Ethnic Federalism — Ethnic Conflict In Ethiopia, Episode Nine

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.