This study analyses the status of press freedom in Ethiopia under the rule of Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). The study critically examines the implementation of the legal frameworks regarding freedom of expression and press. In order to understand the status of the press in the current democratic state of Ethiopia, the study employs an implementation analysis of press freedom by drawing from Francis Kasoma’s Theory of Independent Press in Africa. The study’s focus is limited to the Ethiopian private media during the EPRDF-led government. It is contended that due to its repressive nature, the EPRDF rule contributed to the expansion of the private press in Ethiopia. This was evident in the 1995 Constitution Article 29 and the 1992 press proclamation. The study noted that despite the constitutional provisions for press freedom in Ethiopia, as well as all the international statutes to which Ethiopia is signatory, the implementation of legal frameworks for press freedom under the EPRDF government were modest at best. The study argues that the EPRDF created two extreme situations under which the press operated in Ethiopia. These are independent versus dependent media. The independent (private) press has been dubbed oppositional to the government and hence persecuted, while the dependent (public) press has been enjoying relative freedom under the totalitarian auspices of the ruling party and the government. In both extremes the media has been constrained and had their freedom curtailed. The difference has been that the private press is overtly constrained, while the dependent press is apparently enabled, as long as it covers the positive side of the government. As such, the public space for media has been severely constrained in Ethiopia in such a manner that the traditional role of media to serve as a bridge between the society and the state is missing. The EPRDF created a situation in which both extremes fail to meet the ideals of press freedom as exemplified in economically advanced countries. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

Le transport de nanoparticules (NP) de dioxyde de titane (TiO2) manufacturées a été étudié dans un milieu poreux sous différentes conditions de saturation, vitesse d’écoulement et force ionique (IS). Les courbes de percée montrent que la quantité de NP retenue diminue quand la vitesse d’écoulement augmente, et qu’elle est influencée par la teneur en eau en présence d’une IS plus grande que 3 mM KCl. On peut supposer que l’interface entre eau et air (AWI) ne retient pas de NP en présence d’IS supérieurs ou égaux à 3 mM KCl. Les courbes de percées des expériences conduites en présence d’une IS de 5 mM, influencées par les profils de teneur en eau et de vitesse, ont été modélisées. Le modèle de transport 3P, qui tient en compte l’AWI et les effets de la vitesse, a été développé pour décrire la rétention des NP. Ce modèle dépend de trois paramètres et du profil de teneur en eau, modélisé à travers les paramètres hydrodynamiques identifiés auparavant. Le modèle 3P donne lieu à une meilleure description des données par rapport à celle du modèle classique, souvent utilisé en littérature. Il peut d’ailleurs être utilisé en milieu saturé comme insaturé. / The transport of manufactured titanium dioxide (TiO2, rutile) nanoparticles (NP) in porous media was investigated under different saturation, water velocity and ionic strength (IS) conditions. The breakthrough curves show that the amount of retained NPs decreases when the water velocity increased and that TiO2 NP retention is influenced by the water content for values of IS larger than 3mM KCl. It can be assumed that the interface between air and water (AWI) does not retain TiO2 NPfor IS equal to, or smaller than, 3 mM KCl.The breakthrough curves with an IS of 5mM KCl, influenced by water content profile and watervelocity profile, were modeled. The 3P transport model was developed to describe the retention ofTiO2 NP, taking into account the AWI and the effects of the water velocity. This model depends on three parameters and takes into account the water content profile of the porous medium, modeled through the previously identified hydrodynamic parameters. The 3P model provides a better data description than the classic Langmuirian retention model, often used in the literature. Moreover, it can be applied under both saturated and unsaturated conditions.

Bamboo is an abundant resource in Ethiopia and has a great potential for commercialization, which can drive rural development. In view of these realities, this study analyzed the state and determinants of small-scale bamboo commercialization in Ethiopia. Data were collected from three major bamboo-growing districts (Awi, Sidama, and Sheka) and four urban centers (Masha, Hawassa, Bahir Dar, and Addis Ababa) via semi-structured interviews, group discussions, and questionnaire surveys with key actors along the value chain. Results revealed distinctive differences in proportion of cash income, value chain structure, and management engagement among the districts. Percentages of cash income were 60.15, 42.60, and 9.48 at Awi, Sidam, and Sheka, respectively. Differences were statistically significant between Sheka and both other districts (p = 0.05), but not between Awi and Sidama. The value chain structure showed that compared with Sheka, Awi and Sidama have a relatively large number of actors involved. The major factors explaining commercialization differences among regions were distance to market and presence of alternative forest products. Within Sheka, households with larger family size, higher education attainment, and access to training reportedly engaged more in commercial extraction. Therefore, we conclude that development of infrastructure for linking resource and consumer centers and expansion of extension education among producers may enhance the commercial engagement of producers and improve the accessibility of bamboo resources for commercial production.

Bamboo is an abundant resource in Ethiopia and has a great potential for commercialization, which can drive rural development. In view of these realities, this study analyzed the state and determinants of small-scale bamboo commercialization in Ethiopia. Data were collected from three major bamboo-growing districts (Awi, Sidama, and Sheka) and four urban centers (Masha, Hawassa, Bahir Dar, and Addis Ababa) via semi-structured interviews, group discussions, and questionnaire surveys with key actors along the value chain. Results revealed distinctive differences in proportion of cash income, value chain structure, and management engagement among the districts. Percentages of cash income were 60.15, 42.60, and 9.48 at Awi, Sidam, and Sheka, respectively. Differences were statistically significant between Sheka and both other districts (p = 0.05), but not between Awi and Sidama. The value chain structure showed that compared with Sheka, Awi and Sidama have a relatively large number of actors involved. The major factors explaining commercialization differences among regions were distance to market and presence of alternative forest products. Within Sheka, households with larger family size, higher education attainment, and access to training reportedly engaged more in commercial extraction. Therefore, we conclude that development of infrastructure for linking resource and consumer centers and expansion of extension education among producers may enhance the commercial engagement of producers and improve the accessibility of bamboo resources for commercial production.