The root causes of social miseries in Ethiopia.

By Yaadasaa Dafaa

June 16, 2007 — For centuries different people had variates of understandings about the never ending cycles of poverty, violence, hunger and all sorts of miseries in the east African state, Ethiopia. Numerous historians may have their own versions of the account: be true, original, or fabricated to please a certain governing entity at a given time/era. As such Ethiopia was/is claimed to be one of the oldest Nations on the World. Correspondingly, the governing philosophy and the techniques of the movers and shakers of the public policy are also continuing to be practically out dated, backward, non inclusive, coercive, while categorically discouraging the human creativity/innovations. It can be described as one of the most primitive and exploitative type of administrations which appears to encourage looting of others belongings, perpetuating violence, and cycles of poverty and hunger with no end in sight.

Even if many scholars appear to agree on the issue that Ethiopia needs a fundamental change; the change that comes after an absolute evaluation of all its social fabrics, the educated class presumably who would like to present itself as an agent of a productive change for the whole community proved to be prescribing to the old traditions and handed down mechanisms and ways of interaction by the previous feudal governing fathers. As witnessed by most citizens of “Ethiopia”, the old generations’ philosophy, manners and means of interaction among the people necessitated a huge change. The people definitely and loudly asked for a change as opposed to just continuing on the old path and traditions of government which produced nothing except wars, hatreds, distractions, wide spread poverty and negative expectations among all the walking souls of the country.

Changes can be productive, non productive, or even threatening to a given group or constituency. But unless one takes a decisive action and steps out of the old comfort zones and try the new approach one will end up repeating the only way he/she knows how. That means one often repeats the cycles of the old generations’ outdated practices. If changes occur by a chance, such anti change individuals will defend the old system in a very narcissistic manners claiming that it is the only right way as it was handed down to them from the past generations clinging to the old ways of life. What a pathetic status to be in. But this much better be altered.

The educated classes need to carry out their historical responsibilities as opposed to dwell in the past. It is true that the beneficiary groups or individuals may find change to be it very uncomfortable and even threatening when one challenges the legitimacy of their oppressive system. The phrase “educated class” will continue to have no persuasive and positive effect on the lives of the people. Besides, the world will keep on advancing, leaving the non advancing old guards of the so-called educated class of Ethiopia far behind at every juncture of innovation. It is the dictations of the needs and the absolute reality that the educated elites of Ethiopia have to be creative, and come out of their old shells and see the world from different angles, which could be a real solution for the long over due miseries of people in Ethiopian empire.. Let one open his/her eyes and learn from other societies who were able to bridge a very wide and highly destructive animosities proved to be worst than what we have/had in Eastern part of Africa, colonial empire of Ethiopia.

Over all let me assure you one absolute fact. The old system of exploitation, degrading of others culture, language, looting people’s properties, and all exploitative means and manners in the country known as Ethiopia will no longer be tolerated . This includes, but not limited to facilitating appropriate and official apologies to the deserving Nations and Nationalities if we may think of positively co-existing in one country. Otherwise, there is no ground for discussion. Furthermore, it is imperative to understand that the Oromoo Nation and all the oppressed Nationalities of this age are no longer accepting the old colonial systems of co-existence any longer. Therefore the ball is in the yard of the educated class of Ethiopians. IE, take an active role in becoming a positive and fundamental change agent, or keep on adhering to the old traditional, destructive means and manners of the colonial Ethiopian persuasions, and face going down the history lane as the enablers, aiding and abiding by the old and out of date social contracts which proved to generate nothing, but non ending cycles of poverty…..and you know the rest. In case that you may disagree with my views, let’s see yours, please be my guest and bring it on.

* The author is an Ethiopian based in the USA. He can be reached at [email protected]