#Congo plans paramilitary unit for mines with #US, #UAE funding
The Democratic Republic of Congo will create a paramilitary unit to police its mines with funding from the US and United Arab Emirates, the country’s General Inspectorate of Mines said.
The agency will invest $100 million and deploy as many of 3,000-armed recruits by December, with a goal of 20,000 “mining guards” around the country by 2028, it said in an emailed statement on Monday.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-27/congo-plans-paramilitary-unit-for-mines-with-us-uae-funding
The Democratic Republic of Congo will create a paramilitary unit to police its mines with funding from the US and United Arab Emirates, the country’s General Inspectorate of Mines said.
The agency will invest $100 million and deploy as many of 3,000-armed recruits by December, with a goal of 20,000 “mining guards” around the country by 2028, it said in an emailed statement on Monday.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-27/congo-plans-paramilitary-unit-for-mines-with-us-uae-funding
#Commentary: #Axum at a Crossroads: Religious coexistence, quest for equal rights in #Ethiopia’s ancient city
Axum holds a rare global status as a sanctuary for two great faiths. As Mohammedawel Hagos notes, the city “possesses the unique distinction of being at once the cradle of both Christianity and Islam in Ethiopia.” Yet, he contends that this legacy of hospitality has curdled into exclusion. Today, Axum’s Muslims are “denied a mosque, denied a cemetery, and denied the right for their daughters to wear the hijab to school.”
Mohammedawel argues that state policies and distorted historical narratives have superseded Ethiopia’s constitutional religious freedoms.
To restore justice, the author proposes a “Two-Zone Solution" to ensure constitutional rights for all while preserving the sanctity of religious sites.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56637
Axum holds a rare global status as a sanctuary for two great faiths. As Mohammedawel Hagos notes, the city “possesses the unique distinction of being at once the cradle of both Christianity and Islam in Ethiopia.” Yet, he contends that this legacy of hospitality has curdled into exclusion. Today, Axum’s Muslims are “denied a mosque, denied a cemetery, and denied the right for their daughters to wear the hijab to school.”
Mohammedawel argues that state policies and distorted historical narratives have superseded Ethiopia’s constitutional religious freedoms.
To restore justice, the author proposes a “Two-Zone Solution" to ensure constitutional rights for all while preserving the sanctity of religious sites.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56637
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#Ethiopia: Rights group says repeated court delays undermine strategic lawsuit on IDPs’ return
Human Rights First has criticized repeated delays in a lawsuit it filed before the Federal High Court over the return of internally displaced persons (#IDPs), saying prolonged adjournments are weakening prospects for legal remedies and exposing broader failures in judicial response to displacement-related grievances. The case, first submitted in November last year, has reportedly been adjourned more than ten times, including delays in issuing summonses, which the rights group described as evidence of judicial inefficiency.
Speaking to Addis Standard, Tesfalem Berhe, Human Rights First Director said the lawsuit was conceived as a form of strategic litigation aimed at promoting the use of legal mechanisms, rather than political confrontation, to address grievances linked to displacement. He argued that had the court pursued a more strategic and law-driven approach, the case
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56647
Human Rights First has criticized repeated delays in a lawsuit it filed before the Federal High Court over the return of internally displaced persons (#IDPs), saying prolonged adjournments are weakening prospects for legal remedies and exposing broader failures in judicial response to displacement-related grievances. The case, first submitted in November last year, has reportedly been adjourned more than ten times, including delays in issuing summonses, which the rights group described as evidence of judicial inefficiency.
Speaking to Addis Standard, Tesfalem Berhe, Human Rights First Director said the lawsuit was conceived as a form of strategic litigation aimed at promoting the use of legal mechanisms, rather than political confrontation, to address grievances linked to displacement. He argued that had the court pursued a more strategic and law-driven approach, the case
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56647
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War and neglect fuel deadly measles epidemic in Sudan’s Darfur
Hawa Adam did not expect a childhood illness to kill her son. Ali was two years old when he fell sick on February 25 in Labado, in Sudan’s East Darfur state. He died two days later.
“I thought it was one of the ordinary childhood diseases,” the 37-year-old told Al Jazeera. “I never imagined I would lose my child to this epidemic.”
Hawa attributes his death to the absence of basic medical care – no vaccination, no qualified doctors.
