Biruk Terrefe
@terrefebiruk.bsky.social
Lecturer & Researcher African Politics, @unibayreuth.bsky.social | Research Associate, African Studies Centre, University of Oxford
Politics, Statecraft, Infrastructure, Urbanisation, Conflict, Horn of Africa, Ethiopia, Red Sea
Politics, Statecraft, Infrastructure, Urbanisation, Conflict, Horn of Africa, Ethiopia, Red Sea
Pinned
Biruk Terrefe
@terrefebiruk.bsky.social
· Nov 27
Our new OUP book on the politics, history and political economy of Ethiopia's dam-building program is out!
You can access your free pdf copy of the book at the bottom of this blogpost, which offers a succinct a summary of the book:
blog.gdi.manchester.ac.uk/dams-power-a...
You can access your free pdf copy of the book at the bottom of this blogpost, which offers a succinct a summary of the book:
blog.gdi.manchester.ac.uk/dams-power-a...
Reposted by Biruk Terrefe
Grand opening, grand closing.
X quietly disabled a new feature that showed which country an account was posting from when it revealed that lots of popular right wing MAGA accounts were being run from foreign countries like India and Nigeria.
X quietly disabled a new feature that showed which country an account was posting from when it revealed that lots of popular right wing MAGA accounts were being run from foreign countries like India and Nigeria.
November 22, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Grand opening, grand closing.
X quietly disabled a new feature that showed which country an account was posting from when it revealed that lots of popular right wing MAGA accounts were being run from foreign countries like India and Nigeria.
X quietly disabled a new feature that showed which country an account was posting from when it revealed that lots of popular right wing MAGA accounts were being run from foreign countries like India and Nigeria.
The war over Assab’s port is already live on…Google Maps. 📍
When sovereignty becomes a drop-down option, the conflict goes full Ctrl+Territory.
When sovereignty becomes a drop-down option, the conflict goes full Ctrl+Territory.
November 18, 2025 at 10:13 AM
The war over Assab’s port is already live on…Google Maps. 📍
When sovereignty becomes a drop-down option, the conflict goes full Ctrl+Territory.
When sovereignty becomes a drop-down option, the conflict goes full Ctrl+Territory.
Reposted by Biruk Terrefe
Join us on Thursday @africamultiple.bsky.social
@terrefebiruk.bsky.social
@benjaminkirby.bsky.social
uni-bayreuth.zoom.us/j/6681584839...
AyQ0Uyb1RNOFdvT09oRVc3MXoyUT09 URL
Meeting ID/PW below.
@terrefebiruk.bsky.social
@benjaminkirby.bsky.social
uni-bayreuth.zoom.us/j/6681584839...
AyQ0Uyb1RNOFdvT09oRVc3MXoyUT09 URL
Meeting ID/PW below.
November 17, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Join us on Thursday @africamultiple.bsky.social
@terrefebiruk.bsky.social
@benjaminkirby.bsky.social
uni-bayreuth.zoom.us/j/6681584839...
AyQ0Uyb1RNOFdvT09oRVc3MXoyUT09 URL
Meeting ID/PW below.
@terrefebiruk.bsky.social
@benjaminkirby.bsky.social
uni-bayreuth.zoom.us/j/6681584839...
AyQ0Uyb1RNOFdvT09oRVc3MXoyUT09 URL
Meeting ID/PW below.
Reposted by Biruk Terrefe
In our latest Infographic, we unpack the layers of these countries’ economic, political, infrastructural, and security engagements in East Africa, mapping out investments and assets in six sectors.
Mapping Gulf State Actors’ Expanding Engagements in East Africa – Africa Center
Gulf state actors are expanding their engagements in in East Africa as they compete for influence—reshaping the region's security contours.
africacenter.org
November 16, 2025 at 12:13 PM
In our latest Infographic, we unpack the layers of these countries’ economic, political, infrastructural, and security engagements in East Africa, mapping out investments and assets in six sectors.
