HARAMBEE TODAY: Recent Episodes
Rutha Bahlibi
We are a nonprofit focusing on African economics. Our goal is to gather and disseminate useful insights that inspire people worldwide to collaborate and advocate for the creation of a level playing field for Africans in local and global markets. This podcast is produced by Rutha Bahlibi.
Linguistic structures and terminologies show how Ethiopian ethno-national groups are genetically related, says Dr. Weldu Weldeyesus.
Photo: Compilation of photos from Flickr users Rod Waddington, Jasmine Halki, UNICEF Ethiopia, USAID Ethiopia, and FAO of the UN. The list of languages and transcript can be found here.
Ethiopia's federal system is organized along ethnic lines, and whether that has been a good or bad thing for the country is the subject of much debate. In this episode, we'll discuss the history of how Ethiopia became a state and the pros and cons of ethnic federalism.
People in this episode:
Dr. Tsega Gebreyesus Global health researcher Ethnicity: Tigrayan-American
Dr. Ezekiel Gebissa Professor of History and African Studies at Kettering University Ethnicity: Oromo
Dr. Weldu Weldeyesus Language instructor at the Community College of Denver Ethnicity: Tigrayan
Dr. Paulos Milkias Political science instructor at Concordia University Ethnicity: Oromo
Dr. Edmond Keller Professor at University of California, Los Angeles Long-time commentator and observer of Ethiopian history and politics
Dr. Yohannes Gedamu Lecturer of political science at Georgia Gwinnett College Born in Gonder in the Amhara region
Dr. Asebe Regassa Debelo Assistant professor of development studies at Dilla University, Ethiopia Ethnicity: Oromo
Mohamed Olad Ethnicity: Somali
Tewodrose Tirfe Co-founder of the Amhara Association of America
Deacon Yoseph Tafari Member of the formerly exiled Ethiopian Orthodox Holy Synod Chariman of the Ethiopian American Civic Council
Photo: From the top left to right, Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam, the late Prime Minster Meles Zenawi, and Emperor Haile Selassie. From the bottom left to right, Emperor Yohannes IV, General Ras Alula Engida, and Emperor Menelik II.
Read the transcript here.
Tigrinya speakers in Eritrea and Ethiopia are Tigrayans, but for political and historical reasons they've been separated, says linguist Dr. Weldu Weldeyesus.
Photo: Emperor Yohannes IV (left) with his son and heir, Ras Araya Selassie Johannes, and General Ras Alula Engida (right). Historians credit the emperor and his general--both of whom were Tigrayans--with defending Ethiopian territory and Eritrea from Italian occupation. Read the transcript here.
Tigrayans are often targeted in Ethiopian politics because of the popular perception that they benefit more from the political system than other ethnic groups. In episode seven, we discuss economic conditions in Tigray and the effects of this perception on ordinary Tigrayans. People in this episode: Dr. Edmond Keller Professor at University of California, Los Angeles Long-time commentator and observer of Ethiopian history and politics
Dr. Ezekiel Gebissa Professor of History and African Studies at Kettering University Ethnicity: Oromo
Dr. Asebe Regassa Debelo Assistant professor of development studies at Dilla University, Ethiopia Ethnicity: Oromo
Dr. Paulos Milkias Political science instructor at Concordia University Ethnicity: Oromo
Dr. Asebe Regassa Debelo Assistant professor of development studies at Dilla University, Ethiopia Ethnicity: Oromo
Dr. Yohannes Gedamu Lecturer of political science at Georgia Gwinnett College Born in Gonder in the Amhara region
Dr. Weldu Weldeyesus Language instructor at the Community College of Denver Ethnicity: Tigrayan
Deacon Yoseph Tafari Deacon under the Archdiocese of the exiled Ethiopian Orthodox Holy Synod Chariman of the Ethiopian American Civic Council
In episode six, we learn about Oromo history and oppression under Ethiopia's former feudal system. Oromos are said to have suffered the most, but they were also part of the royal family and Emperor Menelik II's invading army.
People in this episode: Dr. Ezekiel Gebissa Dr. Paulos Milkias Dr. Yohannes Gedamu Photo: Emperor Menelik II and his entourage
Episode Five In episode five of our series exploring ethnic conflict in Ethiopia, Somali region native Mohamed Olad gives us his take on the Ogaden National Liberation Front, Liyu police, and ongoing violence in the region.
Credits:
- Ogaden National Liberation Front attacks Chinese-run oilfield, published April 24, 2007, by the Guardian News
- Oromia – Somali Conflict-Induced Displacement, published June 20, 2018, by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- The special police (Liyu Police) in the Somali Regional State, published June 3, 2016, by the independent Norway based government body called Landinfo
- Somali and Oromo officials accuse one another of stoking violence, published Sept. 18, 2017, by the BBC News
Episode four The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) led a successful battle against all political groups during Ethiopia's civil war. But today the party's victories are being undone as old rivals gain ground in Ethiopia. In episode four of our series on ethnic conflict in Ethiopia, we discuss the allegations against the party and whether the claims hold any weight.
