The defendants, which include well-known public figures and social media influencers, stand accused of causing substantial financial harm by allegedly disseminating false information and exploiting public trust through social media platforms and digital communication tools.

Prosecutors claim the suspects used online platforms and computer-based systems to mislead victims into a fraudulent vehicle import scheme, resulting in significant financial losses.

During the proceedings, prosecutors stated they did not object to bail for most of the defendants, with the exception of the fifth defendant, Mensur Jemal. However, citing the magnitude of the alleged fraud, prosecutors requested the court to impose strict bail conditions, including high financial guarantees and a ban on international travel. Prosecutors also argued that several of the suspects frequently travel abroad for work and could pose a flight risk.

Although the court had previously recognized the defendants’ right to bail during a hearing held on April 6, 2026 it deferred its decision regarding the specific bail amounts, travel restrictions, and the prosecution’s written objection to bail for Mensur Jemal until May 11, 2026.

Following a closed-door hearing held today, the court has set a 400,000 Birr bail for four of the defendants including Serawit Fikre, Yigerem Dejene, Solomon Bogale, and Daniel Tegen. The sixth and seventh defendants, Khalid Nasir and Abraham Gizaw, were each granted bail in the amount of 500,000 Birr.

Defense attorney Abebaw Abebe told The Reporter that the fifth defendant, Mensur Jemal, is facing four separate charges brought by prosecutors.

The lawyer further noted that, despite being released on bail, all defendants remain prohibited from leaving the country.

The court proceedings were conducted behind closed doors, without the presence of family members and media representatives.

Meanwhile, Yosiyad Abeje, head prosecutor for organized and cross-border crime, told The Reporter that the court had reviewed the prosecution’s written objection to granting bail for Mensur Jemal and is expected to issue a separate ruling later this afternoon.

The statement from Tadesse Werede (Lt. Gen.) was issued after the TPLF-controlled regional council conducted an executive session in the regional cabinet meeting hall in Mekelle under armed protection.

According to information and images released by regional media streams on Friday, TPLF commenced a meeting inside the Interim Administration’s cabinet meeting hall after declaring itself “elected” earlier this week.

The move follows the TPLF’s rejection of the federal government’s decision to extend the TIA’s mandate for one year to ensure regional stability.

The TPLF leadership opposed this renewal, instead reinstating its pre-war regional council and nominating Debretsion as the regional president, maintaining that the pre-war council holds legitimacy based on previous regional elections, which were held nearly six years ago.

In a social media post on May 8, 2026, President Tadesse Worede described the TPLF’s entry into the cabinet hall as a “destructive movement and the start of a dangerous chapter for the region.”

“I want to express that the body itself, which is attempting to seize the administration’s power by force, is responsible for all-encompassing destruction and danger that befalls our people following this illegal act,” stated Tadesse.

The President noted that the group [Debretsion led TPLF] ignored prior calls to desist and instead utilized armed protection to occupy government infrastructure.

“The body [TPLF] that recently declared itself elected released information and images today showing it has started a cabinet meeting inside the Tigray Interim Administration cabinet meeting hall,” Tadesse’s post read.

The current situation creates a dual-administration claim in Mekelle.

While the federal government previously justified the TIA extension as a measure to facilitate the transition toward permanent elections, observers warn the move to reinstate the former council risks undoing the fragile peace that ended the two year’s war in the region.

In contrast to the Interim Administration’s stance, Sebhat Gebreegziabher, a former member of Tigray’s pre-war regional council currently working with an aid organization near the Ethiopia-Eritrea border, challenged the legality of the federal mandate extension.

He argued that because the TIA resulted from an agreement between two negotiating parties—the TPLF and the federal government—any extension required a bilateral decision at the negotiating table rather than a unilateral decree from Addis Ababa.

He framed the current standoff as a result of the federal government attempting to force subservience rather than addressing the legal and democratic questions raised by the regional council.

Music composer Kamuzu Kassa and a group of over 30 artists are at loggerheads over unpaid performance fees related to an Ethiopian cultural performance tour in BRICS countries. The artists who were part of the Kin Ethiopia tour have accused Kamuzu and his production company, Shakura, of failing to pay them for their work.

