This writer was one of the first article contributor on what direction and measures the would be Prime Minster and elected chairman of EPRDF should embark following Dr Abiy Ahmed’s election on 27 March 2018 ( see articles titled: Ethiopia: Agenda for Dr Abiy in goggle search or http://ethioforum.org/ethiopia-agenda-for-dr-abiy-ahmed-by-muluken-gebeyew/ ).
That article was wrote on the early hours following his election as chairman of EPRDF before he assumed the Prime Minster (PM) post and few days earlier before we listen his wonderful and inclusive first speech as PM in the Ethiopian parliament which enshrined most Ethiopians at home and Diaspora in optimistic outlook about the future of our country.
This writer listed 15 points on that article on what Dr Abiy Ahmed as the would be prime minster at that time to consider as the writer believed those points would help to sail safely the complicated challenge our country has been. I am pleased the PM Dr Abiy Ahmed and the new leadership team have started tasking most of the 15 lists I put forward. It seems leadership listen the suggestion of Ethiopians or his ( his team) intended plan coincided with the writer and most Ethiopians quest. Hopefully the remaining list will be implemented during his premiership.
It is very encouraging Dr Abiy chose to travel all over the country to form his own people army which gave him the confidence and immunity from TPLF to progress the change. He made a bold, inclusive, realistic, optimistic and Ethiopian speech which gave the public hope of democracy, unity, reconciliation and revision of the TPLF’s made Ethiopian history. The release of most political prisoners, activists and journalists; the invitation to the banned political organisation to operate in the country and decriminalising the party leaders; engaging the public and intellectuals, reaching out to the Diaspora Ethiopians, helping to unify the Orthodox Christian religious fathers difference and Muslim leaders, forming new relation with neighbour countries and peace agreement with focus of people to people relation with Eritrea in very short period of time are great achievements.
Then we question what should be the next move.Here are some of my thoughts for the next move the leadership team can consider.
The fundamental cornerstone in a fair society or country are peace and stability, justice, fairness and equal opportunity of Citizens. To ensure this, there is a need for personal commitment from new leaders and strong infrastructure installed in the country to keep for longevity.
It is paramount to revisit our culture, values, norms and history to get the wisdoms for fair society. We can also learn from other society and select what is appropriate to Ethiopia’s situation. We should never copy something that doesn’t fit us.
It is important to respect and ensure individual rights in a society. This has been ignored while group rights were superficially acknowledged in the last three decades. Every human being by nature has distinct own feeling, thought and volition. The biology of each individual is distinct. Our DNA is different. This natural reality needs a free medium to express itself. This entails individual freedom and responsibility. People abhor when treated as herd. We have been treated as herd for so many generations.
Individual freedom with responsibility allows people to be creative, productive and attain self potentials. When people understand others right and adhere to self responsibility, fairness would prevail in a society. A fair society ensures justice.
Group right should be respected in a society as there are natural and nurture difference among people. Individuals with similar inclination, value, history and attitude make up groups. It should be acknowledgment of the groups right which is important but not domination of one group against the other. The constitution should be revised in such way that ensure these reality of individual and group rights and responsibility.
We need to build a fair justice system in our country. When justice is ignored, individuals and group rise for change. This can be either in peaceful or destructive way. The infrastructure that ensures justice in modern society should be free from the influence of politicians, rich individuals or dominant groups. The police, prosecutor and the judge and jury system should be established or reformed without the influence of the powerful. The army and security system should be reformed to serve the interest of the nation not that of the politicians on power. Individuals who work in this system should be loyal to the law or constitution the society agreed on.
In a fair society, the weak and poor ones will not be subjected to ill treatment or injustice by the strong and rich ones. We can aim such system provided that we build infrastructures that ensure that.
In a fair and justice prevailing society, peace reigns. Peace doesn’t need arm but human consciousness. That is why we see in many civilised modern society the police in the city doesn’t carry weapon.
It is a must that the educational system in our country should be revised in such away that is positive, fair, solution oriented and crafted in producing a confident graduate who is able to createjobs, not depend on others for jobs. Education is all about bringing change otherwise it is wastage. A learnt and free society can cruise life at its maximum potential.
Rushing for election or forming another government without an infrastructure that ensure peace and stability, fairness, justice and equal opportunity is futile attempt. Unless we have a system that ensues election is genuine and made in fair playing field, it will serve as playing tool for those on power. That was the reality in our country for so many years. Election must be a means for the public to have a say on the way how it is governed. Through election the majority vote can change or maintain the course of a government.
Economic development is one of the vital survival means for Ethiopia. Feeding more than 100 millionspeople with limited economic activity is a challenge and probably impossible. The economic field should be open to every Ethiopians in private or group capacity. The state can have a role in ensuring a fair system is undergoing and participating in areas where the private sector will not actively participate. Foreign investment can be encouraged in areas that can be beneficial for the society. The financial system should support individual and group creativity, growth, employment and production.
The question of land should get an answer in Ethiopia. It is vital for the economy. Land ownership shouldn’t be left to the state. This has been leading to embezzlement, corruption and favouritism by those on power.
As conclusion, the new leadership has to be commended for most of the progressive change ensured in the short period of time. The new leadership needs support and direction towards the establishment of fundamental political infrastructure in our country in areas of justice, fairness, individual and group right, education and economic sector.
The new leadership should follow wisdom-full approach in tackling the artificial obstacles laid by those who lost the power or influence that attempt to derail the progress by inciting and encouraging violence, lawlessness and fragmentation. Balancing the moral human aspect, reconciliation and justice are essential for our Ethiopia. It is understandable you recognise the minimum requirement of a government is maintaining law and order. Your careful approach is admirable but should be effective and efficient by not allowing gaps.
The youth, the intellectuals and professionals should support the new leadership to ensure those changes we desperately needs for. Political parties of every colour should also actively participate and support the change in such way that a fair and justice system is established in our country. Rushing to election or power sharing without clear political infrastructure laid in the ground will be a futile vicious circle which will not achieve the majority Ethiopians‘ desire.
