Investment Opportunities in Mekelle, Tigray State, Ethiopia

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Investment Opportunities in Mekelle, Tigray State, Ethiopia MCI AND VCC WORKING PAPER SERIES ON INVESTMENT IN THE MILLENNIUM CITIES No 10/2009 INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN MEKELLE, TIGRAY STATE, ETHIOPIA Bryant Cannon December 2009 432 South Park Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, NY10016, United States Phone: +1-646-884-7422; Fax: +1-212-548-5720 Websites: www.earth.columbia.edu/mci; www.vcc.columbia.edu MCI and VCC Working Paper Series o N 10/2009 Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Karl P. Sauvant, Co-Director, Millennium Cities Initiative, and Executive Director, Vale Columbia Center on Sustainable International Investment: [email protected] Editor: Joerg Simon, Senior Investment Advisor, Millennium Cities Initiative: [email protected] Managing Editor: Paulo Cunha, Coordinator, Millennium Cities Initiative: [email protected] The Millennium Cities Initiative (MCI) is a project of The Earth Institute at Columbia University, directed by Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs. It was established in early 2006 to help sub-Saharan African cities achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). As part of this effort, MCI helps the Cities to create employment, stimulate enterprise development and foster economic growth, especially by stimulating domestic and foreign investment, to eradicate extreme poverty – the first and most fundamental MDG. This effort rests on three pillars: (i) the preparation of various materials to inform foreign investors about the regulatory framework for investment and commercially viable investment opportunities; (ii) the dissemination of the various materials to potential investors, such as through investors’ missions and roundtables, and Millennium Cities Investors’ Guides; and (iii) capacity building in the Cities to attract and work with investors. The Vale Columbia Center on Sustainable International Investment promotes learning, teaching, policy-oriented research, and practical work within the area of foreign direct investment, paying special attention to the sustainable development dimension of this investment. It is a joint center of Columbia Law School and The Earth Institute at Columbia University. Correspondence should be directed at any of the editors. A separate MCI working papers series on the social sector is also available. For more information, please refer to the MCI website at: http://www.earth.columbia.edu/mci/ and the Vale Columbia Center website at: http://www.vcc.columbia.edu/. Copyright © 2009 by the Millennium Cities Initiative and Vale Columbia Center on Sustainable International Investment. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise indicated, this working paper may be reproduced, quoted or cited without permission of the author(s) provided there is proper acknowledgement. The responsibility for the contents of this Working Paper remains with the author(s). Accordingly, this publication is for informational purposes only and is meant to be purely educational. While our objective is to provide useful, general information, the Millennium Cities Initiative and the Vale Columbia Center make no representations or assurances as to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information. The information is provided without warranty of any kind, express or implied. This publication does not constitute an offer, solicitation, or recommendation for the sale or purchase of any security, product, or service. Information, opinions and views contained in this publication should not be treated as investment, tax or legal advice. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a professional advisor who has been informed of all facts relevant to your particular circumstances. 2 Table of Contents Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................................... 6 List of abbreviations ..................................................................................................................... 7 Executive summary ....................................................................................................................... 9 Chapter 1. The broader context ................................................................................................ 13 A. Country background.......................................................................................................... 13 B. The region ......................................................................................................................... 14 C. The economy ..................................................................................................................... 15 D. Markets ............................................................................................................................. 15 E. Trade facilitation ............................................................................................................... 16 F. Exports .............................................................................................................................. 16 G. Imports .............................................................................................................................. 17 H. Foreign direct investment ................................................................................................. 18 Chapter 2. Investing in Mekelle ................................................................................................. 20 A. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 20 B. Mekelle economy .............................................................................................................. 21 C. Reserved areas of investment............................................................................................ 21 1. Reserved for the Government ....................................................................................... 21 2. Reserved for joint investment ....................................................................................... 21 3. Reserved for domestic investors ................................................................................... 21 D. Investment permit ............................................................................................................. 22 1. Required minimum capital ............................................................................................ 22 2. Required minimum capital (approved sectors) ............................................................. 