Addis Standard

Urgent Notice! After a week-long, relentless search to establish his whereabouts, JAKENN Publishing PLC and its legal team have determined that journalist #Million_Beyene was taken from his workplace at the Addis Standard newsroom by intelligence officers and is being held at an undisclosed, informal detention facility in Addis Abeba. No family members, colleagues, or legal counsel have been granted access to him, and his health condition remains unknown. Moreover, he has not been brought before a court within the constitutionally mandated 48-hour period. JAKENN Publishing PLC strongly condemns these actions, which constitute a grave violation of due process and fundamental rights. We call for the immediate disclosure of Million’s whereabouts, full access to his family and legal representatives, and his unconditional release in accordance with the law.

#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. addisstandard.com/?p=56494

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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.” aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/27…

#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 could have contributed to broader efforts to reduce political conflict and reinforce rule-of-law based solutions. addisstandard.com/?p=56647

#Commentary: #Axum at a Crossroads: Religious coexistence, quest for equal rights in #Ethiopia’s ancient city addisstandard.com/?p=56637 Few cities in the world hold the unique distinction of being sacred to two major faiths like Axum. For Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, it is the revered home of the Ark of the Covenant, believed to rest within the Church of Mary of Zion. For Muslims, it is the site of the First Hijra in 615, when the early followers of Prophet Muhammad found refuge. As Mohammedawel Hagos, the author of this commentary, notes, Axum “possesses the unique distinction of being at once the cradle of both Christianity and Islam in Ethiopia.” The author, born in #Tigray, expresses great pride in Axum’s ancient civilization and its historical record of religious tolerance. However, he argues that this pride is severely tested by the contemporary struggles of Axum’s Muslim population—a community he describes as being “denied a mosque, denied a cemetery, and denied the right for their daughters to wear the hijab to school.” This contradiction, according to Mohammedawel, raises a central question: how did a city once renowned for hospitality become a site of exclusion? The article traces this transition through successive historical and state policies, ranging from forced baptisms and segregation under imperial rule to the continued denial of permission to build a mosque. It highlights a persistent pattern of restriction reinforced by successive regimes, despite the constitutional guarantees of religious freedom enshrined in Ethiopia’s 1995 Constitution. The piece also critically examines and rejects arguments used to justify “exclusion,” including comparisons between Axum and #Mecca and claims that sacred status can supersede constitutional rights, arguing that such positions “lack legal basis” and “selectively distort historical realities.” Read the full commentary to explore the “Two-Zone Solution” proposed by the author as a possible way forward, in which constitutional rights would be fully upheld for all citizens while respecting the sanctity of religious sites.

#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. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

News: Outreach vaccination, screening campaign reaches conflict-hit, remote communities in #Ethiopia Health teams deployed under the SLL program have identified and vaccinated more than 3,000 zero-dose children in remote areas, with recent campaigns reaching over 40,000 children across #Afar, #Amhara, #Oromia, and #Tigray regions. The intervention is also addressing Ethiopia’s large population of “zero-dose” children, estimated at 3.9 million, who have not received routine vaccinations due to conflict, geographic isolation, and limited healthcare access. addisstandard.com/?p=56643

#Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa sets women-only world record as Yomif Kejelcha posts historic sub-2 marathon debut in #London Addis Abeba - Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa delivered a record-breaking performance at the 2026 London Marathon on Sunday, setting a new women-only world record of 2:15:41 and defending her title in a fiercely contested race. The Olympic silver medalist outpaced Kenyan rivals Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei in a tactical showdown that also saw, for the first time in history, three women finish under 2:16 in the same race. Tigist shaved nine seconds off her previous women-only world record, underlining her dominance in elite marathon running. The landmark event also witnessed a historic breakthrough in the men’s race, where Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha clocked 1:59:41 to finish second, marking the second-fastest marathon time ever recorded and the fastest debut in history. Yomif’s performance came on a day when the two-hour barrier was broken, placing him among the sport’s all-time greats. The race began at an ambitious pace, with a lead group that included top contenders such as Jacob Kiplimo, Tamirat Tola, Amos Kipruto, and Deresa Geleta. Runners passed the 5km mark in 14:14, maintaining a pace projected for a sub-two-hour finish, setting the tone for one of the most remarkable marathon days in history. The combined achievements in both the men’s and women’s races highlighted a new era in long-distance running, according to World Athletics.

