Interpreting Ethiopia's Constitution

 Ethiopia Insight published on 13 February 2026 a commentary titled "Reimagining Ethiopia's Constitutional Architecture" by Nagessa Dube, a lawyer in Seattle, Washington.

The author argues that Ethiopia needs constitutional reform.  Courts now have almost no authority to interpret the constitution; it is in the hands of a political body.  He believes constitutional interpretation needs to be transferred to an independent judiciary and the ongoing National Dialogue offers a rare chance to make this change.  

Ethiopia: Amhara under Attack

 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.  

Is Conflict in Ethiopia's Amhara Region Leading to Civil War?

 Foreign Policy posted on 6 March 2024 a commentary titled "Ethiopia's Amhara Conflict Could Spark Civil War" by Adem Kassie Abebe, vice president of the African Network of Constitutional Lawyers, and Zelalem Moges, an Ethiopian international lawyer.  

The decentralized Amhara Fano militia has been in conflict with the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) since August 2023.  The militia proclaims to protect Amhara interests by working to transform what it perceives as an anti-Amhara sociopolitical system.  There is a common belief among Amhara today that there is a deliberate effort to undermine them.  The authors argue that the conflict between the ENDF and Fano militia is reaching a tipping point, and call for a national political dialogue to forestall such a possibility.  

Ethiopian Drone Strikes in Amhara Region

 Aljazeera published on 29 December 2023 an article titled "'Collective Punishment': Ethiopia Drone Strikes Target Civilians in Amhara" by Zecharias Zelalem.  

Ethiopian drone strikes aimed at the rebel Fano militia in Amhara Region are also killing civilians according to this report.  

Another Ethiopian Journalist in Detention

 The Committee to Protect Journalists published on 4 December 2023 a press release titled "Ethiopian Authorities Detain Ethio News Chief Editor Belay Manaye without Charge."

Arrested by police on 13 November, Belay Manaye, chief editor of Ethio News, remains in detention without an explanation from Ethiopian authorities.  Belay has extensively covered the conflict in Amhara region.  

Ethiopia Arrests Three More Journalists

 The Committee to Protect Journalists published on 6 September 2023 a press release titled "Three More Journalists Arrested under Ethiopia's State of Emergency."

Ethiopian authorities recently arrested the chief editor of the YouTube-based broadcaster Amhara Media Center, founder and editor of YouTube-based outlet Negari TV, and the editor-in-chief of the weekly Ghion magazine.  

Ethiopia Declares State of Emergency in Amhara Region

 Reuters published on 4 August 2023 an article titled "Ethiopia Declares Six-month State of Emergency in Amhara after Clashes" by Dawit Endeshaw.  

Ethiopia's government declared a six-month state of emergency in Amhara Region following days of clashes between the military and the local Fano militia.  The Ethiopian National Defense Force and the Fano militia were aligned during the war against Tigray Region.  The relationship soured, however, as the federal government tried to weaken regional paramilitary groups such as Fano.  

Ethiopia: Journalists Detained in Oromia

 The Committee to Protect Journalists  published on 18 February 2022 a press release titled "Ethiopia Ends Emergency, But Pursues New Cases against 3 Detained Journalists."

Following a state of emergency in November 2021, Ethiopia arrested 3 journalists: Amir Aman Kiyaro, Thomas Engida, and Temerat Negara.  Although the state of emergency was recently lifted, two of the three are being charged reportedly under Ethiopia's expansive anti-terrorism law.

Ethiopia Ends State of Emergency

 Reuters published on 15 February 2022 an article titled "Ethiopia's Parliament Lifts State of Emergency Early" by Dawit Endeshaw.  

Ethiopia's parliament, with some dissent, agreed to lift the country's state of emergency.  This may improve the chances for a negotiated solution to Ethiopia's internal conflict.  

Tigrayan Civilian Detainees in Ethiopia Allege Widespread Extortion

 Aljazeera published on 10 February 2022 an article titled "Ethiopian Officials Accused of Extorting Tigrayan Detainees" by Samuel Gebre and Zecharias Zelalem.  

Aljazeera interviewed victims and relatives of Tigrayan civilians detained by federal authorities in the aftermath of conflict that began in November 2020.  The article claims there is widespread extortion of the detainees for everything from release from prison to access to clean water.  

US Continues Withholding Aid to Sudan

 The Associated Press published on 20 January 2022 an article titled "US Says It Will Not Resume Sudan Aid after Recent Violence."

