Conflict sends 300,000 people fleeing from #South_Sudan in 2025: UN

Renewed fighting between rival leaders forces mass exodus across South Sudan’s borders as fears of wider war rise.

About 300,000 people have fled South Sudan so far in 2025 as armed conflict between rival leaders threatens civil war, the United Nations warns.

The mass displacement was reported on Monday by the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan. The report cautioned that the conflict between President Salva Kiir and suspended First Vice President Riek Machar risks a return to full-scale war.

South Sudan has been beset by political instability and ethnic violence since it gained independence from Sudan in 2011.

The country plunged into civil war in 2013 when Kiir dismissed Machar as vice president. The pair agreed a ceasefire in 2017, but their fragile power-sharing agreement has been unravelling for months and was suspended last month amid outbreaks of violence among forces loyal to each.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/13/conflict-sends-300000-people-fleeing-from-south-sudan-in-2025-un

News: #Ethiopia, #Italy sign €1.7 million deal to support post-conflict recovery and heritage conservation in Tigray’s Wukro–Gheralta Belt

Ethiopia and Italy have signed a €1.7 million agreement to launch a two-year project aimed at supporting post-conflict recovery and heritage conservation in the Wukro–Gheralta Belt of #Tigray.

According to the ministry of finance, the project titled “Supporting Community Resilience through Community-Based Tourism and Heritage Conservation in the Wukro–Gheralta Belt, Tigray, Ethiopia,” was signed between the ministry and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).

Semereta Sewasew, State Minister of Finance, and Agostino Palese, Italian Ambassador to Ethiopia, signed the agreement in Addis Abeba. The initiative seeks to promote sustainable livelihoods, peacebuilding, and cultural preservation in communities recovering from conflict....

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#Ethiopia accuses #Egypt of “colonial-era mindset,” says Cairo’s threats undermine Nile cooperation

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water and Energy has accused Egypt of intensifying “hostile rhetoric” over the Nile River and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (#GERD), warning that Cairo’s “colonial-era mindset” threatens regional cooperation among Nile Basin countries.

The statement, issued on Monday, following remarks by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Sunday, who warned that Egypt “will not stand with its hands tied” in the face of Ethiopia’s “irresponsible approach” and vowed to take “all necessary measures” to safeguard Egypt’s water interests.

In response, the ministry said Ethiopia “will not be pressured or cowed into abandoning its right to utilize the Nile,” describing Egypt’s stance as a “failed policy of undermining Ethiopia instead of fostering collaboration.”

It accused Cairo of repeatedly blocking “transboundary cooperation rooted in international law,”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52896

Council of Ministers approves regulation establishing #Ethiopian Nuclear Power Commission

Ethiopia’s Council of Ministers has approved a regulation establishing the Ethiopian Nuclear Power Commission during its 49th regular session held today.

The new regulation is designed to guide and coordinate the country’s peaceful use of nuclear technology in line with international frameworks. The Commission will be mandated to lead and oversee the application of nuclear science in areas including electric power generation, industrial development, food security, healthcare, and scientific research and innovation.

In September, Ethiopia and #Russia signed an action plan to advance the development of a nuclear power project in Ethiopia as part of a broader cooperation roadmap discussed during Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Moscow.

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#Kenyan banks want to enter #Ethiopia despite the risks

Kenya’s two largest banks are accelerating plans to launch in Ethiopia in their bid to capitalize on Addis Ababa’s economic liberalization, even as a new World Bank report highlighted major challenges faced by telecoms giant Safaricom in its expansion in the country.

Kenyan banks are preparing to enter the market, betting on the growing demand for financial services among young people. In August, Kenya Commercial Bank confirmed plans to acquire a 40% stake in an undisclosed Ethiopian lender.

And last month #Equity_Bank Kenya pushed forward on its plans to enter Ethiopia. Equity Group CEO James Mwangi met with the head of the Ethiopian Investment Commission and said the bank “wants to serve as an example for other foreign companies that wish to operate in Ethiopia.”

