Addis Ababa, August 15, 2025 (ENA) -- Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa said that the remains of Lucy (Dinknesh) and Selam will promote Ethiopia’s rich prehistory heritage in a new way during their stay in Central Europe. These exceptionally significant human fossils, discovered in Ethiopia and confirmed as the oldest in the realm of human evolution studies, have traveled to Prague today. The farewell ceremony at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport was attended by Selamawit Kasa, the Minister of Tourism, and Miroslav Kosek, the Czech Ambassador to Ethiopia. An international exhibition promoting Ethiopia’s rich heritage will be held in Central Europe. The exhibition will feature Lucy and Selam at the Prague Museum. The Minister said on the occasion that one of the features that Ethiopia is known for in the world is its place of origin for the human race, highlighting the efforts being made to enhance and promote this image internationally.   Today, the remains of Lucy (Dinqnesh) and Selam will be sent to the Czech Republic, where they will be exhibited for public viewing at the National Museum in Prague. “To date, Ethiopia has been promoting Lucy to the world; now it’s Lucy’s turn to promote the new Ethiopia to the whole world,” said the Minister. The fossils will showcase to the world that Ethiopia is indeed the Land of Origins and the true cradle of humankind These most treasured fossils will be featured in a historic exhibition titled “Human Origins and Fossils” at the National Museum of the Czech Republic, opening on August 25, 2025. The exhibition is believed to offer tourists and researchers in Europe a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the fossils firsthand. Additionally, it grants visitors a deeper understanding of why Ethiopia is referred to as the 'Land of Origins' and is recognized as the genuine cradle of humankind. Business forums, art exhibitions, and various events showcasing Ethiopian resources will also take place.

Addis Ababa, August 14, 2025 (ENA)—The Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC) has set a target to add 50,000 metric tons of agricultural produce to the country's emergency reserve during the current Meher (main rainy season) of 2017 Ethiopian Year, Commissioner Shiferaw Teklemariam said. The Commissioner stated that enhancing the national reserve capacity is a key objective in the effort to ensure food sovereignty. According to him, Ethiopia's impressive productivity across all agricultural sectors is making a significant contribution to boosting the nation's emergency reserve capacity. ​​​​​​He noted that a system has been established for regional governments to build their own reserves, enabling them to provide immediate relief to citizens in need. To support the effort, a 3-billion-Birr fund has been allocated to enhance crop productivity for reserve purposes. The Commissioner said the country currently needs a strategic grain reserve of 500,000 metric tons to effectively respond to emergencies. In this first phase of the 2017 Meher season, the goal is to store 50,000 metric tons of crops. Regional states, based on their agricultural potential, will increase crop production and transfer a portion of it to the Commission for the national reserve. Shiferaw explained that this approach of sourcing grain for the reserve plays a crucial role in stabilizing the market and creating opportunities for increased production, thereby boosting overall productivity. A national coordinating committee has been formed to oversee this initiative and provide financial support for regions facing shortages. South Ethiopia Region Disaster Risk Management Commission, Commissioner Ganta Gama’a, stated that the region's approved disaster risk reserve fund regulation has created an opportunity to build its capacity for resource mobilization and emergency response. As an example, he cited that last Ethiopia year, the region secured over 22,600 quintals of grain for emergency response. To build on that success, the region has not only set aside a 1-billion-Birr reserve fund this year, but has also cultivated 6,300 hectares of land to increase food grain storage.

