Today’s Top Stories from Addis Standard

From Somalia–U.S. tensions and global music leadership to Red Sea geopolitics and Ethiopia-China relations.



Full update: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVODgwOB0SA

#China's top diplomat postpones visit to #Somalia, arrives in Tanzania

China's top diplomat postponed what would have been a historic visit to Somalia, part of a tour of #Africa aimed at bolstering strategic trade, the East African nation's foreign affairs ministry said on Friday.

#Wang Yi's planned visit would have been the first by a Chinese foreign minister since the 1980s.

It had been expected to provide #Mogadishu with a diplomatic boost after #Israel became the first country to formally recognise the breakaway Republic of #Somaliland, a northern region that declared its independence in 1991.

Somalia's relations with the U.S. are also at a low point after Washington said this week it would pause further assistance that benefits the government over a dispute about the demolition of a World Food Programme warehouse.

Somali foreign affairs ministry officials told Reuters that the reason for the.....

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-top-diplomat-wang-yi-postpones-visit-somalia-2026-01-09/

#UN rights office cites ‘widespread repression’ in #Uganda before next week’s presidential election

The U.N. Human Rights Office said Friday that a presidential election in Uganda next week would be “marked by widespread repression and intimidation” against the opposition and others.

Ugandan authorities in the East African country have used lawfare, including military legislation, to restrict the activities of politicians and others before voting on Jan. 15, the Geneva-based Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, or #OHCHR, said in a new report.

“Next week’s elections in Uganda will take place in an environment marked by widespread repression and intimidation against the political opposition, human rights defenders, journalists and those with dissenting views,” OHCHR said.

Ugandan police, the military and others have used live ammunition to disperse peaceful assemblies, & the security forces....

https://apnews.com/article/uganda-election-un-rights-report-1e30ab4e21419dad8cd73567fbc0759c

News: #Ethiopia, #Kenya expected to drive East Africa’s growth in 2026: #UN

Ethiopia and Kenya are projected to be the main drivers of #East_Africa’s economic expansion in 2026, as the sub-region is expected to post the fastest growth rate on the continent, according to the United Nations’ World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026 report.

The UN forecasts East Africa’s economy to grow by 5.8 percent in 2026, up from 5.4 percent in 2025, outperforming all other African sub-regions.

This performance is largely attributed to the economic outlook of Ethiopia and Kenya, supported by regional integration efforts and the expansion of renewable energy, the report said.

Reporting on the UN findings, Nairobi based daily newspaper The Star said Africa’s overall economic growth is projected to rise to four percent in 2026 and 4.1 percent in 2027, compared to 3.5 percent in 2024 and 3.9 percent in 2025, reflecting improving macroeconomic stability in several major...

Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54472

News: Transport tops #inflation as overall price pressures ease, followed by miscellaneous goods and communication: statistics agency

Transport recorded the highest inflation rate in #Ethiopia in the past month, even as overall inflation continued to slow, according to the Ethiopian Statistical Agency (#ESA).

In its latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, the agency said annual headline inflation declined to 9.7 percent, down sharply from 17.0 percent recorded in the same month last year. On a month-on-month basis, overall inflation fell by 0.3 percent, while remaining 0.8 percent higher than in the corresponding month a year earlier.

Transport posted the highest rate at 17.6 percent, followed by miscellaneous goods and services at 21.5 percent, and communication at 13.9 percent.

The ESA said non-food inflation stood at 9.6 percent, driven by price increases across...

https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid0275TkCWCYEjsfGGzkVTQQhZipsHKPhXDitrHUYYTTpAYmoMJDebXzrBqy1SpkGnsjl

#Pope_Leo says ‘war is back in vogue’ in major address to global envoys

Pope Leo XIV has said the prohibition on countries violating one another’s borders has been “completely undermined,” in an important speech to diplomats gathered in the #Vatican.

The first #United_States-born pope, giving his debut “state of the world” address, expressed his concern about “escalating tensions” in the “#Caribbean Sea and the #American Pacific coast” while calling for the “will of the #Venezuelan people” to be respected, and a return to stability in the country.

“War is back in vogue and a zeal for war is spreading,” Leo told ambassadors from across the globe gathered in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace on Friday. “The principle established after the Second World War, which prohibited nations from using force to violate the borders of others, has been completely undermined.”

Leo was speaking just less than a week after the......

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/09/europe/pope-leo-state-of-world-address-envoys-intl

#Yemeni southern separatists in #Riyadh announce disputed disbanding of #STC

-The STC, which #SaudiArabia says is backed by the #UAE, launched an offensive against Yemeni gov’t troops in December.

Yemen’s main southern separatists ‍have decided to disband following talks in Saudi Arabia, the secretary-general of the organisation has said, although the announcement was dismissed by its spokesman, who called it “ridiculous”.

