Ethiopia

The New Guard
Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Tunisia

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

EthiopiaMahlet Afework, the haute couture entrepreneur who's in fashion

Central African RepublicAnge-Gabriel Patassé, government's trusted commander

TunisiaWael Chouchane wants to reconnect Tunis with the EU

National Intelligence bans foreigners from travelling to Tigray

Amid escalations between Addis Ababa and Mekele, the National Intelligence and Security Service has stopped foreigners from visiting the north of the country.

Ethiopia's Afar leadership splits over Issa question

The influential Ibrahim Osman Aliyu has left the Afar region for neighbouring Eritrea due to disputes with Ethiopia's central government. His defection lays bare the tensions within the Afar community following the rapprochement between Addis Ababa and Djibouti.

Oromo opposition cornered by government

The recent rapprochement between the two Oromo opposition parties has failed to lead to a breakthrough for the OLF and OFC. The Ethiopian government secretly orchestrated this alliance in the hopes of mobilising public opinion in the Oromia region.

Central bank sounds out foreign investors before opening up sector

The National Bank of Ethiopia has sent out a first draft of its directive on the criteria for access to the Ethiopian banking market. But this long-awaited reform is now being met with some reservations.

Mining companies in Tigray left in limbo due to leaderless administration

The political stalemate in the north of the country is intricately linked to mining activities in Tigray. An audit carried out by a senior member of the transitional administration was met with a lukewarm reception in regions under the TPLF's control.

Sesame stirs tensions in northern Ethiopia

A key export for the country, sesame has always been coveted. A clear reminder of this came this month when Amhara militiamen attacked a convoy of trucks transporting the precious seed with an army escort.

Tigray elites fight it out over EFFORT's financial resources

The Endowment Fund for the Rehabilitation of Tigray, once a pillar of the Ethiopian economy, was taken apart during the war. Leaders in the region are clawing at each other to get their hands on its resources, a battle in which the federal government could be a behind-the-scenes arbitrator.

Worthlessness of Oromo Liberation Army peace deal all too clear in Oromia

In December, a breakaway group of the OLA signed a peace agreement with the Ethiopian authorities. But the initial plan for demobilisation was quickly replaced by forced recruitment into the federal army.

Amhara region cracks down on Qemant minority suspected of backing rebels

The Qemant ethnic minority is in conflict with the authorities in Ethiopia's Amhara region over land disputes. Some of its representatives are being prosecuted on terror charges and are accused of supporting rebel groups.