Ethiopia: A Song Upends a Country

 Ethiopia Insight published on 16 May 2026 a commentary titled "Teddy Afro's Mourning Tent and Ethiopia's Fractured National Imagination" by Belete Addis Yemata, University of Melbourne.

Teddy Afro's new album Etorika and especially the opening song, Das Tal (loosely meaning "pitch the tent"), has drawn more than 140 million views on You Tube and ignited political arguments throughout the Ethiopian community.  Reactions to Das Tal exposed political loyalty, politico-religious alignment, competing ideas of Ethiopia, and different opinions about Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.  

Iran's Influence in Africa

 The American Foreign Policy Council published in November 2025 an in-depth study titled "Charting Iran's Influence in Africa" by Alexander Brown, Charlotte Krausz, and Rob Gioia.  

Africa is a testing ground for Iran's influence operations, a pathway for sanctions evasion, and strategic depth for its foreign policy initiatives.  After mostly ignoring Africa during Hassan Rouhani's rule (2013-2021), Ibrahim Raisi (2021-2024) reestablished engagement with the continent as a strategic priority.  Iran has sought to leverage latent anti-Western sentiment and exploit the political opening created by the departure of longtime regional players such as France.  

Religion in Ethiopia

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

Religion has made a political comeback in Ethiopia under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and is once again part of the political discourse.  Religious affiliation in Ethiopia is part of a multi-layered nexus incorporating ethnicity and other, secondary, social characteristics, such as occupation or class.

The study provides an overview of the politics of religion since the making of the modern Ethiopian nation state in the nineteenth century.  It surveys the four most important faith groups in Ethiopia--Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Protestantism/Pentecostalism, and traditional religions.  Finally, it explores inter-religious relations. 

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.  

Religion, Politics, and the State in Ethiopia

 The Rift Valley Institute published in March 2023 a briefing paper titled "Religion, Politics and the State in Ethiopia" by the Peace Research Facility.  

The briefing paper looks at key issues in the relationship between religious groups, politics, and the state in Ethiopia with a focus on the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Islam, Protestantism, and traditional religions.  

Somali-Americans Do Well in Mid-Term American Elections

 The Washington Post published on 14 November 2022 an article titled "Muslim Americans Make Historic Gains in Midterm Elections" by Alejandra Molina.  

More than 80 Muslim candidates for elective office won local, state, federal and judicial seats in over 20 states in the recent mid-term elections.  A rising number were Somali-Americans in states such as Minnesota, Ohio, and Maine.

Three African States Sign Statement of Concern about Human Rights in China's Xinjiang

 The government of Canada introduced on 31 October 2022 a statement titled "Joint Statement on Behalf of 50 Countries in the UN General Assembly Third Committee on the Human Rights Situation in Xinjiang, China."

The statement commented that "we are gravely concerned about the human rights situation in the People's Republic of China, especially the ongoing human rights violations of Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities in Xinjiang."

Although most of the 50 signatories were western countries, three African states (Liberia, Somalia, and eSwatini) also signed.  eSwatini is the only country in Africa that has diplomatic relations with Taiwan.  

Most African Countries Support China on Human Rights in Xinjiang

 The Associated Press published on 6 October 2022 an article titled "UN Rights Body Rejects Western Bid to Debate Xinjiang Abuses" by Jamey Keaten.  

The 47-member UN Human Rights Council in a victory for China voted against holding a debate on alleged human rights abuses against Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang region.  The proposal supported by the United States, Turkey, United Kingdom, and mostly western countries received 17 positive votes, 19 against, and 11 abstentions.  

Among African members, only Somalia supported the proposal while 8 countries (Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Gabon, Mauritania, Namibia, Senegal, and Sudan) voted against and 4 countries (Benin, Gambia, Libya, and Malawi) abstained.  

For a breakdown of the vote, see the Voice of America's 7 October 2022 "Human Rights Groups, China Voice Strong, Opposing Reactions to UN Vote" by Asim Kashgarian.  

The Role of Religious Actors in Somali Politics

 The Rift Valley Institute and Somali Public Agenda published in 2022 a report titled "The Role of Religious Actors in Contemporary Somali Politics: Key Dynamics and Opportunities for Engagement" by Stig Jarle Hansen, Mahad Wasuge, Abdimalik Abdullahi, and Abdullahi Adan.  

Since the collapse of the Somali state in 1991, religious organizations have demonstrated strong staying power when compared with the rapidly changing mosaic of non-faith-based actors.  In so doing, they have acted as a source of institutional stability in Somalia.  At one end of the spectrum, religious groups actively participate in armed combat or seek to gain power over, or exert influence on government.  At the other end lies the broader societal influence wielded by religious leaders and groups, which, though not explicitly political, may have political consequences.  Religious actors are set to play a significant role in Somalia's emerging democratization process and the broader shaping of the country's political settlement in the years to come.   

