• Ethiopian prime minister says no turning back on democratic path

Facing deepening anxieties at home, Ethiopia’s leader, Abiy Ahmed, delivered an unabashed defence of the state of the country’s economy on Thursday, arguing that his recipe of reform agenda would not waver. The country has managed to secure more foreign currency than the previous year and that was how the administration managed to correct the macroeconomic balance, Abiy told a news conference.

Abiy said the government has allocated the forex to the private sector, unlike in the past when the allocation was restricted to state projects. “Most of the forex has gone to the domestic and foreign private sector. In comparison with the last year, it was better in terms of figure and allocation”. However, he said in light of the high demand for foreign currency, it remains a challenge to fulfill the supply. “The demand for foreign exchange exceeds by five or six times more than the current supply. Thus, we would still find it hard to meet,” he told journalists. “If we continue with the current trend, we would be able to steer our economy,” said Abiy.

Abiy’s presser came at a fraught moment in the country, when increased inflation, deterioration of the standard of living, and increase in crime is afflicting the country’s population. The administration earlier this month has announced its plan to increase spending by 1.6% to fund projects that will help boost the economic expansion.

During his press conference, Abiy promised greater openness to “widen the democratic space,” amidst criticisms that the administration is using the regional coup attempt to crack on dissidents. “It was the government that decided to relax restrictions against free speech. It was the government that held the position that critical voice shouldn’t be stifled. It was the same government that freed prisoners. It was the government that stopped the jamming of satellite signals from taking place. Thus, the government has no interest in restricting voices. Had that been the case, anyone with a telephone in Ethiopia would not have been a journalist,” Abiy said.

“The democratic path we have chosen, the task of widening democratic space is irreversible.”

“With regards to the protection of human rights, there has not been any change in our commitment. We have not changed our stance. There is still no dark chamber. Fingernails are not pulled out. Detainees are not whipped. Arrests are made in a legal procedure. They are freed in a legal manner. The democratic path we have chosen, the task of widening democratic space is irreversible. There is no turning back,” he said.

A total of 350 suspects had been arrested in connection with the June 22 failed coup attempt. Out of those, 120 were later released, Abiy said.

Prime Minister Abiy has been acclaimed for promoting human rights and the freeing of political prisoners but he has maintained some oppressive practices such as shutdowns of internet access amid the unrest. “We should not compare ourselves to developing countries. In developing countries, people do not go around disseminating messages that stoke tension and conflict between ethnic members. As long as it is deemed necessary to save lives and properties damages, the internet would be closed for good, let alone for a week,” Abiy said.

On his approval rating

The Prime Minister rejected claims of his approval rating has declined in recent months. “Those who say that I had higher approval rating before but I have now lost are not basing their claims on evidence. They have not conducted any public opinion poll. They have not done any surveying to measure my popularity from the very start. It is all questionable,” he said.

Main Image: Radio Fana

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