Addis Ababa, August 14, 2025 (ENA) -- KPMG, a leading global professional services firm, reinforced its commitment to strengthening healthcare in Ethiopia while proposing innovative health financing and digital transformation strategies. The delegation of KPMG International, led by Global Head of Healthcare, Dr. Anna van Poucke, conferred with Ethiopia’s State Minister of Finance, Semereta Sewasew. The meeting aims to address critical challenges and propose innovative solutions for the country's healthcare sector. On this occasion, Semereta expressed significant concerns about the healthcare sector's financial sustainability in the country, particularly given global changes and a history of heavy reliance on donor support.   It was also noted that Ethiopia’s Ministry of Finance is actively seeking "innovative tools" and "alternative funding sources" to maintain and advance healthcare programs, especially community health initiatives. Dr. Anna van Poucke proposed several solutions to support these efforts, including exploring alternative financing mechanisms, such as debt swaps, engaging the private sector, and adopting innovative funding strategies to diversify revenue streams. Additionally, the delegation emphasized the importance of digital transformation by leveraging digital technologies, AI, and telehealth solutions to enhance monitoring, diagnostics, and healthcare accessibility, especially in remote areas. This includes supporting the implementation of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems and establishing national data platforms to improve data management and service delivery.   KPMG highlighted the need for capacity building through developing programs focused on micro-credentialing and training community health workers at the grassroots level, aiming to increase system capacity and provide culturally appropriate, cost-effective care. Recognizing the urgent need for a clear health financing strategy in Ethiopia, KPMG proposed organizing a workshop to bring together key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health leadership. This initiative aims to align on a roadmap for sustainable healthcare financing, drawing on global and regional experiences. The firm also emphasized its ability to help governments tap into emerging funding opportunities, such as those related to climate and health, by framing initiatives in ways that resonate with funders. KPMG also announced plans to establish an official office in Ethiopia within the next six months, aiming to integrate global expertise with local needs.

Addis Ababa, August 13, 2025 (ENA)— Scientists working in Ethiopia’s Afar Region have announced the discovery of a new species of Australopithecus and the oldest specimen of the genus Homo, findings that could reshape our understanding of human evolution. The fossils, unearthed by the Ledi-Geraru Research Project, reveal that two distinct human ancestors —Australopithecus and early Homo —once lived side by side in the Lower Awash Valley nearly 2.6 to 2.78 million years ago. “This is the first time in eastern Africa that we have found evidence of these two lineages overlapping in time and space,” Co-director of Ledi-Geraru Research Project Professor Amy Rector said. “Their potential coexistence brings up many questions, including how they competed on the landscape, how they evolved together in the Afar region, and ultimately, what it means to be human.” The discoveries include 13 newly found hominin teeth collected between 2015 and 2018, it was learned. Among them is a premolar dated to about 2.78 million years ago, identified as belonging to early Homo—pushing back the known presence of the genus in the region. Another set of teeth, slightly younger than 2.63 million years, has been identified as belonging to an entirely new Australopithecus species previously unknown to science. “These teeth are the first Australopithecus species to be found surviving in the Lower Awash Valley after the disappearance of Lucy’s kind,” Professor Rector explained. “In Ledi-Geraru, both Homo and Australopithecus existed during this critical time period, painting a far more complex picture of our family tree than previously imagined.” Ethiopian Heritage Authority Director-General Abebaw Ayalew hailed the findings as “a paramount significance for Ethiopia and the world at large.” He noted that “these discoveries put Ethiopia ahead of any country as the origin of mankind. Your research results are valuable both for you and for our country, not to mention the scientific community at large.” The Ledi-Geraru Research Project, a collaboration between Arizona State University and the Ethiopian Heritage Authority since 2002, has made repeated expeditions to the Afar region, producing a series of important fossil finds. The latest results will be published in Nature within hours, cementing Ethiopia’s role as a central hub for paleoanthropological research. “These findings reaffirm Ethiopia’s unmatched contribution to revealing the story of human origins,” the Director-General added, noting government plans for a new national museum with a permanent exhibition dedicated to discoveries of such global importance.

Addis Ababa, August 13, 2025 (ENA) – The government's robust commitment to the conservation of heritage has greatly improved the preservation and development of the country's cultural and historical assets, the Ethiopian Heritage Authority remarked. Director General of the Authority Abebaw Ayalew told ENA that since the political reform, the government has adopted a new vision that treats heritage as a valuable national resource to be protected, restored, and developed.   This approach is transforming Ethiopia's vast cultural treasures into sources of national pride and drivers of economic growth, he added. According to Abebaw, this vision has enabled the restoration, maintenance, and development of numerous heritage sites across the country, with many showcased internationally as examples of best-practice preservation. He underscored that Ethiopia’s heritage not only reflects the country’s rich history and serves as an educational resource for future generations, but it also plays a key role in boosting tourism revenue.   According to Abebaw, ongoing restoration and development initiatives launched under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed aim to safeguard these cultural assets for future generations. Notable projects include the rehabilitation of the National Palace, Unity Park, Gondar Churches, and Jimma Aba Jifar Palace, all being restored in ways that honor their historical significance.   The Authority has been accomplishing the tasks of protecting, nurturing and restoring the heritages of the country, including the Lalibela Rock-hewn Churches, the Axum Monuments, and the National and Dessie Museums, Abebaw stressed, adding that these projects are being carried out with strict quality standards and are on track to be completed within their set timelines.

