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Eritrea, Ethiopia
The triggers of Tigray's crisis

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“The Renaissance Dam – a national symbol but a regional quandary”

Ethiopia

The Renaissance Dam – a national symbol but a regional quandary

Although the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is due to come into service in 2021, no agreement has yet been found by Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan regarding their respective rights to the waters of the River Nile. For nearly a decade, the great Ethiopian dam has been a source of tension between the three countries. Ethiopia sees the €4bn project, which has been entirely financed by Ethiopian taxpayers but has not yet been completed, as a means of making itself self-sufficient in energy and affirming its power in the region. [...]

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali has for weeks been working on reconciliation with Eritrea in an effort to break the Cairo-Asmara-Abu Dhabi axis. It was fear of having to pay the price for this rapprochement that leaders of the Tigray People's Liberation Front - who have repeatedly clashed with Eritrea - rebelled against the Ethiopian federal army last week. [...]

Published on 10.11.2020 at 05:00 GMT Reading time 2 minutes

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Diplomacy

Read this article in our running story

“The Renaissance Dam – a national symbol but a regional quandary”

Ethiopia

The Renaissance Dam – a national symbol but a regional quandary

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Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi
Abiy Ahmed Ali
African Union
Azeb Mesfin
Issayas Afewerki
Meles Zenawi
Metals and Engineering Corp
Tigray People's Liberation Front

Ethiopia
Eritrea leaves Ethiopia's ambassador in limbo

Like his predecessor, Mihretab Mulugeta is finding it extremely difficult to present his credentials to the Eritrean head of state.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 02.06.2021

Ethiopia, Ghana
Former Tigrayan masterspy lands in Accra

Ethiopia's new ambassador to Ghana Hadera Abera Admasu, is a veteran of the country's intelligence service NISS, where he worked for thirty years.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 17.05.2021

Spotlight | Ethiopia
Abiy and Sisi spar over GERD in Washington through opposing lobbyists

Addis Ababa has followed in Cairo's footsteps and hired a US lobbying heavyweight. Worried his Egyptian rival will take the lead in the Grand Renaissance dam debate and concerned about his declining reputation over the Tigray conflict, the Ethiopian prime minister is working institutions, diplomats, and the media.

Subscribers only Energy, Diplomacy 24.02.2021

Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed with President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

In Focus | Ethiopia
Abiy purged his military high command to prepare for his war against the TPLF

As soon as he arrived in power in 2018, the Ethiopian prime minister announced that he planned to reform the Ethiopian army high command, which he saw as a Tigrayan leadership stronghold. The reform, which was carried out quietly over two years, enabled Abiy to remove officers too closely linked to the Tigray People's Liberation Front.

Subscribers only Defence, Politics 22.02.2021

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali.

Spotlight | Eritrea, UAE
Emirates quits its Assab military base

The Emirati armed forces stationed at the Assab base in Eritrea since 2015 have discreetly been packing their bags in recent days. Their departure, which is connected Abu Dhabi's decision to withdraw from the conflict in Yemen, could have repercussions as far afield as Tigray.

Subscribers only Defence, Politics 11.02.2021

Ethiopia, Somalia
Abiy frustrated at Farmajo's lack of support

For months the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali has offered his support to Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed's bid for another term in February but is beginning to lose patience with the Somalian president's failure to return the favour.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 21.01.2021

Djibouti
Omar Guelleh angers Khartoum as he courts favour with Abiy

The Djiboutian president has raised hackles among the top brass in the Sudanese army as he seeks closer ties with the Ethiopian prime minister in the hope of persuading him to forget his long-running friendship with the Tigrayan leadership.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 20.01.2021

President of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh (left) talks with Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed Ali (right) during the 33rd African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 09 February 2020.

Ethiopia
Abiy surrounds himself with Tigray figures as crisis rages on

While still waging war against the TPLF, the Ethiopian prime minister has gathered round prominent figures of the Tigray people to assert his authority over the region.

Subscribers only Politics 14.01.2021

Ethiopia
IGAD summit: Abiy issues flat refusal to African Union

It was without much enthusiasm that Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali headed to Djibouti on Sunday to attend an IGAD summit.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 22.12.2020

Ethiopia
Abiy locks down Tigray and keeps Europe and the US in the dark

The long European tour just made by Ethiopian deputy prime minister Demeke Mekonnen was intended to disarm the regime's critics and enable prime minister Abiy Ahmed Ali to complete his military programme in the Tigray region.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 02.12.2020

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, during a question-and-answer session to the government, 30 November.

