HARAMBEE TODAY

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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  

The first episode of this series starts with an overview of the Oromo protests.

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!