By Staff Writer November 9, 2026 (ENA) The first week of November 2026 was marked by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, prolonged conflicts and mounting humanitarian and environmental challenges. Developments in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, alongside strategic competition among major powers, continued to influence global security, trade and energy markets. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly shaped economic competitiveness, national security and global governance. Against this backdrop, international developments centred on seven major areas: peace and security, the economy, climate change, democracy and governance, public health, humanitarian affairs and technology. Peace and Security Tensions between Iran and the United States remained a major security concern, with military warnings and diplomatic signals raising fears of escalation. Particular attention focused on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route through which disruptions to commercial shipping could threaten oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, increase transportation costs and destabilize energy markets. The Russia-Ukraine conflict also continued to shape European security, raising concerns over military escalation and threats to critical infrastructure. European governments face the challenge of maintaining support for Ukraine while strengthening their defence capabilities and pursuing a lasting settlement. The conflict continues to affect energy security, military expenditure, agricultural supply chains and international relations. Meanwhile, Israel's political uncertainty coincided with a worsening Economy Global financial markets experienced renewed turbulence as geopolitical tensions, elevated energy costs and concerns over economic growth heightened fears of stagflation. Technology stocks came under particular pressure, contributing to the Nasdaq's sharpest single-day decline since April 2025, while Taiwan's stock market recorded its worst weekly performance since 2001. Much of the volatility reflected doubts over whether massive investments in AI infrastructure, including data centres and advanced semiconductors, would generate sufficient returns. Although the International Monetary Fund projects global growth of 3.1 percent in 2026, a sharp contraction in AI infrastructure spending could reduce global GDP growth by as much as 1.1 percentage points by 2028. Energy markets added to the uncertainty. Crude oil prices fell approximately 15 percent during the week to slightly below 100 U.S. dollars per barrel amid prospects of diplomatic de-escalation in the Middle East. Nevertheless, prices remained about 64 percent above early-2026 levels, while natural gas prices were nearly three times higher. These costs continued to fuel inflation and affect transportation, industrial production and household spending. Central banks consequently faced the challenge of controlling inflation without further weakening growth. Geopolitical developments and the U.S. midterm elections also generated uncertainty over Washington's future trade, defence and energy policies, with potential consequences for international cooperation and investment. For developing countries, these developments reinforce the need to diversify trading partnerships, strengthen domestic production and expand manufacturing. Climate The 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), scheduled for November 9–20 in Antalya, Türkiye, placed climate action back at the centre of international discussions. The summit is expected to emphasize practical implementation of commitments on emissions reduction, adaptation financing, renewable energy and the transition away from fossil fuels. Calling for action rather than prolonged negotiations, COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago told Reuters, "We don't need more negotiations. What we need is for governments to start taking action." However, inadequate financing remains a major obstacle. The financing gap threatens investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, agriculture, water management and disaster preparedness. It is particularly serious for Africa, which contributes relatively little to cumulative global greenhouse gas emissions but faces increasing droughts, floods, irregular rainfall and rising temperatures. Climate finance is therefore essential to the continent's food security, energy access and poverty reduction efforts. Developing countries are also demanding financing that does not add to their existing debt burdens. Meanwhile, reducing methane emissions has emerged as an important climate priority. A Climate Analytics report indicates that cutting methane and other short-lived climate pollutants could slow global warming by approximately 12 percent by 2035. Combined with a faster transition away from fossil fuels, these measures could help limit temperature increases, although they cannot replace broader decarbonization. Beyond climate negotiations, hazardous smog blanketed northern India and neighbouring Pakistan, prompting emergency restrictions in Lahore and New Delhi. Seasonal atmospheric inversions, vehicle emissions, industrial activities and agricultural residue burning trapped dangerous particulate matter near the ground, exposing millions to unhealthy air. Democracy and Governance Elections in the United States, Brazil and Israel highlighted changing political dynamics and their implications for domestic governance and international relations. In the United States, the Democratic Party secured majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the midterm elections, significantly changing the political balance facing President Donald Trump's administration. Democratic candidates also gained ground in traditionally conservative states, including Kansas and South Carolina. The change in congressional control is expected to strengthen Democratic influence over legislation, government oversight and scrutiny of executive policies. Internationally, governments are assessing possible implications for U.S. trade, climate policy, defence spending and multilateral partnerships. In Brazil, incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won re-election in a presidential runoff against Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. The result preserves the country's left-leaning administration but reflects continuing political divisions. As one of Latin America's largest economies, Brazil's political direction also matters for South-South cooperation, regional trade, environmental protection and relations with major powers. Health The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continued to face a major public health emergency as an Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus spread across several provinces. The outbreak has placed significant pressure on healthcare facilities, particularly their capacity for early diagnosis, treatment and contact tracing. Many deaths occurred within communities, including among young children, highlighting barriers to healthcare access and the difficulty of identifying infections at an early stage. The outbreak also prompted neighbouring countries to strengthen surveillance. Kenya reported nine confirmed cases, including two deaths, while Nigeria identified one imported case. Although neither reported new confirmed cases during the reporting period, Kenya maintained screening at entry points and reinforced cross-border monitoring. The WHO urged regional partners to strengthen laboratory capacity, infection prevention, contact tracing and emergency preparedness. It also advised against general travel and trade restrictions, emphasizing coordinated public health measures to contain the outbreak. Technology Artificial intelligence remained central to discussions on economic competitiveness, technological competition and financial stability. However, investor concerns over the enormous cost of AI infrastructure raised questions about whether investments in data centres, advanced computing systems and semiconductors would generate sufficient commercial returns. Meanwhile, digital sovereignty is gaining importance as countries seek greater control over their data, digital infrastructure and technological development. Speaking at the 7th World Media Summit in Beijing, teleSUR President Patricia Villegas argued that information sovereignty is essential to narrowing the artificial intelligence divide between developed and developing countries. Her remarks highlighted the concentration of advanced computing capacity, data resources and proprietary AI models in a limited number of wealthy economies. Conclusion The first week of November 2026 demonstrated how closely interconnected global challenges have become. Geopolitical rivalries, prolonged conflicts, economic uncertainty, climate risks and technological transformation continued to shape international affairs. From tensions in the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine conflict to financial market volatility and the Ebola emergency in the DRC, developments showed how instability in one region can generate far-reaching consequences for global security, trade and development. Meanwhile, widening climate financing gaps and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence reinforced the need for inclusive international cooperation. For developing countries, particularly in Africa, the priorities remain strengthening economic resilience, expanding regional integration, building domestic technological capabilities and securing equitable climate finance. Ultimately, addressing these challenges requires sustained diplomacy, effective multilateral institutions and collective action that balances security, economic prosperity, technological advancement and environmental sustainability. Translating international commitments into practical solutions will be decisive in building a more stable, inclusive and resilient global future.

Addis Ababa, November 9, 2026 (ENA)— From a rapidly transforming capital to renewed cultural pride and entrepreneurial ambition, young Ethiopians envision a stronger, more prosperous and globally respected country, believing their generation will play a defining role in shaping its future. For a generation growing up amid visible changes in Ethiopia’s urban landscape, expanding development ambitions and evolving national aspirations, the future is increasingly seen not simply as something to anticipate, but as something to build. Across Addis Ababa, teenagers are developing an increasingly confident outlook on their country's prospects, expressing optimism that sustained development efforts, cultural pride, innovation and greater opportunities for young people could propel Ethiopia toward a more prosperous future and a stronger position on the global stage. In conversations with the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), several teenagers painted an ambitious picture of the Ethiopia they hope to see over the next two decades and beyond — a country that combines modern development with its extraordinary cultural heritage, unlocks its economic potential and earns greater international recognition. Their perspectives, while shaped by their individual experiences and aspirations, converge around a common conviction: Ethiopia's future holds enormous possibilities, and today's young generation has a responsibility to help realize them. For 16-year-old Nathan Berhanemeskel, Ethiopia's ongoing transformation is an exciting journey, with visible changes creating a sense of momentum and possibility. "It's an amazing ride," he said, describing a country that is becoming increasingly "modernized, futuristic, and beautiful." Nathan pointed to the growing range of social and recreational activities, alongside improvements in the urban environment, as signs of a changing society offering young people more opportunities to explore, interact and enjoy their surroundings. "There is a clear positive trajectory in our country right now," he observed. Yet, for Nathan, Ethiopia's appeal extends well beyond its changing cities and modern infrastructure. Its people, natural attractions and rich cultural heritage remain central to what makes the country special. Describing Ethiopia as "an amazing country with beautiful people and great places," he conveyed a sense of national pride rooted in both its identity and its potential. That connection between national identity and future ambition was equally evident in the reflections of 16-year-old Amen Haimanot, who sees being Ethiopian as an essential part of who she is. "Being Ethiopian brings me a lot of joy; it makes me who I am today," she said. For Amen, national pride is not merely an attachment to the country's past. It is also confidence in what Ethiopia can become. She believes that if the current momentum in social and economic development is sustained, Ethiopia could emerge as "one of the most well-known and respected countries in the world." Amen cited improvements in the urban environment, including expanding green spaces, cleaner air and more vibrant public parks, as encouraging signs of change. But she also emphasized that Ethiopia's greatest strengths lie in its people, cultural diversity, historical legacy and resilience — qualities she believes can help the country project a more dynamic and compelling image internationally. Looking ahead, she placed particular confidence in the capacity of younger generations to accelerate the country's transformation. "In 10 to 20 years, our generation and the next will place Ethiopia where it truly deserves to be," she said. This confidence in Ethiopia's future is also reflected in the way 15-year-old Markan Yonas views the transformation of Addis Ababa, a city increasingly associated with the country's development ambitions. For Markan, the capital's changing skyline and modern infrastructure demonstrate how far the country can go when development aspirations are translated into action. She envisions an Ethiopia that will become even more remarkable over the coming decades, with stronger international trade, expanded economic opportunities and a more influential presence in global affairs. "In 20 to 50 years, Ethiopia will be an extraordinary country," she predicted. However, Markan believes that progress should not come at the expense of the country's identity. As Ethiopia modernizes and strengthens its international engagement, she urged young people to remain connected to the traditions and cultural values that distinguish the nation. "We should love our country, treasure our culture, and truly appreciate everything we have," she said. Her message captures an important dimension of the aspirations expressed by the teenagers: the Ethiopia of tomorrow should be modern and globally connected while remaining firmly grounded in its historical and cultural foundations. For 16-year-old Eyoel Leul, however, optimism about the future is accompanied by a more immediate determination to contribute to the country's economic development. Feeling fortunate to have been born in Ethiopia, Eyoel encouraged international visitors and investors to discover the country's opportunities and untapped potential.   More importantly, he sees entrepreneurship and the growth of local businesses as practical ways through which young people can participate in nation-building. Rather than viewing the country's future as the responsibility of government alone, he hopes to contribute through his own family's enterprise. "My plan is to take over my father's business and use it to help build the country," he said. His ambition reflects a broader understanding of development in which individual initiative, business expansion and productive engagement can complement national economic priorities. All in all, the teenagers' reflections reveal more than youthful enthusiasm. They offer a glimpse into how a new generation perceives Ethiopia's evolving national identity and its place in an increasingly interconnected world. Their optimism is expressed through different lenses: Nathan sees a country undergoing exciting modernization; Amen draws confidence from national identity, environmental improvements and cultural resilience; Markan envisions a future of expanded trade and global influence; while Eyoel sees entrepreneurship as a direct pathway to contributing to national development. Despite their different perspectives, a common aspiration runs through their accounts — a desire to see Ethiopia become more prosperous, internationally respected and full of opportunities for future generations. Their vision also points to the importance of ensuring that young people are not merely spectators of national transformation, but active participants in it. As Ethiopia pursues its development ambitions, investments in education, innovation, entrepreneurship, infrastructure and a greener urban environment will be important in translating such aspirations into tangible opportunities. Equally important is nurturing a generation that values its cultural heritage while embracing new ideas, technologies and global engagement. For these teenagers, Ethiopia's story is far from finished. Its next chapter remains unwritten, offering their generation an opportunity to shape the country's economic, social and international trajectory. Their message is both hopeful and purposeful: a prosperous Ethiopia will not emerge from aspirations alone, but from the determination, creativity and collective efforts of its people. And for a generation already imagining what their country could become in 10, 20 or even 50 years, the future is not simply a distant horizon. It is a responsibility they are eager to embrace.

By Staff Writer   November 8, 2026 (ENA) From becoming Africa’s fifth-largest economy following GDP rebasing to hosting landmark continental and global gatherings, Ethiopia’s economic transformation, diplomatic influence and strategic development ambitions dominated the first week of November 2026. The first week of November 2026 placed Ethiopia firmly in the continental and international spotlight, as the country emerged with a significantly larger measured economy, hosted major African political and global health gatherings, and renewed discussions about its strategic development priorities. Ethiopia's economy was officially rebased to reach 210.7 billion USD for the 2025/26 fiscal year, positioning the country as Africa's fifth-largest economy, alongside South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and Algeria. Beyond its economic standing, Addis Ababa reinforced its reputation as a continental diplomatic and conference hub by hosting the Second African Political Parties Summit (APPS 2026), the Seventh World Health Organization Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) Global Meeting and the 36th African Hydro Symposium. Meanwhile, Ethiopia's development ambitions surrounding the Abay (Blue Nile) River and the Red Sea corridor remained prominent in national and international discourse, underscoring the country's determination to translate its economic and geographical potential into long-term development. Ethiopia's Economic Standing Rises Following GDP Rebasing   One of the week's most significant developments was Ethiopia's unveiling of its rebased Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which increased the country's measured economic output by 59.2 percent. The revision, which incorporates updated methodologies and more comprehensive data sources, including state-owned enterprises, non-profit institutions and emerging sectors such as digital finance, provides a more comprehensive picture of the country's evolving economic structure. With its economy now valued at 210.7 billion USD, Ethiopia has moved into Africa's fifth-largest economy position, strengthening its profile among the continent's leading economic powers. Speaking at the official launch of the GDP rebasing results, Finance Minister Fitsum Assefa said the revised national accounting framework would improve economic planning, fiscal and monetary policymaking, and domestic revenue mobilization. She emphasized that more accurate economic measurements would enable the government to better assess the size, structure and performance of the economy while strengthening the foundation for evidence-based development policies. Under the revised framework, with 2017 Ethiopian fiscal year (2024/25) as the new base year, Ethiopia's GDP reached 24.03 trillion Birr, equivalent to 201.42 billion USD, while the economy expanded to 31.86 trillion Birr, or 210.7 billion USD, in the 2018 Ethiopian fiscal year (2025/26). The minister further highlighted the implications of the revised figures for assessing debt sustainability, improving tax-to-GDP ratios and identifying opportunities to broaden the domestic revenue base. Beyond the revised economic ranking, the rebasing represents an important step toward modernizing Ethiopia's economic measurement systems and aligning national planning with the changing realities of its economy. African Political Parties Summit: Reimagining Political Leadership for Economic Transformation   Ethiopia further strengthened its continental political engagement by hosting the Second African Political Parties Summit from November 5–7, 2026, bringing together approximately 1,000 delegates from across Africa. Organized by the ruling Prosperity Party in collaboration with the African Governance Center at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa, the three-day summit was held under the theme, "Governing for Growth: Political Parties as Architects of Africa's Economic Future." The gathering sought to encourage African political parties to move beyond short-term electoral competition and political mobilization toward long-term economic transformation, effective governance and sustainable development. At its core, the summit highlighted the need to reposition political parties as strategic institutions that shape economic policies, develop capable leadership, strengthen democratic institutions and drive national transformation. Addressing the summit, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed underscored the importance of developing a new generation of African leaders capable of sustaining development achievements and ensuring continuity in governance. He announced Ethiopia's commitment to extending leadership training opportunities at the African Leadership Excellence Academy to political parties across the continent. The Premier observed that countries risk losing development momentum when leaders fail to prepare capable successors, emphasizing the importance of empowering younger generations and entrusting them with meaningful responsibilities. "We have seen countries lose momentum when strong leaders fail to prepare successors. We must give younger members real responsibility and promote those who show judgment and integrity," he said.   Prime Minister Abiy also presented Ethiopia's leadership philosophy of Medemer, or synergy, as an approach that brings together diverse strengths around shared national and continental aspirations. Citing the country's development experience, he highlighted initiatives such as the digital identification programme and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as examples of projects requiring sustained commitment, collective effort and continuity across generations. He also pointed to the Green Legacy Initiative, under which more than 56 billion seedlings have been planted since 2019, as an illustration of how collective action can restore degraded landscapes, protect water resources and strengthen resilience to climate change. Emphasizing inclusive governance and accountability, the Prime Minister stressed that political leadership should recognize the contributions of all citizens, regardless of their political affiliations. "Every citizen has an equal claim on the state, whichever party they support," he said. The summit thus provided a continental platform for exchanging political and governance experiences while advancing discussions on how African political institutions can become stronger drivers of economic growth and transformation. Addis Ababa Strengthens Its Position as a Continental Conference and Diplomacy Hub Beyond politics and economics, Ethiopia further consolidated Addis Ababa's position as a destination for major international and continental gatherings. The country hosted the Seventh World Health Organization Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) Global Meeting, marking the first time the global gathering has been held in the WHO African Region. The meeting provided an important platform for strengthening emergency medical preparedness, improving response coordination and sharing experiences in managing public health emergencies. And Ethiopia has called for operational regional solidarity to improve preparedness and respond to health emergencies. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba has called for sustained investment in emergency medical teams, stronger coordination across sectors and operational regional solidarity to improve preparedness and response to health emergencies.   She noted that Africa has been strengthening its leadership and capacity in global emergency response, moving beyond receiving assistance to training skilled professionals, developing evidence-based solutions and deploying its own emergency teams in partnership with international actors. However, she stressed that growing emergency challenges across Africa and beyond require stronger national capabilities, country ownership and effective international cooperation to ensure timely and coordinated responses. WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi commended Ethiopia's progress, noting that Senegal was the first African country to receive WHO classification, followed by Ethiopia. He underscored the importance of strengthening national emergency response systems, pointing out that the WHO African Region experiences more than 100 significant public health events annually. Meanwhile, Addis Ababa also hosted the 36th African Hydro Symposium, where energy security, regional electricity interconnections and the development of effective power markets featured prominently. Speaking at the gathering, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Executive Secretary Claver Gatete emphasized that stronger regional electricity networks and efficient power markets would enable African countries to utilize their energy resources more effectively while enhancing the resilience of their electricity systems. He stressed that energy security increasingly requires regional cooperation, coordinated infrastructure development and sustained collaboration among governments, utilities, regulators and regional institutions. The two gatherings further highlighted Ethiopia's growing role in providing platforms for international cooperation, knowledge exchange and collective responses to shared continental challenges. Expanding Diplomatic and Economic Partnerships Ethiopia's diplomatic engagements during the week also reflected its continued efforts to diversify international partnerships and attract investment, technology and expertise. Ethiopia and China reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their All-Weather Strategic Partnership, with particular emphasis on trade, investment and capacity building. During discussions, Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos and Chinese Ambassador Chen Hai explored ways to expand bilateral cooperation and strengthen support for Ethiopia's development priorities.   Similarly, Ethiopia and the European Union highlighted growing opportunities for cooperation in critical minerals, seeking to combine the country's resource potential with European technology, expertise, investment and professional training. The partnership is expected to contribute to economic diversification, employment creation and the broader global green transition. Meanwhile, UN-Habitat Regional Director for Africa Oumar Sylla described Ethiopia's hosting of COP32 in November 2027 as a significant opportunity for Africa to strengthen its voice in global climate diplomacy. He commended Ethiopia's green development efforts, particularly its investments in clean energy, urban greening, clean cooking and large-scale tree planting. These engagements reflect Ethiopia's efforts to translate its diplomatic standing into stronger economic partnerships, investment opportunities and greater participation in shaping international development priorities. Abay River and Red Sea: Ethiopia's Strategic Development Priorities Alongside its economic and diplomatic engagements, Ethiopia's strategic ambitions surrounding the Abay River and the Red Sea corridor remained central to the week's discussions. In an exclusive interview with ENA, Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa said Egypt's longstanding diplomatic and political efforts to obstruct Ethiopia's development projects on the Abay River and isolate the country from the Red Sea were no longer effective.   He urged Cairo to reconsider its historical posture toward Ethiopia and adopt a more constructive approach to both the shared river and Ethiopia's interests in Red Sea access. Recalling decades of resistance to Ethiopia's efforts to utilize its water resources for development, the minister said the successful construction and operationalization of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam had fundamentally changed the situation. Despite contributing approximately 86 percent of the Nile's total flow, Ethiopia had long faced opposition to its efforts to harness the river for development. However, the GERD has demonstrated the country's determination and capacity to pursue its development aspirations.   "Ethiopia has been able to break that line of thinking by building the GERD. We have closed that chapter," Habtamu said. The minister's remarks underscored Ethiopia's position that the equitable utilization of shared water resources should be guided by cooperation, mutual benefit and the legitimate development interests of all riparian countries. Meanwhile, Mohamed Al-Arousi, Advisor to the Minister of Water and Energy, reaffirmed Ethiopia's determination to continue developing its water resources through major dam projects. Speaking to ENA, he said the country would not abandon its development agenda because of political pressure or disputed narratives surrounding the shared river. "We have built dams, and, God willing, we will continue building a series of dams," Al-Arousi said.   He accused Egypt of mobilizing media outlets to portray Ethiopia's water development agenda negatively and generate international sympathy against the country's legitimate development aspirations. The advisor maintained that Ethiopia's investments in water infrastructure reflect its determination to harness its natural resources for national development. He also rejected attempts to undermine the legitimacy of Ethiopian projects through political pressure and what he described as the distortion of facts. Addressing concerns raised by downstream countries, particularly regarding the GERD, Al-Arousi argued that recurring accusations had neither advanced negotiations nor brought the parties closer to a lasting agreement. The developments once again highlighted the importance of constructive regional dialogue and cooperation in addressing shared water resources while respecting the development aspirations of all countries. Ethiopia's Growing Continental and International Profile Taken together, the developments of the first week of November 2026 reflect several dimensions of Ethiopia's evolving national and international profile. Its revised economic standing has brought renewed attention to the scale and structure of its economy. The African Political Parties Summit has provided a platform for advancing discussions on leadership, governance and long-term development across the continent. The WHO global meeting and African Hydro Symposium have further demonstrated Addis Ababa's capacity to convene international expertise and facilitate cooperation on issues of shared importance. At the same time, Ethiopia's diplomatic engagements and continued emphasis on the Abay River and Red Sea corridor underscore its determination to advance economic partnerships, safeguard its development interests and strengthen its strategic position in the Horn of Africa.   As Ethiopia prepares to host COP32 in 2027, its growing economic profile, continental engagements and development ambitions are likely to remain important dimensions of its engagement with Africa and the wider international community.   ENA | Ethiopian News Agency: Bringing Ethiopia's development, diplomatic engagements and Africa's evolving role in global affairs to the world.

