By Shanko Dache
Ethiopia has fallen into disarray in its current ethnically led government. One of the most alarming situations that exists within the country at present is the feeling of insecurity amongst its people. Every day people are unable to travel freely and do everyday tasks without fear. People should be able to travel freely in their own country to see family and friends. They should be able to do business and attend church without fearing kidnap, attack and violence. This is a major failure by the government. Making citizens feel safe within their own country is one of the main jobs of any government. No political agenda should come before keeping people safe.
The government has to be responsible for citizens’ security, health, property, and lives. In other words, if people cannot go to work, study, travel, hold meetings, and gather at places of worship without the threat from armed gangs or kidnappers, then there is a problem. By focusing on the promises to develop the country and its economy, the so-called government officials have forgotten that protecting citizens’ lives and personal safety is one of the state’s primary responsibilities.
Ethiopia faces security problems at both the national and local levels. Conflicts in Tigray, Amhara, and Oromo have caused deaths, displaced families, and severely disrupted people’s lives. The renewed tensions and reports of a new conflict in Tigray have raised further concerns about the region’s fragile peace and the possibility of renewed violence. In Amhara, fighting between government forces and armed groups continues to threaten civilian safety and disrupt daily activities. In Oromo, ongoing insecurity has also resulted in deaths, displacement, and interruptions to education and trade.
The renewed fighting in Tigray, which began in September 2026, has raised fears of another devastating war, threatening the region’s fragile recovery and the peace agreement signed in 2022. The violence has also disrupted essential services, increased humanitarian concerns, and heightened tensions between Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea. However, local conflicts also occur in other regions of the country. All this means that people cannot feel safe in their daily lives or do not feel safe to travel around the country.
The ongoing security crisis and the government’s inability to protect citizens could bring about increased civil disobedience and mass protests throughout Ethiopia. The government should not ignore the factors contributing to citizens’ dissatisfaction.
Ethiopia’s security forces have failed to keep up with the number of security cases so far, which demonstrates their ineffectiveness in protecting the population. Therefore, the government must make security a priority and show tangible results.
Insecure Roads to Addis Ababa
The roads to Addis Ababa or from Addis Ababa are insecure. That means every journey can become a dangerous undertaking. In addition, there are many checkpoints on the way. Some of them are in reasonable places, but some should have been taken down a long time ago. While the security situation in Ethiopia can be dire due to the activities of armed groups, it is not a reason to detain those travelling to the capital on several occasions on the same route; security measures should keep citizens safe and not cause them unnecessary delays.
The 275 km journey from Awassa to Addis Ababa is a trial for both the vehicle and the traveler going to the capital. Those who decide to take this road can expect more than 10 checkpoints on the way, where they may be subjected to random inspections. Some of these checkpoints are said to be manned by armed men who ask for money for no apparent reasons. As if popple have to pay money to pass through. Because of this, some people are reluctant to travel to Addis Ababa and if they travel by plane to avoid the dangers and inconveniences of the way.
Although security forces may need to stop and inspect vehicles, it is necessary to distinguish between justified security measures and unreasonable restrictions. The fact that checkpoints have been established in many places does not necessarily mean that they are needed. People must realize that complete safety and security on the roads cannot always be guaranteed. At the same time, the authorities must understand that such measures should not be imposed without valid reasons as they inconvenience travelers and do little to prevent kidnappings.
Unfortunately, the road to Addis Ababa remains dangerous and difficult to navigate. Travelers face the threat of kidnapping for ransom and other violent crimes. More than seven years ago, eighteen students at Jimma University were kidnapped, and their whereabouts are still unknown.
Last year, a first-year university student whose name is not disclosed set out on a four-hour journey with her friends from Awassa to Addis Ababa after vacationing in Awassa. After arriving at one of the stations along the road, she was reportedly killed inside her car by one of the guards for no apparent reason. The incident was reported, but the information needs to be verified. However, if this information is accurate, it highlights a terrible situation in which a young person cannot travel to her destination without facing the threat of murder.
Students should be able to travel freely and reach their educational institutions without fearing for their lives. Moreover, parents should not have to worry about their children’s safety while traveling. If this terrible incident did occur, the authorities must respond decisively, investigate the crime, and bring those responsible for the student’s murder to justice.
Because of the threat of kidnapping for ransome and other crimes, citizens often pay high prices for air travel rather than travel by road. One can only wonder how serious Ethiopia’s security crisis has become if people have to give up road travel because of these threats.
Air travel should not be a luxury reserved for those who can afford it. For most Ethiopians, the roads leading to Addis Ababa are essential to their daily lives. Therefore, they cannot afford to abandon road travel in favor of expensive air travel.
Ordinary people have limited financial resources, and traveling by road is much more affordable for them. Therefore, if people must resort to air travel because the roads are unsafe, the financial burden falls heavily on those who can least afford it.
It is unacceptable that people are forced to fly to the capital because local roads are unsafe. This suggests that the government is failing to prioritize road safety and do enough to improve it. In a country where people cannot travel with confidence, the population bears a heavy burden. People living in Ethiopia must feel safe enough to travel without fear.
