African Studies Quarterly has published an article jointly authored by Dr. Logan Cochrane, associate professor at the College of Public Policy (CPP), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), and Sebsib Hadis, assistant professor at Wollo University, Ethiopia. “Farmers Buying Guns: The Impact of Uncertainty and Insecurity in Rural Ethiopia” critically examines the proposed reasons for the expansion of the weapons trade in Ethiopia and reflects on what the trends in 2020 may imply for the future of insecurity and conflict in the country. 

The article focuses on the expansion of the illegal weapons trade in the months and years that followed the historic change of leadership in 2018. Drawing upon interviews with people who purchased weapons during this time period in rural areas of one region, the authors present their insights on the motivations driving the demand. They also draw conclusions on the kind of leadership required to address the illegal weapons trade. 

The article can be accessed at https://asq.africa.ufl.edu/farmers-buying-guns-the-impact-of-uncertainty-and-insecurity-in-rural-ethiopia/