This lecture by Mahmoud #Mamdani from 2007 (!), in which he traces the long history state formation in Sudan to analyse the roots of the Darfur crisis of the early 2000s, is a stark reminder of just how structural the #Sudan conflict is.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgB0...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgB0...
Mahmood Mamdani, "State Formation and Conflict"
YouTube video by Columbia University
www.youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:47 PM
This lecture by Mahmoud #Mamdani from 2007 (!), in which he traces the long history state formation in Sudan to analyse the roots of the Darfur crisis of the early 2000s, is a stark reminder of just how structural the #Sudan conflict is.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgB0...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgB0...
„Commanders from Tigray and Amhara, as well as Eritreans and rebels from Oromia, Mr Abiy’s home region, recently met in Sudan to discuss joint military planning.“
This is explosive stuff.
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
This is explosive stuff.
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
How to avoid Africa’s next war
Pressure from America and its allies can prevent a return to fighting
www.economist.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:17 PM
„Commanders from Tigray and Amhara, as well as Eritreans and rebels from Oromia, Mr Abiy’s home region, recently met in Sudan to discuss joint military planning.“
This is explosive stuff.
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
This is explosive stuff.
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
Reposted by Biruk Terrefe
None of the people pictured in these photos feature in this story
Read the full investigation ⬇️
Read the full investigation ⬇️
‘A crisis of colossal scale’: the illegal gold rush tearing Ethiopia…
As gold prices skyrocket, Chinese and western companies are working side by side to exploit a region ravaged by civil war
www.thebureauinvestigates.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:50 AM
None of the people pictured in these photos feature in this story
Read the full investigation ⬇️
Read the full investigation ⬇️
Reposted by Biruk Terrefe
As gold prices skyrocket, Chinese and western companies are working side by side to exploit a region ravaged by civil war
Welcome to the illegal gold rush tearing Ethiopia apart
📸 Erberto Zani via Alamy
Welcome to the illegal gold rush tearing Ethiopia apart
📸 Erberto Zani via Alamy
November 13, 2025 at 10:50 AM
As gold prices skyrocket, Chinese and western companies are working side by side to exploit a region ravaged by civil war
Welcome to the illegal gold rush tearing Ethiopia apart
📸 Erberto Zani via Alamy
Welcome to the illegal gold rush tearing Ethiopia apart
📸 Erberto Zani via Alamy
Reposted by Biruk Terrefe
Why has Sudan descended into mass slaughter? The answer goes far beyond simple ethnic conflict
Justin Willis & Willow Berridge in The Conversation
theconversation.com/why-has-suda...
Justin Willis & Willow Berridge in The Conversation
theconversation.com/why-has-suda...
Why has Sudan descended into mass slaughter? The answer goes far beyond simple ethnic conflict
The civil war is often described as an ethnic or tribal conflict. But it’s more complicated than that.
theconversation.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Why has Sudan descended into mass slaughter? The answer goes far beyond simple ethnic conflict
Justin Willis & Willow Berridge in The Conversation
theconversation.com/why-has-suda...
Justin Willis & Willow Berridge in The Conversation
theconversation.com/why-has-suda...
Reposted by Biruk Terrefe
On 18 Nov, the Northeast Africa Forum will be co-hosting a book launch & discussion at Maison Française d'Oxford (4pm UK time).
Catherine Dom will be discussing 'Mekelle Stories: Life in Time of War'
Full details & venue address:
talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/3aa...
Catherine Dom will be discussing 'Mekelle Stories: Life in Time of War'
Full details & venue address:
talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/3aa...
November 11, 2025 at 2:29 PM
On 18 Nov, the Northeast Africa Forum will be co-hosting a book launch & discussion at Maison Française d'Oxford (4pm UK time).
Catherine Dom will be discussing 'Mekelle Stories: Life in Time of War'
Full details & venue address:
talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/3aa...
Catherine Dom will be discussing 'Mekelle Stories: Life in Time of War'
Full details & venue address:
talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/3aa...
