Mekelle፡24 May 2024 (Tigray Herald)
By Muktar Ismail
Ethiopia’s Path to Stability: Addressing the Root Causes of Crisis
Ethiopia is a complex nation-state with a rich history, but also deep-seated tensions and competing narratives. The country’s federal system has been a source of contention, with different groups vying for power and autonomy. This has led to ongoing instability and multiple crises, including the conflicts in Tigray, Oromo, and Amhara.
The lack of a solid foundation of democratic practice and institutions exacerbates the situation. Ethiopia’s fragile state index scores are worsening, with poor results in social cohesion, fractured elites, and state legitimacy.
To address these challenges, there is no quick fix or panacea. Instead, a comprehensive approach is needed to address the deep-rooted structural issues, including fractured elites, social polarization, and a lack of trust between different ethnic groups and between the population and state institutions.
Key Challenges
1. Federal Governance Disputes: Ongoing disputes over power and resource sharing between the central government and regional states hinder progress.
2. Lack of Democratic Practice: The absence of a credible institutions that can maintain law and order, conduct free and fair elections, promote peaceful resolution of conflicts, and restore public trust in government has hindered democratic progress,
3. Fragility Symptoms: Ethiopia’s deep-seated fragility symptoms include deeply fractured elites, worsening social polarization, questionable leadership styles, and pervasive lack of trust between groups and between the population and state institutions.
Proposed Solutions
1. Dialogue and Reconciliation: Establish a credible national dialogue process to address competing visions and narratives and implement a transitional justice and reconciliation process to end impunity and promote accountability.
2. Institutional Development: Support the development of credible institutions that can enforce law and order, ensure accountability, and promote democratization.
3. Federal Governance Reform: Implement a comprehensive reform of the federal system to address power and resource sharing disputes, define federal and state roles, and balance autonomy with unity.
4. Addressing Fragility Symptoms: Implement measures to address social polarization, economic inequality, and promote inclusive leadership, social cohesion, and economic development.
5. Regional Contextualization: Develop region-specific solutions to address unique challenges and concerns in each region.
Key Principles
1. Inclusivity: Ensure equal participation and representation of all groups in governance and decision-making processes.
2. Accountability: Hold institutions and individuals accountable for their actions and decisions.
3. Transparency: Promote transparency in decision-making processes and institutional operations.
4. Empowerment: Empower local communities and regions to take ownership of their development and governance.
