Addis Standard (2025)

28/07/2025

committing in , say Israel-based human rights groups

Two leading human rights organisations based in Israel, B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights, say Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and the country’s western allies have a legal and moral duty to stop it.

In reports published on Monday, the two groups said Israel had targeted civilians in Gaza only because of their identity as Palestinians over nearly two years of war, causing severe and in some cases irreparable damage to Palestinian society.

Multiple international and Palestinian groups have already described the war as genocidal, but reports from two of Israel-Palestine’s most respected human rights organisations, who have for decades documented systemic abuses, is likely to add to pressure for action.

The reports detailed crimes including the killing of tens of thousands of women, children and elderly people, mass forced displacement and starvation, and the destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure that have deprived Palestinians of healthcare, education and other basic rights.

“What we see is a clear, intentional attack on civilians in order to destroy a group,” said Yuli Novak, the director of B’Tselem, calling for urgent action. “I think every human being has to ask himself: what do you do in the face of genocide?”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/28/israel-committing-genocide-in-gaza-say-israel-based-human-rights-groups

28/07/2025

: Delegation from across arrives in for talks with leadership

A high-level delegation of more than 50 prominent Ethiopians from the country’s 12 regional states and two chartered cities arrived in Mekelle earlier today as part of renewed efforts to advance peace and reconciliation.

The delegation, which includes elders, Aba Gadas, and members of the business community, was welcomed at Mekelle’s Alula Aba Nega Airport by Amanuel Assefa, Vice President of the Tigray Interim Administration. The group has since begun discussions with President Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede and members of his cabinet.

Officials say the delegation will also engage with political, religious, and civil society leaders in the region to promote national unity and bridge lingering divides. This marks the second peace mission to Tigray this month. On 16 July, a joint delegation of religious leaders from Addis Abeba and Tigray held talks with regional authorities, including President Tadesse.

28/07/2025

police investigating death of national

The Adama City Police Commission says it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of an Indian national who died in the city last Saturday.

Commissioner Shawayye Dachaasa, head of the Adama City Police Department, confirmed to Addis Standard that the death of the foreign national did occur and said an inquiry has been launched to determine the cause and context of the incident.

“This death did indeed happen. We have established an investigation team to look into when, how, and under what circumstances it occurred. We will disclose the findings once the investigation is completed,” Commissioner Shawayye said.

The Indian Embassy in Ethiopia announced on Saturday the death of the national, identified as Mr. N. V. S***a Rao, in Adama. His body was recovered by the Adama City Police, the embassy added.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=51578

28/07/2025

: Al-Shabaab militants recapture Somali town vacated by forces, urges united response

Al-Shabaab has captured the strategic town of Mahaas in Somalia’s Hiiraan region following heavy clashes with government forces and allied militias. The fall of the town, located around 300 km from Mogadishu, comes a year after Ethiopian troops stationed there withdrew as part of the ATMIS drawdown. Somali National Army officials have described their retreat as “tactical,” while the Ministry of Defense confirmed the killing of several Al-Shabaab militants during the fighting.

The capture has sparked strong reactions, with Puntland’s regional government condemning the takeover and urging a unified national response. In a statement, Puntland warned that Al-Shabaab is retaking previously liberated areas and seizing new strategic locations, calling for greater cooperation among Federal Member States and increased international support to counter the group’s resurgence.

Former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed also issued a sharp rebuke of the federal government, describing the loss of Mahaas as a “serious lapse in leadership” that endangers national security. He called for immediate and coordinated efforts to prevent further territorial losses and reverse Al-Shabaab’s growing momentum.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51572

28/07/2025

: Second Food Systems Summit opens in with global leaders in attendance

The second United Nations Food Systems Summit officially opened today in Addis Abeba, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) attending the inaugural session alongside several regional and international leaders.

The high-level summit is being attended by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and President William Ruto, among others.

Also in attendance are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, IFAD President Alvaro Lario, and UNDP Africa Regional Director Ahunna Eziakonwa. The summit has drawn ministers, development partners, and representatives from international organizations.

The three-day gathering, officially titled the Second UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment, is convened by the UN Secretary-General and co-hosted by the governments of Ethiopia and Italy. It is organized in collaboration with Rome-based UN agencies, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

28/07/2025

paramilitary-led coalition forms parallel government in war-torn

As violence and rights abuses rage on, the coalition pledges to pursue a ‘secular, democratic’ and decentralised Sudan.

A Sudanese coalition led by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group has announced it is establishing an alternative government in a challenge to the military-led authorities in the capital Khartoum, with the northeastern African country’s brutal civil war in its third year.

The group, which calls itself the Leadership Council of the Sudan Founding Alliance (TASIS), said RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo will chair the 15-member presidential council of the government, which includes regional governors.

Sudanese politician Mohammed Hassan Osman al-Ta’ishi will serve as prime minister, TASIS said.

“On the occasion of this historic achievement, the leadership council extends its greetings and congratulations to the Sudanese people who have endured the flames of devastating wars for decades,” the coalition said in a statement.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/26/rsf-paramilitary-led-coalition-forms-parallel-government-in-war-torn-sudan

26/07/2025

: , donate modern motorcycles to Ethiopian Federal Police for VIP es**rt and highway traffic control

The Ethiopian Federal Police Commission (EFP) has received a fleet of modern motorcycles donated by the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Interior and the Dubai Police. The motorcycles are intended for VIP protection, es**rt services, and highway traffic control.