Ethiopia, Kenya
Tigray crisis: Kenyatta struggles to convince Abiy to accept regional support

Abiy Ahmed Ali has adamantly rejected any outside help in his confrontation with Tigray's leaders. That hasn't stopped Uhuru Kenyatta trying to establish himself as the leader of a pro-Abiy regional coalition that would put into play AU demands for moderation.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 30.11.2020

Ethiopia
Low-cost Chinese drones on display in Addis-Tigray propaganda war

Rebel forces in Tigray province claim that they have been bombed by Emirati combat drones, while Addis Ababa has been releasing images of its own drones, which are observation devices made by China's Zerotech.

Subscribers only Defence, Business 26.11.2020

The Zerotech Chinese drones shown by the head of the Ethiopian Air Forces on Ethiopian TV.

Ethiopia
Redwan Hussein, the voice of Addis during Tigray conflict

The central government's state of emergency spokesman is a defector from the former administration dominated by Tigray officials who is well versed in crisis propaganda.

Subscribers only Politics 25.11.2020

Redwan Hussein was appointed as the spokesman for the Ethiopian army's intervention force in Tigray in early November

Document | Ethiopia
Besieged by Ethiopian army, Tigray leader asks AU to arbitrate

Breaking news, Monday 9 November 2020, 2:20 p.m. - Worried that they could be attacked by Eritrea to the north and the federal army to the south, Tigray's leaders have appealed for help from the chairman of the pan-African institution, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 09.11.2020

Eritrea, Ethiopia
Why Tigray is challenging Abiy

Fearing they will pay the price for the demilitarisation of the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea, Tigray's leaders have put numerous obstacles in the way of the Ethiopian army, pushing the federal government to escalate its action.

Subscribers only Defence, Politics 05.11.2020

Egypt, Sudan
Al-Sisi spymasters plays guardian angel to transition in Khartoum

Following the Cairo visit of the president of the Sudanese transition Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, Egyptian intelligence has opened a military liaison bureau in Khartoum. The stated objective is to prevent any Islamist rearguard action against the transitional government.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 05.11.2020

The president of Sudan's Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah Al Burhan and the Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Ethiopia
Abiy lobbies for South Africa to retain lead on GERD negotiations

Cyril Ramaphosa will hand over the rotating presidency of the African Union to the DRC's Félix Tshisekedi in January. Ethiopia's Abiy Ahmed Ali is hoping Ramaphosa will remain in charge of mediating the GERD negotiations.

Subscribers only Infrastructure, Diplomacy 28.10.2020

Ethiopa's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali.

Spotlight | Ethiopia
Challenged in Tigray and Oromia, Abiy Ahmed calls ranks to order

With his position disputed in several regions openly defiant of the federal power, the Ethiopian prime minister is trying to quell the dissenting voices within the central government and diplomatic corps.

Subscribers only 22.09.2020

Spotlight | Ethiopia
Behind the scenes of ‘Operation METEC'

Since early November, no fewer than 64 senior executives at the military industrial complex controlled by the TPLF (Tigray People's Liberation Front) have been arrested on suspicion of corruption and human rights abuses. The Indian Ocean Newsletter has the inside [.

Subscribers only Politics 23.11.2018

The anti-corruption drive against METEC has multiple positive effects for PM Abiy Ahmed Ali.

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Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi
Abiy Ahmed Ali
African Union
Azeb Mesfin
Issayas Afewerki
Meles Zenawi
Metals and Engineering Corp
Tigray People's Liberation Front

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Guinea
Behind the scenes of Mamadi Doumbouya's offensive on Russian miner Nordgold

DRC
Dan Gertler's billions of dollars in royalties at heart of huge legal battle

Eritrea, Ethiopia
The triggers of Tigray's crisis

The Renaissance Dam – a national symbol but a regional quandary

This article may be accessed by subscribers

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Create your free account

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The Renaissance Dam – a national symbol but a regional quandary

Set up email notifications for these topics

Ethiopia
Eritrea leaves Ethiopia's ambassador in limbo

Ethiopia, Ghana
Former Tigrayan masterspy lands in Accra

Spotlight | Ethiopia
Abiy and Sisi spar over GERD in Washington through opposing lobbyists

In Focus | Ethiopia
Abiy purged his military high command to prepare for his war against the TPLF

Spotlight | Eritrea, UAE
Emirates quits its Assab military base

Ethiopia, Somalia
Abiy frustrated at Farmajo's lack of support

Djibouti
Omar Guelleh angers Khartoum as he courts favour with Abiy

Ethiopia
Abiy surrounds himself with Tigray figures as crisis rages on

Ethiopia
IGAD summit: Abiy issues flat refusal to African Union

Ethiopia
Abiy locks down Tigray and keeps Europe and the US in the dark

Ethiopia, Kenya
Tigray crisis: Kenyatta struggles to convince Abiy to accept regional support

