The economy is projected to grow above 7 percent this year, the third fastest in Africa. And yet all is not well in the Africa's second most-populous country.

Conflicts in Oromia, Amhara and Tigray have displaced millions of people , many of whom will be unable to cast ballots on June 1. In Tigray alone, the fracturing of a fragile peace deal with separatists means the election is unlikely to proceed, denying six million Ethiopians the right to vote.

And Ethiopian journalist Ermias Mulugeta told Global South World that a lack of information caused by media repression will mean many who do participate in the election don't understand the situation in their own country.

“Talking about politics for the media is a very tough situation right now,” Ermias said. “The government is the biggest factor in this media landscape.”

Speaking from Canada, Ermias said journalists were no longer able to report freely on corruption, politics or conditions on the ground in conflict-affected regions. He claimed Ethiopia’s media regulator had recently instructed journalists to stop publishing stories about corruption, creating what he described as “a very precarious condition” for reporters.

Journalists can face terror charges for reporting on conflict, with the prospect of a death sentence. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists , Ethiopia is the second-highest jailer of journalists in sub-Saharan Africa, after neighbouring Eritrea.

And despite the rapid economic growth, Ermias said ordinary people were not experiencing the benefits.

“People are not actually feeling it,” he said. “Daily food prices are rocketing.”

He argued that tighter media controls reflected government concerns about growing public frustration. According to Ermias, if journalists were allowed to report freely from regions affected by conflict, they would reveal realities that contradicted official narratives about stability ahead of the election.

Social media fills the news vacuum

Ermias said the weakening of traditional media had pushed more Ethiopians towards social media for news and political discussion. While this had allowed more people to express their views, he warned it had also fuelled misinformation and public confusion.

“People are so confused,” he said, describing a flood of contradictory narratives online from both government supporters and critics.

He argued that journalists and press freedom advocates should work with the Ethiopian government to restore at least some of the media freedoms that previously existed.

“Now we’re in a very tough situation,” Ermias said. “Those who are fighting for press freedom should work with the Ethiopian government to at least get it back to where we were.”

The commission reminded broadcasters and the public that the Electoral Commission is the only constitutional body authorised to declare election outcomes in Uganda. Candidates who are dissatisfied with the results, it said, must challenge them in court within the legally prescribed timelines.

“Broadcast media should not serve as alternative venues for litigating election disputes,” the UCC said.

The regulator warned that airing unofficial results, parallel tallies or speculative allegations is unlawful and could create public panic, confusion and distrust in democratic institutions. It added that such broadcasts may also incite unrest and damage Uganda’s democratic reputation.

The UCC directed all broadcasters to exercise strict editorial oversight and ensure that election-related information is verified against official Electoral Commission sources. It also ordered media houses to refrain from hosting programmes that promote unsubstantiated claims about results.

The commission said it would take “decisive enforcement action” against any broadcaster that violates the law or the guidelines.

Media owners, editors and the public were urged to use broadcast platforms responsibly and in ways that promote national unity and democratic integrity.

Here are five of their main objections:

1. Suppression of free speech and dissent

The coalition says the law has been used less for cybersecurity and more as a political weapon. They cited cases of bloggers arrested for “fake news,” an author detained for writing a presidential biography, and a developer targeted for building a Finance Bill monitoring tool. 

According to BAKE lawyer Mercy Mutemi, the law was a “panic response” to online dissent, not a genuine attempt to tackle cybercrime.

2. Abuse leading to harassment and even death

Perhaps the most shocking example is the case of teacher Albert Ojwang, who reportedly died in police custody after being arrested over a social media post. 

Lawyers argued the Act gives police sweeping surveillance powers, leading to harassment, abductions, and abuses that endanger lives.

3. Violation of constitutional rights

The coalition members claim the law infringes on freedoms of expression, privacy, and judicial independence. Section 50, for example, requires courts to automatically grant police access to digital data if “reasonable grounds” are claimed, a provision Mutemi said turns courts into “rubber stamps” instead of independent watchdogs.

4. Lack of public participation

Another key objection is procedural; significant amendments adding new “content offences” were introduced at the committee stage in Parliament without public consultation. Critics have therefore argued that this violates Kenya’s constitutional requirement for public participation in lawmaking, making the Act illegitimate.

5. Less restrictive alternatives exist

Lawyers insist that there are civil remedies, such as defamation suits, that can protect reputations without criminalising speech. As lawyer Dudley Ochiel argued, criminal provisions like those targeting false publications or cyber harassment are overly broad and open to abuse. Civil law, they say, would strike a better balance between protecting reputations and safeguarding free expression.

The state, represented by the Attorney-General, the DPP, and Parliament,  has urged the court to uphold a 2020 High Court ruling that declared the law constitutional, insisting that regulating digital activity is necessary in the age of technology. The ruling is set to be delivered in February 2026.

