News: More than eight million #Sudanese children miss nearly 500 days of schooling as war drags on
More than eight million children across Sudan have been deprived of education for nearly 500 days due to the ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (#RSF), Save the Children warned on Wednesday.
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has triggered one of the longest school closures globally, surpassing even the prolonged shutdowns experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the report, nearly half of Sudan’s estimated 17 million school-aged children have been unable to attend classes for about 484 days.
Save the Children said the education crisis has affected the entire country, with many schools remaining closed, others damaged by fighting, and some repurposed as shelters for families displaced by violence.
North Darfur has been among the hardest-hit regions, with only about three...
https://x.com/addisstandard/status/2014570940173066575?s=20
More than eight million children across Sudan have been deprived of education for nearly 500 days due to the ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (#RSF), Save the Children warned on Wednesday.
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has triggered one of the longest school closures globally, surpassing even the prolonged shutdowns experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the report, nearly half of Sudan’s estimated 17 million school-aged children have been unable to attend classes for about 484 days.
Save the Children said the education crisis has affected the entire country, with many schools remaining closed, others damaged by fighting, and some repurposed as shelters for families displaced by violence.
North Darfur has been among the hardest-hit regions, with only about three...
https://x.com/addisstandard/status/2014570940173066575?s=20
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News: #Ethiopia ratifies prisoner transfer and extradition agreements with #China, #Brazil, and #South_Africa
The Ethiopian House of Peoples’ Representatives (#HoPR) has ratified proclamations approving prisoner transfer agreements with the People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Brazil, as well as a criminal extradition agreement with the Republic of South Africa.
In a statement issued following the House’s ninth session on 22 January 2026, the HoPR said Etsegenet Mengistu, Chairperson of the Legal, Justice and Democracy Affairs Standing Committee, told lawmakers that the agreements aim to support the rehabilitation of Ethiopian citizens convicted abroad by allowing them to serve their sentences in Ethiopia.
According to the statement, Etsegenet explained that serving sentences closer to familiar communities, languages, and cultural environments contributes to more effective rehabilitation and social reintegration.
The HoPR said the...
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54702
The Ethiopian House of Peoples’ Representatives (#HoPR) has ratified proclamations approving prisoner transfer agreements with the People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Brazil, as well as a criminal extradition agreement with the Republic of South Africa.
In a statement issued following the House’s ninth session on 22 January 2026, the HoPR said Etsegenet Mengistu, Chairperson of the Legal, Justice and Democracy Affairs Standing Committee, told lawmakers that the agreements aim to support the rehabilitation of Ethiopian citizens convicted abroad by allowing them to serve their sentences in Ethiopia.
According to the statement, Etsegenet explained that serving sentences closer to familiar communities, languages, and cultural environments contributes to more effective rehabilitation and social reintegration.
The HoPR said the...
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54702
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Hunger, death, devastation: No respite in #Tigray a year after #US aid cuts
Lately, 88-year-old Nireayo Wubet spends many of his days burying friends and family members. As he grieves, he worries about whether there will be anyone left to offer him a decent burial when the time comes, as severe hunger ravages a large swath of his village in #Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region.
“We have little humanitarian support,” laments the octogenarian whose frail appearance is mirrored by many others in his village of #Hitsats, near the Eritrean border. “It’s not conflicts that will ultimately kill us, but famine,” he says.
Once a proud farmer from Humera – currently a disputed area within the Amhara region – Wubet took shelter in Hitsats four years ago, after fleeing conflicts and ethnic strife that uprooted him and others in the region.
He was first displaced in the middle of the Tigray war...
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid0mMVb9ns8gPGCMXSzawQkMRcqY4uTyK2SaPPUr2g8J4ioE1DUjiRFq3AnYViNf4ghl
Lately, 88-year-old Nireayo Wubet spends many of his days burying friends and family members. As he grieves, he worries about whether there will be anyone left to offer him a decent burial when the time comes, as severe hunger ravages a large swath of his village in #Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region.
