#In_Depth_Analysis: In #Oromia’s Gida Ayana, old fault lines reopen as a multi-front conflict leaves civilians caught in the crossfire
Who is fighting whom in #Gida_Ayana, in #Oromia’s #East_Wollega zone? Renewed violence has drawn in Fano forces, federal troops, Oromia security structures and local militias.
Residents told #Addis_Standard that civilians from both #Oromo and #Amhara communities are caught in the crossfire, with reports of killings, burned homes and destruction of civilian infrastructure.
Asres Mare, AFNM’s head of public relations, described Fano’s #Wollega forces as locally rooted and claimed cooperation with the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA)
The #OLA strongly rejected the account. In an exclusive interview with #Addis_Standard, a senior OLA official called it “ludicrous,” insisting there is “no Fano in Wollega” and asserting the group is government-backed.
Read the full in-depth https://addisstandard.com/?p=58989
Who is fighting whom in #Gida_Ayana, in #Oromia’s #East_Wollega zone? Renewed violence has drawn in Fano forces, federal troops, Oromia security structures and local militias.
Residents told #Addis_Standard that civilians from both #Oromo and #Amhara communities are caught in the crossfire, with reports of killings, burned homes and destruction of civilian infrastructure.
Asres Mare, AFNM’s head of public relations, described Fano’s #Wollega forces as locally rooted and claimed cooperation with the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA)
The #OLA strongly rejected the account. In an exclusive interview with #Addis_Standard, a senior OLA official called it “ludicrous,” insisting there is “no Fano in Wollega” and asserting the group is government-backed.
Read the full in-depth https://addisstandard.com/?p=58989
#US, #Iran keep up hostile rhetoric ahead of new sanctions
The United States and Iran exchanged defiant messages ahead of Monday's scheduled announcement of new U.S. economic sanctions that could impact the Islamic Republic and #Tehran's most important trading partners including #China.
As the war neared six months old, the two sides were not exchanging fire but also not pursuing peace talks. All the while, oil shipments through the Strait of #Hormuz have virtually halted as Tehran clings to its leverage by threatening to strike any unauthorized oil tankers that attempt to transit the narrow waterway.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. EDT (1800 GMT) on Monday amid promises to reveal "the toughest sanctions in history" on Iran while also urging China to cooperate with #Washington. China buys more than 80% of Iran's shipped oil, according to 2025 data from analytics firm Kpler. Beijing urged......
https://x.com/addisstandard/status/2091034977995563100?s=20
The United States and Iran exchanged defiant messages ahead of Monday's scheduled announcement of new U.S. economic sanctions that could impact the Islamic Republic and #Tehran's most important trading partners including #China.
As the war neared six months old, the two sides were not exchanging fire but also not pursuing peace talks. All the while, oil shipments through the Strait of #Hormuz have virtually halted as Tehran clings to its leverage by threatening to strike any unauthorized oil tankers that attempt to transit the narrow waterway.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. EDT (1800 GMT) on Monday amid promises to reveal "the toughest sanctions in history" on Iran while also urging China to cooperate with #Washington. China buys more than 80% of Iran's shipped oil, according to 2025 data from analytics firm Kpler. Beijing urged......
https://x.com/addisstandard/status/2091034977995563100?s=20
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News: #Ethiopia among #East_African countries seeking stake in #Dangote’s planned refinery
Ethiopia is among East African countries considering an equity stake in Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote’s planned multibillion-dollar refinery in #Kenya, according to Bloomberg. Dangote Group has offered regional countries a combined 30% stake, with Kenya expected to take 10% worth about $500 million.
The potential investment comes as Ethiopia expands its regional energy partnerships and its engagement with Dangote. The country is developing a $2.5 billion fertilizer complex with Dangote in Gode, while pursuing fuel storage and oil and gas corridor projects with #Djibouti. Follow up discussions involving Emirates National Oil Company (#ENOC) took place over expanding terminal capacity at Djibouti’s #Doraleh port to support fuel supplies to Ethiopia.
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=59000
Ethiopia is among East African countries considering an equity stake in Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote’s planned multibillion-dollar refinery in #Kenya, according to Bloomberg. Dangote Group has offered regional countries a combined 30% stake, with Kenya expected to take 10% worth about $500 million.
