Addis Standard

𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 #𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐬_𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦: As of 24 February, Addis Standard has not received any formal written notice, legally mandated opportunity to respond, or reasoned decision preceding the #Ethiopian Media Authority’s public claim, made via social media, that our online media registration was revoked. Ethiopian media law is clear: suspension or revocation of a media license must follow a defined process, including written notice, a 14-working-day right of response, a reasoned decision, and access to appeal before the Authority’s Board of Directors. None of these mandatory steps have been observed. Addis Standard remains fully operational and continues its public-interest journalism in good faith, while its publisher, #JAKENN Publishing PLC, pursues clarification and rectification through lawful channels. This matter goes beyond one newsroom, it concerns whether media regulation in Ethiopia is governed by law, due process, and institutional accountability. Read the explainer: addisstandard.com/?p=55392

#Ethiopia: Authorities claim seizure of over 448,000 liters of “illicit fuel”; 613 detained Addis Abeba — Authorities say more than 448,000 liters of illicit fuel have been “confiscated” in a sweeping nationwide crackdown targeting “illegal fuel distribution networks.” Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, Kassahun Gofe, disclosed in a statement shared on social media that 250,221 liters of gasoline and 198,432 liters of diesel were seized as part of the ongoing enforcement campaign. The operation, “carried out across six regional states and two city administrations”, involved coordinated monitoring and inspection efforts over recent days. According to the Minister, the campaign has generated over 48.6 million birr, which has already been deposited into the government treasury. Authorities also said 613 individuals suspected of involvement in fuel market “sabotage” have been detained. Those taken into custody include officials from trade offices, team leaders, regulatory experts, fuel station owners and employees, as well as members of security forces at various levels. The Minister said the crackdown targets “not only lower-level operators” but also “senior decision-makers” allegedly linked to illegal activities in the fuel supply chain. He added that the enforcement campaign will continue in an effort to curb market distortions and ensure equitable fuel distribution nationwide. Citing pressures in the global fuel market, the Minister further urged fuel distributors and the public to exercise restraint in fuel consumption.

#Op_ed: Ghosts of Governance: Opposition paralysis, failure of political imagination in post-war #Tigray addisstandard.com/?p=55998 The most dangerous moment for a post-war society is when paralysis becomes normal, “a condition that has gripped Tigray for too long,” writes Getachew Gebrekiros Temare. He argues, “War destroyed infrastructure, displaced millions, and shattered institutions,” yet the deeper crisis remains political. The author explains that factionalism within the #TPLF, coupled with fragmentation among opposition parties, has left society without coherent leadership. Opposition rhetoric often operates as controlled dissent rather than a force for meaningful structural change. Getachew notes, “The cumulative consequences of fragmentation, pseudo-analysis, and political hesitation are now impossible to ignore,” as institutions weaken and youth increasingly perceive departure as their safest option. The author underscores that the solution must come from the Tigrayans themselves. He emphasizes, “It requires the emergence of a political movement grounded in public interest rather than personal ambition,” adding that transformative leadership must place “the collective survival of society above ego, intellectual dishonesty, performative fame, and political cowardice.”

#Iran is providing safe passage to ships in the Strait of Hormuz: Iran foreign minister Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi repeated previous statements that the Strait of Hormuz is open, provided countries liaise with Tehran. “We have not closed this strait. In our opinion, this strait is open. It is closed only for ships belonging to our enemies, countries that attack us. For other countries, ships can pass through the strait,” he said in an interview with Japan’s Kyodo News on Friday. “We are ready to provide them with safe passage in case of contact … All they need to do is contact us to discuss how this route will be,” Araghchi said, according to a transcript by Al Jazeera of the interview shared on his Telegram account.

