The election of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (Ph.D.) has ushered in a strong tide of rapid change in the country. The sense of unity among people and the love for the motherland seem to have been revamped within the short time he has been in power. Ethiopians are very excited and optimistic about the future as they feel like they have a leader who can right all the wrong in the country.
Just a few months ago, the country was on the verge of disaster as there were unrests in various parts of the country. Over a million people have been internally displaced because of conflicts between different ethnic groups. Popular frustrations seemed to have overflowed as rent seeking and problems of good governance have kept going strong despite the ruling party identifying them as major challenges as far back as four years ago. The call for change was so loud and powerful that the ruling party had to make major amendments within itself to push for change.
After appearing as though EPRDF was between a rock and a hard place, it has once again won back the trust of the Ethiopian people by committing itself to change. The new EPRDF leadership has since then moved the country on the path to unity, solidarity, trust and hope. Its early measures have also proved to be very successful in achieving the required impact in such a short time.
It is this ability to turn things around and beat the odds that have always characterized EPRDF. The party managed to beat the largest army in Africa when it overthrew the Derge on May 28, 1991. It is still beating the odds twenty-seven years later. After taking considerable strides towards promoting unity in the nation, this year’s May 28 celebrations are held under the theme: “Greater National Consensus and Democratic Unity for greater national success.”
Looking back on the last twenty-seven years since EPRDF came to power, Ethiopians can see and live the tremendous achievements registered over that period. From the basics of peace and security to rapid economic development, there have been important milestones in life in Ethiopia.
The exponential growth of productivity in the agricultural sector within the specified time has equipped the country with a famine shield of an economy. Food self sufficiency has seen it’s brightest of days in the past decade. Subsistence farming is increasingly giving way to surplus farming as more and more farmers are gaining the economic clout to apply technological products and ensure increased surplus.
The availability of education at every door step throughout the country has also set human development and the economy’s demand for skilled manpower on a concrete foundation. The days when education used to be regarded as a privilege have been long gone in courtesy of the May 28 victory. Ethiopia has nearly ensured that no kid is deprived of education no matter which corner of the country they are born.
That fulfillment of the right to education is complemented by the vast health service throughout the country. The time required to get a person in need of medical treatment to health facility has been significantly slashed all over the country. Ethiopian mothers and children are nowadays much safer or less likely to die of health complications than they ever used to be. The life expectancy of Ethiopians has grown by a year for over a decade ensuring a longer life for Ethiopians.
The time it took for Ethiopians living in rural areas to get to tarmac roads or other types of all weather roads has been considerably slashed. Roads have become a feature of almost all rural kebeles – the smallest unit of local government in Ethiopia. The provision of social services to these kebeles has become easier than ever along with the expansion of the roads. Urban centers have also seen the level of road networks African cities seldom enjoy.
Other infrastructural developments in telecommunications, electricity, water supply and housing have all been expanded to reach out to people in all regional administrations of the country. Connectivity is no more seasonal even in the most remote parts of the country. Access to social services has also been more just and inclusive over the last quarter of a century.
There is also an unprecedented level of self-administration in the regions as state power is delegated to local governments in the pronouncedly inclusive federal system. The equality of nations, nationalities and peoples has become a reality Ethiopians live under.
After having enjoyed all these perks, it is only rational that Ethiopians mark May 28 in a special way – after all it is the victory that laid the ground for all the good that followed. It is worthwhile to commemorate those who have given their lives to the cause and be thankful of their sacrifices.
After having celebrated the May 28 victory over the Derge regime so colorfully, however, Ethiopians need to have a shared clear path on the set of activities needed to sustain and build on the achievements. The legacy of the struggle to topple the Derge has been so fruitful up until now but the challenge always appears more daunting in the unknown future. Ethiopians should, therefore, be more motivated and organized in their attempts to conquer the future.
With more of the problems that characterized the country until recently being tackled and the country gaining a more positive image in the international arena, motivation is in abundance for Ethiopians to push even further towards development. The grave challenges they have overcome are also constant reminders that the challenges they are going to face in their endeavors are just as concrete as they imagine them to be. Rising up in unison has proved to be a lasting remedy for these challenges. The experience they have gained in overcoming these challenges would also be crucial in ongoing and upcoming struggles.