Ethiopia daily brief, 8-Nov-26

• The Ethiopian Defense Forces imposed nighttime vehicle bans and daytime house searches in Mekelle.
• Sudan closed Ethiopia's consulate in Gedaref and expelled its diplomats, calling the move reciprocal.
• Ethiopia revised its measured economy upward by 59.2 percent, becoming Africa's fifth-largest economy.
• UN agencies appealed for $8.9 million to help up to 50,000 Ethiopians who fled Moyale into Kenya.

TOP STORIES

* Police say 52 killed in armed attack in Buldigu district, Benishangul-Gumuz
  The Benishangul-Gumuz regional police commission says armed men killed 52 people in Daleti kebele, Buldigu district, Assosa zone. Commissioner Idris Mohammed says the attack came at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Tikimt 26, 2019 in the Ethiopian calendar, and attributes it to "Shene" fighters, adding that army and regional forces deployed afterward. The Oromo Liberation Front disputes the account, while other reports give higher or different tolls.
  BBC News Amharic; also Meseret Media, DW Amharic, Borkena

* Ethiopian Defense Forces ban night vehicles and order daytime house searches in Mekelle
  The Ethiopian Defense Forces have barred all vehicles, including trucks, private cars and motorcycles, from Mekelle's streets between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM, and banned unauthorized window decals, Borkena reports. Security personnel conduct house-to-house inspections from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and residents have three days to surrender unregistered firearms. TPLF spokesperson Michael Asgedom rejects the cited detainee-release claims as a pretext.
  Borkena; also Addis Standard

* At least 35 killed in armed attack in Endeto Kebele, Oromia, residents say
  Residents told Addis Standard that at least 35 people were killed in an armed attack in Endeto Kebele, Robe Woreda, in Ethiopia's Oromia Region, on Thursday, November 5. Two residents described simultaneous gunfire at security posts and areas around the town's St. Mary Church, and said local militia members and civilians were among the victims. It is the second major assault in as many weeks in the wider Arsi area.
  Addis Standard (@addisstandard); also Borkena

* Sudan closes Ethiopian consulate in Gedaref and expels its diplomats
  Sudan has closed Ethiopia's consulate in the eastern city of Gedaref and expelled the diplomats working there, Addis Standard reports, citing Reuters. Two Sudanese officials told Reuters, speaking anonymously, that Khartoum ordered the closure and the staff's departure. The move is described as reciprocal, following Ethiopia's closure of Sudan's consulate in Assosa and expulsion of six Sudanese diplomatic staff.
  Addis Standard (@addisstandard)

SECURITY

* ONEG says border conflicts in Oromia have intensified and displaced hundreds of thousands
  ONEG says Oromia border conflicts worsened, calling them a "clear invasion" to expand boundaries; civilians killed, homes burned, hundreds of thousands displaced, 60,000 fled abroad; accuses Somali Region administration.
  DW Amharic

* Kenya's police chief says Kenya is engaging Ethiopia to end Moyale conflict
  Kenya's police chief Douglas Kanja said Kenya is engaging Ethiopia to end the Moyale conflict, speaking Thursday, 5 November, during a security visit with DCI Director Mohamed Amin.
  Addis Standard (@addisstandard)

* Switzerland allocates $13.5 million in additional emergency aid to Ethiopia
  Switzerland allocated an additional $13.5 million in emergency humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia, citing renewed northern conflict, rising tensions and climate-related challenges affecting vulnerable populations.
  Addis Standard (@addisstandard)

* UN agencies seek $8.9 million for up to 50,000 Ethiopians displaced into Kenya
  UN agencies seek $8.9 million to assist up to 50,000 people who fled Moyale fighting into Kenya.
  Addis Standard (@addisstandard)

ECONOMY

* Ethiopia revises GDP upward by 59.2%, now Africa's fifth-largest economy
  Ethiopia revised its economy upward by 59.2 percent after rebasing national accounts, per Ethiopian Statistics Service.
  Addis Standard (@addisstandard); also Birr Metrics

* Ethiopia's Coffee Exports Earn $878.52 Million in First Quarter, Up 15 Percent
  Ethiopia earned $878.52 million from coffee exports in three months of fiscal 2026/27, up 15 percent, per the Coffee and Tea Authority.
  Ethiopian Business Review (Telegram)

BUSINESS

* OLA Energy's TotalEnergies Ethiopia takeover enters COMESA review, sources say
  OLA Energy's proposed purchase of TotalEnergies' Ethiopian downstream business is in COMESA review.
  Capital Ethiopia

BANKS AND FINTECH

* Ahadu Bank Reports Birr 1.07 Billion Pre-Tax Profit, Up 113.1 Percent
  Ahadu Bank reported 1.07 billion birr pre-tax profit for fiscal 2018, up 113.1 percent, net profit 784.2 million birr, revenue 3.2 billion birr, up 48 percent, deposits 10.47 billion birr, 107 branches, at its November…
  Birr Metrics; also Ethiopian Business Review (Telegram)

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The Observatory · https://observatory.mgorsky.net/archive/333/