Rebuilding a sense of normalcy after forced displacement in #Ethiopia In Ethiopia, many individuals are faced with forced internal displacement, primarily due to ongoing conflicts and natural disasters, such as earthquakes, drought, or floods. As of mid-2025, the #UN estimated that more than 3.3 million people in Ethiopia were internally displaced (#IDPs). Fleeing home is never an easy decision; it is often guided by individuals’ need to keep their family and themselves safe. When gunfire erupted close to her home, Yubo Mulu, a mother of five, could only think of taking her children to safety. “There was no time to take anything,” she says, “we just ran with the clothes we were wearing”. With five children, the journey was difficult and exhausting. They walked eight kilometres under the sun until they reached the #Melka_Adi IDP site, tired, frightened, and unsure of what awaited them. “I was praying the whole way that we would reach a place where the shooting couldn’t follow us.” Navigating the uncertainties of displacement, one day at a time At the Melka Adi IDP site, the mobile health units regularly check on her children, offering treatment and guidance when they need it most. With the shelter materials she received, she now has a roof to protect her family, and the cash assistance has allowed her to cover essential day-to-day needs. Still, challenges surround them. Food is limited, and Yubo worries about feeding her children. “We need more food,” she said softly. “It is the hardest part.” Even with these hardships, her hope circles back to home. She longs to return, but the risk remains too high. “We want to go back,” she said, her voice steady. “But it is still dangerous. We are asking for peace… for a way to return safely.” rescue.org/eu/article/reb…

#Ethiopia: Tigray education community plans #protest over budget cuts threatening schools Teachers and students in #Tigray are preparing to stage a peaceful #demonstration protesting new budget restrictions they say are pushing the region’s already fragile education system toward collapse. Kiros Guesh, Head of the Tigray Education Bureau, told Addis Standard that the planned protest aims to condemn what he described as an “unlawful budget ban” and to call for urgent intervention to prevent further disruption to schooling. A pretest demonstration is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, with organizers expected to announce further details in an official press release. The protest comes as the region’s education sector continues to face mounting challenges linked to a deepening financial crisis. In its letter addressed to Ministry of Education, the #Ethiopia Disaster Risk Management Commission, and other education partners, the Tigray Education Bureau said that schools across the region are struggling to remain operational due to a severe shortage of funding, which has affected the provision of basic educational services. The crisis facing Tigray’s education system has been building for years amid the cascading effects of war, displacement, and economic hardship. Read more: addisstandard.com/?p=56003

News: #Israel begins arrests of #Ethiopian asylum seekers, plans to deport 8,000 from April – report Israel has begun arresting Ethiopian #asylum seekers and is preparing to deport thousands starting in April, according to a report by Middle East Eye, citing civil society sources. Human rights groups had previously petitioned Israel’s Supreme Court to block the move, temporarily delaying implementation. However, the court has since upheld the government’s position, allowing deportations to proceed. Gilad Palombo of ASSAF told Middle East Eye that around 8,000 Ethiopian nationals are slated for deportation, including approximately 1,000 from the #Tigray region. Bazi Gete, an Ethiopian-Israeli writer and filmmaker, warned that if deported, Ethiopian asylum seekers could face serious risks, describing their potential return as going back to “a kind of no man’s land.” The planned deportations come amid broader concerns over conditions in Ethiopia….. Read more: addisstandard.com/?p=55995

RSF drones strike #Sudan’s Al Dabbah on Eid al-Fitr Strategic drones belonging to the Rapid Support Forces (#RSF) attacked the town of #Al_Dabbah in Northern Sudan on Friday, causing a power outage after strikes targeted a local power station. Mohamed Sabir, the Executive Director of Al Dabbah and head of the local security committee, said the RSF targeted the town with several drones on Friday morning, the first day of Eid al-Fitr. Sabir said in a press statement that the drones struck civilian areas and the Faculty of Engineering, injuring three people. The official accused the RSF of targeting civilian sites to spread panic among unarmed citizens during the religious holiday. Sabir added that the Sudanese Armed Forces and supporting regular units are on high alert to repel any further attacks on the locality. He pledged to continue efforts to defeat what he described as the “rebel militia” and eliminate it from all regions of Sudan. A military source told Sudan Tribune that RSF drones targeted the city at dawn, while army anti-aircraft defences engaged the aircraft in the town’s skies. The drones struck near the Al Dabbah power transformer station, resulting in a complete electricity blackout. sudantribune.com/article/311931

