Violence, insecurity, and people’s inequality in modern Ethiopia.

                                                                                               By Samuel Shonga 

          Ethiopia holds a rich and significant history, with its ancestors contributing to a remarkable legacy spanning from the 1st to the 21st centuries. Notably, Ethiopians take pride in being the only African nation untouched by colonial rule. However, amidst this historical truth, contemporary challenges persist, including frequent reports of human rights violations and abuse. Since the overthrow of the imperial rule in 1974 and the rise of the Communist Derg regime, Ethiopians have faced increasing hardships and persecution. The 17-year Derg rule saw the loss of young lives, academics, and competent politicians, along with the abduction of religious leaders due to their beliefs. The regime, marked by atheist ideologies, ended in 1991, but the echoes of its impact continue to shape Ethiopia's narrative.

          After the fall of the Dergue in 1991, Ethiopians anticipated democracy, peace, and equality with the new government. Unfortunately, the subsequent 27 years under the TPLF/EPRDF regime brought severe oppression and offenses on Ethiopians. Following the guerrilla fighters' victory, hardships, murders, and prosecutions intensified, turning the EPRDF era into a dark age for Ethiopians.

          Despite the ongoing power of TPLF/EPRDF, a transformative shift attempted to occur in Ethiopia. PM Dr. Abiy Ahmed, apparently a visionary leader, has garnered widespread support, with citizens echoing his call for love, unity, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Amidst this pivotal transition, the establishment of a multi-party governmental system is anticipated, though acknowledged as a challenging task.

            Thousands of people across different cities rallied in support of Dr. Ahmed, drawn to his eloquence and ability to connect with the crowd. In three months, he has not only been impressed with his words but has also taken swift actions, earning admiration from Ethiopians and foreigners alike. Dr. Ahmed's attempt to reopen the door to democracy, previously shut by the Woyane regime, was a notable aspect of his leadership.

However, the once vibrant enthusiasm surrounding Dr.Abiy and the widespread acceptance and admiration for him has regrettably waned. The people’s reverence for the Prime Minister is not as vigorous as it was in 2018 when he was coming to office following the previous Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.  My critical perspective on the recent political movement compelled me to address concerns about security and justice in Ethiopia under Abiy's leadership. Here are my key points:

Widespread insecurity persists across the country.

             Despite the echoing slogans of love, reconciliation, inclusiveness (medemer), and forgiveness, the government has fallen short in preventing murder and human rights violations in various regions. Notable instances include the attempted assassination of PM Abiy at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, and a mass killing/ethnic genocide in Awasa targeting the Wolayta ethnic group. Awasa, as the capital of the Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State (SNNPRS), should uphold the constitutional right of every individual to live freely. Ethiopia's diverse ethnolinguistic landscape classifies its population into Afro-Asiatic and Nilo Saharan groups. The former includes Semitic (Amhara, Tigre, Gurage, Harari, Silte), Cushitic (Oromo, Somali, Agaw, Kimanti, Saho, Afar, Sidama), and Omotic (Wolayita, Gamo, Dorze), while the latter comprises Nilo-Saharan (Agnuak, Nuer, Megengir, Berta, Gumuz). Despite historical intricacies, these groups coexist, shaping the nation.

         However, Ethiopia's southern region faces challenges due to the forced integration of over forty-five indigenous ethnic groups into a single rule. Wolaytians, retaining their distinct identity, culture, and expanding language, tragically experienced violence in Awasa. Numerous were killed, and properties destroyed, with no intervention from local authorities.

 

          Similar atrocities unfolded in Gedeo and Guji, while the East coast witnessed a conflict claiming countless lives, and threatening inhabitants. Oromiya and Somali provinces saw attacks, forcing many to flee, seeking refuge in Djibouti or Kenya amid precarious conditions.

The tragic passing of Engineer Smegnehu Bekele, a manager of the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, highlights the pervasive insecurity in the country. Discovered deceased in Addis Ababa's Meskel Square, where an attempt on Dr. Abiy's life occurred, his death has left Ethiopians both at home and abroad deeply saddened. It's challenging to quell ruthless troublemakers and murderers with declarations of love, as these individuals are inherently opposed to such sentiments. Addressing the political motivations behind these acts is crucial, urging the government to prioritize securing the safety of all citizens across Ethiopia.

