Why does Ethiopia have history of famine?

Question

Why does Ethiopia have history of famine?

Answer 1

Primarily it was the series of droughts that started in the mid eighties. But this wasn't the only reason, but the decision of the higher ups that left it in its current state. Ethiopia had droughts in the past but it was because Mengistu's agricultural policies that caused it to cross the point of no return. Food was made cheaper for the army at the cost of the welfare of the peasants. They were given extremely low prices for crops that were worth far more, they went as far as forcing people to accept the prices through force. They were also forced to give portion of crops to the government.

As a result of all of these things the state of the country was crippled just so that the elite could save face. They continued to blame it on the drought as a scapegoat but the true reason was poor management. On top of all of that was the policy implemented with dealing with insurgents  where the army destroyed crops and livestock, destroying many markets.

As a result of Mengistu's unwillingness to act. western governments weren't obligated to help, since they couldn't aid a country that claimed to be doing fine. By the nineties it was too late, add the aids epidemic to all of that and Ethopia was destined to be in bad shape.

I got all of this from Martin Meredith's "The Fate of Africa" and I finished the chapter that covers this topic a few days ago.

Answer 2

Because it is effected by several climate zones and any change of the monsoon by passes them.