Ever since protests began in the State of Oromia back in 2013, Ethiopia has hardly been able to breathe the air of peace. Then, the protests intensified following discontent among the youth claiming the expansion of Addis Ababa into the State of Oromia was detrimental and unfair to farmers in the area. Later, the protests expanded as the youth in the State of Amhara joined the demonstrations.
If there has been anything interesting about the aspect of governance in Ethiopia these last couple of years, it would be the standoff between the Minister of Education and college entrance exam takers. Young TikTokers have been making humorous videos calling out Birhanu Nega (PhD), the Minister of Education, for the serious changes the Ministry was making around the way the entrance exams were to be administered.
The changes were necessary on the part of the Ministry as national exams have been stolen and distributed to students well before they were administered- a practice that has been typical for about ten years now. The bad habit started in 2014 when Jawar Mohammed, the then-exiled political activist, claimed to have had the exams stolen as the then incumbent, the Ethiopian People’s Liberation Front (EPRDF), failed to listen to the movement he was said to have been leading.
Liberalization might increase prospects for foreign investment—it nurtures competition and improves efficiency. When trade and investment obstacles are lifted, businesses must engage in a more intense competitive field for market share. Resultantly, consumers will purchase goods and services of superior quality at lower prices. It can also inspire innovation and the improvement and efficiency of production methods of businesses. The ensuing cost savings may then be passed on to customers in the form of lower prices or better quality. A more prosperous firm then leads to increased tax revenue for governments.
If there is any commonality among the series of political administrations that have ruled Ethiopia over the decades, it is the demonizing of Egypt as a nation that always dreams of the downfall of Ethiopia as a nation. Even though these administrations do not present concrete evidence as to the extent of Egypt’s involvement, one may not fall far from the truth to assume that Egypt benefits less from a sturdy east African nation capable of taking its fair share of a river’s waters that have disproportionately only benefited Egypt for centuries.
Amir Aman, an accredited Associated Press video reporter, Thomas Engida, a freelancer journalist, and Tamirat Negera of Terara Network, are some of the names that one can mention to argue that Abiy Ahmed’s (PhD) regime may not be so different from its predecessors when it comes to freedom of expression, after all. One can also add the names of 16 journalists and media personnel who have been imprisoned in a new wave of crack down in the capital Addis Ababa and State of Amhara, with some being subsequently released. Some reports claim that journalists like Temesgen Desalegn of Fitih Magazine might have been physically hurt in the hands of the police.
On April 26, 2022, a number of people were killed in Gondar following an incident that involved the fighting of two groups divided along religious lines. As reports have it, the incident happened during the funeral of Sheikh Kemal Legas. Apparently, a person who wanted to get a burial stone from a nearby Christian place of worship got into a fight with another who refused to the taking of the stone. The matter escalated to spread from the Islamic cemetery to the city.
Following Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s (PhD) advise to eat greens as a main dish, there seemed to be public opposition to not only the remarks but to the whole idea. Social media gigs continuously presented the idea as one that came from an administration that failed to sustain food supply to its population despite continued advocacy on public media towards urban farming.
When Sahle-work Zewde was appointed as President of the Federation, feminist groups and Ethiopians at large applauded Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s (PhD) pick for the post. He was further commended when he filled half of his cabinet with women alongside other key posts. As laudable as these decisions were, his time in the premiership is identified as one that has brought nightmare to women nationwide. His administration’s incapability to put conflicts nationwide under control has put women in particular in precarious positions—leaving them with added responsibility and burden in caring for their themselves and families—while denying them their human, social, and economic rights.
It has been one year since the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), labeled as a terrorist group by Parliament, attacked the National Defense Force stationed in Tigray Region. Ever since the attack and the ensuing military engagement and all its baggage, the state of the economy seems to have arguably missed the attention it deserves.
Starting a media organization, particularly in the print sector, and surfing the thorns for 100 editions takes nothing less than immense courage. But witnessing the thirst and trust of our readers and partners, carrying Sisyphus’ rock is worth the effort.
Ethiopian Business Review | EBR is a first-class and high-quality monthly business magazine offering enlightenment to readers and platform to partners.
January 11, 2023
