A New Member of BRICS — Ethiopia

The article analyzes the political, economic and cultural development of Ethiopia throughout the existence of this unique state and its role in regional and world politics. It is argued that the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is one of the oldest civilizations and the only sub-Saharan African country with a long tradition of sovereign existence. The author explores the history of various state entities, including Napata, Damaat, Aksum and others that existed on the territory of modern Ethiopia. The analysis of the main stages of the colonial expansion of the European powers in the second half of the XIX – first half of the XX centuries in the region and the participation of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union in the consistent support of Ethiopian people's struggle against foreign invaders is carried out. It provides an overview of the key events of the long-term reign of Emperor Haile Selassie, the Ethiopian Revolution and the subsequent civil war, the armed conflict in Ogaden and Soviet-Ethiopian relations in the 1970s and 1980s. The article examines the period of formation of modern Ethiopia, including the democratic reforms of the 1990s, the separation of Eritrea, the armed conflict between the central government and the Tigray rebels, and internal political processes in the country. Special attention is paid to the relations between Addis Ababa and Moscow, which are actively developing today. As a result, it is concluded that Ethiopia, which joined the BRICS in 2024, fits seamlessly into this alliance, which is a genuine “concert of civilizations”.