The Latest Breaking News from Abiy Ahmed

Gunfire, protests in Ethiopia's Amhara over plan to disband regional force

Gunfire was heard in at least two towns in Ethiopia's Amhara region on Sunday as thousands protested against a federal government order to integrate regional special forces into the police or national army, residents said.

Reuters · Apr 9, 2023

Ethiopia to dismantle regional special forces in favour of 'centralized army'

The Ethiopian government said on Thursday it intends to integrate all regional special forces either into the national army, or the federal or regional police, a move likely to be perceived as an attempt to diminish the autonomy of individual regions.

Reuters · Apr 6, 2023

Ethiopia's Tigray region unveils new cabinet to lead political transition

The newly elected president of Tigray's interim administration, Getachew Reda, has unveiled a cabinet that will lead the region's political transition after two years of conflict. The 27-member team is composed of former rebels from the Tigray People's Liberation Front who fought Ethiopian government forces in the war.

Radio France Internationale · Apr 6, 2023

Blinken asks Ethiopia to strengthen peace on first post-war visit

ADDIS ABABA - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday urged Ethiopia to "deepen the peace" in its war-torn north, as he announced a $331-million aid package to the country during a visit aimed at repairing relations shaken by the two-year conflict.

Bangkok Post · Mar 15, 2023

Blinken in Ethiopia as country recovers from Tigray conflict

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Ethiopia to meet with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and others about the recovery from a devastating two-year conflict in the country’s Tigray region that killed hundreds of thousands of people

The Independent UK · Mar 15, 2023

Blinken to visit Ethiopia, Niger as US boosts Africa push

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Ethiopia and Niger next week as the Biden administration accelerates a push to engage with Africa to counter China's growing influence on the continent

The Independent UK · Mar 10, 2023

Rights group Amnesty calls on Ethiopia to end social media blackout

Amnesty International has called on the Ethiopian authorities to restore access to social media networks including Facebook, TikTok and YouTube, as a blockade of some internet platforms enters its second month.

Radio France Internationale · Mar 10, 2023

Debt-laden African countries charged 'extortionate' rates, U.N. chief says

African countries are getting a raw deal from the international financial system which charges them "extortionate" interest rates, the U.N. chief said on Saturday, as he announced $250 million in crisis funding, including for famine risk on the continent.

Reuters · Feb 18, 2023

Ethiopia church split resolved amid social media suspension

Leaders of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church have agreed to resolve their differences peacefully after weeks of deadly confrontations between rival followers of the synod and security forces that have left at least 10 people dead

The Independent UK · Feb 16, 2023

Ethiopia's social media blocked amid church split tensions

Widespread tensions caused by a rift within Ethiopia’s Orthodox Christian church have resulted in the suspension of access to social media platforms including TikTok, Facebook and Telegram

The Independent UK · Feb 10, 2023