Djibouti has intensified coast guard patrols along its strategic waterways as the Red Sea crisis unfolds. The horn of Africa nation has achieved economic growth during the past decade and the ongoing crisis could negatively impact the coastal nation.

Red Sea Crisis: Tale of the vulnerable Djibouti

Horn of Africa faces the worst drought in 40 years. aid agencies back the UN's $7 billion appeal for devastating crisis.

UN seeks $7 billion to avert Horn of Africa crisis

Will the Horn of Africa experience a 6th consecutive failed rainy season? Hem Kaur reports what world meteorological organization's regional climate centre has announced about the fate of Horn of Africa.

Horn of Africa likely to get no rainfall | WION Climate Tracker

Somalia’s government has announced a “people’s uprising” as it seeks to pressure Al-Shabab from all angles, including financial ones. In what is being called “total war” by the government of president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, many across the Horn of Africa nation are being encouraged to stand up to the Al-Shabab extremists who have long embedded in Somali society, exploiting clan divisions and extorting millions of dollars a year from businesses and farmers in their quest to impose an Islamic caliphate.

World Of Africa: Somalia announces war against Al-Shabab

Somalia is facing a "very alarming" situation after more than four years of drought have devastated livestock many people depend upon, a top UN official said. The United Nations has warned that the Horn of Africa nation is on the brink of famine for the second time in just over a decade.

WION Climate Tracker | UN: Somalia facing 'very alarming' situation

The Horn of Africa region is facing its worst drought in 40 years. Experts are predicting a fifth failed rainy season in two years. Around 66 million people are facing a food crisis. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Horn of Africa faces worst drought in 40 years

The drought in Horn of Africa has tightened its grip. The U.N is warning of dire consequences, this is the fifth consecutive failed rainy season in the Horn of Africa region. Somalia and its neighbors Ethiopia and Kenya are in the grip of the worst drought in more than 40 years.

WION Climate Tracker | 5th failed rainy season in Horn of Africa

WION Climate Tracker | 5th failed rainy season in Horn of Africa; crisis impacting millions

In what may come as rather bizarre advice, a British organisation is calling for hunger-stricken African nations to develop the practice of eating insects. The $58,000 project, a part of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office aims “to promote the production of insects for human food and for use in the manufacture of animal feeds”, according to The Guardian report.

In what may come as rather bizarre advice, a British organisation is calling for hunger-stricken African nations to develop the practice of eating insects. The $58,000 project, a part of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office aims “to promote the production of insects for human food and for use in the manufacture of animal feeds”, according to The Guardian report. The project is expected to run from March to December 2022 and is currently in operation in the North and South Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (Cafod), a charity based in England and Wales is funding the project. The organisation in a response to the publication stated that it was wrong to claim that "the programme is encouraging people to eat insects". In pics | Thousands of men and women in South Africa celebrate the coronation of new Zulu king Primarily, cattle farming is the main occupation of inhabitants of the aforementioned regions. However, the increase in population and scarcity of resources mean that tremendous strain is being put on water supplies, required in large quantities for beef farming. Thus, the project, at least on paper attempts to reduce the reliance on such natural resources by stating that insect-eating requires less land and water than conventional livestock. African caterpillars, migratory locusts, and black soldier flies are some of the insect delicacies put on the menu for the locals to eat. WATCH | Zulu 'bare-breasted maiden' dance revived first time since Covid Although it may not be to everyone's liking, insects are a good source of high-quality animal protein. As a result, in many regions of Africa, edible insects are a part of the basic diet. As for South Kivu, the ground zero of the project, 23 species of insects are consumed. African palm weevil, the litter beetle, termites and crickets are some of the edible insect species consumed here. UN's World Food Programme (WFP) in a report has stated that over 22 million inhabitants living in the Horn of Africa face the threat of starvation. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'Farming and eating edible insects', British organisations' idea to help a hungry Africa

Years of insufficient rainfall across Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia have caused the worst drought in 40 years. Aid groups have said that in the worst-hit areas, the drought has lead to conditions close to famine.

WION Climate Tracker | Historic drought in Horn of Africa raises famine threat

The number of people at risk of starvation in the drought-ravaged Horn of Africa has increased to 22 million, the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) said Friday.

Years of insufficient rainfall across Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia have caused the worst drought in 40 years and conditions akin to famine in the hardest-hit areas, aid groups say.

An unprecedented four failed rainy seasons have&nbsp;killed millions of livestock, destroyed crops, and forced 1.1 million people from their homes in search of food and water.

"The world needs to act now to protect the most vulnerable communities from the threat of widespread famine in the Horn of Africa," said WFP executive director David Beasley.

