Residents of Lalibela Rally for End to Armed Conflict

CSO Receives Warning Following Suspension Lift

• Ethiopia and Somalia Agree on Commercial Arrangements for Sea Access
  Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Mohammed reached an agreement on commercial arrangements to provide Ethiopia with secure and sustainable access to and from the sea following Turkey-mediated talks in Ankara on Wednesday. In a joint declaration, both countries agreed to begin technical negotiations in February 2025, with the goal of reaching a final agreement within four months. The declaration also emphasizes mutual respect for each country's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Notably, the declaration does not mention the sea access Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and the breakaway Somaliland, which had previously sparked the diplomatic dispute.

• TPLF Faction Raises Concerns Over DDR Process in Tigray
  The faction of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), led by party chairman Debretsion Gebremichael, has expressed concerns about the ongoing Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) process for Tigray's former combatants. The faction accused the Tigray Interim Administration, led by Getachew Reda, of initiating the DDR process before the restoration of Tigray's occupied territories and the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Additionally, the faction accused Getachew of requesting the Federal Government to decide on the rightful ownership of the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, which was signed by the TPLF with the Federal Government in 2022.

• CSO Receives Warning Following Suspension Lift
  The Center for the Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD) received a warning letter from Ethiopia’s Civil Society Organizations Authority following the lifting of its suspension, which had been imposed last month. CARD stated that it had made repeated efforts to secure the lifting of the suspension. The organization vowed to seek clarity on the issues raised regarding alleged violations of engaging in political activities. The suspension on CARD and two other civil society organizations was lifted on Wednesday.

• Residents of Lalibela Rally for End to Armed Conflict
  Residents of the historic city of Lalibela in the Amhara region held a peaceful rally on Thursday, calling for an end to the ongoing armed conflict in the region. The demonstrators urged both government troops and the Fano militia to resolve their differences through dialogue, emphasizing the severe socioeconomic impacts of the conflict on their daily lives. Lalibela, home to several UNESCO-registered ancient rock-hewn churches, has changed hands multiple times since the conflict began in mid-2023. The residents have raised concerns about the potential damage caused by the sound of heavy weapons to these historic churches.

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