Unfulfilled Promises of Infrastructure Development
The responsibility for public security and government organization lies with the state. However, Ethiopia is facing major issues with maintaining their infrastructure and providing fundamental public services and facilities. Due to constant delays, the final part of the expressway between Zeway and Awassa has still not opened, and has been reported to be over 6 years late. It is difficult to comprehend why they are claiming we are experiencing economic growth and prosperity when major infrastructure hasn’t been completed for years with little explanation. Honestly, it is a frustrating, lengthy and tiring process travelling through minor busy towns to get to Addis Ababa. However, by having to travel through these towns, there is an increased risk of road accidents. It is unimaginable that there isn’t a reliable road connecting tAddis Ababa and Awassa for such a long time.
Above all, the authorities should address the situation in which ordinary Ethiopians are forced to avoid using local roads. The government must listen to citizens who demand clear answers and explanations. In addition, the government must develop an action plan to improve road safety and identify the agencies responsible for implementing it.
Road infrastructure is fundamental to the economy because, without it, farmers and traders cannot transport goods efficiently, and hospitals and schools cannot operate effectively. The government’s inability to finance and organize road maintenance creates additional problems. Therefore, the authorities cannot credibly talk about economic growth when people cannot move freely. Roads are essential to the development of Ethiopia’s economy, health care system, and education sector. The government must take this reality into account.
The public has had enough of officials’ empty rhetoric about national wealth and economic growth while conditions continue to deteriorate. People need to see tangible results from government efforts and concrete steps to improve their lives. The continued construction of buildings without adequate roads leading to them does not inspire public confidence in the authorities.
There are suspicions that the opening of the Addis Ababa–Awassa Expressway has been deliberately delayed until the completion of the Awassa corridor development project so that the government can inaugurate both projects at the same time and present them as a major achievement. If these suspicions are true, the Ethiopian government has a great deal to explain. A project of this nature should not be withheld from the public simply to accommodate a political spectacle or create the appearance of government achievement.
People want an explanation for why the opening of this road has been delayed for so long, not a political spectacle that generates publicity without changing anything. What matters is not when or where the ribbon is cut, but whether the project is completed and serves its intended purpose.
Attacks on Religious and Ethnic Communities
To the dismay of the Ethiopian people, reports have emerged of killings of followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in the Arsi region and attacks on Gurage people in their own region.
Citizens should not have to live in fear of being killed because of their religion, ethnicity, or place of origin. Any credible reports of attacks involving members of any community should be investigated thoroughly, and those responsible should be brought to justice. The government must protect vulnerable communities without discrimination and take firm measures to ensure that those who perpetrate violence are not above the law.
The killing of citizens not only causes their families to grieve but also leaves entire communities feeling insecure and undermines public confidence in the government. Attacking worshippers in places of worship not only violates religious freedom but also prevents people from practicing their faith without fear.
Similarly, attacks on Gurage people in their own region raise questions about whether the government protects all communities equally. The government cannot pick and choose whom to protect and whom to leave vulnerable. The lives of Orthodox Christians, Gurage people, and members of every other community are equally valuable. Any failure by the government to investigate attacks on particular communities will further erode public confidence in the government.
Conflict Beyond the Major War Zones
Attacks on religious and ethnic communities pose a serious security challenge to Ethiopia. Boundary disputes between Oromia and the neighboring Sidama region also threaten peaceful coexistence between communities.
Recently, tensions have increased between the Oromo and Somali communities in Moyale. The Somali community claims that the violence was orchestrated by the federal government and the Oromo regional government, which are perceived to be working closely together. The Somali community has reported that a girl was killed, many people were injured, and property was damaged. The situation is a matter of great concern because it threatens the lives of ordinary citizens and highlights the government’s inability to prevent such attacks.
I call on the government to investigate these incidents, protect citizens, and bring those responsible to justice. The government should protect its people from attacks and hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions.
The government should also ensure that local and regional disputes are resolved peacefully to prevent wider conflicts. Resolving boundary disputes requires impartial administration and fair adjudication. The government should establish mechanisms to resolve disputes and prevent the further escalation of ethnic and communal conflicts.
These challenges highlight the various sources of insecurity facing Ethiopia. Armed conflict, boundary disputes, and kidnappings for ransom pose serious threats to citizens’ security. The Ethiopian government needs to demonstrate its ability and willingness to protect citizens from both domestic and external threats. The government must demonstrate that it can protect its citizens anywhere, at any time, and against any threat. The government must prove that its security forces will respond decisively to conflicts of any scale, whether in rural or urban areas.
The Government Must Be Held Accountable
Given the scale and spread of these conflicts and the lack of effective government oversight, one must question whether the government is capable of protecting the people of Ethiopia. Thousands of deaths, displacement, criminal violence, and restrictions on mobility cannot be dismissed as mere inconveniences. The government must demonstrate its ability to address these challenges and restore public confidence. The government must demonstrate through actions, not words, that it can address the country’s security challenges. The government should demonstrate that people can worship without fear, trade and invest in businesses safely, travel freely, and return home safely after their journeys.