Addis Ababa, August 11, 2025 (ENA)— House of Federation (HoF) Speaker Agegnehu Teshager announced that the 20th Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Day will be marked with special pomp, aiming to further strengthen unity and fraternity in Ethiopia. In preparation for the 20th Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Day, Speaker Agegnehu chaired the inaugural leadership planning session drafted by members of the general committee. Ethiopia's Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Day, celebrated every year on December 8. It is a momentous occasion that highlights the rich cultural tapestry and diversity of the nation. With over 80 unique nationalities, each possessing its own languages, traditions, and customs, Ethiopia stands as one of Africa's most diverse countries. Speaking about the upcoming 20th Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Day, Agegnehu noted that hosting the celebration in the Central Ethiopian Region reflects the tangible success of far-reaching efforts to address some concerns. He further emphasized that the 20th Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Day holds special significance, as it coincides with a period of national renewal across all development sectors in Ethiopia. The speaker emphasized that the upcoming Ethiopian year’s celebration also coincides with the inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the formal commencement of the national consultation process. Additionally, Agegnehu noted that hosting the event in the Central Ethiopian Region will serve as a catalyst for the region’s development, infrastructure expansion, and investment growth.

Addis Ababa, August 11, 2025 (ENA) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) issued a policy note in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Sunday, reiterating the call to register all African children at birth to boost their protection and secure a brighter future for them. The policy note commemorates the 8th Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Day (CRVS), which is marked annually on Aug. 10. UNICEF stressed that birth registration is a fundamental right for every child, according to Xinhua. The Sustainable Development Goal 16.9 calls for the provision of a legal identity for all, but in sub-Saharan Africa, nearly half of all children under five remain unregistered at birth, UNICEF said. "With Africa expected to account for one-third of all global births by 2050 -- achieving universal birth registration is both a rights imperative and a demographic necessity," the agency observed. So far, African countries that have achieved over 90 percent birth registration coverage include Algeria, Botswana, and Sierra Leone, and in terms of regions, the coverage in Southern Africa is 88 percent, followed by 63 percent in West Africa and 41 percent in Eastern and Central Africa, according to UNICEF. UNICEF recommended embedding birth registration into the broader public service ecosystem, including health, education, and social protection, to ensure continuous registration of children. The UN agency also proposed digitization to streamline and expand registration in hard-to-reach areas, as well as community engagement, legal reforms, improved governance, and grassroots awareness campaigns, in order to ensure that every African child is registered at birth.

Addis Ababa 10, 2025 (ENA)—Minister of Women and Social Affairs Ergogie Tesfaye affirmed that women’s participation will be further reinforced to ensure the nation’s reform efforts yield greater results. The Ethiopian Senior Women Leaders Forum is currently convening in Addis Ababa. The forum was attended by the Vice President of Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party (PP) and Head of the Democratic System Building Center at the rank of Deputy Prime Minister, Adem Farah, alongside senior government officials, ambassadors, and representatives from various women’s organizations. In her remarks at the forum, Women and Social Affairs Minister Ergogie Tesfaye highlighted the active role women have played throughout the country’s far-reaching years of reform. She also praised Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s leadership for its tangible commitment to advancing women’s political participation by opening doors for many women to assume senior government roles. The achievements registered over the years are testaments that women have made significant contributions for overall improvements of the society and the national development of the county, the minister added. Accordingly, at the forum, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has been given special recognition for his significant contributions to promoting women’s participation in decision-making during the forum. Since 2018, under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s leadership, Ethiopia has launched an ambitious reform agenda. This far-reaching refom has included the formation of a cabinet with a significant number of women ministers and key government officials. Ergogie also stated that work is being done to further increase the participation of women in multifaceted areas as outlined by the goals of the Ten-Year Development Plan. She urged women to diligently work to further enhance their contribution to the overall prosperity of Ethiopia. The forum organized by the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs and panel discussions would be held on various topics under the theme "Women Leaders for Ethiopia's Prosperity," it was learned.

