#Commentary: National Interests vs Political Pretense: Deconstructing regional opposition to #Somaliland’s recognition
In late 2025, #Israel recognized Somaliland, a self-declared independent region in northern #Somalia, prompting condemnation from 21 #Arab, Islamic, and #African states, which called it a “grave violation of international law and the #UN Charter.” However, Gulaid Yusuf Idaan argues that opposition is driven by “narrow national interests, deep-seated geopolitical anxieties, and defensive reactions to the potential restructuring of the existing regional order.”
He contends that Somaliland has been reduced to a “bureaucratic abstraction, a file that needs to be handled but not a cause that needs to be comprehended.”
Idaan emphasizes that Somaliland faces resistance due to its success as “a small political entity that has achieved relative stability, participatory governance, and institutional functionality.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=54574
In late 2025, #Israel recognized Somaliland, a self-declared independent region in northern #Somalia, prompting condemnation from 21 #Arab, Islamic, and #African states, which called it a “grave violation of international law and the #UN Charter.” However, Gulaid Yusuf Idaan argues that opposition is driven by “narrow national interests, deep-seated geopolitical anxieties, and defensive reactions to the potential restructuring of the existing regional order.”
He contends that Somaliland has been reduced to a “bureaucratic abstraction, a file that needs to be handled but not a cause that needs to be comprehended.”
Idaan emphasizes that Somaliland faces resistance due to its success as “a small political entity that has achieved relative stability, participatory governance, and institutional functionality.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=54574
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#EU urges leaders to exercise responsibility amid #Ethiopia–#Eritrea tensions
The European Union has called on Ethiopia and Eritrea to ease rising tensions through diplomacy and cooperation, warning against a return to conflict in the Horn of Africa. Speaking to journalists in Addis Ababa, Olaf Skoog, Deputy Secretary-General of the European External Action Service, said disputes should be resolved “through diplomacy in good faith,” as concerns grow over Red Sea security.
Addressing escalating rhetoric between Addis Ababa and Asmara, particularly over access to the Red Sea, Skoog urged both sides to step back from confrontational language and pursue cooperative approaches. He said the EU is ready to support de-escalation efforts and act as an “honest broker.”
On Somaliland, Skoog reaffirmed the EU’s support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, rejecting recognition and warning against actions that could further destabilize the region.
Watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsYxNFHqJgM
The European Union has called on Ethiopia and Eritrea to ease rising tensions through diplomacy and cooperation, warning against a return to conflict in the Horn of Africa. Speaking to journalists in Addis Ababa, Olaf Skoog, Deputy Secretary-General of the European External Action Service, said disputes should be resolved “through diplomacy in good faith,” as concerns grow over Red Sea security.
Addressing escalating rhetoric between Addis Ababa and Asmara, particularly over access to the Red Sea, Skoog urged both sides to step back from confrontational language and pursue cooperative approaches. He said the EU is ready to support de-escalation efforts and act as an “honest broker.”
On Somaliland, Skoog reaffirmed the EU’s support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, rejecting recognition and warning against actions that could further destabilize the region.
Watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsYxNFHqJgM
YouTube
EU urges leaders to exercise responsibility amid Ethiopia–Eritrea tensions
The European Union has called on Ethiopia and Eritrea to ease rising tensions through diplomacy and cooperation, warning against a return to conflict in the Horn of Africa. Speaking to journalists in Addis Ababa, Olaf Skoog, Deputy Secretary-General of the…
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News: Schools remain closed as IDPs shelter in classrooms; refugee camps face access constraints in Gambella
Government schools in parts of Gambella Region remain closed as thousands of internally displaced people (IDPs) continue to shelter in classrooms, while access to refugee camps around Itang has been severely constrained, a regional official told Addis Standard.
A senior regional government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, said government schools in Gambella city, Itang, and Abol have yet to reopen, contradicting earlier statements by regional authorities that classes would resume on 5 January 2026.
According to the official, many schools remain occupied by IDPs whose homes were burned or looted during recent violence, preventing the resumption of classes. “Only a limited number of private schools have reopened,” he said, adding that water and electricity services in Itang remain cut off, further complicating....
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54605
Government schools in parts of Gambella Region remain closed as thousands of internally displaced people (IDPs) continue to shelter in classrooms, while access to refugee camps around Itang has been severely constrained, a regional official told Addis Standard.
A senior regional government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, said government schools in Gambella city, Itang, and Abol have yet to reopen, contradicting earlier statements by regional authorities that classes would resume on 5 January 2026.
According to the official, many schools remain occupied by IDPs whose homes were burned or looted during recent violence, preventing the resumption of classes. “Only a limited number of private schools have reopened,” he said, adding that water and electricity services in Itang remain cut off, further complicating....
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54605
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News: Survivor’s account sheds new light on deadly Safari attack that killed #Turkish businessman in #Ethiopia
New details about a deadly attack in southwestern Ethiopia that killed two Turkish nationals and an Ethiopian driver have emerged after a survivor shared his experience on Instagram.
The attack occurred on January 12 in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region, near the town of Tum, when armed assailants opened fire on a convoy of vehicles on a safari trip.
Survivor Tarık Hotamışlıgil described how gunfire erupted suddenly, forcing the group to scatter.
