Recent Developments in Ethiopia and Regional Security Challenges in the Horn of Africa
On April 19, The Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI) held a discussion on the development and the security challenges of Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa with the Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Dr. Tedros Adhanom.
Ethiopia is considered to be one of “Africa’s tigers”, with plans to become a middle-income country by 2025. Ethiopia has met several of the millennium development goals, especially a reduction in infant mortality and universal primary education.
Despite Ethiopia’s achievements in terms of economic development, the government has been accused of violating human rights. What is the government doing to improve the human rights situation in the country? What are the prospects for democracy in Ethiopia?
The security challenges to the country and the region have however increased. Ethnic tensions and violent radicalism are of increasing concern. The Somali based terror group Al Shabaab poses a threat to the region of East Africa and Horn of Africa. Has the security situation in Ethiopia deteriorated, and if so, why? How is Ethiopia assessing the complex and intertwined security threats in the Horn and what remedies could be brought to bear in addressing the root causes of those threats?
Dr. Tedros Adhanom, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia since November 2012.
Bo Göransson, Former Director General of Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency), former Swedish Ambassador to Kenya.
Marika Fahlén, Former Ambassador and Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden.
The seminar was moderated by Mats Karlsson, Director at UI.