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Egyptโs Involvement Threatening Sudanese Sovereignty, Regional Stability: Political analyst Al-Arrousi
Oct 16, 2026 1118
Addis Ababa, October 16, 2026 (ENA) โ Ongoing Egyptian interference in Sudan is threatening the nationโs sovereignty and jeopardizing stability in the Horn of Africa, political analyst Mohamed Al-Arrousi said. He argued that the prolonged conflict and weakened state institutions have left Sudan increasingly vulnerable to external influence. In an exclusive interview with Pulse of Africa, Al-Arrousi addressed recent reports of Egyptian airstrikes within Sudan, noting that such cross-border military operations raise serious legal and political questions regarding their alignment with international law and the United Nations Charter. Egypt has reportedly massacred at least 200 Sudanese miners and wounded many others in targeting mining sites in Sudanโs North Al-Wadi area. Many observers say the recent civilian attacks are part of Egyptโs direct and indirect involvement in Sudanโs ongoing conflict, aimed at maximizing its own interests. Al-Arrousi emphasized that strict adherence to state sovereignty and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs remain foundational for maintaining stable international relations. He questioned the contradiction between Egyptโs official statements supporting Sudanโs unity and stability and its actual interference in the country's internal affairs. Cairoโs policies, he noted, should be assessed based on their practical consequences for Sudanโs territorial integrity, political independence, and ability to make independent national decisions. He reiterated that the ongoing war, internal divisions, and declining institutional capacity have left Sudan increasingly exposed to external influence. Attempts by regional powers to expand their footprint under these fragile circumstances, he warned, could prolong the conflict, complicate political settlement efforts, and hinder the restoration of effective national institutions. Al-Arrousi also suggested that Egyptian engagement in Sudan must be viewed within the broader context of geopolitical competition for influence in the Nile Basin and the Horn of Africa. He clarified that cooperation between Cairo and Khartoum is not inherently problematic; rather, the core issue is whether their relationship is founded on mutual interests, equal respect for sovereignty, and recognition of Sudanโs right to determine its own political and strategic priorities. Turning Sudan into an arena for regional competition, he cautioned, risks subjecting its decision-making processes to external pressures at the direct expense of its people. Despite boasting substantial natural resources, extensive agricultural land, and a vital strategic location, Sudan remains unable to realize its economic potential due to the ongoing war and political divisions, Al-Arrousi observed. He emphasized that protecting national resources is inseparable from safeguarding political sovereignty, noting that weak state institutions severely diminish the countryโs ability to manage its wealth, direct revenues toward development and reconstruction, and improve living conditions for its citizens. Ultimately, the continued weakening of Sudanโs institutions could trigger repercussions far beyond its borders, threatening security and stability across the Horn of Africa while undermining regional cooperation and economic integration. Given Sudan's pivotal role in the security dynamics of both the Nile Basin and the Horn of Africa, restoring stability within the country is essential for maintaining broader regional balance, he concluded. Al-Arrousi also criticized domestic political forces, accusing them of prioritizing power retention over national interests and relying heavily on external support. Such approaches, he argued, risk drawing Sudanโs conflict further into regional rivalries, thereby diminishing the prospects for an independent political settlement. Resolving the crisis, he stressed, requires an inclusive national project focused on ending the war, restoring state institutions, and safeguarding the countryโs sovereignty. He called for strengthening Sudanโs capacity to make independent political and economic decisions free from external pressures or dictates. Turning to bilateral ties, Al-Arrousi advocated for Egyptian-Sudanese relations grounded in mutual respect for sovereignty and strict non-interference. A balanced partnership, he noted, must respect both nations' interests while fully recognizing Sudanโs right to determine its own stance on security, natural resources, and regional diplomacy.
Ethiopia, UK Reaffirm Strategic Partnership at IMFโWorld Bank Meetings
Oct 16, 2026 1258
Addis Ababa, October 16, 2026 (ENA) โEthiopia and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation, focusing on macroeconomic stability, long-term growth and regional development. The commitment was underscored during a meeting between an Ethiopian delegation led by Governor of National Bank of Ethiopia, Eyob Tekalign and Kirsty McNeill MP, the UK Minister for International Development and Africa, on the sidelines of the 2026 IMFโWorld Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok. The discussions focused on recent economic developments and Ethiopiaโs priorities for sustaining macroeconomic stability and advancing long-term growth. The two sides also exchanged views on current regional and global developments. McNeill acknowledged Ethiopiaโs principled efforts and reaffirmed the UKโs commitment to continued bilateral cooperation, recognizing Ethiopiaโs strategic importance in promoting regional stability and development. Both sides expressed their commitment to maintaining constructive engagement and deepening cooperation in areas of mutual interest, ENA learned.
Ethiopia Elected to Chair 78th UNHCR Executive Committee Session
Oct 16, 2026 1804
Addis Ababa, October 16, 2026 (ENA) โEthiopia has been elected to chair the 78th session of the Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), recognizing its longstanding role in refugee protection and international cooperation as it hosts more than 1.2 million refugees and asylum seekers. Addressing member states following the election, Ethiopiaโs Permanent Representative to the UN Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, Ambassador Tsegab Kebebew Daka, expressed gratitude to the African Group for its confidence and to other countries that supported Ethiopiaโs nomination. Ambassador Tsegab highlighted Ethiopiaโs historic tradition of providing refuge to people fleeing persecution, recalling how the ancient Kingdom of Aksum offered protection to early Muslims escaping persecution in Mecca during the seventh century. He said the refusal of the Aksumite king to surrender the refugees to their persecutors remained a powerful historical example of the principle of non-refoulement, a cornerstone of the 1951 Refugee Convention. โLong before this principle was codified in international law, Ethiopiaโs history offered an enduring example of the importance of protecting those fleeing persecution and upholding the dignity of people seeking refuge,โ he said, stressing that refugee protection transcends borders, cultures and generations. The ambassador underscored that refugee protection is a shared international responsibility, calling for stronger collective action, equitable responsibility-sharing and sustained support for refugees and host communities amid rising displacement and growing pressure on humanitarian resources. He also highlighted Ethiopiaโs engagement in the Global Refugee Forum and the launch of the Makatet Roadmap as part of efforts to advance refugee inclusion, self-reliance and access to national systems while supporting development in host communities. He emphasized that these nationally led initiatives require predictable international financing and meaningful partnerships to achieve lasting results. Drawing on Ethiopiaโs experience serving on the Executive Committeeโs Bureau over the past two years, Ambassador Tsegab outlined the countryโs vision for an effective, inclusive and constructive committee that promotes focused deliberations and gives all members meaningful opportunities to contribute. He pledged to foster open engagement among member states, UNHCR and its leadership, promoting dialogue and consensus to bridge differing perspectives and advance shared objectives in accordance with the committeeโs rules of procedure. Addressing growing humanitarian needs and significant funding constraints, he stressed that institutional reform and efficiency must strengthenโnot undermineโUNHCRโs ability to protect refugees and deliver assistance where it is most needed. โReform, efficiency, and the responsible use of resources must strengthen rather than weaken UNHCRโs capacity to deliver protection and assistance where they are most needed,โ he said. Ambassador Tsegab also expressed appreciation to Japanโs Ambassador Oike, the outgoing chairperson, and the previous Bureau for their work over the past year. He pledged Ethiopiaโs close cooperation with the newly elected Executive Committee, the High Commissioner, UNHCR management and the Secretariat to advance shared priorities and strengthen the international refugee protection system. Ethiopiaโs election comes as the country continues to host more than 1.2 million refugees and asylum seekers, underscoring both its substantial responsibilities and its engagement in international efforts to strengthen refugee protection and support host communities.
Caretaker Federal Govโt Administration Established in Tigray Region
Oct 16, 2026 2841
Addis Ababa, October 16, 2026 (ENA) โ Ethiopiaโs federal government has established a six-month caretaker administration for the Tigray Region. In its social media post, Office of the Prime Minister said the administration is tasked with restoring peace and stability, rebuilding damaged infrastructure, restoring public services and preparing the region for free and transparent elections. The decision follows a resolution by the House of Federation and a subsequent binding decision by the Federal Governmentโs Council of Ministers to establish a provisional administration for the region, according to the Office. The statement said repeated efforts to resolve the conflict in the Tigray Region under the Pretoria Agreement had been obstructed by the TPLF leadership. The statement mentioned TPLF leadership of rejecting peace and initiating a destructive war for the fourth time, which it underscored that had once again ended in the groupโs defeat. It further stressed that the people of Tigray must break the cycle of conflict to achieve lasting peace, exercise their right to self-governance and benefit from development opportunities they have long been denied. To this end, the statement emphasized the need for Tigray to strengthen its place within Ethiopiaโs federal system, maintain peace, prioritize development and deepen unity with the countryโs other peoples. To facilitate these objectives as swiftly as possible, the Federal Government has established a caretaker administration for the Tigray Region under a Council of Ministers regulation. The six-month administration is expected to restore functioning government institutions, enable the resumption of essential social services, repair war-damaged infrastructure and facilitate the return of internally displaced people to their homes. A central priority will be creating the political and security conditions necessary to hold free and transparent elections within six months, allowing Tigray to return to regular elected regional governance. The caretaker administration will also coordinate with federal defence, police and security institutions, alongside regional security forces, to strengthen stability down to the kebele level, facilitate the disarmament and reintegration of armed elements into civilian life, and restructure the regional security apparatus. The statement added Beyond security and institutional recovery, the administration is mandated to promote social healing, prepare communities for reconstruction, coordinate media activities and organize public forums. It will also work to ensure that the upcoming election is peaceful and inclusive. The statement said the administration must act in accordance with Ethiopiaโs national interests, territorial integrity and the fundamental interests of the people of Tigray. Its mandate will be limited to routine governance and creating conditions for the election, excluding long-term strategic decisions until a democratically elected regional government is established. The administration will operate under the direction and oversight of the Federal Government. Appointed leadership The following officials have been appointed to lead the caretaker administration: Assefa Abreha Hagos โ Chief Executive Officer of Administration and Public Services Dr. Tewodros Aregawe W/Selassie โ Chief Executive Officer of Economy and Reconstruction Brigadier General Gebre-Egziabher Beyene Hailu โ Chief Executive Officer of Peace and Security Redae Halefom W/Selassie โ Chief Executive Officer of Political and Public Mobilization Dr. Shishay Amare โ Mayor of Mekelle City The Federal Government will provide the appointees with policy direction, leadership and support while monitoring the implementation of their responsibilities. The six-month transition places peace, institutional restoration, reconstruction and preparations for an inclusive election at the centre of efforts to return Tigray to regular regional governance and normalcy.
From Sinai to the Nile: Egypt Cannot Demand Peace from Israel While Threatening War Against Ethiopia
Oct 16, 2026 3151
By Professor Al Mariam (Emeritus & Attorney at Law) October 16, 2026 (ENA) (๐๐ก๐๐ญโ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ ๐จ๐จ๐ฌ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ.) On October 14, 2026, President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi responded to warnings made by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that Egypt would lose its Sinai Peninsula should it attack Israel. El-Sisi asserted that his country had struggled for its land, that it had no plans to annex any territory and that it wanted only security and stability. ๐๐ฅ-๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ขโ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐๐ข๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ก๐๐ฏ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ง๐จ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง ๐จ๐ซ๐๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ข๐ซ ๐จ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฌ, ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ, ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ. Ethiopia has never made threats of any kind to occupy or attack Egyptian territory. The building and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in the Blue Nile is a development project in Ethiopia completed in September 2025 with the blood sweat and tears of Ethiopians. The controversy over the GERD is simply about filling and operating the dam, water security downstream, and lack of a shared agreement for cooperationโnot Ethiopiaโs claim over any Egyptian territory. Ethiopia has never denied Egypt's right to the waters of the Nile River under international law. Ethiopia also has an unquestioned sovereign right to develop its water resources and produce hydroelectric power for its economy consistent with the 1997 UN Watercourses Convention, which mandates riparian countries to make equitable and reasonable use of shared water resources and cause no significant harm in doing so. In much the same way as El Sisi communicated to Israel, he should send a similar message of peaceful coexistence to Ethiopia: โEgypt does not want war with Ethiopia. Egypt has no territorial designs on Ethiopia. Egypt respects the sovereignty of Ethiopia, and it expects the same from Ethiopia. Egypt does not and will not support any terror groups or countries that sponsor terror groups to commit terrorism in Ethiopia, covertly provide them with arms and other military equipment under cover of night or otherwise. Differences between the two countries must be settled through negotiations, international law, technological cooperation, and security assurances to each other.โ Indeed, this is the standard by which Egypt must deal with Israel, Ethiopia, and all other countries in the Horn of Africa. Three principles in President El-Sisiโs statement should be highlighted. First, he believes that Sinai belongs to Egypt and that its territorial integrity should be preserved. Second, he affirms Egypt wants to defend its territory, not to annex someone else's land. Third, Egypt's national security does not need to compromise the sovereignty of some other state. These three principles apply equally to Ethiopia. ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐๐๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐ฌ๐ซ๐๐๐ฅ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ง ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐'๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ฆ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐๐ง ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ฌ ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐๐๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง. ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐จ๐๐๐ญ๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ง ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐ง๐๐ ๐จ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ซ๐ข๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ก๐จ๐จ๐, ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐๐๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐, ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ง, ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ. Ethiopia does not deny Nile waters are essential to Egyptian agriculture, drinking-water supply, industry, and national economy. The fact remains Egypt is heavily dependent on the Nile River, while Ethiopia is the principal source of the Blue Nile's headwaters; 86 percent of Nile waters originate in Ethiopia. Egypt's security concerns do not confer a veto over Ethiopia's development. These geographical facts establish a shared need for economic cooperation, not an exclusive right for Egypt to determine how Ethiopia develops its water resources. GERD is Ethiopiaโs source of energy to produce electricity and propel its economic development. The major concern that the GERD can impact the scheduling of the water discharge from its reservoir during drought periods can be addressed in a transparent process of information exchange, coordinated operation of the dam, rigorous dam safety regime, and joint drought management system. In January 2020, in a joint statement by Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, the United States, and the World Bank, certain areas of agreement were defined, including the staged filling of the reservoir, drought management, the long-term operation of the dam, coordination, information exchange, and dispute resolution. ๐๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ง ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง. ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ง ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฃ๐จ๐ซ ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ. ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐จ๐๐ฌ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ฑ๐๐ ๐จ๐ง ๐ ๐ฌ๐ก๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐ ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐ค ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐จ๐ง๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ. ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ ๐ฐ๐๐๐ค ๐ฉ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ฅ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ข๐ณ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐ข๐ ๐ง ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐. ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ ๐จ๐ โ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆโ ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ง-๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ, ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฏ๐ข๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐ฅ๐๐ฐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐ฌ. Ethiopia continues to stand firm in its commitment to assert its right to development and ensure that its rightful use of shared water resources is recognized. The Declaration of Principles 2015 between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan and principles of international watercourse law provide a solution framework. The principles set forth by the Declaration and the Watercourses are that the waters of the Nile may be used in a just and reasonable manner through cooperation and due diligence not to cause any damage to other states. The important point is that the right to water security of the downstream state is not equivalent to an unlimited right to control upstream water resources. Neither can upstream sovereignty mean that the downstream consequences can just be disregarded. The way out of this deadlock is negotiation of rules that are practical, evidence-based, and reciprocal. Egyptian threats and rumors of war against Ethiopia over the Nile ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ ๐จ๐ง ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ซ ๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค. ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ง ๐ซ๐ก๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐, ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ, ๐๐ง๐ ๐ซ๐๐ ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐ญ๐. ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ญ๐ฐ๐๐๐ง ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐๐๐ญ, ๐ ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ, ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ง ๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ. ๐๐ก๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐๐ค๐ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญโ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ก๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐ซ๐ก๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฅ๐ฒ. In 1979, President Anwar Sadat warned that Egypt would not passively accept a threat to its water supply. He dramatically declared, "If Ethiopia takes any action to block our right to the Nile water, there will be no alternative but for us to use force." In 2013, President Mohamed Morsi at a televised meeting proclaimed Egypt would support militant forces in Ethiopia and even attack the dam. Over the past seven years, President El-Sisi has warned that tampering with Egypt's Nile water security is its red line, and that the consequences would affect all of the region. Not to appear overly aggressive, El-Sisi has also been speaking with forked tongue that he would prefer diplomacy than not military force, and that Egypt acknowledges the right of Ethiopia to produce power, provided Egypt's water security remains intact. Using Egyptian military power against Ethiopia is not an option. The defeats that Egypt suffered when its forces invaded Ethiopia in the nineteenth century should serve as a lesson not to use military force. In the past, the Egyptian military has launched campaigns to increase Egyptian influence in the Horn of Africa, which includes the Red Sea and the Ethiopian Highlands. History teaches that using military action against Ethiopia will not make Egypt the dominant country or guarantee its exclusive use of Nile waters or solve disputes between the two countries for a lasting peace. The Khedive of Egypt, Ismail Pasha, undertook an invasion of the Ethiopian Empire through military means in the years 1874 and 1876 with the aim of taking control of the whole Nile River Basin to build an empire in Africa. In the Battle of Gundet (1875), Ethiopian forces crushed Egyptian forces. A well-known scholar observed, โEgyptian armies, often with European and American officers, were defeated and practically annihilated by Ethiopian forces led by the Emperor Yohannes on several occasions.โ In the Battle of Gura (1876), Ethiopian forces routed invading Egyptian forces. One scholar noted, โGura, fought six months later [Gundet], confirms the superior capabilities of the Ethiopian military.โ Another noted, โYohannes met the Egyptians in Hamasien and defeated them decisively at Gura in a three daysโ battle, 7โ9 March 1876.โ In the Battle of Adwa against colonial Italy which took place on March 1, 1896, Ethiopian wiped out a highly armed modern European army within just a few hours. A highly regarded contemporary historian wrote, "Unlike Napoleonโs Russian campaign, the Adwa campaign ended in victory. This is greatness." ๐๐ก๐ ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐จ๐ง ๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ก๐ข๐๐ก ๐ฐ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ญ๐จ ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐๐ฆ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ. ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ซ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐จ๐๐ฌ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ข๐๐ฏ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐ข๐ ๐จ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฌ. ๐๐ก๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐ฅ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐๐ญ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ง๐ฒ ๐ง๐๐ฐ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐, ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ฆ๐. It is not a stretch of the imagination to compare Israelโs wars with Egyptโs nineteenth-century campaigns against Ethiopia. During the June 1967 Six-Day War, Egypt was defeated by Israel and its Arab allies. The collapse of the Egyptian army took place in Sinai, and Israel captured the Sinai Peninsula. During the October War of 1973, Egypt won early victories in crossing the Suez Canal and penetrating the defenses of Israel in Sinai. Israel retaliated, crossed the Suez Canal and surrounded Egyptโs Third Army. Sinai was finally reclaimed diplomatically by Egypt, after the signing of the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty, when Israel withdrew from Sinai in 1982. The strategic significance and political implications of this war is that it allowed Egypt to reclaim Sinai through diplomacy and the 1979 peace agreement. ๐๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐, ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐จ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง. ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐๐ค ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ข ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฆ๐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ. ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐๐ฌ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ฎ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ฌ๐ซ๐๐๐ฅ. Military action against Ethiopia will neither lead to Egyptian domination over the Nile, ensure the safety of Egyptโs water supply nor force Ethiopia to become a colonial/client state. ๐๐๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐, ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ฅ-๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐๐ฑ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ซ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐ฐ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ. ๐๐ง๐๐๐๐, ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐
๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค ๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ฐ๐ก๐ข๐๐ก ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง ๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ง-๐ฐ๐ข๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐. The Nile River does not have to be an obstacle between Ethiopia and Egypt; rather, it should become the link between the two nations. Being united by many factors in common such as the history of the river and economics, the two nations should join hands to turn the Nile water into an engine of peace and prosperity. Ethiopia will never be threatened or intimidated militarily by Egypt in its lawful use of the Nile. Certainly, Ethiopia has no intention or desire to threaten or destabilize Egypt or use military means to dictate the way Egypt develops itself. The events involving Gundet and Gura show that Ethiopia will not be intimidated to give up its sovereignty. The events surrounding the Arab-Israeli war show that victory and defeat on the battlefield will not necessarily resolve the political problems involved. The return of Sinai shows the benefit of diplomacy and agreements. A true victory is one that preserves peace and the sovereignty of a nation. The history of Ethiopians indicates that they have always been strong and united in the defense of their homeland. Whether it was the Battle of Gundet and Gura or the Battle of Adwa, the Ethiopian people showed their capability of organizing their troops and using difficult terrains in order to repel their enemies. The defense of Ethiopia against the invasion of Somalia in 1977-1978 gives one more example of the ability of Ethiopian to resist and repel invaders. One lesson that can be learned from these battles is that when the sovereignty of Ethiopia has ever been challenged, then its people have always shown great determination, resilience and ability to defend their land. This glorious tradition is part of every Ethiopian, but the most important lesson that this tradition teaches us is that the greatest victory is that which is won without any battle. But if the battle becomes inevitable, then every Ethiopian is willing to fight for his motherland, making the Ethiopian National Defense Force invincible. What to do? Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan should commit to non-aggression โ pledging not to threaten or use force against one another in violation of the UN Charter, not to support terrorism against each other and to refrain from doing anything that destabilizes the region. The three countries should establish practical arrangements for sharing information, ensuring dam safety, mitigating drought risks, and coordinating reservoir operations. It is important to ensure Ethiopiaโs rights to manage its water resources fairly and reasonably, while taking into account the concerns of the downstream nations. Technical differences can be sorted out by negotiations and consultations. Moreover, regular military communications and dialogue under the guidance of the African Union should be held and issues addressed in good faith and good will. ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ'๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ฆ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ, ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ซ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ซ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฌ. ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ค๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐ง๐๐ ๐จ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐๐ญ๐ฐ๐๐๐ง ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฌ๐ซ๐๐๐ฅ, ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ซ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ. ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ; ๐ข๐ญ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ฐ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐ง๐๐ข๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ฐ๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ง๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐๐จ๐ซ. ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ง ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐๐จ๐ฑ โ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ข๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ฒโ ๐ข๐ง ๐ฆ๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ฌ๐๐ฒ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐ง๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ง ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ฌ๐ซ๐๐๐ฅ ๐ฐ๐ก๐๐ง ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐๐ง ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐ฐ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ. ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ฅ-๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐ ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ: ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐๐ฌ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ง๐ฒ ๐จ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ. ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐๐จ๐๐ฌ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐๐ฅ ๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐จ๐ซ๐๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฉ. ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง, ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐จ๐ง; ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ, ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ฌ; ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ, ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ง๐ข๐ฆ๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ. ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฒ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ง๐๐๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ โ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ญ๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฐ๐ก๐ข๐๐ก ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ซ๐ก๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ฅ๐. ๐๐๐ญโ๐ฌ ๐ฃ๐จ๐ข๐ง ๐ก๐๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐ซ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ค๐ ๐๐๐๐ก ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐!
Politics
Egyptโs Involvement Threatening Sudanese Sovereignty, Regional Stability: Political analyst Al-Arrousi
Oct 16, 2026 1118
Addis Ababa, October 16, 2026 (ENA) โ Ongoing Egyptian interference in Sudan is threatening the nationโs sovereignty and jeopardizing stability in the Horn of Africa, political analyst Mohamed Al-Arrousi said. He argued that the prolonged conflict and weakened state institutions have left Sudan increasingly vulnerable to external influence. In an exclusive interview with Pulse of Africa, Al-Arrousi addressed recent reports of Egyptian airstrikes within Sudan, noting that such cross-border military operations raise serious legal and political questions regarding their alignment with international law and the United Nations Charter. Egypt has reportedly massacred at least 200 Sudanese miners and wounded many others in targeting mining sites in Sudanโs North Al-Wadi area. Many observers say the recent civilian attacks are part of Egyptโs direct and indirect involvement in Sudanโs ongoing conflict, aimed at maximizing its own interests. Al-Arrousi emphasized that strict adherence to state sovereignty and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs remain foundational for maintaining stable international relations. He questioned the contradiction between Egyptโs official statements supporting Sudanโs unity and stability and its actual interference in the country's internal affairs. Cairoโs policies, he noted, should be assessed based on their practical consequences for Sudanโs territorial integrity, political independence, and ability to make independent national decisions. He reiterated that the ongoing war, internal divisions, and declining institutional capacity have left Sudan increasingly exposed to external influence. Attempts by regional powers to expand their footprint under these fragile circumstances, he warned, could prolong the conflict, complicate political settlement efforts, and hinder the restoration of effective national institutions. Al-Arrousi also suggested that Egyptian engagement in Sudan must be viewed within the broader context of geopolitical competition for influence in the Nile Basin and the Horn of Africa. He clarified that cooperation between Cairo and Khartoum is not inherently problematic; rather, the core issue is whether their relationship is founded on mutual interests, equal respect for sovereignty, and recognition of Sudanโs right to determine its own political and strategic priorities. Turning Sudan into an arena for regional competition, he cautioned, risks subjecting its decision-making processes to external pressures at the direct expense of its people. Despite boasting substantial natural resources, extensive agricultural land, and a vital strategic location, Sudan remains unable to realize its economic potential due to the ongoing war and political divisions, Al-Arrousi observed. He emphasized that protecting national resources is inseparable from safeguarding political sovereignty, noting that weak state institutions severely diminish the countryโs ability to manage its wealth, direct revenues toward development and reconstruction, and improve living conditions for its citizens. Ultimately, the continued weakening of Sudanโs institutions could trigger repercussions far beyond its borders, threatening security and stability across the Horn of Africa while undermining regional cooperation and economic integration. Given Sudan's pivotal role in the security dynamics of both the Nile Basin and the Horn of Africa, restoring stability within the country is essential for maintaining broader regional balance, he concluded. Al-Arrousi also criticized domestic political forces, accusing them of prioritizing power retention over national interests and relying heavily on external support. Such approaches, he argued, risk drawing Sudanโs conflict further into regional rivalries, thereby diminishing the prospects for an independent political settlement. Resolving the crisis, he stressed, requires an inclusive national project focused on ending the war, restoring state institutions, and safeguarding the countryโs sovereignty. He called for strengthening Sudanโs capacity to make independent political and economic decisions free from external pressures or dictates. Turning to bilateral ties, Al-Arrousi advocated for Egyptian-Sudanese relations grounded in mutual respect for sovereignty and strict non-interference. A balanced partnership, he noted, must respect both nations' interests while fully recognizing Sudanโs right to determine its own stance on security, natural resources, and regional diplomacy.
Ethiopia Elected to Chair 78th UNHCR Executive Committee Session
Oct 16, 2026 1804
Addis Ababa, October 16, 2026 (ENA) โEthiopia has been elected to chair the 78th session of the Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), recognizing its longstanding role in refugee protection and international cooperation as it hosts more than 1.2 million refugees and asylum seekers. Addressing member states following the election, Ethiopiaโs Permanent Representative to the UN Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, Ambassador Tsegab Kebebew Daka, expressed gratitude to the African Group for its confidence and to other countries that supported Ethiopiaโs nomination. Ambassador Tsegab highlighted Ethiopiaโs historic tradition of providing refuge to people fleeing persecution, recalling how the ancient Kingdom of Aksum offered protection to early Muslims escaping persecution in Mecca during the seventh century. He said the refusal of the Aksumite king to surrender the refugees to their persecutors remained a powerful historical example of the principle of non-refoulement, a cornerstone of the 1951 Refugee Convention. โLong before this principle was codified in international law, Ethiopiaโs history offered an enduring example of the importance of protecting those fleeing persecution and upholding the dignity of people seeking refuge,โ he said, stressing that refugee protection transcends borders, cultures and generations. The ambassador underscored that refugee protection is a shared international responsibility, calling for stronger collective action, equitable responsibility-sharing and sustained support for refugees and host communities amid rising displacement and growing pressure on humanitarian resources. He also highlighted Ethiopiaโs engagement in the Global Refugee Forum and the launch of the Makatet Roadmap as part of efforts to advance refugee inclusion, self-reliance and access to national systems while supporting development in host communities. He emphasized that these nationally led initiatives require predictable international financing and meaningful partnerships to achieve lasting results. Drawing on Ethiopiaโs experience serving on the Executive Committeeโs Bureau over the past two years, Ambassador Tsegab outlined the countryโs vision for an effective, inclusive and constructive committee that promotes focused deliberations and gives all members meaningful opportunities to contribute. He pledged to foster open engagement among member states, UNHCR and its leadership, promoting dialogue and consensus to bridge differing perspectives and advance shared objectives in accordance with the committeeโs rules of procedure. Addressing growing humanitarian needs and significant funding constraints, he stressed that institutional reform and efficiency must strengthenโnot undermineโUNHCRโs ability to protect refugees and deliver assistance where it is most needed. โReform, efficiency, and the responsible use of resources must strengthen rather than weaken UNHCRโs capacity to deliver protection and assistance where they are most needed,โ he said. Ambassador Tsegab also expressed appreciation to Japanโs Ambassador Oike, the outgoing chairperson, and the previous Bureau for their work over the past year. He pledged Ethiopiaโs close cooperation with the newly elected Executive Committee, the High Commissioner, UNHCR management and the Secretariat to advance shared priorities and strengthen the international refugee protection system. Ethiopiaโs election comes as the country continues to host more than 1.2 million refugees and asylum seekers, underscoring both its substantial responsibilities and its engagement in international efforts to strengthen refugee protection and support host communities.
Caretaker Federal Govโt Administration Established in Tigray Region
Oct 16, 2026 2841
Addis Ababa, October 16, 2026 (ENA) โ Ethiopiaโs federal government has established a six-month caretaker administration for the Tigray Region. In its social media post, Office of the Prime Minister said the administration is tasked with restoring peace and stability, rebuilding damaged infrastructure, restoring public services and preparing the region for free and transparent elections. The decision follows a resolution by the House of Federation and a subsequent binding decision by the Federal Governmentโs Council of Ministers to establish a provisional administration for the region, according to the Office. The statement said repeated efforts to resolve the conflict in the Tigray Region under the Pretoria Agreement had been obstructed by the TPLF leadership. The statement mentioned TPLF leadership of rejecting peace and initiating a destructive war for the fourth time, which it underscored that had once again ended in the groupโs defeat. It further stressed that the people of Tigray must break the cycle of conflict to achieve lasting peace, exercise their right to self-governance and benefit from development opportunities they have long been denied. To this end, the statement emphasized the need for Tigray to strengthen its place within Ethiopiaโs federal system, maintain peace, prioritize development and deepen unity with the countryโs other peoples. To facilitate these objectives as swiftly as possible, the Federal Government has established a caretaker administration for the Tigray Region under a Council of Ministers regulation. The six-month administration is expected to restore functioning government institutions, enable the resumption of essential social services, repair war-damaged infrastructure and facilitate the return of internally displaced people to their homes. A central priority will be creating the political and security conditions necessary to hold free and transparent elections within six months, allowing Tigray to return to regular elected regional governance. The caretaker administration will also coordinate with federal defence, police and security institutions, alongside regional security forces, to strengthen stability down to the kebele level, facilitate the disarmament and reintegration of armed elements into civilian life, and restructure the regional security apparatus. The statement added Beyond security and institutional recovery, the administration is mandated to promote social healing, prepare communities for reconstruction, coordinate media activities and organize public forums. It will also work to ensure that the upcoming election is peaceful and inclusive. The statement said the administration must act in accordance with Ethiopiaโs national interests, territorial integrity and the fundamental interests of the people of Tigray. Its mandate will be limited to routine governance and creating conditions for the election, excluding long-term strategic decisions until a democratically elected regional government is established. The administration will operate under the direction and oversight of the Federal Government. Appointed leadership The following officials have been appointed to lead the caretaker administration: Assefa Abreha Hagos โ Chief Executive Officer of Administration and Public Services Dr. Tewodros Aregawe W/Selassie โ Chief Executive Officer of Economy and Reconstruction Brigadier General Gebre-Egziabher Beyene Hailu โ Chief Executive Officer of Peace and Security Redae Halefom W/Selassie โ Chief Executive Officer of Political and Public Mobilization Dr. Shishay Amare โ Mayor of Mekelle City The Federal Government will provide the appointees with policy direction, leadership and support while monitoring the implementation of their responsibilities. The six-month transition places peace, institutional restoration, reconstruction and preparations for an inclusive election at the centre of efforts to return Tigray to regular regional governance and normalcy.
Egyptian Analyst Rebukes Egypt's Leaders for Trying to Block Ethiopiaโs Sovereign Right to Red Sea
Oct 15, 2026 7842
Addis Ababa, October 15, 2026 (ENA) โ The Egyptian political analyst Magdi Khalil has strongly criticized the leaders of Egypt for opposing and fighting Ethiopia's right of access to the Red Sea. โIf there were leaders in Egypt with vision and foresight, they would work to help Ethiopia gain access to the Red Sea instead of opposing and fighting it,โ he said. The Egyptian analyst criticized the country's opposition to Ethiopiaโs efforts to secure access to the Red Sea and called on Egypt to reassess its policy toward Ethiopia and shift from confrontation to cooperation. In a Zoom interview with ENA, Khalil said that Ethiopia, as a large landlocked country, has the sovereign right to gain access to the Red Sea. โEthiopia has the sovereign right to conclude agreements with countries to secure one or more outlets on the Red Sea, provided this is done peacefully, whether for fifty or one hundred years,โ he added. The analyst further questioned the reasons behind opposition to Ethiopiaโs access to the Red Sea, noting that Ethiopiaโs historical coastal presence had not been a source of harm to neighboring countries. Ethiopiaโs demands should therefore be addressed through cooperation and mutual interests rather than political confrontation and hostility. Khalil called for a meeting involving the countries bordering the Red Sea to discuss shared interests and reach regional understandings. The Egyptian analyst stressed the importance of replacing hostile competition with cooperation, emphasizing that peaceful agreements could provide a practical framework for addressing Ethiopiaโs maritime needs. According to him, some countries were willing to reach agreements with Ethiopia to provide maritime access, arguing that long-term arrangements could strengthen cooperation and stability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region. Furthermore, Khalil criticized Egyptโs historical position on the Eritrean issue, noting that Egypt, alongside other Arab countries, participated in supporting the Eritrean Liberation Front, which was established in Cairo in 1960. He argued that Eritreaโs independence in 1991 and Ethiopiaโs subsequent landlocked status necessitate a reassessment of the regional positions that contributed to this situation. The analyst described Egyptโs support for the Eritrean movement as a historical mistake that harmed relations that should have been based on cooperation between the two countries.