He said the tires of the vehicle carrying Erdoğan Akbulak, a leading Turkish businessman and owner of Silkar Mining, and Cengizhan Güngör were struck, leaving them unable to escape. The group’s Ethiopian driver was also killed.
“We went to Ethiopia to experience a new culture and take photos together,” ...
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid0DrjTVtJ988heR1EX3zXBLvkDYXKKCNpLKBJdYtDY6QB3STy27hhSRcTZinJbQvfGl
New details about a deadly attack in southwestern Ethiopia that killed two Turkish nationals and an Ethiopian driver have emerged after a survivor shared his experience on Instagram.
The attack occurred on January 12 in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region, near the town of Tum, when armed assailants opened fire on a convoy of vehicles on a safari trip.
Survivor Tarık Hotamışlıgil described how gunfire erupted suddenly, forcing the group to scatter.
He said the tires of the vehicle carrying Erdoğan Akbulak, a leading Turkish businessman and owner of Silkar Mining, and Cengizhan Güngör were struck, leaving them unable to escape. The group’s Ethiopian driver was also killed.
“We went to Ethiopia to experience a new culture and take photos together,” ...
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid0DrjTVtJ988heR1EX3zXBLvkDYXKKCNpLKBJdYtDY6QB3STy27hhSRcTZinJbQvfGl
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Weekly Horn of Africa Briefing: Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia & Regional Politics
https://youtu.be/eIYIa0ar3HA?si=a1rswRZxqQ0gF556
https://youtu.be/eIYIa0ar3HA?si=a1rswRZxqQ0gF556
YouTube
Horn of Africa in Focus: GERD Back on Agenda, Egypt Calls Sudan’s Unity a “Red Line”
This week in the Horn of Africa:
Sudan’s government returns to Khartoum as war passes 1,000 days
Egypt declares Sudan’s unity a “red line” amid regional tensions
Trump offers to restart U.S. mediation on Ethiopia’s GERD dispute
Uganda election disrupted…
Sudan’s government returns to Khartoum as war passes 1,000 days
Egypt declares Sudan’s unity a “red line” amid regional tensions
Trump offers to restart U.S. mediation on Ethiopia’s GERD dispute
Uganda election disrupted…
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In_Pictures: #Epiphany celebrations across #Ethiopia
Epiphany (Timket) celebrations are taking place across Ethiopia, as followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church mark the festival in accordance with long-standing religious traditions.
Observances began on the eve of the Katara ceremony yesterday, with clergy and congregants participating in the commemoration.
Photo: Social media
Epiphany (Timket) celebrations are taking place across Ethiopia, as followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church mark the festival in accordance with long-standing religious traditions.
Observances began on the eve of the Katara ceremony yesterday, with clergy and congregants participating in the commemoration.
Photo: Social media
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In Pictures 2
#Ethiopians across the country celebrate Timket (#Epiphany)—recognized by #UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity—one of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church’s most sacred festivals, marked by vibrant processions, prayers, and communal gatherings.
On the occasion of the festival, various embassies in Addis Abeba have extended congratulatory messages.
The embassies of #Russia and the #United_States, along with those of #Germany, the #Netherlands, the #United_Kingdom, #Switzerland, #Sweden, #Finland, #Israel, #Armenia, #Canada, #Iran, #Pakistan, and #Australia, wished Ethiopians a peaceful and joyful celebration. (Source: FBC, TigTV)
#Ethiopians across the country celebrate Timket (#Epiphany)—recognized by #UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity—one of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church’s most sacred festivals, marked by vibrant processions, prayers, and communal gatherings.
On the occasion of the festival, various embassies in Addis Abeba have extended congratulatory messages.
The embassies of #Russia and the #United_States, along with those of #Germany, the #Netherlands, the #United_Kingdom, #Switzerland, #Sweden, #Finland, #Israel, #Armenia, #Canada, #Iran, #Pakistan, and #Australia, wished Ethiopians a peaceful and joyful celebration. (Source: FBC, TigTV)
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#Saudi-backed #Yemeni government accuses #UAE of running secret prisons, Abu Dhabi denies claim
The Saudi-backed Yemeni government accused the United Arab Emirates on Monday of running a secret prison at an airbase near the south Yemeni port city of Mukalla, an allegation denied by Abu Dhabi.
The accusation fueled tensions in a deepening row between the two Gulf oil states, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The allegations were made by Salem Al-Khanbashi, the governor of the eastern Yemeni province of Hadramout, during a rare media trip arranged by the Saudi government which flew international journalists including a Reuters team from Riyadh to the Riyan airbase near the Yemeni city of Mukalla.
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/saudi-backed-tour-yemeni-officials-accuse-uae-running-secret-prisons-2026-01-19/
The Saudi-backed Yemeni government accused the United Arab Emirates on Monday of running a secret prison at an airbase near the south Yemeni port city of Mukalla, an allegation denied by Abu Dhabi.
The accusation fueled tensions in a deepening row between the two Gulf oil states, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The allegations were made by Salem Al-Khanbashi, the governor of the eastern Yemeni province of Hadramout, during a rare media trip arranged by the Saudi government which flew international journalists including a Reuters team from Riyadh to the Riyan airbase near the Yemeni city of Mukalla.
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/saudi-backed-tour-yemeni-officials-accuse-uae-running-secret-prisons-2026-01-19/
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