Ethiopia
Low-cost Chinese drones on display in Addis-Tigray propaganda war

Ethiopia
Redwan Hussein, the voice of Addis during Tigray conflict

Document | Ethiopia
Besieged by Ethiopian army, Tigray leader asks AU to arbitrate

Eritrea, Ethiopia
Why Tigray is challenging Abiy

Egypt, Sudan
Al-Sisi spymasters plays guardian angel to transition in Khartoum

Ethiopia
Abiy lobbies for South Africa to retain lead on GERD negotiations

Spotlight | Ethiopia
Challenged in Tigray and Oromia, Abiy Ahmed calls ranks to order

Spotlight | Ethiopia
Behind the scenes of ‘Operation METEC'

Set up email notifications for these topics

About Africa Intelligence

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Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

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Indigo Publications' websites

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Eritrea, Ethiopia The triggers of Tigray's crisis

The Renaissance Dam – a national symbol but a regional quandary

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The Renaissance Dam – a national symbol but a regional quandary

Set up email notifications for these topics

Ethiopia Eritrea leaves Ethiopia's ambassador in limbo

Ethiopia, Ghana Former Tigrayan masterspy lands in Accra

Spotlight | Ethiopia Abiy and Sisi spar over GERD in Washington through opposing lobbyists

In Focus | Ethiopia Abiy purged his military high command to prepare for his war against the TPLF

Spotlight | Eritrea, UAE Emirates quits its Assab military base

Ethiopia, Somalia Abiy frustrated at Farmajo's lack of support

Djibouti Omar Guelleh angers Khartoum as he courts favour with Abiy

Ethiopia Abiy surrounds himself with Tigray figures as crisis rages on

Ethiopia IGAD summit: Abiy issues flat refusal to African Union

Ethiopia Abiy locks down Tigray and keeps Europe and the US in the dark

Ethiopia, Kenya Tigray crisis: Kenyatta struggles to convince Abiy to accept regional support

Ethiopia Low-cost Chinese drones on display in Addis-Tigray propaganda war

Ethiopia Redwan Hussein, the voice of Addis during Tigray conflict

Document | Ethiopia Besieged by Ethiopian army, Tigray leader asks AU to arbitrate

Eritrea, Ethiopia Why Tigray is challenging Abiy

Egypt, Sudan Al-Sisi spymasters plays guardian angel to transition in Khartoum

Ethiopia Abiy lobbies for South Africa to retain lead on GERD negotiations

Spotlight | Ethiopia Challenged in Tigray and Oromia, Abiy Ahmed calls ranks to order

Spotlight | Ethiopia Behind the scenes of ‘Operation METEC'

Set up email notifications for these topics

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Guinea
Behind the scenes of Mamadi Doumbouya's offensive on Russian miner Nordgold

DRC
Dan Gertler's billions of dollars in royalties at heart of huge legal battle

Eritrea, Ethiopia
The triggers of Tigray's crisis

Ethiopia
Eritrea leaves Ethiopia's ambassador in limbo

Ethiopia, Ghana
Former Tigrayan masterspy lands in Accra

Spotlight | Ethiopia
Abiy and Sisi spar over GERD in Washington through opposing lobbyists

In Focus | Ethiopia
Abiy purged his military high command to prepare for his war against the TPLF

Spotlight | Eritrea, UAE
Emirates quits its Assab military base

Ethiopia, Somalia
Abiy frustrated at Farmajo's lack of support

Djibouti
Omar Guelleh angers Khartoum as he courts favour with Abiy

Ethiopia
Abiy surrounds himself with Tigray figures as crisis rages on

Ethiopia
IGAD summit: Abiy issues flat refusal to African Union

Ethiopia
Abiy locks down Tigray and keeps Europe and the US in the dark

Ethiopia, Kenya
Tigray crisis: Kenyatta struggles to convince Abiy to accept regional support

Ethiopia
Low-cost Chinese drones on display in Addis-Tigray propaganda war

Ethiopia
Redwan Hussein, the voice of Addis during Tigray conflict

Document | Ethiopia
Besieged by Ethiopian army, Tigray leader asks AU to arbitrate

Eritrea, Ethiopia
Why Tigray is challenging Abiy

Egypt, Sudan
Al-Sisi spymasters plays guardian angel to transition in Khartoum

Ethiopia
Abiy lobbies for South Africa to retain lead on GERD negotiations

Spotlight | Ethiopia
Challenged in Tigray and Oromia, Abiy Ahmed calls ranks to order

Spotlight | Ethiopia
Behind the scenes of ‘Operation METEC'