News: #Ethiopia to launch duty-free exports to AfCFTA member states on October 9

The Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration has announced that Ethiopia will commence duty-free exports to member states of the African Continental Free Trade Area (#AfCFTA) on Thursday, 9 October 2025. The move marks the country’s first official export operation under the AfCFTA framework.

Speaking at a press briefing in Addis Abeba today, Yasmin Wohabrebbi, State Minister for Trade and Regional Integration, confirmed that exports will be transported by both air and land to various AfCFTA member states.

According to the state minister, air cargo exports will include meat, vegetables, and fruits, while land exports—comprising pulses, oilseeds, coffee, and red kidney beans—will be shipped to Kenya, Somalia, and South Africa. She added that textiles and industrial inputs are also planned for subsequent shipments, with Kenya expected to receive the largest share of the initial export volume.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52794

News: #Tigray interim administration accuses Ministry of Agriculture misrepresenting region’s territorial boundaries

The Bureau of Communication Affairs of the Tigray Interim Administration has accused #Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture of “deliberately misrepresenting” Tigray’s constitutionally recognized boundaries, describing the act as “a covert political game” aimed at altering regional demarcations.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Bureau denounced a Facebook post shared by the Ministry on 3 October — later removed — that referred to “the Welkait Tegede Setit Humera Zone” as part of the Amhara Region in a report about grain harvest preparations. The Bureau said the reference “falsely designates West Tigray, which is constitutionally part of the Tigray Regional State, as belonging to the Amhara Region.”

“This is not merely a reporting error,” the Bureau stated, “but a deliberate use of institutional and structural means to hand over the constitutional .......

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52797

#Ethiopia accuses #Eritrea and #TPLF of colluding to “wage war,” involvement in recent attack on Woldiya city in Amhara region

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused the Eritrean government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) of colluding to “wage war” against Ethiopia, alleging that the two are working together under a new alliance named “Tsimdo.” The ministry also alleges the two were involved in a recent offensive by the Fano militia aimed at capturing #Woldiya.

In a letter dated 2 October 2025 addressed to #UN Secretary-General António Guterre , Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos said that the “collusion between the Eritrean government and the hardliner faction of the TPLF has become more evident over the past few months.” He asserted that the alliance is “actively preparing to wage war against Ethiopia,” and accused both actors of “funding, mobilizing, and directing armed groups such as #Fano to expand the horizon of the conflict.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52799

#Sudan's army recaptures key positions from #RSF in #El-Fasher

The Sudanese army said in a statement that it carried out operations against RSF's positions in El-Fasher and inflicted personnel and equipment losses.

The Sudanese army has said that it seized several forward defensive positions held by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state in western Sudan.

A military statement said on Tuesday that army forces carried out "special operations" to clear several RSF "defensive positions" and inflicted personnel and equipment losses on the rebel group.

The army said troops captured several combat vehicles, without giving an exact number, and destroyed six others, including armoured vehicles.

The army said troops captured several combat vehicles, without giving an exact number, and destroyed six others, including armoured vehicles.

According to the army, RSF fighters launched an attack on the southern axis of El-Fasher, but government forces repelled it and inflicted heavy losses.

There was no comment from the RSF on the army statement.


https://www.trtworld.com/article/d0b663b4f11c

#Ethiopia’s soil is running out of carbon and its fueling climate change

Across Ethiopia’s farmland, soil is losing something crucial: organic carbon. This hidden ingredient helps crops grow, holds water in the ground, and keeps the land soft and fertile. When it’s gone, farmers face failed harvests, dry fields, and fewer ways to feed their families.

For rural households that grow crops and raise animals, this kind of loss hits hard. It means less food on the table and more stress during dry spells.

But it’s not just a local issue – soil organic carbon also helps keep carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. When soils lose carbon, it adds to global warming as well.

One of the biggest problems is that everything that could go back into the soil – straw, manure, and branches – is also needed elsewhere.

