The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: The Role of Key Leaders in Its Development

 The blog of Lawrence Freeman posted on 24 July 2025 an article titled "The Legacy & Vision of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam."

The article examines the historical context of Nile water usage, the roles played by four Ethiopian leaders in advancing the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, and the dam's prospects for aiding Ethiopia's sovereignty and prosperity.  

Meles Would End Political Squabbling in Tigray Region

 Ethiopia Insight published on 16 September 2024 a commentary titled "Tigray's Squabbling Leaders Should Honor Meles' Legacy" by Mulugeta Gebregziabher, Medical University of South Carolina.  

While the author praises the legacy of Meles Zenawi, he also acknowledges some faults.  More importantly, he suggests Meles would end the squabbling over power and waste of time and resources demonstrated by the current leaders of Tigray Region.  

Ethiopian Political Developments Since World War II

 A Reuters Special Report published on 21 December 2021 is an account titled "A Fractured Giant: Ethiopia's Struggle to Build a Nation" by Matthew Green.

This is a review of political developments in Ethiopia since World War II, supplemented with photographs during the different periods.

Ethiopia and Zimbabwe: Two Different Outcomes

Foreign Policy posted on 6 September 2019 a commentary titled "Why Ethiopia Sailed While Zimbabwe Sank" by Hilary Matfess, Yale University, and Alexander Noyes, Rand Corporation.

The authors conclude that Robert Mugabe's brutal legacy lives on in Zimbabwe through the system he and Emmerson Mnangagwa created, while Ethiopia stands on the brink of real change.

Ethiopia: An Imperfect Hegemon

International Affairs published in September 2018 an analysis titled "Regional Power and Contested Hierarchy: Ethiopia, an 'Imperfect Hegemon' in the Horn of Africa" by Sonia Le Gouriellec, Catholic University of Lille.

The article looks at the concept of hegemony in Ethiopia, which sees itself as the regional hegemon while acting differently. The author concludes that Ethiopia is an imperfect hegemon, espousing a foreign policy characterized by a relationship of dominance over and assumption of allegiance from its neighbors, which could paradoxically lead to destabilizing policies.

Can Ethiopia's EPRDF Be Saved?

Ethiopia Insight published on 3 October 2018 a commentary titled "The Old EPRDF Is Dead, Can Its System Be Saved? Five Steps To Save the Federation" by Mehari Taddele Maru, consultant to IGAD, AU and UN.

The author explains why the EPRDF federal system is in danger and suggests a way to avoid a drift towards majoritarian rule and worsening instability.

Commentary on Ethiopia's New Leader

The Ethiopia Observer published on 4 July 2018 a commentary titled "Ethiopia's Charismatic Leader: Riding the Wave of Populism or Reforming Ethnic Federalism?" by Alemayehu Weldemariam, a PhD candidate at Georgetown University.

The author urges Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to prove that is the reformist, not the populist, that Ethiopians have long been waiting for. Abiy has to take care that the hopes he has raised are not replaced by despair.

Ethiopia: Background to Protests

The Africa Center for Strategic Studies published on 20 March 2018 an analysis titled "The Many Layers of the Ethiopia Crisis" by Mohammed Ademo, a freelance journalist.

The author argues that the answer to Ethiopia's malaise is greater democratic space and national reconciliation and removal of the state of emergency. It is also necessary to address the root causes of the protests in Ethiopia: the inequity within the governing coalition and the need for legitimacy.

The African Union and a Stable Ethiopia

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) published on 16 March 2018 a commentary titled "Why the African Union Needs a Stable Ethiopia" by Liesl Louw-Vaudran, ISS consultant.

While acknowledging that the African Union, which has its headquarters in Addis Ababa, has little ability to influence the internal political situation in Ethiopia, the author reports that the AU is increasingly concerned about anti-government protests in the country.

Djibouti Economically Dependent on Ethiopia

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) published on 12 March 2018 an analysis titled "Port Deal Underscores Djibouti's Reliance on Ethiopia" by Simon Allison, ISS consultant.

