Addis Ababa, August 10, 2026 (ENA) — The Ethiopian Air Force (EAF) has undergone a major technology-driven transformation over the past six to seven years, expanding its manufacturing, maintenance and operational capabilities as part of efforts to build a more self-reliant force. In an interview, Deputy Commander of EAF Brigadier General Meseret Getachew said the reform has focused on advancing technology, strengthening self-reliance, transforming human resources and building an Air Force capable of serving Ethiopia’s strategic interests. He said the Air Force has transitioned from an analog system into the digital era while developing capabilities in aircraft maintenance, upgrading, spare parts manufacturing and unmanned aircraft production. According to the deputy commander, these capabilities have moved beyond research and theory and are now being applied in practical manufacturing and operational activities. He said aircraft and unmanned systems are being manufactured, maintained and upgraded locally, while technological capabilities continue to be developed and applied across various areas. The Air Force has also worked to maximize the use of existing resources by repairing and upgrading systems and developing technological capabilities that were previously unavailable, he added. The deputy commander further noted that the Air Force has significantly expanded its production capacity. Items that were previously manufactured only in small quantities can now be produced on a much larger scale, with hundreds of components manufactured daily and thousands of certain spare parts produced over time. The growing capabilities have also enabled the Ethiopian Air Force to expand cooperation with other African countries, Brigadier General Meseret said. Over the past several months, the Air Force has signed agreements with several African countries covering professional training, aircraft and helicopter repair, and other areas of technical cooperation, he said. The growing interest has followed visits by African delegations to Ethiopian Air Force facilities, where they observed its maintenance, overhaul, upgrading, manufacturing and training capabilities firsthand. According to the deputy commander, visiting countries have expressed increasing interest in cooperation after witnessing the work of Ethiopian engineers, technicians and pilots and seeing technologies manufactured and operated locally. The Air Force is also providing training to professionals from other African countries, with the cooperation extending beyond technical instruction to include technology and knowledge transfer. “We try to make them not only qualified in science and technology, but also good nations. So, when they go back to their country, they are going to prove the level of training, maintenance, technology and knowledge transfer they are given,” Brigadier General Meseret said. He said the expanding cooperation also provides commercial benefits by generating foreign currency that can support research and development, manufacturing capacity and the procurement of raw materials. The Air Force is continuing its research and development activities rather than becoming satisfied with the capabilities it has already achieved, he added. “We are not satisfied yet,” he said, emphasizing that the Air Force remains committed to further advancing its technological and operational capabilities. The progress made over the past several years represents a fundamental transformation of the EAF’s capabilities rather than an incremental improvement from one level to another, Brigadier General Meseret noted.

Addis Ababa, August 10, 2026 (ENA) — The Ethiopian National Dialogue Conference is moving toward its conclusion phase following extensive deliberations among participants, Chief Commissioner of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission Professor Mesfin Araya said. Speaking to the media on the current status of the consultation process, Professor Mesfin said the process is being strengthened and progressing to a more advanced stage. He explained that ideas initially raised by groups of 10 and 50 participants were subsequently expanded and deliberated upon by 250 member groups. At the current stage, two groups of 250 participants have compiled and documented their deliberations and are presenting their findings to 500 consultation groups, he said. Members of the 500 groups, who have begun the next phase of the consultation, are listening to the ideas presented to them and carefully developing those that should be incorporated into the final outcome, according to the Chief Commissioner. He said the 250 participants currently engaged in discussions will conclude their deliberations this afternoon, while those completing their discussions tomorrow morning will present their findings to the 500 groups tomorrow afternoon. Professor Mesfin further elaborated that differences of opinion, arguments and occasional emotional exchanges observed at the beginning of the process are natural indicators of broad participation and vitality in the consultation. He noted that participants express diverse views because they consider the consultation an opportunity to reflect on issues of both immediate and long-term national importance. However, he stressed that excessive emotional exchanges are not acceptable under the Commission's rules of procedure. "One of the principles of the consultation process is respect. The second is to talk, listen and come to the center," he said, urging participants to uphold these principles throughout the process. The Chief Commissioner also emphasized that participants were not gathered to seek solutions to individual questions raised by villages or local areas, but to deliberate on national issues with Ethiopia as the central focus. He stressed that the consultation is not a decision-making process, but rather a process of providing advice. The advice generated through the consultation will be conveyed to law enforcement institutions, legislators, legal interpreters, political parties and civil society organizations, he said. Professor Mesfin dismissed rumors that decisions would be made through majority voting or under internal or external pressure. He explained that the current debates and disagreements among participants represent the "divergence" phase of the consultation process and are therefore a normal part of the deliberations. He said the process will eventually move into a "convergence" phase, during which participants will set aside individual positions and work toward common ideas centered on Ethiopia. He pointed out that some agendas initially considered highly controversial have already been brought to the center of discussions by participants who recognized them as issues of shared national concern. The Chief Commissioner said the consultation process is progressing well and that, following a month of intensive work, the consultation involving 4,000 participants is expected to be completed within the next one to two weeks. He said the Commission will then submit its proposals to the executive body, while implementation of the recommendations will be monitored and made public. Professor Mesfin expressed gratitude to all those following and supporting the consultation process with humility, both in Ethiopia and abroad.

Staff Writer   August 9, 2026 (ENA) Some weeks are measured by the events they produce. Others are remembered for the direction they reveal. For Ethiopia, the past week was marked by a series of developments that reached far beyond individual announcements. From millions of citizens gathering under heavy rains to plant the seeds of an ecological future, to the country crossing the 50-million mark in its national digital identity system, and from renewed efforts to forge political consensus to a broader campaign against economic crimes, the week offered a picture of a country steadily building the foundations of its next chapter. Across environment, technology, governance, security and infrastructure, a common thread emerged: the pursuit of greater national capacity, resilience and self-reliance. Planting Hope, One Seedling at a Time Perhaps nowhere was the scale of that national mobilization more visible than in Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative. In a remarkable 12-hour campaign conducted under the theme “Let Us Plant Hope,” Ethiopia planted more than 805.3 million tree seedlings, setting a new environmental record. The operation covered some 291,400 hectares and brought together an extraordinary 26.2 million citizens across the country. The scale was impressive. But the deeper significance lay in what stood behind the numbers. Millions of Ethiopians turned out despite torrential seasonal rains, transforming what could have been an ordinary environmental campaign into a nationwide demonstration of civic participation and collective responsibility. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed captured the spirit of the day, saying: “Despite the formidable challenge of planting seedlings throughout the day in torrential rains, over 26.2 million Ethiopians stepped forward to plant hope for tomorrow. This extraordinary spirit proves that when we unite around a shared vision, no hurdle is insurmountable.” The achievement also placed the week within the broader trajectory of the Green Legacy Initiative. More than 6.5 billion seedlings have already been planted during the current Ethiopian year, leaving another 1.5 billion to reach the seasonal target of 8 billion seedlings. Yet the initiative is increasingly becoming about more than planting trees. Across regions, government officials and local communities have linked the campaign to soil conservation, watershed rehabilitation, food security and the protection of critical water infrastructure. Cabinet members and regional leaders also used the mobilization to strengthen anti-siltation efforts around dams. What began as a tree-planting campaign is increasingly taking the shape of a national climate-resilience strategy—one that seeks to connect environmental restoration with the country's long-term economic and ecological security. Strengthening Ethiopia’s Digital Frontiers As Ethiopia accelerates its digital transformation, the government is moving to secure the infrastructure underpinning it. This week, the Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity Proclamation No. 1426/2026 was highlighted as a major step toward protecting strategic digital systems from growing cyber threats. INSA Director General Tigist Hamid said the law establishes a comprehensive framework for monitoring cyber risks and coordinating responses across 12 critical sectors, including finance, telecommunications, health, energy, water, transport and government services. The proclamation requires critical infrastructure operators to strengthen risk assessments, cyber audits and security governance, while establishing a dedicated cybersecurity fund to support resilience, innovation and skills development. As digital identity, electronic payments and online public services expand, the new framework seeks to ensure that Ethiopia’s digital transformation is matched by stronger protection of its national data, critical systems and digital sovereignty. The Search for Consensus Beyond technology and environmental restoration, Ethiopia's most consequential project remains political: finding a durable framework for national consensus. That effort moved another step forward this week as consultations under the National Dialogue framework brought more than 4,000 delegates representing different sections of society to the Addis International Convention Center. The significance of the gathering lies not merely in the number of participants, but in the difficult questions being placed on the table. Ethiopia's political history has been shaped by competing interpretations of power, identity, representation and economic opportunity. The National Dialogue seeks to move those disagreements from confrontation toward structured discussion—and ultimately toward a political culture capable of managing differences without repeatedly turning them into crises. In an extended broadcast interview, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reflected on the historical roots of popular struggles and the failures that helped produce them. He argued that understanding the past is essential not for perpetuating old divisions, but for addressing the structural problems that produced them. “The historic popular struggles of our past were fundamentally directed at rectifying system-level governance failures and economic marginalization—not at dismantling national unity. True state-building requires us to acknowledge these historical realities while constructively channeling our efforts into building a shared, equitable democratic future.” That distinction is central to the country's search for consensus: recognizing grievances without allowing them to become permanent political fault lines. The challenge now is to translate dialogue into institutions, agreements and a political culture capable of sustaining the country's unity while accommodating its diversity. Protecting the Economic Front Ethiopia’s economic transformation is also facing a battle against the networks seeking to exploit weaknesses in the system. This week, the government launched decisive measures against individuals, businesses and officials accused of corruption and illegal economic activities undermining the ongoing macroeconomic reform. Government Communication Service Minister Enatalem Melese said such networks had contributed to foreign-currency shortages, inflationary pressures, contraband trade and artificial shortages of essential goods. The crackdown has already seen more than 7,000 businesses and warehouses sealed, while 169 people accused of illegal money transfers, hawala activities and black-market currency transactions were brought before the law. Authorities also targeted illicit gold trading, fuel and fertilizer-related corruption, tax fraud, illegal financial flows and unauthorized electricity sales, with hundreds of suspects facing investigation or legal action. The breadth of the operation underscores a central message of the reform agenda: economic transformation requires not only new policies and investment, but also institutions capable of protecting the system from corruption, illicit markets and the misuse of national resources. Energy, Water and the Regional Horizon Ethiopia's infrastructure ambitions continued to intersect with its wider regional role, particularly in energy and water. Following the latest milestones associated with the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, water-resource engineers and energy analysts emphasized the importance of sustaining momentum through further hydropower development along the Abay River basin. The argument extends beyond domestic electricity generation. Additional generation capacity, combined with stronger transmission infrastructure, could reinforce Ethiopia's position as a major electricity supplier to neighboring countries and contribute to the gradual integration of East Africa's power markets. The strategic equation is increasingly clear: Ethiopia's water and energy resources are not only national development assets; they can also become instruments of regional economic integration. At the same time, progress in localized clean-water systems and disease-surveillance networks added another dimension to the country's resilience agenda. From public health to environmental protection, the common objective is increasingly one of preparedness—building systems capable of absorbing shocks before they become national crises. A Week That Revealed a Direction Taken separately, the week's developments might appear to belong to entirely different worlds. Tree planting belongs to the environment. Digital identity belongs to technology. National Dialogue belongs to politics. Economic enforcement belongs to security. Hydropower belongs to infrastructure. But viewed together, they tell a more coherent story. They point toward a country seeking to strengthen the foundations of its sovereignty—from the restoration of its land and protection of its water resources to the security of its digital systems, the integrity of its economy and the institutions through which political differences are managed. The most important achievement of such a week, therefore, may not be any single record, platform or consultation. It is the emerging recognition that national transformation requires capacity on every front at once. A greener landscape. A more connected citizenry. Stronger institutions. A more secure economy. Greater energy capacity. And, above all, a political culture capable of turning Ethiopia's diversity from a source of recurring confrontation into a foundation for common purpose. That is what made the week significant. It was not simply a week of milestones. It was a week that offered another glimpse of the Ethiopia being built for tomorrow.