“Most doctors”, she says, “left the area after the war broke out, forcing those with means to seek treatment abroad, in South Sudan or Uganda.”
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/27/war-and-neglect-fuel-deadly-measles-epidemic-in-sudans-darfur
Hawa Adam did not expect a childhood illness to kill her son. Ali was two years old when he fell sick on February 25 in Labado, in Sudan’s East Darfur state. He died two days later.
“I thought it was one of the ordinary childhood diseases,” the 37-year-old told Al Jazeera. “I never imagined I would lose my child to this epidemic.”
Hawa attributes his death to the absence of basic medical care – no vaccination, no qualified doctors.
“Most doctors”, she says, “left the area after the war broke out, forcing those with means to seek treatment abroad, in South Sudan or Uganda.”
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/27/war-and-neglect-fuel-deadly-measles-epidemic-in-sudans-darfur
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#AS_Editorial: #Ethiopia’s “Hormuz” crisis and the cost of silence. Transparency, now!
Ethiopia is confronting a rare and dangerous convergence of crises that threatens to unravel the fragile threads holding what remains of its economy together. Across the country, fuel stations are running dry, fertilizer shipments are stalled, trucks are immobilized, and farmers are watching shrinking planting windows with growing anxiety.
Yet even as these warning signs multiply, the federal government has opted for silence, ambiguity, and selective disclosure. At a moment that demands transparency and decisive leadership, the public is instead confronted with quiet reassurance disconnected from lived reality.
In times of crisis, silence and ambiguity are not signs of prosperity. They are risks waiting to erupt.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56494
Ethiopia is confronting a rare and dangerous convergence of crises that threatens to unravel the fragile threads holding what remains of its economy together. Across the country, fuel stations are running dry, fertilizer shipments are stalled, trucks are immobilized, and farmers are watching shrinking planting windows with growing anxiety.
Yet even as these warning signs multiply, the federal government has opted for silence, ambiguity, and selective disclosure. At a moment that demands transparency and decisive leadership, the public is instead confronted with quiet reassurance disconnected from lived reality.
In times of crisis, silence and ambiguity are not signs of prosperity. They are risks waiting to erupt.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56494
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‘Skilfully’ negotiating #Iran is ‘humiliating’ #US, #German Chancellor warns; says Washington lacks ‘strategic exit’
Addis Abeba – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned that Iran is “humiliating” the United States through “skilful” negotiating, while questioning Washington’s lack of a clear exit strategy in the ongoing war.
Speaking in Marsberg, Merz said Iran appeared stronger than expected and accused the US of lacking direction. “The Iranians are clearly stronger than expected and the Americans clearly have no truly convincing strategy in the negotiations either,” he said, according to Deutsche Welle (DW).
He added that Tehran was negotiating “very skillfully — or very skillfully not negotiating,” warning that: “At the moment, I do not see what strategic exit the Americans will choose.”
https://www.facebook.com/share/1CSxphCpmn/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Addis Abeba – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned that Iran is “humiliating” the United States through “skilful” negotiating, while questioning Washington’s lack of a clear exit strategy in the ongoing war.
Speaking in Marsberg, Merz said Iran appeared stronger than expected and accused the US of lacking direction. “The Iranians are clearly stronger than expected and the Americans clearly have no truly convincing strategy in the negotiations either,” he said, according to Deutsche Welle (DW).
He added that Tehran was negotiating “very skillfully — or very skillfully not negotiating,” warning that: “At the moment, I do not see what strategic exit the Americans will choose.”
https://www.facebook.com/share/1CSxphCpmn/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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News: #Ethiopia says #WTO accession talks at ‘decisive juncture’ despite planned completion of March 2026 accession
The latest meeting marks the seventh round of Working Party discussions, underscoring renewed momentum in one of Africa’s longest-running accession processes.
Last year in March, Ethiopia announced a “positive outcome” from the negotiations, advancing the government’s plan to complete its accession process by March 2026.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56652
The latest meeting marks the seventh round of Working Party discussions, underscoring renewed momentum in one of Africa’s longest-running accession processes.
Last year in March, Ethiopia announced a “positive outcome” from the negotiations, advancing the government’s plan to complete its accession process by March 2026.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56652
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#Sudan - doctors report ethnic killings and cholera outbreak in #RSF El Fasher detention centers
Sudanese doctors have reported systemic, ethnically motivated killings and a devastating cholera outbreak within detention centers run by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, North Darfur.
