Tesfaye Negussie is an American journalist whose parents emigrated from Ethiopia. Last month, Tesfaye traveled to Ethiopia to visit family and friends. He writes how the desire to emigrate to America is common in the Ethiopian psyche -- along with an equally strong desire to return to the homeland.
Ethiopia is a country of 80 million people located in the volatile Horn of Africa region. Worldfocus reports on Ethiopia's people, religions and the cultural relics that dot their vast and varied country. In the northern highlands, we find a remote way of life that is virtually frozen in time. In the birthplace of coffee, disgruntled and disorganized farmers decide to abandon the coffee crop to plant corn and khat. In the Ogaden region bordering Somalia, a violent, separatist conflict has claimed thousands of lives over the last 15 years.
Twenty-five years after famine devastated Ethiopia, poverty is still cripples in parts of the country. But the Ethiopian government is trying to strengthen local and regional businesses and attract foreign direct investment. Currently, Ethiopia is ranked as the fourth fastest growing economy in the world, ahead of China.
Ethiopia Past and Present" is a collection of signature videos, interviews, an online radio show and Q&A, reporter observations and analysis from the field and blogger perspectives.
Ethiopia Past and Present
Perspectives
January 22, 2010
The Ethiopian dream: come to America then go back home
Perspectives
January 13, 2010
Ethiopia’s government tamps down on press freedoms
“Remember, this is still Africa,” warned a friend of Tesfaye Negussie, an American journalist whose parents emigrated from Ethiopia. Last month, Tesfaye traveled to Ethiopia to visit family and friends and shares a story about the restrictions on press freedoms that excuse those in power and propel social injustices.
Q & A
November 11, 2009
Conflict endures in Ethiopia’s ethnic Somali Region
The violent, separatist conflict in southeastern Ethiopia has claimed thousands of lives over the last 15 years. Former U.S. ambassador to Ethiopia David H. Shinn answers questions about the roots of this under reported conflict and whether it could be the next Darfur.
Web Exclusive
November 4, 2009
Finding a way to coexist with hyenas in Ethiopia
While in Ethiopia reporting on a series of signature stories from Ethiopia, correspondent Martin Seemungal encountered an unusual tradition - locals who feed hyenas by hand. The tradition supposedly began as a way to protect children from the wild animals.
Signature Video
October 29, 2009
Antibiotics for eye disease are saving Ethiopia’s children
Producer Gary Strieker reports from Ethiopia's Amhara region where 60 percent of children suffer from Trachoma, a bacterial eye infection that is the world's leading preventable cause of blindness. A new study finds that antibiotics administered for Trachoma is actually treating other ailments and reducing Ethiopia's high rates of child mortality.
Worldfocus Radio
October 28, 2009
Worldfocus Radio: Entrepreneurship in Ethiopia
The Ethiopian government is trying to strengthen local and regional businesses and attract foreign direct investment. Martin Savidge hosts Ethiopian businessman Ermyas Amelga and economics professor Phillip LeBel to discuss how easy it is to do business in Ethiopia and who's investing. LISTEN NOW.
Signature Video
October 28, 2009
In birthplace of coffee, Ethiopian farmers plant other crops
Because Ethiopian farmers are fragmented and disorganized, they cannot leverage for higher coffee prices. Worldfocus correspondent Martin Seemungal reports on why farmers are deciding to plant corn and khat, a leafy drug that is chewed with stimulating effects somewhere between caffeine and cocaine.
Signature Video
October 27, 2009
Old ways endure in remote rural village in northern Ethiopia
Worldfocus correspondent Martin Seemungal travels to a remote village in the highlands of Ethiopia. He observes a traditional way of life that is virtually cut off from the rest of the world.
Signature Video
October 26, 2009
Famine eclipses Ethiopia’s beauty and rich history
Twenty-five years after famine devastated Ethiopia, poverty still mars the country's image. Worldfocus correspondent Martin Seemungal explores another side of Ethiopia. He reports on Ethiopia's people, religion, beauty and explores the relics that dot the landscape in the northern part of the country.
Blog (Connie Kargbo)
September 17, 2009
In the Newsroom: Africa and climate change
Worldfocus associate producer Connie Kargbo shares her opinion on climate change and policy in Africa.
