Stories from Addis Ababa · Ethiopia

Regional authorities in Tigray accuse the federal government in Addis Ababa of disrupting essential public services. Different groups within the country are experiencing escalating friction. A former Tigray war combatant, Selam, reported issues regarding military leadership's treatment of women during the conflict. These internal and regional pressures are complicating the political landscape ahead of the vote. She stated that talented and educated women were treated as lesser by integrated armed forces leaders. Peace deal implementation is seen as a potential way to resolve tensions between regional leadership and the Addis Ababa administration, though fears of conflict remain. Reports from February and March indicated troop mobilization in northern Ethiopia.

Human rights organizations and journalists report systematic assaults against women in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. Fighting groups are reportedly destroying public resources during their push toward Addis Ababa. One victim, a former information technology student and football player, joined the fight due to these attacks and resource destruction. The specific scale of casualties or total number of victims was not stated.

The African Union has initiated formal dialogue with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This move aims to address regional stability and political transitions within the bloc. The engagement follows recent shifts in West African governance and security dynamics. The African Union, alongside the African Peer Review Mechanism, began a retreat in Addis Ababa focused on governance as a pillar for conflict prevention. Analysts noted ongoing conflicts in Mali during discussions regarding sustainable peace and security in Africa. This session follows previous dialogues and is part of a broader effort to consolidate peace efforts across the continent. The African Union and the Stresa-Cancell mechanism began a peer review meeting in Ethiopia today.