Hello, I’m Salem Solomon.

I’m a digital, multimedia journalist with the Voice of America’s Africa Division, where I cover the latest news from across the continent.

I report and edit in English, Amharic and Tigrigna, and my work has appeared in The New York Times, Poynter.org, Reuters, The Tampa Bay Times and The Washington Post. I also produce data-driven multimedia stories and research trends in analytics and digital journalism.

I invite you to check out my stories, multimedia projects, media appearances and résumé.

Recent Stories

Sat, 02/27/2021 - 02:31 AM

Tigray Victim Pleads for Justice After Eritrean Soldiers Allegedly Massacre Civilians

Amnesty International report details what the organization calls systematic killing in Axum

Thu, 02/25/2021 - 03:55 PM

US Restoration of Foreign Aid to Ethiopia Signals New Course 

Analysts say the resumption of aid is expected as soon as President Joe Biden began implementing his foreign policy changes 

Thu, 02/18/2021 - 09:08 PM

Supporters of Hotel Rwanda Figure Denounce ‘Show Trial’

Paul Rusesabagina, a humanitarian and activist who is depicted in the Oscar-nominated film ‘Hotel Rwanda,’ is accused of supporting a rebel group, but his family and supporters say Rwanda has no jurisdiction to try him

Thu, 02/18/2021 - 10:23 PM

Exiled in Kenya, Controversial Ugandan Activist Continues to Speak Out

Stella Nyanzi, a prominent political activist, told VOA about the abductions and arrests that led her to finally leave her home country

Thu, 02/18/2021 - 03:01 PM

Hotel Rwanda Figure Appears in Court as Supporters Denounce ‘Show Trial’

Paul Rusesabagina, a humanitarian and activist who is depicted in the Oscar-nominated film Hotel Rwanda, appeared in court Wednesday, accused of supporting rebel groups

Fri, 02/12/2021 - 12:38 PM

Ethiopian Journalist Attacked in Her Home, Questioned on Tigray Connections

Freelance journalist Lucy Kassa says a raid by unidentified attackers may be linked to her reporting on gang rape in Ethiopia's Tigray region

Thu, 02/11/2021 - 02:24 PM

Rights Group Calls For Independent Investigation of Shelling in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region

New report claims federal forces broke laws of war with attacks on Humera, Shire, and Mekelle

Thu, 02/04/2021 - 01:18 PM

Diplomats Decry Violence, Call for Withdrawal of Eritrean Troops from Ethiopia 

Satellite images show two Eritrean refugee camps, Hitsats and Shimelba, which had hosted 25,000 people, have been demolished 

Sat, 01/30/2021 - 08:17 AM

Uganda’s Opposition, International Observers Continue to Question Election Results 

Yoweri Museveni was elected for a sixth term to lead the country, but opponents and observers are raising questions about whether the election was free and fair

Wed, 01/27/2021 - 07:17 AM

Ethiopian Novelist Unveils Hidden Story of Women During War

Maaza Mengiste’s novel has won accolades for its portrayal of women’s role in Ethiopia’s resistance to Italian occupation; now she wants to open the door for other writers

Media Appearances

I make frequent appearances on TV, radio and web shows to discuss events unfolding across Africa. My comments have appeared on VOA broadcasts, Al Jazeera and Newsy.

Watch My Appearances

Essays & Analysis

The New York Times Magazine

‘They’re Going to Come for Us’: A Teenage Girl Caught in a War’s Riptides

My father knew we were next. “They’re going to come for us,” he’d say, after Meles Zenawi, then the prime minister of Ethiopia, told the country on national television in July 1998 that Eritreans weren’t welcome.

Columbia Journalism Review

The 'North Korea of Africa'? Not so fast.

For years, news outlets in Europe and North America have aimed to cover African places and people in terms familiar to their audiences.

Foreign Policy

Life in Eritrea’s News Desert

What the country teaches the world about the importance of an independent press.

Washington Post

No, al-Shabab is not deadlier than Boko Haram. Here are better numbers.

For years, Boko Haram has carried the dubious distinction of being Africa’s deadliest terrorist group.

Thanks for stopping by!