while on assignment
Addis Abeba - Abebe Fikir, a journalist with the privately owned The Reporter Newspaper, was detained on the evening of 23 April while carrying out an assignment. At the time of his detention, he was gathering information from officials in Lideta Sub-city as part of an effort to present a balanced news story, according to The Reporter.
The circumstances surrounding his detention remain unclear. Following his sudden disappearance, The Reporter said they contacted the Addis Abeba Police Commission to inquire about his whereabouts. The PR office cooperated in locating the journalist, confirming that he is currently being held at a police station in Gejja Sefer, within Lideta Sub-city.
"Abebe was simply doing his job - seeking the truth and ensuring all sides of a story were represented. His arrest is deeply concerning and raises serious questions about press freedom and the treatment of journalists in Ethiopia."
Addis Abeba - Abebe Fikir, a journalist with the privately owned The Reporter Newspaper, was detained on the evening of 23 April while carrying out an assignment. At the time of his detention, he was gathering information from officials in Lideta Sub-city as part of an effort to present a balanced news story, according to The Reporter.
The circumstances surrounding his detention remain unclear. Following his sudden disappearance, The Reporter said they contacted the Addis Abeba Police Commission to inquire about his whereabouts. The PR office cooperated in locating the journalist, confirming that he is currently being held at a police station in Gejja Sefer, within Lideta Sub-city.
"Abebe was simply doing his job - seeking the truth and ensuring all sides of a story were represented. His arrest is deeply concerning and raises serious questions about press freedom and the treatment of journalists in Ethiopia."
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#Somalia's parliamentary committee criticises oil deal with #Turkey; cites lack of transparency
Somalia’s parliamentary Natural Resources Committee has expressed strong opposition to a controversial oil and gas deal signed with Turkey, following leaked documents indicating that Ankara would receive 90% of the revenue from offshore oil and gas production, while Somalia would earn only 5%.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the committee said the agreement—reportedly signed by former petroleum minister Abdirisak Omar Mohamed in early 2024—was concluded “without prior consultation with Parliament.” It added that “lawmakers were not informed of the deal,” and claimed the agreement contravenes “Somalia’s legal and constitutional frameworks.”
Committee members further alleged that the deal was “pushed through without proper scrutiny,” and said the public and civil society have only recently become aware of its contents. “The fact that Turkey gets the lion’s share while Somalia receives just 5% is unacceptable and shocking,” said one member of the committee, adding that the arrangement “raises questions about whose interest this deal really serves.”
https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somalia-s-parliamentary-committee-opposes-secretive-oil-deal-with-turkey
Somalia’s parliamentary Natural Resources Committee has expressed strong opposition to a controversial oil and gas deal signed with Turkey, following leaked documents indicating that Ankara would receive 90% of the revenue from offshore oil and gas production, while Somalia would earn only 5%.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the committee said the agreement—reportedly signed by former petroleum minister Abdirisak Omar Mohamed in early 2024—was concluded “without prior consultation with Parliament.” It added that “lawmakers were not informed of the deal,” and claimed the agreement contravenes “Somalia’s legal and constitutional frameworks.”
Committee members further alleged that the deal was “pushed through without proper scrutiny,” and said the public and civil society have only recently become aware of its contents. “The fact that Turkey gets the lion’s share while Somalia receives just 5% is unacceptable and shocking,” said one member of the committee, adding that the arrangement “raises questions about whose interest this deal really serves.”
https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somalia-s-parliamentary-committee-opposes-secretive-oil-deal-with-turkey
Garowe Online
Somalia’s Parliamentary Committee Opposes Secretive Oil Deal With Turkey
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#Ethiopia: #ONLF accuses #Somali region security forces of disrupting women’s meeting, reports injuries and detentions
The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) chaired by Abdirahman Mahdi has accused security forces in the Somali Region of disrupting a women’s meeting in #Jigjiga, detaining its members and injuring others. In a statement issued on April 24, the group said the incident was part of a “widening crackdown” on its supporters and political space.