By Staff Writer August 9, 2026 (ENA) The world experienced another turbulent week as armed conflicts, geopolitical rivalries, diplomatic maneuvering, economic pressures, climate stress and humanitarian emergencies continued to reinforce one another. From persistent wars and renewed security tensions to fragile ceasefire efforts and intensified diplomatic initiatives, governments and international organizations faced growing pressure to contain crises before they spread beyond their immediate theatres. At the same time, disruptions to energy supplies and maritime routes continued to expose the vulnerability of the global economy to geopolitical shocks, with uncertainty affecting oil prices, shipping costs, trade flows and inflationary pressures. The week also highlighted the increasingly interconnected nature of global crises. Conflict and insecurity continued to drive displacement and humanitarian needs, while extreme weather events, wildfires, floods and prolonged climate pressures placed additional strain on communities already facing economic hardship. Food security remained a concern in several vulnerable regions as conflict, disrupted supply chains and climate related shocks threatened agricultural production and access to essential commodities. Meanwhile, migration pressures continued to rise as people sought safety and economic opportunities across borders, creating additional challenges for governments and humanitarian agencies. Beyond immediate crises, major powers continued to compete for strategic influence, particularly over energy resources, critical trade corridors, emerging technologies and military capabilities. Diplomatic engagement remained active as states sought to prevent escalation, negotiate settlements and protect their economic and security interests. Yet the persistence of competing geopolitical agendas demonstrated the limits of diplomacy when trust between major actors remains weak. Taken together, the week's developments underscored a world facing multiple, interconnected risks rather than isolated crises. Conflict, economic uncertainty, climate emergencies and humanitarian pressures increasingly overlap, creating a fragile international environment in which a political or security shock in one region can rapidly produce consequences far beyond its borders. Peace and Security The confrontation involving Iran and the United States remained the week's most consequential international development. Sustained uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz continued to threaten global energy and maritime shipping markets. By the end of the week, the dispute had increasingly shifted from the battlefield toward the question of who would control and regulate shipping through the strategic waterway. Media reports indicated that Tehran said an agreement with Oman had been reached on parameters for a proposed shipping route through Hormuz, but Iranian officials subsequently stressed that the arrangement alone would not be sufficient to fully reopen the waterway. Diplomatic efforts to forge a path toward negotiations proceeded alongside intensifying military and political pressure. Tehran maintained demands for specific guarantees before fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington faced growing urgency to decide whether military action or diplomacy offers a sustainable solution. The prolonged disruption of Hormuz has already affected businesses, employment and migrant workers across the Gulf, demonstrating that the crisis is no longer simply an energy security problem. Some media outlets noted that disruption to shipping and economic activity has affected sectors ranging from events and tourism to employment and foreign currency earnings. The ramifications of this standoff extend far beyond the region. As one of the world's premier energy corridors, prolonged disruption in the Strait could spike crude oil prices, drive up global freight tariffs, and reignite domestic inflationary pressures worldwide. The Times of India reported that Brent crude rose above 83 USD per barrel on August 7 as uncertainty persisted over the reopening of Hormuz. Reuters similarly reported that Brent gained more than 1 USD on Friday amid uncertainty over the terms of a possible reopening agreement. The conflicting demands over shipping access, transit fees, sanctions and insurance restrictions mean that even a diplomatic agreement may not immediately restore normal commercial traffic. Simultaneously, the conflict in Gaza remained unresolved. Talks over a long-term framework continued, but major sticking points, including Hamas's disarmament, Israeli military withdrawals, and post war security arrangements, obstructed a durable settlement. Meanwhile, severe humanitarian distress across the territory remained a critical concern for the international community. Geopolitics and Shifting Alliances Beyond active conflicts, the week demonstrated a continuing transformation of the international security order as countries reassessed traditional alliances and sought new strategic partnerships. Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan moved forward with a trilateral defence arrangement linking major powers from the Middle East and South Asia. Ankara subsequently stressed that the agreement was not directed against Iran, reflecting the delicate balance being pursued by countries seeking stronger security cooperation without necessarily becoming parties to another regional confrontation. The Indo Pacific remained another major arena of strategic competition. Pacific island governments faced growing pressure to balance relations with China, the United States, Australia and New Zealand while protecting their own sovereignty and development interests. The dispute surrounding China's recent ballistic missile test exposed divisions within the Pacific Islands Forum. Some governments expressed concern about the strategic implications of the test, while Beijing maintained that the launch was part of routine military activity and sought to reassure Pacific partners. China simultaneously intensified diplomatic engagement with Pacific Island states. Beijing presented its cooperation as supportive of national sovereignty and development choices and sought to distinguish its approach from what it describes as conditional or bloc-based diplomacy. The episode illustrates that strategic competition in the Pacific is increasingly being pursued through diplomacy, development assistance and political influence as well as military capabilities. The broader contest between major powers is therefore no longer confined to traditional military alliances. Energy access, infrastructure, maritime routes, trade, technology, development financing and diplomatic influence have all become instruments of geopolitical competition. Economic Risks and Global Trade Economic vulnerability emerged as one of the clearest themes of the week. The disruption around Hormuz demonstrated how quickly a security crisis can become a global economic problem. Higher oil prices can increase transportation and production costs, while prolonged shipping disruption can raise freight rates and insurance premiums. For countries heavily dependent on imported energy, the consequences can include higher inflation, pressure on currencies and greater strain on household incomes. India has particular exposure because of its energy imports, extensive commercial links with the Gulf and large overseas workforce in the region. The Hormuz crisis therefore represents not only a foreign policy challenge for New Delhi but also a direct economic and human security concern. China, meanwhile, has continued to emphasize the broader consequences of geopolitical fragmentation for global production, maritime commerce and employment. Prolonged confrontation threatens the economic interdependence on which international trade has been built. The same vulnerabilities are visible in Europe, where disruptions to the Black Sea have affected agricultural and energy exports, and in the Red Sea, where insecurity has forced vessels to reconsider traditional routes. Canada offered a contrasting economic signal during the week, reporting stronger than expected labour conditions in July, with unemployment falling to a two year low despite continuing trade tensions and the effects of US tariffs. Taken together, these developments suggest that geopolitical fragmentation is becoming a structural economic risk rather than simply a temporary source of market volatility. Humanitarian and Public Health Emergencies Humanitarian concerns remained closely linked to armed conflict and economic instability during the week. The Democratic Republic of Congo continued confronting a serious Ebola outbreak, with the epidemic concentrated particularly in Ituri and North Kivu. The outbreak has placed additional pressure on health authorities operating in areas already affected by insecurity, displacement and limited infrastructure. Available epidemiological figures demonstrate the scale of the crisis. By late July, thousands of cases and more than a thousand deaths had been recorded, underscoring the continuing strain on health authorities and humanitarian agencies. The outbreak illustrates the difficulty of managing major health emergencies in areas already affected by insecurity and displacement. Public health responses must operate alongside humanitarian operations and conflict management, making containment considerably more difficult. The World Health Organization (WHO) also marked World Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to 7, drawing attention to the need to strengthen support for mothers and infants. The observance provided a reminder that global health priorities continue even as governments concentrate on wars, security crises and economic shocks. Climate and Environmental Pressures Climate related disruption added another layer of vulnerability to the international picture. Europe experienced severe heat and drought conditions, with unusually low water levels along the Danube exposing historical wartime shipwrecks. Beyond the striking historical discovery, the falling water levels highlighted the vulnerability of inland waterways that support trade, transport and industrial activity. Extreme weather increasingly threatens infrastructure and supply chains at a time when geopolitical tensions are already putting pressure on global commodity flows. Drought can affect agricultural production and river transport, while extreme heat can strain electricity systems and damage infrastructure. The combination of climate stress and geopolitical instability is particularly significant because both can produce food price increases, migration pressures and competition over resources. Conclusion Taken together, the week's developments reveal a world in which conflicts, economic shocks, geopolitical rivalry, climate pressures and humanitarian emergencies are increasingly interconnected. The Strait of Hormuz is not simply an Iranian American security dispute. Its disruption can affect oil prices, shipping costs, inflation and employment thousands of kilometres away. The war in Ukraine is not confined to Eastern Europe, as attacks on Black Sea infrastructure affect agricultural and energy exports. The week's developments offered another warning that military confrontation can rapidly become an economic crisis, while economic insecurity can deepen humanitarian pressures and political instability. The world remains deeply divided over security, sovereignty and the future international order. Yet the interconnected nature of today's crises also makes cooperation more necessary. Preventing escalation, protecting global trade routes, maintaining humanitarian access and strengthening multilateral diplomacy will remain essential to containing the risks of an increasingly volatile international system. NB: This weekly review draws on reporting and analysis from major international and regional media outlets, including Reuters, AP, AFP, CNN, ABC, The Times of India, China Daily, Global Times, and South China Morning Post.