The Southern Transitional Council (STC) Secretary-General Abdulrahman Jalal al-Subaihi said in a broadcast on Yemeni television on Friday that the dissolution of the group was taken to preserve peace and security in the south and in neighbouring countries.

He praised “the measures taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the solutions it has provided that meet the needs of the people of the South”.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/9/yemens-separatist-southern-transitional-council-announces-its-dissolution

#Opinion: #Somaliland’s Case for Recognition: Response to #AU chairperson’s misguided statement

In this opinion piece, Abdi Halim M. Musa contends that the African Union (AU) Chairperson’s recent dismissal of Somaliland’s independence favors political expediency over “historical accuracy and legal consistency.” He argues that labeling Somaliland an “integral part of Somalia” ignores its 1960 sovereignty before it “voluntarily and legally” joined #Somalia.

The author notes, "Somaliland’s case for statehood is not rooted in secession, rebellion, or opportunism; it is grounded in documented sovereignty." Musa also highlights the AU’s own 2005 mission, which called the case "unique and self-justified" and said recognition would not set a dangerous precedent.

He cautions, "To deny Somaliland indefinitely is to undermine the very principles the African Union claims to uphold."

https://addisstandard.com/?p=54474

News: #Tigray to send 20 wounded veterans to #India for advanced medical treatment

Tigray’s Patriots Commission announced that 20 wounded veterans will be sent to India for specialized medical care at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi.

Commissioner Nassir Memhur said the veterans sustained severe injuries during the recent Tigray war and require treatment unavailable locally. “This initiative aims to support their recovery and enable them to achieve both physical and psychological self-sufficiency,” he added.

While 20 veterans will receive treatment, the total delegation traveling is 31 people, including six escorts, two health professionals, one finance expert, and two voluntary kidney donors, with all expenses fully covered. The group is scheduled to travel to Addis Abeba on 12 January 2026 before proceeding to India after completing documentation.

Nassir noted that ...

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News: #PM_Abiy lays foundation for #Africa’s largest Airport; #OLF describes project as extension of 2014 “Master Plan,” demands equity

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Saturday laid the foundation stone for the #Bishoftu International Airport, poised to become Africa’s largest aviation hub, while the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) condemned the project as involving “forced displacement,” alleging that thousands of residents are being uprooted and demanding ownership stakes for affected farmers.

The ceremony in Abbuu Seeraa, Bishoftu, was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh, #Oromia Regional President Shimelis Abdisa, & Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Abiy described the airport as a “mega station” central to Ethiopia’s long-term aviation and industrial strategy, with the capacity to handle up to 110 million passengers.

The OLF described the project as a humanitarian crisis, alleging that it extends

Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54477

From regional diplomacy to public health updates—here’s what shaped the week in East Africa.

👉 Addis Standard Weekly News Recap covers:
• Red Sea security talks involving Eritrea and Sudan
• Ethiopia’s latest Marburg update
• Major changes in Ethiopia’s media leadership
• U.S.–Somalia aid suspension
• Visa denials affecting Ethiopian athletes
• And more regional & global developments

▶️ Watch, share, and stay informed with Addis Standard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n-nq-Dg1Ow

#WeeklyRecap #EthiopiaNews #HornOfAfrica #AddisStandard #AfricanNews

News: #PM_Abiy visits #Djibouti, tours Doraleh Port weeks after #Egypt signs port and energy deals

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrived in Djibouti today for talks with President Ismaïl Omar #Guelleh and a tour of the Port of #Doraleh, weeks after Egypt signed cooperation agreements with Djibouti on port development, logistics, and renewable energy.

In a statement shared following his arrival, Abiy said discussions with President Guelleh focused on “geopolitical dynamics, regional peace and security, and strengthening bilateral cooperation,” particularly in trade, logistics, and development, reaffirming a shared commitment to stability, economic integration, and mutual prosperity.

The Prime Minister also toured the Doraleh port complex, Ethiopia’s principal maritime gateway.

The visit comes amid heightened regional attention to Red Sea logistics. On 27 December, 2025, Egypt and Djibouti signed three cooperation agreements during an official visit by Kamel....

Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54486

Deaths from #Iran protests reach more than 500, rights group says

Unrest in Iran has killed more than 500 people, a rights group said on Sunday, as #Tehran threatened to target U.S. military bases if President Donald Trump carries out his renewed threats to intervene on behalf of protesters.

With the Islamic Republic's clerical establishment facing the biggest demonstrations since 2022, Trump has repeatedly threatened to get involved if force is used on protesters.

According to its latest figures - from activists inside and outside Iran - U.S.-based rights group HRANA said it had verified the deaths of 490 protesters and 48 security personnel, with more than 10,600 people arrested in two weeks of unrest.

Iran has not given an official toll and Reuters was unable to independently verify the tallies.

