A Changing Ethiopia: Understanding Medemer

A Changing Ethiopia: Understanding Medemer - Can A New Political Philosophy Remake Ethiopia?

Nobel Peace Prize winner and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has unveiled a new political philosophy for his country: “medemer,” an Amharic word which literally translates as “addition,” or “coming together.” But what are the key principles of medemer, and how can they be applied both domestically and abroad? How does medemer link with the existing Ethiopian political and social structure? And amid ongoing change and volatility, with highly anticipated elections looming, is medemer a path to sustained reform, or merely a political slogan?

During this crucial period of reform and uncertainty in Ethiopia, USIP hosted a distinguished panel that included representatives of the Office of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for a look at the questions, possibilities, and problems offered by medemer.

For more information about this event, visit: https://www.usip.org/events/changing-ethiopia-understanding-medemer

Speakers
Lencho Bati
Senior Political, Diplomatic, and Foreign Policy Advisor, Office of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia

Alemayehu G. Mariam
Professor, Political Science, California State University, San Bernardino; Chairman, Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund

Etana Dinka
Visiting Assistant Professor of African History and Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow, Oberlin College

Aly Verjee, moderator
Senior Advisor, Africa Program, U.S. Institute of Peace