Ethiopiaโs New Political Chapter: Sovereign Sea Access at the Heart of National Ambition
Oct 15, 2026 5810
By Staff Writer October 15, 2026 (ENA) Ethiopiaโs new five-year political chapter opens with a defining national ambition: building a peaceful, democratic and prosperous state while pursuing sovereign access to the sea. Under the Medemer Government, the government is highly anticipated to translating its electoral mandate into tangible improvements in citizensโ lives while strengthening Ethiopiaโs strategic position in the Horn of Africa. At the heart of this agenda lies Ethiopiaโs sovereign sea access aspiration. As one of the worldโs most populous landlocked countries, Ethiopia has a compelling economic interest in reliable access to maritime trade. Securing such access through mutually beneficial arrangements could ease logistical constraints, improve export competitiveness, attract investment and deepen regional economic integration. Yet, maritime access is part of a broader national transformation. The success of Ethiopiaโs new political chapter will depend equally on consolidating peace, strengthening democratic institutions, advancing national reconciliation and building an inclusive economy. The Medemer philosophy, which emphasizes cooperation, synergy and collective progress, offers a framework for pursuing these priorities. Its credibility will ultimately rest on the governmentโs ability to translate political commitments into measurable results. Ethiopiaโs domestic progress also carries regional significance. As host of the African Union headquarters and a major political and economic actor in the Horn of Africa, the country has both a strategic interest in regional stability and an opportunity to contribute to it. A stronger Ethiopia, supported by trusted institutions and a resilient economy, would be better positioned to advance its national interests while promoting peace and cooperation across the region. Sovereign Sea Access: A Strategic National Priority For Ethiopia, access to the sea is more than a question of geography. It is closely connected to security, trade, economic competitiveness, national development and long-term strategic interests. Dependence on external maritime corridors exposes the countryโs economy to transport costs, logistical bottlenecks and disruptions in international trade. Reliable and diversified access to maritime infrastructure could help Ethiopian businesses reach international markets more efficiently, strengthen supply chains and improve the competitiveness of exports. Ethiopia must be an integral part of the Red Sea security architecture. As a major regional actor with longstanding contributions to peacekeeping under the United Nations and peace and security efforts across the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia has a compelling strategic interest in the security of this vital maritime corridor and a meaningful contribution to make. Excluding a country of Ethiopiaโs regional significance from decisions affecting Red Sea security would leave a critical stakeholder outside a process with direct implications for its economic and national interests. Ethiopia should therefore have a meaningful seat at the table, enabling it to contribute to maritime security, protect international shipping, strengthen regional stability and help safeguard one of the worldโs most strategically important waterways. Ultimately, the measure of progress will be whether Ethiopia can expand its maritime options, reduce trade constraints and strengthen its economic resilience while contributing to stability across the Horn of Africa. National Unity as Foundation of Strategic Ambition No national ambition can be sustained without internal stability and a shared sense of purpose. Ethiopiaโs new political chapter must therefore begin with the responsibility to strengthen national unity, address longstanding grievances and rebuild public confidence. The countryโs cultural diversity, complex history and competing political interests make inclusive state building essential. Unity cannot be achieved through declarations alone. It requires equal citizenship, constitutional protection, fair access to opportunities and institutions capable of managing disagreements peacefully. The Medemer approach can help create common ground among political parties, government institutions, civil society organizations, religious institutions, traditional leaders and communities. The national dialogue process offers an opportunity to address historical grievances, identify shared interests and build a stronger foundation for consensus. For this process to succeed, participation must be meaningful, diverse perspectives must be heard, and recommendations must inform practical reforms. National reconciliation should not be reduced to a political slogan; it must produce greater trust, improved relations among communities and more effective mechanisms for resolving disputes. Democratic Institutions: Turning the Mandate into Public Trust The durability of Ethiopiaโs political transition will depend heavily on the performance of its democratic institutions. Parliament, the judiciary, electoral bodies and executive institutions must operate within their constitutional mandates and provide effective mechanisms for accountability. The House of Peoplesโ Representatives has a responsibility not only to enact legislation but also to scrutinize government performance, examine public expenditure and ensure that national policies respond to citizensโ needs. Effective parliamentary oversight can help identify implementation gaps, improve public spending and strengthen accountability. An independent and accessible judiciary is equally important. Citizens must be able to seek remedies when their rights are violated, while disputes should be resolved through impartial legal procedures. Consistent application of the law would reinforce equal protection and improve confidence in public institutions. Political parties also have a responsibility to strengthen democratic practices by presenting credible policy alternatives, engaging in constructive debate and respecting constitutional procedures. The government, in turn, must protect lawful political participation, civic engagement and public criticism. Combating corruption, reducing administrative inefficiency and improving public services are equally important. Transparent procurement, responsible financial management and accessible complaint mechanisms would help ensure that public resources serve their intended purposes. These reforms are directly connected to Ethiopiaโs broader strategic ambitions. Predictable institutions and accountable governance can strengthen investor confidence, improve the business environment and support the effective implementation of infrastructure and development projects. A government that earns public trust at home is also better positioned to build credible partnerships abroad. Democratic accountability is therefore not separate from national strategy; it is one of the foundations on which sustainable national progress depends. Economic Transformation and Building the Capacity for Sovereignty Ethiopiaโs pursuit of sea access must be supported by an economy capable of turning improved connectivity into prosperity. Access to ports and international markets can create opportunities, but the benefits will depend on domestic productivity, competitive industries and the capacity to generate value. In this regard, Ethiopiaโs โMade in Ethiopiaโ industrial movement is playing an important role in strengthening domestic production, advancing import substitution and expanding the countryโs manufacturing capacity. By encouraging local industries to produce goods previously sourced from abroad, the initiative supports economic self-reliance, reduces import dependence and creates opportunities for domestic investment and job creation. Agriculture remains central to Ethiopiaโs food security and economy. Under the Medemer philosophy, the country has made notable progress, particularly in wheat production. Expanding irrigation, mechanization, research and agro-processing can further boost productivity, reduce climate vulnerability and increase farmersโ incomes. Industrialization, manufacturing and digital transformation are equally vital to diversifying exports, creating jobs and strengthening domestic production. Reliable power, efficient logistics, access to finance and a skilled workforce will be essential to building competitive businesses. Improved maritime connectivity could lower trade barriers and connect Ethiopian producers to global markets, while stronger domestic industries would help the country capture greater value from international trade. Horn of Africa and Red Sea Region Cooperation for Shared Prosperity Ethiopiaโs national future is closely connected to developments across the Horn of Africa. Conflict, displacement, food insecurity and climate pressures frequently cross borders, while political tensions can disrupt trade and threaten the livelihoods of border communities. The pursuit of sea access must therefore be approached within a wider framework of regional cooperation. Ethiopiaโs strategic and economic interests must be connected to the Red Sea coast in the near future for mutual benefits. Port operations, transport corridors, logistics services and cross-border infrastructure can create commercial opportunities for participating countries. Improved connectivity can strengthen regional supply chains, expand markets and encourage investment in transport, manufacturing and trade-related services. A more stable and connected Horn of Africa would benefit Ethiopiaโs maritime aspirations while supporting the development priorities of its neighbors. Ethiopiaโs regional influence will therefore depend not only on the scale of its ambitions but also on its ability to build trust, sustain dialogue and demonstrate that cooperation can deliver tangible benefits. Climate Resilience and Water Security on Nile River Equally important to Ethiopiaโs ambition for sovereign sea access, the new Medemer Government must maximize the development potential of the Abay (Blue Nile) River by advancing additional hydropower and irrigation projects. Harnessing this strategic resource is vital to expanding electricity generation, strengthening food security and accelerating economic transformation. Climate resilience remains central to this ambition. Droughts, floods and shifting rainfall patterns threaten agriculture, water supplies, infrastructure and livelihoods across the Horn of Africa. Ethiopiaโs investment in hydropower and irrigation must therefore go hand in hand with sustainable water management, environmental protection and climate adaptation. For Ethiopia, maximizing the Abay Riverโs potential is not merely an energy or irrigation priority; it is a strategic pillar of economic sovereignty, food security and long-term national development. Youth and Women: Expanding the Foundations of National Progress Ethiopiaโs young population represents a major opportunity for economic growth, innovation and national renewal. Realizing this potential requires more than expanding education; it demands relevant skills, productive employment, entrepreneurship and meaningful participation in public life. Limited employment opportunities can deepen frustration, particularly when young people feel excluded from decisions affecting their future. Investment in technical and vocational education, digital skills and employment-intensive sectors would help connect education with the needs of the economy. Stronger links between schools, universities, training institutions and employers could improve the transition from education to employment. Support for entrepreneurship and small businesses could also enable young people to turn their skills and ideas into productive economic activity. Youth participation is equally important in national reconciliation, community development and public debate. Providing meaningful opportunities for young people to contribute to public affairs would strengthen social cohesion and ensure that national policies respond to their priorities. Womenโs participation is another essential component of inclusive development. Expanding access to education, employment, finance, public services and leadership would allow more citizens to contribute to national progress and strengthen household welfare. These investments have strategic significance. A skilled, productive and economically empowered population would strengthen domestic industries, improve export competitiveness and help Ethiopia benefit from expanded regional and international trade. National ambition becomes more sustainable when citizens have a genuine stake in its realization. Empowering young people and women is therefore not simply a social objective; it is an investment in Ethiopiaโs productive capacity, stability and long-term prosperity. From National Ambition to Measurable Results The credibility of Ethiopiaโs new political chapter will ultimately depend on implementation. The government must translate its priorities into clear targets, allocate resources according to national needs and establish mechanisms for assessing progress. Security, employment, public service delivery, institutional accountability and economic resilience should be central measures of performance. Public reporting would enable citizens to evaluate government commitments and identify areas requiring corrective action. Federal and regional authorities must coordinate their responsibilities while respecting constitutional mandates and local circumstances. Consultation with communities, businesses, professional associations and civil society can improve decision-making and help identify emerging problems. Efficient public financial management, stronger procurement systems and effective anti-corruption measures would help ensure that limited resources deliver meaningful results. The government must also balance long-term infrastructure investments with immediate public needs. Citizens expect improved access to health care, education, affordable food, employment and personal security. Progress in these areas will shape public confidence in the administration. Strategic ambitions and domestic responsibilities should reinforce each other. Maritime access can expand economic opportunities and its full value should depend on productive industries, capable institutions, skilled workers and a stable political environment. The ultimate test is whether national policies improve the lives of citizens while strengthening Ethiopiaโs ability to pursue its interests through peaceful and constructive engagement. All in all, Ethiopiaโs new five-year political chapter presents an opportunity to strengthen the foundations of a peaceful, democratic and prosperous state. Its success will depend on the governmentโs ability to translate its electoral mandate and the Medemer philosophy into tangible progress in national unity, security, institutional accountability and living standards. At the heart of the countryโs strategic ambition is sovereign access to the sea. Pursued through mutually beneficial arrangements, maritime connectivity could help ease trade constraints, strengthen export competitiveness and deepen regional economic integration as well as ensure lasting peace. Beyond its borders, Ethiopia must strengthen constructive relations with neighboring states, advance cooperation on trade, infrastructure, energy and climate resilience, and support regional efforts to prevent conflict. Its engagement with the African Union and IGAD can help advance these goals when backed by consistent diplomacy and practical commitments. The governmentโs responsibility is therefore both national and regional: to build a state that citizens trust, an economy that expands opportunities and a foreign policy that advances national interests while respecting the legitimate interests of others. Sovereign access to the sea may be at the heart of Ethiopiaโs national ambition, but national unity, democratic governance and economic transformation will determine its success. The defining measure of the Medemer State will be its ability to turn this ambition into lasting improvements in citizensโ lives while contributing to a more peaceful, stable and economically integrated Horn of Africa.
PSI Calls for Responsible Social Media Use to Foster Unity, Respect Ethiopiaโs Diversity
Oct 15, 2026 4709
Addis Ababa, October 14, 2026 (ENA) โ Ethiopian Policy Studies Institute (PSI) emphasizes the importance of responsible social media use to promote understanding, respect for Ethiopiaโs diversity, and social cohesion among its various communities. Speaking at a study validation workshop on social media use and misuse in Ethiopia, PSI Director General Fikadu Tsega said digital platforms could help bridge social and political differences and bring citizens together around common national goals. He emphasized that Ethiopiaโs diverse cultures, beliefs and identities should be brought together through constructive dialogue and shared values, enabling social media to contribute to national cohesion rather than deepen divisions. The Director General noted that social media could also support this effort by promoting positive content, strengthening mutual understanding and encouraging dialogue on the countryโs political, economic and cultural issues. He said addressing misuse required both public awareness and accountability, explaining that harmful content resulting from a lack of awareness could be addressed through education, while deliberate actions required appropriate accountability measures. While acknowledging the role of existing laws addressing hate speech and false information, he stressed that legal enforcement should be complemented by awareness-building to encourage responsible use and protect the rights of others. The validation workshop brought together researchers from Addis Ababa University, the Ethiopian Policy Studies Institute (PSI) and the Ethiopian Media Authority. It aims to validate the studyโs findings and draw on participantsโ expertise and perspectives to identify policy approaches that promote responsible social media use and strengthen its contribution to national unity and shared values.
Ethiopia Calls for Faster, Better-Coordinated Sovereign Debt Restructuring
Oct 14, 2026 8071
Addis Ababa, October 14, 2026 (ENA) โEthiopia has called for a more streamlined and predictable sovereign debt restructuring process, urging stronger creditor coordination and enhanced cooperation under the Common Framework to help countries restore financial stability and unlock development financing. Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), Eyob Tekalign made the call while addressing the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable (GSDR) on the sidelines of the 2026 IMFโWorld Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand. Drawing on Ethiopiaโs debt restructuring experience, Eyob stressed the need for clear timelines for countries entering the process, improved coordination among creditors, and early caps on advisory fees to make restructuring more efficient and predictable. Looking ahead, Ethiopia urged the GSDR to prioritize deeper cooperation among Bretton Woods institutions, reconsider rigid eligibility criteria for countries emerging from restructuring whose credit ratings remain temporarily impaired, and improve coordination of new financing to support national development priorities, it was indicated.
Prime Minister Abiy Holds Phone Talks with U.S. Secretary of State Rubio
Oct 14, 2026 8055
Addis Ababa, October 14, 2026 (ENA) โPrime Minister Abiy Ahmed said he held a fruitful telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on key bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues of mutual interest. โOur discussion is proof of the commitment of both countries to translating the enduring relationship between Ethiopia and the United States into a more strategic and practical partnership,โ the Prime Minister wrote on social media channels. He welcomed Washingtonโs assurance of continued support for Ethiopia, reaffirming the two countriesโ shared commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation and addressing regional and multilateral priorities. โI welcome the assurance of continued U.S. support for Ethiopia and our shared commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation and addressing regional and multilateral priorities,โ the Premier underscored.
Politics
Egyptโs Involvement Threatening Sudanese Sovereignty, Regional Stability: Political analyst Al-Arrousi
Oct 16, 2026 1118
Addis Ababa, October 16, 2026 (ENA) โ Ongoing Egyptian interference in Sudan is threatening the nationโs sovereignty and jeopardizing stability in the Horn of Africa, political analyst Mohamed Al-Arrousi said. He argued that the prolonged conflict and weakened state institutions have left Sudan increasingly vulnerable to external influence. In an exclusive interview with Pulse of Africa, Al-Arrousi addressed recent reports of Egyptian airstrikes within Sudan, noting that such cross-border military operations raise serious legal and political questions regarding their alignment with international law and the United Nations Charter. Egypt has reportedly massacred at least 200 Sudanese miners and wounded many others in targeting mining sites in Sudanโs North Al-Wadi area. Many observers say the recent civilian attacks are part of Egyptโs direct and indirect involvement in Sudanโs ongoing conflict, aimed at maximizing its own interests. Al-Arrousi emphasized that strict adherence to state sovereignty and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs remain foundational for maintaining stable international relations. He questioned the contradiction between Egyptโs official statements supporting Sudanโs unity and stability and its actual interference in the country's internal affairs. Cairoโs policies, he noted, should be assessed based on their practical consequences for Sudanโs territorial integrity, political independence, and ability to make independent national decisions. He reiterated that the ongoing war, internal divisions, and declining institutional capacity have left Sudan increasingly exposed to external influence. Attempts by regional powers to expand their footprint under these fragile circumstances, he warned, could prolong the conflict, complicate political settlement efforts, and hinder the restoration of effective national institutions. Al-Arrousi also suggested that Egyptian engagement in Sudan must be viewed within the broader context of geopolitical competition for influence in the Nile Basin and the Horn of Africa. He clarified that cooperation between Cairo and Khartoum is not inherently problematic; rather, the core issue is whether their relationship is founded on mutual interests, equal respect for sovereignty, and recognition of Sudanโs right to determine its own political and strategic priorities. Turning Sudan into an arena for regional competition, he cautioned, risks subjecting its decision-making processes to external pressures at the direct expense of its people. Despite boasting substantial natural resources, extensive agricultural land, and a vital strategic location, Sudan remains unable to realize its economic potential due to the ongoing war and political divisions, Al-Arrousi observed. He emphasized that protecting national resources is inseparable from safeguarding political sovereignty, noting that weak state institutions severely diminish the countryโs ability to manage its wealth, direct revenues toward development and reconstruction, and improve living conditions for its citizens. Ultimately, the continued weakening of Sudanโs institutions could trigger repercussions far beyond its borders, threatening security and stability across the Horn of Africa while undermining regional cooperation and economic integration. Given Sudan's pivotal role in the security dynamics of both the Nile Basin and the Horn of Africa, restoring stability within the country is essential for maintaining broader regional balance, he concluded. Al-Arrousi also criticized domestic political forces, accusing them of prioritizing power retention over national interests and relying heavily on external support. Such approaches, he argued, risk drawing Sudanโs conflict further into regional rivalries, thereby diminishing the prospects for an independent political settlement. Resolving the crisis, he stressed, requires an inclusive national project focused on ending the war, restoring state institutions, and safeguarding the countryโs sovereignty. He called for strengthening Sudanโs capacity to make independent political and economic decisions free from external pressures or dictates. Turning to bilateral ties, Al-Arrousi advocated for Egyptian-Sudanese relations grounded in mutual respect for sovereignty and strict non-interference. A balanced partnership, he noted, must respect both nations' interests while fully recognizing Sudanโs right to determine its own stance on security, natural resources, and regional diplomacy.