 

             In Burayu, the suburb of Addis Ababa, members of the Gamo tribe fell victim to the brutal violence, with no governmental intervention to prevent the tragic bloodshed. The Gamo people are known for their diligent work ethic and cultural contributions, having introduced the famous Ethiopian traditional dress across the nation without harboring covetous intentions toward others’ belongings.   Despite their commitment to their work, a group of troublemakers, wielding knives and swords, unleashed unprecedented cruelty by mercilessly butchering the unsuspecting Gamo community.

 

              An innocent Ethiopian man was crucified upside down in Shahemene town, Oromiya region. The security forces showed little concern for the killing, failing to prevent such violence. This unprecedented atrocity stains Ethiopia's history, surpassing even the times of past governments like Dergue and the EPDRF dictatorship. The city youths, welcoming political activist Jawar Mohammed, inexplicably hung a young man's head down on wood. This senseless act reflects a disturbing trend where people, protesting without police approval, resort to violence, unchecked by authorities. Throughout the country, citizens are killed without legal process, defying the constitutional protection against arbitrary death sentences. Ethiopia, with its commendable constitution, faces the grim reality of a government violating its principles and mistreating its citizens.

               In Shashemene town, Oromia region, unprecedented devastation occurred as people targeted and destroyed crucial infrastructure. This level of destruction is unparalleled in the history of Ethiopia’s previous administrations. Numerous investors faced significant losses, including schools, hotels, and resorts, solely based on their non-Oromo identity.

            Despite the escalating situation demanding urgent attention and resolution, Abiy’s administration failed to take effective measures to ensure the safety of the citizens. The pervasive insecurity persisted and eventually spiraled out of control. The government’s lack of proactive intervention led to a tragic outcome in west Oromia’s Wolega zone, where a large-scale massacre of Amhara people unfolded.

           The Amhara Ethnic group, with a rich historical presence in Ethiopia, became victims of mass killings due to the government’s indifference. In response, the Amhara people aggrieved and seeking justice, mobilized against the perpetrators, engaging in conflicts with the national military force aligned with the Abiy administration. In my perception, this must have not been taken for granted because Amhara’s response cannot be equated with the relatively lighter attention given to issues concerning the Gamo, Gedeo, and Wolayta people. These minority ethnic groups of people went to their homes after they faced terrible atrocities facilitated by government-supported perpetrators because they were not large in number, lacked activists, and absence inland protesters or demonstrators in the advocacy efforts against the abuse, in front of the White House in the USA and at the building of the European Union in Europe on behalf of them.

         Surprisingly, Neither Ethiopian activists, Abiy’s government, nor human rights organizations, both domestic and international, condemned the killing in Awasa, where Wolaytian individuals were burned alive, in front of the Southern Regional Administration office. Shockingly, the horrific incident was captured on video and shared on social media, drawing widespread attention. These people and their children are still in fear in the country. However, Amhara’s is completely different from this. The Amahara’s voice sounds loudly shocks every governmental gate and captured attention including in the USA and Europe until the Amahars’s demonstrators jammed the traffic flow in the USA. This indicates that Dr Abiy and his inner circles are making uncorrectable mistakes for the Ethiopian people.  

 Justice undermined by governance persists.

            While PM Dr. Abiy endeavors to address the nation's challenges and foster unity among those divided by politics and religion, concerns about injustice endure. In Awasa, the Wolaytaians' plea for justice was unanswered, with no governmental accountability for the scattered victims, including young children and women who were seeking refuge in schools. Similarly, the Gedeo people awaited justice, despite historical ties with the Guji ethnic group. Asebe Regassa Dabelo noted their shared history but lamented the current conflict. The pressing questions arose: Can inclusiveness coexist with justice for Wolaytians, Gedeos, Gamos, and the families of innocent individuals who were killed by Abiy’s supporters? How can amputees in prison embrace "medemer" without justice? Is "medemer" meaningful to those whose homes were razed? Can peace and unity prevail without justice and security, and how does a victim of torture accept "redeemer" after enduring such atrocities? For no one was answering these and related questions, the ideology of Medemer (inclusiveness ) became senseless to the majority of Ethiopians.