The Evolution of Africa's Militant Islamic Groups

 The Africa Center for Strategic Studies published on 9 August 2022 an analysis titled "Sahel and Somalia Drive Rise in Africa's Militant Islamist Group Violence."

This study provides an infomap that identifies the location of attacks in Africa by militant Islamist groups from 2013 through 2022.  In 2021 and 2022, most of the attacks occurred in Somalia, Kenya, Mozambique, Chad, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Cote d'Ivoire.  

Large Al-Shabaab Force Enters Ethiopia

 Ethiopia's The Reporter published on 30 July 2022 an article titled "Ethiopia's Impregnability Ends, Al-Shabaab Remains a Threat" by Ashenafi Endale.

On 20 July, a large al-Shabaab force from Somalia entered Ethiopia for the first time in many years, surprising Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF).  While the ENDF seems to have prevented al-Shabaab from its goal of setting up a base in Bale in Oromia, the attack is a reminder that al-Shabaab remains s serious threat to Ethiopian security.  

Christian Nationalism Is Tearing Ethiopia Apart

 Foreign Policy published on 18 June 2022 a commentary titled "Christian Nationalism Is Tearing Ethiopia Apart" by Andrew DeCort.

Evangelicalism is exploding in Ethiopia today.  The Evangelicals see Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as the 7th King or at least a useful tool for their ambitions.  The author concluded that in his two decades studying and working in Ethiopia he has "never seen such bitter hatred and raw hopelessness."  He fears that violence on the scale of Rwanda could erupt.  

Turkey's Africa Diplomacy

 World Politics Review published on 25 October 2021 an analysis titled "Erdogan's Africa Diplomacy Puts Turkey's Ambitions to the Test" by Chris Olaoluwa Ogunmodede.

Turkish President Recep Erdogan completed last week a visit to Angola, Togo, and Nigeria in an effort to expand relations with Africa.  It occurred amid growing geopolitical tensions in Turkey's backyard as well as with partners like France and the United States.  

The Ethiopian Crisis and Related Issues Podcast

 The Foreign Policy Research Institute posted on 30 September 2021 an hour long podcast with me titled "Latest Developments in the Ethiopian Crisis" moderated by Charles Ray and Rollie Flynn.

This is a wide-ranging discussion of the current crisis in Ethiopia and related issues concerning Eritrea, Sudan, and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.  

Sudan's Role in Red Sea Basin Stability

 The Africa Report published on 25 November 2020 an analysis titled "Sudan--Red Sea Basin: Four Ways to Make or Break Stability" by Amani Al Taweel, Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Egypt.  

The author examines how Sudan's peace determines stability in the Red Sea basin.  The four key variables are the regional position of Sudan, its economic development, power sharing, and the role of Islamist elites in Sudan.  

African Countries Back China's Position in Xinjiang

 The Diplomat published on 9 October 2020 an analysis titled "2020 Edition: Which Countries Are for or against China's Xinjiang Policies?" by Catherine Putz.

Twenty-one African countries endorsed a recent statement authored by the Cuban permanent representative to the United Nations supporting China's human rights policies in Xinjiang.  The signatories included predominantly Muslim Comoros, Egypt, Guinea, Morocco, Sudan and several with significant Muslim minorities.  Interestingly, however, four African countries--Algeria, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Somalia--that endorsed a similar letter in 2019, did not sign on in 2020.    

Ethiopia: Making Room for Muslims

 Ethiopia Insight posted on 16 September 2020 a commentary titled "Proclamation Finally Decrees Equality for Ethiopian Muslims" by Endris Mekonnen, University of Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ethiopia's lower house of parliament approved in June a bill to legally establish the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council. Ethiopia has a large Muslim minority.  The author spells out why this seemingly modest step is significant.  

Ethiopia: Testimonial for Oromo Opposition Leader

Ethiopia Insight posted on 9 November 2019 a commentary titled "In Defense of Jawar, a Brilliant and Dedicated Agent of Change" by Ezekiel Gebissa, Kettering University.

This is a "friend's testimonial" of Oromo opposition leader Jawar Mohammed, who returned to Ethiopia in 2018 from the United States. The author argues that opponents of Jawar Mohammed should work with him and not try to demonize him.

Burkina Faso's Humanitarian Emergency

BBC Radio's Newsday program broadcast on 5 March 2019 a three and one-half minute interview with me titled "Burkina Faso's 'Unprecedented Humanitarian Emergency'." We discussed the reasons behind the recent displacement of about 100,000 Burkinabe following violence emanating from across the border in Mali and Niger and the international response to this humanitarian crisis.

Somali Workers Force Amazon to Bargaining Table in Minneapolis

The New York Times published on 20 November 2018 a story titled "Somali Workers in Minnesota Force Amazon to Negotiate" by Karen Weise.

Somali refugees living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, who work at an Amazon warehouse forced the company to negotiate arrangements to allow time to pray without being penalized for missing quotas. This was particularly significant because the facility does not hire union employees.