By Staff Writer   November 8, 2026 (ENA) Ethiopia’s growing military and technological capabilities are becoming increasingly significant, not only for safeguarding its national security but also for advancing peace, stability and economic integration in the Horn of Africa. By modernising its defence institutions, strengthening its air force and investing in advanced military technology, the country has enhanced its capacity to address emerging security challenges while contributing to a more secure and stable regional environment. The current acquisition of 12 fighter jets from Russia marks another step in Ethiopia’s efforts to modernise its military capabilities. Beyond strengthening national defence, such technological advancements can contribute to regional security by enhancing the country's capacity to deter threats, respond to security emergencies and support collective efforts to maintain peace. Rather than viewing military modernisation exclusively through the lens of geopolitical competition, greater attention should be given to its broader contribution to regional stability, security cooperation and economic integration. In this regard, Ethiopia’s defence modernisation offers significant benefits that extend beyond safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Its advancing military technology and growing operational capabilities can strengthen regional security, enhance collective responses to shared security challenges, deter potential threats and contribute to a more stable environment. Through responsible military development, Ethiopia can also help build trust among regional partners by demonstrating that strong defence institutions and peaceful cooperation are complementary objectives. In particular, advancements in air power can improve the country's capacity to protect its airspace, support regional security cooperation and respond to emerging threats. These capabilities can further contribute to protecting strategic infrastructure, securing cross-border trade routes and creating favourable conditions for regional economic cooperation and integration. A technologically advanced and professionally organised defence force is an important component of both national and regional security. In a region facing terrorism, cross-border criminal activities, political instability and other transnational threats, the ability of states to protect their territories and respond effectively to emerging challenges is essential. Ethiopia's investment in defence technology, particularly in air power, surveillance capabilities and operational readiness, therefore, can strengthen its ability to address security threats that extend beyond national borders. Modern military systems can improve situational awareness, enhance the protection of critical infrastructure and facilitate timely responses to security emergencies. Stronger defence capabilities also contribute to deterrence, reducing the likelihood of potential adversaries resorting to military confrontation. When supported by responsible defence policies, transparency and diplomatic engagement, military preparedness can reinforce confidence in national security institutions and contribute to a more predictable regional security environment. Hence, Ethiopia's military modernisation should be viewed as part of the broader effort to build the institutional and technological capacity required to safeguard peace and stability in the Horn of Africa. The security challenges confronting the Horn of Africa are interconnected and cannot be effectively addressed by individual countries acting alone. They require coordinated responses and stronger regional security partnerships. Ethiopia's growing military capabilities can enhance its contribution to these collective efforts by strengthening its capacity to participate in regional peace and security initiatives as advanced defence technology can improve operational preparedness, intelligence assessment, border protection and the ability to respond to emerging threats. Ethiopia has a longstanding role in regional peace and security efforts, including its engagement in African and international peacekeeping initiatives. Its experience and institutional capabilities provide an important foundation for continued cooperation with neighbouring countries and regional organisations. Peace and security are fundamental prerequisites for sustainable economic integration. Regional trade, cross-border investment, transport networks, energy cooperation and infrastructure development all depend on a stable and predictable security environment. The Horn of Africa possesses considerable economic potential because of its strategic geographical position, natural resources, expanding markets and opportunities for regional connectivity. However, persistent insecurity can undermine investment, disrupt trade routes, damage infrastructure and discourage economic cooperation. Ethiopia's strong defence capabilities helps address these challenges by improving the protection of strategic infrastructure, transportation corridors and economic assets. A capable defence institution can also help create the security conditions necessary for implementing regional development projects. This is particularly important as countries in the region pursue greater economic connectivity through road networks, railway systems, energy interconnections, ports and trade corridors. Protecting these shared economic interests requires not only diplomatic cooperation but also adequate national and regional security capabilities. Consequently, advances in military technology also have an economic dimension when they contribute to protecting the foundations of regional development and integration. The development of air power is another important element of modern defence systems, particularly in geographically extensive regions where security threats can emerge across difficult terrain and national borders. Ethiopia's modernisation of its air force can strengthen its capacity to monitor its airspace, protect national infrastructure and respond to emergencies. Modern aircraft and associated technological systems can also improve operational coordination and support humanitarian and disaster-response activities where appropriate. The broader regional value of these capabilities lies in their potential contribution to security cooperation. Through appropriate bilateral and multilateral arrangements, countries can strengthen information sharing, coordinate responses to common threats and establish mechanisms for preventing security incidents. Such cooperation can help ensure that advances in military technology become instruments of collective security rather than sources of mistrust. It also highlights the importance of combining military preparedness with diplomatic engagement and confidence-building measures. Ethiopia's defence development should therefore be understood within the context of its legitimate national security interests and its broader responsibility to contribute to a peaceful neighbourhood. In this context, narratives portray Ethiopia's defence advancements, including some media coverage emerging from Egypt, as inherently threatening risk diverting attention from the broader importance of regional security cooperation. Such interpretations can deepen mistrust and complicate diplomatic relations. Countries in the region would benefit more from constructive engagement, mutual respect and dialogue than from interpreting one another's national defence developments as grounds for confrontation. The relationship between defence capabilities and economic development is particularly important in a region where insecurity can undermine major development ambitions. Strong institutions, secure borders and protected infrastructure provide an enabling environment for trade, investment and regional connectivity. Ethiopia's military and technological development can also contribute to these objectives by strengthening national resilience and supporting the security requirements of regional cooperation. In conclusion, Ethiopia's advancing military technology represents an important development with implications extending beyond national defence. Its potential contribution to regional peace, stability and economic integration lies in strengthening the capacity to deter security threats, support collective security initiatives and protect the infrastructure and economic corridors upon which regional cooperation depends. The Horn of Africa needs a security environment that enables countries to expand trade, connect markets, develop shared infrastructure and pursue common economic interests. Achieving this requires capable national institutions, stronger regional partnerships and a shared commitment to resolving differences peacefully. Ethiopia's military modernisation should therefore be assessed within this broader regional context. The objective should not be to turn technological advancement into a source of rivalry, but to ensure that stronger defence capabilities contribute to a more secure neighbourhood and a more integrated region.

By Jibril Lamo November 7, 2026 (ENA) Governing for Growth: How Strategic Synergy Transformed Ethiopia and Offers a Blueprint for Africa Africa does not suffer from a lack of potential or resources. Its historic constraint has been the gap between vision and realization. True transformation requires the realization of three unbroken links: a strategic plan that captures aspirations; a strategic leadership that unites fragmented forces; as well as a strategic execution that converts policy into visible and measurable progress. In recent years, Ethiopia has embarked on a bold political and economic experiment. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the Prosperity Party emerged — growing into one of Africa’s largest political institutions with over 16.9 million members. The Prosperity Party has thus emerged a leading entity in Africa’s political leadership for economic transformation. Anchored in the philosophy of Medemer, the party puts public interest first. This pragmatic approach serves as a living example to Africa. It proves that a strong, visionary political party is indispensable for transforming the lives of its people. Strategic Execution in Agriculture Agricultural transformation lies at the heart of Ethiopia’s Prosperity Party agenda. This transformation drive is guided by five uncompromising objectives: producing excess to ensure food security and sovereignty, accelerating import substitution, driving export promotion, generating millions of jobs, and building lasting household wealth. For this emerging party, political sovereignty without economic strength is fragile. True independence must be built on productivity, prosperity and self-reliance, which are the core values of the Prosperity Party. The transformation is backed by profound policy shifts: long-term land deed security, fertilizer subsidies, duty-free importation of agricultural machinery, and technology transfer. Through this approach, Ethiopia has eliminated its 1 billion USD wheat import bill. Now, the nation harvests tens of million metric tons and exports surplus grain. This Prosperity Party-led transformation offers Africa a powerful lesson: replace wheat imports with homegrown abundance and turn food dependence into sovereignty. In coffee — the major export commodity of the country, structural market reforms crossed 3 billion USD in annual export earnings. This alone marks a historic breakthrough in Ethiopia’s coffee exports. while the Green Legacy Initiative has planted over 56 billion tree seedlings to secure climate resilience. Meanwhile, the Green Legacy Initiative has reinforced this transformation, with over 56 billion tree seedlings planted since 2019 to strengthen climate resilience and sustain agricultural growth. Industrial Growth The Prosperity Party has sparked an industrial growth, achieving structural self-sufficiency in key industrial products. Through the “Made in Ethiopia” campaign, aggressive import substitution in cement, steel, and ceramics has saved billions. Today, 44 percent of pharmaceutical products are manufactured locally, establishing continental leadership. To guarantee input sovereignty, the Ethiopian Investment Holdings has partnered with the Dangote Group. They are building a 2.5 billion USD natural gas-to-urea mega-complex, set to produce 3 million metric tons of urea annually. Strategic Leadership in Digital Economy Through the Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy, telecommunications liberalization ended a state monopoly, securing 850 million USD in direct FDI; while modernizing Ethio Telecom. The Telebirr platform has surpassed 45 million active users, facilitating trillions of Birr in digital transactions. Meanwhile, over 500 public services have been fully digitized. To power the future workforce, the visionary 5 Million Coders Initiative is equipping millions of African youth with cutting-edge software programming, AI, and data science skills. Unlocking Mineral Potential In mining, policy reforms directed commercial and artisanal gold straight to central bank reserves. For the first time in history, gold has become Ethiopia's number one foreign currency earner, generating over 5.6 billion USD. The inauguration of the state-of-the-art National Precious Metals Refinery adds local value before export, creating thousands of high-quality jobs and elevating the quality of life for mining communities. Strategic Execution in Tourism Clarity of thought and imaginative leadership has also unlocked Ethiopia’s tourism wealth. Brand-new eco-tourism destinations were created from scratch. This was made possible through the Dine for Sheger, Dine for Ethiopia, and Dine for Generation initiatives. Concurrently, major investments renovated historical, cultural, and spiritual landmarks. Sites like Lalibela, Fasilides Castle, Jimma Abajifar Palace and the historic city of Harar were restored, driving double-digit revenue growth and drawing millions of global visitors. Urban Renewal The Prosperity Party’s urban transformation model—exemplified by the Addis Ababa Corridor Development—has revolutionized urban living. With similar corridor developments actively in progress across 78 major cities nationwide, urban centers are being transformed into clean, green, walkable, and smart habitats that boost commerce and create massive urban employment. Rural Corridor Development Going beyond urban centers, the Prosperity Party has extended its visionary corridor transformation into the countryside through rural corridor development. This initiative integrates rural infrastructure, including feeder roads, electrification, water access, and digital connectivity. It connects farming communities directly to economic hubs, reduces post-harvest losses, and turns rural settlements into vibrant centers of growth. Mega Projects for Comprehensive Sovereignty Beyond poverty reduction, true statehood requires monumental infrastructure. The Prosperity Party delivered the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) which stands as a national symbol of patriotism and self-funding. This mega project drives regional energy integration by exporting clean electricity across the Horn of Africa. To revolutionize continental logistics, construction has been underway for the new Bishoftu International mega Airport with a total outlay of 12.5 billion USD, designed as Africa's largest international aviation hub. Add to this the major Natural Gas and Petroleum Development Projects… Through these, Ethiopia is guaranteeing its energy sovereignty. The Ethiopian transformation under the Prosperity Party was not an accident of circumstances. Grounded in the philosophy of Medemer, this strategic alignment has propelled Ethiopia to the top of Africa’s economic rankings. The nation has achieved an extraordinary 10.2 percent economic growth rate. Medemer is no longer just an idea. It is a tried, tested, and empirically proven philosophy that can be replicated across the African continent. How can African political parties adapt this model? African countries can adapt this promising Ethiopian model and start marching on the path to prosperity. How? First: Build Institutional Synergy. Move political organizations away from short-term electoral cycles toward unified, development-focused governance platforms. Second: Achieve productive sovereignty. Instead of relying on imports, we must harness our own land, labor, and resources to end our dependence on foreign aid. And Third: Integrate Regional Value Chains. Link trade, energy, and agricultural markets so that no African nation faces global supply crises alone. The story of Ethiopia over the last seven and eight years demonstrates that rapid, homegrown economic transformation is not a distant vision. It is achievable through strategic clarity, public-first leadership, and disciplined execution. As 600 political party leaders, heads of state and policy architects gather here in Addis Ababa for the Second African Political Parties Summit (APPS), the mandate is clear: When nations align their strategic plans, exercise courageous strategic leadership, and commit to relentless strategic execution—Africa does not merely adapt to the future. Africa builds it.

