#China calls #US Hormuz blockade “dangerous and irresponsible,” urges comprehensive ceasefire

Addis Abeba — China on Tuesday criticized the United States’ blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as “dangerous and irresponsible,” warning that the move risks deepening tensions in an already volatile region.

Speaking at the weekly regular press briefing in #Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the blockade would “exacerbate tensions, undermine the already fragile ceasefire, and further threaten the safety of navigation” through the strategic waterway, according to China News Service.

Guo stressed that only a “comprehensive ceasefire” could create the necessary conditions to ease tensions in the strait. He urged all parties to adhere to existing ceasefire agreements, prioritize dialogue and negotiations, and take concrete steps to de-escalate the situation and restore normal maritime navigation as soon as possible.

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War pushes seven in 10 #Sudanese into poverty: #UN official

Around seven in 10 people in Sudan are now living in poverty, a senior UN official told AFP on Tuesday, nearly twice as many as before the war between the army and paramilitary forces broke out three years ago.

"Before the war, we were probably looking (at) around 38 percent of people living in poverty, and now we are estimating about 70 percent," said the UN Development Programme's Sudan representative Luca Renda, as the agency released a new report on poverty timed to coincide with the anniversary of the start of the war.

The figures Renda cited were based on a poverty line of about $4 a day, while at least a quarter of the population is believed to be surviving on less than half that, he said.

Conditions are particularly severe in some of the worst-affected areas, including parts of southern #Kordofan, now the war's.......

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#Opinion: #Red_Sea or Strait of #Hormuz: Flashpoint for next great power confrontation

While global attention fixates on the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz, Gebremichael Negash argues that “the Horn of #Africa is a more likely starting point for the next major geopolitical crisis.”

He notes that #Ethiopia, viewing its landlocked status as a “strategic vulnerability,” has realigned regional dynamics through its 2024 MoU with #Somaliland—thereby stoking tensions with #Somalia and drawing in rival powers such as #Egypt, #Turkey, and Gulf states. Meanwhile, the unresolved war in #Tigray, compounded by #Eritrea’s role, threatens renewed instability with spillover risks to Red Sea trade routes.

The author cautions: “Without a coordinated African-led framework, the Red Sea’s future risks being shaped by external powers.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=56497

News: #UN reports over 12,000 #Ethiopian refugees in #Sudan's Blue Nile State as conflict tensions mount

The UN refugee agency, #UNHCR, says more than 12,000 Ethiopian refugees in Sudan are living in #Blue_Nile state, a region that has seen escalating insecurity and cross-border tensions, including accusations that Ethiopia has supported attacks by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (#RSF) from the #Benishangul-Gumuz region.

In its latest overview as of 31 March 2026, UNHCR reported that a total of 68,750 Ethiopian refugees and asylum seekers are currently in Sudan, representing about 8% of the country’s overall refugee population, which stands at more than 862,000.

Of these, 12,675 Ethiopian refugees—about 18%—are hosted in Blue Nile state, primarily in Wad Al Mahi Camp. The majority, 44,386 (65%), reside in Gedaref state, while smaller numbers are found in Red Sea state (3,135) & Khartoum (322).

The report highlights that 73% of Ethiopian refugees are living....

Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=56502

News: #Eritrea delegation hold talks on boosting economic ties during #Cairo visit

Addis Abeba — A senior delegation from Eritrea held high-level discussions with #Egyptian officials in Cairo aimed at strengthening bilateral economic cooperation.

According to Yemane Gebremeskel, Eritrea’s Minister of Information, who shared details on X, the Eritrean delegation—led by Hagos Gebrehiwet, Head of Economic Affairs, and Nesredin Saleh, Minister of Trade and Industry—met with Badr Abdelatty and Mohamed Farid Saleh for what he described as “extensive discussions” on enhancing economic ties.

Yemane said the talks focused on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, and broader economic engagement between the two countries, reflecting ongoing efforts to deepen bilateral relations.

