Viewpoints | Aug 05,2023
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 05,2023
Agenda | Dec 05,2020
Viewpoints | Jan 04,2020
Radar |
Featured | Sep 18,2021
Commentaries | Jan 03,2021
Viewpoints | Jan 14,2023
Editorial | Jun 20,2020
Verbatim | Feb 10,2024
Fortune News | Jun 10,2023
Photo Gallery | 96885 Views | May 06,2019
Photo Gallery | 89102 Views | Apr 26,2019
My Opinion | 67214 Views | Aug 14,2021
Commentaries | 65776 Views | Oct 02,2021
Feb 24 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
Abel Yeshitila, a real estate developer with a 12-year track record, finds himself unable to sell homes in his latest venture. Despite slash...
Feb 10 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
In his last week's address to Parliament, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) painted a picture of an economy...
Jan 7 , 2024
In the realm of international finance and diplomacy, few cities hold the distinction that Addis Abeba doe...
Sep 30 , 2023 . By AKSAH ITALO
On a chilly morning outside Ke'Geberew Market, Yeshi Chane, a 35-year-old mother cradling her seven-month-old baby, stands amidst the throng...
Apr 20 , 2024
In a departure from its traditionally opaque practices, the National Bank of Ethiopia...
Apr 13 , 2024
In the hushed corridors of the legislative house on Lorenzo Te'azaz Road (Arat Kilo)...
Apr 6 , 2024
In a rather unsettling turn of events, the state-owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (C...
Mar 30 , 2024
Ethiopian authorities find themselves at a crossroads in the shadow of a global econo...
Apr 20 , 2024
Ethiopia's economic reform negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are in their fourth round, taking place in Washington, D...
Apr 20 , 2024 . By BERSABEH GEBRE
An undercurrent of controversy surrounds the appointment of founding members of Amhara Bank after regulat...
An ambitious cooperative housing initiative designed to provide thousands with affordable homes is mired...
Apr 20 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Ethiopia's juice manufacturers confront formidable economic challenges following the reclassification of...
Loading your updates...