Abiy Ahmed new strategic move to consolidate his power has recently attracted attention for controlling government-controlled institutions and media. The main issue of this drama is the so-called dialogue commission which gathered citizens in Addis Ababa and other major cities. This body has come to symbolize the excesses and failures of the Ahmadinejad administration, indicating a deep political, social and economic crisis that requires urgent and comprehensive solutions.
The dialogue commission, which was established to promote dialogue and achieve peace, deviated from its mission and followed the government’s path, worsening the crisis. Under the leadership of Abiy Ahmed, this commission has become a tool to convey the agenda instead of raising the concerns of the country. The commission’s citizens’ collectives have been criticized for not having a clear agenda and lack of stakeholder engagement, lack of genuine participation, and their role in perpetuating Ahmed’s authoritarian rule.
Ethiopia is currently grappling with complex challenges. Politically, the country has become polarized, and there has been a lot of disagreement between ethnic groups and regions. Socially, there is widespread discontent and mistrust of the government, which is exacerbated by human rights abuses and lack of transparency. Economically, the country is in dire financial straits, partly due to relentless military campaigns and spending by the North, which have depleted resources and destabilized the region.
Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC)
Truth and Reconciliation Commissions and Dialogue Commissions were created to stand on their own to solve the problems of the country that have been put into trouble by others. Those commissions were making decisions on their own, dealing with third parties, including foreign governments, international human rights organizations, and international organizations. Such discussion commissions should be fully engaged to investigate and propose solutions.
As has been repeatedly stated, the massive human rights abuses and destruction of property committed worldwide by the Italian Fascist Party and the German Nazi Party are pioneering international and domestic justice crimes. Argentina, Spain and Rwanda followed them. South Africa’s Tunisian commissions have resolved problems through law and reconciliation and brought stability to their communities.
The above view is very different from what is happening now in Ethiopia. The dialogue and reconciliation commissions listed above are independent and free from political influence. The dictatorial government established a dialogue commission in Ethiopia to achieve its ultimate goal. And the anger is not from the people, but from the one who kills the people. The oppressive system operating in this deadly and unjust system cannot be solved because the commission appointed to serve the interests of the government will not be resolved. It is still part of the problem.
The activities of the dialogue commission seem increasingly empty and ineffective in this context. Rather than providing a forum for genuine dialogue and reconciliation, the commission’s efforts stifled protests by legitimizing Ahmed’s authority. This misuse of government resources has exacerbated the crisis and diverted attention and funds from urgent needs such as humanitarian aid and economic development.
If the commission was independent, it could be decisive in putting its agenda ahead of Abiy Ahmed’s political games. Instead of organizing meetings of people in different communities without any purpose, the commission should focus on solving the pressing issue of the country, namely the war being waged by the government. Instead of engaging in meaningless discussions, the commission should seek solutions to promote peace and end conflicts. Doing so will help channel the country’s resources towards recovery and conflict, rather than perpetuating isolation and division.
To address these multifaceted challenges, Ethiopia needs a comprehensive and holistic approach. The dialogue commission should shift its focus from supporting the Ahmed administration to facilitating a broader national dialogue on the future of the country. This includes allowing for a change in leadership and establishing a new governmental system that prioritizes peace, stability and the well-being of citizens.
A critical framework for breaking the cycle of conflict and abuse of power requires a transition guided by the principles of inclusiveness, transparency and accountability so that all voices are heard and respected.
Ethiopia can get rid of its current problems and move to the path of sustainable peace and development only in this way of change.
Military operations in northern Ethiopia
While Abiy Ahmed’s demonstrations of power and unity were seen in public forums, a more terrible drama was being played out in the northern regions of Ethiopia. The Ethiopian army under the command of Ahmed was still conducting a barbaric campaign against the Amhara people. This military campaign, characterized by ruthless efficiency and disregard for human rights, has left behind a lot of destruction.
The army not only caused instability in the region but also brought Ethiopia’s wealth to the point of collapse. The continuous deployment of military force not only destroys the local economy, but also depletes the national treasury and helps to solve the pressing problems of the people. This relentless pursuit of military supremacy appears to have been driven more by Ahmad’s desire to maintain his grip on power than any genuine concern for national security or unity.
The world will testify that Abiy Ahmed’s army did not achieve its goal of exterminating the Amhara people and won a complete victory over them. After the convoy entered the Amara region, it still did not achieve Ahmed’s objective. Instead, the top army deployed, with 80% of its forces concentrated on Gojam, is facing inevitable defeat. Despite the government’s efforts, the situation has reached a point where Ahmed’s regime is in a state of decline, leading to inevitable losses and eventual collapse.
The role of ENDC
The Dialogue Commission, a recent addition to Abiy Ahmed’s political activities, has raised concerns about his independence and effectiveness. This commission, which was established to facilitate dialogue and achieve peace, has become a means of strengthening Ahmed’s political discourse and confirming his power measures. His alignment with the government’s agenda raises questions about his ability to act as an independent mediator and resolve the country’s political challenges.
The commission has been widely criticized for draining the country’s finances. The money allocated for the many meetings and consultations could be better used to address the pressing needs of the people. Instead, these meetings served as little more than a platform for pro-government propaganda and failed to address the underlying issues that are still fueling the conflict. The huge expenditure from the national budget for these meetings is in stark contrast to the dire economic situation of many Ethiopians, where the misallocation of resources only exacerbates public grievances.
The ongoing war in the Amhara region shows that the government is unable to take meaningful steps to implement the dialogue commission and stop the oppression of the people. If the commission had been an independent and effective body, it would have given priority to fighting conflicts and promoting peace. However, the government’s failure to intervene against military violence against civilians is a source of great anger and resentment. This failure to act is further eroding public trust by showing it to be a tool of the government rather than a true mediator.
Moreover, the commission’s action or lack thereof is not to alleviate the suffering in the Amhara region and the entire country. Instead, the government is focused on going from town to town and gathering communities for no reason to carry out propaganda activities with the sole purpose of fending off its soon-to-be-acquired critics. If the country is going to get out of trouble, the Commission must oppose the war in loud and clear statements. The commission was supposed to stop the illegal war by exposing the activities of the National Defense Force which was waging war against its own people.
The military campaign, with its ruthless efficiency and indifference to human rights, is destabilizing the region and eroding Ethiopia’s resources to the breaking point. The constant deployment of military forces has devastated the local economy and depleted the national treasury, diverting funds that could be used for essential services in the community. This relentless pursuit of military supremacy seems to be driven more by the nation-centered Oromo nationalists who wish to maintain their power than any real concern for national security or unity.
The world will testify that Abiy Ahmed’s army did not achieve its goal of exterminating the Amhara people and won a complete victory over them. This failure is more evident when the army convoy enters the Amara region and still needs to reach the goal of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Instead, the top army deployed, with 80% of its forces concentrated on Gojam, is facing inevitable defeat. Despite the government’s efforts, the situation has reached a point where it is seen as a major failure of Ahmed’s regime.
