Addis Standard
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An independent Ethiopia based online media focusing on current affairs. Original content+daily gist of media monitoring
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#Ethiopia: Renewed tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, where #Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (#IRGC) announced tighter controls this morning in response to what it described as a continuing United States blockade, have once again highlighted the fragility of global supply chains that directly affect import-dependent economies like Ethiopia.

The more than one-month disruption to this critical energy and shipping chokepoint has already sent freight and fuel costs soaring, strained foreign currency reserves, and delayed fertilizer shipments for countries around the world, risks that intersect directly with Ethiopia’s food security, inflation outlook, and long-standing ambition of achieving food sovereignty.

These risks were examined in Addis Standard’s lead in-depth analysis, “The Fertilizer Paradox: Global shocks test Ethiopia’s fragile, corruption-tainted supply chain,” which explored how geopolitical shocks and logistical bottlenecks converged with Ethiopia’s corruption-tainted fertilizer distribution system, testing one of the country’s most vital agricultural lifelines.

Revisit the full in-depth analysis for deeper context.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56490
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#Ethiopia: EMMPA condemns abduction of Addis Standard Managing Editor, calls for urgent investigation

The Ethiopian Mass Media Professionals Association (#EMMPA) has condemned the abduction of #Million_Beyene, Managing Editor of Addis Standard, and called for his immediate release and a thorough investigation into the incident.

In a statement issued on April 17, 2026, the association said Million was taken from his workplace around midday on April 15, 2026 by unidentified individuals in civilian clothing, and that his whereabouts remain unknown.

The association described the incident as a “flagrant violation” of constitutional rights to liberty and security, as well as international human rights protections. It warned that the abduction reflects increasing pressure and physical threats against journalists and poses a serious risk to press freedom in the country.

Seventy-two hours into the abduction, the whereabouts of Million Beyene remain unknown.

Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=56552
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#Ethiopia Defense Forces say building of ‘strong naval force’ to protect ‘national interests’ well underway

Addis Abeba -The Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) has said that a “strong naval force” capable of protecting the country’s national interests is currently well underway.

According to information released by the ENDF on 18 April, an extensive briefing was delivered to officer candidates of the 27th round of the “Tsinat” (Endurance) course at the Hurso Officer Candidate Training School. The session covered the foundation of the Ethiopian Navy, its current status, and international maritime laws.

Captain Kebede Michael, Commander of the Ethiopian Naval Academy, who delivered the briefing, said the institution is working to build a “strong naval force that protects the country's national interests.”

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96 Hours. Still Missing!

Ninety-six hours after he was taken, the whereabouts of
#Million_Beyene remain unknown.

Million was forcibly removed from his workplace, where he served as a journalist, working to uphold the public’s right to access the truth. In doing so, he has now been stripped of his own freedom.

The silence is alarming.

#WhereIsMillion #BringMillionHome #JournalismIsNotACrime #PressFreedom #EndEnforcedDisappearances
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News: Joint statement condemns #Israel’s #Somaliland envoy; Somaliland rejects violation claims, defends sovereign diplomacy

The foreign ministers of #Pakistan, #Egypt, #Somalia, #Sudan, #Libya, #Bangladesh, #Algeria, #Saudi_Arabia, #Palestine, #Türkiye, #Indonesia and #Kuwait expressed their “strongest condemnation” of Israel’s decision to appoint a diplomatic representative to the “so-called Somaliland.”

“Somaliland is a sovereign state grounded in state continuity, having attained independence on 26 June 1960 and subsequently reasserted its sovereignty in 1991 following an unratified union,” Somaliland said in response.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=56554
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#Iran rebuilding missile launch capacity faster than pre-war levels, #IRGC commander says

Addis Abeba- A senior commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) says the country is replacing its missile and drone launch infrastructure at a “faster” pace than before the war, even during the ongoing ceasefire period.

