From the periphery, Ethiopian Muslim protesters have recently turned a page in the history of the country. They have proven that demonstrations by religious groups can be peaceful, that secularism can be the aim of these groups instead of their nemesis and that a radical Islamist agenda doesn't ha
It is surely better now to concentrate on Meles’ positive achievements rather than dwell on negatives from the past. His legacy will be decided by what happens next. But the “develop now and clean up later” approach enjoyed by the west for a while is no longer an option - for anyone.
He embodied the eternal paradox that is Ethiopia: a land of ‘great abundance’ where so much poverty exists; a Garden of Eden whose potential has never been fulfilled.
Does the Ethiopian state rest on the shoulders of a single man? His illness and recent disappearance from the public eye give some urgency to the question says René Lefort.
If the under or mis-reported uprisings, protests, revolts and changes of regime in many parts of Africa over the past few years have told us anything, it is that politics on the continent does not always, or mostly, take place at the point of a gun.
Although Ethiopia has never been a breeding ground for Islamism, the government has started to interfere in religious affairs in order to preempt radicalization. This strategy will most likely backfire, sowing the very seeds of political Islam that it seeks to keep at bay.
Why has the Arab Spring so far failed to spread south of the Sahara – and should some African leaders be looking over their shoulders?
Ethiopian politics is divided along ethnic lines. This puts the concept of majority rule under pressure and creates a situation that is neither democratic nor just. Ethiopian politicians should strive to cement Ethiopian unity through democracy and justice, not bloodlines
Development and peace in Ethiopia are hampered by a poor social network infrastructure, low trust between the people and the government and low trust between ethnic groups. Conventional cultural unity would harmonise a peace by strengthening the psychological attachments between Ethiopians.
Land in Ethiopia is being leased to agro-industry investors on very long terms and below market rates. The beneficiaries have good political connections. But land has been the play-thing of centralising authoritarians throughout Ethiopia's recent history
The Ethiopian government led by prime minister Meles Zenawi uses charges of terrorism to silence and intimidate its domestic critics. The political technique is now being extended by accusing independent journalists of conspiracy. One of his targets, Abiye Teklemariam Megenta, responds.
Foreign intervention is not the answer, argues Josephine Whitaker. The solution to Somalia’s problems must be found at home.