The Ethiopian Media Professionals Association (EMPA) has called for accountability following the abduction of two journalists earlier this month. Abdulsemed Mohammed, host of Saturday Market on Ahadu FM 94.3, was held for 12 days, while Reporter senior editor Yonas Amare was detained for 10 days. EMPA described their disappearance as “an illegal act” and urged authorities to ensure justice. The group also stressed that abducting and harassing journalists undermines media freedom and the public’s right to information. Reports indicate that Amare was taken from his home in Sheger City on August 13 by masked individuals, while Mohammed was abducted in Addis Ababa on August 11.

Registration drive for 7.4 million students

The Amhara Regional State Education Bureau in northern Ethiopia has opened registration for the 2025/2026 academic year, aiming to enrol over 7.4 million students despite ongoing security challenges. Mulunesh Dessie (PhD), Coordinator of the Social Sector and Bureau Head, said registration will run from August 25 to September 5, with classes beginning September 16. She noted a steep decline in enrollment, with 4.4 million children missing school last year—the highest in Ethiopia, according to UNICEF. Persistent conflict, drought, floods, and instability have severely disrupted education in the region.

Colombia’s Vice President arrives in Addis Ababa

Colombian Vice President Francia Elena Márquez Mina has begun an official working visit to Ethiopia. She was welcomed at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport by Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba and State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye. Márquez is expected to hold discussions with senior Ethiopian officials during her stay.

Capital Market Authority proposes new investment directive

The Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) has issued a draft directive on collective investment schemes (CIS) for public review, one month after the launch of the Ethiopian Securities Exchange. The framework, based on the Capital Market Proclamation No. 1248/2021, outlines registration, operation, and supervision of pooled investment funds. ECMA said the directive aims to mobilise capital, promote financial innovation, and protect investors while ensuring market integrity and efficiency.

Ethiopia steps up campaign to reclaim looted heritage

Ethiopia has accelerated efforts to repatriate cultural artefacts looted during the colonial era, submitting a comprehensive inventory to UNESCO to block illegal auctions and strengthen international cooperation. Recent recoveries include “Tsehay,” Ethiopia’s first home-built aircraft, as well as relics such as the mantle of Ras Desta Damtew, the Ethiopian Order of the Star, and the armour of Emperor Tewodros II. The government is also preparing new UNESCO nominations, including Al-Nejashi Mosque, Ethiopian coffee traditions, and staple crop onset, highlighting cultural sustainability as a core national development pillar.

In June 2008, then–Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi removed fuel subsidies just months after losing Barisan Nasional’s two-thirds parliamentary majority. Inflation surged from 2.3% in January to 8.5% by July, and despite wage hikes and cash aid, public and party dissatisfaction mounted. Criticism, including from predecessor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, contributed to Abdullah’s early exit, with Datuk Seri Najib Razak succeeding him. Najib avoided similar moves, instead adopting a managed float system (2014–2018) during a period of low global oil prices. Now, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is preparing to address the RON95 blanket fuel subsidy.

GRS to maintain ties with Pakatan, rules out talks with other parties

Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will continue its exclusive partnership with Pakatan Harapan for the upcoming 17th state election, focusing now on seat distribution talks. Secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said no cooperation with other parties was discussed during the Aug 10 meeting, chaired by GRS leader Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and attended by coalition partners. Masidi stressed that local parties should lead the alliance, which he credited with maintaining Sabah’s political stability and supporting development efforts.

Sabah must shed its “master-servant” mindset

At the PGRS Congress in Kota Kinabalu, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor rallied supporters with the phrase “The Master is here. The Master is not there,” recalling a past federal leader’s dismissal of Sabah’s push for a “Borneo Bloc” with Sarawak to strengthen East Malaysia’s voice. That leader had warned Hajiji and his colleagues against pursuing the idea, implying Kuala Lumpur held ultimate authority. Hajiji’s later support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim after the 2022 election was seen as a form of political payback. The episode highlights Sabah’s smaller political clout compared to Sarawak, which holds more parliamentary seats and stronger state control.

LFL urges Akmal to debate flag issue instead of bullying store owner

Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) slammed Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh’s plan to visit a Penang store to “teach” its owner how to display the Jalur Gemilang, calling it bullying, vigilantism, and racially divisive. LFL director Zaid Malek said the store owner had already apologised, yet Akmal ignored this, risking criminal offences such as intimidation and inciting public mischief. Urging government action, Zaid invited Akmal to debate the flag issue instead of harassing citizens. The plan, part of a “Maruah Tanah Airku” rally, follows a viral video showing the flag being carried upside down.

Malaysia must stop saying one thing and doing another

In his first year as UK foreign secretary, David Lammy made 47 overseas trips, including to Malaysia for the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 12 July. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, opening the event, stressed ASEAN’s “centrality” in shaping the Asia-Pacific’s regional architecture. Lammy also met Anwar, with both hailing upgraded UK-Malaysia ties as a “strategic partnership” based on shared values. However, this rhetoric contrasts with Malaysia’s political reality, where Anwar’s government is pushing legislation—such as amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act—that critics say will further curb freedom of expression on sensitive issues of religion, race, and royalty.