East Africa

Kenyan presidential aspirant Patrick Osoi has reportedly warned Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote against rushing construction of a $16 billion oil refinery in Lamu, saying Kenyan investors should be given the opportunity to develop the facility. According to Punch, Osoi made the remarks while addressing supporters at a Lions Movement event. A video attributed to the gathering

Ethiopia has launched its first gold refinery, with an initial investment of $50 million, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said. He inaugurated the National Precious Metals Refinery at Bole Lemi Special Economic Zone on Saturday, 10 October. The project aims to process more gold in Ethiopia and serve regional mining companies. The plant is a partnership

At least 139 migrants have died and 84 remain missing after a boat travelling from Djibouti to Yemen capsized, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Sunday, 11 October. The boat was carrying 305 people when it sank near Guhere, north of Obock, during the night of 8 October into 9 October, according to

Eritrea has asked the United Nations Security Council to take action against Ethiopia, rejecting accusations that its troops invaded Ethiopian territory. Foreign Minister Osman Saleh made the request in a letter reported by Reuters on Saturday, 10 October. He accused Ethiopia of using the invasion claims to justify an attack on Eritrea. Saleh sought measures under Chapter

Drone strikes believed to have been launched by Ethiopia’s military targeted vehicles carrying Eritrean troops and equipment near Adigrat in northern Ethiopia, according to conflict monitor ACLED. In an alert dated 8 October⁠, ACLED said Eritrean forces that had crossed the border through Zelambesa the previous day were withdrawing from Adigrat overnight when the vehicles came

Ethiopia has appointed Fitsum Assefa Adela as finance minister, placing the former planning and development minister at the centre of its public finances and continuing economic reforms. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed named her in his new cabinet on Thursday, 8 October. According to Reuters, published by MarketScreener⁠, she replaces Ahmed Shide, who has become speaker of

Abiy Ahmed has been sworn in for another five-year term as Ethiopia’s prime minister after the country’s newly elected parliament chose him to continue in office. Ethiopia’s Government Communication Service⁠ said he took the oath during parliament’s inaugural session on Monday 5 October. His ruling Prosperity Party won a large majority in the June general election. What the election result means  The party won 438 seats, according to results reported by Reuters⁠ in June. Ethiopia’s lower house has 547 seats, but voting did not take place in Tigray or some parts of Amhara. Describing the result simply as “438 out of 547 seats contested” would therefore give the wrong picture of the election. Abiy first became prime minister in 2018. The latest parliamentary decision gives him a new term following the June vote, rather than marking his first appointment to the post. A new term amid conflict  The swearing-in comes as federal forces and armed opponents clash again in northern Ethiopia. Reuters⁠ reported artillery fire and airstrikes in Tigray around the time of the ceremony. It said a humanitarian bulletin put the death toll from overnight airstrikes at at least 17, but Reuters could not independently confirm that figure or establish who carried out the strikes. Abiy also spoke to parliament about Ethiopia’s desire for access to the sea. That issue has added to tensions with neighbouring Eritrea, which fears Ethiopia may seek control of its Assab port by force. Abiy says his government intends to pursue sea access peacefully. His new term begins with a firm parliamentary majority. The immediate test is whether the government can prevent the fighting from spreading.

Ethiopian government forces and allied fighters have regained control of Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, after the Tigray People’s Liberation Front announced its withdrawal from the city. The development marks another change of control in a region where renewed fighting has disrupted recovery from the war that ended with a peace agreement in 2022. It

The African Union Commission has called on Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to avoid actions or public statements that could worsen tensions, following a rapid deterioration in relations between the three countries. In a statement issued on 1 October, the Commission urged them to keep diplomatic channels open and resolve their differences through dialogue. It said it