#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
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
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#Ethiopia’s Tana Forum opens in #Bahir_Dar after two-year pause
Addis Abeba – After a two-year delay caused by regional insecurity, the 11th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa opened today, 24 October 2025, in Bahir Dar, the capital of Ethiopia’s Amhara region, under the theme “Africa in an Evolving Global Order.”
The forum brings together African and international representatives, including diplomats, policy experts, and special envoys, to discuss the continent’s role in a changing global security landscape.
Organized by the Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) at Addis Ababa University, the forum features three components: a high-level opening session, a meeting of special envoys addressing security concerns in the Horn of Africa, and a dialogue among foreign ministers. While the opening session is being held in Bahir Dar, ......
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid026gGQ6TjPRcEh88dHbS9qBSfrefHacyJSe2bfyBV3Ure8aS6GVX3NCaAxVXGJCTy8l
Addis Abeba – After a two-year delay caused by regional insecurity, the 11th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa opened today, 24 October 2025, in Bahir Dar, the capital of Ethiopia’s Amhara region, under the theme “Africa in an Evolving Global Order.”
The forum brings together African and international representatives, including diplomats, policy experts, and special envoys, to discuss the continent’s role in a changing global security landscape.
Organized by the Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) at Addis Ababa University, the forum features three components: a high-level opening session, a meeting of special envoys addressing security concerns in the Horn of Africa, and a dialogue among foreign ministers. While the opening session is being held in Bahir Dar, ......
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid026gGQ6TjPRcEh88dHbS9qBSfrefHacyJSe2bfyBV3Ure8aS6GVX3NCaAxVXGJCTy8l
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#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
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
Hiiraan
EU and Egypt call for greater international support to strengthen stability in Somalia
Cairo (HOL) - 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.
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#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
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
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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
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
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#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
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
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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
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
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#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
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
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#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
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
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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
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
#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
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
News: #WFP says insecurity, limited access continue to disrupt humanitarian operations in #Amhara Region
Humanitarian operations across #Ethiopia’s Amhara Region continue to face significant logistical challenges due to ongoing insecurity and access constraints, the World Food Programme (WFP) said in its latest Amhara Regional Operation Overview.
The WFP noted persistent insecurity, particularly in #Metema and parts of #Eastern_Amhara caused considerable delays in the transportation of relief supplies. The report also highlighted a shortage of commercial trucking services in several areas, further hampering timely delivery of assistance to communities in need.
WFP emphasized that despite these constraints, the Logistics Cluster continues to provide common services, including transport, storage, and coordination, to ensure that humanitarian partners can sustain their operations.....
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid02HxsY4VFbut9m2cdhhzQXsNiN6Q6mXSH5UkHuoKDu14DZ82o5BpHWCg9QnWCNju61l
Humanitarian operations across #Ethiopia’s Amhara Region continue to face significant logistical challenges due to ongoing insecurity and access constraints, the World Food Programme (WFP) said in its latest Amhara Regional Operation Overview.
The WFP noted persistent insecurity, particularly in #Metema and parts of #Eastern_Amhara caused considerable delays in the transportation of relief supplies. The report also highlighted a shortage of commercial trucking services in several areas, further hampering timely delivery of assistance to communities in need.
WFP emphasized that despite these constraints, the Logistics Cluster continues to provide common services, including transport, storage, and coordination, to ensure that humanitarian partners can sustain their operations.....
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid02HxsY4VFbut9m2cdhhzQXsNiN6Q6mXSH5UkHuoKDu14DZ82o5BpHWCg9QnWCNju61l
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#Tigray Democratic Solidarity (#Simret) party elects Getachew Reda as president at founding conference
The newly formed Tigray Democratic Solidarity (Simret) Party, established by former senior leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (#TPLF), has elected Ato Getachew Reda as its President during its founding conference held in Addis Abeba on 24 October 2025.
During the inaugural conference, the party elected its leadership structure, including the President, Vice Presidents, seven Executive Committee members, and 31 Council members. Accordingly, Ato Getachew Reda was elected President, Nega Assefa as First Vice President, Haftu Kiros as Vice President, and Seble Kahsay as Head of the Party Office.
Similarly, Ato Gebrehiwot Gebresilassie was elected Chairperson of the Control and Inspection Commission, while Abrehaley Abera was elected as Deputy Chairperson....
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid0EWoNERUea9hgQpXKoP786SokGLXmf91Qo5U8zxSNAW7QS8VikbwV9iG8CvodRuDPl
The newly formed Tigray Democratic Solidarity (Simret) Party, established by former senior leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (#TPLF), has elected Ato Getachew Reda as its President during its founding conference held in Addis Abeba on 24 October 2025.
During the inaugural conference, the party elected its leadership structure, including the President, Vice Presidents, seven Executive Committee members, and 31 Council members. Accordingly, Ato Getachew Reda was elected President, Nega Assefa as First Vice President, Haftu Kiros as Vice President, and Seble Kahsay as Head of the Party Office.