Addis Ababa, August 9, 2025 (ENA) -- WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, has stressed the need to advance innovative domestic financing and local manufacturing in order to realize a more resilient health system in Africa. In an exclusive interview with ENA, he stated that financial and geopolitical crises as well as climate change are among the challenges facing the health sector. To have a more resilient health system in the continent, the approaches of WHO will be based on the priorities of 47 member states, the regional director added. Stating the significance of investing on primary health care and investing on community health workers who are closer to the population, Dr. Janabi stressed that “when talking of health sovereignty, we are talking about the countries’ responsibility of the health of their population.” For the regional director, increasing the countries’ health budget based on the priorities of the respective countries is essential. In this regard, he underscored the need to come up with innovative domestic financing, emphasizing the significance of involving the private sector as well. It is generally known that the majority of medicines used in Africa are imported and this reliance on imports limits access to affordable and effective medications. According to him, over 80 percent of the medicines and the products are produced outside the continent. Innovative domestic financing and advancing local manufacturing are instrumental to ease import dependency along with building qualified healthcare workforce and using technology, he added. The regional director therefore emphasized the need to have a proper assessment to see what the essentials are, and plan accordingly. It is vital that goes parallel with the respective regulatory system, the regional director elaborated. Regarding the sharp decline of the global health fund for Africa and the next steps to take, Dr. Janabi affirmed that the aid was lifesaving, urging all pertinent stakeholders to cement collaboration to find new avenues for such emerging challenges. “When it comes to innovative domestic financing, there are many ways which the governments can do, increasing the health budget, engaging with donors and stakeholders to try to channel the donation through the national institutes,” he said. He urged all stakeholders in the sector to work together in a more coordinated manner to increase coherence, avoid duplication and fragmentation, among others. The Regional Director’s high-level engagement with national authorities as well as representatives of AU, UN and development partners in Addis Ababa emphasized the significance of health financing and local manufacturing to strengthen health sovereignty and emergency preparedness and health priorities in the Africa.

Addis Ababa, August 8, 2025 (ENA) – WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, has commended Ethiopia’s progress in managing the health system, reaffirming the organization's commitment to supporting national efforts. In his first official visit to Ethiopia, Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi met with Ethiopia’s Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba. In an exclusive interview with ENA, the Regional Director said he had a productive discussion with the Minister of Health on a range of issues. “I had the opportunity to see how health is run in Ethiopia. So I had a great impression; and we discussed a range of things.” For the Regional Director, the discussion with the Health Minister included what the government is doing, what the WHO can do to assist as a big stakeholder in the sector in the continent, and how it can reach those in humanitarian crises. Stating that Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa, Dr. Janabi said “managing its health system needs an extra mile which I really applaud the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for the progress they are doing now.” From the data “I saw maternal mortality is really gone down. So you could see the progress the country is doing.” He expressed the commitment of WHO to continue working closely with Ethiopia, underscoring the country’s strategic importance in advancing health and development priorities across the continent. Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi had also discussion with representatives of AU, UN, and development partners, it was learned. The Regional Director’s high-level engagement with national authorities as well as representatives of AU, UN and development partners emphasized the significance of health financing and local manufacturing to strengthen health sovereignty and strengthening emergency preparedness and health priorities in the African Region.

Addis Ababa, August 8, 2025 (ENA) – The activities initiated to ensure food sovereignty play a significant role in avoiding dependency and covering humanitarian needs independently, Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commissioner Shiferaw Teklemariam said. The Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission has begun providing capacity-building training for professionals drawn from the central and regional representative institutions at the African Leadership Excellence Academy. While emphasizing the natural advantages of the country, the Commissioner noted that Ethiopia is blessed with abundant natural resources and favorable environmental conditions.   However, the country has been associated with aid dependency due to the failure to effectively harness its potential and turn it into tangible benefits, he stressed. Since the reform, the government has been implementing a range of encouraging agricultural development initiatives aimed at abolishing dependency and achieving food sovereignty, Shiferaw elaborated. He also pointed out that the activities that have been carried out under “humanitarian aid through self-reliance” are helping to change the mindset and practices of dependency. The Commissioner urged all stakeholders to properly understand and implement the process, stressing the need for collective action to ensure its success. According to him, the two-day training will provide a platform to explore ways of maximizing the use of local resources and building strong institutional capacity to achieve self-sufficiency.