22 E. Federal level investment incentives .................................................................................. 23 1. Exemption from customs duty ...................................................................................... 23 2. Duties ............................................................................................................................ 23 3. Exemption from income and profit tax ......................................................................... 23 4. Tax holiday ................................................................................................................... 23 F. Regional investment incentives ........................................................................................ 23 1. Industrial zones ............................................................................................................. 23 2. Approved investments for free land lease ..................................................................... 24 3. Agricultural investments ............................................................................................... 24 4. Land as collateral .......................................................................................................... 24 5. Grace period for lease ................................................................................................... 24 6. Reduced lease price....................................................................................................... 25 G. Guarantees to investors ..................................................................................................... 25 1. Guarantee against expropriation ................................................................................... 25 2. Loss carried forward ..................................................................................................... 25 Chapter 3. Opportunities for investors ..................................................................................... 26 A. Sectoral selection criteria and analysis ............................................................................. 26 B. Livestock ........................................................................................................................... 26 1. Milk products ................................................................................................................ 27 2. Meat products................................................................................................................ 29 3 3. Leather goods ................................................................................................................ 30 4. Animal feeds ................................................................................................................. 34 C. Poultry ............................................................................................................................... 35 D. Fishery..............................................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • Download/Documents/AFR2537302021ENGLISH.PDF
    “I DON’T KNOW IF THEY REALIZED I WAS A PERSON” RAPE AND OTHER SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN THE CONFLICT IN TIGRAY, ETHIOPIA Amnesty International is a movement of 10 million people which mobilizes the humanity in everyone and campaigns for change so we can all enjoy our human rights. Our vision is of a world where those in power keep their promises, respect international law and are held to account. We are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion and are funded mainly by our membership and individual donations. We believe that acting in solidarity and compassion with people everywhere can change our societies for the better. © Amnesty International 2021 Except where otherwise noted, content in this document is licensed under a Creative Commons Cover photo: © Amnesty International (Illustrator: Nala Haileselassie) (attribution, non-commercial, no derivatives, international 4.0) licence. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode For more information please visit the permissions page on our website: www.amnesty.org Where material is attributed to a copyright owner other than Amnesty International this material is not subject to the Creative Commons licence. First published in 2021 by Amnesty International Ltd Peter Benenson House, 1 Easton Street London WC1X 0DW, UK Index: AFR 25/4569/2021 Original language: English amnesty.org CONTENTS 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5 2. METHODOLOGY 8 3. BACKGROUND 9 4. SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS IN TIGRAY 12 GANG RAPE, INCLUDING OF PREGNANT WOMEN 12 SEXUAL SLAVERY 14 SADISTIC BRUTALITY ACCOMPANYING RAPE 16 BEATINGS, INSULTS, THREATS, HUMILIATION 17 WOMEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED WHILE TRYING TO FLEE THE COUNTRY 18 5.
    [Show full text]
  • 20210714 Access Snapshot- Tigray Region June 2021 V2
    ETHIOPIA Tigray: Humanitarian Access Snapshot (July 2021) As of 31 July 2021 The conflict in Tigray continues despite the unilateral ceasefire announced by the Ethiopian Federal Government on 28 June, which resulted in the withdrawal of the Ethiopian National Overview of reported incidents July Since Nov July Since Nov Defense Forces (ENDF) and Eritrea’s Defense Forces (ErDF) from Tigray. In July, Tigray forces (TF) engaged in a military offensive in boundary areas of Amhara and Afar ERITREA 13 153 2 14 regions, displacing thousands of people and impacting access into the area. #Incidents impacting Aid workers killed Federal authorities announced the mobilization of armed forces from other regions. The Amhara region the security of aid Tahtay North workers Special Forces (ASF), backed by ENDF, maintain control of Western zone, with reports of a military Adiyabo Setit Humera Western build-up on both sides of the Tekezi river. ErDF are reportedly positioned in border areas of Eritrea and in SUDAN Kafta Humera Indasilassie % of incidents by type some kebeles in North-Western and Eastern zones. Thousands of people have been displaced from town Central Eastern these areas into Shire city, North-Western zone. In line with the Access Monitoring and Western Korarit https://bit.ly/3vcab7e May Reporting Framework: Electricity, telecommunications, and banking services continue to be disconnected throughout Tigray, Gaba Wukro Welkait TIGRAY 2% while commercial cargo and flights into the region remain suspended. This is having a major impact on Tselemti Abi Adi town May Tsebri relief operations. Partners are having to scale down operations and reduce movements due to the lack Dansha town town Mekelle AFAR 4% of fuel.