People in this episode: Dr. Weldu Weldeyesus * Language instructor at the Community College of Denver * Ethnicity: Tigrayan
Tewodrose Tirfe * Co-founder of the Amhara Association of America
Deacon Yoseph Tafari * Ordained deacon serving under the Archdiocese of the exiled Ethiopian Orthodox Holy Synod * Chariman of the Ethiopian American Civic Council
Dr. Edmond Keller
- Professor at University of California, Los Angeles
- Long-time commentator and observer of Ethiopian history and politics
Dr. Paulos Milkias * Political Science Instructor at Concordia University * Ethinicity: Oromo
Besrat Amare
- Former TPLF member
- Headed the party's intelligence department during the Ethiopian Civil War
Yonas Deressa Paul Henze * Former consultant for think tank Rand Corp. * Former CIA station chief in Ethiopia during the 1960s and ’70s
Goshu Wolde * Foreign Minister of Ethiopia from 1983-1986 under the Derg * Former leader of the Ethiopian Medhin Democratic Party
Mesfin Wolde-Mariam * One of the major leaders representing the Coalition for Unity and Democracy party during the 2005 elections
Mohamed Olad
- Somali region native
Dr. Yohannes Gedamu * Lecturer of Political Science at Georgia Gwinnett College * Born in Gonder in the Amhara region
Dr. Ezekiel Gebissa * Professor of History and African Studies at Kettering University * Ethnicity: Oromo
Chester A. Crocker
- Former assistant secretary of department of state of African affairs
Gerald B. H. Solomon * Former U.S. Rep.
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith Credits: Human Rights Watch video on the Irreecha Festival, Sept. 19, 2017
CSPAN video library * Civil War and Famine in Ethiopia, June 18, 1991 * Paul Henze's testimony, Famine and Civil War in the Horn of Africa, May 30, 1991 * Ethiopian Famine, April 21, 1988
Episode three
People in this episode:
Yonas Deressa
Dr. Berhanu Nega
- Founder of Ginbot 7
- Former Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party (EPRDP) member
Deacon Yoseph Tafari
- Ordained deacon serving under the Archdiocese of the exiled Ethiopian Orthodox Holy Synod
- Chariman of the Ethiopian American Civic Council
Guya Abaguya Deki * Representative of the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition
Dr. Paulos Milkias
- Political Science Instructor at Concordia University
- Ethinicity: Oromo
Herman J. Cohen
- United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
Paul Henze
- Former consultant for think tank Rand Corp.
- Former CIA Station chief in Ethiopia during the 1960s and ’70s
Daniel Berhane * Editor of Horn Affairs news site
Dr. Edmond Keller * Professor at University of California, Los Angeles * Long-time commentator and observer of Ethiopian history and politics
U.S. Rep. Karen Bass U.S. Rep. Thomas Garrett U.S. Rep.Thomas Suozzi
Dr. Terrence Lyons * Associate professor at George Mason University
Meles Zenawi * Ethiopia's former prime minster
Goshu Wolde
- Foreign Minister of Ethiopia from 1983-1986 under the Derg
- Former leader of the Ethiopian Medhin Democratic Party
Tewodrose Tirfe
- Co-founder of the Amhara Association of America
Dr. Weldu Weldeyesus
- Language instructor at the Community College of Denver
- Ethnicity: Tigrayan
Dr. Yohannes Gedamu
- Lecturer of Political Science at Georgia Gwinnett College
- Born in Gonder in the Amhara region
Dr. Ezekiel Gebissa * Professor of History and African Studies at Kettering University * Ethnicity: Oromo
Credits and sources: Former prime minister Meles Zenawi interview with
- ITMN Television's Vikram Bahl in 2011
- Al Jazeera in 2010
- World Economic Forum in 2012
Eskinder Nega's article on an African Spring in Ethiopia
WikiLeak cables
Elections * Cable one * Cable two
Cable on Dawit Kebede
ACCORD's report on Coalition for Unity and Democracy The Carter Center final report on the 2005 elections World Bank 2015 report
CSPAN video library
- Civil War and Famine in Ethiopia, June 18, 1991
- Paul Henze's testimony, Famine and Civil War in the Horn of Africa, May 30, 1991
U.S. Subcommittee Hearing: Democracy Under Threat In Ethiopia, March 9, 2017 U.S. Subcommittee Hearing: Ethiopia After Meles: The Future of Democracy and Human Rights, June 20, 2013 VOA article On DC Ethiopian Embassy Shooting Embassy shooting video
Episode two
People in this episode:
Dr. Asebe Regassa Debelo
- Assistant professor of Development Studies at Dilla University, Ethiopia
- Ethnicity: Oromo
Tewodrose Tirfe
- Co-founder of the Amhara Association of America
Dr. Weldu Weldeyesus
- Language instructor at the Community College of Denver
- Ethnicity: Tigrayan
Dr. Yohannes Gedamu
- Lecturer of Political Science at Georgia Gwinnett College
- Born in Gonder in the Amhara region
Deacon Yoseph Tafari * Ordained deacon serving under the Archdiocese of the exiled Ethiopian Orthodox Holy Synod * Chariman of the Ethiopian American Civic Council
Besrat Amare:
- Former member of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), who headed the party's intelligence department during the Ethiopian civil war
- Ethnicity: Tigrayan
Dr. Ezekiel Gebissa * Professor of History and African Studies at Kettering University * Ethnicity: Oromo
Show notes:
Ethiopia: Status of Amharas, published April 6, 1993
Abune Paulos: Religious leader and peace activist, published Aug. 28, 2012
Our first series explores ethnic conflict in Ethiopia. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to stay updated on new episodes.
Special thanks to Elikeh for licensing its song, titled "Know Who You Are," for this podcast!