Review of our China-Africa Book

 The November 2024 issue of the African Studies Quarterly includes a review of China's Relations with Africa: A New Era of Strategic Engagement by David Shinn and Joshua Eisenman published in 2023 by Columbia University Press.  Phill Wilcox of Bielefeld University did the review.  

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. 

Measuring China's Influence in Africa

 Doublethink Lab and the China in the World network have published a cross-regional ranking to measure China's overseas influence through comparable data titled "China Index 2022: Measuring PRC Influence Around the Globe."  It looks at 82 countries, including 11 in Africa, evaluating the following 9 domains: academia, domestic politics, economy, foreign policy, law enforcement, media, military, society, and technology.

The African country ranked as having the highest amount of Chinese influence was South Africa, tied with Peru for position number 5.  Other African countries had the following rankings: Nigeria (14), Egypt (17), Tanzania (18), Ghana (20), Kenya (22), Zambia (46), Sierra Leone (47), Gambia (50), Ethiopia (56), and Senegal (74).  By comparison, the United States ranked number 21.  

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.  

Women and Politics in Somalia

 The Mogadishu-based Heritage Institute published in July 2022 a study titled "Women and Politics: Overcoming Barriers of Political Representation in Somalia" by Ladan Affi, Zayed University in the UAE, and Zainab M. Hassan, executive director of the Somali Gender Equity Movement.  

Women in Somali government positions remain under the 30 percent goal promised by the government of Somalia.  The study examines the public perception of women's political participation as well as the opportunities and challenges they face in pursuit of political engagement.  

Women and Politics in Somalia

 The Heritage Institute for Policy Studies published in July 2022 a report titled "Women and Politics: Overcoming Barriers of Political Representation in Somalia" by Ladan Affi and Zainab M. Hassan.  

This report examines the public perception of women's political participation as well as the opportunities and challenges they face in Somali politics.  

Ethiopia: COVID-19 and Politics

 Health Policy and Planning published on 5 August 2021 a study titled "Health and Politics in Pandemic Times: COVID-19 Responses in Ethiopia" by Marit Tolo Ostebo, Terje Ostebo, and Kjetil Tronvoll.

The study explores the relationship between health and politics in Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia Regional States from June to September 2020.  It concludes the degree of securitization and politicization differed between the regions and fluctuated over time.  In areas with strong opposition to political authorities, the COVID-19 mitigating efforts were--during the first phase of the pandemic--more politicized and securitized than in areas with less opposition.  

China-Africa Relations: It's about Politics

 The Diplomat published on 11 August 2021 a commentary titled "China's Presence in Africa Is at Heart Politics" by Thierry Pairault, France's National Centre of Scientific Research.

The author argues that China's relations with Africa are based more on geopolitical considerations than economic ones.  By supporting African countries economically and financially, China is building a client base of countries that will enable it to organize the rebirth of a strong and powerful China.

Future of Ethnic-based Political Parties in Ethiopia

Ethiopia Insight published on 2 February 2020 a commentary titled "What Now for Ethiopia's Multinational Federalism?" by Mistir Sew, a pseudonym.

Sub-State nationalism remains the major issue in Ethiopian politics. The author argues that banning ethnic-based political parties is not the answer; rather the federal system must be reformed and improved.

State of Somalia 2019

The Mogadishu-based-Heritage Institute for Policy Studies just published its State of Somalia Report 2019. It focuses on the main developments and key trends in politics, security, economy, social services, and the role of external actors throughout 2019.

During 2019, the political situation was characterized by major upheavals and a deepening rift between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the Federal Member States. Talks between Somaliland and the FGS remained frozen.

Controversial Somali-American Member of Congress

The Washington Post published on 6 July 2019 a lengthy article titled "Ilhan Omar's American Story: It's Complicated" by Greg Jaffe and Souad Mekhennet.

This is an account of Somali-American Ilhan Omar's rise in American politics to a member of the U.S. Congress, where she has stirred controversy.

