staThe propensity of the ruling Prosperity Party (PP) to bask in its “achievements” was at full display during its recently held second congress. Akin to its predecessors, the party asserted Ethiopia had shown remarkable progress during its tenure in the political, economic, social and diplomatic spheres, emphasizing the nation had grown in leaps and bounds despite the multitude of hurdles it faced along the way. It proudly claimed it had developed the institutional capacity required to successfully accomplish its future agenda— promoting ideological and historical cohesion, institutional building for nation-building, and attaining economic sovereignty to create a vibrant and competitive economy, positioning Ethiopia as a beacon of prosperity in Africa and enhancing its global competitiveness.
Ethiopia stands at a critical juncture in its modern journey. As the ruling Prosperity Party presents itself as the custodian of progress and stability, it is of the essence that both the party and the nation go beyond self-congratulatory narratives and tackle the pressing challenges that continue to loom large. The Prosperity Party, which was established on December 2019 as a successor to the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD), came into being with promises of reform, unity and prosperity. To its credit, the administration of the premier initially embarked on a series of initiatives aimed at transforming Ethiopia’s political and economic landscape. There were efforts towards broadening the democratic space, liberalizing the economy and mending international relations. Yet, to declare these steps as unequivocal achievements would be premature and overly optimistic.
The Prosperity Party is particularly fond of various reforms that it says are aimed at improving governance. However, beneath this veneer of progress lies a harsh reality characterized by deep-rooted issues that continue to plague the nation. On the political front Ethiopia has been in the throes of intractable challenges under PP’s watch. The modicum of democratic gains witnessed soon after Prime Minister Abiy came to power did not take long to shudder to a halt. The prevalence of such egregious human rights violations as arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial killings, and restrictions on freedoms of expression, assembly, and the press has made life an ordeal for countless citizens. To make matters the country has been mired in a seemingly endless cycle of clashes between the government and various insurgencies in different parts of the country, resulting in the death, injury and abduction of an unknown number of innocent civilians, the destruction of properties as well as the disruption of basic services. The egregious atrocities perpetrated by all sides to the raging conflicts have created a volatile environment that threatened national stability.
The party also does not tire of touting economic growth figures and infrastructure development projects to justify its governance record. For the vast majorities of Ethiopians though the stark realities tell a different story. Fueled by a combination of external factors but predominantly domestic issues, the skyrocketing inflation has rendered basic goods and services unaffordable for the majority poor Ethiopians. Unfortunately, the measures taken to alleviate the burden induced by the inexorable rise in the cost of living have largely not only failed to stabilize or reduce the prices of basic necessities, but in some instances given rise to unintended adverse effects, exacerbating the debilitating economic hardship many are living under. On the other hand, unemployment rates remain alarmingly high, particularly among youth, who represent a significant demographic in Ethiopia’s population. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, compounded by global economic uncertainties and natural calamities, have further strained the economy.
PP would do well to confront these pressing challenges head-on in the realization that focusing solely on self-commendation only amounts to ignoring the elephant in the room. When government officials engage in congratulatory rhetoric, they risk trivializing the struggles of Ethiopians who face dire circumstances daily. This disconnect between the ruling party’s narrative and the lived experiences of its citizens can breed discontent and deepen the divide between the government and the people. As a party controlling all the levers of power, it has the challenging yet critical task of steering Ethiopia towards a future in which its failings do not rear their heads again. This calls for a departure from inward-looking celebrations of success towards an outward-reaching commitment to solving entrenched national issues. Thus, it is incumbent on it to abandon its ingrained habit of bandying self- congratulatory narratives or empty platitudes and dedicate itself to this crucial mission of resolving persistent challenges. It is only through such dedicated and consistent efforts that Ethiopians’ aspiration to live a life of peace and prosperity will become a reality, not a mere rhetoric.