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In-depth Analysis: The #Fertilizer Paradox: Global shocks test #Ethiopia’s fragile, corruption-tainted supply chain

As Ethiopia approaches a critical agricultural season, mounting global disruptions, domestic corruption, and logistical bottlenecks induced by #fuel_shortages are converging to expose deep vulnerabilities in the country’s #fertilizer_supply chain.

While officials maintain that sufficient fertilizer has been secured for the current production cycle, contradictory statements from senior policymakers, corruption revelations, fuel shortage and reports of scarcity from farming communities suggest a widening gap between national preparedness and realities on the ground.

The emerging picture is one of a system already under strain, shaped by global geopolitical shocks abroad and persistent structural weaknesses at home.

Read the full In-depth Analysis: https://addisstandard.com/?p=56490

#US treasury secretary says #China will not be able to get oil from #Iran

Scott Bessent has said that the US will block #Chinese_tankers carrying Iranian oil in the Strait of #Hormuz.

“They’re not going to be able to get their oil. They can get oil. Not Iranian oil,” Bessent told reporters in #Washington, DC.

He went on to criticise China, which buys most of Iran’s oil, saying it was being an “unreliable global partner”, including by hoarding oil supplies and limiting exports of some goods. He said he had spoken with Chinese officials on the issue, but declined to answer a question on whether the dispute could derail Trump’s plan to visit Beijing in mid-May.

“I think the message for the visit is stability. We’ve had great stability in the relationship since last summer; that emanates from the top down,” Bessent said. “I think that communication is the key.”

https://aje.news/lxeq57?update=4492996

News: #Saudi_Arabia presses U.S. to lift Hormuz blockade, return to talks with #Iran

Saudi Arabia is urging the #United_States to lift its naval blockade of the Strait of #Hormuz and resume negotiations with Iran, amid fears that escalating tensions could disrupt critical global shipping routes, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

Citing Arab officials, the report said Riyadh is concerned that continued pressure on Tehran could provoke retaliation, including potential disruption of the Bab al-Mandeb strait—a key #Red_Sea passage for #Gulf oil exports. The U.S. blockade, which targets Iranian ports, took effect Monday after efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz through diplomacy failed.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit route, was shut earlier in the conflict after Iran attacked vessels, cutting off an estimated 13 million barrels per day of exports & driving.....

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News: President Tadesse Worede defends appointment amid criticism, rejects calls to step down

Lt. Gen. #Tadesse_Worede, President of the #Tigray Interim Regional Administration, has defended his appointment amid mounting criticism, rejecting calls for him to step down and insisting that any leadership changes must follow legal and institutional procedures.

Lieutenant General Tadesse pointed out that during the evaluation of the interim administration’s one-year performance, held in the presence of Prime Minister #Abiy_Ahmed and federal government officials, the agenda brought forward by the Prime Minister—accusing them by stating, ‘you are preparing for war’—was the subject of a heated argument that took many hours. He also indicated that an accusation was made regarding the federal government’s ban on fuel entering the region, stating, ‘it was done because we found out you are hoarding it to wage war.'”

Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=56512

#Türkiye deploys F-16 jets to #Mogadishu amid #Somalia’s federal-regional tensions

Addis Abeba — Türkiye has deployed F-16 fighter jets to Somalia, marking a significant increase in military support for the federal government as it moves to consolidate territorial control and counter growing regional dissent.

The deployment, first reported by Janes, follows months of infrastructure upgrades at Aden Adde International Airport, including the construction of specialized hangars and maintenance facilities, the local Garowe news service reported on 14 April.

Turkish officials said the aircraft are intended to strengthen counterterrorism operations against al-Shabaab and enhance maritime security, particularly in relation to ongoing oil exploration activities off Somalia’s coast.

