Meles Alem Tikea

Advertisement By MELES ALEM TIKEA On June 21, 2021, millions of Ethiopians, across the nation, turned up early and en masse, to truly lay a foundation of democracy as they participated in the country’s sixth general election. The peaceful election, witnessed by over 2,000 media outlets and described variously as the centrepiece of a reform drive by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, registered yet a key milestone in the rich history of Ethiopia’s statehood.

Lessons from African history show us that when statesmen endeavour to solve national or interstate challenges, they often succeed. But they can also fail. This duality of outcomes best fits summit negotiations and mediation efforts for natural resource sharing on the continent. Attempts to equitably and sustainably share natural resources if positive, can create statesmen, and if not, then the resource will be a curse to the people.

Advertisement By MELES ALEM TIKEA Lessons from African history show us that when statesmen endeavour to solve national or interstate challenges, they often succeed. But they can also fail. This duality of outcomes best fits summit negotiations and mediation efforts for natural resource sharing on the continent. Attempts to equitably and sustainably share natural resources if positive, can create statesmen, and if not, then the resource will be a curse to the people.