Articles by Editor7

Technology

Ethiopia accuses Eritrea and TPLF of colluding to “wage war,” involvement in recent attack on Woldiya city in Amhara region

Addis Abeba – Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused the Eritrean government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) of colluding to “wage war” against Ethiopia, alleging that the two are working together under a new alliance named “Tsimdo.” The ministry also alleges the two were involved in a recent offensive by the Fano militia aimed at capturing Woldiya. In a letter dated 2 October 2025 addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterre , Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos said that the “collusion between the Eritrean government and the hardliner faction of the TPLF has become more evident over the past few months.” He asserted that the alliance is “actively preparing to wage war against Ethiopia,” and accused both actors of “funding, mobilizing, and directing armed groups such as Fano to expand the horizon of the conflict.” According to the letter, the Eritrean government and TPLF were allegedly involved in a recent offensive by the Fano militia aimed at capturing Woldiya, a major town in the Amhara Region. The ministry claimed that TPLF commanders and fighters participated directly in the operation, with additional skirmishes reported in Raya and Welkait. These actions, it said, violate the 2022 Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities signed in Pretoria between the federal government and the TPLF. The ministry stated that the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) have maintained “a defensive posture” and exercised “maximum restraint,” but warned that “the policy is not one of indefinite restraint.” The letter described Eritrea as “the main architect of these nefarious activities,” accusing it of underwriting conflicts through “financial, material, and political support.” Eritrea’s actions, Gedion wrote, aim to “destabilize and fragment Ethiopia” under the pretext of feeling threatened by Ethiopia’s “quest to gain access to the sea.” “Eritrea presents its hostile acts as preemptive defensive measures,” the minister said, calling such claims “pretexts invoked to justify Eritrea’s decades-old effort to destabilize Ethiopia.” Gedion reaffirmed that Ethiopia remains committed to pursuing access to the sea “through peaceful means,” emphasizing that the government seeks “institutionalized economic integration mechanisms beneficial for both Eritrea and Ethiopia.” He said Ethiopia’s vision is “shared prosperity through integration that preserves the territorial integrity and sovereignty of both states.” Reiterating Ethiopia’s readiness to engage in “good faith negotiations,” the minister urged the international community to pressure Eritrea to cease what he described as “direct and indirect acts of hostility” and to “respect Ethiopia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Gedion also called on international partners to continue efforts to promote “constructive engagement and cooperation” between Ethiopia and Eritrea, not only on maritime issues but also in broader regional matters affecting peace and stability in the Horn of Africa. In July, Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio accusing Eritrea of “cooperating and coordinating” with a faction of the TPLF and other armed groups to launch major offensives during the rainy season. He further accused Eritrea of “repeated provocations,” “territorial occupation,” and sponsoring armed groups to destabilize Ethiopia. Gedion warned that such actions “violate international law” and threaten fragile peace and security in the Horn of Africa. AS

Technology

Tigray interim administration accuses Ministry of Agriculture misrepresenting region’s territorial boundaries

Mekelle – The Bureau of Communication Affairs of the Tigray Interim Administration has accused Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture of “deliberately misrepresenting” Tigray’s constitutionally recognized boundaries, describing the act as “a covert political game” aimed at altering regional demarcations. In a statement issued on Monday, the Bureau denounced a Facebook post shared by the Ministry on 3 October — later removed — that referred to “the Welkait Tegede Setit Humera Zone” as part of the Amhara Region in a report about grain harvest preparations. The Bureau said the reference “falsely designates West Tigray, which is constitutionally part of the Tigray Regional State, as belonging to the Amhara Region.” “This is not merely a reporting error,” the Bureau stated, “but a deliberate use of institutional and structural means to hand over the constitutional territory of Tigray to another entity.” It described the post as part of “a repeated conspiracy to divide Tigray,” accusing federal institutions of bias and warning that such actions reflect “the injustice taking root within the Ethiopian regime.” The Bureau further criticized the use of state media in disseminating what it termed “false narratives,” calling it “a dangerous trend aimed at legitimizing misinformation.” It demanded the Ministry of Agriculture immediately retract the post, take corrective measures, and hold those responsible accountable. “If this is not done,” the statement cautioned, “the Tigray Interim Administration will be obliged to take necessary legal action.” The Bureau also urged the federal government to uphold the FDRE Constitution and the Pretoria Agreement, warning that continued violations could endanger the fragile post-war peace process. This is not the first time the Tigray Interim Administration has raised concerns over similar issues. In July 2023, it accused the Ministries of Health and Education of including districts of Tigray under the Amhara Regional State in official reports, calling the act “a violation of the Constitution” and a threat to the ongoing peace efforts. At the time, it demanded a public apology and corrective measures from the ministries involved. Furthermore, in June, the Global Society of Tigray Scholars and Professionals (GSTS), along with 15 civic and research organizations, has accused the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) of “persistent misrepresentation and artificial designations” of Western Tigray, warning that such framing “provides tacit legitimacy” to ongoing displacement and risks “undermining Tigray’s territorial integrity.” AS

Technology

Ethiopia to launch duty-free exports to AfCFTA member states on October 9

Addis Abeba – The Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration has announced that Ethiopia will commence duty-free exports to member states of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on Thursday, 9 October 2025. The move marks the country’s first official export operation under the AfCFTA framework. Speaking at a press briefing in Addis Abeba today, Yasmin Wohabrebbi, State Minister for Trade and Regional Integration, confirmed that exports will be transported by both air and land to various AfCFTA member states. According to the state minister, air cargo exports will include meat, vegetables, and fruits, while land exports—comprising pulses, oilseeds, coffee, and red kidney beans—will be shipped to Kenya, Somalia, and South Africa. She added that textiles and industrial inputs are also planned for subsequent shipments, with Kenya expected to receive the largest share of the initial export volume. The official launch ceremony is scheduled for Thursday and will be attended by representatives from the AfCFTA Secretariat, senior government officials, diplomats, exporters, and producers. The event will feature an export send-off, a panel discussion, and the recognition of institutions and individuals who played key roles in Ethiopia’s negotiation process. Yasmin emphasized that the AfCFTA, which comprises over 55 member countries, presents a major opportunity to boost intra-African trade by eliminating tariff and non-tariff barriers. She noted that trade among African countries currently stands at less than 17 percent, compared to as high as 67 percent in other regions. Acknowledging Ethiopia’s limited trade engagement with African partners, the state minister said the AfCFTA could help offset the impact of lost trade opportunities following the suspension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). She added that the government has been working to finalize key trade arrangements to strengthen equitable economic relations within the continent. The implementation strategy outlining Ethiopia’s priorities and expected benefits under the AfCFTA was jointly developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Policy Studies Institute. Yasmin underscored that the private sector—particularly producers, exporters, and entrepreneurs—will play a central role in realizing the framework’s objectives. She further highlighted that participation in the AfCFTA is expected to create employment opportunities, attract domestic and foreign investment, and expand consumer access to quality goods, while enhancing the competitiveness of Ethiopian products in African markets. Looking ahead, the state minister noted that ongoing discussions under the AfCFTA framework could pave the way for the free movement of people and the potential introduction of a common currency for trade across the continent. It is recalled that African leaders agreed to establish the AfCFTA during a summit held in Kigali, Rwanda, in March 2018, with Ethiopia’s House of People’s Representatives later ratifying the agreement. AS