Below, you can find full interviews in video format, which are listed in reverse chronological order.
(audio format available soon)
NOTE: guest descriptions are under continual construction; please check back later
Outcomes for peace in Ethiopia, and American relations with African countries | with David Shinn
Original air date: January 9th, 2023 This interview with David Shinn discusses two main topics: First is the cessation of hostilities agreement brokered by the African Union between the Ethiopian federal government and the Tigrayan regional government. Included in this part of the interview is the ongoing effort for Ethiopia to ensure peace to last which would provide political sustainability for the country, and the continued role of the Eritrean military in the Tigray region and their lack of diplomatic engagement in the peace process; Second is the US-Africa Summit held in December 2022 and how African countries navigate their diplomatic relations with Western countries and China. Included in this part of the interview are the expectations the US has in managing more consistent and serious relations with African countries, and how China approaches its relations with African countries... |
Outlook towards the resolution of Ethiopia's civil war and political crisis | with Dan Connell
Original air date: January 6th, 2023 This interview with Dan Connell discusses the cessation of hostilities agreement brokered by the African Union between the Ethiopian federal government and the Tigrayan regional government, and how each party to the conflict is approaching the new post-war stage (with Eritrea in particular focus). Eritrea, as an "unofficial" participant in the war, was a key part of the Ethiopian military's war strategy, but diplomatic and political resolutions to Ethiopia's civil war now introduce the question of whether the war was worth fighting. Additionally, the lack of acknowledgement in addressing the issue of Eritrea's military presence in Tigray raises the concern about the Eritrean government's intentions in Ethiopia's political affairs. |
Historical struggle of Eritrea's Afar population and their refugee crisis | with Ahmed Mohammed
Original air date: November 12th, 2022
This interview with Ahmed Mohammed discusses the contemporary history of ethnic Afars who live in Eritrea, their contributions to Eritrean society, and how their experience living in the country today has worsened due to the government's restrictive policies. The Afar people in Eritrea have been isolated and disregarded by the government; however, they still feel a sense of responsibility to achieve the goals of building an egalitarian society based on democratic principles promised during the liberation struggle. In addition, recent conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia has seen the situation for Afars become untenable via conscription of citizens in Eritrea and attacks at refugee camps...
Original air date: November 12th, 2022
This interview with Ahmed Mohammed discusses the contemporary history of ethnic Afars who live in Eritrea, their contributions to Eritrean society, and how their experience living in the country today has worsened due to the government's restrictive policies. The Afar people in Eritrea have been isolated and disregarded by the government; however, they still feel a sense of responsibility to achieve the goals of building an egalitarian society based on democratic principles promised during the liberation struggle. In addition, recent conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia has seen the situation for Afars become untenable via conscription of citizens in Eritrea and attacks at refugee camps...
Historical reflection of Eritrea's political transformation during conflict | with Dan Connell
Original air date: November 24th, 2021 This interview with Dan Connell discusses events in Ethiopia related to the conflict in the Tigray region, and how his previous experiences in Eritrea led him to understand the operational capacity of the current Eritrean dictatorship (in terms of regional relations and domestic political affairs). The Eritrean People's Liberation Front's (EPLF) clandestine methodology was a key part of its success through the organization of the Eritrean People's Revolutionary Party (EPRP); however, criticisms of its actions during the Eritrean liberation struggle should not necessarily be avoided, irrespective of the achievements made. Interpreting the political divisions that exist in the Eritrean community is a way to understand the body politic through the post-independence period of Eritrea--where exceptionalism is a common characteristic shared by certain people who not only believe they are the only ones capable of bringing change to Eritrea, but also fail to learn the experience of how other countries made transitions from dictatorship to democracy... |
Analysis of Horn of Africa instability since the war in Tigray | with Michael Woldemariam, PhD
Original air date: October 30th, 2021 This interview with Michael Woldemariam discusses the interlinking political crises which contribute to the increasing destabilization of the Horn of Africa region in Eastern Africa, including the 2021 military coup in Sudan, the conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, the increased political repression in Eritrea, and the ways in which African institutions (i.e., African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, etc.) can create the conditions necessary for a proper mechanism to facilitate political transition in these countries. Although difficult to predict the outcomes of political crises in the Horn of Africa, the underlying causes are indicators which policy makers and diplomats use to determine an appropriate response. The failure of political leadership in the Horn of Africa to resolve their issues yields further complications which require extensive insight and tools to develop methods of engagement to solve problems of governance... |
Global engagement with Tigray, and evolving foreign involvement in Ethiopia | with David Shinn, PhD
Original air date: September 27th, 2021 This interview with David Shinn discusses the international response to the conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, the fundamental differences between the belligerents which are preventing sustainable peace negotiations, and the Chinese and Russian diplomatic strategy in the Horn of Africa. With the situation in Ethiopia becoming increasingly complex, there is increased pressure for a permanent cessation of hostilities, and different governments are pursuing this goal in different ways--the United States with an executive order establishing the legal framework for potential sanctions, and China with commitments for non-intervention and military cooperation. The differences in bilateral engagement between the American and Chinese foreign services may provide an opportunity for Ethiopia to shift its diplomatic position towards non-intervention, and although contemporary history is a good indicator of the potential outcomes for either strategy, the consequences impact civilians during times of conflict... |
Transnationalism and the PFDJ party state dominance in Eritrea | with Tricia Redeker-Hepner, PhD
Original air date: August 27th, 2021 This interview with Tricia Redeker-Hepner discusses how deterritorialization has been employed by the Eritrean dictatorship to govern the diaspora population (and its controversial history during the liberation struggle), the concept of the nation and the state in the Eritrean context, and how the People's Front for Democracy and Justice utilizes their political power onto the population to consolidate and centralize authority in the party-state apparatus. There is a clear correlation between the militarization of society in Eritrea and the growth of the Eritrean refugee population. Over time, Eritrean government has instituted practices which have restricted the movement of people (i.e. shoot-to-kill border security, lockdown measures, etc.), and denied basic freedoms and human rights to its citizens... |
