How Will Normal Relations with Ethiopia Affect Eritrea?

African Arguments posted on 23 July 2018 a commentary titled "Eritrea: History Aside, What Will Peace Mean for My Loved Ones?" by Olivia Woldemikael.

The author wonders what impact normalization of relations with Ethiopia and peace between the two countries will have on her Eritrean relatives. For example, will the seemingly never ending national service remain compulsory?

Eritrea after Peace with Ethiopia

The Ethiopia Observer published on 16 July 2018 an article titled "Eritrean Exiles Seek Domestic Changes as Isaias Makes Peace with Ethiopia" by Arefaynie Fantahun.

The article focuses on concerns in the Eritrean exile community as to whether peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea will result in significant change inside Eritrea.

African Migrants in China

The Africa Studies Quarterly published by the University of Florida devoted its February 2018 issue to "China-Africa Relations: Theoretical and Practical Perspectives on African 'Migrants' in China."

The issue contains the following articles:

--Introduction - China-Africa Relations: Theoretical and Practical Perspectives on African "Migrants" in China by Agnes Ngoma Leslie
--African Students in China: Research, Reality, and Reflection by Li Anshan
--From Pioneers to Professionals: African Brokers in a Maturing Chinese Marketplace by Heidi Ostbo Haugen
--The Bridge Is Not Burning Down: Transformation and Resilience within China's African Diaspora Communities by Adams Bodomo
--Transient: A Descriptive Concept for Understanding Africans in Guangzhou by Dong Niu

Growing Challenges for Eritrea

The Institute for Defense Analyses published on 9 November 2017 a commentary titled "Eritrea--Will Declining Remittances Lead to Domestic Unrest?" by Sarah Graveline.

The author concludes that declining remittances from outside Eritrea and Europe's growing desire to limit Eritrean migration are challenging the government and may encourage increased domestic unrest.

Chinese Migration to Zambia

The most recent issue of the Journal of Current Chinese Affairs published a study titled "Moving Beyond 'China in Africa': Insights from Zambian Immigration Data" by Hannah Postel, PhD student at Princeton.

The author looks at the scale and nature of Chinese migration to Zambia, observing there is increasing diversity in the population flow.

The US, Horn of Africa, and the Gulf States

The Washington-based Hollings Center for International Dialogue just published a summary of its March 2017 dialogue on "Middle East and U.S. Relations with the Greater Horn of Africa."

The summary notes the growing involvement in the Greater Horn of Africa of the Gulf States, Turkey and Iran. It suggests what the United States needs to understand as these actors impact the economic, security, and religious situation in this region.

London Conference on Somalia

The International Crisis Group published on 30 April 2017 a commentary titled "Somalia: Transforming Hope into Stability."

It looks at several key issues concerning peace in Somalia prior to the 11 May 2017 London Conference on Somalia.

China in Namibia: A Force for Good or Not?

The New York Times Magazine published on 2 May 2017 an extensive account focused on Namibia titled "Is China the World's New Colonial Power?" by Brook Larmer.

The author suggests that for some Namibians the flood of Chinese loans and investments doesn't look so much like freedom as it does a new form of colonialism. The new infrastructure projects have saddled the economy with debt and done little so far to alleviate the nearly 30 percent unemployment rate. Somewhere between 10,000 and 100,000 Chinese nationals now live in Namibia. Reflecting on China's image in other African countries, the author concludes that China can be seen by others, in the same instant, as a blessing and a curse.

Chinese Migrants Leave South Africa

Quartz Africa published on 30 April 2017 a story titled "Chinese Migrants Have Changed the Face of South Africa. Now They're Leaving" by Lily Kuo.

South Africa hosts an estimated 350,000 to 500,000 persons of Chinese origin. Some of the families go back several generations while most of them are recent arrivals. The author suggests that today more Chinese traders and entrepreneurs are leaving South Africa than are arriving. The reasons are a bad South African economy, rising xenophobia, crime, and competition from new malls as well as African traders who have forged their own connections in China.

China in Africa: Views of a Chinese Traveler

The Diplomat published on 11 April 2017 an account titled "China in Africa: What's the Real Story?" by Xie Tao.

This is the account of a Chinese traveler who comments on the Chinese diaspora and official presence in Ghana. It offers an interesting perspective.

Somaliland Drought: Diaspora and Mobile Banking to Rescue

The Gulf News published on 7 April 2017 an article titled "Did Adam Smith's Invisible Hand Rescue Somali Drought Victims?" by Bashir Goth, commentator on African issues.

