In an opinion piece in this publication headlined, “PM Abiy Should Look at Economic Problems as Well,” it is suggested that the Prime Minister’s administration needs to focus on transitioning the economy to ensure social stability by creating jobs and reducing inflation.

It further suggests economic inclusion and growth are essential for political freedom to be meaningful, arguing that the ongoing political transition needs to be accompanied by reactivating the increased engagement of the private sector.

The ideas the opinion piece spells out could be pertinent in a stable political situation. However, despite being one of the fastest-growing economies, the weak state of the country’s macroeconomy, inflation currently exceeding a single-digit figure, a rising debt burden, a shortage of foreign currency and declining export revenue, high unemployment and underemployment pose considerable challenges.

However, the idea that these problems deserve the attention that is anywhere on par with the political challenges of Ethiopia is hard to justify. Putting the economy at the forefront of the country’s agenda before addressing existing and emerging peace, security and stability issues is the reverse of what Ethiopia needs at this juncture.

Given a weakened fragile state of law and order, anarchism, unrest, insecurity, instability and the displacement of millions of Ethiopians, boosting the ailing economy primarily requires social stability. This means clearly identifying and prioritising political, economic and social problems and sequencing the implementation of appropriate solutions.

This is not to say economic growth should be stalled. But peace, security and stability are prerequisites for economic growth. As we have witnessed over the past few years, social unrest negatively impacts growth, the flow of direct foreign investment (FDI), tourism and exports. In this regard, we need to promote the importance of prioritising and sequencing the execution of the change agenda as citizens of a troubled but hopeful country.

Highlighting the importance of peace, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) believes “the existence of peace, security, stability and good governance is a prerequisite to achieve sustainable economic development.”

This indicates that the ultimate goal of economic growth is to achieve human development, which requires social stability.