Let’s Talk Leadership: Abiy Ahmed
The 2019 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Abiy Ahmed, exemplifies the importance of strong African Leadership
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s win of the Nobel Prize is the embodiment of a recognition ordinary Africans wish to give him but can’t. His short term in office has completely changed Ethiopia and the region by simply being a better leader. He received the Nobel Peace Prize chiefly because:
- He has fast-tracked a border Treaty with neighboring Eritrea and brought a decades-long conflict between the two nations to an end.
- He has been a key figure in the mediation between Sudan and South Sudan.
- Along with bringing Kenya and Somalia close to a resolution over a longstanding marine area dispute.
“The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2019 to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighboring Eritrea. The prize is also meant to recognize all the stakeholders working for peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia and in the East and Northeast African regions.” Nobel Committee statement
Africa is littered with despotic dictators who all create boogie men so as to convince the population that they are better off with strongmen. Ethiopia was no different, in fact, one of its many boogie men was its neighbor Eritrea. Eritrea is a nation that broke off from the larger Ethiopia to gain its independence center after a 30-year war. In a Shakespearean twist, both nations ended up with dictators who created boogiemen of the opposing nation. This didn’t have to happen, Eritreans and Ethiopians are the same people. They share the same languages, cultures and real family bonds.
There is an economic, social, mental and spiritual toll on a people when it’s leadership is lacking. Ethiopia has suffered unnecessarily under successive oppressive governments. The anemic economic growth meant that there was a lack of jobs, corruption stole opportunities from the population, dependence on military might starved social projects of funds and a disregard for human rights destroyed the nation’s soul.
Abiy Ahmed’s presidency came at a difficult time for Ethiopia, but shortly after taking office from Hailemariam Desalegn in April 2018 he went into reform drive. His policies and beliefs are centered around bringing Ethiopians together for a better future. This was critical at a time that the nation was in the midst of economic hardships and ethnic tensions.
Unlike with previous leaders, his rhetoric came out as genuine and he backed it up with real reforms. He has freed political prisoners, filled powerful positions with women, encouraged press freedom and even let a well-known political dissident Birtukan Mideksa become the head of the electoral board. Ethiopia is also liberalizing its economy and is poised to be an interesting business environment over the coming years.
With all leadership, there is apparent opposition
His reforms haven’t gone unchallenged, PM Abiy Ahmed had a grenade thrown at him during an appearance in the capital, he was unharmed. The status quo is never easy to change but PM Abiy Ahmed has remained resolute in changing Ethiopia for the better.
Despite his achievements, PM Abiy Ahmed has been criticized for the displacement of people along with the lack of progress on security and high unemployment. These issues are real and must be dealt with, but they have become what a lot of political opportunists are using against him to gain popularity. Ethiopia is slated to have its first truly free and fair elections in 2020, and these issues could be the PM’s stumbling blocks.
“However, many challenges remain unresolved. Ethnic strife continues to escalate, and we have seen troubling examples of this in recent weeks and months. No doubt some people will think this year’s prize is being awarded too early. The Norwegian Nobel Committee believes it is now that Abiy Ahmed’s efforts deserve recognition and need encouragement.” Nobel Committee statement.
Our leadership profile series has focused on the transcending personalities rerouting African history. At BBM Publishing House we pride ourselves in delivering content that educates and informs the reader about global initiatives and movements poise to change the way the world perceives African relations. We highlight events without bias and believe we can help foster a new profound narrative of the global African.
Written by: Sipho Sebele
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