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#Ethiopia's #Afar Rift provides glimpse into life and death 100,000 years ago

The study of ancient cultures around Ethiopia during the Middle Stone Age (MSA) time period is important for understanding how some of the first Homo sapiens lived and eventually left Africa. Unfortunately, there are not many well-preserved, open-air archaeological sites from the MSA, especially with both human fossils and artifacts. The Middle Awash study area in Ethiopia, however, is one of the few areas with a well-preserved treasure trove of artifacts capable of painting a picture of early human life in Ethiopia. A new study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reports on some fascinating findings from this region, giving clues into what life—and death—might have been like.

Life in the Afar Rift

Around 1,800 piece-plotted stone artifacts larger than a centimeter were found, along with 132 animal remains.

https://phys.org/news/2026-04-ethiopia-afar-rift-glimpse-life.html

#Op_ed: Mandate Expired, Authority Retained: #Somalia’s risky power extension amid emerging rivalries

Adam Daud Ahmed argues that Somalia’s decision to postpone elections to 2027 represents a perilous shift toward authoritarianism. He notes, “What is unfolding in #Mogadishu is not a routine political delay; it reflects the systematic erosion of democratic legitimacy, replaced by the cold logic of force.”

Regional rivals, denouncing the move as a "constitutional coup," are preparing to establish a transitional authority by 15 May, heightening the risk of state collapse. This instability is compounded by the use of foreign arms for internal coercion, which “provides exactly the oxygen the insurgency needs to outlast the federal project.”

He underscores, “The question is no longer whether Somalia faces risk—it’s whether time remains to avert violent fragmentation.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=56507

News: #Sudan criticizes Berlin conference as ‘colonial tutelage,’ rejects exclusion of Khartoum

Addis Abeba — Sudan has denounced a conference held in #Berlin, #Germany, criticizing it as a “colonial tutelage approach” and accusing Western countries of attempting to impose their agenda without consulting Khartoum.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Sudan’s Foreign Ministry said organizing the conference without coordination with the Sudanese government reflects “disregard for the visions presented by the #Sudanese state and its official institutions.”

The conference, held in Berlin, brought together Sudanese political and civilian groups and aims to mobilize support for people affected by the ongoing war, as well as explore pathways toward ending the conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (#RSF).

Khartoum said the move “reflects a colonial tutelage approach still practiced by some

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#Iran warns of #Red_Sea disruption if #US blockade persists

Addis Abeba — Iran’s military has warned it could expand disruptions to key maritime routes, including the Red Sea, Sea of Oman and the Gulf if the United States continues its naval blockade on Iranian ports.

In a statement carried by state television, a senior official at Iran’s military central command said continued U.S. actions targeting Iranian commercial vessels and oil tankers would “create insecurity” and risk undermining an already fragile ceasefire.

“The powerful armed forces of the Islamic Republic will not allow any exports or imports to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Red Sea,” Iranian state media quoted Ali Abdollahi as saying.

He added that Iran would “act decisively to defend its national sovereignty and its interests.”

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#Ethiopia: Statement on the abduction of #Addis_Standard Managing Editor by plainclothes men from his workplace

JAKENN Publishing PLC expresses grave concern over the disappearance of its Managing Editor, #Million_Beyene, who was taken at approximately 10:40 a.m. today (15 April 2026) from the newsroom by a group of unidentified individuals in plain clothes.

The individuals informed Million that he was “needed for questioning” before taking him to an undisclosed location.

Security camera footage reviewed by JAKENN shows a sequence of events in which multiple individuals in civilian clothing entered the building in a staggered manner over several minutes. The footage captures at least three men, wearing caps and face masks, and one without a cap and a face mask, moving through the stairwell area and coordinating their movements. Shortly thereafter, Million is seen being escorted out of the premises by the group. The individuals appear to act in a deliberate

Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=56522

#Ethiopia: Residents of #Ambo recount a city ‘under siege’ by ‘criminal gangs’ after social media revelations expose disturbing abuses

Residents of Ambo city, in west #Shewa zone of #Oromia regional state, say they are “living in fear” amid “a pattern of violence, intimidation, and impunity.”
Many are speaking up following a wave of social media posts over the past two days that have brought renewed scrutiny to rampant abuses in the city of civilians by organized group of men called “120”.