"There is still no end in sight to this drought crisis, so we must get the resources needed to save lives and stop people plunging into catastrophic levels of hunger and starvation."

At the start of 2022, WFP warned that 13 million people across the three countries faced starvation, and appealed for donors to open their purses at a time of great need.

But funds were slow in coming, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine among other crises drawing attention from the disaster in the Horn, humanitarian workers said.

Russia's invasion also sent global food and fuel prices soaring, making aid delivery more expensive.

By the middle of the year, when rain failed to appear again in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, the number in extreme need soared to 20 million and warnings of famine grew more urgent.

WFP says by September, at least 22 million people could face starvation.&nbsp;

"This number will continue to climb, and the severity of hunger will deepen if the next rainy season... fails and the most vulnerable people do not receive humanitarian relief," WFP said in a statement.

Needs will remain high into 2023 and famine is now a serious risk, particularly in Somalia&nbsp;where nearly half the population of 15 million is seriously hungry, it added.

WFP said $418 million was needed over the next six months to help the worst-off.

Last month, the United States announced $1.2 billion in emergency food and malnutrition treatment to help avert famine in the Horn of Africa, and urged other nations to do more.

The number of people at risk of starvation in the drought-ravaged Horn of Africa has increased to 22 million, the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) said Friday. Years of insufficient rainfall across Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia have caused the worst drought in 40 years and conditions akin to famine in the hardest-hit areas, aid groups say.

The number of people at risk of starvation in the drought-ravaged Horn of Africa has increased to 22 million, the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) said Friday. Years of insufficient rainfall across Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia have caused the worst drought in 40 years and conditions akin to famine in the hardest-hit areas, aid groups say. An unprecedented four failed rainy seasons have killed millions of livestock, destroyed crops, and forced 1.1 million people from their homes in search of food and water. "The world needs to act now to protect the most vulnerable communities from the threat of widespread famine in the Horn of Africa," said WFP executive director David Beasley. "There is still no end in sight to this drought crisis, so we must get the resources needed to save lives and stop people plunging into catastrophic levels of hunger and starvation." At the start of 2022, WFP warned that 13 million people across the three countries faced starvation, and appealed for donors to open their purses at a time of great need. But funds were slow in coming, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine among other crises drawing attention from the disaster in the Horn, humanitarian workers said. Russia's invasion also sent global food and fuel prices soaring, making aid delivery more expensive. By the middle of the year, when rain failed to appear again in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, the number in extreme need soared to 20 million and warnings of famine grew more urgent. WFP says by September, at least 22 million people could face starvation. "This number will continue to climb, and the severity of hunger will deepen if the next rainy season... fails and the most vulnerable people do not receive humanitarian relief," WFP said in a statement. Needs will remain high into 2023 and famine is now a serious risk, particularly in Somalia where nearly half the population of 15 million is seriously hungry, it added. WFP said $418 million was needed over the next six months to help the worst-off. Last month, the United States announced $1.2 billion in emergency food and malnutrition treatment to help avert famine in the Horn of Africa, and urged other nations to do more.

22 million face starvation in Horn of Africa: World Food Programme

The horn of Africa which is the fourth largest peninsula in the world is facing its worst drought in over four decades. Communities are facing the threat of starvation. Upcoming rainy season is also likely to fail.

WION Climate Tracker: Worst drought in 40 yrs: African communities stare at starvation

A WION viewer Wairima shares her experience after she visited a region in Somalia called Gode, that has been badly affected by drought.

World Of Africa: Demons of drought in horn of Africa

An Ethiopian hospital is flooded with children, these children are suffering from malnutrition. The situation continues to worsen as Ethiopia witnesses the worst drought in four decades.

Horn of Africa: Children are the worst victims of drought in Ethiopia

The United Nations on Monday said that Sudan needs $150 million to cope with the migration crisis.

UN: Sudan needs $150 million to cope with migration crisis

For half a century scientists feared that the Somali elephant shrew had vanished from the face of the Earth. No one had seen so much as a whisker.&nbsp;

But the tiny mammal with its probing trunk-like nose was quietly thriving in the arid, rocky landscape of the Horn of Africa, researchers said Tuesday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/researchers-recently-found-microplastics-in-every-human-tissue-they-studied-321472" hreflang="en">Researchers recently found microplastics in every human tissue they studied</a>

The elusive, insect-eating creature is neither an elephant nor a shrew.&nbsp;It is a sengi -- a distant relation to aardvarks, elephants and manatees -- the size of a mouse, with powerful legs that allow it to run at speeds of nearly 30 kilometres (20 miles) an hour.