  By Staff Writer November 1, 2026 (ENA) The final week of October 2026 underscored the increasingly interconnected nature of global affairs, as geopolitical rivalries, diplomatic efforts to contain conflicts, economic uncertainty and escalating climate risks continued to shape the international agenda. From the Middle East and Europe to Africa, Asia and the Americas, governments and international institutions faced mounting pressure to address security threats, navigate economic uncertainties and respond to humanitarian and environmental emergencies. Meanwhile, intensifying competition over energy, advanced technologies and strategic supply chains further illustrated how economic resilience and national security are becoming increasingly intertwined. Against this backdrop, diplomatic engagement, multilateral cooperation and the pursuit of sustainable development remained central to international efforts to navigate an increasingly complex global landscape. Peace and Security: Diplomatic Efforts Amid Persistent Conflicts Conflict prevention, regional stability and diplomatic engagement remained among the most pressing international priorities during the week, as several regions continued to grapple with armed conflicts and heightened geopolitical tensions. In the Middle East, tensions involving Iran, Saudi Arabia and Yemen raised renewed concerns about regional security and the vulnerability of critical energy infrastructure and international maritime routes. Houthi attacks and reported threats to Saudi infrastructure heightened concerns over the safety of commercial shipping and strategic energy facilities, particularly around vital waterways. Against this backdrop, diplomatic initiatives involving regional mediators continued to explore opportunities to ease tensions between Iran and its regional adversaries. The developments underscored the importance of sustained dialogue in preventing further escalation in a region whose stability has far-reaching implications for global security and energy markets. In Europe, diplomatic efforts to advance negotiations over the Russia-Ukraine conflict remained in focus. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that technical-level discussions involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States could resume in November. Nevertheless, persistent disagreements over territorial arrangements and security guarantees continued to complicate prospects for a comprehensive settlement. Meanwhile, Sudan's humanitarian and security crisis remained acute as fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces continued to inflict civilian casualties, displace communities and destroy critical infrastructure. Reports of deadly drone attacks around the disputed Abyei region further highlighted the vulnerability of civilian populations and the urgent need for effective protection measures. These developments illustrated the persistent challenges facing international peace efforts and reinforced the need for coordinated diplomacy, conflict prevention and stronger mechanisms to protect civilians. Uncertainty, Trade Competition and Supply Chain Pressures Economic uncertainty, intensifying trade competition and energy market vulnerabilities continued to influence international economic discussions as governments sought to strengthen their resilience against external shocks. The International Monetary Fund's October 2026 World Economic Outlook projected global economic growth of 3.1 percent in 2026, increasing to 3.4 percent in 2027. Global headline inflation was forecast to reach 4.7 percent in 2026 before easing to 4.1 percent the following year. The IMF cautioned that geopolitical conflicts, renewed trade tensions, fiscal vulnerabilities and uncertainty surrounding artificial intelligence investment could weigh on global economic performance. Energy-importing economies remain particularly exposed to these pressures. Higher petroleum prices can increase transportation and production costs, erode household purchasing power and intensify inflationary pressures, particularly in countries with limited domestic energy resources. Meanwhile, G20 foreign ministers convened in Atlanta to discuss economic security, food supplies, international trade and the protection of critical supply chains. Their deliberations reflected growing recognition that diversified trade partnerships, resilient supply networks and closer international economic cooperation are essential to sustaining global growth. The broader picture points to an increasingly challenging economic environment in which governments must balance domestic economic priorities with the need to navigate geopolitical uncertainty and interconnected global markets. Climate and Environment: Growing Urgency for Global Action Climate change and environmental sustainability remained high on the international agenda, with new United Nations assessments highlighting the widening gap between existing climate commitments and the action required to address escalating environmental risks. On October 27, UN Climate Change released assessments examining national climate commitments, adaptation planning and progress in implementing the Paris Agreement. The findings highlighted the need for more ambitious climate action, particularly in developing countries increasingly exposed to drought, flooding, agricultural disruption and other climate-related shocks. The assessments also emphasized the importance of mobilizing climate finance, expanding early-warning systems and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure to protect vulnerable communities and critical economic sectors. Meanwhile, preparations continued for the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20. The conference is expected to place climate finance, adaptation, emissions reduction and the implementation of international commitments at the center of global discussions. For African countries, the stakes are particularly high. Despite contributing relatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions, the continent faces disproportionate exposure to climate-related risks affecting agriculture, water resources, food security and livelihoods. Consequently, greater investment in renewable energy, climate-resilient agriculture, adaptation infrastructure and sustainable natural resource management remains essential to advancing Africa's development priorities. Elections and Public Accountability in Focus Electoral developments, political participation and public accountability also featured prominently in international affairs, reflecting the continuing influence of democratic processes on national governance and global relations. In Brazil, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva secured another presidential term after defeating conservative challenger Flávio Bolsonaro in the October 25 runoff election. The outcome is expected to shape the country's domestic policy direction and international engagement, particularly Brazil's role in Latin American affairs and broader global diplomacy. In the United States, political campaigning intensified ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, with economic conditions, immigration, public security and control of Congress emerging as major issues. The outcome is expected to influence the balance of political power in Washington and the implementation of President Donald Trump's legislative agenda. Meanwhile, youth-led demonstrations in France and other European countries reflected mounting public concerns over housing affordability, education, the rising cost of living and government accountability. These developments highlighted the importance of responsive governance, meaningful political participation and accountable institutions in addressing public expectations and maintaining confidence in democratic systems. Ebola Outbreak Raises Regional Concerns Public health remained another significant international concern as the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola continued to challenge disease-control efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Health authorities and international partners intensified efforts to contain the outbreak, with reported cases and fatalities raising concerns about the potential for cross-border transmission and the capacity of regional healthcare systems to respond effectively. The situation underscored the importance of early detection, contact tracing, infection prevention, public awareness and cross-border coordination in containing infectious diseases. For African countries, the outbreak once again highlighted the need to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, disease surveillance systems and emergency response capabilities, particularly in areas with limited access to essential medical services. Beyond infectious diseases, the relationship between climate change and public health also attracted international attention. The 2026 Lancet Countdown report highlighted the growing burden of heat-related deaths and other health consequences associated with rising temperatures. Its findings reinforced the understanding that climate change is no longer solely an environmental challenge but an increasingly serious threat to public health, human wellbeing and economic productivity. Energy Security: Geopolitical Tensions Expose Global Vulnerabilities Energy security remained a major factor shaping international economic and diplomatic relations as geopolitical tensions threatened critical petroleum infrastructure and strategic maritime corridors. Reported attacks and threats involving energy facilities in Saudi Arabia and shipping routes around the Strait of Hormuz raised concerns about potential disruptions to global oil supplies. Given the strategic importance of the Middle East to international energy markets, instability in the region carries significant consequences for both energy-producing and energy-importing economies. Disruptions to major shipping corridors could increase transportation and insurance costs, undermine international trade and intensify inflationary pressures, particularly in economies heavily dependent on imported fuel. These vulnerabilities have reinforced the importance of diversifying energy sources, strengthening domestic production and accelerating investment in renewable energy. The growing intersection of energy security, geopolitical stability and economic resilience is making diversified and sustainable energy systems an increasingly important component of national development strategies. Technological Competition Reshapes Global Power Relations Competition over artificial intelligence, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and other strategic technologies continued to reshape relations among major powers. China's fifth plenary session, which opened on October 26, attracted international attention as Beijing considered its economic and political priorities amid intensifying global technological competition. The discussions came as major economies sought to strengthen domestic industrial capabilities, secure critical technologies and reduce vulnerabilities in strategic supply chains. Meanwhile, the United States and Japan announced plans to deepen defence-industrial cooperation through missile production arrangements in Japan, reflecting their efforts to strengthen regional security and technological capabilities. These developments point to a broader transformation in international relations, where technological innovation, industrial capacity and control over critical resources are increasingly viewed as strategic assets. As competition intensifies, technological sovereignty and the ability to secure essential supply chains are becoming increasingly important determinants of economic competitiveness and national security. Multilateral Cooperation Faces Geopolitical Divisions International diplomatic engagements during the week demonstrated both the continuing relevance of multilateral institutions and the growing difficulty of achieving consensus amid geopolitical divisions. G20 foreign ministers discussed international security, energy and food supplies, trade and maritime transportation during their meeting in Atlanta. However, differences over major geopolitical conflicts prevented the adoption of a joint communiqué, illustrating the challenges of building common positions among major powers on contentious international issues. At the United Nations, the General Assembly adopted another resolution calling for an end to the longstanding United States economic embargo against Cuba. The vote reflected continued international opposition to the restrictions, although the resolution is non-binding. Meanwhile, ASEAN-related defence engagements in the Philippines provided a platform for regional countries and the United States to discuss maritime security, defence cooperation and regional stability amid intensifying strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific. Together, these engagements highlighted the importance of diplomatic dialogue and multilateral cooperation in addressing shared global challenges, even as competing national interests and geopolitical rivalries continue to complicate international consensus-building. Conclusion An Increasingly Interconnected and Uncertain World The final week of October 2026 offered a clear reminder that global security, economic stability, technological advancement, political governance and environmental sustainability are deeply interconnected. From diplomatic initiatives seeking to contain conflicts in the Middle East and Europe to growing concerns over energy security, trade competition, technological sovereignty and climate vulnerability, developments across regions demonstrated how challenges in one part of the world can generate far-reaching consequences elsewhere. For developing economies, particularly across Africa, these dynamics present both significant challenges and opportunities. Exposure to external economic shocks, climate-related disasters and geopolitical disruptions underscores the importance of strengthening domestic resilience, diversifying partnerships and investing in sustainable development. As November begins, the international community faces a critical task: translating diplomatic commitments and multilateral discussions into practical action. The ability to bridge geopolitical divisions, protect vulnerable populations, strengthen economic resilience and accelerate climate action will remain essential to shaping a more stable, secure and sustainable global future. Sources: The roundup draws on reporting and analysis from major international and regional media and institutional sources including Reuters, AP, BBC, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, CNN, France 24, DW, Africanews, Euronews, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Bloomberg and Financial Times.

By Staff Writer November 1, 2026 (ENA) The final week of October 2026 brought Ethiopia into sharper international focus, as the country advanced its defence modernization, strengthened strategic partnerships and renewed attention to its interests in the Abay (Nile) Basin and Red Sea region. From the announcement of the delivery of advanced fighter jets and plans to acquire sophisticated air defence systems to high-level diplomatic engagements at the Russia-Africa Summit, Ethiopia's activities reflected the growing intersection of national security, economic ambitions and regional geopolitics. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's participation in the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow provided an important platform for advancing bilateral and continental cooperation. His announcement that Ethiopia had received its first 12 Su-35 fighter jets and was set to acquire four batteries of S-400 air defence systems also brought the country's military modernization into the international spotlight. Meanwhile, the Third Ethiopian Water and Energy Week highlighted the country's efforts to strengthen water-resource management amid rising demand from agriculture, industry and a growing population. In Addis Ababa, the introduction of the first 26 natural gas-powered city buses marked another step towards reducing fuel imports, lowering transport costs and expanding the use of locally sourced energy. Beyond these developments, discussions surrounding Ethiopia's interests in the Abay River and sustainable access to the Red Sea continued to feature prominently in national and international discourse. Together, these developments underscored Ethiopia's efforts to strengthen its national capabilities, diversify international partnerships and advance its economic and strategic interests in an increasingly interconnected regional environment. Defence Modernization: Ethiopia Advances Strategic Deterrence One of the week's most consequential announcements came from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who disclosed that Ethiopia had taken delivery of its first 12 Russian-made Su-35 4++ generation fighter jets and was preparing to receive four batteries of S-400 air defence systems.   The Prime Minister described the development as a significant milestone in the country's efforts to strengthen national defence and security capabilities, emphasizing the importance of building military readiness during peacetime to deter potential threats. "Today, in accordance with our prior agreement with the Russian government, we have taken delivery of the first twelve Su-35 4++ Generation fighter jets," he announced. He further disclosed that Ethiopia would receive four batteries of S-400 air defence systems, marking another major component of the country's military modernization programme. The Prime Minister elaborated that the delivery was expedited ahead of schedule following high-level engagements with the Russian government, including discussions with President Vladimir Putin. Highlighting the capabilities of the newly acquired aircraft, Abiy said the Su-35 combines advanced radar technology, high manoeuvrability and air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capabilities. He also pointed to its ability to detect and engage aerial threats, including cruise missiles and certain ballistic targets. The acquisition signals Ethiopia's intention to strengthen its air capabilities as part of a broader effort to modernize the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF). Beyond acquiring sophisticated military platforms, the country's evolving defence priorities also place emphasis on operational readiness, technological capabilities and the institutional capacity required to maintain and sustain modern military systems. The announcement has consequently drawn international attention to Ethiopia's changing defence posture and its implications for the wider Horn of Africa and Red Sea security environment. Russia-Africa Summit: Advancing Ethiopia's Strategic Partnerships Ethiopia's defence announcement coincided with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's participation in the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, where he engaged in bilateral and multilateral discussions aimed at expanding cooperation across strategic sectors. Among the key engagements was his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which the two leaders discussed ways to deepen the longstanding relationship between their countries.   PM Abiy pointed out that the discussions explored opportunities for expanding cooperation in nuclear energy, healthcare, trade and other areas of mutual interest. The meeting reflected the two countries' continued interest in broadening their partnership beyond traditional diplomatic relations into sectors central to Ethiopia's long-term economic and technological ambitions. In a gesture underscoring the importance of intellectual exchange and mutual understanding, the Ethiopian Prime Minister also presented Putin with the Russian edition of his book, Medemer. PM Abiy described the presentation as reflecting the shared commitment of the two countries to dialogue, mutual understanding and the continued advancement of bilateral relations. Addressing the summit, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of translating longstanding diplomatic relationships and strategic commitments into tangible development outcomes.   He identified food security and agricultural productivity, reliable energy supply, and skills and knowledge transfer as three essential pillars underpinning Ethiopia's development ambitions. He further noted that Ethiopia and Russia have maintained diplomatic relations for more than a century, founded on mutual respect and shared interests. As part of efforts to expand this historic partnership, the two countries are pursuing cooperation on the development of a nuclear power plant in Ethiopia, an initiative expected to contribute to the country's long-term energy ambitions. Prime Minister Abiy said the strategic partnership with Russia could help diversify Ethiopia's energy options, accelerate its development aspirations and strengthen cooperation in areas critical to national prosperity. Water and Energy: Strengthening the Foundation for Sustainable Development   While defence and diplomacy attracted considerable international attention, Ethiopia's water and energy agenda remained another important focus during the week. The Third Ethiopian Water and Energy Week brought together policymakers, technical experts and other stakeholders to examine the country's progress and challenges in managing its water resources and expanding access to essential services. The third day of the event was dedicated to Water Day under the theme "Evidence to Action: Science-Based Solutions for Integrated WASH and Water Resource Management." Discussions focused on strengthening the identification, documentation and sustainable management of Ethiopia's surface and groundwater resources as population growth, industrialization and agricultural expansion continue to increase national demand. The gathering also provided an opportunity to assess progress over the past decade in drinking water supply and sanitation, recognize achievements and identify remaining gaps. For Ethiopia, effective water-resource management is closely linked to food security, energy generation, industrial development and public health. With agriculture remaining central to the national economy, improved water management and expanded irrigation infrastructure are increasingly important to strengthening agricultural productivity and reducing vulnerability to climate-related shocks. The discussions therefore highlighted the importance of translating scientific evidence, research and policy commitments into practical solutions that can support the country's long-term development. Addis Ababa Introduces Its First Natural Gas-Powered City Buses   Another notable development during the week was the introduction of the first 26 natural gas-powered city buses into Addis Ababa's public transportation system. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced that the buses, converted from conventional fuel to natural gas, had officially entered service, marking a new phase in the capital's efforts to modernize public transport and diversify its energy sources. The initiative is expected to reduce the country's fuel import bill, lower public transport operating expenses and make transportation more affordable for passengers. the Prime Minister revealed that the transition is projected to cut passenger fares by half while reducing foreign currency expenditure on conventional fuels. He explained that the initiative followed months of work to transport domestically produced natural gas to Addis Ababa, establish refuelling facilities and retrofit existing buses. Beyond its immediate transport benefits, the project demonstrates efforts to expand the domestic application of locally available energy resources and strengthen technological and industrial capabilities. The Premier also disclosed that an additional 400 natural gas-powered buses were expected to arrive soon, as the government seeks to accelerate the transition towards more affordable and diversified public transportation. The initiative forms part of broader efforts to improve urban mobility, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and deliver tangible economic benefits to citizens. Abay and Red Sea: Ethiopia's Strategic Interests Gain International Attention   Alongside developments in defence, diplomacy and economic transformation, Ethiopia's interests in the Abay River and sustainable access to the Red Sea continued to attract attention from political leaders, analysts and international commentators. The country's geographical position, population size, economic ambitions and growing regional responsibilities have increasingly brought these issues into discussions about the future of the Horn of Africa. Former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn described Ethiopia's pursuit of sustainable sea access as a legitimate national aspiration that should be addressed through dialogue, negotiations and mutually beneficial arrangements. He argued that the central question should not be whether Ethiopia needs access to the sea, but how such access can be secured peacefully while respecting the interests of all parties. With a population of approximately 130 million, a growing economy and a vast geographical area, Ethiopia is the world's most populous landlocked country. Hailemariam described the loss of direct maritime access as a historical development that continues to influence the country's economic and strategic interests.   He also traced the region's present geographical arrangements to the European scramble for Africa in the 1880s, arguing that the issue deserves serious consideration rather than being passed on to future generations. His remarks added to the growing discussion about Ethiopia's maritime interests and the importance of pursuing regional solutions through constructive engagement. Meanwhile, former African Union Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma highlighted Ethiopia's broader continental significance, particularly its homegrown development approach and investments in energy. Speaking to ENA in Moscow ahead of the Russia-Africa Summit, Dlamini-Zuma described Ethiopia as an important model of African development and self-determination. Having led the African Union Commission from its headquarters in Addis Ababa between 2012 and 2017, she emphasized the country's unique responsibility as the diplomatic capital of Africa. She said Ethiopia should continue contributing to the vision of an integrated, peaceful and prosperous continent, driven by African leadership and the aspirations of its people.   Her remarks highlighted the importance of Ethiopia's development experience and its role in advancing continental cooperation. A Week Reflecting Ethiopia's Expanding Strategic Priorities Taken together, the developments of the final week of October reflected several interconnected dimensions of Ethiopia's national priorities. The defence acquisitions highlighted efforts to strengthen military readiness and strategic deterrence. The Russia-Africa Summit provided an opportunity to expand international partnerships in energy, trade, healthcare and technology. The Water and Energy Week reinforced the importance of sustainable resource management, while the introduction of natural gas-powered buses demonstrated the practical application of domestic energy resources. At the same time, discussions surrounding the Abay River and Red Sea access underscored the enduring importance of geography, economic interests and regional cooperation in shaping Ethiopia's strategic outlook. These developments point to a broader national agenda in which security, economic transformation, technological advancement and diplomatic engagement increasingly intersect. As Ethiopia continues to pursue its development ambitions and navigate a changing regional and international environment, the challenge will be to translate these strategic priorities into sustainable economic gains, stronger national institutions and peaceful, mutually beneficial regional partnerships.