The potential investment comes as Ethiopia expands its regional energy partnerships and its engagement with Dangote. The country is developing a $2.5 billion fertilizer complex with Dangote in Gode, while pursuing fuel storage and oil and gas corridor projects with #Djibouti. Follow up discussions involving Emirates National Oil Company (#ENOC) took place over expanding terminal capacity at Djibouti’s #Doraleh port to support fuel supplies to Ethiopia.
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=59000
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#Sudan’s Sovereignty Council chief warns country could face sanctions ‘in coming days’
The chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council said Friday that he does not rule out sanctions being imposed on his country “in the coming days.”
“Our battle has not ended and will not end until the rebellion (by the Rapid Support Forces) is eliminated throughout Sudan,” Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who also heads the army, said following Friday prayers at the Old Mosque in the city of Al-Manaqil in the Gezirah state, according to an Anadolu correspondent.
“The battle waged by Sudan’s enemies continues, as they want to subjugate the country and bring it to its knees, but this country will not kneel,” he added.
“We do not rule out that sanctions may be imposed on Sudan and on us in the coming days,” al-Burhan said, without specifying who could introduce such measures. His remarks came amid defections......
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/sudan-s-sovereignty-council-chief-warns-country-could-face-sanctions-in-coming-days-/4034152
The chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council said Friday that he does not rule out sanctions being imposed on his country “in the coming days.”
“Our battle has not ended and will not end until the rebellion (by the Rapid Support Forces) is eliminated throughout Sudan,” Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who also heads the army, said following Friday prayers at the Old Mosque in the city of Al-Manaqil in the Gezirah state, according to an Anadolu correspondent.
“The battle waged by Sudan’s enemies continues, as they want to subjugate the country and bring it to its knees, but this country will not kneel,” he added.
“We do not rule out that sanctions may be imposed on Sudan and on us in the coming days,” al-Burhan said, without specifying who could introduce such measures. His remarks came amid defections......
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/sudan-s-sovereignty-council-chief-warns-country-could-face-sanctions-in-coming-days-/4034152
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News: #Tigray region authority urges urgent diplomatic intervention amid escalating attacks
In a statement issued on August 21, the bureau urged the international community to break its silence and take immediate diplomatic action, saying the federal government’s recent military operations and alleged attacks on civilian areas have brought Tigray closer to another major conflict.
The bureau said the Tigray government has consistently advocated dialogue as the only viable means of resolving political differences and maintaining peace and stability in #Ethiopia and the wider region. It accused the federal government of ignoring these appeals while increasing military pressure on Tigray.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=59006
In a statement issued on August 21, the bureau urged the international community to break its silence and take immediate diplomatic action, saying the federal government’s recent military operations and alleged attacks on civilian areas have brought Tigray closer to another major conflict.
The bureau said the Tigray government has consistently advocated dialogue as the only viable means of resolving political differences and maintaining peace and stability in #Ethiopia and the wider region. It accused the federal government of ignoring these appeals while increasing military pressure on Tigray.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=59006
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#Eritrea-flagged tanker seized off #Yemen as #Somali piracy resurges
An Eritrea-flagged oil tanker under U.S. sanctions for allegedly transporting Iranian petroleum products has been hijacked off Yemen and diverted toward Somalia, in the latest sign of a sharp resurgence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden.
The Sibu 1 was seized on Thursday by six armed individuals after being boarded about 136 nautical miles east of Al Mukalla, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The tanker, which was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in December 2025 for allegedly forming part of an Iranian “shadow fleet,” was reportedly redirected toward Somalia, according to Reuters.
The incident marks at least the 13th vessel attacked this year off Somalia or in the Gulf of Aden, compared with just five such attacks recorded throughout 2025, according to International Maritime Bureau data and UKMTO reports.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BfsCHgAeA/?mibextid=wwXIfr
An Eritrea-flagged oil tanker under U.S. sanctions for allegedly transporting Iranian petroleum products has been hijacked off Yemen and diverted toward Somalia, in the latest sign of a sharp resurgence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden.
The Sibu 1 was seized on Thursday by six armed individuals after being boarded about 136 nautical miles east of Al Mukalla, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The tanker, which was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in December 2025 for allegedly forming part of an Iranian “shadow fleet,” was reportedly redirected toward Somalia, according to Reuters.
The incident marks at least the 13th vessel attacked this year off Somalia or in the Gulf of Aden, compared with just five such attacks recorded throughout 2025, according to International Maritime Bureau data and UKMTO reports.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BfsCHgAeA/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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Media is too big
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
#Coming_UP: The Standard Signal Ep.25| One Prime Minister, Two Narratives: What Abiy’s Amhara & Oromo Interviews Reveal
One Prime Minister. Two audiences. Two very different messages.