The Somali sengi has been lost to science since the 1970s, leaving just the 39 preserved specimens held in the world's natural history museums as the only physical evidence that it ever existed.

The Global Wildlife Conservation group even included it on its "25 most wanted lost species" list.&nbsp;

But during an expedition last year scientists found the animals still roaming the wild, discovering that the Somali sengi is not confined to Somalia at all.

The research mission was looking for different kinds of sengis in Djibouti, the small Horn of Africa coastal nation that borders Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea.&nbsp;

The team set up more than 1,250 traps filled with peanut butter, oatmeal and yeast extract in 12 areas in Djibouti, buoyed by speaking to local communities, where people could readily recognise the animals from photographs.

"Our interviews with local nomadic and pastoralist people indicated that they see sengis regularly and we were consistently told the same common name (Wali sandheer)," said Houssein Rayaleh, of Association Djibouti Nature, who was on the team. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The conservationist said he too had seen sengis during his 21 years doing fieldwork in the country.&nbsp;

But no one knew whether they were the long-lost Somali sengi.

"Without formal documentation, the species of the sengis in Djibouti was unknown," Rayaleh told AFP.&nbsp;

The team also included global elephant shrew expert Galen Rathburn, who had been studying the creatures for decades but had never seen a live Somali sengi, according to researcher Steven Heritage, of the Duke University Lemur Center.&nbsp;

"So when he opened the first trap and looked over at me, and he had seen the cute tufted furry tail of the animal and he looked at me and said 'I can't believe it, I've never seen one before'," Heritage told AFP. Rathbun died of cancer shortly after the expedition.&nbsp;

The researchers collected twelve specimens of the mammal.&nbsp;

Their findings prove that the Somali sengi "is currently extant" and lives far beyond the boundaries of Somalia, the researchers said in a study published in the journal PeerJ.&nbsp;

 
The team, which plans a new expedition to learn more about the species, believes the sengi could be living across Somalia, Djibouti and Ethiopia.

And while they cannot estimate the size of the population, they believe the sengi is thriving. &nbsp;

"All the local people knew about this, so it could not be rare in any way," said Heritage, the lead author of the study.&nbsp;

"And its habitats are not threatened by agriculture and human development, in a very arid environment where there is no foreseeable future for agriculture."

As a result, researchers recommended that the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reappraise its classification for the Somali sengi on its list of vulnerable creatures, from "Data Deficient" to "Least Concern".&nbsp;

"Usually when we rediscover lost species, we find just one or two individuals and have to act quickly to try to prevent their imminent extinction," said Robin Moore of Global Wildlife Conservation.

Other species rediscovered in recent years include Jackson's climbing salamander in Guatemala, the Wallace's giant bee in Indonesia, and the silver-backed chevrotain -- a deer-like species the size of a rabbit -- in Vietnam.

Moore said this raises hope for those species still thought to be "lost", including the Ilin Island cloudrunner, a cloud rat from a single island in the Philippines.&nbsp;

For half a century scientists feared that the Somali elephant shrew had vanished from the face of the Earth. No one had seen so much as a whisker. But the tiny mammal with its probing trunk-like nose was quietly thriving in the arid, rocky landscape of the Horn of Africa, researchers said Tuesday.