“We have little humanitarian support,” laments the octogenarian whose frail appearance is mirrored by many others in his village of #Hitsats, near the Eritrean border. “It’s not conflicts that will ultimately kill us, but famine,” he says.
Once a proud farmer from Humera – currently a disputed area within the Amhara region – Wubet took shelter in Hitsats four years ago, after fleeing conflicts and ethnic strife that uprooted him and others in the region.
He was first displaced in the middle of the Tigray war...
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid0mMVb9ns8gPGCMXSzawQkMRcqY4uTyK2SaPPUr2g8J4ioE1DUjiRFq3AnYViNf4ghl
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News: #IMF-backed forex reforms cost #Ethiopia $2.6 billion in central bank losses
Ethiopia’s central bank, the National Bank of Ethiopia (#NBE), has recorded losses equivalent to $2.6 billion following the country’s shift from a fixed to a market-based foreign exchange regime in July 2024, according to audited financial statements cited by the #Kenyan outlet The EastAfrican.
NBE said it incurred 407.1 billion birr in foreign exchange losses during the financial year ending June 30, 2025, largely due to the revaluation of its foreign currency assets and liabilities after the exchange rate realignment. Foreign exchange losses rose sharply to 445.23 billion birr, from 38.13 billion birr the previous year.
The surge pushed the National Bank of Ethiopia’s overall operating loss to 428.56 billion birr, up from 10.51 billion birr a year earlier, and drove the Bank into a negative equity position of 380 billion birr, raising concerns over its ability to continue...
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54706
Ethiopia’s central bank, the National Bank of Ethiopia (#NBE), has recorded losses equivalent to $2.6 billion following the country’s shift from a fixed to a market-based foreign exchange regime in July 2024, according to audited financial statements cited by the #Kenyan outlet The EastAfrican.
NBE said it incurred 407.1 billion birr in foreign exchange losses during the financial year ending June 30, 2025, largely due to the revaluation of its foreign currency assets and liabilities after the exchange rate realignment. Foreign exchange losses rose sharply to 445.23 billion birr, from 38.13 billion birr the previous year.
The surge pushed the National Bank of Ethiopia’s overall operating loss to 428.56 billion birr, up from 10.51 billion birr a year earlier, and drove the Bank into a negative equity position of 380 billion birr, raising concerns over its ability to continue...
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54706
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#Opinion: Cost of Modernizing Addis: When progress pushes small businesses out
In recent years, #Ethiopia is undergoing rapid transformation, with digitalization expanding across daily life and #Addis_Abeba experiencing one of its most ambitious urban overhauls. However, Abraham Abebe Asfaw argues in this opinion piece that such ambition risks overwhelming the small and medium enterprises (#SMEs) that employ roughly 70% of the urban population.
He explains that tens of thousands of businesses are cancelling their licenses. This issue extends beyond tax compliance, as the combined pressures of taxation, informal payments, and displacement have eliminated the “margin that allowed firms to survive.”
Abraham emphasizes that “ignoring this distress is costly” and cautions that “development without guardrails risks becoming extractive rather than enabling.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=54697
In recent years, #Ethiopia is undergoing rapid transformation, with digitalization expanding across daily life and #Addis_Abeba experiencing one of its most ambitious urban overhauls. However, Abraham Abebe Asfaw argues in this opinion piece that such ambition risks overwhelming the small and medium enterprises (#SMEs) that employ roughly 70% of the urban population.
He explains that tens of thousands of businesses are cancelling their licenses. This issue extends beyond tax compliance, as the combined pressures of taxation, informal payments, and displacement have eliminated the “margin that allowed firms to survive.”
Abraham emphasizes that “ignoring this distress is costly” and cautions that “development without guardrails risks becoming extractive rather than enabling.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=54697
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News: #Ethiopia, #Belarus sign military MoU ahead of Air Force’s 90th anniversary
Ethiopia and Belarus have signed a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening military cooperation between the two countries, the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (#ENDF) said.
In a statement issued on 22 January 2026, the ENDF said the agreement was signed by Ethiopia’s Minister of Defense, Engineer Aisha Mohammed, and Pantus Dmitry Aleksandrovich, Minister of State Authority for Military Industry of the Republic of Belarus.
