Ethiopia Insight published on 5 January 2026 a commentary titled "Cultural Roots of Ethiopia's Political Failure" by Nagessa Dube, a lawyer in Seattle, Washington.
The author argues that Ethiopia's long-standing governance problems stem from deep cultural patterns: silence, secrecy, conformity, authoritarian reflexes, and unquestioned group loyalty. Foreign analysts often misunderstand Ethiopian politics because they overlook these cultural dynamics.
Ethiopia Insight published on 15 December 2025 a commentary titled "Medieval Myths to Modern Ethiopia" by Muktar Ismail.
The author disputes the myth of the Solomonic dynasty. He concludes that Ethiopia faces a critical challenge in creating a shared narrative that embraces its diverse population. This requires moving away from its Solomonic mythology towards a more inclusive fact-based dialogue.
The Economist published on 9 October 2025 an article titled "The Forgotten Horror of Western Tigray."
The article reports that for nearly 5 years ethnic cleansing has been occurring in Western Tigray on a scale reminiscent of the Balkan wars of the 1990s.
Ethiopia Insight published on 6 May 2025 a commentary titled "Adwa Is Not the Only Oppressive Ethiopian Myth" by Tarfassa W. Barooddee, a self-employed Oromo living in North America.
The conventional narrative describes the 1896 Battle of Adwa as a decisive triumph of a united African nation resisting European imperialism. But the author argues that "this romanticized myth" obscures a harsher truth: victory at Adwa did not spare the subject peoples of the south from oppression and violence. The author concludes that Ethiopian unity cannot be forged by manipulating history.
Ethiopia Insight published on 23 April 2025 a commentary titled "Blood and Honor Culture Holds Us Back" by Negassa Dube, a lawyer in Seattle, Washington and advocate for Oromo rights.
Ethiopia has been entangled in a recurring cycle of war and conflict. The author argues that Ethiopia's deeply rooted warrior culture perpetuates this cycle. Ethiopian children are immersed in narratives that glorify warriors as national heroes. Ethiopian media reinforce this narrative.
Acknowledging the problem is the first step toward meaningful change. While the warrior ethos has preserved sovereignty against colonial powers and oppression, it is now perpetuating a cycle of conflict.
The China Global South Project posted on 31 May 2024 a 40-minute audio discussion (and written transcript) with Xinyan Yu and Max Duncan, co-directors/producers of their recent documentary film titled "Made in Ethiopia." Eric Olander and Cobus van Staden ask the questions.
The discussion and the documentary film focus on relationships between Ethiopian workers and Chinese managers at a Chinese industrial park outside Addis Ababa. Some 100 Chinese companies have manufacturing facilities in the industrial park. Filming took place over four years and was interrupted by both COVID-19 and the war between federal government forces and Tigray Defense Forces.
For more information on the film, visit the website. It will be shown at the Tribeca Festival in New York on 6, 9, and 14 June, at the Sheffield Festival in the UK on 13 and 15 June, at DC/DOX in Washington on 16 June, at Encounters in Johannesburg, South Africa on 22 June, and at Encounters in Cape Town, South Africa on 29 June.
Ethiopia Insight published on 29 May 2024 a commentary titled "Persecuted Amharas Have Nowhere Else to Flee to" by an anonymous author.
The commentary focuses on the violence Amhara face as minorities living outside of Amhara Region and due to conflict in Amhara Region because of conflict between Fano militia and central government security forces. The author foresees no early end to these challenges.
Brookings published on 16 January 2024 a commentary titled "Ethiopia's New Year's Ledger: A Controversial New Port and Domestic Challenges" by Jeffrey Feltman, Brookings and former US special envoy for the Horn of Africa.
The author assesses the plusses and minuses in Ethiopia as the new year begins. He concludes that the immediate risk to Ethiopia's stability is the bewildering array of nonstate armed actors.
The US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa held on 30 November 2023 a one hour and 20 minute hearing titled "Ethiopia: Promise or Perils, The State of U.S. Policy." The two witnesses were Mike Hammer, special envoy to the Horn of Africa, and Tyler Beckelman, deputy assistant administrator for Africa in USAID. Nine members of Congress made comments and asked questions.
