#Ethiopia: Teacher unionists set bold agenda and chart the future for quality education

The 23rd General Assembly of the Ethiopian Teachers’ Association (ETA) convened in Addis Abeba from 14–15 October 2025, drawing educators and union leaders from across Ethiopia and the continent.

ETA President and EI Executive Board member, Yohannes Benti, stressed the central role of teachers in shaping future generations. While acknowledging that multiple actors share responsibility for addressing declining education quality in Ethiopia, he emphasized that teachers are at the forefront - “from proposing solutions to implementing corrective actions.”

Benti further pointed to persistent gaps in staffing, resources, and school standards across the country, arguing that expecting quality outcomes “under such conditions is unrealistic.”

He urged increased financing to address critical shortages...
https://www.ei-ie.org/en/item/31575:ethiopia-teacher-unionists-set-bold-agenda-and-chart-the-future-for-quality-education

#Ethiopia: Over 36,000 foreign nationals fined for visa overstay, immigration service says

The Immigration and Citizenship Service (#ICS) announced that more than 36,000 foreign nationals have been penalized for overstaying the validity of their visas in Ethiopia and subsequently returned to the legal system.

Selamawit Dawit, Director General of the Service, said efforts are underway to ensure that foreign nationals visiting Ethiopia comply with immigration laws. She added that foreign citizens who took part in international and continental conferences held in Addis Abeba were served “without any complications.”

According to Selamawit, Ethiopia currently provides visa-on-arrival services to citizens of 188 countries and operates a 24-hour electronic visa (e-Visa) system to facilitate travel.

Regarding passport services, she said various reform measures have been implemented, ...

https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid08hSzSgBXKQPDn5D5ZqTSQpRX91LcLN7RkVrFdo16tpYmoCvUQzX2zAs6Ryj49yqul

Surging gold exports poised to overtake coffee for first time, boosting #Ethiopia’s confidence in stronger currency

Ethiopia’s gold exports are on track to surpass coffee shipments for the first time — a milestone that could strengthen the country’s currency in the coming months, according to National Bank of Ethiopia (#NBE) Governor Eyob Tekalign (PhD).

Bloomberg reported that Eyob said the rise in gold exports is expected to support the birr, which has lost nearly two-thirds of its value since the government liberalized the foreign exchange market on 29 July.

“What we’ve seen over the last one year actually demonstrates clearly that getting prices right always works,” Eyob said, adding, “Exporters were not getting the full price of their exports, so there was a lot of informal activity — smuggling and third-party exports through neighboring countries.”

A recent report ranked the Ethiopian birr (#ETB) among the weakest currencies in Africa in 2025,....

Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=53095

News: #Ethiopia-based, anti-Eritrea regime #Afar group announces graduation of new fighters

The Red Sea Afar Democratic Organization (#RSADO), an Ethiopia-based political and insurgent group, announced the graduation of a new cohort of fighters following more than three months of intensive military training.

In a statement released after the graduation ceremony, the group’s leader and commander of its forces, Ibrahim Haroun, praised the recruits for their discipline and determination, describing the completion of their training as a step toward strengthening the organization’s military capabilities.

Ibrahim Haroun reiterated the organization’s stated mission of defending the rights of Red Sea Afar communities and opposing what it described as repression by the #Eritrean government. He said the group intends to enhance its operational capacity, including the development of naval capabilities, to meet what he called “current political and military requirements.”...

https://addisstandard.com/?p=53092

News: Media Authority ‘temporarily suspends’ Deutsche Welle #Ethiopia correspondents

Deutsche Welle (#DW), a #German state-funded global media network, has announced that its local journalists reporting from various parts of Ethiopia have been “temporarily suspended” from work.

In a statement released on its official Facebook page this evening, DW said the Ethiopian Media Authority (#EMA), in a letter issued today, accused the outlet and its local correspondents of “violating Ethiopian law and regulations and failing to respect professional ethics.”