Similarly, Ato Gebrehiwot Gebresilassie was elected Chairperson of the Control and Inspection Commission, while Abrehaley Abera was elected as Deputy Chairperson....
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid0EWoNERUea9hgQpXKoP786SokGLXmf91Qo5U8zxSNAW7QS8VikbwV9iG8CvodRuDPl
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#Ethiopia Launches “Journey to Root” Initiative to Reconnect Adoptees Abroad with Ancestral Heritage
The Ethiopian government has unveiled a new initiative titled “Journey to Root” to help Ethiopian-born adoptees living abroad reconnect with their ancestral homeland and strengthen their cultural identity, the Ministry of Tourism announced.
In a press briefing held on 24 October 2025, the ministry said the program is designed to enable adoptees to “learn, appreciate, and experience the country’s diverse culture, natural beauty, & historical heritage,” while fostering deeper emotional and cultural ties with Ethiopia.
Endegena Abebe (PhD), State Minister of Tourism, said during the briefing that the initiative draws inspiration from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s earlier call for people of Ethiopian descent around the world to visit their homeland. That call led to the “Back to Your Origins”
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid02LsGrM145TdDMmow3BousjtGqq7TzEixZpCcVSK9Toqhg9Kw3cUoVAEo5NetRRQ7Jl
The Ethiopian government has unveiled a new initiative titled “Journey to Root” to help Ethiopian-born adoptees living abroad reconnect with their ancestral homeland and strengthen their cultural identity, the Ministry of Tourism announced.
In a press briefing held on 24 October 2025, the ministry said the program is designed to enable adoptees to “learn, appreciate, and experience the country’s diverse culture, natural beauty, & historical heritage,” while fostering deeper emotional and cultural ties with Ethiopia.
Endegena Abebe (PhD), State Minister of Tourism, said during the briefing that the initiative draws inspiration from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s earlier call for people of Ethiopian descent around the world to visit their homeland. That call led to the “Back to Your Origins”
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid02LsGrM145TdDMmow3BousjtGqq7TzEixZpCcVSK9Toqhg9Kw3cUoVAEo5NetRRQ7Jl
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#Ethiopia: #USGS reports magnitude 4.9 #earthquake near #Debre_Birhan, #Amhara Region
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that a magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck near Debre Birhan in Ethiopia’s Amhara Region on Sunday morning, 26 October, 2025, at around 8:24 a.m. local time.
According to the USGS, the quake occurred approximately 39 kilometres east of Debre Birhan.
The incident follows a series of tremors that have affected northern Ethiopia in recent months. Earlier this month, repeated earthquakes were recorded across parts of the Tigray Region on the evening of Saturday, 11 October, 2025. The USGS said one of the quakes, with its epicenter in Afar about 45 kilometres from Mekelle, measured 5.6 on the Richter scale, while another, roughly 58 kilometres from the city, measured 5.3. The shocks were reportedly felt across several areas of Tigray, including Mekelle.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1JT4n2XohN/
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that a magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck near Debre Birhan in Ethiopia’s Amhara Region on Sunday morning, 26 October, 2025, at around 8:24 a.m. local time.
According to the USGS, the quake occurred approximately 39 kilometres east of Debre Birhan.
The incident follows a series of tremors that have affected northern Ethiopia in recent months. Earlier this month, repeated earthquakes were recorded across parts of the Tigray Region on the evening of Saturday, 11 October, 2025. The USGS said one of the quakes, with its epicenter in Afar about 45 kilometres from Mekelle, measured 5.6 on the Richter scale, while another, roughly 58 kilometres from the city, measured 5.3. The shocks were reportedly felt across several areas of Tigray, including Mekelle.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1JT4n2XohN/
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#Sudan:#Rebel group claims capture of key #city in Sudan
Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) says it has taken control of the western city of el-Fasher, marking a turning point in the civil war.
The group said in a statement on social media that it had seized el-Fasher "from the grip of mercenaries and militias allied with the terrorist army".
The loss would be a huge blow to the Sudanese army as el-Fasher is its last remaining foothold in the Darfur region, leaving the RSF effectively in control of the area. The army has yet to comment.
It comes after the rebel group announced the capture of the army's 6th Division Headquarters, saying that it had destroyed "huge military vehicles" and taken military equipment.
Local pro-army fighters, the Popular Resistance, accused the RSF of running a "media disinformation campaign" to undermine the "high morale of the forces".
The RSF has surrounded el-Fasher for the last 18 months, with army positions and civilians under frequent bombardment. An estimated 300,000 people have been trapped by the fighting.
In August, satellite imagery showed a series of extensive earthen walls being constructed around the city, aimed at trapping people inside.
The RSF have been steadily advancing towards the 6th Infantry Division command - widely regarded as the army headquarters in the city - from several directions for weeks.
