Successful democratic change requires scrutiny of reforming authorities. Not shaming those who dare to air critical views about the powers that be.
A few weeks ago, while discussing my impressions of Dr. Abiy and his premiership, a friend took offense and implied that I was a lot more likeable when I did not venture into Ethiopian politics. She compared me to Susan Sarandon, who advocates bringing down the U.S. system to expedite a revolution, apparently irrespective of the collateral damage. This was very far from what I was suggesting.
So I kept silent and have since observed the euphoria, sometimes with awe, sometimes with amusement, and at times with trepidation. Yes, I will reiterate again that I, having grown up in the U.S., am more ignorant than knowledgeable when it comes to the reality of the Ethiopian system of governance. But that does not make me any less invested in seeing a good outcome in Ethiopia.
Over the years I have followed closely some of the workings of the government and spoken out against its human-right abuses, infringements of the free press and incarceration of activists.
Currently, I see what is happening and realize there is an Obama moment going on in Ethiopia…there is an audacity of hope breezing through our people bringing an excitement and euphoria of love and solidarity with it.
I am not comparing Prime Minister Abiy to President Obama. But the feeling of hope on the ground has similarities and the accolades showered on him also bear strong parallels.
It is beautiful to see so many people engaged in politics, inspired to join in and make a difference. But it is also equally demoralizing to witness the frequent renunciation of responsibility among activists and journalists in cross-examining the power structure.
Yes, it is good to agree and support policies, but it is equally critical to debate the pros and cons of proposed policies because it is only with open discourse and critical debate of ideas that we will develop a healthy multi-party political system.
It is also consequential that we learn to have a space to challenge any status quo irrelevant of its existing popularity; otherwise we endanger the very hard-won changes that we seek.
The suggestion that questioning or debating policies somehow translates into weakening the prime minister or promoting his failure is not only laughable, but dangerous. This prime minister enjoys unprecedented public support and good will, but he is lacking partners that offer counterarguments to his policies to help him implement the right solutions.
It is a dereliction of duty, not to mention unpatriotic, if the very people who claim that they are the ears and mouth of the people are not objective and dispassionate.
If they are not capable of separating personal feelings from their professional duties, then maybe it is time they stopped calling themselves activists and journalists. Prime Minister Abiy is doing his job, it is time for the rest of you to do yours. He doesn’t need cheerleaders; he has most of the Ethiopian population already cheering for him. What he needs are honest brokers to challenge him and hold him accountable. That is the true calling of a patriot!
(Main image: T-shirts imprinted with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Credit: Addis Fortune.)
Emebet thanks for the honoust views you shared four Ethiopians and others. Good if the rest of the people including myself to be able to focus on our responsibilities and duties here after. This is the only way that help the current change in the country to bear results for the common good of the nation.
PM Abiy is indeed a refreshing reformer that Ethiopia needs at this juncture. He deserves all our support. However, she’s right. Being critical of the PM’s ideas or policies will reinforce them and strengthen the overall goals and objectives. A second opinion helps and it isn’t necessarily amount to opposition to policy.
Thanks, Emebet. I believe that leadership isn’t about how many followers you have, but how many people you have with different opinions that you can bring together and try to be a good listener. we have fought so hard to get to have different opinions from the authoritarians and be able to express them. The freedom to be able to express and challenge our leaders should be a core value to Ethiopia’s politics going forward. As William Shatner said, ” we meet aliens every day who have something to give us, they come in the form of people with different opinion.”
Do we have two Embet S. Bekele? One was born in Bishoftu, got her BA in Geography from Dila South University. Subsequently, She went to get her MA in Addis Ababa University. Best of all, she is intensely active in Human Rights around Washington DC Area. The author of the above piece by the same name Emebet S. Bekele, a Virginia domicile, who came to the US while in her pre-teens, speak unaccented English, has a passion about environment science and human Rights all over the world. Well, if you are the same person, your creditability has gone through the window? Every “word” you wrote about Dr. Abi, borrowing from Mary McCarthy’s favorite quote, is a “lie”, including “and”, and “the”. Inquiring mind wants to know your stated mission at this key juncture?
https://sites.google.com/a/aag.org/mycoe-servirglobal/emebet/
Gosh. If you are such a big fan of PM Abiy…..how about a little tolerance and love, something he stresses often. Don’t start a smear campaign just because you are intolerant. Man, are you ok?
As Eritrean I am a big fan of Dr Abey ,ADHD preach peace with stead fast.
We need peace free move cement for people I trust the Oromo people as they seems open heart for peace.
We try war wefound it useless , I am very hopefully that every thing will be alright . Let is think forward for prosperity for all
Tekle
Emebet, excellent observation and well rounded comment. Our PM has just done and accomplished what needed to be done. The uplifting of morale of the good people of this nation. A nation well deserving to re align itself with the hope that it has lived with, and possibly in danger of loosing. Abiy has rekindled the light of hope. Absolutely. It’s now time for the critics to observe and debate all matters of concern. Let’s see his reactions. Is he as open as he makes out to be? He needs to take immediate actions directly for the people. He needs to call upon experts that propose immediate solutions for immediate problems and experts that shall debate and propose long term policy changes. I can’t wait to see the next parliamentary report and debates.
Emu,
I have observed a herd behavior on steroid among fellow Ethiopians recently that would not allow one to question current developments in our homeland. One is swiftly talked down as opposing “medemer,” “fiqir,” and “selam.” The title of your article, “I support Abiy too. That’s why I question him” exquisitely encapsulated for me what I have been trying to say in so many words. Thank you.