Maj. Gen. Majid Mousavi, commander of the aerospace division of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said Iran’s recovery and upgrade of launch systems has accelerated, according to remarks carried by Nour News and reported by Al Jazeera.

“During the ceasefire, our speed in updating and replenishing missile and drone launch pads is even faster than before the war,” Mousavi said, in comments accompanied by footage showing him inspecting an underground missile facility.

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#IDF confirms authenticity of photo showing #Israeli soldier smashing Jesus statue with sledgehammer, pledges investigation after widespread outrage

Addis Abeba- The Israeli military says it is investigating an incident involving one of its soldiers after a photo surfaced showing an Israeli soldier smashing a fallen statue of Jesus Christ in the head with a sledgehammer in southern Lebanon.

The photo has triggered widespread outrage and condemnation among Christians around the world since it appeared on social media on Sunday 19 April 2026.

According to The Times of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the photograph depicts one of its soldiers using a sledgehammer to smash the statue while operating in southern Lebanon.

Israel’s weeks long military attack in southern Lebanon has flattened entire areas, killing more than 2000 civilians and displacing hundreds of thousands.

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#Ethiopia: Ministry announces start of electric heavy-duty truck imports

Ethiopia Ministry of Transport and Logistics announced that Ethiopia’s transition toward electric mobility has expanded to include heavy-duty trucks, beginning with electric powered heavy-duty trucks entering the country.

According to information released by the Ministry on Sunday, 19 April, electric heavy-duty trucks are now arriving in Ethiopia, “marking a new phase” in the country’s broader electric vehicle transition.

The Ministry said the latest development builds on earlier policy measures that prioritized the import of electric passenger vehicles. Following a recent policy adjustment, the Ministry confirmed that “electric heavy-duty trucks and industrial equipment are now part of the plan,” signaling an expansion of the government’s electrification strategy to the logistics & construction sectors.

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Five days without a trace!

It has now been five days since
#Million_Beyene was taken from his work place at Addis Standard newsroom and disappeared without a trace.

Ethiopia grappling with multiple threats, a dedicated journalist who has steadfastly upheld his duty to serve the public’s right to information is one of them.

#WhereIsMillion? #BringMillionHome #JournalismIsNotACrime #PressFreedom #EndEnforcedDisappearances
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Oil prices rise after President Trump says #Iranian ship seized

Global oil prices have jumped by more than 5% after #US President Donald Trump said the US had intercepted and seized an Iran-flagged cargo ship.

The Brent crude oil price rose by 5.4% to $95.27 a barrel, while the US benchmark was 5.9% higher at $88.79.

According to the BBC, the increases reversed some of the big falls seen on Friday when Iran had said the Strait of Hormuz would be "completely open" to commercial vessels for the remainder of the ceasefire.

But on Saturday, Iran said it was closing the strait again and that any ship that approached it would be targeted. The waterway is of key importance as usually about 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passes through it.

Energy markets have seen wild swings since the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February and Tehran responded with threats...

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News: #Ethiopia to receive €40 million financing for agricultural exporters under #EIB-#Zemen_Bank agreement

Ethiopian agricultural businesses, particularly exporters of coffee and horticultural products, are set to benefit from up to €40 million in financing under a new agreement between European Investment Bank Global and Zemen Bank SC, according to information shared with Addis Standard by EIB.

https://addisstandard.com/ethiopia-to-receive-e40-million-financing-for-agricultural-exporters-under-eib-zemen-bank-agreement/
#Op_ed: Beyond the “Hostage” Narrative: Conditioned immorality, politics of displacement in #Ethiopia

In this op-ed, Yaekob Yatene challenges the claim that internally displaced persons (#IDPs) in Ethiopia—particularly from Western #Tigray—are “hostages” used for political leverage. He argues the framing oversimplifies a crisis shaped by insecurity, weak governance, and unresolved territorial disputes that hinder safe return.

