Ethiopia Election Watch: Voting in Ethiopia’s June 1 parliamentary and regional elections was disrupted or shut down in key areas, with Tigray fully excluded and security concerns cited for polling interruptions in Amhara and Oromia—while the Prosperity Party is widely expected to win a landslide and extend PM Abiy Ahmed’s rule. Press and Political Space: Multiple reports flag tight control of media access and campaigning limits, raising doubts about how competitive and credible the vote can be amid ongoing unrest. Eritrea Independence & Community Life: Eritreans in the UAE and Saudi Arabia marked the 35th Independence Day with community events tied to national development and resilience. FGM-Free Villages: In Logo-Anseba, 22 villages were declared free of female genital mutilation, with local officials and UN partners attending and calling for continued monitoring. Public Health in Eritrea: The Eritrean Public Health Association held its 4th scientific congress, discussing research priorities and revising its constitution, with plans to define roles for public health professionals. Regional Diplomacy: Egypt condemned Somaliland’s plan to open an embassy in Jerusalem as a breach of international law, linking it to wider Red Sea and Horn of Africa tensions.