According to the statement, Aisha described the MoU as a significant step toward advancing Ethiopia’s military technology and industrial capacity, particularly as the country seeks greater self-sufficiency in defense production.
She also recalled previous agreements reached between the leaders of Ethiopia and Belarus, noting that those understandings provide the foundation for implementing the current strategic cooperation...
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54710
Ethiopia and Belarus have signed a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening military cooperation between the two countries, the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (#ENDF) said.
In a statement issued on 22 January 2026, the ENDF said the agreement was signed by Ethiopia’s Minister of Defense, Engineer Aisha Mohammed, and Pantus Dmitry Aleksandrovich, Minister of State Authority for Military Industry of the Republic of Belarus.
According to the statement, Aisha described the MoU as a significant step toward advancing Ethiopia’s military technology and industrial capacity, particularly as the country seeks greater self-sufficiency in defense production.
She also recalled previous agreements reached between the leaders of Ethiopia and Belarus, noting that those understandings provide the foundation for implementing the current strategic cooperation...
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54710
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#UAE abruptly cuts aid to vital hospitals after withdrawing from #Yemen
The sudden exit of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Yemen early this month came with a decision to end years of humanitarian support for key hospitals, abruptly cutting off access to specialised healthcare for many Yemenis.
The UAE withdrew its forces after its separatist allies, the Southern Transitional Council, were routed in southern Yemen as #Riyadh sharply opposed the Emirati role in the #STC’s seizure of territory under the control of the Saudi-backed government.
UAE-funded hospitals played a vital role for Yemenis after more than a decade of conflict had damaged public health infrastructure and left many unable to afford private healthcare.
Patients from far and wide sought these these facilities in search of high-quality, free healthcare. Many undertake long journeys to access specialised surgeries...
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid07VH6x99PAkGsbTnAkN2FrHgamxE1MamXC2iwAk5cbJWG28AQzAKzEzvqysmTuBfFl
The sudden exit of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Yemen early this month came with a decision to end years of humanitarian support for key hospitals, abruptly cutting off access to specialised healthcare for many Yemenis.
The UAE withdrew its forces after its separatist allies, the Southern Transitional Council, were routed in southern Yemen as #Riyadh sharply opposed the Emirati role in the #STC’s seizure of territory under the control of the Saudi-backed government.
UAE-funded hospitals played a vital role for Yemenis after more than a decade of conflict had damaged public health infrastructure and left many unable to afford private healthcare.
Patients from far and wide sought these these facilities in search of high-quality, free healthcare. Many undertake long journeys to access specialised surgeries...
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid07VH6x99PAkGsbTnAkN2FrHgamxE1MamXC2iwAk5cbJWG28AQzAKzEzvqysmTuBfFl
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News: #Germany reaffirms support for #Ethiopia’s peace building, Pretoria Agreement during FM Wadephul’s visit
German Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (Phd) has reaffirmed Germany’s support for Ethiopia’s peace building efforts and the full implementation of the #Pretoria Peace Agreement during talks with Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos (PhD) in Addis Abeba, as part of his official visit to Ethiopia on Thursday, 22 January 2026.
According to a statement from the German Embassy in Addis Abeba, Wadephul and Gedion underscored the importance of deepening bilateral relations, building on 120 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
During his visit, Wadephul met with Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew and toured the airline’s cargo terminal at Bole International Airport, highlighting German involvement in infrastructure projects financed by KfW IPEX-Bank.
He was also briefed on the #Bishoftu International....
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54713
German Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (Phd) has reaffirmed Germany’s support for Ethiopia’s peace building efforts and the full implementation of the #Pretoria Peace Agreement during talks with Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos (PhD) in Addis Abeba, as part of his official visit to Ethiopia on Thursday, 22 January 2026.
According to a statement from the German Embassy in Addis Abeba, Wadephul and Gedion underscored the importance of deepening bilateral relations, building on 120 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
During his visit, Wadephul met with Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew and toured the airline’s cargo terminal at Bole International Airport, highlighting German involvement in infrastructure projects financed by KfW IPEX-Bank.
