CONFLICTED Conflicted Revisited: Ethiopia’s Overlooked Conflict
33 snips
Nov 26, 2025 Martin Plaut, a distinguished journalist and author, shares his expertise on Ethiopia’s Tigray War and its significance for the Horn of Africa. He reflects on his upbringing in apartheid South Africa and his journey into journalism amid political activism. The conversation delves into the complex history of African slavery, highlighting misconceptions and the extensive regional dynamics involved. Plaut explains the Eritrean influence on the Tigray conflict and the humanitarian catastrophes stemming from it, revealing the fragile nature of ceasefire agreements and the region's ongoing instability.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Ethiopia's Internal And Coastal Slave Routes
- Plaut describes slavery in Ethiopia as longstanding and ethnically layered, with captives taken from southern and western regions.
- Many enslaved Ethiopians were exported via Eritrean and Somali coasts to Arabian markets.
Tigray's Deep Historical Identity
- Martin Plaut recounts Tigray's deep historical and religious significance, including the Church of St. Mary of Zion and annual pilgrimages.
- He notes Tigrayans' belief in descent from the Queen of Sheba and Solomon, underscoring cultural pride.
Colonial Decisions Laid Groundwork For Long Wars
- Eritrea's contested status after WWII and Britain's indecision sowed the seeds of decades-long conflict.
- Federation then annexation by Haile Selassie triggered the 1961 Eritrean independence war.
