He released political prisoners and took many women into his Cabinet, since Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed Ali in the office. With the changes, the expectations in the country are on the rise.
The hope is everywhere on the streets of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. A year the new Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed Ali is now in the office, and many celebrate him as a pop star. “He is a good man and bring us change,” says Jember Zeleke. “That’s why I call him a prophet.” Emberet Sete, added: “Due to Abiy, there are now a lot of happiness in our country”. And on the road, you could say that now, at last, his opinions freely, even about politics and politicians.
u-turn in Ethiopia
Abiy Ahmed – he is a u-turn in the Ethiopian politics. The country has been ruled for more than 25 years of the Revolutionary Democratic Front for Ethiopian peoples (EPRDF), a coalition of four parties. Human rights have been trampled by this coalition, often with feet. Also, Abiy Ahmed comes from this coalition. A year ago, he came to Power and surprised the entire African continent with its course of Reform.
The Ethiopian President Abiy Ahmed Aly stands for a u-turn, he has set the radical reforms.
radical reforms
The 42-Year-old made his peace with the arch-enemy Eritrea, and released political prisoners. He fought the corruption in the country, occupied the half of his Cabinet with women, and made an opposition to the Chairman of the electoral Commission. “He was an Insider. He was in the military. A member of the secret service. He was regarded as a safe choice. Nobody expected that he would carry out in the shortest amount of time, such radical reforms in such a strong and indomitable state,” says Rashid Abdi, the East Africa Director of the International Crisis Group. So much change is not like any in the country.
In one of his rallies an attack, last October, soldiers stormed his headquarters. The Premier made the pushups with them, was able to avert the coup attempt.
still economic and social problems
And not only, therefore, is yet to be decided for a long time, whether Ahmed will remain successful in the end. The young people in the country to look sceptical as to whether he can really deliver.
Maeze Mohamed is careful with your judgment. The young teacher was in the Opposition, was arrested at demonstrations against the old Regime again and again. “Now I don’t have to go on the road, not to demonstrate,” she says. The political Situation had changed, but there are still economic difficulties and social problems. The young people would not have enough work.
The teacher Maeze Mohmed is careful, there is still a lot of problems.
Although the economy of Ethiopia will grow this year by almost eight per cent., but many young people are urgently looking for a Job. The high pace of reform was too risky, says Abdi: “The Prime Minister has raised high expectations. And if You have millions of young people, and in them that hope, Wake up, and You don’t manage to deliver it, then You will create the problems.”
More than 80 ethnic groups
Added to that, Ethiopia is a very diverse country. More than 80 different ethnic groups live here. “As Abiy Ahmed came to Power, opened a sort of lid,” says Abdi. “All the ethnic tensions broke out in the open. They are not new, but now came to the surface.” Almost three million people had been displaced due to conflicts in the whole country.
Amina Yuya Hate belongs to the ethnic group Oromo. Ten months ago, your city was invaded in the East by Somali tribes. “Children were thrown into the river. They killed pregnant women. Many were beaten with sticks, where the nails were. The blood flowed in the streets like water,” she says. With your children you did it in a warehouse. The government has set up Quonset huts for you. 550 people live in the camp, you have only five toilets. The people have no work, the food is scarce.
Amina Yuya Hate belongs to the ethnic group Oromo, their city was attacked by Somali tribes.
Ahmed is the critical situation well aware of. A Million of internally Displaced persons will soon return home, he said at the end of last week. It is shameful that this happens in times of change.
living in poverty
Hate hopes that this is soon for you and your children. “I live in poverty, my children get a good education here. Shoes and clothes are missing. I can’t even buy soap. And this is not only my Problem, but I share it with all the Displaced people here,” she says. Slowly, the patience of Hate with your Prime Minister. But still she hopes that Ahmed can support you and all of Ethiopia in a stable democracy.