He was also briefed on the #Bishoftu International....
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54713
News: #NEBE for second time in a month requests preparation of constituency, polling stations in #Tigray ahead of 2026 elections
The National Election Board of #Ethiopia (NEBE) has for the second time in a month formally requested the Tigray Interim Administration (#TIA) to prepare constituency and polling station offices ahead of the 7th national general election, scheduled for June 2026.
In a letter addressed to the Interim Administration and confirmed by Addis Standard, the Board said it is currently undertaking preparatory activities for the nationwide electoral process. NEBE recalled that it had made a similar request in an earlier letter dated 12 December 2025.
According to the letter, voter registration is scheduled to begin on 14 February 2026. In light of this timeline, NEBE urged the regional administration to ensure that constituency and polling station offices are prepared and ready for use by 2 February 2026.
The latest request follows NEBE’s...
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54723
The National Election Board of #Ethiopia (NEBE) has for the second time in a month formally requested the Tigray Interim Administration (#TIA) to prepare constituency and polling station offices ahead of the 7th national general election, scheduled for June 2026.
In a letter addressed to the Interim Administration and confirmed by Addis Standard, the Board said it is currently undertaking preparatory activities for the nationwide electoral process. NEBE recalled that it had made a similar request in an earlier letter dated 12 December 2025.
According to the letter, voter registration is scheduled to begin on 14 February 2026. In light of this timeline, NEBE urged the regional administration to ensure that constituency and polling station offices are prepared and ready for use by 2 February 2026.
The latest request follows NEBE’s...
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54723
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#Sudan army leadership begins consultations to appoint legislative council
Sudan’s military leadership is holding extensive consultations to form a transitional legislative council to end a long-standing constitutional vacuum, sources told Sudan Tribune.
The move comes amid a complex political and military landscape as the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (#SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (#RSF) nears the three-year mark.
Amendments made to the Constitutional Document last February granted Sovereign Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan broad powers to appoint and dismiss the prime minister, as well as to expand the council’s membership.
Sources said the army leadership has entered intensive talks with supportive political factions. The military is seeking to move beyond unilateral appointments by securing a civilian political base to provide legitimacy for the new body, which will be established by Sovereign Council decree......
https://sudantribune.com/article/309760
Sudan’s military leadership is holding extensive consultations to form a transitional legislative council to end a long-standing constitutional vacuum, sources told Sudan Tribune.
The move comes amid a complex political and military landscape as the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (#SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (#RSF) nears the three-year mark.
Amendments made to the Constitutional Document last February granted Sovereign Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan broad powers to appoint and dismiss the prime minister, as well as to expand the council’s membership.
Sources said the army leadership has entered intensive talks with supportive political factions. The military is seeking to move beyond unilateral appointments by securing a civilian political base to provide legitimacy for the new body, which will be established by Sovereign Council decree......
https://sudantribune.com/article/309760
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News: Deputy #US Secretary of State to visit #Ethiopia, meet PM Abiy, #AU chair
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau is set to visit Ethiopia as part of a regional tour that will take him to #Egypt, #Kenya, and #Djibouti between January 24 and February 1, the US Department of State announced.
According to a statement issued by the Office of the Spokesperson, Landau will travel to Ethiopia alongside the Commander of US Africa Command (#AFRICOM), General Dagvin Anderson. During his visit to Addis Abeba, Landau is expected to promote opportunities for US commercial engagement with the Ethiopian government and the private sector.
The statement said the Deputy Secretary will also hold discussions with Ethiopian officials, including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, focusing on regional peace and security issues.
In addition, he will meet with AU Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali...
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid02NWzYTrBPpfi2CeqeE5sHCrXFz3UCj3kbNkHU7DBrk9396y48rFcgPGFrdrK2Yjoil
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau is set to visit Ethiopia as part of a regional tour that will take him to #Egypt, #Kenya, and #Djibouti between January 24 and February 1, the US Department of State announced.