Why did Abiy Ahmed choose highly choreographed interviews with state-controlled Amhara and Oromo media shortly after his party’s landslide election victory?
Tsedale Lemma and Professor Ezekiel Gebissa decode the political strategy and competing messages behind the interviews. They also discuss the Prime Minister’s claims about Ethiopia’s relationship with the #Red_Sea, and the dangers of invoking historical memory to project contemporary territorial politics.
Premiers at: 5:00 PM EAT today.
Subscribe to watch: https://www.youtube.com/@AddisStandard
#TheStandardSignal #Ethiopia #Eritrea #AbiyAhmed #Oromia #Amhara #Tigray #Oromo #AmharaFano #Fano #OLA #OromoLiberationArmy #TPLF #EthiopianPolitics #RedSea #Oromara #NationalDialogue #EthiopianFederalism #Finfinnee #AddisAbaba #EthiopiaPolitics #EzekielGebissa #TsedaleLemma
One Prime Minister. Two audiences. Two very different messages.
Why did Abiy Ahmed choose highly choreographed interviews with state-controlled Amhara and Oromo media shortly after his party’s landslide election victory?
Tsedale Lemma and Professor Ezekiel Gebissa decode the political strategy and competing messages behind the interviews. They also discuss the Prime Minister’s claims about Ethiopia’s relationship with the #Red_Sea, and the dangers of invoking historical memory to project contemporary territorial politics.
Premiers at: 5:00 PM EAT today.
Subscribe to watch: https://www.youtube.com/@AddisStandard
#TheStandardSignal #Ethiopia #Eritrea #AbiyAhmed #Oromia #Amhara #Tigray #Oromo #AmharaFano #Fano #OLA #OromoLiberationArmy #TPLF #EthiopianPolitics #RedSea #Oromara #NationalDialogue #EthiopianFederalism #Finfinnee #AddisAbaba #EthiopiaPolitics #EzekielGebissa #TsedaleLemma
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#Ashenda celebrations continue in various parts of #Tigray, including #Eritrean border, as #Mekelle festival canceled over drone fears
While Tigray authorities canceled the main Ashenda festival gathering in Mekelle over fears of drone attacks, Tigrayan women and girls in various parts of the region, including along the Eritrean border, are continuing to mark the festivities.
In the border area between Tigray and Eritrea, the celebrations brought together residents of Tigray and Eritreans from the neighboring Senafe sub-zone.
Residents of Gulomakeda Woreda and Zalambessa town joined Eritreans from Ambesete Geleba, Serha, Embab Dhan, Kokobay, Endashim, Shimzana and other parts of Senafe for the celebration in Zalambessa, according to a Dimtsi Woyane broadcast.
https://www.facebook.com/share/19NV7VD3vU/?mibextid=wwXIfr
While Tigray authorities canceled the main Ashenda festival gathering in Mekelle over fears of drone attacks, Tigrayan women and girls in various parts of the region, including along the Eritrean border, are continuing to mark the festivities.
In the border area between Tigray and Eritrea, the celebrations brought together residents of Tigray and Eritreans from the neighboring Senafe sub-zone.
Residents of Gulomakeda Woreda and Zalambessa town joined Eritreans from Ambesete Geleba, Serha, Embab Dhan, Kokobay, Endashim, Shimzana and other parts of Senafe for the celebration in Zalambessa, according to a Dimtsi Woyane broadcast.
https://www.facebook.com/share/19NV7VD3vU/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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Premiering now: -The Standard Signal Ep.25| One Prime Minister, Two Narratives: What Abiy’s Amhara & Oromo Interviews Reveal
Click here to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5TwlSpQI6Y
In this episode of The Standard Signal, Tsedale Lemma and Professor Ezekiel Gebissa unpack the Prime Minister’s carefully choreographed interviews, the revival of the “Oromara” narrative, the delegitimization of Oromo struggle, claims about Ethiopia’s historical relationship with the Red Sea, and the dangers of claiming historical memory to project contemporary territorial politics.