The statement said “a peaceful meeting” of the Ogaden Women’s Association held at its “regional office in Jigjiga” was “violently disrupted by armed security forces.” It claimed that “several ONLF members were injured,” a “renowned cultural figure” was hospitalized, and “a number of ONLF officers” were detained. The group described the incident as “an attack” on “unarmed civilians and legitimate political actors.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=49873
The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) chaired by Abdirahman Mahdi has accused security forces in the Somali Region of disrupting a women’s meeting in #Jigjiga, detaining its members and injuring others. In a statement issued on April 24, the group said the incident was part of a “widening crackdown” on its supporters and political space.
The statement said “a peaceful meeting” of the Ogaden Women’s Association held at its “regional office in Jigjiga” was “violently disrupted by armed security forces.” It claimed that “several ONLF members were injured,” a “renowned cultural figure” was hospitalized, and “a number of ONLF officers” were detained. The group described the incident as “an attack” on “unarmed civilians and legitimate political actors.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=49873
Addis Standard
ONLF accuses Somali region security forces of disrupting women’s meeting, reports injuries and detentions - Addis Standard
ONLF accuses Somali region security forces of disrupting women’s meeting, reports injuries and detentions Addis Standard News -
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Al-Shabaab terrorists attack strategic army base in #Somalia, multiple casualties on both sides
Al-Shabaab militants launched a pre-dawn assault on a National Army base in #Wargaadhi village, Middle Shabelle region, on Thursday, leading to what officials described as “fierce combat” between government forces and the al-Qaeda-linked group. The attack, which targeted one of the most strategic bases in the area, reportedly caused multiple casualties on both sides.
A security official, who spoke to Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity, said the army, supported by local militias, “engaged in heavy fighting” after the group attempted to overrun the base. While al-Shabaab claimed it had seized control of the village, the Defense Ministry rejected the assertion, stating that Wargaadhi “remains fully under the control of the National Army and local forces.”
Wargaadhi, the second-largest army base in Middle Shabelle after Adan Yabaal, is seen as a critical location due to its connection with other military sites in Eel-Dheer and Masagaway, located in the neighboring Galmudug state. The group has escalated its operations in the region, particularly targeting military infrastructure, since the beginning of Ramadan.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/al-shabaab-terrorists-attack-strategic-army-base-in-somalia-multiple-casualties-on-both-sides/3547720
Al-Shabaab militants launched a pre-dawn assault on a National Army base in #Wargaadhi village, Middle Shabelle region, on Thursday, leading to what officials described as “fierce combat” between government forces and the al-Qaeda-linked group. The attack, which targeted one of the most strategic bases in the area, reportedly caused multiple casualties on both sides.
A security official, who spoke to Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity, said the army, supported by local militias, “engaged in heavy fighting” after the group attempted to overrun the base. While al-Shabaab claimed it had seized control of the village, the Defense Ministry rejected the assertion, stating that Wargaadhi “remains fully under the control of the National Army and local forces.”
Wargaadhi, the second-largest army base in Middle Shabelle after Adan Yabaal, is seen as a critical location due to its connection with other military sites in Eel-Dheer and Masagaway, located in the neighboring Galmudug state. The group has escalated its operations in the region, particularly targeting military infrastructure, since the beginning of Ramadan.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/al-shabaab-terrorists-attack-strategic-army-base-in-somalia-multiple-casualties-on-both-sides/3547720
Anadolu Agency
Al-Shabaab terrorists attack strategic army base in Somalia, multiple casualties on both sides
Al-Qaeda-affiliated group claims to have overrun army base in Wargaadhi, but Somali Defense Ministry denies and says it remains under military control
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#Ethiopia's inflation rate to decline to 10% in 2025/2026 fiscal year, central bank governor says
Ethiopia’s annual inflation rate is projected to decline to 10% in the 2025/26 fiscal year, National Bank Governor Mamo Mihretu said on Thursday, attributing the expected drop to a set of economic reforms underway. Speaking during the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, Mamo stated that the current trajectory marks the lowest inflation in ten years.