Addis Ababa, August 7, 2025 (ENA) -- President Taye Atske Selassie stated that the bilateral relationship between Ethiopia and China is becoming more effective, not only in the sphere of trade but also through collaboration on the international stage. The "2025 Chinese Medical Volunteers' African Charity Mission and International Medical Volunteers' Campaign" has been launched at the Silk Road General Hospital, in Addis Ababa. The launch event was attended by President Taye Atske Selassie, Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba, and the Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Cheng Hai. It was announced that a variety of major surgical services would be provided, including pediatric cardiac surgery, cataract surgery, ophthalmology, gynecology, and neurosurgery. Additionally, eye and heart screenings will be conducted at one public and one private school. Cervical cancer screenings will also be available for women aged 18 and over. During the event, Taye Atske Selassie expressed his gratitude for the commitment of the Chinese volunteers.   He expressed his confidence that many children and others in need of medical assistance would receive these services. The president also urged the volunteers to focus on knowledge and skills transfer during their stay. The President reiterated that the bilateral relations between Ethiopia and China are becoming more productive on the international stage, in addition to their commercial ties. Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba commented that the program with the Chinese volunteer doctors reflects a long-standing partnership, camaraderie, and spirit of progress with the people of China.   She stated that healthcare knows no borders and in this regard this program conveys a strong message to everyone. The Minister said that volunteer service is, above all, a movement based on compassion. Last year’s summer health volunteer initiative served over 4 million people, she recalled. She also mentioned that this year's summer volunteer service aims to reach 5 million needy people. The minister expressed her gratitude to the Chinese volunteer doctors for participating in this benevolent health service initiative. Chinese Ambassador Chen Hai, on his part, said that China and Africa are good friends, partners, and brothers.   He noted that China-Africa health cooperation is strengthening, and their partnership is entering a new phase. He pointed out that their health collaboration is expanding, bearing fruit, and yielding results. The Ambassador described the contributions of volunteers as highly professional and beneficial to the public, showcasing the spirit of Chinese volunteer doctors. He emphasized that the program is more than just a medical service, bringing about tangible health benefits and will give new impetus to the medical cooperation between China and Ethiopia.

Addis Ababa, August 6, 2025 (ENA)— The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has expressed profound sorrow following the tragic helicopter crash in Ghana’s Ashanti Region that claimed eight lives, including two senior government ministers. Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were among the victims of the crash in the southern Ashanti region of the country, said Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff to Ghana's President John Mahama, on Wednesday. “The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has learned with deep sorrow of the tragic helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region of the Republic of Ghana, which claimed the lives of eight people, including Ghana’s Minister of Defence, Edward Omane Boamah, and Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed,” AU said in a statement. The Chairperson conveys his heartfelt condolences to President John Dramani Mahama, the Government and people of Ghana, and the bereaved families of all those who lost their lives in this national tragedy, the statement added. He also expresses his solidarity with the Ghana Armed Forces and the ruling National Democratic Congress during this difficult time. Youssouf stated, “The African Union stands in full solidarity with Ghana in mourning this profound loss. May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace.” ​​​​​​​

Addis Ababa, August 6, 2025 (ENA)—Ghana's ministers of defence and environment have died in a military helicopter crash, along with six other people, according to the country's government. Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were among the victims of the crash in the southern Ashanti region of the country, said Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff to Ghana's President John Mahama, on Wednesday. "The president and the government extend their condolences and solidarity t o the families of our comrades and soldiers who fell in their service to the nation," said Debrah. ​​​​​Earlier, the Ghana Armed Forces said the aircraft, which was carrying three crew and five passengers, had gone "off the radar."

Addis Ababa, August 6, 2025 (ENA)—This summer, five million underprivileged Ethiopians will receive free medical care through a nationwide voluntary campaign, according to the Ministry of Health. A week-long health campaign has been launched by Eka Kotebe General Hospital and the Addis Ababa City Administration's Community Participation and Voluntarism Coordination Commission. The program, themed "Voluntary Service for a Healthy Community," is offering a range of free services, including health counseling, screenings, and medical treatment, as part of the summer volunteer initiative. Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba and Eka Kotebe General Hospital Director General Dr. Muluken Tesfaye officially launched the program alongside senior officials. Speaking at the event, Minister Mekdes highlighted the impact of previous campaigns, stating that more than 4.5 million people have benefited from voluntary health services in the past few years. She added that the goal of this summer's campaign is to provide care to another five million citizens. Last year, Eka Kotebe General Hospital provided free health consultations, screenings, and treatments to over 80,000 vulnerable individuals, and this year, it aims to serve 100,000 people. The Minister of Health emphasized that this year's campaign will focus on preventing communicable diseases while also providing screenings and prevention for non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes. Dr. Muluken Tesfaye, Director General of Eka Kotebe General Hospital, noted that the initiative demonstrates the commitment of health professionals to serve their communities and put their values into impactful action.