Ethiopia Elected to Chair 78th UNHCR Executive Committee Session
Oct 16, 2026 1804
Addis Ababa, October 16, 2026 (ENA) โEthiopia has been elected to chair the 78th session of the Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), recognizing its longstanding role in refugee protection and international cooperation as it hosts more than 1.2 million refugees and asylum seekers. Addressing member states following the election, Ethiopiaโs Permanent Representative to the UN Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, Ambassador Tsegab Kebebew Daka, expressed gratitude to the African Group for its confidence and to other countries that supported Ethiopiaโs nomination. Ambassador Tsegab highlighted Ethiopiaโs historic tradition of providing refuge to people fleeing persecution, recalling how the ancient Kingdom of Aksum offered protection to early Muslims escaping persecution in Mecca during the seventh century. He said the refusal of the Aksumite king to surrender the refugees to their persecutors remained a powerful historical example of the principle of non-refoulement, a cornerstone of the 1951 Refugee Convention. โLong before this principle was codified in international law, Ethiopiaโs history offered an enduring example of the importance of protecting those fleeing persecution and upholding the dignity of people seeking refuge,โ he said, stressing that refugee protection transcends borders, cultures and generations. The ambassador underscored that refugee protection is a shared international responsibility, calling for stronger collective action, equitable responsibility-sharing and sustained support for refugees and host communities amid rising displacement and growing pressure on humanitarian resources. He also highlighted Ethiopiaโs engagement in the Global Refugee Forum and the launch of the Makatet Roadmap as part of efforts to advance refugee inclusion, self-reliance and access to national systems while supporting development in host communities. He emphasized that these nationally led initiatives require predictable international financing and meaningful partnerships to achieve lasting results. Drawing on Ethiopiaโs experience serving on the Executive Committeeโs Bureau over the past two years, Ambassador Tsegab outlined the countryโs vision for an effective, inclusive and constructive committee that promotes focused deliberations and gives all members meaningful opportunities to contribute. He pledged to foster open engagement among member states, UNHCR and its leadership, promoting dialogue and consensus to bridge differing perspectives and advance shared objectives in accordance with the committeeโs rules of procedure. Addressing growing humanitarian needs and significant funding constraints, he stressed that institutional reform and efficiency must strengthenโnot undermineโUNHCRโs ability to protect refugees and deliver assistance where it is most needed. โReform, efficiency, and the responsible use of resources must strengthen rather than weaken UNHCRโs capacity to deliver protection and assistance where they are most needed,โ he said. Ambassador Tsegab also expressed appreciation to Japanโs Ambassador Oike, the outgoing chairperson, and the previous Bureau for their work over the past year. He pledged Ethiopiaโs close cooperation with the newly elected Executive Committee, the High Commissioner, UNHCR management and the Secretariat to advance shared priorities and strengthen the international refugee protection system. Ethiopiaโs election comes as the country continues to host more than 1.2 million refugees and asylum seekers, underscoring both its substantial responsibilities and its engagement in international efforts to strengthen refugee protection and support host communities.
Caretaker Federal Govโt Administration Established in Tigray Region
Oct 16, 2026 2841
Addis Ababa, October 16, 2026 (ENA) โ Ethiopiaโs federal government has established a six-month caretaker administration for the Tigray Region. In its social media post, Office of the Prime Minister said the administration is tasked with restoring peace and stability, rebuilding damaged infrastructure, restoring public services and preparing the region for free and transparent elections. The decision follows a resolution by the House of Federation and a subsequent binding decision by the Federal Governmentโs Council of Ministers to establish a provisional administration for the region, according to the Office. The statement said repeated efforts to resolve the conflict in the Tigray Region under the Pretoria Agreement had been obstructed by the TPLF leadership. The statement mentioned TPLF leadership of rejecting peace and initiating a destructive war for the fourth time, which it underscored that had once again ended in the groupโs defeat. It further stressed that the people of Tigray must break the cycle of conflict to achieve lasting peace, exercise their right to self-governance and benefit from development opportunities they have long been denied. To this end, the statement emphasized the need for Tigray to strengthen its place within Ethiopiaโs federal system, maintain peace, prioritize development and deepen unity with the countryโs other peoples. To facilitate these objectives as swiftly as possible, the Federal Government has established a caretaker administration for the Tigray Region under a Council of Ministers regulation. The six-month administration is expected to restore functioning government institutions, enable the resumption of essential social services, repair war-damaged infrastructure and facilitate the return of internally displaced people to their homes. A central priority will be creating the political and security conditions necessary to hold free and transparent elections within six months, allowing Tigray to return to regular elected regional governance. The caretaker administration will also coordinate with federal defence, police and security institutions, alongside regional security forces, to strengthen stability down to the kebele level, facilitate the disarmament and reintegration of armed elements into civilian life, and restructure the regional security apparatus. The statement added Beyond security and institutional recovery, the administration is mandated to promote social healing, prepare communities for reconstruction, coordinate media activities and organize public forums. It will also work to ensure that the upcoming election is peaceful and inclusive. The statement said the administration must act in accordance with Ethiopiaโs national interests, territorial integrity and the fundamental interests of the people of Tigray. Its mandate will be limited to routine governance and creating conditions for the election, excluding long-term strategic decisions until a democratically elected regional government is established. The administration will operate under the direction and oversight of the Federal Government. Appointed leadership The following officials have been appointed to lead the caretaker administration: Assefa Abreha Hagos โ Chief Executive Officer of Administration and Public Services Dr. Tewodros Aregawe W/Selassie โ Chief Executive Officer of Economy and Reconstruction Brigadier General Gebre-Egziabher Beyene Hailu โ Chief Executive Officer of Peace and Security Redae Halefom W/Selassie โ Chief Executive Officer of Political and Public Mobilization Dr. Shishay Amare โ Mayor of Mekelle City The Federal Government will provide the appointees with policy direction, leadership and support while monitoring the implementation of their responsibilities. The six-month transition places peace, institutional restoration, reconstruction and preparations for an inclusive election at the centre of efforts to return Tigray to regular regional governance and normalcy.
Egyptian Analyst Rebukes Egypt's Leaders for Trying to Block Ethiopiaโs Sovereign Right to Red Sea
Oct 15, 2026 7842
Addis Ababa, October 15, 2026 (ENA) โ The Egyptian political analyst Magdi Khalil has strongly criticized the leaders of Egypt for opposing and fighting Ethiopia's right of access to the Red Sea. โIf there were leaders in Egypt with vision and foresight, they would work to help Ethiopia gain access to the Red Sea instead of opposing and fighting it,โ he said. The Egyptian analyst criticized the country's opposition to Ethiopiaโs efforts to secure access to the Red Sea and called on Egypt to reassess its policy toward Ethiopia and shift from confrontation to cooperation. In a Zoom interview with ENA, Khalil said that Ethiopia, as a large landlocked country, has the sovereign right to gain access to the Red Sea. โEthiopia has the sovereign right to conclude agreements with countries to secure one or more outlets on the Red Sea, provided this is done peacefully, whether for fifty or one hundred years,โ he added. The analyst further questioned the reasons behind opposition to Ethiopiaโs access to the Red Sea, noting that Ethiopiaโs historical coastal presence had not been a source of harm to neighboring countries. Ethiopiaโs demands should therefore be addressed through cooperation and mutual interests rather than political confrontation and hostility. Khalil called for a meeting involving the countries bordering the Red Sea to discuss shared interests and reach regional understandings. The Egyptian analyst stressed the importance of replacing hostile competition with cooperation, emphasizing that peaceful agreements could provide a practical framework for addressing Ethiopiaโs maritime needs. According to him, some countries were willing to reach agreements with Ethiopia to provide maritime access, arguing that long-term arrangements could strengthen cooperation and stability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region. Furthermore, Khalil criticized Egyptโs historical position on the Eritrean issue, noting that Egypt, alongside other Arab countries, participated in supporting the Eritrean Liberation Front, which was established in Cairo in 1960. He argued that Eritreaโs independence in 1991 and Ethiopiaโs subsequent landlocked status necessitate a reassessment of the regional positions that contributed to this situation. The analyst described Egyptโs support for the Eritrean movement as a historical mistake that harmed relations that should have been based on cooperation between the two countries.
Ethiopiaโs New Political Chapter: Sovereign Sea Access at the Heart of National Ambition
Oct 15, 2026 5810
By Staff Writer October 15, 2026 (ENA) Ethiopiaโs new five-year political chapter opens with a defining national ambition: building a peaceful, democratic and prosperous state while pursuing sovereign access to the sea. Under the Medemer Government, the government is highly anticipated to translating its electoral mandate into tangible improvements in citizensโ lives while strengthening Ethiopiaโs strategic position in the Horn of Africa. At the heart of this agenda lies Ethiopiaโs sovereign sea access aspiration. As one of the worldโs most populous landlocked countries, Ethiopia has a compelling economic interest in reliable access to maritime trade. Securing such access through mutually beneficial arrangements could ease logistical constraints, improve export competitiveness, attract investment and deepen regional economic integration. Yet, maritime access is part of a broader national transformation. The success of Ethiopiaโs new political chapter will depend equally on consolidating peace, strengthening democratic institutions, advancing national reconciliation and building an inclusive economy. The Medemer philosophy, which emphasizes cooperation, synergy and collective progress, offers a framework for pursuing these priorities. Its credibility will ultimately rest on the governmentโs ability to translate political commitments into measurable results. Ethiopiaโs domestic progress also carries regional significance. As host of the African Union headquarters and a major political and economic actor in the Horn of Africa, the country has both a strategic interest in regional stability and an opportunity to contribute to it. A stronger Ethiopia, supported by trusted institutions and a resilient economy, would be better positioned to advance its national interests while promoting peace and cooperation across the region. Sovereign Sea Access: A Strategic National Priority For Ethiopia, access to the sea is more than a question of geography. It is closely connected to security, trade, economic competitiveness, national development and long-term strategic interests. Dependence on external maritime corridors exposes the countryโs economy to transport costs, logistical bottlenecks and disruptions in international trade. Reliable and diversified access to maritime infrastructure could help Ethiopian businesses reach international markets more efficiently, strengthen supply chains and improve the competitiveness of exports. Ethiopia must be an integral part of the Red Sea security architecture. As a major regional actor with longstanding contributions to peacekeeping under the United Nations and peace and security efforts across the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia has a compelling strategic interest in the security of this vital maritime corridor and a meaningful contribution to make. Excluding a country of Ethiopiaโs regional significance from decisions affecting Red Sea security would leave a critical stakeholder outside a process with direct implications for its economic and national interests. Ethiopia should therefore have a meaningful seat at the table, enabling it to contribute to maritime security, protect international shipping, strengthen regional stability and help safeguard one of the worldโs most strategically important waterways. Ultimately, the measure of progress will be whether Ethiopia can expand its maritime options, reduce trade constraints and strengthen its economic resilience while contributing to stability across the Horn of Africa. National Unity as Foundation of Strategic Ambition No national ambition can be sustained without internal stability and a shared sense of purpose. Ethiopiaโs new political chapter must therefore begin with the responsibility to strengthen national unity, address longstanding grievances and rebuild public confidence. The countryโs cultural diversity, complex history and competing political interests make inclusive state building essential. Unity cannot be achieved through declarations alone. It requires equal citizenship, constitutional protection, fair access to opportunities and institutions capable of managing disagreements peacefully. The Medemer approach can help create common ground among political parties, government institutions, civil society organizations, religious institutions, traditional leaders and communities. The national dialogue process offers an opportunity to address historical grievances, identify shared interests and build a stronger foundation for consensus. For this process to succeed, participation must be meaningful, diverse perspectives must be heard, and recommendations must inform practical reforms. National reconciliation should not be reduced to a political slogan; it must produce greater trust, improved relations among communities and more effective mechanisms for resolving disputes. Democratic Institutions: Turning the Mandate into Public Trust The durability of Ethiopiaโs political transition will depend heavily on the performance of its democratic institutions. Parliament, the judiciary, electoral bodies and executive institutions must operate within their constitutional mandates and provide effective mechanisms for accountability. The House of Peoplesโ Representatives has a responsibility not only to enact legislation but also to scrutinize government performance, examine public expenditure and ensure that national policies respond to citizensโ needs. Effective parliamentary oversight can help identify implementation gaps, improve public spending and strengthen accountability. An independent and accessible judiciary is equally important. Citizens must be able to seek remedies when their rights are violated, while disputes should be resolved through impartial legal procedures. Consistent application of the law would reinforce equal protection and improve confidence in public institutions. Political parties also have a responsibility to strengthen democratic practices by presenting credible policy alternatives, engaging in constructive debate and respecting constitutional procedures. The government, in turn, must protect lawful political participation, civic engagement and public criticism. Combating corruption, reducing administrative inefficiency and improving public services are equally important. Transparent procurement, responsible financial management and accessible complaint mechanisms would help ensure that public resources serve their intended purposes. These reforms are directly connected to Ethiopiaโs broader strategic ambitions. Predictable institutions and accountable governance can strengthen investor confidence, improve the business environment and support the effective implementation of infrastructure and development projects. A government that earns public trust at home is also better positioned to build credible partnerships abroad. Democratic accountability is therefore not separate from national strategy; it is one of the foundations on which sustainable national progress depends. Economic Transformation and Building the Capacity for Sovereignty Ethiopiaโs pursuit of sea access must be supported by an economy capable of turning improved connectivity into prosperity. Access to ports and international markets can create opportunities, but the benefits will depend on domestic productivity, competitive industries and the capacity to generate value. In this regard, Ethiopiaโs โMade in Ethiopiaโ industrial movement is playing an important role in strengthening domestic production, advancing import substitution and expanding the countryโs manufacturing capacity. By encouraging local industries to produce goods previously sourced from abroad, the initiative supports economic self-reliance, reduces import dependence and creates opportunities for domestic investment and job creation. Agriculture remains central to Ethiopiaโs food security and economy. Under the Medemer philosophy, the country has made notable progress, particularly in wheat production. Expanding irrigation, mechanization, research and agro-processing can further boost productivity, reduce climate vulnerability and increase farmersโ incomes. Industrialization, manufacturing and digital transformation are equally vital to diversifying exports, creating jobs and strengthening domestic production. Reliable power, efficient logistics, access to finance and a skilled workforce will be essential to building competitive businesses. Improved maritime connectivity could lower trade barriers and connect Ethiopian producers to global markets, while stronger domestic industries would help the country capture greater value from international trade. Horn of Africa and Red Sea Region Cooperation for Shared Prosperity Ethiopiaโs national future is closely connected to developments across the Horn of Africa. Conflict, displacement, food insecurity and climate pressures frequently cross borders, while political tensions can disrupt trade and threaten the livelihoods of border communities. The pursuit of sea access must therefore be approached within a wider framework of regional cooperation. Ethiopiaโs strategic and economic interests must be connected to the Red Sea coast in the near future for mutual benefits. Port operations, transport corridors, logistics services and cross-border infrastructure can create commercial opportunities for participating countries. Improved connectivity can strengthen regional supply chains, expand markets and encourage investment in transport, manufacturing and trade-related services. A more stable and connected Horn of Africa would benefit Ethiopiaโs maritime aspirations while supporting the development priorities of its neighbors. Ethiopiaโs regional influence will therefore depend not only on the scale of its ambitions but also on its ability to build trust, sustain dialogue and demonstrate that cooperation can deliver tangible benefits. Climate Resilience and Water Security on Nile River Equally important to Ethiopiaโs ambition for sovereign sea access, the new Medemer Government must maximize the development potential of the Abay (Blue Nile) River by advancing additional hydropower and irrigation projects. Harnessing this strategic resource is vital to expanding electricity generation, strengthening food security and accelerating economic transformation. Climate resilience remains central to this ambition. Droughts, floods and shifting rainfall patterns threaten agriculture, water supplies, infrastructure and livelihoods across the Horn of Africa. Ethiopiaโs investment in hydropower and irrigation must therefore go hand in hand with sustainable water management, environmental protection and climate adaptation. For Ethiopia, maximizing the Abay Riverโs potential is not merely an energy or irrigation priority; it is a strategic pillar of economic sovereignty, food security and long-term national development. Youth and Women: Expanding the Foundations of National Progress Ethiopiaโs young population represents a major opportunity for economic growth, innovation and national renewal. Realizing this potential requires more than expanding education; it demands relevant skills, productive employment, entrepreneurship and meaningful participation in public life. Limited employment opportunities can deepen frustration, particularly when young people feel excluded from decisions affecting their future. Investment in technical and vocational education, digital skills and employment-intensive sectors would help connect education with the needs of the economy. Stronger links between schools, universities, training institutions and employers could improve the transition from education to employment. Support for entrepreneurship and small businesses could also enable young people to turn their skills and ideas into productive economic activity. Youth participation is equally important in national reconciliation, community development and public debate. Providing meaningful opportunities for young people to contribute to public affairs would strengthen social cohesion and ensure that national policies respond to their priorities. Womenโs participation is another essential component of inclusive development. Expanding access to education, employment, finance, public services and leadership would allow more citizens to contribute to national progress and strengthen household welfare. These investments have strategic significance. A skilled, productive and economically empowered population would strengthen domestic industries, improve export competitiveness and help Ethiopia benefit from expanded regional and international trade. National ambition becomes more sustainable when citizens have a genuine stake in its realization. Empowering young people and women is therefore not simply a social objective; it is an investment in Ethiopiaโs productive capacity, stability and long-term prosperity. From National Ambition to Measurable Results The credibility of Ethiopiaโs new political chapter will ultimately depend on implementation. The government must translate its priorities into clear targets, allocate resources according to national needs and establish mechanisms for assessing progress. Security, employment, public service delivery, institutional accountability and economic resilience should be central measures of performance. Public reporting would enable citizens to evaluate government commitments and identify areas requiring corrective action. Federal and regional authorities must coordinate their responsibilities while respecting constitutional mandates and local circumstances. Consultation with communities, businesses, professional associations and civil society can improve decision-making and help identify emerging problems. Efficient public financial management, stronger procurement systems and effective anti-corruption measures would help ensure that limited resources deliver meaningful results. The government must also balance long-term infrastructure investments with immediate public needs. Citizens expect improved access to health care, education, affordable food, employment and personal security. Progress in these areas will shape public confidence in the administration. Strategic ambitions and domestic responsibilities should reinforce each other. Maritime access can expand economic opportunities and its full value should depend on productive industries, capable institutions, skilled workers and a stable political environment. The ultimate test is whether national policies improve the lives of citizens while strengthening Ethiopiaโs ability to pursue its interests through peaceful and constructive engagement. All in all, Ethiopiaโs new five-year political chapter presents an opportunity to strengthen the foundations of a peaceful, democratic and prosperous state. Its success will depend on the governmentโs ability to translate its electoral mandate and the Medemer philosophy into tangible progress in national unity, security, institutional accountability and living standards. At the heart of the countryโs strategic ambition is sovereign access to the sea. Pursued through mutually beneficial arrangements, maritime connectivity could help ease trade constraints, strengthen export competitiveness and deepen regional economic integration as well as ensure lasting peace. Beyond its borders, Ethiopia must strengthen constructive relations with neighboring states, advance cooperation on trade, infrastructure, energy and climate resilience, and support regional efforts to prevent conflict. Its engagement with the African Union and IGAD can help advance these goals when backed by consistent diplomacy and practical commitments. The governmentโs responsibility is therefore both national and regional: to build a state that citizens trust, an economy that expands opportunities and a foreign policy that advances national interests while respecting the legitimate interests of others. Sovereign access to the sea may be at the heart of Ethiopiaโs national ambition, but national unity, democratic governance and economic transformation will determine its success. The defining measure of the Medemer State will be its ability to turn this ambition into lasting improvements in citizensโ lives while contributing to a more peaceful, stable and economically integrated Horn of Africa.
