In democratic societies, opposition parties serve as watchdogs, holding ruling parties accountable and championing alternative visions. In Ethiopia, however, this critical function has eroded dramatically. Apart from a few brave and principled actors, most opposition parties today have ceased to challenge the ruling regime. Instead, they have become enablers – sometimes even more aggressive defenders of the Prosperity Party (PP) than PP loyalists themselves. This betrayal not only weakens Ethiopia’s democratic prospects but also violates the public trust invested in opposition politics.
What makes this phenomenon particularly tragic is the duplicity it entails. These so-called opposition parties undermine the credibility of genuine voices, distort public discourse, and fragment popular resistance. In doing so, they serve two destructive ends: shielding the ruling party from legitimate criticism and suffocating the emergence of real democratic alternatives. It is time Ethiopian’s name and shame these political actors. Silence and passivity only embolden them further.
A Country Still Learning Democracy, and the Opposition Has Abandoned the Classroom
Ethiopia’s engagement with the idea of Western-style democracy is relatively new. Until the fall of the Derg regime in 1991 (1983 EC), democratic freedoms like political pluralism, opposition participation, and free press were virtually non-existent. It was unthinkable for any ruler in Ethiopia – be it during the imperial era or under the military junta – to tolerate opposition parties or dissenting views. In this context, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) deserves a complicated but necessary recognition. Despite its many flaws and authoritarian tendencies, EPRDF created a framework within which opposition parties, civil society, and media could emerge, albeit with limitations.
Under Meles Zenawi’s leadership, Ethiopia at least began to practice the mechanics of electoral competition and political dialogue, even if the outcomes were heavily contested and uneven. The political arena was far from perfect, but it was undeniably more pluralistic than any time in Ethiopia’s modern history.
However, this modest democratic progress unravelled rapidly following Meles’ death. Instead of building upon the foundational – if flawed – structures left behind, Ethiopia regressed politically. The rise of Abiy Ahmed and the subsequent consolidation of the Prosperity Party has brought Ethiopia not only to a pre-EPRDF status but arguably to a condition even more repressive than during the monarchy. Today, the state’s tolerance for dissent is at its lowest. Journalists are jailed, protests are violently suppressed, and critical voices are criminalized. Democracy in Ethiopia is not merely stalled; it is in active decline.
The Double Betrayal: When Opposition Serves Power, Not the People
The current situation is not only the fault of the ruling regime. A more insidious betrayal is taking place – one that stems from the failure of Ethiopia’s opposition parties to rise to the moment. Rather than challenging the PP’s authoritarian drift, many opposition figures have chosen opportunism over principle. They champion government narratives, denounce genuine resistance, and publicly vilify real opposition leaders. In doing so, they have become gatekeepers for the ruling party – filtering and sanitizing dissent in the name of “dialogue” and “unity.”
The depth of this betrayal cannot be overstated. The people of Ethiopia are being stabbed with a double-edged sword. On one side, the government silences them; on the other, opposition parties – those who should be amplifying their grievances – work to invalidate their demands. These fake opposition forces neither speak truth to power nor protect the democratic space. Instead, they mimic the government’s propaganda, co-opt public discontent, and sabotage authentic movements from within.
Therefore it is no longer enough to criticize only the government. Ethiopians must begin calling out these imposters who parade as alternatives while doing the regime’s bidding. They must be told: Your silence is violence. Your collaboration is betrayal. Your performance is not politics – it is deception.
Real opposition parties – those that stand for justice, transparency, federalism, democracy, or human rights – are marginalized and attacked by both the state and their supposed peers. The public has a duty to defend these voices and to expose the charade of those who pretend to represent them. Political cowardice must not be confused with maturity, and betrayal must never be mistaken for pragmatism.
Time to Reclaim the Democratic Space?
The tragedy of Ethiopian politics today is not just the failure of the ruling party but the collapse of the opposition. While a few remain committed to genuine change, the majority have become instruments of confusion and repression. Ethiopians must not accept this as the new normal. It is time to reclaim the democratic space, to resist both authoritarian rulers and their collaborators disguised as opposition.
Naming and shaming these fake parties is not vindictiveness – it is a democratic necessity. The future of Ethiopia depends on the restoration of integrity in its political system. That restoration begins by calling out the lies and demanding accountability, not just from the top, but from all those who claim to stand for the people.
Editor’s Note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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To suggest that ” Under Meles Zenawi’s Democrtizaton process in Ethiopia was remarkable shows that you are nostalgic about ” Woyanee’s Tigray” ruling party. As activist you should not miss the facts,there are two generations of ruling ethnic parties unless to obsecure readers intentionally. The first led by Tigray elites, the 2nd by Oromo elites . EPDRF and PP have common political DNA roots and governing execution, except Abey Ahmad has extraordinary stage talent of performance . To me ” He is James Bond of Ethiopia.
1). Ethiopia vs. Meles Zenawi [TPLF/EPRDF]: TPLF [Tigray] & EPLF-ELF [Eritrea] are Egypt’s Secessionist Proxy Dogs since inception. They co-invaded/co-occupied/co-terrorized/co-looted Ethiopia from 1991 to 1998. Alas, they went at each other’s throats for the lion’s share of the Loot in 1998. Apparently, ‘EPRDF’ was just a façade built to Loot Ethiopia!
2). Ethiopia & Democracy: The last Ethiopian election was held under on-site scrutiny by AU/UN/EU/US/etc. That was to appease both the ‘Democratic West’ & Egypt’s Proxy Dogs that were whining about ‘Free-and-Fair Election.’ Abiy’s PP won & elected Abiy as PM!
3). Opposition & Collaboration: It’s no-brainer that BOTH the Ruling Party & Opposition Parties serve the same country. That’s why Collaboration & Opposition are global: US, Canada, Britain, France, Japan, etc. Why should Ethiopia’s Opposition be different?
4). West & ‘Democracy’: From my decades of experience in the West, ‘Democracy in the West’ is for Whites to serve the White Race Preserve White Supremacy! I never bothered to go & vote! It is not worth my time!
Yes, James Bond is portrayed as a character who kills, and he has a “license to kill” as part of his role as a secret agent. While he’s not a serial killer, he does eliminate targets, often when necessary to complete his missions or in self-defense. The portrayal of Bond as a killer is a key aspect of his character, highlighting his ruthlessness and role as a blunt.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
License to Kill:
Bond’s 00-status grants him the authority to kill in the line of duty, as stated in various discussions about the character.
By the way, I am not a politician or support any other parties. So, for me TPLF/EPRDF has done much better for Ethiopia than the so-called Prosperity Party. At least EPRDF reigned peacefully and many of us were able to be successful.
Nothing match
Hey PM Abiy! How come my liberation front was not invited? I told you the other day when you and I got together over a cup of coffee at a cafe near your palace. I told you I have founded a fighting army to liberate the marginalized black mane lion roaming the highlands in Western Hararghe. I have armed each soldier with a laser gun capable of shooting a target dead from 25,000 miles away. This rare lion has been pushed around and maligned by both Amharas and Oromos for more than 100 years. It has stood up and is now saying enough is enough. I have given its name as OLAFAN or it can be referred as FANOLA. Get it? You and your army will have no chance. You better pack up and leave now for your mother country of the Philippines. Jula just told me he has packed up already and is waiting for my order to move to Rwanda to live with his Tutsi family. So remember my liberation army FANOLA/OLAFAN. It is indomitable, invincible and is well-fed with the lasagna reinvented in Piccola Roma. FANOLA, OLAFAN… I get it!!!