    [Show full text]
  • D.Fig 9.8-1 TRANSMISSION NETWORK STRUCTURE Area-01
    D.Fig 9.8-1 TRANSMISSION NETWORK STRUCTURE 1 Area-01 (1/2, 2/2) 2 Area-02 3 Area-03 4 Area-04 5 Area-05 6 Area-06 (1/2, 2/2) 7 Area-07 Jimma 8 Area-07 Nekemte 9 Area-08 (1/2, 2/2) Legend; Link between A station and B station Frequency Band: Transmission Capacity; Expansion Capacity (At the 8th D.P. completion) in the Master Plan AB 7G 2M 7GHz 2M none AB ? 7x2M Not decided 7 x 2M none AB (2M) Not decided none 2M AB 7G 4x2M (+3) 7GHz 4 x 2M 3 x 2M Links among A, B C and D stations A BCD 5G STM-1 (+1) (+1) Frequency Band: Transmission Capacity; Expansion Capacity (At the 8th D.P. completion) in the Master Plan <Link between A and B> 5GHz STM-1 STM-1 <Link between B and C> 5GHz STM-1 none <Link between C and D> 5GHz STM-1 STM-1 1/11 D.Fig9.8-1 NW Structure.xls Sendafa Mt.Furi Mukaturi Chancho Entoto ? 2x2M (2M) ? 4x2M Addis Ababa Sheno South Ankober North Ambalay South Tik Giorgis Gara Guda 2G 8M 5G 3xSTM-1 5G STM-1 (+2) (+2) (+1) (+1) to Dessie to Bahir Dar Fetra Debre Tsige 900M 8M 11G 140M Sheno Town Ankober(Gorebela) (2M) 7G 4x2M (+1) Sululta 2G 2x34M OFC (2M) Gunde Meskel Muger ? 3x2M 2G 4x2M (2x2M) 900M 8M Aleltu Debre Sina Armania Lemi Robit (2M) 900M 2M (2M) (2M) Fitche Alidoro Chacha (+8) Mezezo Debre Tabor Rep Gunde Wein Abafelase (2M) (2M) (2M) 7G 4x2M Meragna Mendida Molale Inchini Kemet Gebrel Gohatsion Gebre Guracha 900M 8M (2x2M) (2M) (2M) ? 2x2M
    [Show full text]
  • Starving Tigray
    Starving Tigray How Armed Conflict and Mass Atrocities Have Destroyed an Ethiopian Region’s Economy and Food System and Are Threatening Famine Foreword by Helen Clark April 6, 2021 ABOUT The World Peace Foundation, an operating foundation affiliated solely with the Fletcher School at Tufts University, aims to provide intellectual leadership on issues of peace, justice and security. We believe that innovative research and teaching are critical to the challenges of making peace around the world, and should go hand-in- hand with advocacy and practical engagement with the toughest issues. To respond to organized violence today, we not only need new instruments and tools—we need a new vision of peace. Our challenge is to reinvent peace. This report has benefited from the research, analysis and review of a number of individuals, most of whom preferred to remain anonymous. For that reason, we are attributing authorship solely to the World Peace Foundation. World Peace Foundation at the Fletcher School Tufts University 169 Holland Street, Suite 209 Somerville, MA 02144 ph: (617) 627-2255 worldpeacefoundation.org © 2021 by the World Peace Foundation. All rights reserved. Cover photo: A Tigrayan child at the refugee registration center near Kassala, Sudan Starving Tigray | I FOREWORD The calamitous humanitarian dimensions of the conflict in Tigray are becoming painfully clear. The international community must respond quickly and effectively now to save many hundreds of thou- sands of lives. The human tragedy which has unfolded in Tigray is a man-made disaster. Reports of mass atrocities there are heart breaking, as are those of starvation crimes.