For half a century scientists feared that the Somali elephant shrew had vanished from the face of the Earth. No one had seen so much as a whisker. But the tiny mammal with its probing trunk-like nose was quietly thriving in the arid, rocky landscape of the Horn of Africa, researchers said Tuesday. Also read: Researchers recently found microplastics in every human tissue they studied The elusive, insect-eating creature is neither an elephant nor a shrew. It is a sengi -- a distant relation to aardvarks, elephants and manatees -- the size of a mouse, with powerful legs that allow it to run at speeds of nearly 30 kilometres (20 miles) an hour. The Somali sengi has been lost to science since the 1970s, leaving just the 39 preserved specimens held in the world's natural history museums as the only physical evidence that it ever existed. The Global Wildlife Conservation group even included it on its "25 most wanted lost species" list. But during an expedition last year scientists found the animals still roaming the wild, discovering that the Somali sengi is not confined to Somalia at all. The research mission was looking for different kinds of sengis in Djibouti, the small Horn of Africa coastal nation that borders Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea. The team set up more than 1,250 traps filled with peanut butter, oatmeal and yeast extract in 12 areas in Djibouti, buoyed by speaking to local communities, where people could readily recognise the animals from photographs. "Our interviews with local nomadic and pastoralist people indicated that they see sengis regularly and we were consistently told the same common name (Wali sandheer)," said Houssein Rayaleh, of Association Djibouti Nature, who was on the team. The conservationist said he too had seen sengis during his 21 years doing fieldwork in the country. But no one knew whether they were the long-lost Somali sengi. "Without formal documentation, the species of the sengis in Djibouti was unknown," Rayaleh told AFP. The team also included global elephant shrew expert Galen Rathburn, who had been studying the creatures for decades but had never seen a live Somali sengi, according to researcher Steven Heritage, of the Duke University Lemur Center. "So when he opened the first trap and looked over at me, and he had seen the cute tufted furry tail of the animal and he looked at me and said 'I can't believe it, I've never seen one before'," Heritage told AFP. Rathbun died of cancer shortly after the expedition. The researchers collected twelve specimens of the mammal. Their findings prove that the Somali sengi "is currently extant" and lives far beyond the boundaries of Somalia, the researchers said in a study published in the journal PeerJ. The team, which plans a new expedition to learn more about the species, believes the sengi could be living across Somalia, Djibouti and Ethiopia. And while they cannot estimate the size of the population, they believe the sengi is thriving. "All the local people knew about this, so it could not be rare in any way," said Heritage, the lead author of the study. "And its habitats are not threatened by agriculture and human development, in a very arid environment where there is no foreseeable future for agriculture." As a result, researchers recommended that the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reappraise its classification for the Somali sengi on its list of vulnerable creatures, from "Data Deficient" to "Least Concern". "Usually when we rediscover lost species, we find just one or two individuals and have to act quickly to try to prevent their imminent extinction," said Robin Moore of Global Wildlife Conservation. Other species rediscovered in recent years include Jackson's climbing salamander in Guatemala, the Wallace's giant bee in Indonesia, and the silver-backed chevrotain -- a deer-like species the size of a rabbit -- in Vietnam. Moore said this raises hope for those species still thought to be "lost", including the Ilin Island cloudrunner, a cloud rat from a single island in the Philippines.

Long 'lost' elephant shrew found in Horn of Africa

Swarms of desert locusts are wreaking havoc across the Horn of Africa, having <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/locust-invasion-in-somalia-threatens-livelihoods-of-farmers-270049">damaged tens of thousands of hectares</a> so far, according to reports from the Food and Agriculture Organization. Bukar Tijani, &nbsp;Assistant Director-General of the FAO called the swarms "vast and unprecedented", adding that “These infestations represent a major threat to food security in Kenya and across the entire Horn of Africa, which is already reeling from floods and droughts.”

According to the FAO, breedings of these insects is a practice continued on both sides of the Red Sea, in places such as Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Eritrea and Sudan. Last week, the swarms were <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-desert-locust-swarms-in-ethiopia-kenya-and-somalia-threaten-to-ravage-east-africa-275577">reported to have spread</a> into northern and eastern Kenya from Ethiopia and Somalia. Kenya's former Agricultural Minister stated that the invasion was a major threat to their food production and economy.

<img alt="A Samburu man attempts to fend-off a swarm of desert locusts" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ab1d855b-701b-4ed4-8f19-5474822ca36d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2886%29_0.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;A Samburu man attempts to fend-off a swarm of desert locusts flying over a grazing land in Lemasulani village, Samburu (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/somalia-hit-by-worst-locust-invasion-in-25-years-269582">Somalia hit by worst locust invasion in 25 years</a>

Aerial spraying to head off the invasion was initiated by Kenya on January 4, while police officers shot bullets and teargas at the oncoming swarm as shown on Kenyan media. Residents attempted to aid law enforcement by trying to frighten the insects with loud noises such as car horns and banging on buckets.

FAO estimates one swarm in Kenya to be 40 kilometres wide by 60 kilometres long, and a farmers' association in the northern Laikipia area said that it has planned aerial spraying of pesticides to combat it, the worst locust plague since 1954.

Swarms of desert locusts are wreaking havoc across the Horn of Africa, having damaged tens of thousands of hectares so far, according to reports from the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Swarms of desert locusts are wreaking havoc across the Horn of Africa, having damaged tens of thousands of hectares so far, according to reports from the Food and Agriculture Organization. Bukar Tijani, Assistant Director-General of the FAO called the swarms "vast and unprecedented", adding that “These infestations represent a major threat to food security in Kenya and across the entire Horn of Africa, which is already reeling from floods and droughts.” According to the FAO, breedings of these insects is a practice continued on both sides of the Red Sea, in places such as Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Eritrea and Sudan. Last week, the swarms were reported to have spread into northern and eastern Kenya from Ethiopia and Somalia. Kenya's former Agricultural Minister stated that the invasion was a major threat to their food production and economy. [ A Samburu man attempts to fend-off a swarm of desert locusts flying over a grazing land in Lemasulani village, Samburu (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Also Read: Somalia hit by worst locust invasion in 25 years Aerial spraying to head off the invasion was initiated by Kenya on January 4, while police officers shot bullets and teargas at the oncoming swarm as shown on Kenyan media. Residents attempted to aid law enforcement by trying to frighten the insects with loud noises such as car horns and banging on buckets. FAO estimates one swarm in Kenya to be 40 kilometres wide by 60 kilometres long, and a farmers' association in the northern Laikipia area said that it has planned aerial spraying of pesticides to combat it, the worst locust plague since 1954.

