Unpacking Ethiopia’s revised refugee law

Unpacking Ethiopia's revised refugee law
Africa Portal managed by SAIIA published my latest analysis on #Ethiopia’s revised Refugee Law. Ethiopia’s parliament adopted a revised refugee law on 17 January 2019, which the United Nations (UN) has hailed as one of the most progressive refugee laws on the continent. It replaces the country’s 2004 Refugee Proclamation, and grants the country’s massive ...

Ethiopia and the AU: Special Responsibilities of a Host Nation

This paper examines Ethiopia’s policy on the African Union (AU), and its predecessor—the OAU. By defining what constitutes a grand strategy, as opposed to an ad hoc approach in pursuing national interest in a multilateral setting, the paper attempts to answer seven fundamental questions: (i) Has Ethiopia ever had a grand strategy regarding the OAU/AU, ...

Politicizing Eritrea peace perpetuates conflict cycle

Ethiopia and Eritrea will soon unveil a roadmap to address past disputes and try and lay strong foundations for cooperation. What key issues does it need to confront to tackle the root causes of the conflict? Early last month, Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki opened the Humera-Oumhajer border. It was more progress ...

The great game in the Horn of Africa

The Horn of Africa appears to be gearing towards a new order set off by a global competition of strategic interest by great powers in Africa. In addition to internal political upheavals, the competition is precipitated by a struggle for influence in the region by the US and China.  There is also a realignment taking ...

Dr. Mehari Taddele Maru on the Coup d’état attempt in Gabon

Dr. Mehari Taddele Maru on the Coup d'état attempt in Gabon
Dr. Mehari Taddele Maru speaks with Aljazeera on the Coup d’état attempt in Gabon. Click here to watch the interview: https://mediaview.aljazeera.com/video/4OJGdMNDa2

Two tales of China in Africa: Why Africa loves China

During the September 2018 Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), African Union Chairperson and Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, lauded the Chinese aid and investment strategy in Africa as a source of “deep transformation” in Africa.  In Kagame’s view China-Africa cooperation is based on mutual respect between African states and China and is for the benefit of ...

IGAD State of the Region Report (SRR)

Compiled, edited (and some sections also written) by Dr Mehari Taddele Maru, the Popular Version of the first ever IGAD State of the Region Report (SRR) is now published and accessible online. The Popular Version of the Report is expected to help translate IGAD’s vision into regionally shared hope and action within the Member States, ...

Tana Forum Recap Note

Tana Forum Recap Note
Points as Presented by Dr. Mehari Taddele Maru Introduction ¬ In the spirit of the foundational intention of the Forum –I will skip formalities: Excellencies Distinguished participants Ladies and gentlemen Good morning! This morning I have found out that I have lost all the notes I have taken yesterday for this Recap! Only one line ...

Valletta Summit on Migration: A booster shot or a new initiative?

Valletta Summit on Migration: A booster shot or a new initiative?
Hard hit by the migration crisis, the European Union (EU) in a desperate effort to respond to the crisis has called a summit on migration in Valletta, Malta from 11-12 November 2015. The African side has been invited to participate in this meeting. The EU and African Union (AU) have presented separate position documents reflecting ...

Hypocrisy in the Leadership of African Think Tanks and CSOs: What Role for Think Tanks and CSOs in African Transformation

Hypocrisy in the Leadership of African Think Tanks and CSOs: What Role for Think Tanks and CSOs in African Transformation
An internal challenge to African thinks tanks, and also similarly applicable to CSOs in the continent is the undemocratic nature of their leadership. At best inscrutably hypocritical, many of the leaders and board members of think tanks have become self-serving, justifying their stay in leadership for decades while at the same time preaching presidential term ...