The tour featured around a dozen cultural performances overseas, including in China, Russia, and other BRICS countries, as well as several domestic dates. It was organized and led by the Ministry of Culture and Sport and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside Kamuzu and his production company.

The tour got underway last year as part of a ‘United Culture Forum’ in which performers from 60 countries have participated,  according to statements from the Ministry of Culture. The Ministry, which has reportedly budgeted hundreds of millions of Birr for the tours, has previously stated that Ethiopia is “lucky” to be part of such a global platform.

As part of the preparations, more than 30 artists and performers entered into contracts with Kamuzu Kassa and Shakura Production, which was hired by the Ministry to organize the performances.

According to its website, Shakura works on audio recording and mixing, music composition and arrangement, and sound design for film and media. It was established in 2006 and is led by Kamuzu Kassa.

The artists have since accused Shakura of refusing to compensate them for their work in full after receiving payment from the Ministry and despite the successful execution of 11 performances. Under an agreement with the event organizer, Shakura Production, the artists were to be paid 217,500 Birr per individual for every four stages performed.

The artists report they notified the Ministry, which confirmed that Shakura and Kamuzu had received the budget. A letter from the Ministry addressed to the production company three months ago acknowledges Shakura’s failure to effect payment.

“The Ministry did not enter into an agreement directly with the cultural and artistic team, but the Ministry entered into an agreement with Shakura Production. Therefore, we urge Shakura Production to answer the demands of the performers,” reads the letter.

Nonetheless, a group of 37 performers say they were forced to take the case to court after their appeals failed to yield results.

The total claim brought forward has been solidified at nearly 31 million Birr. This comprehensive figure includes the accumulated professional fees for the international and domestic tours, damages, and four months of unpaid daily rehearsal allowances. The artists contend that these daily payments were essential for their survival during the intensive preparation phases, yet they remain entirely outstanding.

“We have waited for a year and two months without payment. During all this time, we performed to live up to our oath to the honor of our nation. We received this duty from the Speaker of Parliament and we kept our word. But we can no longer wait for payment. All artists in this group have dedicated themselves to this project and abandoned other jobs in the process, sacrificing other opportunities for the success of this project,” reads the lawsuit filed by the artists.

They claim Kamuzu has repeatedly put off their requests for payment using “flimsy excuses.”

Judges at the Federal High Court have since ordered a 20-day injunction on bank accounts belonging to Shakura and Kamuzu.

A number of commercial banks, including CBE, Abyssinia, Cooperative Bank of Oromia, and Awash, have been notified of the injunction. The court has also ordered a freeze on assets belonging to Kamuzu Kassa.

“We were the faces of Ethiopia rising on the global stage, yet we returned home to empty accounts,” one of the artists told The Reporter. “For months, we were told to be patient. Shakura claimed they hadn’t received the full budget from the Ministry of Culture and Sport.”

​The artists report that while some members received a minor partial payment of 50,000 Birr, the bulk of the 30.8 million Birr remains unpaid.

​Shakura Production Responds

In an exclusive interview, Shakura Production head Kamuzu Kassa denied allegations of a total breach of contract.

“We are paying according to the agreement,” Kamuzu stated. While acknowledging a portion of payment is still remaining, he maintained that the company has already disbursed significant funds.

​Kamuzu emphasized that the project was a collaborative effort with the Ministry, stating, “We provided these artists with work and we will fulfill the payment according to the terms of the agreement.” He declined, however, to specify the exact figures already paid out to the 37 individuals.

The case highlights a growing tension between private producers and the government entities that commission them. While the Ministry of Culture and Sport has previously intervened via written correspondence, they remained unavailable for comment at the time of publication, failing to respond to inquiries regarding the status of the Kin Ethiopia budget.

​As the 20-day freezing order expires and the formal lawsuit moves forward, the 37 artists of Kin-Ethiopia cultural group remain steadfast. For them, the battle is no longer about the applause of an international audience, but the fundamental right to the 30.8 million Birr in wages and allowances earned while representing their country.