This is a major diplomatic win for the Ethiopian government. www.fanamc.com/english/ethi...
Ethiopia confirmed to host COP32 in 2027, marking a major diplomatic milestone for Africa
Addis Ababa, November 11, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia has been confirmed to host the 2027 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP32), positioning the country at the centre of global climate diplomacy ...
www.fanamc.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:54 PM
This is a major diplomatic win for the Ethiopian government. www.fanamc.com/english/ethi...
Reposted by Biruk Terrefe
“We fought as fighters, not as women”: women’s participation in ethnonational armed groups in #Ethiopia
By Hilina Berhanu Degefa
www.xcept-research.org/publication/...
By Hilina Berhanu Degefa
www.xcept-research.org/publication/...
"We fought as fighters, not as women": women's participation in ethnonational armed groups in Ethiopia - XCEPT
Ethnonational mobilisations — characterised by a strong sense of national and political identification, whether organised along ethnic, religious, or regional political identifications — tend to…
www.xcept-research.org
November 10, 2025 at 7:15 PM
“We fought as fighters, not as women”: women’s participation in ethnonational armed groups in #Ethiopia
By Hilina Berhanu Degefa
www.xcept-research.org/publication/...
By Hilina Berhanu Degefa
www.xcept-research.org/publication/...
Reposted by Biruk Terrefe
1st @ipq.bsky.social article!
New Delhi and Europe are seeking alternatives, given a loss of trust in DC. With a trade deal in the works, a significant opportunity beckons. But will Germany/EU capitalise?
ip-quarterly.com/en/us-india-...
New Delhi and Europe are seeking alternatives, given a loss of trust in DC. With a trade deal in the works, a significant opportunity beckons. But will Germany/EU capitalise?
ip-quarterly.com/en/us-india-...
The US-India Breakdown Creates an Opening for Europe
Germany’s relationship with India is slowly improving, and so is Europe’s at large. President Donald Trump’s torpedoing of US-India ties offers an opportunity to enhance this relationship even further...
ip-quarterly.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:02 AM
1st @ipq.bsky.social article!
New Delhi and Europe are seeking alternatives, given a loss of trust in DC. With a trade deal in the works, a significant opportunity beckons. But will Germany/EU capitalise?
ip-quarterly.com/en/us-india-...
New Delhi and Europe are seeking alternatives, given a loss of trust in DC. With a trade deal in the works, a significant opportunity beckons. But will Germany/EU capitalise?
ip-quarterly.com/en/us-india-...
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/SPRG4...
Incredibly important piece of research! And glad to see it out finally. Mehdi’s work on Amhara nationalism is based on incredible access and data.
Incredibly important piece of research! And glad to see it out finally. Mehdi’s work on Amhara nationalism is based on incredible access and data.
The ‘Wolqayt question’ from c. 2015 to the Tigray war: agrarian claims in Amhara nationalism
The emergence of Amhara nationalism as a central political trend in Ethiopia can be dated to 2016. It soon gained considerable audience within the Amhara region and beyond. This article analyses a ...
www.tandfonline.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:38 PM
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/SPRG4...
Incredibly important piece of research! And glad to see it out finally. Mehdi’s work on Amhara nationalism is based on incredible access and data.
Incredibly important piece of research! And glad to see it out finally. Mehdi’s work on Amhara nationalism is based on incredible access and data.
The next time, I am asked what people can do with a degree in African Studies, I can finally say 'they can become mayor of New York.'
November 5, 2025 at 12:42 PM
The next time, I am asked what people can do with a degree in African Studies, I can finally say 'they can become mayor of New York.'
Reposted by Biruk Terrefe
One of the wildest aspects of covering global politics over the past ~20 yrs is all the raging debates over how to protect the US-built global order from being reconfigured or replaced by China, and in the end the US just decided to walk away from it altogether.
