Addis Ababa, December 11, 2025 (ENA)— Ethiopia’s WTO membership negotiations have entered a decisive and hopeful phase, driven by the resolute leadership and unwavering commitment of the government, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh said. A Grand National Platform dedicated to Ethiopia’s journey toward World Trade Organization (WTO) membership and the ongoing negotiation process held in Addis Ababa today, under the theme “Integrating Ethiopia, Transforming Trade”. Delivering his message at the event, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that despite Ethiopia’s role as a founding member of many major global institutions, the country has been absent from the WTO for far longer than it should have been. For Temesgen, a nation with Ethiopia’s population, promise, and economic potential should not remain outside the international trading system. “Our rightful place is at the table—shaping the rules, expanding opportunity, and ensuring our people can compete, innovate, and prosper on a global stage,” he stated. Thanks to the resolute leadership and unwavering commitment of the government, reinforced by bold homegrown economic reforms, negotiations that had stalled for more than two decades have now entered a decisive and hopeful phase, he affirmed. He added that the remarkable progress achieved over the past seven months clearly signals that the country is, at long last, approaching the finish line. “WTO membership will unlock new horizons for Ethiopia—dramatically expanding our market access, enhancing transparency and predictability in trade and investment, and positioning our nation as an even more attractive and reliable destination for global partners.” He further noted that membership will also provide the discipline needed to strengthen economic governance, ensuring that new reforms are not only ambitious but also stable, credible, and enduring. In doing so, he said, Ethiopia will bolster its institutions, reinforce the rule of law in its markets, and anchor itself firmly within a system built on fairness and reciprocal opportunity. The Deputy Prime Minister underscored that the government is fully committed to completing the negotiations in the shortest possible time, but emphasized that this effort requires the collective strength of the nation. “I call on the private sector to bring its full energy and expertise, on all executive institutions to rise to the task, and on our international partners to continue deepening their support.” Through united effort, he stressed, Ethiopia will integrate into the global trading system and usher in a new era of prosperity. “Together, we will cross the final mile—and open a new chapter of shared opportunity, shared confidence, and shared success for Ethiopia.”

Addis Ababa, December 11, 2025 (ENA)— Ethiopia is making significant strides toward joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) by 2026, according to Kassahun Gofe, Chief Negotiator and Minister of Trade and Regional Integration. A forum themed “Integrating Ethiopia, Transforming Trade” is currently underway, with Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh attending, aimed at raising awareness among stakeholders about the country’s WTO accession process and progress to date. Ethiopia has been engaged in nearly two decades of bilateral and multilateral discussions to integrate fully into the global economy. Recent developments indicate renewed momentum, with the country aligning its trade policies, regulations, and economic frameworks with international standards. Minister Kassahun highlighted that Ethiopia’s WTO application has been accepted and negotiations have begun, with six rounds already completed and over 1,050 questions satisfactorily addressed. He emphasized that membership will secure a stable trade environment, boost demand for Ethiopian products, attract investment, and strengthen the country’s economic capacity. "Ethiopia is diligently working to achieve WTO membership by 2026," the Minister said, stressing that stakeholder collaboration will be crucial to this success.

Addis Ababa, December 11, 2025 (ENA) —The Horn of Africa’s livestock sector, a cornerstone of the region’s economy and a critical source of food, income, and employment, faces growing threats that require urgent action, according to Baba Soumare, Deputy Director General of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). “Livestock has huge potential for food security, livelihoods, business, and employment,” Soumare said, highlighting the sector’s vital role in supporting smallholder farmers, local trade, and regional economies. East Africa’s livestock population is substantial, with recent estimates of 107.2 million cattle, 178.8 million goats and sheep, and 1.3 million camels. Ethiopia has the largest cattle population in Africa, with Kenya and Tanzania also hosting significant herds. The region has a long history of livestock production and export, particularly to the Middle East, contributing to both rural livelihoods and national economies. However, livestock diseases, recurrent droughts, insecurity, and cross-border challenges pose serious risks. Soumare emphasized that protecting the sector requires stronger regional collaboration, resilient veterinary services, and harmonized legislation to ensure safe cross-border trade. “Without strong veterinary services, you cannot prevent, detect early, or control livestock diseases,” he said. Soumare also called for greater investment in sustainable livestock production, stressing that healthy ecosystems and resilient farming systems are essential. According to Pulse of Africa, a Pan-African media reported he advocated for a multisectoral approach involving agriculture, environment, trade, and health sectors to coordinate efforts and secure the sector’s future WOAH, formerly the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), has worked since 1924 to improve animal health worldwide. The organization sets international standards, strengthens veterinary services, supports disease surveillance, and facilitates safe trade in animals and animal products across its 180+ member countries.