    [Show full text]
  • Partners' Guide to Ethiopia
    PARTNERS’ GUIDE TO ETHIOPIA Africa Avenue, one of the main streets in Addis Ababa. One of the main streets in Addis Ababa. Welcome Statement from Dennis Weller Mission Director, USAID Ethiopia Mission Director Dennis Weller USAID/Ethiopia Dear Reader, If you’ve opened this guide, you have already As the home of the African Union and the United demonstrated an interest in development Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Addis opportunities in Ethiopia. That is an important Abeba is already the diplomatic hub of Africa. first step. Assuming Ethiopia continues on its current development track, it has the potential to become Boasting one of the highest GDP growth rates an economic hub. in the world over the past decade, Ethiopia is certainly on the rise. The Government of Ethiopia All of us at the United States Agency for was instrumental in leading that growth and International Development in Ethiopia (USAID) now has ambitious plans to move Africa’s second would like to encourage potential investors to most populous country and one of its poorest to look at the opportunities which Ethiopia offers middle-income status by 2025. In support of that and to consider investing if it makes sense. As a goal, it is investing heavily in its infrastructure and development agency, we like to say that our goal social services. is to one day work ourselves out of a job. That day may still be some way off in Ethiopia, but we’re For our part, USAID’s development portfolio optimistic that the growing involvement of the consists of a wide range of activities designed private sector in Ethiopia’s development will help to create opportunities for Ethiopian citizens.
    [Show full text]
  • Risk Factors and Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Human Rabies Exposure in Northwestern Tigray, Ethiopia
    Gebru G, et al. Risk Factors and Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Human Rabies Exposure in Northwestern Tigray, Ethiopia. Annals of Global Health. 2019; 85(1): 119, 1–12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.2518 ORIGINAL RESEARCH Risk Factors and Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Human Rabies Exposure in Northwestern Tigray, Ethiopia Gebreyohans Gebru*, Gebremedhin Romha†, Abrha Asefa‡, Haftom Hadush§ and Muluberhan Biedemariam‖ Background: Rabies is a neglected tropical disease, which is economically important with great public health concerns in developing countries including Ethiopia. Epidemiological information can play an important role in the control and prevention of rabies, though little is known about the status of the disease in many settings of Ethiopia. The present study aimed to investigate the risk factors and spatio-temporal patterns of human rabies exposure in Northwestern Tigray, Ethiopia. Methods: A prospective study was conducted from 01 January 2016 to 31 December 2016 (lapsed for one year) at Suhul general hospital, Northern Ethiopia. Data of human rabies exposure cases were collected using a pretested questionnaire that was prepared for individuals dog bite victims. Moreover, GPS coordinate of each exposure site was collected for spatio-temporal analysis using hand-held Garmin 64 GPS apparatus. Later, cluster of human rabies exposures were identified using Getis-Ord *Gi statistics. Results: In total, 368 human rabies exposure cases were collected during the study year. Age group of 5 to 14 years old were highly exposed (43.2%; 95% CI, 38.2–48.3). Greater number of human rabies exposures was registered in males (63%; 95% CI, 58.0–67.8) than females (37%; 95% CI, 32.1–42.0).
    [Show full text]
  • Amhara Claim of Western and Southern Parts of Tigray
    AMHARA CLAIM OF WESTERN AND SOUTHERN PARTS OF TIGRAY By Mathza 11-26-20 We have been hearing and reading about the Amhara Regional State claim of ownership of the Welqayit, Tsegede, Qafta-Humera and Tselemti weredas (hereafter refereed to Welqayit Group) and Raya, and Amhara Regional State threats of war against TPLF/Tigray. One of the threats states “some of the Amhara elite politicians continue to beat drums, as summons to war” (watch/listen) DW TV (Amharic) - July 30, 2020. THE WELQAYIT GROUP Welkayit Amhara Identity Committee (WAIC) was formed in Gonder to return the Welqayit Group from Tigray Regional State to Amhara Regional State. The Welqayit Group was transferred to Tigray during the 1984 reconfiguration of the administrative structure of the country based on ethno-linguistical regional states (kililoch) after the Derg was defeated. It seems that the government of Eritrea