The politics of national liberation in Ethiopia: origins of and responses to state weakness, insecurity, and insurgency, 1991–2018

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ABSTRACT This article argues that the politics of national liberation has been a major source of Ethiopia’s vulnerability and a threat to its survival for two reasons. Firstly, ethnically organized ‘liberation movements/fronts’ have been fighting for ‘the right to self-determination’ defining Ethiopia as a ‘prison of nationalities’ or ‘black colonial empire’. Secondly, state/regimes’ responses to these movements have further entrenched militant ethno-nationalisms. This article contributes to our understanding of the nature of national security challenges facing multi-ethnic developing states based on in-depth interviews, and document reviews, and situated in the body of knowledge that focuses on weak/fragile states’ national (in)security.