Difference between Ugandan Unrest and Ethiopian Unrest
Uganda is a country that is located in eastern Africa. Members of the African Union, Uganda's official languages are Swahili and English. Uganda gained independence from Britain in the early 1960s. The LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) spread terror throughout Uganda and neighboring countries and are wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court.
Ethiopia is an African country located in the eastern region known as the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia is home to some of the oldest sites scientists have found of the existence of humans. A governmental system of monarchy existed for most of Ethiopia's history, but now is a Federal Parliamentary republic.
Economic Issues of Uganda and Ethiopia
Uganda's economy has long been regarded as unstable and therefore has been one of the poorest countries in Africa for many decades. Within the past few years, economic reform has seen changes in the main export of Uganda, from coffee to services. While Uganda has many natural resources including crude oil, natural gas, and large mineral deposits, it will need to make continued efforts to utilize them efficiently and put an end to widespread poverty.
Political opposition has thwarted much of the efforts to improve the economy, and the drought of 2008 did nothing to improve matters. Poverty has been a longstanding issue with the people in both rural and urban areas of Ethiopia. While Ethiopia has the greatest amount of water reserves in Africa, there are not many systems of irrigation in place to utilize it. With managed farming, Ethiopia could easily become a widespread grower of food for the entire African economy.
Political Issues of Uganda and Ethiopia
Since 1986, Yoweri Museveni has served as the Ugandan president. Part of the rebellion that ended the regime of Idi Amin in the late 1970s, Museveni has been credited with improving the economic stability and growth for his country. For many years, Uganda had endured civil war and rebel activity, but Museveni has overcome much of the issues in spite of issues with the Congo, which invaded and occupied parts of Uganda.
In Ethiopia, the Prime Minister has been the head of the government since the early 1990s, but some agencies claim that Ethiopia is a regime of authoritarian rule. Very few public media outlets exist, so the news is from government, or state owned networks. Freedom of speech is not encouraged here, and many who write about the government are arrested on charges of treason.
International Issues of Uganda and Ethiopia
Uganda has had a poor record on the subject of human rights for many years. While the situation has been improving, torture is an extensive practice and there are continual attacks on free politics. Documentary filmmakers have captured footage of children who try to avoid capture by leaving their villages each night
Elections in Ethiopia raise criticism on an international scale due to the massacre of protesters, and the widespread violence by the police. The government's use of torture and terrorism to repress criticism of the government has been largely condemned by nations around the world. With well over half the citizens of Ethiopia being illiterate, it is the hope of world leaders to help Ethiopia become more self-sufficient by means of education.
Summary
Uganda
- Uganda is an African country that has had many violent struggles in its quest for economic and politic success.
- The battles with the DR Congo and the Lord's Resistance Army have caused severe crises of epic proportion.
- Political upheaval has been rampant in terms of the presidential term limits being eliminated and the opposition to the Democratic Party being harassed.
Ethiopia
- Ethiopia is an African country that is strife with hunger and poverty.
- Government controls much of what is publicized in the media, and people who speak out about the government are often arrested for treason.
- Most of Ethiopian residents live in rural areas and are largely uneducated, as formal education is not required and enrollment is school is quite low.