Families burn crop residues for cooking. They feed straw to livestock, and manure might be used to heat....

https://www.earth.com/news/ethiopias-soil-is-running-out-of-carbon-and-its-fueling-climate-change/

Suspects detained for attempting to embezzle over 60 million birr meant for #Gofa landslide victims

Authorities in Gofa Zone, Southern #Ethiopia, have detained suspects who attempted to embezzle more than 60 million birr intended for victims of a deadly landslide that struck Kencho Shacha Gozedi Kebele, Gena Gofa Woreda, on 22 July 2024.

In a statement published on social media on 7 October 2025, the Gofa Zone administration said the suspects tried to misappropriate funds allocated to support hundreds of community members affected by the disaster.

The statement noted that following the disaster, aid and financial support poured in from domestic and international sources, including various organizations and governments. The Gofa Zone administration closely monitored the distribution of the resources to ensure they reached the affected communities.

https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid02ELrMMapnBuMBuVkrCnYREbYaANmqEeNiRzUkjvQTeMEXsDDUxE84QD8pdjvb7jfEl

#Somalia to introduce #Swahili language in local schools and universities

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has announced plans to accelerate the introduction of Swahili into the national curriculum for schools and universities as part of Somalia’s efforts to deepen integration within the East African Community (EAC).

Swahili, East Africa’s lingua franca and one of the continent’s most widely spoken languages, will be promoted as both a working and instructional language alongside Somali, Arabic, and English, aligning with Somalia’s new membership in the regional bloc.

Speaking at the 2nd East African Community Cooperation Conference (EACON2025) in Mogadishu on Tuesday, President Mohamud urged Somali universities to take the lead in teaching and using Swahili to strengthen regional unity and cooperation.

“The Somali National University, along with all Somali universities, must take the lead in promoting Swahili — the common language of the East African region,” President Mohamud said.

https://hiiraan.com/news4/2025/Oct/203238/somalia_to_introduce_swahili_language_in_local_schools_and_universities.aspx

#Op_ed: From Fragmentation to Order: How new traffic regulation creates safer, unified roads

Last year, the Council of Ministers ratified Traffic Regulation No. 557/2024, with the objective of strengthening oversight of road transport and enhancing traffic safety. The regulation has attracted widespread public attention due to the substantial fines it imposes, ranging from 500 to 1,500 birr for first-time offenses and up to 20,000 birr for serious vehicle-related violations. However, Yonas Minalu, the author of this op-ed, contends that the regulation’s scope extends beyond fines, aiming for "a meaningful and strategic transformation in how #Ethiopia manages its road network." He further notes, “By harmonizing traffic penalties nationwide, it aims to reduce fatalities and improve enforcement consistency.”

The author explains that previously, a fragmented mix of federal and regional laws created significant confusion: "a minor infraction in one region could constitute a serious offense in another,” thereby weakening deterrence, overburdening law enforcement, and undermining public trust. He also highlights that this fragmented system hampered commerce, as logistics companies “faced divergent regional codes and operational risks.”

According to the article, the new regulation establishes "a single, transparent, and predictable schedule of penalties" applicable across all regions, standardizing consequences for high-risk behaviors such as speeding, drunk driving, and non-compliance. “This clarity,” Yonas emphasizes, not only enhances safety but also "facilitates economic integration" by removing regulatory barriers, lowering costs for businesses, and improving the investment climate.

With Regulation No. 557/2024, the author underscores that Ethiopia has chosen "unity over fragmentation, predictability over chaos, and safety over complacency," thereby establishing the conditions for smoother and more efficient road transport. Nevertheless, he cautions that realizing its full potential requires sustained policy continuity, robust institutional support, nationwide training, technological upgrades, and ongoing public education.

https://addisstandard.com/from-fragmentation-to-order-how-new-traffic-regulation-creates-safer-unified-roads/

#Somali president calls for peaceful dialogue and respect for sovereignty among #Red_Sea nations

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has urged Red Sea-bordering nations to pursue dialogue and cooperation, stressing the need to uphold sovereignty and prevent conflict.

In an interview with Al Arabiya, President Mohamud said that while #Ethiopia is landlocked, it has “legitimate means” to access the Red Sea and must do so in line with “universally accepted principles.”

