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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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‘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.”

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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.”

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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
War on #Iran fuels piracy resurgence off #Somalia coast, #EU naval force warns

Addis Abeba - The ongoing war in Iran is contributing to a renewed surge in maritime piracy off the coast of Somalia, raising concerns over security in one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, according to a European Union naval mission, Bloomberg reported.

At least three hijackings were confirmed in the past week, with pirates boarding two cargo vessels and a tanker, data from the UK Maritime Trade Operations showed.

The attacks took place near Eyl, Mareeyo and Garacad in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region, an area that was a notorious hub for piracy in the late 2000s.

The spike in incidents is being linked to broader regional instability, initially tied to Houthi attacks and now compounded by tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

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News: #Trump vows to maintain #Iran blockade as #Tehran warns of ‘practical’ response

Addis Abeba – #U.S. President Donald Trump has said #Washington will maintain its naval blockade on Iran, rejecting proposals to ease restrictions as a pathway to renewed negotiations, while Tehran warned it could respond with “practical” action amid escalating tensions.

According to #Al_Jazeera, Trump said the blockade on #Iranian ports is “more effective than bombing,” signaling his administration’s intention to continue the strategy despite mounting economic and geopolitical consequences.

The U.S. leader’s remarks came as Iran reportedly sought the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as a step toward resuming broader talks, including discussions on its nuclear programme. However, Trump rejected the proposal, indicating that sanctions pressure and maritime restrictions would remain in place until Washington’s demands are met.

Iran, in response, warned

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Oil price surges past $120 amid fears of prolonged #US blockade on #Iran

Addis Abeba – Global oil prices have surged to their highest levels since 2022, with Brent crude rising above $120 per barrel amid growing expectations that the United States is preparing for an extended blockade of Iran.

Prices briefly climbed as high as $122 this week, driven by escalating tensions and continued disruption of energy flows through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil supply.

Reports indicate that the blockade, now entering its third month, has already removed millions of barrels per day from the market, tightening supply and heightening volatility.

Iran has vowed to sustain retaliatory measures, including continued disruption of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, further compounding fears of a prolonged supply shock.

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News: Pres. Tadesse confirms #Tigray Council plans to elect president in May, rules out exit from #Mekelle

Rejecting the notion of a formal transfer of power under current conditions, he said: “I have nothing to hand over; I will not enter into an artificial game called ‘handover,’” warning that “this destructive path is inappropriate.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=56692
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News: #Ethiopian community members in #South_Africa accuse home government of inaction as embassy says engaging authorities

Members of the Ethiopian community in South Africa have criticized what they describe as a lack of adequate protection and diplomatic response following recent killings of Ethiopian nationals in Johannesburg, even as #Ethiopia’s embassy in #Pretoria said it is engaging authorities and calling for stronger security measures.

The criticism follows a recent shooting in #Johannesburg in which four Ethiopians were killed, with Ethiopian officials saying they are awaiting the outcome of investigations by South African authorities.

Speaking to #Addis_Standard on condition of anonymity, a member of the Ethiopian Community in South Africa said the killings of Ethiopians, #Eritreans and #Somalis in South Africa are not new, but warned both the frequency and nature of the attacks appear to be worsening.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=56694
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