Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reaffirmed that the country’s pursuit of Red Sea access will remain peaceful and rooted in dialogue. Responding to lawmakers, he described the issue as legal, historical, and economic, stressing regional cooperation over confrontation. MP Buzuayehu Degefa said access to the Red Sea is vital for Ethiopia’s trade, logistics, and collective prosperity in the Horn of Africa, aligning with national transformation goals and growing international recognition.

Tigray’s Interim Administration, led by Tadesse Worede, denied claims that Tigray forces entered Afar region, countering Afar’s accusation of border violations. The administration accused unidentified actors of fueling conflict and criticized the federal government’s slow implementation of the Pretoria peace deal. Meanwhile, Afar alleged that TPLF attacks displaced about 2,000 civilians, while TPLF accused the federal army of drone strikes breaching the peace accord.

Ethiopia’s national mega-projects are central to its foreign policy and economic sovereignty, political scholar Prof. Brooke Hailu Beshah said. He cited the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as a symbol of national unity and self-reliance, alongside new ventures such as a nuclear power plant, Bishoftu Airport, and a fertilizer factory. Prof. Brooke noted these projects will strengthen food and energy security, deepen regional integration, and promote peaceful, development-driven cooperation across the Horn of Africa.

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) accused Ethiopia’s federal army of launching drone strikes on its forces near the Tigray–Afar border, in what it called a violation of the 2022 Pretoria peace accord. The group said the attack targeted its Milka military camp but did not disclose casualties. Afar regional authorities earlier accused TPLF of invading villages and shelling civilians, claims Tigray officials rejected as false.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called for leadership rooted in innovation, speed, and quality to achieve Ethiopia’s all-round prosperity. Speaking at the closing of an 11-day high-level training for officials, Abiy emphasized that synergy and shared purpose are key to national progress. He urged Prosperity Party leaders to apply the lessons learned toward realizing initiatives like “Faida,” “5 Million Coders,” and corridor development projects.

Ethiopia and Japan celebrated their long-standing partnership during Japan’s Culture Day in Addis Ababa. Ambassador Shibata Hironori said cooperation between the countries remains strong, especially in education, health, and cultural exchange. He highlighted Japan’s technical and financial support through JICA programs and university partnerships. Ethiopia’s Culture and Sport CEO Ahmed Mohammed described the celebration as a bridge, strengthening people-to-people ties and paving the way for future cultural collaboration.