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Ethnic, Political Turmoil in Ethiopia as Women Ascend to Power

ETHIOPIA ARMED GROUPS RETURN

Hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians gather to welcome returning leaders of the once-banned Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) in the capital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. The OLF and two other organizations were removed from a list of terror groups earlier this year after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office, amid sweeping reforms to bring opposition groups back to politics.

Mulugeta Ayene

Yesterday, a mass grave of 200 people was found in Ethiopia. The grave was uncovered between the country’s Oromia and Somali regions. Ethiopian government authorities claim the deaths are related to a “series of ethnic clashes carried out by an unofficial militia”. Somalia’s President, Abdi Mohamoud Omar, was ousted in August following allegations that his administration committed human rights abuses such as violence, torture, and paramilitary raids in Oromiya neighborhoods. All of this unfolds as Ethiopia welcomes its first female president, Sahle-Work Zewde. To discuss, we’re joined by Seenaa Jimjimo, president of the Coalition of Oromo Advocates for Human Rights and Democracy, and Charles Schaefer, professor of International Studies at Valparaiso University.

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