Ethiopian Authorities Detain 224 Suspects Linked to Eritrean Government and Armed Groups

Ethiopia Welcomes Lower Tariffs on Exports to the U.S.

Ethiopian Authorities Detain 224 Suspects Linked to Eritrean Government and Armed Groups
Security authorities in Addis Ababa have detained 224 individuals suspected of clandestinely working for the Eritrean government, according to Wazema Radio. In total, 900 individuals, including those allegedly associated with the Fano militia in Amhara, the Oromo Liberation Army in Oromia, and former Tigrayan combatants loyal to the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), have been detained for posing security threats. The majority of these detainees are suspected of working to destabilize the capital, with security concerns regarding infiltrations by these groups into irregular security structures meant to maintain peace and order.

Shimeles Abdissa Reaffirms Commitment to Protect Oromo Political Gains
Shimeles Abdissa, the chief administrator of Ethiopia's Oromia region, marked the seventh anniversary of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's rise to power, emphasizing the Oromo people's commitment to safeguarding their political victory achieved in 2018. He acknowledged the failure to eliminate poverty but assured that the government still enjoys public support. Shimeles also vowed to resolve political differences with various Oromo political forces, including the rebel Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), through dialogue.

Ethiopia Welcomes Lower Tariffs on Exports to the U.S.
Ethiopia's Ministry of Finance has welcomed the U.S. decision to impose a lower 10% tariff on Ethiopian exports, viewing it as a boost to the country's export competitiveness. Despite a slight decline in trade with the U.S. in 2024, the lower tariffs are expected to improve Ethiopia's trade relations. Ethiopia's exports to the U.S. include coffee, tea, spices, and apparel, while imports from the U.S. include refined petroleum and vehicles. The move follows Ethiopia's removal from the duty-free privileges under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) due to human rights violations during the northern conflict.

Ethiopia Signs €240 Million Grant with EU to Support Agribusiness and Post-Conflict Recovery
Ethiopia and the European Union (EU) have signed a €240 million grant under the 2024 Annual Action Programme (AAP-2024) to support agribusiness initiatives and create jobs for smallholder farmers. The grant will focus on digital skills development, governance, and inclusivity to promote stability and resilience in post-conflict areas. A portion of the funding will help restore basic health services in conflict-affected areas and provide psychosocial support for survivors of gender-based violence, while also prioritizing economic opportunities for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees.

Kenyan Court to Hear Case Against Meta Over Incitement to Violence in Ethiopia
A Kenyan High Court has ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear a case against Meta (formerly Facebook) for promoting content that contributed to ethnic violence and killings in Ethiopia between 2020 and 2022. The case, filed by Ethiopians Abraham Meareg and Fisseha Tekle, alleges that Facebook's algorithms promoted hateful and inciteful content during the conflict in Ethiopia, leading to human rights violations. The court's ruling opens the path for a legal process that could hold Meta accountable for its role in facilitating violence through its platform.

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