Wind of change blows fresh air across Ethiopia and Eritrea

Events unfolding in Ethiopia and Eritrea are not only good for the Horn of Africa and the African Union, but also proof that regular change of leadership and governments is good for all countries.

Who would have thought a few months ago that an Ethiopian prime minister would visit Eritrea and be received enthusiastically like the biblical prodigal son?

Who would have imagined that a return visit to Ethiopia on July 14 by the autocratic and recluse president Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea would generate jubilation and bring Addis Ababa to a standstill?

This was the first time for the Eritrean president to visit Ethiopia in 22 years! He was overwhelmed by the warm reception and hospitality accorded to him. One hopes that some brutal, callous and uncouth African dictators will learn lessons from the thaw in hitherto frosty relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Addis Ababa, which in Amharic means “new flower”, has a new prime minister, Dr Abiy Ahmed, who like the proverbial new broom is sweeping Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa clean.

On July 16, Eritrea reopened its embassy in Addis Ababa and two days later on July 18, Ethiopian Airlines resumed regular flights to Asmara after a break of 20 years.

A keen of observer of the political situation in the Great Lakes region told me that he wishes some young and dynamic leaders with ideas could emerge in our neck of the woods to emulate Dr Ahmed, before things fall apart.
At a personal level, I welcome the positive and encouraging developments taking place in the Horn of Africa. My first assignment abroad as a diplomat was at the embassy of Uganda, Addis Ababa.

I have since 1971 followed, with keen interest, political developments in the two sister countries. I wish the governments and peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea a peaceful and prosperous future.

Some lessons leant
I was the second Ugandan diplomat to be posted to Uganda’s embassy to Ethiopia and served diligently from 1971-1973. The first, also acting head of mission, was Mr William Matovu. Ethiopia of that time was led by Emperor Haile Selassie whose many titles included, “King of kings, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Elect of God,” not unlike some contemporary African dictators.

Ordinary Ethiopians of the 1970s had a lot in common with contemporary Ugandans.

They were docile, meek and would absorb every insult hurled at them by an arrogant ruling clique whose members were extravagant and lived in luxury while wananchi lived in abject poverty.

The contrast between the rulers and their subjects was stark and coupled with exploitation, humiliation and oppression of the masses by a callous ruling class, the stage was set for a revolution which took place in 1974.

The revolution was led by Col Mengistu Haile Mariam and ended Haile Selassie’s imperial rule. Mengistu, who was a Marxist, started well, but soon degenerated into a ruthless, bloodthirsty and vicious tyrant. He is sadly remembered as one of the worst African dictators of the 20th Century and is hiding somewhere in Zimbabwe.

I met Col Mengistu in the 1970s during a UN General Assembly session in New York. I was First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Uganda to the UN. Small in stature, Mengistu was a mean-looking fellow who knew English, but always spoke in Amharic which was translated into English.

If there is one lesson to learn from Ethiopia, it’s that African leaders must not take wananchi for granted and think a seemingly docile and timid population will forever tolerate exploitation, oppression and constant provocation and continue to meekly obey orders from above. Make no mistake, there is a limit to what wananchi will take and put up with.

Another lesson is that change is good, healthy and inevitable. For any country to be stuck with a mediocre, unpatriotic and self-seeking leader for 10, 20, 30 or more years is an abomination. It’s unacceptable. In my opinion, Burundi, DR Congo, Uganda and South Sudan deserve better. Africa Oyee!

Mr Acemah is a political scientist and retired career diplomat.
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