Horn Center for Democracy

15/09/2026

When every voice counts, democracy delivers .

This , let’s reflect on what it takes for to deliver.

08/09/2026

What comes first: peace or democracy?

As we approach the (15 September) and the (21 September), we invite you to reflect:

💭 What does it take to build a Horn of Africa where peace creates space for democracy-and democracy helps sustain peace?

Below is what our research suggests: democracy and peace are not separate agendas. They can-and must-reinforce one another.

What do you think? Share your ideas, experiences, or perspectives in the comments and be part of the conversation.

07/09/2026

What if, in the , the question is not simply democratization-but also what kind of ?

At the Horn Center for Democracy, this is a conversation we have been having through our Policy Reference Group: questioning whether the dominant democratic prescriptions adequately reflect the political realities, histories, and governance traditions of Horn societies.

Our latest blog, “Towards Democratic Hybridity in the Horn of Africa,” takes this conversation further. It highlights the structural mismatch between imported democratic models and the traditions of the societies they are intended to serve, and explores a fundamental question: what forms of democracy are best suited to the Horn?

The piece proposes democratic hybridity as an alternative to conventional democratization-a synthesis that brings indigenous governance arrangements into conversation with established democratic models, while rigorously evaluating their implications for human rights, political inclusion, and accountability.

📖 Read and join the conversations here. https://horn-center.org/towards-democratic-hybridity-in-the-horn-of-africa/4624/

02/09/2026

📢 Strengthening Media Engagement in Ethiopia’s Transitional Justice Process

The Horn Center for Democracy (HCD), through its national program funded by GIZ, has launched a Transitional Justice project entitled “Making the Ethiopian Transitional Justice Process Accountable through Active Engagement of Oversight Actors.”

The project will be implemented by the Transitional Justice Consortium Ethiopia (TJC-E), of which HCD is a founding member.

As part of the project, HCD will work closely with journalists and media organizations to strengthen their engagement in transitional justice advocacy and monitoring, while promoting accurate, sensitive, and effective media coverage of transitional justice issues.

By the end of the project, HCD aims to support 20 media organizations to designate Transitional Justice Focal Journalists and strengthen the professional capacity of journalists covering these issues.

Through this initiative, HCD seeks to contribute to a dedicated and informed community of media professionals committed to supporting an Ethiopian transitional justice process that is responsive to victims, sensitive to the national political context, and supportive of social cohesion.

14/08/2026

📖 Your weekend read is here!

As promised, here is our third piece in our series on Sudan.

The war between the SAF and RSF has significantly marginalized civilian political actors, while mediation processes have too often excluded them from critical conversations shaping Sudan’s future.

In this piece, we explore the role of civilian political actors in shaping the outcome of the war and charting Sudan’s post-war democratization.
👉 Read “The Role of Civil Political Actors in Shaping the Outcome of the War and Charting the Post-War Democratization” and share your reflections with us.

🔗 https://horn-center.org/the-role-of-civil-political-actors-in-shaping-the-outcome-of-the-war-and-charting-the-post-war-democratization-in-sudan/4580/

12/08/2026

🌍International Youth Day 2026 | Different Contexts. Common Aspirations.

🎯Across the Horn of Africa, young people navigate different political, social, and economic realities. Yet, many share common aspirations: , , , , and a meaningful voice in that shape their lives and communities.

🚪At the Horn Center for Democracy, we believe these aspirations must be matched by meaningful opportunities for young people to , , , , and democratic processes.

📣Through initiatives such as Youth Leadership for Democracy and Solidarity (YLDS), HCD is working to strengthen youth leadership, democratic participation, and regional solidarity.

🎉This International Youth Day, we celebrate young people not simply as the leaders of tomorrow, but as democratic actors today.

Different contexts. Common aspirations. One generation shaping the future.

04/08/2026

Reminder: Only one day left to apply!

Youth leaders from across the HoA

28/07/2026

📢 WE'RE HIRING AN INTERN!

The Horn Center for Democracy (HCD) is excited to announce an internship opportunity for passionate young professionals interested in research and policy advocacy, democratic governance, civic participation, peacebuilding and WPS agenda, youth engagement, and digital communications.

This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience supporting regional research, policy dialogue, youth leadership initiatives, digital engagement, and knowledge management across the Horn of Africa.

📍 Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
📅 Duration: August–December 2026
🗓 Application Deadline: August 9, 2026

Who can apply?
Current final-year university students or recent graduates in Political Science, International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, Governance, Development Studies, Communications, Media Studies, Public Policy, Law, or related disciplines.
To apply, submit:
✅ Complete an online form
✅ Updated CV
✅ One-page motivation letter
✅ Writing sample or examples of previous research or communication work (if available)

Visit https://horn-center.org/about/vacancy/ to learn more and APPLY.

Know someone who would be a great fit? Tag them in the comments or share this opportunity with your network!

The Horn Center for Democracy/HCD is implementing the Regional Youth Cohort Program, an initiative designed to equip emerging young leaders across the region with practical competencies in democratic governance, leadership, advocacy, peacebuilding, and digital civic participation. This program seeks...

24/07/2026

📢 Weekend Read | Reimagining Democracy in the

The dominant majoritarian model-where politics is often reduced to winners and losers-has contributed to political apathy, instability, and conflict across the Horn of Africa.

As the region continues to navigate complex political transitions, it is time to explore democratic models that are more representative, inclusive, and responsive to diverse societies.

At the HCD, members of our Policy Reference Group (HPRG) have been engaging in thoughtful discussions on how democracy can be reimagined beyond the traditional winner-takes-all framework.

As part of this ongoing conversation, HPRG member Dr. Adem Kassie Abebe, who also serves as Vice President of the African Network of Constitutional Lawyers (ANCL), has authored a new blog: "Reimagining Democracy: Beyond Winners and Losers" which is available here: https://horn-center.org/reimaging-democracy-beyond-winners-and-losers/4509/

We invite you to make it your weekend read and join the conversation by sharing your thoughts in the blog's comment section.

Reimaging Democracy: Beyond Winners and Losers This piece is published under the platform of HCD’s Horn Policy Reference Group, established to catalyze policy conversation on pertinent regional issues by renowned experts from the HoA. Legitimate government is arguably an enduring public aspiration...

21/07/2026

🚨 Applications are NOW OPEN! 🚨

Are you a young leader passionate about democratic values, civic engagement, and contribute to a lasting change in the ?

The Horn Center for Democracy (HCD) is launching the Call for Applications: Youth Leadership for Democracy and Solidarity (YLDS)-Cohort I.

This unique regional leadership program will bring together 15 emerging youth leaders from across the IGAD region for an intensive leadership journey featuring.
What you'll gain?

🌍 A Hybrid regional learning and cross-border collaboration
🤝 Leadership development and mentorship
💡 Innovation labs and collaborative problem-solving
🗣️ Dialogue with democracy practitioners, experts, and academics
🌱 A growing regional alumni network of democratic leaders
📍 Residential Program: Addis Ababa | October 11–18, 2026

✅ Participation costs for selected participants will be fully covered.
Application Deadline: August 5, 2026
🔗 Visit our website to learn more about the program, eligibility requirements, and application process. https://l1nq.com/0aggshe

📢 Know someone who would be a great fit? Tag them below and share this opportunity across your networks.

Youth leaders from across the HoA