The Rights Commission presented its assessment of the proceedings ahead of the June 1 vote to election and security officials on Thursday. The Commission deployed 55 teams to 1,007 polling stations in highly contested constituencies and those that have seen the most complaints from political parties, voters, and candidates.

The assessment, which did not cover Tigray, uncovered a number of glaring issues that sparked debate and contention from the meeting’s participants, which included NEBE officials, regional security heads, police chiefs, and representatives of the Political Parties Joint Council.

Among the concerning findings was the establishments in police stations, inside military camps, and alongside liquor stores.

“Some polling stations are in areas prohibited by law. In some areas, more than one polling station is duplicated. Some polling stations are located where they cannot be seen clearly,” said Mekdes Amenu, civil and political rights director at EHRC, who presented the findings.

Election officials argued that some polling stations are sited in police barracks, not police stations. They also stated stations located in and around military camps are legal, and are intended for the use of voters in the ENDF.

As for the liquor store accusations, officials said they were taking measures.

The Commission also found that the location of some polling stations does not match with GPS data provided by the Board, citing such cases in Ambo, West Shewa. Election officials said GPS coordinates are only available for around half of the 49,000 polling stations set to host voters in a few weeks.

The major bone of contention during the meeting, however, was alleged interference from security  and government officials, and members of the ruling party, in election preparations.

“Security forces and members must refrain from involvement in the election process. Government officials must refrain from interfering in the election process,” the Commission recommended based on its findings, though it declined to specify instances of interference.

“We recommended security officials and government officials should refrain from interfering in the election process. But this does not mean they are interfering now. For instance, when the ruling party rallies, some police members might join. That is human nature and individual incidents. We do not include such individual incidents in this report. For instance, in some cases, security officers also might proceed to detain some individuals. At such points, we interfere, explain the issue and tell them to release them. Such issues happen due to lack of awareness,” said Berhanu Adello, EHRC chief. “In general, we are not hiding any findings. There is nothing we hide from the public in fear of anyone. We are not secretive. We will give all evidence of this finding to NEBE, but not to political parties.”

The Commission did, however, note gaps in the equal treatment of political parties, citing opposition party complaints about a lack of resources and access to constituents.

“For instance, EPRP [Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party] was denied rallies and campaigns in Addis Ababa. EPRP also planned to conduct rallies in 10 other cities and towns, but was denied,” read documents from the presentation.

The Commission notes that the Ethiopian Social Democratic Party’s plans for rallies in Dawro Zone met a similar fate, and so did campaign efforts from the Benishangul People’s Freedom Movement, the Freedom and Equality Party, and ONLF.

Opposition parties also say they are being denied their right to use public spaces.

On the other hand, the report found that the citizens were pushed to join rallies organized by the ruling Prosperity Party in places like Mizan Tepi. 

Election officials say they have facilitated the opposition’s access to public spaces, and attempted to pin the complaints on regional administrations.

The report also noted shortcomings in the participation of civil society organizations (CSOs), 169 of which have been accredited by NEBE to carry out programs on awareness, literacy, and access to information.

“CSOs reported they are unable to conduct election education and civic literacy activities owing to a lack of funding,” said Berhanu, noting the troubles are linked to foreign funding cuts.

The Commission noted that media involvement in the lead up to elections has been limited.

Response from Security Agencies

The heads of several regional peace and security bureaus, police commanders and commissioners, and other senior security officials were present during the discussions on EHRC’s findings.

Kasaye Gemechu of the Oromia peace and security bureau, said there have been “no major problems.”

“We are working hard and making every effort to make sure the election will take place without security problems. We are protecting and facilitating election kits and materials to arrive safely. Citizens have registered freely without fear. We conducted election preparations successfully. On election day, we are working to ensure the vote takes place without security problems,” said Kasaye. “We are also working to make sure all security forces equally serve all parties. We are making sure security forces in Oromia are neutral. So far, there is no major problem.”

Kasaye stated that over 25 million voters registered in Oromia. This figure is half of the over 50 million total voters registered, as per the report.

Zerihun Duguma, from the Oromia Police Commission, had another take.