has contributed to the Welqayit Group problem. According to ህግደፍንኣሸበርቲ ጉጅለታትን ብአንደበት…ቀዳማይ ክፋል (watch) the Eritrean government had trained Ethiopian oppositions and inculcated opposing views between ethnic groups in Ethiopia, particularly between Amhara and Tigray Regional States, wherever it viewed appropriate for its devilish objective of dismantling Ethiopia. The Committee recruited Tigrayans from Tigray Regional State to do its dirty work. An example is presented in a video, Tigrai Tv:መድረኽተሃድሶ ወረዳ ቃፍታ- ሑመራህዝቢ ጣብያ ዓዲ-ሕርዲ - YouTube (watch) aired on Feb 01, 2017. It shows confessions by a number of Tigrayans from Qafta-Humera who were lured and bribed by the Committee to serve its objectives. Each of them gave details of activities they participated in and carried out against their own people.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessing the Aftermath of Adwa in Wallagga Territory (Ethiopia): the Case of Leeqaa-Naqamtee and Leeqaa-Qellem (1896-1937)
    2011 International Conference on Social Science and Humanity IPEDR vol.5 (2011) © (2011) IACSIT Press, Singapore Paper Title: Assessing the Aftermath of Adwa in Wallagga Territory (Ethiopia): The Case of Leeqaa-Naqamtee and Leeqaa-Qellem (1896-1937) Etana Habte Department of History Addis Ababa University Addis Ababa, Ethiopia [email protected] Abstract-The Battle of Adwa, the war fought between attempted to use pragmatic alternative mechanisms to Ethiopian and Italian forces on 1 March 1896 and concluded maintain their right to govern their respective regions, with an overwhelming military victory of the former, has so organize their internal affairs and make their own decisions. far been known for establishing Ethiopia as a politically They had also made relentless efforts to protect and preserve independent African state throughout the colonial era. And the identity of their society not merely as a source of sense of indeed it did. Adwa’s local impact, though equally important, pride and joy but also of strength and confidence. But this has not been given any attention. This article attempts to attempt was seriously damaged following the Battle of Adwa analyze and reinterpret the local impacts of the Battle of Adwa (1 March 1896). The military victory achieved by the by assessing its aftermath in Wallagga territories of Leeqaa- Emperor added his confidence to erode the autonomy he Naqamtee and Leeqaa-Qellem. It endeavors to show this by agreed to be enjoyed by the two Leeqaa states of Wallagga. making a brief comparison of the pre-Adwa days with its aftermath. The first section of the paper deals with an Both states peacefully submitted to the Ethiopian Empire introductory remark that reviews the general nature of these state considering the politico-military problems awaiting states.
    [Show full text]
  • Regreening of the Northern Ethiopian Mountains: Effects on Flooding and on Water Balance
    PATRICK VAN DAMME THE ROLE OF TREE DOMESTICATION IN GREEN MARKET PRODUCT VALUE CHAIN DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA afrika focus — Volume 31, Nr. 2, 2018 — pp. 129-147 REGREENING OF THE NORTHERN ETHIOPIAN MOUNTAINS: EFFECTS ON FLOODING AND ON WATER BALANCE Tesfaalem G. Asfaha (1,2), Michiel De Meyere (2), Amaury Frankl (2), Mitiku Haile (3), Jan Nyssen (2) (1) Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Mekelle University, Ethiopia (2) Department of Geography, Ghent University, Belgium (3) Department of Land Resources Management and Environmental Protection, Mekelle University, Ethiopia The hydro-geomorphology of mountain catchments is mainly determined by vegetation cover. This study was carried out to analyse the impact of vegetation cover dynamics on flooding and water balance in 11 steep (0.27-0.65 m m-1) catchments of the western Rift Valley escarpment of Northern Ethiopia, an area that experienced severe deforestation and degradation until the first half of the 1980s and considerable reforestation thereafter. Land cover change analysis was carried out using aerial photos (1936,1965 and 1986) and Google Earth imaging (2005 and 2014). Peak discharge heights of 332 events and the median diameter of the 10 coarsest bedload particles (Max10) moved in each event in three rainy seasons (2012-2014) were monitored. The result indicates a strong re- duction in flooding (R2 = 0.85, P<0.01) and bedload sediment supply (R2 = 0.58, P<0.05) with increas- ing vegetation cover. Overall, this study demonstrates that in reforesting steep tropical mountain catchments, magnitude of flooding, water balance and bedload movement is strongly determined by vegetation cover dynamics.
