Jawar Mohammed, a prominent Ethiopian opposition politician, is on a hunger strike along with other defendants, demanding better treatment and an end to harassment of Oromo opposition politicians. The hunger strike has led to severe health concerns, with private doctors warning of permanent health problems. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has confirmed the hunger strike and called for close supervision to prevent health threats. Jawar, once an ally of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, now accuses him of failing to advocate for ethnic Oromos and acting like a dictator. The situation unfolds as Ethiopia prepares for national elections in June.

President Alpha Conde's party, the Rally for the People of Guinea (RPG), will hold a convention on August 5 and 6 to choose a candidate for the upcoming presidential election, sparking opposition accusations of a scheme to extend Conde's power beyond constitutional limits. The National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (FNDC) has called for protests to block what it describes as a civilian coup. Street protests against Conde have been ongoing since October last year, often met with violent crackdowns. The electoral commission has proposed October 18 for the presidential poll, but Conde has not yet confirmed the date.

Guinea is on the verge of a disputed referendum that could allow President Alpha Conde to extend his rule for another 12 years, amidst fears of mass unrest and impact on the mining economy. The proposed new constitution would limit presidential terms but does not clarify if Conde's previous terms count, which he implies would not. At least 30 people have died in protests since October, and the opposition plans to boycott the referendum and legislative elections. International bodies and governments have expressed concerns, and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie has pulled its election monitors due to electoral register issues. Ethnic tensions and violence have been escalating, with UN High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet warning of the risk of wider unrest.

Almost 5,000 African students in Wuhan, China, face significant challenges amid the coronavirus outbreak, with many expressing fears about the virus, food shortages, and inadequate medical supplies. Despite some efforts by universities to assist, students remain frustrated by the lack of clear strategies from African governments. The African Union and the World Health Organization are concerned about a potential outbreak in Africa, given the continent's weak healthcare systems. Some African governments, unable to match the rapid response capabilities of countries like China, may opt not to facilitate the return of their citizens. The situation underscores the broader vulnerabilities and resource limitations faced by African nations in managing public health crises.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, known for his bold and charismatic leadership style, is a frontrunner for the Nobel Peace Prize due to his peace deal with Eritrea and democratic reforms. While his initiatives have garnered international praise, they have also raised concerns about sustainability and institutional bypassing. Abiy's unpredictable approach has led to mixed reactions domestically, with some questioning the durability of his reforms without broader governmental support. His foreign policy successes include mediating in Sudan, but challenges remain, such as ongoing ethnic violence and slow systemic reforms.

Eritrean President Issaias Afeworki was officially welcomed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on July 14, 2018, at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. This marks a significant diplomatic event as it is President Afeworki's official visit to Ethiopia after more than two decades of border conflict between the two neighboring countries. The visit signifies a potential thaw in relations and a step towards resolving long-standing tensions.

The article discusses the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its goal to create a billion-person internal market by removing trade barriers across Africa. A year after its initial signing, the initiative has seen nearly all African nations sign up, except for Nigeria, the continent's most populous country. The article highlights the logistical challenges to free trade, exemplified by the frustrations of truckers at the Zambia-Botswana border. Interviews with Ghana's trade minister Alan Kyerematen, Pearl Uzokwe of Sahara Group, and Alex Vines of Chatham House provide insights into the progress and hurdles of the AfCFTA.

Ethiopia has set a record for the largest number of trees planted in a single day, with 353 million trees. This effort is part of a larger initiative to combat deforestation and climate change. The country has seen a significant decrease in forest cover, from 35 percent to 4 percent over the last century. Ethiopia, along with 20 other African nations, aims to restore a substantial area of forest across the continent. The Ethiopian government has set a goal to plant 4 billion trees by October. The article also references a study suggesting that massive reforestation could significantly reduce carbon in the atmosphere. The UK's reforestation efforts and Brazil's recent increase in deforestation under President Jair Bolsonaro are also mentioned, highlighting the global challenges and efforts in reforestation.

A public memorial for the late rapper Nipsey Hussle is scheduled to take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Thursday. The event, titled 'Nipsey Hussle's Celebration of Life,' will offer free tickets starting Tuesday. Nipsey Hussle was a 33-year-old hip-hop artist and community activist who was shot and killed on March 31 outside his clothing store in South Los Angeles. His death has resonated with many, including the Ethiopian and Eritrean communities in Addis Ababa, who held a memorial service on April 6. Eric R. Holder Jr. has been arrested and charged with Hussle's murder and has pleaded not guilty.

Ethiopia mourned the loss of high-ranking officials, including the Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian defence forces, Seare Mekonnen, and Major-General Geza'e Abera, a retired official, during a national funeral service in Addis Ababa on June 25, 2019. The service was marked by condemnation from military and religious leaders and visible grief from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The officials were victims of assassinations on June 22, 2019, amid what the government described as an attempted coup in the Amhara region. The connections between the attacks and the motives behind them remain unclear.