“Oromia is vast. There are insurgents who are working to make obstacles so that the election does not take place successfully. A command post is working hard to counter these peace forces. There are also social media actors trying to obstruct the election; we are handling them cautiously,” said Zerihun.

EHRC monitoring covered almost all of Oromia, except some parts of Wollega.

Other security officials, including from Addis Ababa, also stated the pre-election process is proceeding peacefully.

“The entire government and the Prosperity Party is working to ensure a peaceful and democratic election,” said Meles Alemu, an executive member of the incumbent and member of the Political Parties Council. “We are ready to act on all the gaps mentioned in the EHRC monitoring findings. All stakeholders must discharge their roles to make the election successful.”

If ratified by Parliament, the proclamation would bar an insurer holding a standard insurance business license from engaging in business as a reinsurance provider. Similarly, an insurer would require a separate license to offer Takaful insurance services.

Under the terms of the draft, these licenses would be granted by the Ethiopian Insurance Regulatory Authority, which is slated to take over as industry regulator from the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE).

The NBE has regulated the nascent insurance industry for three decades, alongside banks, microfinance institutions, reinsurance, and lease financing. Insurers have long argued the NBE’s focus on banking growth has stifled their own.

The authority proposed in the amendment will be led by a seven-member board, which will include representatives from the NBE and Ethiopian Capital Market Authority, and will be responsible for issuing licenses and enforcing compliance.

The draft also proposes to open the insurance industry to foreign investment, following up on liberalization under the Banking Business Proclamation of early 2025. If approved, foreign insurers will be able to establish a partially or fully owned subsidiary in Ethiopia, as well as acquire shares in existing Ethiopian insurers.

The draft limits “strategic” foreign investors to 40 percent of an insurer’s subscribed shares, while “non-strategic” foreign nationals can own up to 10 percent of shares.

Foreign nationals and foreign-owned Ethiopian organizations fully owned by foreign nationals shall invest in an insurer only through foreign direct investment in foreign currency.

The Authority may, on the application of a foreign reinsurer, grant a license for the establishment by the foreign reinsurer of a representative office in Ethiopia, according to the draft.

It also features several provisions related to mergers and acquisitions in the insurance industry, including one granting the Authority the power to step in and enforce a statutory merger to “rescue problem insurers and/or to create a more viable and stronger insurer.”

Abdulmenan Mohamed (PhD), a seasoned financial analyst and keen observer of the Ethiopian financial sector, observes the draft has several shortcomings.

“The separation of the insurance licensing categories could attract more investors to the industry. But since the Ethiopian insurance industry is nascent and small, it is not clear on what logical basis the establishment of a new regulatory authority is necessitated. The new bill is vast and incorporates a lot of provisions from around the world. Establishing such a huge regulatory institution might be too much for such a small industry,” said Abdulmenan.

He questions the financial implications involved in setting up the new regulator.

“Where will the funding come from to finance the authority’s huge responsibilities? It needs new offices, new officers, vehicles, and operational capital. Licensing fees and other revenue streams will be insufficient to cover the expenditures,” said the analyst.

He urges regulators at the NBE to focus on developing more efficient regulatory mechanisms rather than attempting to set up an outsized regulatory institution.

“The bill has too many provisions. Existing insurers will need to acquire new licenses under new categories. This will be difficult for them,” said Abdulmenan.

On the other hand, Ethiopian insurers have long been calling for an autonomous regulator. Many in the industry believe that an independent regulator would allow it to receive the attention and support it needs for growth, help attract international investment, and advocate more actively on its behalf.

“An independent regulatory agency that will focus on insurance is vital. So far, our operations, activities, and concerns are relegated to second place because the NBE appears to prioritize the banking sector,” Hibret Insurance CEO Meseret Bezabih told The Reporter last year.

The federal government has disclosed that Eurobond payments initially expected during the current fiscal year have been deferred for five years under ongoing debt restructuring arrangements, while liabilities linked to the state-owned Ethiopian Railway Corporation could be transferred to the Ministry of Finance after the corporation failed to generate sufficient revenue to service its obligations.

Officials stated that payments to China may also begin within the remaining two months of the fiscal year once pending legal agreements are finalized under the country’s debt restructuring process.