By Staff Writer   November 1, 2026 (ENA) Ethiopia’s announcement of the acquisition of advanced Russian-made Su-35 fighter jets and plans to receive S-400 air defence systems marks a significant development in the country’s efforts to modernize its national defence capabilities, strengthen the protection of its airspace and reinforce its strategic deterrence. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on October 28 in Moscow, Russia that Ethiopia had taken delivery of its first batch of Su-35 fighter jets under an agreement with Russia and would also receive four batteries of the S-400 air defence system. He described the development as a major milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen national security, safeguard sovereignty and contribute to regional stability. The announcement, made during the Prime Minister’s visit to Moscow for the Third Russia–Africa Summit, also underscored the growing defence cooperation between Ethiopia and Russia. Beyond Military Acquisition: A Strategic Investment in National Security The acquisition represents more than the addition of advanced military equipment to Ethiopia’s arsenal. It reflects a broader effort to build a modern defence force capable of responding to evolving security challenges and protecting the country's national interests. The Su-35, a fourth-generation-plus multirole fighter, is designed to undertake air-superiority and air-to-ground missions. Its advanced radar, manoeuvrability and weapons systems provide capabilities for airspace surveillance, interception and a range of combat operations. The planned acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 system would add another dimension to Ethiopia’s air defence architecture. Designed to engage aircraft, cruise missiles and other aerial threats, the system is intended to provide long-range air defence capabilities and strengthen the protection of strategic assets. Together, these platforms could expand Ethiopia’s capacity to monitor and defend its airspace. However, their effectiveness will depend not only on the equipment itself but also on trained personnel, maintenance systems, logistics, command-and-control infrastructure and the ability to integrate different defence capabilities. Deterrence as an Instrument of Peace The strategic significance of military modernization extends beyond battlefield capabilities. A credible defence posture can serve as a deterrent by raising the potential costs of aggression and discouraging threats before they escalate into conflict. Prime Minister Abiy has emphasized this principle, noting that military preparedness is not simply about fighting wars but also about preventing them. For Ethiopia, strengthening defence readiness is closely connected to protecting its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national development interests. The objective, as articulated by the government, is to build the capacity to safeguard peace and security while reducing vulnerability to external threats. This approach places deterrence within a broader national security framework in which military preparedness is intended to support stability rather than confrontation. Regional Security and the Horn of Africa Ethiopia’s defence modernization carries significance beyond its national borders, particularly given its strategic position in the Horn of Africa and its extensive economic and security interests across the wider Red Sea region. As a landlocked country with a large population and substantial dependence on regional trade and transport corridors, Ethiopia has important interests in the security of its airspace, critical infrastructure and cross-border economic connections. The evolving security environment in the Horn of Africa, together with the growing use of drones, precision-guided weapons and other emerging military technologies, has increased the importance of modern surveillance, air defence and rapid-response capabilities. In this context, Ethiopia’s investment in advanced fighter aircraft and air defence systems reflects an effort to adapt its defence posture to changing regional and technological realities. At the same time, military modernization alone cannot guarantee regional stability. Sustainable peace also requires diplomatic engagement, confidence-building, respect for national sovereignty and stronger regional cooperation. A credible deterrent is most effective when complemented by constructive relations with neighbouring countries and regional institutions. Building a Modern and Sustainable Defence Force The acquisition of advanced platforms also places greater importance on the institutional and technological foundations of national defence. Operating sophisticated fighter aircraft and integrated air defence systems requires specialized training, reliable maintenance facilities, technical expertise, secure supply chains and sustained investment in personnel development. The Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) has made significant strides in expanding its military capabilities through the acquisition of modern and sophisticated weaponry, reflecting an ambitious effort to transform its defence posture. Beyond conventional military capabilities, the ENDF is increasingly moving towards a technology-driven defence model, seeking to integrate artificial intelligence, cyber operations, digital warfare and advanced surveillance technologies into its military operations. This transition reflects the changing nature of modern warfare, where technological superiority, real-time intelligence and integrated command-and-control systems are becoming increasingly important. However, building a modern and technologically advanced military requires more than acquiring sophisticated weapons systems. It also demands sustained investment in specialized training, technical expertise, maintenance infrastructure, logistics, research and development, and institutional capacity to operate and sustain these capabilities over the long term. Strengthening these foundations will be essential to translating military modernization into lasting operational readiness and strategic self-reliance. The development also highlights the importance of strengthening domestic technical expertise and reducing dependence on external support wherever possible. Building such capabilities is essential to ensuring that military modernization translates into sustainable national defence readiness. Sovereignty, Security and the Pursuit of Peace Ethiopia’s latest defence acquisitions form part of a broader national effort to strengthen its security institutions and respond to an increasingly complex regional environment. The delivery of the Su-35 fighter jets and the planned arrival of the S-400 systems signal an expansion of the country’s defence ambitions and its military cooperation with Russia. Ultimately, the significance of this modernization will be measured not simply by the sophistication of the equipment acquired, but by the country's ability to translate those capabilities into effective national defence, strategic resilience and a more secure regional environment. For Ethiopia, the central objective remains the protection of sovereignty and the preservation of peace. A modern, capable and sustainable defence force, complemented by diplomacy and regional cooperation, can play an important role in safeguarding national interests and creating the security conditions necessary for long-term development.

By Staff Writer October 26, 2026 (ENA) The week of October 19 to 25, 2026, highlighted the growing links between armed conflicts, economic uncertainty, public health emergencies, climate risks and geopolitical competition. Economic developments presented a mixed picture. China’s economy grew by 4.5 percent year on year in the third quarter, supported by industrial production and technology related sectors. However, weak domestic demand, subdued private investment and a struggling property market continued to weigh on the outlook. Energy security remained closely tied to geopolitical tensions and disruptions to international shipping, while governments grappled with the challenge of balancing industrial competitiveness with climate commitments. Across these developments, diplomatic initiatives and emergency responses underscored the importance of international cooperation. However, strategic rivalries, political disagreements and resource constraints continued to complicate collective efforts to address shared global challenges. Peace, Security, and Geopolitical Conflicts The War in Ukraine: A Winter of Uncertainty-The conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated significantly this week, with a renewed focus on energy infrastructure. Reports indicate that Russia launched a coordinated assault involving 16 ballistic missiles and over 200 drones, targeting civilian and energy-related infrastructure. The human and economic toll is severe: more than half a million households are currently without electricity. As the region braces for winter, the destruction of power grids poses a humanitarian catastrophe. Hospitals, water treatment facilities, and heating systems are failing, which will inevitably lead to increased mortality rates and mass displacement. Diplomatically, the stalemate persists. While international engagement continues, the fundamental divide regarding territorial sovereignty, security guarantees, and the terms of a potential ceasefire remains unbridgeable. The conflict continues to act as a primary driver of instability in European defense policy and global food supply chains. Middle East Maritime Security Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have entered a new phase of uncertainty. The potential for direct confrontation involving Iran has placed global maritime security at the center of international concern. The Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, and the Bab el Mandeb Strait—the world’s most critical maritime "choke points"—are currently under threat. For the global economy, this insecurity is not merely a regional issue; it is a systemic risk. The threat to commercial vessels has led to a spike in insurance premiums and forced shipping companies to reroute, adding weeks to transit times and significantly increasing the cost of fuel, food, and manufactured goods. For import-dependent economies, particularly in Africa, these disruptions are catastrophic. They exacerbate foreign exchange shortages, fuel domestic inflation, and erode the fiscal capacity of governments to provide essential services to their populations. Economy, Trade, and Energy China’s Economic Performance China’s National Bureau of Statistics reported a third-quarter GDP growth rate of 4.5% year-on-year, an improvement from the 4.3% recorded in the second quarter. While this demonstrates a degree of resilience, the underlying data reveals a complex picture. Growth is heavily concentrated in manufacturing and high-tech sectors, while the property market remains a significant drag on the economy. For the global south, China’s performance is a bellwether. As a primary consumer of minerals and agricultural commodities, China’s industrial output directly impacts commodity prices. However, the reliance on Chinese investment and development finance necessitates a cautious approach, as internal Chinese economic pressures could lead to a contraction in outward capital flows. Energy Security and the Transition Challenge Energy security has become the defining economic challenge of the decade. Governments are struggling to balance the immediate need for affordable energy to curb inflation with the long-term imperative of climate commitments. The vulnerability of global supply chains—highlighted by the maritime tensions mentioned above—has made the transition to renewable energy not just an environmental goal, but a strategic necessity. However, the transition is fraught with inequality. While advanced economies have the capital to invest in grid modernization and energy storage, developing nations face a "financing gap." Without international support to mobilize climate finance and technology transfer, the transition risks creating a two-tiered global economy: one that is energy-secure and green, and another that remains trapped in a cycle of high-cost, high-pollution fossil fuel dependence. Trade Policy and Industrial Competitiveness The global trade landscape is shifting toward protectionism as nations seek to secure their domestic industries. China’s manufacturing dominance has triggered a wave of trade policy adjustments globally. For developing nations, this fragmentation is a double-edged sword. While it creates opportunities for companies to diversify their manufacturing bases, it also raises the cost of essential technologies. The solution for many, particularly in Africa, lies in regional integration. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) represents a vital mechanism to reduce reliance on external markets and build a more robust, intra-continental industrial base. Climate, Water, and Environmental Risks Climate change is no longer a future threat; it is a current economic reality. This week saw continued evidence that extreme weather events—floods, droughts, and landslides—are systematically dismantling the development gains of the last decade. When a drought destroys a harvest, it does more than cause food insecurity; it triggers a chain reaction that forces governments to divert funds from education and healthcare to emergency relief. This cycle of "disaster-relief-reconstruction" prevents long-term capital accumulation. To break this cycle, the international community must prioritize "climate-resilient infrastructure." This requires not only funding but also the implementation of sophisticated early-warning systems and disaster-preparedness frameworks that are accessible to the most vulnerable communities. Public Health and Humanitarian Emergencies The outbreak of the Bundibugyo virus (a strain of Ebola) has reached alarming proportions. As of October 23, the World Health Organization reported 9,704 confirmed cases and 4,687 deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The spread to Kenya and Nigeria underscores the extreme difficulty of containing pathogens in a highly mobile, interconnected world. The response to this outbreak is being severely hampered by insecurity and the degradation of local health systems. In many regions, conflict has destroyed clinics and forced the flight of medical personnel. This crisis highlights a critical lesson: public health is a national security issue. Without investment in local laboratories, medical supply chains, and cross-border disease surveillance, the world remains perpetually vulnerable to the next pandemic. Technology and Artificial Intelligence The Global AI Race Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as the new frontier of geopolitical competition. The race to dominate AI is not just about software; it is about the physical infrastructure—semiconductors, data centers, and massive amounts of electricity. This has created a new link between technological progress and energy security. Countries that fail to secure the necessary computing infrastructure risk being left behind. The concern is that the economic benefits of AI—productivity gains in manufacturing, healthcare, and finance—will accrue only to a handful of nations, further widening the global inequality gap. Digital Sovereignty The concept of "digital sovereignty" is gaining traction. Nations are realizing that relying on foreign providers for critical digital infrastructure (such as cloud services, digital identity, and communication networks) poses a strategic risk. Moving forward, the goal for many nations will be to foster local innovation and develop domestic technical expertise. While this is a long-term endeavor, it is essential for protecting sensitive data and ensuring that digital tools are used to serve local development priorities, such as precision agriculture and remote education. Conclusion The events of the week ending October 25, 2026, demonstrate that the world is in a period of "polycrisis." The links between a missile strike in Kyiv, a shipping delay in the Red Sea, and a virus outbreak in the DRC are not coincidental; they are symptomatic of a global system that is increasingly fragile. Peace and security can no longer be viewed in isolation from economic stability, environmental health, and technological capacity. As we look toward the remainder of the year, the path forward requires a shift from reactive crisis management to proactive, collaborative governance. Only through sustained international cooperation, transparent institutions, and a commitment to equitable development can the global community hope to navigate these interconnected challenges and ensure a stable future for all.

By Staff Writer October 25, 2026 (ENA) Ethiopia’s key developments this week highlighted an interconnected national agenda: strengthening African leadership, accelerating economic transformation, building institutional capacity and safeguarding strategic interests amid a rapidly changing regional and global order. From the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa to the inauguration of the Megech Dam, the country’s engagements reflected a broader effort to connect continental cooperation with tangible development outcomes at home. Economic reforms, agricultural modernization, technological capacity-building and the National Dialogue further underscored the importance of building a resilient state capable of translating national ambitions into lasting results. At the same time, discussions surrounding Red Sea access, Abay River including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and regional security highlighted the complex geopolitical environment in which Ethiopia is pursuing its development priorities. Tana Forum Puts African Leadership and Economic Sovereignty in Focus The 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa brought African leaders, policymakers and experts to Bahir Dar to examine pathways to peace amid economic uncertainty, geopolitical competition and shifting global power dynamics. Addressing the forum, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized the need for African-led solutions, stronger collective action and economic sovereignty, stressing the importance of enabling the continent to shape its own future rather than remain on the margins of global decision-making. The African Union echoed the call for greater cooperation and strategic independence, underscoring the importance of collective capacity in navigating an increasingly complex international environment. Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama described the Tana Forum as an authentic African platform for candid reflection and strategic foresight. The gathering provided an opportunity to assess the continent’s security challenges and explore solutions grounded in African realities, priorities and experiences. Prime Minister Abiy’s engagements with Kenya’s Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo further reinforced the diplomatic dimension of the gathering. His joint visit with President Mahama to Fasilides Castle in Gondar also brought Ethiopia’s historical heritage into the wider program of high-level engagements. Beyond the discussions themselves, the forum raised a fundamental question: how can Africa translate its abundant resources, demographic potential and collective influence into greater economic independence and geopolitical agency? For Ethiopia, the gathering offered an opportunity to contribute to this continental debate while strengthening engagement with African partners. Megech Dam Links Infrastructure with Food and Water Security While the Tana Forum focused on Africa’s strategic future, the inauguration of the Megech Dam in Gondar demonstrated how Ethiopia is pursuing development through investment in critical infrastructure. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially inaugurated the project, which has a storage capacity of 185 million cubic meters and is expected to support irrigation across more than 17,000 hectares of farmland. The dam will also provide drinking water to Gondar and surrounding towns. Its anticipated benefits extend beyond water storage. By supporting irrigation, the project is expected to strengthen agricultural productivity, improve food security and reduce farmers’ dependence on seasonal rainfall. It also offers opportunities for employment, fisheries, tourism and urban agriculture. The project illustrates the relationship between infrastructure investment and broader economic transformation. Reliable water supplies can support agricultural production, expand economic activity and improve livelihoods, particularly when complemented by effective management and access to markets. Prime Minister Abiy highlighted the overcoming of longstanding implementation challenges through the Medemer philosophy and emphasized the importance of further development in Gondar. President Mahama, who attended the inauguration, said the project had inspired renewed efforts to advance Ghana’s long-delayed Pwalugu Irrigation Project. His remarks underscored the potential for African countries to learn from one another’s development experiences and adapt successful approaches to their own circumstances. The Megech Dam thus represents more than an engineering achievement. It reflects the broader challenge of converting natural resources into productive assets that support food security, employment and sustainable economic growth. Indigenous Capacity at the Heart of Economic Transformation Ethiopia’s development agenda also places growing emphasis on indigenous capacity—the ability to design, implement, operate and sustain projects through domestic expertise and institutions. Infrastructure alone cannot guarantee lasting transformation. Its long-term value depends on the availability of skilled professionals, effective institutions, appropriate technologies and productive industries capable of supporting and expanding the investments made. Economic developments during the week reflected this wider ambition. Ethiopia and the United States Treasury reaffirmed their partnership in advancing economic reforms and bilateral engagement, while investment outreach to businesses from the United Arab Emirates highlighted opportunities for longer-term commercial partnerships. Meanwhile, Airbus projected that passenger traffic in Ethiopia could grow sixfold over the next 20 years, pointing to substantial potential for aviation and related services. Realizing that growth will require sustained investment in infrastructure, workforce development and operational capacity. Agriculture also remained central to the country’s development priorities, with continued efforts to strengthen productivity and build a more sustainable agricultural sector. These priorities are mutually reinforcing. Economic reforms can help create conditions for investment, infrastructure can expand productive capacity, and technology and skills can improve efficiency and competitiveness. Ultimately, the impact of these initiatives will be measured by their contribution to employment, domestic industries, household incomes and improved living standards. Strengthening indigenous capacity is therefore essential to ensuring that Ethiopia’s development ambitions are not only achieved but sustained over the long term. Red Sea Access and Regional Geopolitics Remain Strategic Priorities Ethiopia’s development ambitions are closely connected to its geopolitical environment, particularly the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea corridor. Discussions during the week highlighted the strategic importance of maritime access, regional stability and the competition among external powers around one of the world’s significant commercial and security corridors. Ambassador Zerihun Abebe emphasized Ethiopia’s geographic position and historical connections to the Red Sea, framing maritime access as an important issue for the country’s long-term strategic and economic interests. As a landlocked country reliant on maritime routes for international trade, Ethiopia has a direct interest in secure, reliable and economically viable access to global markets. Developments around the Red Sea therefore have implications not only for national security but also for trade, logistics and economic competitiveness. Advisor to the Prime Minister on East African Affairs, Getachew Reda, also underscored Ethiopia’s pivotal geopolitical position. Meanwhile, Professor Al Mariam expressed concern over Eritrea’s policies and their implications for regional stability, while criticizing the Cairo–Asmara relationship. These assessments reflect the perspectives of the respective commentators amid continuing regional tensions. The GERD and Ethiopia’s relations with Egypt also remained part of the wider debate. Egyptian analyst Magdi Khalil argued that attempts to obstruct the dam had been a mistake and advocated strategic relations between the two countries. His position highlights the potential benefits of moving beyond confrontation toward constructive engagement. The GERD is central to Ethiopia’s electricity-generation ambitions, while Nile water security remains a major concern for Egypt. Sustained dialogue, cooperation and mutually beneficial arrangements are important to addressing these concerns and reducing tensions. The broader challenge for the region is to reconcile legitimate national interests with the shared need for peace, secure trade routes and economic cooperation. Pursuing strategic priorities through diplomacy and practical engagement offers a more sustainable basis for regional stability than prolonged confrontation. National Dialogue Seeks a Foundation for Lasting Consensus Alongside development and diplomacy, Ethiopia’s National Dialogue continued to focus on addressing longstanding political, social and governance questions through an inclusive process. Organized around eight pillars, the initiative seeks to create space for dialogue on issues affecting the country’s political arrangements, institutions, social relations and future direction. Its significance lies in the possibility of building a broader foundation for consensus in a country whose stability and development depend, in part, on the ability to manage differences constructively. Moving from deliberation toward consensus is an important step, but the process’s long-term value will depend on the inclusiveness of participation, the credibility of its outcomes and the extent to which areas of agreement can be translated into meaningful action. The week’s discussions among African Supreme Audit Institutions also highlighted the importance of institutional accountability and cooperation. Effective oversight of public resources is critical to ensuring that development commitments deliver tangible benefits and that public institutions maintain public trust. Together, these efforts point to a central requirement for sustainable national progress: institutions must not only deliver services and development but also promote accountability, confidence and constructive engagement. Human Capital and Technology Shape Future Competitiveness Ethiopia’s longer-term development ambitions increasingly depend on its ability to equip its population for a technology-driven global economy. Discussions during the week highlighted artificial intelligence, digital skills and private-sector investment in human-capital development, reflecting the growing importance of technological competence across industries. As digital technologies reshape production, services and employment, investment in skills is becoming an essential component of national competitiveness. However, the benefits of technological advancement depend on more than access to digital tools. Quality education, practical training, research, effective institutions and private-sector participation are equally important. These priorities complement Ethiopia’s infrastructure and economic reform agenda. Roads, dams, transport networks and digital systems create opportunities, but skilled people and capable institutions are needed to operate them efficiently and convert investment into productivity. Building human capital is therefore not a separate development objective; it is a foundation for sustaining economic growth, expanding employment and strengthening Ethiopia’s capacity to compete in an increasingly technology-driven world. Connecting National Transformation with African Ambitions Taken together, this week’s developments reveal a common thread linking Ethiopia’s domestic priorities with its regional and continental engagement. The Tana Forum placed African-led solutions and economic sovereignty at the center of discussions on peace and security. The Megech Dam demonstrated how investment in water infrastructure can advance agriculture and food security. Economic reforms, aviation growth and technological skills highlighted the importance of expanding productive capacity, while the National Dialogue and accountability initiatives underscored the role of institutions in building lasting stability. At the same time, debates over Red Sea access, the GERD and regional security demonstrated that Ethiopia’s development trajectory is inseparable from the geopolitical environment surrounding it. The central challenge is to turn ambition into measurable outcomes: stronger institutions, productive investment, skilled human capital, improved livelihoods and constructive regional partnerships. Ethiopia’s ability to advance these priorities will depend on how effectively it mobilizes domestic capacity, attracts sustainable investment, manages national differences and engages with its neighbors. Ultimately, national development and African leadership are interconnected pursuits. A more productive and institutionally resilient Ethiopia can contribute more effectively to continental cooperation, while a more peaceful, integrated and economically confident Africa can create greater opportunities for Ethiopia’s own transformation.