Addis Ababa, August 9, 2026 (ENA) —Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said the Prosperity Party (PP) will place citizens’ wellbeing and tangible improvements in their daily lives at the center of its priorities over the next five years. In an interview with the Oromia Broadcasting Network (OBN), Prime Minister Abiy outlined an ambitious agenda spanning food sovereignty, public services, technology, energy, agriculture and urban development. The Premier revealed that the government will pursue a range of initiatives designed to ensure that the benefits of development reach citizens more directly and improve their quality of life. He identified the ongoing national dialogue as a key instrument for addressing Ethiopia’s longstanding political and social challenges, saying it could help resolve problems that have accumulated over generations and contribute to lasting solutions. The Prime Minister also underscored food sovereignty as a strategic priority for Ethiopia’s economic transformation, both at the regional and national levels. He said the government will intensify efforts to improve public service delivery while taking stronger measures against corruption, theft and inefficiency.   Elected officials, he added, have a responsibility to honor the commitments they made to citizens during the election and deliver meaningful results. Technology, according to Abiy, will be central to this effort. The government plans to expand the use of digital technologies across sectors to make public services more accessible, efficient and responsive to citizens’ needs. Speaking on the nation’s energy ambitions, the Prime Minister highlighted major energy initiatives expected to shape Ethiopia’s development trajectory over the coming years, including the country’s ambition to generate nuclear power for the first time. He described the nuclear energy program as a historic undertaking for Ethiopia and Africa, saying it could lay an important foundation for future generations. Abiy also pointed to Ethiopia’s emerging natural gas sector, noting that the country had pursued the development of its gas resources for decades but had previously struggled to fully utilize them.   He said Ethiopia is now extracting natural gas and developing industries that can use it as an industrial input. Some vehicles previously powered by diesel are also being converted to natural gas, with wider deployment of natural-gas-powered vehicles expected in the coming months. Acknowledging agriculture as central to Ethiopia’s food sovereignty, the Prime Minister said the sector remains a cornerstone of the country’s economy, livelihoods and national production. He emphasized expanding farmers’ access to fertilizer, irrigation, agricultural machinery and modern technologies to raise productivity and strengthen food sovereignty. Machinery is being imported to support the construction of fertilizer production facilities, while irrigation schemes are being expanded in different parts of the country, he said. The Premier noted that increased land cultivation and cluster farming have already contributed to higher agricultural output, adding that the government will continue to expand these efforts. Expanding irrigation, he stressed, is particularly important to enable farmers to produce throughout the year rather than relying predominantly on seasonal rainfall. Domestic fertilizer production, the PM added, will help reduce dependence on external supplies while strengthening Ethiopia’s capacity to meet its agricultural input needs.   The Prime Minister also highlighted Bishoftu International Airport under construction in Bishoftu as a landmark project with significance extending beyond Ethiopia, describing it as a major investment in the country’s future air transport and economic development. On urban development, PM Abiy said the government’s urban modernization and corridor development programs are ultimately aimed at transforming cities and improving the quality of services available to residents. The initiatives are designed to expand access to housing, clean water, electricity, street lighting and other essential services, while bringing education and healthcare facilities closer to communities. Beyond infrastructure, the projects are expected to generate employment, stimulate innovation and create more livable urban environments, he said. Pm Abiy said the experience gained from Addis Ababa’s urban modernization efforts will provide a foundation for transforming cities across Ethiopia’s regions during the next five years.