The disclosure was made by Finance Minister Ahmed Shide during a review session held by the parliamentary Plan, Budget and Finance Affairs Standing Committee, according to information obtained by The Reporter.

The session reviewed the Ministry’s nine-month implementation performance for the 2025/26 Ethiopian fiscal year.

The Ministry’s report presented a broad picture of Ethiopia’s fiscal, debt, revenue, and macroeconomic performance, while also outlining ongoing negotiations with external creditors and development partners under the country’s macroeconomic reform program.

According to the report, Ethiopia’s total outstanding external debt stock remains at USD 33.5 billion. The debt figure combines obligations held directly by the federal government (USD 22.1 billion) through the Ministry of Finance together with liabilities linked to state-owned development enterprises (USD 11.4 billion).

Meanwhile domestic debt has soared to close to 2.9 trillion Birr, up from 2.1 trillion Birr two years ago.

Ministry officials told MPs that debt carried by state enterprises has declined significantly following macroeconomic reforms that shifted major liabilities previously borrowed from the National Bank of Ethiopia onto the federal budget framework administered by the Ministry of Finance.

Officials further disclosed that some liabilities currently held by the Ethiopian Railway Corporation may soon be transferred to the Ministry because the corporation lacks adequate operational revenue to continue servicing the loans.

The report linked the latest developments to Ethiopia’s ongoing restructuring negotiations under the G20 Common Framework.

According to the Ministry, Ethiopia has already reached agreements with 15 creditor countries under the framework. Bilateral legal agreements with Italy and France have reportedly been signed, while negotiations with China are nearing completion.

Officials stated that once the debt restructuring process is finalized, Ethiopia is expected to move from what they described as a “high risk” debt classification to a “moderate risk” level.

The Ministry also stated that Eurobond obligations originally anticipated during the current fiscal year have now been pushed back by five years, reducing immediate external repayment pressure on government finances.

The report added that payments to China could begin within the remaining months of the fiscal year once final legal arrangements are completed.

Ministry officials disclosed that while the federal budget allocated just over 64 billion Birr to debt service this year, over 77 billion Birr has been directed to debt repayment over the first three quarters. This includes nearly 27 billion Birr in interest payments.

At the same time, officials acknowledged that domestic debt levels continue to rise, owing largely to a sharp increase in government borrowing through treasury bills and bond sales during the reporting period.

The federal budget anticipated a fiscal deficit of 277.5 billion Birr for the 2025/6 fiscal year, and the government had initially banked on raising 208 billion Birr through treasury bill borrowing. However, actual domestic borrowing through treasury bills and bond sales reached 234.4 billion Birr during the reporting period.

The Ministry attributed the higher borrowing level partly to delays in expected external budget support that had initially been scheduled to arrive in January.

The delayed support has since entered government accounts, officials said, with more than 100 billion Birr reportedly disbursed recently.

They indicated that treasury bill issuance is expected to decline significantly during the coming quarters as external financing and budget support linked to institutions including the World Bank enters the treasury system.

The Ministry also reiterated that no direct advances had been taken from the National Bank of Ethiopia during the nine-month period to finance the budget deficit. Instead, authorities said the fiscal deficit had been financed through treasury bills, bond sales, and support from development partners.

The report further disclosed that Ethiopia had secured a little over one billion dollars  in external budget support from the World Bank and other development partners during the reporting period.

Additional support is expected during the remaining months of the fiscal year following discussions held in the United States with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, according to the Ministry.

Authorities also claimed donor confidence in Ethiopia’s macroeconomic reform agenda had improved significantly.

The report cited multiple Development Policy Operations and direct budget support arrangements, including an initial 1.5 billion-dollar package, a second two-billion-dollar package, and another support package under negotiation involving the World Bank and Italy totaling around 1.6 billion dollars.

The European Union was also said to have unlocked nearly 100 million euros in budget support, while Germany and France were preparing additional financing arrangements.

Officials described the relationship with development partners as “very strong,” noting a shift from project-based assistance toward direct budget support mechanisms.