The RSF seized control of the historic Darfur capital on October 26, 2025, after an 18-month siege. Since the takeover, rights groups have documented widespread abuses, including summary executions, looting, and sexual violence.
A report by the Sudan Doctors Network covering January to April 2026 found that hundreds of civilians, including women and children, remain in custody. The group alleged that detainees face torture, interrogation, and execution based on their ethnicity.
According to data collected by the network, the RSF is currently holding approximately 907 military prisoners and 1,470 civilian detainees.
https://sudantribune.com/article/313225
Sudanese doctors have reported systemic, ethnically motivated killings and a devastating cholera outbreak within detention centers run by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, North Darfur.
The RSF seized control of the historic Darfur capital on October 26, 2025, after an 18-month siege. Since the takeover, rights groups have documented widespread abuses, including summary executions, looting, and sexual violence.
A report by the Sudan Doctors Network covering January to April 2026 found that hundreds of civilians, including women and children, remain in custody. The group alleged that detainees face torture, interrogation, and execution based on their ethnicity.
According to data collected by the network, the RSF is currently holding approximately 907 military prisoners and 1,470 civilian detainees.
https://sudantribune.com/article/313225
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News: Overloaded Isuzu truck carrying dozens atop grain overturns, leaving at least 19 dead in #Amhara region
The accident shows the persistent risks associated with the widespread use of cargo trucks for passenger transport in rural Ethiopia, where limited transport options, now exacerbated by chronic fuel shortages across the country, often force residents to travel under dangerous conditions.
Many of the victims were residents of the same locality, often traveling together in groups for work between Tsagibji and Ebnat localities. “Yesterday [Sunday] alone, we sent 17 bodies back to one specific area,” the official said, adding that several victims were members of the same families.
The Deputy Commander also said the area where the accident occurred has been under the control of Fano fighters for the past three years, preventing authorities from reaching the scene to investigate the cause of the crash.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56655.
The accident shows the persistent risks associated with the widespread use of cargo trucks for passenger transport in rural Ethiopia, where limited transport options, now exacerbated by chronic fuel shortages across the country, often force residents to travel under dangerous conditions.
Many of the victims were residents of the same locality, often traveling together in groups for work between Tsagibji and Ebnat localities. “Yesterday [Sunday] alone, we sent 17 bodies back to one specific area,” the official said, adding that several victims were members of the same families.
The Deputy Commander also said the area where the accident occurred has been under the control of Fano fighters for the past three years, preventing authorities from reaching the scene to investigate the cause of the crash.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56655.
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#Ethiopia: Repackaged into water bottles
Police in Takusa Woreda, Central Gonder Zone in Amhara region, announced the seizure of “1,232 liters” of gasoline that was being transported illegally.
Assistant Inspector Getaneh Teka, head of the Woreda Police Office, said the fuel was taken into custody following a tip-off from local residents about its illegal movement.
The images released accompanying the announcement show hundreds of small plastic bottles appeared to have been repackaged gasoline into used water bottles, an indication of how gasoline is often broken down into small, portable units for sale in informal rural markets in rural Ethiopia.
The pattern reflects a wider practice across several parts of Ethiopia, where fuel shortages and limited formal distribution channels are contributing to the growth of an underground trade. In these settings, fuel is frequently transported and sold without standardized containers, safety measures, or regulatory oversight, posing both safety and economic risks.
Police in Takusa Woreda, Central Gonder Zone in Amhara region, announced the seizure of “1,232 liters” of gasoline that was being transported illegally.
Assistant Inspector Getaneh Teka, head of the Woreda Police Office, said the fuel was taken into custody following a tip-off from local residents about its illegal movement.
The images released accompanying the announcement show hundreds of small plastic bottles appeared to have been repackaged gasoline into used water bottles, an indication of how gasoline is often broken down into small, portable units for sale in informal rural markets in rural Ethiopia.
The pattern reflects a wider practice across several parts of Ethiopia, where fuel shortages and limited formal distribution channels are contributing to the growth of an underground trade. In these settings, fuel is frequently transported and sold without standardized containers, safety measures, or regulatory oversight, posing both safety and economic risks.
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#Just_In: #UAE to exit #OPEC effective May
Addis Abeba — The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries will lose one of its longstanding members after the United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday that it will withdraw from the group effective 1 May 2026, citing a strategic realignment of its energy policy and economic priorities.