By Staff Writer August 9, 2026 (ENA) The Horn of Africa is once again facing the danger of military and political escalation as renewed manoeuvring involving Eritrea, illegal TPLF-led political and military actors, and other regional and external forces threatens to undermine the fragile peace achieved after years of devastating conflict. At the centre of these concerns is Tigray, a region still struggling to recover from the destruction, displacement and human suffering caused by the 2020 to 2022 war. The conflict ended with the signing of the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA), creating an opportunity for the region to pursue reconstruction, reconciliation and political dialogue. That opportunity remains fragile. Reports of renewed military contacts involving Eritrean officials and former TPLF military figures inside Tigray have raised concerns that political disagreements could once again be transformed into military calculations. Against the backdrop of tensions involving Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt and armed groups in the region, such developments risk turning Ethiopia’s internal political challenges into a wider regional confrontation. The central concern is not merely which political actors may gain from renewed alliances, but who will bear the consequences if those alliances lead to another conflict. For the people of Tigray, particularly its youth, the answer is painfully familiar. Foreign Military Involvement One of the most troubling issues is the reported engagement of Eritrean military officials with banned TPLF military figures inside Tigray. Reports of meetings involving Eritrean and TPLF faction leaders on Ethiopian territory have raised questions about the purpose, authorization and implications of such contacts. If confirmed, the presence of foreign military officials inside Ethiopian territory without the authorization of the federal government would raise serious questions concerning national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Tigray is an integral regional state of Ethiopia and should not become a platform for external military calculations or geopolitical competition. The timing is also significant. Northern Ethiopia needs reconstruction, economic recovery, reconciliation and political stability. Renewed military engagement risks diverting attention and resources away from these priorities while creating an atmosphere in which mistrust and mobilisation can once again flourish. Ethiopia’s federal government and people have repeatedly expressed a desire to avoid another war, including renewed confrontation with Eritrea. Preserving that restraint requires all actors to avoid steps that could create facts on the ground and gradually transform political tensions into military confrontation. Eritrea's Regime History of Regional Confrontation The current concerns are also being viewed against Eritrea’s broader regional history. Since its independence from Ethiopia in 1993, Asmara has been involved in a series of military disputes and diplomatic tensions with neighbouring countries. The Ethiopia Eritrea border war of 1998 to 2000 remains the clearest illustration of how political and territorial disputes can escalate into devastating conflict. Tens of thousands of people were killed before the Algiers Agreement brought the major hostilities to an end. The 2018 rapprochement between Addis Ababa and Asmara marked a dramatic improvement in relations and raised hopes for a lasting transformation in the relationship between the two countries. Yet unresolved security concerns and competing strategic interests have continued to shape the politics of the region. Eritrea has also experienced serious disputes and security tensions involving Yemen, Djibouti and Sudan. Critics of Asmara have consequently accused the Eritrean government of relying heavily on military pressure, strategic alliances and security calculations to advance its regional interests. Whatever the interpretation of these episodes, the history demonstrates the danger of allowing regional disputes to become militarised. The Horn of Africa has repeatedly paid a heavy price when political disagreements are settled through force rather than sustained diplomacy. Danger of Proxy Politics The wider geopolitical environment makes the current situation even more complicated. Egypt’s strategic rivalry with Ethiopia, particularly over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and competing interests in the Nile Basin and Red Sea, has added another dimension to regional calculations. Any alignment between external actors and domestic political forces around Ethiopia’s internal divisions could deepen instability. The possibility of competing regional interests converging around armed groups or political factions creates the risk of turning domestic disputes into a proxy confrontation. The reported network involving the TPLF, Eritrea, Fano aligned forces and external actors such as Egypt is therefore particularly concerning. The alliance sometimes referred to as “Tsimdo” could, if it develops into a coordinated political or military arrangement, turn Tigray region of Ethiopia and neighbouring areas into an arena for competing strategic interests. Such arrangements may provide short term tactical advantages to individual actors. But alliances formed around a common opponent can be inherently unstable. Once immediate interests change, former partners can become rivals, leaving civilians to bear the consequences of conflicts they did not create. For Eritrea, deeper involvement in Ethiopia’s internal affairs could expose its own population to another costly regional confrontation. For Fano aligned forces, cooperation with former adversaries could transform political grievances into a broader conflict with national and ethnic dimensions. For external actors, using Ethiopia’s internal divisions to advance strategic interests could further destabilise an already fragile region. The People of Tigray Must Not Pay The greatest danger is that young Tigrayans could once again become the human cost of decisions made by political and military elites. At the heart of this threat is Eritrea’s regime, whose long-established reliance on proxy actors and military adventurism has repeatedly undermined peace efforts and fueled instability across the Horn of Africa. The region’s youth have already endured violence, displacement, economic hardship and interrupted education. Thousands of families continue to face the consequences of a conflict that disrupted livelihoods. Reports of renewed recruitment and alleged coercive mobilisation in Tigray region have therefore intensified public concern. Such allegations require serious scrutiny, transparency and accountability. Any effort to rebuild armed structures or mobilise young people for another confrontation would threaten not only immediate security but also the future of an entire generation. Tigray does not need another mobilisation campaign. It needs functioning schools, hospitals, roads, businesses and institutions. Its young people need opportunities to study, work and build families rather than being placed once again in the path of war. The political future of Tigray region must consequently be pursued through dialogue and legitimate political processes. Attempts to regain influence through armed confrontation would risk repeating the very tragedy from which the region is still recovering. A renewed Ethiopia Eritrea confrontation would not remain confined to the border between the two countries. The Horn of Africa is interconnected through security, trade, migration, political alliances and strategic interests. Another war could draw in armed groups, neighbouring states and external powers, producing a crisis whose humanitarian and economic consequence would be difficult to contain. It could disrupt trade routes, increase displacement, deepen food insecurity and divert resources from development and reconstruction. For Ethiopia, renewed conflict would threaten economic progress and divert national attention from domestic development priorities. For Eritrea, another confrontation could impose further human and economic costs on a population that has already experienced prolonged militarisation. For Tigray, the consequences could be catastrophic, given the region’s unfinished recovery from the previous war. The wider lesson is clear: military confrontation rarely remains under the control of those who initiate it. Once violence begins, political calculations can quickly give way to humanitarian catastrophe. All the people of Tigray Should struggle to enhance peace and stability in their region through preserving the Pretoria peace agreement and denying the defunct TPLF leaders who made unholy marriage with internal and external enemies to engage the people in a devastating war. The Pretoria cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) demonstrated that even one of the Horn of Africa’s most destructive conflicts could be brought to an end through negotiation. Its significance extends beyond the cessation of hostilities. It created an opportunity for political dialogue and recovery after years of devastating violence. That opportunity should not be undermined by renewed military preparations. If Eritrean authorities are engaging with political or military actors inside Tigray, transparency is essential. Such engagement should respect Ethiopia’s sovereignty and contribute to peace rather than destabilisation. The TPLF belligerent political and military actors, for their part, must recognise that armed confrontation cannot provide a sustainable solution to political disagreements. The Ethiopian government also has a responsibility to maintain restraint while addressing security concerns through lawful and diplomatic channels. In this regard, the federal government has gone to considerable lengths to demonstrate maximum restraint despite mounting security concerns and repeated provocations. Preventing another war requires more than military preparedness; it requires sustained political engagement, confidence-building, and a genuine willingness by all sides to resolve disputes through dialogue rather than force. The same principle applies to external actors. Regional and international powers should support peace, reconstruction and dialogue rather than encourage political divisions that could produce another cycle of violence. The Horn of Africa has suffered enough from conflicts fueled by mistrust, rivalry and military adventurism. The region now faces a choice between protecting the fragile gains of peace and allowing political calculations to reopen one of its most destructive fault lines. Tigray must not become a battlefield for regional rivalries. Ethiopian territory must not become a stage for unauthorized foreign military manoeuvring. And the youth of Tigray must not once again be sacrificed for the ambitions of competing political and military elites. The responsibility rests with all actors. Eritrea must avoid actions that threaten Ethiopia’s sovereignty or regional stability. Political forces in Tigray region must pursue their objectives through peaceful political means. Ethiopia must continue to use restraint and diplomacy. Regional and external powers must resist the temptation to exploit internal divisions for strategic advantage. The consequences of failure would extend far beyond the immediate political actors. Families would once again lose loved ones, communities would face displacement, development would be disrupted, and another generation would inherit the burdens of war. Conclusion The Horn of Africa stands at a critical moment. The region has an opportunity to consolidate the peace achieved through negotiation or to repeat the destructive patterns of the past. For Tigray, the priority should be recovery, reconciliation and rebuilding. For Ethiopia and Eritrea, it should be preventing another confrontation that could inflict enormous costs on both populations. For regional and external actors, the responsibility should be to support stability rather than deepen existing divisions. The Pretoria agreement showed that dialogue can succeed where war cannot. Its promise must therefore be protected from renewed militarisation and political adventurism. The people of Tigray have already paid too high a price for war. Their future should not be determined by military alliances forged behind closed doors or by geopolitical calculations made far from the communities that would suffer their consequences. The choice before the region is ultimately simple: preserve peace and give a generation the opportunity to rebuild or allow military adventurism to reopen a conflict whose wounds have not yet healed. The Horn of Africa can ill afford to make the wrong choice.

By Yimer Ayele (from POA) August 9, 2026 (ENA) Contrary to popular belief and the UN's designation of Egypt as water-scarce, the nation possesses immense water potentials that remain largely underreported and misunderstood. Egypt’s water security is often portrayed as precarious, primarily due to its heavy reliance on the Nile River and the challenges posed by climate change and population growth. However, a closer examination reveals a wealth of hidden resources and strategic infrastructure that position Egypt as a water rich nation with significant untapped potential. These resources include the vast reservoirs behind the Aswan High Dam, the immense Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System, advancements in desalination technology, and regional cooperation through the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Recognizing and harnessing these resources is essential not only for Egypt’s future but also for redefining regional water narratives across Africa and beyond. At the core of Egypt’s water resilience is Lake Nasser, stored behind the Aswan High Dam. This massive reservoir holds approximately 169 billion cubic meters of water, acting as a strategic buffer against both seasonal flooding and periods of drought. The dam’s ability to regulate flow has historically safeguarded Egypt’s agriculture, industry, and domestic water needs. Yet, the story does not end there. Beyond Lake Nasser lies the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS), the world’s largest known fossil water underground reservoir. Spanning over two million square kilometers across Egypt, Libya, Sudan, and Chad, the NSAS contains an estimated 150,000 cubic kilometers of water. This underground aquifer is a silent, yet potent, resource that far exceeds the Nile’s discharge over five centuries, representing a strategic reserve that Egypt and neighboring countries can tap into for decades to come. The sheer scale of this resource underscores Egypt’s hidden water wealth and potential for long-term resilience. The aquifer’s existence challenges the narrative of water scarcity and opens avenues for sophisticated, sustainable extraction strategies that can complement surface water sources. In addition to these underground and surface reserves, Egypt has made significant strides in desalination—producing roughly 1.5 to 2 million cubic meters of desalinated water daily. The country has launched a strategic master plan through 2050 that aims to multiply desalination capacity utilizing public-private partnerships, green grants, and coastal expansion projects. The integration of renewable energy, especially solar power, into desalination facilities can be a cornerstone of Egypt’s sustainable water future, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints and harness green energy sources. Egypt’s water strategy should also encompass regional cooperation, exemplified by Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). This mega hydropower project, while primarily aimed at electricity generation, exemplifies regional collaboration that benefits downstream countries. The dam helps regulate the Blue Nile’s flow, trapping sediments, and reducing downstream siltation that historically degraded reservoirs like Lake Nasser. It also ensures a more consistent water release, reducing extreme floods and droughts and extending reservoir lifespan through sediment trapping. Ethiopia’s focus on hydropower for electricity rather than mass diversion for irrigation exemplifies a sustainable approach that aligns with Egypt’s needs and regional stability. Egypt’s water story must shift to one of resilience, strategic resource management, and regional cooperation. It must shift to a narrative that highlights the immense hidden potential—vast underground aquifers, advanced desalination capacity, and collaborative water governance—that must be communicated globally. The misconception of Egypt as a water-scarce country overlooks these critical resources and innovations. Recognizing and harnessing Egypt’s true water potential is essential for ensuring sustainable development, regional stability, and a resilient future for all. The world must be told the truth: Egypt is not just a water-scarce country but a water-rich nation with enormous, largely untapped resources that can secure its future for generations to come. However, Egypt is actively pursuing massive desert development projects—such as the New Delta agricultural scheme and the new city of Jirian—by shifting the natural course of the Nile and reallocating billions of cubic meters of Nile water to supply new farming and urban areas. The Egyptian desert where Nile waters have been diverted (such as through the Toshka Project or spillways from Lake Nasser) is the Western Desert. This vast arid region experiences extreme heat, leading to high evaporation rates in artificial lakes and open irrigation canals. Egypt must be more transparent not only in the wasteful practice observable in the ways that the northern Africa country is diverting the natural course of the Nile, but also in declaring truth concerning the immense water buried underground across vast area of land.It is spectacular how Egypt managed to bamboozle the whole world, portraying itself as a water-scarce country. It is not!

ddis Ababa, August 9, 2026 (ENA) —The Ethiopian National Dialogue Conference is laying the foundation for building a generation and a nation grounded in the supremacy of ideas, according to participants. In an exclusive interview with ENA, participants emphasized that the discussions are centered on building broad consensus around eight major national agendas drawn from diverse segments of society, including nations and nationalities from across Ethiopia. The conference, which has been underway at the Addis International Convention Center since July 15, 2026, has brought together 4,000 representatives of Ethiopians from across the country and abroad for an inclusive dialogue on issues of national importance. Dereje Bogale, one of the participants, emphasized that the dialogue provides an opportunity for participants to freely exchange ideas and engage in constructive discussions. He further noted that the deliberations are intended to benefit future generations. The conference aims to identify the root causes of the country's longstanding challenges, propose practical solutions and create a historic foundation for a more peaceful and united Ethiopia, Dereje clarified. He also pointed out that the dialogue will help strengthen unity and enable Ethiopia to move to a higher chapter. Another participant, Gebeyaw Deboye, described the national dialogue as essential to Ethiopia's peace and development, saying the conference offers a significant opportunity to strengthen national unity and help the country advance toward a better future. Similarly, participant Abera Monamo said the conference has created a platform for broad and inclusive participation, emphasizing that national unity remains a top priority. He expressed confidence that the dialogue would make a significant contribution to Ethiopia's development and the consolidation of sustainable peace. The participants further noted that the success of the national dialogue depends on open discussion, mutual understanding and willingness to address the root causes of national challenges through ideas and consensus rather than confrontation.