By Staff Writer October 25, 2026 (ENA) The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), marking 119 years of institutional development, represents a longstanding pillar of Ethiopia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security. From defending the country’s independence to participating in international peacekeeping operations and expanding domestic defense manufacturing, the institution has continued to evolve in response to changing national, regional and global security demands. Today, the ENDF is pursuing a transformation that extends beyond conventional military strength. Reforms in organizational structure, professional training, technological development and defense production are intended to strengthen its operational capabilities and reduce dependence on external suppliers. At the same time, its contributions to peace and security at national, regional and international levels remain important dimensions of its institutional responsibilities. The development of the force reflects the relationship between national defense, institutional resilience and technological capacity. Its future effectiveness will depend not only on the equipment it possesses, but also on the professionalism of its personnel, the strength of its institutions and its ability to contribute to lasting peace. Resilience Legacy Ethiopia’s military history is closely connected with its struggle to preserve independence and territorial integrity. Across successive generations, the country’s armed forces have defended national sovereignty while adapting to changing political circumstances, military doctrines and technological developments. The ENDF’s historical legacy includes the wider tradition of Ethiopian resistance to colonial aggression, notably the victory at Adwa in 1896, as well as the military experiences that shaped the country’s subsequent defense institutions. These historical milestones preceded the establishment of the modern army and helped shape the national consciousness surrounding sovereignty and independence. Over the decades, the armed forces have undergone changes in command structures, training systems, equipment and operational responsibilities. The contemporary ENDF is building on this historical experience while seeking to develop a more professional, technologically capable and institutionally resilient force. The reform agenda pursued in recent years places particular emphasis on organizational unity, operational readiness, specialized capabilities and modern military science. In July 2026, ENDF Chief of Staff Field Marshal Birhanu Jula said the force had strengthened its unity, expanded its organizational structure and continued modernizing its equipment and technology amid an increasingly complex security environment. These efforts, he said, were intended to reinforce its capacity to safeguard Ethiopia’s sovereignty. The significance of this transformation lies in its effort to connect historical experience with the requirements of contemporary national defense. A modern military must combine discipline and institutional continuity with scientific knowledge, technical expertise and the capacity to respond to rapidly changing security conditions. A Pillar of National Peace The ENDF’s principal constitutional responsibility is to defend Ethiopia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Its contribution to national peace also involves protecting the country against armed threats, responding to security emergencies and supporting conditions in which citizens can pursue their social and economic activities in safety. National peace, however, extends beyond military operations. Sustainable stability requires functioning institutions, political dialogue, reconciliation, respect for the law and public confidence. The defense force can contribute to these objectives by maintaining professionalism, observing constitutional responsibilities and protecting civilians in accordance with applicable law. The ENDF’s experience in complex security environments has reinforced the importance of coordination, intelligence, training and operational preparedness. Its ongoing institutional reforms seek to strengthen these capabilities while adapting to emerging threats. The force’s relationship with the public is equally important. National defense is most effective when the military operates as a professional institution serving the country and its people, rather than a particular political interest. Maintaining political neutrality, respecting civilian authority and upholding the rights of citizens are essential to sustaining public trust. The military’s role in national peace should therefore be assessed not only through its ability to confront armed threats, but also through its adherence to the law, protection of civilians and contribution to an environment conducive to reconciliation and development. In a country with diverse communities and complex social and political dynamics, lasting peace requires cooperation among security institutions, public authorities, communities and other stakeholders. The ENDF’s professional conduct and institutional accountability are important to this broader national effort. Regional Security Ethiopia occupies a strategically important position in the Horn of Africa, a region where security developments frequently cross-national borders. The ENDF’s contribution to regional peace includes cooperation with neighboring countries and participation in regional security mechanisms. Ethiopia has maintained an important role in the Eastern Africa Standby Force, an African regional arrangement designed to support peace operations and respond to crises. In May 2026, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to regional peace and security during discussions with the outgoing and incoming leadership of the Eastern Africa Standby Force. The meeting highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in addressing shared security challenges. Such cooperation demonstrates that national defense and regional stability are interconnected. Information sharing, military coordination, joint preparedness and professional exchanges can help countries respond more effectively to threats that no single state can address independently. The ENDF’s regional responsibilities must also be understood within the broader principle that durable security cannot be achieved through military measures alone. Diplomatic engagement, peaceful settlement of disputes, economic cooperation and respect for national sovereignty remain essential to preventing conflicts and strengthening relations among neighboring countries. A stable Horn of Africa would create greater opportunities for regional trade, infrastructure development, investment and economic integration. By contributing to legitimate regional security arrangements and supporting cooperative approaches to shared threats, Ethiopia’s defense institutions can help create conditions for these wider development objectives. International Peacekeeping One of the most visible expressions of Ethiopia’s contribution to international peace has been its participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations. Ethiopian personnel have served in international missions for decades, reflecting the country’s longstanding engagement with multilateral efforts to maintain peace and protect communities affected by conflict. According to the United Nations, Ethiopia’s participation in UN-authorized operations dates back to 1951, when Ethiopian personnel served as part of the multinational force in the Korean War. Since then, Ethiopian military personnel have contributed to peace and security operations in different parts of the world. A prominent example is the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), established in 2011 to help stabilize the disputed Abyei area between Sudan and South Sudan. The mission monitors security arrangements, supports the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel, and contributes to efforts to prevent renewed violence. The deployment of Ethiopian troops to Abyei followed an agreement reached by Sudanese and South Sudanese representatives in Addis Ababa. The mission illustrates how Ethiopian military personnel have supported internationally mandated security arrangements in a sensitive border region. Ethiopian personnel have also served in other United Nations missions, including operations in South Sudan. Their responsibilities have included supporting civilian protection, maintaining security in designated areas and helping create conditions for humanitarian activities and political processes. These experiences have given Ethiopian peacekeepers opportunities to work within multinational command structures, cooperate with personnel from different countries and apply international peacekeeping standards in demanding operational environments. International peacekeeping also strengthens professional experience. Service in multinational missions exposes military personnel to different approaches to logistics, communication, civilian protection and operational coordination. Lessons gained from these assignments can contribute to training and institutional development at home. The broader significance of Ethiopia’s peacekeeping record is that military capability can serve purposes beyond national defense. When deployed under an authorized mandate and in accordance with international law, disciplined military personnel can help protect vulnerable populations, support humanitarian access and contribute to efforts to restore stability. Defense Technology, Industrial Capacity Alongside its peace and security responsibilities, the ENDF is pursuing a transformation in military technology and domestic production. The objective is to strengthen the country’s ability to manufacture, maintain and sustain essential defense equipment while developing the technical expertise required for modern military operations. For a country with extensive security responsibilities, dependence on foreign suppliers can affect the availability, maintenance and long-term sustainability of military equipment. Developing domestic production capacity can help reduce these vulnerabilities, retain technical knowledge and build a stronger industrial foundation for national defense. Ethiopia’s defense industrial institutions provide important examples of this approach. The Homicho Ammunition Engineering Complex is associated with domestic ammunition production, while the wider defense industry has been working to strengthen capabilities in equipment manufacturing, engineering and maintenance. These facilities illustrate how defense production can bring together mechanical engineering, industrial processes, technical training and specialized manufacturing. Their strategic importance lies not simply in the products they manufacture, but also in the knowledge and skills developed through sustained industrial activity. Developing domestic expertise in this field can also expand opportunities for engineering research and technical education. Another significant step came in June 2026, when the Information Network Security Administration and the Ethiopian Air Force signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a drone technology center and strengthen research, laboratory cooperation and aerospace capabilities. The initiative is intended to support innovation and the development of local expertise in unmanned aerial systems. In August 2026, the ENDF and the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute also signed a cooperation agreement to explore the application of artificial intelligence in areas including logistics, military training, cybersecurity, military healthcare, air operations and electronic warfare. The agreement points to a broader shift in defense modernization. Military effectiveness increasingly depends on the ability to collect, process and use information, maintain secure communications and support rapid, informed decision-making. Artificial intelligence and related digital technologies could contribute to these objectives, although their operational benefits will depend on research, testing, qualified personnel and effective implementation. These initiatives demonstrate that Ethiopia’s defense transformation is not limited to acquiring modern equipment. It also involves building the scientific, industrial and educational capabilities required to develop and sustain advanced systems. Human Capital Dimension Technology alone cannot create an effective defense institution. Modern military systems require skilled operators, engineers, technicians, researchers, maintenance specialists and commanders capable of applying scientific knowledge to operational requirements. For this reason, investment in military education and professional development is central to the ENDF’s modernization. Military academies, specialized training institutions and cooperation with civilian research organizations can help develop the expertise needed to operate sophisticated equipment and maintain complex systems. The partnership between the ENDF, the Ethiopian Air Force, the Information Network Security Administration and the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute illustrates the potential value of cooperation between defense institutions and the wider scientific community. Such partnerships can strengthen research capacity, encourage the exchange of technical knowledge and support the development of locally relevant solutions. They can also help cultivate a generation of Ethiopian engineers and researchers whose expertise may contribute to defense manufacturing and other technology-intensive sectors. Domestic defense production can generate benefits beyond the military when it develops transferable industrial skills, strengthens engineering capacity and encourages research and innovation. The long-term objective is to build a system in which training, research, manufacturing and operational requirements reinforce one another. This would enable Ethiopia to develop more of the expertise necessary to maintain its defense capabilities while creating a stronger foundation for technological advancement. Self-Reliance The ENDF’s industrial and technological transformation forms part of Ethiopia’s wider pursuit of productive capacity and economic self-reliance. Similar priorities are evident in the country’s efforts to expand agricultural production, develop mineral resources, strengthen manufacturing and invest in scientific knowledge. Defense production has a distinct purpose because it is directly connected to national security. Nevertheless, it can contribute to broader industrial development by encouraging specialized engineering, technical training and domestic manufacturing. The development of ammunition production, engineering facilities and drone research demonstrates the range of capabilities required to build a more self-reliant defense sector. These initiatives can help strengthen maintenance capacity, improve the availability of selected equipment and create opportunities for domestic technical expertise. It is important, however, to distinguish progress in selected areas from complete self-sufficiency. Modern military systems depend on extensive supply chains involving specialized components, software, materials and technical knowledge. Building sustainable domestic capacity is therefore a continuing process that requires investment, research, reliable production standards and international technical cooperation where necessary. The strongest measure of progress is not the number of factories established or the equipment acquired, but the ability to produce reliable systems, maintain them over time, develop skilled personnel and meet clearly identified national defense requirements. A more capable domestic defense industry can strengthen strategic autonomy by giving Ethiopia greater control over parts of its supply chains. It can also improve the country’s capacity to respond to changing security requirements without relying exclusively on external procurement. The Road Ahead As the ENDF marks 119 years of institutional development, its future will be shaped by its ability to combine historical experience with professional standards, technological innovation and a commitment to peace. Its responsibilities remain broad: protecting national sovereignty, contributing to domestic security within the law, supporting regional stability and participating in international peacekeeping. Meeting these responsibilities requires an institution that is well trained, technically capable, disciplined and accountable. The development of domestic defense industries, drone technology and artificial intelligence cooperation indicates a growing emphasis on technological preparedness. Sustaining these efforts will require stronger research institutions, skilled human resources, effective industrial management and continued adaptation to changing military technologies. Equally important is the relationship between security and peace. Military readiness can deter threats and help protect communities, but lasting stability also depends on dialogue, diplomacy, reconciliation and cooperation among nations and communities. The ENDF’s long-term contribution will be strengthened when professional defense capabilities complement these wider efforts. The force’s 119-year institutional journey thus represents both a historical legacy and a continuing responsibility. Its achievements in national defense, regional cooperation, international peacekeeping and technological development provide a foundation on which further progress can be built. Ultimately, the strength of the Ethiopian National Defense Force will be measured not only by its capacity to defend the country, but also by its professionalism, its contribution to a secure regional environment and its ability to adapt responsibly to the demands of modern defense. By combining institutional resilience with technological advancement and a sustained commitment to peace, the ENDF can continue to serve as an important pillar of Ethiopia’s sovereignty and national development.