In a statement, the UAE said the decision reflects its “long-term strategic and economic vision” and an evolving energy profile driven by accelerated investments in domestic production capacity. Authorities said that the move is intended to enhance flexibility in responding to global market dynamics while maintaining a “responsible, reliable, and forward-looking role in global energy markets.”
https://www.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid0Xd5Tk8YN2UxCRhtxmHGnkt4au4edwt3JDmEKC24RSuE4ifVMt9AwmV47EGtYgygJl
Addis Abeba — The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries will lose one of its longstanding members after the United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday that it will withdraw from the group effective 1 May 2026, citing a strategic realignment of its energy policy and economic priorities.
In a statement, the UAE said the decision reflects its “long-term strategic and economic vision” and an evolving energy profile driven by accelerated investments in domestic production capacity. Authorities said that the move is intended to enhance flexibility in responding to global market dynamics while maintaining a “responsible, reliable, and forward-looking role in global energy markets.”
https://www.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid0Xd5Tk8YN2UxCRhtxmHGnkt4au4edwt3JDmEKC24RSuE4ifVMt9AwmV47EGtYgygJl
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News: Four #Ethiopians killed in #Johannesburg shooting, at least ten detained; Ethiopian officials await probe findings
Dessie Alebachew, chargé d’affaires at Ethiopia’s embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, told #Addis_Standard that the killings are part of a broader pattern of violence affecting foreign nationals.
“The killings didn’t just start now; they’ve been going on for a while. However, from time to time, the level and scale of the killings have been increasing,” she said. “The day before yesterday, one person was killed, making it a total of four people.”
Ten others, aged between 19 and 35 were also detained by local police in an operation targeting “spaza” shops in Mokwakwaila, Ga-Mokgwathi, and Ga-Ramotshinyadi villages.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56661
Dessie Alebachew, chargé d’affaires at Ethiopia’s embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, told #Addis_Standard that the killings are part of a broader pattern of violence affecting foreign nationals.
“The killings didn’t just start now; they’ve been going on for a while. However, from time to time, the level and scale of the killings have been increasing,” she said. “The day before yesterday, one person was killed, making it a total of four people.”
Ten others, aged between 19 and 35 were also detained by local police in an operation targeting “spaza” shops in Mokwakwaila, Ga-Mokgwathi, and Ga-Ramotshinyadi villages.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56661
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Statement on the release of journalist #Million_Beyene
After two weeks in undisclosed, informal detention facilities in Addis Ababa and outside the city, following his abduction from the #Addis_Standard newsroom, Million Beyene has been handed over this afternoon to his family, as well as JAKENN’s legal team and colleagues.
Further details will be shared to the public as appropriate and in a manner that does not compromise Million’s safety and security.
JAKENN Publishing PLC, the publisher of Addis Standard, unequivocally rejects the abduction by intelligence officers and the subsequent ordeal suffered by Million.
This incident underscores the urgent need to uphold freedom of the press and protect journalists from intimidation, unlawful detention, and coercion.
A free and independent press is essential to safeguarding the public’s right to information and the rule of law.
JAKENN Publishing PLC
After two weeks in undisclosed, informal detention facilities in Addis Ababa and outside the city, following his abduction from the #Addis_Standard newsroom, Million Beyene has been handed over this afternoon to his family, as well as JAKENN’s legal team and colleagues.
Further details will be shared to the public as appropriate and in a manner that does not compromise Million’s safety and security.
JAKENN Publishing PLC, the publisher of Addis Standard, unequivocally rejects the abduction by intelligence officers and the subsequent ordeal suffered by Million.
This incident underscores the urgent need to uphold freedom of the press and protect journalists from intimidation, unlawful detention, and coercion.
A free and independent press is essential to safeguarding the public’s right to information and the rule of law.
JAKENN Publishing PLC
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#Sudanese army says it repelled rebel attack in #Blue_Nile region
The Sudanese army said on Tuesday it repelled a fresh attack by the Rapid Support Forces (#RSF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu in the Blue Nile region.
Military operations in the southeastern region have escalated since March, following a large-scale offensive by the RSF and its ally that resulted in the capture of the strategic border town of Kurmuk and surrounding areas.
The army’s 4th Infantry Division said in a statement that its forces, supported by allied groups, “defeated the terrorist militia on the outskirts of the Sali area along the southern axis.”