Addis Ababa, August 8, 2026 (ENA) —Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said TPLF is pursuing an outdated political ideology and leadership approach that is incompatible with Ethiopia’s current political realities. Recently, the defunct TPLF has openly violated the Pretoria Peace Agreement and has been preparing for a renewed conflict. In a wide-ranging interview with the Oromia Broadcasting Network (OBN), Prime Minister Abiy described the TPLF as a political force attempting to destabilize Ethiopia through obsolete strategies and alliances that, he said, serve external actors with longstanding strategic interests in weakening the country. The Prime Minister said the TPLF remains trapped in the political thinking and methods that shaped its rise to power in the early 1990s, despite having governed Ethiopia for 27 years before leaving office. He reveled that the group continues to portray itself as a liberation movement while pursuing narrow organizational interests rather than the broader interests of the people of Tigray. PM Abiy further explained that the TPLF seeks to use armed groups operating in other parts of Ethiopia as instruments to advance its objectives, rather than engaging them as equal political partners.   He said this reflects a broader strategy aimed at weakening the Ethiopian state and creating conditions for instability. The Prime Minister also notes that the TPLF is acting as a proxy for external interests, arguing that its current political and military posture aligns with efforts to undermine Ethiopia’s sovereignty and strategic position. However, he underlined that the political formula through which the TPLF assumed power decades ago excluded broad sections of Ethiopia’s population. Meanwhile, this has already become outdated and cannot be replicated under today’s political conditions, the Prime Minister said.   Ethiopia’s political awareness, public participation, and democratic engagement have changed fundamentally, he stated, making the strategies of previous decades obsolete. The Premier said Ethiopia has undergone significant political reforms that have expanded democratic space and opened opportunities for peaceful political competition. He noted that following the reform process, many political prisoners were released, although he indicated that some later engaged in violent activities. He also highlighted that political parties representing diverse ideological positions are participating in government institutions and that a National Dialogue process is underway to ensure broader public participation and seek long-term political solutions. The Prime Minister said many armed fighters are returning to civilian life after accepting the government’s peace initiative, and he reaffirmed that the government remains committed to dialogue. "The door to peace remains open," PM Abiy said, reiterating that any group willing to pursue peaceful political engagement and dialogue would be welcomed.

Addis Ababa, August 8, 2026 (ENA) — Eritrea’s long-entrenched leadership has continued hindering regional stability and development, Uppsala University Professor Ashok Swain said. The Peace and Conflict Research professor at the Swedish university noted that the Eritrean leadership is once again playing a disruptive role in the Horn of Africa instead of delivering meaningful national development. In an exclusive interview with ENA, he stated that the regime in Asmara has maintained a belligerent posture in the aftermath of the Pretoria Peace Agreement, which brought an end to the devastating conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. Recent reports indicate that the Eritrean military forces, in total disrespect of international law, have entered Tigray, Ethiopia’s northernmost territory, re-igniting concerns over Asmara’s activities in regional destabilization. The Eritrean regime, recognized as the primary party opposed to the Pretoria Peace Agreement, is actively supporting the "Tsimdo" anti-Ethiopia alliance. Under the guise of this alliance, the regime is openly using a faction of the banned Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) as a proxy to re-ignite war against Ethiopia, militarize Tigray, and plunge the region into a devastating war. Rather than contributing to regional stability, Eritrea has been acting in a manner consistent with violating Ethiopia’s territorial integrity, Professor Swain noted. “What we have seen in recent months, especially after the peace deal in Tigray, is Eritrea not acting the way it should when it comes to respecting Ethiopia’s sovereignty,” he said. Concerns about Eritrea’s conduct are rooted in a long history of conflict between the two neighboring countries. The 1998–2000 Ethio-Eritrean war claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and left lasting scars across the region. Those tensions appeared to ease in 2018 when Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed initiated a historic peace agreement with Eritrea, ending two decades of hostility and raising hopes for a new era of regional cooperation. The agreement earned Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed the Nobel Peace Prize and was widely welcomed across the Horn of Africa. Professor Swain said those expectations have largely collapsed due to the acts of the Eritrean leadership. Addressing Ethiopia’s parliament earlier this year, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed explained his government’s policy of restraint despite growing tensions with Eritrea. “For five years, we appealed and exercised patience,” the premier told the lawmakers. “After we came to office, we tried to move away from past grievances, believing it was unnecessary to dwell on them.” PM Abiy rejected suggestions that current tensions were driven by Ethiopia’s interest in accessing the Red Sea, arguing that relations deteriorated during the Tigray war. He revealed that Eritrean forces entered areas behind Ethiopian positions, committed serious abuses and destroyed civilian properties. Those abuses intensified tensions. “When our the defense forces moved out of Axum, Eritrean forces entered the town and carried out mass killings of young people. And when our forces reached Adigrat town, they saw the pharmaceutical factory looted. These acts escalated tensions”, the PM elaborated. Professor Swain linked Eritrea’s regional behavior to its domestic political system, describing the country as being governed by an authoritarian leadership with a long record of repression and human rights abuses. “We all know that Eritrea has been ruled by a force which is not democratic, with all sorts of human rights violations and authoritarianism,” he noted. Reflecting on Eritrea’s post-independence trajectory, the professor said the country had squandered a historic opportunity. “I was in Eritrea in the early 1990s. Those were hopeful days. Eritrea was expected to develop, but that opportunity has been completely lost. “The development in Eritrea has not really taken place. Instead of contributing to development, infrastructure, and nation-building, Eritrea has increasingly become associated with creating instability in the region.” In contrast, he described Ethiopia as a larger and more economically dynamic state with significant development ambitions and a broader responsibility for regional stability. “Ethiopia is a larger country, a bigger country, and economically much stronger than Eritrea,” he said. “It has a role as a responsible regional power.” However, Professor Swain stressed the need for a diplomatic response rather than military escalation.

Addis Ababa, August 8, 2026 (ENA) — The growing operational and defense capabilities of the Ethiopian Air Force are strengthening Ethiopia's deterrence capacity, making potential adversaries reconsider actions against the country's national interests, Brigadier General Meseret Getachew, Deputy Commander of the Ethiopian Air Force, said. The Deputy Commander noted that the Air Force's operational capability has reached a level that enabled the country to respond more effectively to threats. Independent assessments by major international media outlets and foreign experts have also highlighted the Air Force's growing capabilities, providing an external perspective on the progress achieved. According to Brigadier General Meseret, the changing security environment in the region necessitates a continued strengthening of Ethiopia's defense capacity. "Our national interest does not stop at the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD),” he said, adding that Ethiopia’s national interests extend beyond the dam and encompass broader strategic interests. “We are working day and night to build a capacity that matches our national interests," Brigadier General Meseret noted. He said the country is working continuously to build a defense capacity commensurate with its national interests, particularly amid a turbulent regional environment. As a result, Ethiopia's growing execution and defense capabilities have deterred those seeking to act against its national interests from reconsidering their intentions. He noted that there are overt and covert attempts against Ethiopia's interests, but the increasing capability of the country's defense institutions is curtailing such actions. The Deputy Commander stressed that the Air Force's capabilities have been growing and it remains focused on further strengthening its capacity to safeguard Ethiopia's national interests.