Speaking at a press briefing held earlier today at the Commission’s headquarters, Commissioner General Demelash Gebremichael said the donation marks a further step in the ongoing modernization efforts of the Federal Police. “We are significantly transforming in many aspects since the reform began,” he said. “This donation of modern motorcycles will enhance our capacity in es**rt services and highway traffic management.”

Demelash noted that the police have recently acquired advanced surveillance drones and vehicles, and the new motorcycles will complement these assets. He emphasized that the equipment will play a vital role in ensuring smooth traffic flow and dignified reception for international, continental, and national guests. “These new capabilities will enable us to better manage urban mobility, particularly during major events hosted in Addis Abeba,” he added.

EFP quoted Commissioner General Demelash as saying that the EFP will continue to expand its modernization efforts. “The motorcycles will not only help us in the honorable reception of foreign dignitaries but will also be central to upcoming initiatives to improve highway traffic control both within and outside the capital,” he said.

26/07/2025

Exclusive: analysis found no evidence of massive theft of aid

An internal U.S. government analysis found no evidence of systematic theft by the Palestinian militant group Hamas of U.S.-funded humanitarian supplies, challenging the main rationale that Israel and the U.S. give for backing a new armed private aid operation.

The analysis, which has not been previously reported, was conducted by a bureau within the U.S. Agency for International Development and completed in late June. It examined 156 incidents of theft or loss of U.S.-funded supplies reported by U.S. aid partner organizations between October 2023 and this May.

It found “no reports alleging Hamas” benefited from U.S.-funded supplies, according to a slide presentation of the findings seen by Reuters.

A State Department spokesperson disputed the findings, saying there is video evidence of Hamas looting aid, but provided no such videos. The spokesperson also accused traditional humanitarian groups of covering up "aid corruption."

A White House spokesperson, Anna Kelly, questioned the existence of the analysis, saying no State Department official had seen it and that it "was likely produced by a deep state operative" seeking to discredit President Donald Trump's "humanitarian agenda."

The findings were shared with the USAID's inspector general's office and State Department officials involved in Middle East policy, said two sources familiar with the matter, and come as dire food shortages deepen in the devastated enclave.

Israel says it is committed to allowing in aid but must control it to prevent it from being stolen by Hamas, which it blames for the crisis.

The U.N. World Food Program says nearly a quarter of Gaza’s 2.1 million Palestinians face famine-like conditions, thousands are suffering acute malnutrition, and the World Health Organization and doctors in the enclave report starvation deaths of children and others.

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/usaid-analysis-found-no-evidence-massive-hamas-theft-gaza-aid-2025-07-25/

26/07/2025

Commission Chair welcomes ’s announcement to recognize State of Palestine

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, has welcomed the announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron expressing his intention to recognize the State of Palestine.

In a statement released today, the Chairperson said the declaration aligns with the long-held position of the African Union, most recently reaffirmed during the Thirty-Eighth Ordinary Session of the Assembly held on 15–16 February 2025 in Addis Abeba. The session reiterated the continent’s collective commitment to the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and statehood.

The statement follows an announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, confirming that France will formally recognize the State of Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly scheduled for September.

https://addisstandard.com/au-commission-chair-welcomes-frances-announcement-to-recognize-state-of-palestine/?amp=1

26/07/2025

armies turn to with devastating civilian impact

and many other African nations are increasingly turning to drones as a low-cost means of waging war, often with mixed military results but devastating consequences for civilian populations.

Last year, Ethiopia carried out a total of 54 drone strikes, compared to 62 attacks in Mali, 82 in Burkina Faso and 266 in Sudan, according to data collected by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a US-based monitor.

According to one of two Gedeb residents contacted by AFP, the strike killed "at least" 50 people, and according to the second, more than 100 -- a figure corroborated by several local media outlets.

It is one of the deadliest in a series of drone attacks since the conflict began in August 2023, pitting the Ethiopian army against the Fano, the traditional "self-defence" militias of the Amhara ethnic group.

A shoe seller at the scene, whose nephew was killed instantly, also blamed an armed drone that continued to "hover in the air" some 20 minutes after the strike.
"The sight was horrific: there were heads, torsos and limbs flying everywhere and seriously injured people screaming in pain," he recalled.

Ethiopian authorities have not released any information about this attack in Amhara, where the security situation makes some areas very difficult to access and communications are subject to significant restrictions.

The Ethiopian army's use of drones, which began during the bloody Tigray War (2020-2022), has since spread to the Amhara and Oromia regions amid multiple insurgencies.

In the Amhara region alone, now the hardest-hit, at least 669 people have been killed in more than 70 drone strikes since 2023, according to ACLED data analysed by AFP.

https://www.rfi.fr/en/international-news/20250725-african-armies-turn-to-drones-with-devastating-civilian-impact

26/07/2025

, foreign ministers discuss bilateral ties, regional developments

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, held a phone call on Friday with Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timothewos (PhD), according to a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the call, the two ministers reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on recent regional developments, including efforts being made to address ongoing challenges in the region.

26/07/2025

approves $4.67B Sale of air defense system to

The United States on Thursday announced the approval of a $4.67 billion sale of the NASAMS air defense system and related support to Egypt.

NASAMS - the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System - has seen recent use on the battlefield after being provided to Ukraine by Kyiv’s supporters as part of efforts to bolster the country’s air defenses against Russian attacks.

“The proposed sale will improve Egypt’s capabilityto meet current and future threats by improving its ability to detect various air threats,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement.

The deal also “will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major non-NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” DSCA said.

The State Department approved the possible sale of the system to Egypt and the DSCA provided the required notification to the US Congress, which still needs to sign off on the transaction.

https://thedefensepost.com/2025/07/25/us-air-defense-egypt/

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