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SEATTLE – The new Ethiopian Prime Minister has been in power for less than five months, but he has already entered history. Abiy Ahmed was sworn in by Parliament on April 2, 2018. He quickly set to work to keep one of his biggest promises: peace with neighboring Eritrea.
End of hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea region
Relations between the two countries were tense and often bloody. Three decades of guerrilla warfare ended with the independence of Eritrea in 1993, but war broke out again five years later during a border conflict. Over the next two years, more than 80,000 lives were lost. The Algiers peace agreement was signed by both countries in 2000 but has not been implemented. With communications and transportation across the border cut off, communities and families were torn apart.
In Eritrea's one-party "democracy", Isaias Afwerki has been president since his independence. In the name of national security, military service is obligatory and endless, causing young people to flee to neighboring countries. Allegedly for the same reason, Afwerki arrested political opponents, activists and journalists. Ethiopia had similar repressive and security policies, devoting significant resources and funds to the military and surveillance. This rapid militarization has forced thousands of people into exile.
When the new Ethiopian prime minister agreed to implement the 2000 Algiers Accord, leading to a "joint declaration of peace and friendship," celebrations erupted. The flights and phone lines have been opened, long-lost families reconnected, diplomatic relations restored, and onlookers hailing the "end of the 20-year-old African Cold War," as described by Al Jazeera [19659009]. the door to demilitarization, the protection of human rights and freedoms and a true democracy. For Ethiopia, this process has already begun because peace with Eritrea was only the beginning of Prime Minister Abiy's radical agenda.
Months of protests and unrest led to the election of the new Ethiopian prime minister
state, the new Ethiopian prime minister was elected by parliament to satisfy anti-government protesters and appease the political turmoil. The Oromo are the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, comprising more than 30 percent of the population. Yet this marginalized community has been systematically excluded from positions of power and has been the victim of repressive security measures.
From the end of 2015, protesters denounced an expansion plan of the city that would move the farmers. But they quickly demanded more comprehensive political and social rights. The largest ethnic group, Amhara, followed.
The Oromo Popular Democratic Organization and the Amhara National Democratic Movement are two of the four ethnically based parties in the main coalition. After the protests began, the Oromo and Amhara joined forces. They took an opposition role in the coalition to challenge the ruling party, the People's Liberation Front of Tigray. Although they represent only 6% of the population, Tigrayans have a stronghold on political and economic power. They are criticized for abusing their key positions in government, finance and security to crack down on the opposition.
Anti-government protesters often faced detention and lethal force, but they persisted in their protests. On February 15, the former Ethiopian prime minister resigned abruptly to support democracy. Shortly after, the state of emergency was declared, which justified the continued use by the government of violence and brute force against the protesters.
When that failed, the government coalition decided to appease the protesters. They chose a frank Oromo legislator to become the new president and prime minister of the coalition. On June 5, the same day he announced the respect of the Eritrean peace agreement, Ahmed successfully lifted the state of emergency for six months. Ahmed announced his plan to privatize the Ethiopian economy.
Ahmed plans to expand economic growth and the rights of all citizens
This reform will privatize the sectors currently exploited by the government, including aviation, energy, telecommunications and the making. This change in ideology will greatly increase foreign and domestic investment.
However, the government will retain the interventionist model of development that has contributed to Ethiopia's continued strong economic growth over the past decade. As an economic participant, the government can guarantee investments in socially beneficial industries, such as infrastructure.
Other successes in the five-month rule of Ahmed include the release of thousands of political detainees and the opening of discussions with the public and the political opposition. It is also undertaking necessary reforms in security and justice institutions, both of which are largely responsible for human rights violations.
As such, Ahmed has already addressed several of the biggest concerns of marginalized Ethiopian protesters: the protection of human rights, the release of political prisoners and institutional reforms leading to greater inclusion and political freedoms .
In an incredibly short time, the new Ethiopian prime minister put an end to strikes and violent uprisings. He brought back exiles and released prisoners. And put forward political and economic reforms to keep Ethiopia on the path to development.
Ahmed's strategy focuses on Ethiopian unity rather than on ethnic divisions. The only option is to "trust each other, heal our wounds and work together to develop our country," BBC quoted Ahmed as saying.
His leadership also contributes to the stability of East Africa. The normalization of relations with Eritrea will reduce the number of violence and flee refugees. The steps it is taking to strengthen Ethiopian democracy and civil society are an example for neighboring countries.
His work is far from over. Prime Minister Ahmed must balance the political power of some with the demands of the many. But his first months in power have already inspired hope across the country.
– Liesl Hostetter
Photo: Google
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