Addis Ababa, October 23, 2026 (ENA) — Egypt and Türkiye have renewed their dispute over maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean following a decision by Libya’s eastern-based House of Representatives to endorse a 2019 maritime agreement between Ankara and the authorities in Tripoli. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry declared the move “null and void,” arguing that the ratification infringes on Egypt’s sovereign rights and has no legal effect. Türkiye, meanwhile, maintains that the arrangement is consistent with its interpretation of international maritime law. The dispute centers on a memorandum signed in November 2019 by Türkiye and Libya’s then internationally recognized Government of National Accord to define maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean. Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus opposed the agreement, arguing that it conflicts with their maritime claims. The latest diplomatic clash reflects broader geopolitical rivalries involving Egypt and other regional actors over maritime jurisdiction, natural resources, security, and political influence. Egypt has faced criticism over its regional policies, with analysts questioning whether its pursuit of strategic interests could contribute to instability and intensify competition over regional resources. For instance, reports recently showed that Egyptian strikes massacred at least 200 Sudanese miners and wounded many others at mining sites in Sudan’s North Al-Wadi area. The reported attacks have raised concerns over civilian safety and Egypt’s involvement in Sudan’s ongoing conflict. Some observers view the reported attacks as part of Egypt’s broader involvement in Sudan, where competing domestic and external interests have complicated efforts to end the war. In a recent interview with ENA, Abdulshakur Abdulsamad, Senior Researcher at the Center for Strategic Studies and Regional Integration Initiative, argued that Egypt seeks to prolong the war in Sudan to continue benefiting from the country’s water resources. The ongoing conflict could allow Egypt to benefit from larger-than-usual quantities of water that Sudan has been unable to utilize, the senior researcher noted. Egypt’s relations with Ethiopia have also been strained by disagreements over Nile water utilization. Cairo has opposed aspects of Ethiopia’s development plans, particularly the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), while Ethiopia maintains its right to use its natural resources for development, including electricity generation. The dispute highlights longstanding differences between upstream and downstream countries over equitable water utilization and regional cooperation. Egypt’s role in Sudan’s ongoing conflict has also drawn scrutiny from political analysts, who question whether Cairo’s support for the Sudanese Armed Forces could affect prospects for peace and strengthen its influence over Sudan’s political future. The war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which began on April 15, 2023, has devastated Sudan’s economy and infrastructure, displaced millions of people, and disrupted regional trade. Food and Agriculture Organization estimates indicate that Sudan’s grain production in 2025 declined by 22 percent compared with the previous year. Some analysts argue that Egypt is pursuing strategic interests in Sudan in ways that could prolong the conflict. Israel, meanwhile, criticized the maritime deal, accusing its regional rival Türkiye of destabilizing the Eastern Mediterranean. The dispute has renewed attention to the region’s overlapping maritime claims and potential energy resources. Cairo is particularly concerned that the agreement could affect hydrocarbon exploration rights and undermine its regional partnerships. Türkiye insists that the pact remains valid, setting the stage for a sharper diplomatic confrontation over maritime boundaries. According to reports, Egypt supports Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and the Libyan National Army (LNA) in eastern Libya primarily to secure its approximately 1,100-kilometer desert border, combat Islamist militant groups, and counter the influence of regional rivals such as Türkiye. The eastern Libyan parliament’s decision to ratify the agreement previously signed between Türkiye and the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord signals a potential shift that directly challenges Cairo’s position in the Eastern Mediterranean. The parliament, aligned with eastern Libya and based in Tobruk, reversed years of opposition to the Türkiye-Libya maritime deal following the election of a new speaker, Al-Salhin Abdelnabi al-Obeidi. By aligning eastern authorities with an agreement originally signed by western Libya’s Tripoli-based authorities, the decision could indicate a shift toward a more unified Libyan position on the pact. The European Union opposed the ratification, backing Greece’s position and maintaining that the agreement infringes on the maritime rights of an EU member state.

By Tison Tesfay   October 22, 2026 (ENA) Not every war that devastates a country necessarily runs counter to the interests of its neighbors. For some regional powers, prolonged instability presents an ideal opportunity to expand influence, reshape political calculations, and postpone the reckoning with a neighbor that should be regarded as an equal. In the case of relations between Egypt and Sudan, the question is no longer whether Egypt is involved in the Sudanese war, but rather the extent of its involvement and the deeper strategic objectives Cairo seeks to achieve by fueling the conflict through support for a particular military faction. In this context, political analyst Mohamed Al-Arrousi argues that Egypt’s continued intervention in Sudan threatens the country’s sovereignty and endangers stability throughout the Horn of Africa. A careful reading of developments on the ground and in the political arena confirms that Egypt’s approach in Sudan is aimed less at ending the war than at ensuring its continuation and securing a compliant, pro-Egyptian regime, even if this comes at the cost of prolonging the suffering of the Sudanese people and exhausting the country’s national capabilities. Water Strategy, Resource Plunder, and Fears over the GERD The figures reveal the scale of the systematic destruction inflicted on Sudan’s economic infrastructure since the conflict erupted on April 15, 2023. Estimates by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) indicate that grain production in 2025 declined by 22 percent compared with the previous year and stood approximately 19 percent below the average of the preceding five years. The World Bank also reported that Sudan’s gross domestic product contracted by 29.4 percent in 2023, followed by a further contraction of 14 percent in 2024. This economic and political paralysis serves vital and direct Egyptian strategic interests. If Sudan achieves stability and recovers, it will be able to make independent decisions regarding the management of Nile projects, foremost among them the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which is essential for Sudan in mitigating devastating floods and benefiting from the vital electricity supplies it receives from the dam to develop eastern Sudan. Moreover, a stable Sudan in control of its own affairs would work to regulate its water allocations. This means that the huge volumes of water that have been wasted as they flow from Sudan into Egypt would cease, a prospect that Egyptian strategic calculations fear and regard as a threat to the country’s customary water security. That is precisely why Egyptian politicians work day and night to keep Sudan mired in instability, while seeking to preserve a regional order in which Sudan remains dependent and unable to fully control its own resources. Egypt’s gains from Sudan’s weakening extend far beyond the Nile water issue. Sudan’s instability also raises concerns over the illicit extraction and smuggling of its wealth, with reports of cross-border trafficking involving natural resources, livestock, and raw materials threatening Sudan’s economic sovereignty. Cario’s politicians exploit the state of chaos and the absence of border controls to support its economy and meet its needs at the expense of the resources of the exhausted Sudanese people. As senior researcher Abdushakur Abdelsamad emphasizes, Egypt’s approach views the exhaustion of Sudan as a guarantee that it will be unable to demand its fair share of water or exploit its vast lands and resources. This ensures the uninterrupted flow of water and wealth northward while keeping Sudan shackled by dependency and subordination. The Border Dispute and the Imposition of a De Facto Reality in Halaib Egypt’s exploitation of Sudan’s weakness is most clearly demonstrated in the issue of the occupied Halaib, Shalateen, and Abu Ramad area. While Sudan has historically insisted on its sovereignty over this strategically important coastal region, Egypt has exploited successive political and military crises in Khartoum to consolidate its military and administrative control and impose a fait accompli. The continuation of the war and the fragmentation of Sudanese institutions provide Egypt with an ideal cover to close this issue politically and diplomatically. Sudan’s leadership has become completely incapable of raising the issue of sovereignty over Halaib or even making a verbal claim to it. This reflects a clear equation of political subordination: tacit acceptance of territorial control in exchange for weapons and diplomatic support. Military Support and Direct Bias Toward One Faction Despite Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s official statements about “protecting Sudanese state institutions”—most recently during his meeting with Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on October 4, 2026—the actual conduct of the Egyptian military goes beyond supporting the concept of the “state” and extends to direct involvement in backing one military party at the expense of the Sudanese people. Egyptian intervention is no longer confined to diplomatic support. A documented Reuters report dated February 2, 2026, revealed satellite imagery and intelligence assessments confirming the deployment of combat drones at Egyptian bases near the Sudanese border for use in supporting Sudanese army operations. This direct technological and military intervention transforms Egypt from a party supposedly sponsoring peace into a direct partner in managing battles on the ground, adding fuel to the fire and prolonging the confrontations. Violation of Sudanese Sovereignty Egyptian military involvement has reached unprecedented levels through an explicit violation of Sudanese sovereignty. Egypt has reportedly massacred at least 200 Sudanese miners and wounded many others in targeting mining sites in Sudan’s North Al-Wadi area. Many observers say the recent civilian attacks are part of Egypt’s direct and indirect involvement in Sudan’s ongoing conflict, aimed at maximizing its own interests. In a recent interview with Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), Abdulshakur Abdulsamad, Senior Researcher at the Center for Strategic Studies and Regional Integration Initiative, underscored that Egypt seeks to prolong the war in Sudan to continue benefiting from the country’s water resources. In that regard, these airstrikes were not merely a violation of international borders and international law, which prohibits the use of force against the territory of other states; they also resulted in civilian casualties among Sudanese miners and other civilians. The widespread protests the bombing sparked in Sudanese cities reflect public anger and condemnation of the suspicious silence of Sudanese authorities, which have been accused of complicity and of abandoning their duty to protect citizens in exchange for Egyptian military assistance. The conduct of military operations inside Sudanese territory confirms that Cairo has come to treat Sudanese airspace and geography as an open security hinterland for its operations, with no regard for the principles of sovereignty or international law. The Regional Hegemonic Agenda and Sudan’s Future Egypt understands that an independent Sudan governed democratically and supported by strong civilian institutions would make decisions based exclusively on Sudanese national interests. These interests could necessarily conflict with Egyptian calculations on water, borders, and regional alliances. According to political commentators, Egypt’s current strategy is aimed at shaping a Sudan that remains weak, fragmented, and dependent on Cairo, unable to fully assert control over its resources or pursue an independent regional agenda. Egypt’s insistence on imposing military solutions and supporting one military faction obstructs any path toward a comprehensive political settlement that includes civilian forces and ensures the restoration of constitutional governance. The objective is not to build peace, but to tighten control over political and military decision-making in Khartoum, allowing Egypt thereafter to exert pressure on the region and obstruct regional development projects that do not serve its immediate interests. Sovereignty Is Not Granted; It Is Reclaimed Sudan’s future and the protection of its sovereignty cannot be secured through dependence on foreign powers that build their interests at the expense of the Sudanese people’s suffering. The true test of the credibility of Egypt’s slogan of “respecting Sudan’s sovereignty” requires an immediate halt to direct military interventions, respect for Sudanese territory and airspace, and an end to arming one particular faction at the expense of a comprehensive political solution. Ultimately, the Sudanese people and their national institutions face an unmistakable reality. A strong and independent Sudan cannot be built as long as its resources and destiny are entrusted to the wishes of regional allies who regard Sudan’s weakness as a source of stability for themselves, and the destruction of its foundations and plunder of its wealth as guarantees of their own influence.

By Dessalegn Kassa   October 22, 2026 (ENA) Ethiopia is entering a new political and economic chapter, seeking to translate its rich historical legacy into sustainable development, stronger democratic institutions, and a more influential regional role. Following the general election held in June 2026, the formation of a new Medemer government in October marks another phase in the country’s efforts to promote national unity, strengthen economic self-reliance, accelerate technological innovation, and deepen regional cooperation. The government’s development agenda centers on strategic investments in energy, agriculture, digital technology, mining, and tourism. From the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) to agricultural modernization and expanding digital public services, these initiatives are intended to strengthen domestic productive capacity, create employment, and improve citizens’ livelihoods. Delivering on these ambitions, however, will require effective institutions, political consensus, inclusive growth, and the equitable distribution of development gains. Ambition for Ethiopian Modernization Ethiopia’s historical experience provides an important foundation for its contemporary ambitions. The ancient Kingdom of Aksum emerged as a major political, commercial, and cultural power, connecting Africa with the Middle East and Asia through trade and diplomacy. The country’s long tradition of statehood and resistance to colonial domination further established its place in world history. Ethiopia seeks to build on this legacy by strengthening its economy, mobilizing domestic resources, modernizing public institutions, and expanding regional integration. Yet historical achievements alone cannot guarantee future prosperity. The country’s continued progress will depend on its ability to address persistent development challenges, broaden economic opportunities, and respond to the needs of its rapidly growing population. Energy and Economic Transformation Despite its abundant natural resources, considerable agricultural potential, and strategic location, Ethiopia continues to face significant economic challenges, including infrastructure gaps, foreign exchange constraints, unemployment, and dependence on imports. Expanding domestic production, strengthening industrial capacity, and diversifying exports remain central to the pursuit of sustainable growth and economic self-reliance. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, inaugurated in September 2025 with an installed capacity of approximately 5,150 megawatts, represents a major milestone in this transformation. Financed substantially through domestic resources, including contributions from Ethiopian citizens and institutions, the project demonstrates the country’s capacity to mobilize national resources for large-scale infrastructure development. Beyond electricity generation, the dam is expected to support industrialization, expand electricity access, and increase opportunities for power exports to neighboring countries. Realizing these benefits will require continued investment in transmission networks, distribution systems, and cross-border electricity connections. Reliable and affordable power can lower production costs, improve industrial productivity, and create more favorable conditions for manufacturing and investment. Alongside energy development, broader economic reforms seek to attract investment, strengthen domestic industries, improve the business environment, and diversify exports. These measures are particularly important for easing foreign exchange pressures, expanding employment, and reducing the economy’s vulnerability to external shocks. Digital Transformation Digitalization has become another major pillar of Ethiopia’s development strategy, with technology increasingly used to improve public services, enhance productivity, and create new economic opportunities. Through Digital Ethiopia 2025 and its successor, Digital Ethiopia 2030, the government has pursued the modernization of public administration, the expansion of digital financial services, and the development of skills required to participate in the global digital economy. One prominent initiative is the Five Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative, launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in July 2024. The program aims to equip participants with practical skills in web development, Android programming, data analysis, and artificial intelligence. Participation was expanded to seven million by August 2026, reflecting the scale of the country’s digital skills ambitions. Public service delivery is also being transformed through platforms such as Mesob, designed to integrate government procedures and simplify access to services for citizens and businesses. The Fayda national digital identification program, meanwhile, has registered more than 40.9 million people, supporting efforts to establish a more integrated digital public infrastructure. The Personal Data Protection Proclamation provides an additional legal framework for safeguarding personal information. However, the long-term benefits of digitalization will depend on reliable telecommunications infrastructure, affordable internet access, effective cybersecurity, and stronger digital literacy. Ensuring that rural communities and underserved populations can access and use these services will be essential to preventing the digital divide from widening existing inequalities. Mining and Industrial Development Ethiopia’s mineral resources, including gold, potash, industrial minerals, and natural gas, offer opportunities to diversify exports, generate employment, and supply raw materials for domestic industries. Gold is an important source of foreign exchange, while potash and natural gas have the potential to broaden the export base and support industrial development. Figures provided for the sector indicate that mining generated nearly 5.7 billion US dollars in foreign exchange during the 2018 Ethiopian fiscal year, with gold accounting for most of the reported earnings. Gold production by mining companies and traditional miners was estimated at approximately 44 tonnes, reportedly generating around 5.65 billion dollars. These figures require verification against official records, particularly the reporting period, production volume and revenue calculations. The Ministry of Mines has also reportedly set a target of generating 6.7 billion dollars in revenue from the sector during the current fiscal year. The target, its timeframe and the distinction between projected revenue and realized foreign exchange earnings should be confirmed before publication. The government’s ambition extends beyond extracting and exporting raw materials. Strengthening links between mining and domestic manufacturing, including fertilizer production and iron processing, could help retain more economic value within the country, stimulate investment, and create jobs across related industries. Realizing this potential will require sustained investment in geological exploration, processing facilities, transport infrastructure, and technical expertise. Transparent licensing, responsible resource management, environmental safeguards, and meaningful participation by local communities will also be necessary to ensure that mineral wealth contributes to broad-based and sustainable development. Agricultural Productivity and Food Security Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s economy, supporting millions of livelihoods, supplying domestic markets, and providing raw materials for industry. Improving productivity, strengthening food security, and reducing dependence on imported agricultural commodities are therefore central to the country’s economic transformation agenda. Wheat production has become a major focus of these efforts. Through the National Wheat Development Initiative, Ethiopia has expanded cultivation, particularly through dry-season irrigation, helping increase domestic production and reduce reliance on imports. The expansion of irrigated farming has also demonstrated the potential to increase output beyond traditional rain-fed agricultural cycles. Figures provided for the initiative indicate that irrigated wheat cultivation increased from approximately 20,000 hectares in 2020 to 3.5 million hectares in 2025. Dry-season production reportedly rose from 600,000 quintals to 128 million quintals over the same period. Across the rainy and dry seasons, wheat cultivation was reported to have reached 7.8 million hectares in 2025, with total production of approximately 280 million quintals. Rainy-season output reportedly increased from 53 million quintals in 2020 to 152 million quintals in 2025. In recognition of Ethiopia’s agricultural development efforts, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received the FAO Agricola Medal from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in January 2024. Sustaining progress in food production will require continued investment in irrigation, mechanization, improved seeds, fertilizer, agricultural research, storage facilities, and transport networks. At the same time, climate variability, land degradation, rising production costs, and post-harvest losses remain important challenges. Addressing them will require stronger extension services, wider access to agricultural finance, improved market connections, and technologies that enable farmers to increase yields while managing climate-related risks. Tourism and Economic Diversification Ethiopia’s identity as the Land of Origins reflects its ancient history, cultural diversity, and exceptional natural landscapes. These assets provide a foundation for developing tourism into a stronger source of foreign exchange, employment, investment, and local economic growth. The government has promoted initiatives such as Dine for Sheger, Dine for Nation, and Dine for Generations to improve visitor facilities, develop tourism infrastructure, and expand economic opportunities for local communities. In Addis Ababa, projects including Unity Park, Entoto Park, Friendship Park, the Science Museum, and the National Palace Museum have broadened the capital’s cultural and recreational offerings. Regional developments, including Gorgora Eco Resort, Wenchi Dendi Eco Tourism Village, Halala Kela, Elephant Paw Lodge, Denbi Eco Lodge, Shabeely Resort, Haroo Dendi Lodge, and Niin Lee Palm Lodge, have extended tourism investment to different parts of the country. These developments can support local businesses, stimulate demand for agricultural products and handicrafts, and create employment in hospitality, transport, and related services. Their long-term contribution, however, will depend on accessibility, service quality, environmental protection, and effective promotion in international markets. Preserving cultural heritage and natural ecosystems while ensuring that surrounding communities benefit directly from tourism revenues will be essential to building a competitive and sustainable sector. Medemer State The formation of Ethiopia’s new Medemer government in October 2026 marks another phase in the country’s efforts to align political governance with economic transformation. At the center of its political philosophy is Medemer, an Amharic concept associated with addition, synergy, and working together. The philosophy emphasizes collective responsibility, cooperation, and national unity as foundations for addressing differences and pursuing shared development goals. National unity, peace, economic development, and the protection of national interests remain central to the administration’s priorities. Translating these objectives into lasting progress will require stronger democratic institutions, respect for the rule of law, accountable governance, and constructive engagement among political and social groups. Ethiopia’s regional ambitions are also closely linked to these domestic priorities. Deeper cooperation with neighboring countries, expanded trade, improved infrastructure connections, and coordinated approaches to shared security and development challenges can strengthen the country’s position in the Horn of Africa. Regional peace and economic integration will be important not only for cross-border commerce but also for creating a more stable environment for investment and long-term development. Ethiopia’s development agenda brings together investments in energy, digital technology, mining, agriculture, and tourism in an effort to reduce dependence on imports, expand productive capacity, create jobs, and establish a more resilient economy. The new Medemer government adds a political dimension to this agenda by placing national unity, institutional capacity, and collective responsibility alongside economic transformation. Conclusion Ethiopia’s development agenda brings together investments in energy, digital technology, mining, agriculture, and tourism in an effort to reduce dependence on imports, expand productive capacity, create jobs, and establish a more resilient economy. The new Medemer government adds a political dimension to this agenda by placing national unity, institutional capacity, and collective responsibility alongside economic transformation. Ethiopia’s historical legacy offers a source of national confidence, while its natural resources, human capital, and strategic position provide opportunities for further development. Ethiopia’s ongoing effort to rebuild its economic and political landscape demonstrates a commitment to self-determination and long-term self-reliance. By leveraging its strategic location, rich natural resources, and dynamic youth population, the nation has laid foundational building blocks across energy infrastructure, digital systems, modernized agriculture, and cultural tourism. The political framework offered by the Medemer philosophy provides a theoretical blueprint for unifying these sectoral initiatives into a cohesive strategy for national development. Crucially, the new administration devotes in implementation and equitable distribution and ensuring the daily benefits for citizens, ranging from lower living costs and meaningful jobs to transparent governance and social stability through fostering political consensus, strengthening public institutions, and bridging digital and economic divides. Ethiopia, therefore, will not only honor its historic legacy but also secure its position as a resilient, prosperous leader in the Horn of Africa and beyond.

