Fineline | Jan 05,2019
Meles Zenawi’s administration has overseen the expansion of the infrastructure, improved access to education and health and increased the size of the economy to where it is today. Perhaps, he may still re-emerge and find his place among the popularly arrayed portraits that are on parade in the public spaces now. That is the judgement of history.
The joy of receiving adulations and even a hint of narcissism by itself is not a fatal flaw for a leader. Captains of industries use these qualities to great advantage as did Emperor Haile Selassie who displayed and used them with a particular finesse.
Emperor Haile Selassie was successful and fruitful as a leader and transformed Ethiopia by establishing electrical grids, the modern criminal code and prison facilities, printing presses, hospitals and schools as well as introducing the first constitution.
Meles had a turn but it is Abiy’s chance today to transform Ethiopia. He has the support and trust of the people, and he has the humility and chutzpah to be a great leader. Now at the helm, cheered and spurred on by his people, Abiy must steer this unsteady ship to a safe harbour. Abiy should trade carefully, though, for Ethiopia is a fickle lover that has thrown many a good captain overboard.
“We should not moor a ship with one anchor, or our life with one hope,” warn the Greek philosopher Epictetus. But we still pin our prospects on hope, the only gift of the gods that stayed in the human form and did not dissipate by escaping from Pandora’s Jar.
PUBLISHED ON
Jan 05,2019 [ VOL
19 , NO
975]
