Relations between Ethiopian State and Private Chinese Firms

 The United Nations University published in July 2021 a working paper titled "The Dynamics of State-Business Relations between the Ethiopian State and Chinese Private Firms: A Case Study of the Eastern Industry Park" by Weiwei Chen.  

The paper argues that institutions led by Chinese government agencies serve only limited purposes and are led by the interests of certain kinds of firms, and that private firms tend to locally improvise and create their own bargaining mechanisms, even when the Chinese state has built official channels for bargaining.  They do not fit a simple "win-win" narrative.

Gold Mining in Sub-Saharan Africa

The Agence Francaise de Developpement and the World Bank published in 2017 a major study titled "Mining in Africa: Are Local Communities Better Off?" by Punam Chuhan-Pole, Andrew L. Dabalen, and Bryan Christopher Land.

The focus of the study is the impact on local communities of gold mining. Most of the research is based on Ghana, Mali, Tanzania, and Burkina Faso.

Sudan: A Country Study

The Library of Congress published in 2015 a book titled Sudan: A Country Study edited by LaVerle Berry.  It is a comprehensive study on the history, geography, government, politics, economy, foreign relations and society of Sudan.  Although most of the writing for this effort ended several years ago, it offers a useful compendium of information about Sudan before the separation of South Sudan.  I wrote chapter 4: Government and Politics.

Sudan: A Country Study

The Library of Congress has just published online Sudan: A Country Study, which offers a solid study of Sudan before the separation of South Sudan. Go list of countries and select Sudan.

The book is edited by LaVerle Berry and contains the following chapters:

1.  Historical Setting by Tom Ofcansky
2.  The Society and Its Environment by Peter Bechtold
3.  The Economy by Virginia Delancey
4.  Government and Politics by David Shinn
5.  National Security by Tom Ofcansky

Former Somali Prime Minister Abdirizak Haji Hussein Dies

Former Somali Prime Minister Abdirizak Haji Hussein (1964-1967) died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 31 January 2014.  The Center for Policy Research and Analysis republished an interview with the former Prime Minister in Minneapolis on 27 May 2013.  

South Sudan Cabinet Change

Sudan President Omar al-Bashir (right) and South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit. Flickr/Al Jazeera

South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit recently fired his Vice President, Riek Machar, and the entire cabinet. Amanda Lucey, researcher at the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria, offered an analysis of the situation in a piece dated 30 July 2013 titled "Are South Sudan's Cabinet Sackings an Overdue Development Or a Recipe for Conflict?"

Historical Dictionary of Ethiopia - Second Edition

Scarecrow Press/Rowman & Littlefield

The second edition of our Historical Dictionary of Ethiopia will be published in April 2013 by Scarecrow Press.

This 692 page hard-back book is a completely revised and updated version of the 2004 edition.

It contains an historical chronology, introductory overview of Ethiopia, extensive bibliography, and individual entries for key historical events, personalities, ethnic groups, current issues and geographical features.

The State of East Africa

The Society for International Development (SID), an international network of individuals and organizations that promote social justice and foster democratic participation with a headquarters in Rome and regional office in Nairobi, just released its State of East Africa 2012: Deepening Integration, Intensifying Challenges. It looks at the people of the East African Community (EAC)--Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda--, the natural resource base, human development, infrastructure, the economic profile and politics and government.

A few of the findings include: East Africa's population is expected to reach 237 million by 2030. Malnutrition and poverty remain among of the most difficult challenges facing the region. The telecom revolution is leading to an emerging mobile economy. The majority of residents are connected to the internet through mobile phones. An estimated 95 percent of East Africa's cargo is carried by road. This presents a significant challenge as 91 percent of East Africa's road network is unpaved. Intra-EAC trade expanded from $2.2 billion in 2005 to $4.1 billion in 2010. The region is also globalizing rapidly. East Africa is enjoying growth in foreign direct investment attracted by its natural resource endowment, growing economies and integrating markets.

Click here to read the entire report.

Gender and statebuilding in South Sudan

The United States Institute of Peace published in December 2011 a report titled Gender and Statebuilding in South Sudan. The author is Nada Mustafa Ali, a part-time faculty member in global studies at the New School in New York and a consultant and activist.

Ali concludes that the government of South Sudan, with the support of the international community and regional partners, should ensure a strong voice for and meaningful participation of women at all stages of statebuilding.

It should also create a conducive environment for women's participation, human rights, and gender equality by addressing women's immediate needs of access to quality health and education, and help them in their quest to live in a country free of all forms of violence.