Background of Eritrea's refugee crisis and systemic issues of migration | with Giulia Tranchina
Original air date: August 14th, 2021 This interview with Giulia Tranchina discusses the immediate and proximate issues that Eritrean refugees face when they flee from national service in Eritrea, and the reception of refugees in Europe in general. The complicated political landscape of refugee resettlement in Europe, which has developed as a result of antagonistic policies against migration as a social phenomenon, is a direct contradiction of commitments that many European countries have signed--and the results of not effectively responding to the refugee crisis can have devastating impacts on Eritrea's diaspora population in Ethiopia and Sudan, where they are more at risk of forced repatriation. The funding of the Eritrean regime through designated infrastructure projects is a direct contributor of forced labor being a push factor for Eritrean migration from Eritrea. The impact that displaced Eritrean refugees now have to confront in light of the conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia is worsening their prospects for safety... |
Refugee: The Eritrean Exodus, A Retrospective | with Chris Cotter
Original air date: July 30th, 2021 This interview with Chris Cotter discusses his experience filming the documentary, "Refugee: The Eritrean Exodus" (2015), and learning more about refugees and asylum seekers in the Eritrean context. From the time of the production of the film, Eritreans were the single largest group of migrants entering by sea to Italy, which accounted for approximately twenty-five percent of the total arriving population of migrants. While identifying global issues to cover in a film project, the inquiry (based on fulfilling a desire to embark on a meaningful trip) led Chris on an adventure which includes revelations about the state of refugee camps housing Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia and the international response to the growing issue of oppression that exists in Eritrea. Chris reflected on the film's criticism, including from people opposed to refugee resettlement (who told refugees to return to their country), and from Eritrean pro-government supporters who made comments about the film with false accusations. The film's impact (and travels to the refugee camps in Ethiopia) provided Chris with the opportunity to continue his passion for documenting unique stories, and gave updates on other work including educational outreach in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya and around his own community in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania... |
Militarization of Eritrea’s national education system and refugee response | with Jennifer Riggan, PhD
Original air date: July 29th, 2021 This interview with Jennifer Riggan discusses the education system in Eritrea, the role of teachers in the nation and state and how it reflects the authority of the government on the civilian population, and the influence of culture in the experience of school children in general, and language identity in particular. The way education has shaped Eritrean society over time has demonstrated the emphasis placed on military education as a means to galvanize the population of young people. As a consequence, those who fail to maintain a standard of academic excellence under the reformed educational system are subjugated to abuse and maltreatment. Also of importance is the situation of the Eritrean refugee population across the Horn of Africa region during the conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and the sense of urgency required by the international community to end the war and respond to the threat of forced repatriation, internal displacement, and starvation... |
Culture of social conformity in Eritrea's politics and generational trauma | with Tekle Woldemikael, PhD
Original air date: July 24th, 2021 This interview with Tekle Woldemikael discusses how social constructs are fundamental to the value system of a country's political system, Eritrea's internal issues of transition from liberation struggle to nationhood, and how to document historical trends of migration. The causes of Eritrean migration are arguably as dangerous (if not more) as the conditions once Eritreans flee, given the unique risk of chance that comes along with defecting from the national service as an expression of rejecting societal norms that have been built in the institution of the military over time. The negative consequences that arise from societal denigration due to heavy militarization and centralization of the ruling party can highlight the differences in experience between Eritreans of the the revolution generation and Eritreans of the post-independence generation... |
How to promote peace, democracy, rule of law, and human rights in Eritrea | with Helen Kidan
Original air date: July 22nd, 2021 This interview with Helen Kidan discusses the role of civil society organizations in resistance to the Eritrean dictatorship, the contemporary history of grassroot-level advocacy among the Eritrean diaspora, and how increased insecurity of Eritrean refugees have renewed the effort to establish working relations with international partners to promote human rights and accountability, among other important issues relevant to the conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. The perception of the Eritrean opposition to the dictatorship is one of inaction, a lack of organization, infighting, and general disunity in the messaging of the most urgent and important issues that pertain to flagrant human rights violations and denial of basic freedoms in the country. In order to offer a viable alternative, one has to first understand the strategy used by the Eritrean dictatorship to promote their agenda... |
Mismanagement of Ethiopia's political affairs during the Tigray conflict | with William Davison
Original air date: July 21st, 2022 Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? |
Severity of atrocities and effects of African non interference policy in Tigray | with Alex de Waal, PhD
Original air date: July 19th, 2021 Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? |
The diplomatic crisis in Tigray and challenges of conflict resolution | with Kjetil Tronvoll, PhD
Original air date: July 11th, 2021 Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? |
Ethnic cleansing and persecution of the Afar community in Eritrea | with Shehem Dalori
Original air date: July 4th, 2021
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt.
Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur?
Original air date: July 4th, 2021
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt.
Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur?
Eritrea's national service effects on the population, and war-era diplomacy | with Gaim Kibreab, PhD
Original air date: July 3rd, 2021 Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? |
Explaining resettlement and asylum claims for the Eritrean perspective | with John Stauffer
Original air date: June 23rd, 2021 Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? |
Studying the regional geographic changes in Tigray during conflict | with Jan Nyssen, PhD
Original air date: June 13th, 2021 Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? |
Political reformation in Eastern Africa, and the Nile River water conflict | with John Mbaku, PhD
Original air date: May 17th, 2021 Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? |
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