Their moves come as the World Bank last week highlighted the lack of a level playing field in Ethiopia in its market assessment report, looking specially at the case of #Safaricom, which received Ethiopia’s first private telco license in 2021 after paying a $1 billion entry fee.

The World Bank found that state-owned #Ethio_Telecom is afforded major advantages by the Ethiopian government at the expense of Safaricom, including regulatory decisions on pricing, saying that the operating conditions warranted “further investigation by authorities.”

https://www.semafor.com/article/10/13/2025/kenyan-banks-want-to-enter-ethiopia-despite-the-risks

#Tigray forces’ protest over pay and benefits enters second day despite President Tadesse Werede’s address

Mekelle – A protest by members of the Tigray forces demanding improved salaries and benefits has continued for a second day across parts of the region, despite an appeal by Tadesse Werede, President of the Tigray Interim Administration, who addressed the demonstrators late Monday.

On Monday, soldiers blocked several roads in #Mekelle, including the main route connecting the city center to Alula Aba Nega Airport, calling for salary increases and allowances comparable to those granted to the former regional special forces, as well as housing and other support.

Addis Standard observed that the protest persisted on Tuesday, with additional road closures reported. In #Agula, about 35 kilometers northeast of Mekelle, members of the force blocked the main road linking the regional .....

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#Op_ed: Beneath #Ogaden Sands: #Somali region’s pursuit of rightful share in #Ethiopia’s energy awakening

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the first phase of the Ogaden LNG Project in #Calub, Somali Regional State, which has an estimated annual production capacity of 111 million liters. He also laid the foundation for a $2.5 billion fertilizer factory and a fuel refinery in #Gode. In this op-ed, Kamaludin Hassan argues that “without transparent governance and regional participation,” these new ventures “risk becoming yet another chapter in a tragic saga of extraction without equity.”

To substantiate his argument, the author references historical grievances, ranging from colonial-era exploitation to decades of federal control over the region’s extensive gas reserves, which he contends “have fueled repression rather than prosperity.” Highlighting Ethiopia’s recent shift from “failed export fantasies” to “a domestic-first strategy,” Kamaludin states that the federal government must confront a stark truth: “Without justice for the Somali region, this pivot will ignite, not illuminate, the path forward."

In a bid to avert a “resource curse” in the region, the article calls for the enactment of a Resource-Sharing Law requiring that 30% of revenues generated from Somali region projects be allocated locally, alongside transparent audits and community oversight. It also proposes the establishment of a Tripartite Oversight Council and a Somali Resource Governance Authority to ensure accountability and local participation.

The author emphasizes that “The Somali region is no peripheral pawn in Ethiopia’s energy chessboard; it is the queen.” True, sustainable progress, he contends, hinges on whether these ambitious projects will ultimately “become monuments to mutual flourishing, not marginalization.”

https://addisstandard.com/beneath-ogaden-sands-somali-regions-pursuit-of-rightful-share-in-ethiopias-energy-awakening/

#Ethiopia and #Kenya to benefit from Solar-Powered agricultural technologies

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) announced the launch of the Solar Energy for Agricultural Resilience (SoLAR) project in Ethiopia and Kenya to strengthen food systems and enhance climate resilience through solar-powered technologies.

Funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the project builds on IWMI’s previous success in South Asia, where solar-powered irrigation systems helped farmers reduce dependence on rainfall.

In Ethiopia, the initiative aims to address challenges in small-scale irrigation, including rising demand, inefficiencies, and limited access to modern technology.

IWMI said that in Ethiopia, where more than 11 million hectares of land are suitable for irrigation but only a small portion is currently utilized, the project will tackle these gaps........

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#Trump Adviser said #GERD dispute should be resolved technically, not politically

The dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) must be resolved through “technical means” rather than political pressure, according to U.S. President’s Senior Adviser for African, Arab, and Middle Eastern Affairs, Massad Boulos.

In an interview with Al Arabiya Arabic, Boulos reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to facilitating a peaceful and mutually acceptable solution among the three countries involved.