Addis Ababa, August 8, 2026 (ENA) —Egypt’s continued alignment with the Eritrean fragile regime risks exacerbating instability across the Horn of Africa and undermining regional peace, the Red Sea Afar Democratic Organization (RSADO), warned. In an exclusive interview with the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), RSADO Spokesperson, Nasreddin Ahmed underscored that Cairo is pursuing a strategy that could intensify conflict in one of the world’s most strategically important regions. This Egyptian strategy for Eritrea represents is a “losing gamble” built on an increasingly fragile regime, the spokesperson underscored. Ahmed stated that the so-called alliance, “Tsimdo” is not a conventional political initiative but a mechanism designed to advance a destabilizing regional agenda. According to him, the initiative is intended to weaken neighboring states by exploiting armed groups, political organizations, and internal divisions. “The so-called Tsimdo is not a political project; it is a project aimed at destroying states and sowing discord among the peoples of the region,” he said, claiming it reflects a pattern of regional interference that has persisted for decades. He argued that the initiative poses a particularly serious threat to Ethiopia, warning that efforts to destabilize a country of more than 130 million people. The war-driven agenda pursued through this unholy alliance could trigger consequences far beyond Ethiopia’s borders and seriously undermine the broader security architecture of the Horn of Africa, Nasreddin warned in the strongest terms. He also accused the Eritrean regime of systematically creating, financing, training, and directing armed and opposition groups across neighboring countries over the past three decades. He claimed these activities have increasingly shifted from covert operations to more visible efforts aimed at fueling conflict inside Ethiopia and disrupting its development trajectory. “For more than three decades, the Eritrean government has continued to produce armed groups, support them, and direct them to destabilize their own countries. Today, it is attempting to move conflict into Ethiopia and obstruct its development path,” he said. He further alleged that the strategy has involved cooperation with banned TPLF, with the objective of weakening Ethiopian state institutions and prolonging internal conflict. According to Ahmed, the broader strategy seeks to manufacture crises, inflame political disputes, and undermine state capacity in order to obstruct economic development and regional integration initiatives across the Horn of Africa. Turning to Egypt’s regional role, Ahmed urged Cairo to abandon what he described as a confrontational approach and instead pursue direct negotiations with Ethiopia, particularly on Nile-related issues. “Egypt should move toward negotiations with Ethiopia instead of relying on a fragile Eritrean regime, because regional stability cannot be achieved through conflict, but through dialogue and cooperation,” he said. He warned that continued instability in the Horn of Africa could jeopardize the security of the Red Sea, one of the world’s most critical maritime trade corridors, arguing that any major security breakdown in the region would have significant international repercussions. Ahmed also described Eritrea as a “hub of instability” in the Horn of Africa, accusing its government of supporting armed groups in countries including Somalia and Sudan through training, financing, and operational coordination. He claimed such activities have contributed to the prolongation of conflicts and the weakening of state institutions across the region. He called on Horn of Africa countries to strengthen regional cooperation and collectively resist external interference and destabilization efforts, emphasizing that sustainable peace and development require respect for state sovereignty and constructive regional engagement. “The peoples of the Horn of Africa should not pay the price for the geopolitical projects of others,” he said.

Addis Ababa, August 7, 2026 (ENA) —Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has emphasized that the historical struggle of the Oromo people was directed against unjust administrative systems, political exclusion, and governance failures — not against Ethiopia as a nation. In a wide-ranging interview with the Oromia Broadcasting Network (OBN), Prime Minister Abiy said the Oromo people’s sacrifices, contributions, and historical experiences are inseparably connected with Ethiopia’s nation-building process. “The Oromo people historically fought against flawed governance systems, not Ethiopia itself,” the Premier said, underlining that Oromo identity and Ethiopian identity are not opposing concepts but deeply interconnected through history. The Prime Minister explained that the long-standing Oromo struggle was driven by three fundamental aspirations: economic justice, preservation of identity, and democratic rights.   He said economic demands were rooted in the desire of the Oromo people to own and benefit from their land and resources, improve their livelihoods through their own efforts, and transform their communities. The PM stated that the repeated loss of land, exploitation of resources, and denial of farmers’ ability to benefit from their own production became among the major causes that fueled resistance. Addressing the issue of identity, PM Abiy noted that Oromo identity goes beyond merely speaking Afaan Oromo. It encompasses cultural heritage, traditional values, moral principles such as Safuu, respect for elders, harmony with nature, and a broader sense of belonging and dignity.   He further explained that the Oromo democratic aspiration is deeply connected to the historic Gadaa system, an indigenous governance tradition based on participation, accountability, and collective decision-making. Whenever state administration contradicted these expectations, he said, demands for change naturally emerged. Reflecting on why the Oromo struggle faced setbacks despite lasting for more than a century, Prime Minister Abiy identified four major challenges: the absence of a clear strategic vision, internal divisions, ineffective political alliances, and a shortage of visionary leadership. Using an analogy, he said that owning a tractor alone cannot guarantee a successful harvest without quality seeds.   Similarly, he explained, a movement requires a clear and effective strategy to transform aspirations into lasting achievements. The Prime Minister also pointed to divisions created by political interests, religious differences, and geographical boundaries as factors that weakened unity among the Oromo people. He added that some alliances formed with other political forces were often based on temporary interests rather than long-term objectives, sometimes preventing the achievement of the people’s broader goals. The Prime Minister emphasized that the Oromo people are an integral part of Ethiopia’s historical, cultural, and political foundation, noting that the country’s identity cannot be separated from the contributions of its largest ethnic community.   “Oromo is Ethiopia; Ethiopia cannot separate from itself,” he said, highlighting the shared history and interconnected destiny between the Oromo people and the Ethiopian state. He stressed that a country built through generations of sacrifice, resilience, and collective struggle cannot be dismantled through political rhetoric or individual grievances. The contributions of the Oromo people to Ethiopia’s defense, development, and survival, he noted, are documented in the country’s history.

Addis Ababa, August 7, 2026 (ENA) —Many hydropower experts and policy observers are urging Ethiopia to consolidate the momentum created by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) by expanding investment in additional mega dams on the Abay (Blue Nile) River. Ethiopia has recently inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the largest hydropower plant in Africa and one of the continent’s most significant engineering achievements. Most importantly, Ethiopia’s achievement through GERD has brought about a major shift in the narrative surrounding the Abay (Nile) River, challenging the long-standing dominance that Egypt has sought to maintain over the Nile waters and strengthening the principle of equitable utilization of shared water resources. Ethiopia contributes a substantial share of the Nile waters through the Abay River system, making the river central to the country’s hydropower and development ambitions. For Solomon Zena, Executive Director of the Policy Innovation Research Center (PIRC), GERD has vividly demonstrated what Ethiopians can accomplish through unity, and the country must sustain that momentum by building on the critical experience gained from the historic success of the dam. In an exclusive interview with ENA, Solomon said Ethiopia has repeatedly demonstrated its capacity to undertake transformative national projects. He added that the successful completion of GERD stands as a powerful example of the country’s determination, resilience, and collective commitment.   The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is a major clean-energy project that significantly boosts renewable hydropower generation and serves as a strategic foundation for advancing regional economic integration. According to Solomon, GERD is generating renewable electricity that is not only transforming Ethiopia’s energy sector but also strengthening the country’s climate actions and providing energy that can support regional development. He further elaborated on the significance of GERD in mitigating climate change by producing large-scale renewable energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Solomon stressed that Ethiopia should move forward by sustaining the momentum in developing its water resources, drawing on the valuable institutional, technical, and financial experience gained through the GERD project. “The nation needs to move ahead and build more dams,” he underlined. Solomon added that: “The successful completion of GERD clearly demonstrates what Ethiopians can accomplish through unity and determination.” Ethiopia has recently planned to build additional hydropower and irrigation dams. The plan aimed at accelerating economic development, enhancing food security, expanding electricity generation, and strengthening the country’s leading role in regional integration through cross-border power connectivity. Meanwhile, Egyptian officials have continued to oppose Ethiopia’s dam development agenda through diplomatic pressure and public statements. For instance, Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sewilam, said that Egypt “will not allow” Ethiopia to build new dams on the Nile River.   Many Ethiopian observers viewed the statement as a significant escalation in Egypt’s rhetoric, arguing that such positions seek to constrain the upstream nation’s sovereign right to pursue development projects within its own territory. Moreover, analysts argue that Egypt has sought to build regional political and security partnerships aimed at increasing pressure on Ethiopia over Nile-related issues and broader regional influence. They contend that Cairo has attempted to strengthen anti-Ethiopia’s alignments with regional actors as part of its effort to influence the balance of power surrounding Nile negotiations and broader Horn of Africa geopolitics. It is a public knowledge that Egyptian irredentist and militaristic regime is already organizing and financing military and diplomatic alliances with Sudanese Armed Forces, the Eritrean regime, local extremist and terrorist forces in Amhara, Oromia and Tigray regions locally known as Tsimdo in a bid to contain the successful economic, diplomatic and regional and national development programs currently spearheaded by Ethiopia. Egypt is supporting a regional conspirators and sabre rattlers to obstruct the peaceful economic development in Ethiopia and chock the nation from having access to ports and the Red Sea international commercial route open to all countries across the world. This clearly indicates how Egypt has been the major catalyst for military and political instability in the region and more particularly in Sudan. However, Egypt’s increasingly aggressive opposition to Ethiopia’s hydropower ambitions has sparked widespread discontent among Ethiopians, intensifying debates over sovereignty, equitable water utilization, and the right of nations to pursue sustainable development. And Solomon emphasized the need to maintain that momentum by expanding the efforts that produced GERD and by applying the same spirit of national cooperation to future development projects across the economy. “Ethiopia has to keep its momentum as long as the people and the government believe that it promotes development without harming others,” Solomon underscored. “We need to go ahead and do what we did with the Grand Renaissance Dam. I understand that we need more dams,” he added. Energy expert Mikael Alemu also questioned the political framing of Egypt’s opposition to GERD.   “Egypt’s argument on the Grand Renaissance Dam sounds much more political,” Mikael told the Ethiopian News Agency. “It has become a very convenient issue in Egyptian politics,” he said, arguing that domestic political pressures can encourage governments to sustain external disputes. “Frequently, Egypt’s political situation seeks an outside enemy. It is politically useful to have an external adversary when domestic politics becomes challenging,” Mikael argued. For him, the claim that Ethiopia would deliberately seek to deprive Egypt of water is fundamentally irrational. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is widely regarded as indispensable for advancing regional economic integration, expanding renewable energy generation, and strengthening Ethiopia’s position as a major clean-energy hub in East Africa. For many experts and observers, the completion of GERD is not the end of Ethiopia’s hydropower journey but the beginning of a broader strategy to harness the Abay River for sustainable development, energy security, climate resilience, and shared regional prosperity.

