Call for National Unity Government in Ethiopia

SAN FRANCISCO - May 19, 2020 - PRLog -- Ethiopia is currently facing a multitude of problems on a scale that we have never seen before. To say that such problems only come about once in a few centuries would not be an exaggeration. In the last five decades, the country has gone from one crisis to another. The current predicament is perhaps the most challenging one and has many observers worried about whether it can overcome it. We believe many Ethiopians are now recognizing this, and they are terrified.

The current government came with a lot of promise initially, preaching forgiveness, love, and unity (Medemer). However, two years later, it has become clear that it is anything but forgiveness, love, and unity. Ethnic-based politics and domination continue, only replacing one group by another. The Ethiopian people are devastated, yet again.

The current government is not able to maintain peace and security throughout the country. In the past two years, the country has seen all kinds of lawlessness hitherto unseen in Ethiopian governance, including mass displacements by the millions because of ethnic or religious violence, killings, abductions, bank robberies, etc. Universities were forced to suspend classes in several states because they could not guarantee the safety of their students. Even religious institutions, once untouchable, were not immune to the violence.

The Ethiopian economy has been in decline in the last three years. Between 2017 and 2019, the Foreign Direct Investment in Ethiopia fell by more than 35%, and export revenues by some 50%. This is before the reduced mobility due to security concerns nationwide and, more importantly, the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic this year. Both are expected to accelerate that decline further.

At this point, Ethiopia cannot afford continued ethnic politics and division. In combination with a poor economy that lies ahead, Africa's second-most populous country can plunge into more disunity or even anarchy. Something must be done – and soon.

To world powers and friends and partners of Ethiopia, you should be as alarmed as we are. It is time to put immense pressure on Ethiopian politicians to bring them to talk to pull the country back from its crisis, and potentially the brink of anarchy.

As an interim solution, we call for the establishment of a national unity government. We believe this is the best way out towards peace, unity, and stability after decades of crisis, including the latest one, the constitutional impasse due to the virus pandemic. Ethiopians, friends of Ethiopia, and all concerned bodies should demand it.

Ethiopia United International

For detailed analysis about the current situation in Ethiopia, please visit https://EthiopiaUnited.org