PSI Calls for Responsible Social Media Use to Foster Unity, Respect Ethiopiaโs Diversity
Oct 15, 2026 4709
Addis Ababa, October 14, 2026 (ENA) โ Ethiopian Policy Studies Institute (PSI) emphasizes the importance of responsible social media use to promote understanding, respect for Ethiopiaโs diversity, and social cohesion among its various communities. Speaking at a study validation workshop on social media use and misuse in Ethiopia, PSI Director General Fikadu Tsega said digital platforms could help bridge social and political differences and bring citizens together around common national goals. He emphasized that Ethiopiaโs diverse cultures, beliefs and identities should be brought together through constructive dialogue and shared values, enabling social media to contribute to national cohesion rather than deepen divisions. The Director General noted that social media could also support this effort by promoting positive content, strengthening mutual understanding and encouraging dialogue on the countryโs political, economic and cultural issues. He said addressing misuse required both public awareness and accountability, explaining that harmful content resulting from a lack of awareness could be addressed through education, while deliberate actions required appropriate accountability measures. While acknowledging the role of existing laws addressing hate speech and false information, he stressed that legal enforcement should be complemented by awareness-building to encourage responsible use and protect the rights of others. The validation workshop brought together researchers from Addis Ababa University, the Ethiopian Policy Studies Institute (PSI) and the Ethiopian Media Authority. It aims to validate the studyโs findings and draw on participantsโ expertise and perspectives to identify policy approaches that promote responsible social media use and strengthen its contribution to national unity and shared values.
Ethiopia Calls for Faster, Better-Coordinated Sovereign Debt Restructuring
Oct 14, 2026 8071
Addis Ababa, October 14, 2026 (ENA) โEthiopia has called for a more streamlined and predictable sovereign debt restructuring process, urging stronger creditor coordination and enhanced cooperation under the Common Framework to help countries restore financial stability and unlock development financing. Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), Eyob Tekalign made the call while addressing the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable (GSDR) on the sidelines of the 2026 IMFโWorld Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand. Drawing on Ethiopiaโs debt restructuring experience, Eyob stressed the need for clear timelines for countries entering the process, improved coordination among creditors, and early caps on advisory fees to make restructuring more efficient and predictable. Looking ahead, Ethiopia urged the GSDR to prioritize deeper cooperation among Bretton Woods institutions, reconsider rigid eligibility criteria for countries emerging from restructuring whose credit ratings remain temporarily impaired, and improve coordination of new financing to support national development priorities, it was indicated.
Prime Minister Abiy Holds Phone Talks with U.S. Secretary of State Rubio
Oct 14, 2026 8055
Addis Ababa, October 14, 2026 (ENA) โPrime Minister Abiy Ahmed said he held a fruitful telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on key bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues of mutual interest. โOur discussion is proof of the commitment of both countries to translating the enduring relationship between Ethiopia and the United States into a more strategic and practical partnership,โ the Prime Minister wrote on social media channels. He welcomed Washingtonโs assurance of continued support for Ethiopia, reaffirming the two countriesโ shared commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation and addressing regional and multilateral priorities. โI welcome the assurance of continued U.S. support for Ethiopia and our shared commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation and addressing regional and multilateral priorities,โ the Premier underscored.
Social
Ethiopia Elected to Chair 78th UNHCR Executive Committee Session
Oct 16, 2026 1804
Addis Ababa, October 16, 2026 (ENA) โEthiopia has been elected to chair the 78th session of the Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), recognizing its longstanding role in refugee protection and international cooperation as it hosts more than 1.2 million refugees and asylum seekers. Addressing member states following the election, Ethiopiaโs Permanent Representative to the UN Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, Ambassador Tsegab Kebebew Daka, expressed gratitude to the African Group for its confidence and to other countries that supported Ethiopiaโs nomination. Ambassador Tsegab highlighted Ethiopiaโs historic tradition of providing refuge to people fleeing persecution, recalling how the ancient Kingdom of Aksum offered protection to early Muslims escaping persecution in Mecca during the seventh century. He said the refusal of the Aksumite king to surrender the refugees to their persecutors remained a powerful historical example of the principle of non-refoulement, a cornerstone of the 1951 Refugee Convention. โLong before this principle was codified in international law, Ethiopiaโs history offered an enduring example of the importance of protecting those fleeing persecution and upholding the dignity of people seeking refuge,โ he said, stressing that refugee protection transcends borders, cultures and generations. The ambassador underscored that refugee protection is a shared international responsibility, calling for stronger collective action, equitable responsibility-sharing and sustained support for refugees and host communities amid rising displacement and growing pressure on humanitarian resources. He also highlighted Ethiopiaโs engagement in the Global Refugee Forum and the launch of the Makatet Roadmap as part of efforts to advance refugee inclusion, self-reliance and access to national systems while supporting development in host communities. He emphasized that these nationally led initiatives require predictable international financing and meaningful partnerships to achieve lasting results. Drawing on Ethiopiaโs experience serving on the Executive Committeeโs Bureau over the past two years, Ambassador Tsegab outlined the countryโs vision for an effective, inclusive and constructive committee that promotes focused deliberations and gives all members meaningful opportunities to contribute. He pledged to foster open engagement among member states, UNHCR and its leadership, promoting dialogue and consensus to bridge differing perspectives and advance shared objectives in accordance with the committeeโs rules of procedure. Addressing growing humanitarian needs and significant funding constraints, he stressed that institutional reform and efficiency must strengthenโnot undermineโUNHCRโs ability to protect refugees and deliver assistance where it is most needed. โReform, efficiency, and the responsible use of resources must strengthen rather than weaken UNHCRโs capacity to deliver protection and assistance where they are most needed,โ he said. Ambassador Tsegab also expressed appreciation to Japanโs Ambassador Oike, the outgoing chairperson, and the previous Bureau for their work over the past year. He pledged Ethiopiaโs close cooperation with the newly elected Executive Committee, the High Commissioner, UNHCR management and the Secretariat to advance shared priorities and strengthen the international refugee protection system. Ethiopiaโs election comes as the country continues to host more than 1.2 million refugees and asylum seekers, underscoring both its substantial responsibilities and its engagement in international efforts to strengthen refugee protection and support host communities.
State Minister Stresses Need for Empowering Women in Agriculture
Oct 15, 2026 3799
Addis Ababa, October 15, 2026 (ENA) โ Empowering women in agriculture is crucial to bringing about the desired change and transformation in the sector, Agriculture State Minister Sofia Kassa said. International Women Farmers and Pastoralists Day was marked under the theme: โEmpower Women Farmers, Strengthen Food Security, Build a Prosperous Ethiopiaโ in Addis Ababa today. In her opening remarks, the state minister emphasized that to fully utilize the country's development potential in the agricultural sector, efforts must be strengthened to ensure the direct benefit of women farmers and pastoralists. She noted that empowering women farmers significantly contributes to ensuring food security and building a prosperous Ethiopia. Therefore, Sofia stressed the need to empower women farmers by enhancing financial access, leveraging technology, and ensuring land ownership, among other measures. Efforts will be strengthened to ensure that women benefit equally from digital agricultural technologies, access to climate-resilient seed varieties, and labor-saving tools, the state minister said. Emphasizing that an adequate financial supply tailored to the nature of agriculture must be facilitated, she expressed the government's strong commitment to providing financial access in rural areas, particularly for women farmers and pastoralists. Stating that women across all parts of the country are engaged in agricultural activities ranging from smallholder farming to large-scale investment, Sofia added that women achieve impressive yields through diligent land preparation and cultivation activities. Furthermore, she pointed out that women also possess the capacity to be productive, competitive, and strong leaders despite facing many challenges, highlighting the need to support and empower model women farmers and pastoralists moving forward. As women make a significant contribution to feeding millions of people globally, the state minister said greater attention will be given to enhance womenโs participation and benefits in the sector. On the sidelines of the event, 33 water pumps and 150 knapsack sprayers were distributed to model women farmers as part of encouraging female farmers.
Emergency Aid Reaches Climate-Affected Communities in Afar
Oct 14, 2026 6292
Addis Ababa, October 14, 2026 (ENA)โ Emergency humanitarian assistance is reaching drought-affected communities in Afar Region, Ethiopia, targeting vulnerable households and people in need following climate-induced challenges. The first round of relief supplies, dispatched from the central grain warehouse in Adama city, is being delivered to high-priority individuals and families across the region. In Girifo Kebele of Bidu Woreda, residents have begun receiving the assistance, which beneficiaries say has arrived at a critical time as drought continues to strain their livelihoods and access to food. Meyrem Abdu, one of the beneficiaries, said the assistance would help support her children and other family members who have been facing food shortages. She expressed appreciation for the governmentโs response to the situation affecting communities in the region. Asiya Mohammed, another beneficiary, said the intervention would help ease the hardship facing her family and other residents. He further noted that the support was particularly important given their difficult circumstances. On his part, Team Leader of Inventory Quality and Control at the Afar Region Disaster Risk Management Commission, Mohammed Abdella said the distribution was targeting the most vulnerable groups in affected areas. He explained that the region had previously been mobilizing its own resources to support drought-affected communities and was now supplementing those efforts with additional relief supplies dispatched by the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission. Bidu Woreda Agriculture and Natural Resources Office Head, Yesuf Mohammed said drought associated with climate change had caused significant hardship for local residents, describing the humanitarian intervention as timely and essential. The ongoing distribution is intended to provide immediate relief to affected households as authorities mobilize assistance for communities facing the impacts of drought. The humanitarian supply comes amid ongoing efforts by regional and federal authorities to support drought-affected communities and address food shortages in vulnerable areas, as ENA learned.
Second Round Humanitarian Aid Dispatched to Climate-Affected Communities in Afar, Commission Announes
Oct 14, 2026 5235
Addis Ababa, October 14, 2026 (ENA) โ The Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC) has announced that it has launched its second round of humanitarian assistance for communities hit hard by climate-related shocks in the Afar Region. Relief supplies loaded from the central reserve warehouses in Adama are currently enroute to support vulnerable households facing severe moisture stress, drought, and seasonal flooding risks in the region. Trucks carrying emergency relief supplies departed today from the central grain storage warehouse in Adama, heading toward affected areas across the region. According to the commission, the assistance aims to support the most vulnerable communities as the regional government continues mobilizing local resources to address the crisis. Reaffirming its commitment to supporting affected populations, the commission emphasized its ongoing efforts to strengthen the country's capacity to respond to both natural and human-induced disasters. The commission also assured the public that measures are in place to ensure relief supplies reach their intended beneficiaries efficiently. This release follows an initial round of humanitarian assistance transported to several areas of the Afar Region a few days ago, according to EDRMC.
Economy
Ethiopia, UK Reaffirm Strategic Partnership at IMFโWorld Bank Meetings
Oct 16, 2026 1258
Addis Ababa, October 16, 2026 (ENA) โEthiopia and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation, focusing on macroeconomic stability, long-term growth and regional development. The commitment was underscored during a meeting between an Ethiopian delegation led by Governor of National Bank of Ethiopia, Eyob Tekalign and Kirsty McNeill MP, the UK Minister for International Development and Africa, on the sidelines of the 2026 IMFโWorld Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok. The discussions focused on recent economic developments and Ethiopiaโs priorities for sustaining macroeconomic stability and advancing long-term growth. The two sides also exchanged views on current regional and global developments. McNeill acknowledged Ethiopiaโs principled efforts and reaffirmed the UKโs commitment to continued bilateral cooperation, recognizing Ethiopiaโs strategic importance in promoting regional stability and development. Both sides expressed their commitment to maintaining constructive engagement and deepening cooperation in areas of mutual interest, ENA learned.
Ethiopia, EU Reaffirm Commitment to Cooperation on Economic Progress, Regional Stability
Oct 16, 2026 3286
Addis Ababa, October 16, 2026 (ENA) โ The Ethiopian delegation met with European Commissioner for International Partnerships Commissioner Jozef Sรญkela on the sidelines of the ongoing IMFโWorld Bank Annual Meetings. The discussions focused on Ethiopiaโs economic progress, the situation in the countryโs northern regions, and opportunities to strengthen alignment on development priorities and sustain cooperation between Ethiopia and the European Union (EU). Commissioner Sรญkela reaffirmed the EUโs strong political commitment to Ethiopia, recognizing the country as a critical stabilizing anchor and reliable partner in the Horn of Africa, particularly in the Red Sea region, amid persistent fragility and evolving regional challenges. He also reiterated the EUโs continued support for Ethiopiaโs stability and development, underscoring its strategic role in promoting regional stability and cooperation.
Ethiopia Eyes Bigger Role in Africaโs Investment, Financial Markets: House Speaker
Oct 16, 2026 1906
Addis Ababa, October 16, 2026 (ENA) โEthiopia is positioning itself as an increasingly important investment destination and financial market in Africa, driven by economic reforms and expanding cross-border investment partnerships, Speaker of the House of People's Representatives Ahmed Shide said. Addressing the Dangote Petroleum Refinery IPO Ethiopia Investor Roadshow, organized by the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) in collaboration with Dangote Industries Limited in Addis Ababa this afternoon, Ahmed said Ethiopiaโs economic reforms are opening new opportunities for domestic and international investors. The reforms are also strengthening Africaโs capacity to finance its own development, the Speaker elaborated. "With an expanding economy, ongoing reforms, and a growing private sector, we envision Ethiopia becoming an increasingly important investment destination and financial market in Africa." He highlighted the establishment of the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority, the Ethiopian Securities Exchange and supporting market infrastructure as key milestones in modernizing the countryโs financial system and mobilizing long-term capital. "Ethiopiaโs emerging capital market presents significant opportunities for domestic and international investors, financial institutions, and businesses,โ he said. Ahmed said the introduction of Dangote Petroleum Refineryโs initial public offering to qualified Ethiopian investors demonstrates the growing potential for African businesses and investors to engage across national borders. The speaker further stressed that investor confidence, transparency, regulatory cooperation and robust investor protection are essential to building a credible and sustainable capital market, particularly as securities offerings increasingly cross-national borders. He expressed confidence that the countryโs expanding economy, ongoing reforms and growing private sector would strengthen its position in Africaโs investment landscape, welcoming international businesses and financial institutions to participate in the transformation. "We welcome international businesses and financial institutions that wish to participate in this transformation and contribute to the development of our capital market." Addressing the occasion, Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote for his part has reaffirmed his commitment to expanding investments in Ethiopia. โOur investment in Ethiopia has no limit,โ he said, emphasizing the groupโs commitment to reinvesting its earnings locally and building a long-term partnership that supports the countryโs economic transformation. "Our partnership in Ethiopia is a very harmonious partnership. It's not that we want to come and make money and take the money outside, no. Whatever that we make here, not only that we invest, we'll bring more investment," he asserted.
