The question of democracy in Ethiopia
Democracy Promotion
by <
http://foreignpolicyblogs.com/author/scottbleiweis/> Scott Bleiweis |
on August 12th, 2012
Ethiopia, the second-most populous country on the African continent (behind
only Nigeria), is looked to as a relatively strong and stable presence in a
volatile region. Its cooperation is vital to security concerns in the
region, especially as a barrier to the spread of radical Islamism and
terrorism from neighboring Somalia. The
<
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/12/opinion/abetting-repression-in-ethiopia.h
tml?_r=1&ref=ethiopia> US has collaborated directly with Ethiopians on
combat missions into Somalia.
Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has been relied on as a regional
power-broker and calming influence. The Financial Times labeled
<
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/c45e4b88-e216-11e1-8e9d-00144feab49a.html#ax
zz23HMiW2sm> Zenawi "one of east Africa's diplomatic and security
linchpins," and consider that his "vision and diplomacy" have kept the area
from becoming completely unhinged.
Under Zenawi's leadership Ethiopia has attracted significant foreign aid,
receiving more than any other African country. In 2011 US AID provided an
astounding $675 million in contributions; Tobias Hagmann of the University
of California-Berkeley identified Ethiopia as "a darling of the donor
community," a view based on "the
<
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/12/opinion/abetting-repression-in-ethiopia.h
tml?_r=1&ref=ethiopia> portrayal of Ethiopia as a strong and stable
government in a region riddled with political upheaval."
Ethiopia is also considered a federal democracy; unfortunately it seems
democracy exists there in name only. Hagmann says in reality Ethiopia is a
"highly centralized one-party state," where those in power tightly control
all public institutions throughout the country. Critics of the regime say
that Zenawi has acquired a near-exclusive hold on power and the regime
cracks down harshly on opposition.
A power struggle may be developing as well. Zenawi has been persona non
grata over the past 2 months, having not made any public appearances since
June (unusual for the highly prominent and oft-visible leader). While
government officials claim he is recovering from an illness,
<
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/c45e4b88-e216-11e1-8e9d-00144feab49a.html#ax
zz23HMiW2sm> Zenawi's disappearance has set off "a covert succession
struggle that threatens to fracture the regime and expose ethnic
faultlines."
Yet aid dollars keep pouring in as if nothing is wrong. While the United
States tries to encourage openness and fairness in government and respect
for citizen rights, in this case it continues to provide aid in spite of
stark evidence that Ethiopian society is anything but open. A succession
struggle must be alarming to Western governments who have come to rely on
Zenawi as an ally in the fight against terrorism. Perhaps the US and others
feel that as authoritarian as he may be, whoever comes next may not be so
cooperative (in other words, it's preferable to work with the devil you
know).
The US has a long history (unfortunately) of speaking eloquently about
democracy while supporting leaders who claim to be democratic, but do not
practice what they preach. Ethiopia may be another example. Developed
nations-aid providers-should be more critical here. A strong Ethiopia is
certainly integral to the region's stability, but this should not be
accomplished at the expense of political freedoms and human rights.
Security and democracy don't have to be mutually exclusive- you shouldn't
have to ignore one to get the other.
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Received on Sun Aug 12 2012 - 05:21:54 EDT