#Iran proposes plan to end war with “red lines” on nuclear issues, Hormuz; FM Araghchi arrives in #Russia talks with President Putin Addis Abeba — Iran has offered a new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war through Pakistani mediation, outlining key “red lines” on nuclear issues and maritime access. Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that Tehran sent “written messages” to Washington via Pakistan detailing “red lines… including nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz.” Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, traveled from Islamabad to Russia, arriving early today. His weekend itinerary included back-to-back visits to Islamabad and Muscat, Oman, before returning to Islamabad. In Pakistan, he met Army Chief Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar before continuing his trip. Araghchi is now expected to meet President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg. Speaking to Iranian media travelling with him, he said the visit aims to continue “close consultations between Tehran and Moscow on regional and international issues.” “As you know, we have always held meetings with Russia to discuss broad issues, especially regional and international matters, and of course many issues have always been raised in our bilateral relations as well,” Araghchi told Iranian state media IRNA shortly after landing in Russia on Monday.

This week on Addis Standard Weekly Recap: From Ethiopia’s shifting political landscape to major global developments, here’s what you need to know. 🎥 Watch now on YouTube youtu.be/iugmn6e_77s?si…

“Politics took journalism away from me.” A powerful reflection on media freedom and political pressure. Watch the full episode of The Standard Signal on YouTube 🔗 youtube.com/watch?v=JCF8w7… #TheStandardSignal #EthiopiaPolitics #Misteresillasie #ElectionDebate #PoliticalVoices #WomenInPolitics

This is a haunting question that cuts to the heart of Ethiopia’s ongoing cycle of political violence. “What are we giving birth to through all this killing?” In this powerful reflection from The Standard Signal EP.16, the conversation confronts the brutal reality of unresolved killings, missing justice, and the human cost of political conflict—from Negele Borena to Harar to Ambo. Two years after the assassination of Bate Urgessa, the questions of accountability and justice remain painfully unanswered. 🎥 Watch the full episode of The Standard Signal on: youtube.com/watch?v=gAXvr9… #BateUrgessa #Ethiopia #JusticeDelayed #HumanRights #PoliticalViolence #TheStandardSignal #NeverForget

News: #Tigray Youth Affairs Bureau urges urgent action as over 200 #Ethiopian youths reportedly face execution in #Saudi_Arabia The Tigray Youth Affairs Bureau has called for urgent diplomatic intervention after reporting that more than 200 Ethiopian youths detained in Saudi Arabia are facing execution following what it described as a mass death sentence handed down without legal representation. In a letter addressed to #Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bureau urged immediate engagement with Saudi authorities and international human rights actors to halt the reported executions and secure protection for the detainees. Speaking to Addis Standard, #Haish_Subagadis, head of the Tigray Youth Affairs Bureau, said the youths are being held at Khamis Mushait prison in the Abha area of Saudi Arabia’s Asir region after being accused of narcotics-related offenses. addisstandard.com/?p=56634

Regional coalition in #Khartoum calls for peace, dialogue across #Sudan, #Eritrea, #Ethiopia Addis Abeba - A regional coalition bringing together representatives from Sudan, Eritrea, and Ethiopia has called for “peace, coexistence, and an end to ongoing conflicts”, during a public gathering held in Khartoum on 23 April, according to Sudan News Agency. The alliance, identified as the Coalition of the Peoples of Eritrea, Sudan, and Ethiopia, said the meeting reflected “the aspirations of the region’s peoples to live in peace and stability,” while promoting “the values of coexistence” and rejecting “hatred and conflict,” the outlet reported. Speakers and representatives drawn from various communities, including #Tigray, #Amhara, #Oromo, and #Somali constituencies, alongside delegates from Sudan and Eritrea, expressed a “unified stance against continued violence”. They emphasized “the importance of dialogue, regional cooperation, and respect for state sovereignty” as essential pathways toward lasting peace. Participants also underscored the need to strengthen cross-border ties, calling for “integration among border communities” and the consolidation of “values of unity and peace.” The gathering concluded with a renewed commitment to “joint action toward a more stable and prosperous future for the peoples of the region,” the news said.

