In Memoriam: Professor Fantu Cheru

It is with profound sadness that the Members of the Board of Trustees, and the Executive Management of the Centre for Dialogue, Research and Cooperation announce the passing of Prof. Fantu Cheru, a distinguished member of CDRC’s Board of Trustees since November 2021, and a towering figure in African economic development, political economy, and international relations.

Prof. Fantu Cheru embodied the highest standards of academic excellence. Throughout his illustrious career, he produced a body of rigorously researched, field-defining scholarship that set new benchmarks in the study of structural adjustment, food
security, African agency in global governance, and the political economy of development. His work—marked by intellectual depth, analytical precision, and moral clarity—has shaped generations of scholars, policymakers, and practitioners across the world.

At CDRC, Prof. Fantu Cheru brought not only his exceptional scholarly credentials but also a clarity of purpose and an unwavering commitment to the idea that rigorous research and principled dialogue can contribute meaningfully to peace and development on the African continent. His voice in our deliberations was always one of wisdom, integrity, and generous intellectual engagement. He challenged us to think carefully, to act responsibly, and to remain anchored in the realities of those whose lives our work is meant to serve.

His academic legacy endures. The influence of his ideas—taught in universities, cited in research, and applied in policy—will continue to be felt long after his passing. To his family, his colleagues, his students, and all those who had the privilege of knowing him, we extend our deepest condolences. Prof. Fantu Cheru’s passing leaves a void that will not easily be filled. We are, however, grateful for the years of guidance and friendship he offered to CDRC, and for the mark he has left on everyone who worked alongside him.

May he rest in peace.

Members of the Board of Trustees and Executive Management
Centre for Dialogue, Research and Cooperation (CDRC)

CDRC and the Hiraad Public Policy Studies Institute (HIRAAD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on January 5, 2026 to establish a long-term framework for collaboration in research, policy analysis, and strategic dialogue.

Under the agreement, the two non-partisan think tanks will work together on joint research initiatives, evidence-based policy analysis, and knowledge generation focused on peace and security, good governance, socio-economic development, regional integration, and related thematic areas. The partnership also aims to promote inclusive policy dialogue, particularly on issues affecting Ethiopia, the Horn of Africa, and neighboring regions.

The MoU provides for cooperation in organizing joint workshops, seminars, panel discussions, and conferences, as well as exchanging publications, expertise, and analytical products. The institutions also plan to pursue joint funding opportunities to support collaborative research, dialogue, and consultancy activities.

To ensure effective implementation, CDRC and HIRAAD will establish a joint working group responsible for planning, monitoring, and assessing activities, with annual progress reports submitted to both institutions. The agreement emphasizes mutual recognition of contributions, respect for intellectual property rights, and confidentiality in information sharing.

The MoU will be valid for five years from the date of signature and is renewable, reflecting the shared commitment of both institutions to strengthening policy research capacity and fostering constructive dialogue grounded in local and regional perspectives

At the seminar “Work Together to Build a Common Security: China and Africa in Action”, held at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa on 4 December 2025, the Executive Director of the Centre for Dialogue, Research and Cooperation (CDRC), Dr. Abdeta Dribssa, presented a detailed and forward-looking assessment of China’s Global Security Initiative (GSI). He described the GSI as an increasingly significant component of contemporary global security discourse and a major external force influencing Africa’s evolving geopolitical and security environment.

Addressing an audience of government officials, diplomats, scholars, and security practitioners, Dr. Abdeta highlighted how the GSI—first announced by China in 2022—has quickly taken shape as a central feature of the shifting international security architecture. He outlined the initiative’s six foundational principles: respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, adherence to the UN Charter, prioritising dialogue over confrontation, advancing the concept of “indivisible security,” addressing the structural and root causes of conflict, and integrating security with development. These, he noted, form an ambitious blueprint for how China seeks to engage with the world on peace and security matters.

Dr. Abdeta emphasised that the GSI offers both meaningful opportunities and important challenges for African states. On the one hand, the initiative widens the scope of Africa’s diplomatic and security partnerships, provides alternatives to traditional security cooperation frameworks, and links security initiatives with China’s broader portfolio of development financing, infrastructure investment, and emerging digital technologies. These features allow African countries to diversify their partnerships and access resources without governance-related conditionalities often associated with Western security assistance.

On the other hand, Dr. Abdeta cautioned that the GSI’s strong emphasis on state-centric approaches and its reliance on advanced surveillance and digital systems require careful scrutiny. Without robust national regulatory frameworks, transparent procurement processes, and inclusive political dialogue, he warned, African governments risk eroding civic space, deepening technological and financial dependencies, and weakening domestic accountability mechanisms. He stressed that African states must adopt a clear-eyed, strategic approach to engagement, ensuring that cooperation under the GSI aligns with their governance priorities, institutional capacities, and long-term stability objectives.