According to a statement issued by the Office of the Spokesperson, Landau will travel to Ethiopia alongside the Commander of US Africa Command (#AFRICOM), General Dagvin Anderson. During his visit to Addis Abeba, Landau is expected to promote opportunities for US commercial engagement with the Ethiopian government and the private sector.
The statement said the Deputy Secretary will also hold discussions with Ethiopian officials, including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, focusing on regional peace and security issues.
In addition, he will meet with AU Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali...
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid02NWzYTrBPpfi2CeqeE5sHCrXFz3UCj3kbNkHU7DBrk9396y48rFcgPGFrdrK2Yjoil
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News: #US faces lawsuit over ending #Ethiopians’ deportation protection, putting over 5,000 at risk
Immigrant rights advocates have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block the #Trump administration from ending Temporary Protected Status (#TPS) for thousands of Ethiopians living in the United States, a move they say would put more than 5,000 people at risk of deportation and loss of work authorization, according to Reuters.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday in #Boston federal court by three Ethiopian nationals and the non-profit African Communities Together, challenges the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decision to terminate Ethiopia’s TPS designation effective February 13, 2026.
The plaintiffs argue that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem ended the protections with only 60 days’ notice despite ongoing humanitarian and security challenges in Ethiopia, including continued conflict in ....
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid0dT92xRt89mT8VprD3T91j4v2kps3MSX9eC5wrunWEhmuN6HgiUff51DBFCR2CmGLl
Immigrant rights advocates have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block the #Trump administration from ending Temporary Protected Status (#TPS) for thousands of Ethiopians living in the United States, a move they say would put more than 5,000 people at risk of deportation and loss of work authorization, according to Reuters.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday in #Boston federal court by three Ethiopian nationals and the non-profit African Communities Together, challenges the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decision to terminate Ethiopia’s TPS designation effective February 13, 2026.
The plaintiffs argue that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem ended the protections with only 60 days’ notice despite ongoing humanitarian and security challenges in Ethiopia, including continued conflict in ....
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid0dT92xRt89mT8VprD3T91j4v2kps3MSX9eC5wrunWEhmuN6HgiUff51DBFCR2CmGLl
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News: USDA purchases #US wheat to support agricultural development in #Ethiopia and #Kenya
The United States Department of Agriculture (#USDA) has purchased 183,700 metric tons of U.S. hard red winter (HRW) wheat to support agricultural development projects in Ethiopia and Kenya, according to the U.S. Wheat Associates (USW).
The purchase, made in mid-January by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), marks the first U.S. wheat procurements under the Food for Progress program for the 2025 fiscal year. The wheat will be delivered in four cargoes—three from #Houston, #Texas, and one from #Kalama, #Washington—destined for the two #East_African countries.
Food for Progress is a U.S. government program that provides agricultural commodities to support food security and development in partner countries. Under the program, donated food commodities are sold locally,....
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid0qv13B87UsJgyuNpxxeB8Be2fj41XGjLZ1aRCDYLc85AGHGZ3hrMK9QRFKRDiQDcal
The United States Department of Agriculture (#USDA) has purchased 183,700 metric tons of U.S. hard red winter (HRW) wheat to support agricultural development projects in Ethiopia and Kenya, according to the U.S. Wheat Associates (USW).
The purchase, made in mid-January by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), marks the first U.S. wheat procurements under the Food for Progress program for the 2025 fiscal year. The wheat will be delivered in four cargoes—three from #Houston, #Texas, and one from #Kalama, #Washington—destined for the two #East_African countries.
Food for Progress is a U.S. government program that provides agricultural commodities to support food security and development in partner countries. Under the program, donated food commodities are sold locally,....
https://web.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid0qv13B87UsJgyuNpxxeB8Be2fj41XGjLZ1aRCDYLc85AGHGZ3hrMK9QRFKRDiQDcal
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#Ethiopia: Shooting near #Gambella Grand Hotel leaves one dead, injures another; city administration imposes movement restrictions
One person was killed and another injured in a shooting near the Gambella Grand Hotel on Thursday afternoon, disrupting daily life in the city and prompting the Gambella City Administration to impose temporary restrictions on movement and public services, according to a senior regional official and a local resident who spoke to Addis Standard.