He said there are rumors of possible military confrontation between Ethiopia and neighboring states, affirming that Somalia “will not support any act of aggression or violation of territorial integrity.”

Underscoring the Red Sea’s strategic importance for regional security and trade, President Mohamud called on all countries to resolve disputes peacefully. “No nation should infringe on another’s sovereignty,” he said, reaffirming Somalia’s commitment to regional stability.

Watch

#Dubai ports giant pushes for #Somaliland recognition

Dubai’s global ports and logistics company DP World wants Somaliland — where it operates a port — to be recognized as an independent nation. It joins a growing chorus of #US politicians, including Senator Ted Cruz, who back the move, but no country has yet been willing to bestow recognition on the breakaway republic.

DP World’s Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said he had no reservations about investing in the port in 2016, eyeing growth not just in the territory but also in the larger, landlocked market of Ethiopia. After investing more than $400 million to expand the facility to handle the largest cargo vessels, the company is also building a manufacturing and trade zone nearby in #Berbera.

Speaking alongside Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi at The Africa Debate in Dubai, bin Sulayem praised the security, stability.....

https://www.semafor.com/article/10/08/2025/dubai-ports-giant-pushes-for-somaliland-recognition

#Ethiopia reiterates concern over inadequate international support for hosting South Sudanese refugees

Ethiopia has expressed concern over declining international support for its refugee response, despite continuing to host new arrivals from #South_Sudan and other neighboring countries.

Speaking at the 76th Session of the #UNHCR Executive Committee in Geneva, Teyiba Hassen, Director General of the Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS), said Ethiopia is currently hosting South Sudanese emergency new arrivals “without adequate support from the international community.”

She warned that the growing influx is putting additional pressure on already limited resources, public services, and local infrastructure. “The past decade has been extremely challenging for my country,” Teyiba said, noting that Ethiopia remains one of the world’s largest refugee-hosting nations.

She added that 2025 has been “the most difficult year” yet, as international financing for humanitarian....

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52812

#Somalia hails #GERD as driver of regional development, stresses balanced relations with #Egypt

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has praised Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD) as a key driver of economic growth and energy integration in the Horn of Africa. Speaking to Al Arabiya after attending the dam’s inauguration in Addis Abeba, he described the 5,000-megawatt project as a “successful achievement” by the Ethiopian people and government.

“The dam will positively impact Ethiopia’s economy and the wider region,” Mohamud said, highlighting energy as “the most important prerequisite for any development.” He noted that Ethiopia already exports power to Kenya, Sudan, and Djibouti, underlining the project’s growing regional significance.

Addressing how his presence at the inauguration of the dam would affect Somalia's relationship with Egypt, he said that Somalia values its strategic partnership with Egypt while maintaining strong ties with Ethiopia.

Watch

#United_Nations to cut 25% of its global peacekeeping force in response to #US funding strains

The United Nations will begin slashing its peacekeeping force and operations, forcing thousands of soldiers in the next several months to evacuate far-flung global hotspots as a result of the latest U.S. funding cuts to the world body, a senior U.N. official said.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a private meeting, briefed reporters Wednesday on the 25% reduction in peacekeepers worldwide as the United States, the largest U.N. donor, makes changes to align with President Donald Trump’s “America First” vision.

Roughly 13,000 to 14,000 military and police personnel out of more than 50,000 peacekeepers deployed across nine global missions will be sent back to their home countries. The U.N. support office in Somalia will also be affected.

HTTPS://APNEWS.COM/ARTICLE/TRUMP-UNITED-NATIONS-CUTS-REVIEW-154E7B2756A08140C6FCECD6C38CE0F5

‘First phase’ of ceasefire deal to end war in #Gaza agreed by #Israel and #Hamas

Israel and Hamas have agreed to the initial phase of a “peace plan” in Gaza, pausing hostilities in the devastated territory and bringing the best hope yet of a definitive end to a bloody two-year conflict that has killed ten of thousands, destabilised much of the Middle East and prompted protests across the world.

Donald Trump announced the agreement on his Truth Social network saying all of the hostages held in Gaza would be released soon and Israel would withdraw troops to an agreed upon line as the first step to a “Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace”.

