BOOKING THE CAMPAIGN

Oct 19 , 2019.

Thousands of enthusiastic fans, invited guests, government ministers and dignitaries filled up Millennium Hall on Africa Avenue in Addis Abeba on Saturday morning, October 19, 2019, for the launching of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's (PhD) book ‘Me'demer’ in Amharic and ‘Ida’amu’ in Afaan Oromo.

Thousands of enthusiastic fans, invited guests, government ministers and dignitaries filled up Millennium Hall on Africa Avenue in Addis Abeba on Saturday morning, October 19, 2019, for the launching of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's (PhD) book ‘Me'demer’ in Amharic and ‘Ida’amu’ in Afaan Oromo.

Is this also the unofficial launching of his election campaign?

The welcoming speech was given by Deputy Mayor Takele Uma who read excerpts from both books. Addis Abeba was awash with rumours that he was going to be replaced this week, and there was fierce push back from his supporters on social media. Whether that has resulted in him staying in place is not clear. But he was centre stage in the proceedings, sitting next to the Prime Minister, his spouse Zinash Tayachew and former President Mulatu Teshome (PhD).

Abiy in his speech explaining the central thesis of the book, the concept of positive-sum, called for scholars to read and not only criticise the book but also contribute by suggesting alternate ideas. He also revealed that he had published four books under a pen name before, making this his fifth book.

It has been an eventful time for the Prime Minister, with him winning the Nobel Peace Prize and international acclaim last week, but discord and recriminations followed at home this week. His move to form one political party out of the ruling coalition (EPRDF) that he leads has faced strong, vocal and unusually public resistance from one of the four coalition partners, the TPLF.

The concept of M'edemer, both the title and central theme of the book, is supposed to be about finding win-win solutions to problems and challenges. Perhaps the immediate acid test for the theory is coming up with such a solution that could bring the disgruntled TPLF into the fold.

PUBLISHED ON Oct 19,2019 [ VOL 20 , NO 1016]