This week, Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed made a visit to Europe, wherein he primarily attended World Economic Forum.
He had the chance to address leaders of the global society at the Forum plenary session, basically on Ethiopia’s journey of reforms over the last nine months. Attending the forum, where global leaders such as Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of IMF; corporate giants such as Bill Gates of Microsoft present, by itself was a great opportunity for Ethiopia.. The Forum plenary session had also given additional opportunity to our Prime Minister to clarify the new philosophy of his government: Medemer (synergic unity) as Ethiopia’s renewed vision and sustained commitment to positive reforms under his leadership.
As Dr. Abiy put it in his speech, Ethiopia’s virtuous path of reform is deeply rooted in his philosophy of Medemer. It is a historic reform to organic change, building on the gains of the past while reminding Ethiopians of their rich heritage. It also, reflects on modern realities which are strengthening the synergy in politics, economics, technology and society. It is also people centered. Having said that, Dr. Abiy summarized the three interdependent pillars on which Ethiopia’s renewed vision under his leadership has rested.
These are a vibrant democracy; economic vitality and regional integration and openness to the world. He also reminded the world how his government has quickly and decisively acted over the past nine months and the massive changes brought about in the country. True to his words, Dr. Abiy’s government has released all political prisoners; has invited all individuals and groups to return from exile and join the peaceful political struggle home; reopened independent media, including those that had been shut down by the government in the past; issued an amnesty and repealed restrictive laws and now revising civil society law to be effectuated very soon.
All these measures and many more are undoubtedly necessary to build a genuine democratic and pluralistic political order. And those were made not simply for the sake of democracy. As the PM has put it perfectly, the current government of Ethiopia believes that it is impossible to sustain growth, attract investment and allow all Ethiopians to benefit from the growth dividend without embracing democracy.
Similarly, as he elaborated the second and third pillars of the reform, economic vitality with the leverage of the collective power of the Ethiopian people especially woman and the youth and unleashing the potential of the private sector to drive more inclusive and socially sustainable growth is another priority of the government.
The third pillar, regional integration and openness, which Dr. Abiy said is also crucial to the future of Africa, as a continent allowing its peoples to grow beyond primary commodities and accelerate our development. The reactions to the Prime Minister’s explanation from the participants, development partners and renowned business people were splendid.
Many have hailed him and pledged to support his reforms. So, we Ethiopians are now optimistic more than ever that international capital and expertise will flow to Ethiopia’s ongoing development agenda and reform activities. The broad reforms launched by Ethiopia so as to improve the political environment and the business climate, as a priority agenda of the current government, can be made effective with shared aspiration and active involvement of the world.
That is because the leadership behind the economic reforms and the ambition to integrate with the global economy deserves unreserved supports, in as much as the pace of the reforms itself.
The Ethiopian Herald, January 25/2019
