#News_Alert: MP Dessalegn Chanie withdraws from Ethiopia’s 7th General Election
Dr. Dessalegn Chanie, MP for #Bahir_Dar City, the capital of #Amhara region, has announced that he will not run in Ethiopia’s 7th general election, citing the absence of conditions for a “free, peaceful, and fair vote.” In a statement to his constituents and the public, he said several political parties had offered him the opportunity to run in Bahir Dar or Addis Abeba, and he had also considered an independent bid. “However, I wish to officially announce my decision not to present myself as a candidate for the upcoming 7th round of elections,” he said.
Dr. Dessalegn added that remaining in parliament for another five years would not bring meaningful benefit to the people he represents. “I have come to understand that the conducive environment necessary to conduct a free, peaceful, and fair election does not exist,” he said.
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News: Fuel shortages deepen in #Addis_Abeba, regional cities as drivers endure prolonged queues
Drivers in Addis Abeba and several regional cities report worsening fuel shortages, with prolonged queues and dwindling supplies deepening the strain caused by recent price hikes.
At present, beyond rising costs, fuel is reportedly becoming increasingly scarce in cities including #Mekelle, #Jimma, #Ambo and #Bahir_Dar. Drivers who spoke to Addis Standard described spending hours in queues at fuel stations, often with no guarantee of securing supply.
A public transport driver in Mekelle said the situation has deteriorated sharply. “Beyond the price hike, it feels like fuel is heading toward complete disappearance. We are buying a 20-litre jerrycan for 8,000 birr, and that too after waiting in line for more than five hours,” he said.
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=55586
Business: #Dubai-based premier hospitality group partners with #MIDROC to develop 10 hotels across #Ethiopia
The agreement, signed during the Future Hospitality Summit Africa, held at Radisson Blu Hotel, #Nairobi Upper Hill, between 31 March and 01 April 2026, outlines a multi-year rollout of properties across key destinations including #Addis_Abeba, #Hawassa, #Bahir_Dar, #Jimma, and #Langano.
The developments are expected to deliver approximately 1,140 hotel keys, with phased openings planned between 2026 and 2031.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56250
News: EPRP calls for nationwide protest on May 8 amid concerns over electoral conditions
The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (#EPRP) has called for a nationwide peaceful protest to be held on May 8, 2026, citing what it described as the absence of “enabling conditions” for a credible election in #Ethiopia.
In a statement sent to Addis Standard today, the party said the planned demonstrations will take place in several major cities, including #Addis_Abeba, #Mekelle, #Bahir_Dar, #Gondar, #Hawassa, #Adama, and #Ambo, urging #Ethiopians to join what it described as a peaceful effort to demand political reforms.
The EPRP said it supports the transfer of power through elections but argued that current conditions do not allow for a “free, fair, and credible” vote. It accused the ruling Prosperity Party of attempting to conduct what it termed a “pseudo-election” aimed at extending its hold on power, describing the process as
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=56410