The military reported significant losses among the attacking forces, claiming to have seized 10 combat vehicles in good condition and destroyed more than 15 others.
https://sudantribune.com/article/313273
The Sudanese army said on Tuesday it repelled a fresh attack by the Rapid Support Forces (#RSF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu in the Blue Nile region.
Military operations in the southeastern region have escalated since March, following a large-scale offensive by the RSF and its ally that resulted in the capture of the strategic border town of Kurmuk and surrounding areas.
The army’s 4th Infantry Division said in a statement that its forces, supported by allied groups, “defeated the terrorist militia on the outskirts of the Sali area along the southern axis.”
The military reported significant losses among the attacking forces, claiming to have seized 10 combat vehicles in good condition and destroyed more than 15 others.
https://sudantribune.com/article/313273
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#Ethiopia’s fuel shortage crisis
This video, recorded last week by Addis Standard along the expressway between Mojo and Bishoftu, captures the scale of Ethiopia’s deepening fuel crisis in stark terms.
For drivers, the queues mean lost days and rising costs. For the broader economy, they point to a growing bottleneck that threatens supply chains, trade flows, and the movement of essential goods.
Read our “In-depth analysis: The Hormuz Entanglement: Why Ethiopia’s fuel crisis is a perfect storm of war, graft, and reform” published as early as 27 March here: https://addisstandard.com/the-hormuz-entanglement-why-ethiopias-fuel-crisis-is-a-perfect-storm-of-war-graft-and-reform/
One month into our reporting, the scene between Mojo and Bishoftu is no longer an isolated snapshot; in the capital Addis Abeba and across the country, similar scene is fast becoming a defining image of an acute fuel shortage gripping the country.
This video, recorded last week by Addis Standard along the expressway between Mojo and Bishoftu, captures the scale of Ethiopia’s deepening fuel crisis in stark terms.
For drivers, the queues mean lost days and rising costs. For the broader economy, they point to a growing bottleneck that threatens supply chains, trade flows, and the movement of essential goods.
Read our “In-depth analysis: The Hormuz Entanglement: Why Ethiopia’s fuel crisis is a perfect storm of war, graft, and reform” published as early as 27 March here: https://addisstandard.com/the-hormuz-entanglement-why-ethiopias-fuel-crisis-is-a-perfect-storm-of-war-graft-and-reform/
One month into our reporting, the scene between Mojo and Bishoftu is no longer an isolated snapshot; in the capital Addis Abeba and across the country, similar scene is fast becoming a defining image of an acute fuel shortage gripping the country.
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News: #Eritrean Embassy rejects criticism over possible #U.S. rapprochement, defends engagement push
The Embassy of the State of #Eritrea in #Washington, D.C. has pushed back against criticism surrounding reports of a possible diplomatic reset between Eritrea and the #United_States, dismissing what it called “alarmist interpretations” and “hired lobbyist advocacies” aimed at derailing prospects for rapprochement.
In a press statement issued Tuesday, the embassy said recent commentary following a The Wall Street Journal report on potential sanctions relief and normalization efforts had advanced “selective narratives” intended to undermine “the timely opportunity for constructive engagement.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56664
The Embassy of the State of #Eritrea in #Washington, D.C. has pushed back against criticism surrounding reports of a possible diplomatic reset between Eritrea and the #United_States, dismissing what it called “alarmist interpretations” and “hired lobbyist advocacies” aimed at derailing prospects for rapprochement.
In a press statement issued Tuesday, the embassy said recent commentary following a The Wall Street Journal report on potential sanctions relief and normalization efforts had advanced “selective narratives” intended to undermine “the timely opportunity for constructive engagement.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56664
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#Ethiopia: Fuel shortage grounds ambulances in #Tigray, raises fears over collapsing referral system
A worsening fuel shortage in Tigray has grounded ambulances across the region, crippled emergency referrals, and forced patients to rely on costly private transport or go without life-saving care, health officials have warned, as regional authorities renewed calls for urgent federal intervention.
Kidu Teklu, Emergency and Ambulance Service Coordinator at the Tigray Health Bureau, told Addis Standard the region’s referral system has “completely collapsed” following months of deteriorating fuel availability, with the situation worsening sharply since mid-January.