The Ministry additionally addressed the suspension of USAID operations, stating that the closure affected health, education, food assistance, and capacity-building programs previously supported by the agency.

Despite the suspension, authorities stated that negotiations with the United States government resulted in a new commitment framework exceeding one billion dollars annually in future support flows.

On the revenue side, the report showed substantial growth in federal tax collection.

Federal tax revenue collected during the first nine months reportedly increased from 548.4 billion Birr in the previous fiscal year to 987 billion Birr during the same period this year. Officials hope the jump will ensure a rise in Ethiopia’s tax-to-GDP ratio from 7.8 percent to above 9.2 percent.

The Ministry described federal revenue performance as operating at a “very strong level” and attributed the improvement to tax policy reforms, administrative modernization, customs reform measures, and expanding digitalization systems.

The report disclosed that total federal expenditures over the nine-month period had topped 1.34 trillion Birr, while actual spending reached 1.2 trillion Birr. Officials stated that expenditure implementation remained largely aligned with the approved fiscal framework. Parliament has approved a 1.97 trillion Birr federal budget this year.

Of the total spent so far, 615 billion Birr was allocated to recurrent spending, while 261 billion Birr went toward capital expenditure. An additional 326.6 billion Birr was transferred to regional states.

The report indicated that actual transfers to regional governments exceeded planned levels due to supplementary wage-related support arrangements.

The Ministry also outlined extensive subsidy and support expenditures implemented during the reporting period. Authorities stated that 43 billion Birr had been allocated as tax subsidies for essential food commodities, while 82 billion Birr was allocated for fertilizer subsidies.

Combined expenditure on fuel subsidies, food security programs, and broader social support measures reached 275 billion Birr during the reporting period.

The report also contained government claims that inflation had declined to 9.4 percent in March, which officials attributed to coordinated fiscal and monetary policy measures implemented under the macroeconomic reform program.

At the same time, the report projected that Ethiopia’s economic growth would reach 10.2 percent during the current fiscal year.

“This is not only among the fastest growth rates in Africa, but also in the world,” the presentation stated.

The Ministry additionally reported progress in electronic public finance reforms.

Officials stated that electronic payments totaling 468.1 billion Birr had been processed during the reporting period, while the Integrated Financial Management Information System, known as EFMIS, had expanded to 147 federal institutions.

According to the report, 97 percent of the federal government budget approved for the fiscal year is currently administered through the EFMIS system.

Authorities also disclosed that 553 cyber threats targeting EFMIS, electronic procurement systems, and official government email infrastructure had been blocked during the reporting period.

The new framework also expands restrictions on serious crimes, strengthens reconciliation requirements, and introduces stricter procedural standards for pardon applications.

The Directive for the Submission and Granting of Pardon Requests for Convicts replaces a three year old directive which previously governed federal pardon procedures. According to the directive, the reforms are intended to establish a “clear, fair, efficient, and consistent” pardon system while addressing implementation gaps identified in the earlier framework.

One of the directive’s most significant additions is Article 13, which permits the Federal Pardon Board to recommend pardons on a conditional basis. Prisoners who qualify for higher education may receive pardons to pursue their studies, while individuals with special professional skills may be released to continue serving in their professions. The Board may also impose additional conditions it considers necessary to protect public and state interests.

Responding to a question from The Reporter on whether the provision disadvantages prisoners without educational or professional qualifications, Ephrem Abinet, a legal consultant and lawyer, said the primary objective of imprisonment is rehabilitation and reintegration.

“The main goal of putting criminals in correctional facilities is to make them feel remorse about their wrongdoing and reintegrate into society after their release,” Ephrem said, adding that the provision mainly targets young prisoners with university entrance qualifications or ongoing studies who could later contribute professionally to society.

The directive states that conditional pardons must specify obligations beneficiaries are required to fulfill within a set timeframe, while foreign nationals without legal residence permits may receive pardons on the condition that they leave Ethiopia or are deported.

In another major departure from the previous directive, the Board may now recommend revoking pardons if beneficiaries violate imposed conditions without convincing reasons or commit another intentional crime within five years of release.

