Ethiopia has been undergoing significant political and developmental changes, particularly in the Amhara region. This article delves into recent events, including agricultural advancements, human rights concerns, and the broader political landscape.
Agricultural Advancements in Amhara
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed recently inspected the newly constructed Magatch Dam in the Amhara region’s Gondar area. He described it as a milestone project for the country’s agricultural transformation and national food security. The visit was part of a broader tour assessing large-scale agricultural and irrigation developments across Amhara, a region that has recently faced both security and environmental challenges.
Speaking at the site, Abiy said the dam represents “a vital investment in Ethiopia’s agricultural future,” adding that it currently irrigates around 870 hectares of farmland, with plans to expand coverage to over 17,000 hectares upon completion.
Strategic Step in Ethiopia’s Agricultural Ambitions
The Prime Minister confirmed that construction had reached an advanced stage following the successful diversion of the Magatch River, a key tributary in northern Ethiopia that flows south into Lake Tana. He emphasized that the project is progressing on schedule and in line with national engineering standards.
Abiy stressed that beyond its technical goals, the dam aims to empower local farmers, generate employment, and strengthen the country’s food resilience. “This project is about self-reliance - producing what we eat and securing livelihoods,” he said.
Read also: Ethiopian Cuisine: Philadelphia Guide
Progress and Regional Significance
Minister of Lowlands Development Abraham Belay said the dam was built with the support of specialized hydrological and civil engineering teams. He noted that the main structural works have been fully completed, while filling and reinforcement activities are ongoing. The government expects the project to be officially inaugurated before June 2026.
The Magatch River originates near Gondar and flows south toward Lake Tana through several tributaries, including the Demaza, Angerib, and Ahyamizuria rivers.
The Magatch Dam is part of a wider government irrigation and agricultural plan encompassing the Magatch and Ribb river basins. The initiative, aligned with the Nile Basin Initiative, aims to gradually develop up to 20,000 hectares of arable land and boost irrigated crop production - a cornerstone of Abiy’s push for economic and agricultural modernization.
Regional Sensitivities Over Nile Waters
Observers say the announcement could draw regional attention - particularly from Egypt and Sudan - as it comes just two months after Ethiopia officially inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Unlike GERD, which focuses on hydropower generation, the Magatch project centers on irrigation and food production.
Human Rights Concerns in Amhara
There are serious concerns regarding human rights in the Amhara region.
Read also: Authentic Ethiopian Cuisine
“The international silence over the mass and arbitrary detention of thousands of people in Amhara region is beyond shameful. Ethiopia’s development partners, as well as African and global human rights bodies, must use their influence to publicly call for the release of all arbitrarily detained people."
“Keeping thousands of people locked up for months without charge or trial is a travesty of justice and a blatant human rights violation. Not only are thousands of people behind bars without any legal basis, but the Ethiopian authorities have also continued to arbitrarily arrest people in the Amhara region.
On 28 September 2024, Ethiopia’s army and Amhara regional security forces arbitrarily rounded up thousands of people across Amhara region and brought them to four mass detention centres. Four judiciary workers were released in October 2024. In January 2025, authorities released hundreds of people, including three judges, women, elderly people and people suffering chronic health issues.
Political Landscape and Regional Tensions
Ethiopia and Eritrea have experienced quite a few watershed moments in their shared history. After the end of the colonial era, Eritrea was incorporated into the Ethiopian Empire. A war of independence ended in 1993 with the secession of the former province. The governments of both countries had been allied for a brief period until three years ago.
They had joined forces against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) in Ethiopia's northern province of Tigray. The TPLF is also the common denominator in the past enmity between the two countries: Although its ethnic group constituted only around 6% of the Ethiopian population, the TPLF dominated domestic politics for decades and enforced a harsh policy against Eritrea.
Read also: A Taste of Ethiopia in South Carolina
TPLF dominance ended in 2018 when Abiy Ahmed, who originates from the two largest ethnic groups, the Oromo and the Amhara, was elected Ethiopian prime minister. But the improved relationship since the end of the Tigray War now lies in shambles.
The main point of contention is Abiy's increasingly vehement demands for a seaport for Ethiopia, the world's most populous landlocked country with 120 million inhabitants. Ethiopia primarily uses the ports in its small neighbor Djibouti for imports and exports - and, according to experts, pays between $1.5 billion and $2 billion (€1.3 billion and €1.7 billion) annually to do so.
Eritrea fears Abiy could seize the port of Assab by force, located just 75 kilometers across the border. In mid-October, high-ranking Ethiopian officials, intelligence and military representatives visited the border town of Bure, situated on the highway to Assab.
Unlike Abiy's government and the TPLF, Eritrea was not a party to the 2022 Tigray Peace Agreement in Pretoria. After the deal was closed, powerful TPLF officials came to blows over the concessions made to Abiy, ultimately leading to a split within the TPLF. A breakaway faction distanced itself from the prime minister and reportedly receives support from Eritrea.
Since the spring, numerous reports about skirmishes and troop movements in northern Ethiopia have surfaced. "Right now, the fight in the Amhara region has proven to be a very challenging one to the Ethiopian army.
"In theory, anything can happen but, personally, I don't think there will be an outright war between Ethiopia and Eritrea beyond the ongoing verbal war for many reasons," Wak-Woya told DW.
Security expert Sayed argued that the African Union would be the right place for conflict resolution, but added: "The African Union has always had a chronic problem when it came to addressing issues of conflict within Africa, but also within Ethiopia, too.
"On the other hand, of course, I think it is difficult for countries in the Horn region to get a read on exactly what is happening in Washington.
Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki has already sought the support of his ally Egypt: In late October, he traveled to Cairo for a five-day working visit. Abiy's current term is coming to a close as Ethiopians will head to the polls sometime in 2026.
The Amhara are the country’s second-largest ethnic group. Rebels in the region, including the Fano militia, seek a return to the political power they once held and say Amhara communities are being targeted in areas where they are minorities.
Despite the region being nearly inaccessible to journalists, Kiyaro developed sources on the ground. With the support of Khaled Kazziha, assistant news director for East Africa, Kiyaro remotely trained local residents in photography and video to gather compelling, exclusive visuals.
Are Eritrea and Ethiopia on the brink of war again?
Key Facts and Figures
Here's a table summarizing key data points discussed in the article:
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Magatch Dam Irrigation Coverage | Currently 870 hectares, planned expansion to over 17,000 hectares |
| Ethiopia's Annual Port Costs (Djibouti) | $1.5 billion - $2 billion |
| Ethiopia's Population | 120 million |
| TPLF Ethnic Group Representation | ~6% of Ethiopian population |
| Detention Centers in Amhara region (September 2024) | 4 |