Egyptian Analyst Rebukes Egypt's Leaders for Trying to Block Ethiopiaโs Sovereign Right to Red Sea
Oct 15, 2026 7842
Addis Ababa, October 15, 2026 (ENA) โ The Egyptian political analyst Magdi Khalil has strongly criticized the leaders of Egypt for opposing and fighting Ethiopia's right of access to the Red Sea. โIf there were leaders in Egypt with vision and foresight, they would work to help Ethiopia gain access to the Red Sea instead of opposing and fighting it,โ he said. The Egyptian analyst criticized the country's opposition to Ethiopiaโs efforts to secure access to the Red Sea and called on Egypt to reassess its policy toward Ethiopia and shift from confrontation to cooperation. In a Zoom interview with ENA, Khalil said that Ethiopia, as a large landlocked country, has the sovereign right to gain access to the Red Sea. โEthiopia has the sovereign right to conclude agreements with countries to secure one or more outlets on the Red Sea, provided this is done peacefully, whether for fifty or one hundred years,โ he added. The analyst further questioned the reasons behind opposition to Ethiopiaโs access to the Red Sea, noting that Ethiopiaโs historical coastal presence had not been a source of harm to neighboring countries. Ethiopiaโs demands should therefore be addressed through cooperation and mutual interests rather than political confrontation and hostility. Khalil called for a meeting involving the countries bordering the Red Sea to discuss shared interests and reach regional understandings. The Egyptian analyst stressed the importance of replacing hostile competition with cooperation, emphasizing that peaceful agreements could provide a practical framework for addressing Ethiopiaโs maritime needs. According to him, some countries were willing to reach agreements with Ethiopia to provide maritime access, arguing that long-term arrangements could strengthen cooperation and stability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region. Furthermore, Khalil criticized Egyptโs historical position on the Eritrean issue, noting that Egypt, alongside other Arab countries, participated in supporting the Eritrean Liberation Front, which was established in Cairo in 1960. He argued that Eritreaโs independence in 1991 and Ethiopiaโs subsequent landlocked status necessitate a reassessment of the regional positions that contributed to this situation. The analyst described Egyptโs support for the Eritrean movement as a historical mistake that harmed relations that should have been based on cooperation between the two countries.
Technology
PM Abiy Stresses Investing in Meteorological Infrastructure, Data Systems Essential for Climate Resilience
Oct 13, 2026 9702
Addis Ababa, October 13, 2026 (ENA) โ Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed underscored that strengthening national institutions, upgrading technological capacity, and expanding data infrastructure at the Ethiopia Meteorology Institute are vital steps to enhancing the nationโs climate resilience and supporting key economic sectors. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited the Ethiopia Meteorology Institute, highlighting the long-standing institution's critical role in advancing national development and building climate resilience across the country. Following the visit, the Prime Minister noted that the engagement reaffirmed the necessity of continuous meteorological data collection, scientific research, and technological advancement to build national capacity in anticipating and responding to changing weather patterns and climate conditions. Highlighting the need for targeted institutional development, Prime Minister Abiy stated that strengthening institutions like the Ethiopia Meteorology Institute requires sustained investments in human capacity, modern technologies, and data infrastructure. He noted that these strategic investments are critical to improving the essential services on which key national sectorsโincluding agriculture, water resource management, public health, aviation, and disaster risk managementโheavily depend. The Prime Minister emphasized the crucial importance of early warning systems, noting their vital role in helping the nation anticipate risks, identify areas where interventions are most needed, and engage in a timely and effective manner. Reliable meteorological data, when translated into actionable information, saves lives, protects livelihoods, and supports better decision-making across all levels of governance. Prime Minister Abiy further observed that effective meteorological work extends far beyond satellite observation. He pointed out that it relies fundamentally on a robust, nationwide network of data collection stations and data centers where information is gathered, processed, and analyzed to inform timely, life-saving action.
Ethiopia Powers Future Growth with โDigital Ethiopia 2030โ Vision, Says DPM Temesgen
Oct 12, 2026 7746
Addis Ababa, October 12, 2026 (ENA) โDeputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh announced that Ethiopia is centering its long-term national prosperity on technology through the launch of the Digital Ethiopia 2030 vision. The announcement came as Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh officially launched Ethiopiaโs 7th National Cybersecurity Month under the theme โActive Citizen; Secured Country!โ Emphasizing that cybersecurity is inseparable from national security, he urged all Ethiopians to play an active role in safeguarding the countryโs digital future. In a statement posted on his X page, the DPM highlighted that the achievements of Digital Ethiopia 2025. The gains include expanded internet access, telecom liberalization, digital payment systems, and digitized public services, have established a solid foundation for the country's ongoing digital transformation, he noted. He commended the Information Network Security Administration (INSA) for its โunwavering, round-the-clock effortsโ in safeguarding Ethiopiaโs cyberspace. โCybersecurity is national security,โ DPM Temesgen wrote, emphasizing that protecting cyberspace is โabout defending our digital sovereignty, safeguarding our citizens, and securing the future of our nation.โ Stressing that cybersecurity cannot be left solely to government institutions, he framed digital defense as a collective duty. โAn active citizenry is the foundation of a secure nation,โ he said, adding, โtogether, we must protect our digital sovereignty, strengthen national security, and secure Ethiopiaโs digital future.โ
Ethiopia to Observe Seventh National Cybersecurity Month
Oct 9, 2026 12504
Addis Ababa, October 9, 2026 (ENA) โEthiopia is set to observe its seventh National Cybersecurity Month from October 11 to November 9, 2026. Announced by the Information Network Security Administration (INSA), the month-long initiative aims to raise public awareness of cyber threats and promote the safer use of digital technologies. The observance will be held under the theme โAn Active Citizen for a Secure Country,โ INSA officials announced during a press briefing. During the briefing, INSA Director-General Tigist Hamid noted that the rapid expansion of technology has been accompanied by a surge in cyberattacks targeting individuals, public and private institutions, and critical national infrastructure. She underscored the urgent need to build widespread cybersecurity awareness, enabling citizens and organizations to better understand threats and implement robust protective measures. A primary focus of this year's campaign will be online child protection, with targeted efforts to educate families and youth on the risks associated with internet use. Planned activities include youth-oriented competitions and discussion forums exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Reaffirming INSAโs commitment to safeguarding the nation's digital space, Tigist called for a collective, nationwide effort to strengthen cybersecurity resilience. She also urged both public and private sector organizations to mark the month by organizing employee awareness programs, emphasizing that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. INSA confirmed that all preparations for the successful rollout of the campaign are complete. Globally, the cybersecurity awareness observance is being marked for the 23rd time, and for the seventh consecutive year in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia Holds Strong Potential to Contribute to Africa's Digital Transformation: JICA Advisor
Oct 1, 2026 26843
Addis Ababa, October 1, 2026 (ENA)โ Ethiopia's growing technology talent and government support for the technology ecosystem are creating a strong potential for the country to contribute to Africa's digital transformation, said Takeshi Oikawa, Chief Advisor of a JICA project and Managing Director at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) East Africa. In an exclusive interview with ENA, Oikawa, who has been involved in Ethiopia's digital transformation alongside technology startups and the government, stated that the country's young, ambitious, and technology-savvy talent, combined with government efforts to build an enabling ecosystem, gives him strong confidence in Ethiopia's digital future. "I think that this young talent and government support, when combined, make me very optimistic about the digital transformation of Ethiopia," he said. He particularly cited the Ministry of Innovation and Technology's efforts to support startups through the Startup Act, including incentives, support, and coaching for young technology companies. Oikawa noted that Ethiopia's digital growth could also have wider benefits for Africa, considering the country's large population and economy, as well as its potential to provide technology and digital services to neighboring African countries. "Booming Ethiopia means booming Africa," he said, adding that Ethiopian technology talent could provide more relevant and customized services to other African countries, creating opportunities for Ethiopia to expand its service exports. He also commended Ethiopia's efforts to position itself as a Pan-African AI hub, highlighting the establishment of the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute and its mandate to drive the country's AI agenda. According to Oikawa, having a clearly mandated institution leading the AI agenda gives Ethiopia a strong foundation, while the country also needs to balance the opportunities created by AI with potential risks and safety concerns. He further pointed to opportunities for stronger technology cooperation between Japan and Ethiopia, particularly in AI and robotics. "Japan and Ethiopia can work together to advance the AI agenda," Oikawa said, noting Japan's experience in AI technology and robotics and the potential to combine the two fields. Oikawa praised Ethiopia's approach of establishing institutions with clear mandates to advance technology and AI while developing policies intended to enable private-sector players, including startups, to grow. He encouraged Ethiopia's technology and AI ecosystem to think beyond conventional development paths and take advantage of opportunities created by rapid technological change. His message to Ethiopia's technology and AI ecosystem was to "think out of the box," stressing that technological development is no longer necessarily linear and that countries can leapfrog stages of development. He also underscored the importance of simultaneously managing AI-related risks and unlocking the technology's opportunities.
Sport
WHO RC76 Participants โWalk the Talkโ in Addis Ababa, Championing Healthier Africa
Aug 23, 2026 122714
Addis Ababa, August 23, 2026 (ENA) โParticipants of the 76th Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa (RC76) joined a symbolic health walk on Sunday from the Adwa Victory Memorial to Meskel Square in Addis Ababa. The participants also turned the message of โWalk the Talkโ into action while promoting physical activity and healthier lifestyles across Africa. Ethiopiaโs Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba, African health ministers, senior government officials, WHO leaders and prominent athletes, including Ethiopian Athletics Federation President Commander Sileshi Sihine, took part in the event. The initiative sought to translate health policies and commitments into practical action by encouraging people to make regular physical activity part of their daily lives and strengthening public awareness about the prevention of non-communicable diseases. The walk began at the Adwa Victory Memorial, a landmark symbolizing Ethiopiaโs historic victory and African resistance to colonialism, and continued through Addis Ababaโs pedestrian routes before concluding at Meskel Square. Organizers emphasized that regular physical activity plays a vital role in reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, while contributing to healthier and more active communities. The event also highlighted Africaโs collective commitment to improving public health and demonstrated the importance of moving beyond policy discussions toward tangible, everyday health practices. The 76th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa from August 24 to 28, 2026, will bring together more than 600 delegates, including health ministers and senior officials from the WHO African Regionโs 47 member states, global health leaders, development partners, donors and WHO representatives. Over the five-day session, participants will assess progress toward regional health goals, deliberate on new strategies and resolutions. The session is also anticipated to identify collective actions to strengthen health systems, advance universal health coverage, enhance health security and improve emergency preparedness across the continent. The gathering is expected to serve as a major platform for African countries and global health partners to deepen continental health cooperation and advance practical solutions to Africaโs most pressing health challenges.
National Dialogue Conference to Address Root Causes of Differences through Consultation, Says ENDC Chief
Jul 12, 2026 132067
Addis Ababa, July 12, 2026 (ENA) โThe upcoming National Dialogue Conference will serve as a platform to resolve the issues underlying Ethiopia's longstanding differences through peaceful consultation, Chief Commissioner of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC) Professor Mesfin Araya, said. Speaking at a five-kilometer public race organized by the Commission at Meskel Square under the theme "Ethiopia is consulting" today, Professor Mesfin said the country has finalized all preparations for the landmark conference, which is scheduled to begin on July 15, 2026 in Addis Ababa. "The main national consultation conference will be a place where issues that are the source of our differences will be resolved through consultation," he said. According to the Chief Commissioner, delegates representing communities from every region, all woredas, Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, and Ethiopians living abroad have already arrived in the capital to participate in the conference. He said participants are expected to engage in inclusive and constructive discussions and work toward consensus on recommendations that offer lasting solutions to issues that have fueled differences among Ethiopians. Professor Mesfin described the conference as a historic opportunity to address national challenges through dialogue rather than confrontation. He also expressed appreciation to security institutions, federal and regional government bodies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders for their contributions in preparing for what he described as a significant stage in Ethiopia's national dialogue process. Participants in a five-kilometer race also expressed optimism that the conference would help strengthen national unity and foster lasting peace. "There is no problem that cannot be solved through consultation," participant Sherefa Ali said. "I believe the challenges that have persisted in Ethiopia for generations can be addressed through the main consultation conference." He added that such dialogue platforms help build trust between citizens and the government while creating opportunities to work together toward common national goals. Another participant, Gemechisa Waqgari, said the conference represents an important step toward reinforcing peace, unity, solidarity, and democratic values. Participant Tnisae Abebe also voiced hope that the conference would generate practical ideas to address the country's social and economic challenges. The National Dialogue Conference will deliberate on eight broad thematic areas identified during nationwide consultations. The agenda includes nation building, systems of government and governance, the political and electoral system, the status of the federal cities of Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa, religion and state relations, institution building, the rule of law and human rights, socio economic issues including the concerns of farmers and pastoralists, corruption and good governance, as well as peace building. The five kilometer race was attended by Deputy Chairperson of the House of Peoples' Representatives Standing Committee on Democratic Affairs Azmeraw Andemo, Professor Mesfin Araya, senior government officials, representatives of civil society organizations, and members of the public.
Diplomatic Football Participants Praise Ethiopiaโs Heritage and Hospitality
Jun 14, 2026 129773
Addis Ababa, June 14, 2026 (ENA) โParticipants in a diplomatic football event held in Addis Ababa have praised Ethiopiaโs cultural heritage, historical legacy and warm hospitality. The tournament, organized in anticipation of the 2026 World Cup, brought together diplomatic football teams and invited guests who later toured key historical and cultural sites in the city. The delegation visited the Ethiopian National Museum, the Adwa Victory Memorial and Addis Sport Park, gaining what many described as a deeper appreciation of Ethiopiaโs past and present development. Several participants said the experience reshaped their understanding of the country. Gordon Johnson, one of the participants, expressed admiration for what he witnessed during the visit. โThe people are so welcoming and friendly. I love the culture,โ he said. He further stated that: โWe had a tour of the museum, and the guide showed us hominid fossils recovered in the โ60s, โ70s, and โ90s that date back millions of years.โ Johnson said the experience reflected Ethiopiaโs deeper historical significance beyond modern perceptions. Cameroonian guest Loic Kovamo also said the visit challenged her previous perceptions of the country. โI am speechless because I didnโt picture Ethiopia like this. Itโs a very developed country, and the people are so proud of who they are,โ she said, noting, โIโm going back with a lot of pride as an African because I discovered the incredible courage and bravery of the Ethiopian people.โ Mark Hayes, one of the visitors, said his expectations were changed after arriving in Addis Ababa. โYou have a perception before you come, but itโs the complete opposite. Itโs an amazing country,โ he said, adding, โWhat we do now is go home and tell stories about how good Ethiopia is. I feel like a proud advocate.โ He further noted that he intends to share his experience in the United Kingdom, saying he would โeducate others in England about what he had seen in Addis Ababa.โ Joseph Kirule, who works with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Addis Ababa, highlighted the importance of the historical sites visited. โToday we saw different milestones in human civilization that originated here,โ he said, adding, โMost importantly, we learned about the Adwa victory. That is a massive milestone that raises our prestige as Africans.โ
Ethiopian Airlines Rises as Africaโs Leading Carrier After Decades of Expansion, Success, Says CEO
May 17, 2026 135916
Addis Ababa, May 17, 2026 โEthiopian Airlines has solidified its position as Africaโs largest and leading airline after years of sustained growth and operational success, the airlineโs Group Chief Executive Officer, Mesfin Tasew, said on Sunday. The remarks were made during an 8-kilometer street race organized as part of celebrations marking the airlineโs 80th anniversary. Speaking at the event, CEO Mesfin reflected on the airlineโs humble beginnings in 1946, when it launched operations with only a small fleet of aircraft. Since then, he said, the carrier has expanded significantly and now operates one of the continentโs most modern fleets, including advanced aircraft from Boeing and Airbus. According to Tasew, the airline currently serves more than 145 international destinations worldwide and has achieved strong growth across multiple sectors, including cargo transportation, aviation training through the Ethiopian Aviation Academy, and other aviation-related services. He further said the airlineโs operational strength and long-term strategic investments have helped make it one of the most preferred carriers in Africa and a major player in the global aviation industry. As part of commemorating its eight decades of operations, Ethiopian Airlines is holding a series of celebratory events, including the street race, panel discussions, exhibitions, and community outreach programs. The anniversary run attracted senior officials, including Sileshi Sihine, President of the Ethiopian Athletics Federation, alongside airline executives and invited guests. The race began at Pushkin Square, commonly known as Sar Bet, and is set to conclude at Bole International Airport. Athletes, airline employees, members of the sporting community, and participants from various institutions are taking part in the event.
