ADDIS ABABA- In just twelve months since coming to power, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has introduced a number of reforms that completely altered the dictatorial narrative used to define Ethiopia, according to scholars.
Assistant Prof. at AAU Taye Regassa (PhD) said that the nation has been experiencing fundamental changes that have improved its image across the globe. “Prime Minister Abiy introduced notable reforms to address a deep political crisis and widespread grievances; hence, we have seen unprecedented improvements this year.”
According to Taye, Abiy’s bold decisions like widening political landscape, freeing thousands of political prisoners, normalizing relations with Eritrea by ending border disputes, re-engineering the EPDRF’s administration to make it more inclusive with diversity just in twelve months are the best indications the reformist can accomplish far more in the years ahead.
“Let’s give him adequate time so that we can see the nation enjoying more notable developments.” Though the reform has brought positive and promising results, the recurrent conflicts in different parts of the nation have been a serious challenge to Abiy’s leadership, Taye added.
Firdissa Jebessa (PhD), Assistant Prof. at the Institute of Educational Research, AAU, said that since PM Abiy has come to power, the nation has been enjoying exceptional diplomatic, political and economic gains.
“PM’s strategic approach and leadership determination to end the long-lived disputes between Ethiopia and Eritrea improved the political discourse in the Horn of Africa,” he added. Appreciating the remarkable developments the reform has produced, Firdissa suggested that Abiy has to continue restructuring the whole public office till the Kebele level in order to make the reform effective and sustainable.
“The government has to enforce the rule of law to curtail some anticonstitutional movements that encumber effectiveness of the ongoing reform,” Firdissa stated. Associate Prof. at Gambella University Biel B. Wan (PhD) on his part said that under the current leadership, the nation is in progressive changes that are very promising.
He added that the reform has brought supreme developments like increased democratic space and lifting the State of Emergency and the like that altered the nation’s political discourse. According Biel, Abiy’s leadership is facing a challenge that prevails within; for instance, EPRD’s leaders at different levels are not demonstrating commitments the reform requires.
“And some individuals including activists are exercising freedom without responsibility which results in conflicts. Abiy’s leadership ought to enforce rule of law in order to ensure the continuity of the reform,” he said. Ethiopian Teachers Association President Yohannes Banti (PhD on his part said that Abiy’s coming to power was the most decisive solution for the deep political crisis the nation was struggling with.
“Even it seemed that had it not been for EPRDF’s decision to elect Abiy as a Prime Minister, it would have been impossible for us to continue as a nation,” he said adding that “The reform has resulted in several changes that altered the entire situations of the nation.
Most of the reforms are new in the history of the country. For instance, some political prisoners who sentenced to death were released and invited to discuss with the Prime Minister.” According to him, the prevailing challenge to the reform could be some groups’ failure to realize that individual freedom is inseparably interlinked with moral as well as civic responsibilities. “Groups and individuals who are rejecting their responsibilities are becoming the source of recurrent conflicts,” he stated.
The Ethiopian Herald April 9, 2019
