Wondmagegn Ejigu Kebede
Uppsala, Sweden.
Let’s begin by examining the role of armed struggle in modern Ethiopian history. The beginning of Ethiopian modern history is a period marked by the emergence of numerous groups claiming to be “freedom fighters,” each asserting their mission to liberate specific ethnic groups within the country. The downfall of the Solomonic dynasty was particularly characterized by the proliferation of these armed groups. Many of these groups were driven by an intense belief in extreme leftist political ideologies, often surpassing rational understanding and rooted more in emotional fervor than in comprehensive knowledge.
Most of these freedom fighters, at the time, were young university students in their twenties, whose understanding of the political doctrines they supported was largely influenced by emotional attachment rather than a deep comprehension of complex historical, social, and cultural realities of Ethiopia. Their focus tended to be narrow, primarily viewing the country’s issues through the lens of ethnicity and nationalism, often influenced by Eastern European nationalist rhetoric. This limited perspective ignored Ethiopia’s rich and complex history, especially its social and cultural diversity.
Some groups, like the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), managed to survive for nearly half a century and continue to play a role in Ethiopia’s current political landscape. Others, such as the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (Shabia), succeeded in establishing a separate independent country—Eritrea. Their leader, Isaias Afwerki, has maintained power for over 30 years.Isaias Afwerki has even earned the reputation of being the “North Korea of Africa,” as he has maintained power for over 30 years, during which he has caused irreversible damage to both the country and the people he once fought to liberate.Many other “freedom fighter groups” faded away over time. However, the concept of armed struggle that emerged in Ethiopia’s modern history has perpetuated a cycle of conflict, creating a seemingly endless race that the country has struggled to break free from.
The very idea of freedom, political freedom.
The very notion of freedom is often distorted by the rhetoric surrounding armed struggle and its purported leaders. In many cases, the armed struggle movement begins with manipulative language, where leaders portray themselves as the sole champions of liberation. They construct a narrative in which they are the messengers who will guide the oppressed masses from their current state of suffering to a future of freedom. Implicit in this narrative is the belief that these leaders possess a special, almost divine ability—an exceptional wisdom or power—that ordinary people lack. As a result, a significant portion of propaganda aims to elevate these figures into larger-than-life, divine entities, thereby masking their human limitations.
Furthermore, the ideology of armed struggle reinforces the false idea that armed rebellion is the only legitimate means to achieve freedom. This perspective cultivates a widespread belief among Ethiopians that they are doomed to remain under oppression until a “freedom fighter” appears to liberate them. Such a mindset discourages active engagement in peaceful and constructive efforts for societal change and fosters dependence on revolutionary figures.
Over time, this recurring cycle of armed conflict and the false hope it generates have eroded the society’s confidence in its own capacity to seek, demand, understand, and fight for its rights. Ethiopian society, through history, has been conditioned to believe that genuine liberation can only come through violence, thus undermining its potential for owning political freedom through a peaceful struggle as the “Arab spring” or recent peaceful movement witnessed in Kenya.
The Misconception of Peaceful Resistance
The Ethiopian political elite has significantly failed when it comes to empowering, engaging, and mobilizing the general public. Politics is inherently challenging, and being a politician is far more than simply wearing a suit and making appearances at press conferences. True political leadership requires a clear vision and strategic planning.
In an environment controlled by a ruthless dictator, this task becomes even more complex. It demands a careful and thorough analysis of the oppressive regime and the development of a strategic action plan to challenge it effectively. Moreover, it is essential to have a detailed roadmap for how to empower ordinary citizens, how to involve them in resistance efforts, and how to activate their participation.
Achieving this requires a strong presence at the grassroots level and a sustained effort to build trust and organize communities from the ground up. It also demands specific skills in organization, communication, and mobilization. Politics is a demanding endeavor that calls for dedication, cooperation, and long-term commitment.
Regrettably, most Ethiopian politicians today lack these essential qualities. They are often disconnected from grassroots realities—and their efforts tend to be confined to elites or their close allies. As a result, they have failed to engage with the wider public, making genuine mobilization nearly impossible. Their rhetoric often does not reflect the reality on the ground. Their political discourse and jargon fail to resonate with the everyday experiences and aspirations of ordinary Ethiopians.When these politicians realize that their approach is ineffective, they often resort to armed struggle, dismissing the potential of peaceful political methods. This shift comes at the expense of young Ethiopians and perpetuates the cycle of conflict, leaving the country trapped in ongoing instability.
In order to achieve meaningful political change, the myth surrounding armed struggle must be addressed. Given the current brutal dictatorial regime, the existence of armed groups can be understood and sometimes seen as legitimate. However, viewing these armed movements as the primary agents of establishing a democratic system is naive. While such struggles can pose a significant threat to the dictatorship, they also present an opportunity for opposition leaders to empower, engage, and mobilize the public. Unfortunately, many
political leaders prefer to remain in their comfort zones, fostering division among armed groups—a situation that worsens each day like a never-ending Netflix series—while ordinary citizens are left hopeless.
This brings us to another myth that needs a brief discussion in this article—the notion of exclusive elite politics.
Politics is often viewed as the domain of political elites within the Ethiopian political landscape. Particularly in the opposition sphere, it is frequently the so-called elites who dominate the scene. The very essence of opposition politics often begins with organizing these elites, drafting political programs, and, in some cases, engaging in debates, discussions, and analysis among themselves. This focus on the elite level results in a failure to engage the broader public. There is no tangible example of a political party that has successfully reached out to the grassroots, empowered local communities, actively engaged them, and mobilized their support. This lack of grassroots engagement is the primary reason behind the ineffective mobilization of the public. Furthermore, the absence of new ideas and fresh faces on the opposition front is often linked to a disconnect between politicians and the general populace, hampering meaningful communication and broader engagement.
If we look back thirty years at the opposition leaders in Ethiopian politics and then fast forward to today, many of the same individuals are still involved. Of course, some have changed their affiliations and now serve as ministers within the system they once opposed. This alone speaks volumes about the integrity of both opposition politics and its politicians. However, the most pressing question is: why does this front lack new faces? A likely answer is that the leadership has entrenched gatekeepers and opinion-makers who are averse to new and innovative ideas. Their mentality is essentially “my way or the highway,” and they consider others to always be wrong. Such a mindset is a cancer that hampers progress within the front.
In this context, the recent efforts by prominent politician Liditu Ayalew are a positive step. Unfortunately, so far, the focus has primarily been on elites, with limited engagement of grassroots communities. As disheartening as it may be, Liditu may be unknowingly subscribing to the familiar pattern of the Ethiopian diaspora political scene—where the same figures dominate, control the narrative, and dictate opinions.
Conclusion:
Yes, Ethiopia is indeed under a ruthless and oppressive regime. There is no question about it. This regime kills people for amusement and commits genocide to maintain power. These are facts that require no further analysis. What is urgently needed now is a political movement that can empower, engage, and mobilize ordinary citizens so they can stand up and fight for their rights. Of course, this requires politicians with the right mindset and skills. Politicians who have been entrenched in their own conflicts for the past thirty years could do a favor to the country by stepping aside, making room for new and creative leaders capable of guiding the nation forward. Armed groups should also acknowledge the reality: that pursuing a transition to a democratic system through armed struggle is a false hope. It’s time to stop offering such false promises and instead encourage communities to engage, organize, and take constructive action.
The writer can be reached at : wenneve@gmail,com
Editor’s Note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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