Ethiopia

The move has drawn criticism from some aviation officials and economists, who argue that requiring passengers to pay in foreign currency could push more people toward the parallel market, further weakening the local currency and increasing the burden on travellers.

Election results that have passed the aforementioned process will be made public after the board's decision and approval, said NEBE.

The statement cited observer missions from the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which it said found the process “generally orderly” and noted the presence of party agents at polling stations.

TIMRAN similarly noted active participation by women throughout the electoral process. Women were present not only as voters, but also as election officials and polling station personnel. In several stations observed, women also held leadership roles, including chairing polling station teams.

Among the regions highlighted as most critical, the report stated that “Amhara, Afar, and Tigray continue to host most Priority 1 and 2 areas, reflecting acute shelter needs and strained living conditions”.

The AU deployed 73 short-term observers drawn from 37 African countries to monitor Ethiopia’s seventh general election. The delegation included election management experts, diplomats, parliamentarians, civil society representatives, media professionals, women and youth representatives.

Election officials are verifying and consolidating polling station results at constituency centres before forwarding them for the national tally and final declaration.

IGAD observes largely peaceful polls with strong turnout and digital innovations, while flagging security gaps and inclusion concerns in parts of Ethiopia.

Electric vehicles have taken off in Ethiopia. Key to the shift: a world-first ban on importing fossil fuel-powered vehicles.

Uhuru Kenyatta described Ethiopia’s election as significant not only for the country itself but for Africa as a whole, noting Ethiopia’s status as host of the African Union headquarters.

Amnesty said Ethiopian authorities have in recent months “launched a campaign of repression against independent media by arbitrarily arresting, forcibly disappearing and unlawfully surveilling journalists”, while also revoking accreditations and licenses of several media houses.

As Ethiopia is heading to the polls, the Tigray region won't be participating in the vote for the second time, with tensions simmering on. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his Prosperity Party meanwhile are expected to win.

The allegations come amid growing political tensions and warnings from opposition parties over what they describe as renewed militarisation in Tigray.

Ethiopia will hold its seventh national election on June 1, 2026. The vote takes place as Gulf states compete for influence in the region and the rivalry between Ethiopia and Egypt over the Nile intensifies.

Ethiopia’s 2026 general election unfolds amid armed conflict, opposition constraints, and deep political fragmentation, raising serious questions about voter participation, legitimacy, and the future of the country’s federal system.

The mission is expected to issue a preliminary assessment a few days after the June 1 vote, with a comprehensive final report to follow within two months.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the victims had been kidnapped at different times from the Giyani area and transported by truck to the hideout, where they were allegedly held for about 12 days.

The discussions centred on a two-phase energy infrastructure plan, developed by anchoring the recent engagement by Dangote Group in Ethiopia and aimed at strengthening Ethiopia–Djibouti strategic cooperation in energy logistics and export capacity.

The Ethiopian Embassy in London quoted Ahmed as saying that fertiliser shortages and delayed deliveries linked to shipping disruptions, rising insurance costs, and uncertainty in global markets could threaten agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.

Speaking to Addis Standard, the bureau’s head, Kiros Guesh (PhD), said the federal government’s withholding of budgetary allocations and fuel supplies had made “the timely and proper disbursement of teachers’ salaries” impossible across the region.

In a statement issued in February, the coalition called for an end to attacks on civilians and the closure of media outlets, warning that ongoing conflicts in regions including Amhara, Oromia, Benishangul-Gumuz, and Tigray were causing heavy civilian suffering and undermining democratic space.

The Somali Region is currently experiencing the Gu rainy season, with many parts of the region receiving “normal to above normal seasonal rainfall,” which has contributed to improved water availability and is supporting pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods.

The meeting came days after Sudan recalled its ambassador from Ethiopia for consultations following a wave of drone strikes that hit Khartoum airport and other strategic locations.

The remarks come weeks after Ethiopian community members in South Africa accused the Ethiopian government and embassy officials of failing to respond adequately following the killing of Ethiopian nationals and escalating violence targeting migrant-owned businesses.

The 35-year-old delivered four boys and a girl on Tuesday evening. All of them are in "full health", at the Hiwot Fana Specialised Hospital, the hospital said.

Prosecutors allege that the defendants diverted gasoline and white diesel outside government oversight, exacerbating fuel shortages in the domestic market.