    [Show full text]
  • Tigray Situation Update 31 March 2021
    ETHIOPIA OPERATION – TIGRAY UPDATE Tigray Situation Update 31 March 2021 Internally displaced persons (IDPs) hosted in Shiraro. © UNHCR/ Awash Ameha. Background and key developments On 4 November 2020, military confrontations between federal and regional forces in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, which borders both Sudan and Eritrea, led the Government to declare a State of Emergency. Since then, and despite the announcement of an official end to military operations in late November, Ethiopia’s Tigray region has continued to be affected by armed clashes and insecurity, leading to further forced displacement of population -particularly in Western Tigray-, and having a serious impact on access and the provision of humanitarian assistance to refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Many refugees, internally displaced persons and host communities have endured more than three months with extremely limited -or no- assistance, leading to a significant escalation in humanitarian needs. In Eastern Tigray, access has improved over the past weeks and UNHCR and partners have been able to reach some previously inaccessible areas such as Adigrat or Adwa. On 18th March a joint OCHA- UNHCR mission gained access to Shimelba and Hitsats refugee camps for the first time since November 2020, amid ongoing security concerns. UNHCR staff found both camps that both once vibrant camps have now been completely destroyed, and all the humanitarian facilities looted and vandalized, and refugees have fled the camps. The joint mission was also able to visit Shiraro town, where considerable www.unhcr.org 1 UNHCR SITUATION UPDATE Ethiopia, Tigray, 31 March 2021 numbers of Eritrean refugees are believed to be living scattered in the area and in urgent need of safety and support.
    [Show full text]
  • Invest in Ethiopia: Focus MEKELLE December 2012 INVEST in ETHIOPIA: FOCUS MEKELLE
    Mekelle Invest in Ethiopia: Focus MEKELLE December 2012 INVEST IN ETHIOPIA: FOCUS MEKELLE December 2012 Millennium Cities Initiative, The Earth Institute Columbia University New York, 2012 DISCLAIMER This publication is for informational This publication does not constitute an purposes only and is meant to be purely offer, solicitation, or recommendation for educational. While our objective is to the sale or purchase of any security, provide useful, general information, product, or service. Information, opinions the Millennium Cities Initiative and other and views contained in this publication participants to this publication make no should not be treated as investment, representations or assurances as to the tax or legal advice. Before making any accuracy, completeness, or timeliness decision or taking any action, you should of the information. The information is consult a professional advisor who has provided without warranty of any kind, been informed of all facts relevant to express or implied. your particular circumstances. Invest in Ethiopia: Focus Mekelle © Columbia University, 2012. All rights reserved. Printed in Canada. ii PREFACE Ethiopia, along with 189 other countries, The challenges that potential investors adopted the Millennium Declaration in would face are described along with the 2000, which set out the millennium devel- opportunities they may be missing if they opment goals (MDGs) to be achieved by ignore Mekelle. 2015. The MDG process is spearheaded in Ethiopia by the Ministry of Finance and The Guide is intended to make Mekelle Economic Development. and what Mekelle has to offer better known to investors worldwide. Although This Guide is part of the Millennium effort we have had the foreign investor primarily and was prepared by the Millennium Cities in mind, we believe that the Guide will be Initiative (MCI), which is an initiative of of use to domestic investors in Ethiopia as The Earth Institute at Columbia University, well.
    [Show full text]
  • UCLA Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    UCLA UCLA Electronic Theses and Dissertations Title One Law for Us All: A History of Social Cohesion through Shared Legal Tradition Among the Abrahamic Faiths in Ethiopia Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5qn8t4jf Author Spielman, David Benjamin Publication Date 2015 Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Los Angeles One Law For Us All: A History of Social Cohesion through Shared Legal Tradition Among the Abrahamic Faiths in Ethiopia A thesis submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in African Studies by David Benjamin Spielman 2015 ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS One Law For Us All: A History of Social Cohesion through Shared Legal Tradition Among the Abrahamic Faiths in Ethiopia by David Benjamin Spielman Master of Arts in African Studies University of California, Los Angeles, 2015 Professor Ghislaine E. Lydon, Chair This thesis historically traces the development and interactions of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam in Ethiopia. This analysis of the interactions between the Abrahamic faiths is primarily concerned with identifying notable periods of social cohesion in an effort to contest mainstream narratives that often pit the three against each other. This task is undertaken by incorporating a comparative analysis of the Ethiopian Christian code, the Fetha Nagast (Law of Kings), with Islamic and Judaic legal traditions. Identifying the common threads weaved throughout the Abrahamic legal traditions demonstrates how the historical development and periods of social cohesion in Ethiopia were facilitated. ii The thesis of David Benjamin Spielman is approved. Allen F.
    [Show full text]