There are still some parts of el-Fasher under the control of the army and allied armed groups - but those are not expected to hold out for long now.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78z025dze4o
Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) says it has taken control of the western city of el-Fasher, marking a turning point in the civil war.
The group said in a statement on social media that it had seized el-Fasher "from the grip of mercenaries and militias allied with the terrorist army".
The loss would be a huge blow to the Sudanese army as el-Fasher is its last remaining foothold in the Darfur region, leaving the RSF effectively in control of the area. The army has yet to comment.
It comes after the rebel group announced the capture of the army's 6th Division Headquarters, saying that it had destroyed "huge military vehicles" and taken military equipment.
Local pro-army fighters, the Popular Resistance, accused the RSF of running a "media disinformation campaign" to undermine the "high morale of the forces".
The RSF has surrounded el-Fasher for the last 18 months, with army positions and civilians under frequent bombardment. An estimated 300,000 people have been trapped by the fighting.
In August, satellite imagery showed a series of extensive earthen walls being constructed around the city, aimed at trapping people inside.
The RSF have been steadily advancing towards the 6th Infantry Division command - widely regarded as the army headquarters in the city - from several directions for weeks.
There are still some parts of el-Fasher under the control of the army and allied armed groups - but those are not expected to hold out for long now.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78z025dze4o
Bbc
Rebel group claims capture of key city in Sudan
The fall of el-Fasher would cement the RSF's control of the west and reinforces a de facto split in the nation.
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#Saudi’s RSGT finalizes 30-year concession to operate Djibouti’s Tadjourah Port, key gateway for #Ethiopian cargo
Saudi Arabia’s #Red_Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) has signed a 30-year concession agreement with the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority (DPFZA) to operate and develop the Port of #Tadjourah, a key facility serving Ethiopia’s northern trade routes.
The agreement follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in March between the two sides to strengthen cooperation in the maritime and logistics sectors, maritime-executive.com reported.
The agreement coincides with plans to expand multi-modal transport links between Ethiopia and northern Djibouti. Last week, the Ethiopian Railway Corporation announced a $1.58 billion project to construct a standard-gauge railway connecting northern Ethiopia to the Red Sea ports of Tadjourah, #Assab, and #Massawa.
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid02gP25Diejq8hsRcCZxsLU88EGZVY3Lfz1Brr2Z1QFM1wPjryqNcKNqeR5xRBFq4u2l
Saudi Arabia’s #Red_Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) has signed a 30-year concession agreement with the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority (DPFZA) to operate and develop the Port of #Tadjourah, a key facility serving Ethiopia’s northern trade routes.
The agreement follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in March between the two sides to strengthen cooperation in the maritime and logistics sectors, maritime-executive.com reported.
The agreement coincides with plans to expand multi-modal transport links between Ethiopia and northern Djibouti. Last week, the Ethiopian Railway Corporation announced a $1.58 billion project to construct a standard-gauge railway connecting northern Ethiopia to the Red Sea ports of Tadjourah, #Assab, and #Massawa.
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid02gP25Diejq8hsRcCZxsLU88EGZVY3Lfz1Brr2Z1QFM1wPjryqNcKNqeR5xRBFq4u2l
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Houthis rebels release #Ethiopian - #Yemeni model after five years in prison
Yemen's #Houthis rebels have released model Entisar al-Hammadi after holding her in prison for nearly five years, her lawyer and a security source told AFP on Sunday.
Born to an Ethiopian mother and Yemeni father, Hammadi, 23, was arrested in February 2021 in Sanaa while heading to a photo shoot.
She was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of prostitution, drug abuse and fornication -- charges described by her lawyer and rights groups as false and targeting women's liberties.
"Entisar al-Hammadi was released yesterday evening and is now in her home," her lawyer, Khaled al-Kamal, told AFP.
"Entisar suffered from various illnesses and her condition had deteriorated as a result of the injustice she suffered," he added. Hammadi had attempted to take her own life in 2021, rights groups said at the time.
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid0npjk5htmz3Gyf963gNv4CoM6VnRGvfv8PFXayL1sLq8FpUQZk6S6Svy5vXpj91CGl
Yemen's #Houthis rebels have released model Entisar al-Hammadi after holding her in prison for nearly five years, her lawyer and a security source told AFP on Sunday.
Born to an Ethiopian mother and Yemeni father, Hammadi, 23, was arrested in February 2021 in Sanaa while heading to a photo shoot.
She was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of prostitution, drug abuse and fornication -- charges described by her lawyer and rights groups as false and targeting women's liberties.
"Entisar al-Hammadi was released yesterday evening and is now in her home," her lawyer, Khaled al-Kamal, told AFP.
"Entisar suffered from various illnesses and her condition had deteriorated as a result of the injustice she suffered," he added. Hammadi had attempted to take her own life in 2021, rights groups said at the time.
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid0npjk5htmz3Gyf963gNv4CoM6VnRGvfv8PFXayL1sLq8FpUQZk6S6Svy5vXpj91CGl
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