The East African nation struck a four-year, $3.4 billion program deal with the International Monetary Fund last July and is undertaking far-reaching reforms which included the floatation of its birr currency and getting its debt restructuring back on track.
Mamo said inflation, which had remained around 30% for three consecutive years, fell to 13% in March. He also said the government’s reform agenda has begun to stabilize key macroeconomic indicators. “One of the most serious issues that we faced before the reform was the dwindling and falling reserves that we had to worry about on a daily basis,” he said. “After the reform, our reserves level increased threefold.”
He projected a doubling of exports and at least a 25% increase in remittance inflows, and said foreign currency reserves had shown “a clear impact” from the reforms, with reserves across the banking system rising significantly.
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopias-inflation-rate-decline-10-20252026-fiscal-year-2025-04-24/
Ethiopia’s annual inflation rate is projected to decline to 10% in the 2025/26 fiscal year, National Bank Governor Mamo Mihretu said on Thursday, attributing the expected drop to a set of economic reforms underway. Speaking during the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, Mamo stated that the current trajectory marks the lowest inflation in ten years.
The East African nation struck a four-year, $3.4 billion program deal with the International Monetary Fund last July and is undertaking far-reaching reforms which included the floatation of its birr currency and getting its debt restructuring back on track.
Mamo said inflation, which had remained around 30% for three consecutive years, fell to 13% in March. He also said the government’s reform agenda has begun to stabilize key macroeconomic indicators. “One of the most serious issues that we faced before the reform was the dwindling and falling reserves that we had to worry about on a daily basis,” he said. “After the reform, our reserves level increased threefold.”
He projected a doubling of exports and at least a 25% increase in remittance inflows, and said foreign currency reserves had shown “a clear impact” from the reforms, with reserves across the banking system rising significantly.
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopias-inflation-rate-decline-10-20252026-fiscal-year-2025-04-24/
Reuters
Ethiopia's inflation rate to decline to 10% in 2025/2026 fiscal year
Ethiopia's inflation is expected to decline to 10% in the coming financial year, the country's central bank chief Mamo Mihretu said on Thursday, the lowest level in a decade thanks to the government's reform programme.
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#Rwandan beekeeper arrested in #US over #genocide charges
A Rwandan beekeeper living in the US has been arrested over his alleged involvement in the 1994 genocide in his country.
Faustin Nsabumukunzi is accused of committing "heinous acts of violence abroad" when he served as a local leader at the start of genocide, the Justice Department said.
The 65-year-old suspect was also charged with visa fraud and attempted naturalization fraud when he moved to the US in 2003. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on bail.
"Nsabumukunzi repeatedly lied to conceal his involvement in the horrific Rwandan genocide while seeking to become a lawful permanent resident and citizen of the United States," said John Durham, a federal prosecutor.
In just 100 days in 1994, about 800,000 people were killed in Rwanda by ethnic Hutu extremists.
The mainly Tutsi forces who took power following the genocide were alleged to have killed thousands of Hutu people in Rwanda in retaliation.
Nsabumukunzi is alleged to have set up roadblocks during the genocide to detain and kill Tutsis and to have participated in killings, prosecutors said, citing witnesses.
"Nsabumukunzi used his leadership position to oversee the violence and killings of Tutsis in his local area and directed groups of armed Hutus to kill Tutsis," the federal prosecutors said.
He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to life in prison in absentia by a Rwandan genocide court, according to US legal papers.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0el7z58xzlo
A Rwandan beekeeper living in the US has been arrested over his alleged involvement in the 1994 genocide in his country.
Faustin Nsabumukunzi is accused of committing "heinous acts of violence abroad" when he served as a local leader at the start of genocide, the Justice Department said.
The 65-year-old suspect was also charged with visa fraud and attempted naturalization fraud when he moved to the US in 2003. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on bail.
"Nsabumukunzi repeatedly lied to conceal his involvement in the horrific Rwandan genocide while seeking to become a lawful permanent resident and citizen of the United States," said John Durham, a federal prosecutor.
