Ethiopian nationals accounted for 91% of the 13,687 migrants who arrived in Yemen in July 2026, making them by far the largest group of migrants recorded entering the conflict-affected country during the month, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). IOM’s Yemen Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), in its July 2026 dispatch released today, said the number of migrant arrivals increased by 3% from June. The migrants entered Yemen through southern coastal landing points and the Yemen-Oman land border crossing. Of the total arrivals, an estimated 2,584, or about 19%, were under the age of 18, while 2,540, or 18.5%, were women. No children under the age of five were recorded among the incoming migrants during the month, IOM said. … Somali nationals represented the remaining 9% of arrivals, highlighting the dominance of Ethiopians along the migration routes into Yemen during the reporting period. … The IOM data also showed that Ethiopian nationals accounted for all 1,649 migrants who departed Yemen in July, with most heading to Djibouti through the Lahj coast and others travelling to Oman through the Al Maharah land border. … The figures come amid a broader humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where IOM reported that more than 22 million people require humanitarian assistance. The agency said conflict, deteriorating maritime security, severe weather and damage to shelters at displacement sites continued to intensify humanitarian needs in July. (Addis Standard)
RSF Renews Assault on Sudan’s Al-Obeid as Drones Strike Capital, Witnesses Say
The Sudanese Rapid Support Forces renewed its assault on the city of al-Obeid on Wednesday and stepped up drone and land attacks across the country this week following losses on several fronts, according to witnesses. The RSF has found itself on the back foot lately in its war with the Sudanese army, a conflict that began in April 2023, drawing in foreign powers and creating what the United Nations considers the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. But on Wednesday, witnesses in al-Obeid said the strategically important city in the Kordofan region was targeted by eight drones, triggering army air defenses. Two people were killed and others were injured, according to medical sources. … In a long RSF campaign for control of al-Obeid, the city has suffered drone attacks and siege tactics that had decimated its power, fuel, food, and water supplies, threatening a severe humanitarian crisis. The city is estimated to currently contain half a million inhabitants, including about 100,000 people previously displaced by the conflict. (Reuters)
Game theory
Game theory is a framework for analyzing strategic decision-making when the outcome depends on the actions of multiple participants.
Young Artists turn UNFPA’s mandate into ‘Painting Choices’ exhibition
Ten young artists from Addis Ababa University’s Alle School of Fine Arts have translated themes of health, rights and personal choice into original paintings at an exhibition opened in Addis Ababa on Wednesday.
Titled “Painting Choices,” the exhibition was organised by UNFPA Ethiopia in collaboration with Laphto Contemporary Art Gallery to mark International Youth Day 2026. The exhibition will remain open to the public through Aug. 19 at Laphto Contemporary Art Gallery, located on the first floor of Laphto Mall.
Opening the exhibition, Taiwo Oluyomi, Officer-in-Charge and Deputy Representative of UNFPA Ethiopia, said the initiative sought to give young artists the opportunity to interpret the organisation’s mandate through their own perspectives.
“Today is for you,” Oluyomi told the participating artists, thanking them for transforming issues linked to health, rights and choices into visual art.
He said the idea for the exhibition followed a visit earlier this year by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Diene Keita to Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa. During the visit, Keita witnessed the experiences of women receiving care and observed how art had captured their resilience and dignity in ways that words could not fully convey.
“She left with a recommendation: that we do the same for UNFPA’s work—that we hand our mandate to artists and let them paint it,” Oluyomi said.
The participating artists were asked to explore UNFPA’s thematic areas, including sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, youth development, access to comprehensive services and the use of data for development. Their works, Oluyomi said, went beyond simply illustrating UNFPA’s programmes.
“These young artists did not simply illustrate our mandate. They interrogated it. They questioned it. They made it personal,” he said.
According to Oluyomi, the paintings represent individual perspectives and statements on development issues, rather than conventional communication materials.
“The paintings you will see today are not illustrations— they are perspectives. Statements. Conversations waiting to happen,” he said.
He added that art should be considered a central component of development communication, rather than merely a form of decoration.
“Data tells you what is happening—but art makes you feel why it matters,” Oluyomi said.
The opening ceremony included remarks from UNFPA Ethiopia leadership, a presentation by the jury and an award ceremony recognising the top three works.
The exhibition also highlights the role of young people in shaping public conversations around social and development issues. Marking International Youth Day, Oluyomi said the initiative demonstrated that young people were already contributing important stories and ideas, rather than simply representing the future.
“Young people are not just the future. They are telling the most important stories, right now,” he said.
The exhibition is open daily until Aug. 19 at Laphto Contemporary Art Gallery.