The author notes that Djibouti's economy is dependent on Ethiopia. Any disruption to Ethiopia's economy as a result of current political unrest will have a knock-on effect in Djibouti. The same argument applies to Somaliland's port of Berbera, where Ethiopia is expanding its connections.

Ethiopia and the State of Emergency

The Washington Post published on 3 March 2018 an article titled "Under a New State of Emergency, Ethiopia Is on the Brink of Crisis, Again" by Paul Schemm.

The author commented that while the government of Ethiopia sees the current state of emergency--the second in two years--as necessary to restore order required for any reform, critics see it as a way of perpetuating the status quo.

Ethiopia's Ethnic Federalism and Internal Tensions

World Politics Review published on 27 February 2018 a commentary titled "Ethiopia's Model of Ethnic Federalism Buckles Under Internal Tensions" by William Davison, a freelance journalist based in Addis Ababa.

Davison describes the tensions in Ethiopia's governance model of ethnic federalism as the country navigates the resignation of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.

Ethiopia At Another Crossroads

The Institute for Defense Analyses Africa Watch published on 22 February 2018 a brief analysis titled "Ethiopia At a Crossroads" by Sarah Graveline.

The author is skeptical that the reinstated state of emergency will bring an end to Ethiopia's protests unless there are additional political reforms.

Resignation of Ethiopia's Prime Minister

African Arguments published on 15 February 2018 an analysis titled "Ethiopia: The Relentless Protests that Forced the Prime Minister to Resign" by Gonje De Wadla.

The author argues that the recent resignation of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and the release of some political prisoners will not end the protests in Ethiopia.

Nile Water Diplomacy

The Institute for Security studies published on 2 February 2018 an analysis titled "Will Egypt-Ethiopia-Sudan Diplomacy Placate Other Nile Countries?" by Duncan E. Omondi Gumba, regional coordinator in Nairobi for the ENACT project.

The leaders of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan recently met to discuss Nile water issues after weeks of frosty ties between Egypt and Sudan. The author concluded that any talks on this issue are doomed unless a basin-wide approach involving all 11 riparian states is followed.

Egypt Seeks to Ease Tension with Sudan and Ethiopia

World Press Review published on 16 January 2018 an article titled "Egypt's Leader Seeks to Defuse Tension with Sudan, Ethiopia" by Hamza Hendawi.

The article quotes recent conciliatory remarks about Sudan and Ethiopia by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. Egypt hosted Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki last week and reportedly will host Ethiopian President Hailemariam Desalegn later this month.

Is Ethiopia Falling Apart?

Foreign Policy published on 11 January 2018 a commentary titled "Ethiopia Is Falling Apart" by Mohammed Ademo, a freelance journalist based in Washington, and Jeffrey Smith, executive director of the Vanguard Africa Movement.

The authors conclude that tepid reforms and halfhearted concessions won't save Ethiopia from its existential crisis and that EPRDF leaders have no choice but to change course.

Ethiopia to Release Some Political Prisoners

The Washington Post published on 3 January 2018 an article titled "Ethiopia Plans To Release Some Imprisoned Politicians in Bid for National Dialogue" by Paul Schemm.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn announced on 3 January that some members of political parties under prosecution will be released and that those convicted will be pardoned in an effort to enhance the national political dialogue. This is a step in the right direction, although the devil remains in the details.

Somaliland's Foreign Policy

Pambazuka News published on 9 November 2017 a commentary titled "What Next for Somaliland's Foreign Policy After the Election?" by Yacqub Ismail, student at the University of Bristol.

In the run-up to Somaliland's 13 November presidential election, the author assesses Somaliland's foreign policy vis-a-vis countries in the region.

Ethiopian Stability and US Relations

World Politics Review published on 26 October 2017 an article titled "Overshadowed by Other Conflicts, Ethiopia's Crises Undermine Its Stable Reputation" by Robbie Corey-Boulet.

The author argues that Ethiopia faces internal security problems that are impossible to deny, even if they receive scant attention beyond its borders. This poses challenges for Ethiopia-US relations.