Environment
Ethiopia Targets 74.3 Percent Cut in Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2030 : Minister of Energy and Water
Oct 13, 2026 8550
Addis Ababa, October 13, 2026 (ENA) โ Ethiopia has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 74.3 percent by 2030, compared with the business-as-usual scenario, Minister of Water and Energy Habtamu Itefa said, highlighting the countryโs climate action efforts despite mounting environmental challenges. Speaking at the 65th session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which opened in Addis Ababa on October 12, the minister said Ethiopia was pursuing the ambitious target through renewable energy expansion, large-scale tree planting and the restoration of degraded landscapes. โThroughout national and international contribution, Ethiopia has committed to highly ambitious 74.3 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, relative to the business-as-usual scenario,โ Habtamu said. Ethiopia was already experiencing the severe consequences of climate change, including erratic rainfall, recurrent droughts and devastating floods , he elaborated. โEthiopia is living in the front lines of the global climate crisis,โ the minister elaborated, noting that anthropogenic climate change had seriously disrupted the countryโs natural balance. The shifting rainfall patterns and increasingly frequent extreme weather events were affecting agriculture, water availability and energy production, he stated. โRecurrent droughts lead to tragic crop failures and the loss of livestock,โ he added. However, he stressed that Ethiopia was taking concrete measures to address the crisis rather than merely bearing its consequences. According to him, the government had made the Climate-Resilient Green Economy strategy a cornerstone of national policy and was expanding renewable energy production through hydropower, wind and solar power. Ethiopia is also extending its clean electricity grid to neighboring countries to support Africaโs energy transition. The minister also highlighted the Green Legacy Initiative, which he said had contributed to expanding forest cover and restoring degraded landscapes. โI am incredibly proud to share that to date, we have planted more than 56 billion trees across the country,โ he said. He added that Ethiopiaโs forest cover had increased from 17.2 percent to 23.6 percent. โThis is not just about planting trees, it is about restoring degraded water bodies, improving soil fertility, and raising better life.โ He emphasized that Ethiopiaโs climate ambitions were grounded in scientific evidence, pointing to the countryโs engagement with the IPCC and the use of its methodologies in preparing national greenhouse gas inventories. He said the findings of the IPCC should inform national development strategies and strengthen climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. IPCC Chair Jim Skea praised the Ethiopian government and the city of Addis Ababa, stating that they have done a tremendous job preparing for this important meeting, and expressed gratitude for their kind welcome and hospitality. Ethiopia has strongly supported the IPCC's scientific work, and Jim Skea underlined that he is proud to see Ethiopian scientists engaged in all three working group contributions to the second assessment report. The Director General of the Ethiopian Meteorological Institute (EMI), Fetene Teshome, said that African countries contribute the least to global greenhouse gas emissions, yet the region remains among the most vulnerable to climate variability and climate change. This reality highlights the urgent need for stronger adaptation, improved resilience, and greater access to climate services that support informed decision-making at all levels, he stressed. Therefore, Fetene said, in this regard, the work of the IPCC is indispensable. The scientific assessments prepared by the IPCC provide the foundation upon which governments, development partners, researchers, and communities can understand climate risks and identify effective responses. The credibility, transparency, and rigor of the IPCC process continue to guide global climate action and inspire confidence in climate science.
Humanitarian Assistance Being Transported to Needy in Afar Region
Oct 10, 2026 12788
Addis Ababa, October 10, 2026 (ENA)โThe Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission announced that it is delivering humanitarian aid to people requiring assistance in the Afar Region due to the impacts of climate change. The commission further stated that emergency humanitarian aid is currently being transported to the Afar Region from the central grain warehouse in Adama. While regional states are working hard to respond to natural and man-made disasters using their own resources, the commission is also providing additional humanitarian aid to priority areas, it said. Accordingly, the commission disclosed that it is delivering humanitarian aid to those requiring top-priority assistance in the Afar Region. While the Afar Regional State continues providing assistance and monitoring efforts within its capacity, the commission is also providing close support and oversight. Vehicles loaded with humanitarian aid from the Adama reserve warehouse have departed for the Afar Region, it was learned.
UN, African Forestry Experts Describe Ethiopiaโs GLI Continental Benchmark
Oct 7, 2026 16086
Addis Ababa, October 7, 2026 (ENA)โ United Nations (UN) and African forestry experts have praised Ethiopiaโs Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) as a leading model of large-scale environmental restoration in Africa. The experts also emphasized that its science-based policies and agroforestry are essential to sustaining its gains and improving community livelihoods. Juliette Biao, Director of the Secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), described the Green Legacy Initiative as a highly ambitious undertaking and emphasized the importance of drawing lessons from past experiences to ensure its long-term success. โThe Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) is a good ambition, but what we cannot afford is to repeat the mistakes of the past. If we can learn lessons from the past, I think that will be wonderful not only for Ethiopia, but for the world,โ Biao said. Biao recalled her earlier involvement in the initiative, noting that she was Regional Director for Africa at the United Nations Environment Programme when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched the Green Legacy Initiative in 2019. โAs a matter of fact, I was the Regional Director for Africa at the United Nations Environment Programme when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched the initiative in 2019, and we provided our support,โ she said. She also highlighted Africaโs efforts to strengthen the link between scientific knowledge and policymaking, particularly through its hosting of the first Science Policy Information Network (SPIN) for Africa regional dialogue on forestry. โWhat will be really recommendable is to take the outcomes of SPIN Africa and customize them to the Ethiopian context,โ She said. Biao stressed that tree planting should form part of a broader land restoration strategy, cautioning that planting trees alone would not be sufficient to reverse land degradation. โI am sure that the GLI will succeed. However, what we must learn from the past is that simply planting trees for the sake of planting trees can never reverse land degradation,โ she said. She recommended greater use of agroforestry, which can combine environmental restoration with economic opportunities for rural communities. Such an approach, she said, can enable communities to benefit from restored landscapes while contributing to forest conservation and land rehabilitation. Ethiopiaโs GLI has increasingly incorporated economically valuable crops and trees, including avocado, mango, apple and papaya, alongside coffee and other agricultural activities. This approach has strengthened the connection between environmental restoration, food production and household incomes. Doris Mutta, a forest scientist and Senior Program Officer at the African Forest Forum (AFF), similarly described Ethiopiaโs GLI as one of Africaโs prominent examples of large-scale environmental restoration. โWe noted that a lot of mobilization has been done to generate seedlings and to plant millions of seedlings. There has been a clear improvement in forest cover because of this initiative, which is very positive,โ Mutta said. She said Ethiopiaโs experience could offer valuable lessons to other African countries pursuing ambitious programs to restore degraded landscapes, expand forest cover and strengthen climate resilience. โFor Africa, the Green Legacy Initiative is one of the flagship projects that we are monitoring very closely through the SPIN for Africa,โ she said. The first SPIN Africa Regional Science Policy Dialogue on forestry, hosted by Ethiopia, brought together policymakers, scientists and forestry experts to strengthen the integration of scientific evidence into forest management and restoration policies. The expertsโ assessment underscores the growing significance of Ethiopiaโs Green Legacy Initiative beyond its national environmental objectives. With continued emphasis on science-based restoration, agroforestry and community participation, the initiative could provide practical lessons for African countries seeking to advance forest restoration while strengthening food production, livelihoods and climate resilience. Over the past eight years of planting campaigns, communities, institutions and technical experts have planted 56 billion trees and agroforestry seedlings across different ecological zones.
First SPIN Africa Dialogue Fosters Communication Between Policymakers, Scientists
Oct 5, 2026 16377
Addis Ababa, October 5, 2026 (ENA)โ The first Science Policy Information Network (SPIN) Africa Regional Science-Policy Dialogue on forestry, held in Addis Ababa, enables to establish clear, frictionless communication channels between policymakers and the scientific community. The dialogue was jointly organized with the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) and Science Policy Information Network (SPIN) Africa. The dialogue brought together representatives from seven different African countries. The event marked the first in person discussion forum of the SPIN Africa network in Addis Ababa. Established in 2024 during a workshop in Sweden, the network had previously conducted its activities mainly through virtual meetings. The dialogue seeks to make forestry research across Africa more connected, accessible and responsive to policy needs, while strengthening collaboration among forestry research institutions across different regions of the continent. IUFRO President Professor Daniela Kleinschmit said the dialogue provides an opportunity for scientists and policymakers to better understand each other's needs and expectations. โWe aim to discuss between science and policy to better understand each other, to better understand the needs and demands of policies for sciences, and to tell as well what science can offer and what kind of research results we have,โ she said. Kleinschmit also emphasized the importance of stronger regional partnerships among scientific institutions. โWe need to partner up a bit better in the future; if we partner up in a region as well, it becomes much easier,โ she said, noting that bringing together scientific institutions from across a region can help generate common knowledge and shared solutions rather than relying on individual countries or institutions. She added that policymakers in different African countries often face similar challenges and have common development objectives, making regional scientific cooperation particularly important. Wubalem Tadesse, SPIN Africa Core Group Chair, said the network serves as a bridge between forestry researchers and policymakers by helping translate research findings into information that can support policy decisions. He said the network also enables researchers to identify practical challenges facing different countries and conduct research that responds directly to those needs. The initiative aims to connect forestry research across regions, improve access to scientific knowledge and build a stronger continent-wide network of forestry research activities. Damene Darota, Deputy Director General of Ethiopian Forestry Development (EFD), said Ethiopia has established an institutional framework intended to narrow the longstanding gap between scientific research and practical implementation. โEthiopian Forestry Development was established with a specialized structural framework designed to bridge the historic divide between scientific research and operational execution,โ Darota said. He explained that research priorities within EFD are directly linked to practical challenges identified in the field. โWithin EFD, scientific research agendas are directly generated from practical development needs encountered in the field. Research questions are not defined in isolation; they are dictated by live challenges in landscape restoration, tree propagation, disease resistance, value chain development, and community based management,โ he said. Darota said Ethiopia's experience could provide a practical example of how stronger links between science, policy and implementation can support environmental restoration. โWe hope that this institutional synergy provides a practical model for how science policy interfaces can function smoothly within national public administrations,โ he said. He noted that Ethiopia's efforts in evidence-based landscape restoration are reflected in national environmental indicators and restoration activities. Ethiopia has historically faced significant challenges from land degradation, deforestation and climate variability. Over the past decade, the country has sought to strengthen natural resource governance through nationwide environmental initiatives, including the Green Legacy Initiative launched in 2019. According to the figures presented at the dialogue, Ethiopia's forest cover has increased to 23.6 percent, covering more than 26 million hectares. Over the past eight years of planting campaigns, communities, institutions and technical experts have planted 56 billion trees and agroforestry seedlings across different ecological zones, according to EFD. โThese achievements demonstrate that when political leadership, institutional integration, scientific backing, and community ownership align, a lot can be done in environmental recovery,โ Darota said. Juliette Biao, Secretariat Director of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), underscored the importance of strengthening communication between scientists and policymakers, particularly in translating scientific knowledge into effective forest landscape restoration. She said scientists and policymakers have historically faced difficulties in communicating in ways that enable research findings to be effectively translated into successful forest restoration projects. According to Biao, the SPIN Africa dialogue provides an important platform for addressing this gap by fostering collaboration between researchers and policymakers and strengthening the connection between scientific evidence and practical policy implementation. โWhat we really want to see going forward: first, we expect to establish clear and frictionless communication channels between policymakers and the scientific community,โ Biao said. The organizers said the dialogue is expected to contribute to a stronger Africa wide science policy network capable of supporting evidence-based forestry policies, regional cooperation and sustainable management of the continent's forest resources.
Feature Article
From Sinai to the Nile: Egypt Cannot Demand Peace from Israel While Threatening War Against Ethiopia
Oct 16, 2026 3151
By Professor Al Mariam (Emeritus & Attorney at Law) October 16, 2026 (ENA) (๐๐ก๐๐ญโ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ ๐จ๐จ๐ฌ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ.) On October 14, 2026, President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi responded to warnings made by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that Egypt would lose its Sinai Peninsula should it attack Israel. El-Sisi asserted that his country had struggled for its land, that it had no plans to annex any territory and that it wanted only security and stability. ๐๐ฅ-๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ขโ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐๐ข๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ก๐๐ฏ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ง๐จ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง ๐จ๐ซ๐๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ข๐ซ ๐จ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฌ, ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ, ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ. Ethiopia has never made threats of any kind to occupy or attack Egyptian territory. The building and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in the Blue Nile is a development project in Ethiopia completed in September 2025 with the blood sweat and tears of Ethiopians. The controversy over the GERD is simply about filling and operating the dam, water security downstream, and lack of a shared agreement for cooperationโnot Ethiopiaโs claim over any Egyptian territory. Ethiopia has never denied Egypt's right to the waters of the Nile River under international law. Ethiopia also has an unquestioned sovereign right to develop its water resources and produce hydroelectric power for its economy consistent with the 1997 UN Watercourses Convention, which mandates riparian countries to make equitable and reasonable use of shared water resources and cause no significant harm in doing so. In much the same way as El Sisi communicated to Israel, he should send a similar message of peaceful coexistence to Ethiopia: โEgypt does not want war with Ethiopia. Egypt has no territorial designs on Ethiopia. Egypt respects the sovereignty of Ethiopia, and it expects the same from Ethiopia. Egypt does not and will not support any terror groups or countries that sponsor terror groups to commit terrorism in Ethiopia, covertly provide them with arms and other military equipment under cover of night or otherwise. Differences between the two countries must be settled through negotiations, international law, technological cooperation, and security assurances to each other.โ Indeed, this is the standard by which Egypt must deal with Israel, Ethiopia, and all other countries in the Horn of Africa. Three principles in President El-Sisiโs statement should be highlighted. First, he believes that Sinai belongs to Egypt and that its territorial integrity should be preserved. Second, he affirms Egypt wants to defend its territory, not to annex someone else's land. Third, Egypt's national security does not need to compromise the sovereignty of some other state. These three principles apply equally to Ethiopia. ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐๐๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐ฌ๐ซ๐๐๐ฅ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ง ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐'๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ฆ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐๐ง ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ฌ ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐๐๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง. ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐จ๐๐๐ญ๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ง ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐ง๐๐ ๐จ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ซ๐ข๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ก๐จ๐จ๐, ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐๐๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐, ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ง, ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ. Ethiopia does not deny Nile waters are essential to Egyptian agriculture, drinking-water supply, industry, and national economy. The fact remains Egypt is heavily dependent on the Nile River, while Ethiopia is the principal source of the Blue Nile's headwaters; 86 percent of Nile waters originate in Ethiopia. Egypt's security concerns do not confer a veto over Ethiopia's development. These geographical facts establish a shared need for economic cooperation, not an exclusive right for Egypt to determine how Ethiopia develops its water resources. GERD is Ethiopiaโs source of energy to produce electricity and propel its economic development. The major concern that the GERD can impact the scheduling of the water discharge from its reservoir during drought periods can be addressed in a transparent process of information exchange, coordinated operation of the dam, rigorous dam safety regime, and joint drought management system. In January 2020, in a joint statement by Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, the United States, and the World Bank, certain areas of agreement were defined, including the staged filling of the reservoir, drought management, the long-term operation of the dam, coordination, information exchange, and dispute resolution. ๐๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ง ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง. ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ง ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฃ๐จ๐ซ ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ. ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐จ๐๐ฌ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ฑ๐๐ ๐จ๐ง ๐ ๐ฌ๐ก๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐ ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐ค ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐จ๐ง๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ. ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ ๐ฐ๐๐๐ค ๐ฉ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ฅ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ข๐ณ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐ข๐ ๐ง ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐. ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ ๐จ๐ โ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆโ ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ง-๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ, ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฏ๐ข๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐ฅ๐๐ฐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐ฌ. Ethiopia continues to stand firm in its commitment to assert its right to development and ensure that its rightful use of shared water resources is recognized. The Declaration of Principles 2015 between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan and principles of international watercourse law provide a solution framework. The principles set forth by the Declaration and the Watercourses are that the waters of the Nile may be used in a just and reasonable manner through cooperation and due diligence not to cause any damage to other states. The important point is that the right to water security of the downstream state is not equivalent to an unlimited right to control upstream water resources. Neither can upstream sovereignty mean that the downstream consequences can just be disregarded. The way out of this deadlock is negotiation of rules that are practical, evidence-based, and reciprocal. Egyptian threats and rumors of war against Ethiopia over the Nile ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ ๐จ๐ง ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ซ ๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค. ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ง ๐ซ๐ก๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐, ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ, ๐๐ง๐ ๐ซ๐๐ ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐ญ๐. ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ญ๐ฐ๐๐๐ง ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐๐๐ญ, ๐ ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ, ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ง ๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ. ๐๐ก๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐๐ค๐ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญโ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ก๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐ซ๐ก๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฅ๐ฒ. In 1979, President Anwar Sadat warned that Egypt would not passively accept a threat to its water supply. He dramatically declared, "If Ethiopia takes any action to block our right to the Nile water, there will be no alternative but for us to use force." In 2013, President Mohamed Morsi at a televised meeting proclaimed Egypt would support militant forces in Ethiopia and even attack the dam. Over the past seven years, President El-Sisi has warned that tampering with Egypt's Nile water security is its red line, and that the consequences would affect all of the region. Not to appear overly aggressive, El-Sisi has also been speaking with forked tongue that he would prefer diplomacy than not military force, and that Egypt acknowledges the right of Ethiopia to produce power, provided Egypt's water security remains intact. Using Egyptian military power against Ethiopia is not an option. The defeats that Egypt suffered when its forces invaded Ethiopia in the nineteenth century should serve as a lesson not to use military force. In the past, the Egyptian military has launched campaigns to increase Egyptian influence in the Horn of Africa, which includes the Red Sea and the Ethiopian Highlands. History teaches that using military action against Ethiopia will not make Egypt the dominant country or guarantee its exclusive use of Nile waters or solve disputes between the two countries for a lasting peace. The Khedive of Egypt, Ismail Pasha, undertook an invasion of the Ethiopian Empire through military means in the years 1874 and 1876 with the aim of taking control of the whole Nile River Basin to build an empire in Africa. In the Battle of Gundet (1875), Ethiopian forces crushed Egyptian forces. A well-known scholar observed, โEgyptian armies, often with European and American officers, were defeated and practically annihilated by Ethiopian forces led by the Emperor Yohannes on several occasions.โ In the Battle of Gura (1876), Ethiopian forces routed invading Egyptian forces. One scholar noted, โGura, fought six months later [Gundet], confirms the superior capabilities of the Ethiopian military.โ Another noted, โYohannes met the Egyptians in Hamasien and defeated them decisively at Gura in a three daysโ battle, 7โ9 March 1876.โ In the Battle of Adwa against colonial Italy which took place on March 1, 1896, Ethiopian wiped out a highly armed modern European army within just a few hours. A highly regarded contemporary historian wrote, "Unlike Napoleonโs Russian campaign, the Adwa campaign ended in victory. This is greatness." ๐๐ก๐ ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐จ๐ง ๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ก๐ข๐๐ก ๐ฐ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ญ๐จ ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐๐ฆ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ. ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ซ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐จ๐๐ฌ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ข๐๐ฏ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐ข๐ ๐จ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฌ. ๐๐ก๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐ฅ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐๐ญ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ง๐ฒ ๐ง๐๐ฐ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐, ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ฆ๐. It is not a stretch of the imagination to compare Israelโs wars with Egyptโs nineteenth-century campaigns against Ethiopia. During the June 1967 Six-Day War, Egypt was defeated by Israel and its Arab allies. The collapse of the Egyptian army took place in Sinai, and Israel captured the Sinai Peninsula. During the October War of 1973, Egypt won early victories in crossing the Suez Canal and penetrating the defenses of Israel in Sinai. Israel retaliated, crossed the Suez Canal and surrounded Egyptโs Third Army. Sinai was finally reclaimed diplomatically by Egypt, after the signing of the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty, when Israel withdrew from Sinai in 1982. The strategic significance and political implications of this war is that it allowed Egypt to reclaim Sinai through diplomacy and the 1979 peace agreement. ๐๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐, ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐จ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง. ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐๐ค ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ข ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฆ๐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ. ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐๐ฌ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ฎ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ฌ๐ซ๐๐๐ฅ. Military action against Ethiopia will neither lead to Egyptian domination over the Nile, ensure the safety of Egyptโs water supply nor force Ethiopia to become a colonial/client state. ๐๐๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐, ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ฅ-๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐๐ฑ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ซ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐ฐ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ. ๐๐ง๐๐๐๐, ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐
๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค ๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ฐ๐ก๐ข๐๐ก ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง ๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ง-๐ฐ๐ข๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐. The Nile River does not have to be an obstacle between Ethiopia and Egypt; rather, it should become the link between the two nations. Being united by many factors in common such as the history of the river and economics, the two nations should join hands to turn the Nile water into an engine of peace and prosperity. Ethiopia will never be threatened or intimidated militarily by Egypt in its lawful use of the Nile. Certainly, Ethiopia has no intention or desire to threaten or destabilize Egypt or use military means to dictate the way Egypt develops itself. The events involving Gundet and Gura show that Ethiopia will not be intimidated to give up its sovereignty. The events surrounding the Arab-Israeli war show that victory and defeat on the battlefield will not necessarily resolve the political problems involved. The return of Sinai shows the benefit of diplomacy and agreements. A true victory is one that preserves peace and the sovereignty of a nation. The history of Ethiopians indicates that they have always been strong and united in the defense of their homeland. Whether it was the Battle of Gundet and Gura or the Battle of Adwa, the Ethiopian people showed their capability of organizing their troops and using difficult terrains in order to repel their enemies. The defense of Ethiopia against the invasion of Somalia in 1977-1978 gives one more example of the ability of Ethiopian to resist and repel invaders. One lesson that can be learned from these battles is that when the sovereignty of Ethiopia has ever been challenged, then its people have always shown great determination, resilience and ability to defend their land. This glorious tradition is part of every Ethiopian, but the most important lesson that this tradition teaches us is that the greatest victory is that which is won without any battle. But if the battle becomes inevitable, then every Ethiopian is willing to fight for his motherland, making the Ethiopian National Defense Force invincible. What to do? Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan should commit to non-aggression โ pledging not to threaten or use force against one another in violation of the UN Charter, not to support terrorism against each other and to refrain from doing anything that destabilizes the region. The three countries should establish practical arrangements for sharing information, ensuring dam safety, mitigating drought risks, and coordinating reservoir operations. It is important to ensure Ethiopiaโs rights to manage its water resources fairly and reasonably, while taking into account the concerns of the downstream nations. Technical differences can be sorted out by negotiations and consultations. Moreover, regular military communications and dialogue under the guidance of the African Union should be held and issues addressed in good faith and good will. ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ'๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ฆ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ, ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ซ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ซ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฌ. ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ค๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐ง๐๐ ๐จ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐๐ญ๐ฐ๐๐๐ง ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฌ๐ซ๐๐๐ฅ, ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ซ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ. ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ; ๐ข๐ญ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ฐ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐ง๐๐ข๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ฐ๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ง๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐๐จ๐ซ. ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ง ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐๐จ๐ฑ โ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ข๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ฒโ ๐ข๐ง ๐ฆ๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ฌ๐๐ฒ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐ง๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ง ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ฌ๐ซ๐๐๐ฅ ๐ฐ๐ก๐๐ง ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐๐ง ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐ฐ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ. ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ฅ-๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐ ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ: ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐๐ฌ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ง๐ฒ ๐จ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ. ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ ๐๐จ๐๐ฌ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐๐ฅ ๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐จ๐ซ๐๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฉ. ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง, ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐จ๐ง; ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ, ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ฌ; ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ, ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ง๐ข๐ฆ๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ. ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฒ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ง๐๐๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ โ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ญ๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฐ๐ก๐ข๐๐ก ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ซ๐ก๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ฅ๐. ๐๐๐ญโ๐ฌ ๐ฃ๐จ๐ข๐ง ๐ก๐๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐ซ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ค๐ ๐๐๐๐ก ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐!
Ethiopiaโs New Political Chapter: Sovereign Sea Access at the Heart of National Ambition
Oct 15, 2026 5810
By Staff Writer October 15, 2026 (ENA) Ethiopiaโs new five-year political chapter opens with a defining national ambition: building a peaceful, democratic and prosperous state while pursuing sovereign access to the sea. Under the Medemer Government, the government is highly anticipated to translating its electoral mandate into tangible improvements in citizensโ lives while strengthening Ethiopiaโs strategic position in the Horn of Africa. At the heart of this agenda lies Ethiopiaโs sovereign sea access aspiration. As one of the worldโs most populous landlocked countries, Ethiopia has a compelling economic interest in reliable access to maritime trade. Securing such access through mutually beneficial arrangements could ease logistical constraints, improve export competitiveness, attract investment and deepen regional economic integration. Yet, maritime access is part of a broader national transformation. The success of Ethiopiaโs new political chapter will depend equally on consolidating peace, strengthening democratic institutions, advancing national reconciliation and building an inclusive economy. The Medemer philosophy, which emphasizes cooperation, synergy and collective progress, offers a framework for pursuing these priorities. Its credibility will ultimately rest on the governmentโs ability to translate political commitments into measurable results. Ethiopiaโs domestic progress also carries regional significance. As host of the African Union headquarters and a major political and economic actor in the Horn of Africa, the country has both a strategic interest in regional stability and an opportunity to contribute to it. A stronger Ethiopia, supported by trusted institutions and a resilient economy, would be better positioned to advance its national interests while promoting peace and cooperation across the region. Sovereign Sea Access: A Strategic National Priority For Ethiopia, access to the sea is more than a question of geography. It is closely connected to security, trade, economic competitiveness, national development and long-term strategic interests. Dependence on external maritime corridors exposes the countryโs economy to transport costs, logistical bottlenecks and disruptions in international trade. Reliable and diversified access to maritime infrastructure could help Ethiopian businesses reach international markets more efficiently, strengthen supply chains and improve the competitiveness of exports. Ethiopia must be an integral part of the Red Sea security architecture. As a major regional actor with longstanding contributions to peacekeeping under the United Nations and peace and security efforts across the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia has a compelling strategic interest in the security of this vital maritime corridor and a meaningful contribution to make. Excluding a country of Ethiopiaโs regional significance from decisions affecting Red Sea security would leave a critical stakeholder outside a process with direct implications for its economic and national interests. Ethiopia should therefore have a meaningful seat at the table, enabling it to contribute to maritime security, protect international shipping, strengthen regional stability and help safeguard one of the worldโs most strategically important waterways. Ultimately, the measure of progress will be whether Ethiopia can expand its maritime options, reduce trade constraints and strengthen its economic resilience while contributing to stability across the Horn of Africa. National Unity as Foundation of Strategic Ambition No national ambition can be sustained without internal stability and a shared sense of purpose. Ethiopiaโs new political chapter must therefore begin with the responsibility to strengthen national unity, address longstanding grievances and rebuild public confidence. The countryโs cultural diversity, complex history and competing political interests make inclusive state building essential. Unity cannot be achieved through declarations alone. It requires equal citizenship, constitutional protection, fair access to opportunities and institutions capable of managing disagreements peacefully. The Medemer approach can help create common ground among political parties, government institutions, civil society organizations, religious institutions, traditional leaders and communities. The national dialogue process offers an opportunity to address historical grievances, identify shared interests and build a stronger foundation for consensus. For this process to succeed, participation must be meaningful, diverse perspectives must be heard, and recommendations must inform practical reforms. National reconciliation should not be reduced to a political slogan; it must produce greater trust, improved relations among communities and more effective mechanisms for resolving disputes. Democratic Institutions: Turning the Mandate into Public Trust The durability of Ethiopiaโs political transition will depend heavily on the performance of its democratic institutions. Parliament, the judiciary, electoral bodies and executive institutions must operate within their constitutional mandates and provide effective mechanisms for accountability. The House of Peoplesโ Representatives has a responsibility not only to enact legislation but also to scrutinize government performance, examine public expenditure and ensure that national policies respond to citizensโ needs. Effective parliamentary oversight can help identify implementation gaps, improve public spending and strengthen accountability. An independent and accessible judiciary is equally important. Citizens must be able to seek remedies when their rights are violated, while disputes should be resolved through impartial legal procedures. Consistent application of the law would reinforce equal protection and improve confidence in public institutions. Political parties also have a responsibility to strengthen democratic practices by presenting credible policy alternatives, engaging in constructive debate and respecting constitutional procedures. The government, in turn, must protect lawful political participation, civic engagement and public criticism. Combating corruption, reducing administrative inefficiency and improving public services are equally important. Transparent procurement, responsible financial management and accessible complaint mechanisms would help ensure that public resources serve their intended purposes. These reforms are directly connected to Ethiopiaโs broader strategic ambitions. Predictable institutions and accountable governance can strengthen investor confidence, improve the business environment and support the effective implementation of infrastructure and development projects. A government that earns public trust at home is also better positioned to build credible partnerships abroad. Democratic accountability is therefore not separate from national strategy; it is one of the foundations on which sustainable national progress depends. Economic Transformation and Building the Capacity for Sovereignty Ethiopiaโs pursuit of sea access must be supported by an economy capable of turning improved connectivity into prosperity. Access to ports and international markets can create opportunities, but the benefits will depend on domestic productivity, competitive industries and the capacity to generate value. In this regard, Ethiopiaโs โMade in Ethiopiaโ industrial movement is playing an important role in strengthening domestic production, advancing import substitution and expanding the countryโs manufacturing capacity. By encouraging local industries to produce goods previously sourced from abroad, the initiative supports economic self-reliance, reduces import dependence and creates opportunities for domestic investment and job creation. Agriculture remains central to Ethiopiaโs food security and economy. Under the Medemer philosophy, the country has made notable progress, particularly in wheat production. Expanding irrigation, mechanization, research and agro-processing can further boost productivity, reduce climate vulnerability and increase farmersโ incomes. Industrialization, manufacturing and digital transformation are equally vital to diversifying exports, creating jobs and strengthening domestic production. Reliable power, efficient logistics, access to finance and a skilled workforce will be essential to building competitive businesses. Improved maritime connectivity could lower trade barriers and connect Ethiopian producers to global markets, while stronger domestic industries would help the country capture greater value from international trade. Horn of Africa and Red Sea Region Cooperation for Shared Prosperity Ethiopiaโs national future is closely connected to developments across the Horn of Africa. Conflict, displacement, food insecurity and climate pressures frequently cross borders, while political tensions can disrupt trade and threaten the livelihoods of border communities. The pursuit of sea access must therefore be approached within a wider framework of regional cooperation. Ethiopiaโs strategic and economic interests must be connected to the Red Sea coast in the near future for mutual benefits. Port operations, transport corridors, logistics services and cross-border infrastructure can create commercial opportunities for participating countries. Improved connectivity can strengthen regional supply chains, expand markets and encourage investment in transport, manufacturing and trade-related services. A more stable and connected Horn of Africa would benefit Ethiopiaโs maritime aspirations while supporting the development priorities of its neighbors. Ethiopiaโs regional influence will therefore depend not only on the scale of its ambitions but also on its ability to build trust, sustain dialogue and demonstrate that cooperation can deliver tangible benefits. Climate Resilience and Water Security on Nile River Equally important to Ethiopiaโs ambition for sovereign sea access, the new Medemer Government must maximize the development potential of the Abay (Blue Nile) River by advancing additional hydropower and irrigation projects. Harnessing this strategic resource is vital to expanding electricity generation, strengthening food security and accelerating economic transformation. Climate resilience remains central to this ambition. Droughts, floods and shifting rainfall patterns threaten agriculture, water supplies, infrastructure and livelihoods across the Horn of Africa. Ethiopiaโs investment in hydropower and irrigation must therefore go hand in hand with sustainable water management, environmental protection and climate adaptation. For Ethiopia, maximizing the Abay Riverโs potential is not merely an energy or irrigation priority; it is a strategic pillar of economic sovereignty, food security and long-term national development. Youth and Women: Expanding the Foundations of National Progress Ethiopiaโs young population represents a major opportunity for economic growth, innovation and national renewal. Realizing this potential requires more than expanding education; it demands relevant skills, productive employment, entrepreneurship and meaningful participation in public life. Limited employment opportunities can deepen frustration, particularly when young people feel excluded from decisions affecting their future. Investment in technical and vocational education, digital skills and employment-intensive sectors would help connect education with the needs of the economy. Stronger links between schools, universities, training institutions and employers could improve the transition from education to employment. Support for entrepreneurship and small businesses could also enable young people to turn their skills and ideas into productive economic activity. Youth participation is equally important in national reconciliation, community development and public debate. Providing meaningful opportunities for young people to contribute to public affairs would strengthen social cohesion and ensure that national policies respond to their priorities. Womenโs participation is another essential component of inclusive development. Expanding access to education, employment, finance, public services and leadership would allow more citizens to contribute to national progress and strengthen household welfare. These investments have strategic significance. A skilled, productive and economically empowered population would strengthen domestic industries, improve export competitiveness and help Ethiopia benefit from expanded regional and international trade. National ambition becomes more sustainable when citizens have a genuine stake in its realization. Empowering young people and women is therefore not simply a social objective; it is an investment in Ethiopiaโs productive capacity, stability and long-term prosperity. From National Ambition to Measurable Results The credibility of Ethiopiaโs new political chapter will ultimately depend on implementation. The government must translate its priorities into clear targets, allocate resources according to national needs and establish mechanisms for assessing progress. Security, employment, public service delivery, institutional accountability and economic resilience should be central measures of performance. Public reporting would enable citizens to evaluate government commitments and identify areas requiring corrective action. Federal and regional authorities must coordinate their responsibilities while respecting constitutional mandates and local circumstances. Consultation with communities, businesses, professional associations and civil society can improve decision-making and help identify emerging problems. Efficient public financial management, stronger procurement systems and effective anti-corruption measures would help ensure that limited resources deliver meaningful results. The government must also balance long-term infrastructure investments with immediate public needs. Citizens expect improved access to health care, education, affordable food, employment and personal security. Progress in these areas will shape public confidence in the administration. Strategic ambitions and domestic responsibilities should reinforce each other. Maritime access can expand economic opportunities and its full value should depend on productive industries, capable institutions, skilled workers and a stable political environment. The ultimate test is whether national policies improve the lives of citizens while strengthening Ethiopiaโs ability to pursue its interests through peaceful and constructive engagement. All in all, Ethiopiaโs new five-year political chapter presents an opportunity to strengthen the foundations of a peaceful, democratic and prosperous state. Its success will depend on the governmentโs ability to translate its electoral mandate and the Medemer philosophy into tangible progress in national unity, security, institutional accountability and living standards. At the heart of the countryโs strategic ambition is sovereign access to the sea. Pursued through mutually beneficial arrangements, maritime connectivity could help ease trade constraints, strengthen export competitiveness and deepen regional economic integration as well as ensure lasting peace. Beyond its borders, Ethiopia must strengthen constructive relations with neighboring states, advance cooperation on trade, infrastructure, energy and climate resilience, and support regional efforts to prevent conflict. Its engagement with the African Union and IGAD can help advance these goals when backed by consistent diplomacy and practical commitments. The governmentโs responsibility is therefore both national and regional: to build a state that citizens trust, an economy that expands opportunities and a foreign policy that advances national interests while respecting the legitimate interests of others. Sovereign access to the sea may be at the heart of Ethiopiaโs national ambition, but national unity, democratic governance and economic transformation will determine its success. The defining measure of the Medemer State will be its ability to turn this ambition into lasting improvements in citizensโ lives while contributing to a more peaceful, stable and economically integrated Horn of Africa.