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 GebissaProfessor of History and African Studies at Kettering UniversityEthnicity: Oromo
 
Dr. Weldu WeldeyesusLanguage instructor at the Community College of DenverEthnicity: Tigrayan 
 
Dr. Paulos MilkiasPolitical science instructor at Concordia UniversityEthnicity: Oromo
 
Dr. Edmond KellerProfessor at University of California, Los AngelesLong-time commentator and observer of Ethiopian history and politics
 
Dr. Yohannes GedamuLecturer of political science at Georgia Gwinnett CollegeBorn in Gonder in the Amhara region
 
Dr. Asebe Regassa DebeloAssistant professor of development studies at Dilla University, EthiopiaEthnicity: Oromo
 
Mohamed Olad
Ethnicity: SomaliTewodrose Tirfe 
Co-founder of the Amhara Association of America
 
Deacon Yoseph Tafari  Member of the formerly exiled Ethiopian Orthodox Holy SynodChariman 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.
 
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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.
 
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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 KellerProfessor at University of California, Los AngelesLong-time commentator and observer of Ethiopian history and politicsDr. Ezekiel GebissaProfessor of History and African Studies at Kettering UniversityEthnicity: OromoDr. Asebe Regassa DebeloAssistant professor of development studies at Dilla University, EthiopiaEthnicity: OromoDr. Paulos MilkiasPolitical science instructor at Concordia UniversityEthnicity: OromoDr. Asebe Regassa DebeloAssistant professor of development studies at Dilla University, EthiopiaEthnicity: OromoDr. Yohannes GedamuLecturer of political science at Georgia Gwinnett CollegeBorn in Gonder in the Amhara regionDr. Weldu WeldeyesusLanguage instructor at the Community College of DenverEthnicity: Tigrayan  Deacon Yoseph Tafari  Deacon under the Archdiocese of the exiled Ethiopian Orthodox Holy SynodChariman 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 WeldeyesusLanguage 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 MilkiasPolitical 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 HenzeFormer 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-MariamOne 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 GebissaProfessor 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 GebissaProfessor 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 cablesElectionsCable one
Cable two
Cable on Dawit KebedeACCORD's report on Coalition for Unity and DemocracyThe Carter Center final report on the 2005 elections World Bank 2015 reportCSPAN 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 GebissaProfessor 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