Ethiopia News

Tensions have escalated in Ethiopia’s Tigray region following a coup that ousted interim leader Getachew Reda, leading him to flee to Addis Ababa. A rival faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), led by Debretsion Gebremichael, has seized control of provincial offices and local media, according to reports by The Guardian. Residents in Tigray are now gripped by uncertainty, with many withdrawing cash and attempting to flee the area. A recent skirmish has left three people dead, further heightening fears of imminent conflict. A resident noted, “Fear and uncertainty prevail,” as many plan to escape to Addis Ababa or neighboring countries. This upheaval coincides with rising tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which have strained since Ethiopia lost its access to the Red Sea post-Eritrea's secession in 1993. Despite Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s calls for peaceful negotiations regarding access to Eritrean ports, military movements at the border suggest a potential for escalation. Analysts warn that the volatile situation in Tigray could ignite wider conflict between the two nations, as efforts for peace confront ongoing rivalries.

The Tigray region of Ethiopia is on the brink of renewed conflict following a recent coup, as interim leader Getachew Reda fled to the capital, Addis Ababa. The coup was initiated by a rival faction of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), led by Debretsion Gebremichael, which seized control of provincial government offices and key infrastructure in the regional capital, Mekelle. Tensions escalated when Reda attempted to dismiss senior military commanders, leading to a split within the ruling TPLF party. The turmoil reignited fears of a return to violence, reflecting the region's troubled recent history, which saw approximately 600,000 fatalities during the conflict that ended in 2022, according to a British Medical Journal study. Residents report widespread fear, with many withdrawing cash and fleeing towards safer areas. Additionally, strained relations between Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea have raised concerns of an interstate conflict, exacerbated by Ethiopia's military mobilization along the border. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized the need for peaceful dialogue regarding access to the strategic Red Sea port of Assab but warned that without resolution, the situation could escalate further.

The United Nations has issued a grave warning that President Donald Trump's suspension of U.S. overseas funding could result in millions of additional deaths from AIDS. This announcement came during the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima emphasized the potential consequences of a 90-day freeze on funding through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. "This is dramatic in many countries," Byanyima stated, highlighting that the U.S. is the largest provider of official development assistance worldwide. The suspension, ordered by Trump upon his return to office, has left humanitarian organizations scrambling to mitigate its effects. According to UNAIDS estimates, without necessary funding, additional AIDS-related deaths could increase by tenfold, reaching 6.3 million over five years, while new infections could rise to 8.7 million. Despite some life-saving treatments being exempt from the freeze, frontline workers in Africa report that healthcare facilities are already closing. Byanyima urged for immediate debt restructuring in affected nations to improve their health and education spending, as many are burdened by significant debt.

In Ethiopia, an alarming 9 million children currently lack access to education as the country grapples with a widespread humanitarian crisis. In 2023, the school-aged population reached approximately 35.4 million, yet only about 22.9 million were enrolled in schools, leaving over 35% of children out of formal education. The educational disruption stems from armed conflicts, natural disasters, tribal tensions, and economic instability. Since the onset of conflict between the federal government and the Tigray regional government in 2020, the situation has worsened, with significant infrastructure damage, particularly to schools. As of November 2024, around 10,000 schools were reported damaged, and more than 6,000 were closed due to violence and natural disasters, especially in regions such as Amhara, Oromia, Tigray, Somali, and Afar. The consequences of this educational crisis are dire. Children out of school face increased risks of child labor, early marriage, and exploitation, while the lifelong disadvantages associated with lacking education hinder their personal and economic potential. Additionally, the absence of education perpetuates cycles of poverty and destabilizes societal cohesion. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's administration has faced criticism for not adequately addressing the education crisis. Efforts to involve regional governments in finding resources for education have proven insufficient. Advocates are calling for immediate and sustained support from global partners to address the situation and encourage the Ethiopian government to engage in peaceful dialogue to resolve internal conflicts. The scale of the crisis demands a coordinated humanitarian response, emphasizing the need for international recognition and assistance to help restore education in Ethiopia.

A significant health crisis is unfolding in Ethiopia as trachoma, an eye disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, threatens the vision of countless individuals. The infection, which spreads through contact with infected people or through flies, has caused severe discomfort for many, including 35-year-old farmer Scheicho Scheifa, whose condition has turned his eyelids inwards and damaged his corneas. Women are disproportionately affected, with studies indicating they face blindness from trachoma up to four times more often than men, largely due to their frequent contact with children who are major carriers of the disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 103 million people live in areas endemic to trachoma worldwide, with nearly half of them located in Ethiopia. Despite suffering since childhood, Scheicho was hesitant to undergo surgery that could alleviate his condition due to fears stemming from his mother's unsuccessful treatment. However, following advice from local healthcare professionals, he recently underwent a successful surgical procedure in a rural health center, marking a significant step towards restoring his vision. Efforts are underway to combat trachoma in Ethiopia, including improving access to clean water and raising awareness about hygiene practices as preventive measures. While 21 countries have successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health concern, experts believe that substantial improvements in living standards are necessary to achieve the same outcome in Ethiopia.

A devastating accident in Ethiopia has resulted in the deaths of at least 71 people after a truck carrying a wedding party plunged off the Gelan Bridge in Sidama state. Local authorities reported that the incident occurred on December 29 when the truck lost control and fell into the gorge below. Witnesses described the aftermath as chaotic, with emergency services struggling to reach the victims due to the challenging terrain. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the vehicle was overloaded, which may have contributed to the tragedy. Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident and are working to identify the victims. This tragic event highlights serious concerns regarding road safety regulations and the management of public transportation in rural areas of Ethiopia, a nation that has faced similar incidents in the past. The government is expected to release a statement regarding the steps it will take to prevent such accidents in the future.