The Sidama people of Ethiopia have, for the first time, been given the opportunity to vote in a referendum on whether they should have an autonomous state. There are fears that the result could inspire other groups to push for autonomy, redrawing boundaries in Africa’s second most populous country. Yohannes Gedamu warns that this is likely to pose more trouble for the stability of Ethiopia.
The Imo state government in Nigeria decreed recently that the Igbo language must be introduced as a compulsory subject in all schools. Other states have launched similar policies, but without appreciable results. Maduabuchi Senen Agbo sets out what must be done to make the policy yield better outcomes.
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The Sidama referendum result is just the beginning of what is expected to be a long process to self-determination.
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Yohannes Gedamu, Georgia Gwinnett College
In practical terms. Sidama's successful push has created more groups that aspire to homogenise the demography of their regions.
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Nigeria must do more to promote indigenous languages
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Maduabuchi Sennen Agbo, University of Benin
Schools are still not using Nigerian languages to teach students
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Politics + Society
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Blessing-Miles Tendi, University of Oxford
When the military intervened against Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe in 2017, it wasn't widely called a military coup. New research shows that's exactly what it was.
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Emilia Onyema, SOAS, University of London
Why Africa needs more African arbitrators.
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Health + Medicine
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Madhukar Pai, McGill University
Global health researchers, funders and journals are not walking the talk on equity, diversity and inclusion.
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En français
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Laurent Grélot, Aix-Marseille Université (AMU)
Depuis 2016, les records sur marathon se sont améliorés grâce à un modèle de chaussures particulier. Doit-on y voir une remarquable innovation ou un dopage technologique ?
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Sadio Ba Gning, Université Gaston Berger
Au Sénégal l’appartenance religieuse apparaît comme un préalable au parcours d’entrepreneure. Elle permet de construire les relations de confiance et de clientèle nécessaires aux échanges économiques.
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