Locust plague devastates crops in Horn of Africa

By&nbspYohannes Gedamu*

Former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn sent shock waves through the region when he abruptly tendered his resignation.

Desalegn said that he had made the decision to facilitate efforts towards political reforms which started with the release of political &nbspprisoners. But rather than pursue a reform agenda, the Ethiopian government followed his announcement by declaring a state of emergency. This not only jeopardises the regime’s apparent intent to institute democratic reforms, it also pits citizens against the security forces. And it’s already led to more violence, not stability.

The state of emergency is being defied in a number of regions. Citizens have protested in Gondar, which is in the opposition Amhara region, as well as the opposition stronghold of Nekemte which is in Oromia. Much of the Oromia region is also defying the emergency measures.

As a result, the regime has targeted the Oromia region, and its protesting youths who are collectively known as Qeerro in the Oromo language.

Despite the release of thousands of political prisoners and talk of reforms, the political climate remains more uncertain than ever. It’s now feared that any government measures to suppress ensuing chaos could result in more violence, and deaths.

Instability in Ethiopia could have repercussions across the region. Unrest in the country could have a domino effect in what is an already volatile part of the continent. It could also affect regional peace efforts because instability in one corner of the Horn of Africa could spread and destabilise the entire region. This is especially the case because Ethiopia is home to so many cross border communities.

Implications for the region

Ethiopia is influential in the region and across the continent. It is the second most populous country in Africa and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. It also hosts the African Union’s headquarters in its capital, Addis Ababa.

But its standing has been diminished by the political turmoil of the last few years when two of its largest ethnic groups, the Oromo and Amhara both started demanding political and economic equality. The ruling coalition’s responses to these demands has highlighted the fact that it isn’t committed to democratisation.

The risks for the region are significant. Unless the regime acts on political reforms to entrench democracy, equal distribution of resources and freedom of the press, Ethiopia – with more than 100 million citizens – could emerge as the largest politically unstable nation in an already volatile region.

An unstable Ethiopia could also affect peace efforts in neighbouring countries. For example, it’s role as a long standing mediator in the South Sudanese peace talks could suffer a setback.

And its army is also the only peacekeeping force in Abiye, an oil rich region that has been at the centre of the conflict between Sudan and South Sudan since 2011.

In addition, Ethiopia is second only to Bangladesh in the number of its troops involved in international peacekeeping. Across its South Eastern borders, it also maintains thousands of troops inside Somalia.

And although its role in Somalia has drawn criticism Ethiopia remains a critical ally to the US’s counter terrorism strategy in the region. Instability could also create a power vacuum that could affect the US-led anti-terror strategy.

Ultimately, an internal crisis in Ethiopia will affect the power balance with its arch rival Eritrea. After the Ethiopia-Eritrea war which ended in 2000, the two countries have remained engaged in a proxy war by supporting each others’ political opposition groups.

Cross-border communities

Most African states share cross-border societies. The Horn of Africa is no different. The Oromo for instance are a majority ethnic group in Ethiopia and also a minority in Kenya. The Nuer are South Sudan’s second largest ethnic group and also a minority in Ethiopia’s western Gambella region.

There are also Somalis in Ethiopia. They maintain strong ties with their clansmen in Somali, Djibouti and Kenya. The Afar ethnic group in Ethiopia are also minorities in Eritrea, and Djibouti.

A new influx of Ethiopian refuges into Kenya due to the recent massacre in Moyale town underscores the fact that problems in the country are starting to affect cross border societies in the region. In fact, authorities and analysts in neighbouring Kenya are deeply concerned about the situation.

Instability could also affect refugees in Ethiopia itself. The country hosts the second highest number of refugees in Africa. Asylum seekers from Eritrea, South Sudan and Somalia often seek refuge within its borders.

Next steps

There is still room to resuscitate democratic reforms and to create space for national dialogue and reconciliation. Given the potential ramifications of prolonged unrest in Ethiopia, it should be in the interests of the international community to promote peace and stability. To do this it must pressure the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front to suspend the state of emergency.