#US lawmakers introduce bill to assess barriers to #Somaliland’s financial access Lawmakers in the United States Congress have introduced a bill requiring the U.S. Treasury to examine obstacles limiting Somaliland’s access to the American and global financial system, in a move that could deepen economic engagement with the Horn of Africa nation. The legislation, H.R. 7993, known as the Somaliland Economic Access and Opportunity Act, was introduced by Representative John Rose and co-sponsored by Representative Pat Harrigan and Representative Andrew Ogles , according to congressional records. The bill directs the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury to submit a comprehensive report to Congress within 180 days outlining legal, regulatory and technical barriers that restrict Somaliland’s access to financial systems, including banking channels and international payment networks. Somaliland, which has strengthened its international standing following recognition by Israel in December 2025, has long faced difficulties accessing global finance, with banks and businesses operating under constraints linked to compliance risks and limited correspondent banking ties. The proposed report would assess Somaliland’s adherence to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) standards, and recommend steps to improve transparency, oversight and financial integrity. It would also explore how the United States could support more secure and reliable financial linkages with Somaliland, as Washington increasingly views Somaliland as strategically important along key maritime routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Financial Services and remains at an early stage in the legislative process. It would need approval from both chambers of Congress and the president’s signature before becoming law. horndiplomat.com/u-s-lawmakers-…

News: #Djibouti president to face just one low-profile rival in election Just one candidate with little political backing will challenge Djibouti’s President Ismail #Omar_Guelleh, who has ruled for nearly three decades, in its election next month, according to an official notice. Guelleh, 78, has ruled the relatively stable country in the troubled #Horn of Africa since 1999. He will seek a sixth term on April 10 after lawmakers unanimously amended the constitution in November to remove the 75-year-old age limit. His only rival is Mohamed Farah Samatar, according to a decree published late Wednesday in the Official Gazette. Samatar is a former member of the ruling party and head of the Unified Democratic Center (CDU), a party with no seats in parliament. "There is little doubt about the outcome of the elections," a Djiboutian analyst, who requested anonymity, told AFP. Guelleh was re-elected with more than 97 percent of the vote in 2021. Alexis Mohamed, a former adviser to the head of state who resigned in September denouncing "democratic backsliding", was unable to submit his candidacy. Mohamed, who is currently abroad, told AFP he had not received "security guarantees" to return to Djibouti for the process. Djibouti is accused by human rights organisations of repressing dissenting voices, ranking 168th out of 180 in the 2025 press freedom index by Reporters Without Borders. The International Federation for Human Rights has said elections "are not free in Djibouti".

#Just_In: #Israeli weapons factory torched in the #Czech_Republic A facility linked to Israeli arms giant Elbit Systems has been set ablaze in the Czech Republic, with an underground group claiming responsibility. Czech authorities have launched an investigation as police said they were looking into “a possible terrorist link”. According to Al Jazeera, several buildings at the site, a joint operation involving a Czech company and Elbit Systems, were destroyed in the early morning attack. Elbit Systems describes itself as a key supplier of land and air weapons used by the Israeli military in its wars, including in Gaza and Iran. A group calling itself The Earthquake Faction said on Telegram: “The site is central to the European operations of Israel’s biggest weapons producer. Now, it’s in flames. “There is no time to beg the complicit international governments… we will take necessary action to quash their means to kill.”

