A Changing Ethiopia: What is the Legacy of Ethnic Federalism?

With more than 100 million people, Ethiopia is one of Africa’s most important and populous countries. It’s also unusual: Ethiopia is Africa’s only explicitly ethnically federal state. But amid opening political space and historic national reforms, this model of federalism is coming under strain and the country’s broader national stability is being tested. How ethnic federalism endures, or is discarded, will be a critical question for the future peace and prosperity of the country.

During this crucial period of reform and uncertainty in Ethiopia, join an expert panel at the U.S. Institute of Peace to hear about the origins and evolution of Ethiopia’s system of ethnic federalism, and the possible future of this unique governance model.

For more information about this event, visit

Speakers:

Dr. Yohannes Gedamu

Lecturer, Political Science, Georgia Gwinnett College

Dr. Daniel Mains

Associate Professor of Anthropology and African Studies, Oklahoma University

Aly Verjee, moderator

Senior Advisor, Africa Program, U.S. Institute of Peace

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The United States Institute of Peace is an independent national institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical, and essential for U.S. and global security. USIP pursues this vision on the ground in conflict zones, working with local partners to prevent conflicts from turning to bloodshed and to end it when they do. The Institute provides training, analysis, and other resources to people, organizations, and governments working to build peace.