Addis Ababa 10, 2025 (ENA)—President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Félix Tshisekedi, reshuffled parts of his government in a move that has long been awaited by the population following "political consultations" that were launched earlier in the year. The changes are not radical at first view... but to observers, they are notable nonetheless. The head of state notably brought in two opposition politicians: Adolphe Muzito, a former prime minister, was named vice prime-minister and will also be in charge of the budget. And Floribert Anzuluni, leader of a minor opposition party, was named head of regional integration. Several other officials remained in the government, but changed jobs, among them notably Eve Bazaiba, who transitioned from the environment ministry to social affairs, and Aimé Boji, permuted from the budget ministry to industry. Judith Suminwa, meanwhile, remains prime minister. The formation of the new cabinet followed political consultations at the beginning of the year, which was marked by a security crisis in the east of the country. Rich in key minerals such as gold and coltan, eastern DRC has been riven by fighting between rival armed groups and interference by foreign powers for more than 30 years. The region bordering Rwanda saw a fresh surge of violence this year when the M23 armed group, backed by Rwandan troops, captured the key cities of Goma and Bukavu. After months of broken truces, the DRC and M23 signed a declaration of principle on June 19 reaffirming their commitment to a permanent ceasefire. But fresh attacks on civilians by the M23 and other armed groups killed at least 319 civilians in July, UN rights chief Volker Turk said this week. Violence in the region has left thousands dead, according to Kinshasa and the United Nations, and exacerbated a humanitarian crisis for hundreds of thousands of displaced people. President Tshisekedi, in office since 2019, was re-elected in December 2023 with more than 73 percent of the vote, and parties in his coalition won around 90 percent of the seats in legislative elections held on the same day. Newly appointed to the cabinet, Muzito and Anzuluni also ran in the 2023 presidential election as opposition candidates, garnering about one percent of the vote and less than a tenth of the vote respectively. According to some analysts, these reshufflings be a way for the Congolese president to consolidate his party and reach a political consensus around his figure. The next presidential election in the DRC is set for 2028.