             Dr. Abiy Ahmemed introduced his ideology, known as “Medemr” through a widely distributed book that generated substantial financial success. Both Ethiopians within the country and abroad eagerly sought to acquire this book and computed in buying it. However, the relevance of the ideology diminished as the actual situation within the country diverged significantly from the propagated ideals of Medemr.  Consequently, it has rapidly faded from the collective consciousness of the people.

             While our country boasts a rich tapestry of multicultural ethnicities and languages, all of which contribute to a vibrant mosaic of Ethiopian identity, it is essential to recognize that every individual holds an equal claim to Ethiopian heritage and the democratic right to live, relocate to any region within the country, generate wealth, and pursue education. Unfortunately, the current reality in contemporary Ethiopia is marred by the escalation and dominance of ethnic politics, which has overshadowed the nation’s unity. Admittedly, the ethnic politics and hostility among the Ethiopian nations and nationalities were introduced and lectured by the TPLF but it has been empowered in the Dr Abiy’s era.

              Dr. Abiy’s emphasis on love and reconciliation resonates well, aligning with biblical teachings such as "love covers a multitude of sin" (1 Peter 4:8). Echoing sentiments from leaders like Abraham Lincoln, he emphasizes the importance of love and mercy, acknowledging that "mercy bears richer fruit than strict justice."

             While love is crucial, justice and security, emphasized by figures like Lincoln and Mahatma Gandhi, are equally vital. Frederick Douglass, a notable American social reformer, stressed the consequences of denying justice, enforcing poverty, and allowing ignorance to prevail. In this critical time, Ethiopia calls for both security and justice to ensure the safety of people and their property. The sad thing is Dr Abiy’s administration’s indifference to solving the problems to build a better Ethiopia for current and future generations.

         Undeniably, Dr Abiy has a strong personality. He preaches about love, forgiveness, inclusiveness, reconciliation and so and so forth. He is good at planting flowers constructing new modern real states, and shaping the infrastructure of the capital city of the country. However, that cannot make sense without security, justice, and democratic establishment. Ethiopian people do not expect Abiy to be their pastor or environmental worker.  They need an effective governmental leadership that leads the country in the way of democracy.      

 Ethnic inequality intensified

          Ethnic inequality is entrenched as the EPRDF, in power since 1991, pursues divisive ethnic politics, fostering supremacy of a single ethnic group. Over the past 27 years, Ethiopia has been marred by persistent ethnic conflicts. Presently, political dynamics lean towards dominance by one or two ethnic groups, urging caution against elevating a few over the diverse many. The Oromo and Amhara, sizable ethnic groups, blame Woyane's leadership for propagating toxic ethnic-based politics. Some opposition leaders, particularly from the Oromo, push an agenda focused solely on Oromo interests, contributing to tensions. The danger lies in continued assertions of ethnic superiority, potentially fueling revolt and violence across the nation.

          Addressing inequality, marginalized ethnic groups in the South face oppression from larger groups, with perpetrators often escaping consequences for their actions against the minority. The denial of political and economic equality stems from the dominance of densely populated nations and their biased governance.

                PM Dr. Abiy needs to earnestly tackle insecurity, injustice, anarchism, and ethnic disparities. After spreading his message of love and mercy across the nation, he must swiftly address issues of justice and security. Dr. Abiy should educate troublemakers and anti-peace forces on the value of humanity, ensuring unity and equality for all Ethiopians.

Surrounding politicians should align with the reality of the Ethiopian people's unity and equality, emphasizing that Dr. Abiy's "Medemer" theme encompasses justice for all victims. Neglecting this could expose the country to unnecessary crises, as justice and security are vital for everyone's safety. The theme "MEDEMER" loses meaning if the government does not prioritize justice and security.

           While there's a possibility that the PM may face challenges in fulfilling all promises, he likely upholds the belief in Ethiopia's unity and equality. If challenges arise from those within his circle who hold antagonistic views toward different nationalities needs to pass the power to those who can lead the country potentially. Continued!