• Name: Fantahun Ayele Ibrahim
• Associate Professor of History
• Department of History
• Faculty of Social Science
• Bahir Dar University, Main Campus
• P. O. Box 79, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
• Phone: +251-911759867, Fax +251-583206094, Email: fantahun@gmail.com

I. Education

• Ph.D Degree in History, Addis Ababa University, July 2009.
• Professional Diploma in Management, The Open University, UK, 1998.
• M. A Degree in History, Addis Ababa University, July1994.

• B. A Degree in History, Addis Ababa University, July 1986.

  II. Research Interest

• My areas of research include the modern military history of Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa,
  Conflict and security in the Horn of Africa, drought and famine, malaria epidemics, locust plagues,
  deforestation and other aspects of environmental history.

III. Professional and Administrative Experience

• Since June 2017, Associate Professor of History, Bahir Dar University.
• 2015-2019, Editor-in-chief, The Ethiopian Journal of Social Sciences
• Since 2013, Member of the International Advisory Board, Bahir Dar Journal of Education
• 2009- 2017, Assistant professor of History, Bahir Dar University.
• 2009-2011, Vice President for Information & Strategic Communication, Bahir Dar University
• 2000-2001, Planning and Programming Officer of Bahir Dar University.
• 1996-1998, Head of History Department, Bahir Dar Teachers College.
• 1995-1997, Secretary of Research and Publication Office, Bahir Dar Teachers College.
• 1994-2009, Senior Lecturer, Bahir Dar Teachers College/Bahir Dar University.
• 1986-1991, History teacher at Debark and Damot Senior High schools.
  IV. Fellowships and Awards
•  Won the Fulbright African Scholars Program, USA (Sept. 2019 – June 2020)
•  Won the 2nd Global Encounters Postdoctoral fellowship in African Studies, Northwestern University, USA, Sept. 2011-May 2012.
  V. Publications
• A. Books

The Ethiopian Army: From Victory to Collapse 1977-1991 (Evanston: Northwestern University Press, 2014)
B. Articles and Book Chapters