#TheStandardSignal #Ethiopia #Eritrea #AbiyAhmed #Oromia #Amhara #Tigray #Oromo #AmharaFano #Fano #OLA #OromoLiberationArmy #TPLF #EthiopianPolitics #RedSea #Oromara #NationalDialogue #EthiopianFederalism #Finfinnee #AddisAbaba #EthiopiaPolitics
Click here to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5TwlSpQI6Y
In this episode of The Standard Signal, Tsedale Lemma and Professor Ezekiel Gebissa unpack the Prime Minister’s carefully choreographed interviews, the revival of the “Oromara” narrative, the delegitimization of Oromo struggle, claims about Ethiopia’s historical relationship with the Red Sea, and the dangers of claiming historical memory to project contemporary territorial politics.
#TheStandardSignal #Ethiopia #Eritrea #AbiyAhmed #Oromia #Amhara #Tigray #Oromo #AmharaFano #Fano #OLA #OromoLiberationArmy #TPLF #EthiopianPolitics #RedSea #Oromara #NationalDialogue #EthiopianFederalism #Finfinnee #AddisAbaba #EthiopiaPolitics
YouTube
The Standard Signal Ep.25 One Prime Minister Two Narratives What Abiy’s Amhara & Oromo Interviews
Abiy Ahmed’s recent interviews with state-controlled Amhara and Oromo media delivered very different messages to very different audiences. What was the political strategy behind them?
In this episode of The Standard Signal, Tsedale Lemma and Professor Ezekiel…
In this episode of The Standard Signal, Tsedale Lemma and Professor Ezekiel…
#Sudanese political forces reject al-Burhan dialogue and outline peace process roadmap
Sudanese anti-war political and civil forces have rejected an initiative launched by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for a “Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue,” declaring they will neither participate in it nor recognize its outcomes, while presenting an alternative roadmap anchored on three concurrent tracks.
The decision was announced at the conclusion of consultative meetings held in the #Ethiopian capital, #Addis_Abeba, on August 22–23. The gathering brought together the Sudanese Declaration of Principles forces, the Popular Congress Party, the National Umma Party, civil society organizations, women’s and youth networks, as well as independent public figures and academics unaligned with the warring parties.
Participants included the head of the Sumood Coalition Abdalla Hamdok; senior members of the anti-war coalition, the leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement,.........
https://sudantribune.com/article/317763
Sudanese anti-war political and civil forces have rejected an initiative launched by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for a “Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue,” declaring they will neither participate in it nor recognize its outcomes, while presenting an alternative roadmap anchored on three concurrent tracks.
The decision was announced at the conclusion of consultative meetings held in the #Ethiopian capital, #Addis_Abeba, on August 22–23. The gathering brought together the Sudanese Declaration of Principles forces, the Popular Congress Party, the National Umma Party, civil society organizations, women’s and youth networks, as well as independent public figures and academics unaligned with the warring parties.
Participants included the head of the Sumood Coalition Abdalla Hamdok; senior members of the anti-war coalition, the leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement,.........
https://sudantribune.com/article/317763
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#Arsi University updates logo, puts #Afaan_Oromo first
Arsi University has announced an update to its institutional logo on 23 August, placing Afaan Oromo first in the order of languages displayed on the emblem.
The university said it had made “slight modifications” to its former logo and instructed stakeholders to recognize and use the updated version.
Under the revised design, the language order is Afaan Oromo first, Amharic second and English third.
The university also corrected the Afaan Oromo inscription from “Yunivarsitii Arsii” to “Yuunivarsitii Arsii.”
“The University is pleased to inform all stakeholders to recognize and use the new logo in accordance with the captions order stated above,” the announcement said.
Located in #Assela, the capital of the Arsi Zone in the Oromia Regional State, Arsi University also operates extended campuses serving students in different parts of the zone.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1FFBrX9GZu/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Arsi University has announced an update to its institutional logo on 23 August, placing Afaan Oromo first in the order of languages displayed on the emblem.
The university said it had made “slight modifications” to its former logo and instructed stakeholders to recognize and use the updated version.
Under the revised design, the language order is Afaan Oromo first, Amharic second and English third.
The university also corrected the Afaan Oromo inscription from “Yunivarsitii Arsii” to “Yuunivarsitii Arsii.”
“The University is pleased to inform all stakeholders to recognize and use the new logo in accordance with the captions order stated above,” the announcement said.
Located in #Assela, the capital of the Arsi Zone in the Oromia Regional State, Arsi University also operates extended campuses serving students in different parts of the zone.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1FFBrX9GZu/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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News: #Sudan says it downed ‘hostile’ drone launched from #Ethiopian territory
Sudan’s Defense Ministry said it shot down a “hostile” drone over #Blue_Nile State near the border with Ethiopia, alleging that the aircraft had been launched from Ethiopian territory.