The author reports how the Somali diaspora, using mobile banking, is providing much needed cash to relatives in Somaliland as drought devastates livestock in the Horn of Africa.

Interview on China-Africa and Other Issues

WUCF TV in Orlando, Florida aired on 2 April 2017 a 25 minute interview with me on its "Global Perspectives" program with John Bersia that dealt with China-Africa issues, the U.S. Foreign Service, and Africa generally.

Somalia and Regional Issues

The International Crisis Group published on 22 February 2017 a commentary titled "The Regional Risks to Somalia's Moment of Hope."

The commentary concludes that recently elected President Farmajo must first manage huge expectations and then address delicate relations with neighboring Ethiopia and Kenya.

Horn of Africa: Interview by Ethio Somali Democratic Council

The Ethio Somali Democratic Council posted a 20-minute interview with me on 30 January 2017. The interview dealt with issues concerning the Horn of Africa, Gulf States, and President Trump's executive order temporarily banning arrivals from seven countries including Somalia and Sudan.

Chinese in Africa

Asia Times published on 19 January 2017 a three part series on Chinese communities in Africa by Doug Tsuruoka. The articles are titled "Chinese in Africa - A Mobile Group with Few Ties to Beijing," "'Independents' Make for a Diverse Chinese Diaspora in Africa," and "Where the Chinese Live in Africa."

China's Political Calculus in Ethiopia

The South African Institute of International Affairs published in January 2017 a paper titled "Own Ways of Doing: National Pride, Power and China's Political Calculus in Ethiopia" by Romain Dittgen, University of Witwatersrand, and Abel Abate Demissie, political analyst in Addis Ababa.

The paper focuses on peace and security, human security, and governance and capacity building. It explores the nature of political cultures and concepts of power in Ethiopia and looks at the ways in which China navigates this complex political landscape while seeking to expand its bargaining power in the country.

Book Review of the Mayor of Mogadishu

The New York Times Book Review published on 6 January 2017 a review titled "His City of Ruins: The Story of the Somali Leader Who Tried to Remake Mogadishu" by Joshua Hammer.

This is a review of the book titled The Mayor of Mogadishu: A Story of Chaos and Redemption in the Ruins of Somalia by Andrew Harding, a BBC reporter. It is the account of Mohamud (Tarzan) Nur, a leader of the Somali community in London who returned to Mogadishu in 2010 to become mayor. While Nur had many accomplishments, he was sacked in 2014 following allegations that he looted millions from the city's budget. Harding concludes that morally compromised figures like Nur may be the best one can hope for in a country desperately short of heroes.

Ethiopian Diaspora in US and Impact on Politics

The Addis Fortune published on 8 November 2016 an article titled "Unlike Cubans, Ethiopian Emigres Remain Too Fragmented, Scattered to Impact US Politics" by Tamrat G. Giorgis.

The article discusses the role of the Ethiopian diaspora in the recent US presidential election and the approach of both candidates towards Ethiopia and Africa. Tamrat is currently visiting the United States.

Al-Shabaab's Media Insurgency, 2006-2016

Hate Speech International, a three year old, Norwegian-based independent network of journalists and researchers has just published a study titled "Continuity and Change: The Evolution and Resilience of Al-Shabab's Media Insurgency, 2006-2016" by Christopher Anzalone, research fellow at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

This excellent report examines the history and evolution of al-Shabaab's media operations capabilities and narrative messaging with particular attention to its strategic use and position within the insurgents' broader strategy of territorial control, survival, and rule in light of shifts on the ground inside Somalia. Since 2012, the report increasingly focuses on neighboring countries such as Kenya. The continuing evolution of al-Shabaab's media operations capabilities has proven to be a valuable tool in the insurgent group's overall strategy of territorial expansion and implementation of a form of rebel governance over certain areas of Somalia.

Protests in Ethiopia: The Diaspora and Social Media

Foreign Affairs published on 7 November 2016 an article titled "Is Twitter Hurting Ethiopia? Rumor and Unrest in a Fragile Federation" by James Jeffrey.

The author concludes that the Ethiopian diaspora in the United States current fixation is to influence protests on the ground, which many see as a pathway for bringing down the government. He adds that the militancy of some online activists is making it harder for legitimate grievances to be aired and gives the government an excuse to dismiss unrest as being driven by nefarious external forces.