Multiple videos and pictures, shared widely on social media networks and echoed in messages sent to Addis Standard, describe incidents ranging from public beatings and arbitrary detention to extortion and, in some cases, killings.

While Addis Standard did not independently verify these videos and pictures, residents who reached out pleasing to share their accounts speak of a harrowing experience over the past “two years.”

“We are living in a city under siege,”
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=56525

#Update Statement on Our Missing Colleague

Nearly 24 hours after he was taken, the whereabouts of Million Beyene, Managing Editor of Addis Standard, remain unknown.

His family is increasingly distressed and deeply concerned for his safety.

JAKENN Publishing PLC renews its urgent call on the relevant authorities, including the Addis Ababa Police, the Federal Police Commission, and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, to act without delay to establish his whereabouts and ensure his safe and immediate return.

News: #Somaliland rejects #Somalia’s claims over its diplomatic engagement with #Israel

The government of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland has rejected what it described as “misleading claims” by the Federal Government of Somalia regarding its diplomatic engagement with Israel, insisting that its foreign relations are a matter of sovereign authority.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Somaliland said the assertions by Mogadishu are “unfounded in law, inaccurate in history, and lack factual basis,” dismissing Somalia’s position as having no legal standing to comment on or interfere in its bilateral relations.

The statement reiterated Somaliland’s longstanding claim to sovereignty, noting that it attained independence on 26 June 1960 and was recognized internationally prior to its union with Somalia later that year. It argued that its sovereignty “neither originated from, nor is contingent upon, any authority in Mogadishu.”

Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=56529

#Op_ed: Historical Divides, Emerging Alliances: Shifting politics, rising hopes for dialogue in #Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s political crisis reflects not just a struggle for power but “fundamentally conflicting narratives about the country’s formation,” centered on Menelik II, writes Yaekob Yatene. One view sees expansion as “reunification,” while another defines it as “conquest.”

These competing narratives have shaped modern politics and institutions. While the #Derg’s “Land to the Tiller” addressed inequality, and ethnic federalism enabled self-rule, both failed to resolve deeper demands for autonomy.

Yaekob notes a shift: #Amhara actors now prioritize “the protection and survival of the Amhara,” even exploring “collaboration on the ground” with former rivals. He argues this “decoupling…from pseudo-unionist ideological control” could open space for “interest-based engagement.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=56531

Whose progress?

A new documentary reveals how #Ethiopia’s manufacturing push redistributes land, labor, and opportunity—delivering gains for some while displacing others.

Industrial parks have become spaces where the interests of investors, workers, local communities, and the state often collide. These tensions are not limited to HSEZ, and I recently saw them brought vividly to life in the documentary film Made in Ethiopia, which focuses on the Eastern Industrial Zone (EIZ).

Directed by Xinyan Yu and Max Duncan, the 2024 award-winning film explores the tension between rapid industrial growth, local traditions, and personal lives. The EIZ, launched in 2009 about 35 kilometers south of Addis Ababa, has created more than 20,000 jobs. For some, this means new income and opportunity. For others, it has meant land loss and deep disruption to their way of life.

Read the full article: https://africasacountry.com/2026/04/whose-progress

News: #CPJ calls for release of #Addis_Standard editor seized by unidentified men

The Committee to Protect Journalists has called on #Ethiopian authorities to urgently locate and release #Million_Beyene, who was taken by unidentified individuals from the newsroom of Addis Standard in the capital.

In a statement issued on April 16, CPJ said Million was seized on Wednesday morning by a group of men in plainclothes from the outlet’s newsroom in #Addis_Abeba and taken to an undisclosed location.

#JAKENN Publishing PLC, publisher of Addis Standard, says the whereabouts of its Managing Editor, Million Beyene, remain unknown nearly 24 hours after he was taken by unidentified individuals from the newsroom.

In an update issued this morning, the publisher said concerns are growing over his safety, noting that his family is “increasingly distressed and deeply concerned.”

CPJ described the incident as alarming and urged authorities to determine those responsible

Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=56534