Addis Ababa, August 7, 2026 (ENA) —The Eritrean Blue Revolution Front (EBRF), widely known as Brigade N’Hamedu, has denounced the faction calling itself “Tsimdo,” warning that the alliance poses a serious threat to peace and security in the Horn of Africa. The Front issued the statement outlining its peaceful resistance efforts, political vision, and strategy for regional cooperation. Beyene Gerezgiher, Head of Political and Diplomatic Affairs for the EBRF, emphasized that the movement is a diaspora-led initiative dedicated to securing fundamental political reform in Eritrea. He noted that the EBRF has successfully mobilized Eritrean communities abroad while bolstering internal demands for reform, proving that meaningful political transformation is achievable. Addressing the faction known as “Tsimdo,” Beyene asserted that the group represents neither Eritrean nor Tigrayan interests.   He warned that its warmongering activities risk destabilizing the wider region and urged all parties to withhold support and cooperation from the group. Dawit Yibrah, Chairman of the EBRF Task Force, reiterated that the movement arose directly from popular demand to dismantle authoritarian rule in Eritrea. “The Eritrean people cannot continue to endure an oppressive regime; we have initiated a movement to deliver genuine, popular change,” Dawit said. He highlighted that democratic reform in Eritrea is vital for fostering peaceful, enduring relations with Ethiopia and neighboring states, paving the way for shared regional development. Adding to the Front's vision, Dawit Teferi, a member of the EBRF diplomatic team, stated that they are actively working to forge socio-economic ties between the people of Eritrea and neighboring nations. The EBRF reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing political change exclusively through peaceful engagement and democratic activism. The Eritrean Blue Revolution Front (EBRF)—popularly known as Brigade N’Hamedu—is a prominent Eritrean diaspora opposition movement advocating for democratic reform and political participation against the ruling regime in Asmara.

Addis Ababa, August 7, 2026 (ENA) — Participants in the National Dialogue said that the ongoing process is creating a conducive environment for handing over a better nation to future generations. Four thousand public representatives from home and abroad are engaged in in-depth, participatory consultations on eight major national agenda items to create national Consensus a International Convention Center in Addis Ababa. The main Ethiopian National Dialogue Conference has been underway at the Addis International Convention Center since July 15, 2026. Delegates stated that the ongoing national dialogue in Ethiopia has established an enabling platform to instill in the next generation that national resilience rests on dialogue and the supremacy of ideas. Participants taking part in the plenary assembly highlighted that the dialogue has created a unique opportunity for Ethiopians to deepen mutual understanding and social cohesion. They noted that breakout working group sessions have enabled delegates to share insights on national priorities and reflect on solutions tailored to the country's peace and development. Among the participants, Diriba Teshome affirmed that the national dialogue process has successfully guaranteed the inclusion of diverse social segments. Diriba shared that, as a citizen, he is actively participating by listening to the perspectives presented while freely expressing his own views. He added that the conference serves as a practical lesson on the vital importance of calm, measured deliberations on national agendas to build a stronger Ethiopia. Engaging in dialogue through mutual listening represents a hallmark of modern political culture, Diriba emphasized. Fellow delegate Ashenafi Debabe observed that a historic lack of dialogue on major national issues had previously left Ethiopia vulnerable to multifaceted challenges. He noted that delegates are consulting to cultivate a culture of dialogue and lay down a solid foundation for a better nation for coming generations. Another participant, Jibin Ahmed, stated that the inclusive nature of the conference enables delegates to draw valuable insights from one another and sharpen their perspectives on national priorities. He added that delegates are exchanging ideas openly and uninhibitedly throughout the process. Jibin reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling his national responsibility to ensure that a peaceful, prosperous Ethiopia is handed over to the next generation through this process. In his remarks, delegate Kelifa Suleiman noted that the dialogue demonstrates Ethiopia's capacity to resolve its differences at the negotiating table rather than through force. He emphasized that the process will help prove to future generations that enduring nationhood is sustained through dialogue.

Addis Ababa, August 7, 2026 (ENA) — The Prosperity Party (PP) stated that institutionalizing practical democracy has been a central pillar of its eight-year political journey. Bikila Hurisa, Minister Coordinator for the Democratic System Building Center at the Office of the Prime Minister and Head of the Party’s Public and International Relations, made the remarks during a briefing for the diplomatic community and development partners on Ethiopia’s experience of conducting the 7th General Election. He stated that the party has focused on translating democratic principles into tangible improvements in citizens’ lives through freedom, equality, peace, and prosperity. Consolidating democracy in Ethiopia, he emphasized, requires a strong, competent, and institutionally resilient political organization capable of articulating citizens’ interests and translating them into practical policies and development programs. Over the past eight years, the PP has strengthened its institutional capacity by clarifying its vision, expanding its organizational structure down to the grassroots level, and building strong links with communities across the country. Bikila attributed Ethiopia’s political and economic transformation to the party’s emphasis on visionary leadership, broad membership, and effective institutions guided by the Medemer philosophy under the leadership of Prime Minister and PP President Abiy Ahmed. Currently, the party has approximately 89,000 appointed grassroots leaders working across key sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, mining, business, and community development, to help translate national priorities into local action. Bikila highlighted the party’s central role in implementing flagship national initiatives, including the Green Legacy Initiative, agricultural transformation, and food security programs. Through these efforts, Ethiopia has become one of Africa’s largest wheat producers and has planted more than 48 billion tree seedlings over the past eight years. He added that ongoing urban development projects in Addis Ababa and other cities demonstrate the concrete outcomes of the party’s development agenda. Looking ahead, Bikila noted that the Party’s mandate following the 7th General Election is to accelerate poverty reduction, strengthen food security and food sovereignty, deepen economic reforms, and improve household livelihoods through targeted investments in agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, mining, and the digital economy. The party has begun converting its election manifesto into annual implementation plans, which will be monitored over the next five years to ensure all commitments are realized. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to democratic consolidation, institutional strengthening, improved healthcare and education services, nation-building, and sustainable peace, Bikila also referenced the ongoing Inclusive National Dialogue Conference. Approximately 4,000 Ethiopians are participating in the process, the outcomes of which are expected to shape future political, economic, and social reforms. "The PP will continue working to consolidate democracy, promote economic prosperity, reduce poverty, and ensure lasting peace and stability in Ethiopia," he stressed. During the same briefing, PP International Relations Director Nebiyu Sehul presented an overview of Ethiopia’s General Election, describing it as a landmark milestone in the country’s democratic consolidation. Nebiyu noted that preparations began well ahead of polling day, with more than half of all operational activities completed a full year before the vote. The process was backed by nationwide voter education campaigns, broad civic mobilization, and the active involvement of 15.9 million PP members. Although the official announcement of results was delayed by three weeks to allow for verification, Nebiyu highlighted that public patience was maintained as electoral institutions, security agencies, political parties, and observers worked together to safeguard the process. The election involved 54.57 million registered voters, with a voter turnout of 94 percent, across 501 constituencies and approximately 52,000 polling stations. More than 195,000 election officials were deployed on polling day, following the deployment of 187,000 officials for voter registration. A total of 47 political parties fielded more than 10,000 candidates, including 2,198 federal candidates, 8,736 regional and city council candidates, and 73 independent candidates. The electoral process also involved more than 220,000 political party representatives, 1,840 journalists from more than 64 media institutions, 169 civil society organizations engaged in voter education, and 55 accredited observer organizations, reflecting the scale and broad-based scrutiny of the election. International observer missions included 73 members of the African Union Election Observation Mission led by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, 26 IGAD short-term observers, and representatives from various diplomatic missions. Nebiyu stated that the party’s 87 percent parliamentary majority reflects strong public confidence in its political vision and governance performance, while also noting that opposition representation in parliament expanded compared to previous cycles. He also acknowledged significant obstacles during the electoral period, including domestic campaigns questioning whether the vote would take place, misinformation from certain international media outlets, security threats from armed groups, political disengagement, and various operational hurdles. Despite these challenges, citizens demonstrated democratic resilience by participating under demanding circumstances. Coordinated efforts across electoral bodies, security agencies, and political stakeholders helped maintain the integrity of the vote. Contesting parties accepted the official results, the post-election period remained peaceful, and international partners have continued their active engagement with Ethiopia. Reflecting on the broader experience, Nebiyu concluded that the election underscored the vital role of credible institutions, a strong democratic culture, active civic participation, national cohesion, and inclusive development. Guided by the Medemer philosophy, he emphasized that democracy serves not merely as a mechanism for electing leaders, but as a platform for collective action to advance peace, prosperity, and national transformation.