Ephrem said the new directive also addresses transparency gaps in the previous framework, particularly regarding evidence submission for pardon requests.

“In the previous directive, the correctional facility would simply state whether it opposed or did not oppose the inmate’s pardon,” he said. “The current directive improves this by specifying that the facility provides evidence strictly from an ethical and behavioral standpoint.”

The directive also clearly specifies who may submit pardon requests, including close relatives such as adult and adopted children, and requires proof that court-imposed fines have been paid before applications proceed.

The revised framework further broadens the list of crimes requiring stricter eligibility thresholds. Convicts sentenced for specified serious offenses must serve at least half of their prison term and demonstrate good conduct before becoming eligible to request a pardon.

The directive adds money laundering, crimes against constitutional order, armed rebellion, inciting civil war, aggravated murder, kidnapping, hostage-taking, aggravated robbery or banditry, crimes against historical heritage, and grave treason to the previous list.

“Given the gravity of these crimes, requiring the completion of half the sentence as a prerequisite for a pardon is appropriate,” Ephrem said.

The directive also formally introduces a “recidivist” standard, defining repeat offenders as individuals who intentionally commit another offense within five years after serving a sentence or receiving a pardon for a prior crime punishable by at least six months imprisonment. Absence of recidivism is now explicitly listed as a condition for pardon eligibility.

The new framework additionally places greater emphasis on reconciliation between offenders and victims. Prisoners convicted of homicide, attempted homicide, bodily harm, aggravated robbery causing serious injury or death, and intentional arson causing serious injury or death must now provide written evidence showing reconciliation with victims or victims’ families, or demonstrate genuine but unsuccessful efforts to reconcile.

The directive also formally recognizes traditional reconciliation systems practiced within ethnic and community structures. Under the rules, reconciliation conducted through tribal or community-based systems is acceptable if it includes the consent of victims or victims’ relatives.

Ephrem welcomed the recognition of traditional reconciliation mechanisms but argued the directive should have provided broader standards for proving unsuccessful reconciliation attempts.

“An inmate might find the victim and attempt to compensate them, but the victim may simply refuse. That refusal itself should count as a documented effort,” he said, adding that reconciliation attempts in Ethiopia are often carried out through elders, or shimagle, whose testimony could serve as evidence.

In politically sensitive cases involving crimes against constitutional order, armed rebellion, or inciting civil war, the directive requires written confirmation from the president or head of government of the region where the crime occurred stating that the prisoner’s release is necessary for regional peace and that reconciliation through elders has taken place.

Speaking on Friday at an event celebrating World Press Freedom Day at Elilly Hotel, Getu Asseffa, representing UNESCO Addis Ababa Liaison Office Director Dr. Rita Bissoonauth, said journalism remains “more essential than ever” amid increasing attacks on journalists, disinformation, and economic pressures facing media institutions.

The event was organized in collaboration with the Ethiopian Media Council and the Consortium of Ethiopian Human Rights Organizations.

Addressing participants, Getu said this year’s theme highlights the link between press freedom, democracy, and peacebuilding. UNESCO’s latest World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development report noted that 93 journalists were killed this year.

“Behind every statistic is a silenced voice and a story left untold,” he said, adding that societies lose access to truthful and independent information when journalists fear reprisals.

The speech also highlighted the role of responsible journalism during elections, particularly in countering misinformation and reducing tensions.

He said, “Here in Africa, and particularly in Ethiopia, we stand at an important moment. Ethiopia’s democratic trajectory, vibrant public discourse, and upcoming electoral processes underscore the essential role of a free, independent, and responsible media.”

Getu said technological changes driven by artificial intelligence and digital platforms are reshaping journalism, creating both opportunities and risks for media institutions. While AI can support investigative reporting, he warned it can also accelerate the spread of disinformation and distort public debate.

UNESCO also outlined recent initiatives in Ethiopia aimed at strengthening media freedom and journalist safety. The organization said it partnered with the Ethiopian Police University to provide specialized training for police officers and journalists ahead of the elections on issues related to freedom of expression, access to information, and journalist safety.

The organization further announced support for the establishment of the Lawyers for Media Association, an initiative intended to strengthen legal expertise on media law and protections for journalists.