The international community must also stress that the regime needs to open its doors to the opposition and pave the way for a transitional government. In my opinion this is the only way the ruling coalition can play a critical role in pacifying the country and the region. And the only way it can have a political legacy worthy of praise.&nbsp&nbsp

*Yohannes Gedamu is lecturer of Political Science at Georgia Gwinnett College’s School of Liberal Arts.&nbsp

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Despite the release of thousands of political prisoners and talk of reforms, the political climate remains more uncertain than ever. It’s now feared that any government measures to suppress ensuing chaos could result in more violence, and deaths.

By&nbspYohannes Gedamu* Former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn sent shock waves through the region when he abruptly tendered his resignation. Desalegn said that he had made the decision to facilitate efforts towards political reforms which started with the release of political &nbspprisoners. But rather than pursue a reform agenda, the Ethiopian government followed his announcement by declaring a state of emergency. This not only jeopardises the regime’s apparent intent to institute democratic reforms, it also pits citizens against the security forces. And it’s already led to more violence, not stability. The state of emergency is being defied in a number of regions. Citizens have protested in Gondar, which is in the opposition Amhara region, as well as the opposition stronghold of Nekemte which is in Oromia. Much of the Oromia region is also defying the emergency measures. As a result, the regime has targeted the Oromia region, and its protesting youths who are collectively known as Qeerro in the Oromo language. Despite the release of thousands of political prisoners and talk of reforms, the political climate remains more uncertain than ever. It’s now feared that any government measures to suppress ensuing chaos could result in more violence, and deaths. Instability in Ethiopia could have repercussions across the region. Unrest in the country could have a domino effect in what is an already volatile part of the continent. It could also affect regional peace efforts because instability in one corner of the Horn of Africa could spread and destabilise the entire region. This is especially the case because Ethiopia is home to so many cross border communities. Implications for the region Ethiopia is influential in the region and across the continent. It is the second most populous country in Africa and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. It also hosts the African Union’s headquarters in its capital, Addis Ababa. But its standing has been diminished by the political turmoil of the last few years when two of its largest ethnic groups, the Oromo and Amhara both started demanding political and economic equality. The ruling coalition’s responses to these demands has highlighted the fact that it isn’t committed to democratisation. The risks for the region are significant. Unless the regime acts on political reforms to entrench democracy, equal distribution of resources and freedom of the press, Ethiopia – with more than 100 million citizens – could emerge as the largest politically unstable nation in an already volatile region. An unstable Ethiopia could also affect peace efforts in neighbouring countries. For example, it’s role as a long standing mediator in the South Sudanese peace talks could suffer a setback. And its army is also the only peacekeeping force in Abiye, an oil rich region that has been at the centre of the conflict between Sudan and South Sudan since 2011. In addition, Ethiopia is second only to Bangladesh in the number of its troops involved in international peacekeeping. Across its South Eastern borders, it also maintains thousands of troops inside Somalia. And although its role in Somalia has drawn criticism Ethiopia remains a critical ally to the US’s counter terrorism strategy in the region. Instability could also create a power vacuum that could affect the US-led anti-terror strategy. Ultimately, an internal crisis in Ethiopia will affect the power balance with its arch rival Eritrea. After the Ethiopia-Eritrea war which ended in 2000, the two countries have remained engaged in a proxy war by supporting each others’ political opposition groups. Cross-border communities Most African states share cross-border societies. The Horn of Africa is no different. The Oromo for instance are a majority ethnic group in Ethiopia and also a minority in Kenya. The Nuer are South Sudan’s second largest ethnic group and also a minority in Ethiopia’s western Gambella region. There are also Somalis in Ethiopia. They maintain strong ties with their clansmen in Somali, Djibouti and Kenya. The Afar ethnic group in Ethiopia are also minorities in Eritrea, and Djibouti. A new influx of Ethiopian refuges into Kenya due to the recent massacre in Moyale town underscores the fact that problems in the country are starting to affect cross border societies in the region. In fact, authorities and analysts in neighbouring Kenya are deeply concerned about the situation. Instability could also affect refugees in Ethiopia itself. The country hosts the second highest number of refugees in Africa. Asylum seekers from Eritrea, South Sudan and Somalia often seek refuge within its borders. Next steps There is still room to resuscitate democratic reforms and to create space for national dialogue and reconciliation. Given the potential ramifications of prolonged unrest in Ethiopia, it should be in the interests of the international community to promote peace and stability. To do this it must pressure the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front to suspend the state of emergency. The international community must also stress that the regime needs to open its doors to the opposition and pave the way for a transitional government. In my opinion this is the only way the ruling coalition can play a critical role in pacifying the country and the region. And the only way it can have a political legacy worthy of praise. *Yohannes Gedamu is lecturer of Political Science at Georgia Gwinnett College’s School of Liberal Arts. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Why the state of emergency in Ethiopia could destabilise the Horn of Africa

By&nbsp;Yohannes Gedamu*

Former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn sent shock waves through the region when he abruptly tendered his resignation.

