Why Peace is Elusive in Ethiopia

 The Conversation published on 23 September 2021 a commentary titled "Tigray War Antagonists Are Reluctant to Talk Peace: Why and What's Next" by Mohammed Girma, University of Roehampton.

Rather than seeking peaceful ways out, both sides of the conflict in Ethiopia have entrenched their positions as the conflict progressed.  Both sides have strong local support.  US sanctions are doomed to fail because they cannot generate trust between the warring sides.

What To Do About Sudan

African Arguments published on 24 September 2019 a commentary titled "From Sledgehammers to Scalpel: How Foreign Powers Can Support Sudan" by John Prendergast, founding director of the Enough Project.

The author rightly calls for targeted sanctions on spoilers who attempt to undermine the transition to civilian rule in Sudan. But he also urges that Sudan remain on the US state sponsors of terrorism list until there is fiscal transparency and the resolution of multiple conflicts in Sudan. This is not the purpose of being on the state sponsors of terrorism list; it is the wrong tool for dealing with these problems. In spite of its numerous other faults, Sudan has cooperated for many years with the United States in combatting terrorism.