By Selamawit Getachew October 20, 2026 (ENA) Britain’s October 2026 ultimatum to Eritrea exposed a long-standing contradiction at the heart of Isaias Afwerki’s regime. The Asmara administration promotes self-reliance while rejecting fixed national budgets and external dependence. Yet, its system is sustained by the very forces it claims to transcend: indefinite national service drives emigration, while remittances from Eritreans abroad help finance the system that compels them to leave. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced that Eritrea faces a total visa ban for its nationals unless Asmara resumes cooperation on the return of failed asylum seekers and foreign national offenders. Preferential processing for officials has already been withdrawn, and diplomats have been placed under travel limits outside London. This announcement came at a moment when Eritreans formed the largest nationality among small-boat arrivals in the year to June 2026—roughly 5,875 recorded arrivals, or about 18 percent of the total—and ranked second in overall asylum claims, with initial grant rates near 83–84 percent. Although Eritrea dismissed the pressure as a "dismissible political gimmick," the sequence of events requires a closer examination of a political economy that has organized continuous emigration into a remittance resource. That political economy, controlled by Shabia under President Isaias Afwerki since independence, rests on three interlocking pillars: indefinite national service, party ownership of the command economy, and the systematic capture of external financial flows. While appearing distinct, these pillars function as a single mechanism that converts the population into both a captive labor force at home and a source of finance abroad. This framework structured itself around the continuous extraction of value from that emigration, yielding a sustained regime monopoly. Way back in 1997, Eritrea ratified a constitution that has remained unimplemented for nearly three decades. In 2001, independent media outlets were shut down after senior party figures called for democratic elections and constitutional enforcement. As a result, what was once framed as temporary wartime mobilization hardened into a permanent state architecture in which citizenship itself was redefined as an obligation rather than a right. Although national service was formally limited to 18 months under Proclamation 82/1995, it has operated without an end date since the 1998–2000 border war. Secondary school students complete their final year at the Sawa military training center before being assigned to military or civilian roles that can last for decades, earning a meager stipend of 450 to 500 Nakfa a month—roughly 30 USD. Conditions like these are what the UN Commission of Inquiry characterized as “slavery-like,” linking them to arbitrary detention and the collective punishment of families. Such practices drive continuous emigration, where the outflow is not a policy failure but rather a deliberate revenue stream. While resident population estimates hover around 3.6 million, diaspora figures range from roughly 600,000 to 900,000 registered migrants and refugees, with up to one-third of the Eritrean-born population living outside the country. According to UNHCR data for the end of 2025, there were roughly 555,000 refugees plus more than 118,000 asylum seekers—totaling approximately 670,000–679,000 people of concern—with new asylum applications in 2025 alone exceeding 53,000. Although the formal economy remains dominated by Shabia-linked enterprises and the state, private-sector activity outside small family trade is constrained by currency controls, licensing restrictions, and the national-service labor regime. The decisive resource is human capital exported and then taxed; most household survival depends on external transfers estimated at 200 to 300 million USD annually—equivalent to roughly 30 percent of Eritrea's GDP. These flows keep households solvent in an environment of limited domestic opportunity, while a parallel 2 percent diaspora tax is levied on Eritreans abroad and collected through embassies and informal networks. Economic ownership is concentrated in party-controlled structures: the Hidri Trust functions as the central holding vehicle for Shabia’s commercial interests, the Red Sea Trading Corporation holds an effective monopoly on significant imports and serves as a primary channel for foreign exchange, construction firms such as Segen and Bidho execute major works frequently using national-service labor, and Himbol Financial Services manages remittances and related transactions. State banks exist, yet the party retains parallel financial channels outside conventional budgetary oversight, amidst no comprehensive national budget having been published since independence. This dual extraction reduces the need for productive employment creation and creates a closed loop in which indefinite national service and political controls generate flight, which in turn generates remittances and state revenue. When compared to the official doctrine of self-reliance that Eritrea follows—which rejects aid dependency while treating citizens as both free labor and external financiers—isolation from conventional multilateral finance is justified, while political pluralism is framed as a threat to national unity and sovereignty. This produces a distinctive equilibrium in which political power is monopolized, and the regime’s authority on budgets and the precise size of party holdings stay outside public scrutiny. Eritrea’s political economy has converted a significant fraction of its population into a transnational resource, where labor is extracted under coercive conditions while the diaspora supplies foreign exchange, producing an equilibrium of repression and economic stagnation. Consequently, host states are left to absorb the social and fiscal costs, as the ruling Shabia system externalizes those costs while capturing the financial returns. Eritrea’s migration economy is therefore not an unintended by-product of isolation, but the operating logic of a political order that converts its people into the principal resource keeping the regime intact. The stakes are the continuous depletion of a generation and the durability of a closed regime that feeds on it.

The week of October 11–18, 2026, brought renewed conflict, economic uncertainty, climate warnings and rapid technological change across the globe. Developments across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas showed how closely security, energy, public finances, humanitarian needs and environmental sustainability are connected. Diplomatic efforts continued, but unresolved agreements and military tensions threatened regional and international stability. Meanwhile, governments weighed the cost of energy support and public debt, while forecasts of a strengthening El Niño and the growing reach of artificial intelligence reinforced the need for coordinated international action. Conflicts and Regional Security Middle East tensions remained acute. Reports of an alleged assault on diplomats from France, Belgium and Poland in the West Bank village of Taybeh during the olive harvest featured among the major events of the week. Reported casualties in Gaza and Yemen, including the deaths of three children in airstrikes in Dhamar, highlighted the human cost of regional hostilities. Tensions involving Saudi Arabia and Iran, alongside reports of attacks on commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, raised concerns about commercial shipping and energy security. Extended disruption to these routes could raise fuel prices, freight charges and insurance costs, spreading economic impacts across global markets. The Russia–Ukraine war continued to threaten European security, with reported attacks on energy infrastructure and residential areas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv was ready to observe a ceasefire covering energy facilities, calling on Russia to take concrete steps. European Union discussions also addressed competitiveness, support for Ukraine and the bloc’s long-term budget. Member state governments faced the challenge of balancing defence spending with affordable energy, industrial competitiveness and fiscal stability. In Africa, African Union consultations in Kigali, Rwanda, focused on implementing the Washington Peace Agreement for eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Discussions covered security commitments, disarming armed groups, refugee protection and regional economic cooperation. Sudan’s war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces continued to drive displacement and humanitarian needs, placing pressure on neighbouring countries through refugee movements, border insecurity and demands on public services. Violence and displacement also persisted in parts of the Sahel. In the Indo-Pacific, China and North Korea opened a long-delayed border bridge intended to facilitate trade, even as North Korea announced weapons tests involving submarine-launched cruise missiles. Global Economy and Financial Pressures High energy costs, public debt and uncertainty over investment and growth remained central economic concerns. At the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank in Bangkok, officials considered the resilience of investment and financial markets amid geopolitical shocks. The IMF warned that energy-support measures were adding to fiscal pressure. Such measures were estimated at about 0.5 percent of global gross domestic product, while public debt in advanced economies was projected to rise from 108 percent of GDP to 115 percent over five years. Developing economies face difficult choices due to limited fiscal space, substantial external financing needs and heavy dependence on imported fuel and food. Currency pressure, volatile commodity markets and higher borrowing costs continue to test financial stability. The IMF projected African growth of 4.5 percent in 2026 and 5 percent in 2027, but insecurity, energy disruptions, climate shocks and reduced development assistance could weaken the outlook. Official development assistance was forecast to fall by a further 12 percent in 2026. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the IMF lowered its 2026 growth forecasts, citing the energy shock and limited gains from the global technology investment boom. Fuel importers face higher transport and production costs, while oil and mineral exporters remain exposed to price volatility. Energy Security and Maritime Trade Energy security connected many of the week’s geopolitical and economic developments. Reports of attacks on shipping in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea raised concerns over routes used to transport crude oil and other essential commodities. For African and other developing economies, diversifying energy sources, expanding domestic electricity generation and improving transport infrastructure remain crucial to reducing exposure to external shocks. Renewable energy investment, regional electricity interconnections and efficient logistics offer avenues to strengthen long-term competitiveness. Climate Change and Environmental Risks Climate risks featured prominently, with warnings of a strengthening El Niño, cross-border air pollution and renewed calls for adaptation and climate finance. The World Meteorological Organization’s seasonal outlook indicated that sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific could rise towards record levels during October–December 2026. A stronger El Niño could alter temperature and rainfall patterns, increasing drought risks in some regions and flooding in others. Potential consequences include crop losses, water shortages, disrupted hydropower generation and higher food prices. For Ethiopia and other African countries, climate variability threatens food production, rural livelihoods and water security. Expanding irrigation, soil conservation, climate-resilient crop varieties and reliable weather information remain central to protecting agricultural productivity. At pre-COP31 meetings in Fiji, Pacific island countries called for stronger emissions reductions, adaptation and climate finance. Fiji announced a contribution of 10 million USD to the Pacific Resilience Facility. The UN climate conference COP31 is scheduled for Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, 2026. Environmental pressures were also evident in Southeast Asia, where Singapore prepared to issue haze-prevention notices to seven companies linked to fires in Indonesia, while Timor-Leste closed schools amid worsening air quality. Water shortages in Mexico’s Jalisco state further highlighted the need for sustainable water management. Technology and Artificial Intelligence Artificial intelligence continued to shape economic competitiveness, public services and national security. In Africa, supported by reliable digital infrastructure, digital technologies could improve agricultural advice, health services, education and public administration. However, these benefits depend on investment in digital connectivity, technical skills and affordable electricity. Major data centres and computing systems require increasing amounts of energy, linking digital development directly to national energy policies and climate goals. ….. Sources: The roundup draws on reporting and analysis from AllAfrica, Al Jazeera, Arab News, The Jordan Times, Channel NewsAsia, Japan’s NHK, Yonhap News Agency, The Hindu, Press Trust of India, Xinhua, Euronews, Deutsche Welle, the Associated Press, Reuters, CBC News, CityNews, LatinNews, ABC News and The Guardian.

By Staff Writer   October 18, 2026 (ENA) Ethiopia has concluded the week with a series of significant political, diplomatic, economic and security developments, underscoring its determination to consolidate domestic stability, deepen international partnerships and strengthen its strategic role in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region. From establishing a six-month caretaker administration in Tigray to advancing economic diplomacy at the 2026 International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Ethiopia has pursued multiple priorities aimed at strengthening national stability and accelerating development. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s telephone conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio further highlighted Ethiopia’s active bilateral engagement. Meanwhile a security briefing for foreign military attachés underscored the government’s emphasis on safeguarding national sovereignty and addressing information gaps surrounding the country’s security situation. Beyond immediate political and security priorities, the week also featured renewed calls for national unity, stronger technological capacity and climate resilience, alongside a broader national ambition to secure reliable maritime access and expand Ethiopia’s contribution to regional peace and economic integration. As Ethiopia begins a new five-year political chapter under the Medemer Government, these developments reflect an interconnected agenda: consolidating peace at home, mobilizing resources for development and advancing the country’s interests through regional cooperation and international engagement. Caretaker Administration in Tigray Region Ethiopia’s federal government has established a six-month caretaker administration for the Tigray Region, with a mandate to restore peace, revive public institutions and services, rebuild war-damaged infrastructure and prepare the ground for free and transparent elections. The decision followed a resolution by the House of Federation and a subsequent binding decision by the Council of Ministers to establish a provisional administration for the region. According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, the measure came after repeated efforts to resolve the conflict through the Pretoria Agreement encountered obstacles attributed to the TPLF leadership. The statement accused the leadership of undermining the peace process and returning to conflict, arguing that the region’s population should not be trapped in a recurring cycle of violence. The federal government emphasized that lasting peace requires prioritizing development, strengthening Tigray’s place within Ethiopia’s federal system and deepening cooperation with the country’s other peoples. The caretaker administration is expected to restore the functioning of government institutions, facilitate the resumption of essential social services, rehabilitate damaged infrastructure and support the return of internally displaced people to their homes. The initiative places institutional recovery, peace and the restoration of essential services at the center of efforts to address the region’s challenges. Its implementation and progress toward credible elections will be important indicators of whether the transitional arrangement can help establish a more stable political environment. Ethiopia Intensifies Economic Diplomacy, Seeks Fresh Investment Capital Ethiopia has stepped up its international economic engagement at the 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, seeking to translate ongoing economic reforms and progress on debt restructuring into stronger investment partnerships and development financing. The Ethiopian delegation, led by National Bank of Ethiopia Governor Dr. Eyob Tekalign and including State Minister of Finance Tiguist Fisseha, engaged with international financial institutions, development partners and senior financial officials on the country’s economic priorities. The meetings provided a platform to discuss macroeconomic reforms, financial stability, debt sustainability, private investment and financing for Ethiopia’s development ambitions. Governor Eyob emphasized that Ethiopia is increasingly looking beyond debt restructuring toward attracting fresh investment capital and building high-value international partnerships that reflect the country’s market size, economic potential and development priorities. The shift comes as Ethiopia advances negotiations with external creditors. According to the delegation’s account, agreements with bilateral creditors have been finalized, while negotiations with commercial lenders are progressing following an agreement in principle with Eurobond holders. The delegation also held engagements with representatives of international financial institutions and partner countries to explore opportunities for closer cooperation and investment. For Ethiopia, the objective extends beyond securing additional financing. It is also about strengthening investor confidence, expanding access to development resources and ensuring that international partnerships support the country’s long-term economic transformation. As the country continues implementing economic reforms, the ability to convert international commitments into productive investment, employment opportunities and improved livelihoods will remain a central test of its economic diplomacy. Ethiopia Reaffirms Sovereignty as Foreign Military Attachés Receive Security Briefing Ethiopia has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity as foreign military attachés received an update on the country’s security situation at Bishoftu Air Force Base. The briefing provided foreign military representatives with information on developments over the preceding three weeks, including security incidents and measures taken by the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF). The representatives were also shown weapons reportedly captured during recent security operations in Tigray and adjoining areas. According to accounts of the briefing, the military attachés described the direct exchange as useful in clarifying information gaps and addressing reports circulating on social media and other media platforms. They also expressed support for Ethiopia’s right to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. High-Level Telephone Diplomacy Strengthens Ethiopia’s International Engagement Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held separate telephone conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, discussing bilateral relations and regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest. Following his conversation with Netanyahu, the Prime Minister described the exchange as fruitful and constructive, noting that the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and key regional developments. He also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation. In his conversation with Rubio, PM Abiy discussed opportunities to translate the longstanding Ethiopia–United States relationship into a more strategic and practical partnership. The Prime Minister welcomed Washington’s assurance of continued support for Ethiopia and emphasized the shared interest in advancing bilateral cooperation and addressing regional and multilateral priorities. The engagements reflect Ethiopia’s continued efforts to maintain high-level dialogue with international partners while advancing its diplomatic and strategic interests. For a country whose economic and security priorities are closely connected to developments across the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea and the wider Middle East, sustained diplomatic engagement remains important to building partnerships, addressing shared concerns and supporting regional cooperation. National Flag Day Renews Call for Unity, Consensus and Shared Prosperity Ethiopia marked its 19th National Flag Day on October 12 under the theme “Our Flag for National Consensus and Unity,” renewing calls for national cohesion, respect for diversity and collective responsibility for the country’s future. In his message marking the occasion, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized that national unity is fundamental to Ethiopia’s pursuit of prosperity and that the national flag represents the country’s shared history, sovereignty and strength in diversity. The observance came at a time when consolidating peace, strengthening public institutions and broadening national consensus remain important priorities for Ethiopia’s political transition. Beyond its symbolic significance, National Flag Day offered an opportunity to highlight the importance of dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation among Ethiopia’s diverse communities. The message reinforced the idea that sustainable development requires more than economic growth: it also depends on social cohesion, shared responsibility and the ability to pursue common national objectives while respecting the country’s diversity. Technology and Meteorological Capacity Advance Climate Resilience Ethiopia has underscored the growing importance of scientific research, technological advancement and reliable data infrastructure in strengthening climate resilience and supporting national development. During a visit to the Ethiopia Meteorology Institute, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed highlighted the institution’s role in generating meteorological information and improving the country’s capacity to anticipate and respond to changing weather conditions. The Prime Minister emphasized the need for continuous data collection, scientific research and technological modernization to strengthen institutional capacity and improve the use of weather and climate information. Reliable meteorological services are critical to several key sectors of the Ethiopian economy, particularly agriculture, water management, energy, transportation and disaster preparedness. Improved forecasting and early-warning systems can help communities and public institutions prepare for extreme weather events, reduce potential losses and make better-informed development decisions. As climate-related risks increasingly affect African economies, strengthening national forecasting and early-warning capacity will also contribute to wider efforts to protect livelihoods and support sustainable development. Ethiopia’s New Political Chapter Places Sea Access and Regional Integration in Focus As Ethiopia enters a new five-year political chapter under the Medemer Government, sovereign sea access remains a prominent national strategic and economic ambition. As one of the world’s most populous landlocked countries, Ethiopia has a substantial interest in securing dependable access to maritime trade routes through mutually beneficial arrangements with regional partners. Reliable sea access could help reduce logistical constraints, improve export competitiveness, attract investment and strengthen Ethiopia’s integration into regional and global markets. The issue also carries wider regional significance. Ethiopia’s economic growth, population size and position at the heart of the Horn of Africa mean that maritime connectivity has implications for trade, infrastructure development and cross-border economic cooperation. Ethiopia’s pursuit of maritime access therefore intersects with a broader national agenda: strengthening economic resilience, diversifying trade routes and building regional partnerships that can generate shared prosperity. Ethiopia’s Maritime Ambition Linked to Red Sea Stability Ethiopia’s pursuit of reliable maritime access featured prominently in the week’s strategic agenda, reflecting the country’s economic interests and the Red Sea’s critical role in global trade and security. With its strategic position, economic potential and longstanding peacekeeping record, Ethiopia could contribute to regional maritime security and protect vital trade routes through constructive cooperation with coastal states, respect for international law and mutually beneficial arrangements. Reliable maritime access, stronger regional cooperation and a stable Red Sea are interconnected priorities that could unlock trade, investment and shared prosperity across the Horn of Africa. Tana Forum Positions Ethiopia at the Center of Africa’s Peace and Security Dialogue Ethiopia is preparing to host the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa in Bahir Dar from October 23 to 25, bringing African leaders, policymakers, researchers and security experts together to examine the continent’s evolving peace and security challenges. The forum’s theme, “Pathways to Peace in Africa: Economic Sovereignty and Geopolitical Transformation,” reflects growing recognition that sustainable peace is closely linked to economic independence, institutional strength and Africa’s capacity to navigate intensifying global geopolitical competition. Across the continent, conflicts, political instability, external rivalries and economic vulnerabilities continue to complicate efforts to achieve lasting peace and development. The Tana Forum offers an opportunity to examine how African countries can strengthen locally driven responses, deepen regional cooperation and align peace and security strategies with the continent’s development priorities. Its emphasis on economic sovereignty also highlights the importance of mobilizing domestic resources, building resilient economies and ensuring that African countries have greater capacity to shape decisions affecting their futures. For Ethiopia, hosting the forum reinforces Addis Ababa’s and the country’s wider role in continental diplomacy and provides an additional platform for advancing dialogue on African-led solutions to shared challenges. Looking Ahead: Connecting National Stability with Regional Opportunity This week’s developments illustrate the interconnected nature of Ethiopia’s domestic priorities and international ambitions. The caretaker administration in Tigray region places peace, institutional recovery and the restoration of public services at the center of the country’s internal challenges. Economic diplomacy in Bangkok reflects an effort to turn reform and debt-restructuring progress into fresh investment and development financing. High-level telephone conversations and military briefings demonstrate continued engagement with international partners on diplomatic and security issues. At the same time, National Flag Day, investments in meteorological capacity and preparations for the Tana Forum highlight the importance of national cohesion, technological modernization and African-led approaches to peace and development. Ethiopia’s pursuit of sovereign sea access adds a longer-term strategic dimension to this agenda, linking economic competitiveness with regional connectivity and the stability of the Red Sea. All in all, these priorities point to a broader national objective: consolidating stability at home, mobilizing resources for inclusive development and building international partnerships that advance Ethiopia’s interests while contributing to regional cooperation.

