May 28th - the day that launched Ethiopia’s Renaissance

(MoFA, May 28, 2011)- the day that launched Ethiopia’s Renaissance Twenty years ago, EPRDF forces finally entered Addis Ababa to much fanfare and expectation, victorious in the long-drawn out and bloody civil war that had engulfed the country for so long. It was a momentous day for people who had suffered for nearly two decades at the hands of a ruthless tyrant and whose lives had been shattered by the regime’s misguided policies. The sense of jubilation and the sighs of relief at the demise of the dictatorship were palpable. There had been no love lost between the military junta and the peoples of Ethiopia who had had to endure so much. At the same time many had a sense of apprehension as to what might lie ahead for the state and peoples of Ethiopia. The country was standing once again at a crossroads, at a point which would have far-reaching existential significance for the years to come.

This was no surprise to close observers of political, economic and historical developments in the country. It was clear by the demise of the Derg that the long-standing political formula of rulers maintaining the Ethiopian state in its traditional form had reached a cul-de-sac. The injustices that had been inflicted on the nations and nationalities of Ethiopia for so long had reached a point where the nation was about to break apart. Under the façade of euphoria at the long-overdue fall of the Derg seethed an intense sense of alienation from the Ethiopian body politic among a score of armed movements representing as many ethnic groups which had been at the receiving end of the injustices perpetrated over decades by the rulers of the state. To add to the dilemma some of these movements were of separatist persuasion.

It was a daunting task to think of bringing even a modicum of stability to a country where hundreds of thousands of armed personnel of the previous regime still roamed. The EPRDF, however, had from the outset two very clear ideas: one was that the concept of Ethiopian-ness, however distressed it might look in 1991, was a notion worth salvaging; the peoples of Ethiopia deserved to live in harmony and in equality within a democratic Ethiopia. Secondly, it was equally clear, after more than a century of failed experiments at centralization, heavy-handed campaigns and mindless assimilation that the state must be re-formulated and rebuilt, and the EPRDF was adamant that this could only be done on the basis of a pluralist society that respected the diversity of its constituent parts.

The subsequent steps and the policies and institutions that have been put in place show clearly the extent to which these two factors have driven the political and economic transformation set in motion on May 28th, 1991. The nation and the peoples of Ethiopia have come a long way since those days. It’s been a rugged, at times a frightening ride, but it has also been crowned with success after success in a range of areas, politically, economically and socially.

When Ethiopia embarked on the process of democratization it was in the firm conviction that this was the only path to provide for the survival of the Ethiopian state and achieve the betterment of peoples’ lives. It was undertaken not because of the preaching of the developed world but because of the Government’s commitment to the fundamental principles of democracy and its understanding that this was the only way to extricate people from the trap of poverty and attendant violence. In addition to giving full credit to the universal values of political freedom, equality and social liberty, the Government has been equally vigorous in investing in the promotion of social justice and good governance without which these freedoms would mean little. There has been considerable progress in putting in place institutional mechanisms to anchor the process on a firm basis. Democratization has come a long way in ensuring the participation of the peoples of Ethiopia at all levels of self-governance. Ethiopians of all walks of life and at all levels participate in the formulation and implementation of the policies that impact on their lives.

Much has been achieved through the Government’s pro-poor policies. Road development has provided access all across the country for previously unavailable healthcare and education. Millions of Ethiopians today are in school; enrollment in tertiary education has increased by staggering rates. Millions of peasants have earned much improved incomes, and the number of people who have already graduated out of poverty is nothing short of astounding. It has instilled a sense of conviction among millions that poverty is in fact beatable and that Ethiopia has turned a corner in many ways. As one of the fastest growing economies in Africa, it is one of a select few countries slated to meet most, if not all, of the Millennium Development Goals. It is quite clear that Ethiopia is on the right trajectory to unshackle itself once and for all from the abject poverty with which it has been synonymous for far too long.

Ethiopia’s standing in international relations is another area that has seen marked improvement over the last two decades. The identification of poverty and bad governance, rather than neighbors, as the enemy to be fought, and the focus on domestic challenges to reduce external vulnerability, has meant that the bulk of the nation’s resources could be spent on areas that need repair not just on unnecessary defense capabilities. Ethiopia has been able to neutralize successfully whatever threats that have come from various areas thanks to the reorientation of its priorities into the campaign against poverty. With a growing role in regional peace and stability, its diplomatic stature in the international community has taken on an increased significance. This is contributing to the efforts to improve the country’s previously negative image.

The policies to improve political governance and achieve sustainable development have also created a favorable atmosphere for a much more solid and firm sense of Ethiopian nationalism. Today more than ever, Ethiopians of all persuasions are united in the cause of the nation and its efforts in all areas of political and economic development. An economically better-off and politically freer Ethiopia has proved a much more dependable ally for peace in the region as well as better placed to protect the interest and aspirations of its citizens. It has provided a much clearer idea of where citizens want to go and of what they owe to their country. The factors that informed the choices made after May 28th have come a long way in bringing about a sense of unity among citizens and genuine dedication to the country, very different from anything the nation has witnessed in several thousand years.

The embodiment of the monumental achievement from the choices that May 28th made possible is the Grand Renaissance Dam. The Dam encapsulates the major achievements that Ethiopia has made over the last two decades, showcasing the prospect of a brighter future that the renaissance will usher in. The Grand Renaissance Dam is a testament to the unflinching commitment of the government and peoples of Ethiopia to build a solid foundation for national unity; it symbolizes the solemn promise made on May 28th to do just that. While recognizing the enormity of the challenge and the effort it will take to accomplish, the decision of the Government of Ethiopia to go ahead with a project, dreamt of for centuries, was a very clear signal that a proud nation and its peoples were once again poised to take their rightful place in the world whatever it might take. The amount of enthusiasm it has generated is a testament to the enduring legacy this monumental project will have in strengthening the bonds that tie all Ethiopians together. No other development in living memory has galvanized Ethiopians to such an incredible degree.

The decision that the dam will be built with domestic capacity is made on the basis of a clear understanding of realpolitik, but it is also a very clear signal that nothing can turn the clock back on Ethiopia’s path to its Renaissance. Ethiopia is now in a position to declare to the world that it can make it on its own in the face of any adverse campaigns. This testifies to the great economic gains made and the capacity built up over the years. The economic growth registered so far has gone a long way to dispel some people’s illusions that Ethiopia would remain forever mired in poverty. Politically, it is gratifying to realize that the far-reaching structural changes introduced over the last two decades have been pivotal in achieving the kind of economic capacity that has enabled the government and peoples of Ethiopia to take up this hitherto insurmountable task of realizing the dream of generations. Public participation at all levels of governance has certainly contributed.

Equally, the possibility of the Renaissance Dam is as much the result of sensible foreign policies. The Government has consistently pursued constructive engagement and mutual respect and interest as the guiding principles of foreign relations. It has demonstrated consistently that it is not in the business of harming others or standing in their way. Its active participation in the decade long negotiations to address the trans-boundary resource of the use of Nile waters in an equitable and reasonable manner has underlined the point. The indications of cooperation now coming from lower riparian countries were unimaginable during the previously confrontational approach adopted by previous Ethiopian governments towards Egypt or Sudan.

It is no exaggeration to say all this was made possible in the context of the changes that followed the downfall of the Derg on May 28th, 1991. The choices made since then have led to significant strides in many areas. They have enabled the peoples of Ethiopia take up challenges that seemed insurmountable. Now, however, poverty has been proved to be far from invincible, indeed its defeat is round the corner. Results have been achieved cementing the unity of Ethiopians in a manner that no supposed policies of assimilation could have ever have brought about. With the launching of the Grand Renaissance Dam, May 28th has turned another significant page in the chapter of Ethiopia’s Renaissance and development.