Hamas said on Thursday it had agreed the US president’s proposal and confirmed the deal includes an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave and a hostage-prisoner exchange.

There was celebration among Palestinians in Gaza and among Israelis, though few anywhere needed reminding that two previous deals have failed to end the war.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/09/first-phase-of-ceasefire-deal-to-end-war-in-gaza-agreed-by-israel-and-hamas

News: #TPLF rejects claims of alliance with #Eritrea, calls cross-border ties a step toward peace

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has written to #United_Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, rejecting allegations made by #Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and calling for renewed international engagement to ensure the full implementation of the Pretoria peace deal.

In the letter dated 8 October 2025, the TPLF said it was compelled to respond to what it described as “inaccurate and politically motivated allegations” contained in a 2 October letter from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The party accused the federal government of attempting to “divert attention from its continued and serious violations” of the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA), signed in Pretoria in November 2022.

“It is deeply regrettable that, instead of focusing on the genuine implementation of the Pretoria Agreement, .......

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52824

#EU pledges €105 million to strengthen #Ethiopia’s trade, investment, and migration initiatives

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met with Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie during the Global Gateway Forum, marking the 50th anniversary of EU-Ethiopia relations.

The leaders discussed advancing the partnership through a strong trade and investment agenda, economic reforms, and support for peace, stability, and migration management.

The EU announced a €105 million package: €90 million to support land governance, nature preservation, migration reintegration, and women’s economic empowerment; and €15 million to strengthen Ethiopia’s capacities to support refugees and returning migrants.

Under the Global Gateway framework, the partnership will also focus on clean energy, digital transformation, sustainable agri-food value chains, and health system strengthening, aiming to promote sustainable development and economic resilience across Ethiopia.

#Commentary: Taxing the People, Leaking the Budget: #Ethiopia’s fiscal reform demands more from citizens, overlooks inefficient spending

Recently, the Ethiopian government has pursued an ambitious #fiscal_reform agenda aimed at increasing domestic revenue by expanding the scope of excise duties and Value Added Tax (VAT) to include a wider range of goods and services. Among these measures is the plan to impose both a 15% excise tax and a 15% VAT on fuel during the current fiscal year—a move that is expected to disproportionately burden low- and fixed-income households. While the government intensifies its efforts to extract more revenue from citizens already grappling with declining living standards, Samson Hailu, the author of this commentary, argues that “it gives little priority to addressing systemic inefficiencies and wasteful spending within its own budget.

To support his argument, the author cites successive audit reports from the Office of the Federal Auditor General, which expose alarming levels of fiscal mismanagement, including “14.5 billion birr in unutilized budgets, 32.9 billion birr in uncollected revenues,” and widespread irregularities across federal institutions. Samson further contends that the recurring absence of officials from parliamentary sessions where these audit findings are presented “signals a deeper governance problem—one that erodes public trust and hampers the effectiveness of fiscal management.”

Despite Ethiopia’s annual budget having quadrupled over the past five years to 1.93 trillion birr, the article underscores that entrenched inefficiencies and pervasive waste risk transforming this budget expansion into “a vehicle for greater fiscal leakage.” It also highlights Ethiopia’s low budget transparency score of just 38 out of 100, persistent procurement bottlenecks, and the high share of recurrent spending on non-essential items—such as procurement of luxury vehicles, costly overseas travel, and lavish spending on conferences, workshops, and meetings—that “erodes public trust in the government’s commitment to prudent and accountable stewardship of national resources.”

The author emphasizes that Ethiopia’s fiscal reform “stands at a crossroads,” issuing a cautionary note that without decisive action to curb recurrent waste, tighten expenditure controls, and institutionalize transparency and accountability throughout public financial management, “the government risks placing the weight of fiscal reform solely on citizens.” He states, “A government that demands greater sacrifices from its people must demonstrate an equal commitment to eliminating waste and restoring financial integrity.”

https://addisstandard.com/taxing-the-people-leaking-the-budget-ethiopias-fiscal-reform-demands-more-from-citizens-overlooks-inefficient-spending/