The government must deliver results and stop making empty promises. A government that cannot provide essential public goods, such as security, should be held accountable through transparency, due process, and the rule of law.
The government should not make insecurity an inherent part of Ethiopian life, but should have clear objectives, a structured approach to policing bodies, investigations into why insecurity occurs and protection of vulnerable populations. The occasional comments by the Prime Minister such as “The government isn’t going to be a village police force. The villagers have to look after themselves.” show that they do not realize the state’s main role is to protect its population. Although local communities can help to provide security, the government still has a key role to play in ensuring there is law and order and protecting the public.
A state that cannot protect its citizens will lose public confidence. Moreover, when people begin to believe that their safety depends on their wealth, ethnicity, connections, or ability to flee, the principle of equal citizenship breaks down. The government must demonstrate its competence through tangible results, not rhetoric alone, to regain public confidence.
The Economic and Social Cost of Insecurity
When insecurity prevails, trade and commerce suffer severely. Farmers are unable to transport their produce to markets, and traders cannot safely transport their goods because of these threats.
When kidnappings for ransom become widespread, businesspeople are discouraged from investing in legitimate businesses because of the threat of extortion. Unsafe roads harm businesses. When roads become inaccessible, trade and investment suffer severely. In addition, family members may be unable to visit one another because of fear and insecurity. Students may be unable to return to their universities. Wealthier citizens can travel by air, while poorer citizens are forced to use the roads despite the many dangers.
A country cannot develop when its roads are unsafe and inaccessible. The country needs to create favorable conditions for investment and safe travel. Development in Ethiopia will not take off through declarations of targets and empty speeches alone, but through tangible efforts to restore security.
Ethnic Politics: A Threat to Ethiopia’s National Survival
Ethnicity has become an important part of Ethiopia’s political system. This is because ethnic identities have often influenced political representation, appointment and resource allocation. This has meant ethnicity has become an increasingly important component within society. Due to the institutionalization of ethnicity within politics there are concerns about how national unity will be affected. In some cases, communities are seeing themselves as separate political entities rather than part of a single Ethiopian nation. This can cause issues when trying to address common problems due to political mobilization on an ethnic basis. The writer of this article firmly believes that the insecurity the country currently faces is due to the polarization of ethnic politics
This divisive political system has contributed to armed conflict, violence, boundary disputes, displacement, and insecurity in many parts of Ethiopia. Unless this situation is addressed, Ethiopia could experience gradual political disintegration, with potentially devastating consequences for its territorial integrity.
The disintegration of a country is not usually a rapid process. It usually results from a series of developments that gradually weaken the state. Disintegration can begin when insecurity becomes widespread, suspicion grows between communities, and public confidence in the government erodes. People may begin to identify primarily with particular social groups rather than with their shared Ethiopian citizenship.
Ethnicity Is Not the Problem; Ethnic Politics Is
However, the most worrying issue is a political system that promotes competition between communities along ethnic lines. Citizens should not feel that some Ethiopians are favored over others. Ordinary Ethiopians should never be made to feel like foreigners in their own country. Ordinary citizens should demand a political system that promotes the national interest rather than favors selected groups.
Politics should prioritize national identity over ethnic identity. Political parties should be formed around shared ideas and political philosophies rather than ethnicity. The country needs to promote the rule of law, professionalism, and democratic governance rather than vote-bank politics. We need to foster patriotism rather than cynicism. We need to promote political competition based on ideas rather than ethnicity. Unless Ethiopia’s political system changes, the country could continue to fragment and risk losing its territorial integrity.
The Urgent Need for Action
Security is a top priority for any government. Government officials must do more than make statements. The government must take action to protect vulnerable communities, secure trade routes, investigate killings and kidnappings, and bring perpetrators to justice. The government must also ensure that boundary disputes are resolved peacefully and that the public receives the necessary information. In addition, the government should ensure that checkpoints are staffed by the appropriate security personnel and that road construction projects are completed on time.
Lasting peace requires political inclusion, justice, and professionalism. Peace cannot be achieved through force alone; the root causes of conflicts must also be addressed. Peace cannot be achieved by protecting selected communities while leaving others vulnerable to attack. The government needs to establish forums for dialogue and conflict resolution and prevent local or regional conflicts from escalating into larger ones.
The government must restore public confidence by protecting communities against all forms of insecurity.
Ethiopia belongs to all Ethiopians. No one should feel that one community is favored at the expense of others. All religious communities must be assured of government protection, and all ethnic groups must feel at home in Ethiopia.
All citizens must be able to travel confidently, carry out their daily activities without fear of kidnapping, and worship freely and safely. It is the government’s responsibility to make this possible. The ability of citizens to travel confidently and conduct their business safely will help determine the country’s stability. A country will remain unstable as long as its people do not feel safe. The government must be held accountable for its failure to protect its citizens and must demonstrate its competence through concrete actions to restore public confidence.
Editor’s Note: Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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