The Authority has not published the statement suspending the broadcaster as of the publishing.
DW recalled that it has been reporting on Ethiopia’s political, economic, and social affairs since late 1980s, including coverage on the activities of local, continental, and international organizations based in Ethiopia. The broadcaster noted that its presence in Ethiopia has “relied on correspondents operating within the country.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=53099

#Kenya clarifies #Ethiopia, #Eritrea #asylum restrictions after outcry

Kenya says it is now considering asylum applications from Eritrea and Ethiopia on a case-by-case basis, thus clarifying its recent restrictions on applicants from the two countries since July.

In response to a lawsuit filed at the High Court, the Commissioner for Refugee Affairs in Kenya said that the registration of genuine asylum seekers would continue, with affirmative action created for women, children, persons with disability and persons who have suffered trauma.

Acting Commissioner for Refugee Affairs Mercy Mwasaru said that the cases being considered in compliance with the principle of non-refoulment (a principle of international law that prohibits a country from sending a person back to a place where they face a risk of persecution, torture, or other serious harm).

She added that more than 100 applications from the two countries have been approved, after the directive was issued on July 31.

Several NGOs, including the Refugee Legal Network, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, the Refugee Consortium of Kenya, Kituo Cha Sheria and the Sanctuary Foundation, challenged the directive, saying it was violating the rights of refugees and asylum seekers.

The High Court has since issued orders barring the government from suspending the registration of asylum seekers from these countries.
The organisations argued that the directive was not based on any legal provisions, was made in bad faith, and in excess of the power conferred under the various legal instruments.



https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/kenya-clarifies-ethiopia-eritrea-asylum-restrictions-outcry-5242660

Over 30 mln people in #Sudan in need of humanitarian assistance: UN agencies

Sudan is facing one of the world's most severe emergencies, with more than 30 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, including over 9.6 million internally displaced people and nearly 15 million children, four UN agencies said Thursday.

In a joint press release, the International Organization for Migration (#IOM), the UN Refugee Agency (#UNHCR), the United Nations Children's Fund and the World Food Programme called for urgent international attention to the crisis in Sudan.

"Over 900 days of brutal fighting, widespread violations of human rights, famine, and the breakdown of life-sustaining services have pushed millions to the brink of survival, particularly women and children," said the release.

During recent visits to Sudan, senior leaders from the four UN agencies witnessed the devastating impact of the crisis across the country, ....

https://english.news.cn/20251024/9606968139ed439bac9220c85a997af7/c.html

#Ethiopia: Federal revenue hits 323 billion birr in three months, up from 152 billion last year

Addis Abeba - The federal government collected 323 billion birr in #revenue during the first three months of the current Ethiopian fiscal year, marking a significant increase from 152 billion birr collected during the same period last year.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Planning and Development, Fitsum Assefa (PhD), in her presentation of the government’s 100-day performance report for the 2018 Ethiopian fiscal year (July 2025 – June 2026),

She also reported that #gold exports generated $1.2 billion, while #coffee exports earned $763 million in the past three months. Remittance inflows reached $2.3 billion, and foreign direct investment (#FDI) was recorded at $961 million, according to the minister.

In a statement, the PMO said that despite challenges in the global economy, “Ethiopia continues to demonstrate distinctive resilience and momentum.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=53108

#China becomes fourth-largest importer of #Ethiopian coffee

China has become the fourth-largest importer of Ethiopian #coffee, up from seventh position two years ago, said Shafi Umer, deputy director general of the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority.

During the first quarter of Ethiopia's current fiscal year, which began on July 8, the country exported about 9,470 tonnes of coffee to China, earning 65.49 million U.S. dollars, Umer told Xinhua recently.

"The revenue earned from coffee exports to China during the first three months of the current fiscal year saw nearly a seven-fold increase compared to the income generated during the same period last year," Umer said.

He attributed the increase in coffee exports to China to shipments of organic coffee and improved delivery services, which meet the growing demand of Chinese consumers for high-quality coffee.

https://english.news.cn/africa/20251024/d810dce2f0ff413ebfb4fd1e749a6caf/c.html

#EU and #Egypt call for greater international support to strengthen stability in #Somalia

The European Union (EU) and the Government of Egypt have jointly called for increased international support for Somalia, emphasizing the importance of global cooperation and the participation of new donors in the country’s stabilization efforts.

The EU and Egypt reiterated their commitment to strengthening the Federal Government of Somalia’s state-building, security, and military reform initiatives. Both sides also voiced concern about the continued threat posed by the al-Shabaab militant group and its destabilizing impact on the Horn of Africa.