The 16-page strategy identifies Somalia as one of the areas where ISIS remnants and Al-Shabaab continue operations after the collapse of the ISIS caliphate in Iraq and Syria. The document states that surviving extremist networks relocated to parts of Africa and Central Asia following what it describes as failures in counterterrorism policy under former President Joe Biden.

The strategy states that the US has two goals in Africa: preventing jihadist groups from establishing operational bases capable of targeting American interests and responding to attacks against Christian communities by extremist organizations.

Under the framework, the administration plans to maintain what it describes as a “light military footprint” in Africa while requiring regional partners to take greater responsibility for frontline counterterrorism operations.

The US government intends to provide intelligence support, counterterrorism training, surveillance capabilities, and targeted operations against militant networks. The document also states that Washington is rebuilding bilateral counterterrorism relations with African governments and expanding intelligence-sharing arrangements with countries facing threats from ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliates.

“In Africa, we will maintain a light military footprint and expect regional and nearby partners to accept a greater portion of the CT burden, share effective intelligence, and degrade common threats as they arise,” reads the document.

It identifies Somalia, Sudan, Mozambique, the Sahel region, and the Lake Chad Basin as areas facing extremist threats. It also links security cooperation with expanded trade and commercial relations between the United States and African countries.

Washington’s 2026 Counterterrorism Strategy signals a structural shift in the Horn of Africa, mandating regional partners like the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM) mission in Somalia to assume lead responsibility for frontline combat operations

The ENDF currently operates in Somalia under the AUSSOM and through bilateral security agreements with the Somali federal government.

The conference, co-hosted by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Ethiopian government, is expected to bring together policymakers, scientists, health professionals, development partners, innovators, and private-sector representatives from around the world.

Speaking at the launch event this week in Addis Ababa, Hadera Abera, a state minister for Foreign Affairs, said the success of CPHIA 2026 would depend on “the engagement and shared commitment of all involved partners.”

Officially opening the launch, the State Minister said African Union member states, international organizations, registered institutions, development partners, the private sector, academia, civil society organizations, youth groups, and innovators are all expected to participate actively in the conference.

“We hope the conference will deliver practical outcomes and foster partnerships that will accelerate the move toward a healthier and more prosperous Africa,” he said.

During the briefing, organizers also outlined the ongoing work of the Scientific Program Committee (SPC), which is leading preparations for the conference agenda.

According to organizers, the scientific program will be coordinated by Professor Placid Mbala, who heads the international coordination team, and Professor Yemane Birhane, who leads the local coordination team. Together, they will oversee a network of more than 100 experts tasked with shaping the conference agenda and facilitating dialogue among politicians, policymakers, researchers, and program implementers.

The SPC is responsible for coordinating conference sub-teams, reviewing abstracts, ensuring scientific and evidence-based content across conference platforms, and strengthening collaboration among stakeholders and international health partners.

Organizers said weekly planning meetings are already underway to refine the conference themes and discussion tracks, with sessions expected to continue throughout the preparation period and after the conference itself.

This year’s conference will be held under the theme: Africa’s Health Security and Sovereignty: Transformation from Health Dependency and Vulnerability to Ownership and Resilience.

Launched in 2021, CPHIA has become Africa’s largest public health gathering, serving as a platform for discussions on health systems, scientific innovation, disease preparedness, and continental health policy.

Organizers also highlighted efforts to mobilize private-sector support in addition to existing sponsorship packages and partnership initiatives. The secretariat said it is developing communication, advocacy, and branding strategies and has contracted agency partners from the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates to support conference organization and private-sector engagement.

The secretariat added that Ethiopia has the infrastructure needed to host the event, including streamlined visa procedures and adequate airline connectivity for the expected international delegates.

Speaking at the briefing, Professor Yemane Birhane said the conference presents “an opportunity to renew Africa’s commitment to self-reliance.”

He added that the continent’s investments in training, research infrastructure, and institutions over the past decades have grown significantly. He said the conference will create opportunities to strengthen partnerships, showcase innovations, and promote the exchange of knowledge and skills across Africa.