Editor's note

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.

Julius Maina

Regional Editor East Africa

Top Stories

The Sidama referendum result is just the beginning of what is expected to be a long process to self-determination. Shutterstock

Sidama vote first step in long process of change in Ethiopia

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.

Nigeria must do more to promote indigenous languages Adam Jan Figel/Shutterstock

Calls to use Nigerian languages at school are going unheard

Maduabuchi Sennen Agbo, University of Benin

Schools are still not using Nigerian languages to teach students

Politics + Society

From Zimbabwe to Bolivia: what makes a military coup?

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.

Too few of Africa’s commercial disputes are resolved by African arbitrators – why this must change

Emilia Onyema, SOAS, University of London

Why Africa needs more African arbitrators.

Health + Medicine

En français

Marathon en moins de 2 heures : un cas de dopage technologique ?

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 ?

Le fait religieux dans l’entrepreneuriat féminin au Sénégal

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.

 
 
 
 

Would you like to republish any of these articles?

It’s free to republish, here are the guidelines. Contact us on africa-republish@theconversation.com in case you need assistance.