A senior regional official, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the shooting occurred at around 1:05 p.m. while Tabots—sacred religious icons—were being escorted back to a local church following a religious ceremony.
According to the official, most of the procession had already passed the area near the hotel when the incident took place, affecting only a few people at the back of the escort.
“The target wasn’t the crowd,” the official said. “It appears the individual who....
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54727
One person was killed and another injured in a shooting near the Gambella Grand Hotel on Thursday afternoon, disrupting daily life in the city and prompting the Gambella City Administration to impose temporary restrictions on movement and public services, according to a senior regional official and a local resident who spoke to Addis Standard.
A senior regional official, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the shooting occurred at around 1:05 p.m. while Tabots—sacred religious icons—were being escorted back to a local church following a religious ceremony.
According to the official, most of the procession had already passed the area near the hotel when the incident took place, affecting only a few people at the back of the escort.
“The target wasn’t the crowd,” the official said. “It appears the individual who....
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54727
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#Opinion: From Informal Ties to Formal Leverage: How #Israel’s recognition of #Somaliland offers #Ethiopia strategic opportunity
In December 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel’s formal recognition of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state. In this opinion piece, Omer H. Mohamed contends that for Ethiopia, this development presents a pivotal choice: “continue informal engagement or formalize relations with Somaliland.”
He explains that Ethiopia’s landlocked position makes access to reliable corridors essential, and formal ties with Somaliland would provide “treaty-backed certainty” for infrastructure, logistics, and trade routes, mitigating vulnerability to chokepoints such as the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Mohamed emphasizes that recognizing Somaliland “would not represent a break with realism; it would be an affirmation of it,” aligning policy with geography to strengthen Ethiopia’s strategic autonomy.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=54720
In December 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel’s formal recognition of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state. In this opinion piece, Omer H. Mohamed contends that for Ethiopia, this development presents a pivotal choice: “continue informal engagement or formalize relations with Somaliland.”
He explains that Ethiopia’s landlocked position makes access to reliable corridors essential, and formal ties with Somaliland would provide “treaty-backed certainty” for infrastructure, logistics, and trade routes, mitigating vulnerability to chokepoints such as the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Mohamed emphasizes that recognizing Somaliland “would not represent a break with realism; it would be an affirmation of it,” aligning policy with geography to strengthen Ethiopia’s strategic autonomy.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=54720
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#Ethiopia: Rights group decries repeated court delays in #IDPs lawsuit against federal, regional authorities
Human Rights First has criticized the Federal High Court for repeatedly postponing hearings in its lawsuit against federal and regional authorities over alleged violations of the rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs), describing the delays as a “failure of the judiciary.”
The case, filed on November 4, 2025, targets the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Peace, and the regional governments of #Amhara, #Tigray, and #Oromia. It was formally registered on November 15 at the Federal High Court’s Basic Human Rights Division.
Although the court initially scheduled a hearing for December 19, it has since been postponed multiple times, with hearings on December 19 and 26, January 3, 10, and 23 deferred. The court has now set the next hearing for Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
Reacting to the latest delay, Tesfalem Berhe, Director of Human Rights....
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54731
Human Rights First has criticized the Federal High Court for repeatedly postponing hearings in its lawsuit against federal and regional authorities over alleged violations of the rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs), describing the delays as a “failure of the judiciary.”
The case, filed on November 4, 2025, targets the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Peace, and the regional governments of #Amhara, #Tigray, and #Oromia. It was formally registered on November 15 at the Federal High Court’s Basic Human Rights Division.
Although the court initially scheduled a hearing for December 19, it has since been postponed multiple times, with hearings on December 19 and 26, January 3, 10, and 23 deferred. The court has now set the next hearing for Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
Reacting to the latest delay, Tesfalem Berhe, Director of Human Rights....
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54731
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News: #Ethiopian Foreign Minister says he cannot intervene in revoked Deutsche Welle reporters’ licenses
Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedion Timotheos (PhD) said he cannot intervene in the case of two Deutsche Welle (#DW) reporters whose licenses were permanently revoked by the Ethiopian Media Authority, citing the regulator’s accountability to Parliament rather than the executive branch.
