A Fearless Provocateur Who Redefined Digital Discourse, Eyob Mihreteab Dies at 44

For many who know him online and offline, Eyob Mihreteab was an intellectual, if for others a provocateur. All would agree that he was a person whose ideas and words echoed with clarity and force. In a digital age where social media has blurred the lines between the public and the personal, Eyob carved a space for himself that was as distinctive as it was uncompromising.

He was a man of contradictions, sharp yet humble, haughty yet sincerely generous.

Born and raised in the Gola Michael neighbourhood of Addis Abeba, Eyob was deeply rooted in his Ethiopian heritage but had a cosmopolitan outlook that stretched beyond national boundaries. His family hailed from Eritrea, and his understanding of Ethiopian and Eritrean political evolution shaped his views on the region’s most pressing issues. After attending Ethiopia Ermija and Zerfeshwal elementary schools, he completed his secondary education at Bole Senior Secondary School.

Eyob’s formal sociology education at Addis Abeba University was a foundation upon which he built his career and intellectual pursuits. A lover of debate and keenly critical of Ethiopia's federal system — he snobbishly referred to it as "monkey federalism" — Eyob’s ideas were sometimes controversial but always grounded in his own analysis. His criticisms of federalism, feminism, and the many "isms" sparked intense debate. He was, however, resolute in his convictions, stubborn not to entertain what he would see as baseless arguments.

Eyob's rise to prominence began in the digital sphere, where he wielded social media as a platform for expression and a tool for creating networks. Facebook, in particular, became his digital turf, where he cultivated a circle of friends, allies, and peers. In an age where the internet fuelled superficial connections, Eyob’s approach was one of curation, selecting carefully those he admired, and reaching out to those he respected. His social media posts were notable for their depth and structure. He used symbols like ‘¤’ and ‘∞’ to partition and compartmentalise his thoughts, crafting a distinctive, arresting, and inquisitively rigorous style.

Fitsum Demissie was among his circle of friends. He described Eyob as "a trigger point for most." His bold opinions and fearless expressions of controversial views invited heated reactions, yet there was no mistaking his brilliance. His online presence mirrored his intellectual inclinations: direct, unflinching, and unapologetic. Using the "block" button on Facebook became a hallmark of his online persona as he was least interested in half-hearted debates. He made it clear that engagement on his terms or not at all was the rule of the day. He was selective about his conversations, often quoting George Orwell’s Animal Farm: "Some people are more equal than others."

Avidly reading contemporary works, Eyob admired Ethiopian authors like Adam Reta and Bewketu Seyoum for their contributions to literature. His published work, "Che Belew," a collection of reflections on metropolitan life, solidified his position in Amharic literary circles. Eyob had once remarked that if he ever wrote another book, it would be "a departure from my previous style." His idea for the new book was to research profoundly and return with a "different colour and writing style," reflecting his continuous evolution as a thinker and writer.

Eyob’s research-based approach to writing and debate was evident in every aspect of his work, whether it was a digital post, a public debate, or an offline conversation.

A long-time friend, Dechasa Angecha, had admired Eyob’s writing from afar before they met. Eyob reached out, advised and helped him create a digital archive of his writings, a project that proved successful. When they met in person at a book fair, Dechasa was impressed. Eyob stood among literary figures who had endured imprisonment and torture for their words. But, when the crowd's attention was drawn to Eyob for autographs and selfies, his disappointment was profound.

Eyob respected hierarchy.

Deep-seated respect for his ageing father, a man he loved and admired, tempered his outspoken nature. Fearing the potential impact of his words on his father, Eyob chose a more subtle approach on matters that concerned his hometown. He enlisted his long-time friend to engage in a public debate, using him as a proxy to voice his criticisms.

"It was our secret," Dechasa revealed.

Eyob had a unique admiration for the Shoan political legacy, constantly referring to it in his writing as a symbol of power, ambition, and wisdom. He believed the country’s political discourse were driven by a battle between these forces, rooted in history, hierarchy, and pride.

Eyob was a person of principles, unyielding in his beliefs, whether in his social media posts, personal relationships, or public engagements. According to his friend Gemechu Merera, although Eyob could be blunt and sometimes difficult to agree with, his arguments were never without substance.

"He hated receiving unsolicited adivice but strived to bring out the best in his friends," Gemechu said.

Eyob's willingness to confront unconventional ideas also made him an invaluable mentor and connector. One of his noteworthy legacies was his ability to bring people together, whether through his work or personal networks.

“He was a connector," said Gemechu. "He brought people and ideas together.”

Eyob was always looking for ways to leverage connections, whether for intellectual pursuit or professional advancement. His pragmatic approach to networking was evident in his final venture, "The One Percent Club of Addis Abeba." With a tag line inspired by his favourite series "Game of Thrones," the club sought to create a brotherhood that could leverage their collective power for business and mutual gain. When discussing the project, Fitsum recalled how Eyob had never seemed so energised.