By Gezmu Edicha Addis Ababa, December 11, 2025 (ENA) —As Ethiopia’s government resolutely advances comprehensive reform and national reconciliation, armed groups in some parts of the country have continued to embrace peace. This development signals a promising path toward lasting stability in Ethiopia, a nation of strategic importance in Africa. Nowhere is this transformation more striking than in the recent landmark agreement between the Amhara Regional State and the Amhara Fano Popular Organization (AFPO). Far more than a negotiated settlement, this breakthrough represents a significant stride toward national cohesion. Just last week, Arega Kebede, Chief Administrator of the Amhara Regional State, and Captain Masresha Sete, representing the AFPO, signed an agreement brokered by officials from the African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), who had been mediating to resolve the differences between the two parties. This development carries implications that extend far beyond the conference room, reaching into the very heart of Ethiopia’s future. Indeed, this is not the first time the Ethiopian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, has demonstrated extraordinary patience, urging armed forces to lay down arms and engage at the negotiating table. It stands as a clear testament to the government’s steadfast commitment to dialogue over conflict. In this context, the Pretoria peace deal in 2022 that ended the northern Ethiopian conflict, stands out as a unique feature in Ethiopia’s body politics. Historically, Ethiopia has rarely succeeded in resolving internal conflicts through negotiations, making this achievement particularly noteworthy. Significantly, the agreement underscores Ethiopia’s contemporary shift toward resolving internal disputes through dialogue rather than force. Building on Ethiopia’s ongoing commitment to peaceful approaches, the recent accord between the Amhara Regional State and the Amhara Fano Popular Organization therefore represents yet another significant step in a series of landmark peace deals across the regions. It is worth noting another significant peace breakthrough last year: the agreement reached between the Oromia Regional Government and a senior leader of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), which has helped solidify peace efforts in the region and represents a crucial step toward ensuring durable peace in Ethiopia. Similarly, other armed groups that once operated in regions such as Benishangul-Gumuz and Gambella have also reached peace agreements with their respective regional governments in recent years. Evidently, this dynamics is further reinforcing Ethiopia’s broader momentum toward reconciliation. As former militants reintegrate into peaceful civilian life, Ethiopia’s nationwide push to curb armed conflict has gathered remarkable momentum. The remaining armed groups in few areas are likewise anticipated to follow suit. Ethiopia’s Journey: Dialogue as a Path to Peace and Democracy Ethiopia has embarked on a historic journey toward national dialogue and reconciliation, addressing both longstanding and contemporary challenges in this ancient African nation. This effort reflects the government’s strong commitment and bold initiative to fortify democratic institutions and foster a thriving, civilized political culture. Amid the country’s complex political landscape, the inclusive national dialogue brings together all segments of society to resolve deep-rooted conflicts and grievances. The initiative seeks to heal wounds left by past political systems and establish a platform for building consensus on fundamental national issues. With full government support, participants are empowered to voice the concerns and aspirations of the Ethiopian people, paving the way for a more united, democratic, and resilient future. In this process, the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission has played an unmatched role in fostering dialogue and promoting civilized political discourse across the nation. A Decisive Blow to Foreign Actors Exploiting Ethiopia’s Internal Divisions Uniquely, in this recent landmark deal to achieve lasting peace in the Amhara region, Ethiopia’s deliberate and wise handling of the process has dealt a decisive blow to the lingering hopes of foreign actors who profit from the nation’s internal divisions. At the same time, the agreement underscores a recurring truth in Ethiopian history: whenever the nation chooses unity over conflict, its strength multiplies, and its path forward becomes unshakable. There is a familiar rhythm in Ethiopian history. Even in times of internal quarrel, deep wounds when a shadow from outside stretches toward the homeland, Ethiopians have always known how to quiet their disputes, close ranks and stand shoulder to shoulder. This instinct for survival, older than modern borders and deeper than politics, is what has kept the country standing through storms of centuries. Time and again, forces that never wished Ethiopia well have tried to stretch those storms from within, feeding suspicion, widening internal cracks, and hoping that brothers would weaken each other while others quietly advanced their interests. This has been a painful lesson in Ethiopia’s long journey. Yet history also shows something stronger than manipulation, the Ethiopian capacity to return to dialogue, to re-embrace one another, and to close every door through which outsiders attempt to enter. That spirit was on full display with the signing of a permanent peace agreement between the Amhara Regional State and the Amhara Fano Popular Organization (AFPO), marking