Between East and West: Ethiopia’s Strategic Hedging in a Multipolar World – IFA
Ethiopia’s foreign policy is undergoing a deliberate recalibration shaped by the acceleration of global multipolarity and intensifying competition between Eastern and Western power blocs. This article argues that Ethiopia’s contemporary diplomacy is best understood as strategic hedging between East and West, rather than bloc alignment or ideological realignment. ReferencesYalemsew Genetu, “Ethiopia’s Foreign Policy Aspiration under PM Abiy Ahmed: A Brief Overview,” Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA), November 2024, https://www.ifa.gov.et/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ethiopias_foreign_policy_aspiration_under_PM_Abiy_Ahmed_A_Brief.pdf. “Ethiopian Delegation Visits China to Advance Debt Restructuring, Strengthen Economic Cooperation,” Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), September 22, 2025, https://www.ena.et/web/eng/w/eng_7378365. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, “Foreign Minister Gedion holds talks with US Deputy Secretary of State,” Facebook, January 28, 2026, https://www.facebook.com/MFAEthiopia/posts/1199895515628943.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 30, 2026 06:27 UTC
Clashes between government troops and Tigrayan forces erupt in Ethiopia
Clashes between Ethiopian federal government troops and Tigrayan forces have erupted in the country’s northern Tigray, a region still devastated and impoverished from a full-blown war and more recent huge cuts in international aid. The fighting has triggered the suspension of flights, security and diplomatic sources told the AFP news agency on Thursday. Hostilities broke out in recent days in Tsemlet, western Tigray, an area claimed by forces from the neighbouring Amhara region, the sources told AFP. But the USAID cuts mean there is less humanitarian funding available overall, and what remains is often directed towards hotspots and global conflict zones that are considered worse emergencies. In Tigray, “donor funding cuts have placed additional strain on an already fragile public health system,” Joshua Eckley, head of mission at Doctors without Borders for Ethiopia, told Al Jazeera on January 22, before the eruption of clashes.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 29, 2026 10:03 UTC
Aligning Wheat Breeding With Market Needs In Ethiopia
This was an essential step to ensure that breeding efforts are aligned with farmer needs, market demand, and national food self-sufficiency goals. Defining wheat market needs in EthiopiaBreeding for Tomorrow promotes a market-driven approach to crop improvement. During the PDT meeting, participants reviewed market insights in Ethiopia and identified six wheat market segments spanning both bread and durum wheat. “The PDT discussions helped ground breeding priorities in Ethiopia,” said Sridhar Bhavani, CIMMYT Wheat Improvement Lead for East Africa. Working together, EIAR, CIMMYT, Breeding for Tomorrow, and the ENABLE cross-cutting team reviewed breeding pipelines, operational processes, and coordination mechanisms.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 29, 2026 06:27 UTC
Police disperse protesters demanding compensation following mass eviction
Police fired teargas on Wednesday to disperse protesters demanding compensation following mass evictions carried out by the Lagos State government. The protesters, made up of displaced residents from waterfront and informal settlements, gathered near a major road in Lagos to accuse authorities of demolishing their homes without adequate notice, compensation or resettlement plans. Police moved in after the crowd blocked parts of the road, firing teargas canisters that sent protesters running, and scrambling for safety. Lagos State authorities have said the demolitions are part of efforts to enforce urban planning laws, reduce environmental risks and prevent flooding in high-risk areas. Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, faces intense pressure from rapid population growth, with millions living in informal settlements vulnerable to flooding and redevelopment drives.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 29, 2026 06:18 UTC
PDFTranslator Highlights the Importance of Financial Localization in Ethiopia’s Emerging Capital Market
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Source:Ethiopian News
January 29, 2026 03:19 UTC
Ethiopia–U.S. Strategic Engagement Grows: From Security Cooperation to Economic Opportunity
Anderson has underscored a renewed strategic partnership that spans security cooperation, counterterrorism, defence modernisation and economic engagement. The visit, which coincided with the 90th anniversary celebrations of the Ethiopian Air Force in late January 2026, points to expanding U.S. interest in Ethiopia’s role in regional stability, defence capability building, and economic cooperation. According to the U.S. Department of State, the itinerary explicitly includes discussions aimed at expanding economic cooperation, signalling that security ties are being paired with a push for business partnerships and investment opportunities in Ethiopia’s growing market. Counterterrorism as a Catalyst for Stability and Trade: Joint counterterrorism cooperation reinforces regional stability, a key condition for economic growth, trade expansion, and investor confidence. In previous engagements, Ethiopian officials and U.S. counterparts have emphasised cooperation in areas beyond defence, including economic development, health, education, agriculture and science.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 28, 2026 18:58 UTC
PM Abiy Holds Talks with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, AFRICOM Commander
Addis Ababa, January 28, 2026 (ENA) -Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received a courtesy visit from the United States Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher T. Landau, accompanied by the Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin Li Anderson. In a statement shared on social media, the Prime Minister described the discussions as warm and constructive, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration and mutual respect between the two countries. “I received a courtesy visit from the Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher T. Landau, alongside the Commander of U.S. Africa Command, General Dagvin Li Anderson. I appreciated the warm and constructive engagement, which underscored the importance of continued collaboration and mutual respect.”