#𝑬𝒊𝒅 𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 #𝑬𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒂, 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒄𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒓𝒔, 𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚. 𝑰𝒏 #𝑨𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒔_𝑨𝒃𝒆𝒃𝒂, 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚’𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒖𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒏 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒓 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚’𝒔 𝒗𝒊𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔. 𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝑬𝒊𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍. (𝑷𝒊𝒄: 𝑭𝑨𝑵𝑨, 𝑬𝑻𝑽)

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲’𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝 youtu.be/fQiQSdF-vuE?si…

News: #Ethiopian Investment Holdings seeks 10-hectare plot in #Djibouti for fuel storage facility Ethiopian Investment Holdings (#EIH) has requested a 10-hectare plot of land in Djibouti to develop a large-scale #fuel storage facility, according to the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority. The request was made during a visit by Meleket Sahlu, Deputy CEO of Ethiopian Investment Holdings, who met with the Chairman of #DPFZA at the Djibouti International Exhibition Center. According to the Authority, EIH “requested a 10-hectare plot of land at the #Damerjog Industrial Park to build a 150,000 cbm fuel storage depot at its first phase,” noting that the site is “strategically located close to the manifold and the railway to ensure efficient logistics connectivity.” 📷 The Chairman of DPFZA encouraged the Ethiopian side…… Read more: addisstandard.com/?p=55991

News: #Somalia condemns Iran’s attacks on #Gulf energy infrastructure, echoes Ethiopia’s stance Somalia has condemned attacks attributed to Iran on critical energy infrastructure in Gulf countries, in a move that echoes #Ethiopia’s recent position denouncing similar incidents amid rising regional tensions. In a press release issued on 19 March, Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said it “strongly condemns” the attacks targeting key facilities in #Saudi_Arabia, #Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates(#UAE). The Somali government described the actions as a “grave violation of international law,” warning that they pose a serious threat to regional security and stability. It also expressed full solidarity with the governments and peoples of the affected countries, supporting measures aimed at safeguarding their sovereignty and ensuring the safety of citizens and residents. Somalia further stressed the need for urgent de-escalation and dialogue to prevent further deterioration of the situation. Highlighting its strategic location along key maritime routes, it underscored the importance of protecting energy corridors that are vital to global stability. The statement comes as Ethiopia recently condemned what Prime Minister #Abiy_Ahmed called “blatant Iranian attacks” targeting the UAE and other countries in the region, reaffirming its solidarity with affected states and calling for restraint and diplomacy. Somalia said it remains committed to working with regional and international partners to promote peace and safeguard critical infrastructure as tensions continue to escalate.

#Iran attack wipes out 17% of #Qatar’s LNG capacity for up to five years, #QatarEnergy CEO says Iranian attacks have knocked out 17% of Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) export ​capacity, causing an estimated $20 billion in lost annual revenue and threatening supplies ‌to Europe and Asia, QatarEnergy's CEO told Reuters on Thursday. Saad al-Kaabi said two of Qatar's 14 LNG trains and one of its two gas-to-liquids (GTL) facilities were damaged in the unprecedented strikes. ​The repairs will sideline 12.8 million tons per year of LNG for ​three to five years, he said. "I never in my wildest dreams would ⁠have thought that Qatar would be - Qatar and the region - in such an ​attack, especially from a brotherly Muslim country in the month of Ramadan, attacking us ​in this way," Kaabi said in an interview. Hours earlier Iran had aimed a series of attacks at Gulf oil and gas facilities after Israeli attacks on its own gas infrastructure. State-owned QatarEnergy may ​have to declare force majeure on long-term contracts for up to five years ​for LNG supplies bound for Italy, Belgium, South Korea, and China due to the two damaged ‌trains, ⁠Kaabi said. "I mean, these are long-term contracts that we have to declare force majeure. We already declared, but that was a shorter term. Now it's whatever the period is," he said. reuters.com/business/energ…

News: #Ethiopia Consults with #China Exim Bank on Debt Restructuring and Bishoftu Airport Project #Ahmed_Shide, Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance, held high-level discussions with a delegation from the China Export-Import (Exim) Bank and the Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, #Chen_Hai, focusing on bilateral economic cooperation and strategic infrastructure projects. According to a statement from the Ministry of Finance, the talks centered on exploring financing options for the construction of the Bishoftu International Airport. Additionally, both parties reviewed the progress of Ethiopia’s debt restructuring process under the #G20 Common Framework. Minister Ahmed Shide expressed gratitude for China’s constructive role and leadership as the co-chair of the Official Creditor Committee (OCC). He noted that the debt restructuring process is nearing its final stages and emphasized the need to maintain the current momentum. The Minister also called for continued Chinese support to help Ethiopia reach a swift agreement with its commercial creditors. The meeting with Chinese officials comes at a moment as Ethiopia finalizes agreements with other bilateral lenders. On 18 March, 2026, Ethiopia and #Italy signed a bilateral debt restructuring agreement in Rome, following the G20 Common Framework guidelines. Read more: addisstandard.com/?p=55967

