
Martin Plaut
Distinguished journalist and Africa specialist with decades of reporting on conflicts across the continent, author of Understanding Ethiopia's Tigray War and Unbroken Chains.
Best podcasts with Martin Plaut
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32 snips
Nov 26, 2025 • 1h 30min
Conflicted Revisited: Ethiopia’s Overlooked Conflict
Martin Plaut, a distinguished journalist and author, shares his expertise on Ethiopia’s Tigray War and its significance for the Horn of Africa. He reflects on his upbringing in apartheid South Africa and his journey into journalism amid political activism. The conversation delves into the complex history of African slavery, highlighting misconceptions and the extensive regional dynamics involved. Plaut explains the Eritrean influence on the Tigray conflict and the humanitarian catastrophes stemming from it, revealing the fragile nature of ceasefire agreements and the region's ongoing instability.

Aug 14, 2023 • 1h 34min
Martin Plaut and Sarah Vaughan, "Understanding Ethiopia's Tigray War" (Oxford UP, 2023)
Martin Plaut, a former BBC editor and expert on the Horn of Africa, and Sarah Vaughan, a freelance consultant with a focus on Ethiopia, delve into the complexities of the Tigray War in their insightful discussion. They uncover the deliberate strategies employed by the Ethiopian and Eritrean governments, leading to a humanitarian crisis marked by famine and human rights violations. The conversation explores historical grievances, the impact of ethnic politics, and the crucial need for international awareness and intervention in this dire situation.