This was a wide ranging discussion of US policy towards Ethiopia. Some of the questioning suggested deep concerns about developments in Ethiopia and the US policy response. Hammer emphasized that the US believes there is no military solution to the ongoing conflicts in Ethiopia and that Washington will continue to press for accountability of human rights violations. He also noted that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has assured the US that Ethiopia is seeking a peaceful way to achieve access to the sea.
The Hill published on 28 November 2023 a commentary titled "The US Can No Longer Ignore Ethiopia's Human Rights Crisis" by Mesfin Tegenu, executive chairman of the American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee.
The author argues that ongoing human rights abuses primarily aimed at the Amhara in Ethiopia should cause Washington to leverage its influence with the Abiy government to keep its promises for ending these abuses.
The Committee to Protect Journalists published on 12 May 2023 a press release titled "Journalist Gobeze Sisay Facing Terrorism Investigation in Ethiopia after Arrest in Djibouti."
Djibouti officials arrested and extradited to Ethiopia the editor and founder of You Tube-based The Voice of Amhara, charging that he was engaged in terrorist activity.
Ethiopia Insight published on 30 April 2023 a commentary titled "Is Peace Finally Coming to Ethiopia's Oromia Region?" by Ermias Tasfaye, Ethiopia Insight reporter.
Talks on Zanzibar between the Ethiopian government and the Oromo Liberation Army are giving rise to hopes that peace may be coming to Oromia.
Ethiopia Insight published on 28 February 2023 a commentary titled "A Rift in Ethiopia's Orthodox Church Has Been Healed, But Tensions Remain."
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has averted an internal crisis but still faces divisions that could tear apart the institution and the country. The current split is driven by ethnic rivalry and a power struggle between the Oromo and the Amhara ethnic groups.
Deutsche Welle published on 2 February 2023 an article titled "Ethiopia: Old Conflicts Flare As Ethiopia Bids for Peace" by Martina Schwikowski.
Conflict between Amhara and Oromo ethnic groups could disrupt efforts to return to peace in Ethiopia.
Foreign Policy posted on 16 November 2022 a commentary titled "Ethiopia's Other War: As Peace Talks Progress in Tigray, Tensions Are Mounting in Oromia" by Nosmot Gbadamosi.
Hostilities between the Oromo Liberation Army and Ethiopian central government forces are causing increasing casualties in Oromia Region. The rise of Oromo nationalism and resentment of Amhara minority communities inside Oromia contribute to the mounting tension.
Ethiopia Insight published on 24 August 2022 a commentary titled "Oromo Nationalism Should Cross the River of Resentment" by Zola Moges.
The commentary reviews the background and fissures of Oromo nationalism in Ethiopia but mistakenly comments that the Oromo are an ethnic majority rather than an ethnic plurality. The author acknowledges the killing of Amhara in Oromia and concludes that "Oromo nationalism has failed to cross the river of resentment, resistance, and retaliation, and thus remains a captive of its history and successes." The author adds that it is time for Oromo nationalism to align itself with today's reality.
The Philadelphia-based Foreign Policy Research Institute taped on 2 August 2022 an hour long podcast titled "Ethiopia: Is There Hope for an End to the Crisis in Tigray?" with panelists Hank Cohen, Rea Brazeal, and me.
This is a wide ranging discussion of the peace process for Tigray Region, the situation in Tigray, and implications for the wider region.
Amnesty International posted on 21 July 2022 a press release titled "Ethiopia's Authorities Must Investigate Massacre of Ethnic Amhara in Tole" by Deprose Muchena, Amnesty director for East and Southern Africa.
On 18 June, at least 450 ethnic Amhara died, allegedly at the hands of the Oromo Liberation Army, in Tole ward of Oromo Region, according to a local official. Amnesty conducted interviews with local people who confirmed the killings and called for a thorough investigation.
Ethiopia Insight published on 8 July 2022 a commentary titled "Amhara Civilians Were Massacred in Tole, But Questions Remain" by Ermias Tasfaye, Ethiopia Insight reporter.
While it is generally agreed that a massacre of Amhara took place in Oromia, there is increasing disagreement as to the party responsible for the massacre.
The International Crisis Group published on 4 July 2022 a commentary titled "At Long Last, Ethiopia Prepares for Peace Talks" by William Davison.
Following 6 months of relative peace in Ethiopia, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on 14 June plans for a peace process. Both the central government and the Tigrayans have apparently concluded that peace talks are preferable to continued conflict. The author surveys the obstacles to successful negotiations.