Source:Ethiopian News
January 28, 2026 17:43 UTC
Over 26 million Children Reached with the Recent Integrated polio vaccination campaign
The fourth-round national polio vaccination campaign with type two novel Oral Polio Vaccine (nOPV2) marked a milestone reaching over 26 million children in all regions, while in 22 zones in seven regions in Amhara, Oromia, Somali, South Ethiopia, Harari, Dire Dawa and Afar regions co-administered with bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV). Together with partners, communities, and health workers, we will strengthen immunity, improve surveillance, and protect our children.”— H.E. These vaccination campaigns were central to Ethiopia’s strategy to interrupt variant poliovirus transmission, close immunity gaps, and strengthen surveillance. Building on the achievements of earlier rounds, Ethiopia continues to enhance vaccine preventable diseases surveillance, strengthen cross‑border coordination and collaboration, and strengthen routine immunization systems to ensure that every child is protected. Partners under the Global Polio Eradication Initiative reaffirmed their continued support, emphasizing that their collective efforts would secure a polio‑free future of the world.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 28, 2026 17:11 UTC
Large funeral for Palestinian youth killed by Israeli troops in West Bank; Two GOP senators join calls for Kristi Noem's resignation; Ilhan Omar attacked at town hall
Hamas urges civil servants to cooperate with the U.S.-backed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza as governance transition looms. The Israeli high court again delays ruling on foreign journalists’ entry into Gaza, and says, in separate ruling, that it will continue blocking medical evacuations to the West Bank. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu vows to disarm Hamas and impose Gaza demilitarization “no matter the cost.” West Bank settlers launch a large-scale attack on Masafer Yatta village. Tillis and Murkowski become first GOP senators to call for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s resignation. The attack has left many Palestinians injured as emergency medical access remains obstructed; no casualty figures have yet emerged.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 28, 2026 15:55 UTC
Ethiopia breaks ground on a new mega-airport
Groundbreaking ceremony of Bishoftu International Airport attended by His Excellency Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia (second left). The facility will be connected to the existing Bole International Airport via a dedicated high-speed rail link and an expanded road network. Ethiopian Airlines will provide 30% of the funding for the project, with the remainder secured through debt financing. At an altitude of 2,334 meters above sea level, the current Bole International Airport is one of the highest major airports in the world. Once completed, the new airport is likely to surpass Cairo International Airport and Johannesburg’s O.R.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 28, 2026 15:53 UTC
Ethiopia arrests 22 over human trafficking
The aircraft’s final contact with air traffic control came minutes after takeoff, according to a statement released by Satena. Officials did not provide a cause for the crash, but said there would be an investigation. The small plane was carrying two crew members and 13 passengers, including Diogenes Quintero, 36, a member of the House of Representatives for Catatumbo, the airline said. Carlos Salcedo, a social leader who was running for Congress, was also among the victims. Quintero was a renowned human rights defender in the troubled border region with Venezuela, where he was from and where the accident occurred.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 28, 2026 15:43 UTC
Ethiopian police arrest 22 in human trafficking crackdown
Ethiopian migrants walk along the shores of Ras al-Ara, in Lahj, Yemen, after disembarking from a boat on 26 July 2019. Ethiopian police have arrested 22 people accused of smuggling nearly 2,000 migrants, in a network that reportedly caused at least two deaths and earned millions for those involved. Ethiopia is a key departure point for migrants heading to the Gulf and Europe and is known for human trafficking and scams. Authorities said the suspects ran “criminal gangs” and gave migrants false promises of a better life in Europe after crossing through Libya. Instead, migrants were held in warehouses, forced to contact their families for ransom, and effectively kept hostage until payment.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 28, 2026 15:27 UTC
East Africa: Ethiopia's Finance Minister Holds Bilateral Talks With EU Official Ahead of Horn of Africa Initiative Ministerial
Addis Ababa — Ethiopia's Minister of Finance, Ahmed Shide, arrived in Mogadishu today to participate in the 27th Ministerial Roundtable of the Horn of Africa Initiative (HoAI). On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Ahmed held a productive bilateral discussion with Myriam Ferran, Deputy Director-General for International Partnerships at the European Commission, focusing on strengthening cooperation under the Horn of Africa Initiative framework. The two sides discussed ways to further enhance collaboration and reached an understanding on the EU's commitment to finance the Ethiopia-Djibouti transport corridor, a flagship regional project under the Horn of Africa Initiative. They also agreed to strengthen support for macroeconomic reform programs, recognizing their importance for sustainable growth and regional stability. The 27th HoAI Ministerial Roundtable will focus on accelerating access to reliable and affordable electricity, including advancing the financing of transmission and regional energy connectivity, as well as other priority interventions aimed at promoting resilience, integration, and inclusive development across the Horn of Africa.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 28, 2026 15:00 UTC
EU–Ethiopia Business Forum 20–22 April 2026 : A platform to boost bilateral trade and investment
The EU–Ethiopia Business Forum 2026 will take place in Addis Ababa from 20 to 22 April 2026, hosted by the European Union Delegation to Ethiopia under the Global Gateway strategy to boost EU‑Ethiopia trade and investment ties. Expected to attract 500+ European and Ethiopian firms, public institutions, finance actors and development partners, the Forum will feature high‑level panels, practical workshops and targeted B2B/B2G sessions focused on clean energy transition, digital transformation, health and sustainable agri‑food chains — sectors poised to channel hundreds of millions in investments through 2030. The event provides a unique platform to accelerate local value chains, connect investors with project promoters and deepen economic cooperation between the EU and one of Africa’s fastest‑growing economies.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 28, 2026 14:17 UTC