Addis Ababa, August 6, 2025 (ENA)— The State Department is proposing requiring applicants for business and tourist visas to post a bond of up to 15,000 US dollars to enter the United States, a move that may make the process unaffordable for many. The new requirement targets countries like Malawi and Zambia. Critics have denounced the bond scheme as a ‘legalised shakedown’ that profits from vulnerable, lawful travellers. In a notice to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, the department said it would start a 12-month pilot program under which people from countries deemed to have high overstay rates and deficient internal document security controls could be required to post bonds of 5,000 USD, 10,000 USD or 15,000 USD when they apply for a visa. The proposal comes as the Trump administration is tightening requirements for visa applicants. Last week, the State Department announced that many visa renewal applicants would have to submit to an additional in-person interview, something that was not required in the past. In addition, the department is proposing that applicants for the Visa Diversity Lottery program have valid passports from their country of citizenship. The countries affected will be listed once the program takes effect, it said. The bond could be waived depending on an applicant's circumstances. The bond would not apply to citizens of countries enrolled in the Visa Waiver Program, which enables travel for business or tourism for up to 90 days. The majority of the 42 countries enrolled in the program are in Europe, with others in Asia, the Middle East and elsewhere. Visa bonds have been proposed in the past but have not been implemented. The State Department has traditionally discouraged the requirement because of the cumbersome process of posting and discharging a bond and because of a possible misperception by the public. However, the department said that previous view “is not supported by any recent examples or evidence, as visa bonds have not generally been required in any recent period.”

Addis Ababa, August 5, 2025 (ENA) -- New bill allows France's government to expedite the return of African heritage without parliamentary approval, but bureaucratic hurdles remain for former colonies, according to Africanews. Culture minister, Rachida Dati, presented the law to the French cabinet on Wednesday, which is part of a broader commitment made in 2017 by President Emmanuel Macron to return African heritage. The bill aims to simplify current procedures to return cultural property that was acquired illegally; stolen, looted or taken with violence between 1815 and 1972 during France’s colonial empire. “The text I presented this morning to the Council of Ministers is a powerful act and a powerful ambition! For peace, for the recognition of memories, and for the renewal of our relations with countries that were wronged”, Dati wrote in a post on X. France has lagged behind other European nations like Germany, which has returned more than a thousand objects to African states. Meanwhile, France has only deaccessioned a few objects since Macron declared in Burkina Faso in 2017 that he would make the return of African artefacts ”a top priority” for his government within the next five years. Most recently, France agreed to give a sacred drum back to the Ivory Coast that colonial troops took from the Ebrie tribe in 1916. France has been slow partly because the country needs to pass a new law for each restitution it consents to - a long process that can take years. Wednesday’s law would instead allow the French government to approve by decree the return of cultural heritage to countries of origin under certain conditions. Only artefacts intended for future public display will be taken into consideration, and military items, public archives and items found during archaeological digs are excluded from the proposed legislation. Several African countries have requested the return of tens of thousands of objects from France. The French Senate is expected to vote on the new bill on September 24th.