• “Ethiopia’s Military Conflicts and Reforms,” Unconquered States: Non-European Powers in the Imperial Age. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2025.
• “Insurgency and Counterinsurgency in Eastern Gondar: The Case of EPRA, 1976 – 1980,” Northeast African Studies, Vol. 23, No. 1, 2024.
• “A history of technical education in Ethiopia: The case of the Polytechnic Institute, 1963-2000.” Bahir Dar Journal of Education, Vol. 24, No. 1, January 2024.
• “A Historical Investigation of Ethiopia’s Claims over Djibouti,” Ethiopian Journal of Social Sciences, Vol. 9, No. 1, May, 2023.
• “The Academy of Pedagogy: From a Teacher Training College to a Vibrant University,” Bahir Dar Journal of Education, Vol. 23, No. 2, May 2023.
• “The Life of Däjach Abba Weqaw Berru: Some Notes on Sirak’s Manuscript (Addis Ababa, Institute of Ethiopian Studies, MS 400),” Africa Rivista semestrale di studi ericerche, N.S. III/2, 2021, January, 2022.
• “The Untold Stories of Militiamen from Gojjam, Ethiopia: Voices of Distress and Desperation from the Ogaden and Eritrean Fronts, 1977–1991,” Journal of Eastern African Studies, Vol. 15, No. 4, October, 2021.
• “The Impact of Malaria Epidemics on Agricultural Production in Dembia and Fogera, 1950-2000,” Agricultural Transformation in Ethiopia. London: Zed Books, 2018.
• “Somalia’s Turbulent Path to Peace and Stability,” International Journal of Peace and Development Studies, Vo. 8(4), 2017.
• “Malaria Epidemics in Dembia, Northwest Ethiopia, 1952-1953,” The Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, Vol. 31 (1), 2017.
• “Missionary education: An engine for modernization or a vehicle towards conversion?” African Journal of History and Culture, Vol. 9(7), 2017.
• “The Northwestern Command’s Response to Insurgent Assaults on Dabat, Ethiopia,” Northeastern African Studies, vol. 16 (2), 2016.
• “Revisiting History of Gafat: Was emperor Tewodros’s military reform an attempt at “translative
  adaptation” of western technology? African Journal of History and Culture, Vol. 8 (4), 2016.
• “Aleqa Tayye G. Maryam: Trials and Tribulations,” The Ethiopian Journal of Social Sciences,
  Vol. 2(1), 2016.
• “Operation Flame and the Destruction of the 3rd Division of the Ethiopian Army in May 1990,”
  Proceedings of the 17th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies, AAU, 2015.
• “The Untold Story of the Besieged Ethiopian Troops at Naqfa (1976-1977,” International Journal of Ethiopian Studies, Vo. 8 (1-2), 2014.
• “The Impact of Locusts on Rural Production: The Case of Northern Shewa 1928-1962,” The Ethiopian Journal of Development Research, Vol. 31(2), 2009.
• “The Activities of Some NGOs in Ethiopia,” Bulletin of Bahir Dar Teachers College, Vol. 9(2),1998.
  VI. Conference Papers
• Keynote speech delivered at the 10th International Social Science Conference, Bahir Dar University, 12 -13 May 2023.
• “The Gift of Architecture: The Case of the Polytechnic Institute in Ethiopia,” at a Conference on the gift of architecture: Spaces of Global Socialism and their Afterlives, June 2022, University of Manchester, UK.
• Keynote speech on the 125th Anniversary of the Adwa Victory, Debre Markos University, Mach 2, 2021.
• “The Anguished Cries of Militiamen from Gojjam, and their Desperate Measures at the Fronts,” a paper presented at the 5th National Conference of Social Sciences, 21-22 April 2018, Bahir Dar University.
• “The Battle of Aroge Revisited,” a paper presented at the 150th Anniversary of the death of Emperor Tewodros, Maqdala, Ethiopia, 14 April 2018.
• Keynote speech on Emperor Tewodros II at the 150th Anniversary of the death of Emperor Tewodros, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia, 12 April 2018.
• “Relations between Ethiopia and Sudan through the Centuries,” The First Scientific Symposium, Emirates College of Science and Technology, Khartoum, 17-22 December 2017.
• “Women in Ethiopian History: A Brief Look at the Situation of Women in the Longue Durée,” International Conference on Women in Society and Development, 10 November 2017, Bahir Dar.
• “Aleqa Tayye G. Maryam: Trials and Tribulations,” The Third National Conference of Social Sciences, Bahir Dar University, 6-7 May 2016.
• Keynote speech delivered at the Second International Conference on the Azmari, 9-10 October 2015, Bahir Dar University.
• “The Northwestern Command’s Response to Insurgent Assaults on Dabat, Ethiopia,” The 19th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies, August, 2015, Warsaw.