US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, David Satterfield, and US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Molly Phee, recently visited Khartoum.  They explained the United States will continue withholding aid from Sudan until the country's military rulers stop the killing of civilian protesters and a civilian-led government takes power.  

Reuters covered that same topic on 20 January 2022 in an article titled "Sudan Council Agrees with U.S. on Amending Democracy Transition Document."

Is a Democratic Transition Still Possible in Sudan?

 Foreign Policy posted on 3 January 2022 a commentary titled "To Safeguard Sudan's Democratic Transition, Act Now" by Amgad Fareid Eltayeb, former assistant chief of staff to former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.

Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok's resignation puts the military and civilians in direct confrontation.  The concern now is that the military will name a puppet prime minister in a manner that is unconstitutional.  An internationally-facilitatated, inclusive political process is needed to end the crisis.

Ethiopia Ranks High in Journalists under Arrest

 The Committee to Protect Journalists posted on 16 December 2021 an article titled "Ethiopia Uses Emergency Law to Ramp Up Arrests of Journalists."

Ethiopian authorities have arrested at least 14 journalists since declaring a state of emergency on 2 November.  The only country in Sub-Saharan Africa with more journalists under arrest is Eritrea.  

In a related story, Aljazeera published on 16 December 2021 an article titled "Ethiopia Arrests Associated Press Freelance Journalist."

Way Forward for Peace in Ethiopia

 Chatham House in London published on 29 November 2021 a commentary titled "Can Ethiopia Avert Deep Turmoil and Prioritize Peace?" by Ahmed Soliman.  

The author calls for the engagement of regional leaders such as Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta to help establish a cease fire in Ethiopia that would be monitored by a UN-mandated commission.  Eventually there must be an Ethiopian national political dialogue to accommodate different ideas.  

An Endgame in Ethiopia

 World Politics Review published on November 22, 2021 an analysis titled "Getting to a Sustainable Endgame in Ethiopia Will Be an Uphill Climb" by Marine Gassier.  

The author concluded that efforts to seek military solutions to Ethiopia's current political problems will be both devastating and ineffective.  

US Urging Americans to Depart Ethiopia via Commercial Flights

 Axios published on 15 November 2021 an article titled "There Will Be No Airlift: U.S. Urges Americans to Leave Ethiopia Now" by Dave Lawler.

The State Department press spokesperson recommended that Americans in Ethiopia depart the country while there is excess capacity on commercial flights out of the country.  He emphasized that Addis Ababa is currently calm and there is no immediate threat but the Abiy Ahmed government has declared a state of emergency and as a precautionary measure now is the best time to leave.  

Sudan Crisis Worsens as Generals Entrench Power

 The New York Times published on 11 November 2021 an article titled "Sudan's Top General Entrenches Military Coup, Frustrating Western Efforts" by Declan Walsh.

Lt. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan appointed himself as the head of a new ruling body that entrenches the military in power in Sudan.  There seems to be no serious intent to return to the transitional process aimed at creating a civilian government. 

Ethiopia Detains UN Locally-hired Employees

The New York Times published on 9 November 2021 an article titled "Ethiopia Seizes Dozens of U.N. Workers as Civil War Spreads and Famine Looms" by Rick Gladstone and Declan Walsh.

Ethiopian authorities seized 16  Ethiopian UN staff members in Addis Ababa in recent days.  No explanation was given.  

 Reuters published on 10 November 2021 an article titled "Ethiopian Authorities Detain More than 70  U.N. Drivers, Amid Reports of Mass Arrests." 

Ethiopian authorities have detained 72 drivers of unknown ethnicity working with the UN's World Food Program and Catholic Relief Services in Afar Region.  

US Increasingly Concerned about Situation in Ethiopia

 Foreign Policy published an article on 5 November 2021 titled "State Starts Ethiopia Task Force as It Urges U.S. Citizens to Leave" by Robbie Gramer.

The State Department has set up an Ethiopian task force and advised U.S. citizens to leave the country "as soon as possible."  This action indicates the US government is increasingly concerned about the future of Ethiopia.

Emergency Powers Authorized in Ethiopia

 Amnesty International posted on 5 November 2021 a warning titled "Ethiopia: Sweeping Emergency Powers and Alarming Rise in Online Hate Speech as Tigray Conflict Escalates."

Amnesty International suggests that Ethiopia is teetering on the brink of a human rights and humanitarian catastrophe.