“We are working to find a solution suitable for all parties, especially on the technical side, as it is purely a technical matter that must be resolved in a technical way,” Boulos said.

While acknowledging that the issue is a “matter of life and death” for #Egypt, #Sudan, and #Ethiopia, the senior adviser noted that the massive hydropower project “is now a reality” following its completion...

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#AS_Analysis: #Ethiopia–#Somaliland MoU - The promise unfulfilled and the stakes of President Abdillahi’s visit to Addis Abeba

Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro’svisit to Ethiopia today marks a key moment in the stalled Ethiopia–Somaliland MoU, signed in early 2024 with the promise of granting Ethiopia maritime access through Somaliland’s coast. A year and half later, the deal has produced little beyond headlines.

Former President Muse Bihi Abdi admitted the agreement “collapsed under pressure from the African Union, the Arab League, and major international partners,” saying “Ethiopia was stopped by Africa’s collective voice.”

Although Somalia’sPresident Hassan Sheikh Mohamud recently urged Red Sea states to pursue dialogue and avoid confrontation, he warned that “no nation should infringe on another’s sovereignty.” His remarks highlight Mogadishu’s continued opposition to any move it sees as undermining Somalia’s “territorial integrity.”

Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=52899

#Just_In: #Ethiopia's debt restructuring hits impasse, bondholders eye legal action

Ethiopia said on Tuesday that its debt restructuring talks with bondholders have stalled due to disagreements over key terms, prolonging the country’s financial uncertainty that has persisted for nearly two years, #Reuters reported Tuesday night.

Ethiopia defaulted on its only international bond in late 2023 after seeking relief under the G20’s Common Framework initiative. Despite the deadlock, the government said “substantial progress” had been achieved and expressed hope that negotiations would resume “in the foreseeable future,” according to the news.

The news cited rhe statement as saying that progress included bondholders agreeing to a 15% haircut on their loans and the introduction of a Value Recovery Instrument, a mechanism that would allow them to recoup losses if Ethiopia’s export sector performs strongly in the coming years.

However, the bondholder committee, comprising Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Franklin Templeton, VR Capital, and Farallon Capital, expressed disappointment at the breakdown of talks.

Ethiopia’s $1 billion Eurobond fell by more than one cent on Tuesday, though it remains near its highest level since early 2021, trading at around 95 cents on the dollar.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) welcomed the progress made and encouraged both sides to continue discussions. But analysts say the impasse highlights the limitations of the Common Framework, which was launched in 2020 to coordinate debt relief efforts among traditional and emerging creditors, including China, a major lender to African economies.

“The Common Framework lacks the teeth to make private creditors take part in debt cancellation,” said Tim Jones, policy director at the London-based campaign group Debt Justice.

Ethiopia’s case has also been complicated by disagreements over the IMF’s economic forecasts, which bondholders argue fail to account for the surge in gold and coffee prices - two of the country’s main export commodities. The government recently reported record export earnings of $8.3 billion for the 2024/25 fiscal year, significantly higher than the IMF’s projection of $6.37 billion.

“The debt rescheduling process will be dragged out,” said Abdulmenan Mohammed, a UK-based Ethiopian economic analyst. “The Ethiopian government should consider treating the bondholders on different terms.”

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopias-debt-restructuring-hits-impasse-bondholders-eye-legal-action-2025-10-14/

#Ethiopia becomes one of #Africa’s first to deploy #AI-powered digital X-ray system for national #TB screening


Ethiopia among pioneers in rolling out AI-powered digital X-ray for TB screening WHO Ethiopia receives commendation for its contribution to adopting innovations and supporting national efforts to end tuberculosis.

Ethiopia has taken a major step forward in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) by launching a national AI-powered digital X-ray system for TB screening. The launch, held on 18 September 2025 during the Annual Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Other Lung Diseases Review Meeting, was officiated by Dr Dereje Duguma, State Minister of Health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Ethiopia was recognized and commended for its critical contribution to this national milestone. WHO played a central role in developing the National Implementation Guideline on AI-Powered Digital X-ray for Tuberculosis Screening and in building the capacity of health workers across the country.