Traditional Ethiopia Is Gone

Ethiopia Insight published on 19 June 2019 a commentary titled "The Bastardization of Ethiopia's Modernity" by Tezera Tazebew, University of Gondar.

The author provides a philosophical analysis of Ethiopia's political and economic evolution since the beginning of the 20th century. He argues that "bastard modernity" is a more plausible description of the politico-economic and social structure of Ethiopia since the 20th century and concludes that traditional Ethiopia is gone.

Ethiopia: Weaving Together Multiple Plot Lines

Ethiopia Insight posted on 7 April 2019 a commentary titled "Abiy Must Weave Together Multiple Plot Lines" by William Davison, owner and editor of Ethiopia Insight.

The author argues that a ruthless struggle among competing domestic plot lines is underway in Ethiopia. Only by successfully weaving these plot lines together will progress towards a peaceful and prosperous pluralism be achieved.

Women in Somali Politics

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) published on 14 September 2018 an analysis titled "Women Claim Their Place in Somalia's Politics" by Omar S. Mahmood, ISS Addis Ababa.

In recent election cycles, the Somali parliament has mandated a 30 percent quota for women. Although Somalia continues to fall short of the quota, in the 2016/2017 cycle women did constitute 24 percent of all parliamentarians. Women are slowly making progress and agitating for even higher percentages.

Analysis of Kenya's New Chinese Built Railway

The China-Africa Research Initiative at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies published in June 2017 a research paper titled "African Politics Meets Chinese Engineers: The Chinese-built Standard Gauge Railway Project in Kenya and East Africa" by Uwe Wissenbach and Yuan Wang.

Kenya's new standard gauge railway between Mombasa and Nairobi was built by China Road and Bridge Corporation and financed largely by credits from China's Export Import Bank. The project has sparked controversy concerning its economic viability, corruption, opaque contracting practices, financing arrangements, and community and labor issues. The paper examines the way Kenyan politics have affected implementation of the standard gauge railway.

Kenya: Drought, Pastoralism, and Violence

World Politics Review published on 9 May 2017 an interview with Murithi Mutiga, International Crisis Group, titled "How Drought and Politics Are Exacerbating Pastoralist Violence in Kenya."

The author discusses the intersection in northern Kenya of drought, access to water and pasture, pastoralism, land conservation and confiscation, and politics. The result is an increase in violence.

Optimistic Beginning for Somalia's New President

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) published on 13 February 2017 a commentary titled "Somalia's Elections Herald Unexpected Fresh Start" by Omar S. Mahmood, ISS Addis Ababa. The author suggests the election is a rejection of politics as usual in Somalia.

China-Africa Relations: A Bibliography

This is my ongoing bibliography of China-Africa relations that has been updated as of 1 January 2017 and now extends beyond 200 pages. It covers all topics concerning China's interaction with Africa and individual African countries.

Gender, Media, and the Politics of Female Violent Extremism in Kenya

The Wilson Center in Washington published in December 2016 a policy brief titled "Beyond Material Interventions: Rethinking the Role of Gender, Media, and the Politics of Female Violent Extremism in Kenya" by Frederick Ogenga, Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding Scholar.

It offers recommendations for the government of Kenya, African Union, international community, and the media for dealing with this problem.

The recommendations are based on a research paper titled "Philosophizing Alternative Pan-African Media and Society Approaches to Countering Female Violent Extremism in Kenya for Peace and Security" by Frederick Ogenga.

Ethiopian Diaspora in US and Impact on Politics

The Addis Fortune published on 8 November 2016 an article titled "Unlike Cubans, Ethiopian Emigres Remain Too Fragmented, Scattered to Impact US Politics" by Tamrat G. Giorgis.

The article discusses the role of the Ethiopian diaspora in the recent US presidential election and the approach of both candidates towards Ethiopia and Africa. Tamrat is currently visiting the United States.