- Fighting continues in Moyale, where the Oromo Federalist Congress now reports ten killed and about 2,400 displaced into Kenya. - The Arsi Diocese says dozens of Orthodox believers have been killed in Shirka district; other accounts put the toll higher. - A Tigray interim official says senior TPLF leaders will enter the DDR process within days. - The National Dialogue Commission has closed its work without an implementation timetable. - The Human Rights Council reports civilian deaths and abductions across four regions.
Top stories
Residents report continued gunfire and burning in Moyale
Fighting in Moyale, a border town shared by the Oromia and Somali regions, continued on Friday, with gunfire from dawn and many shops, houses and businesses burned, residents tell the BBC. The conflict began last Sunday over the raising of the Somali region's flag; residents say a 13-year-old girl was killed. The Oromo Federalist Congress says a Somali Region special force attack killed 13-year-old Diqo Jateni and nine others and displaced nearly 2,400 citizens into Kenya's Marsabit county. Elders and security officials are reported to be responding.
BBC News Amharic; also Borkena, Addis Maleda (Telegram), Reuters (Ethiopia, via Google News) and 1 more
Arsi Diocese Reports Attacks on Orthodox Believers in Shirka District
The Arsi Diocese of the Orthodox Tewahedo Church reports escalating attacks by armed groups on believers in Shirka district, East Arsi Zone, with killings, house burnings and looting in kebeles including Tareta, Birbo, Chole and Ssole Digelu. The diocese says 43 believers have been killed and survivors displaced, and that appeals to government bodies have brought no lasting solution. Other accounts give higher tolls: Meseret Media reported a massacre killing more than 45, and Borkena reported an overnight assault killing at least 47, with families surrounded around 10:00 PM.
Addis Maleda (Telegram); also Meseret Media, Borkena
Tigray Interim Official Says TPLF Leadership Will Join DDR Program
Asefa Abrha, Chief Executive of Administration and Public Service for the Tigray Region Interim Government, says senior TPLF leaders will enter the DDR process within days. High registration in Mekelle has led authorities to open centers in Shire, Adigrat, Abi Adi and Maychew. He says education, healthcare, agricultural support and civil service operations have resumed, with local elections due in two to three days. Al Jazeera reports the caretaker administration called on fighters to lay down their weapons after the TPLF withdrew from Mekelle in early October.
Borkena; also Al Jazeera
Ethiopian Rights Council Reports Civilian Deaths and Abductions in Four Regions
The Ethiopian Human Rights Council says armed conflicts and attacks in Amhara, Gambella, Oromia and Benishangul-Gumuz have caused civilian deaths, injuries, abductions and displacement, involving government forces and armed groups. In its October 22 statement, the council cites incidents including a September 25 strike and shelling in Sekota, along with property destruction, and calls on federal and regional authorities to strengthen civilian protection and hold perpetrators accountable.
Addis Standard (@addisstandard); also The Reporter Ethiopia, Borkena
Politics
Ethiopia's National Dialogue Commission Closes Without Implementation Timetable
Ethiopia's National Dialogue Commission closed October 24, 2026, mandate fulfilled.
The Reporter Ethiopia; also DW Amharic, BBC News Amharic
Security
Five killed and over 100 livestock looted in Burji Zone attack
Armed men killed five farmers and looted livestock in Nedele kebele, Soyama woreda, Burji Zone.
DW Amharic; also Borkena · official figure: Burji Zone administration office; eyewitness accounts reported by DW
Ethiopia Police Hand Over Suspected Trafficking Ringleader; 35 Charges Filed
Federal Police, with Interpol, ROCK and Malawi Police, handed suspects Adnew Bashaw Wudamo and Tamirat Erdado Moloro to the Attorney General; 35 charges filed.
Fana (English); also Fana (Amharic)
Amhara Fano Movement Alleges Civilian Strikes in Oromia and Amhara
The Amhara Fano National Movement alleges massacres, drone strikes and artillery against civilians in Oromia and Amhara, reports 65,000+ displaced and 15 students killed by drone.
Borkena
Gurage Zone Residents Report Abductions and Killings in Abeshge Woreda
Residents report 20+ abductions in Abeshge Woreda, Gurage Zone, after vehicle interceptions in Nacha town.
Borkena
Banks and fintech
Central Bank forex auction draws $152.09 million in bids
The National Bank's October 13, 2026, forex auction allocated 140 million dollars against 152.09 million dollars in bids, 8.6 percent oversubscribed; 26 banks received allocations.
Addis Fortune (@addis_fortune)
Society
Ethiopia's Justice Ministry Prosecutes 13 in ELMIS Corruption Case
Prosecutors are trying 13 suspects in the Ethiopia Labor Market Information System corruption case: 16 charges, over 1.013 billion birr traced, $965,508 cryptocurrency recovered.
Fana (English); also Tikvah Ethiopia (Telegram), Borkena
Over 200 Ethiopians say they were defrauded in overseas job process at Ministry of Labor and Skills
Over 200 Ethiopian youths from Mekelle, Gojjam, Wolaita, Dessie, Addis Ababa and elsewhere allege fraud, delays and opacity in the Ministry of Labor and Skills' overseas employment process.
Meseret Media
Sent by the Observatory.