Desalegn said that he had made the decision to facilitate efforts towards political reforms which started with the release of political &nbsp;prisoners. But rather than pursue a reform agenda, the Ethiopian government followed his announcement by declaring a state of emergency. This not only jeopardises the regime&rsquo;s apparent intent to institute democratic reforms, it also pits citizens against the security forces. And it&rsquo;s already led to more violence, not stability.

The state of emergency is being defied in a number of regions. Citizens have protested in Gondar, which is in the opposition Amhara region, as well as the opposition stronghold of Nekemte which is in Oromia. Much of the Oromia region is also defying the emergency measures.

As a result, the regime has targeted the Oromia region, and its protesting youths who are collectively known as Qeerro in the Oromo language.

Despite the release of thousands of political prisoners and talk of reforms, the political climate remains more uncertain than ever. It&rsquo;s now feared that any government measures to suppress ensuing chaos could result in more violence, and deaths.

Instability in Ethiopia could have repercussions across the region. Unrest in the country could have a domino effect in what is an already volatile part of the continent. It could also affect regional peace efforts because instability in one corner of the Horn of Africa could spread and destabilise the entire region. This is especially the case because Ethiopia is home to so many cross border communities.

Implications for the region

Ethiopia is influential in the region and across the continent. It is the second most populous country in Africa and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. It also hosts the African Union&rsquo;s headquarters in its capital, Addis Ababa.

But its standing has been diminished by the political turmoil of the last few years when two of its largest ethnic groups, the Oromo and Amhara both started demanding political and economic equality. The ruling coalition&rsquo;s responses to these demands has highlighted the fact that it isn&rsquo;t committed to democratisation.

The risks for the region are significant. Unless the regime acts on political reforms to entrench democracy, equal distribution of resources and freedom of the press, Ethiopia &ndash; with more than 100 million citizens &ndash; could emerge as the largest politically unstable nation in an already volatile region.

An unstable Ethiopia could also affect peace efforts in neighbouring countries. For example, it&rsquo;s role as a long standing mediator in the South Sudanese peace talks could suffer a setback.

And its army is also the only peacekeeping force in Abiye, an oil rich region that has been at the centre of the conflict between Sudan and South Sudan since 2011.

In addition, Ethiopia is second only to Bangladesh in the number of its troops involved in international peacekeeping. Across its South Eastern borders, it also maintains thousands of troops inside Somalia.

And although its role in Somalia has drawn criticism Ethiopia remains a critical ally to the US&rsquo;s counter terrorism strategy in the region. Instability could also create a power vacuum that could affect the US-led anti-terror strategy.

Ultimately, an internal crisis in Ethiopia will affect the power balance with its arch rival Eritrea. After the Ethiopia-Eritrea war which ended in 2000, the two countries have remained engaged in a proxy war by supporting each others&rsquo; political opposition groups.

Cross-border communities

Most African states share cross-border societies. The Horn of Africa is no different. The Oromo for instance are a majority ethnic group in Ethiopia and also a minority in Kenya. The Nuer are South Sudan&rsquo;s second largest ethnic group and also a minority in Ethiopia&rsquo;s western Gambella region.

There are also Somalis in Ethiopia. They maintain strong ties with their clansmen in Somali, Djibouti and Kenya. The Afar ethnic group in Ethiopia are also minorities in Eritrea, and Djibouti.

A new influx of Ethiopian refuges into Kenya due to the recent massacre in Moyale town underscores the fact that problems in the country are starting to affect cross border societies in the region. In fact, authorities and analysts in neighbouring Kenya are deeply concerned about the situation.

Instability could also affect refugees in Ethiopia itself. The country hosts the second highest number of refugees in Africa. Asylum seekers from Eritrea, South Sudan and Somalia often seek refuge within its borders.

Next steps

There is still room to resuscitate democratic reforms and to create space for national dialogue and reconciliation. Given the potential ramifications of prolonged unrest in Ethiopia, it should be in the interests of the international community to promote peace and stability. To do this it must pressure the ruling Ethiopian People&rsquo;s Revolutionary Democratic Front to suspend the state of emergency.

