“War-preneurship”: Abiy’s Obvious Policy

By Aemro W. Ayalew

My expertise lies in research and entrepreneurship rather than politics – a field I have both practiced and taught. The concept, as defined by the OECD, encompasses starting new ventures, expanding existing ventures into new markets, or innovating in novel ways within established operations. Those engaged in such activities are entrepreneurs.

Yet today, I write not about entrepreneurship—though it remains urgent for young Ethiopians—but about what I call “war-preneurship”: a deliberate political practice that has defined Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s tenure. It follows the same blueprint. Starting brand new wars. Expanding existing types of conflicts to new territories. Innovating in ways never witnessed before to perpetuate the same violence. By this definition, he fulfills the criteria: he is a “Warpreneur”.

My calling has always been research—work that helps smallholder farmers, advances food justice, and supports communities in need. I believe in specialization: people should focus on where they can contribute most. For years, I imagined I would never write about politics. But when a nation grows numb to crisis, when exhaustion replaces outrage, silence becomes complicity. Some of us must speak, even if reluctantly—and I speak from what I know.

When Abiy Rose to Prominence

He was hailed as a reformer—a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, a leader praised for reconciliation and optimism. Many believed Ethiopia was entering a new chapter. Yet, the past several years have revealed something very different: a pattern of governance that relies on perpetual conflict to consolidate power, silence dissent, and distract from failures of governance.

The Politics of Perpetual War

Critics often accuse Abiy of inconsistency. In truth, his consistency lies in the pursuit of conflict. From the war in Tigray to the continuing violence in Amhara and Oromia, the country has been caught in a cycle of militarization. Even now, discussions of opening a new front—this time over a port—signal not vision, but obsession with violence.

Of course, the TPLF era had its share of repression. There were human rights violations and limits on political freedom. But there was also a functioning state. People could travel from one place to another without fear of being kidnapped or caught between militias. There was a monopoly on violence—something a state must maintain to prevent chaos. Infrastructure expanded, poverty declined, and basic services improved.

Today, the reverse is true. Violence has become decentralized. Local militias operate with impunity. Law enforcement is selective. Millions of children are out of school. Hospitals and clinics lie in ruins. And the government, instead of repairing what is broken, looks outward—imagining prosperity through access to a port while ignoring the collapse within.

The Real Priorities

The idea of gaining a seaport may sound strategic. But what good is access to trade routes when classrooms are empty, teachers displaced, and communities living in fear? Before dreaming of ports, Ethiopia must first secure peace within its own borders. That means rebuilding damaged infrastructure, negotiating with armed groups, restoring public trust, and making the country safe for ordinary citizens.

Development cannot coexist with endless war. No investor will build factories in regions where drones strike villages. No parent will send children to school in fear. The economy cannot grow when millions are displaced and traumatized.

A Generation at Risk

Since 2018, children in Amhara, Oromia, and Tigray have witnessed violence more than education. They are growing up in fear, not hope. Their trauma will shape the nation’s future—its politics, its economy, its very identity. This is not an abstract concern; it is a generational emergency.

What kind of leadership profits from such despair? What is the return on investment in war? History teaches that no country builds prosperity through conflict. Ethiopia will not be the exception.

A Call for Peace and Accountability

If patriotism means building a strong and united Ethiopia, then true patriotism today demands restraint, dialogue, and healing. The government’s legitimacy must not come from control through force, but from the trust of its citizens.

Our priorities must shift—from war-preneurship to nation repair. From fueling new conflicts to rebuilding schools and hospitals. From rhetoric of pride to policies of peace.

Ethiopia deserves a week, a year, a decade free from war. Children deserve to grow up seeing books, not bullets. And a generation that has known nothing but violence deserves a chance to rebuild a peaceful country. 

Editor’s Note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com  

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