In just 100 days in 1994, about 800,000 people were killed in Rwanda by ethnic Hutu extremists.
The mainly Tutsi forces who took power following the genocide were alleged to have killed thousands of Hutu people in Rwanda in retaliation.
Nsabumukunzi is alleged to have set up roadblocks during the genocide to detain and kill Tutsis and to have participated in killings, prosecutors said, citing witnesses.
"Nsabumukunzi used his leadership position to oversee the violence and killings of Tutsis in his local area and directed groups of armed Hutus to kill Tutsis," the federal prosecutors said.
He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to life in prison in absentia by a Rwandan genocide court, according to US legal papers.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0el7z58xzlo
Bbc
Rwandan beekeeper arrested in US over genocide charges
The 65-year-old suspect is also charged with visa fraud while seeking to become a US citizen in 2003.
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#Opinion - Fueling fragility: #Turkey’s #Somalia oil deal could risk new crisis in the Horn
Turkey’s recently revealed hydrocarbons deal with Somalia has sparked outrage across the Horn of #Africa, with critics calling it opaque, exploitative, and destabilizing. Granting Turkey near-total control over Somalia’s oil sector - 90% cost recovery, unchecked revenue repatriation, and third-party rights without Somali oversight - the agreement bypasses domestic consensus and international norms.
The deal’s unveiling has drawn fierce condemnation from #Somaliland, which views the move as an illegitimate intrusion into its sovereign territory and a direct threat to regional peace.
In this piece the writer argues that from a win-win partnership, the agreement reveals #Ankara’s deeper strategic ambitions under its “Africa Opening Strategy,” risking new crises in a region already burdened by conflict and contested sovereignties. “It fuels not just oil exploration, but also fragility- exacerbating historical grievances, violating international norms, and undermining efforts toward long-term peace and cooperation.”
With #Ethiopia, China, and #Egypt also active in the Horn, Turkey’s militarized oil push, which now faces rising backlash may ignite geopolitical flashpoints rather than foster stability. Inclusive diplomacy and regional dialogue are urgently needed to defuse tensions and prevent escalation.
https://addisstandard.com/fueling-fragility-how-turkeys-somalia-oil-deal-could-risk-new-crisis-in-the-horn/
Turkey’s recently revealed hydrocarbons deal with Somalia has sparked outrage across the Horn of #Africa, with critics calling it opaque, exploitative, and destabilizing. Granting Turkey near-total control over Somalia’s oil sector - 90% cost recovery, unchecked revenue repatriation, and third-party rights without Somali oversight - the agreement bypasses domestic consensus and international norms.
The deal’s unveiling has drawn fierce condemnation from #Somaliland, which views the move as an illegitimate intrusion into its sovereign territory and a direct threat to regional peace.
In this piece the writer argues that from a win-win partnership, the agreement reveals #Ankara’s deeper strategic ambitions under its “Africa Opening Strategy,” risking new crises in a region already burdened by conflict and contested sovereignties. “It fuels not just oil exploration, but also fragility- exacerbating historical grievances, violating international norms, and undermining efforts toward long-term peace and cooperation.”
With #Ethiopia, China, and #Egypt also active in the Horn, Turkey’s militarized oil push, which now faces rising backlash may ignite geopolitical flashpoints rather than foster stability. Inclusive diplomacy and regional dialogue are urgently needed to defuse tensions and prevent escalation.
https://addisstandard.com/fueling-fragility-how-turkeys-somalia-oil-deal-could-risk-new-crisis-in-the-horn/
Addis Standard
Opinion - Fueling fragility: Turkey’s Somalia oil deal could risk new crisis in the Horn - Addis Standard
Opinion - Fueling fragility: Turkey’s Somalia oil deal could risk new crisis in the Horn Addis Standard Opinion -
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#Beijing International Film Festival spotlights #African voices in global cinema
The 15th edition of the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), held from 18–26 April, has drawn global attention not only for marking cinema’s 130th anniversary, but also for showcasing diverse narratives from around the world—including African cinema, according to Chen Ziqi, a journalist with CGTN. Among the 15 finalists for the festival’s top honor, the Tiantan Award, 12 are international films, selected from nearly 1,800 submissions spanning 103 countries and regions, Ziqi wrote.
