Ethiopia daily brief, 11-Oct-26

• Ethiopia tells the UN Security Council that Eritrea has invaded Tigray; Eritrea denies it and calls the claim a pretext.
• The UN chief and US lawmakers urge de-escalation.
• The Human Rights Commission reports over 729 prisoners freed in the past year.
• Ethiopian Airlines will resume flights to Mekelle on October 1.
• Abiy Ahmed's new cabinet seats nine women among 22 ministers.

TOP STORIES

* Ethiopia says it must defend itself against Eritrea's 'all-out invasion'
  Ethiopia has told the UN Security Council that Eritrea has carried out an "all-out invasion" of its territory. Foreign Minister Gedion Timotheos said in a letter that Eritrean troops crossed into Tigray and advanced up to 60 kilometres, and that Ethiopia has no option but to defend itself; Ethiopia demands their withdrawal. Eritrea rejects the claim, calling it an unprovoked war of aggression, a pretext to invade, and denies backing the TPLF. What is new since an earlier issue: UN chief and US lawmakers urge de-escalation. The reports give no details on casualties or fighting locations.
  Reuters (Ethiopia, via Google News); also Borkena, Al Jazeera, Addis Standard and 1 more

* Ethiopian Human Rights Commission calls prisoner releases a positive step
  The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission's fifth annual report (Sene 2017–2018 E.C.) notes over 729 prisoners released through pardons and discontinued charges, including 121 freed from illegal detention in the Somali region. Visits covered 98 prisons and 649 police stations; detainee treatment improved. The 7th national election was relatively peaceful, but security forces and Fano fighters killed civilians in Amhara, including 13 in Awi Zone's Ayahu Gagusa Woreda on 3 January 2026.
  Fana (Amharic); also Tikvah Ethiopia (Telegram), Addis Maleda (Telegram), Sheger FM and 1 more

* Ethiopian Airlines to resume Mekelle flights on October 1
  Ethiopian Airlines says its regular flights to Mekelle, which had been temporarily suspended, will resume on Sunday, October 1, 2019 E.C. Customers can book at any Ethiopian Airlines office or through the call centre on 6787.
  Tikvah Ethiopia (Telegram); also ENA (Telegram)

* Ethiopia's cabinet appointments continue past practices and introduce new ones
  Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's new cabinet, approved by the House of Peoples' Representatives on October 8, both continues and changes past practice. Ministers were selected on educational preparation and capacity while considering gender, faith and ethnicity. Nine of the 22 ministers are women, about 40 percent. For the first time in thirty years a minister comes from the Harari Region, and Tigray now has two cabinet members instead of one. Competing party members were included. Several ministers keep portfolios in foreign affairs, agriculture, education, justice, health, water and energy, and revenues. Abiy said appointment is a burden and responsibility.
  Fana (Amharic); also Capital Ethiopia

POLITICS

* Ethiopia announces leadership changes at sovereign fund, EIC and ECMA
  PM office reshuffle: Hana Teklu heads Ethiopian Investment Commission, replacing Zeleke Temesgen, now Deputy CEO at Ethiopian Investment Holdings.
  Capital Ethiopia; also stockmarket.et (Telegram)

SECURITY

* Ethiopian Federal Police enter Mekelle
  Per Associated Press, Ethiopian Federal Police entered Mekelle, began stabilisation work, established an administration, and urged residents' cooperation.
  Tikvah Ethiopia (Telegram); also Ethiopia Observer

* Ethiopian Fano Rebels Claim Major Territorial Gains Across Shoa Region
  The Amhara Fano National Movement's South Front Shoa Teklay Gizat 5th Command says it captured Zemero, Mehal Meda, Wogere, Meragna, Rema, Jihur, Anchekorer, Merhabete Tache Bet, Merhabete Lay Bet and Amba on Thursday.
  Borkena

ECONOMY

* Addis Ababa sets new rules for government office rentals
  Addis Ababa issued Directive No.
  Capital Ethiopia; also Ethiopian Business Daily (Telegram)

BUSINESS

* Ethiopia's First Gold Refinery Targets Regional Role
  Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched Ethiopia's first gold refinery, the National Precious Metals Refinery, at Bole Lemi Special Economic Zone, a partnership of Ethiopian Investment Holdings and Sam Precious Metals.
  Addis Ababa Communication Bureau (Telegram); also Fana (English)

BANKS AND FINTECH

* Bank of Abyssinia holds 30th regular and 17th extraordinary shareholders' meeting
  Bank of Abyssinia held its 30th regular and 17th extraordinary shareholders' meeting on September 30, 2019 E.C. at Adwa Victory Memorial Hall.
  Bank of Abyssinia (Telegram); also Birr Metrics

* Ethiopia's central bank plans digital money launch
  The National Bank of Ethiopia has a strategy to launch digital money and to bring inflation down to single digits, according to the Ethiopian Reporter.
  Ethiopian Reporter (@EthioReporter)

* Ecobank to join China's CIPS as Ethiopia weighs yuan settlement
  Ecobank will sign on October 10, 2026 to join China's Cross-Border Interbank Payment System, says CEO Jeremy Awori, and is negotiating yuan settlement with Bank of China.
  Birr Metrics

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The Observatory · https://observatory.mgorsky.net/archive/81/