Viewpoints | Aug 26,2023
Mar 23 , 2024
By Kidist Yidnekachew
Imagine the disappointment of ordering a sizzling steak and receiving a plate of lettuce. That is what I feel about the current state of affairs in Ethiopia. A chasm separates the government from the people it serves. Officials seem oblivious to the daily struggles of ordinary citizens who wrestle with fundamental needs – security, food, shelter, healthcare, and education. The harsh reality is that obtaining permits for mundane tasks feels like navigating a bureaucratic maze. Citizens should not face such hurdles for simple requirements.
The severity of the situation is undeniable. According to a 2023 UN report, nearly 70 million people in the country face inconsistent access to food, with over 25 million going hungry on some days. This raises serious ethical questions about resource allocation. Significant funds are poured into mega-projects while citizens face hunger pangs. It is troubling to witness the neglect of basic needs in favour of grandiose endeavours that do little to alleviate the immediate suffering of the population.
Lack of transparency and accountability manifests when criticism is silenced, dissent is labelled as opposition and crucial questions are met with misleading narratives. This erodes public trust and nurtures misinformation and manipulation. The suppression of artistic expression and the silencing of dissenting voices are worrying trends that demand attention.
Students who failed the grade 12 national exams highlight deeper systemic issues. The justice system also fails countless individuals. The government's relentless targeting of street vendors stands in stark contrast to the blind eye turned towards more serious criminal activity. It offers no solace to victims like Ayantu Mustafa, who endured a brutal acid attack by her husband. Women facing violence face a similar ordeal, often left without proper justice while their attackers receive minimal repercussions compared to minor offences.
This skewed approach fails to address the real threats to societal security. The glaring discrepancy underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of the system.
Governing a nation is undeniably complex. However, cooperation and support from its citizens are crucial for overcoming even the most daunting challenges. Rulers strive for longevity and stability. The proper way to achieve this, in my opinion, is to appease the people by providing them with what they want, at least the essentials. This strategy keeps the populace content and less likely to revolt.
However, stability is fragile and can be easily manipulated by external forces. Ultimately, what the public craves most is a foundation of security and the feeling of being cared for by their government.
Disillusionment, low morale, and a daily struggle for survival dominated the initial wave of hope and unity that swept the nation upon Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's promise of change. A responsive government should strive to understand the genuine needs and desires of its people to effectively serve them.
While reminders that the grass is greener on the other side might uplift morale, sometimes, all the public wants is for its leaders to accept the facts on the ground. The way forward demands an emphasis on basic problems and addressing them. Only then will the gap between rulers and ruled be bridged.
PUBLISHED ON
Mar 23,2024 [ VOL
24 , NO
1247]
Viewpoints | Aug 26,2023
Commentaries | Nov 27,2021
Editorial | Jan 01,2022
My Opinion | Oct 05,2024
Fortune News | Nov 18,2023
Fortune News | Jul 19,2025
Editorial | Oct 03,2020
Sponsored Contents | Oct 25,2021
Commentaries | Dec 17,2022
Viewpoints | Nov 16,2024
Photo Gallery | 174622 Views | May 06,2019
Photo Gallery | 164846 Views | Apr 26,2019
Photo Gallery | 155052 Views | Oct 06,2021
My Opinion | 136695 Views | Aug 14,2021
Editorial | Oct 11,2025
Dec 22 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Charged with transforming colossal state-owned enterprises into modern and competitiv...
Aug 18 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Although predictable Yonas Zerihun's job in the ride-hailing service is not immune to...
Jul 28 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Unhabitual, perhaps too many, Samuel Gebreyohannes, 38, used to occasionally enjoy a couple of beers at breakfast. However, he recently swit...
Jul 13 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Investors who rely on tractors, trucks, and field vehicles for commuting, transporting commodities, and f...
Oct 11 , 2025
Ladislas Farago, a roving Associated Press (AP) correspondent, arrived in Ethiopia in...
Oct 4 , 2025
Eyob Tekalegn (PhD) had been in the Governor's chair for only weeks when, on Septembe...
Sep 27 , 2025
Four years into an experiment with “shock therapy” in education, the national moo...
Sep 20 , 2025
Getachew Reda's return to the national stage was always going to stir attention. Once...
Oct 12 , 2025
Tomato prices in Addis Abeba have surged to unprecedented levels, with retail stands charging between 85 Br and 140 Br a kilo, nearly triple...
Oct 12 , 2025 . By BEZAWIT HULUAGER
A sweeping change in the vehicle licensing system has tilted the scales in favour of electric vehicle (EV...
A simmering dispute between the legal profession and the federal government is nearing a breaking point,...
Oct 12 , 2025 . By NAHOM AYELE
A violent storm that ripped through the flower belt of Bishoftu (Debreziet), 45Km east of the capital, in...
Loading your updates...