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The death of Haille Selassie appears to mark Ethiopia’s transition from medieval empire to communist modernity. However, the modernity of the post-imperial military-socialist regime – The Dergue – was both authoritarian and violent. The late 1970s saw the Ogaden war with Somalia. Ethiopia was victorious in no small part through the aid of Soviet and Cuban forces fighting an intense ground war in the East of the country. The 1980s then brought what has become the defining feature of modern Ethiopia – famine. Made famous in the wider world by the unreconstructed anger of Bob Geldof and his Live Aid concert, the food shortages were however complex issues. The primary causes can be associated with the Dergue’s wars against its political opposition and forced resettlement of rural populations, coupled with intense drought.
In 1991 the opposition forces of the EPRDF (a combination of the TPLF and the EPDM) took the capital, and the Dergue’s leader Mengistu fled the country. Since then, Ethiopia has maintained a greater level of stability, and a steady developmental trajectory under the leadership of Meles Zenawi – former head of the TPLF. However, despite the genuine attempts to tackle food insecurity, there have been murmurings about Meles’s capacity to win elections with over 90% support.
Ethiopia has most commonly been in international consciousness in the context of its history of famine and warfare, but it has a growing reputation as a destination of high-level tourism - particularly focussing on the monuments of its historic Christian culture. The stone-carved churches at Lalibela and walled city of Gondar must number amongst the most photographed landmarks of any African country.
Outside of the political sphere, Ethiopia’s most famous figure is probably long distance runner Haile Gabrselassie.
Recommended readings (available at RAS bookstore) Bahru Zewde - A history of modern Ethiopia Peter Gill - Famine and Foreigners: Ethiopia Since Live Aid Dinaw Mengestu - Children of the Revolution Ryszard Kapuscinski - The Emperor: Downfall of an Autocrat
Reports of RAS Ethiopia meetings 11 Oct 2010, 'Southern Ethiopia: a debate on the dams controversy'
Key facts
Useful links Addis Fortune The electronic version of an Ethiopian business news weekly newspaper, with short news highlights and commentary. Columbia University - Ethiopia African Studies internet resources from Columbia University. Cyber Ethiopia News from Ethiopia on the Internet. Ethio Ethiopian related News and Information. Government Links Links to every government related site on the web. The database includes national & regional institutions, representations abroad, political parties and additional information such as political resources, tourism, and human rights sites. INCOREInternet sources on conflict in Ethiopia. Inter Africa Group InterAfrica Group (IAG) is an independent NGO whose mission focuses on advancing peace, justice and respect for humanitarian law in the ‘Greater Horn’ of Africa. Their programmes combine networking, civic education, advocacy, dialogue and research. Good links to other sites. Kidon Media Link - Ethiopia Links to newspapers and other media sources in various languages. Media Ethiopia Your Ultimate Portal to Ethiopia. Nazret.com News from and about Ethiopia. UPenn - Ethiopia Country specific internet resources from the University of Pennsylvania African Studies centre. UNMEE The website of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Walta Information and Public Relations Center S.C. is a private media outlet and Public Relations Center established in 1994
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