borkena
Toronto – Tomorrow, Ethiopia will begin its new year. It is 2017 in the Ethiopian calendar. The past year has been fraught with challenges on multiple fronts.
The ongoing war in the Amhara region between Fano forces and government forces has dominated news headlines both within Ethiopia and abroad.
While Abiy Ahmed’s administration attempted to showcase achievements through urban infrastructure projects, particularly in Addis Ababa, the reality for many was one of displacement and hardship. The year 2016 in the Ethiopian calendar was marked by a combination of man-made crises and natural disasters.
War
The war, which the government officially launched in August 2015 under the pretext of “disarming Fano forces,” quickly escalated into a full-scale conflict. The State of Emergency declared in August 2023 for six months was extended to ten months but failed to contain the situation. The war is still ongoing in many parts of the Amhara region.
Fano forces, with significant grassroots support, have only grown stronger. However, the war has left a trail of multifaceted devastation for civilians, with over four million students out of school and widespread economic disruption, especially in rural areas. Human rights organizations have reported extrajudicial killings and other atrocities committed by government forces, including rape, with hundreds of civilians killed.
Another active conflict is underway in the Oromia region between the militant ethnic Oromo Nationalist group – Oromo Liberation Front (OLA) – and Abiy Ahmed’s government. Two rounds of negotiation failed in Tanzania.
Kidnappings
Organized ransom kidnappings were another prominent issue this past year. Though the problem exists throughout the country, it has reached alarming levels in the Oromia region, where some claim government officials, along with radical groups like the OLA, are involved in the abductions. In the past two months alone, four passenger buses carrying at least 60 people each were reportedly “kidnapped” in Oromia.
Economic Hardship
Ethiopians have been grappling with economic hardship for years, but the government’s recent economic policies have worsened the situation. Under the guise of “macro-economic reform,” aimed at securing loans from the IMF and World Bank, the government introduced the devaluation of the Ethiopian birr. In July, one US dollar fetched 57 Ethiopian birr, but by the end of August, the value had plummeted to over 115 birr. The impact on the cost of living was immediate, driving up prices of essential goods.
Foreign Relations Crisis
The government’s decision to sign a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland in pursuit of “reliable access to the sea” created a foreign relations crisis, putting Abiy Ahmed’s administration at odds with Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh Mohamud-led government. Egypt took advantage of this rift, entering a defense agreement with Somalia. As a result, tensions in the region escalated, with reports of 10,000 Egyptian troops being deployed in Somalia.
Natural Disasters
On top of these man-made crises, Ethiopia has faced natural disasters, including unprecedented landslides and heavy flooding, which have displaced hundreds of thousands. Landslide claimed over the lives of over 300 people across the country.
In conclusion, the ending year has been one of immense challenges for Ethiopia, marked by ongoing conflict, economic instability, and environmental disasters.
__
Join our Telegram Channel : t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook
Add your business to Ethiopian Business Listing / Ethiopian Business Directory
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