Ethiopia's Challenged National Dialogue Commission

 Ethiopia Insight published on 9 July 2024 a commentary titled "Ethiopia's Next Steps along a Troubled Road to Democracy" by Nebiyu Daniel Meshesha, former Ethiopian diplomat.

Since the government established the National Dialogue Commission in December 2021, it has done little to bring armed groups and opposition parties that declined to participate into the process.  The author argues it is essential to include all key stakeholders.  If the government moves forward without them, the process cannot achieve a legitimate outcome.

Religion in Contemporary Ethiopia

 The Rift Valley Institute and the Peace Research Facility published on 29 May 2023 a study titled "Religion in Contemporary Ethiopia: History, Politics and Inter-Religious Relations" by Jorg Haustein, Abduletif Kedir Idris, and Diego Malara.  

Religion in Ethiopia has made a political comeback under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.  Religion is once again part of political discourse, whether it be in defining political constituencies, demarcating differences, or articulating visions of Ethiopian unity.  This 67-page review offers a comprehensive introduction to the current religious situation in Ethiopia.  

Former US Ambassadors Discuss Their Time in Ethiopia

The US Institute for Peace (USIP) conducted on 5 June 2019 a two hour podcast with four former US ambassadors to Ethiopia. The session was moderated by USIP's Aly Verjee and Johnnie Carson, USIP's senior adviser for Africa, gave introductory remarks.

The four ambassadors were:

Marc Bass, 1991-1994
David Shinn, 1996-1999
Aurelia Brazeal, 2002-2005
Donald Booth, 2010-2013

Fred Strasser summarized their remarks in a 13 June piece titled "In Ethiopia, Former U.S. Diplomats See Promise in Reform."

The Missing Voice of Kenya's Civil Society

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) published on 21 November 2014 a commentary titled "The Missing Voice of Kenya's Civil Society" by Hawa Noor, ISS Nairobi.  The author argues that the role of civil society has diminished in Kenya due to internal wrangles fueled by ethnic politics among civil society members. 

Ethiopia: Teddy Afro's "Tikur Sew"

The Africa Collective published on 8 June 2014 commentary titled "Teddy Afro's 'Tikur Sew'--Ethnic Politics and Historical Narrative" by Rachael Hill, a PhD candidate at Stanford University.  It is an analysis of Ethiopian singer Teddy Afro's 2012 album Tikur Sew (Black Man).  The title track is a tribute to late 19th and early 20th century Emperor Menilik II and the Ethiopian victory over the Italians at Adwa.

Shinn Interview with Awramba Times

The Awramba Times interviewed me on 5 July 2013. The hour long program moderated by Dawit Kebede and Yared Tibebu aired on 21 July 2013. Issues covered included Ethiopia-US relations, Meles Zenawi, Hailemariam Desalegn, President Obama's trip to Africa, Susan Rice, China-Africa relations, Nile water, Renaissance Dam, Egypt, human rights, neocolonialism and ethnic politics.

Insecurity in South Sudan

The Juba-based Sudd Institute published a report on 12 January 2013 by Jok Madut Jok titled Mapping the Sources of Conflict and Insecurity in South Sudan.  The report reached the following conclusions:
 --Ethnic violence continues to plague rural communities across South Sudan.
--This violence, combined with rising urban crime, the actions of security forces, the targeting of foreign laborers, and the weakness of the justice system, means that South Sudan is a society living in fear.
--In the eyes of many South Sudanese, the state has consistently appeared weak or complacent in the face of these complex security challenges.
--In the absence of functioning law enforcement and judiciary systems to address the insecurity and violence in urban centers, the country is left in a climate of accusations and rumors.
--Many South Sudanese say all they have experienced so far is increased violence and disappointment.