By Ambaye Woretaw   October 18, 2026 (ENA) Ethiopia has a long history of contributing to regional, continental and international peacekeeping missions, guided by its commitment to collective security, Pan-Africanism and regional stability. Its pursuit of reliable maritime access presents an opportunity to expand this role by contributing to maritime security, protecting international trade and promoting lasting peace across the Red Sea region. Situated at the heart of the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia possesses substantial human resources, economic potential and security capabilities that could contribute to safeguarding one of the world’s most important commercial corridors. Through constructive regional engagement, institutional partnerships and appropriate maritime security cooperation, the country could help address shared security challenges while advancing collective security, economic integration and regional prosperity. Ethiopia’s potential contribution extends beyond protecting its economic interests. Its engagement in regional maritime initiatives could support efforts to combat illicit trafficking, deter maritime threats, protect commercial shipping and improve coordination among regional actors. Moreover, Ethiopia’s maritime engagement could strengthen regional capacity to respond to emerging threats and contribute to a more coordinated security architecture.   Regional Integration Chief of Staff and Senior Researcher on the Horn of Africa at the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA), Gizachew Asrat, underscored the strategic importance of Ethiopia’s pursuit of reliable and sovereign access to the sea in a recent exclusive interview with ENA, linking the issue to regional peace, integration and collective security. “Ethiopia's return to reliable sea access is vital for peace, regional integration and collective security of the Horn of Africa and beyond,” he asserted. As one of Africa’s most populous countries and a major economic actor in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia has a significant stake in the security and efficiency of regional maritime trade routes. Reliable access to these routes could improve commercial competitiveness, strengthen regional connectivity and support the resilience of interconnected economies. Gizachew also emphasized that Ethiopia’s participation in regional maritime initiatives should be viewed as an opportunity for the wider region. “Engaging Ethiopia on the Red Sea platform is an asset for the region,” he said, highlighting the importance of cooperation and partnership in addressing shared challenges. His assessment points to the potential benefits of a regional approach in which Ethiopia’s economic weight and institutional capabilities complement the efforts of neighboring countries to secure maritime routes and promote regional integration.   Security Cooperation Ethiopia’s potential contribution to maritime security rests not only on its strategic position but also on its human resources, security capabilities and economic potential. These capacities could support regional initiatives aimed at protecting commercial shipping, improving information sharing and strengthening responses to cross-border threats. As Gizachew explained, Ethiopia’s “human resources, strong security-wise operation capacity, and a better economic potential as well as growth will add additional asset for the regional cooperation frameworks on maritime connectivity and security issues to be managed in partnership.” Ethiopia determines to translate these capabilities into practical contributions through sustained dialogue, institutional cooperation and arrangements. By aligning its national priorities with shared regional objectives, Ethiopia could help strengthen maritime security cooperation and build confidence among neighboring states. Such engagement could also encourage closer coordination between maritime security institutions and regional economic initiatives. Cooperation on information exchange, the prevention of illicit activities and the protection of commercial shipping could help address common threats more effectively than isolated national efforts. Maritime Connectivity The strategic significance of Ethiopia’s renewed maritime engagement extends beyond shipping routes and port infrastructure. It also concerns the broader challenge of overcoming persistent insecurity, improving regional connectivity and establishing a more cooperative order in the Horn of Africa.   For decades, infrastructure gaps, recurring conflicts and fragmented transport networks have constrained the region’s economic potential. Improved maritime connectivity, supported by reliable access arrangements and coordinated regional planning, could help reduce these barriers, facilitate trade and strengthen economic interdependence. For Ethiopia, dependable access to maritime trade routes is closely linked to economic resilience, export competitiveness and integration into global markets. For neighboring countries, stronger transport and trade connections could create opportunities for investment, logistics development and expanded commercial exchanges. Ethiopia’s pursuit of access to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden corridors therefore has both national and regional implications. If pursued through peaceful negotiations, mutually beneficial agreements and respect for international law, it could complement wider efforts to establish a more secure, interconnected and prosperous Horn of Africa. Global Trade The security of the Red Sea is a matter of international importance because the corridor connects major commercial routes linking Europe, Asia and Africa. Disruptions can delay shipments, increase transportation costs, affect energy markets and place additional pressure on economies that depend on predictable trade flows. Instability along these routes can also expose commercial vessels and seafarers to security threats, underscoring the need for effective coordination among regional and international stakeholders. Ethiopia’s constructive participation could broaden the economic and institutional base of regional security cooperation. Its human resources, economic potential and strategic position could complement existing initiatives, provided that its engagement is developed through appropriate regional mechanisms and mutually agreed arrangements. Gizachew Asrat’s assessment captures the central opportunity: Ethiopia’s participation in the Red Sea security framework could benefit the wider region when grounded in partnership, mutual benefit and a shared commitment to stability. A more inclusive approach to maritime security could help regional countries coordinate their responses to common threats while strengthening the relationship between security, trade and economic development. Given the corridor’s international significance, the benefits of such cooperation could extend well beyond the Horn of Africa.   Strategic Opportunity Ethiopia’s pursuit of reliable maritime access is driven by economic development, national resilience and the need for stronger integration into regional and global trade networks. At the same time, it presents an opportunity to deepen the country’s contribution to peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the wider Red Sea region. With its substantial human resources, economic potential and strategic position, Ethiopia could play a constructive role in protecting maritime commerce, strengthening regional cooperation and addressing shared security threats. Realizing this potential, Ethiopia has been executing sustained diplomacy, practical institutional partnerships and arrangements that serve the legitimate interests of all parties. Ultimately, Ethiopia’s maritime aspirations and the security of the Red Sea need not be competing priorities. Through peaceful engagement and mutual benefit, the pursuit of reliable sea access could become part of a broader regional effort to promote stability, expand economic opportunities and build a more integrated and prosperous Horn of Africa.

By Bruno Jomba   October 17, 2026 (ENA) For more than a century, Cairo’s policy toward the Horn of Africa and the strategic waters of Bab-el-Mandeb has been defined by a single, zero-sum security doctrine: total control over the Nile Basin and absolute dominance over the maritime choke-points of the Red Sea and Bab-el-Mandeb. Cairo’s national security framework explicitly securitizes both the Nile River and the Suez–Bab-el-Mandeb maritime corridor, treating any autonomous development along these lifelines as a direct challenge to its hegemony. Under this strategic view, a strong, unified, and economically thriving Ethiopia—the natural geographic anchor of East Africa, is perceived not as a partner for shared growth, but as an existential threat. To prevent Ethiopia from realizing its true potential and securing its natural position along the Red Sea and Bab-el-Mandeb corridor, Egypt has consistently sought to project instability onto Ethiopian soil. Whether supporting armed secessionist movements, exploiting internal fractures, or backing anti-state elements across different eras, Cairo's strategy in the Horn of Africa has remained unchanged: keep Ethiopia turned inward, consumed by domestic crises, and stripped of its sovereign maritime reach. The Asmara Axis: A Proxy Regime Designed to Encircle The enduring nature of the Shabia regime in Eritrea must be understood within a wider geopolitical framework. During the colonial era, Eritrean patriots fought valiantly against fascist Italian occupation, rallying behind the rallying cry "Ethiopia or Death"—a testament to their desire for unity and independence. So what happens after Eritrean secession from Ethiopia? Well, the rise of Shabia in Cairo was not merely a domestic development but a calculated geopolitical move aimed at weakening Ethiopia. In the mid-twentieth century, as Ethiopia asserted its sovereignty and regional influence—particularly over the vital Nile headwaters—Egypt sought to extend control over the Red Sea corridor and counter Ethiopia’s growing regional role. By providing safe haven, financial support, and diplomatic infrastructure to exiled political groups and students in Cairo, Egypt effectively fostered a political base that transformed internal grievances into external armed rebellion. State-backed media outlets, such as Cairo-based radio broadcasts, amplified secessionist narratives deep into northern Ethiopia, fueling divisions and eroding national unity. This strategy created a protracted conflict—lasting decades—that drained Ethiopia’s human and material resources, deliberately fragmenting its national fabric and distracting the country from long-term development and regional leadership. Even after secession from Ethiopia, Shabia instead of channeling its resources into infrastructure, economic development, or the welfare of its citizens, the regime in Asmara turned the state into a tool for regional destabilization. The Cairo-backed axis engineered a geopolitical strategy aimed at permanently severing Ethiopia from its historic coastlines at Assab and Massawa. Since its inception, the Eritrean regime has served as a strategic hub for foreign interests intent on keeping Ethiopia landlocked, vulnerable, and economically constrained. Its record across the Horn of Africa speaks volumes: provoking armed clashes with Yemen, engaging in border disputes with Djibouti, waging devastating wars against Ethiopia, and repeatedly intervening in the internal affairs of Sudan and Somalia. External Aggression in Sudan and Regional Impunity The real-world consequences of this aggressive intervention are starkly evident across the region today. In Sudan, as the nation suffers through a devastating internal conflict, foreign meddling has reached alarming levels. Recent Egyptian military strikes targeting civilian artisanal gold miners in Sudan—conducted without mercy for human life—demonstrate a severe disregard for international norms and regional sovereignty. The Sudanese authorities, entangled in an existential conflict, feel compelled to exercise restraint rather than forcefully confront these violations underscores how deeply Egypt exploits regional vulnerabilities to project power without accountability. From the Nile Valley to the Red Sea coast, external interference continues to delay peace and tear apart the social fabric of the Horn. The Heavy Economic Toll of Forced Landlockedness The most severe consequence of this geopolitical containment has been the artificial stripping of Ethiopia’s sea access, turning a proud nation of over 135 million people into the most populous landlocked country on Earth. The loss of Ethiopia’s Red Sea access after 1991 remains an unpardonable betrayal of Ethiopia’s sovereignty. An un-elected transitional administration, lacking any mandate or constitutional authority, unilaterally acquiesced to the separation of Eritrea and the surrender of vital ports like Assab without consulting the Ethiopian people. By endorsing that referendum while denying the nation a voice, this rushed and illegal process stripped a historic power of its coastline without due legal process, leaving over 135 million Ethiopians landlocked and dependent on foreign ports. Every year, Ethiopia is forced to siphon billions of USD out of its national treasury into foreign port and transit fees. This massive financial drain strips the nation of capital that should be building modern hospitals, expanding universities, constructing industrial parks, and modernizing agriculture. High logistics costs burden domestic producers, make Ethiopian exports less competitive on the global market, and leave the economy vulnerable to external supply chain shocks. Had Ethiopia not been systematically cut off from its maritime outlets, those billions of USD would have been reinvested directly into domestic development, elevating Ethiopia into a vastly larger economic superpower and uplifting the entire Horn region. Ethiopia's Two-Water Doctrine To secure its future and guarantee regional stability across the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and the Bab-el-Mandeb corridor, Ethiopia stands firmly on its fundamental Two-Water Doctrine: First, Ethiopia asserts its absolute right to equitably utilize the waters of the Blue Nile. Projects like the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) represent a triumph of self-reliance, designed to generate clean hydro-energy, power regional industrialization, and lift millions out of poverty without harming downstream nations. Second, Ethiopia maintains its imperative for direct, reliable, and sovereign access to the Red Sea and Bab-el-Mandeb. Sovereign sea access is not a luxury; it is a core requirement for national defense, economic growth, and regional integration. No sovereign nation of over 135 million people can be expected to accept permanent maritime imprisonment or surrender its natural geographic rights. A Peaceful Horn Anchored by Ethiopia Despite decades of foreign intervention, proxy aggression, and deliberate encirclement, Ethiopia remains the resilient anchor state of East Africa. The future of the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and the strategic Bab-el-Mandeb must not be dictated by foreign subversion or zero-sum military doctrines. The peoples of Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, and Djibouti share intertwined histories, cultures, and destinies. When Ethiopia thrives, the entire region gains through shared clean energy grids, cross-border trade corridors, and collective security. The Horn of Africa deserves lasting peace, uncompromised sovereignty, and sustainable development—and an empowered, secure Ethiopia with guaranteed access to the sea is the key to unlocking that prosperous future.

By Professor Al Mariam (Emeritus & Attorney at Law) October 16, 2026 (ENA) (𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫.) 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. 𝐄𝐥-𝐒𝐢𝐬𝐢’𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬, 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲. 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 cooperation—not Ethiopia’s 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: “Egypt 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.” 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-Sisi’s 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. 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐬𝐫𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚'𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝, 𝐦𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚, 𝐒𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭. 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 Ethiopia’s 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. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬. 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐱𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬. 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚. 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐨𝐟 “𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦” 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧-𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐚𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬. 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 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐫𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜, 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭, 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭’𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲. 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, “Egyptian armies, often with European and American officers, were defeated and practically annihilated by Ethiopian forces led by the Emperor Yohannes on several occasions.” In the Battle of Gura (1876), Ethiopian forces routed invading Egyptian forces. One scholar noted, “Gura, fought six months later [Gundet], confirms the superior capabilities of the Ethiopian military.” Another noted, “Yohannes met the Egyptians in Hamasien and defeated them decisively at Gura in a three days’ battle, 7–9 March 1876.” 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 Napoleon’s Russian campaign, the Adwa campaign ended in victory. This is greatness." 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲. 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐰𝐚𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞. It is not a stretch of the imagination to compare Israel’s wars with Egypt’s 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 Egypt’s 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. 𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐥𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐢 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐚𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐬𝐫𝐚𝐞𝐥. Military action against Ethiopia will neither lead to Egyptian domination over the Nile, ensure the safety of Egypt’s water supply nor force Ethiopia to become a colonial/client state. 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚, 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐥-𝐒𝐢𝐬𝐢 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐝, 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧-𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐥𝐞. 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 — 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 Ethiopia’s 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. 𝐈𝐟 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭'𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐚𝐫, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬. 𝐈𝐟 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐬𝐫𝐚𝐞𝐥, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠; 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐫. 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐱 — 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐲— 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐬𝐫𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬. 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐥-𝐒𝐢𝐬𝐢 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐝𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨: 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲. 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐧; 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬; 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚 – 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝. 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬 𝐍𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓!