By Fenta Takele
Through Atrocities and Deception in Ethiopia
In this article, we dive deep into the controversial reign of Abiy Ahmed, investigating claims that his leadership style represents a level of oppression in Ethiopia surpassing even that of Italian fascism. We’ll assess the veracity of accusations leveled against him, from carrying out atrocities on his own people to using Ethiopian Airlines for mobilizing his forces. As we grapple with unnerving incidents of bus kidnappings and apparent flouting of law and order under his rule, we also uncover the factors leading to a widespread perception of Abiy Ahmed as untrustworthy. Join us in this in-depth analysis as we explore why some consider Ahmed to be one of the most oppressive leaders in Ethiopia’s history.
Abiy Ahmed’s Rise to Power
Background and Early Career
Abiy Ahmed Ali, born on August 15, 1976, hails from the Oromo ethnic group, which had been marginalized in Ethiopia for years. Ali’s early undertakings were characterized by a deep-seated drive to alleviate social and political disparities within the Ethiopian demographic. His curiosity for understanding the nuances of social discourse was cultivated during his information systems studies, earning a bachelor’s degree, later complemented by multiple Master’s Degrees and a doctorate in peace and security from Addis Ababa University.
Path to Prime Ministership
Abiy Ahmed’s path to the Prime Minister’s office was paved with careful navigation of both the political and military landscapes of Ethiopia. Following his service in the Ethiopian Defense Forces, he transitioned into politics, joining the Oromo Democratic Party (then known as Oromo People’s Democratic Organization) and subsequently serving in various administrative capacities.
His political acumen flagged him as a promising future leader, leading to his appointment as the Minister of Science and Technology in 2016. Abiy’s instrumental role in quelling ethnic tensions in the Oromia Region in 2017, amid large-scale anti-government protests, proved his capabilities in steering Ethiopia towards stability.
In 2018, following the resignation of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn due to political unrest, Abiy Ahmed was selected to lead by the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). At 42, Abiy became the youngest head of government in Africa. His appointment signaled a long-awaited shift in the nation’s political rhetoric, with Abiy promising to usher in a new era of reforms. Yet, his tenure has been marred with persistent allegations of human rights abuses, prompting comparisons with Italy’s infamous dictator, Benito Mussolini.
Comparison with Benito Mussolini
Historical Context of Italian Fascism
Italian Fascism was a political and social movement that existed in Italy from 1919 to 1945. The movement was led by Benito Mussolini, who seized power in 1922 and ruled the country as a dictator until his downfall in 1943 during the Second World War. The fascist regime, characterized by ultra-nationalism, militarism, authoritarianism, and corporatism, was notorious for cracking down on political dissidents and minorities.
Parallels between Abiy Ahmed and Mussolini
Leadership Style
A comparison between the leadership styles of Abiy Ahmed and Benito Mussolini reveals striking similarities. Both leaders have shown autocratic tendencies, with a clear preference for centralized power and control. They have demonstrated a propensity for overly assertive approaches to political dissent and have exhibited an unwavering pursuit of their individual ideologies, often at the expense of civil liberties and human rights.
Use of Military and Technology
Similarly, both Abiy Ahmed and Mussolini made significant use of the military and technology to suppress opposition and maintain control. Reports of Abiy Ahmed employing drones against his own citizens mirror Mussolini’s use of the military to crush resistance and monopolize power during his reign. Additionally, Abiy Ahmed’s alleged use of Ethiopian Airlines for transporting soldiers echoes the strategic use of technology in fascist Italy for similar objectives. These developments underscore the uncanny resemblance between Abiy Ahmed’s Ethiopia and Benito Mussolini’s Italy, raising grave concerns about the trajectory of Ethiopia under Abiy’s leadership.
Oppression and Atrocities
Under the leadership of Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia is currently grappling with a plethora of allegations concerning human rights violations, drone attacks, and extensive public unrest.
Human Rights Violations
Widespread reports of human rights violations have started to dog Abiy Ahmed’s government. He has been accused of ordering systemic repressions and crackdowns on dissenting voices in the country. This has been marked by waves of arbitrary arrest, torture, and mass detention of opposition members, journalists, and protesters. These alleged abuses have been mainly perpetrated by the security forces and are often coupled with denial of fundamental rights like due process of law.
Use of Drones and Ethiopian Airlines
There are also alarming reports indicating that Abiy’s government is using drones to surveil and target its own people, reminiscent of the oppressive rule of twentieth-century dictators. The military’s drone strikes, often causing civilian casualties, have shocked the conscience of the international community. Furthermore, Ethiopian Airlines, once the symbol of national pride, is now suspected of being used to transport soldiers and military equipment, crossing all ethical norms of civil aviation.
Prominent Incidents: Kidnappings and Unrest
In addition to war crimes and human rights abuses, Abiy Ahmed’s administration has been marked by an alarming rise in incidents of bus kidnappings, indicating a severe degradation of law and order in the country. Dozens of innocent passengers are being kidnapped by unidentified gunmen, only to be released after ransom payments, inducing a sense of palpable fear and unrest among the populace.
These are grievous allegations that, if true, depict the dystopian reality of Abiy Ahmed’s Ethiopia. The onus is now on the international community and human rights organisations to probe these charges and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Public Perception and International Criticism
Claims of Untrustworthiness
Controversy follows Abiy Ahmed due to his leadership methods which bear stark resemblance to those of Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini. His propensity for action without discussion and the alleged usage of technology and tactics against his own citizens has been highlighted as major causes for concern, leading to public mistrust. The leadership of Ethiopia under Ahmed has been marked by contentious incidents, including kidnappings, a disquieting prospect which further promotes the idea of his regime as tyrannical. Additionally, there have been instances where Ahmed has been accused of spreading falsehoods, a move that evidently discredits him amongst his electorate and the broader international community. Notably, these elements not only degrade his reputation domestically, but also reflect poorly on his administration’s tenure on the global stage.
Response from the International Community
While the international community continues to closely monitor the turbulent political landscape of Ethiopia, ongoing human rights abuses under Abiy Ahmed’s government have not gone unnoticed. Repeated incidences, such as using the Ethiopian Airlines for transporting soldiers and deploying drones to target his own people, have drawn international ire, analogizing his brutal regime to Benito Mussolini’s fascist rule. In response, several nations and global human rights bodies have called for investigations and sanctions. The blatant disregard for law and order along with his perceived untrustworthiness due to baseless claims has led to heightened criticism and calls for accountability. However, the effectiveness of these remonstrations remains uncertain due to Ahmed’s imperviousness towards them. The situation poses serious concerns for the future of Ethiopia and its people, emphasizing the pressing need for international intervention and support.
Implications for Ethiopia’s Future
As the dust settles on Ethiopia’s political state, the future of the nation under the rule of Abiy Ahmed poses significant concern. Identified by various international organizations as more disturbing than Mussolini’s Italian fascism, the leadership approach of Abiy Ahmed has shaded the promise of Ethiopia’s future with a bleak outlook.
As of today, Abiy Ahmed’s regime’s course of action contemplates a grim future for Ethiopia. With an alleged disregard for law and order, compounded by accusations of false claims and untrustworthiness, the nation’s governance under Ahmed severely undermines fundamental democratic principles. Consequently, the democratic stability and progress Ethiopia might have made are being steadily eroded, projecting a negative progression for the country’s political, social, and economic landscapes.
The reckless utilization of connected infrastructures like Ethiopian Airlines for transporting soldiers, and more disturbingly, the deployment of drones to target his own citizens, lays bare the destructive potential that could befall Ethiopia’s populace. The escalation in military actions fuels the likelihood of civil unrest, and in the worst-case scenario, a possible civil war.
Particularly striking is the negative effect of this oppressive regime on Ethiopia’s international relations. The allegations of human rights violations and atrocities levy on Ethiopia’s diplomatic standing, potentially leading to international sanctions that can hamper the country’s socio-economic development.
The future of Ethiopia under Abiy Ahmed’s rule is worrying, not just to its citizens but to the international community at large. The nation’s well-being is far from guaranteed, and as such, there is a pressing call to world leaders and influential organizations to act promptly. The need to uphold democratic ethics, human rights, and the responsibility to protect should be paramount in shaping Ethiopia’s future. The aim must be to avert further descent into oppressive rule and instead steer the nation towards upholding justice, legality, and the fundamental freedoms of its people.
The safeguarding of Ethiopia’s future will require collective and comprehensive global efforts. It is only through radical reform and negotiations that the country can potentially extricate itself from the jaws of a second Mussolini. It is essential for the global community to remember that silence in the face of oppression amounts to complicity. The future of Ethiopia—and indeed, the future of democracy in Africa—hinges on the actions taken today.