Turning specifically to the Horn of Africa, Dr. Abdeta described the subregion as a “critical testing ground” for the practical application of the GSI. Its geostrategic importance—linking the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Indo-Pacific maritime corridors—combined with China’s expanding security presence and the competing interests of multiple external actors, make it a laboratory for China’s evolving security doctrine. He noted China’s growing role in maritime security operations, peacekeeping deployments, and selective mediation efforts. Yet he also underscored the risk that an approach overly focused on sovereignty and regime stability may inadvertently stall inclusive political dialogue or overlook the internal drivers of conflict in fragile states.

Dr. Abdeta concluded by calling for greater African agency and strategic autonomy in navigating an increasingly multipolar security landscape. External partnerships, including those with China, he argued, should reinforce—not replace—African-led mechanisms and continental frameworks. The ultimate objective, he insisted, must be to ensure that Africa’s engagement with global powers supports sustainable peace, democratic governance, and resilient state institutions across the continent.

Dr. Abdeta Beyene, Executive Director of the CDRC, brought a powerful landlocked perspective to the global stage at SAGARMANTHAN – The Great Oceans Dialogue, held October 27- 29, 2025 in Mumbai, India.
Speaking at the session “Sailing into Innovation: Towards a Resilient Maritime Future,” Dr. Abdeta emphasized that maritime innovation must benefit both coastal and inland nations. “The seas are the arteries of global trade — carrying over 80% of the world’s commerce — and how we innovate across this domain will shape the stability and prosperity of nations, coastal or not,” he said.

He stressed that Ethiopia’s future depends on the efficiency, sustainability, and security of its sea access through ports such as Djibouti and Berbera. For landlocked countries, he said, sailing into innovation “does not mean building ships — it means future-proofing economic survival and growth.”

Dr. Abdeta called for smarter, greener trade corridors, stronger regional partnerships in marine research and renewable energy, and the inclusion of landlocked nations in maritime governance, particularly around the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

He concluded that maritime resilience must extend beyond coastlines to include hinterlands and inland economies. “It connects the highlands to the harbors and the hinterlands to the high seas,” he said. “Africa’s maritime transformation must leave no nation behind.”

SAGARMANTHAN – The Great Oceans Dialogue, 2025 was organized by The Observer Research Foundation and India’s Ministry of Port, Shipping and Waterways (MoPS&W) as part of India Maritime Week.

On September 30, 2025, CDRC launched the latest edition of CDRC Perspectives – A Journal of Ideas and Insights on the Horn and Beyond at a well-attended event in Addis Ababa. The program brought together researchers, policymakers, academics, diplomats, and invited guests for an afternoon of reflection on key regional and global issues.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Abdeta Dribssa Beyene, Executive Director of CDRC, described the relaunch of CDRC Perspectives as a milestone for the Centre. He noted that the edition tackles issues ranging from regional integration and peace processes to shifting global dynamics. He emphasized the journal’s role as a platform for rigorous analysis and constructive dialogue, thanked contributors and partners, and invited wider participation in future editions.

The program then featured highlights of the published articles, presented by their authors.

Mr. Endrias Amanuel discussed his two articles Ethiopia and Eritrea: Shared Future Still a Dream, and A Case for Inclusive Multilateral Frameworks on the Red Sea. His analysis underscored the urgent need for renewed dialogue and cooperation between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and the strategic importance of regional frameworks for the Red Sea corridor.

Mr. Wegene Mengistu explored global power realignments in his article BRICS Expansion – A Shift Towards a Cooperative, Inclusive, and Fairer Multilateral World, a Manifestation of a Neo-Realist Global Order, or Both? He highlighted both opportunities and contradictions inherent in BRICS’ growing influence.

Dr. Yidnekachew Mitiku Mekonen addressed global politics in his article President Trump’s Return to Power, Great Power Competition, and Geopolitical Shifts – Implications for the Horn of Africa. He examined how renewed U.S. foreign policy directions might impact the Horn’s fragile geopolitical balance.

Dr. Abdeta Dribssa Beyene, gave highlights of his contributions, Ethiopia’s Access to the Sea, Mapping Somalia’s Peace Processes, and the Re-revitalization of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). His presentations drew keen attention from the audience, particularly on the future of regional integration and governance.

Following the presentations, a Q&A session allowed participants to engage directly with the authors.

Concluding the event, Dr. Abdeta thanked the authors and participants for their engagement and reminded the audience that CDRC Perspectives is an open platform, welcoming future contributions. He noted that the discussions enriched the launch and reaffirmed CDRC’s role as a convening space for dialogue on the Horn of Africa and beyond.