Abiy Outlines “Self-Reliant” Defense Posture and “Medemer” Policy Framework During Inaugural Address to Parliament
By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed delivered an hour-long inaugural address to the House of Peoples’ Representatives after being confirmed for another five-year term, asserting that Ethiopia will secure its vital national interests through military strength and technological readiness rather than relying on external goodwill.
The parliamentary confirmation marks Abiy’s second formal elected term since assuming office in April 2018, following the Prosperity Party’s victory in the recent national elections.
Throughout his address, Prime Minister Abiy placed significant emphasis on achieving national consensus, calling on opposing political factions and citizens to align behind a shared national identity and multinational unity.
However, the premier’s appeal for dialogue and unity arrives against a stark backdrop of ongoing violent conflict across the country. The ruling Prosperity Party administration remains engaged in active armed hostilities with multiple anti-government insurgencies, including renewed fighting in the northern Tigray Region, active confrontations with Fano militia forces in the Amhara Region, and the protracted insurgency involving the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) in Oromia.
While the Prime Minister pointed to major infrastructural projects and economic policy achievements as evidence of “national progress”, domestic critics and international rights activists contend that widespread internal instability continues to inflict a “devastating human toll.”
Human rights organizations report that ongoing military campaigns and counter-insurgency operations across Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia have resulted in severe civilian casualties, mass internal displacement, and widespread destruction of critical infrastructure. Human rights groups have also highlighted growing restrictions on telecommunications, banking, and basic public services in conflict zones as imposing severe hardship on local populations.
Critics further argue that the government’s dual approach—urging peaceful dialogue while deploying heavy military responses—has struggled to break the cycle of violence, leaving millions dependent on emergency humanitarian aid amid rising regional geopolitical tensions.
Drawing historical parallels to frame his defense posture, Prime Minister Abiy reflected on the contrast between the Battle of Adwa and the subsequent Italian invasion of 1935.
He noted that while foreign adversaries spent decades modernizing technologically, Ethiopia remained underprepared for aerial combat. Citing historical vulnerabilities, he recalled how patriotic defenders met hundreds of modern military aircraft with only a handful of non-military planes at Maichew, stressing that failing to anticipate modern technological and aerial threats carries disastrous consequences for national sovereignty.
Prime Minister Abiy urged lawmakers to evaluate defense capabilities, calling on the state to anticipate potential vectors of aggression and maintain strong defense structures across all domains.
Defending his administration’s “Medemer” (addition) policy framework, Prime Minister Abiy argued that unifying national narratives has brought essential political and structural continuity.
He highlighted structural reforms that brought central and peripheral political movements into a unified party structure. Concluding his address, Prime Minister Abiy stated that the government has modernized its administrative approach to manage economic and defense priorities simultaneously, positioning the country to meet future challenges from a stance of self-reliance.
__
Join our Telegram Channel : t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook
Join the conversation. Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter) @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian News updates regularly. Subscribe to YouTube channel To share information or for submission, send e-mail to info@borkena.com
To Support Borkena : https://borkena.com/subscribe-borkena/ – one time support or small monthly options available. Inquire information about it : info@borkena.com