a turning point not only for the region but for the nation as a whole. But beyond signatures and protocols, what unfolded was something deeper, a public declaration that Ethiopians will no longer allow conflict to drain their strength while others quietly benefit. “There are no winners in war,” Arega Kebede, the regional chief administrator reminded at the ceremony. “But with peace, everyone emerges victorious.” His words carried the weight of a people that have paid too many prices for disunity. He stressed that the door of the regional government remains open to all who choose dialogue over destruction, adding that it is never too late to return to peaceful and democratic solutions. From the other side of the table, Captain Masresha Sete echoed the same truth in plain language. Conflict, he said, only multiplies suffering, while dialogue restores dignity. He warned that any path that compromises Ethiopia’s national interest by aligning, directly or indirectly, with long-standing adversaries is unacceptable. Choosing peace, he emphasized, is not surrender, it is wisdom. For many ordinary citizens, this agreement is not just political news. It is relief. It is the sound of gunfire fading from memory. It is farmers returning to fields, traders reopening shops, children walking to school without fear. It is the restoration of daily life. But it also carries a deeper national meaning. Every internal peace agreement cuts invisible hands that have long tried to pull Ethiopia apart. Each group that returns to dialogue narrows the space for foreign designs that thrive on Ethiopian division. And every handshake between Ethiopians weakens those who once believed the country could be eternally restrained, not only from within but also from fully using the blessings nature placed in its hands. For generations, Ethiopia’s hands were tied from accessing one of its most natural endowments, the Nile River and Red Sea. The story of that loss is well known, shaped by pressure, manipulation, and a regional order that served some while denying others. For decades, Ethiopians were told that this reality could not change. That the door was permanently shut. Today, that language has changed. With GERD fait a comply now with blood and sweat, scholars, policymakers, and the highest leadership of the country now speak with clarity that Ethiopia’s quest for access to the sea is not a matter of ambition, but of survival, dignity, and justice. It is anchored in history, geography, international law, and the economic reality of a nation of over 130 million people. In addition to charting a consolidated path to peace for the East African nation, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in a recent address to parliament, reaffirmed that Ethiopia’s maritime claim is legally, historically, geographically, and economically grounded. He emphasized that the pursuit of this right will continue peacefully, guided by principle and patience, not through confrontation but through lawful dialogue and mutual benefit. Researchers at national institutions echo the same view. They describe the loss of sea access as a historical fracture created through a combination of internal weakness and external pressure. Yet they also emphasize that fractures can heal when a nation rises with unity of purpose and clarity of vision. What connects peace agreement Amhara and other regions of Ethiopia and the nation’s maritime quest is not coincidence. It is cause and effect. A country at peace with itself cannot be permanently blocked from its natural future. A nation that resolves its internal disputes weakens every external attempt to restrain it. As conflicts fade and dialogue expands, Ethiopia speaks with one voice. And when Ethiopia speaks with one voice, even the strongest pressures must eventually listen. The message is now consistent from Addis Ababa to the regions, from government offices to community gatherings, from scholars to farmers, the age of tying Ethiopian hands has passed. Cooperation is preferred. Peace is extended. Dialogue is offered. But the country will no longer accept a future defined by historical injustice. All in all, as internal reconciliation takes root, Ethiopia’s path to lasting peace opens new doors, heals old wounds, and reinforces its standing in the world.

Addis Ababa, December 11, 2025 (ENA) —New climate assessments warn that severe drought conditions are tightening their grip on East Africa, driven by the ongoing La Niña phenomenon, even as southern parts of the continent brace for worsening floods. According to the latest Global Weather Hazards Summary (Dec 11–17, 2025), southern Somalia and eastern Kenya are experiencing the most acute shortages, with rainfall deficits since the start of the season pushing communities into severe drought. The dryness extends across southern, western, and central Ethiopia, much of Uganda, northern and central Tanzania, and parts of the DRC, disrupting agriculture and worsening food insecurity. In South Sudan, inundation continues across the Sudd wetlands, further complicating humanitarian operations. While East Africa dries out, Southern Africa is facing the opposite crisis: weeks of above-average rainfall have saturated soils in Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Madagascar, creating high flood risks in the days ahead. Southern Côte d’Ivoire and southwestern Ghana are also on heightened alert after a month of heavy rainfall. The report highlights widening temperature extremes as well, with abnormally hot conditions expected in southern Somalia and northeastern Kenya, adding stress to already fragile environments.