News: #WB debars PwC #Africa affiliates over ‘collusive and fraudulent practices’ linked to Ethiopia–Kenya power project The World Bank Group has announced a 21-month debarment with conditional release of three Africa-based affiliates of PricewaterhouseCoopers over what it described as “collusive and fraudulent practices” connected to a major regional electricity project involving #Ethiopia and #Kenya. In a statement issued on 18 March, the Bank said #Mauritius-based PricewaterhouseCoopers Associates Africa Ltd., PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited, Kenya, and PricewaterhouseCoopers #Rwanda Limited were sanctioned “in connection with collusive and fraudulent practices” related to the Eastern Electricity Highway Project, part of the first phase of the #Eastern_Africa Power Integration Program in Ethiopia. According to the World Bank, the companies “obtained confidential procurement information from project officials to improperly influence the award of a consultancy services contract in 2019”. In October 2025, Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority reported that Ethiopia had become Kenya’s largest source of imported electricity, supplying 83 percent of total imports in the year to June 2025. Spanning approximately 1,045 kilometers between Wolayta Sodo and Suswa, the interconnection allows the two countries to pool complementary energy resources, including Ethiopia’s hydropower and Kenya’s geothermal and wind energy, advancing a shared vision of regional energy integration. Read more: addisstandard.com/?p=55961

#Chadian president orders "complete closure" of border with #Sudan after deadly drone attack Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno convened an emergency security meeting on Wednesday evening following a deadly drone attack along the #Chad-#Sudan border and ordered the "complete closure" of the border, according to a statement issued by the Chadian presidency. The attack on Wednesday caused "several Chadian casualties," according to the statement. Local media reported that 16 people were killed. The president instructed Prime Minister Allamaye Halina to dispatch a government delegation to the site to assess both human and material damage, the statement said. He also ordered the National Army to retaliate against any attack originating from Sudan, it added, according to report by Xinhua In related news the latest heavy fighting between warring parties along Sudan’s border with Chad has killed 17 people and left many seriously wounded, a medical group said, AP reported Health authorities received 123 wounded people at a newly built hospital, of which 66 arrived in a serious condition, Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières, or #MSF, said in a post on X late Tuesday. The army said in an update that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, had expanded its attacks on military areas in Tina, but that troops were able to repel them and forced them to withdraw. The attacks were part of intensified fighting near the border between the army and the RSF, who have been at war since April 2023. The conflict has killed more than 40,000 people, according to U.N. figures, but aid groups say the true number could be much higher.

#Op_ed: Converging Geopolitics: Insurgency, recognition, expanding rivalry reshape Horn of #Africa future addisstandard.com/?p=55935 The Horn of Africa is currently experiencing a period of "strategic compression," where local insurgencies and global power plays collide along the Red Sea, argues Mohamud A. Ahmed. He emphasizes that while recent counterinsurgency gains in #Jubaland—where #Somali forces disrupted #Al_Shabaab’s operations—demonstrate progress, they also underscore a persistent reality: “Territory reclaimed is not stability secured.” The author explains that the shifting status of #Somaliland is central to this volatility. Israel’s 2025 recognition of the territory has transformed a localized sovereignty dispute into a major geopolitical flashpoint, drawing in regional heavyweights such as #Egypt, #Turkey, and #Ethiopia. As leaders from #Ankara to #Addis_Abeba navigate these complex fault lines, the author warns that external competition risks providing "oxygen" to insurgent networks. He contends that the future of the Horn depends on whether these powers can prioritize "structured coexistence" over the dangers of unmanaged escalation.