The EU welcomed Egypt’s plans to participate in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) as part of ongoing efforts to promote peace and security. Egypt announced its participation in December 2024, four months after signing a military cooperation protocol with Somalia. At the time, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said the deployment followed “a request from the Somali government and the approval of the African Union Peace and Security Council.”

Egyptian troops are expected to arrive in Somalia in the coming weeks, despite AUSSOM facing persistent funding challenges.

https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2025/Oct/203393/eu_and_egypt_call_for_greater_international_support_to_strengthen_stability_in_somalia.aspx

#Commentary: Broken Chains, Rising Prices: Why #Ethiopia must reform retail, wholesale markets to tackle inflation

As prices rise, public discourse often focuses on monetary policy, but in this commentary, Abreham Tesfaye argues that “an equally powerful, though less discussed, lever in the fight against inflation lies in the structure of wholesale and retail markets.”

In countries like Ethiopia, the author explains, inefficiencies and monopolistic practices within distribution chains exacerbate price shocks, making essentials unaffordable. He cites studies showing that in many #African urban centers, expenses accrued from logistics and intermediaries can constitute 30–50% of the retail price of staple commodities.

Abreham notes that “Inflation is ultimately experienced in the market, not in macroeconomic reports.” For genuine economic stability and consumer protection, he calls for a "shift from growth fetishism to price realism."

https://addisstandard.com/?p=53104

New airstrip built on island off #Yemen to counter Houthi activities in Red Sea

A new airstrip is being built on a volcanic island in the #Red_Sea off the coast of Yemen, satellite images show, likely the latest project by forces allied to those opposed to the country's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.

Satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC show the construction of a nearly 2,000-metre runway on Zuqar Island, which is some 90 kilometres southeast of the Houthi-held port city of Hodeida, a key shipping hub.

The images show work began in April to build out a dock on the island, then land clearing along the site of the runway.

By late August, what appears to be asphalt was being laid across the runway. Images from October show the work continuing, with runway markings painted on in the middle of the month.

No one has claimed the construction. However, ship-tracking data analysed by the AP show...

https://www.euronews.com/2025/10/20/new-airstrip-built-on-island-off-yemen-to-counter-houthi-activities-in-red-sea

#Africa accounts for 40 percent of global armed conflicts; ICRC warns of ‘dramatic’ humanitarian impact

Addis Abeba- The International Committee of the Red Cross (#ICRC) has raised alarm over the growing scale of armed conflicts across Africa, revealing that the continent now accounts for roughly 40 percent of all active conflicts in the world.

Gilles Carbonnier, vice president of the ICRC, told AFP on Thursday that more than 50 armed conflicts are currently active across the continent—a 45 percent increase since 2020. “The humanitarian consequences are truly dramatic,” he said, noting that around 35 million people have been displaced by violence in African countries, representing nearly half of the world’s displaced population.

Despite its vast mineral wealth and youthful population, Africa, home to about 1.4 billion people, continues to face widespread poverty and insecurity....

https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid0ucSPMP9uQ8QvFyZch7r6HcBv2j1ZrFCg5g7s7MwGhbNH5HvBm3FxawSPwDXKX6RBl

News: #Ethiopia criticizes #EU–#Egypt joint statement as “problematic and deeply disappointing”

The Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in #Brussels has expressed strong criticism of a joint statement issued by the European Union Council and Egypt on 22 October 2025, describing the EU’s position as “problematic and deeply disappointing.”

In a statement issued on Thursday, the embassy said the joint communiqué “echoes Egypt’s colonial and monopolistic claims over the Nile River” and “shows a complete disregard for the views and interests of other riparian countries.”

The embassy expressed regret that “the EU decided to undermine Ethiopia in a bilateral platform with Egypt,” describing the joint statement as one that “propagates inaccurate, biased, and hostile positions against Ethiopia” and as being “contrary to the quality of the historic relations that exist between Ethiopia and Europe.”

Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=53112

#Ethiopia seeks to convert Chinese loans into yuan amid debt strain; move seen as key to China’s broader currency strategy

Addis Abeba – Ethiopia is seeking to convert part of its dollar-denominated loans from #China into #yuan, in a move that aligns with Beijing’s push to internationalize the renminbi, according to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

According to the report, National Bank of Ethiopia (#NBE) Governor Eyob Tekalign confirmed that talks are underway with the Export-Import Bank of China and the People’s Bank of China (#PBC) to swap part of Ethiopia’s US$5.38 billion in Chinese loans into the Chinese currency.

The move, which follows a similar decision by #Kenya earlier this month, could lower interest rates from around 7.25 percent to 3 percent, offering fiscal relief as Ethiopia negotiates the restructuring of about US$15 billion in external debt....

https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid02mBq9nBvxbmpEDZsVJMAr4G67VjwoBCQb2n9skM6yz98yEAFstiv5bWPErbAGJjrZl

#Ethiopia: Taye Dendea’s court ruling postponed; #EHRC finding confirming the defendant’s rights violation awaited on next hearing

Former State Minister of the Ministry of Peace, #Taye Dendea, reappeared before the Lideta Division of the Federal High Court on 23 October 2025, but the court postponed his hearing, furthermore the court is yet to hand out ruling concerning human rights violations confirmed by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

Abera Nigus, Taye’s lawyer, told Addis Standard that the court had initially scheduled to deliver its verdict on 23 October 2025, following a previous hearing on 6 August. During the latest session, the court said it had not yet completed the ruling and postponed the verdict to 3 November, stating, “there are still matters regarding this judgment that we have not finalized.”

Abera described the charges against Taye as straightforward, noting that evidence from both sides was clear...

https://addisstandard.com/?p=53116

Nearly two-thirds of #South_Sudanese children in child labour: Report

Nearly two-thirds of South Sudanese children are engaged in the worst forms of child labour, with rates reaching as high as 90 percent in the hardest-hit regions, according to a government study released with the charity Save the Children.

The National Child Labour Study, published on Friday, surveyed more than 418 households across seven states and found that 64 percent of children aged between five and 17 are trapped in forced labour, sexual exploitation, theft and conflict.

The findings reveal a crisis far more complex than poverty alone, intensified by relentless flooding, the spread of disease, and conflict that have uprooted families and left millions on the brink of hunger.

In Kapoeta South, near the border with Uganda, nine out of 10 children work in gold mining, pastoralism and farming instead of attending school,...

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/24/nearly-two-thirds-of-south-sudanese-children-in-child-labour-report

News: Nearly 300 human traffickers caught in three months, #Tigray police say

#Mekelle - Police in Tigray say nearly 300 human traffickers have been arrested over the past three months, as authorities intensify efforts to curb illegal migration that continues to endanger the lives of young people.

Commander of the Southeastern Tigray Zone Police, Abraha Werede, told Tigray Television that trafficking networks are adopting new tactics to evade detection.

“There are cars under control — traffickers as well. The worst we encountered this month was children as young as 12 being taken on their way to school,” he said. “They used to use minibuses to traffic them, but these days they use trucks and different techniques.”

On October 22, the Tigray Police Commission announced that more than 75 youths, including minors, had been intercepted while attempting to migrate illegally...

https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid035eREHQsq623wt6ZZWBw1UZwFQHQPb7rtgSjCpSKyoCrWUDJNLU4ohYJd9JSXAg6Wl

News: Deutsche Welle protests suspension of its correspondents in #Ethiopia, urges authorities to lift the ban immediately

Deutsche Welle (#DW) has protested the suspension of its nine correspondents in Ethiopia by the Ethiopian Media Authority (#EMA). The authority informed DW’s Amharic language service in a letter dated 23 October 2025 that the journalistic work of its correspondents in Ethiopia has been “temporarily” suspended.

“The ban on reporting from Ethiopia deeply concerns us,” said DW Director General Barbara Massing. “Following the discontinuation of Voice of America’s language services, DW is the international media outlet with the widest reach in Ethiopia, offering an Amharic language program. Millions of Ethiopians continue to rely on us for free and independent information. We fully expect our colleagues to resume their work immediately and without restriction.”

According to DW, the EMA’s letter did not specify concrete accusations but....

https://addisstandard.com/?p=53120