Prominent Ethiopian activist and writer passes away

Fekade Shewakena

ESAT News (May 10, 2017)

Fekade Shewakena, activist, prolific writer and commentator has passed away on Tuesday in Maryland at the age of 61.

Fekade was respected by activists and politicians with opposing political allegiance, and his thought provoking commentaries and articles were conciliatory and aimed at bringing harmony to the otherwise polarized Ethiopian politics.

He has been an active participant in Ethiopian Diaspora politics since he left his country two decades ago. He was among the 42 university professors dismissed from their posts in 1993 by the current Ethiopian regime, which sees independent scholars and critics as its number one enemy.

He was forced into exile, but never ceased to pursue his scholarly endeavors. He was also active in the formation of a number of political and civic groups in the Diaspora.

He was a regular guest on ESAT and has given numerous interviews focusing on contemporary political issues.

Fekade Shewakena is survived by his wife and three children.