The Sidama ethnic group in southern Ethiopia is on the verge of unilaterally declaring their own federal state, which could exacerbate Ethiopia's political crisis and potentially lead to violence. The Sidama's push for autonomy has gained momentum since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's rise to power and his promise of reforms. However, the government has delayed responding to the Sidama's request for a referendum, which constitutionally must be held within a year, a deadline that expires soon. The International Crisis Group warns that the government faces no good options, as preventing the state's formation could lead to violence, while granting it could cause unrest among minorities. The Sidama issue adds to the challenges faced by Abiy, who has already dealt with significant violence and a coup attempt in Amhara state.

The article discusses the pervasive issue of sexual and domestic abuse in Ethiopia, particularly against children and women. It highlights the stories of twin sisters Dagim and Yeabsera, and another victim named Chaltu, who have suffered prolonged abuse and found refuge at Awsad, an NGO providing shelter and rehabilitation. The piece touches on the societal stigma and victim-blaming that often accompanies such cases in Ethiopia. It also mentions the efforts by Awsad to train law enforcement and raise awareness, as well as legislative changes by the Ethiopian government to address the issue, such as tougher laws for sex offenders and excluding rape from pardon laws. The article underscores the need for societal change and the importance of support for survivors, with the victims expressing a desire to help others in the future.

The article reports on the mass funeral held at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the victims of the Ethiopian Airlines crash that occurred on March 10, 2019. The mourners reacted with grief beside coffins during the ceremony. The crash of Flight ET 302, which was en route to Nairobi, resulted in the deaths of all 157 people on board. This tragic event led to the global grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft model, which was the type involved in the disaster. The photograph accompanying the article was taken by Michael Tewelde and distributed by AFP.

China and Indonesia have grounded Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft following the fatal crash of an Ethiopian Airlines plane. Ethiopian Airlines has also grounded its MAX 8 jets. Boeing stated that the investigation is in its early stages and has not issued new guidance. Various airlines and regulators worldwide have responded differently, with some grounding the aircraft and others expressing confidence in its safety. Key stakeholders include Air Canada, American Airlines, and China's Aviation Regulator, among others, with sentiments ranging from confidence in the aircraft to cautious monitoring of the investigation.

The stock market experienced mixed results with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling by 225 points, a 0.9% decrease, largely due to a significant drop in Boeing's stock value. Boeing's shares plummeted by 13% after a second crash involving its 737 MAX 8 aircraft within a five-month period. This decline is noted as Boeing's worst since the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq saw gains of 0.4% and 0.5%, respectively. Southwest Airlines, known for having the largest fleet of 737 Max 8 jets, also saw its shares decrease by 2%.

African Union leaders agreed on measures to compel member states to pay their dues, aiming to reduce donor dependence and implement reforms. Despite some opposition, significant progress was made, including the launch of a Peace Fund and a 0.2 percent import levy to finance the AU. The US supports the AU's self-funding goals but opposes the import levy, citing World Trade Organisation rules. Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who spearheaded the reforms, expressed optimism about the future momentum and progress.

The reopening of the Ethiopia-Eritrea border has revitalized frontier towns and trade, allowing populations to reconnect after a 20-year conflict. The border now sees a flow of goods, including Ethiopian biscuits, drinks, and construction materials, as well as Eritrean shida shoes and teff grain. However, the surge in cross-border activity has led to an increase in refugees fleeing Eritrea and concerns over unregulated currency exchange rates. Both governments hope the renewed trade will benefit their economies, despite the disparities between them.

The editorial discusses the recent positive developments in the Horn of Africa, particularly the end of hostilities between Eritrea and Ethiopia. It also addresses a misconception from the editorial about the 2002 boundary ruling by an independent arbitration panel in The Hague. The article clarifies that the ruling did not award territory to Eritrea but instead made minor border adjustments to both countries. This ruling was accepted by Eritrea as part of an agreement to submit their dispute for 'final and binding arbitration.'

The editorial discusses the recent positive developments in the Horn of Africa, particularly the end of hostilities between Eritrea and Ethiopia. It also addresses a misconception from the editorial about the 2002 boundary ruling by an independent arbitration panel in The Hague. The article clarifies that the ruling did not award territory to Eritrea but instead made minor border adjustments to both countries. This ruling was accepted by Eritrea as part of an agreement to submit their dispute for 'final and binding arbitration.'

The article discusses the severe humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia, where the number of people needing emergency food aid has risen from 5.6 million to 7.7 million due to a drought, particularly in the Somali region bordering Somalia. Despite Ethiopia's efforts to combat famine last year by spending a significant amount of its own budget, the current crisis is exacerbated by a lack of funds and international aid, with the government only able to commit $47 million this year. The United Nations World Food Program is also facing a shortfall and may have to cut food rations. The situation is worsened by the potential for another El Niño event and the Trump administration's proposal to cut U.S. contributions to international aid, which could impact the World Food Program's operations.