Spectacles of illegality: mapping Ethiopia’s show trials

General jurisprudence conceives the courtroom as a space of adjudication and justice far removed from the gravitational field of politics. Both in its normative inscription and function, the court is conceived as a site of truth and justice elevated above and beyond the expediency of power and politics. However, despite the predominance of this normative meaning, courts have been used to advance persecutive forms of politics that had nothing to do with the determination of guilt and innocence or the pursuit of justice. In this article, we will explore the role of the Ethiopian judiciary in legitimizing and rationalizing the politics of repression and elimination under the guise of law and legality. Drawing on Otto Kirchheimer’s seminal work on the political trial, we will examine Ethiopia’s strategic deployment of the judicial space and the devices of justice to produce narratives and generate ‘truths’ in the image of the ruling party

Education, civic engagement and youth support for violence in fragile states: evidence from Somaliland

We examine whether opportunities for civic engagement mediate the effect of access to education on political violence. In fragile states, solely providing education may be necessary, but not sufficient, to reduce violence. Access to schooling can generate unintended grievances against the government. We argue that combining access to education with opportunities for civic participation helps youths to use and trust nonviolent channels to engage with their communities and address their grievances, minimizing the risk of conflict. To test our argument of the interactive effect of education and civic participation we leverage a unique education program implemented in partnership with the Government of Somalia. Using original data from a survey of 800 young people, as well as qualitative interviews, we find support our argument. This article provides new empirical evidence of the role of civic engagement in promoting political stability in fragile states

Winning Hearts and Minds in Civil Wars: Governance, Leadership Change, and Support for Violent Groups in Iraq

The “hearts and minds” model of combating rebellions holds that civilians are less likely to support violent opposition groups if the government provides public services and security. Building on this model, we argue that a political event that raises popular expectations of future public service and security provision increases support for the government and decreases sympathy for violent opposition groups. To test this argument, we leverage a unique research design opportunity that stems from the unforeseen announcement of the resignation of Iraq's divisive prime minister in August 2014 while an original survey was being administered across the country. We show that the leadership transition led Iraq's displeased Sunni Arab minority to shift support from the violent opposition to the government. In line with our argument, this realignment was due to rising optimism among Sunni Arabs that the new government would provide services and public goods—specifically security, electricity, and jobs

Precursor crop and vertisols type influences on teff (Eragrostis tef) response to fertilizer rates in the central highlands of Ethiopia

Optimization of fertilizer-N and -P is important to highland production of teff (Eragrostis tef) on Vertisols of central Ethiopia but may be affected by precursor crop and Vertisols type. On-farm experiments were conducted in three major teff growing districts of North Shewa (Moretina jiru, Ensaro, and Merhabete) in 2019 and 2020 with the main objectives was to determine the effect of precursor crops and Vertisols type on teff response to N and P rates. The N x P factorial combinations include 0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 kg N ha−1 and 0, 30, 60, and 90 kg P ha−1 applied each to light and heavy Vertisols with either cereal or pulse precursor crops in each district. In Merhabete, grain yield was significantly influenced by Pc x Vt x N and Pc x Vt x P but always with the lowest and highest grain yield with 0 and 240 kg N ha−1, respectively. Yield was 394 % more with 240 kg N ha−1 compared with no N and P applied. The Vt x Pc × N interaction affected teff yield in Moretina Jiru as application of 240 kg N ha−1 increased teff yield by 440 %, 30 %, 23 %, and 7 % on light Vertisols compared with 200 %, 16 %, 13 %, and 2 % on heavy Vertisols. The 4-way interaction of Vt x Pc x N x P affected grain yield in Ensaro due to the low N and P status of the soil coupled with the distinct Vertisols type in the district. In all districts, yield response to N was greater with pulse compared with cereal precursor crops and with a greater response for heavy compared with light Vertisols in Moretina Jiru and Ensaro. In Moretina Jiru, application of 170 kg−1N and soil maintenance level of 30 kg−1 of P ha−1 are recommended as an economic optimum rate (EOR). In Ensaro, the EOR for teff following cereal on light Vertisols are 166 kg N ha−1 and 65 kg P ha−1. At Ensaro, needed rates for teff following pulse on light Vertisols are 198 N ha−1 and 48 kg P ha−1. At Ensaro, needed rates for teff following cereal on heavy Vertisols are 240 N ha−1 and 90 kg P ha−1. At Ensaro, needed rates for teff following pulse on heavy Vertisols are 240 N ha−1 and 80 kg P ha−1. In Merhabete, the EOR for teff following cereal on light Vertisols are 182 kg N ha−1 and 60 kg P ha−1. In Merhabete, needed rates for teff following pulse on light Vertisols are 206 N ha−1 and 64 kg P ha−1. In Merhabete, needed rates for teff following cereal on heavy Vertisols are 240 N ha−1 and 90 kg P ha−1. In Merhabete, needed rates for teff following pulse on heavy Vertisols are 218 N ha−1 and 58 kg P ha−1. Therefore, those N and P rate are recommended for the study area, soil type and precursor crops

Automated Chat Application Surveys Using Whatsapp: Evidence from Panel Surveys and a Mode Experiment

We present a method to conduct automated surveys over WhatsApp, a globally popular messaging service. WhatsApp surveys offer potential advantages since they incur relatively low costs to respondents and researchers, are easy to use for respondents who are already familiar with WhatsApp chat features, and facilitate continued engagement with mobile populations as users can retain their WhatsApp number even if they change SIM cards and phone numbers. Yet, there is limited knowledge on how well WhatsApp surveys perform empirically. We test the WhatsApp method using two original panel surveys of refugees in Colombia and the U.S. and find satisfactory response rates and retention over a nine-month follow-up period in these mobile populations. We also conduct a mode experiment in Colombia comparing WhatsApp to short message service (SMS) and interactive voice response (IVR) surveys. We find that WhatsApp had a 12 and 27 percentage points higher response rate than IVR and SMS, respectively, resulting from higher initial engagement and lower break-off. We conclude by discussing advantages and limitations of the WhatsApp method and offer documentation and a public code repository to support researchers and practitioners in applying the method in other contexts

Inclusive education and research through African Network of Women in Astronomy and STEM for GIRLS in Ethiopia initiatives

The African Network of Women in Astronomy and STEM for GIRLS in Ethiopia initiatives have been established with aim to strengthen the participation of girls and women in astronomy and science in Africa and Ethiopia. We will not be able to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals without full participation of women and girls in all aspects of our society and without giving in future the same opportunity to all children to access education independently on their socio-economical status. In this paper both initiatives are briefly introduced.Comment: Proceedings paper of the International Astronomical Union Symposium 367: Education and Heritage in the Era of Big Data in Astronom