In a statement cited by Anadolu Agency on Sunday, the ministry said the drone was flying over the #Kurmuk area in southeastern Sudan when it was intercepted. Sudanese authorities did not provide further details about the drone or identify who they believe operated it.
There was no immediate response from Ethiopian authorities to the allegation.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=59021
Sudan’s Defense Ministry said it shot down a “hostile” drone over #Blue_Nile State near the border with Ethiopia, alleging that the aircraft had been launched from Ethiopian territory.
In a statement cited by Anadolu Agency on Sunday, the ministry said the drone was flying over the #Kurmuk area in southeastern Sudan when it was intercepted. Sudanese authorities did not provide further details about the drone or identify who they believe operated it.
There was no immediate response from Ethiopian authorities to the allegation.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=59021
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#South_Sudan president #Salva_Kiir in SA for official visit
South Sudan President Salva Kiir is in #South_Africa on an official visit.
Kiir will participate in high-level talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is the Chair of the African Union (#AU) Committee on South Sudan.
The #East_African country is expected to hold elections later this year; however, there are challenges on the ground, with the main opposition party raising concerns that the revitalised peace agreement is being violated.
Earlier this year, the AU high-level ad hoc Committee, which consists of five nations, met with the government of South Sudan on the margins of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa. (sabcnews)
South Sudan President Salva Kiir is in #South_Africa on an official visit.
Kiir will participate in high-level talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is the Chair of the African Union (#AU) Committee on South Sudan.
The #East_African country is expected to hold elections later this year; however, there are challenges on the ground, with the main opposition party raising concerns that the revitalised peace agreement is being violated.
Earlier this year, the AU high-level ad hoc Committee, which consists of five nations, met with the government of South Sudan on the margins of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa. (sabcnews)
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#Op_ed: Divided by Identity, United by Demands: #Ethiopia’s national dialogue amid deep-seated fault lines
Ethiopia’s #National_Dialogue has exposed four major political fault lines—ethnicity, religion, locality, and class—that continue to shape competing demands for power, recognition, and inclusion, writes Kamil Abdu Oumer.
He argues that “ethnicity remains the most dominant political fault line shaping Ethiopia’s national dialogue,” while acknowledging that other identities and interests also play a significant role in shaping political positions.
According to Kamil, the process has revealed a wide range of aspirations, from demands for recognition by historically overlooked communities and greater inclusion in state structures to efforts to preserve historical legacies and, in some cases, secure political dominance.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=59015
Ethiopia’s #National_Dialogue has exposed four major political fault lines—ethnicity, religion, locality, and class—that continue to shape competing demands for power, recognition, and inclusion, writes Kamil Abdu Oumer.
He argues that “ethnicity remains the most dominant political fault line shaping Ethiopia’s national dialogue,” while acknowledging that other identities and interests also play a significant role in shaping political positions.
According to Kamil, the process has revealed a wide range of aspirations, from demands for recognition by historically overlooked communities and greater inclusion in state structures to efforts to preserve historical legacies and, in some cases, secure political dominance.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=59015
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News: #Egypt’s Badr Abdelatty discusses Horn security with #Djibouti counterpart, fourth such talks in a month
Egypt’s Foreign Minister #Badr_Abdelatty held talks with his Djiboutian counterpart #Abdoulkader Houssein Omar on security and political developments in the #Horn_of_Africa, marking his fourth such regional engagement in a month.
According to Ahram Online, the two ministers discussed efforts to promote regional stability and strengthen peace and security across the Horn of Africa and the #Red_Sea region during a phone call on Saturday.
The talks followed Abdelatty’s recent diplomatic engagements with officials from #Eritrea, #Somalia and #Sudan, where regional security and stability were also key issues of discussion.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=59025
Egypt’s Foreign Minister #Badr_Abdelatty held talks with his Djiboutian counterpart #Abdoulkader Houssein Omar on security and political developments in the #Horn_of_Africa, marking his fourth such regional engagement in a month.
According to Ahram Online, the two ministers discussed efforts to promote regional stability and strengthen peace and security across the Horn of Africa and the #Red_Sea region during a phone call on Saturday.
The talks followed Abdelatty’s recent diplomatic engagements with officials from #Eritrea, #Somalia and #Sudan, where regional security and stability were also key issues of discussion.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=59025
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