The remarks were made during a joint press conference in Addis Abeba with German Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, in response to a question raised by DW journalist Richard Walker. Walker recalled Ethiopia’s ranking of 145th out of 180 countries in the 2025 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index and asked whether the government would take steps to improve the media environment and revisit the decision affecting the two DW Amharic service reporters based in the #Tigray and #Amhara regions.
“I cannot personally look into such matters,” Minister....
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54734
Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedion Timotheos (PhD) said he cannot intervene in the case of two Deutsche Welle (#DW) reporters whose licenses were permanently revoked by the Ethiopian Media Authority, citing the regulator’s accountability to Parliament rather than the executive branch.
The remarks were made during a joint press conference in Addis Abeba with German Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, in response to a question raised by DW journalist Richard Walker. Walker recalled Ethiopia’s ranking of 145th out of 180 countries in the 2025 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index and asked whether the government would take steps to improve the media environment and revisit the decision affecting the two DW Amharic service reporters based in the #Tigray and #Amhara regions.
“I cannot personally look into such matters,” Minister....
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54734
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News: Eight political parties raise concerns over credibility of 7th national #election, cite lack of transparency in registration
Eight opposition political parties have expressed concern over the credibility of #Ethiopia’s upcoming 7th national election, warning that problems observed at the outset of candidate registration risk undermining the process and could prevent the election from being “participatory, honest, and credible.”
In a joint statement issued on 22 January 2026, the parties said that although the election process has only entered the candidate registration phase, they are already facing “challenges that darken the peaceful political landscape.”
The signatories are Hibir Ethiopia Democratic Party, All Ethiopian Unity Organization (#AEUO), #Balderas for Genuine Democracy, Cooperation for Ethiopian Unity, #Amara_Ghionian Movement, Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (#EPRP), Ethiopian Social Democratic Party (#ESDP), and Wolaita ....
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54737
Eight opposition political parties have expressed concern over the credibility of #Ethiopia’s upcoming 7th national election, warning that problems observed at the outset of candidate registration risk undermining the process and could prevent the election from being “participatory, honest, and credible.”
In a joint statement issued on 22 January 2026, the parties said that although the election process has only entered the candidate registration phase, they are already facing “challenges that darken the peaceful political landscape.”
The signatories are Hibir Ethiopia Democratic Party, All Ethiopian Unity Organization (#AEUO), #Balderas for Genuine Democracy, Cooperation for Ethiopian Unity, #Amara_Ghionian Movement, Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (#EPRP), Ethiopian Social Democratic Party (#ESDP), and Wolaita ....
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54737
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News: #Ethiopian Media Authority announces return of #Wazema Media operating license on allegations of ‘ethical violations’
Addis Abeba – The Ethiopian Media Authority (#EMA) announced today that Wazema Media, commonly known as Wazema Radio, has returned its operational license in Ethiopia.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Authority claimed the media outlet returned its recognition and license because it was "unwilling to work while respecting the Ethiopian Constitution and the Media Proclamation, as well as guidelines and professional ethics."
The EMA, which had granted Wazema Media an online media license, stated that its decision followed continuous monitoring and "tips and comments" received from the public.
According to the regulator, Wazema’s reporting was found to be "contrary to the country's national interest, lacking balance, [and] failing to include responses from federal and regional governments."
The Authority further alleged that...
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HzHJemEWM/
Addis Abeba – The Ethiopian Media Authority (#EMA) announced today that Wazema Media, commonly known as Wazema Radio, has returned its operational license in Ethiopia.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Authority claimed the media outlet returned its recognition and license because it was "unwilling to work while respecting the Ethiopian Constitution and the Media Proclamation, as well as guidelines and professional ethics."
The EMA, which had granted Wazema Media an online media license, stated that its decision followed continuous monitoring and "tips and comments" received from the public.
According to the regulator, Wazema’s reporting was found to be "contrary to the country's national interest, lacking balance, [and] failing to include responses from federal and regional governments."
The Authority further alleged that...
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HzHJemEWM/
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