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.