Addis Ababa, August 9, 2025 (ENA) -- The Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), held in Awaza, Turkmenistan, marks a pivotal moment for the 32 nations without direct access to the sea — home to over 600 million people. The conference’s timing is no coincidence: it coincides with the inaugural celebration of August 6 as the International Day of Awareness of the Special Development Needs and Challenges of Landlocked Developing Countries, a UN-recognized effort to spotlight the deep structural hurdles LLDCs face. The Conference wrapped up Friday with delegates adopting a landmark political declaration aimed at speeding up sustainable development and boosting resilience in 32 nations that lack direct access to the sea. Held under the theme ‘Driving Progress Through Partnerships’, the four-day forum known as LLDC3 brought together Heads of State, senior UN officials, development partners and private sector leaders to tackle persistent challenges faced by LLDCs, including high trade costs, inadequate infrastructure, and vulnerability to climate change. Anchored by the Awaza Programme of Action for 2024–2034, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly last year, the new ‘Awaza Declaration’ outlines a unified strategy across five priority areas: Structural economic transformation; Trade and regional integration; Transport and infrastructure; Climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction; and, Mobilizing finance and partnerships. From the mountainous core of East Africa, Ethiopia enters this forum as one of the most consequential LLDCs — not only in terms of size, population, and economic ambition, but also in terms of its diplomatic and development leadership. Geography has long defined Ethiopia’s constraints, but today, Ethiopia is helping redefine what landlocked development can look like. Ethiopia, like its fellow LLDCs, remains dependent on neighbouring countries for port access. This reality imposes significant costs: transport prices are up to 30% higher than for coastal states, export and import times are longer, and integration into global value chains remains limited. More critically, the prosperity of LLDCs is often tied to the political and economic stability of their transit corridors — creating dependencies that can obstruct long-term planning. But Ethiopia is not standing still. While the LLDC Conference calls for global partnerships and investment, Ethiopia is arriving with its own story of agency — one driven by strategic infrastructure, regional diplomacy, and multilateral engagement. Diplomacy and Dialogue Ethiopia’s approach to resolving its landlocked challenge has been one of cooperation and dialogue, not confrontation. The country has actively cultivated bilateral and multilateral relationships aimed at strengthening regional economic corridors. These include the long-standing cooperation with Djibouti, joint infrastructure planning with Kenya and expanded power trade agreements across the Horn of Africa. Its diplomatic messaging has consistently emphasized shared benefit — an approach in line with both the Sustainable Development Goals and the spirit of the LLDC conference. As a founding member of the African Union and an anchor state in regional diplomacy, Ethiopia continues to advocate for regional integration over isolation. Ethiopia has, on this occasion, submitted its request based on the principles of reciprocity and mutual benefits, which are currently recognized in modern diplomacy. Ethiopia’s request will not undermine the interests and rights of other nations, as it will be pursued through diplomacy, negotiations, and agreements founded on the principle of shared development. Experts are acknowledging Ethiopia’s demand as it is also significantly advantageous for the development of the entire region, noting the increasing interest of nations in Africa, particularly those in the eastern part of the continent, which are actively striving to improve trade among themselves and boost their collective economic advancement. In this context, Ethiopia’s request for access to the sea through the principle of shared development offers a valuable opportunity for the countries in the region, especially since Ethiopia has been experiencing rapid growth and has demonstrated a strong interest in collaborating with these nations towards a common goal. Building Infrastructure to Bridge the Gap In the last decade, Ethiopia has prioritized infrastructure to overcome its geographical disadvantage. These investments include: The Ethiopia–Djibouti railway, a flagship project connecting the capital to the sea. A network of dry ports and logistics hubs, streamlining inland trade flows. Ongoing construction of roads, fiber-optic lines, and electric transmission grids that cross national borders and support both commerce and connectivity. These corridors are not just national assets — they are regional lifelines, enabling trade, employment, and security in neighbouring countries as well. In this, Ethiopia demonstrates the LLDC principle that development must be approached collectively. A Voice for LLDCs — and for Africa At the Third Conference, Ethiopia championed not only its own interests but also the wider cause of African LLDCs. With 16 of the 32 landlocked countries located in Africa, Ethiopia's experience offers a powerful model of self-reliance, regional cooperation, and strategic investment. In his address to the conference, Ethiopia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Alemu Sime, underscored that landlocked developing countries continue to face heightening challenges, including a lack of direct access to the sea, high transportation cost, and inadequate infrastructure. Geopolitical tensions, climate change, and high debt burden further compound these challenges. He also expressed Ethiopia’s belief that the resources on the high seas, which represent roughly 50% of the planet's surface and 60% of the global ocean areas, can drive prosperity for all countries. Ethiopia has also played an active role in international LLDC fora, consistently calling for: More inclusive financing mechanisms for transport and trade infrastructure. Technology transfer and digital connectivity for landlocked states. A reduction in bureaucratic and tariff barriers at borders and along trade corridors. Stronger platforms for transit cooperation agreements, particularly where coastal states are also developing economies. These advocacy efforts underscore Ethiopia’s readiness to contribute to global policymaking, not just to receive aid or technical assistance. Connecting Sea Access with Sovereign Development Ethiopia’s commitment to peaceful diplomacy has extended even to the most sensitive strategic question: sea access. In recent years, the country has opened high-level discussions with regional states on arrangements that would enable direct access to maritime trade, within frameworks of mutual benefit and respect for sovereignty. These efforts are not about contesting borders or coercion; rather, they reflect visionary diplomacy — seeking win-win solutions that serve national development while enhancing regional security and stability. This message aligns with the LLDC agenda: landlocked status should not mean locked-out status. With the right legal, financial, and diplomatic frameworks, countries like Ethiopia can unlock growth pathways that benefit not only themselves, but also their neighbours and the global economy at large. Toward a Future of Equitable Integration As the international community gathers, Ethiopia brings to the table both practical lessons and strategic ambitions. Its experience illustrates how landlocked nations can overcome structural constraints — not through isolation, but through collaboration, innovation, and sustained leadership. For energetic states like Ethiopia, the LLDC Third Conference presents an opportunity to echo that conviction and turn it into actionable global policy.

