Luga Aquila, a local researcher, reflects on his work under the XCEPT-supported SET Project. His research has explored the cultural significance of cassava in marriage and ritual, and the changing realities of child labour and education in rural South Sudan.
He shares why training in diverse research methods matters for local researchers, and how integrating traditional songs, dances and stories creates research that speaks directly to communities.
This interview is part of the XCEPT (Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends) programme, funded by the UK government.
Enhancing the Role of Borderland Communities in Ethiopia’s Foreign Policy
October 15, 2025
Ethiopia’s borderland communities (BLCs) have historically influenced the country’s relations with its neighbours. These peripheral regions often serve as hubs for cross-border trade, repositories of
