Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stirred up hornet’s nest when he challenged agricultural professionals’ patriotism who asked for pay raise.
The Prime Minister, speaking in front of the 1,500 agriculture transformation leaders at a forum in Adama town of Oromia region on May 26 directly challenged their patriotism, after listening to their complaints of low wage, lack of bonuses, educational benefits.
“What perplex me is the people demanding salary raise in every sector. Are they really Ethiopians? The person who is asking for raise, knowing the country’s coffer is low, who is he? Is
“Instead of asking from one’s country, one should think of what it could give to it,” the Prime Minister added.
At the forum, the Prime Minister spoke of how the Ethiopian economy was on the brink of collapse last year. “The government’s coffer was so low that we were at the point where there was a dim prospect of completing the projects that were underway, not able to repay the debts we owed. We were forced to cut the annual budget by four percent. And the country was able to get a large amount of hard currency, the highest in fact in many years,” he was quoted as saying.
The remark linking being patriots and demanding pay raise drew attention on social media, some describing it as upsetting and distressing.
Another lame remark angered health professionals on May 4, when the Prime Minister told them that their demands were not lodged with respect to the current economic status of the country, and telling “feminist physicians to focus only on treating women and mothers than promoting an agenda that we ourselves could handle.”
Photo: Office of the Prime Minister
We should never forget Abiy’s leadership is a milder form of the much hated Eprdf/Tplf rule. Secondly, The Reporter is the mouthpiece of Tplf and such reportage serves only one purpose; that is, to incite protests. Unfortunately, any protest will not seek to reinstate Tplf back to power.
More importantly, the opposition is in a much better position to liberate a public that is virtually in bondage to a/ state-led economy and b/ to a hiring quota that based on ethnicity, not qualification (appointing 50% female cabinet ministers is more a PR stunt to blunt challenges to Abiy than area expertise!).
Either Abiy/Eprdf has to allow the private sector/civil society organizations to participate in the economic/social sector OR face the consequences! Abiy will not, cannot, carry the day on charm alone. You should never question a citizen’s patriotism for airing, in this case, a legitimate grievance or lecture on making sacrifices! I think Abiy misses the mark often because he tends to personalize issues; in relation to Meles/Hailemariam and MPs he may be making great sacrifices, but that does not mean those unable to feed their family and send their kids to school or unable to get adequate health care comprehend a statement divorced from their reality!
Dear Aref,
You need to solicit articles on Ethiopia-Eritrea relations (possibly from the political scientist Dr. Kassahun Birhanu or the international lawyer Dr. Yacob Woldemariam). Eritrea was until a year ago listed as “State Sponsor of Terrorism.” Ethiopia came to its aid, and today it is removed from the list. There was a big noise for about six months. Ethiopian Airlines daily delivered food and merchandise. Last month Eritrea unilaterally closed the borders. Assab port was already leased to Arabs for military purposes. Border openings were first at Badme, then moved further west to Omhajer and (never east closer to Assab to Gewane)! Now all border points are closed.
A little over a month ago there was an official statement that Foreign Ministry will be organized and led by patriotic leaders. Then came appointment of Geddu (you think he is the right person for the post? I am sure he will not be worse than Tplf appointees). A little later, Isaias unilaterally shut the borders.
Apologies. Meant Yacob Hailemariam, not Yacob Woldemariam.
Amare Araagawi is Meles-through-the -looking -glass. I thought he is in Mekele hiding like all the fat cat Weyanes with a large garden enclosed by cactus hedges and stone fences with pikes. It means that he is still operating clandestinely in Addis through a dizzying array of Tigryeans ” democratic” front groups to launch disinformation campaign against the current government.