One of the finalists is Nawi: Dear Future Me, a #Kenya-#Germany co-production set in rural Turkana, Kenya. The film follows a 13-year-old girl whose hopes of studying in Nairobi are derailed when her father arranges her marriage in exchange for livestock. Co-director Kevin Schmutzler, quoted by Ziqi, said the film seeks to “raise awareness among policymakers” and aims at “ultimately changing lives,” particularly in relation to the issue of child marriage. According to UNICEF data cited in the report, over four million cases have been reported in Kenya despite laws prohibiting the practice.
Ziqi noted that African films have previously been nominated for the Tiantan Award, including Krotoa in 2018 and Night of the Kings in 2021. While African cinema has had limited exposure in Chinese theaters, the report emphasized that festivals like BJIFF have become “essential platforms” for introducing such works to local audiences. Luc Bendza, actor and representative of the African Film Association in China, was quoted as saying the festival provides “a valuable platform for Chinese audiences to engage with the African film industry and explore its growing creative landscape.”
https://addisstandard.com/beijing-international-film-festival-spotlights-african-voices-in-global-cinema/
The 15th edition of the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), held from 18–26 April, has drawn global attention not only for marking cinema’s 130th anniversary, but also for showcasing diverse narratives from around the world—including African cinema, according to Chen Ziqi, a journalist with CGTN. Among the 15 finalists for the festival’s top honor, the Tiantan Award, 12 are international films, selected from nearly 1,800 submissions spanning 103 countries and regions, Ziqi wrote.
One of the finalists is Nawi: Dear Future Me, a #Kenya-#Germany co-production set in rural Turkana, Kenya. The film follows a 13-year-old girl whose hopes of studying in Nairobi are derailed when her father arranges her marriage in exchange for livestock. Co-director Kevin Schmutzler, quoted by Ziqi, said the film seeks to “raise awareness among policymakers” and aims at “ultimately changing lives,” particularly in relation to the issue of child marriage. According to UNICEF data cited in the report, over four million cases have been reported in Kenya despite laws prohibiting the practice.
Ziqi noted that African films have previously been nominated for the Tiantan Award, including Krotoa in 2018 and Night of the Kings in 2021. While African cinema has had limited exposure in Chinese theaters, the report emphasized that festivals like BJIFF have become “essential platforms” for introducing such works to local audiences. Luc Bendza, actor and representative of the African Film Association in China, was quoted as saying the festival provides “a valuable platform for Chinese audiences to engage with the African film industry and explore its growing creative landscape.”
https://addisstandard.com/beijing-international-film-festival-spotlights-african-voices-in-global-cinema/
Addis Standard
Beijing International Film Festival spotlights African voices in global cinema - Addis Standard
Beijing International Film Festival spotlights African voices in global cinema Addis Standard Art & Culture -
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#Ethio_Telecom collects 3.2 billion birr from share sale; over 47,000 individuals participated
Ethio Telecom announced it has raised 3.2 billion birr from the sale of a 10 percent stake to Ethiopian nationals, following a four-month public offering.
In a statement given to the media on April 25, 2025, CEO Frehiwot Tamiru said the offering, which ran from October 16, 2024, to February 14, 2025, attracted 47,377 participants who purchased a total of 10.7 million shares.
Frehiwot said 100 million shares had been made available during the offering period, with a purchase limit of one million birr per individual to encourage broader participation.
She also stated that requests were submitted by banks and individuals of Ethiopian origin, noting that the process involving these participants “will be made public in the future.”
Read more: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1915798499288899775
Ethio Telecom announced it has raised 3.2 billion birr from the sale of a 10 percent stake to Ethiopian nationals, following a four-month public offering.
In a statement given to the media on April 25, 2025, CEO Frehiwot Tamiru said the offering, which ran from October 16, 2024, to February 14, 2025, attracted 47,377 participants who purchased a total of 10.7 million shares.
