Category: News

Africa News

Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf Elected as New African Union Commission Chairperson

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – February 2025 – Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Djibouti’s long-serving Foreign Minister, has been elected as the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) after a closely contested election at the 38th Ordinary Summit of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa. His victory, secured with 33 votes in the final round,

February 15, 2025 By Addis Insight
Africa News

From Birthrights to Aid Freezes: Ethiopia Caught in Trump’s Policy Crossfire

On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a series of executive orders that have significant implications for both domestic and international affairs. Two notable actions include the termination of birthright citizenship for children of non-citizens and a 90-day freeze on foreign aid to all countries. These measures are poised to impact nations like Ethiopia,

January 21, 2025 By Addis Insight
News

Ethiopia Approves Landmark Property Tax Law Amid Debate on Economic Impact

Addis Ababa, January 14, 2025 – The House of People’s Representatives has officially passed a new Property Tax Proclamation, introducing a landmark tax policy that imposes levies on urban land, buildings, and land improvements. The law is expected to bolster municipal revenue and finance infrastructure development, but it has also sparked heated debate regarding its

January 14, 2025 By Addis Insight
Ethiopian War

Addressing the Root Cause: Why Ethiopia Must Abandon Ethnic Federalism for National Unity

Bedilu Mulualem This is a follow-up of my rejoinder: Critique of Messay Kebede’s “Elites’ Power Grab Contra People’s Empowerment” Based on lived experience and root cause analysis, Ethiopia’s ethnic federalism, instituted under the 1995 constitution, has exacerbated divisions, triggered conflicts, and undermined the practice of democracy and the protection of individual rights. By promoting a

January 4, 2025 By Addis Insight
News

The Ethiopian Human Rights Council, a 33-Year-Old Human Rights Organization, Suspended

The Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO), a key player in Ethiopia’s human rights advocacy for over three decades, has been ordered to suspend its operations. The suspension follows a directive issued by the Civil Society Organizations Agency on December 14, 2024, citing alleged administrative and compliance shortcomings. The directive, which was delivered to EHRCO on

December 26, 2024 By Addis Insight
Africa News

Ethiopian Cargo Expands Fleet with Two Boeing 767 Freighters to Meet Growing Demand

Addis Ababa, — Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services has announced the addition of two Boeing 767 freighters, ET-BBE and ET-BBF, to its growing fleet. This move marks a significant enhancement in the airline’s capacity to meet the surging global demand for air cargo services. With the addition of the two aircraft, Ethiopian Cargo now

December 17, 2024 By Addis Insight
News

Meskerem Aberra Sentenced to One Year and Four Months in Prison for “Computer Crime”

Meskerem Aberra, the founder and owner of the social media platform Ethio Nqat, was sentenced to one year and four months in prison for a computer crime she was found guilty of three weeks ago. The Federal High Court’s First Special Crimes Division delivered the verdict. Meskerem Aberra’s lawyer, Ato Henok Aklilu, told the BBC

November 25, 2024 By Addis Insight
Africa News

Ethiopia’s Government Bans Two Prominent Human Rights Organizations

The Civil Society Organizations Authority (ACSO) confirmed on Wednesday that it has banned two organizations known for their human rights work, the Center for the Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD) and the Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE). This action has sparked significant concern among legal experts, civil society, and the broader international

November 22, 2024 By Addis Insight
News

State and Ransom: Jawar Mohammed’s Alarming Account of Ethiopia’s Forced Conscription Crisis

In a recent Facebook post, Jawar Mohammed, a prominent figure in Ethiopian politics, raised urgent concerns over the worsening crisis of kidnappings for ransom by armed groups in Ethiopia. Jawar’s post highlighted a disturbing reality: while such crimes are typically associated with non-state actors, there are troubling reports implicating government forces in colluding with these

November 13, 2024 By Addis Insight