Addis Ababa, August 8, 2025 (ENA) – In a major milestone for regional cooperation and mobility in Southern Africa, Namibia and Zambia have unveiled plans to allow their citizens to travel across their shared border using only national identity cards, doing away with the traditional requirement for passports. The landmark initiative is designed to enhance cross-border movement, foster deeper economic ties, and boost regional integration. The announcement was made by Namibia’s Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Albert Kawana, during the 59th Independence Day celebrations of Zambia, held in Windhoek, the Namibian capital. Kawana confirmed that both governments are in the final stages of the necessary preparations to roll out the new travel arrangement. “Soon, Zambian nationals will be able to enter Namibia using just their ID cards,” said Kawana. “We are working to phase out the requirement for passports between our two countries.” This initiative follows a similar agreement between Namibia and Botswana, which already permits citizens of the two nations to cross borders using national identity documents. These moves position Namibia as a pioneer in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) when it comes to promoting free movement through simplified border procedures. If successfully implemented, this Zambia-Namibia agreement will mark one of the first ID card-based travel corridors in the region, reflecting growing momentum toward a more connected and integrated Southern Africa, The Voice of Africa reported. Zambia’s High Commissioner to Namibia, Stephen Katuka, welcomed the announcement, emphasizing the strong historical and political ties between the two nations. He highlighted Zambia’s critical support during Namibia’s liberation struggle as a lasting foundation for continued cooperation. “The people of Zambia and Namibia share not only borders, but deep-rooted ties built on shared values and mutual respect,” said Katuka. The diplomatic bond between the two countries continues to expand beyond trade and tourism. Business leaders and civil society organizations across both countries have applauded the initiative, seeing it as a positive step toward SADC’s broader goals of regional integration, economic cooperation, and free movement of people. Observers see this initiative as a potential blueprint for other countries in the region, especially those within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), where easing the movement of people is essential to unlocking the full potential of intra-African trade and investment. If successful, the passport-free travel model between Zambia and Namibia could inspire similar agreements in Southern, Eastern, and even Western Africa.

Addis Ababa, August 8, 2025 (ENA) -- Ethiopia will share its best practices in constitutional inquiry and related matters with countries that will be attending the Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa (CJCA), according to the Council of Constitutional Inquiry. The conference will be held from November 27 to 30, 2025, in Addis Ababa, it was learned. Council of Constitutional Inquiry Secretariat Director-General, Dessalegn Weyessa, told ENA that preparations are being made to successfully host the conference. According to him, Ethiopia is a member of the CJCA and other similar institutions, actively participating in various continental and international conferences. Over the years, Ethiopia has shared its best practices in constitutional inquiry while also learning from the experiences of other countries, the Director-General stated. The upcoming CJCA conference will provide Ethiopia with another opportunity to share its best practices, he added. The event will bring together presidents of constitutional courts, judges, and legal experts from across Africa. Observer countries to the CJCA, including Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Brazil, are also expected to attend. The 7th CJCA Conference was held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, in October last year.

Addis Ababa, August 8, 2025 (ENA) -- Ethiopia has achieved significant progress over the last seven years across various sectors, particularly in enhancing the country’s geostrategic standing in the region through appropriate and lawful engagements, the Council of the Ruling Prosperity Party (PP), remarked. This remark was made by PP council members in a statement released today, following their regular meeting that took place from August 6 to 8, 2025. During this meeting, the Council members engaged in extensive discussions regarding global, continental, regional, and national issues of significant interest to the nation. The PP Council's statement outlines a strong commitment to peace and development across Ethiopia.   The statement indicated that the Council recognized the geopolitical developments occurring worldwide, which present both opportunities and challenges for Ethiopia. They deliberated thoroughly and established strategies to further safeguard the nation's interests by addressing challenges and capitalizing on opportunities. The political and economic condition of the country has changed as a result of overcoming these challenges, which has enabled the nation to mitigate its internal vulnerabilities. According to the PP Council's statement, Ethiopia has successfully altered its geostrategic position in the region through appropriate and lawful actions regarding the Nile. Additionally, the country has elevated its natural and historical right to access the sea to an international level. In this manner, “we have taken more than one step towards restoring our geostrategic position in the Red Sea,” the statement underlined. “Our political, social, and economic reforms are progressing successfully, undeterred by challenges. The challenges have been turned into national assets rather than remaining a cause of our internal vulnerabilities,” the statement underlined. Members of the PP Council further stated that “on one hand, we have enhanced our country's internal capacity through the institutional and macroeconomic reforms that we have implemented. On the other hand, we have successfully protected Ethiopia's national interests by thoroughly comprehending the geopolitical landscape.”   The Prosperity Party Council members have also vowed to go above and beyond what is expected of them to tackle seven key issues facing the country, according to a statement. The seven points of focus include peace and security, good governance, information and transparency, fighting corruption, economic development and diplomacy. Regarding peace and security, the council members agreed to explore all peaceful options to prevent conflict and provide necessary support to armed groups that choose to pursue peace. At the same time, the council vowed to strengthen law enforcement against forces that reject peace and cause harm to people and national property. They also agreed to address the public's demands for good governance, justice, and economic opportunities at all levels, in addition to providing accurate and timely information to the public and actively exposing misinformation and false narratives. In the area of economic development, efforts will be carried out to further intensify the successes of the ongoing development initiatives in agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, mining, and information technology. The council also plans to complete ongoing initiatives and ensure urban and rural transformation through public participation, the statement elaborated.   The members have reached an understanding to protect Ethiopia's national interests in all ways in the field of diplomacy. The PP Council members emphasized their unity and determination to achieve these goals, which they believe will ensure a better future for the country. Furthermore, they vowed to engage proactively as both the leadership and members of the Prosperity Party, as well as Ethiopian citizens, to ensure that the forthcoming seventh national election is conducted in a democratic and lawful manner, truly representing the comprehensive participation of the populace.