To facilitate the national rollout, WHO Ethiopia supported the training of 75 health-care workers, including radiology personnel and program officers, to effectively operate the machines for TB screening and ensure linkage to diagnosis and care.

“Ethiopia is one of the first countries in Africa to adopt and implement this new innovation at such a large scale,” said Dr Dereje Duguma, State Minister of Health. “The country has procured and distributed 225 AI-powered digital X-ray machines to health facilities across all regions to support early TB screening and detection. Strong government commitment and partner collaboration are the backbones of this major milestone in our national efforts to end the TB epidemic.”


https://www.afro.who.int/countries/ethiopia/news/ethiopia-among-pioneers-rolling-out-ai-powered-digital-x-ray-tb-screening-who-ethiopia-receives

#Op_ed: Beneath #Ogaden Sands: #Somali region’s pursuit of rightful share in #Ethiopia’s energy awakening

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the first phase of the Ogaden LNG Project in #Calub, Somali Regional State, which has an estimated annual production capacity of 111 million liters. He also laid the foundation for a $2.5 billion fertilizer factory and a fuel refinery in #Gode. In this op-ed, Kamaludin Hassan argues that “without transparent governance and regional participation,” these new ventures “risk becoming yet another chapter in a tragic saga of extraction without equity.”

To substantiate his argument, the author references historical grievances, ranging from colonial-era exploitation to decades of federal control over the region’s extensive gas reserves, which he contends “have fueled repression rather than prosperity.” Highlighting Ethiopia’s recent shift from “failed export fantasies” to “a domestic-first strategy,” Kamaludin states that the federal government must confront a stark truth: “Without justice for the Somali region, this pivot will ignite, not illuminate, the path forward."

In a bid to avert a “resource curse” in the region, the article calls for the enactment of a Resource-Sharing Law requiring that 30% of revenues generated from Somali region projects be allocated locally, alongside transparent audits and community oversight. It also proposes the establishment of a Tripartite Oversight Council and a Somali Resource Governance Authority to ensure accountability and local participation.

The author emphasizes that “The Somali region is no peripheral pawn in Ethiopia’s energy chessboard; it is the queen.” True, sustainable progress, he contends, hinges on whether these ambitious projects will ultimately “become monuments to mutual flourishing, not marginalization.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52873

Former #Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga dies at 80, due to heart attack

#Raila Amolo Odinga, whose death at 80 was announced on Wednesday, spent most of his adult life in politics, including 8 years in prison as a pro-democracy campaigner -- but never achieved his goal of becoming Kenya's president, despite five attempts.

Odinga, who died during a trip to an Ayurvedic health clinic in India according to local police, cast himself as an anti-establishment firebrand despite belonging to one of Kenya's top political dynasties, AFP reports.

Born on January 7, 1945, he spent his early years in politics either in jail or in exile, fighting for democracy during the autocratic rule of president Daniel arap Moi.

A member of the Luo tribe, he entered parliament in 1992 and ran unsuccessfully for the presidency in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017 and 2022, claiming to have been cheated of victory...

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#Ethiopia's weavers struggle to keep garment tradition alive

In a small workshop in Addis Abeba, dozens of artisans continue the centuries-old craft of weaving habesha kemis—traditional white cotton dresses decorated with colorful embroidery.

Once in high demand for religious and festive occasions, the intricate garments now face declining sales as Ethiopia’s economic hardship and high inflation take their toll. Weavers like Asefaw Yemu, who has spent 30 years at the loom earning about 10,000 to 15,000 birr a month, say the work is exhausting and increasingly unsustainable as demand drops and the cost of materials rises.

About 39 percent of Ethiopia's 130 million people lived below the poverty line -- less than $3 a day -- in 2021, a figure the World Bank projected will rise to 43 percent this year. At the same workshop, Getu Derza, 48, carefully embroiders colourful silk threads.....

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