The humanitarian organisation advocates for lifesaving assistance, human rights, and protection for displaced people and promotes solutions to displacement crises.

The price hikes are expected to intensify pressure on transport costs, logistics, and consumer goods. Diesel, a key input for freight and public transport, has a cascading effect on the price of basic commodities, while the sharp rise in kerosene is likely to hit low-income households particularly hard.

The dispute follows claims by Sudan’s armed forces that drone attacks targeting sites including Khartoum’s main airport and locations in western and central Sudan on Monday, originated from Ethiopian territory.

Ethiopia fell to 148th in the 2026 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index, with a score drop to 34.66. RSF cites renewed fighting in Amhara and continued detention of five journalists.

The move comes amid mounting internal and external pressure on the interim arrangement, with the party arguing that existing institutions have fallen short of adequately serving the interests of the people of Tigray.

The reforms are part of a broader liberalisation drive by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government aimed at attracting investment, boosting competition and modernising the economy.

Amnesty International says Ethiopian journalist Million Beyene was abducted from a newsroom in Addis Ababa on April 15. The group urged Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to ensure an independent investigation and Beyene’s release if in custody.

The renewed engagement marks a shift in EU-Ethiopia relations following years of suspension of direct budget support linked to concerns over the conflict in northern Ethiopia.

In the capital, Addis Ababa, motorists are spending long hours moving between filling stations in search of petrol, with many leaving empty-handed.

Speaking to Addis Standard, Haish Subagadis, head of the Tigray Youth Affairs Bureau, said the youths are being held at Khamis Mushait prison in the Abha area of Saudi Arabia’s Asir region after being accused of narcotics-related offences.

The bureau said the funding gap has made it impossible to pay salaries for more than 141,000 civil servants, raising concerns over mounting pressure on public sector workers amid difficult economic conditions.

Amnesty noted that “the transitional justice process remained stalled almost three years” after initial discussions, raising concerns over the government’s commitment to accountability.

The report calls on the Ethiopian government to urgently end the discriminatory system in Western Tigray and allow access to independent rights monitors to the region, including the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, who, it notes, has made numerous visit requests.

The airline has been expanding its fleet and airport capacity by undertaking mega projects, including the USD 12.5 billion airport construction project that is projected to produce Africa's biggest airport when ‌completed ⁠in 2030 in the town of Bishoftu.

Of the 46.7 million registered voters for the country's seventh General Election, about 25.2 million are men and 21.5 million are women, adding that more than 165,000 registered voters are persons with disabilities.

EPRP said the demonstrations are planned to take place in multiple cities across the country, including the capital, reflecting an effort by the party to mobilise nationwide participation around its demands for improved electoral conditions.

Addis Standard managing editor Million Beyene remains missing in Addis Ababa nearly 48 hours after being seized, prompting urgent appeals from his family, colleagues and press freedom organisations.

The report further states that this alleged support is occurring within an active ENDF installation and involves an armed group “credibly accused of committing acts of genocide,” adding that such activity could violate UN Security Council Resolution 1591, which prohibits arms transfers to actors involved in the Darfur conflict.

The suspect is accused of smuggling over 3,000 people from Ethiopia and neighbouring countries to Libya, with many later trafficked to Europe, causing more than 100 deaths and sexually assaulting more than 50 women.

According to the Ministry, Ethiopia’s chairship will oversee deliberations on a broad range of peace and security issues affecting the African continent, encompassing both country-specific matters and thematic challenges.

The parties added that the front will be formally constituted once the requirements set by the National Election Board of Ethiopia are fulfilled. Until then, both organisations said they will continue coordinating their political activities through jointly defined tasks.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Abiy described the airport as a “mega station” central to Ethiopia’s long-term aviation and industrial strategy, with the capacity to handle up to 110 million passengers annually—tripling the continent’s current busiest hubs.

As part of emergency measures effective 31 March 2026, the government has introduced a priority fuel allocation system aimed at preserving essential services and key economic sectors.

The directive comes as fuel, particularly diesel, has become increasingly scarce in recent weeks, with long queues forming at filling stations in Addis Ababa and other cities.

At the same time, the ruling party has opted not to compete in more than 80 constituencies for the House of Peoples’ Representatives across the country, including districts where leaders of the National Movement of Amhara (NAMA) and Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice (EZEMA) are running.