Africa’s politics and development hub, capital of Ethiopia
A crowded bus traveling from Dessie to Addis Ababa has veered off a mountainous road in Amhara, plunging into a ravine. Authorities say the death toll is rising as emergency services struggle to reach victims amid poor infrastructure. The crash follows a pattern of deadly road accidents on Ethiopia’s hazardous roads.
The Prosperity Party has secured a decisive majority in the House of Peoples' Representatives, with 438 of 501 seats reported by the electoral board. Voting did not occur in Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia due to security concerns, while turnout was high in areas where voting occurred. The government frames the result as a mandate for stability and continued reforms, but opposition voices warn of fear and intimidation amid ongoing tensions and regional disputes.
Drone strikes around El Obeid in North Kordofan have escalated, targeting fuel depots, water points and humanitarian aid convoys. The city, housing hundreds of thousands and thousands of displaced, faces risk of a Darfur-style catastrophe as both SAF and RSF intensify operations. International agencies warn civilians face escalating harm amid access challenges and potential siege.
Since late May more than 160,000 foreign nationals have returned or been repatriated from South Africa, with governments reporting 115,000 back to Zimbabwe and 56,000 to Malawi; many returns have followed protests that have targeted migrants, sparked violent attacks and diplomatic rows across Africa. Petitioners have asked the ICC to examine whether the violence and state failures constitute crimes against humanity.
Clashes have intensified between Ethiopian federal forces and the TPLF in western Tigray near the Sudan border. Civilians are fleeing, and both sides accuse the other of violating the Pretoria peace deal. The fighting follows months of deteriorating relations since the Pretoria agreement and raises fears of a wider conflict in the region.
A week of developments in Ethiopia shows a surge in climate resilience and digital security. The Green Legacy Initiative plants hundreds of millions of trees, while the government tightens cyber-security rules to protect critical infrastructure amid its digital expansion.
Independent Ethiopian outlets face escalating government pressure. Journalists detained or harassed, offices raided, and licenses revoked as authorities push for tighter control over reporting on unrest and elections. CPJ urges due process and the protection of press freedom.
Sudan's army-backed authorities are promoting a national dialogue while critics demand a ceasefire and addressing root causes. The AU and regional actors are intensifying mediation efforts, with civilians calling for guarantees, justice, and inclusive participation. The landscape remains fragmented as fighting continues.
The Sudanese war enters a new phase as SAF advances in key fronts, RSF defections rise, and regional powers face ongoing calls for a humanitarian truce. Drones and long-range strikes continue to target civilians and critical infrastructure, prompting fresh international concern.
The UK has announced more than £100m in support for malaria, dengue, HIV, TB and pre-eclampsia research through ten partnerships from 2024/25 to 2027/28, while warning that aid cuts by wealthy nations threaten progress. The plan includes diagnostic tools from King’s College London and the TB Alliance, and builds on prior malaria vaccine work. The package comes as aid budgets face reductions and foreign policy shifts.
Agriculture communities across Africa are embracing climate-smart methods to cope with increasingly unpredictable rainfall. Ethiopian irrigation timing, Uganda’s drought-driven hunger in Karamoja, Mozambique’s seed and irrigation expansion, and perennial grains offer pathways to resilience. Readers are introduced to the shift toward drought-tolerant crops, regenerative soils, and smarter water use.