The author describes this as “conditioned immorality,” where societies grow desensitized to suffering, reinforced by a “politics of selective visibility” that politicizes Tigray’s displacement while leaving IDPs in #Oromia and #Amhara regions largely overlooked.

Yaekob underscores that instrumentalizing displacement weakens accountability, noting: “When displaced people are dying of hunger, the question is not who is holding them—it is who is failing them.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=56562
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Ethiopia: #TPLF calls for return of #Tigray Council, signals restructuring of interim administration

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has called for the reinstatement of the Tigray Regional Council and indicated the need to restructure the region’s interim administration, citing what it described as deteriorating conditions and stalled implementation of the #Pretoria Peace Agreement.

In a statement issued following its Central Committee meeting held from April 15–16, 2026, the party said “the Council elected by more than 2.8 million people should return to its work,” describing it as the primary source of sovereign authority in the region.

The statement signals a potential shift in the governance arrangement under the Tigray Interim Administration, which has been in place after the cessation of hostilities agreement. While stating that ultimate authority lies with the Council, the TPLF said the executive branch of the regional government should

Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=56557
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#Sudan: Gen. al-Burhan receives defecting #RSF senior commander “Al-Qubba” in Northern State

Addis Abeba - The head of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, on Sunday received a senior commander who defected from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the country’s Northern State, in what analysts describe as one of the most significant breakaways from the group in recent months.

Major General Al-Nour Ahmed Adam, widely known as “Al-Qubba,” arrived in Dongola after fleeing the Kutum locality in North Darfur. His defection marks a notable shift in allegiances within the RSF amid Sudan’s ongoing conflict, which erupted in April 2023.

According to reports by Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya, Burhan, alongside senior military officials, formally welcomed Al-Qubba and his accompanying forces.
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#Iran vows retaliation after #US seizes ship, says “no decision” yet on new peace talks

Addis Abeba - Iran has vowed to retaliate after the United States seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions amid an ongoing American military blockade.

The U.S. Navy said it fired on and seized the vessel as part of enforcement measures tied to the blockade, prompting a sharp response from Tehran. Iranian military officials warned that the move would not go unanswered, signaling the risk of further escalation in the strategically vital waterway.

At the same time, uncertainty surrounds the prospect of renewed diplomacy. JD Vance and other U.S. negotiators are expected to travel to Pakistan for a new round of talks, but Iran has yet to confirm its participation.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry said “no decision has been made” regarding whether it will engage in the proposed negotiations, casting doubt over efforts to revive dialogue as tensions continue to rise.
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#Ethiopia, #Danish technology firm sign agreement to modernize groundwater exploration

Addis Abeba - Ethiopian Institute of Water Technology (EIWT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Danish technology firm Transient Electromagnetic (TEM) to modernize groundwater exploration and management across Ethiopia.

The agreement, signed on April 20, aims to deploy advanced geophysical technologies to more accurately identify and map groundwater resources, according to the Institute.

Under the partnership, TEM will introduce its Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) survey technology to Ethiopian professionals, a method widely used globally for high-resolution groundwater mapping.

Dr. Tamene Hailu, Director General of the Institute, underscored the importance of the collaboration, saying international partnerships are essential for unlocking Ethiopia’s groundwater potential.

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News: #EU resumes €140 million budget support, unveils new investment package for #Ethiopia

EU first suspended €90 million in budget support to Ethiopia in December 2020 following the outbreak of the war in the #Tigray region. At the time, the EU said the decision was tied to conditions including full humanitarian access, safe passage for civilians seeking refuge in neighboring countries, an end to ethnically targeted measures and hate speech, and restoration of communications and media access in the Tigray region.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=56566
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Vanished without a trace!

Six days after he was forcibly taken from the Addis Standard newsroom by a group of masked men, the whereabouts and conditions of journalist Million Beyene remain unknown.

Million belongs at home with his family.

#WhereIsMillion? #BringMillionHome #JournalismIsNotACrime #PressFreedom #EndEnforcedDisappearances
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