Frehiwot said 100 million shares had been made available during the offering period, with a purchase limit of one million birr per individual to encourage broader participation.
She also stated that requests were submitted by banks and individuals of Ethiopian origin, noting that the process involving these participants “will be made public in the future.”
Read more: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1915798499288899775
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#Turkey doubles troops in #Somalia amid Al-Shabab offensive
Turkey has nearly doubled its military personnel in Somalia this week, deploying close to 500 additional soldiers, following Al-Shabab’s recent territorial gains near #Mogadishu, several sources familiar with the matter told Middle East Eye. The deployment, which includes armed drones, commandos, and ammunition, comes amid growing concerns in #Ankara over what sources described as "the deteriorating security situation" in Somalia. Despite the increased presence, Turkey has avoided direct ground engagement with Al-Shabab fighters.
Al-Shabab reportedly captured several villages south of Mogadishu last month, areas described by sources as "strategically important" for the Somali government as they serve as a defensive buffer against attacks such as car bombings. In response, Turkey deployed nearly 500 additional troops tasked with safeguarding the Turkish military base, Turksom, operating armed drones, and protecting Mogadishu’s port facilities.
A Turkish source told MEE that Ankara’s forces "are there solely to protect Turkish assets and to train and advise Somali forces," emphasizing that direct engagement with Al-Shabab would occur "only if absolutely necessary and in self-defence."
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-doubles-troops-somalia-amid-al-shabab-offensive
Turkey has nearly doubled its military personnel in Somalia this week, deploying close to 500 additional soldiers, following Al-Shabab’s recent territorial gains near #Mogadishu, several sources familiar with the matter told Middle East Eye. The deployment, which includes armed drones, commandos, and ammunition, comes amid growing concerns in #Ankara over what sources described as "the deteriorating security situation" in Somalia. Despite the increased presence, Turkey has avoided direct ground engagement with Al-Shabab fighters.
Al-Shabab reportedly captured several villages south of Mogadishu last month, areas described by sources as "strategically important" for the Somali government as they serve as a defensive buffer against attacks such as car bombings. In response, Turkey deployed nearly 500 additional troops tasked with safeguarding the Turkish military base, Turksom, operating armed drones, and protecting Mogadishu’s port facilities.
A Turkish source told MEE that Ankara’s forces "are there solely to protect Turkish assets and to train and advise Somali forces," emphasizing that direct engagement with Al-Shabab would occur "only if absolutely necessary and in self-defence."
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-doubles-troops-somalia-amid-al-shabab-offensive
Middle East Eye
Turkey doubles troops in Somalia amid Al-Shabab offensive
Ankara sends drones, ammunition, commandos but still avoids directly engaging the armed Somali group on the ground
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#Ethiopia, #Morocco defense cooperation eyes cybersecurity, AI, and defense industries
Ethiopia and Morocco are pushing to deepen their defense cooperation, with a focus on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and defense industries.
This was indicated during four-day visit to Ethiopia by Inspector General of Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces and Commander of the Southern Zone, General Mohamed Berrid, and his delegation that included high-level talks with army chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, as well as tours of key military sites. Both sides agreed on a draft partnership to expand military ties, building on a series of exchanges that started in August 2024.
This visit comes as Ethiopia pushes for regional and international defense partnerships, recently signing a defense agreement with Rwanda and strengthening ties with Kenya, South Africa, South Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=49900
Ethiopia and Morocco are pushing to deepen their defense cooperation, with a focus on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and defense industries.
This was indicated during four-day visit to Ethiopia by Inspector General of Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces and Commander of the Southern Zone, General Mohamed Berrid, and his delegation that included high-level talks with army chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, as well as tours of key military sites. Both sides agreed on a draft partnership to expand military ties, building on a series of exchanges that started in August 2024.
This visit comes as Ethiopia pushes for regional and international defense partnerships, recently signing a defense agreement with Rwanda and strengthening ties with Kenya, South Africa, South Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=49900