• “America’s War in the Horn of Africa,” a paper presented at the Social Science Seminar, Bahir Dar University, May, 2013.
• “State Collapse and Ethiopia’s Intervention in Somalia,” a paper presented at the Social Science Seminar, Bahir Dar University, December 14, 2012.
• “Operation Moses Revisited: The Exodus of the Beta Israel from Ethiopia,” a paper presented at the Social Science Annual Seminar, Bahir Dar University, June 27, 2011.
• “Operation Flame: Destruction of the 3rd Army Division” a paper presented at the 17th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies, Addis Ababa, November, 2009.
• “The Ethio-Somali War and Superpower Alignment in the Horn 1977-1978,” A paper presented at the University of Naples, May, 2008.
• “From Shire to Karra Mishig: The Collapse of the Ethiopian Army 1989-1990,” a Paper presented at the Annual Seminar, Bahir Dar University, May, 2007.
• “The Red Star Operation of 1982,” a paper presented at the 24th Annual Seminar, Bahir Dar University, May, 2006.
• “The Ethiopian Army 1941-1974,” a paper presented at the 22nd Annual Seminar, Bahir Dar University, May 2004.
• “The 1989 Abortive Coup d' etat: What Went Wrong?” Presented at the 19th Annual Seminar, Bahir Dar University, June, 2001.
• “The Other Side of Philanthropy: The Motives of Some NGOs in Ethiopia,” a paper presented at the 14th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies, November, 2000.
• “Gafat Revisited: Reflections on Emperor Tewodros' Armament Program,” June, 2000.
• “Some Aspects of the Franco-Ethiopian Secret Agreement of 1896,” A paper presented at the 17th Annual Seminar of BDTC, May, 1999.
  VII. Community Service Activities
• Since November 2023, Bahir Dar University Press Board member
• 2015- 2024, Amora Gedel Water Project Committee member.
• 2022-2023, 60th Anniversary of Bahir Dar University Publication Committee member
• 2022 -2023, 50th Anniversary of the College of Education Documentary Preparation Committee member
• April 2021 – Ethiopia’s Liberation from Italian Occupation, interview with Amhara Television.
• February 2021 - The Ethiopian Victory over Somalia, interview given to Amhara Television.
• February 2021 – Interview on The Role of Ethiopian Women in Ethiopian History, Amhara Television.
• February 2021 – The Wuchale Treaty, Interview given to Amhara Television.
• November 2020 – The Ethiopian Historical Sites, interview given to the Ethiopian Television.
• November 2020 - The Establishment of the Ethiopian Army, interview given to Amhara Television.
• November 2020 – Interview on the Role of Ethiopian Women in Preserving Ethiopia’s Independence, Amhara Television.
• July 2018 – Interview on the History of Ethiopia and Eritrea, Amhara Television.
• January 2018 – The Reforms of Emperor Tewodros II, interview given to Amhara Television.
• March 2017 – Interview on the Adwa Victory, Amhara Television.
• February 2017 – A History of Modern Education in Ethiopia, Amhara Television.
• November 2016 – Interview on Dejach Balcha, Amhara Television.
• November 2016 – Ethiopia’s Participation in the Korean War, Amhara Television.
• October 2016 – A History of Harar, interview given to Amhara Television.
• September 2016 – Interview on Emperor Menilek and Lij Iyasu, Amhara Television.
• August 2016 – The Plunder of Meqdela, interview given to Amhara Television.
• August 2016 – The Life of Abdissa Aga, interview given to Amhara Television.
• August 2016 – Gafat: The Historic Village, interview given to Amhara Television.
• July 2016 – Interview on Foreign Invasions Against Ethiopia, Amhara Television.
• June 2016 – Who Was Aleqa Tayye, interview given to Amhara Television
• May 2016 – Interview on Ethiopia’s Victory Day, Amhara Television.
• December 2013 - Wrote a Brief History of Bahir Dar City.
• May 2013 - Wrote a Brief History of Bahir Dar University.
• February 2013 - “The Ethiopian Army and Technology,” a paper submitted to the Ministry of National Defense.
• 2011 - Served as a member of the Bahir ICT Incubation Center Steering Committee.

• 2010 - Worked as Cities Day Festival Consultation Committee member.

  References
  1. Prof. Bahru Zewde, Emeritus 

• professor, Addis Ababa University, 
• Tel: +251-911407674
• email: bahru.zewde@gmail.com

2. Prof. Shumet Sishagne, 

• Christopher New Port University, 
• tel: +251- 937675451,

• email: sishagne@cnu.edu

  3. Prof. Shiferaw Bekele,

•  Addis Ababa University, 
• Tel: +251911440097,
• email: shifbekele@gmail.com
  4. Dr. Mulunesh Abebe, 
• Bahir Dar University, 
• tel: +251-930352226,
• email: mulunesh.abebe@yahoo.com