Pirates hijack oil tanker off the coast of #Somalia Pirates have hijacked an oil tanker with 17 crew that was sailing near the Somali coast, according to multiple security officials who spoke to the BBC. The ship, Honor 25, was overrun late on Wednesday by six gunmen, when it was approximately 30 nautical miles (55 kms) offshore, the officials said. Until three years ago piracy had almost disappeared in this stretch of the Indian Ocean once notorious for hijackings, but it has since made a comeback with fishing trawlers or container ships targeted. The seizure of a tanker headed for the Somali capital, Mogadishu, is likely to increase anxiety in the city where petrol prices have already tripled since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran. It was carrying 18,500 barrels of oil, security officials from Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region told the BBC. The hijacked ship departed the port of Berbera, in the self-declared republic of Somaliland, on 20 February and arrived near the coast of the United Arab Emirates shortly after the conflict began, according to the ShipAtlas website. bbc.com/news/articles/…

“They are ready to defend it by any means”: Lavrov says #US interventions in #Iran, #Venezuela driven by oil Addis Abeba - #Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the United States of pursuing military interventions in resource-rich countries such as Iran and Venezuela to secure control over oil, warning that such actions are eroding international law. In an interview with Russian state television, which was also published on the Russian Foreign Ministry website on Friday, Lavrov said Washington prioritizes its own interests above all else. “The United States has officially declared that no one can dictate to it. It cares only about its own well-being and is ready to defend that well-being by any means - coups, kidnappings or assassinations of leaders of countries that possess natural resources the Americans need,” he said. Lavrov added that US actions in countries such as Iran and Venezuela are openly tied to energy interests. “Our American colleagues do not hide that this is about oil. They have a doctrine of dominance in global energy markets,” he said. He argued that such policies signal a breakdown of international norms, warning that global relations are increasingly shaped by a “might is right” approach. Separately, Lavrov held a telephone conversation on April 24 with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, during which the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation and developments in the Persian Gulf. According to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry, Lavrov commended Islamabad for its mediation efforts between Iran and the United States, and reaffirmed Moscow’s readiness to support initiatives aimed at reaching sustainable agreements.

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲’𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝 RSF Death Sentence | Ethiopia Press Freedom Concerns | Tigray Financial Crisis Deepens Click here to watch: youtube.com/watch?v=QxF5LR…

News: #NRC warns global aid under strain as war on Iran drives costs up; alarm a caution for #Ethiopia’s humanitarian needs The warning carries particular urgency for Ethiopia, where humanitarian needs remain among the highest globally. Between 15.0 and 15.9 million people, around 10 to 15 percent of the population, are expected to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels of acute food insecurity by mid-2026. Ethiopia is also projected to account for more than 10 percent of global food assistance needs among monitored countries. addisstandard.com/?p=56627

#Op_ed: #Ethiopia’s electoral crossroads, quest for legitimate democracy addisstandard.com/?p=56628 Ethiopia nears elections while facing a “humanitarian challenges unfolding in #Amhara, #Tigray, and #Oromia,” writes Abel Tewodros. He emphasizes that “understanding the interconnection between ongoing violence, civilian suffering, and political constraints is essential” to evaluating the vote’s legitimacy. The author notes that in Tigray, a lack of accountability “reinforces perceptions… that the electoral process will not address their grievances.” Meanwhile, Amhara’s displacement crisis makes elections seem like a “distant abstraction,” and Oromia’s climate of fear “directly undermines the preconditions for free and fair elections.” Abel cautions that without security and inclusion, “elections risk becoming merely a procedural exercise rather than a transformative democratic moment.”

News: #HRW urges stronger #EU action on Ethiopia, warns against “premature normalization” amid ongoing abuses Human Rights Watch (HRW) has renewed its call for the #European_Union to adopt clearer and enforceable human rights benchmarks in its engagement with #Ethiopia, warning that recent diplomatic and financial normalization risks undermining accountability efforts in the country. The warning comes amid continuing concerns over violations linked to past and ongoing conflicts in Ethiopia, including in Tigray, Oromia, and Amhara regions, as well as growing political tensions ahead of the country’s scheduled elections in June. In an interview with Addis Standard, Laetitia Bader, Deputy Africa Director at Human Rights Watch, said the EU’s decision to resume budget support to Ethiopia despite unresolved accountability concerns raises “serious questions” about its commitment to previously stated conditions tied to the 2022 #Pretoria peace agreement. addisstandard.com/?p=56623