News: Coalition for #Ethiopian Unity denounces electoral process, cites widespread irregularities
The Coalition for Ethiopian Unity has accused the ruling party of systematically undermining #Ethiopia’s electoral process, alleging widespread intimidation, voter manipulation, and obstruction of opposition participation ahead of the upcoming election.
In a statement issued today, the coalition said the “pre-conditions of the electoral process are not met,” arguing that the fate of the country was being decided through a process that lacked “the true participation of the people.”
https://t.co/bvtXKwbsiK
Ethiopia’s prime minister says the next election will be the most open and democratic in the country’s history. In reality it will be a sham. Discover the full story: register to read for free https://t.co/tuiCbgfPOU
Three years ago, on April 6, #Ethiopia journalist Genet Asmamaw was arrested in a sweeping crackdown on reporting about conflict in the Amhara region. She remains behind bars on terrorism charges that carry a potential death sentence.
She is due to present her defense in May.
Genet’s continued detention, along with three other journalists also accused of terrorism — Meskerem Abera, Dawit Begashaw, and Gobeze Sisay — underscores the risks facing independent media in Ethiopia and the criminalization of reporting on matters of public interest.
@pressfreedom calls for all four journalists' immediate release and for Ethiopian authorities to stop criminalizing the press.
Read more: https://t.co/5iDS6GCzcO
Three years ago, on April 9, #Ethiopia journalist Meskerem Abera was arrested in a sweeping crackdown on reporting about conflict in the Amhara region. She remains behind bars on terrorism charges that carry a potential death sentence.
She is due to present her defense in May.
@pressfreedom calls for Meskerem’s immediate release and for Ethiopian authorities to stop criminalizing journalism.
Read more: https://t.co/y2rfgJKqiF
CPJ calls on Ethiopian authorities to do everything in their power to locate and free @AddisStandard managing editor Million Beyene who was taken by unidentified men from his newsroom in the capital Addis Ababa on Wednesday morning.
“Million Beyene’s disappearance from the Addis Standard’s newsroom marks a disturbing new chapter in the troubles faced by this respected digital outlet after authorities revoked its registration certificate in February,” said CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Muthoki Mumo.
Addis Standard has repeatedly faced state pressure, including a newsroom raid in 2025 and a ban in 2021.
Read more: https://t.co/Kva3Vsg6UO
Three years ago, on April 12, #Ethiopia journalist Dawit Begashaw, was arrested in a sweeping crackdown on reporting about conflict in the Amhara region. He remains behind bars on terrorism charges that carry a potential death sentence.
He is due to present his defense in May.
Dawit’s continued detention, along with three other journalists also accused of terrorism — Genet Asmamaw, Meskerem Abera, and Gobeze Sisay — underscores the risks facing independent media in Ethiopia and the criminalization of reporting on matters of public interest.
@pressfreedom calls for Dawit’s immediate release and for Ethiopian authorities to stop criminalizing journalism.
Read more: https://t.co/HPH1rg3VZR
Down on Paper, Up in Reality: #Ethiopia’s Inflation Paradox
According to the latest Consumer Price Index (#CPI) released by the Ethiopian Statistical Service (#ESS), Ethiopia’s general inflation rate declined to 9.4% in March 2026, compared with the same period in the previous year. During the same period, food inflation stood at 11%, while non-food inflation was recorded at 7%. In fact, official data indicate a sustained downward trend in the general inflation rate since April 2025, with inflation standing at 14.7% and gradually falling into single-digit territory by December 2025, when it reached 9.7%.
Despite this easing in official inflation figures, the lived reality for millions of Ethiopians in both urban and rural areas tells a markedly different story. Domestically produced commodities have recorded significant price increases in the past year: coffee prices have nearly doubled, rising by 95%, while teff and wheat—key components of the Ethiopian diet—have increased by more than 60%. The situation is even more pronounced for imported essentials. A five-liter container of cooking oil and a kilogram of imported sugar now cost 150% more than they did a year ago. Fuel prices have followed a similar trajectory. Between October 2024 and March 2026, the price of gasoline (benzene) increased by approximately 50%, rising from 91 birr to 142.41 birr per liter.
A recent analysis published by Addis Standard highlights this glaring contradiction: while official reports indicate inflation is cooling, the real-world cost of living tells a much grimmer story.
Want to understand why official data points to disinflation while markets scream otherwise? Read the full article.
https://t.co/bT3bAP44Yk
WINNER OF #HRDAwards2025
Betiye Derbe is a dedicated HRD who, despite being displaced and losing all his property, has firmly defended the rights of IDPs for the past six years. He has established community-based structures that help ensure access to basic rights for IDPs.
WINNER OF #HRDAwards2025
Maya Msikir is a resilient journalist who fights to continuously bring the situation of human rights in Ethiopia to public attention. By establishing her own digital platform called "Sifter," she provides weekly reports on 5 selected human rights issues.
During the #HRC61 debate on the most serious human rights situations (item 4⃣ GD) today, we raised the alarm about risks of an internationalisation of conflicts in #Sudan & #SouthSudan and of a regional conflict between #Ethiopia & #Eritrea.
❝ Throughout the Horn of Africa, human rights scrutiny is vital. Mechanisms that are in place, such as the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea and investigative bodies on Sudan & South Sudan, should be extended, and this Council should act to reinstate the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia or establish a new mechanism on Ethiopia. ❞
➡️ Full statement: https://t.co/joJPjnb1HP 🇺🇳 🇪🇷 🇪🇹 🇸🇸 🇸🇩