National Election Board of Ethiopia to conduct security assessment ahead of national vote
via The Reporter Ethiopia7 min read
The National Election Board of Ethiopia NEBE is preparing to deploy a taskforce to conduct security assessments across the country, less than two months before the seventh national elections scheduled for June 1, 2026. This initiative comes amid concerns from opposition parties, security challenges, logistical hurdles, and budgetary issues. Melatwork Hailu, NEBE chair, stated that the taskforce will include representatives from political parties, civil society organizations, and election observers. Their role is to assess conditions and provide recommendations for a safer electoral environment in high-risk regions. This move follows disagreements between opposition parties and the NEBE over previous security assessments, where opposition figures claimed they could not field candidates or campaign in many constituencies the Board had deemed safe. Over 50 million citizens have registered to vote, with 195,000 electoral administrators deployed to nearly 49,000 polling stations across 614 constituencies. The government allocated 10 billion Birr for the election, but officials have requested additional funding. Political parties received 81 million Birr, and 37 media organizations and 169 civil society organizations have been accredited for coverage and observation, respectively. International observation missions from the African Union and IGAD are also expected. Electoral activities have faced disruptions in parts of Oromia, Amhara, Harar, and Sidama regions, leading to the clos
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Reporter Ethiopia.
The National Bank of Ethiopia NBE has reconfirmed its prohibition on the use, trading, and transfer of virtual assets, including cryptocurrencies, unless explicitly authorized by the NBE. The central bank issued a public notice defining virtual assets as digital representations of value that can be electronically traded, transferred, exchanged, or used for payments, investment, or similar purposes. The ban covers the purchase, sale, exchange, transfer, trading, settlement, and facilitation of transactions involving these assets without specific approval under Ethiopia's legal framework. The NBE clarified that the prohibition extends beyond just cryptocurrencies to all virtual assets. Prohibited activities include exchanging virtual assets for fiat currencies or other virtual assets, transferring them, providing custody or administrative services, and offering financial services related to their issuance or sale. The NBE warned the public against engaging in such transactions due to legal and financial risks, including fraud, scams, cyberattacks, market manipulation, and significant financial losses. This statement reiterates existing legal restrictions and does not announce new regulations or enforcement measures.
Must ReadMadagascar's capital, Antananarivo, has been gripped by a crime wave involving missing children and discovered bodies, leading to public anger. The National Police Directorate-General reported 172 disappearances since January 1, 2026, with 164 still missing and eight children found dead, 119 of these cases in the Analamanga region. This crisis has led to vigilante justice, including the lynching of a woman suspected of attempted abduction. Colonel Randrianirina, leader of the junta, has labeled the murders "terrorism" and alleged a political conspiracy without presenting evidence. His Prime Minister declared a "war" against those seeking to "undermine the Refoundation." The regime deployed 400 security personnel and blocked websites, but the conspiracy narrative lacks verifiable evidence. Civil society, trade unions, and the Catholic Church have criticized the government's response. Legal scholar Omar Abderman Ramadany warned against speculation, while the Union of Lecturers and Researchers urged authorities to take concrete action beyond declarations. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Madagascar, through Vice-President Bishop Jean Pascal Andriantsoavina, stated they could no longer remain silent about homicides with unknown perpetrators, directly contradicting the government's claims of political conspirators. This religious opposition is part of a broader trend of disillusionment with the junta, which has seen arrests of political dissidents and a focus on consolidating p
Must ReadArtificial intelligence could boost Sub-Saharan Africa's economic output by approximately four percent over the next decade, provided governments invest significantly in electricity, internet connectivity, and digital skills, according to a recent report from the International Monetary Fund. Without these reforms, the region would see only marginal gains, with productivity increasing by as little as 0.2 percent. The IMF notes that Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the least prepared regions for widespread AI adoption, trailing every part of the world except South Asia in AI readiness. This gap is attributed to weak digital infrastructure, shortages of technical skills, and limited regulatory capacity. Reliable electricity, with about half the region lacking dependable access, and internet access, with only 38 percent of Africans using the internet in 2024, are major obstacles. The region also has limited computing infrastructure, hosting only about 160 data centers globally. Kenya and Rwanda lead East Africa in AI readiness due to strong private technology sectors and coordinated government policies, respectively. Ethiopia, however, ranks lower, despite expanding its telecommunications network. The IMF emphasizes that strengthening digital infrastructure, expanding reliable electricity access, and investing in technical education are crucial for the region to benefit economically from AI.