Addis Ababa, August 7, 2026 (ENA) — The "Medemer State" is committed to ensuring the sustainable welfare of citizens by implementing comprehensive strategies to accelerate economic growth, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh said. The Deputy Prime Minister made the remarks during the inauguration and commissioning of an expansion and digitalization project at the Amhara Regional Health Bureau. He said infrastructure, healthcare, and institutional development projects being implemented across the country are registering encouraging results. The government is prioritizing key sectors, including agriculture, tourism, digital services, and manufacturing, to accelerate economic growth and expand opportunities for citizens, DPM Temesgen said. He explained that the wealth and economic opportunities generated through these sectors are primarily intended to strengthen social services, particularly education and healthcare. Regarding the health sector, the Deputy Prime Minister said ongoing reforms are producing tangible results, accompanied by strengthened disease prevention and control efforts. He noted that initiatives are also underway to increase the local production of life-saving medicines and essential medical supplies, reducing reliance on imports. To improve maternal health and promote a healthier society, the government is providing comprehensive care for mothers from pregnancy through childbirth and the postnatal period, he said. The government is also expanding health insurance coverage to ensure that low-income citizens are not excluded from essential medical services, an approach he described as exemplary in Africa. Ethiopian hospitals are increasingly adopting modern technologies to improve medical services and reduce the need for citizens to travel abroad for treatment, DPM Temesgen added. He further expressed confidence that Bahir Dar, with its natural beauty and expanding infrastructure, has the potential to become a major medical and tourism hub in Ethiopia and the wider region. The Deputy Prime Minister called for digitalization and reform efforts to be sustained and expanded at all zonal, woreda, and kebele levels.

By Jibril Lammo August 6, 2026 (ENA) In any sovereign nation, the open entry of foreign military commanders into domestic territory to hold public engagements with non-state forces would be met with an immediate defensive military response. No government in the world permits foreign military officials to freely operate within its borders without explicit state sanction. Yet recent developments in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, where figures associated with the Eritrean regime reportedly entered openly and were received by a TPLF faction under the guise of a public welcome, represent a dramatic and brazen departure from basic international norms. In what appears to be a blatant disregard for international law, the regime in Asmara has embarked on a dangerous path that risks pushing Ethiopia and Eritrea toward another devastating confrontation. Such actions could be interpreted as a grave provocation with serious consequences for regional security. This unholy alliance is not merely an Ethiopian crisis; it is a regional hazard. This public spectacle is not simply a breach of diplomatic etiquette. It is a direct challenge to Ethiopia’s sovereignty and a deliberate disregard for the spirit of the 2022 Pretoria Peace Agreement. The Pretoria accord explicitly established the federal government’s sole authority over national defense, external relations, and territorial integrity. Broken Pledges versus Federal Commitment Tigray has been, and will always remain, an integral part of Ethiopia. However, by conducting public ceremonies to welcome foreign military figures, certain defunct TPLF actors have signaled a brazen contempt for the peaceful settlement that ended the conflict in northern Ethiopia. While the international community previously lauded the Pretoria Agreement as a historic step toward stability, the silence surrounding these open breaches exposes a striking double standard. In stark contrast, the Ethiopian federal government has fully honored its commitments under the Pretoria Peace Agreement. The federal administration has restored basic services, re-established power grids, facilitated the return of internally displaced persons, and consistently disbursed regional budgets to foster stabilization and recovery. The Asmara Strategic Miscalculation While the Asmara leadership has remained hostile to a peaceful resolution from its inception, its collaboration with elements inside Tigray region risks plunging the region back into chaos. Historically, the ruling clique in Asmara operated under the flawed premise that Ethiopian strength was an existential threat to Eritrean national security. By denying Ethiopia direct sea access, Asmara calculated it could stifle the nation’s growth, but that policy failed when Ethiopia successfully pivoted its trade logistics through Djibouti. The original vision promised to transform Eritrea into the “Singapore of the Horn of Africa.” Without economic cooperation with Ethiopia, that vision collapsed. Instead of working with Ethiopia to promote domestic economic development, the regime in Asmara expended vital resources—illegally extracted from its citizens—to fund anti-Ethiopian forces and cultivate alliances with destabilizing actors. This policy of containment has impoverished Eritrea. Deprived of opportunity, hundreds of thousands of Eritrean youths have fled across the border into Ethiopia. The Eritrean youth population in Addis Ababa has grown so significantly that it rivals that of Asmara itself. Rather than building hope, jobs, and economic security at home, the regime has devoted its energy to encirclement strategies, collaborating with external actors such as Egypt and regional proxy networks to destabilize Ethiopia during one of the most transformative periods in its economic history. Economic Transformation and Regional Momentum These destabilization efforts come at a pivotal moment. Ethiopia is experiencing a historic economic breakthrough, transitioning from a traditional agricultural economy into an industrial and resource-driven powerhouse. Decades of reliance on coffee as the country’s primary foreign exchange earner are giving way to high-value mining, gold exports, natural gas development, and industrial manufacturing that could position Ethiopia among the largest fertilizer producers in the region. This momentum has been highlighted internationally, including by CNN’s Connecting Africa, which underscored Ethiopia’s infrastructure-driven transformation. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, generating more than 5,150 megawatts, stands as Africa’s largest hydroelectric facility, providing clean power for domestic industry and regional exports. Concurrently, the 12-billion-dollar Bishoftu International Airport megaproject, spearheaded by Ethiopian Airlines, is designed to accommodate up to 110 million passengers and nearly four million tons of cargo annually, potentially transforming intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area. Alongside strategic investments in eco-tourism and natural heritage destinations such as Bale Mountains National Park, these developments signal an economic trajectory that offers hope not only for Ethiopia but for the entire continent. As the anchor state of the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia’s economic trajectory and national security are of paramount importance. Conflict in Ethiopia would risk destabilizing the entire region, running counter to the collective interests of Africa and the broader international community. Make no mistake: Ethiopia will continue to pursue its development, overcome strategic obstacles, and seek a constructive role in the Red Sea and Horn of Africa corridor. A Call for Global Accountability No sovereign nation would tolerate external military interference on its soil. Ethiopia’s restraint in the face of these grave provocations should not be mistaken for weakness. It reflects a deliberate choice to prioritize lasting peace and spare its citizens another catastrophic war. But unilateral patience alone cannot guarantee long-term stability while the fundamental principles of international law and sovereignty are challenged. The international community must not remain indifferent. Preserving the Horn of Africa’s primary economic engine requires a firm commitment to Ethiopia’s territorial integrity, the full implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement, and the withdrawal of any unauthorized foreign military involvement from Ethiopian territory. Lasting stability cannot be achieved through one-sided restraint, but through consistent respect for national sovereignty, international law, and the rule-based order.

Addis Ababa, August 6, 2026 (ENA) —The Government of Ethiopia is taking decisive measures against individuals, organizations, and networks accused of undermining the ongoing macroeconomic reform through corruption, illegal economic activities, and misuse of national resources. Briefing the media today, Government Communication Service Minister, Enatalem Melese, said the government has taken action against actors engaged in economic sabotage, including activities that contributed to foreign currency shortages, inflationary pressures, contraband trade, and artificial shortages of essential goods. The Minister noted that Ethiopia has registered significant development achievements through sustained efforts despite various domestic and global challenges. However, she said corruption and illegality remain major challenges affecting the country’s development. According to her, illegal activities have been carried out by organized networks involving different sectors, including the business community, public enterprises, government structures, and individuals. “These entities infiltrated the financial and commercial systems to commit severe economic sabotage aimed at destabilizing the home-grown economic reform,” Enatalem said. Coordinated operations by government and law enforcement institutions have helped disrupt such activities and establish accountability. The Minister disclosed that warnings were issued to owners of 13 supplier organizations accused of withholding basic consumer goods to create artificial shortages and increase prices, while more than 7,000 business establishments and warehouses involved in illegal activities were sealed. Regarding financial crimes, Enatalem said 169 Ethiopian and foreign nationals involved in illegal money transfers, hawala activities, and black-market currency transactions were brought before the law. She added that 36 individuals accused of fraudulently withdrawing money from Commercial Bank of Ethiopia customer accounts were arrested and their accounts frozen. The Minister further said seven cryptocurrency applications used as cover for illegal transactions were blocked from operating in the country, while legal action was taken against 29 exporters who failed to repatriate foreign currency earnings after exporting goods. Enatalem also said action was taken against 38 betting enterprises accused of concealing customer data to evade taxes, hide revenue, and facilitate illicit financial flows. Their owners were taken into custody and the bank accounts of the enterprises were frozen. In the mining sector, 183 individuals, including government officials, security sector leaders, producers, and foreign nationals, faced legal action over illegal gold trading and smuggling activities. Illegal gold, gold-processing equipment, foreign currencies, and firearms were seized. The Minister further stated that 38 officials involved in illegal fuel-related activities faced accountability, while more than 650 individuals, fuel stations, and supplier companies were investigated over illegal fuel trade. Measures were also taken against Ministry of Agriculture officials accused of facilitating the procurement of substandard and expired fertilizer, while four senior officials of the Ethiopian Electric Power were held accountable over unauthorized power sales agreements with 36 data-mining companies. In the overseas employment sector, eight officials and employees accused of corruption were taken into custody, alongside 44 brokers and traffickers involved in illegal human trafficking activities. Operations in the revenue and customs sector identified 109 suspects accused of reducing tax assessments, processing fraudulent invoices, and deleting system data, of whom 91 have been arrested. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to combating corruption and theft, Enatalem said “the government is committed to eradicating theft by deploying modern working procedures and building a disciplined leadership.” The Minister called on citizens to support efforts against corruption by exposing illegal practices, refusing to offer bribes for lawful services and avoiding cooperation with illegal actors.