“Currently, there is no ambulance service in our region,” Kidu said, adding that ambulances distributed across districts after the Pretoria Agreement are now grounded due to severe fuel shortages.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56667
A worsening fuel shortage in Tigray has grounded ambulances across the region, crippled emergency referrals, and forced patients to rely on costly private transport or go without life-saving care, health officials have warned, as regional authorities renewed calls for urgent federal intervention.
Kidu Teklu, Emergency and Ambulance Service Coordinator at the Tigray Health Bureau, told Addis Standard the region’s referral system has “completely collapsed” following months of deteriorating fuel availability, with the situation worsening sharply since mid-January.
“Currently, there is no ambulance service in our region,” Kidu said, adding that ambulances distributed across districts after the Pretoria Agreement are now grounded due to severe fuel shortages.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56667
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News: Minister says #Ethiopia 'reinstates' full white diesel supply as #Middle_East war continues to disrupt imports, strains subsidy burden
Minister Ahmed did not explain how fuel imports resumed despite the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
However, the announcement comes amid visible signs of prolonged strain across the country. Long lines of trucks and heavy-duty vehicles stretching for kilometers have become increasingly common in several areas, reflecting persistent supply bottlenecks.
In the Tigray region, where fuel supply disruptions predate the Middle East crisis, acute shortages have halted ambulance services, crippled emergency referral systems, and forced patients to rely on costly private transport or forgo life-saving care altogether.
At the same time, repeated notices from police and local authorities point to a growing underground fuel market, fueled by shortages and limited access through formal distribution channels.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56670
Minister Ahmed did not explain how fuel imports resumed despite the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
However, the announcement comes amid visible signs of prolonged strain across the country. Long lines of trucks and heavy-duty vehicles stretching for kilometers have become increasingly common in several areas, reflecting persistent supply bottlenecks.
In the Tigray region, where fuel supply disruptions predate the Middle East crisis, acute shortages have halted ambulance services, crippled emergency referral systems, and forced patients to rely on costly private transport or forgo life-saving care altogether.
At the same time, repeated notices from police and local authorities point to a growing underground fuel market, fueled by shortages and limited access through formal distribution channels.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56670
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#Opinion: Melody Over Manifesto: Why Teddy Afro’s #Etorika provokes deeper unease, outshines opposition
The controversy surrounding #Teddy_Afro’s Etorika exposes a deeper malaise in #Ethiopian public life, argues Seife Tadelle Kidane. He contends that when art unsettles authority more than political manifestos, it reflects a systemic failure in which formal opposition has become “virtually nonexistent” or reduced to “performative pluralism” aimed at satisfying Western donors.
He notes that “art travels where formal politics often cannot,” especially where opposition parties remain fragmented and weakened. This makes the reaction to Etorika telling, as “cultural legitimacy has become a central arena of power,” with music shaping public consciousness more effectively than political actors.
Seife further argues that this points to a fragile political order and dysfunctional opposition institutions.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56683
The controversy surrounding #Teddy_Afro’s Etorika exposes a deeper malaise in #Ethiopian public life, argues Seife Tadelle Kidane. He contends that when art unsettles authority more than political manifestos, it reflects a systemic failure in which formal opposition has become “virtually nonexistent” or reduced to “performative pluralism” aimed at satisfying Western donors.
He notes that “art travels where formal politics often cannot,” especially where opposition parties remain fragmented and weakened. This makes the reaction to Etorika telling, as “cultural legitimacy has become a central arena of power,” with music shaping public consciousness more effectively than political actors.
Seife further argues that this points to a fragile political order and dysfunctional opposition institutions.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56683
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News: Rights group urges #Saudi authorities to halt #executions of Ethiopians, calls for #Addis_Abeba’s immediate intervention as three already executed
“at least 65 Ethiopian migrants are at imminent risk of execution”..., with three already executed on 21 April.
“Saudi Arabia’s willingness to execute foreign migrants for nonviolent offences following trials that denied them basic due process reflects a profound disregard for their rights and lives,” said Nadia Hardman, senior refugee and migrant rights researcher at #HRW.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56677
“at least 65 Ethiopian migrants are at imminent risk of execution”..., with three already executed on 21 April.
“Saudi Arabia’s willingness to execute foreign migrants for nonviolent offences following trials that denied them basic due process reflects a profound disregard for their rights and lives,” said Nadia Hardman, senior refugee and migrant rights researcher at #HRW.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56677