Addis Ababa, August 4, 2025 (ENA) -- The Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia (IRCE) has underscored the critical role of religious fathers in promoting peace, unity, and solidarity, key pillars for Ethiopia’s national development. The 4th National Peace Conference of Ethiopian Religious Institutions has officially commenced in Harar city today, under the theme "Religions for Peace, Unity, and Solidarity." Organized by the Ethiopian Inter-Religious Council in collaboration with the Harari Regional Council of Religious Institutions, the conference brings together key religious and regional leaders to discuss the role of faith in promoting national cohesion. Dignitaries in attendance include Harari Regional State Deputy Chief Administrator Rosa Umer, Secretary General of the Ethiopian Inter-Religious Council Liqe Tiguhan Qesis Tagay Tadelle, as well as guests from various regions and senior officials of the Harari Region. While opening the meeting, Liqe Tiguhan Qesis Tagay noted the Council’s ongoing efforts to resolve conflicts and foster people-to-people relations throughout the country.   He emphasized the importance of religious institutions in building sustainable peace and called for deeper engagement to address existing gaps. “The peace conference must continue and grow stronger. It was launched to ensure lasting peace and hand over a better country to the next generation,” he said. “Our ancestors left us a legacy of peace, unity, and solidarity. We have to preserve and build upon that foundation.” Qesis Tagay further noted that addressing ongoing conflicts in parts of the country and achieving lasting peace remain the central goals of the conference. Harari Regional State Deputy Chief Administrator, Roza Umer, also addressed the gathering, stressing the importance of strengthening peace education within religious institutions.   She urged the Council to expand its peacebuilding initiatives and increase its impact at the grassroots level. Likewise, Sheikh Abdusalam Jibril, Chairman of the Harari Regional Inter-Religious Council, emphasized that religious teachings play a key role in promoting reconciliation, forgiveness, and national cohesion.

Addis Ababa, August 4, 2025 (ENA) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with Ethiopia to support the country’s efforts in delivering quality and accessible health services. In an exclusive interview with ENA, Owen Kaluwa, the WHO Representative to Ethiopia, commended Ethiopia's ongoing efforts to enhance its health service system. “Ethiopia is a leading country in adopting innovation to support its journey toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The nation is deliberately working to incorporate various innovations into its national health system transformation,” he emphasized. The representative noted that various programs being implemented in the country aimed at improving service quality, patient safety, and access to healthcare through the integration of technology. He further stated that innovation and technological advancement are key to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the goal of universal health coverage. Ethiopia, he said, is among the countries actively adopting technological and innovative solutions to improve health service delivery. WHO is committed to working closely with Ethiopia to harness the potential of the Fourth Technological Revolution, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence and digital health, to drive innovation in the health sector, he added. “We have partnered with Ethiopia on several initiatives aimed at accelerating UHC. These strategies include tackling antimicrobial resistance and improving healthcare quality,” he said. According to him, the Organization is supporting Ethiopia’s strategies to ensure high-quality, safe, and accessible health services and noted that WHO will continue to collaborate in expanding the implementation of innovative solutions to enhance service delivery and reach more communities. Strengthening partnerships and effectively utilizing innovation outcomes are crucial for improving health service quality and achieving universal access, he concluded.

​​​​​​Addis Ababa, August 4, 2025 (ENA)—Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh encouraged the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) to persist in its endeavors to establish itself as the voice of Africa. During his visit to ENA's media complex today, the Deputy Prime Minister praised the agency as a pillar of national voice and pride, commending its 83-year legacy of faithfully representing Ethiopia’s stance to the world. "Today, we visited the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA)—a pillar of national voice and pride that has faithfully represented Ethiopia’s stance to the world for the past 83 years," the Deputy PM shared on social media pages. Now entering a bold new chapter, Temesgen underscored that ENA is evolving its historic legacy into a vibrant and forward-looking media institution. “With a modern media complex, state-of-the-art studios, and a renewed commitment to multilingualism, it is poised to serve as a gateway for Africa’s voice to reach global audiences—starting from Ethiopia, but echoing across the continent,” the Deputy Prime Minister elaborated. ENA remains a steadfast guardian of our national interests, while also championing Ethiopia’s rich cultural and tourism assets, he added. Temesgen further stated that by investing in skilled human capital and cutting-edge media technology, the Ethiopian News Agency is positioning itself to project our nation's positive narrative on the world stage. Particularly significant is ENA’s growing role in broadcasting African stories in international languages, he stated. "These efforts must be supported and scaled to amplify the continent’s authentic voice. We must dare to imagine—and actively build—the Africa of tomorrow: an Africa we dream of, work for, write about, speak of, and boldly present to the world," the Deputy PM underscored. In pursuit of this vision, the government is committed to working hand-in-hand with ENA to realize both national and continental transformation goals, Temesgen reaffirmed. "We reaffirm our pledge: ENA will continue to be more than just a news agency. It will be a beacon of unity, a custodian of our heritage, and a vital platform for Africans to tell their own stories—authentically, confidently, and in their own words," he noted.