Trump was to meet with senior advisers on Tuesday to discuss options for Iran, a U.S.....

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/confronting-protests-iran-vows-strike-back-if-us-attacks-2026-01-11/

#Sudanese gov't returns to #Khartoum after nearly 3 years of war

Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris on Sunday announced the return of the government to the capital, Khartoum, for the first time since the outbreak of war on April 15, 2023, after nearly three years of running state affairs from the eastern city of #Port_Sudan.

"The government has returned to the national capital," Idris said in a speech to a crowd following his arrival in Bahri, north of Khartoum.

He pledged to improve basic services, particularly in the health and education sectors, and to rebuild hospitals and rehabilitate schools and universities, foremost among them the University of Khartoum.

The prime minister added that 2026 would be "the year of peace in Sudan," pointing to plans for reconstruction and development, as well as efforts to improve the economic situation by increasing gross national product, reducing inflation, and stabilizing the exchange ....

https://english.news.cn/20260111/57d8cfd50a314aa4bcd1e90564c45698/c.html

News: #China FM rejects Somaliland–Taiwan “Collusion,” reaffirms #Somalia’s sovereignty in call with Somali FM

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has reiterated Beijing’s opposition to what it described as attempts by “#Somaliland” to collude with #Taiwan authorities, reaffirming China’s longstanding support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

The remarks were made during a phone conversation on Sunday between Wang and Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdisalam Dhaay, held amid Wang’s ongoing African tour, according to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry.

During the call, Wang said China remains committed to a friendly policy toward Somalia and will continue to deepen cooperation across economic, security, and defense sectors, regardless of changes in the international environment.

He also emphasized #Beijing’s opposition to separatism, reiterating that....
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54490

#Policy_Brief: #Ethiopia’s Banking Sector Transition to Basel II and III: Critical assessment of #NBE’s new directive

In November 2025, the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) issued Directive No. SBB/95/2025, transitioning the banking sector toward Basel II and III frameworks. While officials view this as a “mark of maturity,” author Hassen Mama Muse contends that “implementing such a complex system in an economy with limited data infrastructure and human capital may outweigh the perceived benefits.”

He argues the directive “grafts a highly sophisticated, Western-centric regulatory model onto a developing financial system that lacks the requisite infrastructure,” citing a global history of “technocratic failure.”

Hassen cautions that success rests on “prioritizing simplicity, transparency, and domestic economic stability over technocratic elegance,” emphasizing that for Ethiopia, “resilience must be real, not merely compliant on paper.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=54480

News: #Libya deports 39 migrants, including #Ethiopians, in ongoing effort to curb undocumented movement

Libyan authorities have deported 39 irregular migrants of various nationalities, including Ethiopians, as part of continued efforts to combat illegal migration and strengthen security, according to reports citing Libyan officials.

The operation, carried out by the Anti-Illegal Migration Agency, was implemented in two phases in line with legal and security procedures. The first group, consisting of #Egyptian migrants, was deported via the Emsaed land border crossing after completing all required administrative formalities.

The second group, made up of #Eritrean, #Somali, and Ethiopian nationals, was transferred to the Qanfouda shelter and deportation center, where remaining procedures—including identity verification, administrative processing, and basic health checks—were completed...

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#Ethiopia: Tigray Interim Administration approves price hikes as part of new resource mobilization regulation citing budget shortfall

The #Tigray Interim Administration has approved a regulation introducing price increases on goods including beer, wine, bottled water, and cement, as part of efforts to mobilize financial resources for humanitarian and recovery work in the region, officials said. The regulation was endorsed during a meeting held on January 9, according to local media reports.

Speaking following the approval, Abraham Tekesete, head of the Resource Mobilization Committee, said no rehabilitation work has been carried out since the signing of the Pretoria peace agreement. He added that Tigray has been denied its full budget since October, receiving “only about one-third of its allocated funds.”

Abraham Tekeste(PhD) said the Interim Administration is facing a severe budget deficit, noting that war-injured veterans are living in extremely.....

Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54495

#Ethiopia: Weeks after a disputed peace deal, #Amhara Regional Government says AFAHD vice chair Colonel Fentaw Muhaba joins peace process

Weeks after a disputed peace agreement between the Amhara Regional Government and the Amhara #Fano People’s Organization (#AFAHD), the regional government announced that Colonel Fentaw Muhaba, Vice Chair and Military Commander-in-Chief of AFAHD, has entered the peace process along with his forces.

In a statement, the regional government said Colonel Fentaw, who also commands AFAHD’s Wollo Province forces, accepted the peace alternative as part of the agreement reached through negotiations mediated by the African Union (#AU) & the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (#IGAD). Officials described his move as a step toward de-escalation and stabilizing the region.

The announcement follows a controversial “peace agreement” reported on 4 December 2025, in which state media said the Amhara Regional Government had signed ....

Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54501