The international community must also stress that the regime needs to open its doors to the opposition and pave the way for a transitional government. In my opinion this is the only way the ruling coalition can play a critical role in pacifying the country and the region. And the only way it can have a political legacy worthy of praise.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

*Yohannes Gedamu is lecturer of Political Science at Georgia Gwinnett College&rsquo;s School of Liberal Arts.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By Yohannes Gedamu* Former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn sent shock waves through the region when he abruptly tendered his resignation. Desalegn said that he had made the decision to facilitate efforts towards political reforms which started with the release of political prisoners. But rather than pursue a reform agenda, the Ethiopian government followed his announcement by declaring a state of emergency. This not only jeopardises the regime’s apparent intent to institute democratic reforms, it also pits citizens against the security forces. And it’s already led to more violence, not stability. The state of emergency is being defied in a number of regions. Citizens have protested in Gondar, which is in the opposition Amhara region, as well as the opposition stronghold of Nekemte which is in Oromia. Much of the Oromia region is also defying the emergency measures. As a result, the regime has targeted the Oromia region, and its protesting youths who are collectively known as Qeerro in the Oromo language. Despite the release of thousands of political prisoners and talk of reforms, the political climate remains more uncertain than ever. It’s now feared that any government measures to suppress ensuing chaos could result in more violence, and deaths. Instability in Ethiopia could have repercussions across the region. Unrest in the country could have a domino effect in what is an already volatile part of the continent. It could also affect regional peace efforts because instability in one corner of the Horn of Africa could spread and destabilise the entire region. This is especially the case because Ethiopia is home to so many cross border communities. Implications for the region Ethiopia is influential in the region and across the continent. It is the second most populous country in Africa and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. It also hosts the African Union’s headquarters in its capital, Addis Ababa. But its standing has been diminished by the political turmoil of the last few years when two of its largest ethnic groups, the Oromo and Amhara both started demanding political and economic equality. The ruling coalition’s responses to these demands has highlighted the fact that it isn’t committed to democratisation. The risks for the region are significant. Unless the regime acts on political reforms to entrench democracy, equal distribution of resources and freedom of the press, Ethiopia – with more than 100 million citizens – could emerge as the largest politically unstable nation in an already volatile region. An unstable Ethiopia could also affect peace efforts in neighbouring countries. For example, it’s role as a long standing mediator in the South Sudanese peace talks could suffer a setback. And its army is also the only peacekeeping force in Abiye, an oil rich region that has been at the centre of the conflict between Sudan and South Sudan since 2011. In addition, Ethiopia is second only to Bangladesh in the number of its troops involved in international peacekeeping. Across its South Eastern borders, it also maintains thousands of troops inside Somalia. And although its role in Somalia has drawn criticism Ethiopia remains a critical ally to the US’s counter terrorism strategy in the region. Instability could also create a power vacuum that could affect the US-led anti-terror strategy. Ultimately, an internal crisis in Ethiopia will affect the power balance with its arch rival Eritrea. After the Ethiopia-Eritrea war which ended in 2000, the two countries have remained engaged in a proxy war by supporting each others’ political opposition groups. Cross-border communities Most African states share cross-border societies. The Horn of Africa is no different. The Oromo for instance are a majority ethnic group in Ethiopia and also a minority in Kenya. The Nuer are South Sudan’s second largest ethnic group and also a minority in Ethiopia’s western Gambella region. There are also Somalis in Ethiopia. They maintain strong ties with their clansmen in Somali, Djibouti and Kenya. The Afar ethnic group in Ethiopia are also minorities in Eritrea, and Djibouti. A new influx of Ethiopian refuges into Kenya due to the recent massacre in Moyale town underscores the fact that problems in the country are starting to affect cross border societies in the region. In fact, authorities and analysts in neighbouring Kenya are deeply concerned about the situation. Instability could also affect refugees in Ethiopia itself. The country hosts the second highest number of refugees in Africa. Asylum seekers from Eritrea, South Sudan and Somalia often seek refuge within its borders. Next steps There is still room to resuscitate democratic reforms and to create space for national dialogue and reconciliation. Given the potential ramifications of prolonged unrest in Ethiopia, it should be in the interests of the international community to promote peace and stability. To do this it must pressure the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front to suspend the state of emergency. The international community must also stress that the regime needs to open its doors to the opposition and pave the way for a transitional government. In my opinion this is the only way the ruling coalition can play a critical role in pacifying the country and the region. And the only way it can have a political legacy worthy of praise. *Yohannes Gedamu is lecturer of Political Science at Georgia Gwinnett College’s School of Liberal Arts. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

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