Addis Ababa, August 8, 2025 (ENA) --- Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko met with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Thursday. Sonko was personally invited to Türkiye by Erdoğan as the two countries seek ways to improve ties. The two countries signed four agreements covering the fields of defense, media, and education. The visit aims to “deepen cooperation” between the two nations, according to Turkey’s head of communications. Senegal, which gained independence from France in 1960, stands out in West Africa owing to its stability and institutionalized democracy. In 2018, Erdoğan paid an official visit to Senegal, accompanied by several Cabinet ministers. In 2019, Senegal's then-President Macky Sall visited Istanbul for the opening of the Çamlıca Mosque. Erdoğan paid another official visit to Senegal in 2020, which included a business forum. Private sector representatives annually hold business forums in Senegal. Developing relations and cooperation with African countries is one of the cornerstones of Ankara’s multidimensional foreign policy. Türkiye’s engagement with the African continent has been gaining pace over the years. Since assuming office nearly two decades ago, first serving as prime minister, Erdoğan has been fostering ties with Africa, presenting Türkiye as a fairer player than the continent’s former colonial powers. Ankara has emphasized its desire to advance relations with the continent based on a win-win relationship and equal partnership while maintaining mutual respect. Both sides have been vowing to tap into their greater potential for further expanding and deepening relations.

Addis Ababa, August 7, 2025 (ENA)—US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are preparing to meet “in the coming days”, a Kremlin official has confirmed. The meeting would mark the first summit between the leaders of the two countries as a United States deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire in its war on Ukraine or face economic penalties approaches. Putin told reporters Thursday the meeting could be hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). "We have many friends willing to help us organize events of this kind," the Kremlin quoted Putin as saying, during a visit to Moscow by UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. "The President of the United Arab Emirates is one such friend. I think we will make a decision eventually, and that country would be an appropriate place for a meeting." According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, the meeting could take place as soon as next week. "At the suggestion of the American side, an agreement was essentially reached to hold a bilateral meeting at the highest level in the coming days, that is, a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump," Ushakov said. Ushakov said the idea for the summit was first proposed by White House envoy Steve Witkoff during three hours of talks with Putin on Wednesday aimed at negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine. Ushakov also said Witkoff had suggested three-way talks that could include Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but indicated Moscow remained skeptical of the offer. Many believe expectations remain low that a peace deal will be reached before Trump’s deadline. Russia continues to launch air strikes across Ukraine, and Moscow’s conditions for ending the war, such as Kyiv’s demilitarization, neutrality and renunciation of NATO membership, remain non-starters for Ukraine and its Western allies. Russia also demands Ukrainian withdrawal from Russian-occupied regions, the formal recognition of Crimea, and the lifting of international sanctions. Whereas, Ukraine has consistently rejected those terms, it was learned.

Addis Ababa, August 7, 2025 (ENA) – Ghana has opened investigations into the crash of a military helicopter that killed all eight people aboard, including the West African country's defense and environment ministers and other top officials. The country has also declared three days of national mourning from Thursday, and all flags are to fly at half-mast during the period. Defense Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were killed, as well as Samuel Sarpong, vice-chair of the National Democratic Congress ruling party, Muniru Mohammed, a top national security adviser, and the four crew members. Muniru Mohammed is expected to be buried on Thursday in Muslim tradition. Mourners gathered at the Boamah's residence as well as at the party's headquarters, and Ghana's government described the crash as a "national tragedy.” State media reported that the aircraft was a Z-9 helicopter that is often used for transport and medical evacuation. The cause of the crash was not immediately known. The Ghanaian military said the helicopter took off in the morning from the capital, Accra, and was heading northwest into the interior toward the gold-mining area of Obuasi in the Ashanti region when it went off the radar. The wreckage was later found in the Adansi area of Ashanti.