November 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM
One of the wildest aspects of covering global politics over the past ~20 yrs is all the raging debates over how to protect the US-built global order from being reconfigured or replaced by China, and in the end the US just decided to walk away from it altogether.
The drums of war have not been as loud as they are today in my life time. Even in 2020, the explicit nature of the statements and manufacturing of consent was not where it is today. The rhetoric is off the charts.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/21/e...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/21/e...
The Risk of a New Ethiopian-Eritrean War Is Growing
Changing dynamics in Tigray could erode the current balance of uncertainty.
foreignpolicy.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:02 PM
The drums of war have not been as loud as they are today in my life time. Even in 2020, the explicit nature of the statements and manufacturing of consent was not where it is today. The rhetoric is off the charts.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/21/e...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/21/e...
A case of choosing your case studies to fit your narrative. To see the RSF as 'secessionist' also does not do justice to its ambitions of taking over the Sudanese state.
www.middleeasteye.net/big-story/ab...
www.middleeasteye.net/big-story/ab...
How Abu Dhabi built an axis of secessionists across the region
From North Africa to the Gulf, the UAE has aggressively expanded its counter-revolutionary strategy in the wake of the Arab Spring
www.middleeasteye.net
November 4, 2025 at 2:56 PM
A case of choosing your case studies to fit your narrative. To see the RSF as 'secessionist' also does not do justice to its ambitions of taking over the Sudanese state.
www.middleeasteye.net/big-story/ab...
www.middleeasteye.net/big-story/ab...
Reposted by Biruk Terrefe
All Protocol Observed
Welcome to Issue 218 of The Continent
El Fasher has fallen — the last Darfuri city to resist the Rapid Support Forces. After a 500-day siege, the Sudanese army withdrew, leaving 250,000 civilians at the mercy of genocidal militias.
bit.ly/218_TC
Welcome to Issue 218 of The Continent
El Fasher has fallen — the last Darfuri city to resist the Rapid Support Forces. After a 500-day siege, the Sudanese army withdrew, leaving 250,000 civilians at the mercy of genocidal militias.
bit.ly/218_TC
October 31, 2025 at 6:17 PM
All Protocol Observed
Welcome to Issue 218 of The Continent
El Fasher has fallen — the last Darfuri city to resist the Rapid Support Forces. After a 500-day siege, the Sudanese army withdrew, leaving 250,000 civilians at the mercy of genocidal militias.
bit.ly/218_TC
Welcome to Issue 218 of The Continent
El Fasher has fallen — the last Darfuri city to resist the Rapid Support Forces. After a 500-day siege, the Sudanese army withdrew, leaving 250,000 civilians at the mercy of genocidal militias.
bit.ly/218_TC
Reposted by Biruk Terrefe
The RSF says it has captured the city of El-Fasher, which it has besieged since May 2024, as Sudan's brutal civil war rages on.
Famine was declared in a displacement camp there last August, while 260,000 people have been trapped inside the city itself without aid
Famine was declared in a displacement camp there last August, while 260,000 people have been trapped inside the city itself without aid
Grave fears for civilians after Sudanese paramilitary claims capture of El Fasher
RSF says it has seized control of army’s main base in Darfur, home to famine-stricken displacement camp
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:02 AM
The RSF says it has captured the city of El-Fasher, which it has besieged since May 2024, as Sudan's brutal civil war rages on.
Famine was declared in a displacement camp there last August, while 260,000 people have been trapped inside the city itself without aid
Famine was declared in a displacement camp there last August, while 260,000 people have been trapped inside the city itself without aid
Reposted by Biruk Terrefe
Hundreds of Kenyan youth have been lured to the Russian frontline in Ukraine with promises of work, visas and pay in exchange for fighting for Russia. Others were told they would be going to Russia for higher education only to be sent to the frontline.
October 26, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Hundreds of Kenyan youth have been lured to the Russian frontline in Ukraine with promises of work, visas and pay in exchange for fighting for Russia. Others were told they would be going to Russia for higher education only to be sent to the frontline.