Sudan’s Complex Foreign Alignment Amid Civil War Sudan’s foreign policy dynamics are increasingly shaped by the ongoing civil war, demonstrating a shift away from the preferences of individual leaders towards structural necessities. The external relationships that Sudan maintains, especially with Iran and regional actors, highlight this pivotal transformation. The Role of Islamist Networks Despite the fragmentation of the Islamist regime after the 2019 revolution, key networks associated with the Muslim Brotherhood have persisted. These groups, embedded within Sudan’s security apparatus, have enabled the government to maintain channels of cooperation with Iran. Following the outbreak of conflict in April 2023 between…
Author: Abren
Ethiopia’s Manufacturing Sector Faces Workforce Exodus Despite maintaining an average real GDP growth rate of approximately 7.2% from 2022 to 2024, Ethiopia is witnessing a worrying trend in its manufacturing sector: a significant decline in employment. The recent Mid-Term Review of the Country Strategy Paper by the African Development Bank (AfDB) highlights the challenges facing Ethiopia’s industrial transformation and raises critical questions about the sustainability of such growth. Decline in Manufacturing Employment From 2022 to 2024, employment in Ethiopia’s manufacturing sector has dropped from 17.6% to 15.6% of the total workforce. More concerning is the broader industrial sector’s stagnation, with…
Ethiopia’s National Dialogue: A Pathway to Peace and Prosperity Addis Ababa, March 12, 2026 — The ongoing national dialogue in Ethiopia has garnered optimism among scholars who believe it will be pivotal in achieving long-term peace and prosperity in the country. This initiative serves as a critical platform for tackling Ethiopia’s entrenched political, social, and ethnic challenges through inclusive discussions aimed at fostering national consensus. The Need for Reconciliation Ethiopia has recently embarked on a comprehensive reconciliation effort, marking a significant move toward addressing longstanding divisions that have plagued the nation for decades. This initiative is closely aligned with the…
The Complex Geopolitical Landscape of Egypt and Its Regional Implications Egypt’s political maneuvers illustrate a pattern of duplicity, especially in its dealings with the Muslim Brotherhood. Following the military coup in 2013 that ousted the democratically elected president Mohamed Morsi, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi led a widespread crackdown on the Brotherhood, resulting in thousands of arrests and deaths. This intense campaign of political repression underscored Cairo’s commitment to eradicate the Brotherhood as a political entity within Egypt. Contrasting Policies: Support for the Muslim Brotherhood in Sudan Interestingly, the same regime that has sought to eliminate the Muslim Brotherhood domestically is…
Ayisha Sheshafi Abagero: Empowering Change Through Digital ID in Ethiopia Breaking Barriers in Limmu Kosa In the lush landscape of Limmu Kosa Woreda, Ethiopia, Ayisha Sheshafi Abagero stands as a beacon of resilience and determination. A mother of four and a dedicated coffee farmer, Ayisha has not only transformed her life but is uplifting her community through the newfound empowerment that comes from accessing digital identity services. Nestled just an hour’s flight from Addis Ababa, Limmu Kosa is rich in fertile lands and is known for its rich coffee heritage. From Tradition to Transformation Raised in a humble household in…
Ongoing Conflict and Rights Violations in Amhara Region: A Weekly Overview This week, the Amhara Region of Ethiopia experienced significant turmoil, with battle events and reports of rights violations surfacing across over 30 woreda and city administrations spanning nine zonal administrations. Zones affected include North Wollo, South Wollo, North Shewa, East Gojjam, West Gojjam, Awi, North Gojjam, Central Gonder, and Welkait-Tegede-Setit Humera. Noteworthy developments were also documented in East Wollega and Horo-Guduru-Wollega zones of the Oromia Region, as well as in Addis Ababa. Civilian Casualties and Targeted Attacks Reports indicate that civilian casualties occurred in seven woreda and city administrations…
Ethiopia’s Historical Pursuit for Maritime Access: A Sovereign Right Addis Ababa, March 10, 2026 — Ethiopia’s long-standing aspiration for access to the sea and the Red Sea is not merely a recent political inclination but a deeply rooted historical and natural right. General Yimer Mekonnen, the Head of the Education and Training Main Department, articulated this point during a national symposium organized by the National Ethiopian Army Association, which aimed to bolster governmental efforts regarding maritime access. Historical Context and Significance of Maritime Access General Yimer underscored that Ethiopia’s relationship with the Red Sea traces back to ancient civilizations, notably…
Understanding Rural-to-Urban Migration in Ethiopia: Challenges and Opportunities Introduction Rural-to-urban migration is a significant phenomenon in Ethiopia, driven largely by economic aspirations. This migration often reflects wage disparities between rural and urban labor markets, a concept rooted in the Harris–Todaro migration theory. While urbanization typically offers improved employment opportunities, Ethiopia’s unique context poses significant challenges that affect both local and external migration patterns. The Youth Bulge: A Double-Edged Sword Ethiopia boasts the second-largest youth population in Africa, with 71% of its 129 million inhabitants under 30 years of age. As the country experiences rapid economic growth, it has not achieved…
Ethiopia Recognized for Sustainable Environmental Practices by Global Environment Facility Overview of Ethiopia’s Environmental Initiatives On March 8, 2026, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) praised Ethiopia for its exemplary efforts in community-driven environmental protection and livelihood development. These initiatives have not only contributed positively to local communities but have also been highlighted as key models for Eastern Africa. Insights from GEF Leadership In a recent discussion with ENA, Jonky Tenou, Senior Environmental Specialist and GEF Coordinator for Africa, emphasized the significance of Ethiopia’s community-based environmental programs. He noted that these initiatives serve as practical blueprints for other nations in the…
Understanding the Conflict in Sudan: A Battle for Legitimacy Sudan is currently embroiled in a devastating war that is less about a legitimate state versus a rogue militia and more about a power struggle between two militarized entities: the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), headed by Abdul Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. Both factions are vying for control, yet neither possesses constitutional or democratic legitimacy. The Roots of the Conflict The roots of Sudan’s turmoil can be traced back to December 2018, when a popular uprising ignited as a response to deepening economic…