Leyla Aliyeva met Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa to review Azerbaijan–Ethiopia relations and discuss expanding cooperation. Aliyeva conveyed greetings and an official invitation from President Ilham Aliyev, which Abiy accepted. Talks covered Azerbaijan’s COP29 experience and potential cooperation ahead of Ethiopia’s hosting of COP32, alongside broader political, development, and reconstruction cooperation

US President Donald Trump has offered to restart US mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia over Nile River water disputes linked to Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said he welcomed the proposal, citing concerns over water security. Sudan’s military leader also backed the offer. Ethiopia maintains that the dam is vital for national development and rejects downstream claims.

Ethiopia and Belarus signed a bilateral memorandum of understanding to enhance military cooperation. Ethiopian Defense Minister Aisha Mohammed and Belarusian official Dmitry Pantes signed the agreement to advance defense technology, industrial capacity, and joint projects. The MoU reflects growing military, political, and economic ties and builds on prior agreements between the two countries, supporting Ethiopia’s goal of self-sufficiency in military production.

Azerbaijan and Ethiopia held high-level talks in Addis Ababa on preparations for the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled to take place in Baku. The discussions brought together Ethiopian officials, African Union and UN representatives, and Azerbaijani diplomats to review planning progress, participation opportunities, and cooperation initiatives. The forum, organized by UN-Habitat, will focus on inclusive, safe, and sustainable urban development.

Egypt’s water minister Hany Sewilam said Ethiopia should compensate Egypt and Sudan for damage caused by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, citing reduced Nile water flows during the dam’s filling. He said Egypt was denied 38 billion cubic metres of its annual share and described the project as an unprecedented unilateral action. Ethiopia rejects the claims, while Sudan cites flooding and power disruptions linked to dam operations.

An Ethiopian military drone strike killed dozens of pro-government fighters in the Waghemira area of Amhara region. Local officials reported at least 38 deaths, while medics said more than 40 people were killed. Authorities described the incident as a friendly-fire error at a militia camp supporting federal forces. The attack renewed concerns over drone warfare and military accountability, amid multiple ongoing insurgencies and rising tensions in the region.